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Bullying and lies seem part of this US Presidency - EDITORIAL

7 October 2019 12:03 am - 0     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The unexpected and unacceptable keep happening in the US. The leader of the so-called ‘free world’, the personage referred to as the most powerful man in the world - the President of the United States of America - has been accused of arm-twisting the President of a US-friendly state the Ukraine, to help him bring charges of graft against his main political rival at the upcoming 2020 US Presidential election.   


But then, that’s not quite an uncommon tactic in the US, where Mafia Dons rule supreme and ‘God Fathers’ act with impunity, making -’offers’ to friend and foe alike- that dare not be rejected’. The ‘Washington Post’ in September revealed that President Trump had attempted to hold to ransom the Ukraine President, threatening to cut military aid to that country, unless he helped dig up dirt on - past US Vice President Biden - a contender for the 2020 US Presidential election. He also demanded Ukraine investigate a ‘Fox News’ report that Ukraine - not Russia - attempted to manipulate the 2016 US presidential polls.   
The charges are based on a report made by internal whistle-blower in June this year who reported that President Trump was using his official position to demand the Ukraine President interfere in the forthcoming US presidential election by providing dirt on his rival. The whistle-blower was privy to information of Trump’s telephone conversation with his Ukraine counterpart.   


Poor Mr. Trump seems to have an inherent fear of his ability to win an election honestly and without foreign interference. During the 2016 US Presidential election, then candidate Trump, was accused of having collaborated with Russia to to help him gain an advantage over his then rival Hilary Clinton. The inconclusive Robert Mueller investigation into the 2016 election brought little clarification to questions raised.


To worsen the already-bad situation, the Trump administration then attempted to block the whistle-blowers report being released to Congress. Critics charged the President’s actions were an abuse of that power, and undermined US national security because it places Trump’s personal agenda before interests of the country. The report raised fears the President of the United States was using his constitutional powers to set foreign policy to advance his own political career.   
Trump stands accused of undermining the integrity of US elections, violating the civil rights of the US citizens, calling for foreign attacks on the US electoral system, and violating campaign finance laws by soliciting foreign help. The administration is also accused of obstruction of justice for resisting Congressional subpoenas for documents and testimony relating to the crisis.  


Following the revelations, Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House of Representatives announced an impeachment inquiry against the President. Since then, all hell has broken out in the US. Decency and dignity has flown out of the window, as Trump lashed out at House Speaker Pelosi and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff ranting they were wasting Americans’ time and charging the latter with treason - without any proof of course.   
Trump’s blowout came amidst another crucial development in the impeachment showdown - after the State Department Inspector General asked for an urgent meeting to brief Congressional Committees regarding documents relevant to the Ukraine scandal. The President’s outburst came at a press conference, with the visiting President of Finland. As the Finnish President looked on, Trump accused Schiff of misrepresenting his call with the President of Ukraine, in which he (Trump) is accused of asking the Ukraine government to investigate his potential 2020 rival Joe Biden, in an apparent abuse of power.   


Decorum, or behaviour in keeping with good taste and propriety has flown of out of the Trump White House, and has been replaced by bellicose ravings tweets and rants. To make matters worse, Trump on Friday publicly and openly called on China to open an investigation of corruption against his political rival - ex-Vice President Biden! The catch... a Chinese delegation is arriving in the US for talks aimed at ending the ongoing trade war between the US and that country.   
Whatever the pros and cons of the matter may be, one thing is clear; the integrity of US democracy lies in tatters. The reality the US is faced with is, it has in the White House, a man who seems to believe he is above the law.   


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