Pence rebukes EU; rejects Merkel's call to work with Russia

So on an international stage in Munich, he starts spouting "America first" and expects everybody to fall in line.

while former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden got a standing ovation for a speech in which he said that after Trump, close traditional U.S.-EU would resume."America will be back," he said.

It can't come soon enough.

All part of the plan huh?

Unmentioned in this article, but telling about just how the current US Whitehouse Occupant is viewed:

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/430343-pence-met-with-silence-after-mentioning-trump-in-munich-speech

"Vice President Pence was met with silence on Friday when he mentioned President Trump at a security conference in Munich.

“I bring greetings from the 45th president of the United States of America, Donald Trump,” Pence said, before being met with a lengthy silence. "

Basically, Pence paused for applause, and when none came, he looked foolish. Which, considering the administration he works for, shouldn't be surprising, since he is foolish.

rejecting a call by Germany's chancellor to include Russia in global cooperation efforts.

It's too late Trumppence: Eurasia has a reduced need for the US. Especially if Russia's Eurasian Economic Union gets stronger and China' Belt and Road is successful. Add in India, Turkey and Iran expanding their respective empires, and the US becomes reduced to a second tier power.

The US empire is rapidly fading and the ineptness of Trumppence is accelerating the fade. The US needs to find ways to reduce its reliance on burning coal, oil and gas and find better ways to rely almost exclusively on its own natural and human resources.

The US needs to come up with revised economic policies that do not depend on US trillion dollar expenditures and military invasions.

Mike Pence was probably competent as a small city mayor in Indiana. He was clearly out of his league as Governor;

A firestorm around a 2015 law known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act placed the state center stage in the culture wars, leading to intense backlash from the business community. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce called the law “a tremendous hit” to Indiana’s “national identity as a welcoming and hospitable state,” and Pence delivered a memorably bad performance on ABC’s “This Week,” in which he declined to answer whether or not it should be legal to discriminate against gays and lesbians.*

He was also embarrassed by — and forced to abandon — a plan to create a state-run news service, an idea that drew national ridicule. All of it took place against the backdrop of rumblings that Pence had ambitions of his own for the Oval Office.

And it it very evident that he is far from competent as VP. So we have two incompetents leading our country. And the result is embarrassing performances like this, and more troubling, 35 day government shutdowns that endanger our security and put millions of families under strain.

Send Trump back to his boring reality TV show and Pence back to his one room midwest church.

How utterly insulting to our European allies (and mortifying to sane Americans) for the United States to be represented at a high-level security conference by a handbag designer. Who would have ever imagined that Angela Merkel and Ivanka Trump would be in the same room?

Good for Merkel! I'm surprised that the audience didn't boo or laugh when Pence spoke.

Good for Merkel! I'm surprised that the audience didn't boo or laugh when Pence spoke.

Nah, they just say there in stony silence for the most part. See the video in the link I posted, it's... revealing.

The US is becoming increasingly isolated.

Because of your boy Trump, who you constantly praise whilst bashing the US. What you are doing is painfully obvious.

This guy makes Ted Cruz look charming and he's a slimy goblin. The only way Pence will be POTUS is if Trump dies or is impeached. He'll certainly never be elected. But this is yet another reminder of how little things would change if the Donald were removed.

A President Pence is a reason I'd rather not have Trump impeached. Trump made a magnificent choice: it pleased the Christian right and is a poison pill to the left.

The US is becoming increasingly isolated.

Funny guy

Yeah and if he said let’s work with Russia too all the liberals would be screeching about “collusion” again.

This is how Putin has been wanting things all along. Put Trump in power because Trump hasn't a clue and will ultimately look like a fool and get America out of the picture. The collusion part is about the election, nothing more.

In the classic movie about a changing world, 'In The Heat of the Night' there's a scene where the once all powerful white local oligarch slaps the Black police detective from a much less insular force who the local sheriff has effectively dragooned into working for him to solve a high profile murder, only to be astonished when said detective slaps him right back.

As the white oligarch lectures the Sherrif for 'failing' to react 'properly' (shooting, or at least roughing him up and arresting him so he'd be helpless in the face of a lynch mob) the Sherrif does the math in his head, and realizes that while he might still get away with less blatant racist behavior, against less prominent Blacks, when attention from less insular places is less likely, and does nothing.

And that is what was going on here. Sure, the 'things will be back to the way they were soon' statement is soothing, but the reality is that the US will not be getting away with the stuff it used to even without the brass band being involved.

And those who think that the world is a worse place because of that are embarrassments to their children and community.

So collude to get him elected so that he can then refuse to work with Russia when Germany and others in EU recommend it?

seems would be the opposite.

America is always moving and shaking, ups and down, negative and positive. This is why America is the strongest country in the world. People say whatever they want and America stays the "rock" of the world. America is about the people. People ultimately change what the don't like. Sometimes the most worthwhile change takes the longest time to accomplish.Presidents can only serve the country for 2 consecutive 4 year terms then change MUST take place. We always go back and forth. Its called Balance.

@lincolnman

Mike Pence was probably competent as a small city mayor in Indiana. He was clearly out of his league as Governor;

Nah, he wasn't. He simply had the support of the Evangelicals who are hypocrites walking.

The Mike Pence HIV Scandal: 4 Things You Need To Know

https://www.romper.com/p/the-mike-pence-hiv-scandal-4-things-you-need-to-know-14479

@Blacklabel

Yeah and if he said let’s work with Russia too all the liberals would be screeching about “collusion” again.

Not necessarily “collusion”. Early attempts by President Trump to treat Mr. Putin, who is Russia at the moment, as a person with whom he could negotiate a better, less hostile relationship were met with jeers from Democrats. It’s a pity, then, that Mr. Biden didn’t bring up Russia’s occupation of the Crimea and interference in eastern Ukraine. Would he have been given an ovation, been met by silence or booed? Mr. Biden is just building up “international street cred” before he enters the primary arena.

I understand Germany’s position. If they want to have nuke free power and a thriving economy they need Russian natural gas. Would Russia ever retaliate against Germany for taking a stance Russia didn’t like? They have already shown their willingness to do so since the early 1990s.

@PTownsend

It's too late Trumppence: Eurasia has a reduced need for the US. Especially if Russia's Eurasian Economic Union gets stronger and China' Belt and Road is successful. Add in India, Turkey and Iran expanding their respective empires, and the US becomes reduced to a second tier power.

I can almost see the spittle flying out of this post. Perhaps the DSof A’s AOC and all Democratic front runners can persuade China and India to implement their own Green New Deal as their carbon emissions are yet to be reined in.

@anon Perhaps the DSof A’s AOC and all Democratic front runners can persuade China and India to implement their own Green New Deal as their carbon emissions are yet to be reined in.

Great suggestion! In addition to China and India, maybe AOC (fear her - she's all powerful - out to take away your F-150 pickup, NASCAR races and beef) could also get Russia and other nations to 'rein in' their carbon emissions.

After all, climate change is a global issue.

But I thought USA and Russia were already working together. They worked together during the 2016 USA presential election.

"We cannot strengthen the West by becoming dependent on the East," Pence said.

What a silly thing to say. Pence's still stuck in the past (who would have thought!?), overplaying the West vs East divide.

Pence (and Trump) shouldn't expect euros (and others) to always side with the us vs 'the East' -whatever that means in 2019-, doesn't work like that anymore. The world has changed, countries like Poland are now part of the EU/the West, ppl like Merkel who grew up in the East has been the leader of a western nation for 15 years. As strange as it may sound to some, many ppl -americans or non am- do occasionally feel that they have more in common with 'ppl from the East' than they have with blokes like Pence and their silly/outdated world/moral views & values (the 'Pence rule' anyone?).

A President Pence is a reason I'd rather not have Trump impeached.

Haha, totally agree!

How utterly insulting to our European allies (and mortifying to sane Americans)

I mean, it's not like they've been kind and gracious to us always, in fact, they've been condescending over the years. Anyway, they'll get over it, we did.

for the United States to be represented at a high-level security conference by a handbag designer. Who would have ever imagined that Angela Merkel and Ivanka Trump would be in the same room?

With that Merkel, yeah, it is quite amazing...poor Germany...

Good for Merkel! I'm surprised that the audience didn't boo or laugh when Pence spoke.

As if Pence cares. lol

@PTownsend

Great suggestion! In addition to China and India, maybe AOC (fear her - she's all powerful - out to take away your F-150 pickup, NASCAR races and beef) could also get Russia and other nations to 'rein in' their carbon emissions.

“Fear” AOC? She’s just a mouthpiece though, as you hint at with the “beef” comment, she might be the other end.

Indeed, China and India have much in common and good reason to ignore any calls regarding reduction of carbon emissions. “Make China Great Again!” and “India First!”.

How utterly insulting to our European allies (and mortifying to sane Americans) for the United States to be represented at a high-level security conference by a handbag designer. Who would have ever imagined that Angela Merkel and Ivanka Trump would be in the same room?

It’s shocking that some Trump supporters don’t attack nepotism.

Nepotism is despot/banana republic behaviour. It has no place in developed countries. This should be criticized by everyone.

Fear” AOC? She’s just a mouthpiece though,

Underestimate her at your own peril. She commands the global deep state, Orcs and the spectres of Obama & Hillary. They're scheming to take away your Ladas and make you add soy milk to vodka.

China and India have much in common and good reason to ignore any calls regarding reduction of carbon emissions. 

And by not reducing their carbon emissions they're putting their combined population of 2.7 billion people at even greater risk, along with the 5 other billion people around the globe.

@PTownsend

Underestimate her at your own peril. She commands the global deep state, Orcs and the spectres of Obama & Hillary.

Jeez. I never thought you were one of THEM.Come back to the real world of Marvel Comics!

”Ladas”?

I ride a Soviet era bicycle. Oops ...

If you’re concerned about emissions in China and India I’m not sure Messrs. Xi and Modi have enough time to fit you into their busy schedules. Sorry. Have a vodka. Neat.

За ваше здоровье!

But, I thought the Trump admin is in Putin’s pocket? Shouldn’t Pence want to help Russia?

It doesn’t make sense.

I always read these articles and the comments with great interest. Because I tend to find that historical context is missing.

Is Russia a friend to the West or not? I thought they were, with the whole Russia reset thing and Obama dismissing them as a threat and approving the sale of a whole bunch of uranium to them. And ignoring the annexation of Crimea and the invasion of eastern Ukraine.

But then Trump was elected and Russia was the enemy and Trump was colluding with them. And was in bed with them.

However, Trump turns around and tightens sanctions, increases military spending, deploys additional assets to eastern Europe, argues for energy independence from Russia for Europe. Weird behavior for someone colluding with Putin and who is controlled by Putin.

Merkel encourages more cooperation with Putin / Russia = good.

Trump cultivating relationship with Putin / Russia = bad, because Trump is Putin's puppet.

Merkel developing closer ties with Russia for energy = good, because international cooperation.

Trump opposing Europes closer ties to Russia for energy because of over-dependence = Undermining international cooperation.

I get lost in what is supposed to be good and bad and who is good and bad.

What I get is that Trump is bad always and that Merkel is good always and that Putin / Russia is OK depending on who the person in the West is that is dealing with him.

Trump has no coherent foreign policy beyond.

No American uranium was sold to Russia. Extraction rights were sold to a Canadian company bought by Russian nationals.

So collude to get him elected so that he can then refuse to work with Russia when Germany and others in EU recommend it? 

seems would be the opposite.

Not at all. Putin is smart. Trump is stupid. Putin doesn't care about the relationship with Trump at all. Putin just wanted America out of the picture. He knows the kind of loud mouth egoist Trump is. He knew him getting elected would be bad for the global relationships and America losing trust would mean Russia would find it easier to improve relationships. That's what is happening.

"The United States is asking Britain, France, Germany and other European allies to take back over 800 ISIS fighters that we captured in Syria and put them on trial," Trump said in a tweet, using another acronym for IS.

*"The Caliphate is ready to fall. The alternative is not a good one in that we will be forced to release them. The U.S. does not want to watch as these ISIS fighters permeate Europe, which is where they are expected to go."*

https://www.yahoo.com/news/back-jihadists-trump-tells-europe-070027213.html

Oh my . . .

Trump wants to release terrorists so they can continue to terrorize. HAR!

Joe Biden got a standing ovation for a speech in which he said that after Trump, close traditional U.S.-EU would resume."America will be back," he said.

Biden-Clinton 2020!

After which, EU rebukes Pence right back. And Merkel rejects Pence's rejection.