The GOP's Putin Wing: How Trump and His Allies Have Embraced the Russian Leader

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, is not a friend of the United States. He has invaded and annexed parts of Ukraine, interfered in American elections, cracked down on dissent and human rights, and opposed US interests and allies around the world. Yet, despite these facts, a significant faction of the Republican Party has developed a fondness for Putin, influenced by the former president Donald Trump and his media allies.

In this article, we will examine how and why some Republicans have become admirers of Putin, what are the implications for US foreign policy and national security, and what are the challenges for the GOP's future.

The Trump Effect

The main reason for the GOP's shift on Putin is Trump himself. As a candidate, president and ex-president, Trump has repeatedly praised Putin as a strong, savvy and genius leader. He has also echoed Putin's ideology, by harshly criticizing NATO, Western liberalism and L.G.B.T. rights. Trump has even suggested that Putin should release negative information on his political rival, Joe Biden.

Trump's admiration for Putin has had a trickle-down effect on some Republican voters, who began to view Putin more favorably than they viewed Biden, Kamala Harris or Nancy Pelosi. A YouGov poll in January 2022 found that Republicans viewed Putin more favorably than they viewed Biden. Another poll by Pew Research Center in February 2022 found that 38% of Republicans said they had a lot or some confidence in Putin to do the right thing regarding world affairs.

The Fox News Factor

Another factor that has contributed to the GOP's Putin wing is Fox News, the most popular news source for Republican voters. Fox News hosts like Tucker Carlson have suggested that American liberals represent a bigger threat than Putin. Carlson has also promoted a false rumor, popular in Russia, accusing the US of funding biological weapons labs in Ukraine.

Fox News has also given a platform to pro-Putin voices within the GOP, such as Mike Pompeo, Trump's former secretary of state, who called Putin "a very talented statesman" who has "lots of gifts" in a Fox interview. Pompeo has also downplayed the threat of Russian aggression in Ukraine, saying that "the Ukrainians will ultimately figure this out".

The Koch Industries Connection

Another corporation that seems to have a stake in the GOP's Putin wing is Koch Industries, one of the largest private companies in the US and a major donor to Republican causes. Koch Industries has been lobbying against sanctions on Russia since 2014, when Putin annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Koch Industries has also been involved in several business deals with Russian companies, including a joint venture with Rosneft, Russia's state-owned oil giant.

Koch Industries has also funded several think tanks and advocacy groups that have pushed for a softer stance on Russia, such as the Cato Institute, the Heritage Foundation and Americans for Prosperity. These groups have argued that sanctions on Russia are counterproductive, that NATO is obsolete and that the US should cooperate with Russia on issues like energy and terrorism.

The Implications and Challenges

The GOP's Putin wing poses serious challenges for US foreign policy and national security. It undermines the bipartisan consensus that Russia is an adversary that needs to be deterred and contained. It weakens the US alliance with NATO and other democratic partners. It emboldens Putin to pursue his expansionist ambitions and interfere in US domestic affairs.

The GOP's Putin wing also poses serious challenges for the GOP itself. It alienates many traditional Republicans who see Putin as a threat and an enemy. It creates divisions within the party between hawkish and dovish factions. It damages the party's credibility and reputation among American voters who value democracy and human rights.

The GOP's Putin wing is not representative of the entire party or its voters. Many Republican leaders and lawmakers have condemned Putin's invasion of Ukraine and called for strong sanctions and support for Ukraine. Many Republican voters say they wish the Biden administration would take more aggressive action to help Ukraine. But as long as Trump remains a leading contender for the 2024 Republican nomination, the party's Putin-friendly faction may not remain on the fringe.

The Shameful Truth About Child Marriage in the US

Child marriage is a human rights violation that affects millions of girls and boys around the world. It robs them of their childhood, education, health, and freedom. It exposes them to violence, abuse, and exploitation. It perpetuates poverty and inequality. It is a global problem that requires urgent action.

But did you know that child marriage is also a reality in the US? According to a recent report by Unchained at Last, a nonprofit organization that advocates for an end to child marriage in the US, more than 200,000 minors were married in the US between 2000 and 2015. Most of them were girls, some as young as 10 years old. And most of them married adult men, some in their 40s or 50s.

How is this possible in a country that claims to be a leader in human rights and gender equality? The answer lies in the outdated and discriminatory laws that allow child marriage to persist in almost every state. In most states, the minimum age for marriage is 18, but there are exceptions that lower the age limit or eliminate it altogether. These exceptions include parental consent, judicial approval, pregnancy, or emancipation. In some states, there is no minimum age for marriage at all.

These loopholes create a legal system that enables and facilitates child marriage, often against the will of the minors involved. Many of these minors are coerced or forced by their parents or guardians to marry for various reasons, such as religious beliefs, cultural norms, family honor, or financial gain. Some of them are victims of sexual abuse or rape and are pressured to marry their abusers to avoid stigma or prosecution. Some of them are fleeing from abusive or neglectful homes and see marriage as a way out. Some of them are simply too young and naive to understand the consequences of their decision.

The consequences are devastating. Child marriage deprives minors of their rights and opportunities. It limits their access to education, employment, health care, and social services. It increases their risk of domestic violence, sexual assault, mental health problems, and maternal mortality. It isolates them from their peers and support networks. It traps them in a cycle of dependency and poverty.

Moreover, child marriage is extremely difficult to escape. Minors who marry are legally bound to their spouses until they reach the age of majority or obtain a divorce. However, obtaining a divorce is not easy for minors who lack the resources, knowledge, and power to do so. They may face legal barriers such as residency requirements, waiting periods, fees, or parental involvement. They may also face social barriers such as stigma, shame, or fear of retaliation from their spouses or families. Many of them end up staying in abusive or unhappy marriages for years or decades.

Despite these harsh realities, child marriage remains largely ignored and tolerated in the US. There is a lack of awareness and data on the issue among the public and policymakers. There is a lack of political will and courage to challenge the entrenched interests and beliefs that support child marriage. There is a lack of legal protection and assistance for minors who are married or at risk of being married.

This situation is unacceptable and must change. Child marriage is not a tradition, a culture, or a choice. It is a violation of human dignity and rights. It is a form of child abuse and exploitation. It is a crime that should be banned and punished.

That is why we need to join forces and demand an end to child marriage in the US. We need to raise awareness and educate people about the harms and dangers of child marriage. We need to advocate for laws that set 18 as the minimum age for marriage without exceptions in every state. We need to support organizations that provide legal aid and social services to minors who are married or at risk of being married.

We need to stand up for the rights and futures of our children. We need to end child marriage now.

Why This Doesn't Surprise Me

http://m.dailykos.com/story/2015/11/20/1452546/-Donald-Trump-Has-Gone-Full-Nazi-And-If-The-GOP-Doesn-t-Repudiate-It-They-Own-It?detail=facebook

I am not surprised by this, whatsoever.

I have seen people claiming that people of African descent are subhuman,  not actually human beings. I have seen this claim spouted in Christian groups and websites,  so numerous that I cannot count.

So,  it does not surprise me when someone like Trump comes along, and gives our nation's supposed Christians a rally point to stand against people who are not white "Christians".

I've said before, actions speak louder than words. At Trumps direction,  Nazi thugs,  beat a black protester at one of his rallies. Racist cops are coming out of their closets and openly espousing hatred of their fellow man,  and killing them. Racist congressmen and senators alike are openly making racially divisive statements.

It is long past time to put a stop to this.

These false Christians, waving the  American flag, have brought fascism, unchallenged throughout the years,  and now,  our nation finds itself in the middle of a economic downturn that has been obviously manufactured by these same people, whose bought and paid for politicians have shot down everything proposed that would help heal this nation, and,  in turn,  unify it.

This was done in order to divide us. To put "us" against "them"

People are waking up to this realization,  but will it be too little too late?

I hope not. For this nation's sake,  I hope not.