Donald Trump defends Vladimir Putin, saying US also has killers

February 5 2017 - 4:08PM, Abby Phillip, http://www.smh.com.au/world/do...20170205-gu5tpa.html

West Palm Beach, Florida: US President Donald Trump has long been effusive in his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike.

In an interview with Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, which will air ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday, Trump doubled down on his "respect" for Putin - even in the face of accusations that Putin and his associates have murdered journalists and dissidents in Russia.

"I do respect him. Well, I respect a lot of people, but that doesn't mean I'll get along with them," Trump told O'Reilly.

O'Reilly pressed on, declaring to the President, "Putin is a killer."

Unfazed, Trump didn't back away, but rather compared Putin's reputation for extrajudicial killings with that of the United States.

"There are a lot of killers. We have a lot of killers," Trump said. "Well, you think our country is so innocent?"

Trump added that he thinks the US is "better" getting along with Russia than not.

"If Russia helps us in the fight against ISIS [Islamic State], which is a major fight, and Islamic terrorism all around the world, major fight. That's a good thing," Trump said.

It wouldn't be the first time Trump has brushed aside the topic of Putin's political killings.

In a 2015 interview on Morning Joe, Trump was pressed on the same issue and gave a similar answer.

"He kills journalists that don't agree with him," the show's host, Joe Scarborough, pointed out.

"Well, I think that our country does plenty of killing, too, Joe," Trump said.

As recently as last week, a prominent Putin critic exhibited symptoms of poisoning for the second time since 2015.

The incident drew the attention of Republican Senator John McCain (Arizona), a staunch Russia critic, who tweeted two newspaper editorials that call for the US to denounce the incident as an act of political retribution. He called both editorials "a must-read".

The Washington Post

People walk by Serb nationalist graffiti depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Belgrade. Photo: AP

Traditional Russian wooden dolls called Matryoshka depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Photo: AP

So where are all those who used to call Obama "the Apologizer In Chief"?. Interestingly Trump rolls out the red carpet for Putin only. Even the Pope does not get Trump's respect but Putin does whether Putin wants it or not.

Putin is a good manager who brought back the Russian state from collapse caused by that Alcoholic drunk Yelsin. But Putin is also a white Russian nationalist. He is not someone who we people of color should put our complete fate in.

Prashad posted:

Putin is a good manager who brought back the Russian state from collapse caused by that Alcoholic drunk Yelsin. But Putin is also a white Russian nationalist. He is not someone who we people of color should put our complete fate in.

Prash my friend, let's take the color card from some of the replies. Not all white people are white racists. Most white people are tolerant of people of color and people who are not Christians.

Did I say all white people are racist. I am following Putin's own words about Russian identity and also the fact that too many students of South Asian origin were killed and beaten on the cold streets of Russia while Putin turned a blind eye to the problem.

Prashad posted:

Did I say all white people are racist. I am following Putin's own words about Russian identity and also the fact that too many students of South Asian origin were killed and beaten on the cold streets of Russia while Putin turned a blind eye to the problem.

I am not aware of this. Is there any documentation? I know the Chinese and Russians don't like African Negroes in their country.

In Russia it is either you are black or white. There are no shades of grey.

skeldon_man posted:

Prashad posted:

Did I say all white people are racist. I am following Putin's own words about Russian identity and also the fact that too many students of South Asian origin were killed and beaten on the cold streets of Russia while Putin turned a blind eye to the problem.

I am not aware of this. Is there any documentation? I know the Chinese and Russians don't like African Negroes in their country.

It is all over the Internet. Do your research. Or are you turning a blind eye also.

Prashad posted:

skeldon_man posted:

Prashad posted:

Did I say all white people are racist. I am following Putin's own words about Russian identity and also the fact that too many students of South Asian origin were killed and beaten on the cold streets of Russia while Putin turned a blind eye to the problem.

I am not aware of this. Is there any documentation? I know the Chinese and Russians don't like African Negroes in their country.

It is all over the Internet. Do your research. Or are you turning a blind eye also.

Do you believe everything you read on the web? Do you believe in alternate facts? I don't doubt there are prejudices in Russians as with every race. Whose sight you saw this news on

??????

skeldon_man posted:

Prashad posted:

Did I say all white people are racist. I am following Putin's own words about Russian identity and also the fact that too many students of South Asian origin were killed and beaten on the cold streets of Russia while Putin turned a blind eye to the problem.

I am not aware of this. Is there any documentation? I know the Chinese and Russians don't like African Negroes in their country.

While indeed there are difference in views on foreigners, the inhabitants of Russia/Soviet Union are no different from those in other countries like the USA, Britain, Canada, European countries, etc..

People of numerous nationalities, especially from Africa, live as permanent residents in many parts of Russia.

One of the numerous examples ....

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Russia Elects Its First Black Official, Mayor Says “His Skin Is Black, But He’s Russian Inside”

Jean Gregoire Sagbo has just made history as Russia’s first Black elected official. The 48-year-old “Afro-Russian” is proud of his victory but doesn’t like to be compared to Obama. Pop it to see why.

In a country infamous for racial tension, Jean Sagbo has managed to break barriers, becoming the first elected Black official of Novozavidovo, Russia. The small town has a quaint population of about 10,000 people of which only a handful are black. In an even bigger feat, residents report he is the first politician to get elected fairly, without buying votes. Politicians are reportedly corrupt and prone to assassination (A former administration head – the equivalent of mayor in rural Russia – was shot to death by unknown assailants two years ago.) but Sagbo hopes to save the small town.

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Several times over the decades since the fall of the Soviet Union the Indian embassy in Russia has issued warnings about racist attacks on South Asians. Get real man and don't live in a fantasy world 

Immaterial about the purported warnings from the Indian Embassy.

There may indeed be incidents in Russia/Soviet Union which are generally no different from what one may encounter in the USA, Britain, Canada, Europe, Scandinavian countries, etc..

Trump is correct. George Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and others. However, for the POTUS to be publicly saying that certify the FOOL is INSANE!!!!!

Trump just cannot resist the urge to defend Putin.

ksazma posted:

Trump just cannot resist the urge to defend Putin.

Trump is Putin's hostage. Putin has some dark secret about Trump or his associates. Trump is playing it safe.

The Tape with Beauties Pissing in him????