Mr. Trump Decides to Give Aide and Comfort to Russia

[Sunstone]

I seldom pay attention to Rachel Maddow since she's more or less a mouthpiece for right-of-center corporate liberalism, but her bias doesn't seem to be reflected in this piece, which popped up unbidden in my YouTube feed.

Seems Mr. Trump -- or at least his administration -- has decided to strip our European allies of some of the most valuable intelligence we've been providing them with on Russia since the 1990s, while making it extremely difficult for Mr. Biden to undo the damage done. Cui bono?

 

[exchemist]

I seldom pay attention to Rachel Maddow since she's more or less a mouthpiece for right-of-center corporate liberalism, but her bias doesn't seem to be reflected in this piece, which popped up unbidden in my YouTube feed.

Seems Mr. Trump -- or at least his administration -- has decided to strip our European allies of some of the most valuable intelligence we've been providing them with on Russia since the 1990s, while making it extremely difficult for Mr. Biden to undo the damage done. Cui bono?

I watched this but then, having read this NY Times article about it: Trump Will Withdraw From Open Skies Arms Control Treaty

I find myself in some doubt as to its real significance. From what they say, nowadays it is mainly satellites that provide the intelligence on the possible intentions of an adversary. Furthermore Russia has been in breach of the treaty for some time, forbidding overflights in some sensitive areas. The article seems to suggest the main value now is diplomatic, since the programme involves a degree of contact and cooperation with Russia on who makes what flights when etc., which is appreciated by the European participants. They are anxious to keep some channels open to the Russian military even, or especially, when public diplomacy is in the doldrums, as it is now. If you can pick up the phone to someone, you are less likely to get nasty surprises, I imagine.

But it does look like dog-in-the-manger behaviour to start destroying the planes only now, weeks before the new president takes office. Typical Trump, in fact.

 

[Revoltingest]

Ref (no paywall)...
United States formally withdraws from Open Skies treaty
If Ameristan shares satellite based intel with more primitive
countries, this could very well effect the intent of the treaty,
while sparing the expense of airplane overflights.
Is this Trump's intent? Or is it a tantrum? Who knows, eh.

 

[pearl]

But it does look like dog-in-the-manger behaviour to start destroying the planes only now, weeks before the new president takes office. Typical Trump, in fact.

One has to ask what's next, Trump is there until Jan 20th!

 

[Audie]

Ref (no paywall)...
United States formally withdraws from Open Skies treaty
If Ameristan shares satellite based intel with more primitive
countries, this could very well effect the intent of the treaty,
while sparing the expense of airplane overflights.
Is this Trump's intent? Or is it a tantrum? Who knows, eh.

" affect"

 

[Revoltingest]

" affect"

From Dictionary.com....
verb (used with object)
to produce as an effect; bring about; make happen; accomplish:
The new machines finally effected the transition to computerized accounting last spring.

 

[Audie]

From Dictionary.com....
verb (used with object)
to produce as an effect; bring about; make happen; accomplish:
The new machines finally effected the transition to computerized accounting last spring.

Your dictionary is rong.

In that setting it is "effectualize"

 

[Revoltingest]

Your dictionary is rong.

In that setting it is "effectualize"

I stand correctumalated.

 

[Stevicus]

Ref (no paywall)...
United States formally withdraws from Open Skies treaty
If Ameristan shares satellite based intel with more primitive
countries, this could very well effect the intent of the treaty,
while sparing the expense of airplane overflights.
Is this Trump's intent? Or is it a tantrum? Who knows, eh.

Hard to say, although it can be re-implemented once Biden is in office.

 

[exchemist]

Hard to say, although it can be re-implemented once Biden is in office.

Not if they have by then broken up the specialised planes required for this work. That's really the point made in the video. Why start breaking them up only now, with Biden due to take office in a few weeks?

 

[Revoltingest]

Not if they have by then broken up the specialised planes required for this work. That's really the point made in the video. Why start breaking them up only now, with Biden due to take office in a few weeks?

Typically, retired planes are stored in a boneyard for parts.
I haven't watched the video (not doing videos this morn),
but searching for articles on this, I've found no mention
of breaking up the planes.

 

[Stevicus]

Not if they have by then broken up the specialised planes required for this work. That's really the point made in the video. Why start breaking them up only now, with Biden due to take office in a few weeks?

I can't answer that, although I did some checking and saw that those planes are 60 years old. So maybe it's time to get some new planes anyway.

 

[Stevicus]

Typically, retired planes are stored in a boneyard for parts.
I haven't watched the video (not doing videos this morn),
but searching for articles on this, I've found no mention
of breaking up the planes.

There is a rather large Air Force boneyard nearby at Davis-Monthan AFB.

 

[exchemist]

Typically, retired planes are stored in a boneyard for parts.
I haven't watched the video (not doing videos this morn),
but searching for articles on this, I've found no mention
of breaking up the planes.

That is what the video alleges.

Also, the Wall Street Journal headline (paywall so I can't read the article") claims the Trump administration "Moves to Discard Observation Planes".

 

[Revoltingest]

That is what the video alleges.

Also, the Wall Street Journal headline (paywall so I can't read the article") claims the Trump administration "Moves to Discard Observation Planes".

The word "discard" in a headline isn't a reliable
indicator that the planes will be broken up.
So we're left with a video's claim the planes
will be destroyed...something not normal for
planes with important salvage value?
I'm not prepared to leap to belief that Trump
is destroying them for Russia's benefit.