Niall Ferguson said it best:
Ten years ago, Europeans made the mistake of taking Trump neither seriously nor literally. Now they make the opposite mistake of treating him both seriously and literally. But, as Saleno Zito explained nearly 10 years ago, the correct approach is to take him seriously but not literally.
Trump is exhausting. Inappropriate. Logorrheic. Heedless of consequences. And unreliable. But, if taken seriously, not literally, he is changing the world. And if you’re shaking your head angrily at this moment, take a beat and try to see the other side for a second. Trump’s statements about NATO are appalling; but, European nation’s decades-long disinvestment in NATO is more appalling, because it was a real assault on the foundations of the transatlantic alliance. Alliances aren’t built on rhetoric; they’re built on military capability, and Europe has close to none. (See: Libya) Because of Donald Trump, that’s changing. Ideally, it would have changed without the bombast, but ask yourself, would that really have happened? (Answer: No. Ask Barack Obama.)
Similarly on Greenland, the United States cannot allow Russia and China the upper hand in the Arctic. One would think the Europeans would feel the same way, but they don’t. That has now changed, and all to the good. Would it have happened without the bombast? One would like to think so, but one would be wrong.
Disagree? That’s what #HTHH is for — two respectful people debating right and wrong. Elise also has some thoughts about ICE (see shownotes). And if you’re reading about the poor crying little boy who was stolen from his dad, read this and rethink. We’re all smarter if we know what our ideological rivals are saying and thinking, and debating based on facts, not bias and lies. Goes for Rs &Ds . Cheers. 🍸
