When Ukrainians meet this Saturday at their historic church on Fullerton Ave, Charlie Dent will be there. Although he hasn't represented them now for over four terms, he knows how tightly that community is woven into the fabric of Lehigh Valley. Recent congresswoman Susan Wild will also be there. Who won't be attending is current congressman Ryan Mackenzie. Although Trump's coattails helped get him elected with the MAGA wave, there is no intelligent way to explain why Trump would have called Zelensky a dictator, or that Ukraine started the war?
While many Americans are upset with Trump's reversal of foreign policy, with the local Ukrainian community it concerns the survival of their relatives. It concerns the blood their extended families have shed for the last three years.Trump can reverse and backtrack on many issues, but the local Ukrainians will not forget his ignorance, no matter what policy he finally adopts. They will also not forget Mackenzie's absence at their meeting.
The Republican problem, which is coming home to roost faster than anyone imaged, is that Trump is not a Republican. After November 5th, 2024, he could care less about that party's future. But partisans are so desperate for victory, any ticket to ride was good enough. Mackenzie can issue statements about ICE and Northampton County, but the MAGA's will not be voting in 2026... That was a cult vote for Trump, not Mackenzie... But, the Ukrainians will be voting, and it won't be for Mackenzie.
ADDENDUM: I've been informed by Mackenzie's office that because congress is in session, it's not possible for him to attend the meeting at St. Mary's, but he did speak with the pastor, and sent a message to be read at the meeting.
shown above St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church
While I’m sure the Ukrainians want the US gravy train to continue forever, most Americans don’t.
ReplyDeleteThe Ukraine isn’t part of NATO, and being involved in a proxy war with Russia is both costly and dangerous.
While Dent and other democrats will surely take the opportunity to bad mouth Trump, if they want another endless war for the US to be involved in I’d encourage them to head to the Ukraine to spend a few days on the front lines doing some of the fighting themselves.
@12:13 "The Ukraine isn’t part of NATO, and being involved in a proxy war with Russia is both costly and dangerous."
DeleteUkraine did not "get involved in a proxy war" Ukraine WAS INVADED by Russia.
And if Ukraine were in NATO, it is far more likely the Russians would not have invaded.
With Trump, everything is a "buisness deal" We are seeing Trump making a deal with Putin to give Russia everything they want. And if Ukraine doesn't "make a deal" with Trump to trade their national resources to the United States, Trump is going to walk away from the Ukranians.
Yeah, walk away. Let Putin snuff out the freedom the Ukrainians enjoy. You think the people of the United States liked seeing the debacle in Afghanistan, just wait till the people of the United States see the debacle Trump will preside over in Ukraine if he doesn't get his "buisness deal" for the minerals,.
Is that what MAGA is all about ?
I grew up in a United States that was looked up to as the defender of peace and freedom in the world. Not one that was imperialistic and only would help others if they had something we wanted that they could give us.
Brent, please read the history of the war. It did not start in 22, it started in 14 under Obama when our government decided to openly and brazenly meddle in Ukrainian elections. Democrat operatives were all over Kiev to carry out a state department planned "Color Revolution". They were successful in defeating the pro-Russian and a pro western president was put in office. At this point, the Russian majority in the Donbas started a separatist war in order to reunite with Russia. This war was ongoing in 22 when Russian invaded fearing the Ukraine would become a member of NATO. That fear was not unfounded. I am not defending Russia's actions, I am only saying no one has clean hands here, especially us! The invasion could have been prevented with diplomacy several times and once started and Russia secured the Donbas they sent clear signals they had what they came for and were ready to end the war. Our leaders, Biden Administration refused to negotiate and coerced Zelensky not to as well. We assured him he could win this war. This is when we stop being defenders of peace, our leadership wanted the war for their own reasons, they wanted a weak, preoccupied Russia. We have plenty of blood on our own hands already. Many seem to want more. I don't doubt their intentions, but I do doubt they are truly informed as to how we ended up where we are now, the largest land war in Europe since 1945. We helped start that war, we need to finish it now and end the killing.
DeleteBy the way, maybe Charlie wants his old seat back? It's hard to go from powerful to nothing so fast. Maybe he wants to taste that power again. Living a normal life may just be too hum drum. If he runs next year he will have to run as a D, he has zero chance as an R.
DeleteYes, it did start in 2014 when Ukraine wanted to orient itself towards the west and the EU economically, and that was not something Putin wanted. And when Yanukovych announced he would not sign the agreements, that started the "Revolution of Dignity" as Ukranians called it with street demonstrations and deadly clashes between protesters and state forces in the capital Kyiv. The demonstrations and clashes persisted and the police eventually Police abandoned central Kyiv that afternoon and the protesters took control. Yanukovych subsequently fled the country and the next day the Ukrainian parliament voted to remove Yanukovych from office.
DeleteThat led to the outbreak of the 2014 seizure of Crimea by Putin and Putin starting a seroes of civil wars in eastern Ukraine.
I see at lot of advantages in continuing this war. Trump appears to be on the verge of committing another foreign policy blunder.
ReplyDeletePlease, do tell!
Deleteanon@12:13: while you consider it clever to refer to Dent as a Democrat, I'll think you'll learn quick enough that Trump isn't a Republican, or any party beyond himself.
ReplyDeleteAs for frontline courage, Mackenzie should attend the event at St. Mary's.
anon@4:54: Of course nobody wants war to continue, but excuse the Ukrainians for resenting being thrown under the bus, or not representing themselves at negotiations.
I have no respect for Charlie Dent who has acted as a spoiled brat ever since he didn’t get his way during Trump’s first term. Dent will use this new opportunity to continue his failed “See, I told you so” crusade against anything Trump. Dent is the poster boy for Trump Derangement Syndrome. Give it a rest, Charlie.
ReplyDeleteAs for Ukraine, I’d like to see the United States drop all funding of their war effort. Let the nearby European Union nations stand up to the plate and fill in the void created when American money and resources go away. I highly doubt they will.
First order of business should be for all nations to demand a ceasefire and stop all the needless killing on behalf of the world’s politician war pigs who benefit financially.
We love Charlie. You are in the minority. Thank goodness. .
DeleteYou are either a Democrat or a neo con
DeleteYes, Trump isn’t a Democrat, or a Republican. Trump is a legitimate, authentic, Populist, that’s why working Americans rewarded him with a clean sweep in the resent election.
ReplyDelete@6:01 Actually, Trump has the hard core MAGA support of only about 35% of Americans. About half the voters in the United States didn't vote last November. Those who did vote were given the choice between a babbling idiot on the Democratic side, who ran on a platform of issues only about 20% of Americans actually supported, and Trump, who had about 35% of solid voter support. The independents swung generally towards Trump while a lot of voters just stayed home. That is what gave Trump his victory in the Electoral College and the Presidency. Harris probably did just as well as Biden would have, had he not been undermined by the power brokers in the Democratic Party,
DeleteThe Congressional and Senate races went to the GOP, but there was no landslide there.
tRump is a convicted felon — full stop. In any other country he’d be in prison.
DeleteRussia and other totalitarian countries have jails filled with convicted Felons convicted in kangaroo courts such as we witnessed in New York City.
DeleteI know this won’t be published so I can say it. All of you with your sick hatred can go you know where. He is destroying OUR country and you smug, miserable with your lives white men are actually proud. Sickens me.
ReplyDeleteLet go of the racist hate, it's the poison you drink hoping it kills others. I feel sorry for you.
Delete@6:57
DeleteThanks for the comment. It’s important to remember that the hate like that expressed in your comment still exists.
No one has an alternative other than young Ukrainians should die until there are none left. If Dent and those other dems want to save Ukraine, then put it to vote to go to war with Russia now. Reinstate the draft and declare war on Russia, I am sure they are all ready to send their sons and grandsons to save Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteSame for Lindsey Graham, they have no solution other than doing the same failed policy that is destroying Ukraine and damaging their future forever.
If those local Ukrainians care about Ukraine and their relatives they should support ending this war now.
I will assume the gathering at the Ukraine Church will be a message to express unhappiness about the ongoing war. In other words, WE WANT THE WAR TO END. I certainly agree with that!
ReplyDeleteI also notice President Trump is sending the VERY SAME MESSAGE to the entire world. Actually, President Trump is the world leader in expressing this message. He is trying to lead by example. Not only has he pulled further financial support for the continuation of the killing, he is working very hard to bring both sides of the conflict together to work out a mutually agreed solution.
SOMEONE had to step above the pro war crowd to lead us to a ceasefire and conclusion. That someone is President Trump. Taking America out of continued funding is a very strong statement. I’m glad he has made this decision.
The answer is NOT for America to facilitate the continuation of the carnage to either Ukraine or Russia with our tax dollars.
If Charlie Dent, Susan Wild, the Morning Call, or any other anti-Trump spokespeople use this gathering to promote their own American political leadership unhappiness, they need to suit-up and join the frontlines over there, traveling at their own expense.
Mike, I don't want to sound harsh but Allentown's Ukrainians are not in the Ukraine are they? As with the neo cons, Democrats, media, and the Europeans they are on the sidelines cheering on a war that can't be won. Yes, let's continue the bloodshed even though the Russians are steadily and ruthlessly grinding their way forward into Ukraine. Russia has the manpower and material advantage, they are on a war footing. This equation isn't going to change. The Russians are determined to win, they can, they will if this war isn't stopped. This situation is similar to the confederates in our civil war. With smaller forces, less weaponry, they managed to soundly defeat their much much larger and well supplied opponent repeatedly and soundly for the first two years of the war. As time wore on the Union was able to wear down and overwhelm the Confederates. Eventually the Union forces captured and occupied nearly the entire south and picked off their armies one after the other until all resistance was completely hopeless. The south and its people were devastated as a result of years of futile war. The Union was magnanimous in victory, if this war is not stopped there is little chance Russia will be so kind. Is this what we want to played out in the Ukraine, the land and the people completely destroyed, under the thumb of Russia. If someone believes continuing the war will lead to a victory for the Ukrainians plays tell me how? The have run out of men, they therefore cannot mount an offensives, they are on defense and as with Lee and Richmond these defenses will in time be breached and it will end in one final awful horror. Getting mad at those with eyes to see won't save the Ukraine. Ending the war is the only way to achieve that.
ReplyDelete@7:27 Actually, Putin is the one which needs the peace negotiations far more than Zelinski. Putin sent 400,000 troos into Ukraine in 2022, and has lost at least 750,000 soldiers, the past 3 years. With very little to show from it, and Putin continuing the fight is wholly unrealistic.
DeleteIn fact, the Russian military has never been so weak since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Every day there are more videos of Russian soldiers, many over 40 years old, who are with canes, or even crawling, being sent to the front lines to fight against the Ukranians. Yes, Russian solders with crutches and canes, even falling as they walk to storm Ukranian positions. That is the state of the Russian army.
That doesn't sound like a military that is able to leverage strength that they will not even start negotiations unless they get what they want. In fact, it sounds like a military that would be happy to get out of the situation they are in.
And I have not even discussed the dire state of the Russian economy which has an official 27% inflation rate, although the unofficial rate is closer to 100% annualy.
When a country is put into a situation like this, they are in no means to dictate what is going to happen next. If the US were just to further enforce sanctions, as Trump was doing, that would be even more incentive for Putin to end the war.
Trump, by giving Putin what he wants; the land Russia siezed from Ukraine and denying Ukraine entry into NATO is not helping Zelinski. Nor the people of Ukraine. Also, Putin is not a friend of the United States.
My god, what are believing, it is a lot deadly propaganda that will destroy Ukraine forever.
DeleteBrent, You view of the military situation is not shared by experts that I've read since the war began, I was hoping they were wrong. They haven't been. The facts on the ground have backed their views up. Russia is advancing steadily now, the Ukrainians have been on defense since their offensive failed last year. They are out of men. Russia is a far greater power and willing to sacrifice ti win.
DeleteHope Hashaan Batts will be there to offer the hope of Promise Neighborhoods to the Ukranians of Whitehall and Catasauqua.
ReplyDeleteBecause Dent has a brain he’s considered disloyal. Trump doesn’t know Mackenzie’s name, and I agree, Trump couldn’t care less about the Lehigh Valley, or the Republican party. Most republican voters don’t know his name either, they were voting straight party. Don’t bother to unpack, Ryan.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I admire everyone's expertise on the history and backstory of the conflict, I haven't received one comment, even anonymously, on why Mackenzie or his representatives will not be attending.
ReplyDeleteUh, maybe he’s actually working in Washington?
DeleteI am not a spokesman for the congressman, but it is a very busy time in Washington. Trump is moving like a rapid steamroller and everyone is scrambling every day down there.
DeleteHe could always send a representative from one of his local offices, as a caring gesture toward his constituents.
DeleteAs long as Dent and Wild were there to confirm that Russia, Russia, Russia is bad, it was not necessary for Hillary to be there.
DeleteI would also like to see Mackenzie, or his representative, there to support the END of the killing. Common sense should tell everyone this is Priority No. 1. This is not a time for political gamesmanship, photo ops, or publicly bashing the current administration who is doing all it can bring it all to a halt.
DeleteWho in their right mind would endorse funding more killing and destruction? That’s inhumane. The whole thing COULD HAVE BEEN better handled by the previous administration, but wasn’t. That administration has blood on its hands.
Wrong about the ‘MAGA’ voter. IF Trump gets the support he needs from Congress the success will breed success in 2026.
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe next time Zelensky won’t actively campaign for Trump’s opponent or lie to his Secretary of State if he wants Trump’s support.
We are watching history repeat itself. It's like we are back in 1938 and the Nazis are invading Czechoslovakia. It's sad to see in the past month we aren't just turning out to be the Neville Chamberlain of today, but maybe worse.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, our area does have a heavy Ukrainian population. As does Philadelphia and Lehighton. Not to mention some here "illegally" after their lives destroyed. They are our friends and family
So Bob, what's your plan for Ukraine to win the war? Love to hear it. Virtue signaling on this will only lead to more death and destruction for Ukrainians and an eventual Russian victory. That outcome isn't so virtuous is it?
DeleteI’m committed to the proxy war against Russia until the last Ukrainian man is killed.
ReplyDeleteWhy was Ukraine promised NATO membership and this forcing the Russians hand? Why couldn't Ukraine have a peace separation with its eastern provinces like czechslovakia did in 1993?;Why did we tell the Russians as part of German unification "NATO would not expand one inch east of the elbe"
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for the Ukrainians. This war was not or ever to their advantage despite all the western weapons they were sent. However I think for Ukraine now it is "Germany 1918" situation. And they have to give up.
Furthermore I theorize the trump administration sudden policy reversal on Ukraine is because the Russian sanctions are harming us more than is known, specifically for fertilizer.
That you for injecting facts into the conversation. I too feel for the Ukrainians. What we have done to that country is contemptible. Yes, Russia is a very corrupt oligarchy, led by a very evil man and has done great harm. If one knows the history of this war they will see our hands are only slightly cleaner. Good lord we violated international treaties when we sent cluster bombs and landmines to the Ukraine. Biden did that! It is fashionable to Hate Trump, but people need to recognize their hatred doesn't make Trump wrong all the time every time.
DeleteI was informed by Mackenzie's office that the Congressman is in session, has spoken to the pastor, and has sent a statement.
ReplyDeleteAnd I’m sure his statement mimics the administration’s bs about the Ukraine starting the war. Trump is a dotting old man who thinks he’s a king.
DeleteHow does ANY war stop if non-combatant observing nations continue to fund it, and from what they consider to be a safe distance?
ReplyDeleteTo me, this sounds like financial opportunist war pigs playing a video games with the lives of other people at risk. Sick.
Additional comments concerning the history of the Ukraine/Russian conflict will not be presented. Comments should address the blog post, not replies to other comments.
ReplyDeleteAlways respectful of different denominations of church N cultures. Thank you Michael for sharing
ReplyDelete