Two items today are further examples of the concerted effort, a new kind of attempted coup, to end Trump’s presidency. First, Trump made a comment about the security situation in Sweden directly caused by an influx of foreigners.
Here’s a summary of his remarks: “During a rally Saturday in Florida, Trump referred to several countries that have taken in a disproportionate number of refugees and that have recently been the target of attacks. ‘We’ve got to keep our country safe. You look at what’s happening in Germany. You look at what’s happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this?’ Trump went on to refer to Paris, Nice, France, and Brussels, European cities where attacks have occurred in the past two years.”
Trump’s comment is undeniably correct in substance. He used two words “last night” where he should perhaps have said “very recently” or “going on now” or “a few days ago” or or February 11 or “for the past several years”.
Trump’s comment is accurate, long-term and short-term. Anyone who doubts that Trump’s remark is accurate in substance need only do a little research on Malmö, Sweden. It has been the subject of continual hand grenade attacks, 150 alone in 2015 and a long list in 2016.
But his comment is also accurate as to a recent event.
Go read this account dated February 12, 2017: “SWEDEN’S ‘NO-GO ZONE’ CRISIS: Three police officers injured after being ATTACKED by thugs THREE Swedish police officers were taken to hospital after being attacked by a violent mob on a routine mission in a ‘no-go zone’ on Friday evening.” Read the views also of those who say that no such “no-go” zones exist, such as this article. But one cannot deny the report from Rinkeby a few days ago of the attack on police. An incident in Rinkeby dated March 1, 2016 is pertinent. We surely cannot deny that Rinkeby is largely immigrant and had riots in 2010. There is a Wikipedia entry on this.
Trump’s media critics pile on, make out as if they are bewildered by his unscripted comment, and deny the reality to which he refers accurately. See critical articles like this and this. We observe media in this case who immediately attack Trump, not even pausing to comprehend the thrust of his remark.
Connect the dots. We are far away from Sweden. We cannot see what’s happening on the spot. We are not in a position to do so. We have to rely on reports of others. If we can locate a reasonably accurate history that’s been reported well before Trump’s comments, then we can be on safer ground in putting two and two together. If three police were attacked in Rinkeby on February 11, and if it really is an insecure area, and if it’s largely immigrant, and if a TV crew visiting the area was immediately attacked a year ago, and if we can turn up more such incidents with further research, can we not understand what Trump was saying?
If one prefers, do some research on the “no-go” zones in Sweden”. You will find denial and controversy over this term, but you will not be able to deny that Sweden has a very serious security situation in many areas and this is not attributable solely to Swedes but is caused by certain foreigners with criminal ways, some, not all, but enough to imperil law-abiding Swedes. See here for a 5-minute video to get started on this controversial topic. There are also reports of native and anti-immigrant right-wing gangs arising in Sweden and some gang warfare against left-wing gangs. I suggest searching on “gang warfare Sweden”. See here for an article that presents favorable and unfavorable views on immigration. This article is pertinent, and it provides a negative view of the rise in gangs.
It is obvious that if a society does not integrate young men, domestic or foreign, into productive and fulfilling work that pays for life’s necessities, allows for a family, for some amenities and hope for one’s children, then these teens and young adults will be attracted into gangs who deal in dope and illegal activities that present a possibility for making large amounts of money. The U.S. has this problem in its black and brown ghettos and it’s replicated in Europe and other parts of the world. The basic problem worldwide is the raising of young men and their entry into productive work where the pursuit of happiness is possible in peaceful ways. A young man, especially from 13 to 22 or so, needs quite a lot of work and play opportunities and a lot of guidance from older men and women in order to become socialized and find his niche. Society cannot discriminate against young men and expect good consequences to come of it.
The second item that concerns Trump is this. NBC reports that the Russians are creating a psychological profile of Trump. Such a thing is harmless and natural. The article says “Among the preliminary conclusions? The new American leader is a risk-taker but can be naïve, according to a senior Kremlin adviser.” This is not a surprise to me. I blogged on August 11, 2015: “Donald Trump, by the way, as a manager and entrepreneur has taken on huge risks by borrowing heavily. The risks have fallen mainly on those who loaned to his enterprises. The risks have been excessive and ill-timed, which has led to 4 Chapter 11 bankruptcies. Can we infer that as candidate and as an elected politician, he will continue to take big risks with resources supplied by others and with the country?”
The NBC article goes on to recount material that attempts to build a picture of ties of Trump to Russia or Trump being a Manchurian candidate under Russian influence. The idea of a Russian dossier on Trump is supposed to convey the same idea, when it’s completely a normal thing to do, informally if not formally. Most of us size other people up all the time! Why would the Russians not do this when they have to deal with Trump?
Deep into this article, we find something far more pertinent. There are comments by “former lawmaker Sergei Markov, who remains well-connected at the Kremlin.” I quote the article:
“Some even talk of a conspiracy against Trump. Markov, the former lawmaker, told NBC News that he believes America’s intelligence services ‘want to overthrow President Trump in a coup’ because of his desire to improve relations with Russia.”
“Flynn was a victim of U.S. intelligence services, according to Markov.”
“So while many in Russia celebrated Trump’s election, the mood in Moscow was changing from delight at Trump’s election to doubt about his ability to deliver on a better relationship with Russia, he added.”
“‘Donald Trump has done nothing good for Russia, nothing,’ Markov said. ‘But they already attack him.’
Exactly. I agree with Markov. (I wrote an article on the coup three days ago that will be published on LRC soon.) There is an ongoing coup attempt against Trump. At the least, it is attempting to tie his hands on foreign policy toward Russia. At the most, the goal is Trump’s resignation and replacement. This attempt is centered on persons associated with the U.S. intelligence services, especially the CIA but not limited to that organization. The fake news media are extremely important in making this scheme work.
8:56 am on February 20, 2017
