A Failed Point of View

Tuesday, October 4, 2016 and the Vice-Presidential debate between Senator Kaine and Governor Pence.

At first my thoughts were - "Well, that's ninety minutes gone!", and then my thoughts wandered to some of the commentary from both candidates, particularly around the topic of Russia, and its leader, Vladimir Putin.

I have been blessed in my lifetime to have had friends whose origins were in the Eastern European region. Frankly, they do not always think like Westerners, especially Americans. Their politics, and views on politics, can be radically different.  Yet, I have called them friend, and they have called me friend.

What really shone through in the debate was the presumptuousness of both candidates. The moderator asks the question in the form of how do you deal with Russia and Vladimir Putin? Then came the glowing generalities, the Western 'geo-politik' views, and the presumption that President Putin can be 'controlled'.

Not once during this segment of the debate did either Vice-Presidential candidate even mention approaching President Putin as a MAN first, and then having several drinks with him (Vodka would be my first choice). After several rounds, and then sleeping off the hangover, perhaps then would be the time to discuss the nuts and bolts of politics and Russia's intervention in the Middle East. Oh, by the way -

HELLO! SENATOR KAINE AND GOVERNOR PENCE - THIS IS NOT A NEW THING!
RUSSIA, AND GERMANY BEFORE THEM, HAVE BEEN MEDDLING IN THE MIDDLE
EAST FOR QUITE SOME TIME. D'UH! READ YOUR HISTORY.

Both candidates missed an opportunity to set the viewpoint of approaching Russia, and President Putin, as people first. Then, the hard work can begin.