Perhaps I really underestimated Macron. This is a stellar speech. While American collapses in evil, Europe is stepping up in every possible way. As Macron says, they have learned from history. Sadly, the U.S. has not. We will regret everything we are doing international and domestically. But we allowed Trump to be voted in. I is our own damn fault. But at least there is a determined beacon of determination and hope abroad.
Thank you for keeping us so well informed through all of this.
The core of the problem was he hated Scholz and Scholz equally hated him. Biden was so enamored by Scholz which further fueled the headache. But thankfully, for years, Merz and Macron, kept talking to each other. That trust is now coming into play. Time to reap the fruits of it.
I totally concur. I hated Scholz too. His cowardess. The first thing the new Chancellor will do is send Tauruses to Ukraine. Those little thingies don't need no guidance systems, not even GPS. And they can reach Moscow...
I think that it's possible that your election was sabotaged. I also think that the propaganda channel, FOX, that parrots Russia propaganda has been an effective tool against democracy in your country. Furthermore I believe that the coup has been carefully planned for decades, by ruthless, inhumane people in both Russia, USA and highly likely, elsewhere.
I don't think anyone should beat themselves over the head because they haven't predicted these truly evil plans. Time will tell but the plans are likely to be even worse than we are capable of imagining.
How could we have known in advance when our minds and hearts are governed by a completely different set of values? I saw a note from Stephen King that said that Trump is worse than any story he has ever written, and he's written some pretty horrific stories ..
Let's feed our energy in to solving the problems that we are facing. Let's unite, organize and find a way together!
I lay awake at night wondering what else we can do, I will never give up. I hope the planned march in Washington DC on Friday is huge. I do worry that Trump will start killing protesters, but if that happens the people will rise up by the millions. Trump and the right wing billionaires are evil beyond imagination. Thank you and bless you.
The voters and non voters are all adults. They all have agency. The choice of those non voters was to allow a small cohort to determine our government. The choice of trumpers was to be so enamored of the gleeful cruelty to others that nothing else mattered. These adults forsook our nation and it’s amazing history.
I agree with you Alexandra, he has been thru so much, and stood his ground. there will be statues of Macron, in France, for his heroism, and his compassion for others. 🏅🧐
Exactly what we needed to hear. All NATO countries need to shake off dependence on the USA which, for the time being, has chosen to deny it's obligations to all it's former friends and let the world do as it pleases and too bad if that means genocide. The former leader of the free world confuses greatness with wealth creation at the expense of others.
Those of us old enough to remember could not quite understand why in the 1960's French President Charles de Gaulle seemed to us in the USA so anti-American. How could he want to keep France out of NATO and have it develop its own nuclear capability? The answer is in Macron's speech: De Gaulle knew his history. He knew that nations are never consistent over time, and that relying on the USA to always be there for Europe would ultimately prove to be a mistake. It took sixty years - not long in France's centuries-old life - but de Gaulle is proven right today.
My French grandmere was secretary to the French Consul General in San Francisco when I was a child and when President de Gaulle came to visit my family attended a reception for him and I got to shake his hand. Although very young, I grasped the importance of the occasion as I looked up at his stern visage and am now grateful for his strategic foresight.
What a wonderful memory. He must have looked like a giant! I visited his museum, home and grave in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises a couple of years ago. I suspect there will be renewed interest in his life and works now that France has asserted itself as the co-leader of a new Europe. He is certainly worthy of the attention.
Yes, he did look like a giant! I have such a clear memory of that moment, it’s funny what images lodge in our brains from our childhood. I know I am interested in knowing more about him now. How lovely you got to visit his museum.
One of the interesting things I learned is that he and his wife, Yvonne, had three children. The youngest, Anne, was born with what we now know as Down Syndrome. In those days, such children were usually institutionalized, but Charles and, especially, Yvonne kept her with their family. She lived twenty years until 1948 and is buried next to her parents.
Macron is a most excellent Leader! His speech above, brought tears to my eyes, and reminds me of FDR, (PBS has an outstanding series on FDR) His speeches brought all Americans together, “one for all, all for one!”
Macron has demonstrated what Europe should have demonstrated years ago, a commitment to their own security. No need to complain, now. He's right, now, about what must be done. Hopefully all of Europe will align with this vision, put up the resources necessary to succeed, and follow through.
On the US side we need to acknowledge that something quite dissimilar is happening:
Capture.
Trump, using Musk's threat of billions, has captured the GOP and stifled what would normally be a useful cross-party, and national, discussion of American interests.
This capture allows Trump to alter the nature of US foreign relations without risk of blowback from his GOP captives.
There is nothing complex here.
Franklin said our republic was ours, "if we could keep it".
The GOP is at a crossroads of their own making. Eliminating necessary political competition in their party has allowed a narcissist to ascend to the top. Now they must contend with choosing between the two things they value most: courage and cash.
So far the GOP is selling its courage for cash. Every day they allow Ukraine to be blackmailed by Trump's foreign policy, their courage is devalued. By the time 2026 rolls around Musk will be able to buy them for pocket change.
Call it: Cheap capture.
Dems should be putting a stake in the ground on support for Ukraine. It would help stop the drift. Clarity would also help. For example the US has not spent $350 billion to Ukraine. It's spent $105 billion on the war, $70 billion of which as spent in the US.
Trump cannot grasp simple facts like these because his worldview relies on avoiding facts. He has always avoided facts. His goal is to convince Americans to avoid facts, and so, sell him their courage.
In our name he has triggered a starvation crisis in Africa. A medical crisis globally. And now a crisis of identity. The Trump Administration is asking us whether we care about who we are.
Well. Do we?
The EU's current decision to enhance its military capacity is a better-late-than-never benefit to all this. Follow-thru is pending. But there is more than mere hope in the effort.
Because facts matter, we all can see that weakening Ukraine is the goal of Trump's policy. Putin is desperate for relief. Playing with the elements (weaponry, intelligence) which enable Ukraine to fight for their freedom reveals Trump as history's fool.
The GOP will need to act, now, to alter the direction of this policy and so avoid capture. Captives seldom live the life they choose.
I wonder if his world view is more about real estate. I have read that the rationale for cozying up to Russia is to split it from China. Then the 3 powers are supposed to operate peacefully towards one another within their real estate. Or the US with Russia tries to thwart China's expansion. (Not my view, but this line may be used retroactively to try to justify the current shift.)
I agree on the retrospective justification angle. Autocrats, due to their aspirational incompetence, are always trying to rewrite history to make themselves “look good”.
At the moment Trump is stumbling about, generating chaos. The chaos is the point. If tariffs are so beautiful, what’s with all the hemming and hawing about implementing these?
My guess is there is some reality being injected into Trump’s “disinformation Bubble” and it’s bursting the “bravado bubble”. Business does not like uncertainty. Capital flees uncertainty. Also, the downward trajectory of the S&P and futures, may be generating useful feedback.
Though the ideological impetus Trump carries with him like a grudge will be difficult to keep deflecting. Eventually, he’s going to want to exhibit bravado again and again. This dissonance has no where to go.
Well, almost no where. Ukraine will likely be the stop valve for Trump’s, er…, “needs”. All the more reason the EU needs to take successive, substantial actions which adequately parry Trump’s predictable emissions.
Also, China will not stay passive for long. At some point, Xi will need to “do something” to support Putin’s folly, and Kim’s effort to train his troops for a future (near, no doubt) attempt to retake the South. Xi has earned many dilemmas.
These three autocrats de jure seem to labor under their particular version of ideological grievance. Together, and separately, they lack the means to resolve these grievances. But are not shy about using others to pay the price of grievance R&D. Putin is foremost in this.
I wonder how Hippo Don has reacted to this speech. He is known to throw a tantrum when things don't go his way.
Or what he'll discuss with his dear friend Vlad.
"Sorry Vlad. I'm so sorry. Really. Like, really! I tried to offer you Ukraine on a silver platter, but those Europeans. Those damn Europeans! It's out of my hands! I hope you understand, Vlad. Sorry!"
Truly amazing speech! I wish I could keep the OO attack of Zelenskyy out of my head as I read it. The insane gibberish and world status ending debacle compared to this calm laying out of facts: This is the truth of the situation, these are the threats. This is our current capability and our planned capabilities to face this unprecedented attack. We have a plan. Our first priority is Ukraine, the victim of a brutal, lawless invasion. But we have a coordinated, comprehensive plan in which many countries agree as one how to move forward, with humanity, not hate……. How much more straightforward can you get than this?? This is what we deserve out of our leaders that we will never get from the traitor in theWH😢😢
He's been saying it since 2017, and fellow Europeans are finally listening (although Poland already was ahead in terms of defence investments, it wasn't trying to rally Europeans - it put a lot of trust in the Americans).
He's not a great political operator internally - too solitary, too autocratic- but he has taken to heart the Gaullist tradition of strategic independence, and applies it to Europe (he's a staunch Europeanist).
more stinking news from washington, 240,000 ukranians with tempory legal status will be deported come april, according to reuters, according to the kiev independant washington staffers and in contact with ukranian opposition with the aim of holding elections in ukraine
The more mess he creates now, the better. I rather have all the problems in one go in the next 30 days instead of between 30 and 60 days. Let him empty all his cards. This guy has no idea how to negotiate. All he knows is one thing: Bullying. Let him.
Macron Is The Leader, the World needs right now. His speech will be remembered for years to come. I have been saying, Our Allies Will Save Us. It's happening. We must give our support however possible. I think Europe will need a fundraising vehicle like United24 which President Zelenskyy created https://u24.gov.ua/
Perhaps I really underestimated Macron. This is a stellar speech. While American collapses in evil, Europe is stepping up in every possible way. As Macron says, they have learned from history. Sadly, the U.S. has not. We will regret everything we are doing international and domestically. But we allowed Trump to be voted in. I is our own damn fault. But at least there is a determined beacon of determination and hope abroad.
Thank you for keeping us so well informed through all of this.
The core of the problem was he hated Scholz and Scholz equally hated him. Biden was so enamored by Scholz which further fueled the headache. But thankfully, for years, Merz and Macron, kept talking to each other. That trust is now coming into play. Time to reap the fruits of it.
I totally concur. I hated Scholz too. His cowardess. The first thing the new Chancellor will do is send Tauruses to Ukraine. Those little thingies don't need no guidance systems, not even GPS. And they can reach Moscow...
Glorious.
I really don't think "it's your own damn fault".
I think that it's possible that your election was sabotaged. I also think that the propaganda channel, FOX, that parrots Russia propaganda has been an effective tool against democracy in your country. Furthermore I believe that the coup has been carefully planned for decades, by ruthless, inhumane people in both Russia, USA and highly likely, elsewhere.
I don't think anyone should beat themselves over the head because they haven't predicted these truly evil plans. Time will tell but the plans are likely to be even worse than we are capable of imagining.
How could we have known in advance when our minds and hearts are governed by a completely different set of values? I saw a note from Stephen King that said that Trump is worse than any story he has ever written, and he's written some pretty horrific stories ..
Let's feed our energy in to solving the problems that we are facing. Let's unite, organize and find a way together!
You are spot on, so we'll said! I do feel we let freedom of speech go too far. FOX should have been stopped by the FCC long ago.
Keep trying, please. People are dying right now because of Trump. He is actively helping Putin kill people in Ukraine.
I lay awake at night wondering what else we can do, I will never give up. I hope the planned march in Washington DC on Friday is huge. I do worry that Trump will start killing protesters, but if that happens the people will rise up by the millions. Trump and the right wing billionaires are evil beyond imagination. Thank you and bless you.
Correction - on Fri the 14th
The voters and non voters are all adults. They all have agency. The choice of those non voters was to allow a small cohort to determine our government. The choice of trumpers was to be so enamored of the gleeful cruelty to others that nothing else mattered. These adults forsook our nation and it’s amazing history.
I agree with you Alexandra, he has been thru so much, and stood his ground. there will be statues of Macron, in France, for his heroism, and his compassion for others. 🏅🧐
Long live France!
Yes. Each of the three has certain responsibilities. Britain has one. France has one. Germany has one. And they are all taking action.
Britain must lead the coalition against Putin.
France must address the nuclear question.
Germany must backstop EU spending.
All three are on the right track.
Exactly what we needed to hear. All NATO countries need to shake off dependence on the USA which, for the time being, has chosen to deny it's obligations to all it's former friends and let the world do as it pleases and too bad if that means genocide. The former leader of the free world confuses greatness with wealth creation at the expense of others.
Those of us old enough to remember could not quite understand why in the 1960's French President Charles de Gaulle seemed to us in the USA so anti-American. How could he want to keep France out of NATO and have it develop its own nuclear capability? The answer is in Macron's speech: De Gaulle knew his history. He knew that nations are never consistent over time, and that relying on the USA to always be there for Europe would ultimately prove to be a mistake. It took sixty years - not long in France's centuries-old life - but de Gaulle is proven right today.
My French grandmere was secretary to the French Consul General in San Francisco when I was a child and when President de Gaulle came to visit my family attended a reception for him and I got to shake his hand. Although very young, I grasped the importance of the occasion as I looked up at his stern visage and am now grateful for his strategic foresight.
What a wonderful memory. He must have looked like a giant! I visited his museum, home and grave in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises a couple of years ago. I suspect there will be renewed interest in his life and works now that France has asserted itself as the co-leader of a new Europe. He is certainly worthy of the attention.
Yes, he did look like a giant! I have such a clear memory of that moment, it’s funny what images lodge in our brains from our childhood. I know I am interested in knowing more about him now. How lovely you got to visit his museum.
One of the interesting things I learned is that he and his wife, Yvonne, had three children. The youngest, Anne, was born with what we now know as Down Syndrome. In those days, such children were usually institutionalized, but Charles and, especially, Yvonne kept her with their family. She lived twenty years until 1948 and is buried next to her parents.
Macron is a most excellent Leader! His speech above, brought tears to my eyes, and reminds me of FDR, (PBS has an outstanding series on FDR) His speeches brought all Americans together, “one for all, all for one!”
Well reported!
Macron has demonstrated what Europe should have demonstrated years ago, a commitment to their own security. No need to complain, now. He's right, now, about what must be done. Hopefully all of Europe will align with this vision, put up the resources necessary to succeed, and follow through.
On the US side we need to acknowledge that something quite dissimilar is happening:
Capture.
Trump, using Musk's threat of billions, has captured the GOP and stifled what would normally be a useful cross-party, and national, discussion of American interests.
This capture allows Trump to alter the nature of US foreign relations without risk of blowback from his GOP captives.
There is nothing complex here.
Franklin said our republic was ours, "if we could keep it".
The GOP is at a crossroads of their own making. Eliminating necessary political competition in their party has allowed a narcissist to ascend to the top. Now they must contend with choosing between the two things they value most: courage and cash.
So far the GOP is selling its courage for cash. Every day they allow Ukraine to be blackmailed by Trump's foreign policy, their courage is devalued. By the time 2026 rolls around Musk will be able to buy them for pocket change.
Call it: Cheap capture.
Dems should be putting a stake in the ground on support for Ukraine. It would help stop the drift. Clarity would also help. For example the US has not spent $350 billion to Ukraine. It's spent $105 billion on the war, $70 billion of which as spent in the US.
Trump cannot grasp simple facts like these because his worldview relies on avoiding facts. He has always avoided facts. His goal is to convince Americans to avoid facts, and so, sell him their courage.
In our name he has triggered a starvation crisis in Africa. A medical crisis globally. And now a crisis of identity. The Trump Administration is asking us whether we care about who we are.
Well. Do we?
The EU's current decision to enhance its military capacity is a better-late-than-never benefit to all this. Follow-thru is pending. But there is more than mere hope in the effort.
Because facts matter, we all can see that weakening Ukraine is the goal of Trump's policy. Putin is desperate for relief. Playing with the elements (weaponry, intelligence) which enable Ukraine to fight for their freedom reveals Trump as history's fool.
The GOP will need to act, now, to alter the direction of this policy and so avoid capture. Captives seldom live the life they choose.
But this takes courage.
I wonder if his world view is more about real estate. I have read that the rationale for cozying up to Russia is to split it from China. Then the 3 powers are supposed to operate peacefully towards one another within their real estate. Or the US with Russia tries to thwart China's expansion. (Not my view, but this line may be used retroactively to try to justify the current shift.)
I agree on the retrospective justification angle. Autocrats, due to their aspirational incompetence, are always trying to rewrite history to make themselves “look good”.
At the moment Trump is stumbling about, generating chaos. The chaos is the point. If tariffs are so beautiful, what’s with all the hemming and hawing about implementing these?
My guess is there is some reality being injected into Trump’s “disinformation Bubble” and it’s bursting the “bravado bubble”. Business does not like uncertainty. Capital flees uncertainty. Also, the downward trajectory of the S&P and futures, may be generating useful feedback.
Though the ideological impetus Trump carries with him like a grudge will be difficult to keep deflecting. Eventually, he’s going to want to exhibit bravado again and again. This dissonance has no where to go.
Well, almost no where. Ukraine will likely be the stop valve for Trump’s, er…, “needs”. All the more reason the EU needs to take successive, substantial actions which adequately parry Trump’s predictable emissions.
Also, China will not stay passive for long. At some point, Xi will need to “do something” to support Putin’s folly, and Kim’s effort to train his troops for a future (near, no doubt) attempt to retake the South. Xi has earned many dilemmas.
These three autocrats de jure seem to labor under their particular version of ideological grievance. Together, and separately, they lack the means to resolve these grievances. But are not shy about using others to pay the price of grievance R&D. Putin is foremost in this.
I wonder how Hippo Don has reacted to this speech. He is known to throw a tantrum when things don't go his way.
Or what he'll discuss with his dear friend Vlad.
"Sorry Vlad. I'm so sorry. Really. Like, really! I tried to offer you Ukraine on a silver platter, but those Europeans. Those damn Europeans! It's out of my hands! I hope you understand, Vlad. Sorry!"
Putin is throwing a tantrum.
Don will follow.
Yes, I just imagine that fear sweat making his makeup run, and say Viva La France!!🇫🇷
Trump never ever apologizes. He would blame it on someone else.
Truly amazing speech! I wish I could keep the OO attack of Zelenskyy out of my head as I read it. The insane gibberish and world status ending debacle compared to this calm laying out of facts: This is the truth of the situation, these are the threats. This is our current capability and our planned capabilities to face this unprecedented attack. We have a plan. Our first priority is Ukraine, the victim of a brutal, lawless invasion. But we have a coordinated, comprehensive plan in which many countries agree as one how to move forward, with humanity, not hate……. How much more straightforward can you get than this?? This is what we deserve out of our leaders that we will never get from the traitor in theWH😢😢
God, I miss Sleepy Joe.
yea. Half the world is running with its hair on fire.
“ Viv’e La France”!🇫🇷
Macron is Europe’s new Churchill!
He knows in his heart that he cannot depend on the USA!
In Trump’s hands the USA is a Russian asset!
I fear the horrors of a World War are upon us!
Putin must be stopped!
He's been saying it since 2017, and fellow Europeans are finally listening (although Poland already was ahead in terms of defence investments, it wasn't trying to rally Europeans - it put a lot of trust in the Americans).
He's not a great political operator internally - too solitary, too autocratic- but he has taken to heart the Gaullist tradition of strategic independence, and applies it to Europe (he's a staunch Europeanist).
more stinking news from washington, 240,000 ukranians with tempory legal status will be deported come april, according to reuters, according to the kiev independant washington staffers and in contact with ukranian opposition with the aim of holding elections in ukraine
The more mess he creates now, the better. I rather have all the problems in one go in the next 30 days instead of between 30 and 60 days. Let him empty all his cards. This guy has no idea how to negotiate. All he knows is one thing: Bullying. Let him.
Macron Is The Leader, the World needs right now. His speech will be remembered for years to come. I have been saying, Our Allies Will Save Us. It's happening. We must give our support however possible. I think Europe will need a fundraising vehicle like United24 which President Zelenskyy created https://u24.gov.ua/
The USA has been proven to be unreliable, and easily manipulated.
Vive La France
Cometh the hour….
I’m afraid so :( we the people who didn’t vote for this douche are very sorry !