A
Mass Murderer’s Love Song to Trump
“We’ve
had a great relationship,” exulted a giddy Donald Trump, following his two-day
schmoozefest in Manila with the thuggish Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte,
who calls himself a “toughie,” brags that he’s personally killed many people
and likes to compare himself to Hitler.
He’s been on a murderous rampage since his election last year.
He’s been on a murderous rampage since his election last year.
In
the name of eliminating the drug trade, Duterte has unleashed a massive
military assault across the country, not merely targeting dealers, but also
anyone alleged to even use drugs.
His onslaught is a human rights atrocity, with untold thousands being executed in what are antiseptically termed “extra judicial killings” — that is, murders.
His onslaught is a human rights atrocity, with untold thousands being executed in what are antiseptically termed “extra judicial killings” — that is, murders.
Yet
the present president of the United States says Duterte is his new buddy.
Trump stressed in their official discussions that the Philippine president can count on him and the U.S. (which includes you and me) to be a friend.
And, as a
friend, Trump didn’t bother his authoritarian buddy with any unpleasant talk
about those rampant human rights abuses.
Trump stressed in their official discussions that the Philippine president can count on him and the U.S. (which includes you and me) to be a friend.
And, as a
friend, Trump didn’t bother his authoritarian buddy with any unpleasant talk
about those rampant human rights abuses.
Instead,
the Duterte-Trump get-together was one of mutual praise and even affection.
Indeed, Trump was delighted when Duterte impulsively grabbed the microphone at
a gala state dinner and serenaded Trump with a love ballad, crooning: “You are the love I’ve been
waiting for.”
In
fact, Duterte had earlier demonstrated that love when he named Jose Antonio to
be his trade representative to our country.
Antonio, a Philippine real estate mogul, happens to be a partner with our president in the luxurious new Trump Tower, now under construction in Manila. Cozy, huh?
Antonio, a Philippine real estate mogul, happens to be a partner with our president in the luxurious new Trump Tower, now under construction in Manila. Cozy, huh?
Hugging
up Duterte might be good business for Trump, but it’s a sorry deal for our
national interest — and it’s an insult to our people’s support of human rights.
OtherWords
columnist Jim Hightower is a radio commentator, writer, and public speaker.
He’s also the editor of the populist newsletter, The Hightower
Lowdown. Distributed by OtherWords.org.