# 1 is Diplomatic relations, #2 is a corrup political tactic. I can't state it any more clearly.
If Trump and surrogates privately and publicly railed on corruption and curbing it I'd have no issue. They didn't. They focused on politically motivated investigations then tried to hide under the more defensible "corruption" after getting caught. In fact, it's the direct opposite of fighting corruption but rather encouraging it. Based on public information from texts, the US rep in Ukraine (Taylor) recognized it and the Ukraine authorities who refused the language being pushed by Volker/Sondland recognized it.
Not only is that defense disingenuous but corrupt. In any other era or administration this activity would be universally panned but our tribal roots have now grown so deep that reality can't shine through.
Now, if information comes out that Obama and Biden were pushing to stop/start politically motivated investigations I'd equally rail on them. That hasn't presented itself and is in fact just the opposite. The Hunter Biden connection to Burisma is absolutely unethical. I'd support laws be put in place that limit POTUS and VPOTUS family connections in International businesses. That's not in place though which allow Don Jr to make $millions in India and Ivanka to be granted 12 trademarks in China days before trade negotiations with the country. Recognizing that is "whataboutism" none of this activity is ethically acceptable but is legal.
Last edited: Oct 11, 2019