Lindsey Graham called for Putin's assassination. Even discussing it brings danger to US, experts say

[Somerville]

Is Senator Graham starting to 'lose it'? When even Ted Cruz is saying Graham shouldn't say such a thing, one might wonder about the Senator from South Carolina's mental state.

Lindsey Graham called for Putin's assassination. Even discussing it brings danger to US, experts say​

"Is there a Brutus in Russia? Is there a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military?" Graham wrote on Twitter, referencing the Roman politician who assassinated Julius Caesar and the German officer who attempted to kill Adolf Hitler.

"The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out. You would be doing your country – and the world – a great service," he wrote.
[. . .]
The White House and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have denounced Graham's suggestions. Hours after Graham's initial comments, White House press secretary Jen Psaki made clear the statements are not the policy of the United States.

"No, we are not advocating for killing the leader of a foreign country or a regime change," Psaki told reporters, adding, "That is not the position of the United States government and certainly not a statement you'd hear come from the mouth of anybody working in this administration."

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called Graham's suggestion "an exceptionally bad idea."

"Use massive economic sanctions; BOYCOTT Russian oil & gas; and provide military aid so the Ukrainians can defend themselves. But we should not be calling for the assassination of heads of state," Cruz wrote on Twitter.

 

[Grand Mal]

Is Senator Graham starting to 'lose it'? When even Ted Cruz is saying Graham shouldn't say such a thing, one might wonder about the Senator from South Carolina's mental state.

It used to be that world leaders wouldn't deal in assassination because they're all vulnerable. There were exceptions, but rare. I remember reading about some creative plots re. Fidel Castro, for example. Then I remember what happened to Kennedy.

 

[Centrist]

I thought people that were in the military should not be that hawkish as they have seen the real deal.

Mr. Graham, in my opinion, is a warmonger and he should put on the uniform and go to Ukraine to fight as an independent if he wants war.

Of course, he will not do that, he wants you, me, American soldiers to go and Zelensky to pay the contract.

 

[MaryP]

Is Senator Graham starting to 'lose it'? When even Ted Cruz is saying Graham shouldn't say such a thing, one might wonder about the Senator from South Carolina's mental state.

I'm glad the administration and even some of the rabid Republicans are making it clear that was inappropriate and not our position. But no one should be that surprised--we're Americans. We shoot everybody.

 

[justabubba]

What is the downside of Miss Lindsey‘s proposal?

 

[Gateman_Wen]

Is Senator Graham starting to 'lose it'? When even Ted Cruz is saying Graham shouldn't say such a thing, one might wonder about the Senator from South Carolina's mental state.

Lindsey has been insane since the beginning of the tRump *administration*.

 

[Mr Person]

Jellyfish...

But I suspect Putin knows that's what he is. Lindsey can run his mouth...

 

[OrphanSlug]

We have talked about this several times now, the issue is Lindsey Graham is an active US Senator and calling for such thing... even in the manner in which he did... implicates the US in the idea even if we had nothing to do with it assuming it ever happens.

Just because we may agree here in the confines of our nation and freedoms that this statement of his is no big deal that is meaningless to the international stage of terrible leaders out there looking to weaponize and propagandize everything we say and do.

It was stupid of him to go there, anyone with an IQ above the room temp should know that.

 

[Checkerboard Strangler]

Is Senator Graham starting to 'lose it'? When even Ted Cruz is saying Graham shouldn't say such a thing, one might wonder about the Senator from South Carolina's mental state.

Our "silence" invites license for Lindsey to do even more.
By silence, I mean that there undoubtedly exists appropriate means of taking someone politely aside when they speak of or commit acts that are a direct security threat.
For the average citizen it's often a local law enforcement task at least at first, but for an elected official, especially one at the congressional level, or in the Senior Executive Service,
that we are seeing a clear signal that such responses are well warranted.

There isn't a single universe that exists where both these circumstances are both considered normal.
In a fascist dictatorship, Lindsey's actions, while termed normal or abnormal, are almost expected.
In a thriving healthy democratic constitutional republic, we take these things very seriously, and we endeavor to remind people like Lindsey what their responsibilities are,
and what they are not, and why they are creating untenable and unacceptable amounts of risk.

We also possess the ways and means of dealing with direct acts of sedition, treason or insurrection.

 

[Metric Mouse]

Wow. His statements are tame compared to what people post on this forum. Lots of Putin lovers in this thread, for sure.

 

[justabubba]

We have talked about this several times now, the issue is Lindsey Graham is an active US Senator and calling for such thing... even in the manner in which he did... implicates the US in the idea even if we had nothing to do with it assuming it ever happens.

Just because we may agree here in the confines of our nation and freedoms that this statement of his is no big deal that is meaningless to the international stage of terrible leaders out there looking to weaponize and propagandize everything we say and do.

It was stupid of him to go there, anyone with an IQ above the room temp should know that.

if world leaders felt threatened by assassins, would that motivate them to do the right thing ... which is not sending in its young people to kill another nation's people?

does killing by proxy, implementing war by proxy, remain a safe tradition if the leaders who direct others to kill on their behalf feel free from deadly retaliation?

 

[Fletch]

Putin will turn all of Ukraine into Grozny unless someone takes him out. Sorry Putin lovers but thats a fact.

 

[OrphanSlug]

if world leaders felt threatened by assassins, would that motivate them to do the right thing ... which is not sending in its young people to kill another nation's people?

does killing by proxy, implementing war by proxy, remain a safe tradition if the leaders who direct others to kill on their behalf feel free from deadly retaliation?

I think you are missing the point, it is not my interpretation or even yours that matters here.

What does matter is how this is used by those who do not think very much of us no matter what they are doing.

 

[justabubba]

I think you are missing the point, it is not my interpretation or even yours that matters here.

What does matter is how this is used by those who do not think very much of us no matter what they are doing.

not sure i understand where you are coming from with regard to "What does matter is how this is used by those who do not think very much of us no matter what they are doing"

i will assume you are referring to the use of assassination against the leaders of an opposing nation by those who are not concerned with how the people of either state view their killing of those targeted leaders

if that ^ is an accurate reflection of your position, i would respond by pointing to the likelihood that those who are inclined to assassinate an opponent leader are probably not that concerned about how the people view their inclinations to engage in war

we have already seen putin is not disinclined to assassinate his political opponents. nor is he moved by the public's response to his invasion of another country; a nation which has done nothing to provoke that invasion. so, i would ask, why have reservations about taking his ass out?

while i agree that public discussion about that prospect only serves to better secure himself with a praetorian guard, making an assassination effort more difficult to pull off. but why are we reluctant to take out someone who in both willing and able to inflict so much human tragedy without any provocation?

 

[Anthony60]

OMG! Let's not get Putin mad. No worries, Vlad, we'll block those migs from going to Ukraine. We'll watch what we say, too. Anything else we can do for you?