Does Rhetoric Matter?

     Among the Left’s favored practices is condemning any statement from a figure on the Right that edges even slightly toward the promotion of American interests above the interests of other nations. America, in the eyes of the Left, needs to be chastened, humbled, and broken to the harness of the “international community.” Therefore, it will countenance no promotion of America’s well-being, especially if that would put it even slightly above the interests of other lands. While that might not account for the pusillanimity of the rhetoric of Barack Hussein Obama, it’s certainly consistent with it – and with the firm conviction among many that Obama’s true allegiance is not to the United States.

     A surprising number of persons who style themselves libertarians speak in the same terms. It’s among the reasons I decided to distance myself from the label.

     For a useful contrast, consider this brief story concerning Vladimir Putin:

     “I swear if they bomb Russia, in half an hour every muslim will die” Vladimir Putin

     The Russian leader is reportedly mounting an enormous military mission to take control of the terror group’s stronghold of Raqqa.

     The city is the self-declared capital of ISIS in Syria and is patrolled by as many as 5,000 jihadi members.

     Putin is set to mobilise 150,000 reservists who he conscripted into the military in September.

     Yesterday, following the Paris attacks, Putin hinted he was ready to join forces with the West to tackle Islamic State.

     He told David Cameron: “The recent tragic events in France show that we should join efforts in preventing terror.”

     Noting equivocal or wishy-washy there, eh? Why, you’d almost suspect Putin of putting Russia’s well-being ahead of that of other nations and peoples.

     Yes, Putin is a dictator. Yes, he’s sent Russian forces to invade the Ukraine and strike at groups loosely aligned with America. Yes, he’s killed his political enemies. Yes, I condemn those things. But how I wish the man in the Oval Office loved America as much as Putin loves Russia.

     Rhetoric doesn’t always matter, but when those who speak are known to back their statements with their deeds, it matters quite a lot. Anyone can talk the talk.

     Donald Trump’s statement of approbation for Putin should be viewed in that light. Trump loves his country. He wants it to have a political class that loves it just as much. Viewed from that perspective, it’s easy to envy the Russians, despite their president’s proclivities for snatching land that belongs to others and bumping off those who’ve annoyed him.