RUSSIA/РОССИЯ THREAD—ASSANGE CHRGD W/ SPYING—DJT IMPEACHED TWICE-US TREASURY SANCTS KILIMNIK AS RUSSIAN AGNT
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I stepped down as U.S. ambassador to Estonia. Here’s why.
James D. Melville Jr.October 3 at 3:50 PM
James D. Melville Jr. is a former member of the U.S. Foreign Service who served as ambassador to Estonia from 2015 until his resignation in July.
When you serve as U.S. ambassador to a foreign capital, you represent your country, of course. But you are also the personal representative of the president. Professionalism demands that career foreign service officers — like career military officers — follow the orders and pursue the policies of our elected, civilian leadership.
If you cannot do that, the honorable and right thing to do is resign. That is what I did in July, when I stepped down as U.S. ambassador to Estonia. Now, with my formal departure this week from the U.S. Foreign Service after 33 years, I can more fully explain why.
Service in the diplomatic corps and the military are alike in another key respect. In both worlds, a special burden attaches to any individual in leadership. Within both hierarchies, each of which bears a share of responsibility for conducting U.S. foreign policy, those in leadership roles can — and should — advocate for the policies and strategies they believe in.
Along with many colleagues in the executive and legislative branches, I devoted tremendous energy and time trying to convince officials in the new administration of the importance of our NATO alliance. When then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was going to skip the first NATO foreign ministerial meeting of his tenure, I made sure Washington knew what a poor signal that would send to our frontline allies such as Estonia.
Ultimately, however, I knew that it wasn’t my call what “U.S. policy” is — nor should it have been my call. Under the Constitution that I swore to uphold and defend, the duly elected president, working through the executive branch, sets U.S. foreign policy.
This spring, I reached the point where I could no longer support President Trump’s policies and rhetoric regarding NATO, our European allies and Russia.
What do I believe? I am extremely uncomfortable with the trade policies the United States is pursuing. I also believe it is a historic mistake to cozy up to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It is in the United States’ fundamental interests to champion a rules-based world order. After the dark years of World War II, we worked in accordance with our values to pursue, nurture and achieve a peaceful and prosperous world. The great global and transatlantic institutions — NATO, the United Nations and, to an extent that would surprise many of my fellow citizens, even the European Union — are the fruits of policies carried out and resources expended by the United States over decades.
The refusal of the United States to give up on Estonia’s independence through the entire Soviet occupation is the cornerstone of Estonians’ deep appreciation for America. But it is the values of our nation and the leadership and role we have played in protecting the democracies in Europe that give them the confidence to stand up to the genuine threats emanating from their eastern neighbor.
There is an old proverb that says “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” That is the principle the United States has followed for decades and, while there are still many problems to be grappled with, it is why the world is as peaceful and prosperous as it is.
The alliances we have built and the friends we have made all over the globe look to the United States for leadership and guidance as we, together, tackle the world’s challenges. There should be no question that we are more effective and powerful when we work in concert with our allies and partners.
Arrogance does not suit us well. “America First” is a sham.
Russia and its corrupt, authoritarian government are a threat to the rules-based order and the fundamental values and interests of the United States and its allies. Trump’s habit of denigrating our allies and their leaders while lauding Putin and other authoritarians is no way to lead. It placed me in an untenable position in Tallinn whenever I was asked, as chief of mission, to explain our intentions.
I had no choice but to resign. I have no sympathy or understanding for those who remain in government service while claiming to be ignoring or otherwise violating their instructions. I certainly don’t understand an anonymous op-ed proclaiming some right to fight a rear-guard action behind the president’s back. That approach is devoid of integrity and seems cowardly to me.
Now I am free to speak for myself as a citizen. I want to use my voice to advocate for policies more in accord with our history, our values and the global good. And I also hope to convince as many ambitious, smart young people as I can that a life in service to their country is a wonderful way to make a contribution toward a better world.
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Supercoolmayo
Superstar
"Dodging taxes means hes smart!"I'm not really feeling it
Maybe it's because we been known Trump is a crook
Maybe it's because I know we're already at peak anti-Trump Dem support.
This is it brehs. At this point if you don't hope this piece of shyt dies in his sleep, you're a traitor to this country and a part of the opps
no standards for the deplorables
ExodusNirvana
Change is inevitable...
That's all I'm saying"Dodging taxes means hes smart!"
I mean if you needed THIS to sway your vote then you're voting for this dude straight up more than likely
This? THIS is your breaking point? Nah....
88m3
Fast Money & Foreign Objects
Dorian Breh
Veteran
PoorAndDangerous
Superstar
I'm not saying it's accurate, I'm just saying this expose is meaningless to people who support Trump. I hope it isn't legally meaningless but the bar is set so low nothing will move the needle.You're the one repeating the lie.
The Fukin Prophecy
RIP Champ
We in NY already knew this...I'm not really feeling it
Maybe it's because we been known Trump is a crook
Maybe it's because I know we're already at peak anti-Trump Dem support.
This is it brehs. At this point if you don't hope this piece of shyt dies in his sleep, you're a traitor to this country and a part of the opps
Problem is nothing stick to this dude, he's teflon because of his legion of morons who will back him up no matter what...
So unless this leads to charges its a 38 page nothing burger in the grand scheme of things...
Poetical Poltergeist
Precise and cold hearted
It's like telling me the office slut fukked the supervisor. No shyt. Now what?
Statute of limitations. Maybe they can find a way to bring charges and or a civil law suit that will force a release of his tax returns.
Anyway, we now have confirmation of his history of money laundering. I can't wait to see how he applied this knowledge in his dealings with Russians. This is where we ultimately get him.
yeah, that's one of the biggest shoes yet to drop.
the funny thing is that there are so many other bombshells that have hit the ground but not exploded yet.
the dam has to break soon.
everyone is staring at it like
but that shyt can't hold back all of this forever. i can't wait for Mueller season to start again.
Hood Critic
The Power Circle
Yep...the money was always going to be the way they get him.
And if you step back, every major indictment up to this point brings that together.
Don't forget...the media often lays the groundwork to prep the public for greater bombshells.
Now we see the prosecutions of modern crimes.
It helps to bring the public along so that these indictments just dont drop out of the sky.
GnauzBookOfRhymes
Superstar
i think this may be a prelude to something even bigger. maybe nytimes has more info regarding his returns? maybe they think that dems will take house and therefore returns will be released?
