Trump through Russian eyes

peace. And former President George H.W. Bush reportedly will vote for Clinton. These Republicans are showing true patriotism, putting country before party.

But what about Paul Ryan, the current Speaker of the House of Representatives? If Ryan is truly the grown-up Catholic altar boy that he likes to portray himself as being, why doesn’t he denounce Trump’s xenophobic statements, deepening flirtation with the racist “alt-right,” dishonest business practices, and erratic foreign policy positions? Instead, he acts as if Trump is worthy of the American presidency, and risks losing his country (if not his soul) because Trump just might enact some policies that Ryan supports.

And, finally, where are the many old Republican lions? If they want to prevent Trump from taking their party’s reputation – and their country’s future – to the slaughterhouse, they had better roar soon. And yet former President George W. Bush remains on the sidelines, seemingly more embittered that Trump defeated his brother Jeb in the primary than animated by the threat posed by Trump. James Baker, who served both Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, has not publicly said a word; nor has George Shultz, Henry Kissinger, Condoleezza Rice, or Dick Cheney. We know that Colin Powell loathes Trump, but only because his emails were leaked.

When Yeltsin stepped down, he left Russia at the mercy of his handpicked successor, Putin. For the sake of their party and their own honour and reputations, these old lions should now openly disavow Trump, lest similar damage be inflicted on their – and my – country.