Another thing Trump has damaged

[PJMcK]

Trump had his private meeting with Putin and there weren't any advisors or other witnesses to their discussion except for their interpreters. Because of this unprecedented secrecy by an American president, we do not know what was discussed or agreed to in our names.

This is unacceptable particularly with this president who lies every single day. He has lied and misinformed the American people about what took place in that meeting. Additionally, he has flip-flopped on his explanations of what took place and what was discussed. Accordingly, many lawmakers want to subpoena the American interpreter to find out what was discussed by the two countries' leaders.

The loosely organized group of professional interpreters is outraged that their colleague is being targeted by lawmakers. They believe their profession has a special confidentiality that is similar to attorney/client privilege.

Once again, Trump is destroying an important part of the fabric of our government. With his ham-handed and stupid desire to meet with Putin in secret, he's threatened a noble profession and damaged the nature of international relations.

An article in today's NY Times highlights this problem and this quote illustrates the moral and ethical dilemma Trump has needlessly created. As one professional interpreter put it:

“We are only as valuable as we can interpret faithfully, accurately, and keep things in confidence. It will essentially destroy all trust in our profession.”

Another quote is noteworthy:

Alexander Vershbow, a former ambassador to Russia under President George W. Bush and a National Security Council aide under President Bill Clinton, said it would most likely be a violation of executive privilege to force Ms. Gross to appear before Congress.

“I think it’s more a reflection of the mistrust of President Trump and his judgment in dealing with Russia, that the interpreter is being used as a whipping boy,”

There's more in this article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/us/politics/trump-putin-interpreter.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

[TreasonousBastard]

1. I would tend to agree. Trump is destroying many of our strongest traditions all by himself, and...

he will end up by destroying himself. (I hope)

Let's not help him destroy law and tradition.

[PJMcK]

2. I hope you're right!

Trump is so destructive that his behavior has to take him down, too.

At least I hope so.

[dalton99a]

3. The traitor will stop at nothing to please his master.

[HAB911]

4. This was the perfect coup for Russia

It hands over to Putin responsibility for enacting his plan. Nothing Putin says can be disputed because Trump will not disagree with him. Putin is now fully in charge

[PJMcK]

7. Trump is the perfect stooge for Putin

Trump is incredibly stupid but doesn't have a clue because he thinks he is the smartest man in the world.

This makes it tremendously easy for a crafty KGB agent to manipulate him.

Welcome to the new world.

[BSdetect]

5. He is openly committing treason with gop approval and participation

[CanonRay]

6. How else is either Congress or us to know what "we" have agreed to?

Wait for Putin to issue our orders? I'm sorry for the translator, and sorry that this is another breakdown of an unwritten but necessary rule (they are falling like flies), but this is an impossible position.

[PJMcK]

8. The translator may not remember much

I made an observation about this in another post:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10900761

Let me add this thought: In one of my many diverse musical jobs, I play piano for a professional ballet company. About half of the music I play is standard classical repertoire but the other half is improvised. That's the most fun part because I get to be creative. Yet the improvisation is very much in the moment and if I don't make a sketch or note to myself, that germ of creativity can be lost. I just can't remember it.

I suspect it would be very similar for a translator. The work is intense and focused and their job is not to document the conversation but to translate it in real time. This is why Trump's decision to hold the meeting without aides or stenographers-- probably following Putin's orders-- is so precarious for our country.