This isn't just another spat. Trump compromised our security for his gain.
David Ignatius makes an excellent point, and one I hope does not get lost. There are life and death consequences to ordinary people at stake here. The national security, ours and the Ukraine's, implications because of Trump's decisions are huge.
While people get wrapped around the axle over whether a memorandum can be referred to as a transcript or chuckle over the bonehead idiots in the White House sending a talking points email to the wrong people, let's not allow this to be overlooked.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/this-isnt-just-another-spat-trump-compromised-our-security-for-his-gain/2019/09/24/b3eb24ae-df09-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html
If you’re wondering why it matters that President Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine while he was requesting political favors from its new president, think about the Ukrainian soldiers who are fighting a nasty proxy war against Russian-backed separatists.
The United States is Ukraine’s ally in this fight. Ukrainian commanders, battling to hold their country together against a five-year onslaught by Russia, have been depending on U.S. promises of military assistance. In life-or-death situations like this, America’s word is its bond. But suddenly, in mid-July, American commitments seemed to Ukrainians to have become Trump’s political tool...
...Forget the political jousting between Trump and Biden, and consider the Ukrainian soldier in the field fighting to save his country. He has a nightmare communications problem because he can’t talk reliably with his commanders. Russia has been hacking or jamming Ukrainian military communications since it seized Crimea and began supporting the separatists in 2014.
The United States wanted to help fix this battlefield communications disaster. One item in the $391 million package Congress appropriated is a secure system made by L3 Technologies, a unit of Harris Corp., that could allow the Ukrainians to maintain contact despite Russian interference. The L3 equipment was ready for delivery in July when the company was told no, there was a hold, the equipment couldn’t be shipped, according to a congressional source...
= new reply since forum marked as read
for personal gain? More millions in government funding? U.S. weapons systems? Nukes in exchange for more Trump Towers and golf courses?
Slippery slope. 
Welcome to...The Art of the Deal.
