DAVE ROSS

Maybe our president is just doing his best Jane Fonda impersonation

Jul 17, 2018, 5:49 AM

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hand at the beginning...

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hand at the beginning of a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

The moment the president’s critics saw him dismiss the findings of his own FBI and CIA, and accept Putin’s assurance that there was no Russian attempt to undermine the election, they immediately assumed Donald Trump sold out his country.

RELATED: Supreme Court nominee uttered the magic words

But did he?

I remember during the 1960’s a lot of us Baby Boomers had no qualms about dissing the FBI and the CIA. I also remember Jane Fonda traveling to Hanoi and cozying up to the Communists. Now we’re friends with Vietnam.

So maybe Trump is pulling a Jane Fonda –– willing to risk being called a traitor in the cause of peace.

Or, maybe, he genuinely feels that Putin’s sincere denial means the FBI can wrap up its Russia investigation and move on to other things, such as investigating the foreign-looking guy who cleans your building at night.

You might say, but Dave, what about that indictment with all those Russian names? Relax. I have a feeling those names will start disappearing one by one, due to natural causes.

I can also see how this new type of Kum ba yah chemistry between leaders will make it way easier to do things, like declare North Korea nuke-free. In the old days, grumpy presidents like Reagan would insist on surveillance and fussy inspectors. But maybe all you really need is Kim Jong-un’s sincere assurance, a warm handshake, and a smile.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

privacy pods...

Dave Ross

Ross: Tracking employees’ vital signs at work via privacy pods, what could go wrong?

I saw a Bloomberg story about the latest innovation to reduce your stress level at work: Privacy pods.

18 days ago

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

25 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

1 month ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

2 months ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

2 months ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

2 months ago

Maybe our president is just doing his best Jane Fonda impersonation