Once again, I dared to hope that a Republican Senator — from Florida, no less — might have grown a brain and an attached spine. Senator Rick Scott began on the right note yesterday, when he told a reporter from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty:

“Putin’s a thug. It’s despicable what he’s done to the Ukrainian people and how many women, children, and grandmothers Puin has killed. It’s important for us to stand for freedom.”

– Rick Scott, August 4, 2026

[Source: Alex Raufoglu, RFE/RL, August 5, 2026 CET.]

He also expressed support for tougher sanctions against other authoritarian leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. So far, so good.

Until it wasn’t.

When asked whether he thought Putin had underestimated America’s resolve to continue supporting Ukraine, he quickly reverted to the role of Trump cheerleader, offering this:

“People have been surprised that President Trump is making sure Iran doesn’t have a nuclear weapon.” [Ed.Note: They didn’t have one when he tore up the agreement that Obama had negotiated.]

“I think they’re surprised that he’s trying to hold Communist China accountable.” [Ed.Note: “Trying”? How, exactly?]

“I think they were surprised that he took Maduro on in Venezuela.” [Ed.Note: You mean by illegally invading a sovereign nation and kidnapping its leader?]

And my personal favorite: “The world has been surprised by Donald Trump’s willingness to stand up for freedom around the world.” [Ed.Note: Right . . . everywhere but at home!] [Id.]

Once again — this time from Senator Scott — a brief shining moment of hope before reality reared its ugly head.

Why do I even try?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
8/5/26