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Comment by Keyframe | Hacker News Reader

Great analysis, but I must ask the obvious question. US citizens attacked by foreign entities on US soil. What gives?

Not only that, but some of the "civilian" folks in the video (towards the bottom of the article) are just plain US citizens and residents. That they haven't been arrested yet either is pretty astounding.

We can't change the past, but as an American, my question is what will my government do to protect its citizens and how will it obtain justice for them. Will it even try?

Let's hope the fourth estate holds the first three accountable.

I'm guessing nothing will happen. I have no idea if diplomatic immunity applies, but also the president and Erdogan are friendly. And, we have a lot of contempt for protestors in our country.

One wanna-be dictator to another, my guess is nothing will happen.

Mmm, I think one of them is less of a wannabe than the other. At least so far.

One is just earlier in his career

i don't think trump will be a dictator. it doesn't look like he has that intention - his steps are not cohesive, and not deeply rooted to assert his absolute authority.

not to mention the us has better foundation of democracy.

He signs unconstitutional orders and then attacks the court when they strike them down. He heaps praise on dictators and slams democratic allies. He probably won't be a dictator because he's incompetent but it's clear how he wants to operate.

Probably, but dictatorship comes as more fundamental. Signing orders is the worst way to do it. You first grow a base thqt would support you, bring them into positions that would strenghten your absolute power. Sure trump is doing that somewhat but i dont think it is happening at fundamental levels. You also need charisma somewhat.

Good thing is, the US has the checks and balances that would make it really hard for him to achieve his potential goal. It takes more than one guy to make it happen.

I have seen it first hand, in Turkey.

It seems to have little to do with the President, as the same thing happened last year at the Brookings Institute - and if you recall, a different gentleman was President at the time.

From my point of view, it seems that the State Department diplomats and bureaucrats have turned into ball-less, useless functionaries that care more about the feelings of foreign heads of state than the civil rights of US citizens.

If that weren't the case, these people would have been expelled from the US with strongly worded diplomatic requests/suggestions/demands that they be tried for their actions in a Turkish court. That's how it's supposed to work at least.

Maybe it doesn't have anything to do with him, I just meant it doesn't hurt to have friends in high places.

What gives? Trump is president. He doesn't care because he has investments in Turkey and invited Erdogan to the White House. Welcome to the current state of affairs in the USA.

Also feel free to body slam any reporter you don't like asking you annoying questions about healthcare either, you won't face any repercussions from the GOP.

Well, that happens when a dictator visits a wannabe dictator. Erdogan and his goons obviously thought they'd be let off without any consequences for this - and indeed they were right.

And I'm sure there won't be any consequences in the future - it's not a Trump thing to anger like-minded friends.

Turkey's strategic importance is nothing new, it's just where it is on the board.

"strategic importance" is not an excuse for letting such things (or the massive violation of human rights happening in Turkey right now) happen without consequence.

If only things were that simple.

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