Well done, John. Good work staying on point. I would've gone right to. . . why are we fighting this war again? Or, you two look about the right age. Why don't you go over there and fight? I've learned that such logic falls on deaf ears. The whole point is to demonize the enemy (any enemy will do) the Deep State and its weapons contractor pals need to protect their own turf, their own cushy jobs, their own careers. What are a few thousand Ukrainians compared to that?
Waiting to see if the Ukrainians would fight or crumble, just like the rest of us. I'd say they've done pretty well outside of the South, where they got off to a very poor start. I can't believe Ukraine still has Odessa and retook so much ground in late 2022. Not a "rump state" at least yet.
I wish the Ukrainians peace and prosperity, as much as I wish it for the Russians.
Those of us who tried to get people to think about, listen to, arguments and perspectives re: the importance of neutrality for Ukraine in 2022 were mocked and trolled. It was truly embarrassing to watch all the unprincipled yammering about freedom, Democracy v. Autocracy, sovereignty, etc, and it won’t stop until a Stop is forced, but by whom?
At this point, we have to keep countering the warmongers and their supporters, and doing it tirelessly, repeatedly, and widely, with the tools each of has at hand.
I feel bad for Russia, but they don't get to call the shots in Ukraine. Ukraine wants to be a part of Europe and provided they build similar institutions as has been done in Eastern Europe, that is their choice. I hope Russia and China someday move in that direction too as, for whatever reason, it is a system that works extremely well.
They have progressed a great deal since Russia invaded the first time and I'm not inclined to accept a world where borders move via violence unless both groups are illiberal, keep it to themselves and liberal democratic countries are not impacted too severely.
Whether Ukraine has progressed enough, I don't know, but the probability is high enough when combined with the West's resources to make it very feasible to kick Russia out eventually. Even if it winds up being a rump state, as Mearsheimer says, I'd prefer that to illiberal domination, but whatever the Ukrainians decide they want is fine with me.
If that makes me a warmonger, I'm fine with that moniker, but I don't get to make the choices, so I'll defer to whatever my fellow citizens decide, even if I'm disgusted with their ultimate decision.
Well, Jeff, you have not done much homework on the subject, that is clear. The problem is exacerbated by people who support Global Liberal Hegemony based on lightweight opinions, because they did not do the important work to support their opinions. They don’t ask questions. Instead, the answer with “opinions.” That is how this all started, and was allowed to start.
All the dead and maimed people, hundreds of thousands, a demographic disaster and an environmental disaster for decades to come. Get used to having blood on your hands, I guess. Also, if, or when, Poland, Rumania and/or Hungary decide to carve up “the rump” land when it’s all over… I guess we’ll see about that too.
I'd say Global Liberal Hegemony is a fantastic success and has led to the greatest period of peace and prosperity in the history of mankind. No apologies are coming from me.
Meirsheimer took them both down.. his was the stronger argument based on facts on the ground. Theirs was based on wishful thinking.
You also got the last word!
Funny how they invite 2 MIC-backed "think tank" propagandists to try and stack the deck. It didn't matter...
Well done, John. Good work staying on point. I would've gone right to. . . why are we fighting this war again? Or, you two look about the right age. Why don't you go over there and fight? I've learned that such logic falls on deaf ears. The whole point is to demonize the enemy (any enemy will do) the Deep State and its weapons contractor pals need to protect their own turf, their own cushy jobs, their own careers. What are a few thousand Ukrainians compared to that?
You mopped the floor with them, sir. And they're going to have to rename the Carnegie Institute for Peace, LOL.
Amazing! Where were they in February 2022?
Waiting to see if the Ukrainians would fight or crumble, just like the rest of us. I'd say they've done pretty well outside of the South, where they got off to a very poor start. I can't believe Ukraine still has Odessa and retook so much ground in late 2022. Not a "rump state" at least yet.
I wish the Ukrainians peace and prosperity, as much as I wish it for the Russians.
Those of us who tried to get people to think about, listen to, arguments and perspectives re: the importance of neutrality for Ukraine in 2022 were mocked and trolled. It was truly embarrassing to watch all the unprincipled yammering about freedom, Democracy v. Autocracy, sovereignty, etc, and it won’t stop until a Stop is forced, but by whom?
At this point, we have to keep countering the warmongers and their supporters, and doing it tirelessly, repeatedly, and widely, with the tools each of has at hand.
I feel bad for Russia, but they don't get to call the shots in Ukraine. Ukraine wants to be a part of Europe and provided they build similar institutions as has been done in Eastern Europe, that is their choice. I hope Russia and China someday move in that direction too as, for whatever reason, it is a system that works extremely well.
They have progressed a great deal since Russia invaded the first time and I'm not inclined to accept a world where borders move via violence unless both groups are illiberal, keep it to themselves and liberal democratic countries are not impacted too severely.
Whether Ukraine has progressed enough, I don't know, but the probability is high enough when combined with the West's resources to make it very feasible to kick Russia out eventually. Even if it winds up being a rump state, as Mearsheimer says, I'd prefer that to illiberal domination, but whatever the Ukrainians decide they want is fine with me.
If that makes me a warmonger, I'm fine with that moniker, but I don't get to make the choices, so I'll defer to whatever my fellow citizens decide, even if I'm disgusted with their ultimate decision.
Well, Jeff, you have not done much homework on the subject, that is clear. The problem is exacerbated by people who support Global Liberal Hegemony based on lightweight opinions, because they did not do the important work to support their opinions. They don’t ask questions. Instead, the answer with “opinions.” That is how this all started, and was allowed to start.
All the dead and maimed people, hundreds of thousands, a demographic disaster and an environmental disaster for decades to come. Get used to having blood on your hands, I guess. Also, if, or when, Poland, Rumania and/or Hungary decide to carve up “the rump” land when it’s all over… I guess we’ll see about that too.
I'd say Global Liberal Hegemony is a fantastic success and has led to the greatest period of peace and prosperity in the history of mankind. No apologies are coming from me.
So you’re okay with all of the death and destruction required to maintain it? Just asking for a friend.
There was a piece of pseudo-journalism in the Chicago Tribune today about Navalny--trying to propagandize Chicago residents about Russia.