It’s hard to take seriously a commentary that intends to trigger “fluid to seep from the mouth in total rage and agony” as in “U.S. must abandon Ukraine.”
The commentator proceeds to throw every America First/MAGA argument, hoping one might stick — Russia is not a threat, China is the real enemy, war enriches the military industrial complex and the money could be better spent at home.
The inconsistencies are rife — a link warns about swarms of Chinese naval ships in the Taiwan strait, yet how will these be combatted without the same military-industrial complex the commentator derides? The failure to grasp global political realities is breathtaking.
Russia’s unprovoked aggression against a peaceful neighbor is being carefully watched by China, and every other autocrat with nuclear weapons (North Korea and Pakistan, and soon Iran). Global security is at risk, and supporting Ukraine is very much in the security interests of the U.S.
The idea that Russia is a has-been world leader is uninformed. As I write, there is global concern that the military coup in Niger threatens the ability to contain jihadists groups in western Africa. The coup is supported by neighboring countries, Burkina Faso and Mali, both of which have governments backed by the Russia mercenary group, Wagner. Russia’s ability to destabilize is not limited to Europe.
The unwillingness to fault an autocrat and indicted war criminal brings to mind the phrase “Putin’s useful idiot.” A more apt, though less used one, might be “tankie.” Named for leftists who cheered as Soviet tanks repressed the 1956 uprising in Hungary, the term refers to “supporters of repressive regimes and applying primarily to the opinions held by fringe journalists.”
Perhaps the commentator should consider enrolling in some history classes this fall.
Barbara Felitti
Huntington
