Glad the above idiot won’t be my Congress Critter much longer. Gee Adam, what historical lessons do we have for a shooting war between two nuclear armed powers? It is so obvious to me that much of the current war hysteria is due to individuals who have spent years bashing Trump in the fraudulent Russian collusion. Kinzinger wasn’t quite in that category, although always a Trump ctitic, but since January 6 he has become one of the more hysterical anti-Trump members of Congress.
We have people, not Kinzinger, who have never seen a US military operation that they did not protest, suddenly Gonzo for us to be shooting at the Russians. Now I long have been warning about the threat from Putin, and my sympathies are all on the side of Ukraine. However, I also think before we get into an open military conflict with Russia, sober analysis is needed. I am seeing none of that at the top. Instead I see idiocy like the above tweet, with slogans like Glory to Ukraine substituting for thought. Too much of this simply reflects our rabid domestic politics. This is the most serious of business, and we have the worst political leadership we have ever had, and a woke military more concerned about the next promotion than on the world war with nukes we may be stumbling into. I have almost always been a hawk on foreign affairs, but there is all the difference in the world between being a smart hawk and a psychotic one.
“It is therefore irresponsible in the extreme to suggest, as some have, that NATO impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, which would entail direct military confrontation between NATO and Russia. The problem is not just that this is foolish and reckless. The problem is that such escalation cannot be justified by just war criteria, and would therefore itself be gravely unjust. Any public authorities who take action that risks nuclear war – and thus the deaths of millions of innocent people – would be no less guilty of violating the moral principles governing war than Putin is.
Just war doctrine’s counsel to the United States and her NATO allies thus seems clear: Cheer Ukraine on and provide whatever assistance is possible consistent with avoiding the risk of a nuclear escalation. Otherwise, stay the hell out of it.”
From “Just war theory and the Russo-Ukrainian war” by Edward Feser:
http://edwardfeser.blogspot.com/2022/03/just-war-theory-and-russo-ukrainian-war.html
Here’s a theory broached on the radio from someone who sounded knowledgeable: US with other nations go to the UN to ask Putin for a truce so the Blue Helmets can go in and clean up the former Soviet bio labs. World humanitarian truce.
Reminds me of a burnt shadow on power station structure nearby, the hawk made the mistake of touching a 115kV conductor and a grounded structure, wingtip-to-wingtip.
Just war doctrine’s counsel to the United States and her NATO allies thus seems clear:
Not buying.
Many seem to forget we had a trading policy with Russia during the cold war which was essentially cash and carry. Easy to turn on and off. Then came the Pepsi and Coke deals that began the westernification of part of the country and some of its people. Became a bit more difficult to disengage and to show the benefits of western ways. The recent boycotts by western countries will probably have little immediate effect and long term consequences to people like Putin and associates is simply not in the game plan. Finally, it will be most interesting, and not without a little trepidation, to see how the junior partnership of Russia to China’s majority interest plays out. Despite proclamations of friendship, Xi has no intention of giving up the dominant role. He believes he has the mandate of heaven and means to keep it.
Donald:
In WWII, Germany and Japan (and Italy) had no designs on the other’s territory or resources. Russia and China do, and I don’t give the “new Axis” a long lifespan before either Russia pulls out or China moves in.
As for those 16,000 Syrians: anybody calculate the time and resources (and planning) needed to move the equivalent of three divisions that distance? Putin’s not exactly swimming in dough and the Russians have not impressed the world with even their short-distance logistics.
As for those 16,000 Syrians: anybody calculate the time and resources (and planning) needed to move the equivalent of three divisions that distance?
It’s a foolish idea Tom as their military utility would be close to zero. All they would do willingly would be to eat rations. Proof positive that Putin is at his wits end and doesn’t have a clue what to do next.
“Proof positive that Putin is at his wits end and doesn’t have a clue what to do next.”
Yes, which is what I find the most disconcerting about the growing stalemate. I don’t see Putin ever backing down, which is what just about any outcome other than effective dominance of Russia over Ukraine likely amounts to, in his mind at least.
Not buying the Arkhipov story either.
“The Submarines of October”
https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB75/
Quotemeisters’ post above is nothing but “Better Red than dead” all dressed up. It also requires us to be able to make prophetic utterances re: how many total people will die on all sides in advance—quite the joke. The US used nuclear weapons in Japan to end WW 2 & save a predicted 1 million American lives—that number does not include the wounded (on both sides) that would have come to be if Japan has been taken inch by inch to end the war. Dying is not the worst evil that can happen to us, by the way. Under the theory in the list above, any nuclear power on the face of the globe would be allowed to do anything including nuclear war with no response because both sides using nuclear weapons would cause more deaths. Yes. The joke of a bishop out of the Catholic diocese in Little Rock, Arkansas, literally stated in an article in the Arkansas Catholic that the Ukrainians should not defend themselves against Russian aggression because it meant more people would die—he thinks the Ukrainians should simply allow the Russians to do whatever they wish under the excuse of potentially saving lives. I think he needs to go over & live among the Ukrainians & demonstrate to the rest of us exactly how such a thing is done practically.
The Christian T:
I think the name of that “Bishop” in Little Rock is Quisling, is it not?
Steve Phoenix,
It is Bishop Taylor. See page 11 for his thoughts.
https://digital.arkansas-catholic.org/Arkansas-Catholic-03052022-e-Edition/1/