Weak or fictional states are the pretext for empire. For the US, it is Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan.
We are all more or less concerned for our old countries. But as we have been here longer, these ties are weaker. And as the countries are stronger, they are less important. Thus I have no fear that Britain or Germany will be taken.
Those from these weaker states feel stronger concern. And some do not hesitate to call on all of us to send aid. Some call for blankets. Others, to send money or weapons. Still others to send in troops: that is to say, you and me.
Although annoying, it is understandable. What is less, is the passivity with which the rest of us respond. Are you not aware? Have you any opinion? Do you think that if you do nothing nothing will happen? Or that you can do nothing and so nothing is worth doing? How ridiculous it would be if having done nothing, suddenly we were at war, and you radiated.
We escalate slowly. Outcries are followed by money, which is followed by weapons, and finally troops. We were helping the Allies before Pearl Harbor: 77th Cong., 1st Sess., Chap. 10. The time is now.
I assume this silence is complacency. Perhaps that is not so, but better to assume the worst. To this suspected audience, then, I say:
Be it known that I have no beef with Russia or Ukraine. Whether they settle matters amicably, or it ends in annexation, I would not lift a finger. I am not interested in being the world police; nor in universal justice. If you wish to support her, go there and fight yourself. Please leave me out of it.
But it isn’t either/or.
First there is the dream, it is only that.
Ukraine is too weak to be independent. Instead of fighting for the impossible, it ought to question nationalism. It is a false idol. The US has it, but is nevertheless a no man’s land: party-politics and resignation. Ukraine is still living in an 18th century fantasy: delayed gratification. It must find a way to live in Russia’s sphere of influence.
Then there is the general appeal, sickly.
The United States has been inclined towards war for a long time. It worked. Before WWII, we were in a depression. After, we experienced a period of affluence never seen before or since. Perhaps the Democratic Party leadership is so desperate for voters that they intend to return us.
Neoliberalism has failed, and identity politics driven both halves of the population a bit too mad. What we need is a good old war. That means massive spending by the Federal Government, and when the rest of the world is ruined, like Europe was, they can buy our stuff.
Think about it. Let’s kill people so we can get rich.
Finally, there is the likely outcome.
It won’t work again. When we dropped those two bombs on Japan, our enemies did not have any. Now they do. The Cold War was called that for a reason: nothing broke out. We have never fought Russia, and we have never fought China. We certainly haven’t fought them combined, plus the rest of BRICs. We entered WWII when both sides were broken down. We were the new player, who could undo the balance of power. It was an easy win. Now we are entrenched. And these enemy countries have had plenty of time to know us.
For you to mull over.
War is theatrical. It is human contrived. There is nothing necessary or judicious about it. The instigation is always insanity. This is now. Soon it could be here. If it happens, at least let it have been after you made an honest effort against it, if but in mere speech.
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