Washington, for two years you have cheered the efforts of Ukraine in its fight against the invading Russian army. You’ve encouraged and praised their efforts, you’ve sent money and arms, you’ve assured those people that you have their backs.
Now, suddenly, you are talking about blocking that aid. Ending it. Two years into the Ukrainians’ fight for survival, you suddenly talk of abandoning them. No more arms, money, aid of any kind. What kind of “friend” does that? Where is your sense of honor? Shame on Republicans who are playing political games with this aid, who are threatening to block it if opponents don’t include action on US immigration issues.
The two issues are unrelated, and immigration has been an intractable problem for many years. It certainly will not get fixed in the next few weeks or months — and Ukraine needs aid NOW. If the Russians overrun Ukraine, their next stop will be NATO nations to the west. And then, instead of just money and arms, we’ll be sending our sons and daughters.
________________
Featured image, top: In Bila Tserkva, Ukraine, a relative of Roman Shevchenko holds a candle during his funeral. Roman, 40, was a civilian who joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend his country. (Emilio Morenatti/AP)
I have come to the conclusion, some time since, that your Congressional Republicans are people so vile and so consumed with hate that they are not really people any more.
Unfortunately, whatever they are, they can and do vote.
Exactly.
We have some terribly short-sighted people in Washington.
It breaks my heart to think we’re abandoning Ukraine.
Mine too. I’m brokenhearted … and angry. At least our Sen. Bennet stood up and spoke out on Ukraine’s behalf.
Isolationism fits nicely with Trump’s instincts, never mind that our standard of living is built on the global economy. It leads to an Orwellian dystopia.
Trump doesn’t know or care about anything but his own well-being and power.
Also, there’s this: Isolationism strengthens tyrants who stay in power by claiming external threats. It’s the protection racket, used by despots and kings since the dawn of civilization. Putin, for example, invaded Ukraine by claiming it needed to be rescued from the evil and fascist West. Giving him a win will not diminish the threat posed by his ilk, it would do the opposite.
Oh, absolutely. He’s well aware of our wavering at the moment. It sickens me to think he’s deriving any pleasure or encouragement from watching our idiotcracy at “work.” Not to mention that if we cut off aid now, we will have wasted every penny spent there in the last two years. It’s all just another handful of reasons why reelecting Trump would be madness.
I’m angry and sad about this also. I have written and called my senators and encouraged others I know to do that. Not sure I think it has much effect.
If enough of us do that, maybe we’ll be heard. If all else fails, we’ll just have to let ’em know next November.
I was 8 months old when my family had to flee from the Soviet Union invasion of the Baltic States. Watching this happening to Ukraine chills me to the bone. If Putin isn’t stopped soon I’m afraid that things will just get worse. (~Gunta – having trouble signing in.)
What’s that old saying, “Cheer up, things can always get worse.” Feels like that’s what’s been happening for a while now, and I really worry about the next year. (Sorry about the sign in thing. WP and I can’t seem to get on the same page with that.)
Our pollies don’t even have – bugger ! forgotten the word ! Oh – Town Halls ? Ours have zero time where they must stand in front of their constituents and face Q&As. Writing to them, if you’re really lucky, gets you a brief acknowledgement from some bimbo who works for them. I do hope you guys persuade lots of people to write to your pollies ..
Our calls and letters just get tallied pro or con by some underling and our representatives may or may not care to hear the results. As one who takes his job seriously, Sen. Bennet likely keeps himself informed about feelings back home.
It’s not just that GOP threatens to cut of funding, many seem to be straight up rootin’ for Putin.
Well, those good ol’ boys (autocrats, dictators, etc.) need to stick together.