h/t WRSA
"The test of an intelligent man is how much he agrees with you."
Niall Ferguson on the seven worst-case outcomes from the Ukrainian conflict:
Money quote of the decade:
"An obvious consequence of the war in Ukraine is that numerous states around the world will intensify their pursuit of nuclear arms. For nothing more clearly illustrates their value than the fate of Ukraine, which gave them up in 1994 in exchange for worthless assurances. The era of nonproliferation is over."
Those still gargling Putin's genitals after 40 Days Of Fail will find Ferguson's level of reason and reality a bitter pill to swallow.
There is a certain personality who I respect, in general, but who seems to believe that it is important that "Ukraine wasn't a country until 1991." Seriously, bro, how does that matter a tinker's dam? This sort of fuzzy thinking is supposed to influence the rest of us?
ReplyDeleteSure, Ukraine has been the bitch of Russia and Poland for most of its history, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't entitled to have its own national boundaries. While it may not have had national sovereignty for most of its history, its people were proud Ukrainians. Even now, men (and at least a few women) have rushed to fight the Russians.
Americans, in similar situations, would, in large numbers, shrink in their bedroom corner and whimper. Sure, many American patriots would come forward, but the entitled Millennials are a generation that is shakey at best to rely on.
The glib excuse for my generation,the Vietnam War generation,in avoiding military service, was always, "I opposed the war." From memory, it was 2/3 of those in "The Greatest Generation" who served in the military only because they were drafted, 11 million out of 16 million. What makes this figure startling is that the Japs had bombed Pearl Harbor and the Nazis had declared war on the US a few days later. So even when foreign countries had dragged America into the war, a huge number of Americans saw no reason to expose themselves to dangerous military service regardless of how the war started. If your grandfather was drafted, you have a glimpse into his thinking about the matter.
And then, the simple truth is that many others volunteered for the Navy and the Army Air Corps because they expected to be drafted. These branches offered the greatest number of "safe" service opportunities.
Maybe a month or so ago, Geraldo Rivera was appearing on Fox News' program, "The Five." In a burst of honesty, he admitted that the reason he demonstrated against the Vietnam War was the fact that he simply didn't want to be drafted. It was only later that he came to a different perspective, and he said that is why he took every opportunity presented in later wars to accompany the troops into the conflict zones as a journalist.
Now we see Ukrainians rushing to their country's colors now. Civilians stand in line to be issued AK-47s. Militias have been formed, and men are going into combat with only minimal training and a desire to shoot Russians (in general, almost always a good thing). Ivan is shocked at the level of resistance. (Yes, Ukraine may be a "corrupt" country, but it is THEIR corrupt country, and they will send as many Russians home in body bags as they can. Good for them.)
If the US was ever invaded would Americans fight with as much determination as Ukrainians? Maybe it will be "not so much." Most Americans would choose to go to the mall rather than go to war. Would YOU Fight for Your Country Like the Ukrainians? MANY Would Not. Not surprisingly, a recent poll told us that it is Republicans who say that they would be willing to fight in far higher numbers than Democrats. (Actually, we didn't need a poll to tell us that.)
I'm not a Millennial. But if needed, I'll drag my old butt out there to protect my home and country. If you think you'd rather go to war than a mall you're fooling yourself.
ReplyDeleteWe do need more people willing to get their hands dirty doing work and.more that believe in our country. No argument here. Most lack basic survival skills. Not wilderness, but life survival skills. But I'd like to think there are more that would fight than not. If not, those of us that would may be fighting for nothing.
I graduated high school in 1977. A few buddies went into air force and navy. I thought about it but choose not to
ReplyDeleteMy reasoning was 1. There was no war on. 2. Even at a young age I knew I did not like authority.
The lesson on nuclear weapons has already been quietly learned by many countries who contrast Libya and North Korea over the past decade. Ukraine only reinforces the lesson.
ReplyDeleteThere are many countries with nuclear weapon programs, Iran is only the most talked one.
For extra, Saudi Arabia has been after them for decades. It is rumored that they bankrolled Pakistan's program expecting to get weapons in return and were angry they didn't. The secret missile factory that China built them is probably only the tip of the iceberg of what they are doing in secret...
Taiwan has also pursues weapons for years and South Korea would be stupid not to, among many others...
Survivorman, with all due respect, I lived through 2020 and it was not Millennials out in front of government building having temper tantrums over not being allowed to go to work. I'll pass on the American Patriot as most of them showed thier astonishing lack of foresight to handle a lockdown. In war I suspect they'd be even worse. All the other side would have to do to win is drag it out for six weeks or so, and Patriots would be whining about needing to go back to work.
ReplyDeleteIf they can't handle the little things, I have no faith they can handle big ones.
~Rhea
Excellent article.
ReplyDeleteRhea, with all due respect, I was not talking about those who stood out in front of a government building having temper tantrums.
ReplyDeleteI was talking about a generation we could depend on to defend this country. Millennials, as a generation, seem more concerned about getting properly made non-fat lattes and their personal pronouns than experiencing risks and hardship in uniform.