about Ukraine and authoritarianism

[mellowtigger]

I find it curious how the USA in particular is rooting so loudly for Ukraine, when similar conflicts around the globe have merited a collective shrug.  I think maybe it's because of Trump.

Seriously.

• Do you remember this photo (which then-president Trump actually tweeted)?  I dislike Nancy Pelosi, but it was this meeting when she warned everyone at the table, "With you, all roads lead to Putin."
• Do you remember Trump's impeachment?  The first one?  In that fiasco, Trump tried to convince everyone that somehow Ukraine (/Democrats) and not Russia (/Republicans) was behind interference in the 2016 USA election process.
• Do you remember what other countries saw in Trump's warping of reality as it happened back then?  When German chancellor Angela Merkel was photographed in a similar stand off with Trump, the former prime minister of Belgium subtitled that photograph with, "Just tell us what Vladimir has on you.  Maybe we can help."
• Do you remember when Trump dismissed NATO while meeting with Putin and suggesting the USA should just leave NATO behind?

With that background on the corrupt USA politicians trying to support Putin taking over Ukraine, we also get to add Ukrainian local resistance this week.  Everyone here likes an underdog, and Ukrainians certainly are plucky underdogs.

• Did you see the old lady confronting armed soldiers and telling them to take seeds from her, so their corpses would at least grow sunflowers on Ukrainian soil?
• Did you see the soldiers on the small outpost about to be annihilated nevertheless tell their invaders, "Russian warship, go fuck yourself"?
• Did you see the photographs of the "ghost of Kyiv" in flight, downing Russian planes and suggesting echoes of World War I ace pilot skills?
• Did you see the 80-year-old grandfather (along with other civilians) who volunteered for military service, bringing with him some sandwiches and toothbrush?
• Did you see the sailor who blew up Henichny Road Bridge (and himself) to slow the advance of the invading troops in the south?
• Did you see their president Zelensky tell the USA that he needs ammunition, not an escape route.

So, I think the world is just grateful that Ukraine is taking a decisive stand against the authoritarianism that the West has failed to contain, both in the USA and elsewhere.  Collective guilty conscience, maybe, but still a very important local fight. NATO has very judiciously withheld its military involvement because Ukraine is not yet part of NATO, so they are sticking with the letter of their rules.  Their reluctance maybe helps to postpone World War III.  What Biden has done so far is certainly better than nothing, but it still seems like weaksauce.

If Ukraine still stands independent 1 week from now, then I think their odds improve greatly of remaining the nation they are today.  I wish them success in resisting authoritarianism.

Comments

[bitterlawngnome]

https://kotaku.com/ghost-kyiv-russia-ukraine-invasion-viral-video-fake-pc-1848598266

[mellowtigger]

DOH! And I dropped so many other references that I knew were false. I'm sorry that one got through. :(

[bitterlawngnome]

meh, it happens

[mellowtigger]

David Hogg and Anonymous are both suggesting that this particular falsehood would make great disinformation against Russian pilots. I disagree. I'd rather keep information accurate, regardless of the "side" served.