Friends.
I respectfully disagree.
NATO is not defensive. It’s a war machine that is fostering its own hegemony in
Europe. At the fall of the Soviet Union in early 1990s Russia was promised no
more NATO on its borders.
NATO is the war machine that backs up US economic and political interests in
Europe. The US and NATO are now attacking an independent nation, Germany, for
being neutral. And demanding that Germany end its trade with Russia,
especially the new pipeline. Then Germany can buy energy from US
Corporations.
Millions are now being spent, without House approval,on armaments for western
Ukraine.
Millions for Pfizer and Maderna. 💰💰💰
And Congress is crying about inflation and the cost of BBB. This is totally
transparent and hinder major voters turnout in a few months.
Keep the old Cold War formulations on the shelf.
Demonizing Russia and China is not the way forward. (The frontal attack on the
upcoming Olympics in China is laughable if not a pathetic effort to interfere
in the growth of the Chinese economy. World leaders especially in Latin
America, Africa and the East are shaking their heads after they were promised
world peace after Trump.)
Diplomatic aggressive moves are the way forward.
Larry is correct. The United Nations with all of its problems is the only
international body that has the checks and balances for world peace.
Frank. SBHSC
On Feb 3, 2022, at 10:40 AM, Eric Russell <ericprussell@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Some of you may have received Larry's latest message.
Opinion | Let's Not Allow the Great Powers to Destroy the World | Lawrence
Wittner (commondreams.org)
While I agree with his general premise about the risk of nuclear war, there
are a few incorrect assumptions built into his message.
The reason the United Nations does not have the power it ought to is that the
other Great Powers gave the Soviet Union and other members of the Security
Council veto power by creating the unanimity rule.
NATO was created in response to Soviet expansionism, specifically to prevent
any further takeovers of territory in Europe. If Putin feels threatened by
the possibility of Ukraine coming under NATO's umbrella, he should. He has
already taken over part of Ukraine, specifically the Crimean region. [Does
anyone hear recall Neville Chamberlain's "Peace in our time" speech after he
surrendered Sudetenland to Hitler? and how effective that surrender was?] If
NATO and the US do not defend Ukraine, they are setting the stage for more
territorial grabs. NATO is a defensive pact, already weakened by the
previous administration. NATO's failure to defend Ukraine is likely to
destroy it.
China's bid to control the South China Sea is premised on its refusal to
accept Taiwan's autonomy. If Taiwan, a self-governing democratic nation, is
part of China, then China's claims to the seas between the two nations are
legitimate, as are its military overflights and other provocations. When the
Nationalists took over Taiwan, they declared its independence. If the United
States and its allies do not defend Taiwan, it will hasten our own isolation.
Unlike the case of Viet Nam, the people of Taiwan [and South Korea] have
demonstrated a desire to live free of the control of its neighbors.
There should be no question of what will happen to Taiwan if we do not stand
with it. China's word is not to be relied upon. Look at what is happening
to Hong Kong.
Both China and Russia are bullies, attempting to control their neighbors and
the world. You do not stop a bully by giving it what it wants in hopes that
they will not demand more. That simply reinforces bad behavior. Yes, there
are risks to standing up to bullies; there is a greater risk in not stopping
them.
Eric
