This is almost too stupid to be true, but it is what it is. As you all know, I’m an old fart, and I remember quite a lot of shit. And going all the way back to the days of the Vietnam war protests, the GOP has tried to tie the Democrats with far left peace freaks, and the GOP was the party that was tough on communism and Russia. And for a couple of generations it worked, and has been a monkey on the Democrats back.
But that is changing. And it’s about to bite the GOP on the ass. Because right now, Biden and NATO are both desperate to keep the conflict in Ukraine from spreading into a larger, European wide conflict. But as I just wrote, the longer this goes on, the stronger world diplomatic and public opinion is going to grow for the US and NATO to become more aggressive.
Under normal circumstances, in any other date or time, one could logically expect that the Republican party would be back it’s hind legs, screaming that Biden finally stop being so goddamn soft on Russian aggression, and support a close ally! It’s already starting. GOP Senator Mitt Romney has bellowed from the mount to give the Ukraine the goddamn MIG’s from Poland if they want them. But he’s pissing into a fan.
Because the only two portions of the GOP that really matter have already sold their souls to Putin, Donald Trump and the FUX News bubblesphere. Trump has been a Latex sex toy for Putin since the summer of 2016, ready to assume any position, any time, anywhere, in return for electoral votes and a Trump Tower Moscow. And since FUX News had already plighted their troth to Trump in the 2016 election, they bought all in on the Russian pro Putin narrative. And they have stuck to it, and now it’s too late to turn back.
The Biden administration and NATO have made a tactical decision not to escalate Ukraine’s war with Russia into a wider conflict. And while international pressure may build with increased Russian atrocities, the one thing that won’t build for Biden is GOP opposition.
Because the majority of the GOP, the Trump wing, is all in for Putin, and so is FUX News. They’ve come too far to turn back. GOP traitor Madison Cawthorne is already raising campaign cash off of pro Putin bullshit. More will follow. And while the more moderate and sane GOP Senate may raise a stink, they will be drowned out by the pro Putin commies in the GOP US House.
Biden is by no means off of the hook. As Russian ramps up attacks on civilians and civilian targets, Biden may find more pressure building from his own progressive caucus to step in and stop this, but he almost certainly won’t have unified opposition from the GOP to respond. They’re in it until the end.
Engaging Russian forces inside Ukraine would be an act of war by the United States, even if it’s only air power. That is a sobering thought because as I wrote last night anyone who feels sure they know the consequences AND that Putin/Russia won’t employ WMD (which as I noted includes more than nukes) is kidding themselves. At the same time if things are limited to conventional warfare this could be over in a matter of a few days with Russian forces inside Ukraine demolished and those on the Russia or Belarus side of the border might defy orders to go in. Still, it would mean war and if that’s going to happen then Congress has to be part of things. A Declaration of War can only be issued upon authorization by Congress and hasn’t been done since WWII. More limited authorizations have passed since then and I can see where support might be there for a version of what was authorized in Kuwait – kick the invaders out and put their ability to make war in the hurt locker BUT with the difference not to engage anything in Russia or Belarus. And negotiate a real buffer zone within Russia and Belarus such that if any units cross into it the U.S. and other allies of Ukraine will mobilize to be ready to kick their asses the instant they cross the border.
You’re of course correct that some in the GOP in both chambers will oppose any such measure. However I think there is already strong bipartisan support for approval so Biden would be covered. Quietly counting votes to ensure overwhelming passage in both chambers on the same day would be tough to achieve. If it’s to be done it needs to be rank and file pairs of (one Democrat and one Republican – neither part of leadership) being the ones who will do it and be the public face of the effort. When questioned President Biden could say he has said from the start we wouldn’t put American forces in harm’s way but if Congress believes it’s necessary AND there is strong bi-partisan support on the record in recorded votes then that changes things.
I think it’s time we move forward with something like this. I’ve said before and will say again plans that were always tucked away in case Russia challenged NATO or even Ukraine by invading them have been dusted off and updated. And are updated several times a day. All that’s needed is the order to GO, and I truly believe we could shit-hammer Russian forces into death or submission in 24, no more than 48 hours. Assuming they haven’t moved biological or chemical weapons into position. And there lies the rub. The longer we wait the more time Putin has to move enough of that shit into position so time is of the essence. We have I fear days at most to move before that nightmare becomes a realistic scenario.
Yeah, I been there for the gop hypocrisy. You are right. A few decades ago the gop would be crucifying the left for inaction. I don’t see how the current crop of hypocrites shave in the morning without cutting their own throats. Soon it will spill over. There’s to many hypocrites that want to battle another country. That’s apparent with all the dam paramilitary groups. They are aching to shoot someone. Russians would work.