Update no.1248

 Update from the Heartland

No.1248

8.12.25 – 14.12.25

Blog version:  http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/

 

To all,

 

From a protracted debate about United States support of Ukraine in the defense of their national sovereignty in a different forum, I offer the following excerpt [contributor: red; mine: blue]: 

Wow! That is quite the list of queries. I shall endeavor to respond with my opinions (and that is all that they are). I had to find a work-around to deal with the quirks of my eMail system. My opinions inserted below.

“Let's push back: Why when our own country's infrastructure including our own economy is in a rapid failure mode (except for the super wealthy and Silicon Valley TECH monsters) do we need to be giving Ukraine the tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars to them, if our conditions are so dire?”

We did not instigate the Russian invasion of Ukraine. That source is the Kremlin alone and Putin specifically. He dictated the timing and the action. Yes, I would rather be spending that treasure on American poor who need our help. I do not agree with an assessment that our conditions are ‘dire.’

“Why reignite a new Cold War (version 3.3 the new and improved model) with a failed USSR now we call the Russian Federation?”

We did NOT reignite the Cold War. If anyone deserves that blame, it is Putin alone. He chose to invade Ukraine and kill Ukrainians willy-nilly.

“Why are we not helping our own Afghan and Iraq war VETS living on the streets, some addicted to alcohol & drugs, PTSD'd, and unable to afford their own housing?”

The current administration is making those decisions. The orange one is the singular source of those decisions.

“Why are we pushing Russia towards a more regional and widespread war with Europe (NATO)?”

We did not push Russia to invade Ukraine. We are not pushing Russia to do anything other than stop killing Ukrainians.

“Why is our so called leader calling on wars on Venezuela, Columbia and Mexico?”

The ego and eccentricities of [the person who shall no longer be named] must be fed, such is the nature of his malignant narcissism affliction. He needs an enemy. His cowardice wants an enemy he can manage. Russia and China are too big in his mind.

“Since Nancy Reagan's so called "Just Say No!" campaign on drugs, why does our country not focus more on the demand side than supply side?”

An excellent and applicable query. Since Nixon opened this ridiculous “war on drugs,” the USG has spent billions, if not trillions, of our money in the Treasury on the wrong part of the equation. Demand has been and always will be the primary factor in the equation—demand. IMHO, the USG ignores demand because it would mean spending money on helping people. It also means recognizing that freedom of choice is a fundamental unalienable right. Proper capitalism would say, there is demand, let’s get legal products to satisfy that demand. No, we chose to ignore the lessons of the alcohol prohibition era. I wrote a novel about this very issue—Indulgence. You should read it.

“What we have in America, is the DIS^ease of DISPAIR.” [emphasis original contributor]

I will disagree because I do not feel despair. I certainly understand why you would say that. After the orange one and his MAGAts have unleashed a police state in the name of immigration control. Unfortunately, they have scooped up U.S. citizens, legal immigrants, and a large number of undocumented potential immigrants; none with due process of law. There are lots of MAGAt things to despair about. The nationwide effort to make voting far more difficult and discourage general voting. I could go on and on. So, I understand despair, but this too shall pass. We shall move on (eventually) to brighter, sunlit uplands. I just hope the orange has not done too much damage.

“Can we afford a nuke conflict at this juncture of humanity?”

NO! No one can. And, the more we alienate our allies and isolate ourselves, the more we invite others to take that step. No one wins in a nuclear exchange.

“Are we truthfully trying to contain Russia, excite Russia, or destroy Russia???”

None of the above! We want Russia to be a peaceful, non-aggressive, member of economic nations. The Russian people must change their government. It is not up to us.

A few afterthoughts if you will permit me. There are some simple facts in this whole mess. Ukraine did not attack Russia. Russia attacked Ukraine twice. The first time in 2014 when there “Little Green Men” invaded the Eastern Ukraine province of Donbass and carried out an illegal plebiscite in Crimea, so that Russia could annex the peninsula. That did not satisfy Putin. Then, with no more effort at subterfuge in 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in full measure, attempting to take Kviv outright. The protracted assault has exposed the genocidal methods of the Russian military, undoubtedly under orders from Putin and his ultra-right-wing cronies and supporters. Russia should never get and definitely does not deserve any gains from Ukraine. Can anyone imagine giving up 20% of our country to an invader for just a promise of peace . . . as Britain and France did to Czechoslovakia in 1938?

 

Comments and contributions from Update no.1247:

“Thanks Cap-a very strong and meaning message- thanks, we all feel that way too.”

My reply:

Thx mate. I try to call ‘em like I see ‘em. I do not proclaim that I always have it correct, but I try. It is comforting that I am not a lone voice in the wind. This too shall pass.

 

Comment to the Blog:

“I see no reason not to believe Agent Orange is taking orders from Putin through sheer stupidity, extortion, or both. The legalities you mention are not part of anyone’s calculations, but Ukraine’s situation in relation to Europe isn’t what Czechoslovakia’s was.

“The claim of pursuing drug traffickers has disguised many politicians’ devious motives. As many others have pointed out, Venezuela has the largest proven petroleum reserves in the world. Agent Orange is fascinated with oil. Drugs, if any, aren’t his real concern.”

My response to the Blog:

Oh, I do not know that it goes that far, but it sure does look that way. There is no question that the USG 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine is most of Russia’s demands. Ukraine is being asked to give up a lot, 20% of their sovereign territory and most of their operable coastline (ports). I think the orange one wants to curry favor. Ukraine is not the same as 1938 Czechoslovakia, but there quite a few similarities.

Interesting observation. Perhaps so. I would agree that the real issue is not illegal drugs; he does not care a twit about other people. His real concern may well be oil, but that is hard to see yet prove. I remain quite disturbed that the USG refuses to recognize demand in the smuggling equation.

 . . . Round two:

“Historians (or possibly the legal system) will determine why Agent Orange does as Putin says, but he does.

“We need not prove Agent Orange's Venezuela motivation to a court. It's enough to have a working assumption so that we can base our actions on it.”

 . . . my response to round two:

Yes, he does, and that is a genuine tragedy for Ukraine. The beleaguered nation has done its best to defend its territory against an unprovoked, unjustified aggressor. The West tried its best to support Ukraine in their effort. But, as you say, history will have to judge.

I can support that position. I just hope he keeps his current illegal actions at a low level. The legality of the high seas executions is debatable. Invading another country is not. I suspect he is trying to provoke Maduro to take an instigating action. We need to pay attention.

 

My very best wishes to all.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Cheers,

Cap                  :-)