Soviet socialists committed horrible atrocities (tens of millions of civilians murdered) in the Baltic states and the Ukraine. As a result of that, Russians are hated and mistreated by people in those countries. That is why they want to be a part of Russia.
The US has no reason or interest to get involved militarily. It is none of our business and we have no stake in the outcome.
Yes, you are correct that Russians are hated — particularly those in Russia. However, I have not seen any widespread or consistent mistreatment of Russians in the Baltics (and I have not been to Ukraine).
I would not agree that we have no reason or interest to be involved; however, I can certainly understand the argument that the reasons to get involved are outweighed by the costs.
My wife is Russian and grew up in Latvia. They are openly hated and discriminated by the Latvians. Russians in Ukraine get beaten up over their ethnicity.
Even worse than Sterling being caught making racist comments in a private conversation.
I do not doubt your wife’s experience, but I just had a different experience in my visits to the Baltics. Again, yes, the hatred is very real, but I do have seen the mistreatment you describe.
Ukraine presents a challenge for our household. My grandfather as a teenager fled the Ukraine under Russian oppression (and I encourage readers to read about the forced starvation in Ukraine), so negative thoughts of Russia abounds in my heritage. However, a decade ago we adopted a Russian orphan. Initially he hated Russia and all of his memories there. However, some latent Russian pride emerged years later, and now the Ukrainian crisis implies multi-faceted feelings in our home.
I’ve been over there a few times. The airport in Donetsk looks 3rd world. No heat in the dead of winter. Bathrooms are like something from a horror movie. Hole in the floor. No paper, because they can’t afford it and it won’t go down the plumbing. Watched Russian businessmen drinking (several) vodka shots on the way to work. Drivers pass into oncoming traffic, expect it will move over. Exciting place.
One of the very few times we can be thankful for Obama. McCain and his insanity would have us at war I’ve little doubt. Certainly we would have intervened in Syria and made a bigger mess than already exists there.
We are not the world cop, time to realize it, as the 69th anniversary of the end of WW II closes in on us. Missile shield for Eastern Europe? Why? For CONUS, yes. No permanent allies and all that.
Don,
It’s good that you have a handle on “what might have been.” Use that knowledge and win your state’s lottery.
I am not certain what McCain would have done in Syria. I don’t know what Obama is going to do about the Ukraine until Obama does it.
But at least you are willing to consider a missile shield for CONUS (poor Hawaii–but there’s the Pacific Fleet and their extensive anti-missile protections). World War Two was “all America’s fault” for failure to play world cop–as part of the League of Nations. There is no winning situation–America playing world cop as part of the United Nations hasn’t proven 100% acceptable either.
Yes, McCain has seemed way over-eager for the U.S. to get involved in Middle East. Of course, a politician as a Senator often spouts off without weighing the total consequences — something that a president cannot afford to do.
In my opinion the solution is to allow these states such as the UK, Ukraine and Spain for instance to breakup peacefully and re-organise the EU and former Soviet Union along the lines of the USA. That way there will be a gradual equalising of living standards, hopefully upwards for all if the greens are kept out of things, and ethnic minorities will not feel that they are second class citizens.
Hatreds can last a long long time be they ethnic or religious, you have to accept that you can’t force humans to like each other, the best you can hope for is that they stop wanting to kill each other.
Iraq invaded a small country called kuwait in the 1990’s and all hell broke lose, Russia Illegally invades Crimea and prolongs a civil war to overthrow a dictator in Syria and the world hears an roar of silence…
Russia needs to buck up or fuck up.
You do not threaten people. It’s universally Illegal! for a start, and prodding a sleeping bear like Europe is like stepping into a wasps nest accidentally.
So, go ahead you New age generation X ignorant Politicians push it! It’s a Big red button that says “I’m a moron” sitting next to the picture of your wife and kids.
If you’re going to do it then just do it.. make sure you get me, because if you don’t.. well you get the jist!!
It happened in the Crimea. 287 casualties. Fight for Poland but stay out of Ukraine. Far too many cross cultures and allegiances there.
The Charge of the Light Brigade
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
I
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
“Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!” he said.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
II
“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Someone had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
III
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of hell
Rode the six hundred.
IV
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered.
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
V
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell.
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
VI
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Listen… I have no Russian enemy. what I do have are so-called friends with no balls mixing a pot.
This is all planned out!
And I have no say anyway!
Time for Europe to man up. We have enough enemies in this country thanks to our expressway borders. China and Russia and Iran will push until they get hit in the mouth, but we won’t be throwing the punch. Our military is on the descent to pre WWII status and I see no one in government willing to stop it.
Unfortunately WE created NATO and, admittedly during the cold war, encouraged Ukraine, among others, to join it. Treaties do not override the Constitution, BUT, they are our WORD in the world. Just walking away shows as much as fighting stupidly.
Ethnic and religious conflict will continue to occur as they have done throughout history. In Australia it has been between immigrants and indigenous Australians, and soon it will be between imported Muslim fundamentalism and secular Australians.
I think the USA is similar. Ethnic conflict will continue, and religious conflict will increase, especially in a shrinking economy.
We should sort out own problems out before trying to sort out the rest of the world, at least Australia should.
There is an unfortunate fact that President Obama has earned contempt from President Putin. Ever hear “an army of deer led by a lion is more to be feared than an army of lions led by a deer?” We’ve got the army of lions.
Battle fatigue: http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/05/polls-americans-sick-war-terror-war-drugs-failed-u-s-wars.html