If questions like this are raised on American ‘conservative’ sites, imagine the ideas floating about in the progressive half.
Given that no American political leader favored fighting for Ukraine, the only argument for fighting for a NATO member that is even less strategically important would be a sheet of paper.
Because the worth of man is defined by the value of his word. Because NATO followed you into Afghanistan, rightly interpreting 9/11 as an attack on America. Because you elected a fool we followed again into the mess that Libya turned into. Because without honour, you have no soul.
Is there any doubt that the US is the big stick in NATO’s arsenal? No. Want to talk about the dissolution of NATO, fine, but that isn’t brought up,
Canada, France, and the UK invested heavy political capital in your Syrian red-line, the UK PM to the point where he’s all but a lame-duck. And you let them drift.
And you wonder why Israel is giving your leaders the finger? Why the PA is ignoring Kerry? Why the Euro’s are telling you to shut-up about Russia? Why Iran, Syria, Russia and AQ are running rough-shod over your “smart” foreign policy?
You, America, YOU, have lost your soul, not Obama, Holder, Kerry, Clinton or Bush. You. No one in the world trusts you anymore, we all just hope you wake the hell up, because you built this world we live in and we aren’t strong enough to keep it.
Consider past cycles.
We are broke, from living beyond our means, borrowing against unborn citizens earnings and the world economy tearers on collapse.
Sound familiar?
From the past, the leaders who lead us into bankruptcy, who are the elected heads of international Kleptocracy, are not going to accept responsibility if they can divert public anger onto a scapegoat.
Even better if they kill off a large number of the unemployed.
We went there twice in the last century.
Does human affairs run in cycles?
IT IS THE SOLDIER
It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
©Copyright 1970, 2005 by Charles M. Province
Thank you for your service.
I see here several important questions people have to ask themselves.
Is a man’s (or country’s) word mean anything anymore?
If you tell your buddy that you have their back does it mean always or only when the bully isn’t bigger?
Is your motto “All for one, one for all” or “every man for themselves?”
Is giving up your guns (nukes) because we will protect you only a catch phrase?
I did my time for queen and country already but would still serve my country(and whatever cause)if asked. Last time I checked we were in NATO full time and not only when if suited us.
I am sure future “real allies” will trust you after you establish a track record that allies are disposable with every change of administration.
I’m sure I won’t care.
They allied with your policy.
It wasn’t ‘my’ policy but that was their mistake.
That did as much as could have been expected of them.
Wrong. They short-changed their military because America covered for them through NATO. That’s basically all NATO is: non-Americans passing the defense buck to American taxpayers.
Both have been constantly interfered and manipulated by Kremlin. Part of Moldova has been occupied by the Putinista Junta for years.
True, but Ukraine had a revolution ten years ago. Pissing that away was a mistake. Moldova, while partly occupied, still could have reformed easily but its people voted for and supported awful government.
Some of us would not like to see Ukrainians being slaughtered by the Siberians.
As do I but I know that the Canadian and American forces aren’t props fur use in my Great Crusades for Justice.
And cutting the capability of Siberians by helping Ukraine and pulling her towards civilization will help keeping Siberians at bay much more effectively than letting them run amok.
Afghanistan demonstrates that my way is probably the best way.
Is a man’s (or country’s) word mean anything anymore?
A government’s word is worth nothing. PEACE is worth far more than the standing of any government. I couldn’t care less about NATO.
“I’m sure I won’t care.”
The don’t pretend from the start that you give a damn about “real allies”. They were pretty real where they were the mighty “New Europe”.
Funny how the leftists and the Paulbot isolationists never seem to disagree on key aspects of foreign policy…
Or how they always happen to postulate the same course of action that a communist/islamist/putinista thug wants US to take… agreed with Sodom Insane then agree with Pootin now. But no of course they don’t like the thug du jour, they just for an nth time happen to agree with him, for entitrely different reason of course.
And oh how they care about the troops. FOAD you hypocrite.
They were pretty real where they were the mighty “New Europe”.
No they weren’t real. That was all neoconservative delusion and over-exuberance.
If the mask did not slip in the last post this would matter, wouldn’t it? Now go and fellate Pootin while pretending you don’t like him.
I have a question.
Given Benghazi and the draw-downs and the morale problems and the “women in combat roles” BS and the insane ROEs and the divestment of equipment to cop shops all over rural America and the corruption in high ranking officers and the number of guys quitting because they can’t see going to war to protect this government…
… CAN the United States protect Estonia?
Because that is the real question isn’t it? That’s the one Putin is asking himself. The answer he came up with was “No” apparently.
I think Canada would be well served if we got some tanks and planes and a few ships of our own Real Soon. And nukes.
The U.S. is tapped out financially and in every other way, so this may be Canada’s chance to soar. Go for it. Ramp up the Canadian Armed Forces, with due regard for sexual equity and diversity, of course. Pay any price, bear any burden, etc. Your political class is so much better than ours I’m sure you will do well.
Is it somehow possible to agree, somewhat with every statement I read here, and still be considered sane? It is a complicated world out there, and though we try to remain true to our ethic, Christian or otherwise, it takes some doing. Perhaps a prayer for guidance in this Easter season, is what’s called for. Hell, it can’t hurt!
Not sure if you’re serious here but . . .
While our political class may be better than yours at the moment they are hanging on by a thread and come next year it could all unravel. As to our soaring militarily? With one tenth your population and the third largest country in the world to defend, don’t hold your breath unless you’re suicidal.
The loonies in the East, where the majority of our population resides, would rather squander $ on the CBC than build up our military. After all, why should we spend $ on defence when the good ol’ U. S. of A. would do it for us. Then when you did defend us, they would hate you even more. Looks like a win win for us and a lose lose for you.
It’s embarrassing. We’ll have to change our National Anthem to “Oh Canada they stand on guard for thee”.