#286 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Monday February 28)
Good morning,
Today, just some quotations from notable people regarding the crisis in Ukraine. These quotations tell us a great deal about who people are and what they stand for:
The Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister
“On the Ukraine issue, lately the U.S. has been sending weapons to Ukraine, heightening tensions, creating panic and even hyping up the possibility of warfare,” she said. “If someone keeps pouring oil on the flame while accusing others of not doing their best to put out the fire, such kind of behavior is clearly irresponsible and immoral.”
Delaware Republican Senate candidate Lauren Witzke
[I agree with Putin’s] “Christian values more than I do with Joe Biden,” going on to say she supports “his Christian nationalist nation.”
Former President Trump
"I went in yesterday, and there was a television screen, and I said, 'This is genius.' Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine — of Ukraine — Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that's wonderful," Trump said. "I said, 'How smart is that?' And he's going to go in and be a peacekeeper."
"I mean, you know, he's a tough cookie, got a lot of the great charm and a lot of pride. But the way he — and he loves his country, you know? He loves his country."
This is from a man who was silent when Putin run roughshod over the Crimean Peninsula, claimed against all evidence that Russia was not involved in manipulating public media and fomenting controversy in the 2020 election, withheld funding for Ukraine in order to pressure it to investigate his political opponent, and happily was a toady for Mr. Putin throughout his term.
Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State and wannabe President
[Putin is a] "very talented statesman. He has lots of gifts. He was a KGB agent for goodness sakes. He knows how to use power. And we should respect that."
Ohio Senate candidate and author J.D. Vance
“I think it’s ridiculous that we are focused on this border in Ukraine. I got to be honest with you, I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other.”
He has since shifted his stance, once he realized the large number of Ukrainian Americans in Ohio.
The ever-popular fount of wisdom and Q-Anon-adjacent Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene
"They would rather talk about Russia, Russia, Russia, and Ukraine, and talk about possible war, than talk about the real truth that Ukraine — don’t forget this — Ukraine was the No. 1 donor to Hillary Clinton when she was running for president,"
The statement about Hillary Clinton is, like most of Ms. Green’s comments, incorrect.
George Takei, gay rights advocate and Mr. Sulu from the original Star Trek series
I shouldn’t have to say this, but this is the kind of moment where we should all come together and stand behind our president in the face of great evil.”
Former President Barak Obama
Last night, Russia launched a brazen attack on the people of Ukraine, in violation of international law and basic principles of human decency. Russia did so not because Ukraine posed a threat to Russia, but because the people of Ukraine chose a path of sovereignty, self-determination, and democracy. For exercising rights that should be available to all people and nations, Ukrainians now face a brutal onslaught that is killing innocents and displacing untold numbers of men, women, and children.
The consequences of Russia’s reckless actions extend beyond Ukraine’s borders. This illegal invasion in the heart of Europe also threatens the foundation of the international order and security. For some time now, we have seen the forces of division and authoritarianism make headway around the world, mounting an assault on the ideals of democracy, rule of law, equality, individual liberty, freedom of expression and worship, and self-determination. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shows where these dangerous trends can lead – and why they cannot be left unchallenged.
People of conscience around the world need to loudly and clearly condemn Russia’s actions and offer support for the Ukrainian people. And every American, regardless of party, should support President Biden’s efforts, in coordination with our closest allies, to impose hard-hitting sanctions on Russia – sanctions that impose a real price on Russia’s autocratic elites.
There may be some economic consequences to such sanctions, given Russia’s significant role in world energy markets. But that’s a price we should be willing to pay to take a stand on the side of freedom. For over the long term, we all face a choice, between a world in which might makes right and autocrats are free to impose their will through force, or a world in which free people everywhere have the power to determine their own future.”
Final words for today
Mr. Putin claims that he is attacking Ukraine in order to overthrow and “de-nazify” their government. There is a perverse irony to this statement, given that Ukraine’s president is Jewish.
We live in a world where bombast seems the rule. Facts are tools to be created as politically beneficial.
There was a day when leaders of both political parties lined up to maintain a consistent voice to the world on foreign policy matters. It is deeply concerning, craven and un-American that such a significant portion of the Republican leadership has moved from this norm.
Pray for Ukraine. And more than pray, send money to support the displaced. The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) are raising funds and can be accessed on-line. These are Jewish organizations; for those who would choose to donate elsewhere, those opportunities also exist.
Have a great day,
Glenn
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