Good morning,
ISOLATIONISM IS THE POLICY AT THE FRINGES
While most of our political elites support America taking a firm stand for democracy around the world, there are notable exceptions, generally along the edges of the political spectrum. This is a point that Ben VandeBunt brings home, when he notes that, in a world where people seemingly can’t agree on anything, the political extremes find common cause in isolationism and lack of broader moral commitment to the fate of the world:
The right, as personified by Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson, and others, chastise President Biden for his alleged mishandling of things. Meanwhile, they seek to find justification for Russia’s actions, admiring Putin’s acumen and cleverness and blaming NATO for expansionist ambitions. Throughout his presidency he repeatedly claimed that NATO had become irrelevant.
According to the New York Times in 2019, “Trump told his top national security officials that he did not see the point of the military alliance, which he presented as a drain on the United States.” the New York Times Then there is his former advisor, who confirmed in his memoir that Trump repeatedly wanted to quit the alliance, saying at one point saying, “I don’t give a s--- about NATO.” [By the way, it’s curious that many Trumpists claim Putin is “scared” of Trump and would never have invaded Ukraine, while Trump at the same time derided and minimized Ukraine’s independence, withheld funds appropriated for Ukraine to further his political objectives, and kowtowed to Putin.]
The left, represented by the Democratic Socialists of America, the party of AOC and Bernie, published their point of view on Ukraine and NATO:
“DSA reaffirms our call for the US to withdraw from NATO and to end the imperialist expansionism that set the stage for this conflict. We call on antiwar activists in the US and across the world to oppose violent escalations, demand a lasting diplomatic solution, and stress the crucial need to accept any and all refugees resulting from this crisis…While the failures of neoliberal order are clear to everyone, the ruling class is trying to build a new world, through a dystopic transition grounded in militarism, imperialism, and war. Socialists have a duty to build an alternative.
No war but class war.”
We’ve finally found an issue on which AOC and Trump agree. Now THAT’S scary…
FROM A MORE POSITIVE TIME
Despite the desire of the far right and the far left to abdicate America’s well-intentioned (though often poorly executed) position in world affairs, Mandy Lowell suggests rereading the words of George C. Marshall, author of the eponymous “Marshall Plan,” in justifying America’s duty to feed and provide support for war-torn Europe in the 1940s. Without U.S. support, Europe would “face economic, social, and political deterioration of a very grave character.”
Marshall said back then—and it is true today—that it was only logical that the U.S. do what was necessary to restore “normal economic health in the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace. Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist.”
A FEW CLASSIC INSULTS
"He is a self-made man and worships his creator.” - John Bright
"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial.” - Irvin S. Cobb
"He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others.” - Samuel Johnson
"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up. - Paul Keating
"He had delusions of adequacy ” Walter Kerr
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.”- Winston Churchill
Have a great day,
Glenn
From the archives:
AOC, Bernie and their followers scare me big time!