I find this essay lacks focus, a bit rambling, though I seem to agree with much of it.
I think it was Churchill who said “England does not have allies; England has interests” or something close, and I believe that is wise.
I condemn without reservation Putin’s invasion. But I also understand–from Putin’s point of view–why he did it: he himself as a czar, he views Russia as a great empire, and he feels threatened by NATO’s creeping expansion on his border, in his sphere of influence.
Cuban Missile Crisis? What if Mexico wanted to join the Warsaw Pact? Didn’t Reagan go crazy in the 80s when the US “feared” creeping communism in that great military power El Salvador, and perhaps other Central American banana republics?
This invasion was entirely predictable. It did not happen overnight, it happened over decades, and the US and the West was pathetically outplayed by a true master. Europe should stop licking American boots, especially under senile Biden, and champion European interests.
Britain should certainly stop “licking American boots”, but Britain – Great Britain – should champion British interests (and European ones, too, if they make sense – some do not).
Your example of Mexico is actually pretty close to the mark. The last straw that forced America into WWI was Germany offering a military alliance with Mexico (the Zommierman telegram). A hostile Mexico sharing a 1500 mile land border with us was an existential threat. So we declared war on Germany.
What’s odd is that our own leaders are unable to see Russia’s motivations despite the transparency to many of their subjects.
By the way. It wasn’t Churchill. It was Lord Palmerston – former British Foreign Secretary, who pursued the First Opium War in 1840, against much internal opposition. Palmerston died on a billard table in a friend’s house, on top of one of the female servants. Over 80 years old. Would that we could all leave this world in similar fashion.
James Joyce
2 years ago
Can we focus a bit on Prof. Tribe, who vast and unsurpassed legal scholarship suggests that some Americans who back Russia are guilty of treason? How does this even pass the laugh test, Learned Scholar? Pray tell?
Treason carries the death penalty in the US. Yes, Gentle Western Readers, the death penalty is a real thing in the US. Isn’t Learned Professor Tribe, in essence, calling for the death penalty for those he with the temerity to disagree with him? How enlightened! Criminalise political disagreement and subject the enemies of the people to the death penalty.
This is, apparently, what is taught at Harvard Law School, the woke factory that produces Supreme Court justices.
I don’t think you can blame Harvard Law School for Prof Tribe. Why not just blame Prof Tribe for Prof Tribe ? His statement (now there is “unhinged” for you ) marks him as one of the minority million redneck American “conservatives”, from whom the Lord preserve us, and preserve our civilisation. One of the arguments for dropping a nuclear bomb on America is that it would vaporise people like Prof Tribe. Perhaps Boston, Mass. would be a good place to drop it.
I think it’s both. Tribe is completely self-absorbed, believing only in his own greatness, and Harvard enables this tosh.
Giles Chance
2 years ago
Comparisons of the attack on Ukraine with events 1936-1939 leading up to WW2 attempt to draw on a deep well of sentiment about WW2, notably, “the good guys won in the end”. The writer is entirely correct to state that this comparison is unhelpful, because it awakens aggressive feelings which are not relevant. although they make conservatives feel much better. Instead, Putin’s attack is a powerful statement on the world we live in, notably America’s lack of statesmanship since the collapse of the Soviet system in 1990, and the fact that the United States no longer runs the world.
Dominic A
2 years ago
Swap ‘women’ for ‘The West’, and Putin emerges as a kind of high- functioning incel; now in the endgame phase, taking to the streets where the people who ‘ humiliated’ him live.
Last edited 2 years ago by Dominic A
Bernard Hill
2 years ago
Tim Black at Spiked, has posted a good essay on the West’s missed opportunity in the early 90’s, to rest the post war security arrangements. As usual the self interest of the self perpetuating administrative state prevailed.
N T
2 years ago
I think the “Keep your eye on the ball,” the ball being China may or may not be good advice, but how does one apply it to Taiwan?
Ian Stewart
2 years ago
Another article that has quickly passed its sell by date due to events.
Putin is no Hitler?
He’s used ancient history of civilisation to justify his takeover – just like Hitler.
He’s threatened the world with nuclear conflagration – I’m pretty sure Hitler would have used nuclear weapons if he’d had them.
And he parades his power with symbols (long tables, submissive cabinet).
And he makes unhinged speeches that remind one of Hitler’s phlegm specked oratory.
I find this essay lacks focus, a bit rambling, though I seem to agree with much of it.
I think it was Churchill who said “England does not have allies; England has interests” or something close, and I believe that is wise.
I condemn without reservation Putin’s invasion. But I also understand–from Putin’s point of view–why he did it: he himself as a czar, he views Russia as a great empire, and he feels threatened by NATO’s creeping expansion on his border, in his sphere of influence.
Cuban Missile Crisis? What if Mexico wanted to join the Warsaw Pact? Didn’t Reagan go crazy in the 80s when the US “feared” creeping communism in that great military power El Salvador, and perhaps other Central American banana republics?
This invasion was entirely predictable. It did not happen overnight, it happened over decades, and the US and the West was pathetically outplayed by a true master. Europe should stop licking American boots, especially under senile Biden, and champion European interests.
Britain should certainly stop “licking American boots”, but Britain – Great Britain – should champion British interests (and European ones, too, if they make sense – some do not).
Capital idea. Britain has interest, not allies….
Your example of Mexico is actually pretty close to the mark. The last straw that forced America into WWI was Germany offering a military alliance with Mexico (the Zommierman telegram). A hostile Mexico sharing a 1500 mile land border with us was an existential threat. So we declared war on Germany.
What’s odd is that our own leaders are unable to see Russia’s motivations despite the transparency to many of their subjects.
By the way. It wasn’t Churchill. It was Lord Palmerston – former British Foreign Secretary, who pursued the First Opium War in 1840, against much internal opposition. Palmerston died on a billard table in a friend’s house, on top of one of the female servants. Over 80 years old. Would that we could all leave this world in similar fashion.
Can we focus a bit on Prof. Tribe, who vast and unsurpassed legal scholarship suggests that some Americans who back Russia are guilty of treason? How does this even pass the laugh test, Learned Scholar? Pray tell?
Treason carries the death penalty in the US. Yes, Gentle Western Readers, the death penalty is a real thing in the US. Isn’t Learned Professor Tribe, in essence, calling for the death penalty for those he with the temerity to disagree with him? How enlightened! Criminalise political disagreement and subject the enemies of the people to the death penalty.
This is, apparently, what is taught at Harvard Law School, the woke factory that produces Supreme Court justices.
I don’t think you can blame Harvard Law School for Prof Tribe. Why not just blame Prof Tribe for Prof Tribe ? His statement (now there is “unhinged” for you ) marks him as one of the minority million redneck American “conservatives”, from whom the Lord preserve us, and preserve our civilisation. One of the arguments for dropping a nuclear bomb on America is that it would vaporise people like Prof Tribe. Perhaps Boston, Mass. would be a good place to drop it.
I think it’s both. Tribe is completely self-absorbed, believing only in his own greatness, and Harvard enables this tosh.
Comparisons of the attack on Ukraine with events 1936-1939 leading up to WW2 attempt to draw on a deep well of sentiment about WW2, notably, “the good guys won in the end”. The writer is entirely correct to state that this comparison is unhelpful, because it awakens aggressive feelings which are not relevant. although they make conservatives feel much better. Instead, Putin’s attack is a powerful statement on the world we live in, notably America’s lack of statesmanship since the collapse of the Soviet system in 1990, and the fact that the United States no longer runs the world.
Swap ‘women’ for ‘The West’, and Putin emerges as a kind of high- functioning incel; now in the endgame phase, taking to the streets where the people who ‘ humiliated’ him live.
Tim Black at Spiked, has posted a good essay on the West’s missed opportunity in the early 90’s, to rest the post war security arrangements. As usual the self interest of the self perpetuating administrative state prevailed.
I think the “Keep your eye on the ball,” the ball being China may or may not be good advice, but how does one apply it to Taiwan?
Another article that has quickly passed its sell by date due to events.
Putin is no Hitler?
He’s used ancient history of civilisation to justify his takeover – just like Hitler.
He’s threatened the world with nuclear conflagration – I’m pretty sure Hitler would have used nuclear weapons if he’d had them.
And he parades his power with symbols (long tables, submissive cabinet).
And he makes unhinged speeches that remind one of Hitler’s phlegm specked oratory.