Peace is preferable.
In Europe, new drums are beating, joining those drums of war already present in Eastern Europe. The Russo-Ukrainian War drags on, despite efforts by The Donald and a few others to negotiate at least a longer-lasting ceasefire. To believe the news stories on mainstream media sources, both Russia and Ukraine are bleeding themselves dry. According to many (whom we once viewed as rational, neutral, and observant commentators), Russia has failed, is doomed, and Putin and his entire regime are toast.
Now, it is possible that the character of the Russian people has changed in 80 years. It could be that decades of Communism destroyed their spirit. It could be that the Ukrainian people have taken on that mantle of the Russia that Kievan Rus birthed, and now have the dogged determination that was such a dominant feature of the Russian community: White, Red, Czarist, and even in the expatriate community across Europe and America.
We are also told that the modern frontline defenders of democracy and human rights are now Finland, Sweden, Poland and the Baltic States. Even though they are poor, benighted and backward societies which do not treat women, homosexuals, and transgender minorities properly. Even though Central and Western Europe are in terror of the big bad Russian bear. And that therefore, the FedGov must stand with them, or we shall all surely die in the jaws and paws of that Bear.
Students of history recognise this claim and situation: just as once upon a time, the Germans and Austrians were the bulwark against the invasions of Huns from the steppes and Ottomans from Anatolia, so now the wonderful European civilisation must depend on barely civilised marcher lords. Of course, most of those people are now seen as really stupid, because Germany (and to a lesser degree, Austria-Hungary) turned on the rest of Europe as well. It just took a few years! Funny how things work out, eh?
Of course, it just might be that once again the MSM (and various and sundry governments) are lying to their audience, figuring they have cozened the public. Again. Such fun! Such profits!
Either way, the truth is? All of Europe, from the Urals to Portugal and even Iceland, faces serious problems. Problems that war will make worse, not better. As is happening now in Ukraine and Russia. Both nations do appear to be bleeding out, either through war casualties or through fleeing refugees. And of course, the massive destruction of wealth (especially infrastructure so familiar to wars in Europe, from the Hunnish and Mongol invasions through both WW2 and the Balkans cataclysm just 30 years ago. The Ukrainian (and some Russian) refugees are joining the masses of refugees from Africa and the Middle East. Who are joining the refugees from three decades ago from that mess in the Balkans.
Overwhelming the native populations with the catastrophically declining birth rates. You see, the Native Europeans are not reproducing: they are dying out. Or so the demographers tell us. Childbirths are far below replacement levels. Many women have no children at all. (No, pets do not count!) Two sets of grandparents may only have a single grandchild to fuss over. Only mass migration inward (considered by at least some people to be an invasion, not migration) keeps their societies and economies going. But their cultures, their heritage, is endangered.
None of these problems will get any better if Europe (with or without the Amis) goes to war on Ukraine’s side. And that does not take into account the corrupt nature of the current regime in Kiev, and the cruelty inflicted on Russian-speakers for three decades. And if other nations in Europe (or in NATO) go to war, their own collapse is hastened. But an alert and prepared Europe can ensure that further Russian efforts to reestablish a defensible border with the rest of the continent isincapable of being done before a Russian collapse. Or so many demographers tell us.
We would like to suggest that even an unjust peace would be far better than continuing three years of bloody conflict and destruction. Dead people have no chance of gaining liberty, whether it is from Moscow or Kiev. Or for that matter, from Brussels (and Paris, London, and Berlin). No, it is not a good solution: the solution is very much unsatisfactory. But what are the alternatives?
About TPOL Nathan
Follower of Christ Jesus (a christian), Pahasapan (resident of the Black Hills), Westerner, Lover of Liberty, Free-Market Anarchist, Engineer, Army Officer, Husband, Father, Historian, Writer, Evangelist. Successor to Lady Susan (Mama Liberty) at TPOL.
The Price of Liberty 
When push comes to shove…
Peace is preferable.
In Europe, new drums are beating, joining those drums of war already present in Eastern Europe. The Russo-Ukrainian War drags on, despite efforts by The Donald and a few others to negotiate at least a longer-lasting ceasefire. To believe the news stories on mainstream media sources, both Russia and Ukraine are bleeding themselves dry. According to many (whom we once viewed as rational, neutral, and observant commentators), Russia has failed, is doomed, and Putin and his entire regime are toast.
Now, it is possible that the character of the Russian people has changed in 80 years. It could be that decades of Communism destroyed their spirit. It could be that the Ukrainian people have taken on that mantle of the Russia that Kievan Rus birthed, and now have the dogged determination that was such a dominant feature of the Russian community: White, Red, Czarist, and even in the expatriate community across Europe and America.
We are also told that the modern frontline defenders of democracy and human rights are now Finland, Sweden, Poland and the Baltic States. Even though they are poor, benighted and backward societies which do not treat women, homosexuals, and transgender minorities properly. Even though Central and Western Europe are in terror of the big bad Russian bear. And that therefore, the FedGov must stand with them, or we shall all surely die in the jaws and paws of that Bear.
Students of history recognise this claim and situation: just as once upon a time, the Germans and Austrians were the bulwark against the invasions of Huns from the steppes and Ottomans from Anatolia, so now the wonderful European civilisation must depend on barely civilised marcher lords. Of course, most of those people are now seen as really stupid, because Germany (and to a lesser degree, Austria-Hungary) turned on the rest of Europe as well. It just took a few years! Funny how things work out, eh?
Of course, it just might be that once again the MSM (and various and sundry governments) are lying to their audience, figuring they have cozened the public. Again. Such fun! Such profits!
Either way, the truth is? All of Europe, from the Urals to Portugal and even Iceland, faces serious problems. Problems that war will make worse, not better. As is happening now in Ukraine and Russia. Both nations do appear to be bleeding out, either through war casualties or through fleeing refugees. And of course, the massive destruction of wealth (especially infrastructure so familiar to wars in Europe, from the Hunnish and Mongol invasions through both WW2 and the Balkans cataclysm just 30 years ago. The Ukrainian (and some Russian) refugees are joining the masses of refugees from Africa and the Middle East. Who are joining the refugees from three decades ago from that mess in the Balkans.
Overwhelming the native populations with the catastrophically declining birth rates. You see, the Native Europeans are not reproducing: they are dying out. Or so the demographers tell us. Childbirths are far below replacement levels. Many women have no children at all. (No, pets do not count!) Two sets of grandparents may only have a single grandchild to fuss over. Only mass migration inward (considered by at least some people to be an invasion, not migration) keeps their societies and economies going. But their cultures, their heritage, is endangered.
None of these problems will get any better if Europe (with or without the Amis) goes to war on Ukraine’s side. And that does not take into account the corrupt nature of the current regime in Kiev, and the cruelty inflicted on Russian-speakers for three decades. And if other nations in Europe (or in NATO) go to war, their own collapse is hastened. But an alert and prepared Europe can ensure that further Russian efforts to reestablish a defensible border with the rest of the continent isincapable of being done before a Russian collapse. Or so many demographers tell us.
We would like to suggest that even an unjust peace would be far better than continuing three years of bloody conflict and destruction. Dead people have no chance of gaining liberty, whether it is from Moscow or Kiev. Or for that matter, from Brussels (and Paris, London, and Berlin). No, it is not a good solution: the solution is very much unsatisfactory. But what are the alternatives?
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About TPOL Nathan
Follower of Christ Jesus (a christian), Pahasapan (resident of the Black Hills), Westerner, Lover of Liberty, Free-Market Anarchist, Engineer, Army Officer, Husband, Father, Historian, Writer, Evangelist. Successor to Lady Susan (Mama Liberty) at TPOL.