The Gas Station With Nukes

 

 Like everyone else, I am perturbed about the whole Russia invading Ukraine mess.

However, unlike everyone else, I have not suddenly become an expert in what we used to call "Geo-Politics".  But I did manage to graduate with a degree in History from Kennesaw State University, and I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. 

Even with all of that, I'm just a guy with some opinions which may be wrong.  Here are my thoughts.

1) There's enough blame to go around.  From W's "I looked into his soul", the Obama-Clinton reset button, Trump's kissy-face, and whatever Biden is doing seems to have missed the mark and gave Putin the confidence to invade another country without suffering any consequences. 

2) The invasion was the end of the "Post Cold War" era.  Putin has said the collapse of The Soviet Union was the worst thing that happened in the Twentieth Century.  That is either the stupidest thing ever said or one of the evilest.

3) Russia is not the power it was during The Cold War. Instead, it has become a gas station with nukes.  People need energy and Russia has it.

4) It was a big mistake to shut down the Keystone pipeline. 

5) President Obama said this to then-candidate Gov. Mitt Romney in their second Presidential debate. "Gov. Romney, I'm glad you recognize al-Qaida is a threat, because a few months ago when you were asked what is the biggest geopolitical group facing America, you said Russia, not al-Qaida, you said Russia. And the 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back. Because the Cold War has been over for 20 years."   I remember watching this thinking Kelso from "That's 70's Show" was going to pop up and say, "Ooooo, burn". Well, it looks like Romney was right.

 6) Putin is who he is-a KGB man.   He's not a guy that gained power by kissing babies at state fairs. He is brutal and ruthless.

7) Now is not the time to point out "good" qualities Putin may or may not have like Trump did the other day.  "So, Putin is now saying, “It’s independent,” a large section of Ukraine. I said, “How smart is that?” And he’s gonna go in and be a peacekeeper. That’s strongest peace force… We could use that on our southern border. That’s the strongest peace force I’ve ever seen. There were more army tanks than I’ve ever seen. They’re gonna keep peace all right. No, but think of it. Here’s a guy who’s very savvy… I know him very well. Very, very well."  It's like saying, "Charles Mason, a pretty good folk singer, took in runaways and gave them jobs".

8) We all thought Putin was going to stop in Eastern Ukraine. Why? I don't know. All of the smarty-pants people on radio and TV said it. Do you know who didn't say it?  Putin.

9) What now?  Sanctions. That's about it.  Americans are flat out tired of "endless wars".  On top of that, America is so divided now even a President with good rhetorical skills like Kennedy, Reagan, and Obama could not rally Americans into a war. If you haven't noticed, Biden does not have good rhetorical skills.

10) Liberals always make fun of conservatives saying "thoughts and prayers," but that's all we have.  We can pray that the tough Ukrainian people can somehow hold out and give Putin a "what for," as we say in the South.  Yet, the size of the Russian army argues against this.  

11) This is what happens when you become distracted with politics and our general lovable silliness. Reality has a way of coming up and slapping you in the face.  

12) This time, reality bites.