Proxy war in Ukraine?

[Jehanne]

A lot of non-military spending has also taken place, probably, another 20 to 30 billion.

Ok, let’s be generous and round it all the way up to 100 billion (it’s not nearly that). That makes it about four tenths of one percent of the US GDP (and, as Nudger pointed out, it’s actually less than that).

Doom and gloom.

Boru

Agreed, doom & gloom!

[The Grand Nudger]

Well, if it's doom and gloom, in the general..and not ukranian dead or busted power plants or even the cost, it seems like a proxy war could help there too. Russia wasn't going to respond to ukranian resistance well regardless of whether they received western aide. Nor did russia have any plans to reduce the doom and gloom in ukraine (or elsewhere) if they surrendered.

[Silver]

I love how we recognize the bad, such as war, yet not take the necessary measures to eradicate the all too inhuman need for it.

[Jehanne]

That $100 billion could fund basic research that could result in a renewable source of energy, one that could avert a short-term, but fatal, runaway greenhouse effect. And, so, yes, $100 billion could be absolutely priceless!

[The Grand Nudger]

Good idea, but there looks to be plenty of other places to cut that big old defense budget if we wanted a little couch change for climate change.

No?

What's the point in pretending..even for a minute... that ukraine has to eat shit and die if we want to try to address climate change? Or that this is what we would do with that money, even, if ukraine would just lay down, eat shit and die? Here's an even wider angle...in what universe do you see the victory of a invading petrostate being the one where we tackle climate change?

[Silver]

I'm all for defense being taken when necessary against an evil we tolerate rather than make obsolete.

[The Architect Of Fate]

That $100 billion could fund basic research that could result in a renewable source of energy, one that could avert a short-term, but fatal, runaway greenhouse effect. And, so, yes, $100 billion could be absolutely priceless!

We can walk and chew bubble gum

[Jehanne]

Good idea, but there looks to be plenty of other places to cut that big old defense budget if we wanted a little couch change for climate change.

No?

What's the point in pretending..even for a minute... that ukraine has to eat shit and die if we want to try to address climate change? Or that this is what we would do with that money, even, if ukraine would just lay down, eat shit and die? Here's an even wider angle...in what universe do you see the victory of a invading petrostate being the one where we tackle climate change?

The United States refusing to spend the $12 billion on the SSC is proof positive that our priorities are messed-up.

[The Architect Of Fate]

The United States refusing to spend the $12 billion on the SSC is proof positive that our priorities are messed-up.

So Ukraine needs to be conquered because America won't spend on SSC. As if both can't be done.

[The Grand Nudger]

Good idea, but there looks to be plenty of other places to cut that big old defense budget if we wanted a little couch change for climate change.  

No?

What's the point in pretending..even for a minute... that ukraine has to eat shit and die if we want to try to address climate change?  Or that this is what we would do with that money, even, if ukraine would just lay down, eat shit and die?  Here's an even wider angle...in what universe do you see the victory of a invading petrostate being the one where we tackle climate change?

The United States refusing to spend the $12 billion on the SSC is proof positive that our priorities are messed-up.

No argument from me there, but so too..it would seem to me, would abandoning ukraine be proof our priorities were messed up.  Whether we take a high view focused on human life or the most cynical road based on cost, benefit, and power.