RE: Russia and Ukraine
September 30, 2022 at 11:12 am
(This post was last modified: September 30, 2022 at 11:22 am by The Grand Nudger.)
(September 30, 2022 at 11:00 am)Jehanne Wrote: We're still owed money from WWI.
Bit more complicated, because sums outstanding when w outlawed war loans in the 30's were written off. So, technically, never repaid, but not actually owed.
As a minor ww1 related aside, us exports tripled during ww1 - we made billions on that. The us taxpayer ate the cost of ww2 - but it would be ludicrous to posit that it wasn't worth every penny spent from a political or economic standpoint. Getting to kill nazis was just a happy side hustle. Broadly speaking, I'm not sure where anyone gets the idea that the us is now or ever has been a saintly giver. The economic value of a stable europe (and a hip-tied ally with a newly trained, experienced and kitted out military) may actually be incalculable. OTOH, if it all goes to shit, and europe becomes a hellhole run by the russian mob under nuclear weapon use, we'll make a ton off of the recovery. More obliquely, after their debacle in ukraine, the only reason any nation would shop for russian gear is that they're flat broke or we won't sell to them.
As I'm sure I mentioned previously, I think that blanket anti-war positions are credible all on their own (though I don't agree) - and in that context, penny pinching explanations for it are meaningfully untrue and do harm to the position itself.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
