Woke up this morning, thinking i would put together a Sunday sermon. But then, i checked the "breaking news" and thought better of it. Too many important things going on. Instead of sermonizing, i thought i would simply put my two cents out there with regard to the status of three major wars going on.
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War Number 1--Sudan: A cease fire between the two warring parties has begun. Great news from my perspective. I had not heard much about the Sudan war recently (not surprising, i guess, because it is Sudan and who cares about Sudan anyway?), but today i learned that the United States and Saudi Arabia together helped negotiate this cease fire.
Not only was i pleased to hear about the cease fire, i was also pleased to learn of the United States involvement there (Saudi Arabia's, too). Now let's finish the job and negotiate a "peace agreement" that is good for the people of Sudan.
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War Number 2--Ukraine/Russia: From what i gather this morning, Russia is claiming a "victory" by the taking of Bakhmut (or what is left of it). Congratulations, Russia. But i am afraid, your victory lap will come to haunt you. Somewhat like Santa Anna's victory at the Aloma came to haunt him. "Remember Bakhmut" is the new war cry coming out of Ukraine.
Just the same, it is time to start pushing the Russians from their positions. The big Ukrainian spring offensive seems to have turned into the big summer offensive. I hope it doesn't turn into the big fall offensive.
I feel really bad for the Ukrainians having to battle the Russians all on their own. Yes, NATO, you can give the Ukrainians all the weapons in your arsenal, including U.S. fighter jets, but that is the cheap way out. The Ukrainians are fighting "your battle" by themselves "for you". Yes, i know that Ukraine is not part of your "holy alliance", but whose side are you really on? It's time to put an end to this Russian infringement.
And if you cannot do it NATO, then why don't you put together a different alliance group. Remember what you did when Iraq took over Kuwait? What is the difference? Big bad Russia with their "nuclear arsenal"? Or is it simply the fact that you don't think Ukraine has proven their NATO worthiness yet?
If the last question is the issue, then i think you should look around at some of your existing partners who behind your back remain hopeful for Russian success.
Would NATO's personnel involvement lead to World War III and/or a nuclear holocaust? Would China rush to Russia's defense? All for a small parcel of land in Ukraine?
Maybe that risk is too much to take, but as this war continues forward, i notice that NATO continues to expand their involvement in different ways. Maybe troop reinforcement should be the next one to consider. Just the thought of that ought to raise the tail feathers for peace.
NATO simply cannot afford to let Russia succeed in their conquest and sometimes you have to risk more than just ammunition by itself.
Jim, the globanomicist speaking like a war hawk. It's probably good that i don't work at the Defense Department. Out of my naivete, i just cannot imagine anyone being the first to push the button towards nuclear war and holocaust. World War III maybe, but not nuclear war. And there is a big difference between the two. And the former does not have to lead to the latter, nor should it.
The world has come a long way since the end of World War II, so why cannot the world be satisfied with world peace which is within the grasp of its hands?
(ps. I spent a lot of time going back over again and again with what i just wrote and i think you can see that i am as confused as anyone. So, like always, take them for what they are worth--probably in the range of two cents)
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War Number 3--Biden vs. McCarthy on the U.S. Debt Ceiling: Well, one thing we can say about this war: it should be over soon. It's a choice between moving forward a little or moving backward a lot. Just from all the current political gamesmanship we have already started moving backward.
The latest example: "Oh, we have to decide by the end of this weekend or we won't be able to avoid disaster! There is an entire bureaucratic process that we have to get through!"
Oh, really? Cut the crap! Everyone in the world knows that the U.S. cannot afford to default on its debt. It would be like giving El Trumpo another four-years in the oval office. And neither the world, nor the U.S., can afford that.
Get some balls, Kevin. Be your own man and break away from those of your party that want to destroy our country. And in the process, you might find out just how great the United States is.
