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IT DOESN'T TAKE A KING TO END A WAR. IT TAKES A BULLY. [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2025-03-10

Here’s what I’m not: I’m not an expert on foreign policy. I’m not, nor ever have been, a Diplomat. My I.Q. is pretty good but nothing to write Mensa about. I’m not a Democrat or Republican first, but instead an American, first.

One thing I know, though, is this: I, too, could end a war tomorrow if I scared enough people into believing that without me they would go up in flames. It doesn’t take a genius to know that fear is the greatest motivator, and once people are scared enough, they’ll capitulate to almost anything.

Think about this a minute: If you believed that others were out to screw you, that America was a hostile place where only select individuals were entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, what would you do? How would you approach people that thought differently than you? Would you put everyone in either a “good” or “bad” box and direct your actions accordingly?

So, who would actually be in the “good” box? Would the box contain only those who held your views and your inclinations? Would the “bad” box contain those individuals that diametrically or even casually opposed your thinking? Well, America, this is exactly what we have today.

Let’s look at Ukraine – a supposed ally. This Administration believes it doesn’t need allies. This Administration believes it can “go it alone”. “America First” really doesn’t mean that any other nation is second or third. What “America First” really means is AMERICA ONLY, and no one else matters.

Ukraine needs the world’s help. Since when did “needing help” imply a weakness? Our kids need help; our grandkids need help; we, too, need help. Help is not a sign of weakness. Needing others brings us together but you have to first want to come together. Therein lies a fundamental problem.

This Administration sees itself as a giver to others but only if it gets something in return. Giving with a price tag isn’t giving at all. Giving with expectation basically says, “I’ll help you, but only if I get something in return”. What this President unequivocally wants in return are two things: 1) Recognition as the most benevolent leader in the history of the world; and 2) Financial remuneration, whether in the form of mineral rights, tax benefits, or Bitcoins.

So what happens if the recipient of the “gift” doesn’t agree to the terms of the quid pro quo? Bye, bye, Ukraine.

We, Americans, have the power in our hands to prevent the destruction of an ally’s land by delivering much-needed military equipment. Why would anyone in their right mind not provide aid to a friend in need? Would your assistance be contingent upon your receiving accolades for your generosity until the end of time? How would you feel if someone withheld from you the right to oxygen? Without aid, Ukraine is deprived of oxygen.

Agreeing to wipe out a country because it doesn’t comply with America’s demand for pay-back is a heartless policy. Any one of us can choose retribution, can choose cruelty, can choose to relinquish ties with our allies, but the consequences of doing so would be catastrophic.

Maybe it’s time to ask ourselves: When, just when, does America take a stand for what’s right? When does Congress say we’ve had enough--jobs, positions, titles, money be damned? What will it take for one’s conscience to rear its much-needed head and slap aside vindictive “logic” or “reason”?

It will take courage – something that we already have - but rarely think we do.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/10/2309297/-IT-DOESN-T-TAKE-A-KING-TO-END-A-WAR-IT-TAKES-A-BULLY?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web

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