Proxy wars: that’s what friends are for. It is when one big power uses (‘supports’, pays) people in a small country to fight against another big power. Russia uses the Donbas region natives to fight, and their claims to justify, its war of aggression against Ukraine. In the last century, the US supported the Taliban in Afghanistan against godless Russian Commies. Success of proxy wars depend on how closely the goals of the big and small powers are aligned, which often changes over time. For now, Ukraine is the West’s proxy against would-be conqueror Putin.
The Lincoln Brigade supported the democratic, republican side against Franco’s fascist nationalists in the Spanish Civil War. Many idealistic Americans took up the cause. Most were socialists and communists, and they probably would’ve been appropriately named Marx’s Militia, but they adopted the more widely appreciable name. Now, we could encourage (pay for) a brigade of volunteers to support Ukraine, named (informally) in honor of the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who has done as much as any American to support Ukraine.
With a nod to reality, we should acknowledge the mix of good and bad nuts in our society. The bad ones like to strut around with ‘long guns’ (rifles) and shoot other humans, including innocent fellow citizens. We should encourage them to join up, go to Ukraine, and channel their demons by shooting Wagner group mercenaries, kept in check with military discipline enforced by good nuts (idealists).
Better to be sailing the stars with the original trio, but first things first.
Posts
