Maybe Trump Should Not Have Given This Speech
theatlantic.com
theatlantic.com
We get another vote in November. Americans can express whether they think this was a good idea or not. If they aren't overwhelmingly opposed to it, then democracy has spoken.
At that point it will be up to the rest of the world to decide what to do about a nation that has, and will continue to, invade other countries, apparently unprovoked.
This is why I can't vote.
I can't give my ethical status as a human over to what the masses of folks in the US think is okay. It's kind of a disgusting proposition.
Like, you who are in the thuick of it, you who have given your voice over to empire, you expect the rest of the world to do something about the horrors done in your name just because... what?
The assholes you live around "voted" to do something evil, lesser or greater?
And now you're doing evil, too? And it is, somehow, "up to the rest of the world?"
That's bleak and you really should think if "democracy" (or it's pale ghost that haunts US politics) is doing anything useful for your status as an ethical human.
It's entirely possible that you indeed do have such a boot on your neck that you really can't resist the power of empire in its core, but for [insert your preferred diety here]'s sake, you don't have to roll your soft belly over and take the kicks.
I believe that my ethical status would be in more jeopardy right now if I could have prevented a clearly criminal war, and chose not to. My actions, not the actions of others, determine my ethical state.
It does mean I face an ethical quandary now. Thus far I have upheld the social contract of democracy. I have not broken it in an attempt to end this war. That is an ethical stain on me, which I live with as best I can. It is my inaction, not the actions of the country, which stain me.
I will vote again when I can, and right now I'm going to hope that ends the war. That will not be sufficient, but one of my moral principles is "It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it".
If it suffices... then it suffices, and I will do my best with what happens after that. If it does not suffice, then I will be faced with an even worse moral quandary, and I hope I find the strength to do whatever seems right in that dire circumstance.
Simplifying the work for lawyers presenting evidence, at his future trial for war crimes in The Hague.
His immunity is only in the face of the US legal system, and the horrors that will be upon us soon, will lead a future US President, to do the decent thing and extradite him.
I pitty Pete Hegseth, who will have to share a cell with him.
Trump is actively trying to annoy as many people as possible. (and that's with some British understatement thrown in)
The same effect as why a certain type of criminal will readily confess everything, thinking the police will empathize with them and accept their need to have done it.
Deny it all you want. Its obvious if you can see past your own views.