Monday, August 11, 2008
Georgia On My Mind
Russian aggression meets "anticipatory capitulation"
The greatest terror of postmodern Westerners is "confrontation": to be compelled into situations in which they must actually face down a bully. And, of course, taking a moral stand may sometimes lead to such "confrontations."
So, in anticipation of any course of action that could possibly lead to a "confrontation," postmoderns never take a moral stand. They look into the future, at where such a stand might lead them -- and, terrified by the prospect, they back down pre-emptively. Often, they seek some sort of "compromise" with thugs that takes the "confrontation" option off the table. "Compromise" here means: anticipatory capitulation.
This is the policy that Border's Books, Comedy Central, and the entire MSM adopted when contemplating even a hypothetical "confrontation" with Islamists who might become angry about their circulation of those Muhammad cartoons: They capitulated and refused to publish the cartoons, in mere anticipation of a possible showdown.
When Frozen Wars Heat Up
But international umbrage is wasted on Russia. They really don’t care what anyone thinks, and their veto power in the Security Council nullifies the possibility of meaningful U.N. action. Russia used force because they knew they could.
Georgia: Just the Beginning?
Putin surely understood the diplomatic fallout that likely would follow his invasion. This is a man who defies his own constitution, denies the systematic murder of inquisitive journalists and critical ex-pats, claims to seize the North Pole for his country, and assists Iran in its pursuit of nuclear status. We are limited in how we can help our Georgian ally, but Putin's brazen attack on Georgia should be a warning to the United States and our allies on Russia's border and elsewhere in the area that they need to be prepared for more of this.
Putin and Medvedev know the U.N. will do nothing in response to Russia's aggression in Georgia. They are confident that NATO members also will take no serious measures — in part because Europe depends on Russia for its energy needs, in part because Europe appears to have lost the will to fight effectively anywhere for almost anything.
The greatest terror of postmodern Westerners is "confrontation": to be compelled into situations in which they must actually face down a bully. And, of course, taking a moral stand may sometimes lead to such "confrontations."
So, in anticipation of any course of action that could possibly lead to a "confrontation," postmoderns never take a moral stand. They look into the future, at where such a stand might lead them -- and, terrified by the prospect, they back down pre-emptively. Often, they seek some sort of "compromise" with thugs that takes the "confrontation" option off the table. "Compromise" here means: anticipatory capitulation.
This is the policy that Border's Books, Comedy Central, and the entire MSM adopted when contemplating even a hypothetical "confrontation" with Islamists who might become angry about their circulation of those Muhammad cartoons: They capitulated and refused to publish the cartoons, in mere anticipation of a possible showdown.
When Frozen Wars Heat Up
But international umbrage is wasted on Russia. They really don’t care what anyone thinks, and their veto power in the Security Council nullifies the possibility of meaningful U.N. action. Russia used force because they knew they could.
Georgia: Just the Beginning?
Putin surely understood the diplomatic fallout that likely would follow his invasion. This is a man who defies his own constitution, denies the systematic murder of inquisitive journalists and critical ex-pats, claims to seize the North Pole for his country, and assists Iran in its pursuit of nuclear status. We are limited in how we can help our Georgian ally, but Putin's brazen attack on Georgia should be a warning to the United States and our allies on Russia's border and elsewhere in the area that they need to be prepared for more of this.
ObamaRussia's Message
25 Hints You're Not Voting for Obama
14. Thought about Hillary's 3:00 a.m. phone call ad when you first heard about Russian tanks in Georgia.
Not Ready for Prime Time (Obama on Georgia)
Maybe he should consult Clooney on the situation?
Putin and Medvedev know the U.N. will do nothing in response to Russia's aggression in Georgia. They are confident that NATO members also will take no serious measures — in part because Europe depends on Russia for its energy needs, in part because Europe appears to have lost the will to fight effectively anywhere for almost anything.
Labels: obama
