Unfortunately, the Democrats, as usual, are failing to explain the reasons behind what they are doing. I’m extremely grateful for the help but I do wish there was an effort to explain instead of doing things in the usual imperious manner.
Why not talk about the Budapest memorandum and the need to continue the work of nuclear non-proliferation? I’ve been talking about this in a myriad of public appearances in the past 8 years, and people always say, “wow, I had no idea. I wish somebody explained that before.” Why not talk about “aid to Ukraine” as the largest investment in decades into updating the US weaponry stockpile and spurring the US R&D? Old, outdated weapons are being given over to Ukraine, which creates an opening to develop and manufacture new, state-of-the-art weapons for our defense. (This is exactly what Trump kept talking about but never actually did). Why not mention how this is the only realistic way of battling inflation that has historically been wildly successful at revving up an anemic economy? Why not talk about how Russia has been threatening the US with a nuclear strike since before Putin and how these threats have now become an almost daily occurrence?
Many people sincerely don’t know why the US is siding with Ukraine and not Russia in what looks to them like one more regional conflict with no relationship to the US. They have absolutely no idea how passionately Americans are detested in Russia and how this hatred has grown not in spite but because of the endless US gifts, aid, and appeasement towards Russia since 1991. They don’t even know why the war in Ukraine is different from Iraq and Afghanistan.
We could pout about this or we can talk, explain, and make the case patiently and for as long as it takes. For now, many people support Ukraine because of the stories of Ukrainian victimhood that are everywhere on the news and social media. But there’s a problem with this. Or actually several problems. For one, every media wave about genocide on Ukraine makes the support for Putin and the war in Russia spike up. Russians are energized and encouraged to keep fighting by these stories. Also, it’s not the whole story. Ukrainian victimhood is real but it’s a small part of what’s happening. Don’t feel sorry for us. Join us to tap into our energy and strength. Join us to feel inspired and renewed.
Here’s an example. I’m working on a large translation project (for free, obviously) with a group of translators in Ukraine. I’m supposed to be participating in the project to help Ukraine but, in all honesty, I’m being helped a lot more than I’m helping. Every morning, I’m getting such a jolt of energy from this group that I have cut my caffeine intake by 2/3. Everybody who is doing something in Ukraine or with Ukrainians is feeling this. It’s like a huge energy field has opened and anybody who comes in touch with it can’t get enough. It’s clear that this is, for example, why Boris Johnson got so stuck on Ukraine. Remember what COVID (or the treatment for COVID, or both) did to him? It’s only when he started going to Ukraine that he managed to replenish his energy.
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