Peace in Ukraine Is More Important Than Political Pundit Utterances – Opinion

On Tuesday, March 29, was Vietnam Veterans Day. This long overdue day commemorates those who were disregarded and forgotten for their service in wars that they did not choose. In last year’s honor, my oldest brother died in Vietnam. Last year I sent him a letter detailing the horrific effects of firefights. It was a terrible experience for my brother. The only way I would consider war was to end my brother’s suffering. Anything else would be unacceptable.

This brings us to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. While there are some hopeful signs that Russia may be tapped out, fighting goes on. All except perhaps some hardcore Neocons, who want to fight Putin, find this relief. We all want to see peace and that it does not require American military personnel risking their lives.

Some on the left have seized upon the idea that American troops shouldn’t be allowed to enter Ukraine. This group is led nominally by Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens. Other lesser light-weights are not involved but seem more focused on decrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zilensky rather than denouncing Russian President Vladimir Putin. While charges they are pro-Putin remain laughable, it is a rather odd hill upon which to plant one’s flag.

It is not surprising that Ukrainians are critical of these people. Wladimir Klitschko, former heavyweight champion of the world and brother of Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko (he also has former heavyweight champion of the world on his resume), recently made his feelings known during an appearance on Eric Bolling’s show on Newsmax TV.

The rallying cry for freedom moved Bolling to opine on what he called, “a small group that believes that what’s happening in Ukraine is not the United States’ problem. There’s some very popular television host, Tucker Carlson…”

“…Candace Owens as well,” Bolling went on. “Conservatives who typically, I don’t know why they’re not supporting you and Ukraine, but they’re not. What do you say to those people?”

“If you passively observe what is going on, and we do share the same principles of freedom and democratic principles, like the United States, like the Western world, so to speak,” the boxer expressed. “If you are passively observing, you are part of this invasion, blood is on your hands, too.”

“If you still have business and trade with Russia, and you don’t isolate Russia economically,” he continued, “you’re bringing bullets and rockets into the Russian army’s hands that kills today the innocent.”

Owens and Company argue they aren’t supporting Russia. They simply want to insist that the United States shouldn’t get involved with the conflict. It was our fault.

All the talk of Putin wanting to rebuild the USSR or the Russian Empire had been utterly incoherent until we poked at the bear. /sarcasm off

Each side has clear aspects. Klitschko is watching his country’s invasion by Russia and his fellow citizens dying. Russia’s invasion of his country is a sad sight. Klitschko will never accept anything less. It is also clear that there are no plans to allow American troops into the fire. Both sides appear to be unaware of a third option.

All the ranting about Zelensky and Ukraine being poopyheads is hollow when you consider the images of demolished buildings and refugees fleeing war. There is a time to debate who struck the match, but you’re best served by first putting out the fire. There are people in desperate need. Help them. Russia is not our friend. You must oppose Russia until they are able to learn how to behave.

Second, Ukraine should understand that war is not an option. We cannot enforce a no-fly zone. We can’t send troops. What about weapons or humanitarian aid? Certainly. However, it ends there.

It is possible to draw this line without slagging on Ukraine or twisting oneself into knots calling Zelensky every name in the book because he’s imperfect. Every human being wants to see Ukraine Veterans Day on the calendar. We demand that civilians are not killed or their bullets stopped flying. That shouldn’t be hard to grasp.

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