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Zelenskyy is not Churchill

Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2022
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by AMAC, Robert B. Charles
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52 Comments
Zelenskyy

Official’s in Washington are gushing over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his appeal last week to a joint session of Congress – claiming it rivals Winston Churchill’s speech on December 26, 1941 – thanking America for entering WWII. Ukraine’s cause is just, but WWIII this is not.

To be undiplomatically blunt, Zelenskyy is not Churchill. Ukraine is not Greater Europe. Putin is not Hitler. America has not been attacked, no Pearl Harbor, no parallel attack on American interests, nor NATO country, or even Greater Europe.

To say such a thing is anathema, an invitation to broad mockery, but reality matters – as does historical perspective. Ukraine 2022 is not Great Britain 1941. Distinctions are significant, as are flow-down policy implications.

Mr. Zelenskyy is a hearty soul, courageous, convicted, and worth hearing. His message was – having listened to his speech – heartfelt, earnest, alive with desperation, back against the wall, young and vital warrior, easy in fatigues, his country unjustly invaded.

The right response from America is what we have offered – support for his nation, defensive and proportionate, moral and material, aligned with his quest for restored sovereignty. But there, in fairness, it should end.

Many peoples around the globe crave liberty, suffer injustice, are put upon, invaded nationally, regionally, partially, and personally. Because we – Americans – believe in the cause of liberty, we speak up for them, do what we can, offer humanitarian and military aid. We do that for those afflicted, and to deter powerful nations from overrunning those in harm’s way, like Taiwan.

But history is not recorded to be distorted. It is not written down, meticulously kept by historians to be summoned in bits and pieces, lofted in support of this or that convenient moment, or neatly fitted into a carefully crafted false narrative – so that some political outcome appears necessary.

In December 1941, the United States was brutally, unexpectedly, immorally attacked by the Japanese empire, an event quickly followed by a declaration of war against the United States by Nazi Germany’s leader, Adolph Hitler – who had overrun much of Europe.

Americans were not in the line of fire; we had been fired upon, thousands of young men and women killed, warships destroyed, forced to take a stand. What had been a divided public, many praying to avoid war, suddenly came together. No sunlight between us, we knew our duty.

By the time Churchill addressed Americans in a joint session, reminding us of his American mother, the unadulterated evil of our enemies, and the justice in our joint cause – we were at war.

Moreover, the war we were “at” was one of survival, ours, Greater Europe’s, the Far East – the entire world. Hitler was not an immoral autocrat with limited ambitions, but a demonic figure in global history, whom we now know was systematically, racially, and religiously exterminating whole peoples, author of civilian horrors beyond description and battlefield massacres unrivalled in modern history.

In short, the world was already at war, the stakes existential, and the plea by Churchill – whose country was the last remaining bulwark against Nazi domination of Europe – was visceral. All of Europe vanished forever, or the United States stepped into the breach.

The enormity of that moment cannot be overstated – and should not be misapplied. The United States mobilized 16 million young men, 350,000 young women – and we went to war. We did that in places like Sicily, Anzio, Normandy, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and thousands of battlefields – where we buried 450,000 young Americans, brought home millions wounded.

When the United States goes to war – we go with one purpose, one unmitigated, uncompromised, and ultimately undiluted purpose, to win. That is the only way to enter a war, and we do that with enormous reluctance, for obvious reasons.

All this brings me back to the difference between Churchill and Zelenskyy, Europe in 1941 and Ukraine in 2022, Hitler’s Nazi machine and Putin’s pathetic, post-Soviet, devastating but doomed ambitions.

In short, we should always side with those who fight for freedom and have always endeavored to do so. When serving as Assistant Secretary of State to Colin Powell, my job deposited me in countless places – in all of which, the people drew inspiration from America.

These places were far flung, but America’s commitment to supporting – along with our allies – freedom wherever people’s longed for it, was clear, unequivocal, undoubted, and un-stumbling.

In the days of Reagan, these places included the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and communist dominated countries; in the days of Powell at State, they included people seeking freedom and security in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala, El Salvador, Laos, and countless other nations; my days were spent there, and we did not flinch.

But support for freedom does not mean going to war unnecessarily, risking blood and treasure without basis, or spending Americans into a hole for the satisfaction of a cause. Ukraine is a complex, war torn, historically corrupt, and ethnically vexed place. 

The nation deserves respect, sovereignty, and relief from Putin’s immoral war, but that does not mean the United States should be putting ourselves on a war footing, preparing for a Europe-wide battlefront, up-funding Ukraine past present commitments.

Empathy comes easily to Americans, and that is a strength. But this is not 1941, Ukraine is not Greater Europe, Putin is not Hitler, and – for all his youthful energy and ideals, courage and convictions – Zelenskyy is not Churchill. Historical perspective tends to produce caution, and it should here. America is a beacon, but unless we make a mistake, WWIII is not upon us.

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John D. Beach
John D. Beach
1 year ago

With the demise of the former Soviet Union and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, the end of the Cold War in 1991, the U.S. should have disbanded NATO and brought troops and equipment home. Europe should have realigned as iindividual countries chose, without the input, intervention or interference of the U.S. The world would be a different place.

Chopper
Chopper
1 year ago

General Patton was correct. We defeated the wrong enemy.

D P
D P
1 year ago

Ukraine is a mouse trap. Zelensky and the Ukraine people are the cheese. The USA is the mouse.
The mouse has no brain. What do you think will happen? We need to pray the Great Almighty has mercy on us. There is no other hope apart from God through His son Jesus Christ. We are on the edge of WWIII.

D G
D G
1 year ago

Putin is hell-bent on restoring the territory of the old Soviet Union. Crimea in 2014, now Ukraine. Stalin killed as many or more of his citizens as did Hitler. Putin places no value on human life. He is slowly taking bites out of neighboring territory while the rest of the world wrings its hands and watches from the sidelines. North Korea and Communist China are biding their time, becoming more and more aggressive toward South Korea and Taiwan respectively. No one wants WWIII, but this is exactly how WWII was started.

George M
George M
1 year ago

That says it all PERFECTLY !

KenW
KenW
1 year ago

One question. What actions would the U.S. military undertake if Russia was funding biological weapons research near our southern, uncontrolled border in Mexico?

Mike Bregg
Mike Bregg
1 year ago

I have yet to hear of Mr. Zelenski selling off personal assets around the world for the defense of his country. Just another piece of the corruption machine that is Ukraine.

fpatriot
fpatriot
1 year ago

Before America goes into even more debt, giving Zelensky even more money and arms, America needs to take care of America, starting with closing our Southern border and finishing “The Wall”! Bidum’s malfeasance means America will never be the same. Bidum and the leftists planned the illegal invasion happening at our border to permanently steal future elections. He already stated that “he wants to give the right to vote to the illegals entering America from all over the world”.
That is his only purpose for allowing millions of illegals, human trafficking, drugs and the deaths resulting from same. This invasion will have huge consequences to Americans in cost, unemployment, more homelessness, scarcity of food, water, healthcare, housing, crime, overcrowding and a huge decline in education and America’s standard of living for years to come.

Chopper
Chopper
1 year ago

The current Ukrainian army is made up primarily of foreign mercenaries hired by the US State Department. Their president is a foreign Jew controlled by the US State Department, and all of the potential outcomes relate only to US interests.

Ukraine is not really even involved in this war, and has no stake in it beyond the fact that, no matter who “wins”, their country is being destroyed.

Steven
Steven
1 year ago

Logical points but I believe we should have provided Ukraine with anti missile arms a long time ago.

Granny26
Granny26
1 year ago

I am sick of my taxes being raised again so we can send more to Ukraine. Biden needs to make sure our military gets their pay before any foreign country. Start taking care of Americans instead of every ‘begging’ country in the world.

Cathryn Pindzola
Cathryn Pindzola
1 year ago

I have been conflicted about this so-called “special operation” that putin finally called a “war” last week. I’m not sure if I would be as supportive of Zelenski and of the U.S, financial/military support if I were not 1/2 Ukrainian, One reason I support any & all aid we and other countries are giving Ukraine is because if putin meets his goal of annexing all of Ukraine, he will then move on to Moldova, and all the other former SSRs. Probably also Finland. Then we would be back at least to the Cold War, if worse.

Rich
Rich
1 year ago

Our “representatives” are gushing over Zelenskyy because he is just like them. Corrupt to the core. The U.S. will find some very incriminating evidence on him and us. This disaster is not over. Stand by, there is more to this story.

Frank
Frank
1 year ago

It’s sad that the Ukrainian people are caught in the middle of this, but Zelenskyy is not the victim he claims. Facts reported have proven that there are 24 chemical labs throughout Ukraine and all of them are reported to have ties to the democrats. Yea Putin had no reason to do this and needs to be dealt with harshly, but Zelenskyy is far from innocent in this.

anna hubert
anna hubert
1 year ago

Birds of the feather flock together

Robert Dapper
Robert Dapper
1 year ago

This man is a dictator, we’ve given enough, now let him show the world who he is. Can he stand on his own, or does he need the U.S. crutch?

Phyl
Phyl
1 year ago

He is no where close to being another Churchill. If he thinks that, he’s what I would consider a Legend in his own mind. A very arrogant man.

Grace
Grace
1 year ago

Have people forgotten this man was an actor before he was a politician and then a warrior. Our leaders should consider each one before opening our wallets so wide.
we have a right, no ! An obligation to ask for an audit since the expectations for financing a war can be very high.
Some things you can’t unsee after seeing them- When zelinsky was unfolding the flag with the signatures on it Nancy was struggling to plant finger kisses on his cheek. Please dig that one out of the archives. It is one for the ages.
.

Jeri
Jeri
1 year ago

He is a mobster, just like Biden.

Tony
Tony
1 year ago

This guy is a thug! He imprisoned his rival at the last election…He’s no more for Democracy than Pelosi is…

Pete from St Pete
Pete from St Pete
1 year ago

Comparing a professional comedian to like Zelensky to a professional diplomat like Churchil seems rather unfair to me. The Ukraine is not a utopia by any stretch of the imagination, but it is expending its’ blood and treasure in a proxy war that keeps the United States and NATO from having to risk our blood. The least we can do is support it with our treasure rather than spend it on socialist fantasies as the Biden Administration is inclined to do.

Laura
Laura
1 year ago

Considering all the things that the “Administration” has done behind the backs of the American people, I wonder just how much of our taxes are actually going to the Ukraine. And we all know that it’s the Executive Branch that is really running Congress. No surprises here.

Rex
Rex
1 year ago

The wild cheering for Zelenskyy was an effort by The democrats to drown out the sound of a bale of cash being flushed down the toilet.

Michael J
Michael J
1 year ago

These vipers have one thing in common, they don’t care. Biden doesn’t know where he’s at, but for now his handlers will take care of the corruption at home. Meanwhile, we should be reaching that tipping point of no return. Americans last while politicians rob us blind. No wonder they want to disarm “We the People”.

Dan W.
Dan W.
1 year ago

I wouldn’t write off “Putin’s pathetic, post-Soviet, devastating but doomed ambitions” just yet.

Yes, he blundered by underestimating Ukraine’s resolve and overestimating the soundness of his army but if he chooses to go all in with a Spring offensive, Ukraine is toast.

David Millikan
David Millikan
1 year ago

Consider that DICTATOR Beijing biden just gave $45 Billion Tax Dollars to Ukraine on top of Billions already given that has NOTHING to do with National Defense Bill or $180 Million for Michele obama’s hiking trail in Georgia in Defense Bill. But he gives Only $5 Billion to LIHEAP for Americans
FREEZING TO DEATH.
ONCE AGAIN, PUTTING AMERICANS LAST while he HIDES in Virgin Islands.

PaulE
PaulE
1 year ago

RBC,

I don’t think anyone is under the illusion that Zelenskyy is another Churchill. I get the Democrats and most Republicans were all wildly enthuiastic last week, but I think that had more to do with his visit providing a much-needed public distraction from the sh*t show that is the Biden administration and the last minute ramming through of another $1.7 trillion dollars in the omnibus bill by Congress. Anything that gets the harsh glare of the public spotlight off of the WH or Congress, even for a day, is why there was so much over the top applause.

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