Why We Should Support Ukraine Against Putin’s Genocidal War

As the Republican Party moves further toward the extreme right by embracing such figures as congressman Marjorie Taylor Greene who calls for the overthrow of the government, Biden made a successful trip to the war zone in Ukraine. Biden’s trip to Ukraine signaled a shift in US foreign policy in Eastern Europe. In WW11, the primary goal was protecting western democracies against Nazism. Today the primary goal is to protect eastern democracies against Vladimir Putin efforts to re-institute the Soviet Union which was officially called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR). The USSR spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. Moscow serves as the capitol and was the most populous republic. The USSR expanded under the leadership of Joseph Stalin during WW11 which started in 1939 and lasted until 1945. Stalin suspected that Hitler might attack the USSR after carving up the Balkans states. He developed an appeasement strategy which was designed to give him time to produce enough weapons to protect the Soviet state against Germany and other superpowers. He also used the opportunity to expand into the Balkan areas of Eastern Europe. Based on his understanding of Marxism, he felt that the internal contradictions within the capitalist state would eventually topple western powers and the Soviet Union would then be able to expand its influence into western Europe. In August 1939, Stalin’s foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov, negotiated the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact which was a non-aggression Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. It enabled the two countries to partition Eastern Europe between them. It was also referred to as the Hitler-Stalin Pact. A week later, Hitler invaded Poland and France and Britain declared war on Germany. On September 17, the Red Army moved into Poland to restore order after the collapse of the state. On September 28, Germany and the Soviet Union divided up their newly conquered territories. Germany gained the linguistically Polish-dominated areas of Lubin Province and parts of Warsaw, while the soviets gained Lithuania. The two powers signed a German-Soviet Frontier treaty after the invasion. The Soviet used the treaty to undermine and frustrate British’s attempts to attack Germany. In November of 1939, the Soviets demanded that they be given parts of Eastern Finland and the government refused. The Finns took up arms against the Red Army. The Red Army became bogged down in Finland and was defeated. On the March 12, 1940, the war which lasted for 105 days ended when the Finns signed an interim peace treaty which ceded part of Northern Finland to the Soviets. In June of 1940, the Soviet occupied the Baltic states and forcibly merged them into the Soviet Union. In August they invaded and annexed Bessarabia and northern Bukovina and Romania Stalin was surprise about how fast Hitler defeated the French. He continued his appeasement policy with Germany to buy more time before Hitler decided to attack the Soviet Union. In October Germany signed a Tripartite Pact with Japan and Italy. In April of 1941, Stalin signed a neutrality pact with Japan to demonstrate their peaceful intentions toward Germany. After around a decade, the relationship with Germany had deteriorated to such an extend that Stalin replaced ambassador Molotov as premier of the Soviet Union. Despite warning from the western allies that Germany was going to invade the Soviet Union, Stalin ignored their warning. In June of 1941, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. Stalin formed the State Defense Committee and became Supreme Commander over it. The German army was so effective, the Soviet Air force in the western borderlands was destroyed in two days. The Germans Wehrmacht pushed deep into Soviet territory. Ukraine, Byelorussia, and the Baltic states were now under German occupation and the Soviets were fighting to hold on to Leningrad. Germany had the entire city surrounded. Britain and the US formed an alliance with the Soviet Union to defeat Russia, but the US did not enter the war until 1941. Very little aid reached the Soviets before they entered the war. The United States had an unwritten strategy which focused on Germany defeating the Soviet Union before joining the war effort. They decided that this was a dangerous strategy because it might put Western Europe at risk if Germany defeated the Soviet Union. Between 1942-1945, the allies were able to turn the tide in the war and the Soviets were able to lift the seize on Leningrad. Before the war ended, the Soviet Union lost 20 million of its citizens trying to defend Leningrad. Today, Vladimir Putin is attempting to re-constitute the old Soviet State. He refuses to recognize the independence of Ukraine and other Balkan states because they were once a part of the old Soviet State. His strategy is to weakened liberal democracies around the world while engaging in military campaigns to bring many of the Baltic republics back under the influence of Russia. Here in the US, many right-wing extremist and racist movements associated with the Republican Party are consciously or unconsciously undermining our policies which support Eastern Europe. While fighting against fascism and racism here at home, we must support Ukraine and the Balkan states in their efforts to protect their territorial sovereignty. See less Comments

Facism on the rise in American

The greatest threat to American democracy is coming from far-right extremist elements within the party of Lincoln. Far-right extremist groups have always existed in both political parties but were unable to gain complete control over the party's apparatus until the presidency of Donald Trump. During the Civil War In 1865, democracy was threatened by southern slaveholders who were attempting to defend social and cultural norms associated with slavery; it survived by working out a compromise with former slaveholders. As Americans, we all need to pay close attention to this dangerous trend in the Republican Party because it has similar aspects associated with Nazism in Germany prior to the rise Adolf Hitler. Totalitarian states do not develop overnight, but gradually. Hitler came to power in Germany after losing several political battles. In 1933, he was appointed Chancellor by President Paul Von Hindenburg through a series of parliamentary elections associated with backroom intrigues. After being appointed Chancellor, he began slowly outlawing and smashing democratic institutions. Politicians and businessmen sought appeasement rather than fight to protect democratic institutions. After gaining complete control over the state, Hitler began transforming the German state into a war economy with the intent of conquering Europe for the benefit of the so-called Aryan race. The threat to democracy today is mainly due to naturally occurring demographic changes which some Americans view as a threat to their way of living. Many people voted for Donald Trump because he was able to articulate and develop a political platform based on that fear. They viewed Donald Trump as the “The Great White Hope”. Forty percent of American public will continue to support him If he continues to articulate their fear of the future. After Trump became president, he gave many of them positions in his government. Steve Miller, who was an open white supremacist, were given a position as speech written and advisor. Racist organizations like the Proud Boys, and the KKK and many others developed an open public profile. Most historians agree that if Trump had not been defeated in the last election, American Democracy might have not survived. Even though Trump is no longer in office, party leaders are still pledging their allegiance to him. They are continuing to purge all moderate members who refuse to buy into the lie that the democrats did not win the last election. Everyone knows he organized and led the January 6 assault on the capital, yet both parties are unable to agree to some type of commission to investigate the January 6 assault on the capitol. Republicans are continuing to spread the lie and using it as an excuse to continue their attack on the electoral process. Democracy cannot exist if people are not given equal access to the ballot box. The absent of democracy will eventually lead to social unrest. It is extremely important that we get organize and push back against far-right extremism in American society. We cannot rely on politicians or the media to push back, we must do it ourselves. Raymond Glenn

The Great threat to Democracy

Raymond Glenn The greatest threat to American democracy is coming from far-right extremist elements within the party of Lincoln. Far-right extremist groups have always existed in both political parties but were unable to gain complete control over the party's apparatus until the presidency of Donald Trump. During the Civil War In 1865, democracy was threatened by southern slaveholders who were attempting to defend social and cultural norms associated with slavery; it survives by working out a compromise with former slaveholders. As Americans, we all need to pay close attention to this dangerous trend in the Republican Party because it has similar aspects associated with Nazism in Germany prior to the rise Adolf Hitler. Totalitarian states do not develop overnight, but gradually. Hitler came to power in Germany after losing several political battles. In 1933 he was appointed Chancellor by President Paul Von Hindenburg through a series of parliamentary elections associated with backroom intrigues. After being appointed Chancellor, he began slowly outlawing and smashing democratic institutions. Politicians and businessmen sought appeasement rather than fight to protect democratic institutions. After gaining complete control over the state, Hitler began transforming the German state into a war economy with the intent of conquering Europe for the benefit of the so-called Aryan race. The threat to democracy today is mainly due to naturally occurring demographic changes which some Americans view as a threat to their way of living. Many people voted for Donald Trump because he was able to articulate and develop a political platform based on that fear. Donald Trump was viewed as the Great White Hope. As long as he articulated their fear of the future it did not matter that he was known as the most corrupt businessman in America. Hard core extremist were willing to support him as long as he advance their white nationalist views. After Trump became president, he gave many of them positions in his government. Steve Miller who was an open white supremacist were given a position as speech written and advisor. Racist organizations like the Proud Boys, and the KKK and many others developed an open public profile. Most historians agree that if Trump had not been defeated in the last election, American Democracy might have not survived. Even though Trump is no longer in office, party leaders are still pledging their allegiance to him. They are continuing to purge all moderate members who refuse to buy into the lie that the democrats did not win the last election. Everyone knows he organized and led the January 6 assault on the capital, yet both parties are unable to agree to some type of commission to investigate the January 6 assault on the capitol. Republicans are continuing to spread the lie and using it as an excuse to continue their attack on the electoral process. Democracy cannot exist if people are not given equal access to the ballot box. The absent of democracy will eventually lead to social unrest. It is extremely important that we get organize and push back against far-right extremism in American society. We cannot rely on politicians or the media to push back, we must do it ourselves.

The American First Movement is a threat to Democracy

The American First Movement is a threat to Democracy

Politicians promoting far-right extremist ideas such as the American First Movement have found fertile ground in the Republican Party. These extremist movements have always existed in the swamp areas of the country since the end of the Civil War in 1865. What is more disturbing today is that they are running candidates which are winning elections and implementing policies which threatens democracy. For anyone interested in the program, the full 7-page document can be found at: https://punchbowl.news/.../America-First-Caucus-Policy.... Far-right extremist who are behind the American First Movement claimed to be promoting ideas which Donald Trump supported during his presidency. Many ideas contained in the document are associated with Trump’s Make America Great Again Campaign”. Even though Trump is no longer in office, the ideas which he promoted will continue to threaten Democracy as they take root in local and national governmental bodies. The ideas contained in the American First Caucus are quote: “America First Caucus recognizes that our country is more than a mass of consumers or a series of abstract ideas. America is a nation with borders, and culture, strengthened by a common respect for unique Anglo-Saxon political traditions. History has shown that societal trust and political unity are threaten when foreign citizens are imported in mass into a country, particularly without institutional support for assimilation and financial interest groups benefit immensely from mass immigration, legal as well as illegal, and the aggregate output of the country increases, the reality of large segments of our society as well as the long-term existential future of America as unique culture and uniquely identity being put at unnecessary risk is something our leaders cannot afford to ignore no longer". As stated above, many demographic changes taking place in American society is making a segment of white American feel threatened. According to statistical analysis, America will no longer be a predominantly White Society by 2050. Estimated population in the United according to United Nation data 2021 was around 332,410,303. The United States Census Bureau estimated our population at around 328,239, 553 in 2019 with an unofficial statistical adjustment to 329,484,123 on July 1, 2020. These totals do not include self-governing territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands and some minor island possessions. Foreign-born immigration has led to an increase in U.S. population. It has doubled from 20 million in 1990 to over 45 million in 2015 which represented one-third of the population increase. The growth is fastest among minorities. According to the United States Census Bureau, 50% of the children under the age of 18 are members of ethnic minority groups. Donald Trump was able to develop a political platform which used demographics to convince whites that they would lose political and economic power if they did not stop immigration from Third World Counties. It is important to note here that his immigration policies did not target people coming from European countries. President Trump was able to put together a group of people such as Stephen Miller, (speech writer) and Steve Bannon (advisor to the president) to put forward an election strategy which got him elected. They convinced a large segment of the white population that their way of living was being threatened by minorities in the US who were promoting anti-American philosophies. Trump personally sent his sons in deep red southern states to organize not only traditional Republicans, but members of many hate organizations such as the “KKK”, “Proud Boys”, “Don’t Tread on Me” and many others. David Duke (the Grand Wizard of the KKK) said that it was the first time they were willing to support a president they could trust. He urged all his members to work and help get Trump elected. People like Marjorie Taylor Green (U.S. House Of Representatives from Georgia’s 14th district), an open White Supremacist was able to win her election by promoting Trump racist theory in Georgia. She along with others have gain key positions in the Republican Party. The assault on the capital on June 6, 2021 was a direct assault on American Democracy. According to recent polls, many Republicans did not agree that the assault represented a grave threat to American democracy. Some have even entertained the lie that it was members of left organizations who assaulted the capital. Their party representatives are currently attempting to block any serious investigation into who led and planned the assault. It is somewhat strange for them trying to figure out who was responsible for the assault when we know that it was Donald Trump who plan and led the assault on the capitol. In many totalitarian countries which Trump claimed to support, would have arrested him on spot and hanged him if he attempted to overthrow their government. Because most of his supporters are white, they were allowed to peacefully leave the capital and go back home. Some even went on vacation and bragged about the assault. He along with his thugs are working to undermined local and national electoral boards so they can control who wins the next election. Some have published white papers which called on the party to organize thousands of white supremacist thugs to harass black and minority voters at the polls. Progressive forces should continue to organize and be prepared to counter all attempts to undermine the electoral process by any means necessary. I know some will disagree with some of the ideas contained in this essay and that is OK, no problem. Let' start a conversation and attempt to arrive at what is truth, not fiction. I am not a faultless writer, so please excuse any improper use of the King’s English. Writing is about communicating clear and concise ideas and I think I have done that here.

Politics in the Middle East

Politics in the Middle East is very complicated, contrary to what some might think. You have several religious factions among Shiite and Sunni Muslims which have led to several wars in the Middle East. Both factions are trying to compete for influence in the region. When you have a corrupt lying president like Donald Trump trying to fish in troubled waters just to advance his chances for winning the next election, you have a very volatile situation. Everyone agrees that Qassim Suleimani has blood on his hands, but so does a lot of others dictators around the world. Putin has a lot of American blood on his hand in the Middle East, so does we target him for assassination too? No, because that would cause a world War. We need a US policy in the Middle East based on non-alignment. Our goal should be to encourage people in the Middle East to remove their own corrupt state leaders, otherwise we risk becoming perceived as the problem, not the bad actors. President Obama understood the complicated nature of politics in the Middle East, so he did not side with any of the religious factions in the area. As a result, Saudi Arabia criticize his policy toward Iran. President Trump who has been more concern with oil and economic investments moved American's foreign close to supporting Saudi Arabia's interest in the Middle East. As a result, we are witnessing a widening war in the Middle East which will disrupt the flow of oil and create the conditions for the return of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). The very people who help to defeat ISIS in Iraq and are now targeting Americans for attacks all around the world. If Trump get four more years in Office, this country will became a banana republic with no strategic allies, thus making us a target for every little dictator around the world. Just my opinion Facebook friends. Have a Happy New Year Everyone. Less stay positive and work for peace around the world.

Trump's Racist Attack on Black Congresswomens

Deep racial divisions has always existed in American. This weekend with a tweet, Donald Trump said: "So interesting to see 'progressive Democrat congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful nation on earth, how our government is to be run....and further...why don't they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came".
Congresswomen IIhan Omar came to the US as a refugee at aged 12, but congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley were all born in this country.
Donald Trump is voicing a view which many racist groups has held for many years: "If you don't like America and want to criticize it, then you should go back to Africa or Latin America or wherever you came from".
Most older blacks who was brought up in the 1960's have experience blatant racism, so they are not as shock when we see people saying things in public which has always been said behind doors. Young minorities which has been brought up in a society where institutional racism has been couch in patriotic slogans and terms are sometimes confused or unable to handle blatant racism. Most of us who care about this country will have to work overtime to keep this country from being consumed by racial violence.