Random thoughts/comments

[Syne]

Why isn't Europe doing most the heavy lifting? It takes 8 of the top 10 countries contributing to Ukraine to match the US contribution. How much of that contribution has been lost to Ukrainian corruption? And what is the plan for Ukraine victory? It certainly isn't dealing a deciding blow against Russia. So far, it seems to be an endless need to fund a slowly eroding stalemate. So unless Europe institutes a draft and starts throwing its own able-bodied men at the problem (to offset Russia's ability to fight a war of attrition), why should the US do any more than it already has?

Why is it leftists are all of a sudden war hawks over Ukraine? Seems to be part and parcel with them liking to spend everyone else's money, so long as it doesn't cost them anything personally, i.e. virtue-signalling.
The US didn't enter WWII until Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. That's a pretty compelling US interest in combating the Axis powers (which were more than one country threatening a single country).

You do realise just becomes someone puts a figure that the US has put $53b+ towards defending Ukraine that it doesn't necessarily mean that is raw virgin funding, some of it is materials and goods that would otherwise been mothballed or deconstructed possibly contracted for production during the Iraq or Afghan conflicts. The point is even as a surplus it has a price attached to it, so it makes it look like a huge contribution that otherwise would of ended up recycled or dumped in a military asset graveyard.

European countries on the otherhand didn't tend to have a bunch of surplus kicking around, it's only when they replace things that they can give more. (Part of the reason for them not having surplus is actually the NATO plan, otherwise they'd likely have a lot more surplus themselves)

Now you're just talking out of your ass. Any excuse to minimize the US contribution, huh?

This notion is specifically relevant when reflecting on the US defense ecosystem—one bearing an industrial base that had struggled to meet capacity long before conflict erupted in Ukraine and Israel in recent years.
- https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ne...y-blanket/

So where's this supposed military surplus you're imagining?

Yes, Europe relying on the US has allowed them to shirk their own defense responsibilities. That's no one's fault but their own. And you can't blame the US for not wanting to essentially fund everyone's military. Or are you that selfish?

[Syne]

MR, what, no comeback for your ignorance of basic history?

[Magical Realist]

Commercials on TV and ads online shows that people need to be convinced and reconvinced over and over that if they just go buy this and that their lives will be so much better. That joyfully suggests to me that people don't really buy this drummed up consumerist lie. That they always go back to being naturally content with the simple joys of their lives, which can't be bought or possessed like the latest i phone or espresso maker.

Ok...that's my Christmas rant for this year.