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0 pointsint_19h5mo ago0 comments

> I guess it’s the only way the American people will get a grip, if the rest of the world starts punishing the US and its allies economically.

I doubt that. It's far more likely to backfire into increased support for aggressive right-wing populism of the kind Trump peddles. It also seems doubtful that Europe could really afford that economically at the time when it's already in an open confrontation with Russia and not exactly on friendly terms with China.

> does anyone see any other way to reign in the warmongers? What say you, Americans? You are, after all, the only effective mechanism by which your own war mongers can be brought to justice.

We do not have an effective mechanism for that. Even if our democracy were truly functional, people have voted for candidates who promised no more wars for >15 years now, and yet here we are. Meaningful reforms that would _perhaps_ enable this require constitutional amendments, which have such a high bar as to be unattainable in this political climate. I don't think the system can recover, but it still has a lot of capacity to do damage as it breaks down.

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4 comments · 1 top-level

MomsAVoxell5mo ago· 3 in thread

There is a groundswell of activity among the European populations to bring these conflicts to an end. It’s there, but you won’t see it in the nightly news, you have to actually get out there and talk to people.

I just completed a tour of Italy, through 9 cities, and everywhere I discussed these issues I found that people are just sick and tired of the US’ (and Israels) bullshit, and they want to start divesting from these nations activities. This may not be visible for a few more months or even years, but I do believe there will be political ramifications on the horizon that might give us a bit of hope.

Note, I live in middle Europe, and this is a sentiment shared here as well…

int_19hOP5mo ago

Israel is easy to sanction economically speaking. US is a lot harder.

And I have no doubt that Europe can pull it off in principle. But can you afford that while also ramping up your defense spending to the levels necessary to stand up to Russia?

MomsAVoxell5mo ago

Europeans do not have as much invested in the “Russia is the enemy” meme as Americans do. Sure, there are easily-duped segments of European society who will just parrot this line from their American and British cousins, but there is a far greater segment who see peace with Russia as being the only reasonable approach going forward, returning to an era where Russia and Europe were actually economically aligned, able to work together, and thus profiting from the partnership. Not everyone outside the Western bubble believes that Russia is going to roll tanks into Berlin - only those who seek to profit from that fantasy, actually parrot it as a possibility. Many in Germany and other middle European states remember when Russians were actually decent trading partners, not so long ago, before the UK and the USA started to interfere in what was, to be fair, a pretty good deal for Europe - but not so great for the Brexiteers and American MIC profiteers.

int_19hOP5mo ago

I'm Russian myself, and quite frankly, I think that Europeans who think they can play ball with Russia and not get burned are idiots.

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4 comments · 1 top-level

MomsAVoxell5mo ago· 3 in thread

Note, I live in middle Europe, and this is a sentiment shared here as well…

int_19hOP5mo ago

Israel is easy to sanction economically speaking. US is a lot harder.

And I have no doubt that Europe can pull it off in principle. But can you afford that while also ramping up your defense spending to the levels necessary to stand up to Russia?

MomsAVoxell5mo ago

int_19hOP5mo ago

I'm Russian myself, and quite frankly, I think that Europeans who think they can play ball with Russia and not get burned are idiots.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse