Friends, Hunter Biden sure is a character! Now, you'd think, if the son of a man who aspires to be president has a long track record of accepting money from well-connected foreigners, for doing nothing in particular, the media might start asking questions... If a laptop materialized filled with tantalizing suggestions that the presidential aspirant in question was cut in on some of those deals, well, that ought to pique the press's interest even more! But no: the media shut down this story mighty quick in the Fall of 2020, and their pals in Big Tech did them one better. They actively suppressed the story and anyone attempting to share it. Of course, it was all true, as anyone who did even a little sleuthing at the time could tell, but sometimes ideology (not to mention personal animus) trumps professional ethics, as we all know.
The scandal of the media's dismissive attitude towards the Hunter Biden laptop story in 2020, and its recent admission that its claims of "Russian disinformation" were pure hokum, are two of the topics that Brian O'Neil and I cover on this week's Newsmaker Show. In addition, Brian and I talk about President Zelensky's crackdown on the political opposition in Ukraine, and his imposition of direct government control over the media there. We also ponder Sleepy Joe's continued polling doldrums and the epic disappointment that was the Attorney-Generalship of Bill Barr.
When we get to "This Day in History", we consider the great progress that Mexico has made in strengthening its democratic institutions, and how our U.S. institutions, even though sharply criticized, are a long way from being moribund. We also discuss the legacy of fascism and the often grossly inappropriate allusions to fascism in modern politics, Mussolini's role in the Spanish Civil War, the moral ambiguity of partisan activity against the Germans in WWII, Ronald Reagan's "Strategic Defense Initiative" and its controversial role in bringing about the end of the Cold War, and the shameful U.S. abandonment of South Vietnam in 1974-75.
Man, did I really get to the bottom of ALL those issues??? It beggars belief, doesn't it?
Dr. Waddy from Jack: Re: the broadcast:that is a very germane topic: how might Ukrainians respond to Zelensky motivated compromise with the Rus? The example of Finland in 1944 may be relevant. In the face of a by then formidable Red Army (strengthened as it was by Allied supplies) driving the Nazis, with whom the Finns had reluctantly joined, for their very survival, they resolved to endure the unendurable. They made peace with Stalin even unto prosecuting their wartime leaders at Stalin's command and permanently ceding territory but they yet secured their nominal sovereignty and independence and escaped onerous direct Russian rule. The Ukrainian people may accept a similar agreement. Finland was very much physically punished by the Rus too.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: But will the Rus accept a settlement short of complete investment of Ukraine? Maybe they would if it included a"guarantee" of no Nato in Ukraine, from both Nato and Ukraine and a corresponding Russian declaration: : "You have now seen what we are willing to venture to protect our fundamental, irrefutable security resolve NOT to countenance Nato in Ukraine. We will cease our offense but will retain all Ukrainian territory for which we have sacrificed so much, as a buffer. Be assured, should we ever again be threatened through or by Ukraine, we will direct ALL of our force. We know you hate us and we will not further impose ourselves on you UNLESS you make it NECESSARY! Beware, therefore!!!
ReplyDeleteCould be, Jack. Finlandization is still an option. I suppose the Russkies could demand, in any peace agreement, that Zelensky step down? He might relent, since he could make a mint on a speaking tour of NATO capitals...
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the question: what would the Russians accept as a compromise? And will the Ukrainians surrender even an inch of their territory? My guess, at this juncture, is that the Russians will fight on and mount another major offensive. Depending on how that goes, negotiating positions may shift, needless to say.
Dr.Waddy from Jack: Re: Fascism: I doubt that the majority of reflexive left wingers know anything about the history of the movement and have never consulted a dictionary definition of the term: eg. "a system of government characterized by dictatorship,belligerent nationalism and racism, glorification of war etc." It points directly to them and if it lacks reference to their murderous doctrinal assertion they must yet answer to ttheir execrable record in totalitarian power in the 20th century. How I wish the fall of communism had generated neo Nuremberg trials!They have NO moral authority to fling charges of Fascism. Their own demonstrated and yet proposed history and intent manifests incomparable EVIL far exceeding that of the monstrous Fascists and even the indescribably malicious Nazis. True advocates of either of these screeds are pariahs and Marxists should be so much more execrated!
ReplyDeleteDr.Waddy from Jack: I could not fault Zelensky from making an onerous but necessary compromise with the Rus to effect a Finland like salvation. And were he to repair to the West then, it might not be held against him. Stalin required Finland to prosecute its leaders but I think the Finns saw to light sentences for them, which Stalin did not contradict. Who can say what Putin might demand? He would risk very much exacerbated excoriation should he harm Zelensky's person. In today's world that might matter.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Jack, I'm a little surprised that the Russians didn't decapitate the Ukrainian government in the first hours of the conflict. In fact, they haven't targeted ANY Ukrainian politician, to my knowledge. To me, that suggests that they aren't, and never were, after "regime change". What do you think?
ReplyDeleteDr.Waddy from Jack: The Rus tried to take Kiev and that suggests intent to usurp Ukraine's government. Zelensky's probably unanticipated rise to widespread adulation may now give them pause in any intent to eliminate him. So much is in flux now; is Russia's apparent pause before Kiev voluntary? Are they signalling willingness to compromise?
ReplyDeleteI agree, Jack: it's hard to read the tea leaves. It sure looked like the Russkies had their hearts set on Kiev. If I were Putin, I'd be mighty disappointed in Russian arms...
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