We can not fucking do any fucking thing militarily versus Russia vis-a-vis Ukraine.

[angrychair]

49. Words have meaning.

you walk on a very thin line between advocating against arbitrary military action and sanctioning unfettered military action by an aggressive nation. Since there is nothing we can do or else we "get nuked" as you put it, than Russia has de facto sanction to overtake all of Ukraine. What's a little more. Nothing we can do anyway. Hell, while Russia is at it, Poland was part of the USSR so heck, lets get the band back together again. I mean, nothing the U.S. can do or else we 'get nuked'. So why not Romania next. Then Slovakia. Then Hungary. Nothing we can do, else we 'get nuked'.

See how that plays out. Might not be what you meant but it is what you said. Thread that needle with care.

Secondly, M.A.D. doesn't quite work the way you imply. M.A.D. only works as long as both sides agree to play the game. If one or the other stops playing the game, M.A.D. doesn't work anymore. Has Russia stopped playing? Only time will tell.

Lastly, I can't say this hard enough, that Ukraine is an independent nation. It is not a rebellious republic. Having Russians in Ukraine or a treaty with Russia does not give Russia a blank check to enforce their will on the people of Ukraine. They are an ethnic minority (17% as of a 2012 census). Ukrainians comprise more than 77% of of the ethnic makeup of the country. Crimea is not historically Russian land. It belonged to the Tartar and Ukrainians until Stalin killed and relocated all of the Tartars from Crimea.

There is no case yet for conflict with Russia in Ukraine. I am in NO WAY advocating for armed conflict. That is foolish. At the same time, you have to realize when you have stopped being an advocate for peace and become an envoy for servitude.