I hate to jump in here, but I think it’s more a wartime mentality that any harsh criticism of “our” side provides ammunition to the other side, be that our own home-grown autocratic, anti-democracy Republicans, or Putin and Russia. As I said in another comment, I don’t know if what Biden said was a mistake or not. None of us can truly kn…
I hate to jump in here, but I think it’s more a wartime mentality that any harsh criticism of “our” side provides ammunition to the other side, be that our own home-grown autocratic, anti-democracy Republicans, or Putin and Russia. As I said in another comment, I don’t know if what Biden said was a mistake or not. None of us can truly know that, at least not yet. I think it likely that we’re all at least partly right - the comment can both provide ammunition to Putin and reflect western thinking and not matter very much at the same time. And I completely agree with you that we must support people’s right to make these criticisms. I defend your right to do so, but the fear of weakening our own position by doing so is, I think, not entirely misplaced. Thank goodness we still live somewhere where this kind of political discourse is possible.
I hate to jump in here, but I think it’s more a wartime mentality that any harsh criticism of “our” side provides ammunition to the other side, be that our own home-grown autocratic, anti-democracy Republicans, or Putin and Russia. As I said in another comment, I don’t know if what Biden said was a mistake or not. None of us can truly know that, at least not yet. I think it likely that we’re all at least partly right - the comment can both provide ammunition to Putin and reflect western thinking and not matter very much at the same time. And I completely agree with you that we must support people’s right to make these criticisms. I defend your right to do so, but the fear of weakening our own position by doing so is, I think, not entirely misplaced. Thank goodness we still live somewhere where this kind of political discourse is possible.
KR, I appreciate your thoughtful weighing of our various responses. Thank you. (The second heart is a result of me not being about to open the first.)
My Ability to ❤️ Comments isn’t working well again today, too. Thank you.
KR, thank you.
❤️ KR, I appreciate your thoughtful weighing of our various responses. Thank you.