War is hell. Most people agree with that sentiment, whether the fighting involves our country or nations on the other side of the world. We would prefer current wars end quickly and no new wars were started.
One outspoken public figure believes the same and tweeted a plan to end the violence ravaging Ukraine.
“Ukraine-Russia Peace,” Elon Musk tweeted Monday, followed by four bullet points. “Redo elections of annexed regions under UN supervision. Russia leaves if that is will of the people. Crimea formally part of Russia, as it has been since 1783 (until Khrushchev’s mistake). Water supply to Crimea assured. Ukraine remains neutral.”
I didn’t say it was a good plan.
Musk’s ideas were very naïve, didn’t accept the reality of Russia’s and Ukraine’s leadership, or the passionate feelings of citizens on both sides.
Stopping the killing isn’t a bad thing, is it?
While I disagreed with the plan, it was refreshing to see someone talking about how to stop the killing instead of cheering for more of it. Many, many people on Twitter took a different attitude.
The backlash was blistering.
In the more than 115,000 replies, Musk was lambasted as a Russian stooge, a Putin fan and a fascist. These weren’t just online randos.
The backlash was blistering.
In the more than 115,000 replies, Musk was lambasted as a Russian stooge, a Putin fan and a fascist. These weren’t just online randos.
Nationalism frowned in US but fine for Ukraine?
Note that this is the same Elon Musk who, on his own initiative and at his own expense, outfitted the country with Starlink internet terminals at the start of the war. If he’s a Putin fan, he has a funny way of showing it.
Musk’s proposal wasn’t a good one; that’s why most respondents taking his Twitter poll disagreed with it. But the fevered reaction to it was worse.
Pro-war messages from Ukrainians fighting for their lives is one thing. But the jingoism from Americans is inexplicable. Most American blue-and-yellow flag-wavers couldn’t have found Ukraine on a map a year ago. Today, they’re such geopolitical experts, they can’t be questioned.
We’re repeatedly told that nationalism is a threat to democracy. Apparently, that only applies to the American variety. Ukrainian nationalism isn’t only tolerated, it’s becoming mandatory among our politicians and media figures.
Advocating peace doesn’t make one a Putin fan
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R–Ill., wants more death. “i celebrate every destroyed Russian tank and Ukraine artillery strike that kills soldiers,” he enthused.
Disagree with the congressman? Then, you must be support Putin. After this disastrous invasion, I doubt many Russian soldiers are big Vlad fans these days.
It’s not enough to root for a free and peaceful Ukraine; you need to cheer on the slaughter of Russian conscripts, most of whom would rather be at home with their loved ones. And don’t you dare question the untold billions U.S. taxpayers are pouring into Kyiv. Only Putin fans are concerned about the $31 trillion national debt.
As foolish as the details of Musk’s peace plan are, the goal is admirable. The longer the two nations shoot and bomb each other, the more death and destruction results.
Our political class might be giddy at that outcome, but the rest of us see it as tragedy.
War is not the goal, in Ukraine or anywhere else; peace is. It would be nice if our leaders understood that.
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