This is going to be a bit ranty as I’m trying to work out conflicting thoughts in my head as to how to approach the wars currently between Russia and Ukraine as well as Israel and Hamas. My initial instinct is to support the aggrieved party. Who suffered the injury that instigated the war? Yet, as with anything involving humans, it’s never that simple.

Russia/Ukraine: The genesis of this post was a comment made by Andrew Heaton on the most recent “We’re Not Wrong” podcast. I think he was referring to someone else’s comment, but it was essentially do we view this war as a version of WWI or WWII? Is this a horrific border dispute between two nations or is it a defense against a rapacious nation that will not stop? My normal senses tend me to believe the latter. What bothers me is some of the arguments of some who support continued aid to Ukraine. Particular when they tell me this is a cheap way to degrade Russia. Bitch, you’re talking about using Ukranian lives as fucking pawns in some global triangulation against Russia? That is some ruthless realpolitik bullshit there. It’s easy to see why the populists are decrying those arguments.

Israel/Hamas: Hamas’s attack was a terror attack It was not aimed at military or government targets. They went after civilians. Of course I would expect Israel to respond. I’m appalled at how quickly so many people went to supporting Hamas. I could understand sympathizing with Gazan civilians who are now in a warzone, but Hamas? Seriously? Yet, here’s what bothers me about the Israel supporters. They keep repeating this line – “The greatest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust.” Is it true? Probably, but there’s something insincere about conflating 6 million deaths with less than 2,000. After years of dealing with politicos, activists, and zealots who lie and twist the truth, I’m bothered when people I want to support do the same. It makes me wonder why they need to do so.