Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was, first and foremost, a crime — indeed, the war crimes continue as you read this. But it was also a blunder. In less than five weeks Putin has destroyed Russia’s military reputation, battered his nation’s economy and strengthened the democratic alliances he hoped to undermine. How could he have made such a catastrophic mistake?
Part of the answer, surely, is strongman syndrome: Putin has surrounded himself with people who tell him what he wants to hear. All indications are that he went into this debacle believing his own propaganda about both his army’s martial prowess and the eagerness of Ukrainians to submit to Russian rule.
But there’s also reason to think Putin, like many of his admirers in the West, thought modern democracies were too decadent to offer effective resistance.
And here’s the thing: When I look at the United States, I worry that the West is, in fact, being made weaker by decadence — but not the kind that obsesses Putin and those who think like him. Our vulnerability comes not from the decline of traditional family values, but from the decline of traditional democratic values, such as a belief in the rule of law and a willingness to accept the results of elections that don’t go your way. …
,,, It’s incredible how quickly we’ve normalized the fact that the last president tried to retain power despite losing the election and that a mob he incited stormed the Capitol. Many people took part in the effort to overturn the election — among them, we recently learned, the wife of a sitting Supreme Court justice, who hasn’t even recused himself in cases about the attempted coup.
And while Donald Trump’s effort to stay in office failed, most of his party has, in effect, retroactively backed that effort.
Why is that relevant to Ukraine? Putin effectively bet that an effete West would stand by as he carried out his conquest. Instead, President Biden very effectively mobilized a democratic alliance that has rushed aid to Ukraine and helped humiliate the aggressor.
But the next time something like this happens, America might not lead an effective alliance of democracies, because we ourselves will have given up on democratic values.
And that, if you ask me, is what real decadence looks like.
Ron (RC) Weakley (A.K.A., Darryl For A While At EV) says:
I have been stunned that anyone believed Putin in the first place.
while he is repositioning his forces, we better be repositioning ours. his next move needs to be met with a “where the hell did that come from?” response.
(AP) — Russia’s military said Tuesday it would “fundamentally” cut back operations near Ukraine’s capital and a northern city, potentially a significant concession by Moscow amid talks aimed at ending the war that began more than a month ago.
Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said the move was meant “to increase trust” in talks aimed at ending fighting, as negotiators met face-to-face after several rounds of failed negotiations. But Russia’s troops have been bogged down and struggling to make major advances recently.
The talks in Istanbul raised flickering hopes there could be progress toward ending a war that has ground into a bloody campaign of attrition.
Fomin said Moscow had decided to “fundamentally … cut back military activity in the direction of Kyiv and Chernihiv” to “increase mutual trust and create conditions for further negotiations.”
Ukraine’s military said it had noted withdrawals around Kyiv and Chernihiv, though the Pentagon said it could not corroborate the reports,
An adviser to the Ukrainian president said the meeting in Istanbul was focused on securing a cease-fire and guarantees for Ukraine’s security — issues that have been at the heart of previous unsuccessful negotiations.
Ahead of the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country was prepared to declare its neutrality, as Moscow has demanded, and was open to compromise over the contested eastern region of Donbas — comments that might lend momentum to negotiations. …
Hopes that peace talks could ease Russia’s assault on Ukraine were dampened on Wednesday when local officials reported new attacks on the outskirts of Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv, two areas where Russia had vowed to sharply reduce combat operations.
The continuing attacks added to growing pessimism that the talks had made significant progress and signaled that Moscow was in no hurry to end its war, now five weeks old, despite claims that it would de-escalate its operations after talks on Tuesday with Ukrainian representatives in Istanbul. …
” Dr. Eastman and President Trump launched a campaign to overturn a democratic election, an action unprecedented in American history. Their campaign was not confined to the ivory tower—it was a coup in search of a legal theory. The plan spurred violent attacks on the seat of our nation’s government, led to the deaths of several law enforcement officers, and deepened public distrust in our political process.
”More than a year after the attack on our Capitol, the public is still searching for accountability. This case cannot provide it. The Court is tasked only with deciding a dispute over a handful of emails. This is not a criminal prosecution; this is not even a civil liability suit. At most, this case is a warning about the dangers of “legal theories” gone wrong, the powerful abusing public platforms, and desperation to win at all costs. If Dr. Eastman and President Trump’s plan had worked, it would have permanently ended the peaceful transition of power, undermining American democracy and the Constitution. If the country does not commit to investigating and pursuing accountability for those responsible, the Court fears January 6 will repeat itself.”
Dated: March 28, 2022 David O. Carter United States District Judge Central District Of California, Southern Division
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is on a relatively smooth path to becoming the first Black woman on the Supreme Court after three days of Senate confirmation hearings that have run the gamut in tone, from tense to rowdy to emotionally supportive.
At the moment, Democrats expect Jackson to receive full support from their 50-member caucus — and that’s enough to get her confirmed. The biggest question, now, appears to be whether her final confirmation vote will be bipartisan. …
(GOP senator Susan Collins will vote for her. All Dems – except maybe Kristen Sinema will for her. Possibly GOP senators Mitt Romney & Lisa Murkowski also. Confirmation seems to be assured, but the vote has been delayed.)
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday formally scheduled a vote on Jackson’s nomination for April 4, triggering a timeline that would put the judge on track to be confirmed as the court’s 116th justice by the end of next week.
As the committee met to consider Jackson’s nomination, Republican senators requested a one-week delay on a vote, which has become a standard parliamentary tactic. That will launch a series of procedural votes on the Senate floor next week culminating in a confirmation vote on Thursday or Friday, as long as enough Democratic senators are healthy and present. …
(BTW, NM Dem Senator Ben Ray Lujan, who suffered a major stroke in February was back on duty in the Senate as of March 3, so he will presumably be part of the vote to confirm Justice Brown Jackson.)
Economists hoped that as households shifted spending back to services, price gains would cool. That effect might be less pronounced now.
Economists have been waiting for Americans to shift from buying goods, like furniture and appliances, and toward spending on vacations, restaurant meals and other services as the pandemic fades, betting the transition would take pressure off supply chains and help inflation to moderate.
Rapid wage growth could make that story more complicated. Demand for services is rising just as many employers are struggling to find workers, which could force them to continue raising wages. While positive for workers, that could keep overall inflation brisk as companies try to cover their labor costs, speeding up price increases for services even as they begin to moderate for goods.
Heavy spending on goods during the pandemic has been a driver of the recent inflation burst. Consumers began snapping up items a few months after pandemic lockdowns began and have kept on buying. Spending on services also has recovered, but much more slowly. That shift in what people are purchasing has roiled supply chains, which were not built to produce, ship and deliver so many cars, treadmills and washing machines.
Policymakers spent months betting that as the virus waned and consumers resumed more normal shopping patterns, prices of goods would slow their ascent or even fall. That would pull down inflation, which has been running at its fastest pace in 40 years. …
But that transition — assuming it happens — may do less to cool inflation than many had hoped. A big chunk of what the government defines as “services” inflation comes from rental housing costs, which often move up alongside wage growth, as households can afford more and bid up the cost of a limited supply of housing units. And when it comes to discretionary services, like salons and gyms, labor is a major cost of production. Rising pay likely means higher prices. …
not seeing much of a rise in labor-level income here either. (labor-level=people making money self employed but at the same or lower level than those employed by others).
even if wages are rising, the “inflation” associated with that should be a good thing. the rest of us need to spend a little more on the people who make/produce out goods and services even it it means doing without a few purchases. it’s what “share the wealth”means. and it means it even if the people doing the sharing are not wealthy.
the fatal flaw of the left is they think they can bring about “equality” or at least “sufficiency” only by “taxing the rich.” yes, the rich need to be taxed more. but waiting for the rich to do the right thing has been going on for at least the last six thousand years without the rich actually doing it.
meanwhile, for the first time in history “the poor” are in a position to help each other. once they learn how to do that “the rich”won’t matter so much anymore.
Nov 16, 2021—Maybe not. WIN stood for Whip Inflation Now, President Ford’s Maybe not. WIN stood for Whip Inflation Now, President Ford’s program to combat rising prices in the mid-1970s with voluntary actions by U.S. …
NYT: … MaidPro, a home-cleaning firm, has seen a surge in demand from professionals who are spending more time at home. But it is having trouble finding workers to keep up, said Tom Manchester, the company’s president.
“Our demand right now outstrips our supply of being able to service that demand,” he said. “Demand has just continued to be strong — like double-digit strong. And if we could find qualified pros to meet the demand, we’d be even more ahead than we are today.”
Mr. Manchester said hourly wages were up $1 to $3, adding to costs at a time when cleaning products have gotten pricier and higher gas prices have made travel reimbursements more expensive. MaidPro franchisees have been able to pass those costs on to their customers, both via fuel surcharges and outright price increases that have more or less kept up with inflation.
So far, they have lost few customers — in part because few competitors have capacity to take on new customers.
“If someone has someone that they really like coming in to clean their home, they don’t want to lose them,” he said. “They don’t want to risk saying, ‘I want to move away from MaidPro and try to find someone else,’ because in nine out of 10 instances, that someone else isn’t available.” …
Mr. Manchester said many maid service executives expected the labor crunch to ease when enhanced unemployment benefits from the federal government ended in September. But while there was some increase in willing workers, there was no sudden flood.
“Everyone is competing for hourly employees,” he said. “We’re competing with the Dunkin’ Donuts, the Home Depots, the Bed Bath & Beyonds — anyone that relies on hourly workers.” …
(It’s, like, labor demand is high – people are spending more on services than goods apparently – so wages should be going up, so eventually they will be, I guess. Maybe soon!)
Putin and the Myths of Western Decadence
NY Times – Paul Krugman – March 28
Thanks, Fred.
yes. thanks Fred.
I have been stunned that anyone believed Putin in the first place.
while he is repositioning his forces, we better be repositioning ours. his next move needs to be met with a “where the hell did that come from?” response.
I can’t think of any long term way to stop the aggression-by-nuclear-blackmail…by anyone…except calling their bluff.
people smarter than me can figure out the safest way to do that.
Russia says it will cut back military activity near Ukraine capital as talks to end fighting continue
Boston Globe – March 29
Strikes were reported … adding to skepticism
NY Times – March 30
Eastman v. Thompson (Case No. 8:22-cv-00099-DOC-DFM)
” Dr. Eastman and President Trump launched a campaign to overturn a democratic election, an action unprecedented in American history. Their campaign was not confined to the ivory tower—it was a coup in search of a legal theory. The plan spurred violent attacks on the seat of our nation’s government, led to the deaths of several law enforcement officers, and deepened public distrust in our political process.
”More than a year after the attack on our Capitol, the public is still searching for accountability. This case cannot provide it. The Court is tasked only with deciding a dispute over a handful of emails. This is not a criminal prosecution; this is not even a civil liability suit. At most, this case is a warning about the dangers of “legal theories” gone wrong, the powerful abusing public platforms, and desperation to win at all costs. If Dr. Eastman and President Trump’s plan had worked, it would have permanently ended the peaceful transition of power, undermining American democracy and the Constitution. If the country does not commit to investigating and pursuing accountability for those responsible, the Court fears January 6 will repeat itself.”
Dated: March 28, 2022
David O. Carter
United States District Judge
Central District Of California, Southern Division
Nicolle Wallace: “Why should a Federal judge & a Congressional Committee have to pressure DOJ to take action” on Jan 6 investigation? https://tinyurl.com/wdvrvc86 https://tinyurl.com/5c2xuujn
CONSPIRACY TO OVERTHROW THE 2020 ELECTION
January 19, 2022
(There’s nothing mysterious about it. It’s all out there.)
J.P. McJefferson
Will Justice Jackson get Senate approval?
Politico – March 25
(GOP senator Susan Collins will vote for her. All Dems – except maybe Kristen Sinema will for her. Possibly GOP senators Mitt Romney & Lisa Murkowski also. Confirmation seems to be assured, but the vote has been delayed.)
(BTW, NM Dem Senator Ben Ray Lujan, who suffered a major stroke in February was back on duty in the Senate as of March 3, so he will presumably be part of the vote to confirm Justice Brown Jackson.)
Sen. Ben Ray Luján returns to Senate, just one month after major stroke
Washington Post – March 3
Rising Wages Could Complicate America’s Inflation Cool-Down
NY Times – March 31
I have seen no indications of rising wages in over a year. Suggest you review NewDealDemocrat’s post on wages before you continue with this fantasy.
EMichael
not seeing much of a rise in labor-level income here either. (labor-level=people making money self employed but at the same or lower level than those employed by others).
even if wages are rising, the “inflation” associated with that should be a good thing. the rest of us need to spend a little more on the people who make/produce out goods and services even it it means doing without a few purchases. it’s what “share the wealth”means. and it means it even if the people doing the sharing are not wealthy.
the fatal flaw of the left is they think they can bring about “equality” or at least “sufficiency” only by “taxing the rich.” yes, the rich need to be taxed more. but waiting for the rich to do the right thing has been going on for at least the last six thousand years without the rich actually doing it.
meanwhile, for the first time in history “the poor” are in a position to help each other. once they learn how to do that “the rich”won’t matter so much anymore.
just to be clear: fighitng inflation by buying less rather than demanding more should be at least as effective as raising the interest rate.
there is a problem with the cost of housing…corporate landlords, as with health care, are in a position to demand pay or die prices.
What we need pronto is more “W.I.N.” buttons!
Gerald Ford’s inflation response was “Whip Inflation Now,” or …
https://www.washingtonpost.com › history › 2021/11/16
Nov 16, 2021—Maybe not. WIN stood for Whip Inflation Now, President Ford’s Maybe not. WIN stood for Whip Inflation Now, President Ford’s program to combat rising prices in the mid-1970s with voluntary actions by U.S. …
Gerald Ford’s Inflation Response
Washington Post – Nov 16, 2021 (Behind a paywall of course.)
NYT: … MaidPro, a home-cleaning firm, has seen a surge in demand from professionals who are spending more time at home. But it is having trouble finding workers to keep up, said Tom Manchester, the company’s president.
“Our demand right now outstrips our supply of being able to service that demand,” he said. “Demand has just continued to be strong — like double-digit strong. And if we could find qualified pros to meet the demand, we’d be even more ahead than we are today.”
Mr. Manchester said hourly wages were up $1 to $3, adding to costs at a time when cleaning products have gotten pricier and higher gas prices have made travel reimbursements more expensive. MaidPro franchisees have been able to pass those costs on to their customers, both via fuel surcharges and outright price increases that have more or less kept up with inflation.
So far, they have lost few customers — in part because few competitors have capacity to take on new customers.
“If someone has someone that they really like coming in to clean their home, they don’t want to lose them,” he said. “They don’t want to risk saying, ‘I want to move away from MaidPro and try to find someone else,’ because in nine out of 10 instances, that someone else isn’t available.” …
Mr. Manchester said many maid service executives expected the labor crunch to ease when enhanced unemployment benefits from the federal government ended in September. But while there was some increase in willing workers, there was no sudden flood.
“Everyone is competing for hourly employees,” he said. “We’re competing with the Dunkin’ Donuts, the Home Depots, the Bed Bath & Beyonds — anyone that relies on hourly workers.” …
(It’s, like, labor demand is high – people are spending more on services than goods apparently – so wages should be going up, so eventually they will be, I guess. Maybe soon!)