Iron Bru › Forums › Non Football › Slava Ukraini › Reply To: Slava Ukraini
I see the cowardly, ‘anti-imperialist’ left are out piously making they’re out for peace again. They neglect to mention their peace means death and subjugation for Ukrainians, forced resettlements and going against their will:
Yes, the anti-war left is starting to rise! Here we are in Detroit calling for negotiations in Ukraine. We are holding teach-ins, marching, lobbying Congress. Join us. #peaceinUkraine pic.twitter.com/LYfQIf6FcJ
— Medea Benjamin (@medeabenjamin) October 17, 2022
These people were never anti-war, when they claimed to be during US involved conflict. Their prime motivation is disliking the west, and they see the west at fault everywhere, so they reflexively apologise for Russia and make out they’re being forced into conflict by the evil west. NATO aren’t even in Ukraine, their weapons are, and are they going to argue that it’s immoral to help defend an invaded nation from an invader who cares not one jot about human lives?
This also highlights the problem I have always had with pacifism. Sure, we can see that war brings horror and devastation, and we shouldn’t actively seek it without strong justification. However, sometimes we are forced into it and demanding Ukraine accepts anything for peace (as some do) means the victim losing and the aggressor gaining. What would stop Russia from trying more if Ukraine is made to seek compromise on terms it isn’t willing to commit to? Alongside some pacifists having more sympathy to the likes of Russia, this mentality is a toxic breeding ground for dictator and mass murder apologia. If peace matters above all else, then the more amendable side (Ukraine) should just give up in the eyes of some.
I am by no means saying all pacifists are like this, there are many commendable ones, but it’s a tendency I have noticed among many.
Nowadays most say they would of course be for standing up to Nazi Germany in the 30s, because that was just. Easy to say with hindsight, but given many apologise and deny crimes of current despots I am somewhat sceptical they would. Many of the time didn’t (looking at you, George Lansbury).
