I have argued relentlessly that the "law of self-interest" eclipses national interest in politics. Sadly, we have political actors who are determined to sacrifice fellow citizens to promote their self-interest in part because they want to be national heroes.
Recently, I recalled how one of America's great journalists of the Nixon epoch reported with excitement that President Bush was a "war president," when he declared war in 2001 and 2003. Indeed, he wrote: "Bush is a war president" suggesting the uniqueness of being a war president.
I have seen one of the dramatis personae in this unfortunate military saga in Ukraine receive standing ovations in Parliament after Parliament (some even attempted to out-perform the other in their praises) for his courageous position on this war. In truth, these enthusiastic plaudits for an underdog continue to galvanize him into more actions at the expense of his fellow compatriots.
Furthermore, arms manufacturers on both sides of the war are delighted to test their new inventions at the expense of Ukrainian and Russian lives, and may be fanning the embers of the war. This situation is regrettable!
Peace is by far better than the outcomes of war. Thus, I recommend a diplomatic solution to this quagmire in which "there will be neither victor nor vanquished!" Thus, I pray for the success of the contemporary meeting of both sides.
Ike Udogu
--toyin, here is a path to peace. offer to pay putin for his losses. why not? it would cost more to the world for this war to linger on, and he would save face.
might be a hard sell!!ken
kenneth harrow
professor emeritus
dept of english
michigan state university
517 803-8839
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Toyin Falola <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2022 9:03 AM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: quoting presidents--Ken:
In war, you calculate human risk and the cost to pay. Rebuilding is possible but difficult. "Bravery in war," as the Yoruba put it, is "to know when to retreat." A retreat is not an act of cowardice, but diplomatic calculations—"Those who fight and run, live to fight another day". Those who praise us today will condemn us tomorrow. Those who condemn us today will praise us tomorrow. Without the crucifixion, there is no Christianity. In our persecution and sufferings lie the foundation of our glory.
TF
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Harrow, Kenneth <harrow@msu.edu>
Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 7:55 AM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - quoting presidentsthis is the new york times this morning, john leonhardt. i agree completely with his point. my point here is that citing the words of putin or zelensky as if they were actually speaking frankly is an incorrect reading.i like leonhardt's analyses.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/briefing/ukraine-zelensky-west-response.html
"2. Politics as performance
It's often naïve to take the words of political leaders literally. The public speech of politicians tends to combine an honest expression of their views with an attempt to influence others. Zelensky, an actor by training, is well aware of the performative part of politics.
Over the past few weeks, he has repeatedly asked for forms of help that he surely knows he will not get, my colleague Max Fisher says. The clearest example is a no-fly zone over Ukraine. Establishing one could require the West to shoot down Russian planes and even bomb air-defense systems inside Russia, potentially starting a world war.
Still, making unreasonable requests has value to Zelensky. It signals to Ukrainians that he is doing everything possible to defeat Russia and also makes it harder for the West to say no to other requests. "He's asking for the moon, knowing he'll get less," Eric Schmitt, a senior writer at The Times who has long covered military affairs, told me. "But it keeps the pressure on the West to deliver the stuff he needs."
ken
kenneth harrow
professor emeritus
dept of english
michigan state university
517 803-8839
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