DeSantis’ Ukraine Problem is Big Mistake

The war in Ukraine keeps on going, with no discernible end in sight. Russia keeps pounding and inflicting horrific war crimes against an innocent people struggling to stay afloat and the world, while vocally but hesitatingly militarily supporting Ukraine, goes on its way. And our own government has been one of those who are shamefully, part of this group. Joining in, taking the stance of “not getting deeply involved,” are two of those seeking to throw their Republican hats in the ring for next year’s presidential elections, Trump and DeSantis. We would like them to reconsider their obvious “retreat” policies in this area and give more urgency to supplying arms and whatever other needed military assistance to Ukraine in order to bolster their resistance to the invaders.

DeSantis, disturbingly referred to that war as a “territorial dispute,” not of any vital interest to the United States.  No way! It’s far from being a mere border disagreement. It already is an all-out war. Just look at the videos of totally destroyed cities. He told Fox News that giving the Ukrainians long-range weapons and fighter jets ought to be “off the table.” He alluded this might stoke a nuclear response from Russia and start a world wide conflict ending in mutual disaster for all. In other words, the stronger we make Ukraine, the more will Russia go to extremes to defeat them. We believe with absolute certainty that the Florida Governor is speaking as a politician, not as a concerned individual.

His hesitancy in increasing our support for Ukraine, is based on his  reading the polls of Republican voters, 40% of whom feel we are now providing “too much” support for Ukraine, zooming upwards from the mere 9% who felt that way in March of last year. He’s misreading the results. Most Republicans are merely opposing President Biden’s support, as mild as it is, for the simple reason that…..he is doing it. If Biden were suddenly to take a turn against Ukraine, Republicans would surely do an immediate about-face and demand more military support for Zelensky and his nation. It’s all political and poor people suffer.

We understand Governor De Santis’ point that Biden has not yet defined any long range goals or objectives in Ukraine, other than handing them over just enough arms to stave off a complete cave-in to the Russian aggressors, but not sufficient to drive them out. He feels that this will prolong the war. But calling it a “border conflict” indicates his lack of appreciation for the future of the people of Ukraine. He has joined with the rare Trump position of “retreat in the face of fire” attitude.

The Republican leadership must abdicate its current policy of isolation in that unstable region. We are calling for both Trump and DeSantis to look back at history and their party’s isolationism in the 1930’s that led to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7th, 1941. We had not prepared ourselves to fight a war against an obvious enemy. Europe did the same in failing to confront Hitler while he was vulnerable, in 1938. We kicked the can down the road, hoping things would right themselves without the scare of war. We awakened during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. President Kennedy stood up to Khrushchev and the Cuban Missile Crisis. We showed military preparedness and strength. It worked!

Reagan did the same. And we need his policies and strength again..right now. China, Russia and Iran are combining forces to threaten our nation. Russia is testing us in Ukraine. China in Taiwan and Iran is doing so in the Middle East. We must show military strength and the willingness to use it in all circumstances. That’s why we call on Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump and the Republican Party to show that we are willing to stand up for and supply Ukraine with all weapons necessary for them to fight off and defeat the Russian armada attacking them. We must ramp up our aid for them in missiles, tanks, artillery and fighter jets to show our support for liberty and freedom which do not come easily but must sometimes be fought for. And the brave Ukrainians are doing just that.