Reply To: Russian Tensions
“The thing is this is EXACTLY what BOTH sides in this sordid capitalist war are doing”
Actually, no. That’s not what they’re “both” doing. The Russians are engaged in warfare against the army of a fascist regime. The army of a fascist regime, unfortunately including the unlucky conscripts, is not “innocent”. It is the instrument of fascist violence and oppression. Resisting such a force is one’s duty. Unless, of course, you’re physically unable or a coward.
“and yet you are asking us to support the imperialist Russian side against Ukraine and its imperialist backers.”
I’m not asking you to do anything. I’m merely calling balls and stripes.
“Socialists don’t support capitalist warlords like Putin or Zelensky.”
Putin is not a “capitalist warlord”. He is the president of the Russian Federation.
“War itself brutalises people and turns them into fascists.”
Brutalises, perhaps, turns into fascists? Malarkey.
“In the name of a putrid nationalism, deluded workers give their lives to the cause of their respective capitalist ruling classes”
In the name of nationalism the deluded worker killed the madman threatening the infant with an axe. Erm, no. Stopping he madman with the axe is always the right thing to do.
“What is one to do? The only thing any decent human being would want to do. Stop the war and urge the combatants on both sides – fellow members of the working class – to lay down their arms.”
How? They have artillery, missiles, tanks aircraft and machine guns. They’re the Waffen SS. They’re on a tear. How you gonna stop them? “Urging”? Tell me, how you gonna urge the Waffen SS to stop? Serious question.
“There are indications that significant numbers of Russian soldiers are questioning the very purpose of their mission in Ukraine.”
Rubbish. Provide a link. Nothing sourced to Ukraine or western MSM is acceptable.
“The same needs to be happening on the Ukraine side. The utter stupidity of fighting for the right to plant a particular flag on a particular patch of land needs to be made crystal clear.”
How you gonna “urge” the Waffen SS to stop slaughtering? Try it. See what happens. You’ll either be shot, beheaded, thrown in a barn and burned alive, put in a gas chamber or worked to death in a concentration camp. Geez, who’d have thought “urging” the Waffen SS to stop their rampage wouldn’t have worked out? You really are a clown.
“Socialists can’t do much against the overwhelming forces of national chauvinism and reactionary capitalism but at least what we are doing makes sense.”
Lol. Not only are you not a socialist but you’re not actually doing anything. You’re British, go lay down on the road in front of the depleted uranium factory. No? I thought not. You’re all talk, no walk.
“Your recipe, on the other hand, will ensure that a legacy of hatred towards fellow workers who happen to live under another capitalist regime to yours will endure for generations. Wars don’t solve problems.”
Actually, they do solve problems. Defeating the Waffen SS in battle is the only way you can actually stop their rampage. The application of violence does solve problems. Just as it’s the only way to stop the mad man with the axe hewing the infant in two. Tell me how I’m wrong. This should be good, I have popcorn.