Comments on: From The Archives -- The GOP Race At The Bottom http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/ Reality-based political commentary Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:55:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203048 Elizabeth Miller Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:51:01 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203048 If anyone thinks the US was merely cheering from the sidelines on any substantial geopolitical issue, well, that surprises me. If anyone thinks the US was merely cheering from the sidelines on any substantial geopolitical issue, well, that surprises me.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203047 Elizabeth Miller Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:42:54 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203047 I just have the news reports I was following at the time and articles written in foreign policy journals by people who know more than I do. And, don't ask for references - it was a long time ago. But, I suppose I could spend time I don't have trying to find some. ;) In other words, all I've got is my, ah, informed opinions. If that's not good enough for discussion on this blog, then I'm sorry 'cause that's all I got. I haven't any personal experience or other tangible evidence that may or may not meet with your approval. I just have the news reports I was following at the time and articles written in foreign policy journals by people who know more than I do. And, don't ask for references - it was a long time ago. But, I suppose I could spend time I don't have trying to find some. ;)

In other words, all I've got is my, ah, informed opinions. If that's not good enough for discussion on this blog, then I'm sorry 'cause that's all I got. I haven't any personal experience or other tangible evidence that may or may not meet with your approval.

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203043 nypoet22 Wed, 31 May 2023 23:54:40 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203043 based on everything I have seen so far, it absolutely was. But I'm open to being proven wrong. based on everything I have seen so far, it absolutely was. But I'm open to being proven wrong.

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203042 nypoet22 Wed, 31 May 2023 23:53:03 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203042 Plot, imperative, whatever label you want to use, do you have any evidence whatsoever that the US did anything at all to influence either the orange or euro maidan revolutions other than cheerleading from the sidelines? If so, kindly share it. If not, kindly retract your statement that US interference was "not a figment of Putin's imaginings" Plot, imperative, whatever label you want to use, do you have any evidence whatsoever that the US did anything at all to influence either the orange or euro maidan revolutions other than cheerleading from the sidelines?

If so, kindly share it. If not, kindly retract your statement that US interference was "not a figment of Putin's imaginings"

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203040 Elizabeth Miller Wed, 31 May 2023 23:34:29 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203040 What we need here, for starters, is a thorough look at the history of US involvement in Ukraine's desires. What we need here, for starters, is a thorough look at the history of US involvement in Ukraine's desires.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203039 Elizabeth Miller Wed, 31 May 2023 23:32:22 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203039 And, certainly not a figment of Putin's imaginings. And, certainly not a figment of Putin's imaginings.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203038 Elizabeth Miller Wed, 31 May 2023 23:31:34 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203038 Not a Western plot, Joshua, a US imperative. :) Not a Western plot, Joshua, a US imperative. :)

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203037 nypoet22 Wed, 31 May 2023 21:31:32 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203037 Well, it wasn't george w. bush's doing, that's for certain. the idea that ukraine's movement for independence from russia was a western plot is all in putin's head. he just couldn't process the fact that his concept of ukraine culturally being part of russia was mistaken. since 1991, ukraine has been pretty consistent in its desire to chart its own course, independent of russia. 2004 was a turning point, but it certainly wasn't the only one. Well, it wasn't george w. bush's doing, that's for certain. the idea that ukraine's movement for independence from russia was a western plot is all in putin's head. he just couldn't process the fact that his concept of ukraine culturally being part of russia was mistaken.

since 1991, ukraine has been pretty consistent in its desire to chart its own course, independent of russia. 2004 was a turning point, but it certainly wasn't the only one.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203035 Elizabeth Miller Wed, 31 May 2023 13:22:55 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203035 Joshua, The roots of this war in Ukraine go back a very long way, before 2004 even. But, that doesn't mean that this war was inevitable. Who do you suppose was behind Ukraine's Orange revolution? You simply cannot ignore how the US has been working in overdrive since before 2004 to curtail Putin and his misguided vision surrounding his efforts to re-establish the Soviet Bloc. Joshua,

The roots of this war in Ukraine go back a very long way, before 2004 even. But, that doesn't mean that this war was inevitable.

Who do you suppose was behind Ukraine's Orange revolution? You simply cannot ignore how the US has been working in overdrive since before 2004 to curtail Putin and his misguided vision surrounding his efforts to re-establish the Soviet Bloc.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203030 Elizabeth Miller Tue, 30 May 2023 23:52:01 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203030 MtnCaddy, Stop wasting my time. MtnCaddy,

Stop wasting my time.

]]> By: MtnCaddy http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203027 MtnCaddy Tue, 30 May 2023 21:33:20 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203027 Elizabeth, It’s a pity that you never engaged with me whence I have REPEATEDLY pointed out how and why you’ve been so delusional about naked Russian revanchist. Therefore, I have to regard you as a Putin Apologist due to your ignorance. Slava Ukrini Elizabeth,

It’s a pity that you never engaged with me whence I have REPEATEDLY pointed out how and why you’ve been so delusional about naked Russian revanchist. Therefore, I have to regard you as a Putin Apologist due to your ignorance.

Slava Ukrini

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203026 nypoet22 Tue, 30 May 2023 15:44:06 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203026 there was tension from the very beginning, and <a href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/how-ukraines-orange-revolution-shaped-twenty-first-century-geopolitics/" rel="nofollow">The path to war began in 2004</a> there was tension from the very beginning,

and

The path to war began in 2004

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203025 nypoet22 Tue, 30 May 2023 15:24:11 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203025 You've got your cause and effect backward. Since their 1991 declaration of independence, Putin has been single-minded in his goal of subjugating Ukraine again, by any means at his disposal. When Putin ally Yanukovych was caught cheating in the elections and lost control of the country in 2004, Putin immediately began concurrent campaigns of disinformation and saber rattling. His aggression drove NATO and Ukraine to consider membership, not the other way around, and one could hardly blame them, especially now that we see the ultimate result. You've got your cause and effect backward. Since their 1991 declaration of independence, Putin has been single-minded in his goal of subjugating Ukraine again, by any means at his disposal. When Putin ally Yanukovych was caught cheating in the elections and lost control of the country in 2004, Putin immediately began concurrent campaigns of disinformation and saber rattling. His aggression drove NATO and Ukraine to consider membership, not the other way around, and one could hardly blame them, especially now that we see the ultimate result.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203024 Elizabeth Miller Tue, 30 May 2023 12:35:20 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203024 By the way, I have never stated that Putin's designs were regional or manageable. Those are the words I used to describe the geopolitical situation in Ukraine before Putin's invasion ... just to be clear. Of course, I have been terribly guilty of overestimating the capability and ability of the US and Biden to manage much of anything, let alone a manageable regional security challenge. Ahem. By the way, I have never stated that Putin's designs were regional or manageable. Those are the words I used to describe the geopolitical situation in Ukraine before Putin's invasion ... just to be clear.

Of course, I have been terribly guilty of overestimating the capability and ability of the US and Biden to manage much of anything, let alone a manageable regional security challenge. Ahem.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203023 Elizabeth Miller Tue, 30 May 2023 12:32:17 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203023 NATO expansion, especially into UKRAINE, is all about curtailing the reestablishment of the Soviet bloc!!! So, the two are very much intertwined, in other words. If Ukraine's future membership in NATO - something that was very arguably NEVER gonna happen BEFORE Putin's invasion miscalculation - was NOT framed as being sacrosanct and decidedly 'off the table' by Biden and the rest of the Great West, then would Putin have invaded anyway? Who the Hell knows. But, Biden et al. damn sure guaranteed that we'd never find out. This has been my point all along and how this whole thing has been horribly mismanaged, especially by the guy who I had expected much better from. NATO expansion, especially into UKRAINE, is all about curtailing the reestablishment of the Soviet bloc!!! So, the two are very much intertwined, in other words.

If Ukraine's future membership in NATO - something that was very arguably NEVER gonna happen BEFORE Putin's invasion miscalculation - was NOT framed as being sacrosanct and decidedly 'off the table' by Biden and the rest of the Great West, then would Putin have invaded anyway? Who the Hell knows. But, Biden et al. damn sure guaranteed that we'd never find out.

This has been my point all along and how this whole thing has been horribly mismanaged, especially by the guy who I had expected much better from.

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203022 nypoet22 Tue, 30 May 2023 12:03:52 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203022 No, Liz. Putin's intentions are and always have been reestablishment of the Soviet bloc. NATO expansion has been a convenient excuse, but if it weren't available he'd have found some other pretext. His designs are neither regional nor manageable, and never have been. No, Liz. Putin's intentions are and always have been reestablishment of the Soviet bloc. NATO expansion has been a convenient excuse, but if it weren't available he'd have found some other pretext. His designs are neither regional nor manageable, and never have been.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203021 Elizabeth Miller Tue, 30 May 2023 05:50:48 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203021 So the question remains ... why was the manageable security challenge not effectively managed. Why is the US not capable of providing global leadership. I could go on. Yes, Putin's intentions and demands have been crystal clear for years. His red line has always been that Ukraine not be in NATO. But, for decades, Biden and his neo con friends have been working towards that very prospect. Which leads us back to why has the manageable security challenge not been managed effectively. Three guesses and the first two don't count! :) So the question remains ... why was the manageable security challenge not effectively managed. Why is the US not capable of providing global leadership. I could go on.

Yes, Putin's intentions and demands have been crystal clear for years. His red line has always been that Ukraine not be in NATO. But, for decades, Biden and his neo con friends have been working towards that very prospect. Which leads us back to why has the manageable security challenge not been managed effectively. Three guesses and the first two don't count! :)

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203020 nypoet22 Tue, 30 May 2023 05:21:11 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203020 That's a straw man argument; no one would rationally argue that Ukraine could be better off for having been invaded. The regional security challenge was not all that manageable, however. If it were, someone would have managed to manage it. Neither armchair diplomats not real ones are the problem, whatever their beliefs about weakening the Russian economy. When Putin came to power in 1999 the die was already cast - his intentions were clear to anyone who listened to him speak. He's been telling us who he is and what he'll do for literally 24 years. No other error has been greater than our failure to believe him. That's a straw man argument; no one would rationally argue that Ukraine could be better off for having been invaded. The regional security challenge was not all that manageable, however. If it were, someone would have managed to manage it.

Neither armchair diplomats not real ones are the problem, whatever their beliefs about weakening the Russian economy. When Putin came to power in 1999 the die was already cast - his intentions were clear to anyone who listened to him speak. He's been telling us who he is and what he'll do for literally 24 years. No other error has been greater than our failure to believe him.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203019 Elizabeth Miller Tue, 30 May 2023 04:29:44 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203019 What's delusional is that Ukraine is going to come out of this mess in a better position than before February 24, 2022 as a manageable regional security challenge has been transformed into an international crisis with far-reaching consequences on any number of fronts. It is also delusional to ignore how the Great West is using Ukraine as a sacrificial lamb in its quest to weaken Russia and its economy. Economically speaking, Germany and Great Britain are currently faring worse than Russia. Ahem. The problem here is not with the armchair diplomats - it rests instead with the so-called diplomatic and geo-political expertise that ostensibly resides in the US State Department, not to mention the White House. What's delusional is that Ukraine is going to come out of this mess in a better position than before February 24, 2022 as a manageable regional security challenge has been transformed into an international crisis with far-reaching consequences on any number of fronts.

It is also delusional to ignore how the Great West is using Ukraine as a sacrificial lamb in its quest to weaken Russia and its economy. Economically speaking, Germany and Great Britain are currently faring worse than Russia. Ahem.

The problem here is not with the armchair diplomats - it rests instead with the so-called diplomatic and geo-political expertise that ostensibly resides in the US State Department, not to mention the White House.

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203018 nypoet22 Tue, 30 May 2023 04:09:07 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203018 Ukraine have to defend themselves. Russia has never had to invade. Putin has been claiming since before the millennium that Ukraine as a nation doesn't exist, and has made it crystal clear that he fully intends to make that belief a reality. Yet, a fair number of armchair diplomats seem to regard the military expression of said intent as something which could potentially have been avoided with something other than armed forces. I regard this view as delusional, given a quarter century of evidence to the contrary. JL Ukraine have to defend themselves. Russia has never had to invade.

Putin has been claiming since before the millennium that Ukraine as a nation doesn't exist, and has made it crystal clear that he fully intends to make that belief a reality. Yet, a fair number of armchair diplomats seem to regard the military expression of said intent as something which could potentially have been avoided with something other than armed forces. I regard this view as delusional, given a quarter century of evidence to the contrary.

JL

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203016 Elizabeth Miller Mon, 29 May 2023 23:59:55 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203016 ... er, "spring counteroffensives". Whatever. It's still ridiculous. And, any military analyst or political leader in the Great West knows exactly what I'm talking about. On the bright side, the weapons manufacturers are working overtime and raking it in. Of course, the planet is becoming less and less habitable, anyways - war or no war. ... er, "spring counteroffensives". Whatever. It's still ridiculous. And, any military analyst or political leader in the Great West knows exactly what I'm talking about.

On the bright side, the weapons manufacturers are working overtime and raking it in. Of course, the planet is becoming less and less habitable, anyways - war or no war.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203015 Elizabeth Miller Mon, 29 May 2023 23:56:27 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203015 I'm sorry but, how many freakin' "spring offensives" will the Ukrainian people have to endure!? This is beyond ridiculous. I'm sorry but, how many freakin' "spring offensives" will the Ukrainian people have to endure!? This is beyond ridiculous.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203014 Elizabeth Miller Mon, 29 May 2023 13:17:27 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203014 I have always hoped that this blog would expand its readership to include people of all political stripes that love to engage in a little fun back and forth without all the excess nonsense you can find anywhere on the internet(s) if that is what you're lookin' for. This place has had its moments over the years but has never really hit its stride. I have invited one or two people to participate - from both sides of the greatest border in the world - but I can't say I've been surprised they haven't stayed long enough to participate in a lively debate. Maybe that could still happen ... I have always hoped that this blog would expand its readership to include people of all political stripes that love to engage in a little fun back and forth without all the excess nonsense you can find anywhere on the internet(s) if that is what you're lookin' for. This place has had its moments over the years but has never really hit its stride.

I have invited one or two people to participate - from both sides of the greatest border in the world - but I can't say I've been surprised they haven't stayed long enough to participate in a lively debate. Maybe that could still happen ...

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203013 Elizabeth Miller Mon, 29 May 2023 13:12:33 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203013 Well, that would be phenomenal!!! Well, that would be phenomenal!!!

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203012 nypoet22 Mon, 29 May 2023 13:04:28 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203012 I hope not too. CW is still the best political columnist in the universe, so the only excuse for this blog shutting down should be that he got a gig at the Times or a major book deal. I hope not too. CW is still the best political columnist in the universe, so the only excuse for this blog shutting down should be that he got a gig at the Times or a major book deal.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203011 Elizabeth Miller Mon, 29 May 2023 12:31:27 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203011 Joshua, is this site winding down, do you think? I never did get any confirmation that my last donation was received and comments are being turned off more frequently. Hoping it isn't the case ... Happy Memorial Day, everyone! Hoping y'all find ways to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_IX9K_Gk4M" rel="nofollow"> come together </a> just like you've done on yet another debt limit crisis. Joshua, is this site winding down, do you think? I never did get any confirmation that my last donation was received and comments are being turned off more frequently. Hoping it isn't the case ...

Happy Memorial Day, everyone! Hoping y'all find ways to come together just like you've done on yet another debt limit crisis.

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203008 nypoet22 Fri, 26 May 2023 11:20:08 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203008 ... and on reflection, donald didn't really change politics per se, he just pulled the curtain back and exposed what it had already become. ... and on reflection, donald didn't really change politics per se, he just pulled the curtain back and exposed what it had already become.

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/25/from-the-archives-the-gop-race-at-the-bottom/#comment-203006 nypoet22 Fri, 26 May 2023 01:04:55 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23605#comment-203006 @cw, I'll be praying for your car to grow a new catalytic converter. Wow, i can barely remember the times before Donald turned politics into what it is now... @cw,
I'll be praying for your car to grow a new catalytic converter. Wow, i can barely remember the times before Donald turned politics into what it is now...

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