Here’s my response to someone who had some nice things to say about a recent essay of mine published by University World News and republished by CounterPunch. (Unabridged version here.) 

Interestingly, and not surprisingly, I guess, I’ve received some pushback from intelligent people who are ‘peaceniks’ under normal circumstances but now find themselves supporting the invasion of a sovereign country because it’s ‘justified’, i.e., Putin’s back was against the wall and he had no other choice. 

These keyboard warriors drone on about the propaganda of the MSM (yes, what they say is mostly true), yet frequently cite RT and Sputnik News without a hint of irony. The truth is in that vast expanse of gray. Too many people are too comfortable in their own echo chambers in their predictable black and white world. 

Meanwhile, the traumatized, injured, and dead are piling up in Ukraine. 

For those who support this optional war, this is your Madeleine Albright moment:

Lesley Stahl, speaking of US sanctions against Iraq: “We have heard that a half million children have died. I mean, that’s more children than died in Hiroshima. And – and you know, is the price worth it?”

Madeleine Albright: “I think this is a very hard choice, but the price – we think the price is worth it.

CBS “60 Minutes”, May 12, 1996

Is the price worth it?

It’s very simple. If you care about the victims of US and other countries’ aggression, you have to show the same concern for the victims of Russian aggression. War is not the answer, unless it’s purely defensive. Peace is the only way.

Shalom (שלום), MAA