
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Isolationism has been part of the American fabric since we declared independence from Great Britain. ; </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Within the isolationist movement are the pure pacifist – those who do not believe even in St. Augustin’s treatise on a “just war.” ; Then there are those who believe in “island America” – that are best interests are met in avoiding all “foreign entanglements” – as President Washington called them in his farewell address.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Most Americans, however, draw distinctions between appropriate – even existential – involvements and the inappropriate. ; It is a grey area over which we debate constantly – not just in military terms. ; We have dubbed those who were “entangled” in World War II “the greatest generation.” ; We look back on the Vietnam War with grave reservations, to say the least.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Once again, we are facing the question of involvement in another major conflict – the War in Ukraine.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">President Zelenskyy is pushing against what appears to be a growing opposition to the kind of help he needs. ; Both the far left and the far right have found common ground in opposing increasing levels of spending on the Ukraine War – but for different reasons. ; The left wants that money for more social welfare and anti-capitalist regulations (meaning more bureaucrats). ; The right just does not want the federal government to spend so much … period.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While the position of those on the far left is isolationist, it is not as overt as those on the far right. ; Frankly, I do not understand their vision – and how they cannot see the vital existential interests of the United States and the West in defeating Putin.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The division of opinion is particularly stark on the FOX network, where various personalities are in open debate with each other. ; It is personified whenever you see Brian Kilmeade on the same screen with Pete Hegseth. ; Kilmeade sees the need to support Ukraine in the national interest of the United States, while Hegseth is staunchly isolationist.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Most of the FOX daytime line-up seems to favor supporting Ukraine, but the big names – specifically Laura Ingraham, and Tucker Carlson – are vehemently opposed to helping Ukraine. ; They have a let-Putin-have-it attitude that I do not understand.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The anti-Ukraine sentiment runs so strong that Ingraham’s comic relief character Raymond Arroyo was all over Zelenskyy for wearing his commander-in-chief “uniform” during his visit to Washington. ; He called it “disgusting” and “disrespectful.” ;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"> ;Personally, I thought the attire was appropriate. ; Rather than looking like a Wall Street banker or a Washington lobbyist, Zelenskyy’s attire brought home his role as a head-of-state under siege. ; But Arroyo’s is the type of irresponsible cheap shot rhetoric that dominates FOX’s late-night lineup. ;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It is in America’s interest to stop Putin’s ambition of a new Soviet Union – and maybe more. ; Lose the War and America loses another democratic nation to the authoritarian enemy – even a potential future NATO ally. ; We lose to Putin another strategic location … enormous natural resources … ; a cooperative business relationship … intelligence gathering potential.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Fortunately, the small number of congressional members – on the left and right – is too few to prevent the full Congress from pursuing the critical security interests of both Ukraine and the United States.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As one of the television generals put it, this is the time to provide Ukraine with everything we have in the non-nuclear arsenal, so that the Ukraine military can drive every Russian soldier out of their country. ; I tend to agree with that assessment. ; Those who express concern about the money the United States spends on fighting Putin should understand that increasing our participation to the point of victory will cost a lot less in the long run.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And we need to understand what victory means. ; There are three elements of total victory. ; Most important is to have Putin withdraw all his forces from Ukraine – including the Crimea. ; Second is to pay reparations for the destruction and loss of life. ; Third is to have Putin put on trial for war crimes. ; It is not likely that we will see a complete victory, but the first element is essential.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I find it unacceptable that America – and the western democracies in and out of NATO – will allow our mortal enemies gain yet another strategic, psychological, and immoral victory. ; We are not only taking up a just war, but one that Ukraine and the world democracies must win.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, there ‘tis.</p>

American Isolationism is Not New … But Never Right
