Has the Invasion of Ukraine Finally Woken Up Conservatives?
By Gerry Nutini — The Nu Deal
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The Russian assault on Ukraine seems to be the first event that has managed to bring many Pro-Trump politicians who have, at a minimum, enabled the weakening of Democracy, to wake up.
Supporting narratives, policies, or rhetoric that even remotely lean away from democracy toward authoritarianism and oligarchy have consequences. The threat of authoritarianism in the world - and in the US - is real.
I am tepidly heartened to see some of those conservative voices finally condemning Russia and Putin. I am glad to see that many have broken from Trump's continued support of Putin, leaving Trump very much alone in his views this last week.
I just hope that those people now understand that we must value our democracy and our sacred institutions - our elections, our alliances, and the way we present ourselves to the world are vitally important in ensuring we continue to live in a free, and hopefully peaceful world.
I am proud that the US and NATO we're quick to impose sanctions, especially measures cutting off the Russian banks from SWIFT, which seems to have had an immediate impact. I am proud that our support seems to have made a substantial difference in this conflict. I am hoping it will be enough.
But I am most proud and in awe of the Ukrainian people who have managed to stem the force of this assault. Their love of their country is enviable. Their strength and defiance are an example to the world. They have exposed the Russian troops as being uncoordinated, untrained, and poorly equipped - or as Adam Kinzinger tweeted - Russia is a paper tiger.
Should this conflict continue, I hope that the US and NATO provide full military support to Ukraine. Putin is exposed. His people are not behind him. His troops do not believe in their mission. And the Ukrainian people have been underestimated. We can not allow Putin any victories now, not even small ones.
The assault on democracy and Western freedom must end here.
