Saturday, June 18, 2016

I Step into the On-Deck Circle Again

German pacifism in one respect is a good thing in contrast to starting two world wars last century. But as a democratic ally, the Germans really need a lot to learn about the right and wrong way to use force.

Behold the cluelessness:

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has criticised NATO for having a bellicose policy towards Russia, describing it as "warmongering", the German daily Bild reported.

Steinmeier pointed to the deployment of NATO troops near borders with Russia in the military alliance's Baltic and east European member states.

"What we should avoid today is inflaming the situation by warmongering and stomping boots," Steinmeier told Bild in an interview to be published Sunday.

"Anyone who thinks you can increase security in the alliance with symbolic parades of tanks near the eastern borders, is mistaken," Germany's top diplomat added.

Remember, this is from the German foreign minister and not the Russian foreign minister.

I've got to say that I feel a little better about having John Kerry as our "foreign minister."

But let me apply the clue bat to Mr. Steinmeier who seems unsure of the difference between invading sovereign states (as Russia has done in Ukraine and Georgia, and threatens to do against the Baltic states) and providing a tripwire defense to sovereign and free allies (as NATO is doing):

I keep reading that the Germans hate their militaristic past so much that they don't want to fight.

Let's try applying the clue bat to Germany's collective skull on this issue.

Conquering and setting up death camps under the shield of a powerful military? That's bad. By all means, don't do that.

Having a military capable of fighting death cult enemies or stopping the Russians from moving west? Well, that's a good thing. Try doing that.

Russia makes serial nuclear threats against NATO states yet NATO is "bellicose" for taking nominal steps to defend eastern NATO states from potential Russian aggression?