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Culture War Roundup for the week of September 12, 2022

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So it goes. Civilization is skin-deep, there's dirt on every collective body, and the cheapest way to excuse one's group is to dogpile on the common enemy. (...) In Eurasia, Russian people.

I agree that reflexive oppression of all Russians and all Russian-adjacent things is a bad idea.

But I want to point out that Russian state IS a common enemy and was for quite a long time. They refuse to disavow tsarist and communist imperialist - but rather try to continue with it. I am from Poland and I would prefer to avoid Russia expanding westward, mostly because I prefer to avoid Russian occupation for reasons that should be obvious. I donated substantial amount of money with direct purpose of killing Russian invaders in Ukraine and my main complaint with large scale military support is that we should do more. I am not unique here, and that is because Russia is a clear enemy, as direct result of their decisions.

And Russian government has substantial support among Russian population.

Estonia, Poland, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Geogia, Kazachstan by all indicators are not interested in being vassal states.

I would prefer to avoid travel ban from Russia to Europe. But mostly to enable escape for deported Ukrainians and to enable brain drain.

Armenia has committed war crimes, and sides with Russia&Iran. NATO-aligned Turks and Azeris have committed a genocide – the genocide, class-defining one – against Armenians, and are killing Armenians as I type; this is their hero.

Note what USA did (not sure whether Pelosi visit will have any effects but they are at least trying).