As Russia wages war on Ukraine, a new poll shows that only about a quarter of Americans want the U.S. to be involved.
According to a new AP-NORC poll, only 26% of Americans believe the US should play a significant role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. A majority, 52%, say a minor role; 20% say none at all.
Clearly, skepticism of intervention is the mainstream opinion on this issue. But in the establishment’s eyes, that view is unacceptable—even evil. As politicians and the establishment media push for war, those who oppose it have been condemned as being pro-Putin or even treasonous.
"Having grown up in a country that fought this fascism, we are now becoming the people that we fought!" — @JoyVBehar on the GOP's "traitorous" reaction to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine https://t.co/e8UQ94sNEQ
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) February 24, 2022
Now Republicans will teeter totter on providing aid and comfort to the enemy during a time of war but no one will press charges for treason because in America, old white men don't go to jail.
— Chip Franklin.com 💥 (@chipfranklin) February 24, 2022
Putin is invading our ally Ukraine. His troops aren’t “peacekeepers” but trained killers
Republicans and right-wing media outlets like Fox who propagandize for him may be guilty of treason, which under Article III of the Constitution is providing “aid and comfort” to the enemy
— Lindy Li (@lindyli) February 21, 2022
Putin is a treason trap for Republicans. 🤔
— Jennifer Mercieca (@jenmercieca) February 24, 2022
So are three in four Americans traitors?
In a tongue-in-cheek tweet, progressive independent journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Glenn Greenwald pointed out this discrepancy:
3 out of every 4 Americans giving Putin what he wants.
3 out of every 4 Americans are Traitors to the flag.
Doesn't sound like Americans are all that ready to "sacrifice" for Ukraine in all the ways rich TV media personalities are instructing them that they must. https://t.co/QTyWxV7rLO
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) February 23, 2022
On the Right, The Spectator’s Stephen Miller (Not that Stephen Miller) made a similar observation:
74% of Americans are disloyal traitors. https://t.co/fPBWJ3JsMP
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) February 23, 2022
Accusing those opposed to war of treason or siding with the enemy is not new. As I recently explained, neoconservatives have even brought back their old ‘unpatriotic conservatives’ barb, this time, against… apparently… 74% of Americans. That infamous column penned by George W. Bush speechwriter David Frum for National Review—which smeared any conservative opposed to the Iraq War—had far more power in 2003 than it would today.
After 9-11, it was a lot easier to talk the American people into a war that our leaders deceptively tried to tie to the greatest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
Now, after a tragic and needless Iraq war and 20 years in Afghanistan, Americans have seen enough for too long. They aren’t interested in another military conflict. Regular folks have learned lessons that the political establishment still hasn’t and probably never will.
Americans don’t want their country involved in another disastrous war and they are right to not want it.
For those who still laughably believe that position is treasonous, let’s see how well calling 74% of Americans traitors plays out in this year’s midterm elections.
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