During this time, my children and I occasionally visited Avery Island, where Tabasco hot sauce is made. Avery Island was also known for the alligators that roam free in a park-like setting. My son was fascinated by them, alligators being uncommon in Boston.
One day we spotted a 3-foot alligator sunning on the banks of a bayou. My son, perhaps 11 years old, approached it warily, creeping slowly toward the gator. I watched this encounter and felt sure the alligator would retreat once my son came close enough to make it feel threatened.
After a few moments, my son edged to within three feet of the little alligator. At that point, I felt sure the alligator would run away.
To my shock, the alligator stepped forward, coming within a couple of feet of my son. The alligator was sending a message, much like Robert De Niro‘s character sent in the movie Taxi Driver. "You talkin' me?"
My son and I learned a lesson that day: Never try to stare down an alligator, even a tiny alligator, because alligators know no fear.
Ukraine, NATO, and the United States are trying to stare down Russia. If they can just put enough pressure on the Russians--the allies seem to be telling themselves--the Russians will back off and leave Ukraine.
So far, that hasn’t worked, even though the Western alliance keeps escalating the military conflict. A few days ago, the Ukrainians began cluster bombing the Russians with munitions supplied by the U.S. Earlier this month, they attacked the Kerch bridge linking Crimea to the Russian mainland.
No one seems to realize that Russia is an alligator that can’t be stared down. No one seems to recognize how ruthless the Russians can be. Apparently, our military and political leaders have not read 900 Days, the story of the siege of Leningrad. Nor have they read Enemies at the Gate, which recounts the tale of the siege of Stalingrad, when Russian political officers shot soldiers who refused to attack German trenches.
And the NATO honchos haven't seen enough movies. If they need a refresher course on Russian brutality, they should see Child 44, starring Tom Hardy.
America should withdraw its support of the war in Ukraine. This stupid and senseless war has already killed thousands of Ukrainians and Russians. Every escalation, including the introduction of cluster bombs, brings the United States and Russia another step closer to a global economic crisis or nuclear war.
Americans should realize that it will not be the Biden family who suffers if the war triggers an economic cataclysm. That gang of grifters have their money salted away in offshore bank accounts prudently hedged against an economic downturn.
Nor will Joe Biden’s grandchildren be called to fight in Europe if the Ukrainian war gets out of control. No, it will be the children and grandchildren of the people living in Flyover Country who will suffer and die if the Ukrainian misadventure blossoms into an all-out war.
The Biden administration is trying to stare down an alligator, and alligators can't be starred down.
