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Ukraine made a big mistake when it let Russia invade it.

CoH, you and I not agreeing about NATO and how to deal with Putin is no big deal.

However, what concerns me is our political parties and our political leaders don't agree.

Contrast with Senators Richard Lugar and Sam Nunn whose ability to work together to resolve differences as noted in this essay helped us to provide a common front during the Cold War. A common front which in my view no longer exists and gives a virtual dictator such as Putin a decisive edge.

The link above in part has this to say..

The senators’ collaboration extended into many other areas, when they had extensive off-the-record luncheon seminars on current foreign affairs in Nunn’s hideaway Senate office. Experts, including senior State Department officials and academics joined the two for frank, in-depth exploration of current issues. They also sponsored exchanges between the Congress and the new Russian parliament and co-chaired the Aspen Strategy Group, which met annually on foreign and national security policy.

They did not always hold common positions. Lugar favored NATO expansion to the East, while Nunn opposed it. So, they jointly organized a dinner discussion of the issue with leading proponents and opponents. Their differences always were tempered by their friendship and mutual respect.
This is a good point. In large part I think it stems from our fundamental dislike and lack of respect of political opponents instead of merely disagreeing with them. I think this trend started with George W. Bush and has only gotten worse with Obama, Biden, and Trump.

I don’t see a fix on the horizon. The Democrats with Harris having a lead for 2028 can’t fix things, nor can Newsom. I think Haley could mend things, but she can never be nominated. In the final analysis, we are the blame. Too many enjoy resisting more than supporting.
 
One part of the negotiations will be the timing of sanctions coming down. We need to hold onto them as long as possible. It will slow Russian rearmament and give Ukraine a head start. If Russia demands all the ground she has seized and Ukraine out of UN, sanctions stay on Russia forever. Negotiate from there.
 
This is a good point. In large part I think it stems from our fundamental dislike and lack of respect of political opponents instead of merely disagreeing with them. I think this trend started with George W. Bush and has only gotten worse with Obama, Biden, and Trump.

I don’t see a fix on the horizon. The Democrats with Harris having a lead for 2028 can’t fix things, nor can Newsom. I think Haley could mend things, but she can never be nominated. In the final analysis, we are the blame. Too many enjoy resisting more than supporting.
CoH, in responding to my post about politicians not finding common ground anymore, you agreed and added the following to which I firmly concur...

In large part I think it stems from our fundamental dislike and lack of respect of political opponents instead of merely disagreeing with them.

Not sure, however, I agree with you when you write...

I think this trend started with George W. Bush and has only gotten worse with Obama, Biden, and Trump.

Without naming names, my blame goes to political handlers and the extreme bases of both parties which call the final outcomes in all too many elections by devoutly showing up in the primary elections. This all adds up to what the great Rush Limbaugh once noted, "The only thing you find in the middle road [of politics] are dead possums".

Thus, politicians willing to compromise and work with the other party end up as dead possums on primary day.
 
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