The numbers of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border changes from minute to minute.
Biden and his State and Defense (War) Department blow out numbers and the New York Times dutifully repeats them, no questions asked.
The fact that the United States currently now has 80,000 troops permanently stationed in Europe is barely noted.
NBC’s Richard Engel is nearly breathless as he reports on the escalation of tensions on the eastern Ukrainian border, but the picture on the TV screen is the same broken window in a pro-Russian Ukranian village that they’ve shown for days.
I am reminded of the notorious role of the New York Times Judith Miller who helped fabricate the reports of Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction that helped justify the Iraq Wars and the deaths of thousands of Americans and Iraqis.
Has the press learned nothing from that experience?
I watch and yell at Richard Engel, “Ask for evidence! Be skeptical!”
I recall having discussions with friends during the campaign between Biden and Trump as to who would most likely get us into a war.
I will be polite and not remind them that they may have been wrong.
I believe that neither the Russian or American people have a wish for another Cold War.
Certainly not a hot one.
Not over natural gas. Not over the preservation of a 70-year old military alliance like NATO. Not over “spheres of influence.”
Not for TV ratings.