And I support the rest of the G7’s right to form a “G6” and tell the USA to go fuck itself. And I say that as an American.

I had to double-check. It’s a real story, being carried by real news outlets.

It’s a very big “if,” though. Europe has a lot of work to do.

But with the United States falling to fascism and despotism, there’s no one else to step up. And I doubt Europe has any illusions about the size of the threat Russia poses, so they have every incentive to halt Russia’s expansionist goals there in Ukraine.

Putin once said Russia’s borders don’t end anywhere, a very telling sentiment: He doesn’t believe anything but Russia should get to exist. A country that doesn’t respect its own borders is a threat to all of its neighbors.

And because of its expansionist goals, its neighbors are the entire world.

So… Europe is going to massively step up support for Ukraine. It’s possible that unlike the United States, Europe will have no reservations about giving Ukraine everything it needs to not only hold Russia back, but to outright win.

An unambiguous win for Ukraine would almost certainly culminate in the death of Vladimir Putin and a full, systemic collapse in Russia. At this point, Russia is all in on destroying and taking over Ukraine, and if it can’t, it’s basically got nothing else to fall back on.

First job ever: Highschool work program. I slung coffee in a Costco.

First job in a field related to what I wanted to do: Needed any job I could get, applied a bunch of places, got hired by one basically sight unseen because they were desperate for anyone they could get and practically pulling people in off the streets.

First job specifically doing what I wanted to do: Used experience moonlighting and doing stuff somewhat related to get a full-time job doing the actual thing I loved.

Current job: With experience under my belt and a better resume, I applied at a better company (that paid well), and got the job. Planning to stay with this company until I can retire, if possible.

I could practically hear the sadness and disappointment in that “oh,” and I feel exactly the same way.

Something something Obama something tan suit something cornpop.

Ergo and some other Latin words.

And it’s going to get far worse.

That’s the thing I’ve been most worried about. The media have largely capitulated out of (justifiable) fear of reprisal and violence. The fear is legit, but we depend on the media to speak truth to power especially when democracy is on the line.

This is why I no longer believe this will end without violence.

Alternate headline: Iowa becomes first state to declare that it really doesn’t want any tourism dollars at all. Like, none.