I amend my commentary as follows:
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Two views emerge from this discussion, the majority belief is that attacking Russians who are killing Ukrainian civilians will result in an uncontrollable expansion of the conflict. But the minority belief is that protecting civilians and punishing those who attack civilians will deter the Russians from further civilian attacks, and the Russian threat of uncontrolled retaliation will prove unfounded.
I strongly believe in the minority position — that Putin is bluffing. I strongly believe that if NATO assumes the defense of the Ukrainian civilian population, the Russians will cease their murderous attacks on civilians. I strongly believe that NATO can enforce the defense of the Ukrainian civilians with overwhelming force and the Russians will back down in the face of such opposition.
First, inform the Russians that, as of a certain date and time, any attack on civilians in Ukraine territory will result in an immediate response — an attack by NATO on the source of the civilian attack.
Second, maintain constant surveillance of all Ukrainian air space.
Third, prepare to respond to any Russian attack on civilians with a reciprocal attack via missiles, whether inside or outside of Ukrainian territory. All responses will be via unmanned missiles.
There will never be a better time to stand up to Putin than right now. The situation will only get worse as time passes. The blood of innocents is being shed. Now is the time for courage in the face of evil. We must stand up against this psychopathic monster NOW.
-------------------- Original Commentary -------------------
Cowardice, definition:
Letting a psychopath murder innocent men, women, and children, bomb hospitals, rain missiles randomly on non-military facilities ... cities, schools, apartment buildings, theaters, etc., slaughtering thousands, while NATO pretends to be held back from responding by the empty threat of a Russian nuclear response.
Correct response:
Inform the psychopath that if he continues to attack non-military targets for 24 hours from the time of this warning, the full force of NATO’s air power will be released to seek out and destroy any Russian site, inside or outside the borders of Ukraine, which commits such an attack.
The time for cowardice in the face of a weakling bully is over. Our response to Putin’s atrocities is shameful and unworthy of our sacred Democratic principles.
The brave Ukrainians have revealed the emptiness of the Russian military. The Russian nuclear threats are also empty. The Russians know that any nuclear response against Ukraine or NATO would be suicidal foolishness. Their threats are hollow. We must stand up to the bully and save the thousands of lives that will be lost if we continue to watch from the sidelines.
Time is wasting.