re: #265 Targetpractice

My guess is that his military leaders gave him an overly-optimistic picture of what a war in Ukraine would look like. Over in a matter of days, relatively few casualties, and Zelensky would capitulate quickly to avoid further bloodshed. He’s a comedian, an actor, he has no spine of steel like the Chair…er, the President does. But if they did not take the opportunity before them now, then there would not likely be another for years. Ukraine is rearming, it’s training better soldiers, and it’s fortifying its positions. It’s a now-or-never, go-big-or-go-home moment.

It is way too early in this war to reach any conclusions on the likely outcome. We have turned from pessimistic to too optimistic — the next cadre of forces from Russia and Belarus may be larger, better trained, more experienced, better equipped, and more willing to kill civilians. We really don’t know the true casualties on both sides; each side has reasons to downplay their losses and exaggerate those of the opposition. I am terrified for the citizens of Ukraine as they face this brutal and immoral war forced on them by the dictator of Russia.