Briefly: Still Georgia, ICC
My wife and I will be shortly be heading out for the Botanic Gardens on this beautiful morning (the window project has been put off till next week). Thanks for the many thoughtful comments overnight. I understand that some may be put off by bans, but I do that—rarely, I hope—because I want to provide space for thoughtful reflections that won’t be drowned out by those who refuse to engage with the content here. Of course, readers won’t be aware of some of what goes on ‘behind the scenes’, but that’s my rationale. Seeing the thoughtful comments like those overnight reaffirm my commitment.
Anyway …
In a remarkably candid statement the Prime Minister of Georgia laid out what has been going on in his country (please refer to Mearsheimer: American Imperial Ambitions; British Elections; Georgia On Our Mind for background). Overnight, commenter Joanne Wasserman pointed to Andrei Martyanov’s and Garland Nixon’s contention that Prof. John Mearsheimer is no more than another Neocon. In a comment, I expressed a degree of understanding for that view, but attempted to distinguish Mearsheimer from the Neocon style of ideologues who run American and so much of the West. This example of Georgia may provide an example of that distinction. Subject to correction, I’ll simply assert here that I believe that Mearsheimer—unlike our Neocons—does have a conscience and a degree of empathy for his fellow human beings that would lead him to recoil from the cynical destruction of struggling nations like Ukraine and so many others—including, now (and for some decades in the past), Georgia. This is the face of America to much of the rest of the world, the inhumanity of which most Americans wouldn’t recognize, but which is lavishly funded by those who claim to “represent” us.
Megatron @Megatron_ron
NEW:
 There is a global war cabal trying to open a second front against Russia through Georgia, says Georgian Prime Minister
"Since the beginning of 2022, there has been serious interest in opening a second front in Georgia, which would weaken Russia's position, but this would destroy our country. Such interest remains today.
The law On Transparency of Foreign Influence adopted by parliament, which has received so much attention throughout the Western world, is only a reason for demands for Georgia to open a second front with Russia.
In today's world there is a global war party that is not at all interested in the fate of Georgia and its only interest is in weakening Russia's position."
The new Ukriane is boiling.
http://t.me/megatron_ron
5:16 AM · May 23, 2024
In a totally related matter, ICC prosecutor provided another remarkable interview, this time with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Below, I’ve located the Youtube version and cued it for the passage that Megatron has in his tweet. Megatron’s version, while accurate in spirit, is not totally accurate in a literal sense, so I’ve provided a transcript of that portion. You may wish to listen to more. Mr. Khan is very articulate.
Megatron @Megatron_ron
NEW:  Western politicians told the ICC prosecutor that 'This court is built for Africa and thugs like Putin, not for Israel and the West'
This is madness
4:21 PM · May 22, 2024
It’s hard to exaggerate the despicable cynicism, arrogance, and lack of decency that Mr. Khan describes. Sadly, Khan, in speaking of the threats the ICC has received, is surely including the disgraceful, mercenary, conduct of the members of the American Knesset, people like Cotton, Cruz, and others:
And of course, I've had some elected leaders speak to me and be very blunt. This court is built for Africa and for thugs like Putin, was what one senior leader told me. We don't view it like that. This court is the legacy of Nuremberg. This court is a sad indictment of humanity. This court should be the triumph of law over power and brute force—grab what you can, take what you want, do what you will. And we're going to simply be and we're not going to be dissuaded by threats or any other activities, because in the end, we have to fulfill our responsibilities as prosecutors, as the men and women of the office, as judges, as registry to something bigger than ourselves, which is the fidelity to justice. And we're not going to be swayed by the different types of threats, some of which are public and some maybe are not.
The ridiculous spectacle of our Congressmen attempting to execute foreign policy with their threats of retaliation against the ICC and their concern over the conditions and timing of the provision of US weapons to Israel is exceedingly depressing and makes one wonder if there are any who are sane that are left in DC.
The ICC has no means of enforcing its orders. Might makes right. It’s always been that way, so Bibi is safe as is Putin. Bibi gains from the war criminal declaration in the eyes of many, just as Trump gains from the malicious prosecutions. They can both claim that they are being unfairly targeted and that plays right into their support base. Please don’t mistake what I am saying. Bibi is a war criminal, as are so many US presidents who have invaded sovereign countries on pretenses and with no declarations of war and then proceeded to indiscriminately bomb the population. This is the conduct of modern war, and it’s why I would prefer that war would be a last rather than a first resort. Once a nation enters into a war, it’s a race to the bottom and with every provocation there is justification to go even lower, to bomb and kill even more, to become more recalcitrant despite the ubiquitous death and destruction, and to make settlement difficult until one side is completely annihilated or both sides have finally determined that they can no longer bear the costs.
Instead of Cruz and Cotton and the other warmongers focusing on how to increase the intensity of the conflict, why can’t they focus on what the role of Congress is? Is it to conduct foreign policy or is it to appropriate money for ostensibly good purposes and pass laws that ensure a stable and just society?
I’m concerned about all the death and destruction overseas, yet I don’t see how anything we are doing is helping to bring about peace. Rather I see just the opposite. I suppose it’s easier to focus on what’s wrong elsewhere than to fix the problems in our own backyard.
EU Commissioner threatens Georgia’s PM over passage of legislation on foreign NGO funding. He better watch his back - can’t imagine he is on good terms with his president:
“In what Kobakhidze called a "horrific threat", he said that during the phone call the commissioner referenced a recent assassination attempt on Slovakia's prime minister and said: "You've seen what happened to (Robert) Fico and you must be very careful."