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I've called out whataboutism here before and I'll do it again here. It offers no solutions, only deflections and tarpits of inaction. No one is saying any of t

I've called out whataboutism here before and I'll do it again here. It offers no solutions, only deflections and tarpits of inaction. No one is saying any of those atrocities that occurred were defensible, least of all me. But I am deeply concerned by the defense of an imperial power in its twilight that believes invasion in the 21st century is a sound method for solving disputes. Russia is the aggressor here. Apologies are not needed for its behavior or appropriate when Mariupol has been turned into a new Grozny and Odessa is next.

AnAmericanPOV64 5y ago
The "whataboutism" defense has basically become codeword for "how dare you point out our hypocrisy!" Especially for people in South America or the Middle East, why should they care about war crimes in Europe when Europeans/Americans have been committing war crimes or supporting people who do in their regions?
- emptysongglass 5y ago
  This isn't the topic of discussion of this thread. What do you propose to achieve with this line of questioning? I live in the EU. Most nations of the EU (all?) have quit invading other sovereign nations to solve their disputes, especially overt landgrabs. What exactly do you intend to convey by pointing out hypocrisy here? Do you have a solution to propose? Should we/I stop caring about an aggressive state power at our doorstep because hypocrisy exists?
  - AnAmericanPOV64 5y ago
    >This isn't the topic of discussion of this thread. This is true, my intention isn't to derail the topic of the thread. Just pointing out that "whataboutism" is often just a defense for "stop pointing out my hypocrisy". >Most nations of the EU (all?) have quit invading other sovereign nations to solve their disputes, especially overt landgrabs. Unless its in Palestine or Western Sahara? >Do you have a solution to propose? Yes, perhaps if the West wasn't so hypocritical on ignoring its own numerous war crimes, then countries like China/India and entire regions like South America/Middle East would be more willing to support the West in conflicts like Ukraine. Its obviously too late for that now, but something to keep in mind for the future. Its a tangential point, but you can't expect people to help you or care when you refuse to show them the same sympathy.
    - fer 5y ago
      Are Israel and Morocco in the EU?

AnAmericanPOV64 5y ago

The "whataboutism" defense has basically become codeword for "how dare you point out our hypocrisy!" Especially for people in South America or the Middle East, why should they care about war crimes in Europe when Europeans/Americans have been committing war crimes or supporting people who do in their regions?

emptysongglass 5y ago
This isn't the topic of discussion of this thread. What do you propose to achieve with this line of questioning? I live in the EU. Most nations of the EU (all?) have quit invading other sovereign nations to solve their disputes, especially overt landgrabs. What exactly do you intend to convey by pointing out hypocrisy here? Do you have a solution to propose? Should we/I stop caring about an aggressive state power at our doorstep because hypocrisy exists?
- AnAmericanPOV64 5y ago
  >This isn't the topic of discussion of this thread. This is true, my intention isn't to derail the topic of the thread. Just pointing out that "whataboutism" is often just a defense for "stop pointing out my hypocrisy". >Most nations of the EU (all?) have quit invading other sovereign nations to solve their disputes, especially overt landgrabs. Unless its in Palestine or Western Sahara? >Do you have a solution to propose? Yes, perhaps if the West wasn't so hypocritical on ignoring its own numerous war crimes, then countries like China/India and entire regions like South America/Middle East would be more willing to support the West in conflicts like Ukraine. Its obviously too late for that now, but something to keep in mind for the future. Its a tangential point, but you can't expect people to help you or care when you refuse to show them the same sympathy.
  - fer 5y ago
    Are Israel and Morocco in the EU?