> We have pretend rule of law. We pretend the law matters, and we pretend to follow it. There's no pretense. We mostly do follow the law, and the law very much

> We have pretend rule of law. We pretend the law matters, and we pretend to follow it. There's no pretense. We mostly do follow the law, and the law very much matters. The Iraq War is the exception that proves the rule. > IMO, this whole ordeal could have been avoided, but Western backed Ukraine decided it was better to fight than capitulate to Russia's demands. "WWII could have been avoided, but Allied Europe decided it was better to fight than capitulate to Nazi demands." Obviously nations are going to fight for their sovereignty. > In any case, Putin argues that the war (or in his parlance, SMO) is legal under UN precedent in Yugoslavia, that a breakaway republic may be recognized even if the former nation dissents. Anyone can argue that anything is legal, that doesn't make them right. Notably, the UN collectively disagrees with him.