Hillbilly version: My question is: can someone who has never experienced war first hand possibly understand the horrors of war. Not only the physical but the mental is well. To know that there is a power that wishes you beyond dead. Each day to ask yourself if today is the final day. In a war zone the most important rule is stay alive. Humanity is reduced to nothing more than staying alive. Humanity concerns are removed so that a physical space can be claimed and controlled. The horrors of war goes beyond imagination.

Today, there are over 110 conflicts going on planet Earth. Conflicts that lead to widespread violence, destruction, displacement of populations, and loss of life. The largest percentage are intracountry conflicts, a struggle for control- civil wars or military coups.

The Russia Ukraine War is the largest, most prominent conflict (Israeli-Palestinian, Myanmar, Sudan, Africa,, Congo) if judged by the media. The impact of less prominent wars are just as bad, maybe worse upon the population because there is not daily media coverage. The atrocities are better hidden. The United States first official war was the war of 1812. That war ended with territories returned to original boundaries- except for the native Americans who did not get any land back. History tells us many thing but we do not listen. Now peace is offered if territories are ceded.

Zelensky learned about coming to Washington alone. This trip he had support and was treated differently. Peace will require ceding territory in return for protection. How will United States protect Ukraine sovereignty without putting troops on the ground and who has the authority to extend this kind of protection? At what point in time will the boundaries be reestablished. And peace will be supported by a third party? Good luck with third party intervention.

The current policy of the United States seems to be: don’t pick on the big guys, avoid conflicts and limit the war by not putting troops on the ground. Under these conditions war is acceptable. Currently, we are bringing war to the cities within the country by putting troops on the ground. Military coup?

United States spends between 10 and 15 percent of federal budget on national defense. A bunch. We spend a bunch on defense. The leading causes of death in United States are heart disease and cancer. Money spent on defense can not be spent on research. Just saying! Pick your battles.