Richard Hammond, Esq.
The other day while talking with my team of crack researchers, Annie Bucklebreath, Wilfred C. Happychunks, and Aloysius J. Plookingbine, we touched on the latest crisis now calling for American attention: the Ukraine. Here is what I learned. It’s mostly about, what else? Money. History: After the USSR could not match American spending on arms and still maintain the country and the other provinces, its then Premier Mikhail Gorbachov visits the Vatican in Rome and has a meeting with the Pope; then returns home (Moscow) to announce to the world that the USSR is no longer in attendance. In December of 1991 the Soviet Union (the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or U.S.S.R.) was officially dissolved. From it emerged Russia (the Russian Federation) and a number of independent countries in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Russia returned to its former status. The United States, though not the world’s only super power, is the undisputed top dog, with limitations. The Ukraine, which was formerly a part of the USSR, has a major geographical asset: It borders the Black Sea as a former USSR seaport (base). The Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. Ukraine borders Russia to the east and northeast. It has an area of 603,628 km (233,062 sq mi), making it the largest country entirely within Europe.
The territory of Ukraine was first inhabited at least 44,000 years ago, with the country being a candidate site for both the domestication of the horse and, some say, for the origins of the Indo-European language family. Russian President Vladimir Putin has moved in and expressed interest in annexing a part of Ukraine as a part of Russia. Crimea is the area at issue. It is a region of southern Ukraine located on a peninsula on the north shore of the Black Sea. Crimea is nominally autonomous (it has its own parliament) but has been part of Ukraine since 1954 and under the federal Ukraine constitution and capital of Kiev. The Crimean port city of Sevastopol is home to naval bases for Ukraine and Russia, which based a fleet there after obtaining a long-term lease from Ukraine. Ukraine declared independence from Russia’s predecessor, the communist Soviet Union, in 1991. Crimea was given certain rights under that declaration, but not the right to secede. Ukraine has also long been a global breadbasket due to its extensive, fertile farmlands. As of 2011, it was the world’s third-largest grain exporter with that year’s harvest being much larger than average.
Ukraine is one of 10 most attractive agricultural land acquisition regions. Additionally, the country has a well-developed manufacturing sector, particularly in the area of aerospace and industrial equipment. Ukraine is a unitary state composed of 24 oblasts (provinces), two cities with special status—its capital and largest city of Kiev and the port city of Sevastopol, sovereignty over which is disputed with neighboring Russia—and an autonomous republic, Crimea, which is also presently claimed by Russia.
Now, why does this merit an editorial essay? Our leaders claim the U.S. must help its European ally NATO members resist this Russian aggression. They say there will be no American ‘boots on the ground’ just logistical support like supplies, weapons, and money. Further, the group of Western influenced and economic dynamo nations have decided to kick Russia out and make what was once the G-8, now the G-7. This will undoubtedly cost Russia money because when these nations meet, they discuss, among other things, which corporations can move into which countries and at what price, i.e., money.
My question is why does this country need to continue sending taxpayers’ dollars to other nations who are not sending us any money. According to Blaze publication and Finance Degree Center, in 2012 the United States gave a staggering $37,680,000,000 in cold cash to other nations. Now, I do not resent some aid to those nations with an honest government and in serious need. However, some of that money could be used to rebuild our interstate highway infrastructure and give us an alternative to the automobile and exorbitant gas prices—like a faster rail system service. Other nations have it. Why don’t we? Or we could shore up our educational system or pour more money into medical research. Why isn’t our money being used for our benefit? Why do we have to be the wishing well for countless dollars used for the betterment of others? I suppose the answer is a simple one. Unless and until we, the voting public, finally get some sense in our heads, and vote these vultures out of office and put in some fresh uncontaminated public servants we may just as well expect to keep the same old rhetoric and action—or lack of action.
Side note:
It seems to be open season in Detroit on wrongdoers. Within the last week (3/22/14) there have been three homicides of would be home invaders. These men were caught in the act of breaking in and summarily dispatched by homeowners, who legally possessed firearms. I wonder what will it take for some people to realize that if you want something, you probably need to work for it. Similar responses have been witnessed by would be carjackers. I do not cheer the senseless death of any human being. However, the police department under the new police chief, James Craig, has stated that they, (the police) cannot be everywhere at the same time and if the community works with law enforcement to minimize the incidents of crime and takes steps to legitimately arm themselves, the police will stand behind the citizens. Advice to these selfish reavers of misery: find another occupation like underwater basket weaving.
