[nathanbedford]

Still I don’t think we disagree on everything.

Indeed, we don't disagree on very much and almost nothing at all on this issue.

I would defend the southern border to the last millimeter, I believe it is number 1 or number 2 of our national priorities. I believe the security of Ukraine is important but very much lower on our ladder of priorities.

I would defend my home before my neighbor's home, certainly, but I would defend my neighborhood as well. Of course, I would not strip the southern border of weapons to defend Ukraine and I am thoroughly sickened that effective weapons to defend Ukraine were left in Afghanistan.

I simply do not see any logic in setting our defense of the southern border as a condition precedent to defending our interests in Ukraine. One is not necessary for the other and not logically connected, except in our emotions. Emotions are a very treacherous foundation upon which to forge policy. But I do understand the irresistible power of the slogan ...

one slogan is worth a thousand reasons.

[AndyJackson]

Ok we agree. Of course you can pursue one vital interest while committing fewer or no resources to another. Picking and choosing and setting priorities is part of national security strategy.

And yes, you are right to attack slogans and sloganeering. They are another way of propagandizing instead of thorough analysis of options and issues. And by thorough, I mean thorough hearing and weighing all sides - including necessarily understanding your enemy's goals and motivations, which here and elsewhere among the propagandizing class is called Putin puffery.

[DHerion]

Emotions have nothing to do with this...and the emotions are all on the other side, the technique of demonizing Putin constantly by the ‘deep state’ is really no different than demonizing ‘Trump/supporters’.

Millions of illegals coming across out undefended border and wanting it stopped is not an emotional reaction...I find that offensive.

...and let’s be honest, Biden/Graham/Romney and company don’t give a damn about Ukraine, other than cynically using that country to bring down Putin no matter how many Ukrainians get killed, wounded or displaced...they’re just collateral damage to them.

[moehoward]

"I simply do not see any logic in setting our defense of the southern border as a condition precedent to defending our interests in Ukraine. "

It's not a condition precedent, it's not a prerequisite either. The southern border is an easy parallel to draw from when trying to reason out what these foreign "interests" are, and why their border is apparently more important to protect than ours.

Since both borders are now nominal, the question is what is the best course in Ukraine going forward. Putin is going to continue to grind them down. The weapons we are sending will just drag it on and cause more death on both sides. The longer this goes on, the more likely some of those consequences you listed in post #18 become reality.