Unfortunately, those that probably have to follow, really are likely to pay for themselves many times over in avoided future costs of wars against tyrants emboldened by our weak adherence to our commitments. It will cost our kids and grandkids exponentially more if the China-Russia axis decides we can be manipulated into abandoning our allies, and our role in the world. It will cost some of them, maybe many, their lives.

All the gyrations since this request was made, not too far from a year ago now, have been rwnj performance art, and have been the single best opportunity for Putin in Ukraine since the invasion began. Those many months of rwnj performance art and fundraising have already increased our likely future bills in this war, so we should all oppose a repeat in the future. And it will still likely cost far less than the defense of NATO countries and Taiwan if we prove ourselves to be unreliable in the world.