Appeasing Russia goes against the ‘common defence’

When teaching a contemporary issues class, I required my students to memorize and recite the preamble to the Constitution. The preamble states the guiding principles and fundamental goals of our government.

The most important purpose stated in the preamble is to “provide for the common defense.” If we fail to protect our nation, it will be impossible to achieve the other goals and purposes stated in the preamble. One of the biggest decisions throughout history is when does it become necessary to stop an aggressor and provide for the common defense?

Right now, Russia is an aggressor. The United States has been the leader of the free world since World War II. Are we going to continue in this role or are we going to appease Putin and give in to the aggressor’s demands? Neville Chamberlain failed to stop Hitler when he annexed Austria; he also signed over the Sudetenland in the Munich Agreement. Appeasement did not work.

The United States is following a policy of appeasement now. It has sided with Russia in two recent U.N. votes. We voted against condemning Russia for the invasion of Ukraine and against supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity. This is appeasement and giving in to the aggressor.

If we do not stop the aggressor, our perfect union, our justice system, our domestic tranquility, our general welfare, and our liberties are all at risk not only for us but for our posterity.

Darryl Syverson

Strawberry Point