NATO a lot closer.

respond to a nuclear attack in kind. The same goes for chemical and biological warfare. Unless mutual destruction is guaranteed, an ambitious authoritarian is tempted to test the proposition. There must be no doubt in any one's minds that a nuclear attack of any kind will invite a nuclear attack in return. Yes, nuclear war is madness and unthinkable. But the only way to prevent it is to promise nuclear retaliation in response to a the detonation of a nuclear device. Mind you, if Putin ever employed a tactical nuclear device in Ukraine he would blame the U.S., the Ukranians, or anybody else for the attack. Again, if a response in kind did not occur, it would encourage further use of an unthinkable weapon.

him that if Russia employs a single nuclear device, tactical or strategic, anywhere in the world, Moscow is toast. Nuclear weapons are only meaningful if we are willing to use them, insane as that sounds. If Putin is betting on the idea that the West is afraid to respond to a nuclear attack, we must let him know that if he does that, he will lose everything. The only thing worse than a nuclear war is the authoritarian re-enslavement of Eastern Europe by Russia. That cannot be allowed to happen.

fulfilled. Hey, I am no wide-eyed religionist, but when I hear MLK's words echoed in this context I can't help but feel he is more than a man. He is a hero/prophet/liberator whatever. His words and example will reverberate down the ages until we get it right.

cannot or will not make decisions that are not based on their political/ideological biases.

Reminiscent of the Republican obsession with the defeat of Nazi Germany and Japan. They kept trying to repeat those victories, much like a serial killer trying to experience the same high he had with his first kill. Putin is living in the past, like all conservative authoritarians. Like Reagan, believing a return to past fantasies is possible. Putin has delusions of grandeur, and he supported generals who shared his belief in the invulnerability of Russian military might. After the defeat Russia suffered in Afghanistan, one would think he would have more respect for shoulder-fired anti-tank, anti-aircraft, and anti-ship weapons. But the US has also made the same mistake over and over again. IUDs bloodied us In Iraq and Afghanistan. Modern weapons require a re-calibration of tactics and strategy that old-school military people are slow to grasp.

She got where she is by dealing with it as a mature adult who has demonstrated the highest levels of competence in her field. I can't begin to imagine what she is thinking because I have never had to deal with the level of bias and hate that she has had to deal with all her life. I have nothing but respect and love for her courageous stand against bigotry and ignorance.