Tucker Carlson PULLING FOR RUSSIA!
The facts of the Ukraine war are fairly clear: For really no reason other than an appetite for conquest, on February 24, 2022, Russia launched an all-out military invasion on Ukraine, often targeting civilians with murder, rape, torture, and even child “deportations”, and that the only moral, humane, and even ECONOMICAL thing to do is provide Ukraine with every level of weaponry to defend itself.
Many Americans agree with this view, but some, particularly some on the conservative/libertarian Republican right (my usual team) OPPOSE supporting Ukraine, but within that general opposition is a wide range of rationale.
On one end are those who feel that it’s simply not our business, not in our national interest, or that with our economic challenges at home we can’t really afford to send all this aid to another country.
To me, all these positions are wrong, but more driven by confusion or ignorance. These are positions I disagree with, but I can at least understand their logic.
But the most ridiculous position is the one that flat out TAKES RUSSIA’S SIDE. And let’s name the big kahuna of this position: Tucker Carlson.
Tucker Carlson has been a powerful spokesman for the conservative position on nearly every controversial cultural/political topic, and he has a LARGE following.
But when it comes to Russia’s attack on Ukraine his position is nothing short of BIZARRE.
He is ROOTING FOR RUSSIA! In his own words,
“Why do I care what’s going on in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia? And why shouldn’t I root for Russia (WHICH I AM)?”
“NATO exists to torment Vladimir Putin, who, whatever his many faults, has no intention of invading Western Europe. Putin does not want Belgium, he just wants to keep his western border secure…”
“Why is it disloyal to side with Russia, but loyal to side with Ukraine?”
Source: How Tucker Carlson Became One Of Russia’s Biggest Cheerleaders
How can one explain this? Is this not substantially different than saying “I’m pulling for Hitler”?
The only substantive difference is that with Hitler we have the clarity of hindsight (for anyone who wasn’t clear at the time).
Perhaps it is just Tucker’s way of getting attention, like the TV version of “click bait”… Like saying, “Hitler kind of had a point…” It’s stirring the hornet’s nest, which is the cash cow for media people and other public figures.
That is the most noble possible explanation for Tucker’s Russian derangement: Promoting evil for traffic and profit.
But it’s possible he’s just that misguided. He does tend to favor a Libertarian slant on things, and as much as I really connect with Libertarians on many issues, they are totally misguided when it comes to foreign affairs and military matters.
Just go find any Ron Paul commentary on the current affairs in Ukraine. He practically believes that all the atrocities are staged, and that Russia “has a point,” but he at least believes that IF Russia is really doing all this bad stuff that it’s wrong.
I assume that it’s also possible that Tucker is an asset of Putin/Russia. Whether for pay, blackmail, or threat. Maybe his public opinions on Russia and Putin aren’t totally independent or natural, but rather driven by some kind of monetary reward or outright coercion.
Who knows? I’m just guessing here because it’s hard to believe that a guy as intelligent would come to such a weird misguided position. I’m just trying to find the missing pieces to the puzzle.
But if you’re a big fan of Tucker Carlson because he so persuasively advocates for other conservative values, please try to see the disconnect here. NOTHING he says about Russia or the war in Ukraine comes from a reasonable, reasoned, conservative perspective.
Ronald Reagan, the gold standard of the modern conservative movement would have certain disagreed with Carlson on Ukraine! (See Should we support Ukraine? for more on this).
At this point, I’d sooner watch Rachel Maddow than Tucker Carlson, and that’s saying something.