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-=> August Abolins wrote to Dennis Katsonis <=-

 AA> @MSGID: <623B2E03.516.fidointernet@bbs.mozysswamp.org>
 AA> @REPLY: <623AED93.515.fidointernet@bbs.mozysswamp.org>
 AA> Hello Dennis Katsonis!

 AA> ** On Wednesday 23.03.22 - 20:49, you wrote to me:

 AA>> https://nypost.com/2022/03/21/elon-musks-starlink-satellites-
 AA>> helping-ukraine-drones-destroy-russian-tanks-report/

 DK> That's great, companies are now fighting wars themselves.
 DK> This is a worrying development as we have unaccounted for,
 DK> undemocratic, rogue entities now shaping politics.

 AA> I wouldn't call Musk's involvement rogue.


 DK> China is taking note of this, and the message here to the
 DK> world (and to China) is that you can rely less on the USA,
 DK> because no matter what your official political
 DK> relationship with the USA is, companies will do their own
 DK> thing.

 AA> Perhaps there is such a thing as the right thing.  :/

That is not for companies to decide.  Matters of international politics should
be dealt by statesmen who understand diplomacy, international relations, not
CEO's who think because they know how market a product, or make some money,
that they can solve the worlds political problems.

This is a recipe for disaster as international relations is not beholden to
these rogue actors.

 AA> I see it as Musk just taking an initiative on humanitarian
 AA> grounds to help restore what an unwelcome aggressor has
 AA> destroyed: communications.

 AA> A gov't doing it could take too long to get organized.

 AA> It would be not different if a bunch of doctors got organized
 AA> on their own, call themselves Drs Without Borders, and go help
 AA> people with meds and medical expertise.

Offering medical assistance is completely different to enabling and supporting
military activities.

Russians and Chinese won't see it the way you do, which is important because
they both have nukes, and the ability to defeat the US in war should one start.
 This is a time to tread carefully, to negotiate a peaceful solution, but if
some random CEO is going to do something which starts a conflict, we're
stuffed.
 
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