I used to think that, of all the reasons I might have for disliking the American media, the celebration of the theft of super yachts belonging to super dick Russian billionaires—even those not named “Boris”—was pretty far down on the list. Well, once again, I learn that it is impossible for me to overestimate my stupidity. Because America be stealing Russian bad-boy billionaire yachts and American media be lovin’ it! Oh, yeah!
Russian oligarch’s $300 million yacht seized by Fiji on behalf of U.S. (Washington Post)
US seizes $90M yacht of Russian oligarch with close Putin ties in Spain (New York Post)
Congress tees up a plan to seize Russian yachts and properties in the US — and sell them for Ukraine aid (Business Insider)
I get it, Media. I get it, Congress. Ukraine good, Russia bad! Ukraine good, Russia bad! But do we have to regress to the mean of mindless tribalism like a pack of 13-year-old incels egging Amber Heard’s limo?
Because I’ve seen this sort of media tribalism before, in Gulf I and Gulf II. Treating war as sport is never a good idea, but our media gods never seem to be able to kick the habit.
Afterwords
I’ve complained about this sort of adolescent effusioning on the part of the press before, but no one seems to be listening. I could really use a nice, frustrating, neither side satisfied negotiated peace in Ukraine right about now, but relying on the good sense of both Vladimir Putin and the U.S. media? Wow, even I’m not that stupid!
