Forevermore, when he was offered the chance to evacuate from his country, President Zelenskyy will be remembered for saying, "The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride." With those words he set the tone for the world to admire, encourage and respect the will and efforts of the Ukrainian people to remain free. 300 days of war!
Eve…
Forevermore, when he was offered the chance to evacuate from his country, President Zelenskyy will be remembered for saying, "The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride." With those words he set the tone for the world to admire, encourage and respect the will and efforts of the Ukrainian people to remain free. 300 days of war!
Every morning when I turn on the hot water in my kitchen, in the shower, and otherwise go on with my mundane life, I think of the endurance and bravery of the Ukrainians. I am grateful that the US will continue to send them aid.
Zelensky's decision to stay in Kiev may quietly turn out to be one of the key choices of the century. It was bravery in the simplest and clearest presentation. Everyone knew he was Russian target #1. The Ukranians had just fought off a puppet government less than a decade ago; their country just beginning to be truly free and prosperous. Zelensky refusing to leave - and, very, very importantly, the other heads of government refusing as well - indicated clearly to the people part of what living on a democracy should mean: that leaders don't put themselves above the people. The citizens' lives were on the line, so his was going to be too. Democracy meant they really could and did choose someone who would fight for and with them.
On the first day of the invasion my Dad was grim. He appreciated Zelensky and company's bravery, but said his days were numbered. Ukraine would fall soon, because Russia would wear them down. Putin wouldn't stop, and another World War was likely.
I disagreed with vigor on all counts. Dad chided me for youthful optimism. I chided him for being an anthropology major who somehow seemed to forget human nature, and our own country's history to boot.
I had seen a video which told me all I needed to know: it was of a tiny elderly woman walking up to Russian soldiers in the middle of a street and offering them seeds, so "you can grow sunflowers when you die." People with that level of forceful and righteous existential determination will never provide an easy victory to a group of invaders who are "just following [evil] orders." Just like the colonists versus the Redcoats.
A new flashpoint for freedom. Now seen on screens across the globe.
I’m an art teacher at an elementary school. When I saw that video I knew we had to paint sunflowers! When our superintendent toured our school, every hallway had bright beautiful sunflowers all along the walls! Easy to tie it to Van Gogh. Since teachers are restricted from discussing current events.
How wrong, that teachers are restricted from discussing current events. Can you talk about the weather? I was going to say "how sad" but isn't sad it is wrong! Even Mr. Rogers could and did talk about current events, including very difficult subjects.
My friend here in Chicago teaches high school Spanish and IB Global Politics. In the latter class she is showing them the Netflix film about the Ukrainian Maiden Uprising called Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom. Next comes Freedom on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom.
Chicago is not suffering from the anti information movement as much as some places, although the private school Francis Parker is being attacked by a right wing parental group that infiltrated the annual People of Color Conference of the National Association of Independent Schools and pretending to be Gay, secretly filmed an administrator of the school who was there discussing his coming out story, and the optional Sex education curriculum offered by Howard Brown an organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ health. They have had bomb threats, picketing, their phone and internet hacked by this organization where no one in it sends their children to this school. So, they feel that they know better for other people's children as well as their own.
Wonder whether Twitter has let this troll back onto its website. Speaking of which I have read that US government is investigating Twitter and if they make pronouncements about business practices, then twitter will have to abide by them regardless of who is their owner or CEO. I am sure this is turning into a bigger headache for Musk than he seems to have anticipated.
The German courts are going after Twitter too. In fact, it is advocated that if you don't want Twitter trolling you, change your settings so your business is in Germany, and then their courts will be in charge of the content.
Like Trump, in his troubles he is losing a lot of fans, or it could be the other way around, he is losing fans and that helps him accumulate troubles. Either way, many people are jumping ship. He has not inspired the confidence he needs to, based on his behaviors which do not warrant confidence. This seems to be spreading to his other businesses. He has gone from being worth over a trillion to mere hundreds of billions, so he is falling closer and closer to earth.
TEACHERS ARE RESTRICTED FROM DISCUSSING CURRENT EVENTS!??? Seriously? I am so ignorant about school curriculum. I can understood not offering bold opinions. Just ignoring current events is what goes on in our learning institutions? Insane.
The biggest restrictions here in Texas come from the state. CRT and 1619 Project paranoia which we weren’t ever teaching anyway! But the district where I work parents got a court order to stop us from disciplining students that use racial slurs because it interferes with their freedom of speech. I think they want to whitewash history so their children won’t feel any guilt over what white people have done to minorities or indigenous people. And there’s so much more! Christian nationalists, Patriot Mobile, we’re running the gamut of dystopia.
What an uplifting thing to do! Sounds like teachers have to get uber creative to teach their students (I know that my ire would get me fired). What will these whackjob parents do when people quit going into teaching, and nursing. I guess they'll homeschool and homeheal....
A lot of them already do. I have several stories about home schooling and ensuing tragedies among other things. The worst was the people we bought meat from who, to their credit, did it right. But they were very fundamentalist and home schooled their kids The youngest one clearly had problems which a public school would have caught and perhaps helped hime with. He was always surly when he was manning the booth at the Saturday market. Then he got involved with an older woman and I think drugs. The end result was that he murdered both his parents by scything and beating them to death. As for home healing, they are ones most likely not to get vaccinated and use bogus remedies.
I used them in my local campaign. Some people didn't get the connection! I didn't bother to enlighten them. Apparently they were watching Fox Entertainment!
That's ridiculous that teachers aren't allowed to discuss current events. I remember in 5th grade (late 60's) that was one of our topics discussed every day. We each had to bring in 2 different articles from the newspaper and stand up in front of the class and tell about them and then answer any questions other kids might have.
Zelenski staying in Ukraine does indeed come with high risk.
The NY Times, today, has issued one of their "Video Investigations" showing what one paratrooper unit did to innocent children, women and men in one Ukranianian city. Truly one of the most brilliantly constructed "news" articles I have seen in my life.
If this is how Russia plans to rid the world of "ungodly" behavior, well, count me out. The cure is profoundly worse than the "problem" (which does not affect me in any way).
Also, one of the most horrifying news stories I have ever read in my 62 years.
Gift link for all. Send it to your relatives. Russia is a rogue state (as are we, BUT, I will stay my criticisim of our own horrors today).
We see Putin's war against Ukraine and its people as it took place last March in Bucha. 'When the war in Ukraine began, neighbors and residents of Bucha decided to flee with their families, protect their loved ones and search for food.' Russian soldiers killed them for it.' Words seem like dust compared to seeing the brutality of Russian soldiers against people like you and me.
Thank you, Mike S. for sharing these scenes of murder, destruction and ruthlessness against the innocent residents of Bucha. You have provided us with the the work of 'Caught on Camera, Traced by Phone: The Russian Military Unit That Killed Dozens in Bucha, By Yousur Al-Hlou, Masha Froliak, Dmitriy Khavin, Christoph Koettl, Haley Willis, Alexander Cardia, Natalie Reneau and Malachy Browne•December 22, 2022.'
'Exclusive phone records, documents, interviews and thousands of hours of video reveal how a Russian paratrooper unit killed dozens of people on one street in March.' published in video form by The New York Times.
I cannot read that article. I've seen enough about Bucha and every other community freed from the Orcs to make me ill. Regardless of what they say and who does it, Putin is out to wipe Ukrainians and Ukraine off the map. And apparently many Americans feel the same way. Adam Kirzinger tweeted about Boebert and Gaetz disgusting behaviour https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1605764805200994305?s=20&t=plZd8_sNFwypXJ20ejmN6g
The comments from their supporters were pure ignorance.
The Russians have a long history of barbarous behavior on the battlefield. Plus many of the Russian “soldiers” are criminals and desperate conscripts who need to convince their Russian superiors that they are doing all they can. Horrifying on so many levels. Let’s give Zelensky and that genius general of his everything they ask for and help them win the minds of Russians by defeating the Kremlin on the battlefield. Save lives by getting this over as soon as possible.
Thanks for this, Mike. I hadn't seen it. This is what I wrote in the comments section to the article: "Absolutely horrifying images. As we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, this report serves as a stark reminder of just how little peace there is for some people in this world. These images serve as a backdrop to the inspiring speech by President Zelensky to Congress last night, to show what they, and us, are fighting against. And then after the speech we get--almost bizarre--anti-Ukraine rantings from Tucker Carlson and a tweet from Don T***p Jr.: 'Zelensky is basically an ungrateful international welfare queen.' It only proves there are voices among us here who would indeed side with the forces that committed such atrocities. It becomes harder for me to feel the 'warm fuzzies' of the holiday when confronted with the harsh realities of this world and what fellow human beings can do to each other. Thanks to the NYT for shining a glaring and graphic light on what must surely rank as an international crime. For me at least, it tempers the 'Happy' of 'Happy Holidays'".
Thank you Mike for the link. I made myself watch it. Anyone who does not want to continue helping Ukraine needs to be forced to watch this and realize that this could be us. It's sickening - no regard for human life.
Thank you for this link, Mike. This is an extraordinary film, a collage that illuminated what is going on in Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine. Both story and evidence. Agree with your quiet observation that the US and Russia have some commonalities. I have witnessed some here. At the moment all I can feel is numbness, something I recognized in many of the people in the film (including the Russian soldiers: only an emotionally numb person could commit those acts). The Times' Video Investigations would make subscribing worthwhile, if I can find a way to jimmy it into my budget somehow.
I agree only as long as compassion is part of it. Emotional numbness is something that removes a person from their own feelings and renders them incapable of dealing with them in positive ways. It is not something to be used as a cudgel. I don't know how you meant your comment, but I wanted to make clear what I meant.
Will, from Cal -- I had seen a video which told me all I needed to know: it was of a tiny elderly woman walking up to Russian soldiers in the middle of a street and offering them seeds, so "you can grow sunflowers when you die."
Excellent, Will! yours are my sentiments, as well. I'm so glad you stood adamantly (and lovingly, I'm sure) against your dad's early grim assessment. It's that youthful optimism and spirit that will overtake the evil of Putin's war.
These are the same people, who having been starved by Stalin in the ‘30’s, welcomed German troops who has NOT starved them, for which they have been blamed ever since by people who don’t know history. They are fiercely independent, having refused to join the Polish empire when it was the strongest power in the Baltic and Muscovy only a rump state.
Have you seen what may be Zelenskyy’s magnum ois “Servant of the People.” It is the best of sitcoms and was his presidential “campaign” (accidental). This is a brilliant and brave man. Three languages (Russian, Ukrainian, and English) and three alphabets are a good start.
Thank you, Will. It is good to see such clear eyed optimism and determination in a young person today. Keep sharing your ideas and leadership with us and with your peers. It strengthens us all!
Let it be a reminder that Authoritarian regimes will always be a threat to democracies. They are kleptocrats and oppressive at home, but when their domestic popularity wanes, they rely on nationalism and demagoguery to claim a fake enemy to start wars abroad. Russia, North Korea, Iran, China, Saudi Arabia. To often we take the easy way in cheap oil, cheap labor, or alliance against another enemy, instead of sticking to our founding principles of self determination, the rule of law, and respect for human dignity.
Freedom is not "free"!!! I made a wreath for my door with sunflowers and blue ribbon. It will remain on my door, in all seasons, until Ukraine is free. I also pray that our country will assist in helping to rebuild Ukraine after it is free. It is a small thing compared to the great suffering Ukranian citizens are undergoing now, but it is a visual for me everyday. It is also a reminder that we too can allow our freedoms to be taken from us.
Our enemies use our religion to divide us and to create hate and separation. God loved me when I was far from Him and as I have grown into an old lady, I am grateful that I can receive His grace, His love, His forgiveness. I need Him everyday. I desire to allow the God of my faith to continue to work in me to give out those gifts of faith, hope , love, joy and peace that were freely given to me, to fight against prejudice....not to be used by others to hate, to separate, to destroy.
May God protect and strengthen Ukraine!!! and as He accomplishes that may He also save and bless the USA, each of us, all colors, all faiths, etc, etc.....
Ukraine will sure need a Marshall type plan to rebuild. It’s a good investment. One thing that really bothers me is the more than 1 million Ukrainian people removed and sent deep inside Russia, including children as some form of de Ukrainianization. The war will not be over till they are brought home.
Forevermore, when he was offered the chance to evacuate from his country, President Zelenskyy will be remembered for saying, "The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride." With those words he set the tone for the world to admire, encourage and respect the will and efforts of the Ukrainian people to remain free. 300 days of war!
Every morning when I turn on the hot water in my kitchen, in the shower, and otherwise go on with my mundane life, I think of the endurance and bravery of the Ukrainians. I am grateful that the US will continue to send them aid.
Zelensky's decision to stay in Kiev may quietly turn out to be one of the key choices of the century. It was bravery in the simplest and clearest presentation. Everyone knew he was Russian target #1. The Ukranians had just fought off a puppet government less than a decade ago; their country just beginning to be truly free and prosperous. Zelensky refusing to leave - and, very, very importantly, the other heads of government refusing as well - indicated clearly to the people part of what living on a democracy should mean: that leaders don't put themselves above the people. The citizens' lives were on the line, so his was going to be too. Democracy meant they really could and did choose someone who would fight for and with them.
On the first day of the invasion my Dad was grim. He appreciated Zelensky and company's bravery, but said his days were numbered. Ukraine would fall soon, because Russia would wear them down. Putin wouldn't stop, and another World War was likely.
I disagreed with vigor on all counts. Dad chided me for youthful optimism. I chided him for being an anthropology major who somehow seemed to forget human nature, and our own country's history to boot.
I had seen a video which told me all I needed to know: it was of a tiny elderly woman walking up to Russian soldiers in the middle of a street and offering them seeds, so "you can grow sunflowers when you die." People with that level of forceful and righteous existential determination will never provide an easy victory to a group of invaders who are "just following [evil] orders." Just like the colonists versus the Redcoats.
A new flashpoint for freedom. Now seen on screens across the globe.
Not just any flowers. Sunflowers. Their national flower.
Thank you. I knew I was missing something. I have used the almighty edit button to add this crucial detail.
I’m an art teacher at an elementary school. When I saw that video I knew we had to paint sunflowers! When our superintendent toured our school, every hallway had bright beautiful sunflowers all along the walls! Easy to tie it to Van Gogh. Since teachers are restricted from discussing current events.
How wrong, that teachers are restricted from discussing current events. Can you talk about the weather? I was going to say "how sad" but isn't sad it is wrong! Even Mr. Rogers could and did talk about current events, including very difficult subjects.
We can allow students to discuss everything. But we can’t intervene to guide the discussion or give our opinion. It’s very wrong!
My friend here in Chicago teaches high school Spanish and IB Global Politics. In the latter class she is showing them the Netflix film about the Ukrainian Maiden Uprising called Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom. Next comes Freedom on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_on_Fire:_Ukraine%27s_Fight_for_Freedom
Chicago is not suffering from the anti information movement as much as some places, although the private school Francis Parker is being attacked by a right wing parental group that infiltrated the annual People of Color Conference of the National Association of Independent Schools and pretending to be Gay, secretly filmed an administrator of the school who was there discussing his coming out story, and the optional Sex education curriculum offered by Howard Brown an organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ health. They have had bomb threats, picketing, their phone and internet hacked by this organization where no one in it sends their children to this school. So, they feel that they know better for other people's children as well as their own.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2022/12/12/23506419/francis-parker-evacuated-due-bomb-threat-days-after-right-wing-attacks-sex-ed-program?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=121322%20Afternoon%20Edition&utm_content=121322%20Afternoon%20Edition+CID_926c20d4fc50269ccf5f36947f1ea64f&utm_source=campaign%20monitor&utm_term=The%20threat%20came%20just%20days%20after%20a%20far-right%20group%20publicized%20a%20covertly%20recorded%20and%20edited%20video%20of%20the%20schools%20dean%20discussing%20sexual%20education%20classes
Wonder whether Twitter has let this troll back onto its website. Speaking of which I have read that US government is investigating Twitter and if they make pronouncements about business practices, then twitter will have to abide by them regardless of who is their owner or CEO. I am sure this is turning into a bigger headache for Musk than he seems to have anticipated.
https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/19/23468283/us-government-elon-musk-twitter-investigation-investors-ftc-cfius
The German courts are going after Twitter too. In fact, it is advocated that if you don't want Twitter trolling you, change your settings so your business is in Germany, and then their courts will be in charge of the content.
https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-social-media-germany-32138af1d528ebe84d355ad14b304ed7
https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/21/elon-musk-twitter-netzdg-test/
Like Trump, in his troubles he is losing a lot of fans, or it could be the other way around, he is losing fans and that helps him accumulate troubles. Either way, many people are jumping ship. He has not inspired the confidence he needs to, based on his behaviors which do not warrant confidence. This seems to be spreading to his other businesses. He has gone from being worth over a trillion to mere hundreds of billions, so he is falling closer and closer to earth.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/07/business/elon-musk-wealth/index.html
TEACHERS ARE RESTRICTED FROM DISCUSSING CURRENT EVENTS!??? Seriously? I am so ignorant about school curriculum. I can understood not offering bold opinions. Just ignoring current events is what goes on in our learning institutions? Insane.
The biggest restrictions here in Texas come from the state. CRT and 1619 Project paranoia which we weren’t ever teaching anyway! But the district where I work parents got a court order to stop us from disciplining students that use racial slurs because it interferes with their freedom of speech. I think they want to whitewash history so their children won’t feel any guilt over what white people have done to minorities or indigenous people. And there’s so much more! Christian nationalists, Patriot Mobile, we’re running the gamut of dystopia.
Yes. She teaches in Texas, FWIW.
Visit Florida, where being 'woke' isn't allowed in schools, to get a feeling for the atmosphere that grew in Germany in the early 1930s.
Yes, it's like the students do live in the real world where current events are happening. Totally insane
What an uplifting thing to do! Sounds like teachers have to get uber creative to teach their students (I know that my ire would get me fired). What will these whackjob parents do when people quit going into teaching, and nursing. I guess they'll homeschool and homeheal....
Exactly what the plutocrats are aiming for. Uneducated sheep
A lot of them already do. I have several stories about home schooling and ensuing tragedies among other things. The worst was the people we bought meat from who, to their credit, did it right. But they were very fundamentalist and home schooled their kids The youngest one clearly had problems which a public school would have caught and perhaps helped hime with. He was always surly when he was manning the booth at the Saturday market. Then he got involved with an older woman and I think drugs. The end result was that he murdered both his parents by scything and beating them to death. As for home healing, they are ones most likely not to get vaccinated and use bogus remedies.
Your lucky students, that you are in their lives! ❤️🤩
I used them in my local campaign. Some people didn't get the connection! I didn't bother to enlighten them. Apparently they were watching Fox Entertainment!
Wonderful, Denise!! I love that you found a way to be subversive for a good cause!
That's ridiculous that teachers aren't allowed to discuss current events. I remember in 5th grade (late 60's) that was one of our topics discussed every day. We each had to bring in 2 different articles from the newspaper and stand up in front of the class and tell about them and then answer any questions other kids might have.
I agree
Back in the early 1960's I remember that we discussed the friction in Cyprus between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
That’s terrible.
The seeds were to go into the soldiers’ pockets so when they died the spot where they lay would sprout sunflowers.
Of course!
I, too, Will, reflected on that tiny elderly woman's remarks that day. It was, and remains, epic.
Kindly delivery + Savage spirit × Unexpected Source = Ultimate Badass
(I hope she's still ok and has a blanket tonight.)
Zelenski staying in Ukraine does indeed come with high risk.
The NY Times, today, has issued one of their "Video Investigations" showing what one paratrooper unit did to innocent children, women and men in one Ukranianian city. Truly one of the most brilliantly constructed "news" articles I have seen in my life.
If this is how Russia plans to rid the world of "ungodly" behavior, well, count me out. The cure is profoundly worse than the "problem" (which does not affect me in any way).
Also, one of the most horrifying news stories I have ever read in my 62 years.
Gift link for all. Send it to your relatives. Russia is a rogue state (as are we, BUT, I will stay my criticisim of our own horrors today).
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/22/video/russia-ukraine-bucha-massacre-takeaways.html?unlocked_article_code=WSP2A9vQBawkLLSg26e347LyxYeS6yu4TlFJp5QeA-WFiiBFiduIjh0vWGaQ9UgyOn4vypmui4FXmNWY7sETBNmdEITl1gZ5S1JuUDInA4gmpne4bZX3gWAEKNey4SbGc42VCcICHZ9ngQVm3JAeyHyDl4VfmTANqFJ760hNG-2Jt5Zw_jyZVl_poe7SY6FU4YoT9zbHcseNMYBQZi0goLsagd3V0GuxNMYOg1AECbsaBO8-YrzCBleMNZSYNDmnbAJWFhldh0VzmlwDAdEbppHunPb7vUpydg16I4l5kUuNlaK4Ic9gRjzVnCugYF63Rt_CaWpMVyEnHSmMbrLy_dCRjcgqTSdmAMqRaX-inw&smid=share-url
We see Putin's war against Ukraine and its people as it took place last March in Bucha. 'When the war in Ukraine began, neighbors and residents of Bucha decided to flee with their families, protect their loved ones and search for food.' Russian soldiers killed them for it.' Words seem like dust compared to seeing the brutality of Russian soldiers against people like you and me.
Thank you, Mike S. for sharing these scenes of murder, destruction and ruthlessness against the innocent residents of Bucha. You have provided us with the the work of 'Caught on Camera, Traced by Phone: The Russian Military Unit That Killed Dozens in Bucha, By Yousur Al-Hlou, Masha Froliak, Dmitriy Khavin, Christoph Koettl, Haley Willis, Alexander Cardia, Natalie Reneau and Malachy Browne•December 22, 2022.'
'Exclusive phone records, documents, interviews and thousands of hours of video reveal how a Russian paratrooper unit killed dozens of people on one street in March.' published in video form by The New York Times.
I cannot read that article. I've seen enough about Bucha and every other community freed from the Orcs to make me ill. Regardless of what they say and who does it, Putin is out to wipe Ukrainians and Ukraine off the map. And apparently many Americans feel the same way. Adam Kirzinger tweeted about Boebert and Gaetz disgusting behaviour https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1605764805200994305?s=20&t=plZd8_sNFwypXJ20ejmN6g
The comments from their supporters were pure ignorance.
I believe we need to see the actual brutality
Of what Putin is doing to
These Ukrainian’s maybe the republicans that disagree with us helping financially would have stood up with praise during his speech yesterday
The Russians have a long history of barbarous behavior on the battlefield. Plus many of the Russian “soldiers” are criminals and desperate conscripts who need to convince their Russian superiors that they are doing all they can. Horrifying on so many levels. Let’s give Zelensky and that genius general of his everything they ask for and help them win the minds of Russians by defeating the Kremlin on the battlefield. Save lives by getting this over as soon as possible.
Thanks for this, Mike. I hadn't seen it. This is what I wrote in the comments section to the article: "Absolutely horrifying images. As we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, this report serves as a stark reminder of just how little peace there is for some people in this world. These images serve as a backdrop to the inspiring speech by President Zelensky to Congress last night, to show what they, and us, are fighting against. And then after the speech we get--almost bizarre--anti-Ukraine rantings from Tucker Carlson and a tweet from Don T***p Jr.: 'Zelensky is basically an ungrateful international welfare queen.' It only proves there are voices among us here who would indeed side with the forces that committed such atrocities. It becomes harder for me to feel the 'warm fuzzies' of the holiday when confronted with the harsh realities of this world and what fellow human beings can do to each other. Thanks to the NYT for shining a glaring and graphic light on what must surely rank as an international crime. For me at least, it tempers the 'Happy' of 'Happy Holidays'".
Thanks for this post Mike. So much of the footage was captured by citizens with cell phones. Pretty hard to deny these terrible crimes.
Thx for sharing
OMG!!!!
Thank you Mike for the link. I made myself watch it. Anyone who does not want to continue helping Ukraine needs to be forced to watch this and realize that this could be us. It's sickening - no regard for human life.
Thank you for this link, Mike. This is an extraordinary film, a collage that illuminated what is going on in Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine. Both story and evidence. Agree with your quiet observation that the US and Russia have some commonalities. I have witnessed some here. At the moment all I can feel is numbness, something I recognized in many of the people in the film (including the Russian soldiers: only an emotionally numb person could commit those acts). The Times' Video Investigations would make subscribing worthwhile, if I can find a way to jimmy it into my budget somehow.
I agree only as long as compassion is part of it. Emotional numbness is something that removes a person from their own feelings and renders them incapable of dealing with them in positive ways. It is not something to be used as a cudgel. I don't know how you meant your comment, but I wanted to make clear what I meant.
Will, from Cal -- I had seen a video which told me all I needed to know: it was of a tiny elderly woman walking up to Russian soldiers in the middle of a street and offering them seeds, so "you can grow sunflowers when you die."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L17Bi7zBJHI
Excellent, Will! yours are my sentiments, as well. I'm so glad you stood adamantly (and lovingly, I'm sure) against your dad's early grim assessment. It's that youthful optimism and spirit that will overtake the evil of Putin's war.
These are the same people, who having been starved by Stalin in the ‘30’s, welcomed German troops who has NOT starved them, for which they have been blamed ever since by people who don’t know history. They are fiercely independent, having refused to join the Polish empire when it was the strongest power in the Baltic and Muscovy only a rump state.
Have you seen what may be Zelenskyy’s magnum ois “Servant of the People.” It is the best of sitcoms and was his presidential “campaign” (accidental). This is a brilliant and brave man. Three languages (Russian, Ukrainian, and English) and three alphabets are a good start.
Thank you, Will. It is good to see such clear eyed optimism and determination in a young person today. Keep sharing your ideas and leadership with us and with your peers. It strengthens us all!
And then there is "The Sunflower" by Simon Wiesenthal. How to forgive.
Beautifully written...
Yes, that video set the stage for me as well. So inspirational.
That sunflower story is marvelous! And so is the rest of your comment.
And I know personally of wives who had gone to safety (and comfort) in Austria, and who have now preferred to return to be near their husbands.
Let it be a reminder that Authoritarian regimes will always be a threat to democracies. They are kleptocrats and oppressive at home, but when their domestic popularity wanes, they rely on nationalism and demagoguery to claim a fake enemy to start wars abroad. Russia, North Korea, Iran, China, Saudi Arabia. To often we take the easy way in cheap oil, cheap labor, or alliance against another enemy, instead of sticking to our founding principles of self determination, the rule of law, and respect for human dignity.
Freedom is not "free"!!! I made a wreath for my door with sunflowers and blue ribbon. It will remain on my door, in all seasons, until Ukraine is free. I also pray that our country will assist in helping to rebuild Ukraine after it is free. It is a small thing compared to the great suffering Ukranian citizens are undergoing now, but it is a visual for me everyday. It is also a reminder that we too can allow our freedoms to be taken from us.
Our enemies use our religion to divide us and to create hate and separation. God loved me when I was far from Him and as I have grown into an old lady, I am grateful that I can receive His grace, His love, His forgiveness. I need Him everyday. I desire to allow the God of my faith to continue to work in me to give out those gifts of faith, hope , love, joy and peace that were freely given to me, to fight against prejudice....not to be used by others to hate, to separate, to destroy.
May God protect and strengthen Ukraine!!! and as He accomplishes that may He also save and bless the USA, each of us, all colors, all faiths, etc, etc.....
Ukraine will sure need a Marshall type plan to rebuild. It’s a good investment. One thing that really bothers me is the more than 1 million Ukrainian people removed and sent deep inside Russia, including children as some form of de Ukrainianization. The war will not be over till they are brought home.
And Jamie Raskin pointed out yesterday that only democracies are focused on climate change - the worst enemy.
100%. And the most powerful Autocracy’s are oil exporters. Hmmmm
Slavi Ukraini!
🗽🇺🇦🇺🇸
Yes, exactly! And I also think of the courage and commitment of Americans in WWII.