539 Comments

Paraphrase from somewhere on the internet yesterday;

“Republicans favor democracy in Ukraine as long as it doesn’t spread to America.”

Many Republicans’ “None of our business” stance re Ukraine sounds a lot like what many Americans said about Hitler’s annexation of the Sudetenland in the 1930’s.

Expand full comment

Not only did many Americans take a 'not our business stance' to Nazi aggression, many Americans in high places (including the American embassy in London) were Hitler fanboys. Including aforementioned Ambassador Joseph Kennedy as well as rabid antiSemite industrialist Henry Ford. Meanwhile Bush family patriarch banker Prescott and Koch family patriarch oil refinery Fred continued to do a lucrative business providing essential financial and energy resources to Hitler's regime. (Fred Trump was busy making his fortune state side - war time profiteering on government contracts.)

Expand full comment

Thanks, Lin, for the historical details. One could also add one Charles Lindbergh to the list of prominent American Nazi sympathizers.

Expand full comment

Yes, and was ready to run against FDR for president. Lucky us FDR won!

Expand full comment

Yes!

Expand full comment

Lin Brown Brothers Harriman, where Prescott Bush was a partner, was openly financing and flacking for Mussolini during the 1930s, with senior partner Thomas Lamont masterminding this effort.

Expand full comment

Yes. I think, a casual class-based taste for 'big men and big money' informed the perspectives of many Americans situated to translate prejudices into personal profit and government policy. Not unrelated of course. Government protecting white privilege and intergenerational wealth.

That is why I spotlighted Kennedy, Bush, and Koch - as sires of politically active next generations. Who all benefitted from their fathers' activities and in their own ways followed in their footsteps.

Expand full comment

It's like there's a shadow world order; not politically based, but wealth-based. Each morbidly rich oligarch running their own "country" and trivial things like goverments and political borders are mere inconveniences.

Expand full comment

And repubs often emerge “out of the shadows” whenever there’s a threat to their bankrolls. It’s the true comic version of Good vs Evil. Not funny, but true!?

Expand full comment

Rupert knows that well, has at least since Reagan

Expand full comment

They certainly have no notion of obligation to the nation which made or increased their wealth.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
February 23, 2022
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

Koch = Council of National Policy - don't forget those gazillionaires NOW

Expand full comment

But Kennedys were Dems!

Expand full comment

If nothing else, that should serve as a reminder of why “the people” must have the right to vote, and the education so that they can discern their own interests. This has been a point of debate since before the Constitution; which is why we have the power to amend the same. One of the most important things that no one notices right now, is just how close Republicans have come to being able to reverse engineer that same document to their own ends.

Expand full comment

What is your point, exactly? No. Seriously.

Expand full comment

Maybe Joe learned a thing or two, the Nazi killing of his son May have jarred him a bit.

Expand full comment

It is convenient to have control of both major parties.

Expand full comment

"It is convenient to have control of both major parties."

Not sure whether that is facile or, to give you the benefit of the doubt, facetious. Either way, it evades/ignores the tough work of examining the facts and analyzing the situation.

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

We are here to puzzle out the complexities.

Expand full comment

Lordy, how many close calls we have had. Prescott Bush was part of the Coup of 1933, as I recall.

Expand full comment

Oh! How then did my parent's generation, who fought in WWII, vote for 2 Bush offspring? Wicked.

Expand full comment

It gets complicated. People are complicated. There are many factors in play. Not all of them are rational.

As an American Jew and a Zionist, I question how Israeli and American Jews can support politicians and government policies which deny justice to Palestinian citizens of Israel and stateless Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.

Expand full comment

Thank you for this; it is certainly feasible that most could not fathom such a thing happening. Sort of like on Jan 6, 2021. Hard to believe, even if you saw it with your own eyes

Expand full comment

Well, that sure fits. I believe that DuPont was the principal corporate conspirator.

Expand full comment

'Henry Ford and the Jews, the story Dearborn didn’t want told'

February 4, 2019

'Editor’s note: Last week, the “Dearborn Historian” quarterly journal (circulation 230) published a 3,700-word examination of auto pioneer Henry Ford’s campaign a century ago to foment anti-Semitism far beyond his hometown. Bill McGraw, the Historian’s editor, chronicled how attacks on Jews by the Ford-owned Dearborn Independent newspaper influenced Adolf Hitler and have since found a receptive audience in neo-Nazis and white supremacists today.'

'But before the Dearborn Historical Museum could distribute the article, Dearborn Mayor John O’Reilly ordered the issue recalled and fired McGraw. The mayor called the article a “distraction” that lacked “a compelling reason directly linked to events in Dearborn today.”

'This is not the only recent instance in which a public official sought to squelch an article they found uncomfortable or “off message.” In June, then-Michigan State University Acting President John Engler ordered MSU’s alumni magazine to scrap a cover story on the psychological wounds stemming from the school’s inaction after several women reported being sexually assaulted by Dr. Larry Nassar. Engler had the story revamped to focus on “positive” reforms since he took office.'

'Opinion: Fired Dearborn editor on why Henry Ford bigotry story matters'

'Henry Ford and ‘The International Jew’

'Chapter 1: Mass-Producing Hate'

'Henry Ford was peaking as a global celebrity at the conclusion of World War I, having introduced the $5 workday, assembly line and Model T ‒ revolutionary changes that transformed the way people lived. Reporters staked out the gates of his Fair Lane mansion. Ford loved the limelight and he constantly made news, even running for the U.S. Senate in Michigan as a Democrat in 1918. He narrowly lost.'

'In the midst of his fame, Ford became a media mogul of sorts, forming the Dearborn Publishing Company and purchasing the sleepy Dearborn Independent weekly newspaper, which was dying of red ink. He published the paper under his name for the first time 100 years ago, in January 1919.'

'Under Ford, the Independent became notorious for its unprecedented attacks on Jews. But Ford’s anti-Semitism traveled far beyond the Dearborn borders. Showing the marketing expertise that had catapulted Ford Motor into one of the world’s most famous brands, Henry Ford’s lieutenants vastly widened the reach of his attacks by packaging the paper’s anti-Semitic content into four books.'

'What might have been lost to history as an ugly curiosity has proven to be a Pandora’s box, as the Internet age has given Henry Ford’s anti-Semitic literature a powerful new life. Today, his legacy of hate flourishes on the websites and forums of white nationalists, racists and others who hate Jews.'

'Experts say “The International Jew,” distributed across Europe and North America during the rise of fascism in the 1920s and ‘30s, influenced some of the future rulers of Nazi Germany.'

'Bridge Magazine supports efforts to ensure that serious journalism finds a broad audience in Michigan. McGraw, a former Bridge writer and member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame, offers a fascinating portrait of an iconic Michigan figure, warts and all. Bridge is proud to follow Deadline Detroit in republishing McGraw’s account.' (See link below)

https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/henry-ford-and-jews-story-dearborn-didnt-want-told

Expand full comment

In 2000, the NY Historical Society presented an exhibition chronicling lynchings in America between 1890 and 1930, called ''Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America.'' Lynching postcards from the collection of James Allen, who first came across a picture postcard of the 1915 lynching of Leo Frank, a Jewish businessman in Marietta, Ga.

Allen could not at first find a venue in Georgia to exhibit his collection. I think a Jewish group stepped up. (In the tradition of Rabbi Jacob Rothschild an early ally and close friend of Dr. King's, and who survived a bombing.)

Although now the collection is held they at Emory and some displayed at the High Museum, in Atlanta.

https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/jacob-rothschild-1911-1973/

Expand full comment

Reading your post, and all the additional posts related to it I would expect the financial powers that be to oppose *this* history of the U.S. even more than they oppose CRT. The truth can be a very dangerous thing when trying to control the masses.

Expand full comment

The truth cannot be allowed when controlling the masses. The narrative must be controlled. No 'alternate facts', aka, truth and/or fact.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Fern, for sharing this disturbing story. It’s well known that H Ford was anit-Semetic, but to see that the Nazis used his lit, books, newspapers for their own playbook is deeply troubling. And Especially because it was popular in America then and it’s circulating now in this country. Again and again. Racism and fascism and antiSemitism contribute to Hate Speech and should be considered dangerous and not a First Amendment right. The world right now is at war and Hate speech is a powerful weapon.

Expand full comment

Irenie, We come with typos. I'm with you. If you can do a couple of minutes of gentle stretches. Rotate your head slowly to the right and left or other way around. Lift you shoulders up and down then rotate. Relax take some breathes and guess what? Go to sleep. You'll feel better in the morning. What do you say?

Expand full comment

You’re so right! Gratitude! Well, I have Qigong in the morning so that will save me. The smartest idea is to keep my phone etc out of my room. But lately I’m consumed by all things HCR. let’s all take a collective breath. And when we do Qigong there is a wonderful movement with a collective “prayer” we can all say any time.

May all beings be free from suffering.

May we be free from suffering.

May all beings know joy.

May we know joy.

May all beings know peace.

May we know peace.

Good night.

Expand full comment

Thank you for the prayer. I shall say it out aloud and silently. Good night, Irenie

Expand full comment

Hell starting in Ukraine - there and here. Take care of yourself. Truly.

Expand full comment

And you, Fern, take care of yourself, too. You can see by my typos I’m rattled. War is real and it’s sickening. In this century, this day and age, War should be obsolete. But Evil is not and will always be with us. TFG unleashed this newest wave of violence and hate. But starting for the widest audience here at home in Charlottesville. And what’s sick is his hate has taken on a life of its own.

Expand full comment

I am frightened. Putin is the only one in charge and he is nuts! Wish somebody would take his nuts out!

Expand full comment

My hackles are up, Fern! I knew quite a bit about good ole Henry but not about his publications. My father, in particular, kept that a secret. Thank you for riling me up this morning.

Expand full comment

Marlene, Putin is a 'madman'. He on the verge of invading Ukraine, and it will not stop there, unless he is stopped, literally STOPPED.

Expand full comment

It might interest you that 'great white hope Josh Hawley' sings from the Dearborn Independent songbook, which sings from the Protocols of the Elders of Zion songbook (which I have seen sold by NOI and PLO representatives at Left wing rallies.)

"This is not the first time conservative nationalists in the US have been fascist-curious while simultaneously disavowing the openly Nazi right." David Austin Walsh

https://jewishcurrents.org/flirting-with-fascism

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/01/josh-hawley-coup-populist/

Expand full comment

Like this. The heart, as usual, unresponsive. The link that is.

Expand full comment

Michael, Just a clarification -- if the link isn't working just let me know. I gathered just the 'like' didn't click. Salud!

Expand full comment

It's working. Fascinating and disturbing.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Michael

Expand full comment

Thanks Fern. This evenings reading.

Expand full comment

Don’t forget IBM (Michael Lewis spoke to this on C-Span if memory serves…)

Expand full comment

See, "IBM &The Holocaust", Edwin Black, I think.

Expand full comment

Thanks for book suggestions!

Expand full comment

And as AG, RFK helped Nazi industries get a cushy deal to unfreeze/reclaim assets. Including I think AGFA in which the family had investments.

http://jedsnet.com/journals/jeds/Vol_8_No_2_June_2020/3.pdf

Expand full comment

If memory serves me well, Prescott Bush opened a separate bank to help with funding the Nazis. The Kochs are Russian, stylish oligarchs in their own right.

Expand full comment

You are right on target Keltik!

'How Bush's grandfather helped Hitler's rise to power'

'Now the Guardian can reveal how repercussions of events that culminated in action under the Trading with the Enemy Act are still being felt by today's president'

'George Bush's grandfather, the late US senator Prescott Bush, was a director and shareholder of companies that profited from their involvement with the financial backers of Nazi Germany.'

'The Guardian has obtained confirmation from newly discovered files in the US National Archives that a firm of which Prescott Bush was a director was involved with the financial architects of Nazism.'

'His business dealings, which continued until his company's assets were seized in 1942 under the Trading with the Enemy Act, has led more than 60 years later to a civil action for damages being brought in Germany against the Bush family by two former slave labourers at Auschwitz and to a hum of pre-election controversy'

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/sep/25/usa.secondworldwar.

'WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush's grandfather was a director of a bank seized by the federal government because of its ties to a German industrialist who helped bankroll Adolf Hitler's rise to power, government documents show. (Haartez.com)

Expand full comment

I guess we missed all this "patriotic" stuff when W was running for office as a former alchoholic loser who at last could be Governor of Texas after failing at everything else.

Expand full comment

Mike, sometimes I think you are a little harsh, but I certainly agree here, 100%. I've often thought the Republicans nominate an impaired candidate so the boys in the back room can manipulate their business interests: Reagan, Bushes, Trump et al.

Expand full comment

Hope, I personally like Mike S' style - and knowledge - quite a bit. Maybe I'm on the harsh side, too. BUT here we can all express ourselves freely. I appreciate what you have to say, too.

Expand full comment

Welp.., they threw John McCain into the dumpster, as 'Dub' was duly reminded that Socialism, syphilis, and Communism were synonymous, so he was not to even think about them. Happily, our Nation was still in tact when he left. While "the Burn's" attempt to educate everyone on the attributes connected to that grenade went over like a lead balloon......baba..BABOOM... straight to the moon Alice. (J. Gleason)

Expand full comment

As a US MIL Veteran who served honorably with written commendations, I continue to be angered and offended at how Dumbya "survived" nearly a year of being AWOL (absence without leave - desertion)n WITHOUT penalty or punishment because of his father.

Had I deserted even for a lesser period, I would have been demoted by at least one rank and had a not-so-cozy "vacation" in a brig somewhere. I remember when Dumbya said about the Iraq War, "Either you are with us; or, you are against us." Many lost their jobs because they openly decried the Iraq War, a war that Dick Cheney once remarked how those the 4K+ KIA had "volunteered".

Expand full comment

Dan Rather lost his job for saying so after an impeccable career for years in broadcasting. It was amazing how the W cronies came up with a false typewriter red herring, and somehow it stuck, so Dan had to go. Dan also has his own substack now, and I think he is 90 y/o.

Expand full comment

Of course Mike. The "stuff" is not taught in public school. So where the heck do you think it is taught? Yah ya.. we're still writing book reports on Shakespeare. hahahaaa.. Go ask someone about Mr "mission accomplished"... Huh? Who? Or, was his entire career (what..?) erased to clean him up... errr ahh..Who? And, here's the good one: When was "under god" stuck in the Pledge? Huh?? How about an answer here.., from all of us "persons of integrity" okay? Alright, on the count of three...1........2...............boink bbboinkk. Certainly you're not peeking are you. Alrught people... le's try this again...1...:))

Expand full comment

Th Pledge: Inserted by Eisenhower (1954?) to assert the U.S. was (is?) a God-fearing nation. Regarding Dumbya Bush: Gives perfect testimony as to why the rich and powerful never have to follow the same rules as the proletariat.

Expand full comment

Yep, Dubya had pretty much messed up everything else handed to him by his father. Also had a trigger-temper, serious problem with Anger - according to his wife. Boy, he showed the world... argh

Expand full comment

Hey Everyone, do NOT forget Fred Trump, Sr's dealings with Hitler. Again, "Dark Money" It's how he raised his Baby Criminal.

Expand full comment

Donald Trump's grandfather was driven out of his village in Germany because of his pro-Nazi beliefs.

Expand full comment

Dana, Fred gets 'dishonorable mention' on the forum as well as on this very day.

Expand full comment

Keltic Gee, he didn't mention this when I dined with Prescott Bush in a group of four. He had reimaged himself by then, having become a senator,

Expand full comment

I think PBush worked through a subsidiary.

Expand full comment

Seriously??? Why would he do that? He was an untouchable Rich Man

Expand full comment

Read my comment as of about and hour ago. Dana, Prescott Bush was guilty from head to toe.

'George Bush's grandfather, the late US senator Prescott Bush, was a director and shareholder of companies that profited from their involvement with the financial backers of Nazi Germany.'

'The Guardian has obtained confirmation from newly discovered files in the US National Archives that a firm of which Prescott Bush was a director was involved with the financial architects of Nazism.'

'His business dealings, which continued until his company's assets were seized in 1942 under the Trading with the Enemy Act, has led more than 60 years later to a civil action for damages being brought in Germany against the Bush family by two former slave labourers at Auschwitz and to a hum of pre-election controversy'

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/sep/25/usa.secondworldwar.

Expand full comment

Thatta girl, Fern!!

Expand full comment

He epitomized "Dub". Asta duh-vista.

Expand full comment

Well said. Kennedy and Bush come quickly to mind. Prescott Bush, as I've read in multiple accounts, was labeled "Hitler's Banker." Bush didn't stop that until he was absolutely forced to by the U.S. government. So much money to be made. Then, Ambassador Joseph Kennedy, Ambassador to the Court of St. James, cut tail and ran as he believed Hitler was going to invade England. Before resigning his ambassadorship, Joe Kennedy did manage to get distribution rights to Scotch Whiskey in the U.S., or at least a major producer of it. What dispirited some of the British population was that he left them unsupported by an American Ambassador. Kennedy still made a lot of money off the deal. However, Kennedy was replaced by a much better man and Ambassador--John Winant, a former Governor of New Hampshire and a big FDR-supporter who was also a "Lincolnian" in ideals. When Winant arrived in England, his comment to the press was [ slightly paraphrased], "I am glad to be here with you, and I'm not leaving. I will be with you through the end of the war." He was greatly admired in Britain, and the UK labor leaders even asked him to help end the coal strike in England which he did. The minors loved him because of his his labor background as well as his logical and sincere advice. I highly recommend the book "Citizens of London" by Lynne Olson which covers London during WWII.

Expand full comment

You raise, in my mind, the never-to-be-honestly-disclosed murders of JFK (who was my Commander-in-Chief) and Bobby (my favorite Kennedy). It has been theorized those murders were payback for the sins of the father, so to speak.

Expand full comment

K_W, it is the dream of many Americans and beyond that we will learn the truth of those murders. It appears unlikely at this point, but maybe.... (The same results will probably be true of the Epstein suicide/murder.) My C-i-C (66-70) was first LBJ and then Tricky Dick Nixon. To paraphrase President Harry Truman, "Watch out for Nixon. That guy would take wooden nickels off the eyes of the dead."

I hadn't heard the theory of the JFK and RFK murders being payback for the actions of Joe Kennedy. The most common theory I've heard is that the MIC assassinated JFK because he had decided to start withdrawing "military advisors" from Vietnam. The same could be said of RFK's assassination in 1968. The MIC would have lost billions of $$$ in war profits if JFK and RFK had survived, especially JFK since he was assassinated almost 5 years earlier in 1963.

Expand full comment

Feelings of Revenge last a very long time, ask chump and Putty

Expand full comment

Wow, the worms and the heroes, history tells, eventually

Expand full comment

Yep. But the trails of the worms are often very well hidden.

Expand full comment

I am thinking about the fact that the Ukrainian president is Jewish and wonder whether this does not add to the way that Putin treats him with such derision as if he does not exist. Since Trump became president I have been feeling like I am living in a dystopian world, with a brief reprieve when Biden became president was elected and then January 6 happened. It is seeming really hard to believe that decent people can get a break on this planet. I can understand why revolutions happen when the wealthy corrupt people who run things are behaving the way we see them. We are not helped by any book that might teach children to think about what is going on around them is being banned. Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 all rolled into the Lord of the Flies.

Expand full comment

I was unaware that Zelensky is a Jew. I doubt that fact matters in Putin's monstrous mind. It has been written that Putin was extremely upset/angy at the dissolution of the Soviet. That he fantasizes about resurrecting the Soviet.

But, Russia has a history with Ukraine, what with Stalin starving to death nearly four million Ukraineans in the '30s through a forced famine. Russia, time and again, has shown belligerent disregard for human life. This new war of aggression shows once again Russia's belligerent disregard for the sovereignty of other countries.

Expand full comment

This article seems to claim that Putin is aware of it, and that he has always had an underlying antisemitism. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/putins-dictatorship-and-antisemitism While I understand he wants world domination through dominating Europe, I think that he still sees Zelenskyy as a lesser human being. Is it because he is Jewish or because he is Ukrainian, or both?

Expand full comment

Sadly, and most likely, BOTH. Ironically, the Russian Orthodox Church is a puppet of the Kremlin. The Patriarchs serve at the whim of the Kremin, even if they deny it. They likely are just as antisemitic. But, they also are anti-Western Christianity (mostly because the Western Church slaughtered many of the Orthodox Christians).

Lenin and Stalin were anti-religious, to a vicious level. Stalin did not draw a line between one Faith vs. another Faith. Having studied Judaism during graduate work at Seminary, I have yet to understand the hatred toward Jews. No one has yet to explain that one to me.

Expand full comment

I have a good friend from graduate school here in Chicago, who is Ukrainian and Jewish and lives in a suburban Russian community, but has always presented herself as "Russian," with a Russian husband who is not Jewish. When she went home to Lviv and to cities in Russia, to visit relatives for the first time, many years ago before Putin was in power, she was afraid because of the antisemitism and made me promise to go to all ends to get her back to the USA if she was detained for being Jewish while there. So, the fear of antisemitism is there, and I don't think Putin is immune to antisemitic feelings. Still, I believe he is mad, and that is the overarching situation we are facing right now. He is demonic and unbalanced. A combination we are seeing increasingly in people in power, yet not all of them have a nuclear arsenal at their fingertips. It is terrifying that his soldiers have captured Chernobyl (poor them, I hope they have radiation proof vests) and it sounded to me like he was threatening nuclear war if anyone gets in his way in his speech yesterday. So, Cold War in behavior that it seems like he is a different decade and century from the rest of us. Do the few people "close" to him notice, or are they just as crazy too?

Expand full comment

Greed and resentment are two reasons. Other religious sectors saw Jews being inventive and frugal with their belongings. They were the tailors, the hat makers, the doctors, the lawyers etc. Lenin and Stalin were extremely vicious but no one was more so than Hitler. Now in real time, we have Hitler’s protégée, Putin, to continue his dirty work.

Expand full comment

Can’t “heart’ this, Linda, but he does see Zelensky as a Jewish leader of a country he thinks he owns. He can’t stand that. Like a spoiled child, he will stomp his feet and scream until he either gets what he wants or someone takes him out. I prefer the latter.

Expand full comment

I prefer him to be taken out too. Whatever that means. I hope that everyone around him sees that is for the best. I wish that Navalny had stayed in Germany and launched an opposition movement from there. He would probably be doing more good than dying in a Russian prison.

Expand full comment

Linda, At a time like this the worst horrors our families have experienced and or we know about join with what is happening today, Life over the last five years resonates as well. Acceptance of this load is important and so is getting through it. Do not let this strife sit arguing in our heads. We have got to breathe, exercise, walk do the things we value as we stay informed. Volodymyr Zelenskyy's religion has nothing to do with the invasion of Ukraine. Putin is obsessed with recreating the Russian Empire. He may be 'mad' but he has planned this for years. Putin is determined and lethal. There are probably several horrible years ahead. Late hours with our heads full of rot, will not solve this battle for democracy. Putin is a master planner of democracy's destruction. We have to stay healthy and as calm as possible. Taking care of ourselves has to be a top priority. Part of being healthy is being together. Please rest, Linda. We will feel better together. This is not going away soon, so I think we must adjust and not feel guilty for smiling, listening to music and enjoying the people and activities that enrich our days. We'll stay in touch. Salud.

Expand full comment

I also think that does have something to do with it but truly, Putin is unhinged. He is the only one in charge of his forces. He has no intentions (never had any) of letting anything or anyone stand in his way. He wants it all! A dicktator in full force.

Expand full comment

Totally unhinged! Yet, so is Trump and it does not seem to bother all the unhinged people that follow him. I have no idea what the people in Russia are thinking. Putin must have a certain amount of complacent support or he would be out. Coups happen all the time. It has not happened yet. I am hoping that those around him are so stressed from the need to keep up with his mania, that they feel the need to depose him rather than put up with him any longer. On the other hand, I look at North Korea and they put up with crazy all the time. So...

Expand full comment

Putin specifically trained Chump for many years. They are lije two peas in a pod or brothers from another mother. Hillary warned us…no one listened, this we ended up with a crazy person. It was Putin who caused Brexit, Crimea, and then tried to take over the US government. Now he says Ukraine is full of neo-Nazis and he must get rid of them. Delusional, evil, and autocratic. N Korea and China are other worries…Lords of the Flies.

Expand full comment

The irony is the Putin is the Nazi! It's time for another Russian Revolution. Putin works out in an outfit that costs $3,200 which is a about 1/2 the average annual income of a Russian family.

Expand full comment

You know, lin, my father never bought a Ford when we were growing up because good ole Henry provided vehicles, trucks and vans, to Hitler. Volkswagen did too. More than likely one of those companies was involved in the gassing of my grandparents.

Expand full comment

I knew that about Fred Koch - read "Dark Money" by Jane Mayer - you'll learn LOTS about the Kochs

Expand full comment

'Republicans Support Democracy in Ukraine as Long as It Does Not Spread to U.S.'

February 22, 2022

'Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy address reporters outside the White...'

'WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—In a powerful statement, Republican congressional leaders said that they strongly support democracy in Ukraine, as long as it does not spread to the United States.'

“Vladimir Putin should make no mistake,” the G.O.P. statement read. “We Republicans will do everything in our power to preserve democracy in Ukraine, and to keep it over there.” (Satire, NewYorker)

Expand full comment

Borowitz is so scarily right, mostly all of the time. Humorous and factual.

Expand full comment

Andy Borowitz is spot on. I am awaiting Republican support for the Russian ‘peacekeeping’ force that has invaded Ukraine. Might they invite it to ‘visit’ a few troublesome Democratic hot spots in the U. S.?

Expand full comment

Thanks, Jonathan.

Expand full comment

Moscow Mitch!

Expand full comment

The rethuglicans response to EVERYTHING these days hurts the brains of true Americans who still think and know American and world history, and actually like some form of a Constitutional democracy, for All The People. For example: How can you promote autocracy (i.e. putin, trump) which control every aspect of your life by a dictator, while at the same time blather on about wanting NO government, total freedom to do whatever you want (except for women to have power over their reproductive rights and bodies, or people of color to vote—or have any power at all). Has there been a massive lobotomy on all repubs? Or are they AI experiments by Elon, or ET's?

Expand full comment

Please. Rethuglicans, lobotomy patients, AI experiments?

Until you acknowledge that Republicans *are* Americans whose seditious authoritarian proclivities have a long American pedigree, you are part of the problem.

Trump took such blinkered joking in stride, and laughed his way into the White House. And if he doesn't again, one of his 'apprentices' might.

Expand full comment

Lin you are exactly correct. A very long American pedigree indeed, which is why freedom is never free. It must be fought for every f*****g day, to paraphrase Janis Joplin.

Expand full comment

To quote Janis Joplin fully (Bobby McGee) - "Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose"

Expand full comment

I was actually recalling (Ball & Chain) - “Tomorrow never happens. It’s all the same f*****g day, man.”

Expand full comment

A very simple solution to the complete eradication of such phenotypically sociopathic ancestry's malignancies is:

VOTING INTELLIGENTLY WILL PERMANTLY EXPUNGE ALL AMERICAN "RATS"

DO IT!

PLEASE!

Expand full comment

Six years of trauma witnessing brainwashed, fellow Americans and megalomaniacs during a global pandemic behave so abhorrently about health and our government has definitely affected me. The night tfg won the 2016 election was the night I cried that our country has chosen outright fascism. Being part of the the people who prefer to live by Truth and The Golden Rule for All doesn't appear to work very well when both are attacked by homegrown terrorists and a coup d'etat by these "pedigreed" fellow citizens, you refer to. Judging by both of our "likes," we might be even-steven with peers who feel similarly to both of us. So be it.

I do think we are faced with major brainwashing in this cyberwar that was unforeseen. It is dark, addictive and destructive and impacts neurolinguistic programming of the human brain. I may have said what I said humorously, but there is some truth behind what I said above.

Elon has mentioned microchipping human brains for super power capabilities.

Elon Musk: Neuralink Hopes to Put Brain Chips in Humans in ...https://www.businessinsider.com › News

Dec 7, 2021 — Elon Musk has said that Neuralink, his brain-interface technology company, hopes to start implanting its microchips in humans next year.

Putin and trump just uses algorithms and repetitive lying-- it is much easier.

I would only hope that the was something happening to us off-terrestrial, but it is our own species.

You speak of those with "authoritarian proclivities," and what you refer to as the "American pedigree." Those words strike me in such a delicate spot in my core. Do you prefer to give these people a wide swath to justify terrifying us with their violent and defiance of reality? Perhaps it is my Cherokee heritage and my people's history of being lied to and genocided by those "pedigreed" pilgrims (who are also my heritage...embarrassing as that is to admit) that is seeping out. Being "American" should not let anyone off the leash of being wrong acting (harming and oppressing others) and lying and of trying to overthrow a democracy and principles that so many people have fought and died for.

I disagree that I am part of the problem. As a follower of The Golden Rule, I have found it does not work when you have people who have no conscience or cannot empathize with others. TGR falls apart, as does our democracy if we cannot trust one another. I have been studying how pedigreed Americans (does that mean white people, Lin?), who believe their rights are more important than other people's rights, feel free to batter others all my life. My father's people were here before all the persecuted pedigreeds arrived. Maybe being a bit miffed about the white privileged caste system makes me fight, as well as laugh a little bit harder these days.

Expand full comment

"Do you prefer to give these people a wide swath to justify terrifying us with their violent and defiance of reality?"

What in my comment would lead you to that assertion?

Know thine enemy. 2016 should have demonstrated how formidable an adversary we are up against. Read John Milton's 'Paradise Lost.' Satan is by far the most interesting character.

Those you speak about in such dismissive terms have been politically adroit by any metric. Better to analyze how they have accomplished that, than to make easy jokes.

Expand full comment

Power hungry haters, or just stupid cult nuts. I am surrounded by the latter in Texas

Expand full comment

I am so sorry, Jeri. I thought they just needed to go back to their caves. But I think the bigger rot appears to be the negative use of technology based on addiction and as a massive brainwashing tool. No reading or exposure to thought or history outside of the targeted algorithms. We are in a cyberwar. Not sure how to fight the algorithms that completely control us now by corporate interests and nefarious politics (one and the same).

Expand full comment

The money backing Texas’ evil trio must be unlimited since the political lies take up almost as much air time as the programs.

Expand full comment

Putin has lots of dollars to pass around! Yes, as Heather says...."Follow the money".

Expand full comment

Yes, and he is not sharing that money with his own people...

Expand full comment

Me too. I'm using my FB page as a political tool, hoping that some of my friends who still profess to be members of the GFascistP (they don't call it that, but I do) and who still "follow" me there will read the posts and the articles I post there.

Expand full comment

Let's hope they still profess to be your friends, rather than that other thing! Courage.

Expand full comment

So is a friend of mine in the Appalachians. They are scattered, but widespread.

Expand full comment

FL here. And I think we had the most charged for 1/6.

Expand full comment

I believe that

Expand full comment

Easy - their leaders get 2 pachecks. One from our government and one from Putin's.

Expand full comment

Think about that, MaryPat; the poor Russian people paying for America's traitors!

Expand full comment

It is not comfortable when you make me think. Fern. Thank You for that.

Expand full comment

Many are just true believers and don't get paid anything but the satisfaction of flipping the bird to American government.

Expand full comment

Wow, it sure smells that way. I'd love to see them caught for that!

Expand full comment

and how eagerly TFG followers believe the BS about Putin. They don't realize that in the past, Putin didn't allow guns to be available to the public (that was been modified in 2014 and has a long gradual period for acquiring them https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_control_in_Russia.

Expand full comment

Unfortunately, from my perspective, all the repugnant Republicans who are pro-Putin and his vile aggression are veering onto high and seditious treason!

Expand full comment

Let's be very careful with our choice of words. Common usage obscures the significance of legal definitions. At best it can be sloppy but at worst it can lead to unrealistic expectations resulting in counterproductive stances.

We see that in the frustration/anger/ criticisms over AG Garland not charging every 1/6 rioter with 'high and seditious treason.'

Expand full comment

I think that this unbridled support of what Russia is doing in Ukraine coupled with the fiscal support that Putin and other Russian oligarchs have found in US Banks is as close to true "treason" as we've seen. As treason is Constitutionally defined, "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court." I believe that we are very, very close to the "adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort" when the former POTUS says Putin's move was "genius" and endorses Putin's actions as a "peacekeeper".

Expand full comment

Yes. But. There are constitutional protocols and legal precedent as to how we prosecute treason and how we adjudicate it.

Expand full comment

I am not surprised.

Expand full comment

Barbara D. Reed, even though listening to the video simultaneously turned my stomach & made my blood boil, I thank you for the share.

Expand full comment

Yes. Agree.

Expand full comment

I was extremely careful with my choice of words -- and I agree with Ally House below.

Expand full comment

The question is whether your choice of words would hold up in court in any meaningful or effective way.

Make any charge you like in the court of public opinion. But take responsibility for the outcome being useless in court and rabble rousing in the street. So the 'bad guys' stay unscathed and the 'good guys' get sniped at.

Expand full comment

She's on the forum, not in court.

Expand full comment

Exactly! And I did say: "from my perspective."

Expand full comment

This comments section reflects notions circulating in the wider world, and ripples back out to that wider world to reinforce or refute them.

Notions such as, the belief that Trump's actions meet the constitutional standard of 'treason.'

The Constitution is an agreed legal framework. Legal precedent authorizes specific interpretations of the Constitution.

One cannot employ words like 'treason' without implying that there are legal remedies you believe can and ought be pursued. That would be, in court.

Unless, of course, you believe being called a 'traitor' on a blog site etc is a sufficient response to the actions of Trump et al.

If you think you have a right to more, then I think you have a responsibility to be more precise.

Expand full comment

lin, thanks for a good reminder.

For the most part, I am a little sad to see Garland expend so much energy on a bunch of somewhat dimwitted folks who were misled, by Trump, into thinking they were helping out the President of the United States overcome a faulty election.

While, in the meantime, nothing is happening to correct the origin of the problem, Trump.

Expand full comment

A fish may rot from its head, but crime families are investigated and indicted from the bottom up. Garland is gathering evidence to make the best case possible against the dons.

Expand full comment

...and let's not forget-he got McVeigh and Terry Nichols for the OK City bombing of the Murrah Federal Building.

Expand full comment

I see this, too!

Expand full comment

Ya, but in FDR's time, Hitler didn't have the isolationist appeasers on his payroll like Putin does.

Expand full comment

You're kidding, right? Koch Sr. was creating the best jet fuel for Hitler's air force and fuel for his economy. He got PAID plenty for THAT! And he did it for Stalin, too. LEST WE FORGET!

Expand full comment

I borrow your quotes

Expand full comment

That was Borowitz in the New Yorker yesterday.

Expand full comment

Eerily similar.

Expand full comment

The Republicans will sort themselves out, badly once again no doubt. They are split; the explosion that makes it definite and changes the face of American politics for decades has yet to happen. It may happen now or they may somehow paper it over for this crisis. But it’s coming.

The big worry for all of us, of almost any nationality, is the Russia-Ukraine crisis. That threatens to upend the world order and perhaps worse.

Now that Putin has crossed his own personal Rubicon, I am extremely hard-pressed to see how an earthshaking catastrophe is to be avoided. We are in a winner-loser phase. Diplomacy, Churchill’s famous, “Jaw Jaw” seems to be off the table. America rightly cancelled meetings in the immediate future, there is no broker of credibility and strength who can twist arms and pull all back from the brink. Violent conflict seems inevitable, and from all reports Ukraine will not roll over and have their autonomy stolen.

That means at the least that thousands of soldiers and civilians are wounded, displaced, or die. Ukraine, being a country of 44 million, will likely pay an enormous price in casualties.

And what then? If the attack bogs down, does anyone see Putin retreating from Ukraine in shame, as happened to the USSR in Afghanistan? This is the absolutely critical moment of Putin’s lifetime. It seems much more likely that he would throw everything at Ukraine; assymetrical warfare - blackouts, hacking of critical infrastructure, blockades, everything up to chemical weapons, possibly even tactical nuclear weapons. For Putin losing is not an option.

On the other hand, the attack may be spectacularly successful. There are reasons to argue that Ukraine will not suffer a speedy defeat, but nobody can rule out that Russia could win with a tremendous show of modern force in a short period of time.

And what then, if he does? The appetite doth grow upon which it feeds and it is certainly possible that Putin pushes beyond Ukraine into other former SSRs.

When does the West become involved militarily? They will realize soon, if they have not already, that Putin is not a rational actor, that he may in fact be mad. Sanctions are meaningless to him. He is contemptuous of them by all accounts, and even if he isn’t, how does he effectively say that It was all a mistake and Russia is ready to back down.

Without going into more detail, my point is that, try as I might, I can see no plausible scenario in which a huge tragedy is not enacted? An assassination of Putin seems dubious - it would be extraordinarily difficult and wouldn’t guarantee that Russia would collapse, rather than be further motivated.

I would love to see a happy, easy ending with no or relatively few casualties. Then I could go back to worrying about Canadian social chasms, or the Republican party’s excesses, or Trump’s criminal impunity to date, or the conspicuous quiet from the DOJ.

But I am not even certain that the Russia-Ukraine crisis will be contained to those two countries. I am not sure that Putin will not dare the West to attack him, by a series of conquests. And if Russia is not successful, Ukraine will have paid a price beyond imagining to stop them. This is the most frightening situation geopolitically that I can remember in my lifetime.

Expand full comment

Seriously?

Baby-Bathwater much?

Apocalyptic much?

Why so quick to 'cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war?

Expand full comment

Show me a solution.

Your comment attacks but does not provide counterpoints.

I am seriously hoping for an off ramp, but wrote this because a few geopolitical doors were slammed in the last two days.

Expand full comment

I questioned what seemed to me an unsupported assertion of unavoidable apocalypse. I found the domino scenario fearful but

unconvincing.

The primary counterpoint is that Putin has not ordered a blitzkrieg.

Biden has repeated that he will not send in ground troops. Just to be sure, Democrats have asserted Congressional war powers. Republicans are split: McCarthy seems to be calling Biden weak for not taking preemptive military action; Graham and Cheney are calling for 'sanctions from Hell'; other Republicans are supporting Putin - either outright or by saying 'Ukraine has nothing to do with us.'

Yes, the situation is very bad. But all out world war is not inevitable.

Have just been listening to State, Pentagon, and WH press conferences on CSpan. From what I hear, the strategy of a slowly tightening vise is being tactically carried out. This is keeping 'the door open to the off ramp'.

Russia is not in a secure financial posture. The rouble is weak, the rate of inflation is high. Their access to banking options is limited. They might run out their 'rainy day fund' more quickly than they assert. Sanctioning not only oligarchs but the children they usually transfer funds to might be effective.

There is some evidence that Putin is not following the playbook he used in Georgia and Crimea. Why and what it means is not clear.

The united response by the USA, NATO, and Europe, with support of other nations, seems to have surprised Putin as much as it has disappointed Republicans.

Expand full comment

Thanks Lin. That’s much more the type of comment I expect, having read many of your others.

I too dug into this topic today (NYT, Gaslit Nation). On GN they interviewed a professor from Austria who seemed to think, as did Tanya Chalupa that sanctions could be much more crippling than I had thought. There was a lot of persuasive detail on sanctions that would serve both to punish/deter Putin and at the same time go a long way towards cleaning up years of Western corruption. So I have a little more hope.

However the prospect of Putin pulling back b/c of sanctions remains difficult for me to see. Now that he has invested so much time, energy, manpower and materiel the most golden of golden bridges would need to be constructed to allow him to surrender to sanctions without looking like a grossly incompetent leader. I am not persuaded that that can be done.

He might claim the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk (sp?). occupy it and sit tight for six months, hoping that he can then withdraw. But I think sitting on it and claiming ownership would not be tolerable to Ukraine. Cities like Mariupol are going to need to be subdued. And Western sanctions would be ramped up. And finally, taking a salami slice does not seem to be in character for Putin, nor worth the huge outlay.

In my heart of hearts I still believe that this is the big roll of the dice for Putin. It has the feel of an ultimate showdown with the West (possibly to Biden’s surprise.

Wars once started are devastatingly unpredictable - and most often not for the good. As the noted philosopher Mike Tyson once said, “Every fighter has a plan. It lasts until he gets smashed in the mouth”.

On a personal note, you are usually didactic In the best sense of the word. I really enjoy your comments. Today you were dismissive. I am glad you wrote back. NB: I am accused of being too sure of myself occasionally on this forum. So my comments to begin this paragraph may seem like a pot/kettle thing.

Expand full comment

"Moltke (1800–1891), The German field marshal, known as Moltke the Elder, believed in developing a series of options for battle instead of a single plan, saying “No plan of operations extends with certainty beyond the first encounter with the enemy’s main strength.”

Tyson is more pungent and to the point. That is a great quote.

Yeah. It could still all go up in smoke. And I agree, finding an off ramp for Putin to save face, without giving away the store. Disgusting to have to think like that. Diplomacy needs a strong stomach. Interesting how out in the open this seems to be.

And OMGosh. If only. "There was a lot of persuasive detail on sanctions that would serve both to punish/deter Putin and at the same time go a long way towards cleaning up years of Western corruption. So I have a little more hope." Biden/the Biden administration seems to take this seriously. Lena Khan!

ThankYou for continuing the conversation. Your critique of my initial comment is totally on target. Someone asked to describe me in three words said 'imperious and dismissive' and another said 'prolix and obscure.' Yeah, like that.

I was working on Capitol Hill on 9/11. Some of us decided to walk to Maryland. It was a beautiful day. We took a rest on a grassy incline. I thought - this is what it must

be like in Bosnia, a beautiful day and somewhere else all hell is breaking loose. Today it was a sunny 60F in February in DownEast Maine. And elsewhere ...

http://connect2amc.com/118-strategic-planning-moltke-the-elder-dwight-eisenhower-winston-churchill-and-just-a-little-mike-tyson

Expand full comment

I read in the Atlantic and The Guardian that Putin has been saving for years for this moment and he is sitting pretty financially although I saw that the Ruble just dropped, so his money is worth less. So, I am not sure about the financial situation. I just don't know.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/02/energy-crisis-russia-gas/622884/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=atlantic-daily-newsletter&utm_content=20220223&utm_term=The%20Atlantic%20Daily

Expand full comment

"In my heart of hearts I still believe that this is the big roll of the dice for Putin. It has the feel of an ultimate showdown with the West (possibly to Biden’s surprise."

My sincere apologies. Your analysis and apprehensions were correct. Something I know you take no satisfaction in.

My optimism was unrealistic. I am sorry.

Expand full comment

I am so sick of the dangerous, toxic right. I refuse to read anything that has the names of those poisoning our democracy with ignorance and hatred. However, I am so proud of President Biden and those at the helm. Thank you for keeping us truly informed.

Expand full comment

The blather and antics of the eighth-grade bullies, grown up, is more than I can tolerate. The republicans are committing treason in plain sight and the cult baas. My takeaway from all this, Putin wants his puppet back. And he will do anything to have chump back on a leash, preferable as president. Then the bullies rule the world.

Expand full comment

Yep, this timing is very calculated on putin's part. I think he was hoping that trump's regime has weakened our country so much that we would be too weak to respond. I truly appreciate how Biden has his nose to the grindstone on all the messes the trumplicans have shat upon our country and our relationships with other countries. It is truly heartening to see our global united front with other countries so quickly re-established. While we deal with homegrown terrorists on our own shores and in our own government.

Expand full comment

Yes, truly heartening! And isn’t it a great example of IRONY that at the same time we are attempting to save our own Democracy!

Expand full comment

Yes!!

Expand full comment

Yes, Gailee, I’m with you, at this moment, it appears that our president is moving forward and past the repubs and the dangerous right. (No names needed). My big worry continues to be how we stop those repug repepubs from taking power again through election and sabotage our Democracy. I want to say, “Onward ” but which way will USA and our Democracy really go?

Expand full comment

Irenie, I want Biden’s State of the Union address to be less on rhetoric and more on actions. What we Dems lack is proper messaging. When I say that, he must consistently repeat his admin’s accomplishments, of which there many. He should be pounding it into the Republicans and Democrats heads!

Expand full comment

So, it's happened...the pretext for invasion is peacekeeping. unrecognized "republics" are now legit. up is down, left is right, black is white. Isn't Putin himself the biggest klepto of them all? Where is his $30 billion with a capital B stashed? Surely we have the capacity to follow the money, no? What about impounding a thousand commercial vessels, give or take a few. Deny landing rights to all Russian commercial airliners in NATO countries, cease flying routes that include Moscow and other Russian cities. Shut the borders to commercial traffic. Rescind visas held by their citizens abroad, "lock" them within their own borders. Flood Ukraine with shoulder-fired anti-tank, anti-aircraft weapons, enough to cover the Russian fleet by 3-5x. Overwhelm their internet with garbage feed; there is no end of opportunity to inflict pain on those who have the capacity to do something about Putin, namely topple him from power from the inside.

Expand full comment

I agree with the money hunt. And I think your number of $30 billion could be low. A campaign to show the world how he and his oligarch buddies have siphoned off money that could have fed Russian children...

But remember that Russia has the tech capacity to destroy life in America. Everything from chemical plants, water supplies, electric grids, the internet...all vulnerable. Super American payback would feel good and we could say we were "tough". But escalation leads to escalation. Careful what we wish for.

Expand full comment

The cyber warning was part of NBC's national news last night. It is 24 outside at the moment and I am grateful we have heat and electricity. People whined nonstop last winter when we had an ice storm and many were without electricity for days. I thought about that when that news story came on. They have no idea. Now we are supposed to have a Timber Unity sponsored big vehicle trek to the Capitol building here in Salem tomorrow. It has changed it's name too, so I guess people won't know who is behind all the nonsense. And they are having a fit about wearing a mask and getting a shot. As I say, they have no idea. Meanwhile the insurrection party loves Putin...same party of flag wavers, etc.

Expand full comment

Too much to think about! Hope there are choices to save not just US but humanity.

Expand full comment

We hope. I am a history person, so I tend to be pretty cynical about humankind.

Expand full comment

Yes, you have a point. But what are we hoping to accomplish, save, if not more than US? I know we’re all connected, not just spiritually. Cyber! Nuclear! Yikes!

Expand full comment

Cynical, but believe we should all endeavor to see a better world.

Expand full comment

I hadn't heard about Timber Unity's plan. It does not surprise me in any way, however.

As a complete aside, how did they ever come up with that name?

Expand full comment

I think it is tomorrow. The name is to attract rural people and allow out of state money to stir the pot. The old Oregon urban rural divide. They are insidious.

Expand full comment

Indeed they are. I also love the signs that say "support working families". Like I don't work? Or my wife doesn't work?

Expand full comment

Only families that are R and death star followers. This outfit makes compromise and cooperation very difficult.

Expand full comment

One of the scariest parts of this current conflict....not to mention nuclear capabilities and the possibility of an accidental move.

Expand full comment

Yes, that time is Now. What’s next? How do we STOP a cyber war? Too scary to even consider if we don’t.

Expand full comment

Nathan, time for you to apply for a job in the Biden administration!

Expand full comment

You seem to have a constructive idea there!

Expand full comment

At this point President Biden is attempting to spare the Russian people. Why not a carefully calculated response such as President Biden and our European allies are doing?

Why punish the Russian people? Do you think the Russian people have any say at all over Putin?! Navalny already reported on what the State Run Soviet media is saying. How would you flood their internet?

Playing one's cards and options all at once is not good strategy. Being punitive and throwing one's weight around just because you can is what trump does. America is better than that.

Expand full comment

I don't think it's about the high road and the low road. I think you must play the game with the same resolve as your opponent and the same willingness to put pressure where it hurts. The Russian people CAN overthrow Putin. If they become adequately uncomfortable with isolation and material deprivation, they'll turn on their government just the same as people everywhere. They have ousted leaders in the past. Russian generals can choose to slow-walk an occupation and find reasons to avoid further assaults (ground conditions unfavorable to move heavy equipment). How do dictators fall? Some fall when the populace simply chooses to ignore them. Others fall when their military backers lose interest/faith in them. Some overplay their hand and bring deprivation upon their populace. All of these factors can offer leverage against a leader with hegemonic tendencies. We aren't throwing weight around just because we can. We're doing so in response to provocation by Putin. High minded dismissal of hardball tactics won't necessarily be appreciated or appropriately interpreted across the water.

Expand full comment

And on February 24, 2022 brave Russians protested the invasion of Ukraine. God Bless the courageous people of Russia who are protesting the war.

Expand full comment

So, what do you suggest? We need to hear solutions instead of tearing down sanctions to stop the invasion. The ideas presented by Nathan, are, in addition Biden's and other countries' responses, to prevent escalation of war. If the first level of sanctions do not work against Putin, the next level must be implemented. Maybe it is time for the Russian people to revolt against their billionaire dictator? He is the one sending them to war. It is all on his megalomaniac desire to expand his power and grab more resources...not for his people, for himself and his oligarchic fiends. Age-old problem of power-mad narcissists who are never satisfied.

Expand full comment

I suggest trusting President Biden, his Nation Security apparatus and the European Leaders. At this point we are waiting to see if the sanctions work.

I am never in favor of punitive actions against an innocent population.

Expand full comment

Is the population innocent? Or are they complicit? Navalny is an example of an innocent.

Expand full comment

Since Russia doesn't have free and fair elections, a free press or robust economic freedom I do not think the Russian people are complicit in what Putin is doing.

Expand full comment

I concur with this first level of action as you do. With putin's actions going on at the border, seemingly to trigger some kind of response, he is cruising for something no only megolomaniacs want control and resources of other countries. Innocent people are already getting hurt, Barbara. We are one of Ukraine's allies and we cannot just watch this slow moving russian train into war upon them, again. Tough choices have to be made between innocent people. It would be easier if we could just take out malevolent dictators... but we are not there yet.

Expand full comment

I am assuming there is the public plan and the private plan. I don't need to know what the private plan is. In fact, I don't want to know the private plan because then it isn't private. I am hoping the unlike Donald Trump, Biden can keep American secrets secret from an unstable maniac like Putin and only reveal what he wants him to know.

Expand full comment

Revolt! Isn’t that how real change not only happens, but sticks? We have “helped” in our generous (or self-serving?) way all over the world and when we leave, the countries often return to the same devastating conditions as before we showed up. I’m not at all advocating isolationism or even criticizing the current NATO positions. Just being smart about including the people and countries we assist in decision making.

Expand full comment

Add to that, give Putin notice that all those assets will be confiscated if Russia hasn't removed its troops from Ukraine AND Ukraine's borders within 30 days. Western governments can then use those assets for social programs, or to build Ukraine's military force. Ukraine also needs fighter jets.

Expand full comment

Nathan, a great list! Do you think Putin cares if his country, the people, suffer? He must have enough $$$ stashed safely for living in comfort anywhere. Maybe even holed up with his favorite failed puppet.

Expand full comment

What about the ISS?

Expand full comment

The entire Ukraine ‘crisis’ is the result of Pipsqueak Putin. His megalomania reminds me of Hitler in the late 1930s. They both were obscure people with a ‘Stab in the back’ mentality. For Hitler it was Germany’s loss in WW I (others were responsible, not the German army). For Putin, it was the dismemberment of the Soviet Empire, which he referred to as ‘the greatest tragedy in the 20th century.’

Putin was an obscure KGB official in Dresden when the Berlin Wall was reopened. Within two years he entered political life in St. Petersburg and a decade later had squirmed his way into the leader of Russia, which he has been for 22 years.

He gradually became an absolute authoritarian using and then discarding oligarchs as well as anyone who he considered a threat. His dealings with the West became more and more troublesome.

During this process the Putin of today emerged. Though Russia now is only a regional power, he is desperate to be considered a Big Boy—side by side with Xi, the American president, and others. Now he is clearly the junior partner with dominant China.

Putin is driven by his fixation on restoring Russia’s hegemony over Eastern Europe. He greatly resents that a number of these countries are in NATO and the European Union. In his mind Western Europe was disunited and America was weak. This underlay his ‘ultimatum’ that the West move away from Eastern Europe and permit Russia to resume its dominance over ex-Soviet satellite countries. This ‘ultimatum’ came with a threat of military action in Ukraine.

I believe that Putin was astonished by President Biden’s forceful push back and ability to unite NATO and some Eastern European countries against Putin’s ‘ultimatum.’ Like Hitler he is unable to accept the personal humiliation of backing down. Stunned by the Biden Doctrine, he has launched what so far is a limited military action in Ukraine. I consider it likely that this will expand, as Putin acts like a cornered rat.

Whatever results from his current machinations, as long as Putin is Russia’s leader, he will be sharply focused on bringing some/all of Eastern Europe within his sphere of influence.

WHEN YOU THINK OF PUTIN, THINK OF HITLER. Remember that President Biden called him a ‘killer.’

Expand full comment

He’s a killer alright, people that oppose him often end up dead. I read recently that he is a chess ♟ master which given what he’s doing makes sense. Playing chess on a board game and playing with real lives is a different thing. A lot of people are going to die, both Ukrainians as well as Russians, people that are in touch with their families today will be lost forever, all to support one megalomaniac’s ego. If he was a real leader he would lead from the front like Alexander the Great or Patton did, but he’s a coward just like the imbecilic clown that we had for a president. He has thought through these moves, including the sanctions that we in the west will likely impose, and thinks that he will be one step ahead on his way to the victory that he envisions. This is going to get ugly the deeper into it we go, none of us asked for this but it looks like it will be up to our resolve to be the ones left standing in the end. At this point a lot of pain would be eliminated if someone were to put a bullet in him, but until the pain gets worse that is not likely to happen, at least not until the bodies start coming home in boxes and it starts hitting close to home, that’s exactly what got them out of Afghanistan. So brace yourselves, the comfort we are living in today is about to change.

Expand full comment

Dick I suspect that Putin is as much a ‘chess master’ as he was a hockey star, who scored 6 goals against a game-throwing Russian hockey team. In fact his ultimatum to the West to give him a free hand in the ex-Soviet Eastern European satellite states was a checkers move. The prompt and forceful Biden Doctrine response shocked this checker player, who now finds himself in a dicey three-dimensional chess game which ultimately he will lose.

Expand full comment

We're going to oblige Ukraine to take the full frontal assault alone if it transpires. They'll fight for their independence and lots of people will die; either they lose, or the situation devolves into another version of Afganistan. A decisive win against an overwhelmingly more powerful military power is highly unlikely. The best Ukraine can hope is to make a war SO costly that russian society abandons their leader. The lessons of WWII in attempting to appease Hitler, then exploring terms of surrender through Mussolini should be instructive to today's leaders. If anything, we're late with the sanctions. Persuasion failed to prevent the tanks from rolling. I hope the entire remainder of those break-away regions are filled with tank traps, pre-positioned land mines, wired bridges and the like, because that's the next border that Putin will claim prior to a move across Ukraine towards Kyiv.

Expand full comment

I agree that it is three-dimensional now and hope that a united west will have the courage to stand against the coming onslaught. I have been in that meat grinder and have for 50 years had Russian iron in my leg and a broken back to show for it. I have a hard time believing that increasingly punitive sanctions will dissuade him from his goal, especially since he’s been preparing for this for the better part of a decade. This will most certainly escalate into cyber attacks which will impact us here, they have had years to burrow into all manor of our infrastructure, just witness the recent cyber attacks on our cities, hospitals, and pipelines to name a few, anyone that thinks this is going to be just over there is mistaken.

Expand full comment

I was assuming this is why his director of intelligence was shaking and stumbling over his lines in that public mockery of an open meeting where Putin got agreement from all of his ministers that he should declare the two occupied regions of Ukraine as independent republics. I guess the guy knows full well what can happen to him if he messes up. I am assuming no one who is "close" to Putin is able to sleep well at all, and all of them are going to be ragged from this situation. Putin is probably going to get an ulcer. Even sociopaths suffer anger and stress, although they may not be able to feel empathy. He is certainly stressing those around him a lot. And, I imagine that the military is suffering from covid spreading. His troops may be a breeding ground for a new more virulent strain. That is going to get everyone mad at him. What will happen to the Russian soldiers in the military tent hospitals. I can hardly see them being well equipped to handle an outbreak. We shall see. There are a lot of factors that are not under a chess players control in this situation. The virus is one that is not to be forgotten. Omicron variant B is more contagious. I have read that both sides have had major covid outbreaks even though both say their militaries have much higher rates of vaccination than the general population.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/04/record-covid-cases-in-russia-and-ukraine-complicate-conflict-situation

The Russian army supposedly has 95% vaccinated and the Ukrainian said 99%. I believe the Russian used their vaccines which are less effective than the ones approved in the Ukraine. https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/country/russian-federation/

https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/country/ukraine/

Probably we can help them with supplying the Ukrainian military with rapid tests.

Expand full comment

My family is making life plans A, B and C this weekend based on the current situation. I am sickened by it all. I have been for weeks. There has been no doubt in my mind of this, and that the president is on this hit list we have been hearing about. I do not want that to happen. I would like him to escape to lead another day. He has been amazing. He did not ask for this, but he has done a lot for the Ukraine. Putin is a sociopath. I want to see him tried as a war criminal in the international court. I know his money makes him insular. The ruble should be made worthless. I know it dropped, but no one should take it. It should be like the Reichsmarks, which were worth more as fuel than to spend, during the Nazi times. As a teacher, when I have a bully, I always go after their followers first. I take them out. I think we should be hitting Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan and anyone that does business with Russia as well. Hit them hard. Make them destitute. They are not wealthy and that might get their leaders ousted. And as for the soccer federation refusing to cooperate and insisting on still having games in Russia. They should be told there will be no protection and no spectators, and no contracts and no money from anyone except Russia, and that money will not be worth much. There should be consequences for them too. Sports are not neutral like the Olympics pretends. We need to move beyond that.

Expand full comment

The trouble with chess is that the strength of the pieces is obvious and consistent, the king moves like a king, the pawn like a pawn. In real life, you don’t know what people will do. Putin got more resistance from the west than he thought he would.

Expand full comment

The trouble with chess is that the power of the pieces is predictable. The king moves like a king, the queen moves like a queen. In real life, you don’t know what people will do. Putin got more resistance than expected from the west. Now

Expand full comment

When i think of Putin, I think of Xi. The disastrous path Putin has chosen will, win, lose, or draw, push him into the sphere of China.

Expand full comment

Steve During Stalin initially China under Mao became a subservient Soviet partner. This became untenable for Mao and, by the late sixties, there were even military skirmishes between the two countries.

Today China is one of the two most important world powers. Russia is far below this tier. Recently Putin has scrambled to strengthen links with China, most definitely as a junior associate—not even partner. Xi will use Putin to his advantage, not vice versa.

Expand full comment

So agree with this opinion, Keith.

Expand full comment

Yes. China's gaining in this. Xi's corridor interest runs from Australia to Alaska. Pesky Russia on western tranch.

Expand full comment

And my eye is on watching what China does going forward. Our efforts with Putin may be cover for Xi’s plans for an aggressive move on Taiwan. We would be forced to split our efforts on two fronts with a divided US citizenry and in an election cycle. I think the last paragraph in HCR’s post yesterday hold the keys to efforts that will serve democracy here and abroad well “burn the financial ties to Russia’s oligarchs and Putin. We see that beginning to happen, but can it be more forceful?

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
February 23, 2022
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

This is a troubling thought.

Expand full comment

If that one third could only be divided and diverted into fighting each other somewhere else...

Expand full comment

Biden called MetaFacebook a killer, too!

Expand full comment

Those Republicans who have spoken out against Biden were obviously not part of the bipartisan group who went to Munich to meet with members of other countries. Both sides said they were totally united as to the sanctions the Biden Admin was imposing. Look at Germany, they are stopping a pipeline from being completed which would give their country quite a bit of oil and gas from Russia. That was a very bold move! We should appreciate their sacrifice. By going after the oligarchs and their families, these sanctions should be felt deeply and that’s what we want.

Can we talk a little about TFG taking 15 boxes of highly classified material to his residence? Ever thought about how he may have already given some of that information to Putin or his pals as leverage for payments he owes them?? Too bad the archival organization didn’t bring the FBI with them to arrest this bastard.

Expand full comment

"Too bad the archival organization didn’t bring the FBI with them to arrest this bastard."

Hope springs eternal but reality IS eternal.

The probability anyone ever arrests Trump for anything at all is less than 0.2. Probably even lower than that.

Expand full comment

They have all the evidence to prove guilt. just security.com thinks there will be a civil war, blood, injury and death if the arrest him and he’s found guilty.But …..in 230 yrs no one has done what TFG has and the idea is if they don’t it may happen again . There are at least 4 others that closely conspired with TFG .When Ppl take an Oath to Protect and Defend our Country and they are in Gov’t and don’t do it they need to go.

Expand full comment

Marcia, to me, it sounds like security.com is supporting a reduced probability of Trump being arrested because of the fear of "civil war".

Trump is counting on that and even feeding that narrative. Smart guy he is.

I stick with my probability assessment of 0.2, probably less......just based on history.

He was only ever arrested once, when he beat his wife in the 90's for making fun of his funny looking, new fake hair. But, he was almost immediately released and never jailed.

This one instance despite an entire adult life of seriously criminal behavior supported by all of the trappings of power in NY City including big accounting firms lying for him.

Expand full comment

This kind of talk is utterly depressing. Can we be more positive about true justice? It is time to stop allowing bullies to use fear against us. We need to unite, there are more of us than them. They are noisy and rattling their sabers. BS. We have a justice system and the military. Use the first, the latter as last resort.

Expand full comment

The two lead lawyers on the NY DA criminal case quit today ensuring Trump will not be indicted for his lifelong fraud.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
February 23, 2022
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

I don't remember your previous comment was, so I don't think I felt offended!

Expand full comment

If tfg were in prison, would his Secret Service detail be in the cell next to him?

Expand full comment

I heard somewhere that if he were sentenced, it would need to be to house arrest, with his security detail enforcing it as well as protecting him. The implied location was Mar a Lago. It makes logistical sense, but I would opt for having to sell Mar a Lago, using the proceeds to purchase something modest with provisions for the detail and the rest going toward his debts. How about a Motel 6?

Expand full comment

I don’t think Motel6 would keep the light on for him.

Expand full comment

😂

Expand full comment

Then he could say “ Hillary Bugged My Bed ! “. ( sorry, I just laughed thinking of him in a Motel 6 ).

Expand full comment

But now they have to throw trash at Biden because he just might gather wide support for the Dems and the midterms. Also, the State of the Union speech is due and heaven forbid if the Republicans present a pro-Biden front.

Expand full comment

The whole concept of a republican "rebuttal" to the State of the Union speech is offensive. It has been happening for several administrations and I think it's an affront to the nature of our political system. The president is not a prime minister, beholden to votes of confidence in congress for his position. He is beholden to the electorate. I'm guessing the Republican version of the state of the union is a fabrication of the main-stream-media, who consider every single executive action as a point of departure for post-hoc analysis and criticism. There is a role for the opposition party and alternative opinions, but the state of the union address has become a partisan sharade rather than a conversation between the president and the public.

Expand full comment

I agree and MSM should not buy into their bullshit statements!

Expand full comment

Good afternoon from Ukraine. Bright sunny warm day. Ukraine has declared state of emergency for the whole country. Rada approved citizens right to own and carry guns. Twitter is blocking accounts reporting on the situation that are unfriendly to Russia. Russia is crudely faking incidents blaming Ukraine. Fierce shelling continues across the front lines trying to draw Ukrainian retaliation. Other than that, everything is normal

Expand full comment

"Twitter is blocking accounts reporting on the situation that are unfriendly to Russia."

Very nice. Twitter insuring the growth of tyrants. Why am I not even slightly surprised.

Thank you for one of the more important posts to this board. Be safe.

Expand full comment

Thank you but there are far more informed people than me on this board. Twitter is a great way to find out what is going on long before it hits the press.

Expand full comment

Allen, Word here is invasion very, very soon. Please do what you have to do NOW. Our hearts and souls are with you and with your family. Take care.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Fern. We are expecting it. Depends on how fast the front moves west from Dnipro how long we will be safe. I sit here in our warm house with gas, electricity, Wi-Fi etc. and think about the people in Donbas who have endured war for 8 years. It makes me very sad. Did you read the article in the Guardian someone posted about why Twitter is shutting down anti-Russian accounts? Just think, that is how Ukraine may end up. Why would anyone want to be part of Putin's Russia? The people of Belarus are certainly not happy about the prospect

Expand full comment

The Guardian article is from March 2021. Did a search to find anything more recent about Twitter shutting down anti-Russian accounts. Found this only: https://www.newsweek.com/china-censors-appear-ban-anti-russia-media-content-ukraine-invasion-1681638

Expand full comment

Thanks. I suspect the stuff laid out in the March 2021 article still applies. Interesting the route china is taking but not unexpected.

Expand full comment

Allen, Please - do not wait. He is an obsessed madman! Alone, dangerous and lethal as they come. You're getting this from a calm and reasonable person. TAKE CARE

Expand full comment

Allen, It's 10:40 PM EST. The Russian military will be go from Kiev to Odesa and then West. It will be brutal. Prayers for all.

Expand full comment

Yes, Fern and Allen!!

Expand full comment

Posted today. Live updates.

Excerpt: "A wave of denial-of-service attacks temporarily knocked out websites for the Ukrainian parliament, cabinet and foreign ministry, and caused delays to the defence and interior ministry websites. Many of the same sites were knocked offline last week too, in attacks that the US and UK quickly blamed on the GRU, Russian military intelligence." https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/ukraine-crisis-live-russia-has-moved-nearly-100percent-of-troops-into-invasion-ready-positions-says-us/ar-AAUbH0H

Expand full comment

More....

20:58

This just in: leaders of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine have asked Russia for help with aggression from the Ukrainian army, reports Ifax citing Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Many experts are pointing to these requests as the latest (possibly final) pretext that Russia could use to launch a full attack on Ukraine."

"20:51

More on the plant in Armyansk that was evacuated: Ukraine’s military intelligence has tweeted out a statement that Ukraine has not planned and will not plan any sabotage of the facility, calling such statements false.

From the Ukraine military intelligence account: We officially declare that Ukraine has not planned and does not plan any act of sabotage at this facility and refutes all statements on this issue."

Praying that you don't lose your communications. Or power. Or water....

Expand full comment

Thanks for these. I have shut down my listening to local stuff for the night as it is midnight. The sun will come up tomorrow at least that much is sure.

Expand full comment

Twitter blocked my tweets unfavorable to chump, community standards, they say. I call bull Schitt…

Expand full comment

I was blocked for calling Lindsay Graham a name.... "tRump's whore."

Expand full comment

My sister called Kimberly Guilfoyle a whore and she got the axe too. We both are relentless. 😃

Expand full comment

My imagination sees Donald trump on his knees, begging Vladimir to <censored> . Definitely a breach of community standards.

Expand full comment

Would that be unzip and let him…….

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
February 23, 2022
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

I was quite surprised when I was shut down for a day. And, certainly the reason for your shutdown is absurd. I rarely use Twitter so it wasn't a big deal for me, but the censoring of some of the tweets is ridiculous.

Expand full comment

I have been shut down by Twitter forever for things that I said about Chump & Co. It’s okay because my blood pressure came down.

Expand full comment

I wrote that men who made women pregnant against their will should be castrated. shut down ever since. just as well

Expand full comment

“Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play”? How can Twittler do this? Be safe Allen.

Expand full comment

Allen, always good day to you and praying the light seers the darkness of oppression that Putin creeps with. Your neighbors and friends as stalwart as you? I’m so proud of this country so far away yet close.

Salud, Allen.

Expand full comment

Neighbors are braver than I am. They know far better what is coming. I'm sort of going al9ng for the ride. Though as Mark Twain said about being tarred and feathered if it weren't for the honour I'd rather have walked

Expand full comment

Did I read that right? Twitter is blocking tweets that are unfriendly to Russia??? Twitter supports Russian propaganda?

Expand full comment

It is apparently caused by bots and algorithms. Not sure

Expand full comment

Here is some background information. Time to drop the policy.

Ukraine's freedom is more important than tweets in Russia.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/18/twitter-told-to-delete-russian-oppositions-online-news-content

Expand full comment

The Guardian article is a year old. Doesn't mean that Twitter isn't doing something again - or still - right now but a search just now for any articles about current blocking found only this: https://www.newsweek.com/china-censors-appear-ban-anti-russia-media-content-ukraine-invasion-1681638

Expand full comment

Thanks for sharing the newsweek article. The articles that come up under my search were all a year old.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Diana. Needed reference.

Expand full comment

Just think. Soon all this will belong to Ukraine too. Oh joy.

Expand full comment

Yes, but "someone" wrote the code for the bots & algorithms.

Expand full comment

Bless you for keeping us informed. What a frightening circumstance to be living with.

Expand full comment

Do we know if Navalny’s tweets are getting out in Russia? It would be great if they did!

Expand full comment

“Other that that . . . .” Be safe!

Expand full comment

Listening to the BBC here. Are you OK?

Expand full comment

So far but who knows. Thanks.

Expand full comment

Oh, my. Wishing you and yours to be safe. 😪

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
February 24, 2022
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

Safe so far. Watching the news closely

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
February 23, 2022
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

I have friends on both sides of the spectrum who have had their accounts blocked/censored/etc. Several of them are from posts made as far back as 2014. There is no rhyme or reason to the actions of "Meta".

Expand full comment

I am one of the people who’s account is crippled by meta. I did NOT support TFG and was very vocal about it. I’ll continue to be a voice on line about the horror of the republican party et al.

Gah.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
February 23, 2022
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

Thanks HCR for yet another highly informative column. What is very sad is that the ability of many Republicans to put politics above national interests, national security, and global stability is no longer shocking in the least...

Expand full comment

Some (many?) Republicans have an active agenda: realignment with Russia (and other autocrats) against liberal democracy, NATO, multicultural Western values, and the like. And many, many Americans on the right are being conditioned by propaganda to support that realignment. This is very, very concerning, akin to a cancer spreading in our country. How long until the more traditional wing of the Republicans on foreign affairs (Russia hawks, etc.) succumb like they did to Trump? How long before they willingly appease the autocrats of the world? Except for Liz Cheney and Kinzinger (who himself has nothing to lose at this point), there is no courage on the right. The best they can muster is an attack on Biden when now more than ever it is time to send a wake up call to their constituents and voice strong support for a unified effort against this invasion. Americans need to understand that this is an attack on everything we fought for in WW2, not some distant, irrelevant country whose dismantling means nothing. Why oh why don't patriots take on the propaganda on the right, taking it straight to the media outlets that are destroying our country?

Expand full comment

Been asking this for longer than Ukraine, and why don’t Dems scream this from the heavens

Expand full comment

How? How to take on Tucker Carlson?

Expand full comment

I was thinking Biden or even Harris or other high-level officials actually going on Fox, laying out their/our case to the extent possible, and calling out the dangers of falling for Russian propaganda and the like. I know there's risk involved, but I think they could easily swat away the nonsense that passes unchecked on that station. Just piercing the bubble and getting messages through to that audience is important. I don't think they have to be a Carlson guest to do that, but they could address his BS on air without talking directly to him.

Expand full comment

Who said, when they tell you who they are, believe them…

Expand full comment

Maya Angelou —When Someone Shows Who They Are, Believe Them The First Time. Applies directly to the mass murderer-American carnage-treasonous-you knew I was a snake-genius who cheats at golf and everything else. 🎃

Expand full comment

Oh, how many times has Biden golfed this past year compared to the yeti?

Expand full comment

How did we ever get here? I weep for my country.

Expand full comment

See: Ronald Reagan. He sold a story line that true conservatives bought hook, line, and sinker and that has been morphed into what we see today.

Expand full comment

I have ever since tfg descended the escalator.

Expand full comment

Trumpism is like an incurable cancer in our country. The power hungry leaders and their willfully ignorant followers block every opportunity to find a cure.

Expand full comment

Second comment; Right on Navalny. You go dude! Way to have heart for your true country folk - not putin or his putineers. Our republican party sans two ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ members could take a point or two from you. Alas, the other 99% are dumb as rocks, and doing their best to sink our Republic. Just like putin’s sunk your nation. He’s just taking it to a whole new level with his Ukranian wet dream. Hang in there. The world is your witness.

Expand full comment

What surprises me is that Navalny has the ability to tweet out his messages. Totally surprised that Putin has not silenced him with a social media firewall. How can this be?

Expand full comment

As I read the entirety of Navalny’s thread, I was wondering exactly the same thing.

Expand full comment

Does anyone have an answer to this?

Expand full comment

I’ve been unable to come to a conclusive answer. However, my guess is that Navalny’s foundation—now exiled in Lithuania—is managing his Twitter account. https://time.com/6140102/alexei-navalny-russia-profile/?amp=true

Expand full comment

Oh that’s wonderful!!

Expand full comment

sympathetic guard..?

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
February 23, 2022
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

I am hoping that since he’s in the middle of a trial, he might be safe for the time being. What courage he displays.

Expand full comment

A horrifying thought.

Expand full comment

Seems like yesterday Sarah Palin, while in her home state of Alaska could see Russia from her house and she was soooo worried about an invasion ? “ Hey Sarah ! Duck ! You’re party is in Cahoots with the Enemy !” Never in my Wildest Dream would I dream people in our Gov’t would openly support an Enemy. Maybe there were a whole lot more being bought than we are aware of ?

Expand full comment

Sarah Palin was not the first symptom of the Republican rot in America..

But, she was one of the most visible symptoms of the overall American decline in education, reading, thoughtful contemplation, visits to the library, and ability to discern as a consequence.

I knew some old men in rural East Texas who had ridden horses to school back in the Depression who had read the Grapes of Wrath, and many other titles that they would discuss with you if you stopped by their houses while hauling hay or watermelons or whatever (back when the local youth did that hard work instead of illegals from Mexico).

So many of the men and women in East Texas who were over 60 in 1975 read well, thought well, and could discern.

One of the smartest men I have ever met was a guy named JW Huddleston. He went to High School in Grapeland, TX and he put me onto a book series about the FBI that I have been trying to find recently but cannot. Called G-men. Written way back in the 40's or something for youth. The vocabulary was amazing. He had read them all and said I would enjoy them.

I did!

maybe found one:

https://www.biblio.com/book/g-men-trail-big-little-book/d/807762553

But now? The vast majority of even educated Americans no longer read in depth. Sure, they can hack out a one sentence post with a meme on facebook or twitter. But, (almost) nobody spends an entire day reading a complex narrative in a book.

I probably should stop reading. I just finished Bryan Stevenson's immense "Just Mercy".

Maybe I should spend my time on facebook posting funny memes instead? Wow. Stevenson's book had/has a huge impact.

At any rate, Sarah Palin was not an early warning sign, but she was a big red flag that ignorance was going to be driving elections.

Even though ignorance elected Reagan.......even I did not realize it at the time.

Expand full comment

That’s why I L O L ! at the idea of “Book Banning “.You would have to take their phone or Game Gear and lock it up in a safe to get them to read.

Expand full comment

Exactly.

Expand full comment

I found this substack piece about what started with Reagan by Thom Hartmann to be an eye opener:

https://hartmannreport.com/p/why-the-reagan-revolution-scheme?utm_source=url

Expand full comment

Wow. OK, I did have time to read it but have to jump off now....spring coming here in not too distant future.

But, WHAT A STORY. Many, many, many thanks for this post.

"As Nixon‘s right hand man, John Ehrlichman, told reporter Dan Baum: “You want to know what this was really all about? The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and Black people. Do you understand what I’m saying? We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or Black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and Blacks with heroin and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.“"

I assume this is true. amazing

Expand full comment

Nancy Reagan and "Just say no to drugs." killed many thousands. And the laws about drugs in the USA continue to be a "war on people".

Another case of American Exceptionalism - no interest in learning a social system that works really well in other countries. Health care, retirement systems, equal education that leads to good jobs based on aptitude and desires, child care that ACTUALLY offers women a shot at equality in the work force...we really don't want any of that.

Oligarchs rule and teach the serfs about hate and bigotry to keep their minds busy. It's not really the 21st Century. It couldn't be. We have vaccines and millions of people believe in snake oil instead. Nope. It is definitely not 2022.

Expand full comment

The gd heart won’t work ❤️

Expand full comment

I've seen a couple of documentaries and read a bunch about the Uniform Controlled Substances Act that was passed in 1970 and took effect in 1971, in which marijuana and heroin (classified as Schedule I controlled substances declared to have no medical use and a high potential for abuse). These were listed where they were for very specific reasons: Marijuana was targeting the hippies and the Black music community, heroin was targeting the inner-city Black community.

Expand full comment

Yes, thanks, Joan!

Expand full comment

Wow. That is well worth the read. Thank you for the link.

Expand full comment

The CNN article that Ron flagged has a link to the original source, Dan Baum's piece in Harper's from his 1994 interview:

https://harpers.org/archive/2016/04/legalize-it-all/

... To be s/w "fair and balanced", the CNN article quotes Ehrlichman's children saying that their (then-dead) father would not have subscribed "to the alleged racist point of view" implied therein.

Maybe not, but Nixon certainly had no qualms about such points of view.

Expand full comment

Great piece Joan. I've sent it around. It is succinct and comprehensive.

Expand full comment

The United States has never before had a political party without an agenda, but one which allows the legitimization of ignorance and the aroma of treason to define it. We do now.

Expand full comment

"Just Mercy" is a powerful book. Highly recommend, as well.

Expand full comment

Propaganda elected Reagan, and a good script writer, as well as Deaver, the PR man

Expand full comment

"The vast majority of even educated Americans no longer read in depth." I blame the pervasive spread of visual media, not just digital messaging etc. but the vast quantity of streaming videos and movies, Tik Tok of course, as nauseum. People spend lots of money for total cable subscriptions and streaming services. How does anyone have time for anything else if they keep up with their paid visual materials? Which seldom include audiobooks.

Thankfully, I still know a handful of friends who read books. Library materials circulation (books, media) jumped substantially post-March 2020 and going by the long shelves of Reserve books alone, requested from other branches in the library system, testifies that we're not alone.

Expand full comment

Thank you, HCR, for presenting the facts and movement in the Ukraine-Russia Crisis. Here we have USA and NATO countries working together and at the same time, the repubs are undermining the diplomacy and political movement necessary for resolution and continued monitoring of the situation. It’s a World crisis, yet the Repub divisions and lies serve to distract. We are fighting our own battles here in America when we cannot form United support of our democracy, our leaders and work together with NATO. And I’m not shocked to hear TFG’s support for Putin. His party is as unhinged as he is. I’m hoping the minimum sanctions will work. So much is at stake.

Expand full comment

"Genius!" He said. "I know him", he said. "I know him. I know him very well." The only time tfg smiled, during the second Paris visit, that incredibly moving ceremony at the Arch of Triumph, sitting in the front row with the great and the good, when Putin arrived that sulky fat face lit up with joy and he greeted him. That was the visit when some light rain made it impossibly dangerous for any form of transport to travel a short distance to honour the US fallen. He stayed indoors all day, doing we know not what. (Getting his hair re-waterproofed ready for the next veterans' cemetery visit?)

Expand full comment

more likely watching network television...

Expand full comment

Republicans have decided that if they can't win wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan , then the next best thing is to side with the larger country that invades smaller weak nations.

The world is in a big jamb. Navalny's criticism that the Kremlin is distracting Russians with military attacks against Ukraine and political attacks against the US while wasting its resources and refusing to address Russian domestic needs, is the same charge that can be leveled at Republicans. So no wonder Republicans admire Putin, blame Biden and abandon the US and its European allies.

Expand full comment

Republicans long ago succumbed to the Nixon Reagan quagmire of quicksand that has enveloped that party. They are aligning with monsters. Remember the monsters under the bed when you were a child? Realistically lifelong Republicans can be led to water but that is all. You know that is true. Especially you horse lovers. There are a vast number of Republicans who would like to drink. You also know that is true. Some day they will have to drink. Truth? Instead of bashing them let’s let them drink of their own accord. Maybe offer them straws as a reward. Rewarding certain behaviors can vastly improve their etiquette and make them much easier to work with. Perhaps all the horses of the world can pull together against their predators. I have found that if it makes sense to a horse it produces “horse sense”.

Expand full comment

Warning - languge: What in the samhell are those fucktart republicans thinking?

How embarrassing.

Expand full comment

If only it were just embarrassing....

Expand full comment

Thinking?

Expand full comment

I really wish I could understand that "fucktart" line of thinking. I have friends, many of them Cold War veterans, who are gobbling up the pro-Russia propaganda like candy. My coined word, incidentally, is "fuckknuckle(s)" do describe the line of thinking. "Fucktart" sounds so much more polite that I may steal that.

Expand full comment

Ah, another new adjective! What I learn on LFAA never ceases to amaze me!

Expand full comment

Like morning coffee all day long.

Expand full comment

Thanks for the new adjective!

Expand full comment

Bravo to Navalny!

Expand full comment

All very disturbing. My heart aches for the Ukrainians.

Some commenters here may not follow HRC on FB so here is what she posted yesterday: "I cannot do today's politics chat because... drumroll... I am doing an event with Russia expert Fiona Hill, and it turns out I have to be out the door before 5:00. I'm sorry about that cosmically, but not specifically, because if I could talk to anyone right now about the world, it's her, so I'm totally stoked for this. I'll report back, of course."

I, for one, can't wait to hear about it!

Expand full comment

OUTSTANDING!!!

Expand full comment

I wish someone could get to the bottom of the deal between the Trumpers and the Russians, including the American propoganda side. How does the money flow?

Expand full comment

Deutsche Bank. Anyone with that much debt is vulnerable to whoever owns the debt (and debt can be sold). To be fair, leverage is common in real estate. However, when US banks stopped lending money to him, forcing him to seek financing overseas, and when he then became president, is when the vulnerability became a national security concern. His hiding of his tax returns and financials increased that vulnerability.

Expand full comment

Please, someone investigate Deutsche Bank and former Justice Kennedy

Expand full comment

We do know that it’s a combination of cash and social media support. We know that a lot of Russian kleptocrat money gets laundered through US real estate deals, tfg being one of the enablers. If the US would crack down on illicit Russian money here - whether or not as part of sanctions - it would help us against both foreign and domestic enemies.

Expand full comment

I just started reading Casey Michel’s book, American Kleptocracy: How the U.S. Created the World’s Greatest Money Laundering Scheme in History by Casey Michel. Can’t vouch for it yet except that the first page titled, “Kleptocracy by the Numbers,” is almost worth the price of the book. Seems very promising. Coincidentally I took a friend’s advice to read Daniel Silva’s book The Cellist, and it’s like a history lesson on Putin, Russian oligarchs and money laundering woven into a great fictionalized story. Both published in 2021. As an aside, I just finished Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy by Adam Jentleson that gives a broad history of the Senate focused particularly on the evolution of the filibuster and its increasingly nefarious purposes. I mention it because many of the roguish characters HCR has introduced to us appear along this timeline of history in very maddening ways. Unfortunately, their progeny, so to speak, are still at work today, whether with respect to civil rights, Russia or autocracy. We must save democracy now.

Expand full comment

Constantly, I have to think that Rupert is a major player…. May Reagan be flipping in his grave

Expand full comment