We are still here. I will see what I can learn and check back in a few hours. Putins remarks to Macron were the ravings of a mad man. MSM didn't do it justice
The statement, that protesters in Russia may be sent to the front in Ukraine, strengthens my view that the initial success of Ukrainians was due to Russia starting the attack with low motivated, poorly trained, and badly equipped soldiers; who's lives they cynically sacrificed. All to achieve the battle-of-Canae-effect: a soft center to give Ukrainians the illusion of success; before sending in the overwhelmingly strong units. Stalin's war on Finland was modeled on the same pattern. Russian losses in the winter war were simply men that Stalin thought he could dispose of. The revival of Stalin is one of Putins major points. Putins grandfather is said to have been chef with Stalin in the years when Ukraine was robbed of all crops and cattle, making feasts for the Russians, while 4 million Ukrainians died from starvation.
Putin should reflect on Stalin’s war on Finland in 1939, shortly after the Molotov-Ribbentrop Agreement. Stalin imagined that little Finland would promptly capitulate. Instead, under the heroic leadership of General Gustav Mannerheim, plucky Finnish snow troops handed the Soviet invaders a sustained bloody nose. Even with major covert support from ‘neutral’ Sweden, Finland could not long hold out against Soviet preponderance. The conclusion of the Winter War obliged Finland to give 9% of its territory to the Soviet Union.
President Zelensky is Ukraine’s Mannerheim [who is considered Finland’s greatest hero ever].The courageous Ukrainian fighters are modern-day ‘Finnish snow troops.’ A major difference is that much of the world is full throated in its support of Ukraine and its opposition to invader Russia. Stalin had a rather humiliating minor ‘win.’ Putin will suffer a humiliating defeat.
Indeed Mannerheim (!) is the Great hero. But we have a difficulty even to think of the callous plan of Stalin: he really sent a lot of his own people to die in the first round, with hardly one rifle per soldier, with summer uniforms in one of the coldest winters ever. The Finns even conquered territory from the Soviet Union, and got over confident. Stalin got rid of enthusiastic socialists, and had time to prepare to fill the sky with bombers, and had less problem to win the last battle. Before the winter war Finland had a civil war between the reds who wanted Finland to be a soviet republic and the white nationalists, who won. The red prisoners were murdered in camps in large numbers, which is still not talked about in Finland. Those who fled to the SU had no better luck. So, Mannerheim was also a mass murderer, but it is hard to see that he could have taken any other decision in the situation. The odds were 80 to 1 in manpower. It was not a minor loss to the Finns, they were paying off considerable sums for many years, and more land than they had gained. - Many things are very different now, like cyber and economic warfare, but I think we might learn from history about Russian leadership of war, how unbelievably cynic and cruel it may be, and Putins mentality is definitely antique.
Judith I once had lunch with the mayor of Helsinki in which we discussed many matters, including the fact that Finland was the only Allied country that continued payment on its WW I debt. On Mannerheim and the 1939 Winter War, I felt fortunate that I had, in the mid-60s, read a book on Sweden Foreign Policy that described in exquisite detail how ‘neutral’ Sweden had provided massive assistance to the brave Finns. Subsequently I read several articles on Mannerheim, who later was president of Finland.
It helps to be 88, have personal experiences, and, hopefully, remember them.
P. S. Through Eisenhower Fellowships I have interacted with a number of Finns and we always mention Mannerheim and the Winter War. I find it interesting that, after Putin’s massive poop drop, the Finns are considering much closer ties with their European neighbors.
P. S. I had lunch with von Ribbentrop’s son (who was a successful investment banker) in the mid-1970s. I thought it untoward to inquire about the Molotov/Ribbentrop Agreement or the Nuremberg Trials.
Woke up very early yesterday morning and turned on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) which was showing Judgement at Nuremburg. May that be the ultimate fate of Putin IF someone hasn't taken him out before then. Now watching Bound to Glory (Woody Guthrie story). Seems particularly a propos.
Judgment at Nuremberg should be shown to all Russian judges as well as the siloviki around Putin and the generals who are implementing Putin’s Gotterdammerung in Ukraine.
Guilt comes early in the process of following a Hitler or Putin. While the Nuremberg Trials were legally controversial then and even now, the International Court of Justice has convicted and jailed some modern-day scum bums.
With an all star cast, you even get Marlene Dietrich and Judy Garland. I bought Judgement at Nuremberg and find it reassessing that there can be eventual justice in our world.
Keith, it is wonderful to read your important accounts of your time spent with people in Helsinki and Sweden. I watched part of the Nuremberg trials when I was younger. My parents were Holocaust victims so it’s very emotional. Nothing was better than seeing Erlichman in a glass cage for his trial.
And, to my surprise, a pre-Star Trek William Shatner. Took me a minute to ID him. I read something somewhere that Judy Garland had to fight to get the role, it was argued that she didn't have what it took for such a serious role.
I think you are right. The first wave losses will create a narrative justifying escalation. Carpet bombing cities prior to occupying them is next. We need a no fly zone before this escalates. 1 NATO squadron of F-35’s would prevent a ten million refugee crisis.
I've never been a war hawk or anything close to one. That said, the more I read about Putin and what's happening, I've come around to the view that the European Union, NATO, the U.S, and assorted allies around the world must do much more to stop Putin. In fact, he must be overwhelmingly defeated, or the horrific tragedy we're seeing play out in Ukraine will happen elsewhere. And possibly with the use low-grade, tactical battlefield nukes. I've also accepted the view that Putin was emboldened by the West's timid response to his actions in Georgia, Crimea, and eastern Ukraine.
What should a much more aggressive response look like? I have no idea. But when people the likes of Fiona Hill says we're in World War III and have been for some time, that tells me it's time to accept reality. Noted dissident Garry Kasparov points out today that the U.S. and Britain aren't even doing enough on the sanctions front. https://twitter.com/Kasparov63/status/1499795079397052416?s=20&t=fdjLKbef0n_f4rhIHuwxmg
Helping me see the light, so to speak is the brilliant Russia-born journalist Julia Ioffe. To see her latest important commentary, published yesterday, you must subscribe to Puck. I highly recommend that everyone at least take out a free seven-day subscription to read the piece. https://puck.news/europes-9-11/
There are times when escalating the conflict is the only thing left to bring a stop to it. What will it take? I hope that we do something before Kiev is flattened like Aleppo, Homes, or Grozny.
I think you speak for many of us, Michael. I see myself as a pacifist or at least I did. There is no waiting out this madman, Putin. All the negotiations with Hitler and how did that go? Millions dead and a world turned upside down. And did the use of THE BOMB by USA bring us to this moment? The Doomsday Clock is ticking. But I stop there because how can I know the next step.
Thank, Irenie. Figuring out the right steps and their risks has to be extraordinarily vexing. How is Putin stopped if the actions needed incite him to unleash nuclear weapons? A successful uprising against him in Russia would seem to be the best solution. But the odds of that are long.
And the odds are even longer now that Russia has imposed a 15-year prison sentence for anyone who criticizes the war. This is the country that Trumpists love.
The US was grateful, but not surprised, by Europe's unity. Biden and his State Dept. have been taking this issue on diplomatically since he entered the White House. And just a note, the US fought in WWII TOO. We have the same memories and our soldiers died the same ways.
Ted a no fly zone patrolled by NATO F-35s would almost certainly engage Soviet fighters and result in combat. That could prompt a crazed Putin to launch attacks against NATO countries, including, possibly, his arch enemy—the U. S.
The Berlin Air Lift was conducted under a Four-Power-Agreement that assured air access zones that were honored by the Russians throughout this operation.
In Korea, Soviets were piloting MIGs and the U. S. Never publicized this. Soviet pilots were ordered to commit suicide if they were in danger of being captured. Americans could hear the chatter between Russian pilots. The silence on the American/Russian part was a deliberate effort not to escalate Cold War tensions.
There is a marvelous video of American and Russian fighter pilots gathering long after their ‘phony’ war in Korea. They had a rollicking good time with vodka flowing.
Russia does not own Ukrainanian air space, can't we send drones up there to at least distract and misdirect them??? As long as we don't fire on them? Maybe every country can send drones, they could at least fly over the convoy! Can we use satellites in some way, jam their electronics, something?
Thank you for this post which gives us more info on Putin and Ukraine and the connections to Stalin. I was just thinking yesterday about how Ukraine suffered under Stalin.
Thank you Allen for staying with us, sharing this unfolding story. Absolutely Putin is Mad. Insane. Holding you and family in the light. Too crazy to comprehend, isn’t it? Be safe. We await your next report whenever it works for you. And we will have hope. Gratitude.
Interesting. Anabolic steroids to help keep him bulked up and corticosteroid steroids for some sort of inflammatory or respiratory disease. He would be a ticking time bomb.
I've heard references to the possibility of his steroid use, as he apparently has problems with his back. That would explain his "moon face," caused by Cushing's Syndrome, which is a result of steroid use. As for his aggressiveness, that can also go with steroid use - remember TFG after he was hospitalized with Covid and pumped full of steroids? Even more unhinged than "normal".
I think there needs to a public list of high profile narcissits (with diagnosis) so everyone would know those people are unfit for governing anything. Tfg's niece Mary has certainly provided good evidence of her uncle's personality disorder.
Really, though, the fact that millions of Americans, as well as the Republican party, ignored the blinking red lights says something about the sort of person who would have voted for him to begin with. I remember in the '70s when he was evicting elderly tenants from his properties, posing as a Democrat to keep the politicians happy, and I despised him. Nothing changed in his obvious lack of character, to say nothing of the absence of intellect, as he began his political transformation. I remember that when he and Marla Maples divorced, and his comment on settling with her for $1 Million was that she came from a backwater place, and she'd never seen that much money in her life. Then, of course, was his claim that Barack Obama had been born in Kenya, so wasn't qualified to run for President. Flash forward to his traitorous relationship with Putin, and millions voted for him a second time! Nobody had to guess at his mindset - ever. He told everyone exactly what he was. In my opinion, the current debacle is squarely on the shoulders of those who voted for him. His narcissism only explains his obvious disconnect with decency, but it was obvious from day one.
exactly. T said he felt fantastic. duh - that's what heavy doses of steroids do to you. As we're seeing and saw that is very dangerous for those who have Superman delusions.
I have read that he has Parkinson Disease. If so, the meds used are not ideal. It may account for his paranoia, mood swings and aggression. Wait. Are we talking about Putin or Trump?
See NYt article about 4 organizations to donate to: 3-3 Opinion Today: how you can help the people of Ukraine, Direct Relief, Save the Children,,Mercy Corps and International Medical Corps, all 4 have been working in Ukraine. All 4 have received high marks for efficiency and transparency from 2 nonprofits, CharityWatch and Charity Navigator.
Posting this here so that more will see it. I feel it is important.
I am passing this along as a helpful article from the NY Times about how to talk to kids about what is happening in Ukraine. I think this is extremely helpful to those with children. The long link should allow all to read the article even if you do not have an NY Times subscription.
After reading the article and watching Putin's actions his last week, I think there is an inevitability of direct NATO confrontations with Putin. I understand the rational reasoning behind NATO nations' decisions to stay out of Ukraine directly but the reality of Putin's mental status and commitment to slaughter the people of Ukraine and level the functionality of the land and resources are clear indication of his next move - right on in to Poland, Romania, and all nations west of Ukraine. Now that the entire coastal region of Ukraine adds to Russia's sea power. Face the devil now when he's weaker than he will be in 6 months is the only way to save Europe.
Belarus president, Lukashenko, is a dictator with close ties to Putin. "The fact that Belarus, suffering under the boot heel of decades-long dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko, has stood fast by Moscow is hardly a surprise. While much of the world watched Russian troops mass on Ukraine’s borders in the lead-up to invasion, wondering whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would really launch a strategically disastrous invasion, many missed that the Kremlin had already effectively completed its soft annexation of Belarus. Where Minsk once flitted between Moscow and the West, testing waters on both ends and playing both sides off against one another, this new geopolitical era sees Belarus as, essentially, an appendage of the Kremlin’s neo-imperialist designs." https://newrepublic.com/article/165533/belarus-ukraine-putin-alexander-lukashenko
Thank you for the historical details and excellent article. “With a weak-kneed European Union and a Trump administration focused more on trying to steal its own election, the West watched a moment of potential transformational change in Belarus fizzle out, unwilling to muscle Lukashenko from office.” Think of TFG negotiating behind closed doors, making us more unsafe by the minute. War criminals. Backroom negotiations. And atomic weapons in the background. I think of how Hitler could not be stopped for more years than we have.
“The indictment unsealed today shows this office’s commitment to the enforcement of laws intended to hamstring those who would use their wealth to undermine fundamental democratic processes.”
Good idea. there's a guy down in Florida who claims to be rich, he's raised $100 million-plus, and is dead-set on using it to "undermine fundamental democratic processes," which he has already done. So how about arresting him and charging him with being the traitor he is already, huh? Don't go after the little fish, go after the big one all the little ones bow down to.
And make sure Lindsay Graham is in that group of fish that get netted. What a total idiot. We all know that guy in Florida will do whatever he can to destroy this country, but adding insult to injury is something you expect to find in middle school, not coming out of the mouths of our "seasoned" politicians. If Putin turns his wrath on us, Mr. Graham can bear the brunt of that blame in my book...at least today. I am so sick of these inept, uncaring blowhards who think everything they do is above the law and above decency...
Alexander, I empathize with your statements, but the both closeted and homophobic (a condition of self loathing rampant in Fascist Republicans) is not due to insanity.
Most of these minions, be it MTG, Bonner, Gaetz, Hawley, Carlson, et al are simply building their future, their resumes for a future government where they envision being rewarded by high position and regarded as prescient and brave cadre for the ruling Fascist Republican Party of Amerika.
The law, the Bible and the Constitution they envision is being built before our very eyes, stripping core tenets out of our inalienable rights and in short replacing it with Christo-Fascism that as I said earlier has better technology to both distract and surveil us “libtards”.
This is not a few “loudmouths” it is a dedicated well funded cadre of loyal to Fascist ideology traitors.
The style of veiled threats, dog whistling, projection and lies is all part of their game plan and all within the justifiable actions of the Make America Great (Nazi slogan) brought into the political lexicon by Trump in 2016.
I hear the frustration, but it is essential to our success to get really focused on who these people are and what they are doing to overthrow the nation from within.
That guy in Florida? I thought immediately of Ron De Santis, then realized you meant the other destroyer. Out of nowhere De Santis predicts France would surrender to Putin. Stupidity? Bid for attention? Support for TrumPutin? All of those, maybe, but which one primarily?
Ok. We get it. Mostly. Sort of. The So So Single GOP Senator Lindsay Graham is a flip flopping white GOP racist jerk, a gaff machine, an example of the Liberal Conservative LGBT XYZ ABC mixed up almost male of our species, a devoted Tucker Fucker, insecure about most everything secure, a hero to the FOX FIX psychos, a Trump lover, a Roger Ailes glacial anomaly, an internet darling, a boring whack and political cipher, a Putin lover, a Putin hater. a peace loving WW III advocate, a leader in the fascist American Right, a patriotic Patrick Henry, a war criminal, a complete dope, a red nosed poor physical specimen, a total virgin, a true believer, an icon, mission critical to MSM’s thirst for meaningful meaninglessness, a nihilistic Born Again intolerant Jesus lover, a schizoid member of the GOP senate do nothing wing, an Other Directed Exemplar of David Riesman’s invention, the Noble Savage of Brave New World, The Stranger of Albert Camus, born in North Africa, Hitler’s Invisible Man of the Right, Heather’s long sought target of the center, in short, an American Idol and our political hero .. expert at nothing and utterly useless yet infamous, a politician’s politician.
Sandy, how would one go about looking into whether a certain new england private boarding school was a beneficiary in some way of Russian or other dirty oligarchical money? Inquiring minds want to know.
Gifts to the 501(c)3 are public. Blinds are used. Development office probably knows. Deerfield Academy, Phillips Exeter, Milton Academy, Choate, and the weakest of them all know. If you want more - 973.379.4446 iPhone WhatsApp or SIGNAL is better. Chinese money is flowing. Kim was educated in SZ. All the private preps are involved. All are bought.
I’d love to know how many of these Russian oligarchs have been living in our country and funding Repug senate elections for how many years etc ad nauseum.
We are still here. I will see what I can learn and check back in a few hours. Putins remarks to Macron were the ravings of a mad man. MSM didn't do it justice
https://www.thedailybeast.com/terrifying-putin-phone-call-warns-worst-is-yet-to-come?via=newsletter&source=DDAfternoon
The statement, that protesters in Russia may be sent to the front in Ukraine, strengthens my view that the initial success of Ukrainians was due to Russia starting the attack with low motivated, poorly trained, and badly equipped soldiers; who's lives they cynically sacrificed. All to achieve the battle-of-Canae-effect: a soft center to give Ukrainians the illusion of success; before sending in the overwhelmingly strong units. Stalin's war on Finland was modeled on the same pattern. Russian losses in the winter war were simply men that Stalin thought he could dispose of. The revival of Stalin is one of Putins major points. Putins grandfather is said to have been chef with Stalin in the years when Ukraine was robbed of all crops and cattle, making feasts for the Russians, while 4 million Ukrainians died from starvation.
I agree with those who have said the comments are a history lesson. Thank you Olof.
Putin should reflect on Stalin’s war on Finland in 1939, shortly after the Molotov-Ribbentrop Agreement. Stalin imagined that little Finland would promptly capitulate. Instead, under the heroic leadership of General Gustav Mannerheim, plucky Finnish snow troops handed the Soviet invaders a sustained bloody nose. Even with major covert support from ‘neutral’ Sweden, Finland could not long hold out against Soviet preponderance. The conclusion of the Winter War obliged Finland to give 9% of its territory to the Soviet Union.
President Zelensky is Ukraine’s Mannerheim [who is considered Finland’s greatest hero ever].The courageous Ukrainian fighters are modern-day ‘Finnish snow troops.’ A major difference is that much of the world is full throated in its support of Ukraine and its opposition to invader Russia. Stalin had a rather humiliating minor ‘win.’ Putin will suffer a humiliating defeat.
Indeed Mannerheim (!) is the Great hero. But we have a difficulty even to think of the callous plan of Stalin: he really sent a lot of his own people to die in the first round, with hardly one rifle per soldier, with summer uniforms in one of the coldest winters ever. The Finns even conquered territory from the Soviet Union, and got over confident. Stalin got rid of enthusiastic socialists, and had time to prepare to fill the sky with bombers, and had less problem to win the last battle. Before the winter war Finland had a civil war between the reds who wanted Finland to be a soviet republic and the white nationalists, who won. The red prisoners were murdered in camps in large numbers, which is still not talked about in Finland. Those who fled to the SU had no better luck. So, Mannerheim was also a mass murderer, but it is hard to see that he could have taken any other decision in the situation. The odds were 80 to 1 in manpower. It was not a minor loss to the Finns, they were paying off considerable sums for many years, and more land than they had gained. - Many things are very different now, like cyber and economic warfare, but I think we might learn from history about Russian leadership of war, how unbelievably cynic and cruel it may be, and Putins mentality is definitely antique.
Whew! Talk about history lessons here....!
Judith I once had lunch with the mayor of Helsinki in which we discussed many matters, including the fact that Finland was the only Allied country that continued payment on its WW I debt. On Mannerheim and the 1939 Winter War, I felt fortunate that I had, in the mid-60s, read a book on Sweden Foreign Policy that described in exquisite detail how ‘neutral’ Sweden had provided massive assistance to the brave Finns. Subsequently I read several articles on Mannerheim, who later was president of Finland.
It helps to be 88, have personal experiences, and, hopefully, remember them.
P. S. Through Eisenhower Fellowships I have interacted with a number of Finns and we always mention Mannerheim and the Winter War. I find it interesting that, after Putin’s massive poop drop, the Finns are considering much closer ties with their European neighbors.
Keith, your life-long experiences are invaluable for informing us on so much. Thank you.
P. S. I had lunch with von Ribbentrop’s son (who was a successful investment banker) in the mid-1970s. I thought it untoward to inquire about the Molotov/Ribbentrop Agreement or the Nuremberg Trials.
Woke up very early yesterday morning and turned on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) which was showing Judgement at Nuremburg. May that be the ultimate fate of Putin IF someone hasn't taken him out before then. Now watching Bound to Glory (Woody Guthrie story). Seems particularly a propos.
Judgment at Nuremberg should be shown to all Russian judges as well as the siloviki around Putin and the generals who are implementing Putin’s Gotterdammerung in Ukraine.
Guilt comes early in the process of following a Hitler or Putin. While the Nuremberg Trials were legally controversial then and even now, the International Court of Justice has convicted and jailed some modern-day scum bums.
With an all star cast, you even get Marlene Dietrich and Judy Garland. I bought Judgement at Nuremberg and find it reassessing that there can be eventual justice in our world.
Keith, it is wonderful to read your important accounts of your time spent with people in Helsinki and Sweden. I watched part of the Nuremberg trials when I was younger. My parents were Holocaust victims so it’s very emotional. Nothing was better than seeing Erlichman in a glass cage for his trial.
And, to my surprise, a pre-Star Trek William Shatner. Took me a minute to ID him. I read something somewhere that Judy Garland had to fight to get the role, it was argued that she didn't have what it took for such a serious role.
let's hope that someone is not an American (see Heather this morning on the subject of Lindsey Graham's "colossally stupid mistake")
5-6 million, more than 4 starved by Stalin.
I think you are right. The first wave losses will create a narrative justifying escalation. Carpet bombing cities prior to occupying them is next. We need a no fly zone before this escalates. 1 NATO squadron of F-35’s would prevent a ten million refugee crisis.
I've never been a war hawk or anything close to one. That said, the more I read about Putin and what's happening, I've come around to the view that the European Union, NATO, the U.S, and assorted allies around the world must do much more to stop Putin. In fact, he must be overwhelmingly defeated, or the horrific tragedy we're seeing play out in Ukraine will happen elsewhere. And possibly with the use low-grade, tactical battlefield nukes. I've also accepted the view that Putin was emboldened by the West's timid response to his actions in Georgia, Crimea, and eastern Ukraine.
What should a much more aggressive response look like? I have no idea. But when people the likes of Fiona Hill says we're in World War III and have been for some time, that tells me it's time to accept reality. Noted dissident Garry Kasparov points out today that the U.S. and Britain aren't even doing enough on the sanctions front. https://twitter.com/Kasparov63/status/1499795079397052416?s=20&t=fdjLKbef0n_f4rhIHuwxmg
Helping me see the light, so to speak is the brilliant Russia-born journalist Julia Ioffe. To see her latest important commentary, published yesterday, you must subscribe to Puck. I highly recommend that everyone at least take out a free seven-day subscription to read the piece. https://puck.news/europes-9-11/
There are times when escalating the conflict is the only thing left to bring a stop to it. What will it take? I hope that we do something before Kiev is flattened like Aleppo, Homes, or Grozny.
I think you speak for many of us, Michael. I see myself as a pacifist or at least I did. There is no waiting out this madman, Putin. All the negotiations with Hitler and how did that go? Millions dead and a world turned upside down. And did the use of THE BOMB by USA bring us to this moment? The Doomsday Clock is ticking. But I stop there because how can I know the next step.
Thank, Irenie. Figuring out the right steps and their risks has to be extraordinarily vexing. How is Putin stopped if the actions needed incite him to unleash nuclear weapons? A successful uprising against him in Russia would seem to be the best solution. But the odds of that are long.
And the odds are even longer now that Russia has imposed a 15-year prison sentence for anyone who criticizes the war. This is the country that Trumpists love.
Yes. “The right response” once seemed so easy. Once.
The US was grateful, but not surprised, by Europe's unity. Biden and his State Dept. have been taking this issue on diplomatically since he entered the White House. And just a note, the US fought in WWII TOO. We have the same memories and our soldiers died the same ways.
Ted a no fly zone patrolled by NATO F-35s would almost certainly engage Soviet fighters and result in combat. That could prompt a crazed Putin to launch attacks against NATO countries, including, possibly, his arch enemy—the U. S.
The Berlin Air Lift was conducted under a Four-Power-Agreement that assured air access zones that were honored by the Russians throughout this operation.
In Korea, Soviets were piloting MIGs and the U. S. Never publicized this. Soviet pilots were ordered to commit suicide if they were in danger of being captured. Americans could hear the chatter between Russian pilots. The silence on the American/Russian part was a deliberate effort not to escalate Cold War tensions.
There is a marvelous video of American and Russian fighter pilots gathering long after their ‘phony’ war in Korea. They had a rollicking good time with vodka flowing.
Russians cant shoot what they can not see. That's why we have those stealth fighter bombers.
Russia does not own Ukrainanian air space, can't we send drones up there to at least distract and misdirect them??? As long as we don't fire on them? Maybe every country can send drones, they could at least fly over the convoy! Can we use satellites in some way, jam their electronics, something?
Carpet bombing already occurring.
Heartbreaking. I cant help but think what some of the F 22 and F 35 Pilots are thinking about right now.
And Zelensky has begged for that!!
Thank you for this post which gives us more info on Putin and Ukraine and the connections to Stalin. I was just thinking yesterday about how Ukraine suffered under Stalin.
😥😥😥
Thank you Allen for staying with us, sharing this unfolding story. Absolutely Putin is Mad. Insane. Holding you and family in the light. Too crazy to comprehend, isn’t it? Be safe. We await your next report whenever it works for you. And we will have hope. Gratitude.
Same as above Allen- you're our link to Ukraine-
My Q, will China support a madman?
They have to be able to recognize a madman first. Can they?
Hi Allen. A famous Canadian has you in her thoughts and deeds:
https://twitter.com/PatriciaWightm7/status/1498804235353440259?s=20&t=ZWupJ1r2BwxfTfNPyfZibQ
Wishing you safety!
A wonderful woman. Ranks with Orwell in predicting today
Great pic! Thank you.
Yes, what an image! Speaks volumes.
Love Margaret Atwood! 🇺🇦🇺🇦
Love it! Love her!
Keeping you, yours and all of Ukraine in my heart.
Holding you in our hearts.
Allen, we are here, supporting you in our prayers, watching and waiting.
You're such a brave soul, Allen. Thank you for staying with us on these posts. Here's to all my Ukrainian heros❣️💙💛💙💛💙💛
Allen, again…good to hear from you. Did you hear about the Russian American tycoon who has placed a $1 million bounty on Putin’s head? https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-businessman-puts-1-million-bounty-on-putins-head-2022-3?amp
A $1 billion dollar bounty might actually get the job done. Not sure the $1 million is worth it to the "experts".
I wish he would also extend another million to support the Russian trying to leave and discence within Russia.
Putin's face looks puffy and his eyes look vacant. Massive steroids (that can make one a bit crazy)?
Interesting. Anabolic steroids to help keep him bulked up and corticosteroid steroids for some sort of inflammatory or respiratory disease. He would be a ticking time bomb.
One can only hope he blows up like a balloon and then disintegrates.
I've heard references to the possibility of his steroid use, as he apparently has problems with his back. That would explain his "moon face," caused by Cushing's Syndrome, which is a result of steroid use. As for his aggressiveness, that can also go with steroid use - remember TFG after he was hospitalized with Covid and pumped full of steroids? Even more unhinged than "normal".
Yes. Cortico steroids can make you mean as a snake.
Perhaps but my opinion is that both TFG and Putin are drug addicts. Just my opinion, mind you.
And probably a lot worse. Still, the evil inherent in both doesn't need any supplement. In any event, they shouldn't be taking up space on the planet.
I think there needs to a public list of high profile narcissits (with diagnosis) so everyone would know those people are unfit for governing anything. Tfg's niece Mary has certainly provided good evidence of her uncle's personality disorder.
Really, though, the fact that millions of Americans, as well as the Republican party, ignored the blinking red lights says something about the sort of person who would have voted for him to begin with. I remember in the '70s when he was evicting elderly tenants from his properties, posing as a Democrat to keep the politicians happy, and I despised him. Nothing changed in his obvious lack of character, to say nothing of the absence of intellect, as he began his political transformation. I remember that when he and Marla Maples divorced, and his comment on settling with her for $1 Million was that she came from a backwater place, and she'd never seen that much money in her life. Then, of course, was his claim that Barack Obama had been born in Kenya, so wasn't qualified to run for President. Flash forward to his traitorous relationship with Putin, and millions voted for him a second time! Nobody had to guess at his mindset - ever. He told everyone exactly what he was. In my opinion, the current debacle is squarely on the shoulders of those who voted for him. His narcissism only explains his obvious disconnect with decency, but it was obvious from day one.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
exactly. T said he felt fantastic. duh - that's what heavy doses of steroids do to you. As we're seeing and saw that is very dangerous for those who have Superman delusions.
I have read that he has Parkinson Disease. If so, the meds used are not ideal. It may account for his paranoia, mood swings and aggression. Wait. Are we talking about Putin or Trump?
I've notice the facial change myself. Also, can you say "roid rage"?
Probably a cocktail of drugs….hopefully will make his his heart stop.
Wait...he has a heart???
HA! I doubt it. Okay, let’s say his brain will explode instead!
I think he's deficient in that department too.
😆😆
......A bit?????
irony
Thanks. I have been wondering what's causing his puffed-up appearance and blank stare.
Always so glad to find a post from you here. I check frequently. I wish there were more I could do. You and yours are in our hearts, as you know.
See NYt article about 4 organizations to donate to: 3-3 Opinion Today: how you can help the people of Ukraine, Direct Relief, Save the Children,,Mercy Corps and International Medical Corps, all 4 have been working in Ukraine. All 4 have received high marks for efficiency and transparency from 2 nonprofits, CharityWatch and Charity Navigator.
Doctors Without Borders is there too
And ICRC and World Central Kitchen! So many ways to contribute!
Done!
We quickly sent what we could, but now, what can we do? I want Putin to be stopped!
Thank you, Yes, I’ve been donating to specific organizations so hopefully the people on the ground get the assistance.
Exactly!
Timothy Synder posted this one this morning but it is not rated on any of the sites you mentioned. https://razomforukraine.org/razom-emergency-response/
There are many ways to contribute!
Sadly, Allen, you and yours are on the front line of civilization. May you stay safe and strong.
Posting this here so that more will see it. I feel it is important.
I am passing this along as a helpful article from the NY Times about how to talk to kids about what is happening in Ukraine. I think this is extremely helpful to those with children. The long link should allow all to read the article even if you do not have an NY Times subscription.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/25/well/family/kids-teens-ukraine-russia.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuomT1JKd6J17Vw1cRCfTTMQmqxCdw_PIxftm3iWka3DPDmwfiPsYB4zH9U7IZK5yINgy0y_eWNJMNqRqWf9ox-5ZMgl3VhKzo5LCmIgAJ299j7OPaV4M_sCHW6Eko3itZ3OlKex7yfrls03YbmfsXbjV1Sd1OApvpcR6JVr-i2hYw_zAFLN23IJ7iKgxF9stE2d7ESqLuvLpDh94P8zXLU2Pr1lrBJwKHG3bjtWe6LkfcQ9NCF-gTH134Gs06tk0K8pAde-kbEZmIJyi9O1XXm94L46pBIkzQpzWldhpt73PrB-Nyqmm1oQv5mqVsAULZXdpQiqvKss&smid=url-share
This is important guidance on how to address this in the best interests of our children's mental and emotional wellness.
Thank you Bruce. Important consideration in light of dramatic events during past several days.
Thanks, Bruce! I passed it onto my neighbor who is a school psychologist.
After reading the article and watching Putin's actions his last week, I think there is an inevitability of direct NATO confrontations with Putin. I understand the rational reasoning behind NATO nations' decisions to stay out of Ukraine directly but the reality of Putin's mental status and commitment to slaughter the people of Ukraine and level the functionality of the land and resources are clear indication of his next move - right on in to Poland, Romania, and all nations west of Ukraine. Now that the entire coastal region of Ukraine adds to Russia's sea power. Face the devil now when he's weaker than he will be in 6 months is the only way to save Europe.
I think he will take Belarus also. Stalin had it at one time. They were Idiots for letting Putin Stage there for Ukraine .
Belarus president, Lukashenko, is a dictator with close ties to Putin. "The fact that Belarus, suffering under the boot heel of decades-long dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko, has stood fast by Moscow is hardly a surprise. While much of the world watched Russian troops mass on Ukraine’s borders in the lead-up to invasion, wondering whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would really launch a strategically disastrous invasion, many missed that the Kremlin had already effectively completed its soft annexation of Belarus. Where Minsk once flitted between Moscow and the West, testing waters on both ends and playing both sides off against one another, this new geopolitical era sees Belarus as, essentially, an appendage of the Kremlin’s neo-imperialist designs." https://newrepublic.com/article/165533/belarus-ukraine-putin-alexander-lukashenko
Trump would have handed us over on a Silver Plater . Almost did.
Yes, he tried.
Thank you for the historical details and excellent article. “With a weak-kneed European Union and a Trump administration focused more on trying to steal its own election, the West watched a moment of potential transformational change in Belarus fizzle out, unwilling to muscle Lukashenko from office.” Think of TFG negotiating behind closed doors, making us more unsafe by the minute. War criminals. Backroom negotiations. And atomic weapons in the background. I think of how Hitler could not be stopped for more years than we have.
Yes! Can’t ❤️ this but Putin has no allegiance to any other dicktator…just to himself.
I agree strongly. He is mad. There will be no stopping him if he succeeds in Ukraine.
"Staying calm and standing fast is going to challenge us all." ~ Tom Nichols
https://twitter.com/RadioFreeTom/status/1499436115723493391?s=20&t=ZWupJ1r2BwxfTfNPyfZibQ
Like the phone calls from drunk relatives.
Allen I am so glad to hear from you. Please know that you and yours are forefront in my mind.
Good morning Allen! Your courage and strength in the face of all this is an inspiration. Thank you for your updates. Please stay safe. ❤️
“The indictment unsealed today shows this office’s commitment to the enforcement of laws intended to hamstring those who would use their wealth to undermine fundamental democratic processes.”
Good idea. there's a guy down in Florida who claims to be rich, he's raised $100 million-plus, and is dead-set on using it to "undermine fundamental democratic processes," which he has already done. So how about arresting him and charging him with being the traitor he is already, huh? Don't go after the little fish, go after the big one all the little ones bow down to.
And make sure Lindsay Graham is in that group of fish that get netted. What a total idiot. We all know that guy in Florida will do whatever he can to destroy this country, but adding insult to injury is something you expect to find in middle school, not coming out of the mouths of our "seasoned" politicians. If Putin turns his wrath on us, Mr. Graham can bear the brunt of that blame in my book...at least today. I am so sick of these inept, uncaring blowhards who think everything they do is above the law and above decency...
Alexander, I empathize with your statements, but the both closeted and homophobic (a condition of self loathing rampant in Fascist Republicans) is not due to insanity.
Most of these minions, be it MTG, Bonner, Gaetz, Hawley, Carlson, et al are simply building their future, their resumes for a future government where they envision being rewarded by high position and regarded as prescient and brave cadre for the ruling Fascist Republican Party of Amerika.
The law, the Bible and the Constitution they envision is being built before our very eyes, stripping core tenets out of our inalienable rights and in short replacing it with Christo-Fascism that as I said earlier has better technology to both distract and surveil us “libtards”.
This is not a few “loudmouths” it is a dedicated well funded cadre of loyal to Fascist ideology traitors.
The style of veiled threats, dog whistling, projection and lies is all part of their game plan and all within the justifiable actions of the Make America Great (Nazi slogan) brought into the political lexicon by Trump in 2016.
I hear the frustration, but it is essential to our success to get really focused on who these people are and what they are doing to overthrow the nation from within.
That guy in Florida? I thought immediately of Ron De Santis, then realized you meant the other destroyer. Out of nowhere De Santis predicts France would surrender to Putin. Stupidity? Bid for attention? Support for TrumPutin? All of those, maybe, but which one primarily?
Add Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy, Jim Jordan, and the list goes on and on!
Who can it be knocking at my door?
Go 'way, don't come 'round here no more
Can't you see that it's late at night?
I'm very tired and I'm not feeling right
All I wish is to be alone
Stay away, don't you invade my home
Best off if you hang outside
Don't come in, I'll only run and hide
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be knocking at my door?
Make no sound, tip-toe across the floor
If he hears, he'll knock all day
I'll be trapped and here I'll have to stay
I've done no harm, I keep to myself
There's nothing wrong with my state of mental health
I like it here with my childhood friend
Here they come, those feelings again!
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Is it the man come to take me away?
Why do they follow me?
It's not the future that I can see
It's just my fantasy, yeah
Ooh, who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
(Oh, wee oh) Who can it, Who can it
(Ooh ooh) Who can it be now?
(Ooh ooh wee) Yeah yeah yeah
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Hay Colin James
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc1Ll-euRSg
Men at Work, whose lyrics are sadly fitting for today.
I have been rediscovering the music of Colin Hay recently, including the brilliant, acoustic “Overkill”.
Ok. We get it. Mostly. Sort of. The So So Single GOP Senator Lindsay Graham is a flip flopping white GOP racist jerk, a gaff machine, an example of the Liberal Conservative LGBT XYZ ABC mixed up almost male of our species, a devoted Tucker Fucker, insecure about most everything secure, a hero to the FOX FIX psychos, a Trump lover, a Roger Ailes glacial anomaly, an internet darling, a boring whack and political cipher, a Putin lover, a Putin hater. a peace loving WW III advocate, a leader in the fascist American Right, a patriotic Patrick Henry, a war criminal, a complete dope, a red nosed poor physical specimen, a total virgin, a true believer, an icon, mission critical to MSM’s thirst for meaningful meaninglessness, a nihilistic Born Again intolerant Jesus lover, a schizoid member of the GOP senate do nothing wing, an Other Directed Exemplar of David Riesman’s invention, the Noble Savage of Brave New World, The Stranger of Albert Camus, born in North Africa, Hitler’s Invisible Man of the Right, Heather’s long sought target of the center, in short, an American Idol and our political hero .. expert at nothing and utterly useless yet infamous, a politician’s politician.
That’s an all-American song c. 2022
Wow! Sandy, that's the best train of thought writing to come from your pen in a long, long time!
Sleepless in Essex.
🌷
Sandy, how would one go about looking into whether a certain new england private boarding school was a beneficiary in some way of Russian or other dirty oligarchical money? Inquiring minds want to know.
Gifts to the 501(c)3 are public. Blinds are used. Development office probably knows. Deerfield Academy, Phillips Exeter, Milton Academy, Choate, and the weakest of them all know. If you want more - 973.379.4446 iPhone WhatsApp or SIGNAL is better. Chinese money is flowing. Kim was educated in SZ. All the private preps are involved. All are bought.
❤️
specifically curious about SPS
which is a 501c3 but how do you find a list of donors???? And what do you do about it , as an employee, if it's concerning?
Yikes.
I’d love to know how many of these Russian oligarchs have been living in our country and funding Repug senate elections for how many years etc ad nauseum.
Foreign money is everywhere. Our CIA knows.