It will make crystal clear that Ukraine was never simply "a part of Russia", but has its own unique and fascinating history; it's a deep dive (23 50-minute lectures) but provides endless fascinating detail of the history of Eastern Europe from before the Byzantine Empire right up to today. Snyder is probably the foremost expert on Ukranian history, and like Heather Cox Richardson he deeply understands history and makes it come alive in rare and delightful form. Worth the time and effort.
Robert, just want to add my thanks to others here for your work to promote Field Team 6. I joined Field Team 6 in 2020 and wrote postcards to voters. I was widowed in 2020, wanted to do “something” but couldn’t face door knocking. (Lifetime environmental activist here. Door knocking is damn hard work - as you’ve noted!)
Field Team 6 does great work on its own - and coordinates extremely well with like-minded orgs. Tomorrow, thanks to a notice from FT6, I’m joining a team with the St. Paul Indivisible group to write postcards to Wisconsin voters about the importance of the upcoming election for Wisconsin Supreme Court. MAGA donors have just put $20m into the coffers of the MAGA Republican judge candidate and the TV ads they created are atrocious. We have our work cut out for us.
Thank you for all that you do to keep us informed and working to defend democracy.
Mar 17, 2023·edited Mar 17, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I wish to make it clear, that I fully support President Biden, and more, believe his handling of the Ukraine struggle for freedom and autonomy is sober, mature, and sophisticated given the complexities of consequences needing to be deliberated upon. My self-inquiry is just that, a personal line of questioning that is baffling and confusing and disturbing me because of its lack of forthright action and honesty regarding the importance of clear and decisive action.
As a peace advocate, I have wondered (without expressing out loud these thoughts) why the initiation of an illegal war against an autonomous, democratic nation by a world 'super power' is not categorically considered an unacceptable act of aggression for which an immediate and overwhelming response is not called for? Certainly, political considerations demand we evaluate the potential of an 'all-out' response and the risk of nuclear conflict. On the other hand, hundreds of thousands of combatants and innocent civilians could easily have been predicted to die in and from battle (as they have), place the lasting existence of Ukraine into question, inflict years of suffering and infrastructure rebuilding at untold trillions of dollars, and still leave the question of "is there ever a legitimate red line" unanswered.
Is this not already a World War? Its 'containment', as such, is now drawing Poland and Slovakia into the fray as Ukraine prepares to defend itself against a Spring Offensive. How many countries are the minimum numbers to declare enough? Contrary to the argument that Ukraine should settle this war at the bargaining (not really a negotiating) table, I wonder if Russia can sustain any kind of conflagration of scope. It is already a failing economy - at last estimate the 13th largest in the world after Italy - its resources would be scrapped in short shrift. The maniacal man at the head of Russia would, in my humble estimation, be taken down at first opportunity and never given a chance to press the nuclear button. We would be doing the Russian population a favor. Russia's citizenry do not support its government.
Again, do not think me off-handed. These decisions are critical. But, do we fail ourselves as the world leader, by allowing a third-rate blow-hard despot who has one tool in his tool box to reign supreme? My question remains then, what is really at the core of this conundrum? How much hurt and damage and death must there be before we act as rational players participating in what, at best, is a scaled down third world war?
Please remember before you respond suggesting I am war mongering, that I am questioning myself in the presence of your good graces.
Robert, you are absolutely right. We must continue to support Ukraine in any way we can, for as long as we can. Appeasement allowed Hitler to murder 6 million innocent people, thousands of troops and civilians and Putin is another Hitler. Ukraine is the canary in the mine. If we allow it to die, by not recognizing the danger it is supposed to alert us to, we are eventually going to have to face Putin closer to the USA. We and NATO countries must stop him now!
Registering voters as Democrats is probably the best thing all of us could do. Between now and Election Day there are hundreds of thousands high school students who will be eligible to vote and we need to get them registered. A young person who has their future ahead of them and cares about this country, it’s people and the environment should have no problem registering to vote. Another major focus has to be registering college students who can vote in the state where they attend college. One way to beat gerrymandering is to register new voters in those local counties as well as new out of state residences. At the end of the day voter turnout is what really matters.
Mar 17, 2023·edited Mar 17, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I write to speak on behalf of a growing number of peace activists, who, on one hand, maintain the U.S. should not cease in providing aid to Ukraine and, on the other, believe that someone has to be calling for ceasefire and serious negotiations.
In their view, one need only listen, for example, to Quincy Institute experts on Ukraine of the consequences were there no attempt at ending the bloodshed now—thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands more Ukrainians and Russians displaced and/or killed. Hence, though they’re not sure how a current negotiation would go nor who the parties would be—UN, US, Ukraine, Russia, China, Turkey???—they’re committed to bringing together the requisite parties to sit at the table with the devil — Putin— and to seeing they apply all the pressure the international community can muster to bring about a negotiated settlement.
There is much to applaud in today's Newsletter, but responding to the sincere peace activists, I believe, is critically important. Virtually everyone yearns for "peace," in Ukraine, Russia and throughout the world, but that yearning begs the questions of (1) whether cessation of armed fighting would constitute the "peace" for which we yearn and (2) whether the cost or consequences of sudden major hostility cessation, particularly in Ukraine, would be more dangerous to more people than the current fighting is. I find the historical writings and current reporting of Yale Professor Timothy Snyder on the Ukraine situation both quite informative and persuasive; he argues that the Ukrainians are engaged in a "just war" for the long-term benefit of themselves, the other Europeans and the rest of the world too, including particularly the United States. I have heard the Ukrainian President and the the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States say the same thing. I am grateful to the Ukrainians and all the governments and people who are supporting them for their courageous efforts to "hold the fort."
A normal news day: Poland sending fighter jets to Ukraine; another bank "rescue"; Dr Fauci did not invent Covid; Axios further down the drain; grand jurors speaking to the press 😵💫; more voter ID laws; Field Team 6 on a roll -- all "under the leadership of a strong US president committed to defending global security and managing the US economy with rational policies and a steady hand." Kinda reassuring. Methinks.
Robert, to repeat what I seem to say every time I leave a comment, THANK YOU SO MUCH. Your efforts lift the spirits and strengthen democracy in so many ways. I would ask you to run for president except that we would then lose your cogent and elegant and battle ready missives!! Thank you again.
"I sometimes receive notes from readers who object to any aid to Ukraine on the ground that it only serves to prolong the war and increase suffering. They argue that the US should cease aid and require Ukraine to enter peace talks."
I didn't know drooling inbred morons too stupid to understand polysyllabic words, who really should reconsider their decision not to take the remedial class in reading comprehension, could actually read a Today's Edition post.
"Jack Smith is reportedly asking a federal judge for an order to compel Trump’s attorney, Evan Corcoran, to testify regarding a false affidavit provided to the FBI declaring that all classified documents had been returned."
Does this mean that we're going to have to wait another year or even two while this case winds its way before the Seditious Majority-led Supreme Court before Jack Smith indicts Trump for a federal crime that any other federal employee would be already in jail for? (By the way, Trump was just that - a federal employee paid with our tax dollar (grrrrr!!!))
I was so very proud to see you on FT6 all-day Zoom conference yesterday, Robert. In the chat, I referred to you as our "calm captain." And that you are indeed! Wondering now how many of those viewers have now signed up for your newsletter? . . . And here I thought your current 70,000 was amazing! Truth and Hope. . .every day. We thank you.
I jumped on the Field Team Six Register Democrats 2023 Summit yesterday when I could and the energy, brain power, enthusiasm and “can do” spirit including your own talk Robert was a welcome balm ! Thank you as always!!
I highly-recommend listening to the Ukraine Lectures by Timothy Snyder, available free on youtube:https://www.google.com/search?q=Timothy+Snyder+Ukraine+Lectures&oq=Timothy&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j69i59l3j35i39j69i61l3.15941j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
It will make crystal clear that Ukraine was never simply "a part of Russia", but has its own unique and fascinating history; it's a deep dive (23 50-minute lectures) but provides endless fascinating detail of the history of Eastern Europe from before the Byzantine Empire right up to today. Snyder is probably the foremost expert on Ukranian history, and like Heather Cox Richardson he deeply understands history and makes it come alive in rare and delightful form. Worth the time and effort.
Robert, just want to add my thanks to others here for your work to promote Field Team 6. I joined Field Team 6 in 2020 and wrote postcards to voters. I was widowed in 2020, wanted to do “something” but couldn’t face door knocking. (Lifetime environmental activist here. Door knocking is damn hard work - as you’ve noted!)
Field Team 6 does great work on its own - and coordinates extremely well with like-minded orgs. Tomorrow, thanks to a notice from FT6, I’m joining a team with the St. Paul Indivisible group to write postcards to Wisconsin voters about the importance of the upcoming election for Wisconsin Supreme Court. MAGA donors have just put $20m into the coffers of the MAGA Republican judge candidate and the TV ads they created are atrocious. We have our work cut out for us.
Thank you for all that you do to keep us informed and working to defend democracy.
I wish to make it clear, that I fully support President Biden, and more, believe his handling of the Ukraine struggle for freedom and autonomy is sober, mature, and sophisticated given the complexities of consequences needing to be deliberated upon. My self-inquiry is just that, a personal line of questioning that is baffling and confusing and disturbing me because of its lack of forthright action and honesty regarding the importance of clear and decisive action.
As a peace advocate, I have wondered (without expressing out loud these thoughts) why the initiation of an illegal war against an autonomous, democratic nation by a world 'super power' is not categorically considered an unacceptable act of aggression for which an immediate and overwhelming response is not called for? Certainly, political considerations demand we evaluate the potential of an 'all-out' response and the risk of nuclear conflict. On the other hand, hundreds of thousands of combatants and innocent civilians could easily have been predicted to die in and from battle (as they have), place the lasting existence of Ukraine into question, inflict years of suffering and infrastructure rebuilding at untold trillions of dollars, and still leave the question of "is there ever a legitimate red line" unanswered.
Is this not already a World War? Its 'containment', as such, is now drawing Poland and Slovakia into the fray as Ukraine prepares to defend itself against a Spring Offensive. How many countries are the minimum numbers to declare enough? Contrary to the argument that Ukraine should settle this war at the bargaining (not really a negotiating) table, I wonder if Russia can sustain any kind of conflagration of scope. It is already a failing economy - at last estimate the 13th largest in the world after Italy - its resources would be scrapped in short shrift. The maniacal man at the head of Russia would, in my humble estimation, be taken down at first opportunity and never given a chance to press the nuclear button. We would be doing the Russian population a favor. Russia's citizenry do not support its government.
Again, do not think me off-handed. These decisions are critical. But, do we fail ourselves as the world leader, by allowing a third-rate blow-hard despot who has one tool in his tool box to reign supreme? My question remains then, what is really at the core of this conundrum? How much hurt and damage and death must there be before we act as rational players participating in what, at best, is a scaled down third world war?
Please remember before you respond suggesting I am war mongering, that I am questioning myself in the presence of your good graces.
Robert, you are absolutely right. We must continue to support Ukraine in any way we can, for as long as we can. Appeasement allowed Hitler to murder 6 million innocent people, thousands of troops and civilians and Putin is another Hitler. Ukraine is the canary in the mine. If we allow it to die, by not recognizing the danger it is supposed to alert us to, we are eventually going to have to face Putin closer to the USA. We and NATO countries must stop him now!
Registering voters as Democrats is probably the best thing all of us could do. Between now and Election Day there are hundreds of thousands high school students who will be eligible to vote and we need to get them registered. A young person who has their future ahead of them and cares about this country, it’s people and the environment should have no problem registering to vote. Another major focus has to be registering college students who can vote in the state where they attend college. One way to beat gerrymandering is to register new voters in those local counties as well as new out of state residences. At the end of the day voter turnout is what really matters.
I write to speak on behalf of a growing number of peace activists, who, on one hand, maintain the U.S. should not cease in providing aid to Ukraine and, on the other, believe that someone has to be calling for ceasefire and serious negotiations.
In their view, one need only listen, for example, to Quincy Institute experts on Ukraine of the consequences were there no attempt at ending the bloodshed now—thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands more Ukrainians and Russians displaced and/or killed. Hence, though they’re not sure how a current negotiation would go nor who the parties would be—UN, US, Ukraine, Russia, China, Turkey???—they’re committed to bringing together the requisite parties to sit at the table with the devil — Putin— and to seeing they apply all the pressure the international community can muster to bring about a negotiated settlement.
Superb edition, Robert - Your "normal" excellence!
There is much to applaud in today's Newsletter, but responding to the sincere peace activists, I believe, is critically important. Virtually everyone yearns for "peace," in Ukraine, Russia and throughout the world, but that yearning begs the questions of (1) whether cessation of armed fighting would constitute the "peace" for which we yearn and (2) whether the cost or consequences of sudden major hostility cessation, particularly in Ukraine, would be more dangerous to more people than the current fighting is. I find the historical writings and current reporting of Yale Professor Timothy Snyder on the Ukraine situation both quite informative and persuasive; he argues that the Ukrainians are engaged in a "just war" for the long-term benefit of themselves, the other Europeans and the rest of the world too, including particularly the United States. I have heard the Ukrainian President and the the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States say the same thing. I am grateful to the Ukrainians and all the governments and people who are supporting them for their courageous efforts to "hold the fort."
A normal news day: Poland sending fighter jets to Ukraine; another bank "rescue"; Dr Fauci did not invent Covid; Axios further down the drain; grand jurors speaking to the press 😵💫; more voter ID laws; Field Team 6 on a roll -- all "under the leadership of a strong US president committed to defending global security and managing the US economy with rational policies and a steady hand." Kinda reassuring. Methinks.
Thank you for the hard work you do for keeping the complex nature of “the truth” before our eyes every day, Robert.
Robert, to repeat what I seem to say every time I leave a comment, THANK YOU SO MUCH. Your efforts lift the spirits and strengthen democracy in so many ways. I would ask you to run for president except that we would then lose your cogent and elegant and battle ready missives!! Thank you again.
Re: possible indictments of tfg - I would like to see all the possible indictments happen on the same day.
"I sometimes receive notes from readers who object to any aid to Ukraine on the ground that it only serves to prolong the war and increase suffering. They argue that the US should cease aid and require Ukraine to enter peace talks."
I didn't know drooling inbred morons too stupid to understand polysyllabic words, who really should reconsider their decision not to take the remedial class in reading comprehension, could actually read a Today's Edition post.
"Jack Smith is reportedly asking a federal judge for an order to compel Trump’s attorney, Evan Corcoran, to testify regarding a false affidavit provided to the FBI declaring that all classified documents had been returned."
Does this mean that we're going to have to wait another year or even two while this case winds its way before the Seditious Majority-led Supreme Court before Jack Smith indicts Trump for a federal crime that any other federal employee would be already in jail for? (By the way, Trump was just that - a federal employee paid with our tax dollar (grrrrr!!!))
I was so very proud to see you on FT6 all-day Zoom conference yesterday, Robert. In the chat, I referred to you as our "calm captain." And that you are indeed! Wondering now how many of those viewers have now signed up for your newsletter? . . . And here I thought your current 70,000 was amazing! Truth and Hope. . .every day. We thank you.
I jumped on the Field Team Six Register Democrats 2023 Summit yesterday when I could and the energy, brain power, enthusiasm and “can do” spirit including your own talk Robert was a welcome balm ! Thank you as always!!