I recommend Fiona Hill’s excellent interview with Politico on the Russian situation, but only if the reader is not already hysterical. Hill is an excellent analyst who tells the truth no matter who is President.
Thank you for reminding us how important the stakes are right now: democracy itself.
" It will be difficult to endure the hypocrisy and deluded smugness of people who can’t find Ukraine on a map and who have no interest in rectifying that gap in their knowledge. But disinformation and ignorance are not bullets. Lies are not cluster bombs. Hypocrisy is not a thermobaric weapon. If Ukrainians can continue their courageous struggle in the face of real bullets and bombs, surely we can find the fortitude to overcome disinformation, lies, and hypocrisy."
Five extraordinary sentences, outlining an extraordinary task ahead of us.
Thanks for encouraging the focus on the upcoming election. The best way for us in Florida to help Pres. Biden and save our country is to defeat Rubio, DeSantis, and Donalds at the polls.
I disagree with you, a bully must be punched back in the nose. The Ukrainians have asked for a no fly zone to be created in order to literally give them a fighting chance. It is time to call Putin’s bluff about a nuclear war and work with our NATO partners to create the no fly zone before the atrocities you mention re cold and freezing people to death actuaries
It isn't so much fear or anxiety that's affecting me with the Ukraine situation; it's just plain despair because there's little or nothing to be done. Throwing money at it makes me feel momentarily better, but not for long. I think it's an echo of what we faced for four years with Donald Trump--only worse. Putin seems deranged, as did Donald Trump. It's hard to stand by and watch while they bully everyone with no real consequences.
Robert, I note you began your Concluding Thoughts with the statement “We are the foot soldiers of democracy…”. Because in democratic and free societies worldwide, voting rights are preservative of every other right, I write this morning to share some observations.
As for citizen activism, I would note that I’ve gathered more resources from you than from any other source as to how to combat voter suppression by helping to get people registered and by turbo-charging our turnout initiatives. Still, with midterms rapidly approaching, I am alarmed by the fact that presently no impactful federal legislation exists that would supersede state laws slated increasingly to restrict voting and to nullify votes. Moreover, I also would note, since the 2021 Brnovich ruling, that DOJ no longer can sue for violating Section 2 of the irreparably gutted 1965 Voting Rights Act unless DOJ can show “intent” to discriminate. Last, but hardly least, I especially am concerned by the increasing number of election subversion measures written into bill after bill advancing through GOP- controlled state legislatures. Our most seasoned leaders appear to agree that no amount of organizing is going to get us around these severely constraining measures.
Nonetheless, if you know of organizations that are tackling any of the foregoing weighty electoral constraints, I, and I imagine others, greatly would appreciate learning about them.
Robert, we work continuously to maintain our sanity and determination to help one another. while bearing witness to the evil of one man. It seems beyond acceptance that we cannot stop him. Putin must be stopped. We feel the suffering and the inhumanity. We built a nuclear arsenal, and that is his protection.
Definition of humanity
1: compassionate, sympathetic, or generous behavior or disposition : the quality or state of being humane
Who are we?
Updated today at 2:10 a.m. EST
Washington Post
'Ukraine entered a second week of war against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invading forces with parts of the country’s largest nuclear plant on fire and its southern cities encircled by the Kremlin’s troops, as the humanitarian catastrophe wrought by Russia’s assault becomes increasingly apparent.'
'Later in the morning, Ukraine’s nuclear inspectorate said Russian forces had captured the plant, which is a key supplier of the country’s electricity. A regional military leader said nuclear safety at the Zaporizhzhia site was “ensured as of now,” while local authorities said the fire was extinguished as of 6:20 a.m. local time. Washington and Kyiv said there had been no increase in radiation levels.'
Thank you. But my question is “What good is diplomacy if it means we must sit back and watch innocent people be slaughtered?”
And is anyone asking for volunteers or conscripts to go to Ukraine and fight along with their people? We have so many people who claim to want to fight for freedom. This is their chance.
Heather Cox Richardson just posted her interview with President Biden in the China Room on the first day of the invasion of Ukraine. This is the biggest boost I've had in a long time about the future of democracy. Sure makes me understand that President Biden is the President we need in this moment in history. One existential piece of his agenda that we are not hearing enough about is how he is countering income disparity and is focusing on rebuilding the middle class. Fabulous! Thirty minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Ks3BnFymQ
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 a NY Times subscription.
As we watch the horror of what is happening in Ukraine, I shake my head when I hear the media say that refusing to buy Russian oil will hurt the American public through higher gas prices. We watch Ukranian men and women arming themselves with rifles to protect their homeland, having to abandon their homes with only what they are wearing at the time, no diapers or medicine or passports, but I am listening to complaints that we may pay 10% more at the gas pump. Really? Am I surprised that members of the GOP, who swore to uphold our Constitution, will turn against democracy because they are afraid of Trump, while Ukrainians are giving their lives to oppose a man insane with power and riches, just like Trump? When I thought nothing could get worse than the state of America when it comes to attempts to control the hearts of Americans through force and terror, along comes Putin to show us what Trump's friends and idols are capable of. Americans, open your eyes and see what Trump stands for. Him and his cronies.
Who would have thought that Putin putting his nuclear forces on “high alert” could include the idea of shelling the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. That action alone jumps to the top of the war crimes and crimes against humanity list. Beyond mad.
My pop quiz for this evening is while I'm sure all readers here can find Ukraine on the map, how many of you can find Eritrea, one of the five countries to oppose the UN resolution condemning Russia's attack on Ukraine? I had never heard of it but did take the time to find it on the map.
Thank you for the assessment of Biden's speech. My husband thought he wasn't charismatic enough and I totally disagreed. Biden is a doer and a rational human being. His strength is his integrity and compassion for regular people. He did not mince words. The stakes were incredibly high and there he was giving us the news we needed without even flinching when he was heckled by some of the most ignorant of our lawmakers. It was their embarrassment, not his.
Biden does his homework. He knows how to work with people. He remembers his history. He should not be underestimated and he deserves both our respect and our support. He has done more for the American people than the right-wingers have ever done or ever would do.
I want to give a shout out here to Mitt Romney for calling out members of his party. We need more Republicans to do that. This is serious business and having inexperienced and self-centered people gumming up the works is not helpful in the least.
I recommend Fiona Hill’s excellent interview with Politico on the Russian situation, but only if the reader is not already hysterical. Hill is an excellent analyst who tells the truth no matter who is President.
Thank you for reminding us how important the stakes are right now: democracy itself.
" It will be difficult to endure the hypocrisy and deluded smugness of people who can’t find Ukraine on a map and who have no interest in rectifying that gap in their knowledge. But disinformation and ignorance are not bullets. Lies are not cluster bombs. Hypocrisy is not a thermobaric weapon. If Ukrainians can continue their courageous struggle in the face of real bullets and bombs, surely we can find the fortitude to overcome disinformation, lies, and hypocrisy."
Five extraordinary sentences, outlining an extraordinary task ahead of us.
Thanks for encouraging the focus on the upcoming election. The best way for us in Florida to help Pres. Biden and save our country is to defeat Rubio, DeSantis, and Donalds at the polls.
Robert,
I disagree with you, a bully must be punched back in the nose. The Ukrainians have asked for a no fly zone to be created in order to literally give them a fighting chance. It is time to call Putin’s bluff about a nuclear war and work with our NATO partners to create the no fly zone before the atrocities you mention re cold and freezing people to death actuaries
It isn't so much fear or anxiety that's affecting me with the Ukraine situation; it's just plain despair because there's little or nothing to be done. Throwing money at it makes me feel momentarily better, but not for long. I think it's an echo of what we faced for four years with Donald Trump--only worse. Putin seems deranged, as did Donald Trump. It's hard to stand by and watch while they bully everyone with no real consequences.
Robert, I note you began your Concluding Thoughts with the statement “We are the foot soldiers of democracy…”. Because in democratic and free societies worldwide, voting rights are preservative of every other right, I write this morning to share some observations.
As for citizen activism, I would note that I’ve gathered more resources from you than from any other source as to how to combat voter suppression by helping to get people registered and by turbo-charging our turnout initiatives. Still, with midterms rapidly approaching, I am alarmed by the fact that presently no impactful federal legislation exists that would supersede state laws slated increasingly to restrict voting and to nullify votes. Moreover, I also would note, since the 2021 Brnovich ruling, that DOJ no longer can sue for violating Section 2 of the irreparably gutted 1965 Voting Rights Act unless DOJ can show “intent” to discriminate. Last, but hardly least, I especially am concerned by the increasing number of election subversion measures written into bill after bill advancing through GOP- controlled state legislatures. Our most seasoned leaders appear to agree that no amount of organizing is going to get us around these severely constraining measures.
Nonetheless, if you know of organizations that are tackling any of the foregoing weighty electoral constraints, I, and I imagine others, greatly would appreciate learning about them.
Robert, we work continuously to maintain our sanity and determination to help one another. while bearing witness to the evil of one man. It seems beyond acceptance that we cannot stop him. Putin must be stopped. We feel the suffering and the inhumanity. We built a nuclear arsenal, and that is his protection.
Definition of humanity
1: compassionate, sympathetic, or generous behavior or disposition : the quality or state of being humane
Who are we?
Updated today at 2:10 a.m. EST
Washington Post
'Ukraine entered a second week of war against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invading forces with parts of the country’s largest nuclear plant on fire and its southern cities encircled by the Kremlin’s troops, as the humanitarian catastrophe wrought by Russia’s assault becomes increasingly apparent.'
'Later in the morning, Ukraine’s nuclear inspectorate said Russian forces had captured the plant, which is a key supplier of the country’s electricity. A regional military leader said nuclear safety at the Zaporizhzhia site was “ensured as of now,” while local authorities said the fire was extinguished as of 6:20 a.m. local time. Washington and Kyiv said there had been no increase in radiation levels.'
Thank you. But my question is “What good is diplomacy if it means we must sit back and watch innocent people be slaughtered?”
And is anyone asking for volunteers or conscripts to go to Ukraine and fight along with their people? We have so many people who claim to want to fight for freedom. This is their chance.
Heather Cox Richardson just posted her interview with President Biden in the China Room on the first day of the invasion of Ukraine. This is the biggest boost I've had in a long time about the future of democracy. Sure makes me understand that President Biden is the President we need in this moment in history. One existential piece of his agenda that we are not hearing enough about is how he is countering income disparity and is focusing on rebuilding the middle class. Fabulous! Thirty minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Ks3BnFymQ
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 a 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
As we watch the horror of what is happening in Ukraine, I shake my head when I hear the media say that refusing to buy Russian oil will hurt the American public through higher gas prices. We watch Ukranian men and women arming themselves with rifles to protect their homeland, having to abandon their homes with only what they are wearing at the time, no diapers or medicine or passports, but I am listening to complaints that we may pay 10% more at the gas pump. Really? Am I surprised that members of the GOP, who swore to uphold our Constitution, will turn against democracy because they are afraid of Trump, while Ukrainians are giving their lives to oppose a man insane with power and riches, just like Trump? When I thought nothing could get worse than the state of America when it comes to attempts to control the hearts of Americans through force and terror, along comes Putin to show us what Trump's friends and idols are capable of. Americans, open your eyes and see what Trump stands for. Him and his cronies.
Who would have thought that Putin putting his nuclear forces on “high alert” could include the idea of shelling the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. That action alone jumps to the top of the war crimes and crimes against humanity list. Beyond mad.
Apropos 'staying calm and carrying on,' Tom Nichols offers this excellent advice in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/03/stay-calm-and-dont-advocate-war-against-putin/624169/
Thank you for today’s edition, most especially the Concluding Thoughts. That is the whole point.
My pop quiz for this evening is while I'm sure all readers here can find Ukraine on the map, how many of you can find Eritrea, one of the five countries to oppose the UN resolution condemning Russia's attack on Ukraine? I had never heard of it but did take the time to find it on the map.
Thank you for the assessment of Biden's speech. My husband thought he wasn't charismatic enough and I totally disagreed. Biden is a doer and a rational human being. His strength is his integrity and compassion for regular people. He did not mince words. The stakes were incredibly high and there he was giving us the news we needed without even flinching when he was heckled by some of the most ignorant of our lawmakers. It was their embarrassment, not his.
Biden does his homework. He knows how to work with people. He remembers his history. He should not be underestimated and he deserves both our respect and our support. He has done more for the American people than the right-wingers have ever done or ever would do.
I want to give a shout out here to Mitt Romney for calling out members of his party. We need more Republicans to do that. This is serious business and having inexperienced and self-centered people gumming up the works is not helpful in the least.
Happy Friday.