I have spent much of the weekend watching CNN, MSNBC, and BBC to follow the war in Ukraine. I hope that President Biden and the other NATO leaders will vote to accept Ukraine into the NATO alliance. It broke my heart watching President Zelenskyy almost beg for Ukraine to be admitted. I know it is really a long shot that they would admit a country that has been attacked by our arch enemy. I personally think Ukraine should have been admitted a long time ago.
I do not want Kiev to fall. Mariupol has been destroyed. Shelters are being bombed there.
I watched a report on disabled infants and toddlers, orphans, who have just been brought to a Kiev hospital from a city some distance at great peril.
I pray every night that someone will kill Putin. Where is the CIA in all of this? I thought in the past that the CIA assassinated leaders like Putin.
As for FOX News, as far as I am concerned they are all giving aid and comfort to the enemy. What can we do about that?
Yes, Robert, I am extremely upset. I am at the point where I think we should enter into this fight. I am so proud of the veterans who have gone over there to train the Ukrainians
I think that some sort of no fly zone should be put into effect if we don’t get those planes to the Ukrainians.
Poland is interested in some sort of a peace keeping mission. Some military people have said that would be helpful in western Ukraine at least.
It amazes me that we went into the Middle East so quickly and carried on a 20 year war, trying to bring democracy to a people who were not interested in it, for the most part, and who would not fight for it. But here we have a sovereign democratic country that has been attacked by an autocratic country and the people of Ukraine are fighting valiantly, but we will not fight with them to keep them free.
I respectfully disagree. If we and/or NATO enter this fight directly, the bloodshed and destruction will only spread more widely. I know it is horrifying to watch what is happening in Ukraine. But if we amp up this war with anything other than defensive weapons help, the conflagration and devastation will move to a level that will make Putin's genocide in Ukraine look minor.
Please reflect on the fact that Putin's army is in trouble and Putin is in deep doo doo back home. He is sinking his own political ship. I believe that his attack on Ukraine will be his downfall. Will it be soon enough? No, of course not.
I believe this is a time to trust President Biden. He is surrounded by true experts. He has the most sophisticated intelligence team ever created. And he has an understanding of history, warfare and international politics that is unmatched.
A "no fly zone" means bombing inside Russia. Please read more about this. Putin is not above using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine as a response. This would irrevocably alter the entire world in ways we do not want to imagine.
There is a very big difference between our (bogus) wars in the Middle East and going toe to toe with a madman who has the largest cache of nuclear warheads in the world. Just one of his missiles could incinerate multiple cities sending radioactive material all over the world.
This is a time for patience and careful strategy. Biden is a master at this. Putin is failing. Yes, it is a horrific failing. But acting with emotions would lead to an apocalypse.
Exactly, Robert. I don’t believe that he will stop with Ukraine, unless the Ukrainians defeat the Russians. Putin is so paranoid. He thinks we want to invade Russia in an effort to bring about a regime change. That is what some experts have said. I don’t know how we can convince him that we want to live in peace.
I must add that I have read several articles and watched several interviews of experts who are concerned that we must walk a fine line so as not to appear to be weak, but also not to push Putin into believing that we intend to invade Russia.
You are right, Bill, as usual. Admitting Ukraine to NATO, like declaring a no-fly zone (which missiles would render pretty much useless) would mean a war between NATO and Russia. We cannot risk that.
We could not admit Ukraine to NATO while the war is going on, but we should do so when the war is over. We could agree not to put our troops in Ukraine nor put missiles there, but they have earned the right to be a member of the EU and NATO.
I appreciate this reminder of what is at stake. It cannot be repeated and explained clearly often enough during times of crisis where hearts are breaking and the automatic response is to lash out. But that is like "pouring gasoline on a fire in order to put it out." We must not do that. Eleanor Roosevelt said that there were only two really dirty four-letter words in the English language: "hate" and "wars". Somehow we must and will get through this but right now it is painful in the extreme.
Empathy has the price that we feel others' pain and suffering. Putin is a master of wreaking terror, including against "emotional" targets of civilians instead of military targets to break people's resolve.
"Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom" (on Netflix) is a very worthwhile film to watch about the 2014 Maidan Revolution. It gives deeper context to what we see on TV--the quest to align with Europe instead of Russia, newscasts from Kviv's Maidan Square, the implementation of anti-protest laws for totalitarian repression of resistance and public demonstrations, bewilderment at being beaten and shot by fellow brethren in the regular police and Berkut special riot police, unity across regions, languages, and religions, and most of all, persistent resolve. Today's Ukrainians went through this just 8 years ago.
During the Maidan Revolution, the Parliament went from voting for anti-protest laws to 100% of its members voting 328 to 0 to remove President Yanukovych from office--after which he fled to Russia. The next president disbanded the Berkut riot police, many of whom today must be fighting against Russian soldiers.
Putin's war is on a much bigger scale and includes psychological operations used to deceive, confuse, disrupt and demoralize. Our resistance needs to include keeping cool heads.
The United States, like most countries, has a strong policy against political assassination as that is a major cassus belli. It's unclear that the CIA could pull it off anyway.
I seem to remember back in the day during JFK’s presidency that the CIA planned to assassinate Fidel Castro.
Surely it is a terrible thing to do, but if anyone deserves being assassinated, it is Putin. I just pray one of his inner circle will do it or that there will be a coup and he will be overthrown.
I don't disagree that Putin is wasted space while he's here but the arguments against assassination as an official policy are abundant, starting with "if it's OK for us to do, it's OK for everyone else." If I were the President I'd think twice before ordering a move that could be traced back to me or anyone else responsible to me.
The CIA is reputed to have had many plans to upset the Castro regime and those in other countries as well. Vis a vis Cuba, the most notable result was the Bay of Pigs.
The eminent philosopher J.R.R. Tolkien, speaking as Gandalf, noted in response to Frodo's comment that Gollum "deserved death", "I daresay he does, and many who die (Ukrainian and others) deserve life; can you give it to them?" Scriptures (all of them) reserve the judgement of life and death to God as well as the punishment for transgressions committed here and I'm willing to consign Mr. Putin to that fate; if one of his colleagues or security associates decides to help him along, I won't argue against it.
That is why I pray to God to do something about Putin. I ask him to either change his heart, or have one of his people to take him out. I know that is awful of me, and God might be very upset with me, but what he is doing is genocide.
Yes, I agree that it would be wrong for the CIA to have a policy of assassinating bad leaders. That is not what we should be about. However, it is so frustrating that one man can cause such death and destruction and get away with it b
I believe the very best scenario would be for the Russian people to bring Putin down themselves. Putin is creating misery not just for Ukraine but also for Russia. Putin and his aggression are making the whole world suffer.
Virginia, as much as I have never believed in assassination, I also question the role of the CIA in all of this. Thanks for mentioning it. However, the approach to NATO must remain as it stands for the moment because of Putin's horrific mental instability.
I also wonder about the status Ukraine's application to the EU which took place a couple of weeks ago. Haven't heard a thing about it since.
Our elected officials because of the legalized bribery of Citizens United now vote 95% of the time with their donors. They put Patrons and Party before Constituents and Country. I work with WolfPAC, a nonpartisan organization trying to overturn Citizens United through a Convention of States. Some people will argue that a Convention of States is a dangerous way to amend the Constitution since it might get out of control. I'll counter that with the resolutions calling for the Convention of States is very specific and we're striving to get the same resolution passed in every state. I like that American Promise is working on this important amendment. One argument that this will be extremely difficult is that you are asking the same people that benefit greatly and can claim their power is from their donors rather than the People. Amendments are passed by the Congress only after they see momentum and results in getting a Convention of States together. They are no longer listening to their constituents. It is like telling a fox he needs to put a lock on the chicken coop. It is against his/her personal interest and need to stay in power. Still, having both methods being worked on makes it a better probability that the amendment will happen so I applaud both groups for their efforts and will toast to their success. We, the People, all of us this time!
One of your best, Robert! Thank you. I am an optimist, too. With the start of spring, there is the anticipation of the budding of trees and flowers, butterflies fluttering, fresh scents from our Mother Earth wafting in the air, and more birds arriving with new songs. Yet I have a restlessness somewhere deep within that says we are already at war, that we have entered WWIII, but no one wants to utter the words. This is not like me to think so negatively, but there it is. Friends wrote this weekend echoing the same feelings, sensing that the underbelly of Ukraine and wars/unrest around the planet are too close for comfort, creating unsettling feelings, a dis-ease. Switching gears to the Supreme Court nominee hearings this week: I find it hard to believe that Josh Hawley was not disbarred. Thank you for the heads up on his focus. How on earth did he ever come out of Yale Law School? (Sorry but I love Yale Law for personal reasons.) I will look into "American Promise" for our county and state. There is so much to do, too few to do the work, and there is an unspoken fear that we can't put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Nevertheless, I will head out for my morning walk towards the Hudson River and let Nature feed me with air, water, and the scent of spring in the air. Blessings to all ~ 🌷🌺
Hi, Lee Anne. The events in Ukraine have up-ended our world order, but I think it is too soon to believe that WWIII has begun. It is not clear that Putin will survive his war in Ukraine, let alone invade other countries.
Thank you, Robert. I agree. However, my "dis-ease" incorporates more than Ukraine. It is not purely rational, I know. I sense there are issues/things we're not being told. It is my intuition and I hope it's way off balance (for now). Let us have hope, always!
Robert, I was stopped in my tracks with "Spring reminds us: We will endure.' Spring is my favorite season, but I don't associate it with, "We will endure". Go tell that to the Ukrainians. Today's title seems more appropriate for a romance novel or light spiritual reading. My surprise turned into amusement, and I remain unconvinced..
Some of the greatest poetry of the 20th Century was written in the trenches of WWI. I am not comparing my writing to Wilfred Owen or Robert Graves. And, Fern, I do believe that Ukrainians would understand a sentiment that says, "We will endure." If you want to focus only on death and destruction, that is all you will see.
Mar 21, 2022·edited Mar 21, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Robert, many Ukrainians have courageously displayed their determination to endure and might second the spirit of your intent.
I thought, however, that you provided several questionable references in your response to me, such as not pretending that your writing equals that Owen and Graves, while raising them as examples of your call to spring. In finding your language surprising when southern Ukraine is being demolished, thousands of people trapped in Mariupol, fierce fighting undermining the ability of people to leave cities devastated by the war, many orphaned children, lack of food and water... need I say more... seemed in the spirit of what Ukrainians are experiencing and we are witnessing. For you to assume that my unease with your title 'Spring reminds us: We will endure' means that I 'want to focus only on death and destruction, that is all you will see' is presumptuous and untrue. Some us look for solutions without wearing rose colored glasses.
I am with you, Fern. Spring will not be coming to Ukraine this year. The ground is soaked with blood and covered with rubble and the charred remains of homes, hospitals, and nursing homes! A nursing home was bombed today!
Spring will come to Ukraine this year, and there is nothing Putin can do to stop it. It will give some respite to Ukrainians who are displaced persons moving about in the freezing cold. Virginia, we cannot ignore the suffering and death in Ukraine. But neither can we allow it to consume us. Whatever happens in Ukraine, we must be able to continue with our lives so that we can do all of the things necessary to ensure that we can provide support to Ukraine and prevent the same thing happening in other countries.
That is true. But we must stand by Ukraine and give them the weapons that they need to defeat the Russians.
Putin must be made aware that the purpose of NATO is to protect the member countries, not to attack Russia, as he believes. But these European countries are small compared to Russia and need NATO for protection. Surely he could understand that.
Virginia, do you believe we are not giving Ukraine the weapons they need? We have given them THOUSANDS of anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, hundreds of drones, tens of millions of rounds of ammunition. Biden just signed a $1.3 billion aid package for Ukraine--a figure that rivals the size of Ukraine's military budget. So when you say, "We must give Ukraine the weapons it needs," you are suggesting that the United States is not doing enough. That refrain undermines Biden and plays into the Republican narrative that Biden is "weak" on Putin. If you believe that there are SPECIFIC weapons we haven't given Ukraine that it needs, please be specific. And Poland can give Ukraine the MIG29s anytime it wants. It does not need permission from the U.S.
I believe that we delayed too long in helping Ukraine and, while I don't know that I'd agree with everything Zelensky has asked for, we, including NATO, have not given crucial weaponry that he has been begging for, and he is not alone on that score.
'...are small compared to Russia and need NATO for protection. Surely he could understand that.' Putin understanding that, what Putin understand is what he wants to do. Does Putin care about those small countries, only to absorb them into mother Russia. This is part of what we know of Putin and it is, in part, why people like you and me want to stop him. He cares nothing about the lives of others, that's why he murders us without compunction.
Yes, for now. It is humbling to watch their European neighbors taking them in and meeting them with food, beverages, and toys for their children. I have seen American doctors interviewed who have gone over their on their own to help. They said that they could not sit home and not do anything.
For some years, I have been fascinated by the Battle of Britain. A few years ago, I found a book on the battle in our local library. It was probably the best volume on the subject that I have ever read, although it was not written by a professional historian. The author's theory was that the Battle of Britain was a decisive battle precisely because it decided nothing but that the war would go on; had the British lost and Hitler invaded the UK successfully, the Second World War would have been over in 1940. Right now I happen to be reading a novel about the battle in which one of the characters is a mathematician fascinated by how game theory might be applied to the situation that Britain faced in August of that year. One of the points is that in game theory, working not to lose is more important than trying to win. (That's why a good player at tic-tac-toe starts by using the middle square.) I take your time with all of his maundering, because it strikes me that Ukraine does not have to win the war--not militarily, at least. Rather, its strategy should be to keep Russia from winning. (That may have been the Taliban's strategy all along, whether they thought of it or not.) And it seems to me that the Ukrainians have already achieved their essential goal. Unless Putin is both willing and able to re-align Russia's economy, its miliary and its national strategy for total war, Russia cannot prevail. True, it might be able to keep up the killing for many years, but it will not win. The problem for Putin is that admitting that would probably cost him is life. (When people talk about offering him an off-ramp, I think they should be discussing how to get him a luxury retirement villa on the Costa do Sol, and sending a Spanish military jet to pick him up before the Russian government and the Russian people know he's gone.)
As always, very astute observations. Putin has lost more than the war in Ukraine. He is wounded leader who must look over his shoulder more than ever. He has angered the oligarchs, the military, the FSB, and (soon), a sizable portion of the Russian people as a they experience the effects of the sanctions that Putin willingly incurred on their behalf.
I hadn't heard of American Promise before, but I know some local folks who've been active in an organization with the same goal, Move to Amend. https://www.movetoamend.org/ So, I emailed American Promise to see if they're cooperating with Move to Amend.
I can only work and donate to a limited number of organizations without getting overwhelmed by newsletters, donation requests, etc. So, I wish there was better coordination among organizations with similar aims.
Hi, Jonathan. Move to Amend is another great organization, but has adopted a different strategy. Move to Amend has proposed the language of a specific amendment (available on its website). American Promise is still soliciting input on the appropriate language. Amending the Constitution is a delicate business, so getting it right matters. To achieve its goals, Move to Amend effectively denies corporations the rights of natural citizens, and then says that Congress can determine what rights they have (among other provisions relating to speech). Whether that is necessary or appropriate to overrule Citizens United is a subject that can be debated by people of good faith. I think it is pretty clear that corporations will rise en mass to oppose that provision of the amendment. A minimalist approach would be to draft an amendment that overrules the holding in Citizens United, nothing more. That approach would be unsatisfactory for many reasons to many people. But the point is to move forward with an effort to amendt the Constitution. And I agree with American Promise's approach: lock in the states before taking the matter up in Congress -- to prevent entrenched Senators and Representatives from block their access to money by opposing the amendment.
I think the Citizens United decision was a travesty, and I dislike the flood of money into politics. But I think it’s possible to overstate money’s effect. Eric Cantor lost a House race to Dave Brat, who spent a fraction of what Cantor spent. The Koch family has spent hundreds of millions on losing candidates. So did Sheldon Adelson. My hope was that they would beggar themselves so I enjoyed watching them throw their money away. In a large state, there probably is some threshold minimum amount you need because media markets are expensive, but anything above that probably has diminishing returns. I would love to see the money out of politics but fighting voter suppression should be a higher priority. Maybe there are enough people to do both simultaneously, but voting can—and has—overcome the money and made Citizens United a sideshow. I would keep my eye on the ball.
Hi, Stan. I agree that it would be easy to overstate the effect of dark money on outcomes. We can still show up and vote despite the deluge of negative advertising and dark money. But it only takes a few victories at the margins to change control of congress.
But we should also recognize the "arms race" that Citizens United has created in the race for money. A Senate campaign in a small state (like Maine) now costs $200 million plus. That's half a billion dollars that must be raised in a single race. Senators (or candidates) spend most of their time raising money--and listening to those who can write the biggest checks. Even if those Senators don't explicitly bargain votes for money, corporations and wealthy donors are able purchase access and dominate mindshare. That should not be how our democracy works. Every citizen should have equal access and input into their Senator's thinking about legislation.
Hi, good question. I believe that Josh Harley has gone "all in" on the question of white nationalism. Remember the "white power" salute he gave to insurrectionists? Any decent human being would spend the rest of his life trying to make amends for that grotesque and incendiary display of white nationalism at a moment of crisis. Not Josh Harley. He started using the photo in his campaign ads. The owner of the copyright of the photo sent a cease and desist letter.
Moreover, Hawley's focus on Judge Jackson's work on the Sentencing Commission and guidelines for sentencing child-porn offenders is a nod to QAnon's belief that pedophiles run the world through a Satan worshipping cabal.
The effort to create and pass a 28th Amendment in opposition to Citizens United that you recommend is doomed and unwise. It is doomed because it will never receive the necessary support to be made part of the Constitution. Nor should it because it is unwise. The central point of the language proposed by the American Promise is as follows: "Congress and the States . . . may distinguish between natural persons and artificial entities, including by prohibiting artificial entities from raising and spending money in campaigns, elections, or ballot measures." That language would limit entities such as political parties and political action committees that support causes that many of us would want them to be able to support.
Rabbi, thanks for your comment. I believe that American Promise is soliciting input regarding the language of the proposed amendment and has not yet settled on final language. That approach differs from other groups--such as Move to Amend--that has proposed specific language that states Congress may decide what rights corporations and associations have. You don't have to go that far to reverse Citizens United. Or, you could craft language that would preserve the holding in Citizens United as to political parties.
For some time now I have, when confronted with the latest Tucker Carlson - Fox News sewage, been trying to think of an appropriate, non-hyperbolic term to use when referring to them and how to think about them vis a vie Russia...one that is accurate and that doesn't involve gratuitous amounts of emotionally-feel-good vulgar profanities. Thanks to a commenter on another site a little while ago, I now have it. Seems to be an absolutely perfect fit.
Robert, I, too, loathe the money arms race. My recollection is that the Democrat who lost to Susan Collins in Maine had money left over. She simply couldn't spend all that she raised. That money could have been better spent on other candidates, on food banks, or shelter for those experiencing homelessness. The corporate money could be better spent on R&D or employee wages. The opportunity costs from excessive campaign spending is rarely discussed.
I have spent much of the weekend watching CNN, MSNBC, and BBC to follow the war in Ukraine. I hope that President Biden and the other NATO leaders will vote to accept Ukraine into the NATO alliance. It broke my heart watching President Zelenskyy almost beg for Ukraine to be admitted. I know it is really a long shot that they would admit a country that has been attacked by our arch enemy. I personally think Ukraine should have been admitted a long time ago.
I do not want Kiev to fall. Mariupol has been destroyed. Shelters are being bombed there.
I watched a report on disabled infants and toddlers, orphans, who have just been brought to a Kiev hospital from a city some distance at great peril.
I pray every night that someone will kill Putin. Where is the CIA in all of this? I thought in the past that the CIA assassinated leaders like Putin.
As for FOX News, as far as I am concerned they are all giving aid and comfort to the enemy. What can we do about that?
Yes, Robert, I am extremely upset. I am at the point where I think we should enter into this fight. I am so proud of the veterans who have gone over there to train the Ukrainians
I think that some sort of no fly zone should be put into effect if we don’t get those planes to the Ukrainians.
Poland is interested in some sort of a peace keeping mission. Some military people have said that would be helpful in western Ukraine at least.
It amazes me that we went into the Middle East so quickly and carried on a 20 year war, trying to bring democracy to a people who were not interested in it, for the most part, and who would not fight for it. But here we have a sovereign democratic country that has been attacked by an autocratic country and the people of Ukraine are fighting valiantly, but we will not fight with them to keep them free.
I respectfully disagree. If we and/or NATO enter this fight directly, the bloodshed and destruction will only spread more widely. I know it is horrifying to watch what is happening in Ukraine. But if we amp up this war with anything other than defensive weapons help, the conflagration and devastation will move to a level that will make Putin's genocide in Ukraine look minor.
Please reflect on the fact that Putin's army is in trouble and Putin is in deep doo doo back home. He is sinking his own political ship. I believe that his attack on Ukraine will be his downfall. Will it be soon enough? No, of course not.
I believe this is a time to trust President Biden. He is surrounded by true experts. He has the most sophisticated intelligence team ever created. And he has an understanding of history, warfare and international politics that is unmatched.
A "no fly zone" means bombing inside Russia. Please read more about this. Putin is not above using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine as a response. This would irrevocably alter the entire world in ways we do not want to imagine.
There is a very big difference between our (bogus) wars in the Middle East and going toe to toe with a madman who has the largest cache of nuclear warheads in the world. Just one of his missiles could incinerate multiple cities sending radioactive material all over the world.
This is a time for patience and careful strategy. Biden is a master at this. Putin is failing. Yes, it is a horrific failing. But acting with emotions would lead to an apocalypse.
I would add only that Putin didn't invade Ukraine because of NATO. He invaded Ukraine because he has delusions of re-assembling Greater Russia.
Exactly, Robert. I don’t believe that he will stop with Ukraine, unless the Ukrainians defeat the Russians. Putin is so paranoid. He thinks we want to invade Russia in an effort to bring about a regime change. That is what some experts have said. I don’t know how we can convince him that we want to live in peace.
You are correct. I am very emotional about this. The suffering of the women, children, and elderly is just horrific.
I don’t want a world war. I just want Putin out of Ukraine.
I will try to be patient. I do respect and trust President Biden.
But I still believe that Ukraine belongs in the EU and in NATO. It may have to happen after the war, but it must happen.
I must add that I have read several articles and watched several interviews of experts who are concerned that we must walk a fine line so as not to appear to be weak, but also not to push Putin into believing that we intend to invade Russia.
You are right, Bill, as usual. Admitting Ukraine to NATO, like declaring a no-fly zone (which missiles would render pretty much useless) would mean a war between NATO and Russia. We cannot risk that.
We could not admit Ukraine to NATO while the war is going on, but we should do so when the war is over. We could agree not to put our troops in Ukraine nor put missiles there, but they have earned the right to be a member of the EU and NATO.
While I believe, after, if Ukraine wants to join NATO, let it be. But I think speaking of this now only puts fuel on the flame.
This move, I agree with completely.
Thank you, Bill, for your reality-check and level-headedness.
I appreciate this reminder of what is at stake. It cannot be repeated and explained clearly often enough during times of crisis where hearts are breaking and the automatic response is to lash out. But that is like "pouring gasoline on a fire in order to put it out." We must not do that. Eleanor Roosevelt said that there were only two really dirty four-letter words in the English language: "hate" and "wars". Somehow we must and will get through this but right now it is painful in the extreme.
Empathy has the price that we feel others' pain and suffering. Putin is a master of wreaking terror, including against "emotional" targets of civilians instead of military targets to break people's resolve.
"Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom" (on Netflix) is a very worthwhile film to watch about the 2014 Maidan Revolution. It gives deeper context to what we see on TV--the quest to align with Europe instead of Russia, newscasts from Kviv's Maidan Square, the implementation of anti-protest laws for totalitarian repression of resistance and public demonstrations, bewilderment at being beaten and shot by fellow brethren in the regular police and Berkut special riot police, unity across regions, languages, and religions, and most of all, persistent resolve. Today's Ukrainians went through this just 8 years ago.
During the Maidan Revolution, the Parliament went from voting for anti-protest laws to 100% of its members voting 328 to 0 to remove President Yanukovych from office--after which he fled to Russia. The next president disbanded the Berkut riot police, many of whom today must be fighting against Russian soldiers.
Putin's war is on a much bigger scale and includes psychological operations used to deceive, confuse, disrupt and demoralize. Our resistance needs to include keeping cool heads.
Very well said. Thank you.
The United States, like most countries, has a strong policy against political assassination as that is a major cassus belli. It's unclear that the CIA could pull it off anyway.
I seem to remember back in the day during JFK’s presidency that the CIA planned to assassinate Fidel Castro.
Surely it is a terrible thing to do, but if anyone deserves being assassinated, it is Putin. I just pray one of his inner circle will do it or that there will be a coup and he will be overthrown.
I don't disagree that Putin is wasted space while he's here but the arguments against assassination as an official policy are abundant, starting with "if it's OK for us to do, it's OK for everyone else." If I were the President I'd think twice before ordering a move that could be traced back to me or anyone else responsible to me.
The CIA is reputed to have had many plans to upset the Castro regime and those in other countries as well. Vis a vis Cuba, the most notable result was the Bay of Pigs.
The eminent philosopher J.R.R. Tolkien, speaking as Gandalf, noted in response to Frodo's comment that Gollum "deserved death", "I daresay he does, and many who die (Ukrainian and others) deserve life; can you give it to them?" Scriptures (all of them) reserve the judgement of life and death to God as well as the punishment for transgressions committed here and I'm willing to consign Mr. Putin to that fate; if one of his colleagues or security associates decides to help him along, I won't argue against it.
That is why I pray to God to do something about Putin. I ask him to either change his heart, or have one of his people to take him out. I know that is awful of me, and God might be very upset with me, but what he is doing is genocide.
Yes, I agree that it would be wrong for the CIA to have a policy of assassinating bad leaders. That is not what we should be about. However, it is so frustrating that one man can cause such death and destruction and get away with it b
I believe the very best scenario would be for the Russian people to bring Putin down themselves. Putin is creating misery not just for Ukraine but also for Russia. Putin and his aggression are making the whole world suffer.
I definitely agree with you. That would be the very best scenario. I hope that they have the courage to do it.
Me too. It's a tough one. Look at all the folks here who are still supporting Fox and TFG.
Virginia, as much as I have never believed in assassination, I also question the role of the CIA in all of this. Thanks for mentioning it. However, the approach to NATO must remain as it stands for the moment because of Putin's horrific mental instability.
I also wonder about the status Ukraine's application to the EU which took place a couple of weeks ago. Haven't heard a thing about it since.
Our elected officials because of the legalized bribery of Citizens United now vote 95% of the time with their donors. They put Patrons and Party before Constituents and Country. I work with WolfPAC, a nonpartisan organization trying to overturn Citizens United through a Convention of States. Some people will argue that a Convention of States is a dangerous way to amend the Constitution since it might get out of control. I'll counter that with the resolutions calling for the Convention of States is very specific and we're striving to get the same resolution passed in every state. I like that American Promise is working on this important amendment. One argument that this will be extremely difficult is that you are asking the same people that benefit greatly and can claim their power is from their donors rather than the People. Amendments are passed by the Congress only after they see momentum and results in getting a Convention of States together. They are no longer listening to their constituents. It is like telling a fox he needs to put a lock on the chicken coop. It is against his/her personal interest and need to stay in power. Still, having both methods being worked on makes it a better probability that the amendment will happen so I applaud both groups for their efforts and will toast to their success. We, the People, all of us this time!
One of your best, Robert! Thank you. I am an optimist, too. With the start of spring, there is the anticipation of the budding of trees and flowers, butterflies fluttering, fresh scents from our Mother Earth wafting in the air, and more birds arriving with new songs. Yet I have a restlessness somewhere deep within that says we are already at war, that we have entered WWIII, but no one wants to utter the words. This is not like me to think so negatively, but there it is. Friends wrote this weekend echoing the same feelings, sensing that the underbelly of Ukraine and wars/unrest around the planet are too close for comfort, creating unsettling feelings, a dis-ease. Switching gears to the Supreme Court nominee hearings this week: I find it hard to believe that Josh Hawley was not disbarred. Thank you for the heads up on his focus. How on earth did he ever come out of Yale Law School? (Sorry but I love Yale Law for personal reasons.) I will look into "American Promise" for our county and state. There is so much to do, too few to do the work, and there is an unspoken fear that we can't put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Nevertheless, I will head out for my morning walk towards the Hudson River and let Nature feed me with air, water, and the scent of spring in the air. Blessings to all ~ 🌷🌺
Hi, Lee Anne. The events in Ukraine have up-ended our world order, but I think it is too soon to believe that WWIII has begun. It is not clear that Putin will survive his war in Ukraine, let alone invade other countries.
Thank you, Robert. I agree. However, my "dis-ease" incorporates more than Ukraine. It is not purely rational, I know. I sense there are issues/things we're not being told. It is my intuition and I hope it's way off balance (for now). Let us have hope, always!
And enduring is an ongoing process as Robert eloquently reminds us
.. certain physical disabilities; I haven't counted the obstacles but, certainly, death is among them.
Robert, I was stopped in my tracks with "Spring reminds us: We will endure.' Spring is my favorite season, but I don't associate it with, "We will endure". Go tell that to the Ukrainians. Today's title seems more appropriate for a romance novel or light spiritual reading. My surprise turned into amusement, and I remain unconvinced..
Some of the greatest poetry of the 20th Century was written in the trenches of WWI. I am not comparing my writing to Wilfred Owen or Robert Graves. And, Fern, I do believe that Ukrainians would understand a sentiment that says, "We will endure." If you want to focus only on death and destruction, that is all you will see.
Robert, many Ukrainians have courageously displayed their determination to endure and might second the spirit of your intent.
I thought, however, that you provided several questionable references in your response to me, such as not pretending that your writing equals that Owen and Graves, while raising them as examples of your call to spring. In finding your language surprising when southern Ukraine is being demolished, thousands of people trapped in Mariupol, fierce fighting undermining the ability of people to leave cities devastated by the war, many orphaned children, lack of food and water... need I say more... seemed in the spirit of what Ukrainians are experiencing and we are witnessing. For you to assume that my unease with your title 'Spring reminds us: We will endure' means that I 'want to focus only on death and destruction, that is all you will see' is presumptuous and untrue. Some us look for solutions without wearing rose colored glasses.
I am with you, Fern. Spring will not be coming to Ukraine this year. The ground is soaked with blood and covered with rubble and the charred remains of homes, hospitals, and nursing homes! A nursing home was bombed today!
Spring will come to Ukraine this year, and there is nothing Putin can do to stop it. It will give some respite to Ukrainians who are displaced persons moving about in the freezing cold. Virginia, we cannot ignore the suffering and death in Ukraine. But neither can we allow it to consume us. Whatever happens in Ukraine, we must be able to continue with our lives so that we can do all of the things necessary to ensure that we can provide support to Ukraine and prevent the same thing happening in other countries.
That is true. But we must stand by Ukraine and give them the weapons that they need to defeat the Russians.
Putin must be made aware that the purpose of NATO is to protect the member countries, not to attack Russia, as he believes. But these European countries are small compared to Russia and need NATO for protection. Surely he could understand that.
Virginia, do you believe we are not giving Ukraine the weapons they need? We have given them THOUSANDS of anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, hundreds of drones, tens of millions of rounds of ammunition. Biden just signed a $1.3 billion aid package for Ukraine--a figure that rivals the size of Ukraine's military budget. So when you say, "We must give Ukraine the weapons it needs," you are suggesting that the United States is not doing enough. That refrain undermines Biden and plays into the Republican narrative that Biden is "weak" on Putin. If you believe that there are SPECIFIC weapons we haven't given Ukraine that it needs, please be specific. And Poland can give Ukraine the MIG29s anytime it wants. It does not need permission from the U.S.
I believe that we delayed too long in helping Ukraine and, while I don't know that I'd agree with everything Zelensky has asked for, we, including NATO, have not given crucial weaponry that he has been begging for, and he is not alone on that score.
'...are small compared to Russia and need NATO for protection. Surely he could understand that.' Putin understanding that, what Putin understand is what he wants to do. Does Putin care about those small countries, only to absorb them into mother Russia. This is part of what we know of Putin and it is, in part, why people like you and me want to stop him. He cares nothing about the lives of others, that's why he murders us without compunction.
Ukraine's ability to produce wheat will be cut back because farmers are being killed before this spring's wheat can be planted and the land itself devastated. In addition, Ukraine is unable to ship the wheat-Russia is blocking the Sea of Azov. Also, Ukraine production and export of fertilizer will be damaged as well. The U.N. predicts there will be an increase global hunger. Please read: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/14/ukraine-invasion-worldwide-food-crisis-warns-un and also: https://www.wired.com/story/the-war-in-ukraine-is-threatening-the-breadbasket-of-europe/
We need a scull and bones button, Virginia, when remarking about life, death and the seasons of the year in Ukraine.
Yes, for now. It is humbling to watch their European neighbors taking them in and meeting them with food, beverages, and toys for their children. I have seen American doctors interviewed who have gone over their on their own to help. They said that they could not sit home and not do anything.
The conclusion is the most important part of the letter today. Thanks Robert.
As an aside, I tried to sign up for the MO group working on the 28th Amendment but the ReCapta and submit weren't working. I will try again.
For some years, I have been fascinated by the Battle of Britain. A few years ago, I found a book on the battle in our local library. It was probably the best volume on the subject that I have ever read, although it was not written by a professional historian. The author's theory was that the Battle of Britain was a decisive battle precisely because it decided nothing but that the war would go on; had the British lost and Hitler invaded the UK successfully, the Second World War would have been over in 1940. Right now I happen to be reading a novel about the battle in which one of the characters is a mathematician fascinated by how game theory might be applied to the situation that Britain faced in August of that year. One of the points is that in game theory, working not to lose is more important than trying to win. (That's why a good player at tic-tac-toe starts by using the middle square.) I take your time with all of his maundering, because it strikes me that Ukraine does not have to win the war--not militarily, at least. Rather, its strategy should be to keep Russia from winning. (That may have been the Taliban's strategy all along, whether they thought of it or not.) And it seems to me that the Ukrainians have already achieved their essential goal. Unless Putin is both willing and able to re-align Russia's economy, its miliary and its national strategy for total war, Russia cannot prevail. True, it might be able to keep up the killing for many years, but it will not win. The problem for Putin is that admitting that would probably cost him is life. (When people talk about offering him an off-ramp, I think they should be discussing how to get him a luxury retirement villa on the Costa do Sol, and sending a Spanish military jet to pick him up before the Russian government and the Russian people know he's gone.)
As always, very astute observations. Putin has lost more than the war in Ukraine. He is wounded leader who must look over his shoulder more than ever. He has angered the oligarchs, the military, the FSB, and (soon), a sizable portion of the Russian people as a they experience the effects of the sanctions that Putin willingly incurred on their behalf.
Jon, I like your outline for a screenplay...could it a non-fiction story?
I hadn't heard of American Promise before, but I know some local folks who've been active in an organization with the same goal, Move to Amend. https://www.movetoamend.org/ So, I emailed American Promise to see if they're cooperating with Move to Amend.
I can only work and donate to a limited number of organizations without getting overwhelmed by newsletters, donation requests, etc. So, I wish there was better coordination among organizations with similar aims.
Hi, Jonathan. Move to Amend is another great organization, but has adopted a different strategy. Move to Amend has proposed the language of a specific amendment (available on its website). American Promise is still soliciting input on the appropriate language. Amending the Constitution is a delicate business, so getting it right matters. To achieve its goals, Move to Amend effectively denies corporations the rights of natural citizens, and then says that Congress can determine what rights they have (among other provisions relating to speech). Whether that is necessary or appropriate to overrule Citizens United is a subject that can be debated by people of good faith. I think it is pretty clear that corporations will rise en mass to oppose that provision of the amendment. A minimalist approach would be to draft an amendment that overrules the holding in Citizens United, nothing more. That approach would be unsatisfactory for many reasons to many people. But the point is to move forward with an effort to amendt the Constitution. And I agree with American Promise's approach: lock in the states before taking the matter up in Congress -- to prevent entrenched Senators and Representatives from block their access to money by opposing the amendment.
I think the Citizens United decision was a travesty, and I dislike the flood of money into politics. But I think it’s possible to overstate money’s effect. Eric Cantor lost a House race to Dave Brat, who spent a fraction of what Cantor spent. The Koch family has spent hundreds of millions on losing candidates. So did Sheldon Adelson. My hope was that they would beggar themselves so I enjoyed watching them throw their money away. In a large state, there probably is some threshold minimum amount you need because media markets are expensive, but anything above that probably has diminishing returns. I would love to see the money out of politics but fighting voter suppression should be a higher priority. Maybe there are enough people to do both simultaneously, but voting can—and has—overcome the money and made Citizens United a sideshow. I would keep my eye on the ball.
Hi, Stan. I agree that it would be easy to overstate the effect of dark money on outcomes. We can still show up and vote despite the deluge of negative advertising and dark money. But it only takes a few victories at the margins to change control of congress.
But we should also recognize the "arms race" that Citizens United has created in the race for money. A Senate campaign in a small state (like Maine) now costs $200 million plus. That's half a billion dollars that must be raised in a single race. Senators (or candidates) spend most of their time raising money--and listening to those who can write the biggest checks. Even if those Senators don't explicitly bargain votes for money, corporations and wealthy donors are able purchase access and dominate mindshare. That should not be how our democracy works. Every citizen should have equal access and input into their Senator's thinking about legislation.
Thanks for your input, Stan. It's easy to lose focus, and keeping focused is critical right now.
Beautiful, poetic closing. Thank you from my open heart.
You are a poet, Robert Hubble. Thank you for the words of hope today as Spring begins, and everyday.
I wonder how overtly racist Josh Hawley will feel comfortable being? And who among the others will support him?
Hi, good question. I believe that Josh Harley has gone "all in" on the question of white nationalism. Remember the "white power" salute he gave to insurrectionists? Any decent human being would spend the rest of his life trying to make amends for that grotesque and incendiary display of white nationalism at a moment of crisis. Not Josh Harley. He started using the photo in his campaign ads. The owner of the copyright of the photo sent a cease and desist letter.
Moreover, Hawley's focus on Judge Jackson's work on the Sentencing Commission and guidelines for sentencing child-porn offenders is a nod to QAnon's belief that pedophiles run the world through a Satan worshipping cabal.
Exactly, ugh
Citizens United has done more to destroy our country than any one action since the Civil War. See Robert Reich explain: https://youtu.be/4RaOnn0L8A0
The effort to create and pass a 28th Amendment in opposition to Citizens United that you recommend is doomed and unwise. It is doomed because it will never receive the necessary support to be made part of the Constitution. Nor should it because it is unwise. The central point of the language proposed by the American Promise is as follows: "Congress and the States . . . may distinguish between natural persons and artificial entities, including by prohibiting artificial entities from raising and spending money in campaigns, elections, or ballot measures." That language would limit entities such as political parties and political action committees that support causes that many of us would want them to be able to support.
Rabbi, thanks for your comment. I believe that American Promise is soliciting input regarding the language of the proposed amendment and has not yet settled on final language. That approach differs from other groups--such as Move to Amend--that has proposed specific language that states Congress may decide what rights corporations and associations have. You don't have to go that far to reverse Citizens United. Or, you could craft language that would preserve the holding in Citizens United as to political parties.
Re: Lavrov / Fox News
For some time now I have, when confronted with the latest Tucker Carlson - Fox News sewage, been trying to think of an appropriate, non-hyperbolic term to use when referring to them and how to think about them vis a vie Russia...one that is accurate and that doesn't involve gratuitous amounts of emotionally-feel-good vulgar profanities. Thanks to a commenter on another site a little while ago, I now have it. Seems to be an absolutely perfect fit.
Collaborators.
Robert, I, too, loathe the money arms race. My recollection is that the Democrat who lost to Susan Collins in Maine had money left over. She simply couldn't spend all that she raised. That money could have been better spent on other candidates, on food banks, or shelter for those experiencing homelessness. The corporate money could be better spent on R&D or employee wages. The opportunity costs from excessive campaign spending is rarely discussed.