President Zelensky’s message evoked an emotional reaction from me. Despite the appearance of normality in his tweet, the harsh winter has begun. Its impact has been worsened by the brutal Russian attacks not only on civilians, but also on the sources of heat and electricity. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian freedom fighters are making headway in protecting democracy in their country and worldwide. And even as they fight on, they “ship food…and hope.”
This message from the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs may have been prompted by concerns the incoming US House of Representatives majority has created by questioning the continuation of the life-sustaining aid we’re providing to Ukraine:
My husband and I have been feeling it’s time for us to make another contribution to the people of Ukraine. Infidel753′s November 27th, 2022 roundup linked to this current list of verified charitable organizations provided by Hackwhackers. One is the Kyiv Independent, a news service begun by a scrappy group of young editors that’s an important on-the-ground information source. They accept donations through Patreon. There had also been a GoFundMe effort, but I’m not sure it’s ongoing.
The Ukrainians are shipping hope. It feels right to send some hope to them in return.
Annie
annieasksyou... 
Thanks for the timely suggestion, Annie.
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You’re most welcome, William. I decided I won’t leave Twitter as long as Zelensky remains. The Ukrainians clearly think it’s important to their efforts, no matter how compromised it’s become.
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Looking at past East European history it appears that Ukraine is the fulcrum of power. Be it Russian dominance or Polish rivelery (Damn Eastern Orthodox v Roman Catholic schism) it is the Ukraine that is the gateway to the baltics and/or the west.
Polish president in 1920’s stated that a free ukraine was the key to peace in the bloodlands. I paraphrase. Orthodox southern slavs v. Roman Catholic northern Slavs. With Russia assuming they are dominite. Their claim to being the “big” brother/protector of ths Slavs is shown bogus by their realationship with poland and Ukraine where for power they made peace with Teutanic and German Austrian hungarian empire and Bismarks Germany in dividing Poland and Ukraine (with the use of Moslem Tarters).
It is sad when accidents of geography place ones home in the middle of an ongoing battlefeild.
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Thank you, anynameleft, for this useful historical overview–and its poignant final thought.
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It is my opinion that it is Ukraine that is the one radiating Hope. I think the Chinese proverb Sāi Wēng lost his horse truly describes the situation. Who knows we might be witnessing the end of wars for material gain. US can’t win one, Russia can’t win one, China’s re-thinking the utility of a crispy Taiwan. Chinese people want some self control, Iranian youth want some liberation, railroad workers want a third option instead of work or die. Evolution was first noticed it societies. I find Cultural selection theory an interesting rabbit hole.
“Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there’s no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.” – Laini Taylor
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This is lovely, Richard. It was the message of shipping food and hope that moved me.
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