Category: international crises

We Must Stop the Putin-Worshipping Republicans From Undermining US Support for Ukraine!

Until a few days ago, the small, whiny Presidency-seeking autocrat who has repeatedly shown his contempt for democracy and for nearly all of his Florida constituents had suddenly joined other far-right Republicans in spouting newly convicted war criminal Vladimir Putin's talking points on Ukraine. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last week called Russia's genocidal assault against … Continue reading We Must Stop the Putin-Worshipping Republicans From Undermining US Support for Ukraine! →

How Do We Commemorate One Year of Ukraine’s Defense Against the Russian Onslaught?

Friday, February 24th, marks one year since the horrific Russian attack against Ukraine began. Most observers gave Ukraine a week before the Russians would take over. (The Ukrainians don't even think of this one-year marker: they point out that they've been battling for their sovereignty for nine years--since the Russians stole Crimea.) Yet here we … Continue reading How Do We Commemorate One Year of Ukraine’s Defense Against the Russian Onslaught? →

The Giving Season In–and For–Ukraine

https://twitter.com/zelenskyyua/status/1599162627908722688?s=51&t=cTYFiiJPa9YsGqGR8dbAZQ Tweet From President ZelenskyPresident 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 … Continue reading The Giving Season In–and For–Ukraine →

A Russia Expert on Ukraine: WE MUST NOT BUY INTO PUTIN’S NARRATIVE

Photo by Mathias Reding on Pexels.com The horrors that Putin is wreaking on the Ukrainian people are increasing, but this news is no longer at the forefront. Though the fading attention is understandable and probably inevitable, it’s just what Putin is counting on. He is playing the long game, figuring that once the forbidding winter … Continue reading A Russia Expert on Ukraine: WE MUST NOT BUY INTO PUTIN’S NARRATIVE →

Should the US Provide Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine?

https://twitter.com/tribelaw/status/1515134737421119493 Experts' views of the Russians' horrific war against Ukraine have changed over the weeks of battle--and the once-impossible scenario depicting the Ukrainians actually stopping the Russians has gained favor. Now, with the Russians claiming they plan to push on to overtake Moldova, the threat of a widening war that the US has tried to … Continue reading Should the US Provide Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine? →

The Heroic Zelensky in Happier Times

https://twitter.com/VeraMBergen/status/1498814410911006723?s=20&t=Dk0uqy0THzs3KICGmMekuw The Ukraine President when he was just playing one on TV. This is a clip from "Servant of the People," the TV show starring Volodymyr Zelensky in which he portrayed a teacher who was elected President of Ukraine after a video of him as a corruption fighter in the show went viral. His performance … Continue reading The Heroic Zelensky in Happier Times →

Bearing Witness, Asking for More…

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com I am sitting in my comfortable warm home, a sliver of sunlight illuminating the papers on my desk, the sounds outside confined to the occasional passing car and disparate birdsongs. I am writing one day before the US Congress will hear an impassioned speech delivered by the individual who has … Continue reading Bearing Witness, Asking for More… →

How Bernie Sanders Can Rise From Politician to Statesman

Republican Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio defied a state Supreme Court decision and cancelled his state’s primary election on March 17, citing “health concerns.” Ohio Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, whom I greatly respect, said he’s been working with DeWine, knows him well, and is confident that his decision was based on the right reason: the desire to protect the health and safety of the people of his state. So although there’s plenty of political shenanigans around, the Ohio primary cancellation doesn’t seem to have been one of them. That’s the good part.