And now you sit in Moscow complaining that you can't buy your latte at Starbucks using your Visa card. I too lived in Moscow. The Russian people may not have access to a free media, but they are still complicit in this war. They turned a blind eye to the corruption they saw in exchange for steady jobs and a middle class lifestyle. And now we are to feel sorry for them? Not a chance. You reap what you sow. May the Russian Federation return to the dark ages and become a pariah state.
Steve, upon further reflection I think you made a very important point that was lost in an aggressive tone. A nation’s people cannot claim complete innocence regarding the criminal actions of its leaders. That was made manifest in the way that we never let the Germans of their”greatest generation” forget the atrocities of Hitler, or the Poles who lived innocently in the town of Auswitch. I can temper duringp the Koran war when General MacArthur bucked Truman and wanted to do a pre-emotive nuclear strike against China. I didn’t disagree with him on the grounds that the Chinese people ar least in their apathy supported that Maoist regime. I now realize how difficult it is for people to throw off the yoke of entrenched power. I think the time has come to remove the blinders to the truth that the media so tightly binds to us - and start thinking and acting for ourselves and the benefit of all human beings. Andy.
The sins of the Russians are not mine. Being an American I carry enough guilt over my complicity in a bombs-away foreign policy. But I don’t believe the sins of the politicians should be visited on the people. Sanctions should not be a cudgel that only one privileged nation can wield. Unfortunately for Ukraine, the West’s plan to depose Putin and break up Russia have gone awry. At 87, I don’t have much lifestyle left. But it’s certainly less boring to look at it all from the other side. Thanks for commenting.
More than one privileged nation, and several unprivileged nations, have used the sanctions sword to send a message to Putin. As for the West's plan to depose Putin? With the exception of the dysfunctional Trump administration, every president since the collapse of the Soviet Union has attempted in some way to welcome Russia into the international community. Obama formally named his attempt the "Reset". I am not naïve enough to claim the U.S. is without sins, but our indiscretions cannot be compared to those of Russia (Putin). And yes, the media paints a picture that isn't necessarily complete. Would I rather have a media that provides facts and is independent or one that is a puppet of the state?
While my tone may have been harsh, I stand by the realities of my observations. I wish no harm upon my fellow humans.
I am certain that if we had a sit down, you cappuccino - me espresso, we would find much more to agree about than disagree. I have always been a disgruntled liberal accustomed to sassing the authorities from an ACLU point of view. I have little leeway over here because the laws are different. Thanks for your thoughtful response.
I am sure we have more in common than not. Perhaps if I ever make it back to Moscow, we can meet at a café. The European café culture is sadly something that will never be replicated in the U.S. I am due to travel to Budapest at month's end, but with the present regional circumstances, I will not be headed farther east.
Well, let’s stay connected anyway. I am looking forward to a ZOOM conference on Russia’s “special action” sponsored by my Columbia Journalism alumni. I’m featured along with a long-time NY Times former correspondent from Kiev. I never expected this level of notoriety so late in my life. Bests.
And now you sit in Moscow complaining that you can't buy your latte at Starbucks using your Visa card. I too lived in Moscow. The Russian people may not have access to a free media, but they are still complicit in this war. They turned a blind eye to the corruption they saw in exchange for steady jobs and a middle class lifestyle. And now we are to feel sorry for them? Not a chance. You reap what you sow. May the Russian Federation return to the dark ages and become a pariah state.
Steve, upon further reflection I think you made a very important point that was lost in an aggressive tone. A nation’s people cannot claim complete innocence regarding the criminal actions of its leaders. That was made manifest in the way that we never let the Germans of their”greatest generation” forget the atrocities of Hitler, or the Poles who lived innocently in the town of Auswitch. I can temper duringp the Koran war when General MacArthur bucked Truman and wanted to do a pre-emotive nuclear strike against China. I didn’t disagree with him on the grounds that the Chinese people ar least in their apathy supported that Maoist regime. I now realize how difficult it is for people to throw off the yoke of entrenched power. I think the time has come to remove the blinders to the truth that the media so tightly binds to us - and start thinking and acting for ourselves and the benefit of all human beings. Andy.
The sins of the Russians are not mine. Being an American I carry enough guilt over my complicity in a bombs-away foreign policy. But I don’t believe the sins of the politicians should be visited on the people. Sanctions should not be a cudgel that only one privileged nation can wield. Unfortunately for Ukraine, the West’s plan to depose Putin and break up Russia have gone awry. At 87, I don’t have much lifestyle left. But it’s certainly less boring to look at it all from the other side. Thanks for commenting.
By the way, the latest number of Yemenis killed by western armaments is now at 377,000. There is no civilian life there. I apologise.
More than one privileged nation, and several unprivileged nations, have used the sanctions sword to send a message to Putin. As for the West's plan to depose Putin? With the exception of the dysfunctional Trump administration, every president since the collapse of the Soviet Union has attempted in some way to welcome Russia into the international community. Obama formally named his attempt the "Reset". I am not naïve enough to claim the U.S. is without sins, but our indiscretions cannot be compared to those of Russia (Putin). And yes, the media paints a picture that isn't necessarily complete. Would I rather have a media that provides facts and is independent or one that is a puppet of the state?
While my tone may have been harsh, I stand by the realities of my observations. I wish no harm upon my fellow humans.
I am certain that if we had a sit down, you cappuccino - me espresso, we would find much more to agree about than disagree. I have always been a disgruntled liberal accustomed to sassing the authorities from an ACLU point of view. I have little leeway over here because the laws are different. Thanks for your thoughtful response.
I am sure we have more in common than not. Perhaps if I ever make it back to Moscow, we can meet at a café. The European café culture is sadly something that will never be replicated in the U.S. I am due to travel to Budapest at month's end, but with the present regional circumstances, I will not be headed farther east.
Well, let’s stay connected anyway. I am looking forward to a ZOOM conference on Russia’s “special action” sponsored by my Columbia Journalism alumni. I’m featured along with a long-time NY Times former correspondent from Kiev. I never expected this level of notoriety so late in my life. Bests.
thank you
And back at you 😊