The Collapse of Russia

 A couple weeks ago I started a post regarding predictions for the future of Russia. In that post I said that their future was intertwined with that of Ukraine and speculated on two possible scenarios depending on what happened in Ukraine. I have since come to the conclusion that it will not matter what happens in Ukraine for the future of Russia. So I am rewriting that post.

I think we have been witnessing the slow collapse of Russia for some time, we just didn't realize it. Since the collapse of the USSR in the 90's Russia has struggled to improve the lives of the Russian people. And to some degree they succeeded, with the help of other countries. But what they have not done, is grow a democratic form of government that is real and lasting. What they have in place is rule by one man, Vladimir Putin. So there are no checks to his power. The war he started in Ukraine is all on him and those who have enabled him.

The reaction to Putin's war by many in the world has been revulsion and sorrow. We are seeing the destruction of a country, Ukraine, that has worked hard to join the world community on an equal and productive basis. In Russia we are seeing a deep schism between her people on what they believe is happening in Ukraine. One faction sees what Putin wants them to see, listening only to the propaganda his government has been peddling. The other faction is more well informed and understands the heartbreaking tragedy that is occurring in their neighbor and longtime friend, Ukraine, at the hands of their government.

The West put in place extensive sanctions against Russia, which will impact the Russian economy. A large number of companies have shut down operations within Russia. One of those is McDonald's, one of the first companies to set up shop in Russia back in the 90's. The Moscow location was mobbed on the first day, with Russians lining up to try this icon of American culture. While it is not the healthiest of food Russians came to appreciate their dedication to food safety and the pleasant atmosphere within their walls. While you may find some McDonald's locations open, they are the franchisees who are doing so illegally. In this one example we see the future, the curtain of darkness falling over the light of the outside world, along with the criminal behavior that will increase in the Russian economy.

Putin has put in place a draconian law that clamps down on free speech, giving a sentence of 15 years in prison to those who even refer to the situation in Ukraine as a war or invasion. The independent press was shut down in Russia leaving only Putin's propaganda network. It is midnight in Russia and people have started to flee the darkness. We are seeing them here at our border. The number of Russians trying to enter the United States started to increase after the detention of Alexei Navalny. While they may not have predicted the invasion of Ukraine, they knew the future of Russia.

Within the battle for Ukraine Russia is targeting civilians, forcing Ukrainians against their will to evacuate to Russia, bombing humanitarian corridors that they had agreed to. They have used weapons systems designed to sow terror and inflict the maximum casualties, such as cluster and thermobaric bombs. They have escalated by using hypersonic missiles. Because you see they know they cannot win by using conventional means. Their equipment has broken down, their soldiers did not even know where they were in the beginning, and when they did realize, they did not want to fight against those they have always considered family.

Millions of Ukrainians have fled their country and are now in Europe, while others stayed to fight for their homeland and their freedom. I, and many like me, are in awe of their courage and heartbroken for their plight.

Does Putin really embody the soul of Russia? I think not. And so, the cracks are widening in Russia. Do Russians really want to turn their backs on the light and live in darkness? Is that the future they want? I hope not. Because that would be echoing the tragedy of Ukraine.

I stand with Ukraine and all those who fight for their freedom.

Putin's Fantasy Sowing Seeds of Hatred

The war in Ukraine is only slightly over a week old now. But the destruction of homes and lives caused by the Russian forces is devastating. So many people around the world are watching in shock and horror. So many are standing with the people of Ukraine. So many are asking what can they do to help?

So many are repulsed by Putin's war.

I wanted to share this interview with an Israeli historian. He explains the history of Ukraine, the fantasy that Putin is living in, or was, and the possible consequences of this war. His words are wise and should be heeded. Take some time and listen.

I stand with the people of Ukraine.

Invasion

Last night the Russian military began an invasion of Ukraine on the orders of Vladimir Putin. This is an unnecessary war of one man's choosing. Putin has ginned up excuses in order to live in the fantasy world of Russian greatness of years gone by. There is no greatness in this action. There is only selfishness.

I stand by the people of Ukraine in their time of darkness.

I leave you with this story. No one could have said it better. These men died heroes.

Audio emerges appearing to be of Ukrainian fighters defending island from Russian warship

From CNN's From Tim Lister in Kyiv and Josh Pennington

An audio clip has emerged of what appears to be an exchange between Ukrainian soldiers on an island in the Black Sea and an officer of the Russian Navy.

All the soldiers — who were defending Snake Island — are reported to have been killed, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"All border guards died heroically but did not give up. They will be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine posthumously," Zelensky said.  

At some point on Thursday, a Russian warship approached the island. 

According to the purported audio exchange, the Russian officer says: "This is a military warship. This is a Russian military warship. I suggest you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and needless casualties. Otherwise, you will be bombed."

The alleged response from a Ukrainian soldier: "Russian warship, go f*** yourself."

A Tale of Two Countries

This comparison isn't about differences but about similarities.

The first country in this comparison is North Korea, otherwise known as the Hermit Kingdom. It is a country ruled by an insecure, fearful man who controls everything within his country. He has a penchant for lobbing missiles to prove his and his country's relevancy and strength. He wants to be noticed, to be feared, to be thought great.

The second country is Russia. Recently, if you have been watching the news, you will be aware that Russia has amassed a large amount of troops around the borders of Ukraine, its small neighbor. No one would make the mistake of thinking that Ukraine was any sort of threat to Russia. And yet, there they are, sitting like vultures, seemingly waiting to attack. Why? Some people speculate that Russia's president is trying to prevent Ukraine becoming part of NATO. Or that he is trying to prove that Russia is a great power. I am not quite sure how bullying your neighbor proves greatness, but there it is.

There is no comparison between the capabilities of the two country's military power. Russia could run rings around North Korea. Russia is a participant in the international community to an extent that North Korea would never choose to be.  Yet their behavior is eerily similar. Both want to be noticed, both want to show they are relevant and both want to be thought great.

I can only speculate that the similarity lies in the character of the leadership.  But what neither man sees is that acting out of insecurity and fear do not equate with greatness.  

Covid – A Cautionary Tale

 Yes, another Covid post. I know, if you are like me you are rather tired of Covid. Someone even was so bold as to state that she was done with Covid on national TV. She has gotten some flak about that. Perhaps with good reason.

We are still seeing protests, in multiple countries, against vaccine mandates or mask mandates. I don't presume to know what the path of the virus will be. And that is the gist of this post. I would like to relate to you one story that happened to a Minnesota resident. It is a sad story, to be sure, like so many other Covid stories.

This man contracted Covid in October 2021. He lived in a small town and was admitted to his local hospital where they put him on a ventilator. Eventually he was moved to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, which I presume was a larger facility than the first hospital, otherwise they wouldn't have moved him. He was unvaccinated. I do not know why he chose not to get the vaccine.

He remained on a ventilator until January 2022 at which point Mercy wanted to take him off, making the determination that he was not going to survive. His wife sued to stop the hospital and eventually found a hospital in Texas that admitted him. The doctors there said they had never seen such a malnourished patient. A week after he was moved he died.

There is some speculation that the family will sue Mercy Hospital. As hard as the result of this man's path was I think that this is not the fault of the hospital. This path was the result of his choice. I can't imagine that anyone on a ventilator for 2 ½ months is going to maintain a healthy weight. I know people who have had milder cases of Covid who also lost a lot of weight and they were not in the hospital.

This man had had Covid before. This was his second go around. Perhaps that is why he chose not to get the vaccine. I know people who have had Covid who feel that they have acquired enough immunity to be able to beat it again. That didn't work out for him. The second case ended in his death. It is something to consider if any of you out there are in the same boat.

We hope that the virus is weakening, because omicron appears to be less severe. But we really can't be sure of that. So perhaps it is still too early to let down our guard. Get vaccinated, wear masks and avoid large crowds of unmasked, unvaxxed people.

Stay safe. 

2022 - A New Year

Yes, really, a new year. I know you might be fooled because it looks so much like last year. The pandemic is still raging, with hospitals overwhelmed with people still refusing to get vaccinated. Our political divide is just as great, with most Republicans still believing that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump, when in point of fact it was Donald Trump who was trying to do the stealing.

We still can't seem to find what really made our country great. In fact we still seem to be on the edge of losing what made our country great. I can only hope that this year will see the United States finding her democratic roots. Because we have many challenges facing us in the future and we can do that better together.

If you have Netflix there is a new movie out, “Don't Look Up”. I will be honest and say that I didn't really like the move that well. But perhaps that was because it was rather painful to watch. It hits too close to home.  But if we don't watch, and don't take to heart its message, we may very well suffer the fate of the characters in the movie, as Leonardo points out. Here is Leonardo DeCaprio speaking on the film's message.

Let's hope we make better choices in the New Year.

A Christmas Wish

 

Take care and stay safe this Christmas!