Thank you, Russell, or Russell John, for your spot-on capture of our narcissist.
And what a perfect contrast your fitting scorn is for the criminal in the White House with the Ukrainian Timothy Snyder notes here whose "death is a loss for those of us who do not notice."
So contemptible this fat orange felon has been for the past ten years that he has captured the public stage. Or, maybe he, or it, has been on that stage longer, counting the fatuousness of U.S. media "who do not notice" the decencies, the humanity, and internationally the true heroes who deserve notice.
So, thank you for your voice here (and elsewhere). Thank you for the voice of Timothy Snyder. And for the actions of so many Ukrainians standing up to the cruelties, savagery, and self-centered demagoguery of Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, Iranian mullahs, U.S. social media billionaires, Mohammed bin Salman, Bukele, Orban, Sisi, Erdogan, and all their satraps whom our morally empty media not only notice but unquestioningly feast on, lionize, patronize, suck up to.
It's the sheer insanity of a Trump administration that attracts me. For example, a few days ago, Kristi Noem at a press conference with Trump mentioned that DHS was also deporting (get this) cannibals.
Trump is sitting beside her wondering whether she's gone and deported 'the late, great Hannibal Lecteur'. I know that this is all horrible for Americans who love their democracy, but they are so incomprehensibly stupid that it almost beggars belief that any of it is real.
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend and of all those killed and harmed by this war. It is heartbreaking and made even more painful when the means to stop it is right there and it is just a matter of lack of will and indifference that we do not.
If you have not seen President Zelenskyy's masterful commemoration of the UN's official Day of Remembrance for the Fallen of World War II, delivered to the world on May 8, 2022 ....may it burn a permanent place in our hearts and minds.
Vladimir Kara-Murza rightly says that the world needs a free, democratic Russia, and that the only way to secure this is to ensure Russia's complete defeat on, and withdrawal from, the battlefields of Ukraine.
Your comment that “Ours is not a hospitality culture” cut very deep. It seems we must revive or inculcate hospitality in more venues if we are to survive as a free people. Your article makes this connection quite forcefully yet gracefully. Thank you for sharing the names of those in whose presence you have witnessed the courage and hospitality of the Ukrainian people.
I once had a patient who was a multi-billionaire. He was a nice guy, but when he told me this story, I was flabbergasted. He was driving in a car with his friend, who had even more billions than he did. They stopped at a 7-11 type store to pick up soft drinks. My patient stayed in the car. His friend went inside. On his way out, the friend stopped to give a couple of dollars to a homeless person. When my patient recounted this story, he said that he was shocked that his friend had done that. He said, "It has has never crossed my mind to do that!" I'M the person who was shocked, then. How can people be so incredibly self-centered?!
Our treatment of Ukraine and the Ukrainians by the United States is to our everlasting shame. Yes, Trump made these decisions because he is beholden to Putin. But ultimately, the American people put him there. And are responsible if we leave him there.
thank you for this introspective, beautiful writing. It puts to honor history, transmission, generosity, the lost and ancient art of hosting, and it brings to life the portrait and what is a value, at leat what is valuable to your friend Serhyi
War is names. I would expand that truism to include concentration camps are names. We now have a concentration camp system here in Florida, soon to be nationwide I fear. It imprisons and harms people with names. It is being created and supported and staffed by people with names. It says the name of every person in Florida.
Thank you for this eloquent post. When we read of “thousands” who have died, we barely take notice. But when one “Serhyi” dies, it hits square in the gut. May he rest in the peace for which he so valiantly fought.
Tragically, more than just failing at policy, our government is willfully destroying policy - policies developed over decades, centuries with patience, courage, justice and service to others. It is this vile arrogance and greed that is the most difficult to accept. It may be of little solace now to present day Ukrainians, but history will tell their story and future generations will marvel at their strength, character, perseverance and generosity -- they will understand the sacrifices of Serhyi and others like him and reflect in awe, appreciation, and gratitude. Neither the United States nor other benefactors across the world will ever adequately repay this debt.
President Zelensky and the Ukranian people deserve the Nobel Peace prize for fighting to maintain the world order.
So you don't believe that Trump's peace through capitulation policy is deserving of that award?
Thank you, Russell, or Russell John, for your spot-on capture of our narcissist.
And what a perfect contrast your fitting scorn is for the criminal in the White House with the Ukrainian Timothy Snyder notes here whose "death is a loss for those of us who do not notice."
So contemptible this fat orange felon has been for the past ten years that he has captured the public stage. Or, maybe he, or it, has been on that stage longer, counting the fatuousness of U.S. media "who do not notice" the decencies, the humanity, and internationally the true heroes who deserve notice.
So, thank you for your voice here (and elsewhere). Thank you for the voice of Timothy Snyder. And for the actions of so many Ukrainians standing up to the cruelties, savagery, and self-centered demagoguery of Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, Iranian mullahs, U.S. social media billionaires, Mohammed bin Salman, Bukele, Orban, Sisi, Erdogan, and all their satraps whom our morally empty media not only notice but unquestioningly feast on, lionize, patronize, suck up to.
It's the sheer insanity of a Trump administration that attracts me. For example, a few days ago, Kristi Noem at a press conference with Trump mentioned that DHS was also deporting (get this) cannibals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6_7AXQEOkg
Trump is sitting beside her wondering whether she's gone and deported 'the late, great Hannibal Lecteur'. I know that this is all horrible for Americans who love their democracy, but they are so incomprehensibly stupid that it almost beggars belief that any of it is real.
I find it very hard to grasp that Netanyahu nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize is a thing that actually happened.
Pakistan nominated him as well (before he ordered the bombing of Iran).
I don’t. They are both venal users.
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend and of all those killed and harmed by this war. It is heartbreaking and made even more painful when the means to stop it is right there and it is just a matter of lack of will and indifference that we do not.
A beautiful and terrible post.
Let us atone for the sins of our presidents, current and past, by giving as much as we can afford to United24, Come Back Alive and RAZOM.
We can make a difference!
Spot on, Steven.
If you have not seen President Zelenskyy's masterful commemoration of the UN's official Day of Remembrance for the Fallen of World War II, delivered to the world on May 8, 2022 ....may it burn a permanent place in our hearts and minds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVlEkBHO_hc
Vladimir Kara-Murza rightly says that the world needs a free, democratic Russia, and that the only way to secure this is to ensure Russia's complete defeat on, and withdrawal from, the battlefields of Ukraine.
No truer words.
Your comment that “Ours is not a hospitality culture” cut very deep. It seems we must revive or inculcate hospitality in more venues if we are to survive as a free people. Your article makes this connection quite forcefully yet gracefully. Thank you for sharing the names of those in whose presence you have witnessed the courage and hospitality of the Ukrainian people.
Hospitality cultures seem to be poor people's cultures, where you don't have much but you share what you have.
A friend of mine, who has much less money than I have, will give to beggars on the street when I don't.
I once had a patient who was a multi-billionaire. He was a nice guy, but when he told me this story, I was flabbergasted. He was driving in a car with his friend, who had even more billions than he did. They stopped at a 7-11 type store to pick up soft drinks. My patient stayed in the car. His friend went inside. On his way out, the friend stopped to give a couple of dollars to a homeless person. When my patient recounted this story, he said that he was shocked that his friend had done that. He said, "It has has never crossed my mind to do that!" I'M the person who was shocked, then. How can people be so incredibly self-centered?!
this is interesting. i’ll think about this. thanks.
I say his name - Serhyi.
Our treatment of Ukraine and the Ukrainians by the United States is to our everlasting shame. Yes, Trump made these decisions because he is beholden to Putin. But ultimately, the American people put him there. And are responsible if we leave him there.
thank you for this introspective, beautiful writing. It puts to honor history, transmission, generosity, the lost and ancient art of hosting, and it brings to life the portrait and what is a value, at leat what is valuable to your friend Serhyi
A very moving piece, Prof. Snyder. I have never been so ashamed to be a citizen of the USA.
War is names. I would expand that truism to include concentration camps are names. We now have a concentration camp system here in Florida, soon to be nationwide I fear. It imprisons and harms people with names. It is being created and supported and staffed by people with names. It says the name of every person in Florida.
Agreed, and it also says the name of every one of us in the US.
Moving piece. It places many of our "problems" into the proper perspective.
Peace be with you and all.
Thank you for this eloquent post. When we read of “thousands” who have died, we barely take notice. But when one “Serhyi” dies, it hits square in the gut. May he rest in the peace for which he so valiantly fought.
Stain once said that one death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic. He wasn't wrong. I don't understand why humans tend to think that way.
Thank you for this thoughtful piece!
Tragically, more than just failing at policy, our government is willfully destroying policy - policies developed over decades, centuries with patience, courage, justice and service to others. It is this vile arrogance and greed that is the most difficult to accept. It may be of little solace now to present day Ukrainians, but history will tell their story and future generations will marvel at their strength, character, perseverance and generosity -- they will understand the sacrifices of Serhyi and others like him and reflect in awe, appreciation, and gratitude. Neither the United States nor other benefactors across the world will ever adequately repay this debt.
Wonderful piece. Thank you.
Heartbreaking. When will we ever learn? I hope we have time to further evolve.