Getting Along with Russia

This is not about Russia. This is about Putin. He wants to cement his life’s legend by reconstituting the USSR. This time it will be with uncompromising discipline. Brutal reality will be evident. It was in Crimea on the heels of a successful hosting of the World Olympic Games. Brutal military action. No prisoners taken.

Today the challenge goal is Ukraine. The eastern border of Ukraine with Russia is militarized. There is no doubt of Putin’s intention. The same is true in Kazakhstan. There are other targets, and they will be brought to light soon enough.

Putin had the Russian constitution changed to support unlimited terms of office for himself. He intends to live in the seat of power until he no longer can physically stand it. At this time no retirement date has been set and Putin is a relatively young man.

Make no mistake, the intentions are clear. Putin has played the role of bad guy for a long time. He intends to prevail in leading Russia back to an age of power and might. He will not be stopped by words of wisdom from any national leader in America, France or China. Threats of economic sanctions will not deter him. Only power, raw power will slow him down. Active raw power, the actions of war, will hobble him for only a time; then he will step up and lower the boom on other nations. Bombs. Computer hacking. Chemical warfare. Bacteria and virus warfare. In Putin’s mind, all is fair in war. And he has no intention of stepping down, or back.

Get used to this power game. It has been growing in recent years. It will continue to do so.

Getting along with Russia will only happen when power is met with power. Resolve to meet blow with blow. War is inevitable in this world view. I wish it were not so but wishes are soft and easily defeated. It is unthinkable that Putin will just fade away. Only his defeat in his own nation, his death, or incapacitating illness will cause him to step away from this fight.

This is 2022. The world is fighting a pandemic. The global village refuses to engage a defense against global warming. Conservatives in America are resolved not to give an inch. Winning all power and wealth at the expense of Democrats is their only plan. They do not care about right or wrong. They have no cares for soft, cozy feelings. Only strength and a blind eye to losing at all costs will empower Republicans and right wingers.

The only defense against this nightmare in which Putin will easily walk all over the USA, is to stand up to conservatives, govern our nation with purpose and values that we can be proud of. It takes courage to do the right thing. It takes integrity to sacrifice personal comfort to support national values and safety of others.

If we fail to do the right thing, we will lose the planet’s ability to survive man’s despoilation. But then what will it matter if we give in to unpleasant people at home or in the world’s community If we give up our soul, we have no reason to prevail on this planet. 

January 11, 2022

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