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Two brothers, Russia and U.S.

As we look at the military behemoth blowing up, beating up, killing a much smaller country, we can look this way and that, and see almost all other peoples around the world just as horrified as we are. We’re capable of empathy. Russia is committing a war crime of some sort against Ukraine; I don’t know the exact definition, as there are several varieties.

“Honesty, sir, is still the best policy, if you can find it,” to adopt the pattern Ben Franklin used when a woman asked him what sort of government he and the Founding Fathers had come up with. “A republic, ma’am, if you can keep it,” he supposedly replied.

No one will want to hear this.  If we take an honest look at Russia, Ukraine, and how we and the world sees this, we have an honest look in the mirror of how the world saw us when we attacked Iraq. Remember Iraq? We need to remember Iraq even stronger than we remember Pearl Harbor. With Pearl Harbor, we were the innocent victim. Our attack on Iraq was it’s Pearl Harbor, and we became the Japanese. Iraq will likely never forget.

While we’re being honest, add Vietnam also. And Afghanistan, which could’ve been done differently by us. We said we were only after al-Qaeda, not the whole country of people.

I don’t bring this up to put our country down; I do it to try “making my country greater,” without using hats. Like an alcoholic, an Oxycontin addict or a money addict who refuses to admit the problem, we cannot begin the cure until we see and admit the problem. Maybe we need a “12 Steps for Governments.” I “served” my country, as did my three anti-war brothers.  

We must find honesty before we are forced to accept an intervention. We must recover our true and real morals, rather than junk morals created from misinterpretations of the bible, or anyone else’s “book.” It’s just wrong. And so is Russia.

A. Martin
Merrifield, Minnesota

Buyer’s remorse

I have drafted out two letters to submit but have set those aside because the world events are changing (negatively) each day. I am a patriotic veteran and Biden’s complete incompetency with Afghanistan made me mad and heartbroken for the 13 soldiers killed.

Now, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has me even more upset with Biden’s failure as a President. It was Biden’s attempt last November, 2021 to initiate getting Ukraine into NATO. That was Putin’s “green light” to invade. Putin has taken advantage of Biden’s leadership weaknesses to threaten nuclear was, chemical and biological warfare and is taking the dominant position. Even cyber warfare. Also, why would America continue to purchase Russian oil for 2 weeks after the start of the war? It is because he has destroyed the American oil industry with his radical leftist “green new deal” agenda. Some are calling this war the “Green New Deal” war. Since he finally agreed to stop buying Russian oil, he now blames Russia for our high gas prices at the pump. Joe, Americans are not stupid.

The mid-term elections in November, 2022 will be a “red Tsunami” due to Biden’s complete failure as a President! Can anyone think of one positive thing he has done in his 1+ years in office? A recent poll shows that 62% of respondents know the Ukraine war would not have happened under Trump! Those who voted for Biden have Buyer’s Remorse.

Chuck Bracken
Cannon Falls, Minnesota

Peace now!

I am writing this on Sunday March 13. The Russian invasion of Ukraine began 17 days ago.

The NATO countries, led by the United States, are pouring billions of dollars of additional weaponry into Ukraine. The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, issues calls for more weapons, more planes, armed support, he is calling for a “no-fly” zone. These last two or three options will guarantee an escalation of the war. 

Ukraine cannot win this war. Ukraine is being used as a proxy and people are dying. Ukraine is being used as a staging ground for a game of chicken that could well end in nuclear annihilation. Europe has no appetite for mass death, having experienced it repeatedly and tragically. “Reinforcements” are not coming, if any shred of reason remains.

 Where are the voices calling for an immediate ceasefire? If Zelenskyy is in fact a brave and intelligent leader, he will be silencing the guns and suing for peace. Continuing a hopeless struggle is not courageous. It is murderous, just as the initial aggression was.

Responsible voices around the globe, rather than posting sunflowers and singing the Ukrainian national anthem, should be demanding an end to hostilities. Every hour that is delayed with false assurances and mistaken “hope” costs lives on both sides.

All war is wrong. It must be stopped.  It does not improve lives or help anyone except weapons manufacturers and those with twisted aspirations for “glory.” Peace now.

Dorothy Wolden
Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin