Pieces of Ukraine

 

Growing up, all I knew about Ukraine is that it was the world's breadbasket, immensely fertile. It declared independence in 1917, but soon was defeated by the Ukrainian Bolshevik Red Army and reabsorbed into the Soviet Socialistic Republics in 1922.. It again became independent in 1991, but Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, and invaded Ukraine in 2022. It has been fighting to stay independent ever since.

 

Mom always said she was born in Russia. She would never speak Russian, though, and did her best to forget it. Nor did she ever want to talk about her youth there. But a few pieces leaked out over time. She was born in the Ukraine, in a little village called Kalinovka. Well, the "ka" is a diminuative, and there are several villages named Kalinov on the map. We may never know which one it was.

 

She did share one memory: her Mother telling her to run through the fields to avoid the Russian soldiers. And, she had horrible luck: first coming to the U.S. as an 8-year old, in 1913, but being sent back from Ellis Island because she had some kind of infection. As a result, Mom had to live through the Russian revolution, and didn't make it here until 1923. Easy to understand her reluctance to talk about it, but I would have appreciated the stories, no matter how dark.

 

Our experience of Ukraine. Our first cruise was with Holland America, up the Alaskan coast. A relatively small ship with about 1100 passengers. We were delighted with the food and entertainment and amenities. However, something was missing. One day, as we were walking down a corridor, I said to Helga that the cruise wouldn't be complete without a string quartet. We turned the corner and there they were, four young members of the Ukrainian national symphony in rehearsal. They had signed on for six months. We became their groupies, following them around as they rehearsed, performed, and self-critiqued their performances. It was wonderful.

 

Fast forward: Ukraine today. Putin's madness has turned the country into a garrison and a drone factory. Their creativity and resistance will be legendary. We weep for Ukraine, but they don't need our tears. They need our full support.

 

The U.S. must support Ukraine...

Monday, 10 Aug 26

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Oh no! Trump still is here!

 

As you may have noticed, I have resisted writing about Trump for a long time. No longer. Too much is going on to ignore. It is not just his physical decline. It is his mental state which is of greatest concern.

 

The top consideration is his behavior toward Iran. In 2016, he abandoned the JCPOA with Iran, which had been negotiated by the P5+1 (United States, UK, France, Russia, and China) plus Germany, and the European Union.

 

He now rants about preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon, but let's be reminded what the JCPOA accomplished:

 

o Reduction of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile by 98 %

o Dismantling of 2/3 of Iran's advanced centrifuges, and placing them under international supervision

o The Arak heavy-water reactor was redesigned so not to produce weapons-grade plutonium; spent fuel to be shipped abroad

o Granting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continuous monitoring of Iran's entire nuclear supply chain—including uranium mines, centrifuge manufacturing, and 24/7 access to key facilities.

 

If he truly was serious about keeping nuclear weapons out of Iran, going back to the JCPOA would be a good start, then improving it with our international partners. BUT since it was produced by Obama, there is no chance he would consider this approach.

 

Instead, we have the theater of bluff and threaten, with the sense that he would love to push the button for an attack on Iran.

 

The second consideration is the U.S. continuing to arm Israel, in spite of its behavior toward Palestinians, and the over 70,000 deaths it has caused since October 7. If around 1200 Israelis were killed on October 7, then Israel has killed nearly 60 for every Israeli killed. Is this a reasonable proportion? Is it consistent with international law? Why shouldn't the U.S. withhold aid to Israel until the killing stops and a Palestinian state has been established? Not one word from Trump on this.

 

Then, we have his recent behavior, appearing to threaten Cuba with military intervention. Let’s assume he authorizes intervention. Aside from the blood which would be spilled, this “sphere of influence” action could signal to China that annexing Taiwan is within their discretion. Is this a good idea?

 

It is clear that he is out of control, and why shouldn't he be? Congress is quiet no matter the provocation.

 

One hopes that the mid-terms provide some relief, with at least a Democratic majority in the House, if not the Senate. Once he becomes a lame duck, even some Republicans might grow some hair on their chests. This could slow him down a bit, but don't count on it: ignoring the law and his opponents is a feature.

 

And there still are two and a half years to go. Heaven help us...

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Monday, 1 Jun 26