Much Respect for Ukraine

It's been a while since I last blogged.  I've been really busy.  I did want to take a moment to express my gratitude and respect for the Ukrainian people.  They are standing up to Dictator Putin -a bully and a tyrant who is waging an unjust war against Ukraine.  

Faced with economic sanctions, Russia responds with nuclear provocation and threats.  There should be protests in every major American city.  Period, full stop.  I'm glad to see rallies in support of Ukraine across America and against Russia's unjust war.  

I protested against the Iraq War because it was morally wrong and a stupid waste of money.  Ukraine is a democracy.  If Ukrainians don't like their president, he can be replaced and voted out of office -just like we do in the United States.  That is one sign of a healthy democracy.

Finally, the wingnuts who malign Ukraine, put down America, and attempt to justify Putin's behavior are a bunch of cowards.

Kudos to Gov. Wolf and the PLCB for dumping Russia vodka from Fine Wine & Good Spirits, PA's state store system:

Russian vodkas and other products are banned from Pennsylvania’s Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores (inquirer.com)

Finally, don't waste your time on Kremlin sponsored propaganda such as RT (Russia Today):

Kremlin-Funded Media: RT and Sputnik's Role in Russia's Disinformation and Propaganda Ecosystem (state.gov)

Putin's Russia is radically anti-gay.  Seriously, Gay Pride parades have been banned in Moscow for the next 100 years:

Gay parades banned in Moscow for 100 years - BBC News

Putin makes Mike Pence look like Harvey Milk.  Fun Fact: Mike Pence never banned the Indy Pride Parade in Indianapolis because he was Gov. Pence of Indiana, not a dictator.  Indiana has a system of checks and balances.  As imperfect systems go, Indiana's functions reasonably well to prevent a real dictator like Putin from seizing power.

I'm usually pretty quiet about these things.  That said, I couldn't quietly watch what's happening.  I have distant family who support Russia and they are degenerate losers.  And I haven't spoken to them in years -in part because of their affinity for Russia.  Famous Russian language movie actor Aleksei Serebriakov noted that Russia's most common traits are "[Brutal] force, rudeness, and arrogance."  After he made that statement, Russian calls to strip Serebriakov of his Russian passport only proved his point.

Thank you for reading.