LETTER TO THE EDITOR / ALLOWING PUTIN TO WIN WOULD BE A DISASTER

By Roger C. Kostmayer

Thanks to Rick Boettger for his civil debate.  Perhaps we can demonstrate that reasonable people can still have vigorous but courteous disagreements in our Konk village square.

Let’s clarify our different perspectives. How we each title the subject of our debate reveals our differences.  Rick says it’s about the “Ukrainian War” and he wants peace -which sounds good.  On the other hand, I believe the reason why the US, 30 NATO nations, the UN, the European Union and historians are so seriously concerned about the facts and about what I see as “The Russian Invasion”.  The two titles may sound similar but the two perspectives couldn’t be farther apart.  One man, Putin, invaded a smaller sovereign nation without cause – which violates international law and is causing horrific death, destruction and worldwide starvation.  Many national security experts see Putin’s military invasion as a Hitler-like attempt to recreate a Soviet Union that he believes will give him and Russia more power.

There are undisputed facts about the loss of lives, both civilian and military, crimes against humanity (like the kidnapping of Ukrainian children, torture and murder committed by Russians), all so that one man, Putin, can gain power and cause the world to revert to “might makes right” dictatorships on the world stage.  The civilized world wasn’t, and should not be, passive or isolationist.  Fortunately, democracies united in order to prevent a dark, lawless and dystopian nightmare led by Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and others.

Freedom isn’t free. Zelenskyy and Ukrainians are brave and smart in spite of paying a huge price on our behalf, and the US and NATO rationally united to protect the world and democratic values.

The American people must give this issue serious thought, lead by example and express their commitment to Ukraine at every opportunity – as have almost all Republican and Democrat politicians.

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