The Second Anniversary
Today, February 25, 2024 marks the second anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
The struggle, sacrifice, and courage of millions of ordinary Ukrainians merits our admiration. It also demands our continued support.
But unfortunately, attention spans are short. Memories fade quickly. We are prone to forget. Many are also susceptible — make that gullible — to orchestrated lies and mass disinformation spread by pro-Russian, anti-democratic forces enthusiastically enabled by a rising tide of far-Right, Christian pan-nationalism, which sadly has even infected our nation.
Only a generation ago, the notion of American conservatives supporting a Russian dictator and war criminal would have been utterly unfathomable. Now, it’s all too real. Moreover, we have our own problems with this internal autocratic demon. Indeed, neofascism has become a global scourge.
There’s no doubt Russia under Putin’s iron fist is fully counting on Trump to win the 2024 presidential election and his lapdog Republican cowards to take over Congress in 2024. Since Congress controls all federal appropriations, including foreign aid, Ukraine and its people will be cut off. And if American aid to Ukraine ends, that brave and once proud nation likely falls and then disappears from the map and millions will continue suffering. Capitulation also invites further acts of future aggression and likely even the dissolution of proven alliances, including NATO that have protected the West for decades. Trump has openly stated he would encourage Russia to “do whatever the hell they want.” When Ukrainians are dying, Putin is smiling.
Yes, we all move on. We have our lives to live. Ukraine and things that happen thousands of miles away might not seem as important now as they were when this invasion began. But the truth is, it’s MORE important now, than ever. Republican failure to support the Ukrainians and those risking their lives and fighting on the front lines amounts to an act of treason. It’s an appalling abdication of leadership and responsibility. Don’t these people read history?
Apparently not.
There are many things in life worth fighting for, and frankly I don’t understand people who don’t engage and take an interest in current global events. I don’t understand how average people slumber through their lives inside an isolation chamber. It’s mind boggling to me. This mass apathy is a cancer just as much as disinformation and ignorance.
Ukraine has proven themselves to be worth our support. If we abandon them now in their greatest time of need, it is we who will have surrendered to the forces of evil.
