NEWS VIEWS

Heartbreaking images appear on all major news TV stations as well as computer websites. People crowded into subway passages and cars as sirens and bombs rage overhead, bloody faces on citizens injured when missiles were fired upon their homes. Mothers frantic with fear for their children as they huddle in dark spaces. Buildings collapsing and on fire. Massive numbers of people crowding ATMs for money to aid in their escape from the war that is fast moving upon their heels. Sadly, it has now been necessary for the government of Ukraine to plan conscription of all men ages 18-60, and prevent them from leaving the country. Draft Possible in Ukraine

(CBS News)

It is difficult to avoid mention of what Putin is perpetrating in what he considers a country still a part of Russia, not a current elected democratic society that was once a part of the old Soviet Union. The threat of nuclear war raises its ugly head again. Putin himself hinted at such. There is no easy answer to stopping this evil man’s attempt to spread his power and increase his domain. It makes one wonder which country he will invade next. He must be stopped now. God help us if NATO has to send in troops. Stricter sanctions to strip the Russian oligarchs of their money invested in other countries, as well as sending them home to Russia may be enough to sway Putin's mission to increase his power.

NOTE: 15 minutes ago, as I write this: "The U.S. will join the European Union in sanctioning Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and members of the Russian national security team" ..ABC News

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It is difficult to concentrate on writing this. Things appear to be happening so fast in other corners of the world. I like to think "good stuff" is happening as well as the frightening war news. I took a quick look at a breaking news site and sure enough, there is a bit of good news. It seems that Biden has nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, thus fulfilling his campaign promise to do so. Now for the stubborn GOP to confirm her nomination.

(Image by J.A. Karshon)

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Today is a new day, however, the events in Ukraine are continuing as the Russian army encircles Kyiv and thousands attempt to flee the country. I cannot believe the voices we hear from some of the U.S. citizens - some members of Congress going so far as this: ".. a small group within the Republican Party — heavily influenced by former President Donald Trump’s stance toward Russia — has criticized President Joe Biden for opposing Putin’s designs on Ukraine, with some going as far to say Russia has a right to invade.." Voice of America. But then I couldn't (and still can't) believe how many in our country trusted someone like Trump to run our country.  

I have a strong imagination. I witness scenes in the news of mothers with small children saying goodbye to their husbands as they leave Ukraine to places unknown to them. Not knowing where they will sleep that night, and not even knowing the language spoken there, I easily empathize. Having heard a personal story of Russian brutality and also living through a time when my family and I lived in fear of Russian missiles Tell Your Stories, My imagination flashes scenes from those times and the relief I felt when we were spared. 

Being of Biden's generation, I realize that the younger ones in our world may not share the same references to past events that threatened the security of even the United States. Shame on the far right pundits who trivialize the invasion of Ukraine and even idealize the madness being perpetrated by Putin. Calling him a "genius" makes them idiots in my book.

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I watch a lot of television other than the news. Then I have to be aggravated by the intrusive commercials on broadcast stations. My thumb automatically reaches for the mute button. I particularly hate all of the ads broadcast by attorneys. They never mention their ability to assist in estate planning, wills, or other legal issues. No! Every single commercial consists of telling -- sometimes yelling -- about the money they have received for their clients who have been injured in car accidents! We used to have a name for these attorneys -- ambulance chasers. It also used to be against the law for them to advertise on TV. The same was true about physicians at the time. Things have really changed in advertising, and not for the better!

Occasionally I happen to see something different that catches my eye, and I become a fan:

To end on another favorite TV commercial of mine -- this one gets my toes tapping:

It has taken me two days to write this. Ending with these two upbeat videos puts me in a better mood than I was when I started. Sometimes I believe that music could "save the world'.. or at least it could soothe the savage beasts of war!

Peace and prayers for Ukraine,

Marilyn