AUTHOR’S NOTES:
We all know that the world changed last week as Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. Even if this somehow settles down to some sort of negotiation or a peaceful resolution, the events have awakened the world to the reality that we have been living in a fool’s paradise worrying more about the stock markets, the price of bread, our personal woes, while global events have now shown us the volcano bubbling beneath the surface just waiting for the moment of eruption.
I believe that Putin has seriously misjudged what he has gotten into. This will not end well for him. The inner circle surrounding him is beginning to feel the pain of the sanctions that Biden and the allies have placed on Russian banks, industry and trade. There certainly is an escalation in the war that is occurring as I write this, with tanks and Russian troops heading towards an invasion of the Ukrainian capital. Even the threat of nuclear weapons isn’t off the table. A nuclear strike would simply mean the end of life as we know it. But let’s look at this in as logical a manner as is possible. Autocrats live in fear. Their paranoia is profound and real, as the only power they have is the ability to threaten or decapitate an enemy. When that threat becomes overwhelmingly unfathomable, it loses its force. And that is what Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini and others learned through history. As the dictator ages, he becomes more frightened with the fragility of age and the combustible mental unsustainability that is the result of a crumbling structure. That is where Putin is at the moment. His world is based on a very limited perspective and the frailty of that point of view is becoming more obvious with each new sanction being put in place. But there are other issues to be considered now besides his strength and purpose. We are at a crossroads in human history where, once again, we will either support the concept of democracy or we will return to a period of autocrats and strong-armed tactics favored by men like Putin.
On February 20, 1939, just 6 ½ months before the Nazi invasion of Poland that began World War II more than 20,000 Nazi sympathizers held a massive rally in Madison Square Garden, New York City. With huge portraits of Hitler, and vehement anti-Semitic speeches the crowd booed references to F.D.R. and cheered references to the Nazi party. Afterwards, many marched uptown to East 86th Street and went East into what is called Yorkville (named after World War I hero, Sergeant York). In those days the neighborhood was referred to as Germantown, because of the many citizens of German descent. It has been my home, on and off, for more than 30 years. There are still some remnants of that era, a few restaurants and stores that reflect a time that is now history, but in the 1930s was current and profound. There was a large pacifist movement in America throughout the 30’s, and a strong pro-Nazi sentiment. Fascist demonstrations held by the German American Bund in this and other neighborhoods often ended in violent clashes, and it wasn’t until the U.S. entered the war in 1941 that they ceased. It’s important to remember that after Pearl Harbor, America only declared war on Japan. It was four days later on December 11th 1941 that Hitler declared war on the U.S. Today those who marched in support of Hitler today would be considered traitors. But because this is the United States of America, where free speech is cherished, they were allowed to hold their rallies and make the statements they believed. Such is democracy, that most fragile of mistresses.
Today we are seeing a few from one of our major political parties embrace the violent, destructive, illegal attack on Ukraine and cheering on Mr. Putin. Such is America, that they have the right to do so. Unfortunately if they have their way, in short order such freedoms would no longer exist in this country. I believe that anyone who supports Putin’s regime is a traitor – to America, to the rule of law, and to the freedom of a people to decide their fate without coercion or the threat of destruction. The battle lines have been drawn. On one side is democracy, with all of its warts and complications. On the other is dictatorship, oligarchy, repression. I applaud those Republicans who stood in solidarity during Joe Biden’s State of the Union address and cheered across party lines and personal distrust, in unity with President Zelensky – a hero – risking his life and his freedom to stand with his people, speaking to an oppressed population as it faces possible annihilation. We need to see his bravery for what it is. And we need to see the potential dangers facing a world where partisan divide could cripple all that we have built and fought for in the past 80 years. This battle is far from over, no matter what the outcome in Ukraine. Which way will America and the world go in the coming few years?