I pause at the word “win” … has there been a war “won” since WWII? I believe Ukraine can prevail. There has already been too much loss. I don’t hate the Russian people… we have our own misled here … not the nasty Senators and members of Congress, but other Republicans… truthfully, I can barely keep up with events there, I feel the pain of those families and people daily… just knowing it’s happening…I just want it to stop. 😪
Yeah, you're right about the word. But for them, keeping their country is a "win." I have Russian friends through modeling, and it's been sad to see them write what they have. I don't want to write back to them with the facts, since who knows who is reading their mail that comes from the West? And I don't want to get them in trouble.
What this 'grandson of Stalin’s cook' has done. I think CAN UKRAINE WIN? is a masterful piece of work. Thank goodness, I absorbed TC's fascinating logistics lesson; it taught me a good deal before reading this one. Cowboy movies (Westerns) and War movies, for the most part, did not appeal to me. You are such a good storyteller and informative, please suggest one of your books and subscribers, your favorites, too. CAN UKRAINE WIN? provided guidelines from which I can gauge how military aspects of Putin's war are proceeding. Thank you, TC.
Actually, I think the book that would "catch this moment" is "I Will Run Wild: the Pacific War From Pearl Harbor to Midway" - it's a dark period, in history nothing but defeat after defeat, with a couple punches back, ending with a punch that set them back permanently. But what I found and wrote about was people standing up in difficult times, against the odds, fighting with what they had, and in so doing laying "the cornerstone of victory," as FDR called one of the events. A story for our times. It's also the one that got a "Must Read" from Kirkus Reviews, the equivalent of an Oscar for a book like this.
It seems that is how war is. Such planning, strategy, and timing involved. It seems to me that this is where Putin and Russia fail. Their tempestuous and impetuous nature foils them often.
'I Will Run Wild: The Pacific War from Pearl Harbor to Midway' will arrive tomorrow. It's been a long night. The Letter will wait until after sunrise. Good night, Tom.
Putin has struck terror in the hearts of Muscovites. The are afraid to speak to one another and are deleting everything from their phones. Putin’s channeling of Stalin is complete
Allen, It is good beyond my words to see you. (Long pause) Okay, you know what's coming. How are you? I can't, rather, I am trying to limit my maternal instincts right now. Don't get worked up, they're not that strong. Please have enough water and amusement as possible. You have lifted my heart. I'd like to hear from you.
I saw you peep out. Did you look around? What's new? I'm tired...have to summon energy to cook tonight. I will probably abandon things to do list and just watch some news and listen to a little music; I'll need it after the news and before I go to bed. fondly fern
Did I dream this or did I read that aerial footage was showing apparent flooding around Kyiv? The speculation as I recall was that Ukraine was initiating a sort of "hydraulic" offensive. Correct me if I am mistaken! If this is true and the annual mud events in that area will be commencing soon, those Russian soldiers may find themselves cut off in more ways than one.
The flooding includes the marshes north of Kyiv. Known in history as the "Pripet Marshes" this area has always presented problems to invaders, who have to go around it, while light forces can operate inside the marshes, to attack the invaders. The fact the marshes are wet so early (they were frozen last month, opening them to an advance) means that further intervention from Belarus becomes difficult.
As soon as I saw your title, I opened instantly-hoping against hope for positive news. I’m very grateful for your detailed update. I’ve come to rely on them. ❤️🤍💙
Bill Kristol explained it in his March 22 essay “A New Period of Consequences.” It’s 1936 again. The parallels to WWII seem to be there in spades; authoritarianism, insane demagogues, mindless followers, military expansionism, isolationism, appeasement, willful ignorance, bad actors fueling aggression and dissent. The perfect stew for Armageddon.
Perhaps Russia’s military of today doesn’t compare to the heft of the Wehrmacht, but Russia has atomic weapons. Maybe bulk and atomics are not strictly equivalent, but if we have been making all the same choices we made leading up to WWII, it seems likely that the eventual result will be the same, except this time multiple participants will have atomic weapons.
One important reason we’ve not met anyone from another star system could well be that most intelligent species kill themselves off before they develop the ability to explore the stars.
I pause at the word “win” … has there been a war “won” since WWII? I believe Ukraine can prevail. There has already been too much loss. I don’t hate the Russian people… we have our own misled here … not the nasty Senators and members of Congress, but other Republicans… truthfully, I can barely keep up with events there, I feel the pain of those families and people daily… just knowing it’s happening…I just want it to stop. 😪
Yeah, you're right about the word. But for them, keeping their country is a "win." I have Russian friends through modeling, and it's been sad to see them write what they have. I don't want to write back to them with the facts, since who knows who is reading their mail that comes from the West? And I don't want to get them in trouble.
😥
What this 'grandson of Stalin’s cook' has done. I think CAN UKRAINE WIN? is a masterful piece of work. Thank goodness, I absorbed TC's fascinating logistics lesson; it taught me a good deal before reading this one. Cowboy movies (Westerns) and War movies, for the most part, did not appeal to me. You are such a good storyteller and informative, please suggest one of your books and subscribers, your favorites, too. CAN UKRAINE WIN? provided guidelines from which I can gauge how military aspects of Putin's war are proceeding. Thank you, TC.
Actually, I think the book that would "catch this moment" is "I Will Run Wild: the Pacific War From Pearl Harbor to Midway" - it's a dark period, in history nothing but defeat after defeat, with a couple punches back, ending with a punch that set them back permanently. But what I found and wrote about was people standing up in difficult times, against the odds, fighting with what they had, and in so doing laying "the cornerstone of victory," as FDR called one of the events. A story for our times. It's also the one that got a "Must Read" from Kirkus Reviews, the equivalent of an Oscar for a book like this.
Mmmm. Like that phrase….
”cornerstone of victory”.
It seems that is how war is. Such planning, strategy, and timing involved. It seems to me that this is where Putin and Russia fail. Their tempestuous and impetuous nature foils them often.
Your choice was all that mattered. Thank you, Tom. It will be before my eyes very soon.
I will be looking forward to your review, Fern.
'I Will Run Wild: The Pacific War from Pearl Harbor to Midway' will arrive tomorrow. It's been a long night. The Letter will wait until after sunrise. Good night, Tom.
Don't let the bedbugs bite! :-)
Putin has struck terror in the hearts of Muscovites. The are afraid to speak to one another and are deleting everything from their phones. Putin’s channeling of Stalin is complete
Allen, It is good beyond my words to see you. (Long pause) Okay, you know what's coming. How are you? I can't, rather, I am trying to limit my maternal instincts right now. Don't get worked up, they're not that strong. Please have enough water and amusement as possible. You have lifted my heart. I'd like to hear from you.
🪴 🟦🟨 💓
Slept 16 hours last night. Resting all day. Feeling better for it
I saw you peep out. Did you look around? What's new? I'm tired...have to summon energy to cook tonight. I will probably abandon things to do list and just watch some news and listen to a little music; I'll need it after the news and before I go to bed. fondly fern
Can't sleep just checked email
How about light stretching and then some breathing for a minute or two? Do you meditate? I don't, just wondering?
Bravo, Allen. Your body has heeded to its need. Thank you for this update. Full smile! 🌿
Did I dream this or did I read that aerial footage was showing apparent flooding around Kyiv? The speculation as I recall was that Ukraine was initiating a sort of "hydraulic" offensive. Correct me if I am mistaken! If this is true and the annual mud events in that area will be commencing soon, those Russian soldiers may find themselves cut off in more ways than one.
The flooding includes the marshes north of Kyiv. Known in history as the "Pripet Marshes" this area has always presented problems to invaders, who have to go around it, while light forces can operate inside the marshes, to attack the invaders. The fact the marshes are wet so early (they were frozen last month, opening them to an advance) means that further intervention from Belarus becomes difficult.
Thank You TC.
As soon as I saw your title, I opened instantly-hoping against hope for positive news. I’m very grateful for your detailed update. I’ve come to rely on them. ❤️🤍💙
Thanks for this report!
Bill Kristol explained it in his March 22 essay “A New Period of Consequences.” It’s 1936 again. The parallels to WWII seem to be there in spades; authoritarianism, insane demagogues, mindless followers, military expansionism, isolationism, appeasement, willful ignorance, bad actors fueling aggression and dissent. The perfect stew for Armageddon.
Perhaps Russia’s military of today doesn’t compare to the heft of the Wehrmacht, but Russia has atomic weapons. Maybe bulk and atomics are not strictly equivalent, but if we have been making all the same choices we made leading up to WWII, it seems likely that the eventual result will be the same, except this time multiple participants will have atomic weapons.
One important reason we’ve not met anyone from another star system could well be that most intelligent species kill themselves off before they develop the ability to explore the stars.