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In as much as today's surreal images of mayhem in the Ukrainian cities, they are real. It is hard to imagine such disrespect for human beings and destruction of buildings great and small. My hope is that we are not jaded enough by grotesque movies and videos into thinking that the images that we see on television are not real. They are! We have heard the expression "pictures speak louder than words" – they do. Thanks to modern technology.
It has always been modum aperandi (a usual way that it is done) by communist regime. They strongly endorse and encourage atrocious acts. Those in power subjugate the young soldiers to launch the attacks on innocent people who have not done anything to them. Ukrainians only want to live peaceably in their country and be good neighbors. Democracy was thriving in Ukraine in spite of infusion of many Russian men into Crimea.
The unprovoked and gruesome tragedy was spurred by Remnants of Soviet Communists KGB member Vladimir Putin. No doubt that the young Russian soldiers do not have innate sadistic pleasure of inflicting such unthinkable mayhem and destruction. They are required to carry out those acts as directed by their superiors, or else.
What a tragic world we live in.
The thirst for these unthinkable acts originate from jealousy and self-hate. If one hates oneself, he cannot have love for others nor anything else. In order to love others we have to love ourselves. I do believe that might be the motivating force.
The recent TV images show wailing sirens and people running to the safety of bunkers. Explosions, flying bullets as well as blazing fire and choking smoke, are no strangers to me. As a small child, I lived all of it during World War II while fleeing from our homeland Latvia and at the conclusion of The War to Germany.
While in refugee or DP (displaced persons) camp, I often wanted an explanation as to what and why things were happening. I am sure that many Ukrainian youngsters today have the same questions, as do their parents.
While in Germany, our fractured family survived from the generosity of aid from various sources. A major one was the wonderful country called USA.
Tracing back to when we still living on our farm in Latvia, I recall being curious about a young man whom our father had hired as a farm hand. This young Russian man had escaped from Communist Russia and was looking for work. I asked my father, "Why does that young man walk like an old person with two sticks (or canes)?" I was told politely that my question was insensitive.
While in Displaced Persons' Camp when I was about eight years of age, while talking with our father I asked him again about the young person who walked like an old man. Our father said: "Listen daughter, I think that you are old enough to understand." He told me that the young man had a physical problem; however, he was very intelligent, so he hired him to make schedules for some 20 plus people who worked on our farm. Father said that Soviet Communists had had tortured him. He was punished and they cut off his calves. He had no muscles to be able to walk without support. I understood.
As all of us have witnessed and heard of the huge upheaval in Ukraine; the communist way of dealing with others is through torture and mayhem as well other abusive ways. Be it friend or imagined foe.
How sad that Vladimir Putin, who as a child was baptized in Orthodox Church, has abandoned the church. Communism has allowed him to live in great luxury without regard for anything.
Val Hoover
Marietta