9 Mar 22
 
“Only a few have become acquainted with Orwell’s ‘1984,’ because it is both difficult to obtain and dangerous to possess.
 
It is known only to certain members of The Inner Party.
 
Orwell fascinates them through his insight into details they know well, and through his use of Swiftian satire. Such a form of writing is forbidden by the New Faith because allegory, by nature manifold in meaning, would trespass beyond the prescriptions of socialist realism and the demands of the censor.
 
Even those who know Orwell only by hearsay are amazed that a writer who never lived in Russia should have so keen a perception into its life.”
 
Czeslaw Milosz
 
Russia’s much-feared conventional-war capabilities have, once again, been embarrassingly exposed as far less than represented!
 
Also probably over-represented is Vlad P’s hold on power!
 
They, and we, have been surprised at the slow progress of Russian forces in Ukraine, as well as their many setbacks and unexpected vulnerabilities.
 
Vlad P and his generals fully (and naively) expected Ukraine to collapse within hours! They never imagined, nor were they prepared for, such a magnificent and spirited defense, during this, the largest land-war in Europe in 77 years!
 
This military invasion was preceded, as always, by a litany of the usual Russian propaganda, obfuscations, denials of intent, and other transparent lies. Yet, Ukrainians know and understand, all too well, that with the forced imposition of Russian tyranny upon their nation, extreme Russian-style “purges” will quickly follow.
 
Gulags will be hastily thrown together. Surviving dissidents will be rounded-up. Many, probably most, will be lined-up and shot immediately. Others will rot in Gulags until they starve/freeze to death.
 
Property will be seized, with much pomposity a puppet government will be installed, and the next Russian military conquest will proceed westward from (former) Ukraine’s far-west border.
 
The Russian/Communist M/O never changes!
 
And so, as the timid West, with nail-biting agony, distresses about “upsetting” Putin, thousands of innocent Ukrainians are wantonly murdered, millions more become miserable refugees, and a thriving civilization is blasted to bits.
 
Curious that “upsetting” NATO and the West never seems to concern Putin!
 
Let’s all hope and trust Ukrainians continue to courageously fight to the last, rather than die as pitiable slaves!
 
Our turn is coming!
Does anyone believe Putin will have nearly as much difficulty with us?
 
“It is a language older than the forest.
 
Crows speak it; dogs speaks it; Tigers speaks it, and so do the men,
 
… some more fluently than others!
 
John Vaillant
 
/John