LET’S HOPE NOT: Today there are reports of shellings/explosions in eastern Ukraine. It is happening in the Donbass region or should one say in the Sudentenland? Like 1938 when Hitler/Germany justified a territorial expansion to “protect” ethnic Germans, Russia is making propaganda noise that it may need to intervene to save ethnic Russians inside Ukraine. Luckily, for Russia, it happens to have upwards of 150,000 troops hanging out around the border. They have no declared intention to invade. They must just like to hang out. But, it looks like Russia is creating excuses to “save” their neighbor. (Like a Good Neighbor insurance policy.)

It could turn out to be a bluff for negotiating purposes I suppose. Some say old Putin would like to see NATO/US missile forces moved farther west. Maybe Papa is not too bright, but that seems nonsensical. All the way back to Duluth and I bet missiles could still hit ’em where it hurts. However, it seems Russia is ready to go into Ukraine. Perhaps only a partial incursion to chop off the Donbass citizens and steer Ukraine away from democracy. The reasonable question after any Russian invasion is not whether sanctions will then be imposed but rather why they were not used to try to stop bloodshed/invasion beforehand. An invasion will not be pretty.

Papa previously mentioned the danger of miscalculation in such situations. An acquaintance from my old Fort Ord days made the same point on national TV. (His interview would be worthwhile if you have any interest.) Leon Pennata later became a high up government offcial for years in Washington DC. His voice always sounded reasonable to me. With hundreds of thousands of combat forces in close proximity and planes and ships criss crossing; or put a nut or two in the mix; even bigger problems could blowup. It is sad that after nearly 77 years, Europe could again see a major war because of another despot. I’d guess that it is fear of creeping liberty/democracy that makes him tick. It’s hard to be dictator for life if those under your boot get a whiff of freedom.