After a two-month stalemate, earlier this month Ukraine launched a game-changing counteroffensive against the Russians occupying their eastern territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Over the summer, Ukrainian forces destroyed Russian arms, command centers, and supplies behind Russian lines with U.S.-supplied long-range High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), then began to talk of a counteroffensive in the south, near Kherson. To guard against such a move, Russia moved many of its soldiers from the northeast to Kherson, leaving its northeastern troops stretched thin.
Honestly, this has got to be the best value for a $50 spend I have ever received in my life. Every single letter helps me understand what is nearly impossible to grasp. This one for me though tonight is exceptional. Thank you. Now we both need to get some rest. (Or at least I do - I had just finished grading for tonight when your letter popped up in my feed)
I wonder what the weather is like in MAGAworld, where the sky is green and the grass is blue. Trump is delusional, than anyone would have him participate in anything.
This is the most remarkable news yet in these years that have caught our breath with astonishment! Born in 1945, my eyes can hardly believe nor can my ears hear the news without astonishment. Will we ever think without having our thought pre-digested by social media again? Will children ever be able to learn without blinders again? Oh how I hope!
Thank you Heather. I wish everyone would read you. I repost on Twitter and LinkedIn with hopes that at least one person has their eyes opened and understands that the world is connected. Those on Twitter who scream about the money President Biden is sending to Ukraine. Those who have absolutely no idea what the MAGA party is working to accomplish. Mike Pompeo now calling ¨Woke¨ Marxist. The ignorance in America is not only mind blowing but dangerous for us all, for our children, our grandchildren. I hope everyone here is actively working to educate voters.
The Navalny essay is the most important thing I've read in some time. Clear-eyed and determined, from the perspective of a person at the very eye of the storm. Just getting rid of Putin is not enough, he said, there must be a complete restructuring of the system and the West must keep up the pressure to that end.
My questions begin with sanctions... how many and what kind of sanctions can anyone bring against Putin that havn't already been put in place? Then about Russia; how come Putin can bomb or target cities in the Ukraine but the Ukrainian army doesn't bomb or target cities in neighboring Russian cities? And lastly, am I the only one who sees the similarity between Putin and the loser ex-US president? Need a hint? think stupidity, self-serving and greed.
In the last 6 months, I’ve found 11 people that weren’t registered to vote, who are now registered, and are voting blue. Yeah, I know…11 doesn’t sound like a lot. But, have you heard of multiplication? 100,000 people getting 11 people registered =1.1 million.
I've an idea... Let's undercut the marketing by T's social media. If we quote him, say he "posted". Saying he "truthed" just plays into the deceptive framing!
How ironic that we wrestle with the influence of election deniers here in the US while we simultaneously deny the results of voting in four regions of Ukraine...I have seen many statements that the voting in Ukraine was rigged, but only one or two lines of unverified coverage indicating how that is known.
How fitting that we are reeling from four years of the presidency of a man who believed that if he said something enough it would automatically become true while we see the same stance from Putin as he ignores the reality that Ukraine is not part of Russia and has not been for 40 years.
The ethereal concept of "rule of law" does not convey the gravity of this stance as much as stating "forceful occupation of another country." We cannot imagine unmitigated aggression, because we have not felt it on our own soil and in our own freedoms. Imagine if Mexico decided it wanted Texas back...and then ask yourself if you would consider economic sanctions against Mexico by Britain or Japan as sufficient support of the US to retain that territory.
We are in a reactive stance, while Putin charges ahead. We cower under the threat of nuclear war, with no way of knowing whether that is realistic or not. We have taken the stance of maintaining the status quo, of resistance, not victory, while our enemy is fighting a different war, the war of right by might. No other standard exists for Putin or the rapacious oligarchy. How long will resistance last? How much is resistance damaged with each escalation by Putin? And is it not clear by now that nothing will stop him, that he does not care what our response is, only what his goal is?
Lest you doubt the ineffectiveness of our stance, note the sentence that "it is unlikely that Ukraine's application to NATO will be approved" while the war continues. IOW, NATO--we--are not going to really commit. We will wait and see if the conflict dies down, and accept occupation of Ukraine as an okay price thereof.
Consider the impact of the answers to these questions and what it means for Russia's future. -
How many Russians have fled Russia since the war with Ukraine began in February of this year?
Who are those emigrants, and why did they flee?
Have they left Russia for good, or will they return? If they intend to return, what would happen for that to occur, and is that likely?
What does this mean for the Russian economy and Russia's future?
Here is some data to help answer those questions, courtesy of Wikipedia. While the data is well sourced for this article, it should be regarded as approximate and somewhat speculative. However, there is little doubt that the order of magnitude is likely correct, and the impact on Russia's future will be severe and long-lasting.
Following the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than 300,000 Russian citizens and residents are estimated to have left Russia by mid-March 2022, at least 500,000 by the end of August 2022, and more than 800,000 by September 2022 as political refugees and economic migrants, and due to a desire to evade criminal prosecution for opposing the invasion. This emigration is also likely to continue.
Aside from the fear of being conscripted after President Vladimir Putin's announcement of partial mobilization, those fleeing have voiced reasons such as disagreement with the military operation, the uselessness and cruelty of the war, sympathy for Ukraine, disagreement with the political roots of the war with Ukraine, the rejection of killing, and an assessment that Russia is no longer the place for their family.
Those who have fled tend to be young and well-educated professionals, leading some economists to suggest the Russian brain drain, already an impediment to the growth of the Russian economy, is worsening. Previously, I had contacts within several large Russian IT firms. Many who led and worked for those firms are among the emigres who have left. My sources tell me the number of IT workers among the emigrants who have fled likely approaches 100,000. Some of those are currently working remotely for their Russian employers. Many were able to find new employment abroad quickly and are unlikely to return as they now receive higher wages and are pretty satisfied with their new situation.
Consider the impact on Russia's GDP and tax revenue base of the loss of what is now approaching one million young professionals. That impact compounds the effects of the financial sanctions imposed on Russia by the Western alliance.
I do not know if Putin comprehends the extent of this emigration or its impact on Russia.
I happened upon the interview with Dr Fiona Hill last evening on PBS. She was asked to what extent would Putin go. I'm paraphrasing but, there is nothing he wouldn't do. Nothing.
I don't feel his tempting of the use of nuclear weapons is an idle threat. His mere slight of hand taking of neighboring Countries should suggest so to others.
We are living in the most perilous times at home and globally.
Forgive me, Heather and all, for straying from today's Letter. But I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to announce that our CIA has officially gone "woke" after finally welcoming Secret Spy Harriet Tubman as one of their own. Her top-secret statue now has a prominent space at Langley. Not all will be "authorized" to see it there, but its original can be found at the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn, NY.
Of a lesser concern to many people here (probably)., Pres, Biden and Secretary of Education just reversed the student loan forgiveness for all students holding FFEL loans.
"An administration official tells NPR roughly 800,000 borrowers would now be excluded from relief. Though many more borrowers could end up getting less relief than they were entitled to under the old guidance. These are the roughly 1.5 million FFEL borrowers who also have Direct Loans, which still qualify for cancellation, though their FFEL loans no longer do.
It's unclear why the department reversed its decision on allowing FFEL borrowers with commercially-held loans to consolidate and then qualify for debt relief."
Since 1970-something, Joe Biden has been the instigator driving rejection of student loan bankruptcy forgiveness. This reversal just happened as of 2 PM today. I have no student loan debt and neither do my kids in reality. Since I donate to Dems, I have taken every opportunity to challenge Senators such as Stabenow and Durbin in public. What are they going to do? Pick on an old Vietnam era Marine Sergeant advocating for others. Not likely.
This is outrageous that no one has the willpower to stand up for what they promised after how many months. I apologize Prof. Heather. I thought they had won something.
This may be simplistic, and it’s certainly amoral, but perhaps someone close to putin will bring about his demise. It would be fitting, given the murders he’s committed.
War kills people, animals and destroys natural resources. Only the military industrial complex and the undertakers profit from it.
As for tfg offering to broker a deal, well … pigs will sooner fly.
Honestly, this has got to be the best value for a $50 spend I have ever received in my life. Every single letter helps me understand what is nearly impossible to grasp. This one for me though tonight is exceptional. Thank you. Now we both need to get some rest. (Or at least I do - I had just finished grading for tonight when your letter popped up in my feed)
I wonder what the weather is like in MAGAworld, where the sky is green and the grass is blue. Trump is delusional, than anyone would have him participate in anything.
This is the most remarkable news yet in these years that have caught our breath with astonishment! Born in 1945, my eyes can hardly believe nor can my ears hear the news without astonishment. Will we ever think without having our thought pre-digested by social media again? Will children ever be able to learn without blinders again? Oh how I hope!
Thank you Heather. I wish everyone would read you. I repost on Twitter and LinkedIn with hopes that at least one person has their eyes opened and understands that the world is connected. Those on Twitter who scream about the money President Biden is sending to Ukraine. Those who have absolutely no idea what the MAGA party is working to accomplish. Mike Pompeo now calling ¨Woke¨ Marxist. The ignorance in America is not only mind blowing but dangerous for us all, for our children, our grandchildren. I hope everyone here is actively working to educate voters.
The Navalny essay is the most important thing I've read in some time. Clear-eyed and determined, from the perspective of a person at the very eye of the storm. Just getting rid of Putin is not enough, he said, there must be a complete restructuring of the system and the West must keep up the pressure to that end.
My questions begin with sanctions... how many and what kind of sanctions can anyone bring against Putin that havn't already been put in place? Then about Russia; how come Putin can bomb or target cities in the Ukraine but the Ukrainian army doesn't bomb or target cities in neighboring Russian cities? And lastly, am I the only one who sees the similarity between Putin and the loser ex-US president? Need a hint? think stupidity, self-serving and greed.
Up late enough to read this when it drops. Lots going on and you make it all clear. Thank you.
And thanks for asking for book title suggestions. Some very clever and some very funny responses. We needed the levity.
Putin's audacity knows no bounds. Go Zelensky!
I just read this on Twitter.
In the last 6 months, I’ve found 11 people that weren’t registered to vote, who are now registered, and are voting blue. Yeah, I know…11 doesn’t sound like a lot. But, have you heard of multiplication? 100,000 people getting 11 people registered =1.1 million.
Excellent. Thank you.
I've an idea... Let's undercut the marketing by T's social media. If we quote him, say he "posted". Saying he "truthed" just plays into the deceptive framing!
How ironic that we wrestle with the influence of election deniers here in the US while we simultaneously deny the results of voting in four regions of Ukraine...I have seen many statements that the voting in Ukraine was rigged, but only one or two lines of unverified coverage indicating how that is known.
How fitting that we are reeling from four years of the presidency of a man who believed that if he said something enough it would automatically become true while we see the same stance from Putin as he ignores the reality that Ukraine is not part of Russia and has not been for 40 years.
The ethereal concept of "rule of law" does not convey the gravity of this stance as much as stating "forceful occupation of another country." We cannot imagine unmitigated aggression, because we have not felt it on our own soil and in our own freedoms. Imagine if Mexico decided it wanted Texas back...and then ask yourself if you would consider economic sanctions against Mexico by Britain or Japan as sufficient support of the US to retain that territory.
We are in a reactive stance, while Putin charges ahead. We cower under the threat of nuclear war, with no way of knowing whether that is realistic or not. We have taken the stance of maintaining the status quo, of resistance, not victory, while our enemy is fighting a different war, the war of right by might. No other standard exists for Putin or the rapacious oligarchy. How long will resistance last? How much is resistance damaged with each escalation by Putin? And is it not clear by now that nothing will stop him, that he does not care what our response is, only what his goal is?
Lest you doubt the ineffectiveness of our stance, note the sentence that "it is unlikely that Ukraine's application to NATO will be approved" while the war continues. IOW, NATO--we--are not going to really commit. We will wait and see if the conflict dies down, and accept occupation of Ukraine as an okay price thereof.
At what point does the match reach the tinder?
Consider the impact of the answers to these questions and what it means for Russia's future. -
How many Russians have fled Russia since the war with Ukraine began in February of this year?
Who are those emigrants, and why did they flee?
Have they left Russia for good, or will they return? If they intend to return, what would happen for that to occur, and is that likely?
What does this mean for the Russian economy and Russia's future?
Here is some data to help answer those questions, courtesy of Wikipedia. While the data is well sourced for this article, it should be regarded as approximate and somewhat speculative. However, there is little doubt that the order of magnitude is likely correct, and the impact on Russia's future will be severe and long-lasting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_emigration_following_the_2022_invasion_of_Ukraine#:~:text=In%20this%20third%20wave%20only,%2C%20Serbia%2C%20Georgia%20and%20Finland.
Following the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than 300,000 Russian citizens and residents are estimated to have left Russia by mid-March 2022, at least 500,000 by the end of August 2022, and more than 800,000 by September 2022 as political refugees and economic migrants, and due to a desire to evade criminal prosecution for opposing the invasion. This emigration is also likely to continue.
Aside from the fear of being conscripted after President Vladimir Putin's announcement of partial mobilization, those fleeing have voiced reasons such as disagreement with the military operation, the uselessness and cruelty of the war, sympathy for Ukraine, disagreement with the political roots of the war with Ukraine, the rejection of killing, and an assessment that Russia is no longer the place for their family.
Those who have fled tend to be young and well-educated professionals, leading some economists to suggest the Russian brain drain, already an impediment to the growth of the Russian economy, is worsening. Previously, I had contacts within several large Russian IT firms. Many who led and worked for those firms are among the emigres who have left. My sources tell me the number of IT workers among the emigrants who have fled likely approaches 100,000. Some of those are currently working remotely for their Russian employers. Many were able to find new employment abroad quickly and are unlikely to return as they now receive higher wages and are pretty satisfied with their new situation.
Consider the impact on Russia's GDP and tax revenue base of the loss of what is now approaching one million young professionals. That impact compounds the effects of the financial sanctions imposed on Russia by the Western alliance.
I do not know if Putin comprehends the extent of this emigration or its impact on Russia.
Thank you Heather.
I happened upon the interview with Dr Fiona Hill last evening on PBS. She was asked to what extent would Putin go. I'm paraphrasing but, there is nothing he wouldn't do. Nothing.
I don't feel his tempting of the use of nuclear weapons is an idle threat. His mere slight of hand taking of neighboring Countries should suggest so to others.
We are living in the most perilous times at home and globally.
Be safe. Be well.
Forgive me, Heather and all, for straying from today's Letter. But I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to announce that our CIA has officially gone "woke" after finally welcoming Secret Spy Harriet Tubman as one of their own. Her top-secret statue now has a prominent space at Langley. Not all will be "authorized" to see it there, but its original can be found at the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn, NY.
Gifted Article and 4min Listen: https://wapo.st/3rnTo1G
(Brava Ukraine!)
Of a lesser concern to many people here (probably)., Pres, Biden and Secretary of Education just reversed the student loan forgiveness for all students holding FFEL loans.
"An administration official tells NPR roughly 800,000 borrowers would now be excluded from relief. Though many more borrowers could end up getting less relief than they were entitled to under the old guidance. These are the roughly 1.5 million FFEL borrowers who also have Direct Loans, which still qualify for cancellation, though their FFEL loans no longer do.
It's unclear why the department reversed its decision on allowing FFEL borrowers with commercially-held loans to consolidate and then qualify for debt relief."
Since 1970-something, Joe Biden has been the instigator driving rejection of student loan bankruptcy forgiveness. This reversal just happened as of 2 PM today. I have no student loan debt and neither do my kids in reality. Since I donate to Dems, I have taken every opportunity to challenge Senators such as Stabenow and Durbin in public. What are they going to do? Pick on an old Vietnam era Marine Sergeant advocating for others. Not likely.
This is outrageous that no one has the willpower to stand up for what they promised after how many months. I apologize Prof. Heather. I thought they had won something.
This may be simplistic, and it’s certainly amoral, but perhaps someone close to putin will bring about his demise. It would be fitting, given the murders he’s committed.
War kills people, animals and destroys natural resources. Only the military industrial complex and the undertakers profit from it.
As for tfg offering to broker a deal, well … pigs will sooner fly.
Enjoy a wonderful weekend! 🍁😀🍁