The first casualty of conflict is truth. Anecdotal evidence is not compelling. I really feel for the Ukrainians. Recall I went to the 4th grade in Kiev. I know that was 40+ years ago but my memories of that time are the fondest of my youth. I wish I had remained in contact with my schoolmates there. In my office right now I have a photo of myself, my little brother and Hubert Humphrey at the opening of the exhibit my dad worked on in Leningrad. Maybe there is still quite a bit of Soviet/Russian apologist in me that I inculcated at ages 9 and 10. That's a fair criticism and one I take under serious advisement.

I've never been a fan of violence anywhere. Well, okay, maybe on Wall Street, but that's a different matter entirely and completely understandable (fascist bastards). I'm just not sure things are as black-and-white as they are painted by the West. I'm equally dubious things are as bleak as the Russians are claiming. Throwing billions of dollars at one side or the other, or worse, offering military support immediately seems dicey to me. To whom is the money going? For what purpose? Unbiased reporting suggests that there is some radical Right involvement (which is to be expected in a power vacuum). I just want us to be careful that we are helping the right folks. We don't have the greatest track record of doing that.