Progressives have written a letter to President Biden asking him to pursue “a realistic framework for a ceasefire” in Ukraine. Stripped of its unctuousness, the letter suggests Biden can reduce world suffering if Russia is offered a deal.
Given that Putin’s actions in Ukraine are like those of a man with a propensity for domestic violence, I wondered how progressives would respond if Putin beat his wife and children bloody on his front lawn, in front of the whole neighborhood.
Their letter to President Biden gives us some idea.
“Dear Neighbor Biden:
“We write to you with appreciation for helping Ms. Putin resist her husband’s beatings. Your support of a woman’s attempt at independence, and subsequent self defense, has allowed her to survive his fists and kicks. WE’VE HELPED TOO! We brought towels, a garbage can lid, and a broom when you asked us to get them.
“We also like that you did not get into the “domestic situation” yourself. That might have dragged the whole neighborhood into the fray! It’s been bad enough! Alfonse and Greta had to cancel their summer BBQ after they couldn’t get propane for their grill. Bridgett and Francois have gone without cheese. Neighbors down the street have not been able to drive to the farmers’ market, and Door Dash is soooo slow!
“But maybe enough is enough. If this goes on, there’s no telling what might happen! We’ve all heard Vlad threaten to burn the house down with Lana and the kids inside. What if he actually does that!? None of us would ever recover!
“Therefore, we urge you to “pair” the help you are giving Lana Putin (the towel to mop blood from her face was very nice) with more words asking Vlad what would get him to stop kicking Lana because she talked to a cashier at the bank.
“We all know Vlad can be difficult. However, if there is any way to convince him to stop hitting her with his fists, it’s our responsibility to pursue any avenue that Lana might agree to in the moment, especially since it’s her pain that would be ending, too.
“Lana has said on more than one occasion that she has tried to talk to Vlad about their disagreements. Perhaps he’s just not heard her. Communication between partners can be so difficult at times. We’ve all been there!
“Perhaps if we offered to clean the lawnmower fouled when he ran over the family dog (thanks to the Kowalskis for cleaning that one up!), or replace the baseball bat he broke when he swung at Lana last week and hit their porch swing instead. We’re sure Lana would like to see an end of this too, and would gladly accept Vlad’s promises not to hurt her again.
“It’s also important to realize this display in the Putin’s front yard has done absolutely NOTHING for the price of homes in our neighborhood. This affects ALL of us!
“If the neighborhood could again be the quiet, lovely place we all enjoyed before this unfortunate disagreement between husband and wife, we might see property prices rebound to their recent upward trend. This will help you, too, Joe!
“Yes, we recognize some of this is for Lana to decide. She may be reluctant to stop the fight now, after giving Vlad a bloody nose with the rock you tossed to her just in time. But given that we brought our own garbage can lids and towels out, all of us have a responsibility to ask Vlad to stop hurting Lana.
“Perhaps we could offer him her devotion and loyalty.
“Please, ask him. Ask Vlad nicely to please stop what he’s doing to Lana. Or, ask him to at least take it inside where we can’t hear it any more.
“Yours truly,
”The Congressional Progressive Caucus.”
(Note: An hour after this was written and published, I read that Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the caucus, said that "The Congressional Progressive Caucus hereby withdraws its recent letter to the White House regarding Ukraine…" I almost deleted this post, then decided they can’t just “withdraw” their foolishness quite that easily. Not here, anyway …)
Damn, quite good. Support Ukraine. They can decide if it hurts too much. But do fret about Putin. His judgement is bad. He might agree those bad Nazi types were defeated and call it a day. Pity we really don't have $10 to gt him off their lawn. He ought to fear his Chinese buds who might enjoy controlling that oil and gas.
✅ I still have a hard time believing she got elected. As far as I can tell, she hasn't a patriotic bond in her body.