Ukraine is being bullied by Russia. Russia always has been a political mess. Vladimir Putin has given Russia some stability but still reigns a near total autocracy.

Freedom is not free, but western Ukrainians now think they are, while Russian people in eastern Ukraine and Crimea seem to prefer to be ruled by Putin. Loss of industrial eastern Ukraine to Putin’s Russia would be a big loss to Ukraine, but the remaining Ukrainians should be protected in their freedom by NATO and the West.

Will the bear know when to stop? Not likely.

I have run a big bear out of camp at night with fire and an ax; it didn’t move out until I burned it in the gut and I was ready to smash its skull.

Arden Lommen