Doing something for Ukraine

@scotte1 I’m not referring to the lady singer who was sacked, I think that’s a different issue and do agree with you on that one, they’ve gone too far. We shouldn’t be punishing Russian civilians as a whole, they’re innocent in this and most are against Putins actions anyway.

But Gary, you’re denying your own knowledge of basic societal laws purely to suit your politcal arguments I’m afraid.

This guy isn’t just some random dude who’s been sacked, he is a personal friend to Putin and has been for a long time.

Putin has already racked up countless war crime charges just in this current war (there’s a big difference between people dying in war and war crimes) over the last few days, that’s aside from the criminal charges against him internationally prior to that.

Saying nothing in a situation like this is commonly referred to as “aiding and abetting” or “accessory after the fact” and illegal in most nations on earth, again, nothing to do with politics, it’s to do with basic morality. And yes, saying nothing is considered extremely harmful in situations like this.

So yes, this guy defintely deserves it in every single respect. In any other situation, he would have been sacked undoubtedly, and taken in for questioning by the authorities, as well as finances frozen while the investigation was ongoing.

That’s responsibility for protecting and supporting a known murderer.

Sorry, it references the post above and is a question in context.

To be more clear, I should have ended the sentence with a “?”.

I suspect Valery Gergiev is remaining quiet as to do otherwise would cost him too much by no longer being a Putin ally and friend.

Gergiev owns over $150 million of real estate in Italy alone. He did not acquire this fortune conducting a few orchestras.

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Absolutely, tends to be the way with Putin’s friends. They all have untold wealth amassed from taxes and back hand arms deals and of course from saying nothing.

Last night I happened to sit next to a lovely young woman at the bar. I said hello and she answered back with a Russian accent. She’s here to take a shot at “American Capitalism”; something about jewelry.
She could clearly read the thought bubble above my head and she told me that all her family are still in Russia. For many years she and they liked Putin. “He’s very smart and strong and would do good things for our country. But since Georgia and Crimea and now this, we are heart broken and terrified that he’s a monster”. She has many friends and some family in Ukraine and she doesn’t know how to help them; they haven’t been reachable.
As she was leaving to catch her train back to NYC, she thanked me for “being kind and nice to me. I’m so scared to tell people I’m Russian now”.

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Like so many of our politicians.

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It’s the same with the Chinese, people take offense to a goverments or terrorist cells attitude and hold the whole country in the same light, it’s insane.

A Governments stance has little relation to a countries average population.

We’re all trying to do better, no matter where we’re from. Despite the dark times at the moment, humanity has a tendency to progress and do better. We’re already seeing some wonderful kindness and love coming out of this tragedy, and I truly believe that’s only going to grow.

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My well-meaning criticism stands, then.

Your rehtorical question struck me as too much of a provocation - just too general in the context of the discussion.

Of course “Good Men” would do well to take action. I don’t mean to try and speak for the OP, but I believe the point being made was persecuting folks for what they don’t say is not a “good thing”.

In any event, I am just so tired of emotional, uninformed mob action. People can and will opine as they wish and personally condemn those they don’t agree with - and they can have at it, as far as I am concerned. Its the fact that being “unpopular” can now lead to one’s ruination because authorities and employers bend to the will of the mob that I cannot stomach. Its tyranny and it threatens our (my) ideal of free and open society.

As noted in the article you referenced above:

The melee around Putin’s musicians is following a familiar pattern…a moralizing stampede. …the notion that every Russian should have to repudiate Putin before being allowed to perform in America or Europe is grim. There is no way of knowing what constraints musicians labor under, what consequences they face…Instead of castigating Russian musicians—there has even been talk of removing Russian composers from programs—we would be better off honoring Ukrainians.

This is all just very unfortunate, to say the least.

Regards.

That is a shame (no sarcasm intended).

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I disagree; my comment was directed at a very specific position. As I already mentioned, it referred to Gary’s post which stated, in part:

This does not invalidate your point, but you are addressing something much broader, including reference to the OP, which I am not addressing.

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Understand your stated position. Moving on.

Thanks, Elk.

SEE

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I am sorry for not being more clear.

I like your phrase “emotional, uninformed mob action.”

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I think what a lot of people are forgetting is, the persecution Russian citizens and they’re families might face, if they speak out against Putin, and the Russian government. Look want happened when Chelsea Manning spoke up, and revealed war crimes committed by the United States government.

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CNN: People around the world are booking Airbnbs in Ukraine. They don’t plan to check in.

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LP’s just arrived!

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Using Michael’s affiliate links I purchased both of the Jazz LPs, since I was going to anyway. I also purchased a few other titles.

Michael’s a good man. He on the Steve Hoffman forum and I have been watching his videos for the last couple of years too.

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FWIW,
I know there has been some quality/supply issues reported with GIK Acoustics, but I received this from them in my inbox the other day . . .

__

As you are aware GIK Acoustics is a global company and the war in Ukraine has become a reality in Kielce, Poland, the location of one of our European manufacturing facilities. Refugees escaping the war in Ukraine are currently being housed all over Poland and many have arrived in Kielce staying in hotels and in churches.

The citizens of Poland are doing everything they can to help. Today, GIK Acoustics, donated THREE vans worth of supplies to help these refugees, mostly women and children who have arrived in Poland with no belongings. Pictured are Piotr and Monika, the Plant Manager and Office Manager from our Kielce branch, taking donations from our team and local customers to the centers.

How can you help? We have been informed that centers helping refugees desperately need basic supplies including: hygiene products for adults and children, food, water, pasta, canned food, disposable dishes, medicines, batteries, flashlights, blankets, charges, etc.

If any of our GIK Acoustics customers would like to help, we are taking monetary donations through our PayPal account. Here’s how to donate:

Log into your PayPal account

Click "Send"

Type our email ukorders@gikacoustics.com to locate our profile

Enter the amount you would like to donate

Under notes, put the title "REFUGEE APPEAL"

The press "Send"

Your donations will help us to continue to provide these basic necessities to refugees. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We will greatly appreciate your help and support.

Thank you,

Glenn Kuras

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Ron, I have friends in and around Moscow, all very kind and hospital people. Family people of whom many have family in the Ukraine too.

The violence causes victims on every side and I hope sense will return. That Ukraine will be released of this oppression and peace can be restored with those who never asked or wished for this violence.

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Denmark does everything we can … we receive refugees and have sent 2800 handheld anti-tank missiles … We have supported them before the war with a lot of money and help build their democracy … we have just sent again a lot of money to help the population. But we are not voting for a no-fly zone. We are not voting to send troops into the country…We are turning up our gas fields in 2023 so that we can deliver to Europe and we have given extra impetus to the green transition … We are raising our contribution to NATO with so much money that we do not have people to use the purchased military equipment. 2 percent of BPN it is a lot for a small country with only 6 million people, especially because will is very high placed on the rankings of BPN BNP per indbygger

more love from Denmark

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The willingness of surrounding EU countries to accept refugees has been wonderful.

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