The exodus

A police officer (click here) says goodbye to his son as his family flees from advancing Russian troops as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues in the town of Irpin, March 8, 2022

No Russian oil imports, but, that is only 8 percent of imported oil, why is the cost of gas is so high?

I am not opposed to refusing Russian oil (click here), but, the price increase at the pump seems disproportionate to me.

Every person that works for McDonalds has a right to be proud of their employer. Shutting down Russian business attachments by USA companies is the right thing to do.

Every company withdrawing from Russia is to be congratulated. It seems to me Western business, although sometimes the first to break down barriers, are out of place in communist countries. I think economic capitalism is out of place in those countries as well. Capitalism brings better quality of life if the profits are distributed among the working class and now sequestered to the elite. Was introducing capitalism in communist countries a good idea

8 March 2022

Associated Press and Stephen M. Lepore

The burger giant (click here) said it will continue paying its 62,000 employees in Russia 'who have poured their heart and soul into our McDonald's brand'

But in an open letter to employees, McDonald's President and CEO Chris Kempckinski said closing those stores for now is the right thing to do

'Our values mean we cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine,' Kempczinski said

Kempczinski said it's impossible to know when the company will be able to reopen its stores

McDonald's has also temporarily closed 108 restaurants in Ukraine and continues to pay those employees

The Chicago-based company said its restaurants in Russia and Ukraine contributed 9 percent of its annual revenue, or around $2billion...

Seizing (click here) of money - laundered Super Yachts belonging to Russian oligarches. There is one more yacht to be seized, the Scheherazade, which belongs to Putin. In case the name Scheherazade sounds familiar, it is (click here).

The reason the oligarches and Putin play their wealthy and indulgent games is the purpose of money laundering. Why purchase a cheap boat when so many more rubles can be laundered. That goes for their land, homes and apartments abroad. It isn't as though they don't enjoy themselves, but, the lavish lifestyle provides reasons to launder money for Russia. This is not personal wealth, it is facilitated by the Russian government and invested abroad for the purpose of returning real assets to a country where the ruble is basically worthless.

Every country is doing their part. We all should be proud of the role we have in leveraging against a tyrant in the Kremlin.

Why am I not surprised the Syrians are in Ukraine?

March 8, 2022
By Josh Rogin, columnist

To the right (click here) are the children of Mariupol underground for protection.

As Russian President Vladimir Putin (click here) expands his murderous attacks on civilians across Ukraine, regular citizens are becoming front-line troops. Syrians, who have been facing Russian military attacks for seven years, are ready to help Ukrainians organize their first responders. Ukrainians will need all the help they can get to save as many innocent lives as possible in what could be a long struggle.

Since 2015, when Putin dispatched his troops to Syria to help President Bashar al-Assad maintain his hold on power, the Russian military has been attacking civilians in opposition-held areas, reportedly committing war crimes on a regular basis by targeting hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure. Those tactics are now being used in several Ukrainian cities, complete with attacks on fleeing families and credible reports of illegal weapons such as cluster bombs. Last week, the International Criminal Court said it would “immediately proceed” with an investigation into alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

The Syrian Civil Defense force, known as the White Helmets, has been working to rescue, evacuate and give emergency care to civilians under attack since 2014. The all-volunteer force says it has saved more than 100,000 civilian lives and that at least 252 of its members have been killed in the process. Now, the White Helmets are turning their attention to Putin’s latest victims...

It is a complicated battle field. Ukraine should allow asylum requests for those that oppose the brutality of the war Putin has begun. Ukraine states 11,000 Russian soldiers have died. That is about 6 percent of the 190,000 troops estimated to have been at Ukraine's borders before the invasion Putin ordered. There are burnt and blown up Russian tanks (see left).

There are yellow buses with a red cross on the side arriving in Mariupol, but, the convoy of buses are coming under fire (click here). This is Assad tactics. We know where it came from now.

Wladimir Klitschko wears many hats, a boxing star, mayor of Kyiv, soldier to the Ukraine military and now father to 82 babies born since the invasion started (click here).

March 7, 2022
By Greg Myre

The Pentagon (click here) said Monday it believes that Russia is now trying to recruit Syrian fighters to bolster the Russian war effort in Ukraine.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the story Sunday, saying Russia is seeking Syrians who have taken part in urban combat and could help Russia take control of cities such as Ukraine's capital Kyiv.

"The accounts of the Russians seeking Syrian fighters, to augment their forces in Ukraine, we do believe there's truth to that," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters. "It's interesting that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin would have to rely on foreign fighters."

Kirby said he had no information on the numbers or the caliber of the Syrian fighters that the Russians are trying to sign up.

Russia has not commented on the reports....

President Zelenskyy is a brave leader.

During his speech to the British Parliament President Zelensky said something interesting. He stated Russia should be considered a terrorist state. Perhaps, he is correct. I never thought Vladimir Putin was capable of such carnage. Obviously, he is.

Vladimir Putin had no honorable motives in executing this war. He also persists.

Ukraine should have the same right to exist as North Korea.

Besides the USA, the British and French Foreign Ministers should be attending the meetings for peace between Ukraine and Russia.

My deepest fear for Ukraine at this juncture is the fact Putin, when defeated will lay waste to Ukraine. I believe that is his goal. The only question is will he discharge a nuclear device over Ukraine with or without his own troops in battle? I also believe China's alliance in this matter needs to be measured as well.

March 6, 2022

Simultaneously with the work on the creation of a nuclear explosive device, (click here) Ukraine has actively engaged in potential means of delivery of nuclear weapons, a Russian official told RIA Novosti.

"In parallel, work was underway in the country to modernize existing and create new missile weapons that can be used as a means of delivering nuclear weapons," the representative said.

He stressed that at the same time, Kiev "covers" most of the developments with the implementation of joint projects with other countries, RT New reported...