While its been a while since I posted, the current war between Russia and Ukraine has been interesting. I played hockey in 1991 and 1992 in both countries and have done consulting work in eastern Russia and have just completed an assignment for a Ukrainian CEO on a project here in the USA. The people of both countries are absolutely wonderful, kind, hospitable and are people that are warm and kindhearted which you would love to call friends.
But then, during my career and international travels, that is what I have found out about almost all the people in the different countries I have met. Most people are just looking to be able to make a comfortable living, to provide for their families and to make an easier life for their sons and daughters and grandchildren. They generally love good food, good people and try to show outsiders the wonderful things about their culture, their history, and their communities. Over the years, I have found that my interactions with other people groups only to enrich me as a person and help me understand that, even as diverse people, we are all valuable despite any geographical, governmental, or political divisions or differences we may have.
I also have come to understand that while the Ukrainians and Russians histories have been greatly intertwined, they also have definite and distinct differences. Which is part of the root of the current conflict. It is my belief that it is not for any group to try to force their political leanings or ideals upon one another but to let individual groups decide for themselves the direction and values to pass on to their further generations.
Remember that Putin is an ex-KGB thug and bully assigned to a mid-level post in East Germany at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I was in Berlin a few weeks afterwards and saw, first hand, the kind-heartiness of both the East and West Berliners and how much they were really joined together as one people. I also saw in their resentment for the Russian occupiers and forced oppression from which they were liberated.
Apparently, Putin with his East Germany KGB assignment never realized the wonderful cultural difference between the people of Russia and East Germany. But then again, his task as a mid-level bully and operative for the KGB was to ensure the culturally different people group (Germans) obeyed and submitted to Russian doctrines and values. It is a shame that he did not discover the oneness of the German people and respect their differences but he just followed his orders required for the position to make sure the East Germans gave him and Russian troops the respect and honor due to their hierarchical societal position. This doesn’t surprise me because again in my travels, the most hostile and inhospitable people I have met always tend to be government Bureaucrats that hold themselves and their politics above the lowly masses they should be serving. They tend to think the “peasants” exist to make their lives easier for them and their families rather than the other way around.
What I see from American television and in discussions with a few Ukrainians, is that Mr. Putin is of the old 1989 KGB mindset of: you will “assimilate or else” and “resistance is futile”. In “Star Trek the Next Generation”, we see a parallel to what appears to be the mindset of Putin in the BORG. One quote in the series (from an episode in 1996 I think) sums up the BORG: “we will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.” This is exactly how I view what Putin is telling the Ukrainians – that they should be grateful, to lay down their arms and again assimilate as part of Russia and service the Russian people.
Vladimir Putin – it is my opinion that the destiny, values, and future of the Ukrainian people should be determined by the Ukrainian people not by you or the Russian Oligarchs. If they wish to align with Russia that is fine. If not, let them make that choice. Ultimately, the BORG was destroyed by freedom fighters in Star Trek and, history always shows that the will of the people (or the workers using Russian terminology) always will eventually triumph. The Ukrainians wish to be governed on the terms they decide and not the terms of foreigners. As eventually with Hugh of the Borg, the Ukrainians understand that they are individuals and not third of five in a collective.
Mr. Putin, get a grip on reality. You are not in the 1980’s and enter into the 2020’s. In the USA the old guard Republicans pine for a return to the 1950’s and the old guard Democrats’ view the country as they are still living in the 1960’s. Ultimately the world will be a lot safer and enjoyable place if all of you would realize that world has changed since then tremendously and try enter into the 2020’s. The 2020’s is a lot more exciting, promising, and easier place to live in and has it has a brighter future for our families than back in the good old days of the past.