I am

 I am an aging white American who graduated with honors from a military academy in the USA in 1967. I served as an intelligence office and came to believe the war there was inadequately justified. Back then I was very disenchanted with the American military and American politics. Albert Gore, Sr. had helped me gain an honorable discharge from the Air Force and later sent me a personal note to not lose faith in America. I listened and went on to serve as a senior scientist at an Air Force research laboratory. More recently, I have seen a number of honorable acts by military leaders but am seeing continuing self-serving politicians distort truth, justice and the American way. With regard to the previous occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue leading the AGC – American Gullibility Campaign – I came to believe that at least a third of Americans were simply stupid. How could they believe the lies and distortions and praise of enemies of truth, justice and the American way? How? Even members of my own family who no longer speak to me! I began to understand Socrates’ disdain for the hoi polloi … the crowd … the common people who seem so uncommonly stupid … how can they live with themselves and the lies? How? But then that false leader was not re-elected and my faith in the American people began to return … slowly and only slightly. There are still too many dissemblers and dividers in American society. What can one do?

Now there is an unjustified war in Ukraine, based on lies and distortions; and so many in Russia seem to believe the lies and distortions. How can people be so stupid, ignorant, self-serving, greedy, and inhumane? How is that possible? What can be done to end the suffering? End the invasion. Stand up to terrorists wherever they appear … Is it not time to act to preserve the life and liberty of Ukrainians? What I have come to believe is that Putin is far more evil than #45 but then things can easily go awry here in the land of the frequent flyers and the home of the brazen. It can happen here, yet we are not doing enough to save Ukraine. And I wonder what can I do?

Mike Spector

April 2022