Putin’s Plunder
To Mr. Putin:
News of Kyiv is being heard a lot. And it moves me, for my mother was born in Kyiv. When she was 3 years old she came to the U.S. in her mother’s arms. My father came from the Ukraine or German-Polish border. Mr. Putin, you are a bully and a thief, stealing from Ukraine. Russia is rich with territorial land, oil, uranium and plutonium, yet you steal.
In the past, your country robbed me, my mother and my entire family of any inheritance. My grandparents, whom I never knew, had wealth, acreage, house and farm and a working mill in Kyiv. My parents did not like to talk about pogroms (mother’s family) or the Holocaust (father’s family). My mother’s family was forced to leave Russia, their homeland. Many relatives were kept behind for slave labor.
As a result, my sisters, brothers and I grew up in poverty and had to go into the streets at 12 years old to find work when it could be found. I have forgiven Germany for evil. Germany gave thousands of dollars to Holocaust victims, but Russia gave nothing to pogrom victims.
In comparison, the small country of Israel occupied border territories, now given back. Israel had to build border settlements to protect itself from rocket attacks, air strikes and terrorists, as well as accommodate Jews and others pouring in from other countries to live there. Does anyone want to live in Russia? Mr. Putin, I hear of Russian citizens trying to escape Russia at the risk of losing their lives. Are you paying Ukrainians for their confiscated land? And furthermore, you caused markets to fall all over the world, creating more poverty and higher gas prices.
The U.S. returned to the American Indians land and the opportunity to build money-making casinos. The once powerful England gave up its dominions to formerly conquered countries, many now having independent governments. You give nothing and you will never achieve your goals. Russia will never become a great country, for you are immoral, unethical and diabolical.
I saw your eyes on a TV close-up. I saw the eyes of a madman, mad with power, without fear and heartless. The U.S. taught your country democracy. Your citizens were eager to adopt it. Do you intend to be an example to Ukrainians and other European countries you might plan to take over?
Do you not wish your country to be considered with respect with you as an honorable leader who sets an example for developing countries? Do you care what the world thinks of you and Russia?
It is said evil has no conscience. I know the Russians are a soulful, spiritual people. Search yourself. Is this how you want to go down in history? Give Ukraine back to the Ukrainians, and while you’re at it, return my lost, confiscated inheritance. Pull out of Ukraine and you will be thought of as a free human being who had the courage and strength to change plans. Then the world will hail you.
Your statement on the news said the “U.S. goes into other countries all the time.” I believe that the U.S. does this to teach democracy and to teach citizens free government with voting rights without dictators or tyrants. Do you intend the same?
Hannah Lurie
Laguna Woods, Calif.
The author was a long-time resident Spray Beach until her home was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy.