Ukraines borders have changed over the last 100 years

Here are maps about recent elections in Ukraine.  It's obvious that Yanukuvych is the preferred candidate in Eastern Ukraine, but not in Western or central  Ukraine.  The so-called revolution was the removal of the elected Yanukovych from office, another election with Zelensky being elected.  Russia considers this a coup de tat and thinks Yanukovyich is the authentic President.  

Redrawing Ukraine to 1991 borders does not sound in Russia's interest.  Perhaps redrawing back to 1654 borders would be agreeable to Russia.  Don't forget, Russia is obtaining closer ties with Belarus.  This war will only end with substantial adjustment to Ukraine's borders. 

The borders of Ukraine have changed during the 20th century.  Kiev was historically considered a Russian city centuries ago.  Borders in Europe seem to change frequently.  Borders historically have been open for diplomacy, and of course war (which is diplomacy by other means). 

Americans do not understand Europe.  

 Art Carney, Academy Award Winner actor, in a Twilight Zone episode about Christmas..  He is a department store Santa who is a drunk, depressed about the pain and suffering of  life.  Somehow  a miracle happens: he actually becomes Santa, his spirituality is consistent with the Christmas spirit.  Anyway, it's a great episode, shows his acting ability.  Reminds me of a time I took my sons to a Christmas service in Germantown Tennessee, the minister makes some comments about how some "people" only attend church on Christmas.  Really pissed me off; some marginally literate guy, I am sure intellectually shallow, has to INSULT someone who attends church on Christmas eve!  The rest of the year, Mr. Minister, the church teaches us how we are born in sin (we pop out of the womb and we are sinners screwed!) and we hear about how god has sacrificed for us (hey, he can try being a human sapiens on earth!) and we are exposed to those horrible medieval hymns accompanied by an organ (only one way to play an organ and that is LOUD) because the organ used to be the loudest sound medieval people could ever hear (the sound of GOD).  Christmas eve is the only time of the year that presents the ethics of Jesus of Nazareth - if it was Christmas year-

round I would attend church more often!

Bobby Kennedy the movie, at the Ambassador Hotel

 Bobby (2006) - IMDb

Great film with all star cast lots of cameos.  One character is the bus boy we meet at the beginning of the movie.  Turns out, he is the one who kneels next to Bobby after he is shot, holding him, staring up at camera with grief. Juan Romero, the busboy,placed a rosary in Bobby's hand.Bobby asked, "is everyone ok?" Juan said yes, everything will be ok.  Bobby lost consciousness.

Beautiful coming of age movie about teen girl

 My Old Ass (2024) - IMDb

such a beautiful movie about how a teen girl learned to appreciate her family, mom and dad and siblings. At the same time she falls in love even though she knows it will be heart break. 

The acting was great, especially Aubrey Plaza

Traumatized child from WWII

 This child is named "Tereska," and she was photographed while at a facility for homeless children post war Poland.  She is from Roman Catholic family, father member of underground, tortured by Gestapo  Her family home bombed by Ukranians working with the fascist Germans to put down Warsaw rebellion. The task she was give was to draw a picture of her "home."  Unfortunately things did not improve for Tereska: she remained in mental health facilities (hell holes probably) and died in 1978 after choking on a sausage she stole from another patient. 

She is just one of millions of children whose lives were destroyed in the 20th century.  Children continue to be traumatized in conflict around the world: Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Syrian, West Bank, Gaza, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, central American counties, the list is so long....

Dialectical Materialism class in Cluj, Romania 1951. What a happy picture!!!

 This is a college class in dialectical materialism taught by Pavel Apostol at Victor Babes University in Kluj, Romania 1951.  I would think the students would be smiling at the knowledge that history will march forth and create socialist paradise all over the world.  Then again, Romania was recovering from WWII when they sided with Fascist Germany, actually had troops at the battle of Stalingrad fighting the Marxist Leninists.  Then Romania changed sides and fought with the Allies.  Then Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin decided that Romania would be under USSR influence when the war ended. Maybe that is why these students appear to be so depressed.  When I first saw this picture I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair!

I see a resemblance. Rep Matt Gaeta and Butthead

 

Damn good beer! Kramer drinking smoking, blowing smoke rings belching and screaming

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=kramer+drinking+and+smoking&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS750US750&oq=kramer+drinking+and+&aqs=chrome.0.35i39j69i57j0l2j0i22i30l2.11004j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Solar Orbital November 2020 more than 1 1/2 times the distance to the sun

As Carl Sagan said in 1994, upon viewing a picture of earth from Voyager 1 as it was leaving the solar system:

"Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives," he wrote.

"The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilisation, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every 'superstar,' every 'supreme leader,' every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam."

Imma dreamin of a White Christmas

 Here is what is missing from the Trump supporters most recent Christmas, a K Mart Christmas sound track. Remember the Blue Light Specials?  

Here it is for your 1970's enjoyment, K Mart Christmas official sound track.

This is so depressing...

Gwyneth Paltrow's Vagina explodes

 

A woman who won "This smells like my vagina" candle created by Gwyneth Paltrow exploded almost setting a house on fire. "The candle exploded and emitted huge flames, with bits flying everywhere," Jody Thompson, 50, told the news.

"That was one hot vagina," said Fire Marshal Bill.

Trump releases bats on day of 2nd impeachment

 Donald Trump released thousands of bats in response to his 2nd impeachment vote by Congress.  He also hired a sky writer to release smoke in the sky that read "SURRENDER BIDEN"

Steve McQueen's Mantra

 

Steve McQueen's Mantra: "I decide what is right and what is wrong and I don't have to explain it to anybody. I like women but I'm a little afraid of them. I'm not gonna make a commitment because if you make a commitment to a woman they can hurt you. I won't pick a fight with you but if you pick a fight with me or back me into a corner I will fucking kill you."

Colt Clark and the Quarantine Kids play "Monster Mash"

Colt Clark and the Quarantine Kids

Reality if for people who can't face drugs. Tom Waits.

Reality is for people who can't face drugs. Tom Waits.

President Kanye West on Mt. Rushmore

Yes it's Yeezy on Mt. Rushmore.  He has decided even before the election results that he will be on Mt. Rushmore.  I am surprised that his Presidential quest has not generated more publicity.  It would  have been great having him in the Democratic primary, even better in the Republican primary.  

Actually I think Mt Rushmore should be detonated.  It literally belonged to native Americans when it was sculpted. The Black Hills should be returned to what it once was when the treaty was passed by Congress.

"Come and See," anti war film from CCCP (Soviet Union) 1985

This is supposedly the scariest movie ever made, and it is based on fact, not fiction.

The film details a young boy's experience in Belarus during "Operation Barbarossa," the German invasion of Russia.

The Criterion Channel has it.  Criterion is $9.99 monthly.  They have great films, including Ingmar Bergman films.

Testament of Youth

How could I have missed this movie?!!!  Just saw it on Starz and it appeared to be the usual WWI movie, boy goes off to war, sweetheart makes do at home. But then.....it derailed.  It became very intense.  The acting is incredible. Sadness permeates the film.  It is really a testament to peace.

I just ordered the book, first published in 1933.  Ironic, Since another war was just developing in Europe.  Maybe that is why Vera Brittain wrote it.  I just ordered a recent copy from Amazon, about $15 paperback.  First Edition will run you $800 + .  Might be worth it.

The cinematography was perfect. Beautiful scenes. I ordered the book, a must read.  I also noticed that Vera Brittain authored another book, about Britain from 1939-1941.  Here are some scenes.

One more beautiful song from our friend John Prine

"You've broken the speed of the sound of loneliness.."

John Prine is going to heaven! We will miss you forever.

Bye John  You raised consciousness for more people than you can imagine.  And when I think of you and feel blue, I will play this video