(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .
Letter to the editor: my Ukraine analogy [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-03-11
A Purely Hypothetical Scenario...
You've been living peacefully in your rural community for some time, when out of the blue your neighbor Vlad begins knocking down your fences, cutting down your trees, and moving a bunch of his stuff onto your property; essentially taking over a significant portion of it. He even starts dumping his trash on what used to be your garden area; always armed to the teeth and threatening violence.
Repeated warnings, fines, and legal injunctions have had no impact.
So you turn to the newly elected Sheriff Krasnof for help. You figure since Krasnof is Vlad's former business partner, he might be able to convince him to withdraw and desist.
When Krasnof arrives, he states emphatically that by the end of the day he intends to put an end to the conflict, once and for all.
So he arranges a meeting - privately with Vlad - to negotiate a peace plan.
He then presents you with the proposal they have agreed to:
A declaration that both sides are at fault, but with an admission on your part that if you had been less confrontational, and more willing to placate your neighbor, it would not have come to this.
Vlad is to keep those areas he has already confiscated, but will provisionally cease any further appropriation.
There are to be no more provocations from anyone, but most notably from you, or any member of your family, as this would threaten the peace.
The cost of cleaning up the debris from the downed trees and smashed fences will be split 50/50. Also 50% of the value of the remaining trees on your property will be put in a trust, controlled by the Sheriff's Dept, for safekeeping.
Vlad reserves the right to negotiate additional conditions, as he sees fit, to preserve the peace down the road.
Noting the stunned look on your face, Krasnof reminds you that...
"All the land in these here parts once belonged to your neighbor's family, so returning some of it to the original owners does make sense, if you think about it."
Recovering your composure somewhat, you respond...
"Are you out of your f@cking mind!? I'm not going to agree to any of that, it's an outrage! Whatever happened to the rule of law, let alone what's morally and ethically right?!"
Sheriff Krasnof, his demeanor growing increasingly dark, then admonishes you for your outburst and lack of gratitude, suggesting that maybe you're not really interested in peace after all.
He then issues a warning...
"If you persist with your antagonism, and refuse to accept the peace plan, you'll be on your own... the Sheriff's department will no longer be responsible for what happens."
"Peace or no peace, it's all up to you", he says as he heads for the door.
"If you change your mind, you can reach me at Vlad's."
[END]
---
[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/11/2309511/-Letter-to-the-editor-my-Ukraine-analogy?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web
Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.
via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/
