We’re facing an FDR moment in Ukraine

Love those penguin cookies

The Front Page

Morning Update

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

By Ken Tingley

On December 29, 1940 - almost a full year before Pearl Harbor - President Franklin Roosevelt warned the country in a radio address that our national security was at risk.

“The Nazi masters of Germany have made it clear that they intend not only to dominate all life and thought in their own country, but also to enslave the whole of Europe, and then to use the resources of Europe to dominate the rest of the world,” Roosevelt said.

England was fighting for its lives at the time and France had already fallen.

“This is not a fireside chat on war. It is a talk on national security,” Roosevelt continued. “Because the nub of the whole purpose of your President is to keep you now; and your children later, and your grandchildren much later, out of a last-ditch war for the preservation of American independence and all of the things that American independence means to you and to me and to ours.”

Consider the reference to a “last-ditch war.”

My wife and I were halfway through a film on Roosevelt’s wife at Hyde Park last week when we were told how FDR tried to warn the country about appeasing Germany. It sounded like current events. This was what the world was facing today.

It has been a confusing time to be an American these past few years. We’ve lost respect for each other and many of us believe there are two visions for our country that are diametrically opposed. But at the heart of both visions should be our belief in freedom.

What is happening in Ukraine at the hands of Russia is an abomination and an attack on the freedoms of a democratic country. We should understand that better than any other people. While it is understandable few of us want to spill American blood to protect the Ukrainian people, how long can we watch the carnage and wonder if there will eventually be a “last-ditch war” anyway.

I’m shocked to be writing those words. I believed the world and its most ruthless leaders had learned the lessons of World War II and the benefits of living in peace.

Apparently, I was wrong.

“60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Sunday night. It is an interview we all  should see. It is the warning that that we are again seeing appeasement.

Consider that Zelenskyy told the United Nations Security Council that if it couldn’t provide security, they shouldn’t exist.

“When you are (working) at diplomacy, there are no results,” Zelenskyy told Pelley. “All this is very bureaucratic. That’s why the way I’m talking to them is absolutely justifiable. I don’t have any more lives (to give). I don’t have any more emotions. I’m no longer interested in their diplomacy that leads to the destruction of my country. A lot of countries have changed their mind about Ukraine and about our people. But I think we’ve paid too high a price for that.”

All you have to do is look at the images from Ukraine to know he is right.

“We are defending the ability of a person to live in the modern world. We are defending the right to live,” Zelenskyy told Pelley. I never thought this right was so costly. These are human values. So that Russia doesn’t choose what we should do and how I’m exercising my rights. That right was given to me by God and my parents.”

No wonder, the Ukrainian people are rallying around him.

Maybe because I’m i my 60s now, but I believe the rest of the world must do more to stand up to Putin and Russia - now.

Just like in 1940, the storm clouds of war are coming and it will eventually be a national security issue for us. We need to stop it now before more Ukrainians die and others in Europe follow.

In a speech to NATO, Zelenskyy said, “All the people who die will die because of you, because of your weakness.”

He also issued a stern rebuke to the West.

“When you (have the ability to) close the sky - yes it’s scary, that a world war could start, it’s scary. I understand (that). And I can not put pressure on these people because everyone is afraid of war,” Zelenskyy continued. “But whether the world is responsible for this, I believe so, yes. I believe so. Stand in front of the mirror every day and ask yourself, were you able to do something? Or were you unable to do something? You will find the answer in the mirror to this question, and to another question - who are you? That’s what I believe.”

The question now for us is: Who are we?

Continuing education

SUNY Adirondack has a continuing education lunch and lecture series for adults and seniors. I’ve been asked to be one of the speakers on April 26 and about 30 have signed up for the event.

I had never heard of the event before. I’ve been told it drew a larger crowd before Covid, but event organizers at the college believe many are still hesitant to go out in a group setting.

I’m looking forward to the event - and I have had my second booster - so for more information, check here.

Spread the word

So many of you continue to share your encouragement for my writing. I ask you to share the link with your friends and urge them to subscribe. Every writer wants a large and loyal following and my newsletter continues to grow.

To subscribe to the newsletter and get my column in your email, here is the link. Please share with your friends and colleagues.

Love those penguins

Every once in awhile a reader goes above and beyond the call of duty. After writing a piece on Fort Ann’s Patrick Barber and his flirtation with running for Congress locally, I got a little surprise in the mail.

Patrick had obviously been reading my column about my love of penguins. He delivered some personally designed penguin cookies who read the “Polar Star” and have “press passes.”

The cookies were delicious - although I like looking at them too much to eat them all. The kind thought was appreciated.

Tweet of the Day



Susan Baldwin 🌊🌊🌊 @susanvotesblue

This beautiful young lady has big brass balls and I love her for it! She must have opened her jacket right before they snapped the photo 😂.