The Ukrainian Omen
What Americans Should Learn from the Russians
This is another entry in Civic Way’s journal on current issues, and their relevance to our democracy, governance and future. The author, Bob Melville, is the founder of Civic Way, a nonprofit dedicated to good government, and a management consultant with over 45 years of experience improving public agencies.
Ambrose Bierce once wrote, “War is God's way of teaching Americans geography.”
The war in Ukraine has indeed taught us much, not just about geography, but about the ruthlessness of dictatorship, allure of independence and valor—and savagery—of humanity.
Perhaps war is God’s way of reminding us to resolve our differences without violence.
Watching the war in Ukraine from afar, most of us are stirred by the Ukrainians, their noble independence, their devotion to democracy, their defiance in the face of overwhelming odds. Most of us also are shaken by the tragic suffering of the Ukrainian people, the unfathomable devastation of their cities, the barbaric destruction of their homes, the rape, torture and execution of civilians.
So much about the Ukrainian story has left us dazed. The unprovoked attack. The failure of the Russian military to prevail quickly and conclusively. The death of 10,000 Russian soldiers and untold loss of military hardware. The valiant resistance of the Ukrainian defenders. The revival of a once-frayed NATO alliance. Perhaps even a historical game-changer—what the Germans call “Zeitenwende.”
Perhaps as stunning has been the growing support of the Russian people for Putin and his bloody, unprovoked attack. According to one of Russia’s most respected pollsters, Putin’s approval rating has leapt from 69 percent to 83 percent since January (Joe Biden should be so lucky). Citizens have started snitching on their neighbors. Protests have been smothered and journalists jailed, but government crackdowns can only explain so much.
Why such blind allegiance? One reason is a syndrome that seems increasingly familiar here.
Too many Russians are isolated, dependent on one source—Kremlin-controlled TV—for their news. Limited to government propaganda, most don’t ask questions. Most cannot see their government’s cruelty. Most seem incapable of thinking for themselves.
Sadly, too many Americans are following suit. Relying on one source of information—not by force, but by choice. Adopting the opinions of others without skepticism. Buying insane conspiracy theories without question. Accepting lies and absurdities as facts that confirm their biases.
We will never be without those who would manipulate us, from both the right and left of the political spectrum. The isolationists supporting Putin’s war blame the West for provoking Putin. Some, like Tucker Carlson or Candace Owens blame Ukraine, even promoting weird conspiracy theories about secret global cabals and bioweapons labs.
Of course, we should be disgusted by such lies. We should refuse to be “tread on” by self-serving politicians and mouthpieces peddling slander in the guise of “just asking.” We should resist those who would manipulate and divide us.
Of course, we should seek ways to show our support for the Ukrainian people. Their bravery deserves nothing less. Their fight for democracy there is a fight for democracy here.
And what can we do to protect democracy here? We can preserve everyone’s right to vote. We can make voting as simple and reliable as possible. We can accept the results of fair elections.
Even more important, we can cherish our freedom. Expose ourselves to other media outlets. Listen to those with different opinions. Reject fearmongering and demagoguery. Challenge our biases. Ask questions. Demand truth.
Think for ourselves.