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CNN’s Chance: These Russians Did Not Die Because of Hate

CNN’s Chance: These Russians Did Not Die Because of Hate

As I cruised through the morning news, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” was doing their usual slanted political gossip – and their everything-is-about-Trump spin.  FOX was focusing on the bravery and the impressive successes of the Ukrainian force – and the collapse of the Ruble (good analysis by Larry Kudlow).

But it was CNN that had the most impacting coverage of the Russian invasion.  War correspondent Mathew Chance was reporting from a bridge where Ukrainian forces had stopped the advance of Putin’s military.  Correction: They did not “stop” the advance, they destroyed the Russian unit.

Chance walked along the debris-filled bridge.  He was the only human being to be seen on camera – at least the only living human being.  He walked past tanks and launch vehicles that were in a condition between ripped apart or crumpled.  They were almost unrecognizable.

Among the debris were pieces of metal, weapons and unused grenades — AND BODIES.  Bodies of dead Russian soldiers.  Even Chance seemed to get a bit emotional in seeing the dead bodies.  I did.  It was a powerful – albeit strange — moment to feel the sadness of seeing enemy soldiers dead.  It reminded me of how Lincoln felt about the Confederate dead at Gettysburg.

They did not die on that bridge because they hated the Ukrainians – or because the Ukrainians hated them. The Russians were not like the Nazi storm troopers or SS units – who were bred to be pathological killers.  They did not want to be there. They were young men who wanted to live in peace at home with their loved ones. They died there because, yet another megalomaniacal madman had pushed his malignant dream of an empire into a war – killing combatants and civilians alike.  Forcing two groups of soldiers into a bloody conflict that neither side wanted.

It occurred to me that the CNN report – those images – should be seen in every part of the world.  They should be seen in the west to show the power of the Ukraine military and resistance movements.  To inspire further support for the Ukrainian cause.

In a previous commentary, I have called for a major effort to show the Russian people the human cost of Putin’s war.  Show the Russians their dead young men.  The CNN report would be an ideal example of the price the Russian people are paying for the Madman of Moscow’s war.  The CNN footage should be spread through as much as the Russian media as possible –including social media.  It should be hacked into every communication platform in Russia – as hackers did in sending anti-war messages through a government-run television station.

What made Chance’s report so powerful was the fact that there was no analysis – no back story.  He reported what he saw. He reported what happened on the bridge.  The imagery needed no further explanation. 

There is also a great discomfort in considering what happened on that bridge.  Because as long as Putin is willing to force his nation’s young men and women into his unholy war – and as sad as the images on that bridge may be – one feels a sense of self-depravity in hoping that we will see more of those outcomes – more of those images — until the battles are over.

So, there ‘tis.

About The Author

Larry Horist

So, there ‘tis… The opinions, perspectives and analyses of businessman, conservative writer and political strategist Larry Horist. Larry has an extensive background in economics and public policy. For more than 40 years, he ran his own Chicago based consulting firm. His clients included such conservative icons as Steve Forbes and Milton Friedman. He has served as a consultant to the Nixon White House and travelled the country as a spokesman for President Reagan’s economic reforms. Larry professional emphasis has been on civil rights and education. He was consultant to both the Chicago and the Detroit boards of education, the Educational Choice Foundation, the Chicago Teachers Academy and the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts. Larry has testified as an expert witness before numerous legislative bodies, including the U. S. Congress, and has lectured at colleges and universities, including Harvard, Northwestern and DePaul. He served as Executive Director of the City Club of Chicago, where he led a successful two-year campaign to save the historic Chicago Theatre from the wrecking ball. Larry has been a guest on hundreds of public affairs talk shows, and hosted his own program, “Chicago In Sight,” on WIND radio. An award-winning debater, his insightful and sometimes controversial commentaries have appeared on the editorial pages of newspapers across the nation. He is praised by audiences for his style, substance and sense of humor. Larry retired from his consulting business to devote his time to writing. His books include a humorous look at collecting, “The Acrapulators’ Guide”, and a more serious history of the Democratic Party’s role in de facto institutional racism, “Who Put Blacks in That PLACE? -- The Long Sad History of the Democratic Party’s Oppression of Black Americans ... to This Day”. Larry currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

5 Comments

  1. John J

    Putin is no better than Hitler

  2. Frank stetson

    What, it’s not Biden‘s fault? Good story Larry and hopefully news like this will break through Putin‘s news black out.

    This is why I am glad Biden made the choices he made. I just don’t want to put our kids in harms way until we have no other choice. As in, if Putin does decide to go outside the borders of Ukraine, we will be forced to enter the war, upfront and personal.

    There also seems to be some of the Russian provado going on like at the end of the Cold War where we got quite surprised that their technology and military was so inadequate. Not that they are a force to be reckoned with, but I just don’t think they’re technology is even close to ours.

    One other thing I wonder is, with all the Trump weapons provided, and all the Biden weapons provided, since we all knew that Russia was the main opponent they were going to face, why didn’t we give them some missiles that were capable of hitting Russia? I mean I would just love to see Ukraine toss something that went into downtown Russia somewhere. I mean it’s not like Putin’s going to get more upset. Why not really bring it home to the Russian people.

    I’m also amazed about all the press that still in Moscow. It seems that whether they like it or not, Russia is much more part of the world today than it was in the cold war.

    Larry has said he doesn’t matter, what Biden has done, but the ruble has collapsed, the stock market has collapsed, sure the oligarchs are not going to go broke tomorrow, but they certainly must be questioning what Putin is doing and what the results are actually going to mean for them.

    The problem is that Putin may be mad, there certainly doesn’t seem to be a viable offramp for him, and ultimately he will win. We may have them in a box, but I’m not sure we can ever do more than that. There were some thought from the beginning that the mothers in Russia have stopped war before and perhaps they will stop this one. We can only pray. Oh, for one, don’t like to see anyone’s children dying for no other reason than one man and his beliefs, whatever the fuck they are.

  3. Tommie

    Well I never thought that I would be giving CNN Kudos!!! Good job!!!!

  4. AC

    Larry,
    Finally, you see objective first hand reporting and must admit objectivity is vastly more impressive than partisan commentators’ spin. Bare facts laid out settles debates quickly and efficiently. Information details passed on are subject to journalist hacks dropping vital parts of the story as fictional versions amplify some political troupe
    That you picked up on CNN’s story is admirable information sourcing. It’s, also, surprising you credited the network for their report giving an objective fact based true picture. They said it’s it was, an unnecessary human tragedy instigated by a megalomaniac insane with ambition for control power at any cost.
    He has no real human skin in the game or a personal on the scene battlefield perspective. But, if he did, it’s doubtful his strategy would be affected. Putin’s talk is untrustworthy. Actions bear out his intentions and KGB training and practice prove he is ruthless in dealing with people and powers standing in the path toward his objective.
    I hope Putin’s aggression it stopped and his forces withdrawn. The greatest fear is the most likely prospect, Russian forces will be commanded to continue its advance with increasing momentum. The situation worsens hour by hour with human and humanitarian casualties piling up along the way. And for no purpose, other than one man’s vain glory
    The common Russian citizen does not want war, but made unaware by Putin’s propaganda machine. No one butPutin will benefit from Ukraine being decimated.
    This time belief in Biden is being tested. I question the advice given that he has all the input necessary and required making critical decisions, potentially history changing command decisions. But, up to this point and Putin not apparently concerned by sanctions and world leaders’ disapproval. The whole world watches hoped, and prays for a cessation to the conflict. An end to fighting in Ukraine saving the country further anguish and its sovereign nation status.
    To much for hoped and prayers being realized?
    Probably, the big bully in the region has targeted the little guy neighbor. Looks bad for the little guy.
    It’s hardly a fair fight. The bully plays by his own slippery and changing rules in an unrefereed grudge match. A no holds barred street fight with the bully sending in a substitute for his part.
    Will another come to the aid of the little guy? If not and the little guy gets knocked out, then another little guy will be next? After the next gets put down, then which of the little guys still standing follows the same trend?
    It’s steal test of NATO, its resolve and unity strength. But, will it, should it lend full military strength to aid Ukraine? Are worse and deeper non military actions available against Putin’s assets, resources, and material support?
    Officials more in the know on this and advisors to the president, they hold the key, not you me.
    IMO, if he had won a second term, Trump and his cronies would not have a plan for Putin starting the
    war with Ukraine. And, Putin was going to attack Ukraine at this time after the Olympics with out regard for who was the US president.

    ,

    • larry Horist

      Ac … you seem to value objectivity but do not show a lot of it. I write from an objective standpoint. I have criticized Trump when I thought such criticism was warranted from my conservative perspective. I have written a lot about my disdain for his personality. But which of my trolls has objectively said anything positive about Trump or my writings — until this one. I have challenged the trolls to name five things that Trump did that they liked …. crickets. I have even listed a bunch of things I thought were good policies. Still not responses from the folks who claim to respect objectivity. You only seem to see objectivity when you agree with what I write.