PORTRAIT OF A DEFEATED MAN
He’s suddenly turning old before our eyes. He’s made the most catastrophic mistake of his life – so catastrophic it has destroyed his country. Worse, there is a part of him that realizes he has the soul of an inhuman monster. His soul is being eaten alive from the inside out. You can see it in his eyes.
He knows he’s lost. He’s down to ordering his soldiers to murder children. What happens now?
MADEIRA MAGIC
There may no island of more astonishing beauty and more ideal climate than Madeira, nor a place of more idyllic peace, where the rest of the world and its calamities are far, far away. Yet it’s not far at all from the US, a few hours’ flight across the Atlantic from the East Coast.
Here is where Winston Churchill came, to relax, paint, and escape from the woes of war.
Here is where you can simply enjoy life in blissful beauty – if you join me in our exploration of Atlantic Paradises, June 24 to July 2. Look at the pictures, ponder the value of what you’ll see, do, and experience. I hope I’ll be hearing a, “Hey, Jack, I’m in!” from you soon.
KEEPING YOUR SANITY BY HONORING THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENT
A marriage, a friendship, a close family relationship; all of our important relationships are built on countless moments, innumerable interactions that either build qualities of trust, joy, and respect - or undermine those qualities.
I want to show you what is arguably the most important moment for building a trusting, satisfying, loving relationship.
We can often think that what makes a difference in a romantic relationship, or our relationship with our kids, or other friends and relatives, are the big things; the romantic getaway for the weekend, or the great gift that we buy. But there is a moment that packs more leverage, more meaning, and more potential for doing good – or harm – than almost any other:
UKRAINE HAS WON AND PUTIN HAS LOST
The fate of a Russian column trying to enter Kyiv (3/01)
Against all the odds, Ukraine has won this war militarily. It has won because it has fought bravely and skillfully and now there is nothing Russia can do to change the political and social structure of the country.
Putin has lost big time and all he does now will create more damage against his own country than he can deliver against Ukraine. But it is unclear if he realizes or even cares about the mess Russia is in.
The destruction and murder of civilians goes on day and night, in Kharkiv and other cities, because like a petulant ex-lover, Putin wants to destroy Ukraine. It is an “if I cannot have her no-one will attitude.” But he has been jilted – it is over for him.
THE GOOD OLD DAYS
FLASHBACK FRIDAY – QARI BABA
Afghanistan, 1984. Yes, that’s me with the legendary Qari Baba, Commander of the Harakat Mujahaddin waging a war of liberation against the Red Army of the Soviet Union – and my dear friend. I told him he looked like a combination of Genghiz Khan and Buddha, and he couldn’t stop laughing. We had so many extraordinary experiences together – like blowing up the Soviet High Command of Bala Hissar in Ghazni.
After the war was won with the final Soviet retreat in February, 1989, Qari Baba became the Governor of Ghazi Province. Then Pakistani Intelligence (ISI) created the Taliban to seize control of the country. Qari Baba had to take up arms anew against them. In March of 2006, he was assassinated by a Taliban hit team on orders from the ISI. I will never ever forget him. (Glimpses of Our Breathtaking World #111 photo ©Jack Wheeler)
HALF-FULL REPORT 03/04/22
Well, of course he is. He’s the world’s pariah, the most despised human on Earth now – especially with his troops bombing then seizing Europe’s largest nuclear power plant last night (3/03). Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted the hopes of countless millions all over the world:
This set a lot of folks’ hair on fire. Yet it’s become common. On Tuesday (3/01), Issues & Insights declared: Putin Must Go.
“Word has come tumbling out that Russian Vladimir Putin is descending into madness. Is it too much to ask true Russian patriots to rid the world of this tyrant before he does further damage?”Indeed, he looks so bad these days the Daily Mail is calling him Flabby-mir Putin: Russia's President Vladimir looks bloated and ashen in meeting as pressure of his Ukrainian invasion takes its toll on his appearance.
Before we go any further, take a moment for a quick read on why Ukraine Has Won and Putin Has Lost by British military expert Glen Grant on TTP earlier today.
Okay, with all that understood, let’s talk about the opportunities amidst the dangers of Putin’s war, and the damage this war is going to do to the Democrat Party.
THE HANI RICE TERRACES
The Hani people in the mountains of Yunnan have been carving out rice terraces on dozens of steep mountainsides for over a dozen centuries. After the late fall harvest, in winter they flood the terraces in preparation for spring planting. At sunrise and sunset, the light reflecting off them creates a scene of phantasmagorical surrealism. Unknowingly, the Hani have created one of humanity’s most magnificent works of natural art the world has ever seen. What you see here is only one of hundreds of terraced areas. It is a sight beyond belief. Glimpses of Our Breathtaking World #156 Photo ©Jack Wheeler)
MAD DOG PUTIN
Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin in Sochi, January 21, 2007
Many observers are questioning the mental health of Vladimir Putin these days, and for very good reason. After all, what kind of leader engages in such brute activity toward the people of a neighboring country who have done nothing to earn his savage rage?
Yes, what sort of man?
It is high time that I publicly share a story about Putin that I’ve shared with my students for several years now, since it was first told to me. I’m publishing it here for the first time. He is Mad Dog Putin indeed.
SKYE’S LINKS 03/03/22
Russian army eating dirt:
The Javelin Is Wrecking Putin's Army -- Here's How the Anti-Tank Weapon Works
Turkish drones killing Russian soldiers in the Ukraine:
Turkish Drones Playing Key Role in Ukraine
Wow – that was quick. 70% of Russian crude frozen by buyer reluctance:
70% Of Russian Crude Trade Is Frozen As Surgut Again Fails To Sell Any Urals In Big Tenders