Public Comment

Mr. President, I was profoundly disappointed with your repeated public comments justifying the defense of Ukraine is to “weaken Russia”. Such intemperate remarks are extremely dangerous. This plays directly into Putin’s playbook, “hat the US and its allies are conducting a proxy war aimed at destroying Russia.” This will undoubtedly serve to unite the Russian people behind their unstable leader. I would urge you to deliver future messages targeted at the Russian people, - “The US and our western allies have NO quarrel with the Russian people who we consider to be our friends in this tragic war of attrition. The Voice of America, the BBC, and social media outlets must act in concert to counter the massive pro-Putin propaganda war machine.

The Russian people should be encouraged to rebel against their maniacal leader who is using their sons’ as sacrificial lambs to fight an immoral war and likely be wounded or killed. The Russian Orthodox Church and ALL religious institutions around the world should be encouraged to denounce Putin’s immoral war of aggression. Silence is not an option. Mr. President please use your bully pulpit to plead with Russian soldiers to lay down their arms and embrace their Ukrainian brothers and sisters. Finally, please state unequivocally in future public comments the purpose use of arming Ukraine is to end this war, saving Russian and Ukrainian lives.

This is an insane war of attrition where there are only losers, Russian soldiers and Ukrainians. The focus should be to end the war and not threaten an unstable Putin whose itchy fingers might reach out to launch chemical or nuclear attacks which would likely be countered by US nuclear attacks ending all life on this planet. Words matter, Mr. President please use them with extreme care.