Dear Russell Brand

I recently listened to a YouTube video by Russell Brand focusing on the topic of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Full disclosure, I frequently listen to Russell largely because he incites a more balanced and critical thought process in my own mind regarding political and societal issues. I strongly believe the world would be a better place if we all took more time to understand all dimensions of an issue and to identify incongruencies and inconsistencies within our individual beliefs and behaviors. For that, thank you Russell.

As it relates to Russell’s thoughts regarding the Ukraine issue, I both agree and disagree. It is appropriate to point out the weaknesses and hypocrisies in our own political system and to reference specific actions taken by the United States and the West – that over time - arguably contributed to Russia’s actions. Russell goes to great length however to make sure his 5 million plus listeners don’t misconstrue his comments as validating or excusing Russia’s behavior. I believe in his sincerity. But I do believe Russell is being oversimplistic and a little naïve.

David Brooks recently wrote an opinion piece in the New York Times titled, “The Dark Century”. As Brook’s argues, while most of us view democracy as an historical fact, history shows that prior to the two world wars, democracy was anything but a characteristic of the world. The absence of individual liberty and ongoing conflict and conquest were the norm as global and regional powers jockeyed for control. Although imperialism is never a valid, sole reason for conflict, to label all military conflict as imperialistic may miss the grimy reality of human existence. There will always be competing interests that are vying for greater influence by undermining the influence of others who have competing economic and political objectives. Frequently, these competing interests hold different political values, some democratic in nature and some totalitarian in nature. Here is where I depart from Russell’s line of thought.

I recognize the failures of my Nation’s transgressions, many of which are inconsistent with the precepts of liberty and democracy. I also understand the current political trends in the United States that – in my opinion – are illiberal in nature. Regardless of the failures of my own country, they do not provide an easy out to both condemn and respond to barbaric military actions against a free and independent nation. I’m not saying Russell Brand is doing this; however, frequently those who have predefined opinions about a nation are quick to pull from their arsenal of condemning evidence to redirect the conversation from the real issue. And the real issue as it relates to Ukraine is a country – meaning Russia - that has a very barbaric past and a clear mission to reverse history. This is no different than the previous United States’ Administration whose slogan of “Make America Great Again” is also to rewrite history and to go back to a time when life was “better”. In both cases, better for who?

I accept the fact that my kids have made bad mistakes in their past. I also know that they have good hearts. I can hold them accountable for their mistakes but also love them for who they are. In a similar vein, the West has had a cloudy past, but their hearts are based in liberty and democracy. That beats a despot with evil objectives any day of the week. We as a nation need to get our house in order. Agreed! But while we work on our own issues, we shouldn’t give a pass to Putin as he rolls out his demented plan.