Vladimir Putin: Rawan on Steroids
From T.S. Khanna, Alamo, CA
The English language does not provide enough words to adequately describe Vladimir Putin’s character. In Indian mythology, there exists a character, Rawan, the enemy of Lord Rama, who comes close to Putin. In satanic deeds, Putin easily excels Rawan. Putin has proven that if “absolute power corrupts absolutely”, prolonged absolute power turns a person rabid.
Public personalities are usually shaped by the consequences of disputes arisen in public affairs. Dissolution of the USSR in the 1990s shaped Putin’s personality. He took to heart the loss of Russian power and prestige, as the member countries dropped out in disappointment with Socialism. Another person in Putin’s place may have been constructively motivated, but Putin believes that power and prestige come from frightening and destroying the weaker countries.
Earlier, by his attacks on Georgia in 2008, and annexation of Crimea in 2014, without any opposition from the Western democracies, the emboldened, unprovoked, Putin invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
During the last few weeks, Putin has been relentlessly destroying Ukraine with power bombs. He has dislocated over ten million people; nearly four million have taken refuge in the neighboring countries; and, killed many innocent citizens including children. Never before, so many people have been killed, injured, dislocated in so short a time at the command of one man as they have been by Putin.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky, in his appeals to stop the one-sided war, has used all the vocabulary and emotions; the reason has been fatigued in the world appeals; ideas have been exhausted in the peace negotiations; numerous homes, hospitals, and huge buildings have been destroyed in Ukraine; world conscience is distressed; and, watching the news gives nightmares to people around the world. But, Putin’s thirst for blood is still not quenched.
This is not merely a war on Ukraine; this is a war on human rights; on human freedom; on human morality; on human conscience; on human civilization. It is a war of sophistry, setting precedent to invade, loot, kill, or capture the weaker without restriction, compunction or compensation. This is a great travesty of justice.
Man’s personality is tested either under a great stress or when vested with great power. Both types are in sight: perseverance, determination, bravery of the Ukrainians, and, the rabid madness of Putin.
We urge the U.S. Government to stop the war by direct intervention. Enough words have been exchanged. Now the time is for the language that Putin would understand. What good is the great American power if it does not save the innocent and protect the weak?