I’m pleading with you, Mr. President

Summary

The author is urgently appealing to the U.S. President and the American public to take decisive action against Russia's aggression in Ukraine, viewing inaction as complicity in genocide and a failure to uphold democratic values.

Abstract

The author expresses deep distress over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Russian forces are inflicting violence on civilians. The piece is a fervent plea for the United States to demonstrate courage and moral clarity by intervening to stop the atrocities. The author reflects on the personal impact of the war, noting sleepless nights and a profound sense of helplessness. There is a call to transcend domestic concerns and routine life, to acknowledge the gravity of the situation and to take action that reflects America's purported values and its significant defense spending. The author argues that failure to act would not only allow the continued suffering of Ukrainians but also embolden other authoritarian regimes, like China, to consider similar acts of aggression. The appeal is rooted in a belief that the U.S. has both the capability and the responsibility to lead a global response that could save lives and uphold the principles of freedom and democracy.

Opinions

The author feels that America's inaction is akin to bearing witness to genocide without intervening.
There is a sense of personal anguish and frustration with the current situation, affecting the author's daily life and emotional well-being.
The author perceives a disconnect between the severity of the conflict and the general American public's indifference or lack of engagement.
There is a strong opinion that the U.S. is powerful enough to confront Russia and that concerns about China's response are unfounded.
The author believes that the U.S. has a moral obligation to defend democratic principles and to prevent further loss of innocent lives in Ukraine.
The piece suggests that America's hesitance to act is out of step with its defense budget and its historical role as a defender of freedom.
The author is critical of the idea that domestic issues should take precedence over international humanitarian crises.
There is an underlying fear that inaction could signal to other potential aggressors, like China, that invasions will go unchallenged.
The author directly implores the U.S. government, including Congress, the Senate, and the President, to take aggressive action against Russia's actions in Ukraine.

America, it’s time to show some guts.

Russia is raining shells down on innocent men, women, and children throughout Ukraine. Tens of thousands of innocent civilians are going to be murdered. Do we as a country stand by and witness such a thing? Is that our role, to document genocide? To procrastinate as to the why and when to act for freedom of democracy?

Is the new American a person who gets more upset about a late train, a bus that didn’t come by on time? I’m suffering, feel weak and helpless, hoping the country I’ve adopted as my own will show me the strength I once had.

I go to sleep, and I wake up in an hour and I think it is already morning. I think that I have slept for hours but I haven’t. I ‘m always tired but I never really sleep. I get this way when in my heart I know something is wrong. I’m not ashamed that I want to head downstairs and hit the liquor. Pain…pain…pain, please stop this war.

I do tell people the problem I’m watching a war happen in real time. Either they don’t want to listen or it’s too far away to concern them. Some of these people are close to me, even extended family. I want to break open their fucking heads. But I’ve become a peaceful man, not yet ready to pray, but getting there.

Are we all imprisoned by routine?

I mean, do we still have dinner and watch the war on TV, leaving nothing on the plate? That watching war doesn’t do anything to ruin appetite. What truth do you know that I do not? I cannot eat, I’m angry all the time, I weep ten times a day for fuck’s sake. We could show Putin and Russia such strength to go against him he would shake in the Kremlin. What are we afraid of? China? Don’t be dumb. They haven’t the economy or the will to get into a fight with Europe together and America. It is not a gamble.

We spend 8 hundred billion a year on defense and are afraid to use it to defend right from wrong? What am I missing here?

People are blinded by their own prejudices.

This is OUR fight. Do you think China has been shown the way to invade Taiwan? No, they have been shown why such a thing would spit back in their face. We DO NOT let dictators whistle their own tune.

When history is written will it say: America stood witness to genocide because domestic issues were more important?

I’m begging the government, congress, senate, Whitehouse, the President of the United States: We, America, have a vital interest in seeing Russia defeated, humiliated, and brought to justice for this heinous crime. I’m certain the people of Russia have no real idea what is going on, only that their brethren are fighting Nazis! It will be a regretful lesson they will learn, led by a dictator.

America’s interests are sufficient for us to be involved.

I plead to you, Mr. President, there are still tens of thousands who will die in the next month if we don’t show our spine. If we don’t stand for good and right in the world. Please, sir, take a more aggressive interest in this page of our history.

Harry Hogg and grandchildren.