Uprooted: The Ralph Kand Story

This is a story about a man with a singular quest: Freedom. It's one of the primary reasons people leave their homelands, often at great personal sacrifice.

In 1940, without firing a shot, the Soviet Union absorbed the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. Along with territorial acquisition, this move was a major coup in projecting Soviet naval presence westward. Besides taking in the tiny navies and merchant marine fleets of the three states, the Soviet Red Banner Baltic Fleet acquired a number of important naval bases on the Baltic Sea. Chief among them was Tallinn, capital of Estonia and a major port city.  --Victor J Kamenir, Warfare History Network, 2008

INTRODUCTION

I met Ralph in the early 1990s on the beach at Park Point in Duluth, Minnesota. I was lying on a blanket reading while my children played in the sand near the water. At some point I glanced behind me and noticed an elderly man making his way across the beach.

He walked with considerable difficulty. One leg was badly withered; the other was strong and muscular from years of compensating for it. He was somewhat stooped and wore shorts and a button-down shirt. When he reached the water, he removed his shirt and slowly made his way into Lake Superior.

He stayed in the cold water for nearly twenty minutes. When he came out, he gathered his belongings and began the slow walk back toward his car. As he passed me, he stopped.

“You like to read,” he said. He had a strong Eastern European accent.

I told him I did, and we began talking. He told me he had loved libraries while growing up. When I mentioned that I was a writer, Ralph said people had told him many times that someone should write the story of his life.

He had grown up in Estonia, outside Tallinn on the Baltic Sea, and was now in his seventies. Before leaving, he offered me a glimpse of the story he wanted to tell.

“Would you like to hear how learning new languages saved my life?” he asked. “Come to my apartment and I will tell you more.” 

Chapter 1

Ralph Kand was born on August 7, 1919, during Estonia's War of Independence. He grew up with his parents and brother on the outskirts of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. When Ralph was three, he fell from a fence post and broke his hip. The injury left his left leg permanently damaged. It remained thin and crooked, and Ralph walked with a limp for the rest of his life. He would never run again.

The disability did not keep him from doing the things he wanted to do. When he learned to type, he practiced until he became the second-fastest typist in Estonia.

As a teenager, Ralph wanted to ski. Nearly everyone in Estonia skied, but his damaged leg made it difficult. He devised a way to strap his left leg and foot securely to a ski and taught himself. Eventually he became a fast skier.

Ralph also read a great deal. He spent many hours in the library and particularly liked Thomas Mann. The Magic Mountain made a lasting impression on him. Ralph remembered Hans Castorp looking at the night sky and wondering about the size and meaning of the universe. More than sixty years later, Ralph was still talking about the book.

Within a week of meeting Ralph on the beach, I went to his apartment in Duluth to hear the story he had mentioned. That visit began a friendship that lasted for years.

Ralph had moved to Duluth because his wife needed nursing-home care. He wanted to live near Lake Superior because the lake reminded him of the Baltic Sea and Estonia.

Here is the first story he told me.

In 1939 the Red Army occupied Estonia after Estonia had been forced to sign the Bases Treaty. Ralph was 20 years old and working at a brewery in Tallinn called The Rooster. The brewery had been built by the French years earlier and stood on a hillside overlooking the sea. Ralph worked in the office, typing the paperwork for incoming orders.

After the Soviets arrived, authorities ordered windows facing the harbor to be whitewashed. Ralph assumed they didn't want Estonians watching Soviet naval activity. The brewery windows were painted as well. The next day Ralph scratched a small hole in the whitewash with his thumbnail so he could see the Russian ships in the harbor. He wasn't the only one. People all over Tallinn did the same thing.

Living under Soviet rule meant living with the possibility of arrest. Ralph's friends told him he probably had little to worry about because of his crippled leg. They were wrong.

One day two vehicles pulled up behind the brewery. Men wearing greatcoats entered through the rear door. They were members of the NKVD, the Soviet secret police. One of the men carried a list containing six names. The NKVD officers asked where each man worked. One by one, the men were located and brought into a small dining area. Ralph was among the first because his workstation was nearby.

As another man was being escorted down the hallway, he saw the others being held and tried to run. He was shot in the hallway. Ralph stayed where he was.

Meanwhile, two NKVD officers went to the far end of the brewery to find the last man on their list. While they were gone, a Russian soldier entered to pick up an order. No one was at the counter, so he began shouting for someone to help him. Finally, one of the NKVD men told Ralph to go take care of the order.

The soldier was there to pick up a load of vodka. Ralph went outside with him to help carry the cases to his truck. Once they were outside, Ralph spoke to the soldier in Russian. He explained that the man inside wearing the greatcoat was NKVD and that Ralph was under arrest. Then Ralph proposed a plan. As they loaded the truck, they would stack the cases in a way that left a space where Ralph could hide. When they brought out the last case, Ralph would climb into the truck behind the vodka. The soldier was to drive through the gate without stopping.

The Russian soldier agreed. When the last case was loaded, Ralph climbed into the hiding place. The soldier got behind the wheel and drove for the gate.

The NKVD officer realized what was happening and ran outside. He fired several shots after the truck, but it was already too far away and Ralph escaped.

More than fifty years later, sitting in his apartment in Duluth, he told me why that story mattered. “If I hadn't learned Russian, I wouldn't be here today.”

TO BE CONTINUED

More Land Mines? When Will We Ever Learn?

"The war is not meant to be won but to be continuous."
--George Orwell, 1984

In a year of appalling behavior by armed governments, this week's news from Ukraine was deeply disturbing.

Over the weekend, President Biden gave Ukraine permission to fire long-range missiles into Russia. On Monday, the missiles were fired, thereby escalating tensions. Next, President Biden gave Ukraine permission to use land mines extensively on its Eastern front. Despite our full awareness of the harm they do to innocent civilians, we're already leaping gung ho into sending these widely condemned weapons.

The minute I heard this news I thought of all the work the late Lady Diana did to raise awareness about the horrors wrought by land mines. What is wrong with us? Have we learned nothing? 

Evidently Russia has been mining areas of Ukraine. (Landmines, not mining for minerals.) So our response is to make still more areas unsafe for civilians.

Landmines can remain active for an indefinite period of time, meaning they can potentially stay lethal for decades or even longer until they are detonated or defused, as they don't have an expiration date and can lie dormant until triggered by pressure or movement; this is why they pose a danger long after conflicts end. This is why Lady Di was such a strong advocate against. their use.

According to one source there have been 15,000 to 20,000 people killed or maimed annually by land mines, mostly civilians and children. According to the Landline Monitor more than 7,000 were killed or maimed in 2021. More than 60 countries are still contaminated with mines.

According to James Madison University landmine-contaminated areas hinder economic recovery and development, as they restrict access to farmland, infrastructure, and resources​. Landmines don't distinguish between combatants and civilians, violating international humanitarian laws​.

Oh, but when has international law stopped the U.S. from doing whatever we want? Look at the endless and merciless slaughter in Gaza... Indeed, we are masters of war.

* * * 

Princess Diana brought global attention to the landmine crisis with her 1997 visits to Angola and Bosnia, where she met with landmine survivors and demining teams. Her advocacy, widely covered by the media, was pivotal in rallying public support for the Mine Ban Treaty (Ottawa Convention) signed at the end of that. year. She famously described landmines as a “plague on Earth,” emphasizing their disproportionate impact on civilians and the need for a global ban​.

Diana’s efforts contributed significantly to the adoption of the Mine Ban Treaty, under which 164 countries committed to banning the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of antipersonnel landmines. Over 55 million landmines have been destroyed as a result of this treaty​.

The U.S. is one of just a small number of major nations that have not signed on to the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which prohibited the use, production and transfer of antipersonnel mines. 

Sadly, it seems obvious that the countries that wield power don't really care about what happens to common people. In 2022 Human Rights Watch rightfully condemned Russia's use of landmines. So why are we behaving in the same atrocious manner?

 

EdNote: These complaints against our actions as a nation must not be construed
as an endorsement of Russia's behavior. What's your take? 

Nuclear Energy Progress and Regress: A Comparative Status Report

The U.S. nuclear energy movement is being strangled by red tape and regulation. Although we have 93 nuclear reactors operating at 54 nuclear power plants, there are currently only two new nuclear reactors that have been in the works lately, Vogtle Units 3 and 4 in Georgia. The first just came online and the second will soon follow. 

By way of contrast, many countries are committed to significant growth in this field. I asked Google for details on some of these countries currently experiencing the fastest adoption of nuclear power, and one that has fled in the other direction.

Here is what I learned.

China is one of the world's largest consumers of nuclear power and has been rapidly expanding its nuclear energy capacity in recent years. As of last year China had 55 nuclear power plants in operation, with 22 more under construction, and more than 70 others planned.  

 

Russia has long been a major player in the nuclear energy sector and despite its Chernoble setback, Russia continues to invest in the expansion and modernization of its nuclear power infrastructure. The Russian government sees nuclear power as a key component of its energy strategy and exports nuclear technology to other countries. They currently have 37 operable nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 27.7 GWe. These reactors are located at 11 nuclear power sites, including a floating plant in Pevek. Russia's nuclear plants generate more than 19% of the country's electricity.

India has ambitious plans to expand its nuclear energy capacity to meet growing energy demand and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. As of February 2023, India had 22 nuclear power plants in operation, with a combined capacity of 6,780 megawatts electric (MWe). India plans to add 18 more nuclear power reactors with a capacity of 13,800 MWe by 2031-32.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a significant player in the nuclear energy sector, with the construction of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, which became operational in 2020. Thought the UAE government views nuclear power as a crucial component of its energy diversification strategy they currently have only three reactors.

South Korea, as of July 2023, has eight active nuclear plants. The government has proposed adding six more nuclear plants by 2036, and plans to increase nuclear generating capacity to 31.7 gigawatts (GW) by 2036. South Korea also plans to export 10 nuclear power plants by 2030. 

France, as of January 10, 2023, had 56 active nuclear reactors, with 12 of them off the grid. In 2022, France announced plans to build six new reactors, and in November 2023, President Emmanuel Macron said France could build eight new nuclear plants by the end of 2026. France's nuclear power plants account for about 70% of the country's electricity needs.

* * * 

The U.S., on the other hand, seems stymied by numerous handicaps. In 1994 Minnesota passed a moratorium on building nuclear power plants. Even if this were lifted, the turnaround time to get a new reactor online will take ages, it seems. At least we're not going the route of Germany.

Germany at one time had nine active nuclear facilities, including six research reactors and three nuclear fuel cycle facilities. In November 2022, the Bundestag passed an amendment to the Atomic Energy Act to keep the remaining three nuclear power plants in operation for a limited time. On April 15, 2023, the three remaining nuclear power plants shut down, marking the end of Germany's nuclear era.

Those countries actively investing in the expansion and adoption of nuclear power to meet energy demand, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance energy security are to be commended. The world we live in requires energy. Not only are we dependent on energy, we're dependent on cheap energy. 

Of all these things much more can be said. 

Related Links

Interview with David Watson: Putting Nuclear Power in Perspective

Grid Fragility and a Book by Meredith Angwin

Small Reactors, Big Potential Impact

IF ANYTHING HERE IS INACCURATE, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT

Why Do Russia's Wars Always Start with Disaster?

 

Unherd, a publication whose mission is to push back against herd mentality, today featured a story titled "How Putin enabled the Wagner revolt." The article begins with the following opening paragraph:

"Why do Russia’s wars always start with disaster? The answer is straightforward: because the autocrats who rule Russia — be they Tsars (with the exception of Napoleon’s nemesis Alexander I), Joseph Stalin or Vladimir Putin — appoint obedient toadies sadly lacking in military talent to command their forces."

According to the Unherd piece by Professor Edward Luttwak, "And none is more out-of-his-depth than Sergei Shoigu, Putin’s minister of defence."

Is  Prof. Luttwak suggestion that Putin's minister of defense is the worst Russian war leader ever or the world's worst ever? Solzhenitsyn's August 1914 goes into great detail describing the ridiculous unpreparedness of the Russian army at the outset of WWI. The lack of preparedness included inadequate equipment, outdated tactics and a lack of direction which all contributed to abysmal morale. 

What's more, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich's military command structure suffered from massive inefficiencies and poor leadership. Decision-making processes were often slow and bureaucratic, hindering quick and effective responses to changing circumstances. As Solzhenitsyn discloses, the lack of clear strategic direction and coordination among the leadership contributed to disarray and ineffective operations. In the first month of the war the bumbling and blundering was so great that after a major loss in the Battle of Tannenberg General Samsanov took his own life. 

It isn't just Russia that is prone to this problem. G.J. Meyer's WWI overview, A World Undone, devotes a chapter to the incompetence of Britain's military leaders. When you see the consequences there's nothing funny about the tens of thousands of men whose blood was pointlessly spilt. (cf. The British Generals at the Dawn of World War One)

How ready are our U.S. troops should they be called into combat? Here are a few matters of concern.

Technological vulnerabilities with regard to emerging threats include cybersecurity vulnerabilities, potential disruption of satellite communications, and reliance on outdated systems in certain areas should concern us. Maintaining readiness across all branches of the military can be challenging. Aging equipment, insufficient training resources, and personnel shortages can impact the military's ability to respond promptly and effectively to threats.

The appalling amount of red tape in all levels of government will have an impact on our capacity to respond should there be a time of need. The acquisition and procurement process of new military equipment and systems can be lengthy, bureaucratic, and prone to cost overruns. Delays and inefficiencies in acquiring cutting-edge technology will hinder military readiness and modernization efforts.

It's true that Russia has been tested and found wanting. In this country, it waits to be seen how capable and effective we'll be until we're tested. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Read: How Putin enabled the Wagner revolt

 

Photo Credit: Photo by Dominik Sostmann on Unsplash

Is a Radical Geopolitical Realignment Happening Under Our Noses?

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Over the past few years I've read a number of articles about the coming demise of America's global supremacy. By way of contrast, about 10 years ago I read a book that argued that America would be the ruling global power for the next 100 years. (I believe it was called The Next 100 Years.) Having read a couple other books about the rapid decline of Great Britain and Western Europe in the first half of the last century, I am reluctant to make those kinds of assumptions. On Wall Street they say, "The Trend is your friend." Until it isn't.

Just out of curiosity I decided to ask ChatGPT what its thoughts were on this matter. I asked, "Is a radical geopolitical realignment underway that is hastening the demise of American global supremacy?"

ChatGPT began with its usual disclaimer. "As an AI language model, I cannot predict the future or provide a definite answer to this question. However, I can provide some insights based on the available information."

Here are the points this AI bot presented.

The international system is always in a state of flux, and it is not uncommon for countries to rise and fall in terms of global power and influence. There is no doubt that the global geopolitical landscape is undergoing significant changes, with emerging powers such as China and India, as well as resurgent powers such as Russia, challenging the traditional dominance of the United States in various ways.

Some experts argue that the current international system is undergoing a "power transition" or a "power shift," in which the relative power of various states is shifting. This shift is driven by a range of factors, including economic growth, military power, technological advancement, and changing patterns of global governance.

However, the extent to which these changes will lead to the "demise of American global supremacy" remains a subject of debate. While the United States faces significant challenges from rising powers, it continues to possess significant economic, military, and cultural power, as well as a powerful network of alliances and partnerships around the world. Additionally, the international system is highly complex, and it is difficult to predict how various factors will interact and shape the future.

In conclusion, while a radical geopolitical realignment is certainly underway, it is difficult to predict its ultimate impact on American global supremacy. The future will depend on a range of factors, including the actions and strategies of various states, as well as broader global trends and developments.

In 2003 Noam Chomsky published a book titled Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance. U.S. hegemony refers to the United States' position as the dominant global power, with significant influence over the international system, including political, economic, and military spheres. Chomsky suggests that we have not achieved or maintained our leadership or dominance in an admirable way. Rather, it is maintained through a combination of coercion, persuasion, and consent.

In Hegemony or Survival Chomsky argues that the socio-economic elite who control the United States have pursued an "Imperial Grand Strategy" since the end of World War II to maintain global dominance. In doing so the US has repeatedly shown a total disregard for democracy and human rights, in stark contrast to the US government's professed support for those values. This policy has been responsible for a range of negative consequences, including increased global instability, the erosion of civil liberties, and the perpetuation of poverty and inequality around the world.

Chomsky lays out numerous examples, which make him a thorn in the side for those who look at our country through rose-colored glasses. Chomsky argues that the United States has pursued this policy of global dominance through a variety of means, including military force, economic coercion, and political manipulation. He also argues that the United States has been able to maintain its dominance through a system of propaganda and control of the media. 

The book also explores the roots of American foreign policy in historical events such as the Cold War and the Vietnam War, and examines the role of corporations and the military-industrial complex in shaping American foreign policy. 

Chomsky concludes that the pursuit of global dominance is not only morally wrong, but also counterproductive, as it creates more enemies and perpetuates the very problems it seeks to solve. He argues that a more cooperative and equitable approach to foreign policy is needed if the world is to address the urgent challenges it faces, including poverty, climate change, and nuclear proliferation.

Getting back to the main question, is a radical geopolitical realignment happening? It is my opinion that the manner in which this country has dealt with the rest of the world has resulted in a loss of respect for the US. As a result, we have made many enemies, and (worse) many of our friends (allies) are weary of having to kowtow to our perpetual demands. If there were an alternative sandbox to play in, they'd leave us in an instant.

Though Pat Buchanan is at the opposite end of the political spectrum from Chomsky, his 1998 book The Great Betrayal made a pointed observation regarding our role in the world. The full title is The Great Betrayal: How American Sovereignty and Social Justice Are Being Sacrificed to the Gods of the Global Economy. When I read this book two decades ago, one key message came through loud and clear. Empires rise and empires fall. And they can fall quickly.

If you know your history, the British Empire was the dominant force in global affairs for 300 years. For three centuries the ruled the high seas and thereby played a significant role in all things related to global commerce. As the 20th century unfolded, this would all change. In fifty years, Britain became a shadow of itself, a former empire gone bust.

Buchanan's book is a warning to American's that it can also happen here, and it can happen faster than you might imagine. 

It's ironic that US newspapers are printing stories about the International Criminal Court having an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin for war crimes without mentioning that the same tribunal sought to have US leaders and the CIA arrested for war crimes in the Middle East. Neither Russia or China are part of the ICC, nor is the US.

As for the geopolitical realignment question, when I re-asked the question, ChatGPT's conclusion was yes, "a radical geopolitical realignment is underway which is hastening the demise of American global supremacy." 

Related Link

10 Examples Where the US Has Supported Leaders Who Violate Human Rights

Media Coverage of Russia-Ukraine Conflict Criticized

How the world has changed. It used to be, during the Vietnam War, that there were essentially three networks and we'd be fed updates once a day in the evening news. You could also pick up newspapers for a little more and magazines for in-depth stories. But these media bytes were relatively brief. 

Most of the news was produced by professionals who, even if slanted, sought to give the appearance of neutrality, of being fair and balanced. With the advent of cable television people could become news junkies, engaged in covering happenings 24/7 as they happened. With so many hours to fill and stories to tell, it should not be a surprise to find the caliber of reporting to be uneven as regards accuracy.

On Friday evening I was listening to NPR's coverage of the Russian incursion into Ukraine. A journalist on the air made a statement that went something like this. "This is the first time since World War II that a major superpower invaded a lesser state." Those may not be the exact words, but it was incredibly absurd of an assertion. 

While driving, the countries rolled through my mind. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan twice (Russians in 1980, the U.S. circa 2003), Iraq, Yugoslavia.

Newspapers regularly contain a page or two for editorial opinion pieces. These are generally vetted by the editorial staff which sometimes, as in the Duluth News Tribune, includes a citizen or two. With social media, the Twitterverse and blogs have produced a deluge of opinions that are sometimes quite shrill and silly, but often they are exceedingly perceptive. 

When the talking heads speak, their biases and ignorance can emerge despite their best efforts to be intelligent. The example above is one case in point. And in the Twitterverse, the audience response can be immediate and brutal.

This article from Al Jazeera has a lot of good examples of this point.

‘Double standards’: Western coverage of Ukraine war criticised

Social media users accuse the media of hypocrisy in its coverage of Russia’s war on Ukraine compared with other conflicts.

The first example is a CBS news correspondent who said that this invasion (Ukraine) is all the more shocking because it is taking place in a civilized nation not a backward one like Afghanistan and Iraq.  Here's one response:

Utterly stupid and ill informed statement. Afghanistan was also a peaceful and “civilised” place in 1979 before the Soviets invaded (and became the battle zone between the West and Soviet block). Ditto for Iraq (before the American attack in 2003)

You can follow a full thread of comments on Twitter in response to that transgression.

The next illustration in the Al Jazeera piece is of a high official from Ukraine being interviewed by BBC in which he says how emotional this is because he sees "European people with blonde hair and blue eyes being killed every day with Putin’s missiles and his helicopters and his rockets."

The immediate response from Twitter again:

But people with 'blue eyes and blonde hair' dropping bombs over the Middle East and Africa is OK.

Social media is a minefield indeed.

When Sky News broadcast a video of brave Ukrainians getting lessons on how to make Molotov cocktails, the response was illuminating:

If this was done by Palestinians, Afghanistan or other nations resisting occupation, it would be terrorism. And during Mandela's anti-apartheid era, it was also dubbed terrorism. For Europeans facing similar situations, it is resistance!. Western duplicity knows no bounds.

The article contains more thought-provoking examples. You can read the full Al Jazeera piece here: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/27/western-media-coverage-ukraine-russia-invasion-criticism

And I'll close with this interesting Tweet that I saw this a.m. 

Going to be awkward when the war in Ukraine is over and the left have to go back to being against nationalism, borders, and an armed citizenry

Whatever happens, this is a a good time to exercise caution and to embrace a measure of humility.

Memory Lane: The Day I Became Smalter Kitecronk

I was in sixth grade the year we moved to New Jersey from the Cleveland suburb of Maple Heights. The date was January 20, 1964, three weeks before The Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

The real Kitecronk, I mean Cronkite

My memories of those first months are surprisingly sparse. My sixth grade teacher was Mr. Klein, a friendly young man of average height, slender of build. I remember little of what we studied except that for social studies we were asked to cut out political cartoons from the editorial page of our newspaper and explain what they meant. It was an interesting exercise in expanding our awareness of the broader world.

The classroom probably had 30 desks and chairs. Most were filled by other students whose names I would have to learn. (They only had to learn one, since they already knew each other.) A few weeks after my arrival a new student joined the class and was seated next to me. Now that I was no longer "the new kid" I spent the day trying to make her feel at home in this class of new faces. I talked to her as if I had been there all year. By day's end, however, I discovered that Diane had actually been part of the class all along. She'd only been out of school because of a surgery she'd undergone. 

The memory that came back to me the other day, leisurely drifting into my consciousness after lying dormant more than half a century, was the skit I was part of near the end of the school year. I don't recall auditions, or even rehearsals. In the segment I was part of I played the role of Smalter Kitecronk in an obvious parody of the television newscaster Walter Cronkite. Like the famous newsman, I wore a suit and tie along with a narrow mustache.

The Hillside School auditorium was crammed with students and parents that afternoon. It must have been a pretty big deal.

In the skit I was part of I sat at a table up on the stage facing the audience, reading the news like talking heads did on news shows before there were teleprompters. Seated next to me was another student, and the banter we exchanged was news show parody. 

Behind us there was a large map of the world affixed to a wall prop. Keep in mind that this was 1964, still the heart of the Cold War. I believe one of the news stories involved classmate Michael Beale as Nikita Khrushchev (if memory serves me well), who stood, took off his shoe and banged it on the podium. 

In my portion of the sketch I was asked a question about Russia. I stood, went to the map and said, "It's still Red." 

I then stuck a pushpin into Moscow, whereupon the map shouted, "Ouch!" 

So much for my early life in theater.  

* * * 

Related Links

The Khrushchev Shoe Banging Incident (Satire)

A Farce So Dark It Will Make You Laugh: The Death of Stalin (Movie Review)