The nice people in Ukraine

Why I disagree with Scott Ritter that all Ukrainians are bad

I do not often disagree with Scott on his points, but I must disagree with this one: During Scott Ritter Extra Episode 26: Ask the Inspector, Scott said about Ukraine, “Nobody likes you.” When Jeff Norman responded, “You are taunting the nice people in Ukraine,” Scott replied, “There’s nothing nice about the people in Ukraine.”

Scott has generalized the people of Ukraine as fully responsible for their government more than once. His argument stems from them being passive as their government honored Bandera and the OUN-B as heroes and shelled their people over the past eight years.

However, we must consider the reality on the ground during that period.

Nationalists became the new street police and militia. Against the backdrop of low wages and higher prices, new language and education laws, monitoring of people’s speech and attitudes on the street, and consequences for failure to comply, the people of Ukraine have had to do what they must to survive.

I do not know what Scott expected the people of Ukraine to do. It would be insane to revolt against a NATO-armed and supported government and the nationalist western half of the country that supported their government’s policies. That would be like the people of the USA revolting against their government for their politics. It just is not going to happen, and if it did, it would be equally disastrous for the civilian population.

Many good people in Ukraine have dealt with the situation as best as they could. But unfortunately, not everyone can leave the country, whether it be due to being male, lack of money, being elderly or disabled, or due to family ties.

As Scott knows, it is not like a Slavic woman to abandon her family members in times of trouble. For example, my wife has offered to take in her best friend from Ukraine during the current conflict. The response is always, “I can’t leave my husband and father here alone.” This exemplifies the true nature of a Slavic woman.

We must understand that Ukraine has had a divide between Eastern and Western Ukraine for as long as Ukraine has existed. The West sought closer ties with Europe, while the East sought stronger relations with Russia.

There are “nice people” in Ukraine, as well as bad ones, but their lives are in turmoil that they cannot overcome on their own. Generally, we cannot blame the people for the actions of their government.

Let us remember to pray for the innocent people in Ukraine.

Kevin Michelizzi and Scott Ritter will discuss this issue on Episode 27 of Ask the Inspector.