I have friends in Russia that I have known for more than 30 years! People I first met in '91 and '92, when I was living in the USSR and working at Leningrad Television. They are good people. I know them and I trust them. I will always trust them in spite of whatever hostilities arise between our nations. I am impervious to the virus of Russophobia because I am inoculated by these friends. But most people have never been to Russia and don't really know any Russians. To inoculate them, we must introduce them to Russia as we have seen it with our own eyes. I commend what you are doing, Scott. I, too, am trying to wake people up about Russia. It is a monumental task. But we will continue this important Work! Thank you for all that you are doing!
Thanks for taking the time to comment on Chapter One of what is planned to be an 11-chappter (plus introduction, conclusion, and five vignettes) journey of discovery.
You make many assumptions about me, those I interacted with, and what the foundation of this journey is (you might want to read the introduction, published earlier, if you haven't already.)
I'm comfortable with the context from which this journey is being undertaken. So, too, are those who accompanied me on this journey.
That the journey doesn't resonate with you is a shame.
But it resonates with others, and I'll keep on writing about it.
But please do elaborate more on the context of your criticism. Are you yourself Russian? Do you reside there? Have you travelled extensively in Russia? I'm interested in whatever insights you can provide that extend beyond simple criticism of a journey you seem not willing to have the patience to let begin before you fire off your barbed arrows.
Finally, I belief the world can be a better place again with people like Scott Ritter and his wife doing their best to reveal the truth to the ordinary people in the world 🌎
MAYBE SCOTT HAS A RUSSIAN SOUL? Scott's search for the Russian Soul is much like the concept inherent in the primary title of his piece, "waging peace." It is an expression of himself as conundrum, as a consummate WARRIOR and a natural-born DIPLOMAT. But what is a soul - or a Russian Soul - anyways? Perhaps a soul is that metaphysical manifestation within a person of the trinity of human time, perceived by us humans as past, present and future - and very much ingrained in our language. Perhaps in that which is the soul, that immortal aspect of being a human, expresses our essence within the terms of time and space through humans as physical beings. And Russians, as a people, may just be more cognizant of their soul, better express themselves within their construct of time and space, having such historical extremes as a people, spanning the spectrum of human (individual and collective) experience unlike many other modern civilizations. Maybe Russians just feel more connected to their essence, their history, their culture, to their pain and suffering as well as to their glories, maybe feel their existence more strongly as persons in unitary terms, blending the past, present and future - at least maybe more vividly than others do today. Russians glorify their past (the good and the bad), unlike Americans in the modern US, where Americans seem to prefer cancelling and denying (or maybe prefer to hide from) American history and our culture in an effort to make what we are more palatable for our kinder-and-gentler, everyone-gets-a-trophy society. The Russian Soul, that incarnation of the immortality of "Mother Russia," is evident in Russian people, who, almost instinctually, proudly convey in all that they do, their art, architecture, literature, conversations and other forms of expression, their "Russianess," without apology. Scott described this Russian-Soul phenomenon well in his description of Valery Brodsky, the Assistant to the Director of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet. He described Valery as "not so much as a man, but as a being—something more than human, beyond simple flesh and bone, but rather a collection of experiences gathered in the shape of a man, but in their totality, so much more." That description of Valery is an outstanding insight into the Russian Soul, where he transcends time and space by projecting a unitary essence of being one with his people who have realized a beautiful vision, an epiphany, though times infused with endless tears, suffering and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. His description of Valery MAY ALSO BE A MIRROR INTO SCOTT'S SOUL. To be sure, it is apropos that the Russians completed the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet during WWII - and that its first performance was held on May 1945, in honor of the victory over Nazi Germany. To show the brilliance of humankind during the darkest of times manifests the Russian soul. Such horror. Such glory. Such pushing to limits of the spectrum of feelings to blend opposites into one. In this, the Russian Soul seems like a conundrum or an oxymoron, so counterintuitive, much like what "waging peace" evokes - forcing oneself and/or everyone, to do that which each person or every person should do willingly, even instinctually. May Scott, in his quest to wage peace and in his search for the Russian Soul, be like those to whom he has often turned, be "blessed with the gift of putting into words the ideas that best define life." Although he is questing, he already knows the secret of the holy grail. Scott is already at home in his 'American-Russian Soul," ever so passionate about humanity and the way humans we order our human affairs writ large.
Scott you know how to tell an enthralling tale complete with history, culture, tension, intrigue all combined into one good and meaningful story--even if it is perhaps a tad long.
I am Russian and I disagree with everything Scott says, Putin is as much responsible for the deterioration of Russia-West relationship as the West. Scott is too afraid to criticise Putin or willingly blind.
Andrey Zvyagintsev, Russia's best movie director was born in Novosibirsk. 'Loveless' is a masterpiece of classy darkness. Sadly, he, like several good directors, is in exile over the war.
Waging Peace: In Search of the Russian Soul
I have friends in Russia that I have known for more than 30 years! People I first met in '91 and '92, when I was living in the USSR and working at Leningrad Television. They are good people. I know them and I trust them. I will always trust them in spite of whatever hostilities arise between our nations. I am impervious to the virus of Russophobia because I am inoculated by these friends. But most people have never been to Russia and don't really know any Russians. To inoculate them, we must introduce them to Russia as we have seen it with our own eyes. I commend what you are doing, Scott. I, too, am trying to wake people up about Russia. It is a monumental task. But we will continue this important Work! Thank you for all that you are doing!
Jack,
Thanks for taking the time to comment on Chapter One of what is planned to be an 11-chappter (plus introduction, conclusion, and five vignettes) journey of discovery.
You make many assumptions about me, those I interacted with, and what the foundation of this journey is (you might want to read the introduction, published earlier, if you haven't already.)
I'm comfortable with the context from which this journey is being undertaken. So, too, are those who accompanied me on this journey.
That the journey doesn't resonate with you is a shame.
But it resonates with others, and I'll keep on writing about it.
But please do elaborate more on the context of your criticism. Are you yourself Russian? Do you reside there? Have you travelled extensively in Russia? I'm interested in whatever insights you can provide that extend beyond simple criticism of a journey you seem not willing to have the patience to let begin before you fire off your barbed arrows.
Again, thanks for your comments.
Scott Ritter
Wonderful Read. May your effort to disarmament succeed!
The problem is usually people, but the solution is ALWAYS people. Wise is the person who in brotherhood points towards the solution.
Thank you. hat an interesting journey well told
Scot,
Gonna throw this out to get opin.
The French are French
The Germans Germans
The Chinese Chinese.
But America?
We are multipolar ethnic nation of of the world dyspora.
So what is our national identity other than a collage of many nations swirling in multi national identities.
So we should be called
The Multinational States of America
MSA NOT USA.
United we're not
but multicultural we are
Finally, I belief the world can be a better place again with people like Scott Ritter and his wife doing their best to reveal the truth to the ordinary people in the world 🌎
MAYBE SCOTT HAS A RUSSIAN SOUL? Scott's search for the Russian Soul is much like the concept inherent in the primary title of his piece, "waging peace." It is an expression of himself as conundrum, as a consummate WARRIOR and a natural-born DIPLOMAT. But what is a soul - or a Russian Soul - anyways? Perhaps a soul is that metaphysical manifestation within a person of the trinity of human time, perceived by us humans as past, present and future - and very much ingrained in our language. Perhaps in that which is the soul, that immortal aspect of being a human, expresses our essence within the terms of time and space through humans as physical beings. And Russians, as a people, may just be more cognizant of their soul, better express themselves within their construct of time and space, having such historical extremes as a people, spanning the spectrum of human (individual and collective) experience unlike many other modern civilizations. Maybe Russians just feel more connected to their essence, their history, their culture, to their pain and suffering as well as to their glories, maybe feel their existence more strongly as persons in unitary terms, blending the past, present and future - at least maybe more vividly than others do today. Russians glorify their past (the good and the bad), unlike Americans in the modern US, where Americans seem to prefer cancelling and denying (or maybe prefer to hide from) American history and our culture in an effort to make what we are more palatable for our kinder-and-gentler, everyone-gets-a-trophy society. The Russian Soul, that incarnation of the immortality of "Mother Russia," is evident in Russian people, who, almost instinctually, proudly convey in all that they do, their art, architecture, literature, conversations and other forms of expression, their "Russianess," without apology. Scott described this Russian-Soul phenomenon well in his description of Valery Brodsky, the Assistant to the Director of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet. He described Valery as "not so much as a man, but as a being—something more than human, beyond simple flesh and bone, but rather a collection of experiences gathered in the shape of a man, but in their totality, so much more." That description of Valery is an outstanding insight into the Russian Soul, where he transcends time and space by projecting a unitary essence of being one with his people who have realized a beautiful vision, an epiphany, though times infused with endless tears, suffering and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. His description of Valery MAY ALSO BE A MIRROR INTO SCOTT'S SOUL. To be sure, it is apropos that the Russians completed the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet during WWII - and that its first performance was held on May 1945, in honor of the victory over Nazi Germany. To show the brilliance of humankind during the darkest of times manifests the Russian soul. Such horror. Such glory. Such pushing to limits of the spectrum of feelings to blend opposites into one. In this, the Russian Soul seems like a conundrum or an oxymoron, so counterintuitive, much like what "waging peace" evokes - forcing oneself and/or everyone, to do that which each person or every person should do willingly, even instinctually. May Scott, in his quest to wage peace and in his search for the Russian Soul, be like those to whom he has often turned, be "blessed with the gift of putting into words the ideas that best define life." Although he is questing, he already knows the secret of the holy grail. Scott is already at home in his 'American-Russian Soul," ever so passionate about humanity and the way humans we order our human affairs writ large.
Loved it. Im inspired to help dissolve Russophobia in any small measure i can. Look forward to reading more
I would also like to read your planned book, for several decades, about that Circassian (Cherkez) man you spoke about in Episode #84....
Thanks for an interesting read. Oh how the peace years of the 90s have been squandered. Since 2001 its been one damn thing after another.
Scott... Thanks for sharing this. You continue to write your own history... As it should be in this life. Peace and Hope.
Scott you know how to tell an enthralling tale complete with history, culture, tension, intrigue all combined into one good and meaningful story--even if it is perhaps a tad long.
I am Russian and I disagree with everything Scott says, Putin is as much responsible for the deterioration of Russia-West relationship as the West. Scott is too afraid to criticise Putin or willingly blind.
Great job, Scott! This might help ...
https://liborsoural.substack.com/p/fix-1-2-3-nymphetamine
That was a good read to start my 2.30am day.
Andrey Zvyagintsev, Russia's best movie director was born in Novosibirsk. 'Loveless' is a masterpiece of classy darkness. Sadly, he, like several good directors, is in exile over the war.