Politics aside…

[CaptHowdy00]

…as a person born in the Soviet Union, Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), who at a few weeks old move to his biological father’s home of Kiev (Kyiv now) I think that it is very abhorrent, what is happening in Ukraine.
I have direct family in both countries. In Russia my family is primarily in Saint Petersburg and Arkhangelsk and Kiev in Ukraine.
None of my Russian family, at least that I know of, supports what is going on in Ukraine or Putin in general. But they live within an autocracy and don’t pop off for fear of retribution or worse.
My family in Ukraine are sheltering in a Metro station, while I have 2 cousins that are fighting on the front lines defending Kiev.
Over all my opinion is very simple, I think that Putin is a piece of sh!t, who is trying to bring back the Russian Empire. Anyone, no matter who that supports him or gives him praise is just as big of a piece of sh!t as Putin.
It saddens me to no end to see Kiev, the starting point of Russia a city that has a 1500 year history, is being shelled by the people that the city gave birth to.
Anyway, that’s my rant on this.

 

[davnlaguna]

Rant away
Hope your family makes it through this and can return to a semblance of normal after it is done

 

[Carnzo]

…as a person born in the Soviet Union, Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), who at a few weeks old move to his biological father’s home of Kiev (Kyiv now) I think that it is very abhorrent, what is happening in Ukraine.
I have direct family in both countries. In Russia my family is primarily in Saint Petersburg and Arkhangelsk and Kiev in Ukraine.
None of my Russian family, at least that I know of, supports what is going on in Ukraine or Putin in general. But they live within an autocracy and don’t pop off for fear of retribution or worse.
My family in Ukraine are sheltering in a Metro station, while I have 2 cousins that are fighting on the front lines defending Kiev.
Over all my opinion is very simple, I think that Putin is a piece of sh!t, who is trying to bring back the Russian Empire. Anyone, no matter who that supports him or gives him praise is just as big of a piece of sh!t as Putin.
It saddens me to no end to see Kiev, the starting point of Russia a city that has a 1500 year history, is being shelled by the people that the city gave birth to.
Anyway, that’s my rant on this.

God bless you and your family

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

Sorry your family is going through everything. I have been wondering if anyone close enough to Putin is willing to take a chance and assassinate him. Much like the attempts on Hitler back in WW2. The comforting thing is seeing all of the protests happening in Russia knowing what the consequences are.

 

[xis]

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone during these senseless conflicts.

As a descendent of a genocide survivor I'm aware of the pain and anger you must be feeling.

 

[Kings4OT]

The only way this ends is Putin gets taken out by his people. I hope your family is ok...nobody wins in this

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

The only way this ends is Putin gets taken out by his people. I hope your family is ok...nobody wins in this

Just read (not sure if true) a Russian businessman put a $1M on Putin.

 

[sharkymcwrath]

…as a person born in the Soviet Union, Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), who at a few weeks old move to his biological father’s home of Kiev (Kyiv now) I think that it is very abhorrent, what is happening in Ukraine.
I have direct family in both countries. In Russia my family is primarily in Saint Petersburg and Arkhangelsk and Kiev in Ukraine.
None of my Russian family, at least that I know of, supports what is going on in Ukraine or Putin in general. But they live within an autocracy and don’t pop off for fear of retribution or worse.
My family in Ukraine are sheltering in a Metro station, while I have 2 cousins that are fighting on the front lines defending Kiev.
Over all my opinion is very simple, I think that Putin is a piece of sh!t, who is trying to bring back the Russian Empire. Anyone, no matter who that supports him or gives him praise is just as big of a piece of sh!t as Putin.
It saddens me to no end to see Kiev, the starting point of Russia a city that has a 1500 year history, is being shelled by the people that the city gave birth to.
Anyway, that’s my rant on this.

My wife is Russian and her entire family is there. My kid(born in the US) has duel citizenship as does my wife. You are correct that the Russians(at least the ones I know and I know quite a few) do not support this and in my experience are pretty embarrassed by the whole thing.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

The only way this ends is Putin gets taken out by his people. I hope your family is ok...nobody wins in this

Mrs. Howdy told me the same thing. But no one in Russia has the balls to do it.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

Just read (not sure if true) a Russian businessman put a $1M on Putin.

Do you have a link by chance?

 

[CaptHowdy00]

My wife is Russian and her entire family is there. My kid(born in the US) has duel citizenship as does my wife. You are correct that the Russians(at least the ones I know and I know quite a few) do not support this and in my experience are pretty embarrassed by the whole thing.

Is your wife still able to communicate with family in Russia?

 

[sharkymcwrath]

Is your wife still able to communicate with family in Russia?

Yes of course. She skypes with them every day. Her and my kid usually go there twice a year during school breaks but this summer is looking unlikely. Aeroflot(the best option to traveling there) has canceled all flights with the US and I don't want to risk them getting stuck there but we'll see how it goes over the next few months.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

We went from a global pandemic straight into WW III. Unbelievable.

Hope your family is safe Howdy.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

Do you have a link by chance?

Here ya go. Russian businessman places $1m bounty on Vladimir Putin’s head

 

[CaptHowdy00]

Yes of course. She skypes with them every day. Her and my kid usually go there twice a year during school breaks but this summer is looking unlikely. Aeroflot(the best option to traveling there) has canceled all flights with the US and I don't want to risk them getting stuck there but we'll see how it goes over the next few months.

I haven’t been able to get a hold of my family in Russia for a few days now. So I’m worried. They aren’t outspoken so I’m sure that they haven’t been arrested or anything like that, but I’m not sure why they stopped communicating.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

Here ya go. Russian businessman places $1m bounty on Vladimir Putin’s head

No one inside of Russia is actually going to do it. He’s inside of the Kremlin and has the doors bolted shut. People are talking about his fear of a popular revolution to throw him out of power.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

No one inside of Russia is actually going to do it. He’s inside of the Kremlin and has the doors bolted shut. People are talking about his fear of a popular revolution to throw him out of power.

Form all of the pictures I have seen of Putin, there isnt anyone close to him ever. Maybe within 20 feet when they are all sitting at a table, but he is still a good distance from them.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

Form all of the pictures I have seen of Putin, there isnt anyone close to him ever. Maybe within 20 feet when they are all sitting at a table, but he is still a good distance from them.

The major fear is that he will turn into full blow Stalin.