When tanks started rolling, the news was above the fold. But rolling tank headlines quickly sunk below the fold as new red meat became available to capture readers’ eyes. Then, adhering to a dominant journalistic principle of if it bleeds, it leads, what was previously breaking news quietly drifted to the inner pages. The urgency of action to counter Russia’s criminal invasion of Ukraine had been rendered stale, akin to once fashionable wallpaper - something still there, now old and barely noticed. But no sooner than results of Russia’s presidential election hit the wires, Ukraine news reclaimed its former above the fold front page billing.
Nota Bene - Putin garnered 87+% of the vote, a landslide win by any measure. This should come as no surprise. Opposition candidates were either in jail, kept off the ballot, or just recently died in custody. The election outcome was never in doubt - no nail-biting, no confusing hanging chads, no recounts needed. Putin, buoyed by a fresh new six year term to add to his already served thirty years, orchestrated a massive Red Square rally in Moscow to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his previous trespass into Ukraine. Occupying the Crimean peninsula was the prized booty of that criminal incursion.
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| Getty Images |
Meanwhile, independent of media on-again, off-again gyrations, there remained a steadfast group of concerned citizens sustaining a vigil for Ukraine’s plight. The group’s hearts and heads stood fast with their cause, never removing blue and gold flags, lawn signs, T-shirts, and lapel pins.
During my local travels over the course of the war, now into a second destructive year, I’ve captured several images of this solidarity for Ukraine’s struggle to remain an independent sovereign country. I offer a selection for review, perhaps rekindling your support for the traumatized David in its battle against the Goliath next door.
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