This strikes me as little more than another western propaganda piece, totally devoid of any perspective other than what the writer has been told to think since he was a toddler. The writer professes to beJewish, but he also claims warnings about Nazis are "lies." Really? Tell us about the Azov Battalion and the Right Sector. I also missed any discussion of the Banderistas' massacre of Russian separatists at the Trade Union Building in Odessa in 2014. Wasn't that on the guided tour? I realize I sound snarky, but I am so tired of reading guest columns from which I learn nothing new or thought-provoking, that I very much regret having paid for an annual subscription.
Back in the 60s and 70s I worked as a newspaper reporter and editor.
If I could find my damn time machine and once again pick up my red ink pen I'd be disappointed.
After reading your report, Nicholas, I'd have put that nasty pen back in my drawer.
Your bosses are blessed to have hired you.
Seriously, Nicholas, your ability to write word pictures of places and events reminds me of the first essay I edited at the University of Maine student newspaper, where I volunteered my time as a mentor.
The essay was written by a tall goofy looking 18 year old freshman whose glasses seriously did look like the bottom of a Coke bottle. That fellow's name? Steven King.
Four paragraphs into his offering I knew my dreams of writing the next great American novel was done and dusted.
I hope to read more of your work, and thank you for this excellent first person report about the people you met during your visit to Ukraine.
I wish the people of the Ukraine well. Wish we would do more. The Russians are acting like the worst re-incarnation of the Nazi army. Putin is is a short ego maniacal piece of excrement war criminal.
So tragic to think this beautiful city may be, will be bombed and people killed. It seems to me that it's not too late to have meaningful talks, which unfortunately mean that Ukraine will lose some more land to Russia, and declare itself neutral. The alternative is many months more of death and destruction with an even worse outcome.
Just in passing, it seems to me Russia never intended to occupy Kyiv unless there was no fight to be had. They could have bombed the crap out of the capital had they wanted to, but didn't. Perhaps this was a diversion that allowed them to do what they're doing now...that is setting the stage for the occupation and "liberation" of the east and south. I fear Odessa will be part of this plan.
I understand that this war is criminal and unnecessarily cruel, but that doe not excuse lack of perspective that we often hear. For example the idea that if Odessa was "built by Europeans" this somehow excludes Russians, and more broadly that Russia is not part of the European culture - the way of thinking that is at the core of the historical tension between Russia and the rest of Europe. Resolving this tension is the key of not just ending this war, but is the key to future European stability.
Secondly, Tennyson wrote Charge of the Light Brigade many moons ago about another Russian war over Crimes, so what is going on now is not some random obsession of a crazed leader. Russia has fought over control of that region for centuries.
Yesterday I read about how the steel mill under siege in Mariupol has been the focus of intense fighting in WW2 and that it was rebuilt after the war with a purpose to be able to withstand and attack like the one it's under right now - in other words it's a fortress.
A weird Odessa fact, aside from the mayor depicted in this article, is that Mikhail Sakhashvilli, former President of Georgia (Europe), has later spent some time as a Governor of the Odessa Oblast. I don't think I have ever heard of a case of a former president of one country who later gets involved in politics in another. In other words, Odessa seems to attract interesting characters. Nevertheless, I wish them safety and peace.
Regardless of what happens, this city will not "disappear tomorrow". It outlasted worse, and many incarnations of Russia, so it will outlast this one as well.
"...as bald as Jada Pinkett Smith..." Perfect simile. Topical and apt, so the reader has a mental image immediately. How many unfortunates who are looking to be offended (for someone ELSE who happens to be rich and powerful, btw) immediately saw it otherwise??? BTW, when the mayor of Odessa was described, I immediately thought of Colonel Nathan Jessup: "Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns."
Nicely done. At turns bittersweet and poignant but with shades of a darker side. War is war, and here is the American jumping in, cognac in hand, understanding he's privileged in knowing he can jump out. This piece brings to mind a warrior journalist from another time, Hunter Thompson. Too bad he's gone, his take on the madness in Ukraine would have been well worth reading.
I was born in Odessa, lived there half of my life, got married, had my first child. Beautiful city, beautiful sea, wonderful childhood memories. At the same time, Soviet Union was a terrible place to be a Jew, so my family left as soon as door was opened. For many years we were staying in touch with some people there, but for me and my friends US and Israel became "our countries". We were staying away from local politics and discussions about russian versus ukranian language usage, for example.
This terrible war and distraction it caused changed our perspective. Killing civilians, destroying cities, telling people in russia that Kiev was ready to attack them and this is "special operation" to prevent it - WTF????
This comment is late to this story, but important as nobody is talking about this nefariousness:
https://amgreatness.com/2022/04/25/nazis-in-ukraine/
This strikes me as little more than another western propaganda piece, totally devoid of any perspective other than what the writer has been told to think since he was a toddler. The writer professes to beJewish, but he also claims warnings about Nazis are "lies." Really? Tell us about the Azov Battalion and the Right Sector. I also missed any discussion of the Banderistas' massacre of Russian separatists at the Trade Union Building in Odessa in 2014. Wasn't that on the guided tour? I realize I sound snarky, but I am so tired of reading guest columns from which I learn nothing new or thought-provoking, that I very much regret having paid for an annual subscription.
It is a treat to read such excellent, visual writing. Thank you, Nicholas!
Back in the 60s and 70s I worked as a newspaper reporter and editor.
If I could find my damn time machine and once again pick up my red ink pen I'd be disappointed.
After reading your report, Nicholas, I'd have put that nasty pen back in my drawer.
Your bosses are blessed to have hired you.
Seriously, Nicholas, your ability to write word pictures of places and events reminds me of the first essay I edited at the University of Maine student newspaper, where I volunteered my time as a mentor.
The essay was written by a tall goofy looking 18 year old freshman whose glasses seriously did look like the bottom of a Coke bottle. That fellow's name? Steven King.
Four paragraphs into his offering I knew my dreams of writing the next great American novel was done and dusted.
I hope to read more of your work, and thank you for this excellent first person report about the people you met during your visit to Ukraine.
When I read the headline I was sure it was going to be about Portland or Seattle
I wish the people of the Ukraine well. Wish we would do more. The Russians are acting like the worst re-incarnation of the Nazi army. Putin is is a short ego maniacal piece of excrement war criminal.
Duck under, duck into-Quack,quack!
Astounding. I'm glad I read this impressive essay. It reminded me a bit of P.J. O'Rourke in Lebanon in the 80s.
So tragic to think this beautiful city may be, will be bombed and people killed. It seems to me that it's not too late to have meaningful talks, which unfortunately mean that Ukraine will lose some more land to Russia, and declare itself neutral. The alternative is many months more of death and destruction with an even worse outcome.
Just in passing, it seems to me Russia never intended to occupy Kyiv unless there was no fight to be had. They could have bombed the crap out of the capital had they wanted to, but didn't. Perhaps this was a diversion that allowed them to do what they're doing now...that is setting the stage for the occupation and "liberation" of the east and south. I fear Odessa will be part of this plan.
I understand that this war is criminal and unnecessarily cruel, but that doe not excuse lack of perspective that we often hear. For example the idea that if Odessa was "built by Europeans" this somehow excludes Russians, and more broadly that Russia is not part of the European culture - the way of thinking that is at the core of the historical tension between Russia and the rest of Europe. Resolving this tension is the key of not just ending this war, but is the key to future European stability.
Secondly, Tennyson wrote Charge of the Light Brigade many moons ago about another Russian war over Crimes, so what is going on now is not some random obsession of a crazed leader. Russia has fought over control of that region for centuries.
Yesterday I read about how the steel mill under siege in Mariupol has been the focus of intense fighting in WW2 and that it was rebuilt after the war with a purpose to be able to withstand and attack like the one it's under right now - in other words it's a fortress.
A weird Odessa fact, aside from the mayor depicted in this article, is that Mikhail Sakhashvilli, former President of Georgia (Europe), has later spent some time as a Governor of the Odessa Oblast. I don't think I have ever heard of a case of a former president of one country who later gets involved in politics in another. In other words, Odessa seems to attract interesting characters. Nevertheless, I wish them safety and peace.
Regardless of what happens, this city will not "disappear tomorrow". It outlasted worse, and many incarnations of Russia, so it will outlast this one as well.
Got a friend here in calgary with family in Odessa, hoping Putin limits his destruction to the east.
Great article.
Beautiful piece! I read him in the Washington Examiner. He never disappoints, certainly not here.
The ambulance driver’s Russian sister must be a democrat. They don’t let facts change their minds either.
"...as bald as Jada Pinkett Smith..." Perfect simile. Topical and apt, so the reader has a mental image immediately. How many unfortunates who are looking to be offended (for someone ELSE who happens to be rich and powerful, btw) immediately saw it otherwise??? BTW, when the mayor of Odessa was described, I immediately thought of Colonel Nathan Jessup: "Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns."
Nicely done. At turns bittersweet and poignant but with shades of a darker side. War is war, and here is the American jumping in, cognac in hand, understanding he's privileged in knowing he can jump out. This piece brings to mind a warrior journalist from another time, Hunter Thompson. Too bad he's gone, his take on the madness in Ukraine would have been well worth reading.
I was born in Odessa, lived there half of my life, got married, had my first child. Beautiful city, beautiful sea, wonderful childhood memories. At the same time, Soviet Union was a terrible place to be a Jew, so my family left as soon as door was opened. For many years we were staying in touch with some people there, but for me and my friends US and Israel became "our countries". We were staying away from local politics and discussions about russian versus ukranian language usage, for example.
This terrible war and distraction it caused changed our perspective. Killing civilians, destroying cities, telling people in russia that Kiev was ready to attack them and this is "special operation" to prevent it - WTF????