Invasion days: 65 - 67 Hoggy apologises to all our readers for the absences of posts for the past three days which, very sadly, is not because the war has stopped. It is because the Hoggy office had to close for a short while as we were travelling to Cambodia for an assignment. We have now safely arrived and the office has reopened. Thank you for your continued support
Sadly too, the war rages on in Ukraine, now into its third month with its devastating death and destruction raining down from Putin's malevolent mind. Russia's losses in the Donbas may again have been described over the weekend as 'colossal' but as Nancy Pelosi reminds us on her visit to Kyiv, it is always the civilians who suffer the most.
Reports in the press suggest the ironically named Kremlin-esque Internet Research Agency ('IRA') has launched a new social media offensive targeting sites such as ours operating on social media outlets as seeding disinformation against Ukraine, one of the main reasons we have not launched ourselves onto to social media. Again and again Putin manipulates the truth against the world and millions of Russians believe what he says, a compulsive liar, compulsively lying. As Darren Linvell, an academic researchers says 'If you don't believe in anything, you're not going to fight for anything and you are more likely to go along with Putin.' The duped Russian people are a sad people, to be pitied as much as despised.
We had news whilst we were travelling , we cannot exactly call refugees fleeing war as 'good' news, but it is news to lift our spirits,. Our Ukrainian support goes on and two more women have arrived safely in the area from Ukraine; they join Anna and Kate, making four new friends for us all. Welcome to you all and we have provided them with a small grant from 'Hoggys Fund' to help them with their needs for first few days. Anna has already made them welcome packs and we really hope they can feel welcomed and safe here.
Sadly no further news so far on Lina and Lora but we have put their story into the local post office along with copies of the book 'Sunflowers for Ukraine' aiming to help raise more funds for them and others we feel we can help. We will end them a second grant for food this week and continue to support Lora's decision to remain in Kharkiv as best we can whilst trying to make helpful suggestions.
We are also looking at ways to extend the blog and avoid Putin's disinformation offensive. the truth must win. Justice will be done. Hopefully soon when the war is stopped.
Please keep writing and supporting: we know it is now hard to maintain momentum in the face of all our own economic and other woes but w are determined to keep the flame burning for Ukraine for as long as we possibly can.
Thank you all,
Hoggy
Today's Letters:
For Ukraine and World Peace. From Will Henry P. in Scotland
Dear Hoggy,
'Always in my thoughts.'
I continue to read the reports coming from Ukraine in the belief that tomorrow will see an end to Russia’s illegal war against that country. I watch in disbelief the horrors that have befallen innocent people of all ages who a few weeks ago lived in peace and harmony of what we here in our country take for granted.
I wonder how I would cope if I was there on the front-line scrabbling for scraps of food, water, and shelter. What must it be like to hide underground terrified that the next missile is coming for you the fear factor must be tremendous?
What would I do? Would I fight, I think I would but as I am not there, not knowing what will happen next perhaps that remark is one of bravado yet there are, as I sit here in the comfort of my home people of my age living in this hell all because of one man’s ambition to rule.
I also ask myself, where will he stop? Like a wild animal who has just killed, and now has the taste of blood in his mouth that animal will want to continue and will want to keep on killing for no other reason than he enjoys what he is doing.
What if, the conflict escalates? What if, in confusion, panic even stupidity the `button` is pressed, and Armageddon looms. The thought sends shivers down my spine. Yet at this very moment fellow human beings are being ripped apart, their lives in pieces their future uncertain, and I sit here as an elderly man knowing that where my wish would be to rally to their cause and fight I would not last minutes in that environment.
So, I fight in another way, I write my feelings and my support for justice and peace. I write to highlight the wrongs of a leader who has taken the World to the brink of another World War.
I write to give hope and support to the people of Ukraine that their struggles will not be forgotten in the days and weeks ahead and that those who wish to live in peace and harmony with each other are stronger than those who would rather kill and conquer.
The leaders of all countries can make our world a great place yet, there are those amongst them who have the policy of, `it is my way or nothing. ` Those leaders are wrong, that style of leadership will never be accepted even by their own people.
To those in Ukraine and throughout the world who are in the middle of such conflict stand strong, and hopefully, by standing together, we will make this world a better place for the future.
My gun is a pen. My bullets the ink. My target are those who abuse life and liberty.
Will Henry P.
Scotland
Dear Will,
You may consider yourself 'elderly' but your pen is young, your strength of purpose fresh and powerful. Thank you for this latest letter full of exactly the truth that will eventually win out for us all.
You are an inspiration to us 'very slightly younger' writers who read you with awe but most importantly you are a hope and inspiration for Ukraine which is what this creative writing blog is all about.
Please do keep writing, the pen is most definitely mightier than the sword, just about the only thing Putin himself has realised and why he is going to such extraordinary lengths to close us and may mor like us, down.
We need more of us to take the pens out of their scabbards and write. We will soon launch new invitations to write and you are the inspiration for this.
With you, we stand together with Ukraine, for peace, for justice, for freedom and for truth.
Hoggy
Coming tomorrow:
More pity takes by SUFT, our resident cartoonist: please drop in and have a look!
Comments