"we are witnessing the emergence of a figure who will become a key part of Ukrainian history for the next century" @JVLast
— Will's Media Reform School #DoBetter ⚖️ 🌻 (@bywillpollock) February 26, 2022
Lavishing madmen with praise has consequences.
Genuflecting toward Putin turned an entire U.S. political party—led by Putin’s 4-year White House asset, donald trump—into a bunch of sniveling fanbois. And the obvious knock-on effect is Vlad Putin believing lies he promulgated.
So much so that Sweet Daddy Vlad assumed he’d waltz in to Ukraine and set up a puppet regime (the latest one) with no resistance.
Putin assumed, like Bush 43, Russian soldiers would be seen as “liberators” and they’d build statues in his honor.
Russians taken prisoner today in 🇺🇦Chernigiv region.
It’s been 100 hours of Russia’s all-out invasion, and I have lost count of POWs taken by Ukrainian troops.
In fact, we have an average of 2 or 3 Russians surrendering every hour. pic.twitter.com/p0Dx2EvREz— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) February 28, 2022
That was a grave miscalculation. Ditto that Putin’s entire operation, which many people have noted has echoes of Hitler’s bunker demise.
An ugly end-game based on a deranged loon’s fantasies.
With Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as No. 1, here’s a running list of people/entities Vladimir Putin underestimated, in no particular order.
Russian citizens
THIS THIS THIS: “there are brave Russians standing up. 1,700 were arrested today; don’t underestimate how unpopular this war is. they were prepared to be arrested and our voices need to be just as strong” @McFaul #maddow https://t.co/oVj6JGHUdl
— Will's Media Reform School #DoBetter ⚖️ 🌻 (@bywillpollock) February 25, 2022
UK House of Commons
Well. This is spicy. Conservative MP Bob Seely makes the most of parliamentary privilege to name individual London lawyers working for Russian oligarchs and questions their morality. pic.twitter.com/Cq6XoNvBLR
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) March 1, 2022
European Union
even English translator couldn't hold it togetherpic.twitter.com/tFKAuht5U9
— Will's Media Reform School #DoBetter ⚖️ 🌻 (@bywillpollock) March 1, 2022
The European Parliament has approved Ukraine's application to join the European Union.
A special admission procedure has been launched.
Voting will take place at 16:30
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) March 1, 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden
Biden "did not turn himself into the star of the show." Instead, he "worked—quietly—with NATO and the EU to achieve a larger consensus than there has been on any military matter before the alliance [in] a generation."
— @JVLast on the president's triumph https://t.co/WHEjjFDoo3— Will Saletan (wsaletan on Threads) (@saletan) February 28, 2022
International Criminal Court (ICC/The Hague)
📢 Statement of #ICC Prosecutor #KarimAAKhanQC on the Situation in #Ukraine: “I have decided to proceed with opening an investigation.” Read more ⤵️ https://t.co/kaeoq4oEuq
— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) February 28, 2022
Truth-telling diplomats
"His face is contorted with hatred. You can tell that he is not well." President Vladimir Putin faces sanctions from the west and major resistance in Ukraine. Amb. William Taylor talks to @KatyTurNBC about his concerns of escalation. pic.twitter.com/Aozt9jfHx9
— Katy Tur Reports (@KatyOnMSNBC) February 28, 2022
If you read one thing on #Ukraine today: Fiona Hill in @Politico. Takeaways: 1)"This is also a full-spectrum information war" with Tucker Carlson & Trump as parties. 2)"We need a temporary suspension of business activity with Russia." https://t.co/qCybK4cXtP
— Anne Nelson (@anelsona) March 1, 2022
Certain U.S. media presenters
Tapper checked China so hard they went crying to Putin pic.twitter.com/AUKLvdYMgJ
— Will's Media Reform School #DoBetter ⚖️ 🌻 (@bywillpollock) February 28, 2022
I’ll keep adding to the list and if you have any that should be included comment here or Tweet me. ☮
non-MAGA U.S. Senators
Take a moment to watch this video. I explore the question everyone is asking – given all the devastating costs to Russia, Ukraine and the world, why on earth is Putin doing this? pic.twitter.com/fOJ8IGFKn3
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) March 1, 2022
Supermodels
This post, under which I spoke of my childhood and indoctrination by the Soviets without a single vulgarity, was taken down by @instagram for being offensive. Ok, so maybe I did hashtag how I felt about Putin… pic.twitter.com/pEfBTSp3py
— Paulina Porizkova (@paulinaporizkov) March 1, 2022
Financial sectors
“Yachts, houses and bank accounts: France draws up list of Russian oligarchs' property for siezure.” I could have never imagined seeing this headline two weeks ago. https://t.co/fUja6M48ez
— Bill Browder (@Billbrowder) March 1, 2022
Will Pollock
is a perpetually cranky New York City escapee based in Midtown Atlanta. He’s a freelance multimedia journalist, media analyst and author of two books (award-winning Pizza for Good & Leaving Triscuit), with more on the way.
In 2001, Will earned his Masters from The Medill School of Journalism, graduating with highest honors from the magazine sequence. As permanent member of Journalism’s National Honors Society, he’s been active in monitoring, writing and blogging about media and journalism ever since he graduated.
Obsessed with good storytelling and journalistic excellence, Will uses snark, humor and reason to distill dumb shit and make it fun. He’s a seeker/maker of non-consensus news, and helps you cure crankies by finding the nut in every story.
As for-profit media continues to fail us, it’s more important than ever to find reliable sources. Authentic storytelling exists—you just have to look for it. On this blog you’ll get ideas, not ideology. Sass with class. Reporting with rapport. Evidence with a touch of evil. You get the idea.
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