I wasn’t sure if I wanted to say anything here, because I wanted to always keep this blog about music and my efforts to improve my skills in it, but the world has a way of surprising you.

Let me preface with this: I have known and know many Ukrainians, Russians, and even a few Belarusians. I’ve worked with them, drank with them, laughed with them, and cried with them. I bear no malice to any peoples. But the naked aggression the Russian state has taken against Ukraine is utterly despicable and evil. I’m just one nobody in a sea of nearly 8 billion people on this pale blue dot traveling through the void. But it is attributed to Gandhi: “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.” Maybe Joe Smith from Anytown, USA said it, it doesn’t change its fundamental wisdom.

I’ve changed my logo for this blog to Ukrainian colors in support of Ukraine’s right to self-defense and self-determination. If they want to bind closer with the West, let them. If they’d rather throw their lot in with Russia, let them. But Russia, NATO, United States, The Man In The Moon, or The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local 134 in Chicago can’t make them do anything they don’t want to do, and I will oppose anyone who uses warfare to force others to bend to them.

Rant mode ON.

Kind of sticking my neck out for trolls. Just beware I’m not interested in political discussions here. I’m stroking the banhammer with a loving caress right now, so tread lightly. Things that guarantee a permaban are engaging in “whataboutisms” wherein you bring up the bad behavior of other countries, particularly my own. I opposed the bulk of our war in Afghanistan and the entirety of the war in Iraq, and we basically made ISIS as a result, so I’m fully aware my country has been pretty fucking less than stellar in this century and I don’t need you to bring it up like it’s the first time I’ve heard it. I’ve been speaking up against US-style imperialism for (statistically speaking) longer than you’ve been alive. That’s playground “He did it first!” bullshit that I don’t accept from 6 year olds. I certainly won’t accept it here.

Rant mode off.