Ray Hanania
Time is now to remove Putin
By Ray Hanania
Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin wants to restore the “grandeur” of the old Soviet Union. Over his past 22 years in power, he has done everything to reverse the move towards democracy that began with the resignation of Mikhail Gorbachev and presidency of Boris Yeltsin on Christmas Day 1991.
President Biden has been excessively cautious and may have given Putin the green light to invade when he said a military option to stop Putin was not on the table. Biden assured Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy he would “respond decisively,” saying sanctions would be the toughest ever.
The threat of going to war is often the greatest deterrent for war. But once Putin knew neither the U.S. nor NATO would respond militarily to an invasion, he invaded on Feb. 24.
Biden’s response has been weak. They say former President Donald Trump would be tougher, but Trump’s rhetoric has been embarrassing, praising tyrant Putin as “tough” and “savvy.”
Worse is the rhetoric from Putin, who called Zelenskyy (who is Jewish) a “neo-Nazi.” Putin has threatened to kill Zelenskyy’s family and families of Ukrainian soldiers.
Biden needs to be tougher. He needs to impose sanctions at every level. File war crimes charges against Putin and Russia. Expel Russia from the U.N.
Suspend and end all cooperation with Russia–including space exploration–as long as Putin is president. Pursue regime change in Russia and more strongly support the insurgents in Russia.
Sanction Russia’s new Communist network including Lebanon, Serbia and Venezuela, as well as Pakistan, Iran, Syria, Crimea, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Belarus, with support from Iran, North Korea and even China.
We did nothing when Putin invaded Georgia in 2008 and Crimea in 2014. When he attacked Kazakhstan two months ago, a prelude to the invasion of Ukraine. Putin revived the term “Domino Theory.”
If we don’t take Putin out today, we will be dealing with far worse events in the near future. Are we the leader of the free world or are we just enjoying the title?
Ukraine is important, the second largest country in Europe next to Russia itself. What happens in Ukraine directly affects our future. We don’t want to go to war. But we can never let anyone believe we won’t go to war to defend the free world from tyranny.
THE POLITICAL GRAPEVINE: Troubles for Congresswoman Marie Newman mount. Newman is a centrist, one of the strongest advocates for Israel’s security and Palestinian justice, in a district with the largest Palestinian population.
Ironically, her troubles come right from Palestinian activists who have caused her so much damage with selfish choices: Iyman Chehade, a candidate in the new 3rd District who sued her, and Rush Darwish, who ran against her and divided the Arab vote.
If Newman loses to Congressman Sean Casten, who has received more than $30,000 from the extremist AIPAC lobby, it will be on their shoulders … Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas is leading in fundraising and support in the fight for the Democratic nomination in the new 3rd District … Secretary of State Jesse White, who has raised so many fees and made life difficult for motorists, has created a massive battle to succeed him when he endorsed Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia as his successor over Alexi Giannoulis. Giannoulis has the backing of the Cook County Democratic Party and Toni Preckwinkle, while Valencia also has Pritzker. No election will have a greater impact on Illinois voters …
Richard Irvin became mayor of Aurora in 2017 and has enforced one of the toughest crackdowns on street gang crimes. He’s running for the Republican nomination for governor against JB Pritzker. Every time I hear TV commercials by Irvin, a military veteran, his words resonate with me and I am sure with every citizen who believes that not enough is being done to stop crime. With officials like Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx making life easy for the criminals, we need someone who is taking crime serious. Irvin is backed by Republican Ken Griffin, who has 10 times more funds that Pritzker. So excessive wealth is not an issue. The biggest complaint is from the news media, arguing he hasn’t taken their questions or held press conferences. The same news media that is silent on President Joe Biden, who has held fewer press conferences than any previous president. But this is a midterm election and the party out of the White House, the Republicans, will see a voter surge … if you are looking for a real depth on Illinois politics, check out Shia Kapos‘ daily “Illinois Playbook” at Politico.
Check out Ray Hanania’s columns and political podcasts at hanania.com.
Local News
Rashid scolds TV news orgs on climate change
Spread the love. From staff reports State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-21st) recently scolded major news organizations for what he called a lack of attention to climate change. “Last year was marked by alarming climate extremes, from record-breaking heat waves to devastating floods, droughts and wildfires,” Rashid wrote earlier this month in a letter to his…
Comings & Goings: Ross to replace Walt’s at Tinley Park Plaza
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong When Walt’s Foods closed its Tinley Park location almost three years ago, it left a giant hole in the Tinley Park Plaza near 159th Street and Harlem Avenue. That hole will soon be filled with a new 22,000-square-foot Ross Dress for Less store and a 9,800-square-foot Five Below store. A…
SD122 celebrates end of Ramadan at Simmons Middle School
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam As Ramadan was drawing to a close for Muslims worldwide, District 122’s Superintendent Joseph Matise, Oak Lawn Community High School’s Muslim Students Association club, and the district’s Parents Committee came together to create history. They hosted the first-ever Iftar dinner at Simmons Middle School on April 8, a significant event…
Orland Park Library collecting candy wrappers
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Candy has taken on a whole new life at one local library. The Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, is happy to announce the launch of its very first Trash or Treasure candy wrapper recycling campaign. The Trash or Treasure program helps reduce the waste that…
Hickory Hills adds new police officer
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Hickory Hills Police Chief Jason Bray welcomed Andre Showers as the city’s newest police officer during last week’s city council meeting. Aldermen and the community at the April 11 meeting helped celebrate the induction of the Showers, 21. He’s an Army veteran and a 2023 Cook County Correctional Camp graduate…
Marist celebrates cultural diversity
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Marist High School appreciates the wide array of culture that walks its campus hallways on a daily basis. In order to celebrate, the high school, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago, hosted its second annual Celebration of Culture on March 14. During the free event, students, faculty and staff represented their…
Palos Heights Knights of Columbus donate to GiGi’s Playhouse
Spread the loveGrand Knight John Laskey and Past Grand Knight Brian Mellenthin of St. Theodore Guerin Knights of Columbus Council 14057 presented a check for $1,500 to GiGi’s Playhouse of Tinley Park, one of several donations to local groups resulting from the Knights of Columbus’ Fall Tootsie Roll Drive. One of the most recognizable activities…
Worth police join task force to combat auto thefts
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An agreement has been reached between the villages of Worth and Thornton regarding participation in the Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Task Force. Worth Police Chief Tim Denton said the approval of the memorandum to participate in the task force is necessary. “It’s no secret that there has been an increase…
A simple idea for Earth Day
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Moving right along through April, as the days get longer and nicer, time will start to go by faster. We have Earth Day on April 22 and the start of Passover at sunset.…
Neighbors
Year of growth | Evergreen Park enjoying inaugural boys volleyball season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After almost 70 years of existence as a high school, Evergreen Park finally has a boys volleyball team. The Mustangs are playing their inaugural season with a junior varsity squad, with some matches being played at the varsity level. Head coach Brian Zofkie is leading this group with assistant…
‘Brazen and cowardly’: Police, community outraged by officer’s slaying
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac Police and others across the Southwest Side reacted with outrage this week over the slaying of a Chicago Police officer in the early morning hours on Sunday. Officer Luis M. Huesca was shot to death on the street in the 3100 block of West 56th Street at 2:53 a.m.…
Swanson scores, assists in Red Stars’ win over Reign
Spread the loveThe Red Stars improved to 3-1-1 by beating the Seattle Reign, 2-1, on the road on April 21. Mallory Swanson had an assist on an Ali Schlegel goal in the fourth minute and added a goal of her own in the 31st minute. Swanson missed last season after sustaining a knee injury on…
Red Stars’ Tatumn Milazzo has top Save of the Week
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Tatumn Milazzo called her achievement “funny.” The Chicago Red Stars defender and Orland Park native was awarded the NWSL’s Save of the Week after chasing down a ball in a loss to Angel City on April 13. The Save of the Week usually goes to a goalie. Milazzo laughed…
Men’s College Volleyball | Saint Xavier captures fifth straight conference tourney title
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The SXU men’s volleyball team won its fifth straight Chicagoland Christian Athletic Conference tournament championship after a 25-16, 25-17, 25-22 sweep of Calumet College of St. Joseph on April 20 at the Shannon Center. Jan Lopuch had 10 kills and nine digs for the Cougars. With the win, the…
College Baseball | Saint Xavier upsets Eastern Illinois
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Saint Xavier baseball team picked up a win that its players are going to remember for a long time. The Cougars stunned Eastern Illinois, 4-2, on April 17 in Charleston. It was the Cougars’ first win over the Panthers, a Division I program, since 2005. Lyons grad Troy…
St. Laurence hoops teams top honor roll
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Area basketball teams proved to be strong on the court and in the classroom this season, and St. Laurence was the leader of the pack. The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association compiled a list of the top academic teams, and the area did well. In Division 3 girls, St. Laurence…