The Stan R. Mitchell report for 3/15/22.
Discover more from The View from the Front. By Stan R. Mitchell.
The Stan R. Mitchell report for 3/15/22.
Happy Tuesday, everyone! Hope everyone’s week is off to a great start.
We begin with Ukraine today for obvious reasons, though I’ll keep that brief. (Matter of fact, I’ll keep this newsletter brief, as well, because my newsletters have become too long.)
The Russian assault grinds on, but you read more and more about the fact that in the long term, Ukraine might actually win this thing.
If they do, and I’m inclined to think they will, it’ll be the greatest upset in decades for sure. Perhaps in centuries.
This summary below talks about recent Russian strikes to the west (intended to cut off supplies), how far Russian forces have pushed into Kyiv (includes an incredible map of this), and also their efforts in the southern part of the country to push north (which have been fairly successful to date).
Most worryingly, Clint Watts describes how Russian forces are trying to link up and cut off all Ukrainian forces to the east.
But the good news for the Russians stops in the south. There are plenty of reports that Russian forces lack food and gas. That their morale is low. And that Putin is desperate.
There’s even this news.
And also this:
I hope all of this is correct.
One of my newer fears is that Putin — in his desperation, and with the talk of biolabs — will launch a chemical strike on Kyiv.
It will be his punch below the belt in this fight.
Putin will blame the Ukrainians, making the outlandish claim that Ukrainians used chemical weapons on themselves in order to garner international sympathy.
Do not fall for this. Also, ignore the biolab story. Finally, never believe a single word that comes from the mouth of Putin. (Fact-checking Russia's biological weapons claims.)
Putin has been lying and murdering people for decades.
You would not trust the words of a convicted, serial killer on death row, so why would you feel any differently toward Putin?
I mean, just consider this point below, from just the past couple of days…
Putin is not to be trusted, and if you were ever forced to have to shake the man’s hand, I’d want a weapon in the other one.
Two quick final points.
Here’s a thread from a retired colonel on why providing older aircraft to Ukraine won’t be a game-changer.
Moving to MUCH more pleasant news (sort of), I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of clowns, but maybe the world really does need more of them. (Hat tip to Alex Plitsas for bringing the below video to my attention.)
I think the beauty of this video is that it shows that even in the greatest midst of uncertainty, upheaval, and trauma to kids, it’s possible to make them smile. It’s possible to engage with them and cheer them up.
And this is something each and every one of us can do in our own communities, even if you’re simply shopping at a grocery store or walking across a parking lot. (Who among us HASN’T seen some kid with a parent or set of parents that you just know by looking: that kid doesn’t have a chance?)
This might be partly true about the kid’s future. But the very least we can do is smile and give them just the briefest glimmer of hope. They may always come across a book, a teacher, or a coach or neighbor, who inspires them, lifts them up, and removes them from their circumstances.
Until that happens, though, it’s up to us to make that smile happen and keep the glimmer of hope burning.
In sad news regarding our military, we lost another of our own from a training accident. Please honor and remember him and his family in your thoughts today.
Freedom most certainly is never free.
Finally, let’s end on something a tad different.
I don’t typically touch much on politics, but I have to say that I’m so intrigued by the Wisconsin race for Liz Cheney.
Clearly, she’s able to raise a lot of money, as seen by the story below. But former President Donald Trump is adamant that she must be defeated.
Cheney’s victory or defeat will have massive, national ramifications. She will have the advantage of probably televised hearings for the Jan. 6 committee in a few months. But Trump will likely visit the state to rally those who support her opponent. These two things will likely cancel each other out, to some degree.
Cheney is even making moves to line up a run for president, if you read the story below. Clearly, Trump is doing the same.
It will be a political clash for the ages, and one I’ll enjoy watching. But from a larger perspective, I’m so curious what this means for the future of the Republican Party. What are your all’s thoughts on the matter?
That’s it for this edition. Let’s end with some motivation and wisdom.
Therefore, be a rarity. Be a loyal kind of person.
That’s it for this edition. As a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.
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Semper Fidelis,
Stan R. Mitchell
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a leadership/biography book, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.
About me: I am a prior infantry Marine, who earned the rank of Sergeant and a Combat Action Ribbon in 1997, and I’d love to do my small part to unite this country. I’m also a proud independent author, who used to own a small weekly newspaper for nine years that was probably (in hindsight) too generous on pricing to my advertisers and too lenient on my collection terms (I’m honestly just almost too nice). I also sought to downplay controversy, understate headlines, and never create panic, all of which is a terrible way to sell newspapers (but a responsible way for a media outlet to act). Looking back, it’s clear I had (and have) a big heart and that I wasn’t made to be some kind of cut-throat business executive. It’s this same streak in me that prevents me from signing any book deals, even big ones. I just don’t trust ruthless business executives at the big publishers. And even if I did, that very same company that I trusted could be bought and purchased overnight. Sorry, but I’ll pass on that. The truth is that while I’ve relented and signed some distribution deals, such as the one I did with Audible for my Nick Woods series, I’m just not willing to be owned by any of the big publishing houses. If I want to speak out on China? I will. If I want to send free books to military members? I will. (And I have.) I don’t ever plan to be owned by some New York publishing house. (The only person I answer to on this earth is my wife and I plan to keep it that way.) My success to this point has been made by doing it the right way: gaining one new reader or one new subscriber at a time. So join me on my journey. Let’s build a community of like-minded Americans, who believe in this country and in our fellow citizens (even those on the other side of the aisle). People who believe in small businesses and independent dreamers on their own journey, whether it’s owning a small farm or staying autonomous in their creative fields. And when it comes to politics? No name-calling. No screaming. Just honest discussion and a genuine search for the truth. In the end, we truly all want the same: good government, unity throughout our land, and ethical leadership.
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And if you want to know just a tad more about me and my journey, there’s this: Writers are crazy, and I’m crazier than most.