An hour ago my wife read my latest piece on Ukraine and said it didn't make any sense. I was all over the place. It sounded like emotional diarrhea (not her words, but best describes her view). She wasn't being mean, just critical. I told her others have said the same. Yet, many people read my stories and comment in a way I would expect if they understand what I was trying to get at.

I explained that the problem I face, that you face (if I read you correctly) is that people won't learn the various issues involved. She says I should focus on one issue. I've written a few dozen pieces with focus. As have many others.

I told her the first fundamental question is should the U.S. go in with boots on the ground to defend the sovereignty of global democracies OR should it insist on a peace process, a meeting of all leaders tasked with ending the war in 2 weeks, whatever it takes.

I said there's no real talk of either. She said she reads about peace. I said, 'yes, people basically say give Russia the Donbas and Crimea for the sake of peace.' Is that fair? She agreed it isn't. So I said, so we're back to square one. Like our legal system, each side has to argue their side. But there are no real sides being argued. Just people ignoring this geopolitical crisis.

And it IS a crisis as you point out.

I probably met my first Ukrainian friend in 1975 when I was 14. How did I know she was Ukrainian. I asked if she was Russian ;) I hope I got a laugh there! But true story.