Editor:

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! “Patrick Henry spoke these words (Virginia Convention, 1775), but the orator just as well might be a Ukrainian viewing the latest “peace-plan” “contrived”( I do not use this word lightly ) with all the negative connotations that may be attached therein to a word often derived to mean “scheme.” Russia’s nefarious treacheries heaped upon Ukraine every violent act imaginable: invasion, destruction, rape, mass-murder, kidnapping, peace-seeking Ukrainians put to every brutality of “dungeon, fire, and sword.” Those giving lip-service to supporting Ukraine don’t *stop* Putin, despite having the power to do so.

Now comes the latest: the 28-point “peace-plan,” concveived in backrooms between the Russians and certain high-level Americans, without the knowledge or involvement of the Ukrainians (Remember them? They’re involved!) or the Europeans whose security is also affected. Basically, it says Ukraine must surrender, capitulate, reduce it’s military to the comparative size of a Boy-Scout troop, disarm, vow never to join NATO to secure its future, seek safety-measure assurances against future “pogroms” of sorts against the Ukrainians, forfeit their land without complaint, meekly acquiesce to such demands without remedy, embrace Trump’s knees in supplication, cheapen each drop of blood shed so far. Despite the impunities and deprivations enacted upon the Ukrainians, if I were a citizen, I’d say, “Let the war continue!” Trump and Putin should be ashamed of this perfidy being propagated as if by celestial Grandmasters, irregardless of the value of the lesser pieces upon the chessboard, sacrificing to their greater arrogant egos — Let the lesser pieces grovel in their insignificance!

For perspective, if Houghton launched missiles leveling half of Hancock, storming over the bridge in invasion, as a Hancock resident I’d surely fight to the last drop of blood. Had I been U.S. president, I’d demand Putin fully withdraw his troops from Ukrainian territory on Day One or Moscow-bound missiles would fly Day Two. That’s how you stop an invasion.

Presently, “the peace plan” is being *somewhat* revised: that it was birthed, in secret, as a Russian carte-blanche, was a travesty to begin with. We must support Ukraine with armaments enough to allow David to prevail over Goliath, if we ourselves believe our stated ideals, each saying, when faced with adversity (in the words of Martin Luther): “Here I stand; I can do no other!”

James M. Gau

Hancock