The World Seems To Stay Still: Ukrainian Americans Speak
On the puzzle of democracy.
The world seems to stay still because…it’s complex and terrifying to think that acting with force may lead to a world war, (the) outcome will (be) catastrophic…Stalin starved millions of ethnic Ukrainians…Putin hated the thought that they formed a Democracy on his doorstep. He now will try to finish off what has been ongoing, hate toward this country & its people…Everyone is terrified.[1] -A text from my Ukrainian American neighbor.
Politics are like crossword puzzles, but without the wit.
I loathe crossword puzzles. In a world of crosswords, give me Wordle, something I know I can solve.
Will Shortz, the editor of the New York Times Crossword, is a witty sadist. Mr. Shortz does not provide easily obtained dopamine. He makes you labor for it without the guarantee of getting it.
He is a professional tormentor.
The New York Times keeps him in their employ, which makes a kind of sense. The Times loves to torture people. It tortures conservatives because it’s a liberal paper, and it tortures progressives because it’s supposed to be a liberal paper.
The dratted conceit of crosswords is the theme. It can make clues easier, but often leads you astray. Mr…
