Alexei Navalny was a politician in a country without politics and lived as if there were no death. Now, according to authorities, he has died in the penal colony. Did the Kremlin win? Did Putin win? Not if you think like Navalny.
Sometimes there is no win, and everybody loses. I hope Putin will be held accountable, nobody should be untouchable or immune to consequences. Sadly some dictators and autocrats and some regimes show otherwise. Here is a list of dictatorships today.
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than today.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,— act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
“A Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A courageous man is the true definition of a hero.
This is a beautiful tribute, Bridget. I think Navalny has touched our hearts for his courage and bravery, and the sheer horror of his imprisonment and fate. His wife appears to be taking up some of her husband’s passion. Truly, she is brave and at risk. Very sobering post, my friend.
It is so good to see you, Debra. You are on my mind quite often. I hope all is well with your and with your family.
Russia and Putin are a blight on democracy and peace. It was sad to hear about Navalny I hope there is justice one day for him
I hope their will be justice. Sometimes it takes a while.
Thank you, Bridget, for selecting and sharing a most fitting poem and rousing video message. Very sad too. 🌹
Thank you for coming by. You left a beautiful rose!
Honestly I show my ignorance here (and avoidance of the news for my mental health) I had never heard of him before… must do some reading up.
Yes, please do. You will like him.
Seems like he was one of the good ones. Damm shame! Wonder if they will ever “find” him?
They did 🙁
Indeed, Navalny’s courage in the face of adversity is commendable. His determination to fight against corruption and injustice despite the risks demonstrates true heroism. And as Longfellow’s poem reminds us, our actions in the present can leave lasting footprints on the sands of time. It’s through such courage and perseverance that positive change can be achieved, even in the face of formidable challenges.
He was the only real politician. David vs Goliath and I hope the brutal giant will not win -on the long run.
A true hero
Well said.
So sad.
Yes, indeed.
The list of dictatorships is frightening. We must believe that, ultimately, good will triumph over evil.
You seem to be the only one who looked at it. The list surprised me too. Not in a good way. It’s indeed frightening. I wonder if the US will be on this list in the next year or two?
Sad & terrible.
A sad, sad day with the death of this real patriot and hero. Knowing his fate, he still went back to Russia. Putin is a brute and will be remembered as such by whatever is left of humanity, when he is done with his reengineered empire. We are all just mere steps away from DICKtatorship. Have a good weekend. Allan
I love the way you wrote DICKtatorship. I won’t forget this one! Thanks for the short smile! I don’t understand why we are hesitating to help Ukraine and for the live of me, I cannot understand why the world does not interfere. But then, there are others. Putin has big friends -not to be underestimated. China for one and all the other DICKtators and wanna be autocrats.
“the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good to do nothing.” powerful message, a sad loss but not an end
That gave me the chill too.
BBC gave him good coverage last night. I sincerely hope that his message is taken up by others.
BBC America is one of my go-to channels when I want international news or/and news with facts only.