Sources Documenting Historic March 18, 2025, Telephone Meeting of East-West Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Donald Trump of the United States of America

Side by side 

Official Mention of 

Historic Government Actions

Instructive Variations 

» Official Website President of Russia     » White House Website President of USA 

Telephone conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump March 18, 2025,  http://en.special.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/76477   Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump.  The leaders continued their detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation surrounding Ukraine. Vladimir Putin extended gratitude to Donald Trump for his striving to achieve the noble goal of ending the hostilities and loss of life.  Confirming his fundamental commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the President of Russia expressed willingness to thoroughly work out possible solutions in cooperation with the American partners, aimed at reaching a settlement that would be comprehensive, reliable, and lasting, and, naturally, take into account the essential need to eliminate the root causes of the crisis, as well as Russia's legitimate security interests.  Concerning US President's proposal to declare a 30-day ceasefire, the Russian side outlined a number of significant points regarding ensuring effective control over a possible ceasefire along the entire frontline, as well as the need to stop the forced mobilisation in Ukraine and rearming the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was noted that some serious risks exist pertaining to the intractability of the Kiev regime which had repeatedly sabotaged and violated negotiated agreements. An emphasis was made on barbaric acts of terrorism committed by Ukrainian militants against civilians residing in the Kursk Region.   It was pointed out that a complete cessation of providing Kiev with foreign military aid and intelligence must become the key condition for preventing an escalation of the conflict and making progress towards its resolution through political and diplomatic means.   Referring to Donald Trump's recent appeal to spare the lives of the Ukrainian servicemen surrounded in the Kursk Region, Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Russian side was willing to embrace humanitarian motives and guaranteed that the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine would live and be treated fairly in accordance with Russian legislation and international law in the event of surrender.  During the conversation, Donald Trump put forward a proposal for the parties to mutually refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days. Vladimir Putin responded favourably to the proposal and immediately gave the relevant order to the Russian troops.  Just as favourable was the Russian President's response to Donald Trump's suggestion to implement a well-known proposal regarding the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. The leaders agreed to begin talks to further work out specific details of such an agreement.  Vladimir Putin made it known that on March 19, the Russian and Ukrainian sides would carry out an exchange of prisoners, each swapping 175 people. Additionally, as a gesture of goodwill, 23 heavily wounded Ukrainian soldiers currently receiving aid at Russian medical facilities will also be repatriated.  The leaders confirmed their intention to continue efforts aimed at reaching a settlement in Ukraine bilaterally, with due regard in particular to the aforementioned proposals by the US President. For this purpose, a Russian and an American expert task forces are now being formed.  Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump also addressed some other international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and in the Red Sea region. Joint efforts will be made to stabilise the situation in the crisis spots and establish cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation and global security. This will, in turn, contribute to improving the overall ambiance of relations between Russia and the United States. One positive example is the recent vote in the UN on a resolution on the Ukraine conflict, in which the two countries aligned their stances.  The leaders expressed mutual interest in normalising the bilateral ties in light of the special responsibility for ensuring global security and stability borne by both Russia and the United States. Within that context, they addressed a wide range of areas where the two countries could establish cooperation, discussing several ideas aimed at fostering potential ties of mutual interest in economy and energy.  Donald Trump expressed support for Vladimir Putin's idea to hold ice hockey matches in both the United States and Russia between Russian and American players from the NHL and the KHL.  The presidents agreed to stay in touch on all the issues raised.  March 18, 2025 Source President of Russia Official Website News   / March 18, 2025, “Telephone conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump” http://en.special.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/76477

BRIEFINGS & STATEMENTS Outcomes of the United States and Russia Expert Groups On the Black Sea  The White House March 25, 2025 Outcomes of the United States and Russia Expert Groups On the Black Sea in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 23-25, 2025   https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/03/outcomes-of-the-united-states-and-russia-expert-groups-on-the-black-sea/   In line with presidential-level discussions between President Donald J. Trump and President Vladimir Putin, the United States facilitated bilateral technical-level talks with the Russian delegation March 23-25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Following those discussions:  The United States and Russia have agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.  The United States will help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.  The United States and Russia agreed to develop measures for implementing President Trump’s and President Putin’s agreement to ban strikes against energy facilities of Russia and Ukraine.  The United States and Russia welcome the good offices of third countries with a view toward supporting the implementation of the energy and maritime agreements.  The United States and Russia will continue working toward achieving a durable and lasting peace.  The United States reiterated President Donald J. Trump’s imperative that the killing on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict must stop, as the necessary step toward achieving an enduring peace settlement. To that end, the United States will continue facilitating negotiations between both sides to achieve a peaceful resolution, in line with the agreements made in Riyadh.  The United States expresses gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his leadership and hospitality in once again facilitating these important discussions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Source White House Official Website / Briefings & Statements, March 25, 2025, “Outcomes of the United States and Russia Expert Groups On the Black Sea” https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/03/outcomes-of-the-united-states-and-russia-expert-groups-on-the-black-sea/  [No notes on or transcript of actual two presidents’ meeting]  ENDXXXXXXXXENDXXXXXXXXXEND

Other Website Records of the March 18, 2025, Presidents Putin and Trump Telephone Conversation

“Full text of Kremlin’s Official Readout of the Telephone Conversation between President Putin and President Trump on March 18, 2025 (in our [Pravda English] translation)”: 

The leaders continued a detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation around Ukraine. Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Donald Trump for his efforts to help achieve the noble goal of ending hostilities and human casualties.

Confirming Russia’s fundamental commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, President Putin stated his readiness to work closely with American partners to explore possible solutions. These solutions must be comprehensive, sustainable, and long-term, while also addressing the root causes of the crisis and respecting Russia’s legitimate security interests.

Regarding President Trump’s initiative for a 30-day ceasefire, the Russian side highlighted several key points: ensuring effective monitoring of any ceasefire along the entire line of contact, halting forced mobilization in Ukraine, and stopping the rearmament of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Serious concerns were also raised about the inability to reach agreements by the Kiev regime, which has repeatedly sabotaged and violated previous agreements. Attention was drawn to the barbaric terrorist crimes committed by Ukrainian militants against civilians in the Kursk region.

It was emphasized that a key condition for preventing further escalation and pursuing a political and diplomatic resolution must be the complete cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence support to Kiev.

In response to Donald Trump’s recent request to spare the lives of surrounded Ukrainian servicemen in the Kursk region, Present Putin confirmed that the Russian side would act on humanitarian grounds. In the event of surrender, Ukrainian soldiers would be guaranteed life and humane treatment in accordance with Russian laws and international norms.

During the conversation, Donald Trump proposed a mutual 30-day halt on strikes against energy infrastructure by both sides of the conflict. Vladimir Putin responded positively to this initiative and immediately issued the corresponding order to the Russian military.

President Putin also responded constructively to Donald Trump’s proposal to implement a well-known initiative on maritime security in the Black Sea. The leaders agreed to begin negotiations to work out the specific details of such an agreement.

Vladimir Putin informed Donald Trump that on March 19, there will be a prisoner exchange between the Russian and Ukrainian sides — 175 for 175. Additionally, as a goodwill gesture, 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian servicemen currently receiving treatment in Russian medical facilities will be released.

The leaders confirmed their intention to continue working toward a resolution of the Ukrainian conflict through bilateral channels, including on the basis of the aforementioned proposals by the U.S. President. To this end, Russian and American expert groups are being established.

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump also discussed other international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. Joint efforts will be made to stabilize these crisis zones, strengthen cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation, and enhance global security — steps that will help improve overall U.S.-Russia relations. One positive example of this cooperation was the recent consensus vote at the United Nations on a resolution concerning the Ukrainian conflict.

Both leaders expressed mutual interest in normalizing bilateral relations, recognizing the special responsibility of Russia and the United States for maintaining global security and stability. A wide range of potential areas for cooperation was discussed, including economic and energy partnerships.

Donald Trump supported Vladimir Putin’s idea of organizing hockey matches in both the U.S. and Russia between Russian and American players from the NHL and KHL.

The presidents agreed to stay in contact on all issues discussed. https://news-pravda.com/world/2025/03/18/1157249.html

Readout The White House, March 18, 2025, “The below is attributable to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt” 

By U.S. Mission Russia | 18 March 2025 | Topics: News, Political Affairs, President of the United States, Press Releases U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Russia

“President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Vladimir Putin”
Home | News & Events | President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Vladimir Putin

Today, President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people.

This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East.

The leaders spoke broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts. They further discussed the need to stop proliferation of strategic weapons and will engage with others to ensure the broadest possible application. The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel.

The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved. https://ru.usembassy.gov/president-donald-j-trumps-call-with-president-vladimir-putin/

With Particular Interest in 

Variations in Documentation and 

Usage of Terms (the latter highlighted mainly in blue)

Assembled from Sources 

Prolific Southern-Born American Writer Dr. Carolyn LaDelle Bennett focuses on People, Press, Politics USA; Domestic and Foreign Affairs (no copyright claimed in direct quotes and individual image)

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Mental and Moral Defect evidenced in Singular-Option Acquiescence (PARTICULARLY TO FORCE)

Afoot across the world is a Ruthless Campaign against Cultures, Countries, People’s 

• Freedom of Enterprise and Industry, 
• Development and Advancement, 
• Association. 

Americans’ Acquiescence to Washington & Co’s Lethal Brew of Sanctions-Blockade-Defamation-Destabilization Wars on the World, on Nations' Sovereignty Ensures Permanence of the Unacceptable.

Case in Point 

Sanctions

A Limited Chronology of 

USA’s anti-Russian Madness

View from Beyond the Beltway

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2010s

“The introduction of anti-Russian sanctions stretches back (at least to) to 2014…”

December 24, 2016, US sanctions against Russia … (extension) the second in the past three days… will not force us to change our views….”

August 4, 2017 (Russia) … deeply regret[s] the decision by Brussels to include a number of Russian officials and companies in the EU sanctions.”

September 30, 2019 “We are puzzled by the latest sanctions adopted … arbitrarily … by the US administration …. [W]e urge American politicians to stop the useless and self-defeating sanctions game.”

2020s

February 23, 2022, “Make no mistake, we will respond strongly to these sanctions, not necessarily in a symmetrical manner”

June 9, 2022, those imposing sanctions fail to mention that “anti-Russian unilateral sanctions are still distinctly detrimental (to many countries) ….”

July 21, 2022, question: “Why do the EU countries adopt sanctions that backfire on them?”

September 5, 2022, response to the constantly expanding list of personal sanctions against Russian nationals…, Russia imposed “personal sanctions against US citizens.”

Last Year

April 19, 2023, … (into 2024) “… about 1,500 Russians and over 1,000 Russian businesses and companies were put on the sanctions (lists)….”

May 19, 2023 (The United States Government) … regularly imposes personal anti-Russia sanctions on Russian officials…. In response to the toughening of sanctions…, “Russia is denying entry to 500 Americans… consistently apply[ing] the principle of inevitable punishment….”

June 15, 2023 “Let me remind you that the Westerners have been churning out sanctions against our country throughout… (and) they were introducing (anti-Russia) sanctions as Russia was out to ensure a peaceful future….”

June 17, 2023 “In our case, the issue is about 15,000 sanctions, which is a one-of-a-kind scenario…. The sanctions are far from anything new in the toolset the West uses to punish the disobedient…. Statistics show that one in every four countries in the world is under sanctions….”

September 5, 2023 “anti-Russia position” threatens “participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2024 … Olympic and Paralympic Games … among other things… years of illegitimate sanctions against Russia and its people; … also long-term sanctions against our country and people, and companies.”

November 8, 2023 “We would like to talk about the sanctions issue in a general form....The number of anti-Russia sanctions is over an unprecedented 17,000…. The Western sanctions against Russia have exacerbated the crisis in the global economy….”

This year 

January 26, 2024 (blackmail) “Western countries themselves destroyed all the liberal foundations of the economy by imposing sanctions….”

February 14, 2024 “It was not from the East that sanctions and trade wars came…. This happened with anti-Russia sanctions that caused … unprecedented inflation ….” Yet “it is multiplying packages of unlawful sanctions, fueling Russophobic (and) militaristic attitudes….”

March 2024, “restrictive anti-Russia measures were extended once again.”  

March 20, 2024, “The weaponization of science as a sanctions mechanism to escalate geopolitical confrontation is monstrous….”

April 25, 2024, asks “How do sanctions— illegal methods of market competition such as protectionism, unilateral restrictions, illegal sanctions…,” attempts “to hold back the growing cooperation between China and Russia—how do these impositions “against states correlate with human rights and freedoms?”

May 1, 2024, the “US announced sanctions against nearly 300 companies and individuals”

June 26, 2024, US imposes sanctions against Kaspersky Lab ….” 

June 26, 2024, Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova in St Petersburg

Negative consequences of 

anti-Russia sanctions for 

socioeconomic situation in 

Countries that imposed these restrictions

Not every country gave its approval; “but the collective West pressed on. … Despite the apparently exorbitant cost of the sanctions for those who have adopted them, the West continues with its suicidal anti-Russia policy.”

“I do not mean the West as an association of people but as the regimes that have joined hands to line their pockets while pushing their people towards the abyss. The so-called leaders of the ‘free world’ are ruling in a world that is free from conscience and, now, money. While prioritizing political considerations to the detriment of common logic and economic expedience, not to mention liberalism and economic freedoms, they are eroding the foundations of their own socioeconomic stability and the prosperity of their citizens.…

“In the past, the EU countries’ future was linked to the price of Russian energy and pricing trends, stable deliveries and Russia’s reliability as an oil and gas supplier. That link has been destroyed. What does the EU have now? It is being blackmailed by Washington’s decision or refusal to supply LNG, which may depend on weather. If the weather is colder than usual, the United States may send more LNG. But if the weather is fine, people might be recommended to move more briskly so as to warm up.…”

• “Anti-Russia sanctions have seriously affected the automotive industries in Germany, Great Britain and Japan.”

• “Anti-Russia sanctions have driven inflation way above the planned figures in many EU countries and in the United States and Canada.”

• “The growth of food prices in Europe has been compounded by the problems the EU authorities created for the Russian producers of agricultural products and fertilizers.” Yet the West continues to talk “about its concern for the future of the Global Majority and needy countries and ways to help deliver food products to them.”

• Inflation pressure has increased the burden on state budgets because of compensation subsidies to producers, which has further aggravated the debt problem in Western countries. … “The US debt has become ridiculously large, $34 trillion dollars, or over 130 percent of GDP. Yet these people claim that they are exceptional, dominant, civilized and highly developed leaders of the world.”

March 2024 Response Sanctions against citizens of the United States of America

“This list designates specific persons from the executive branch, as well as the business community, the media industry and academia who have regularly made hostile statements or spread far-fetched allegations and outright slander about Russia’s domestic and foreign policy.”

“This list supplements the designation of several American non-profit organizations specializing in humanitarian affairs as undesirable in the Russian Federation for using the United States Embassy in Moscow to recruit agents of influence. It is designed, among other things, to make sure that Washington understands the simple truth that any aggressive move will not go unpunished and will face a resolute response.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at UN July 2024

“Last century, George Orwell predicted the essence of the rules-based order in the novel Animal Farm: ‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.’ It means that you are allowed to do what you wish if you follow orders from the ruling leader. But if you dare to protect your national interests, you will be declared an outlaw and beleaguered by sanctions.”

“The Americans, having called the entire collective West to arms, are expanding the trade and economic war with the unwanted actors, having unleashed an unprecedented campaign of unilateral coercive measures that are backfiring, primarily, on Europe and further fragment[ing] the global economy.”

“The countries of the Global South in Asia, Africa and Latin America are suffering from the neo-colonial practices of Western countries. Illegal sanctions, numerous protectionist measures, restrictions on access to technology directly contradict genuine multilateralism and create serious obstacles to achieving the goals of the UN development agenda.”

Who Defines 

“Openness,” “Freedom” “Transparency”?

The “Washington strategy” consistently consolidates “US-centric bloc initiatives of anti-Russia and anti-China orientation in Asia under the banner of a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ concept— how can an entrenched fortress of “military-political blocs” armed to the teeth “with command and administrative systems … be ‘free’ or ‘open’?”

Underlying concepts enshrined in the doctrinal documents of US-centric bloc rule out (or preclude) any notion or actualization of “Freedom, openness and transparency.”




Sources

Russian Foreign Ministry June 26, 2024 “Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, St Petersburg” 1219-26-06-2024 https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/1959673/

Russian Federation Foreign Ministry March 14, 2024, “Foreign Ministry statement on personal sanctions against US citizens.” 482-14-03-2024 https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/1938555/

Lavrov, Sergey Russian Foreign Minister July 16, 2024 “Statement by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during the UN Security Council meeting on multilateral cooperation in the interest of a more just, democratic and sustainable world order,” New York, July 16, 20241342-16-07-2024 https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/1962040/

Russian Foreign Ministry “Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow” July 24, 20241400-24-07-2024 https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/1963220/#Q07

Russian Federation “Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow” “Personal sanctions against representatives of UK think tanks.” August 21, 20241562-21-08-2024
https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/1966295/

“These organizations disseminate misinformation discrediting Russia in the world information space via publicly available media and the Internet thereby trying in vain over many years to create conditions for destabilizing the internal political situation within Russia and the countries friendly to the Russian Federation ….”

RT News August 23, 2024, “Moscow charges CNN journalist with illegal border crossing:
Nick Paton Walsh traveled to the Russian city of Sudzha while embedded with Ukrainian troops.”
https://www.rt.com/news/602967-cnn-reporter-charged-russia/

Tereschenko, Mikhail August 28, 2024, TASS News “Russia permanently bans entry to 92 US nationals including reporters — MFA: The ban applies to some reporters from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and the New York Times, according to the statement” https://tass.com/politics/1835355

RT News August 28, 2024 “High-profile US media names on Russia’s latest sanctions list
Purveyors of “fake news” were among the almost 100 blacklisted Americans.” https://www.rt.com/news/603222-russia-sanctions-american-journalists/

###

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Missed Headlines

NEVER to be FORGOTTEN Stories 

Headline September 13, 2022

“Jewel of the Caucasus: Why Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to fight over Nagorno-Karabakh” FEATURE: “A ceasefire was declared in the disputed territory 21 months ago, but is there any chance of a genuine peace?”

 

Headline September 14, 2022

“From Brezhnev to Khrushchev: Ukraine had a huge influence on the Soviet Union, something Kiev now prefers to downplay” FEATURE: “It’s not commonly understood in the West, today, that Ukrainians played a major role in the USSR”

Headline September 16, 2022

“15 years after US Blackwater mercenaries massacred civilians in Baghdad, has anything changed for private military contractors?” FEATURE: “The Nisour Square massacre was a notorious incident some years after the illegal US invasion of Iraq”

Headline September 17, 2022

“Leaked documents expose Ukrainian attempts to destabilize Russia and draw NATO into a full-scale war with Moscow” FEATURE: “Plans concocted by the special services reveal Kiev’s aggressive strategy over many years”

Headline September 18, 2022

“Bait and switch: How Russia handed Moscow to Napoleon 210 years ago, but went on to win the war” FEATURE: “The Western cliché is that ‘General Winter’ defeated the French leader, but the truth is far more complex”

 

Headline September 19, 2022

“NATO’s bombing of Yugoslavia: How the illegal US-led attack on the Balkan state changed the course of European history” FEATURE: “An intervention intended to crown the US imperial project ended up ‘losing’ Russia instead”

Headline September 20, 2022

“Bombshell court filing suggests the FBI knew ‘Russiagate’ was a fraud in January of 2017, but it kept up its pressure on (former US President Donald) Trump” FEATURE: “Igor Danchenko’s confession appears to reveal the bureau’s true intentions”

♦

Layered dubious Sources ♦

Christopher Steele is a native of South Arabia (now Yemen) who holds UK citizenship and owns a London-based private intelligence company. Mr. Steele apparently hired Igor Yurievich Danchenko, a native of the Soviet Union living in the US state of Virginia, to investigate US citizens. Danchenko (a/k/a Iggy Danchenko) becomes one of Steele’s primary sources for information alleging “collusion” between the “2016 presidential campaign” of US businessman Donald John Trump “and the Russian government.” In compiling his information, Mr. Danchenko reportedly used his “friends” as sources.

Iggy Danchenko mark in history is that he was “Primary sub-source for Christopher Steele’s ‘Steele dossier’”

Neon Nettle

“FEC Fines Hillary Clinton for Lying about Steele Dossier Funding Clinton team and DNC hit with fines over anti-Trump hoax” by Jay Greenberg, March 31, 2022,  Neon Nettle International House12 Constance Street, London, United Kingdom https://neonnettle.com/news/18696-fec-fines-hillary-clinton-for-lying-about-steele-dossier-funding

“Besides revelations that its contents were fabricated, the scandalous document was heavily scrutinized for its questionable sources — which ultimately turned out to be Hillary Clinton’s campaign and her counterparts in the DNC.”

 

Headline September 21, 2022

“Another Afghanistan in the making? How a fully-fledged war between two ex-Soviet states could threaten stability in Central Asia” FEATURE: “What has happened on the border of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and where will it lead?”

 

Headline September 24, 2022

“US Psy-Ops exposed: Washington isn’t concerned about morals; it’s worried about getting caught” FEATURE: “Pentagon orders urgent review of after its global scheme is compromised”

Sources
International News Sources
Encyclopedic Sources

 

World and National Sources
Collage composed of individual Internet images
Composition, Commentary excluding quoted material and individual images

Copyright © Carolyn LaDelle Bennett

 

Barbarism is as Barbarism does

Barbarism is people going around the world killing other people and destroying the livelihoods and peaceful existence of others. Barbarism exists when people with lethal instruments and related apparatuses use these against others. Barbarism is incivility and lawlessness. Barbarism is the whimsical manufacture of "bad men" and the taking down of those manufactured bad men.

I am reminded of this every time I hear the latest media-public official manufacture and mantra of their kill of their terrorist. The whole scene is their manufacture, their definition, their contrived scene. Neither of the announcers was on the scene or a direct observer of the declared “terror” or “terrorist.”

In a society of civilized people, the accused is arrested and subjected to an established prosecutorial institution, is brought before an impartial tribunal where evidence for and against the accused is presented to be then judged by a jury.

T

hose who order the hunting down of people, those who do the hunting, those who kill or cause to be killed in this way—are themselves criminals who should be brought before impartial courts of justice.

Barbarism should be seen not merely as an anachronism; or, as Merriam Webster defines it, merely an anachronistic offense “against contemporary standards of correctness,” a corruption, impropriety, or vulgarism. It is even more: it is the embodiment and causation of all-round societal (local to global community, governmental, regional, multinational) descent into utter lawlessness.

 Concepts pertinent to the reversal of barbarism and its consequences would exclude terms such “humanitarian” (or “humanitarianism”) and “civilized” as these have been used to disparage and destroy. The former has promulgated grounds for slaughter. The latter has been so misused as to declare some people by virtue of their accident or place of birth “uncivilized” (primitive, untouchables, deplorables), and others by virtue of their accident or place of birth “civilized” (rulers, entitled, better than all the rest)—the ingrained “us” versus “other” sickness. Like the “terrorist” label, the powerful and depraved can define the terms, decide the fate, and orchestrate the fatality of those whom they so define.

I

 prefer fellowship (perhaps  old-fashioned brotherhood), lawfulness and mindfulness, regard and respectfulness as these concepts connote a sense of being with, a commonality, harmony, togetherness (open to dialogue, debate, dissent, disagreement), an equal standing and awareness of same; a sense of being a part of (not apart from) each and all.

“No one is an island entire of itself.” 

 

All are a piece of the whole, “part of the main.” 

 

The death of anyone “diminishes me because I am involved in (all human beings);” and “therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for (each and everyone).”  

 

With apologies for liberty taken with a piece by the famous seventeenth century English poet of the Metaphysical school, dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral (London) John Donne (/dʌn/ DUN), who lived from 1572 until 1631.

 

U

ntil the depraved (and their partners) with command of language (and its misuse), staging, technology and arsenals of lethal weaponry are removed from positions of power and influence (by legitimate, secret ballot, by established rules mandating and enforcing resignation or retirement); until the depraved are made to stand trial for documented crimes—their kind and their crimes will continue to grow. The depravity and descent will destroy the whole world.

Prompting these thoughts was breaking “news” from Washington (parroted in traditional and contemporary print and broadcast media) illustrating barbarism.

President of the United States August 1, 2022: “In Kabul, Afghanistan, …on Saturday (July 30, 2022), at my direction, the United States successfully concluded an airstrike ♦ [“I made the decision that after 20 years of war the United States no longer needed thousands of boots on the ground in Afghanistan to protect America from terrorists who seek to do us harm”] ♦ … that killed the emir of al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri … (who) was bin Laden’s leader. 

 

“He was with him all the — the whole time.  He was his number-two man, his deputy at the time of the terrorist attack of 9/11 (September 11, 2001).  He was deeply involved in the planning of 9/11, one of the most responsible for the attacks that murdered 2,977 people on American soil. Now justice has been delivered, and this terrorist leader is no more.” 

 

Source: White House Blue Room Balcony Speeches and Remarks August 1, 2022, “Remarks by President Biden on a Successful Counterterrorism Operation in Afghanistan,” https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/08/01/remarks-by-president-biden-on-a-successful-counterterrorism-operation-in-afghanistan/

 

 

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