Solidarity with Ukraine

Ukraine is a country in east Europe, bordered by Belarus and Poland among others, but to their east lies Russia. If you haven’t heard of the recent developments in the region, please read this buzzfeed article, which provides a quick overview of the history and current events in Ukraine.

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My heart is with the people of Ukraine. Although the Latvian peoples are Balts and the Ukrainians are Slavs, the two countries share a similar history. Both spent a significant number of years illegally incorporated into the USSR, both regained their independence in 1991, and now both (it seems) have lost territory to Russia’s aggression: Latvia lost Abrene in 1945, and it seems just a matter of time before Crimea is seized and assimilated into Russia. Similarities don’t end there, for the reason why these two territories have such a high percentage of Russian inhabitants (the main excuse Putin has used to defend his actions) are the deportations that took place after World War II, when Crimea’s native Crimean Tatars and Abrene’s native Latvians were deported en masse to Central Asia and Siberia, and Russians were resettled in the area to replace them.

source here

Looking at the bigger picture the world’s reaction to this illegal occupation sets a terrible precedent. By not countering, Putin has been given the go-ahead to do as he pleases. Crimea is an important port in the region, giving Russia access to the Black Sea and therefore the Mediterranean (currently Sevastopol is the key to Moscow military strategy as the country's only warm-water seaport that can operate year-round)… A port on the Baltic Sea would be extremely beneficial, a fact which puts the Baltic countries and even Poland at significant risk. In fact, Russia has already increased their military presence and has been conducting readiness drills near the Lithuanian and Polish borders (in Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave tucked between Poland, Lithuania and the Baltic sea, which is headquarters for the Russian Baltic fleet, but is not directly connected to Russia and therefore not an ideal port). Must we be reminded that World War II started with the invasion of Poland, resulting in 50 million to 85 million fatalities? 

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See also "Ukraine Crisis Stokes Baltic Nerves" from Reuters

and The Atlantic's "Russia's Seizure of Crimea is Making Former Soviet States Nervous" 

The jump from annexation of Crimea to World War is a big one, but maybe not so far-fetched. Putin wasted no time between the end of the Olympics and his invasion of Ukraine, ruining the expensive new image of Russia he had so carefully crafted in Sochi. He is risking financial stability, the support of his allies and possibly the compliance of the Russian people. He is violating international law as well as the Budapest Memorandum, the treaty signed in 1994 by the US, Britain, Russia and Ukraine guaranteeing the integrity of Ukraine’s borders. Is it so unbelievable he might take it to the next level? And although I believe the United States should already be more involved (America gave its word that Ukraine would be protected), it will have no choice but to engage if the Baltics are threatened. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are members of NATO, assuring European and American involvement if their borders are breached.

A Lenin statue is toppled in Kiev source here

See also Time's "4 Reasons Putin is Already Losing in Ukraine"

In the most danger are the Ukrainian people themselves. The Crimean Tatars know from experience to fear for their lives if the peninsula comes under Russian control, and the Ukrainians have substantial historical knowledge of life as part of the Soviet Union as well: mass deportations, disappearances, rampant robbery and destruction. 

Read Radio Free Europe's "Fear is in the Air Among Crimean Tatars"

and "Putin's Career Rooted in Russia's KGB" by the Washington Post

also "Who is Putin Protecting from Whom in Ukraine" on CNN

This is why the whole world should sit up and pay attention. This is why it isn’t just “some former republic of the Soviet Union” that is at stake. This is why we can’t just sit and watch the events unfold on our televisions and mobiles.

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The first step is to raise awareness of the events in the region. Be informed on current events, and utilize social media to disseminate information. Write letters to the editor, call in to radio stations, tweet, like and share good posts.

Sign petitions; contact your local representatives and even the White House. Let them know you are concerned about the lack of response by the US, especially when we gave our word that Ukraine would be protected.

Attend demonstrations in your area. (Click here for demonstrations in Rīga, Latvia, Washington DC and even Russia)

Facebook event link here

This situation does not have to end in war. Through diplomatic maneuvering and economic sanctions Putin can be made to understand he does not have full license to do as he pleases. Lithuania has banned entry into the country for 18 former Ukrainian government officials suspected of human rights abuses and use of force and violence against peaceful protesters. Canada has taken the first steps in recalling their ambassador to Russia, and many European and Asian countries have officially come out against Russia’s illegal move into the sovereign country of Ukraine. But there is so much more that can be done. The West needs to send aid to Ukraine, in form of energy, training for financial and election institutions and anti- corruption efforts. There must be economic sanctions for Russia, and access to global financial markets must be restricted. Russia needs to be kicked out of the G8, the forum for the governments the leading industrialized countries in the world. I’m no political or economic guru, but even I can see limiting Russia’s funding for a war effort would make Putin rethink his recent incursion. Oh, and renew plans for the missile defense complex in Poland and the Czech Republic... we'll need it.

via Kristaps Skutelis on twitter

 As insignificant as this blog article may be in the grand scheme of things, it is what I have to offer the Ukrainian people. Dear friends, may you be free to elect a government, rebuild your country and live in peace. May the rest of the world open their eyes to Putin’s true intentions, and may this crisis resolve peacefully.

Artist: Linda Anna Raistere

Snow and Sochi in the South

Happy Valentine’s Day! Also, happy 400^th post!

It’s been all snow, play and Olympics here this week as the South copes with Winter Storm Pax. Monday the stores were jammed as people stocked up on essentials. Although I wish I had taken a picture of the man with a cart full of Moon Pies, I have to admit it was sobering seeing grocery shelves so empty. Our preparations included baking rupjmaize, digging out the boys’ snowpants and locating flashlights and candles in case an ice storm takes out the electricity.

Tuesday morning we awoke to snow, big heavy flakes that just wouldn’t stick. All day it came down, and although an inch or two collected along fences, tree branches and other cooler places, the grass had hardly an inch with roads remaining mostly clear. We took long walks, marveling at how the snow had stuck to everything but the ground. Although there was some traffic, it seemed as a large portion of the Upstate had settled in for a nap; although driving was supposedly slow going there were few accidents reported.

Wednesday morning it seemed like it would be back to normal… for about an hour. The snow started coming down again, this time conditions cold enough for it to immediately start sticking. The roads were covered in about 30 minutes, and the snow was deep enough for the boys to be outside playing in it immediately after breakfast. We had our fun, and then rushed indoors and shed our wet outerwear in a hurry. Huddled around the computer for the luge mens’ doubles event, we witnessing the Šics brothers Andris and Juris win a bronze medal, the first for Latvia in these Olympics. Then it was lunch with the Latvian hockey team who had a match with the Swiss. A nailbiter until the very end, the Latvian goalie had 37 saves with only seconds left in the third period when a man down at one end of the rink had them short at the other… and the Swiss scored with a little over seven seconds left in the game. Slightly disappointing, but considering Latvia has been written off as a contender, they put up a heck of a fight.

And the snow just kept coming, until late afternoon.  Instead of attempting to drive to downtown to go sledding in Falls Park, we strolled down the block to a steeper section of the street. As next to no one was on the roads, we had the hill for our own winter Olympics luge event with about twenty other local kids. After the boys’ first solo run (in which they narrowly missed several obstacles and ended up almost underneath a parked car) we opted for team runs. Somehow they made another run by themselves, and this one didn’t end as well with a crash into a roadsign. Luckily the injury sustained wasn’t enough to preclude additional sledding, and soon the boys (including dad) were at it again, even attempting the jump older kids had built at the bottom of the hill. Then just as suddenly as the snow had begun it changed into sleet, with frozen pellets stinging our faces as we made our way home to hot chocolate.

Luckily our power stayed on (although some others further south weren’t as lucky). Thursday we thought for sure Greenville would be back to normal, but the warmer temperatures made for extremely slick road conditions, especially with close to three inches of snow still present. Whereas the snow the previous day was dry and powdery, today it was perfect for packing and so we spent the morning building snowmen before trying our hand at a few more downhill runs.

Coming in for lunch we put on the team luge event and watched Latvia slide their way to another bronze. The team members - Elīza Tīruma, Mārtiņš Rubenis, Andris and Juris Šics – were truly an all-star team, with Rubenis having medaled at the men's singles luge at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin (the first Latvian to win a medal at the Winter Olympics) and the Šics brothers with a doubles silver from Vancouver in 2010 in addition to their two Sochi bronze medals. Tīruma placed 12^th in women’s singles this Tuesday. Also, read this article for the inspirational story on how Juris Šics survived a car crash not even three years ago after which he was told he would never walk normally again – only to double medal in these Sochi Olympics.

source here

Friday at noon Sochi time (3am here), the Latvians faced off against the Czech Republic in their second round robin game in the tournament. With a final score of 2 to 4, they might have lost the game, but they played a good one, surprising the Czechs with their tenacity and aggressive game. Jānis Sprukts and Herberts Vasiljevs scored for Latvia, with the goalie Edgars Masaļskis having 35 saves. Then the Dukurs brothers Mārtiņš and Tomass had their first two runs in men’s skeleton, and now we have to wait until tomorrow to see if 2nd and 6th standing will translate to a gold medal. Saturday also brings the last round robin game of the hockey tournament against Sweden. Their seeding will be determined by this game, and then next Tuesday will be the playoff game for the four remaining quarterfinal spots (the top four teams advance directly).  Needless to say that we’ll be glued to the television for a good part of the morning – sarauj Latvija!

Let the Games begin!

Today the XXII Olympic Games start in Sochi, Russia, with a few preliminary events occurring before the opening ceremonies on Friday. There is plenty of controversy surrounding these Olympics, the first winter Olympics to take place in Russia. In addition to the reported environmental impact, political and ethical questions combined with corruption scandals have marred the Games before they’ve even begun. We can only hope the Games will pass without incident, and therefore we’ll be concentrating on cheering on our favorites and teaching the boys about the winter Olympic sports.

"you have to bite the medal to make sure it is real"

 

As US citizens we are proud supporters of Team USA, but after our time in France we also have a soft spot for some of the French athletes. However, it is the Latvian team that will have us on our feet cheering. This will be the third winter Games in a row that Latvia will send exactly 58 athletes who will be competing in nine events – a relatively high number when compared with the 230 athletes representing the US – but Latvia has only won three medals in the winter Olympics. Mārtiņš Rubenis won a bronze in Turin’s luge men's singles in 2006 (this will be his 5^th Olympics), Andris Šics & Juris Šics placed second in luge doubles in Vancouver 2010, and Mārtiņš Dukurs earned a silver in those same Olympics in men’s skeleton.

our train "ski jump"

 

All four will be competing in Sochi next week, along with some other familiar faces; you NHL fans might recognize the names of Kaspars Daugaviņš, Zemgus Girgensons, and Sandis Ozoliņš, who will carry the flag in the opening ceremony. Ozoliņš (or Ozolinsh as it has been spelled) was a seven-time NHL All-Star, Stanley Cup champion and Norris Trophy finalist during his career in North America. He played for the San Jose Sharks, the Colorado Avalanche, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Florida Panthers, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the New York Rangers, and currently is on the Dinamo Riga team of the Kontinental Hockey League. Kaspars Daugaviņš was drafted in 2006 by the Ottawa Senators, and later played for the Boston Bruins. He’s currently with the Genève-Servette HC of the National League A. Zemgus Girgensons, the highest drafted Latvian in NHL history has played with the Buffalo Sabres since 2012. Other former NHL players include Oskars Bartulis and Mārtiņš Karsums. The Latvian hockey team has been placed in bracket C, along with the Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland. Their first game is on Wednesday with the Swiss, and on Friday they play the Czech Republic before facing off against Sweden on Saturday.

Source: here

 

We wish all the athletes who have qualified to participate in these Games a safe Olympic experience. You can bet the TV will be on a lot more than usual in this house (hopefully they won’t cut to commercial when Latvia walks in during the opening ceremonies) as we share in the stories, the hope and the triumph of the athletes that have traveled all the way to Sochi to compete with the best in the world. And of course - Sarauj Latvija!!!

Team Latvia (skeleton) source here

 
The Latvian Olympic team's official page can be found here.
For a detailed roster, you can find an article on the Latvian participants on diena.lv in the article here (in Latvian).
The Sochi website also has the roster, although it appears not to be complete (but is available in English).
I'm not the biggest fan of Wikipedia, but the "Latvia at Sochi" entry has a ton of info condensed and well-organized (in English).
This google document has a breakdown of days and times the Latvian athletes will be competing (in Latvian, according to their time zone).
A quick recap of Latvia's medals in the London summer Olympics here.

Kicking off the month with cake and football

Along with the beginning of February came a slew of holidays and other occasions, ruining the image of control I had at the end of January, seeming to sneak up on me as it does every year. Luckily I didn’t have to worry about the big events which caught me off guard in Clermont-Ferrand; the short film festival and wine weekend at the Vinidome (which we usually missed anyway during our years in France) or the big rugby game in which France emerged victorious against England in the RBS 6 nations. But I also missed jour des crêpes, the French tradition of a day of crêpes that we had managed to keep since moving back from France. The good news is that there were a dozen other things to observe and celebrate!

With the passing of the Chinese New Year we have entered into the year of the horse, and who cares that Punxsutawney Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter (a few days ago on Groundhog Day), we have been immersed in a birthday celebration! Our youngest marked his second birthday on January 29^th, and Sunday we had a few friends over to celebrate. The bar had been set high as on Lauris’s second birthday dessert consisted of the train cake, but we managed a completely relaxed weekend while still marking this milestone in proper jubilārs vēlās fashion. While discussing possible cakes with Mikus I received a few pointers: mašīna, policija and pikaps (car, police and pickup truck). The result was this cake, for which I used Martha’s one bowl chocolate cake recipe and a vanilla buttercream icing, mixed with some food coloring for the accents.

The weather has warmed considerably since the giant snow storm, and we spent the warmest hours of the day outside. Our guests brought a science experiment, and luckily no one got too sticky during the Mentos-Coke explosion. We soaked up the mid-60˚ temps before heading inside for a chili dinner and the Super Bowl, complete with a bacon-cheese dip and plenty of chips and guacamole, as required by this American holiday centered around food, friends and football.

Of course now we can turn our attention to Sochi for the Winter Olympics. We’ll definitely tune in to watch the opening ceremonies Friday, and despite all the controversy on Russia’s preparation for these games, we are excited to support the Latvian men’s hockey team. They will be taking the ice next Wednesday, so now it is just a matter of rounding up the local Latvians and figuring out how to watch the game….