The Ricochet Greatest Hits Weekly Edition
Also, some community news, including a heads up about a nifty cocktail recipe contest.....
It’s been an intense week with Russia making its move on Ukraine. The news cycle has naturally shifted to focus heavily on this developing story, and we’ve already seen a few posts about the topic on the Ricochet Member Feed. One is featured below, and we expect continued discussions in the community.
In addition to the post about Russia, we’re sharing a few other Member Feed posts just in case you missed them. They cover several topics: bad cops, changing definitions of racism, optimism, when it’s OK for protests to block public access, and the fine print on a doormat tag. You’ll also find community news, including a heads up about a nifty cocktail recipe contest.
Have family members, friends, or former Ricochet members who’d enjoy this kind of member-only content? Share this newsletter and tell them they can join today and get their first 14 days free. You’ll help grow our community and provide some great conversation starters for your next soiree or night out on the town.
Speaking of being a member, remember: We’ll have a price increase soon. If you renew your membership now, you’ll lock in our current pricing for one more year.
Top Talkers
Kelly D Johnston: How Russia Expresses Its Love for Those “Dearest to Us” (Ukraine)
While Ukraine has been under Russian domination off and on for parts of three centuries, it has been free and independent, with its sovereignty and borders guaranteed by the US, the United Kingdom, and Russia for almost 30 years. In 1992, nearly 90 percent of Ukrainians voted to disgorge themselves from the Soviet Union.
It’s not hard to figure out why.
If you’ve read anything by Kelly D Johnston, you know he digs deeply into topics. This post is no exception. Kelly highlights two key reasons many in Ukraine dislike Russia: the Holodomor, a famine that killed millions of Ukrainians, and the Chernobyl disaster, a nuclear accident that made part of Ukraine unlivable and whose exact death toll is unknown. This is a sobering look at two horrific periods in the country’s history, and the final paragraph is especially strong.
Franco: Too Many Bad Cops
As part of our ongoing debate about law enforcement and its excesses, I’m presenting this post of links to varied acts of hubris, arrogance, excessive authority and force, along with outright criminality.
Franco follows this opening statement by noting that while some will react with “But most cops are good,” he believes the good police officers can’t act benevolently within the systems in which they must operate. He links to 24 stories for your consideration while also noting that he’s had positive and negative experiences with law enforcement. We appreciate Franco’s straightforward yet sincere look at an issue that’s been a hot — and often contentious — topic for the past few years.
Jerry Giordano: The Incoherence of the Racism Accusation
It seems to me that all three of these definitions are unworkable. I also get the impression that the main reason for trying to define “racism,” and to focus on the issue, is to provide special treatment and privilege to certain people and groups on the basis of their race or ethnicity — any group other than “whites.”
What, exactly, is the definition of racism? It can depend not only on who you ask, but when you ask them. Take the Anti-Defamation League, for example. As detailed in an American Renaissance article, the ADL has changed its definition of racism twice during the past two years. Jerry Giordano offers a thorough commentary on the article and the ADL’s varying takes on what’s considered racist. It’s an interesting read, especially if you’re not up to date on the ADL’s latest definitions of racism.
Susan Quinn: Eradication of Optimism
Now let me clarify one very important point: optimism and pessimism are on two ends of the same spectrum. All of us have both qualities within us, and tend to lean one way or the other, depending on circumstances. But I believe that all of us maintain an overall life perspective, even if it’s barely on one side or the other of the spectrum.
While Susan Quinn grew up to be an optimist, she admits that maintaining a positive outlook can be tough these days given recent world events. In this post, she thoughtfully muses not only on why she wishes to remain an optimist but also discusses optimism, pessimism, and realism. At the end, she asks how you would describe yourself: optimist, pessimist, or realist. This post struck a chord with many of you, as there were over 60 comments when we last checked.
But Wait, There’s More
GFHandle: Is it ok to take over a public…
Office, road, bridge, etc. and stop the normal the activities there?
GFHandle asks a great question we’ve asked ourselves, sparked by the Canadian truckers blocking roads while protesting. This generated intriguing discussion in the comments section about when this tactic is acceptable. What say you, Ricochetti? Visit the post and share your thoughts on the subject.
Douglas Pratt: Just a Chuckle
You know that tiny column of type near the contents page of every magazine, that lists the company ownership and circulation numbers? That’s the endicia, and it’s required by an obscure Post Office regulation, so it’s usually in teeny tiny type. I enjoyed sneaking lines in at the end of it. I enjoyed sneaking lines in at the end of it. In one issue I remember putting “Editor can no longer afford to take contributors to lunch.”
Douglas Pratt loves sneaky humor, and so we do. In this brief post, he shares not only his own quick anecdote but also a photo of a doormat tag. Take a minute to read the text on that tag. We promise it’s worth your time.
Support Our Winter Membership Pledge Drive
Our membership drive continues, and you can be part of it! Help us spread the word about Ricochet being the best place for conservative conversation and community. As you know, we have a lot to offer, including these recently added features:
“No Dumb Questions” webcast.
Ricochet Editor-in-Chief Jon Gabriel’s show “The Nightcap.”
Free memberships for college students.
And there’s more to come! We’ll soon roll out new member-only opportunities including early access and invites to happy hours, newsmaker interviews, and New York and Washington, D.C., parties and networking events.
Nudge people to sign up today at ricochet.com/join. They’ll get 14 days of free access!
As always, thank you for your continued support!
Nightcap Cocktail Recipe Competition
Have you listened to our new Callin show, “The Nightcap”? Ricochet Editor-in-Chief Jon Gabriel hosts a freewheeling nightly wrapup of the news of the day Mondays through Thursdays at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the Callin app.
To fit the show’s title, we’re launching a competition for the best nightcap cocktail recipe! Ricochet members can share their favorite nightcap, both alcoholic and booze-free. The winners of both categories will be announced on the Wednesday, March 16, episode of “The Nightcap” by two special guests: Ricochet’s own Peter Robinson and Callin CEO David Sacks. Winners will also receive a set of handcrafted cocktail glasses with the Nightcap logo.
This is a member-only event, so make sure to sign up today at ricochet.com/join
Know someone who isn’t yet a Ricochet member who’d like to participate? Share a Ricochet gift membership.
Ricochet Student Passes for College Students
Don’t forget, Ricochet is now offering full-time and part-time U.S. college students and graduate students who are eligible a complimentary Ricochet membership! All they need to join is a valid student .edu email address. We’d love for you to help spread the word so we can keep bringing younger voices to our smart, civil community. Go to Ricochet.com/college.
A Great Way To Share Why Ricochet Is the Place To Be
To help you describe why Ricochet is such a terrific community, we’ve created the handy infographic below. Next time you’re telling someone why they should become a member, feel free to share it. Thanks, as always, for your support!
Comment of the Week
The Member Feed isn’t the only thing that keeps people coming back for more at Ricochet. The comments do, too, serving as the backbone of the smart, civil conversation that makes us us. This week’s comment of the week is from Randy Weivoda, pulled from Douglas Pratt's post about sneaky humor.
Remember, if you know someone who’d enjoy being part of the Ricochet community, we’re offering their first 14 days for free. Invite them to join the conversation today! And if you want to send us feedback on this newsletter, email greatest.hits@ricochet.com.
See you next week!
P.S. Want us to consider your post for this newsletter? Post by 5 p.m. ET Thursday.