Fight For Democracy

By Miss Kubelik

With today's dizzying events in Eastern Europe, it helps to get some context. You've probably heard a lot of discussion about how Vlad the Invader is trying to turn the clock back after the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. But that was 30 years ago — so, what does the Russian invasion of Ukraine mean now?

It means that NATO must stand strong for democracy, and that extending its membership under Bill Clinton and, yes, Smirky Bush, has contributed mightily to the solidarity of Western European powers against Putin's anti-Ukraine brutality.

President Clinton, in fact, has an interesting essay in The Atlantic right now, in which he credits Secretary of State Madeleine Albright with a ton of influence on expanding NATO membership and positioning the organization against autocratic ambitions.

"Enlarging NATO," he explains, "required unanimous consent of the alliance’s then-16 members, two-thirds consent of a sometimes skeptical US Senate, close consultation with prospective members to ensure that their military, economic and political reforms met NATO’s high standards, and near-constant reassurance to Russia.

"Madeleine Albright excelled at every step," he wrote. "Indeed, few diplomats have ever been so perfectly suited for the times they served as Madeleine. As a child in war-torn Europe, Madeleine and her family were twice forced to flee their home — first by Hitler, then by Stalin. She understood that the end of the Cold War provided the chance to build a Europe free, united, prosperous, and secure for the first time since nation-states arose on the continent. As UN Ambassador and Secretary of State, she worked to realize that vision and to beat back the religious, ethnic, and other tribal divisions that threatened it. She used every item in her famed diplomat’s toolkit and her domestic political savvy to help clear the way for the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland to join NATO in 1999."

Which drove Putin crazy, of course.

And we all know what's happened since — but maybe not what Clinton had to report about Albright's last weeks on the planet.

Here's what he said:

"My last conversation with Madeleine Albright was just two weeks before she died. She was vintage Madeleine, sharp and direct. It was clear she wanted to go out with her boots on, supporting the Ukrainians in their fight for freedom and independence. On her declining health, she said, 'I’ve got good care. I’m doing what I can. Let’s not waste time on that. The important thing is what kind of world we’re going to leave our grandchildren.'

"Madeleine saw her lifelong fight for democracy and security as both an obligation and an opportunity. She was proud of her Czech heritage and certain that her people and their neighbors in Central and Eastern Europe would defend their freedom, 'because they know the price of losing freedom.' She was right about NATO when I was President, and right about Ukraine now. I miss her so much, but I can still hear her voice. So should we all." We cats PURR.