The Artful Dilettante is a native of Pittsburgh, PA, and a graduate of Penn State University. He is a lover of liberty and a lifelong and passionate student of the same. He is voracious reader of books on the Enlightenment and the American colonial and revolutionary periods. He is a student of libertarian and Objectivist philosophies. He collects revolutionary war and period currency, books, and newspapers. He is married and the father of one teenage son. He is kind, witty, generous to a fault, and unjustifiably proud of himself. He is the life of the party and an unparalleled raconteur.
It’s amazing what goes on in the middle of the night when most of us are sound asleep. After a unfortunate encounter with a Brown Recluse Spider crawling over my bed, and my misguided attempts to kill it with a slipper and then chemicals, I had to abandon my bedroom. So I turned on the radio, unable to get but 3 stations, 2 of them in Spanish, and Coast to Coast Am.
I ordinarily don’t listen to conspiracy theories and worries of boogymen I can do nothing about, because as our patriot friend, Terry Anderson says, we have obvious threats in our face every day to deal with and little time to do it. On his radio show, he reminds us,
“If you ain’t mad, you ain’t payin’ attention!”
Gerald Celente, economist and Trends Forecaster was a guest. The conversation fell on the facts of what made America great. We have lost our morality and most of us have fallen into the ‘bailout game’ being handed us by our current leaders, from the poor to Wall Street, leaving the few middle class Americans to support both. As Alexis de Tocqueville stated,
“America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”
Celente went on to explain the severe economic downturn he, and many of us, had long predicted and the true, much higher figures for unemployment. History shows, as he said, our greatest times were when we didn’t subscribe to “Too big to fail bailouts” of GM, international bankers, the production killing fiasco of ‘Cap and Trade’ and on and on being financed by the over burdened taxpayers. NAFTA, and other cheap labor ‘trade’ agreements that promised more jobs, more prosperity for all Americans, which brought along the devastation of unlimited legal and illegal immigration and outsourcing of jobs. How’s that workin’ out for ya these days? The only candidate worth considering in 2008, Duncan Hunter, was right and the only one addressing such issues!
What made us great was…..
…Not Wall Street but MAIN STREET
….Not international agribusiness, poison food imported from China or Mexico, but FAMILY FARMS
….Not WalMart, but MOM and POP small business
Celente discussed the recent TEA party protests , believing they are the beginning of a new era of citizen enlightenment, a return to the principals and morality that elevated the USA above all other nations, much to the dismay of what Obama thinks of such Citizen activism.
Many of us warned that Barak Obama and his ilk were ‘socialists’. Celente believes the situation is far worse. He calls where our government has dared to venture, ‘Fascism ’ to describe the Democrat congress and Obama globalist regime, with much help from far too many pay-to-play Republicans.
And to our determent, it describes the current governing climate.
fascist n.- A totalitarian philosophy of government that glorifies the state and nation and assigns to the state control over every aspect of national life.
From banking and mortgages to auto manufacturing and health care, the government is running the show that should be left to the American private sector. If you can’t or won’t pay your mortgage, Obama even wants to be your landlord.
Celente, agreeing with many conservatives, spoke to the fact that we must break the two party globalist/media juggernaut controlling our elections, preventing good candidates a voice, and allow another party to rise to combat those powers leading us into tyranny and anarchy.
Some useful idiots scream, “Throw ALL the incumbents out!”…..but these misguided citizens, like the ones I wrote about in yesterday’s TownCrier article, can’t name their own representatives, much less be aware of how they vote on vital issues. They want a revolution! They NEED enlightenment and a lesson in history, some real education the schools won’t provide, to escape from their ignorance. While I agree that the great percentage of our elected officials do not represent us, but rather moneyed special interest groups, there are a handful who actually want to see the survival of America. We better learn who they are.
But the night was not all economic or political gloom and doom. As I gazed out the window into my yard in the moonlight, I saw a bird gently glide onto a trellis. He bobbed and postured, encouraging his clan of Screech Owls to join him in my bird bath. They seemed to not have a care in the world, realizing they had found safe sanctuary and relief from the 100 degree heat of Northern California of the previous day. I always wondered what happened to the water in that bath every night!
So go outside, lean against a tree, touch the earth, let the sun shine on your soul. And thank whatever God you worship for the gift of being one of the small percentage of the people on this earth lucky enough to be born an American.
The Democrat sponsor of an unprecedented third impeachment attempt of President Donald Trump has a big problem – his own party.
Just when liberals finally felt like they were gaining some political momentum after sweeping Republican victories last November, any progress may have already been washed away. On April 28, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) officially introduced articles of impeachment against Trump, instantly sending the Washington media into a frenzy and the House Democrat caucus into chaos.
While Democrats’ first two impeachment cases were thin, bordering on nonexistent, they at least revolved around specific allegations against Trump. This time, however, Thanedar couldn’t come up with anything more than vague, wildly hyperbolic claims about the president “obstructing justice,” “violating the Constitution,” and engaging in “tyrannical overreach.”
The move is clearly an effort to appease Democrats’ left-wing base – the articles stand virtually zero chance of ever even coming to a vote in the House. It’s also likely no coincidence that Thanedar announced the impeachment effort the same day news broke that Justice Democrats, the left-wing group that fueled Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s upset victory in 2018, had launched a primary challenge against him.
Even Democrat House leaders recognize what most Americans do – that this impeachment effort will go nowhere and will only serve as a massive distraction that will further divide the party. For swing-district Democrat incumbents, refusing to support an impeachment effort against Trump, no matter how ridiculous it is, puts them in the crosshairs of groups like Justice Democrats. But if they choose to back impeachment, which is clearly just a personal political vendetta against Trump, that likely won’t sit well with independent and moderate Democrat voters.
This predicament that Thanedar has placed his vulnerable colleagues in perhaps helps explain reports coming out of the Capitol detailing “internal furor” within the caucus – furor that is now leaking out into full public view.
One anonymous Democrat told Axios that Thanedar’s actions were “a self-own that… fundamentally undermines our capacity to continue to have a conversation with people we need to win over.” Another asked, “Why would we do something that has failed twice as a strategy and yielded no electoral win? The guy got impeached twice, how did it work out for us?” A third said, “It seems self-serving and not a genuine effort to rein in the president.”
But Thanedar didn’t appear to get the message from his disgruntled colleagues. The congressman’s office allegedly added one fellow Democrat as a co-sponsor “based on a vague one-on-one conversation without notifying their staff.”
At least four House Democrats initially listed as cosponsors have since withdrawn their names, including Res. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), and Janice Schakowsky (D-IL). There are currently no active cosponsors of the impeachment resolution.
Nonetheless, this PR debacle highlights persistent divides within the party and underscores Democrats’ desperation to find any sort of footing in their opposition to Trump.
By weaponizing impeachment as a political messaging stunt, Thanedar has said the quiet part out loud: if Democrats win back the House majority in 2026, they will spend all their time reviving the left’s crusade to “get Trump” rather than delivering anything substantive for the American people. It’s a gift Republicans will unwrap next year in attack ads — proof Democrats are obsessed with ousting Trump, not governing.
While Thanedar’s impeachment push hasn’t gained much support among Democrat Party leadership (yet) it has been immensely popular with the liberal activist class, once again revealing that the left’s primary goal is revenge. After all, impeachment theater is easier than winning elections on actual ideas that will improve lives.
But the fallout goes deeper, shining a harsh spotlight on Democrats’ internal civil war. In the wake of last year’s drubbing, a wing of the party pleaded for moderation — urging focus on pocketbook issues, swing-district outreach, a return to the center. Instead, the progressives doubled down, insisting the problem was that the party was not far enough left.
The resulting image is of a ship without a captain – or rather, a ship with two captains working against one another. When one freshman congressman can spring an impeachment ambush without looping in party leaders, you know the chain of command is broken. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, supposedly the helmsman of the House Democrats, is reduced to scrambling to contain the firestorm – he hadn’t even spoken with Thanedar by the time reporters asked him about it.
The mainstream narrative is that this incident is just a political sideshow in Washington. But it may be something more than that. In addition to Jeffries being unable to corral his own members, the Democrat Party now appears so consumed by internecine feuds that it may undermine voters’ confidence in their ability to effectively legislate.
If they don’t course-correct fast, Democrats will find their Trump Derangement Syndrome has cost them more than political capital — it may well cost them seats. And after this debacle, convincing voters that they’re serious about anything else will require a miracle far more impressive than a third impeachment.
Shane Harris is the Editor-in-Chief of AMAC Newsline. You can follow him on X @shaneharris513.
Life can be a masquerade. We all wear masks at one point or another, hiding our true selves. But, there are certain situations where the mask slips, revealing our genuine colors.
These moments, they say, show us who we truly are, not just what we pretend to be.
In my forthcoming list, I’ll share with you eight scenarios in life when a person’s true colors come out.
So, get ready to unmask the pretense and delve deeper into human nature. This is about to get real interesting.
1) Times of crisis
Crisis, they say, is the litmus test of character.
When life throws curveballs, the mask of social conditioning and pretense falls away. It’s in these critical moments that a person’s true colors are revealed.
The way someone behaves under pressure, during a crisis, or in the face of adversity can tell you a lot about their real self. Are they calm and composed, or do they crumble under stress? Do they step up and take responsibility, or do they look for someone else to blame?
Insight into a person’s character can be gathered not just from their actions, but also from their reactions. And there’s no better situation to observe this than in times of crisis.
Remember, true character is not about being perfect. It’s about how you handle your imperfections in the face of adversity. So watch closely when the chips are down – that’s when true colors come out.
2) When they’re faced with loss
Loss is a part of life. We lose relationships, opportunities, loved ones, and sometimes, even ourselves. It’s in these moments of loss that we get to see who we, or others, truly are.
Let me share a personal example. A few years back, I lost a close friend of mine. It was a sudden and devastating event that shook me to my core. But it was also in this moment of loss that I discovered a strength within me that I never knew existed.
I found myself stepping into roles I never thought I could fill – supporting others who were grieving, organizing memorial events, and more. I realized then that loss didn’t just mean an end, it could also be a starting point for growth and self-discovery.
Similarly, watching how others handle loss can give you profound insights into their character. Do they retreat into themselves or do they rise to the occasion? Do they let grief consume them or do they use it as a catalyst for change?
Remember, how someone handles loss is a clear window into their true character.
3) When given power
It’s been said that power doesn’t corrupt people, it simply reveals who they truly are. There’s a lot of truth to this statement.
When individuals are placed in positions of authority or given power, their true selves often come to the fore. They can either use this power to serve and uplift others or to manipulate and control.
A study conducted at Stanford University, famously known as the Stanford Prison Experiment, demonstrated this concept quite vividly. Ordinary students were divided into ‘prisoners’ and ‘guards’ in a mock prison setting. Within days, the ‘guards’ began to abuse their power and the ‘prisoners’ became submissive. This experiment showed how people can change when given power.
So, it’s essential to observe how someone behaves when they are handed the reins of control. It can give you a glimpse into their core personality traits – be they benevolent or malevolent.
4) When they think no one is watching
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Character is what you do when no one is watching.” It’s a simple yet profound statement that holds a lot of truth.
The things people do when they believe they’re not being observed can reveal their true character. It’s in these unguarded moments, when there’s no audience to impress or judge, that people often show their genuine selves.
For instance, how does someone treat service staff when they’re dining alone? What about the way they behave towards animals or nature when there’s no one else around?
The way people act when they think they’re not under scrutiny can give you a window into their true colors. So pay attention to these moments—they can be incredibly telling.
5) When they are asked to make a sacrifice
Sacrifice is a word that holds a lot of weight. It signifies the act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy.
When people are faced with the prospect of making a sacrifice, their true colors often surface. It’s in these situations that you see whether they’re selfless or selfish, generous or greedy.
For instance, would they give up their comfort for the well-being of others? Would they be willing to let go of their dreams so someone else can realize theirs?
Asking someone to make a sacrifice is like holding up a mirror to their soul. Their response can tell you a lot about who they really are at heart. So pay attention when sacrifice comes into play—it’s an opportunity to see someone’s true character.
6) When faced with failure
Failure is a universal experience. It’s something we all face at one point or another. But how we handle failure, that’s what truly defines us.
I remember a time when I was passed over for a promotion that I had worked tirelessly to earn. I felt defeated, demoralized, and ready to throw in the towel. But instead of giving up, I chose to use this failure as fuel. I took it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger.
Observing how someone reacts to failure can offer valuable insights into their character. Do they see it as the end of the road, or do they take it as a stepping stone? Do they blame others for their failures, or do they seek lessons in them?
Failure can strip away the facade and lay bare a person’s true character. So keep an eye out for those moments—they can be quite revealing.
7) When they’re dealing with success
Just as failure can reveal a person’s true colors, so can success. How people handle their victories can say a lot about their character.
Do they become arrogant and boastful, or do they remain humble and gracious? Do they use their success to help others, or do they use it to belittle the?
Success can act as a magnifying glass, amplifying a person’s true qualities for all to see. It can either bring out the best in people or highlight their worst attributes.
8) When they have the opportunity to help others
The ultimate test of character is how people treat those who can do nothing for them in return. When individuals have the chance to assist others without any personal gain, their true colors often shine through.
Do they step up and extend a helping hand or do they turn a blind eye? Do they offer support freely or do they expect something in return?
The way someone behaves when given the opportunity to help others can reveal a lot about their true character. It shows whether kindness, empathy, and generosity are a part of their core values.
Remember, actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to revealing one’s true colors.
Final thoughts: The art of observing
Understanding human behavior and character is no easy task. It’s a complex tapestry woven with threads of experiences, environments, and innate disposition.
The eight situations we’ve discussed are potentially pivotal moments that can reveal a person’s true colors. Yet, it’s crucial to remember that humans are not static. We evolve, grow, and change.
As famed psychologist Carl Rogers once said, “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.” This quote underlines the fluidity and dynamism of human nature.
Observing someone in these specific scenarios can offer insights into their character, but it’s just as important to understand that people can change. They can learn from their mistakes, grow from their experiences, and evolve into better versions of themselves.
So the next time you observe someone in one of these situations, remember: it’s a glimpse into their character at that moment, not a permanent label.
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In this journey of understanding people’s true colors, let empathy be your compass and patience your guide. After all, unraveling the mystery of human nature is an art in itself.
The ultimate test of character is how people treat those who can do nothing for them in return. When individuals have the chance to assist others without any personal gain, their true colors often shine through.
Do they step up and extend a helping hand or do they turn a blind eye? Do they offer support freely or do they expect something in return?
The way someone behaves when given the opportunity to help others can reveal a lot about their true character. It shows whether kindness, empathy, and generosity are a part of their core values.
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Remember, actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to revealing one’s true colors.
Final thoughts: The art of observing
Understanding human behavior and character is no easy task. It’s a complex tapestry woven with threads of experiences, environments, and innate disposition.
The eight situations we’ve discussed are potentially pivotal moments that can reveal a person’s true colors. Yet, it’s crucial to remember that humans are not static. We evolve, grow, and change.
As famed psychologist Carl Rogers once said, “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.” This quote underlines the fluidity and dynamism of human nature.
Observing someone in these specific scenarios can offer insights into their character, but it’s just as important to understand that people can change. They can learn from their mistakes, grow from their experiences, and evolve into better versions of themselves.
So the next time you observe someone in one of these situations, remember: it’s a glimpse into their character at that moment, not a permanent label.
In this journey of understanding people’s true colors, let empathy be your compass and patience your guide. After all, unraveling the mystery of human nature is an art in itself.
Just as failure can reveal a person’s true colors, so can success. How people handle their victories can say a lot about their character.
Do they become arrogant and boastful, or do they remain humble and gracious? Do they use their success to help others, or do they use it to belittle them?
Success can act as a magnifying glass, amplifying a person’s true qualities for all to see. It can either bring out the best in people or highlight their worst attributes.7) When they’re dealing with success Just as failure can reveal a person’s true colors, so can success. How people handle their victories can say a lot about their character. Do they become arrogant and boastful, or do they remain humble and gracious? Do they use their success to help others, or do they use it to belittle them? Success can act as a magnifying glass, amplifying a person’s true qualities for all to see. It can either bring out the best in people or highlight their worst attributes.
These people are communist. They’re not democrat… They’re not liberals… They are communists.
What we’re seeing is a judicial coup d’état by the Democrat party/Permanent Washington. Using their only remaining lever of power… their judges.
They’re creating a constitutional crisis and daring Trump to defy their judges, so their media can SCREAM “See! Trump is an authoritarian who thinks he’s a king!”
There’s actually a lot of historical precedent between the office of the president and the judiciary— Abraham Lincoln really threw down. Stay Tuned..
I don’t know how it’s gonna turn out, but I would not bet against Donald J Trump.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that Germany should reverse its course after the country’s spy agency classified the far-right Alternative for Germany as “extremist,” a move that gives it new powers to surveil the nation’s biggest opposition party.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party placed second in national elections in February.
“Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That’s not democracy—it’s tyranny in disguise,” Rubio posted on X.
What is truly extremist is not the popular AfD—which took second in the recent election—but rather the establishment’s deadly open border immigration policies that the AfD opposes.
“Germany should reverse course.”
Elon Musk agreed with Rubio, even referring to AfD as “centrist.”
“Banning the centrist AfD, Germany’s, most popular party, would be an extreme attack on democracy,” Musk posted on X with a story about AfD.
“I’m very excited for the AfD, and I think you’re really the best hope for Germany,” the Tesla and SpaceX CEO told the enthusiastic crowd. “I think something that’s very important is that people take pride in Germany and being German. This is very important.”
Friedrich Merz, who’ll become chancellor on May 6, said Musk will face consequences for meddling in Germany’s election campaign.
On Friday, Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution cited the “extremist character” of AfD, and said it “disregards human dignity” — in particular by taking aim at those who moved to Germany from mostly Muslim countries.
“As of today … [the agency] has classified the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a confirmed right-wing extremist effort due to the extremist character of the entire party that disregards human dignity,” it said.
The AfD has already been under enhanced surveillance by authorities in some regions, but the announcement by the domestic spy agency means the agency’s officials can use informants and other tools such as audio and video recordings to monitor the party’s activities nationwide.
The office, which has warned of growing extremism in Germany, cited court decisions in two German regions in recent years that detailed party efforts to undermine a free and democratic order.
“Today the media landscape is filled with abundant, diverse, and innovative news options. Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence,” the order stated.
The order instructs CPB’s governing board to terminate direct funding for NPR and PBS to the “maximum extent allowed by law” and take steps to “minimize or eliminate” indirect funding to the outlets.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Thursday instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to end taxpayer funding for PBS and NPR, the nation’s two largest public broadcasters that long have been regarded as biased by conservatives.
The White House announced the executive order in a post on social media site X, just weeks after Congress confronted executives of both broadcasters with evidence of political imbalance and liberal leanings in their coverage.
Trump “just signed an executive order ENDING the taxpayer subsidization of NPR and PBS — which receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news,'” the White House wrote.
The president’s order stated that NPR and PBS no longer served a meaningful purpose warranting taxpayer funding because there are so many private media choices in the digital era.
“Today the media landscape is filled with abundant, diverse, and innovative news options. Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence,” the order stated.
The order instructs CPB’s governing board to terminate direct funding for NPR and PBS to the “maximum extent allowed by law” and take steps to “minimize or eliminate” indirect funding to the outlets.
President Donald Trump could opt to skip the upcoming NATO summit in the Netherlands in June unless other members of the multi-national defense alliance act on sharing more of the costs, according to reports Friday.
Reuters, citing the Spiegel news magazine, reported that European diplomatic sources say Trump is pressuring the countries, particularly Germany, to increase spending on defense, reports The Jerusalem Post.
Trump has long called for the European allied nations to increase their spending, and last week, when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, the topic was further discussed, according to a DOD readout of their conversation.
The two secretaries discussed shared priorities, including the “administration’s intent for European allies to assume primary responsibility for Europe’s conventional defenses,” the administration reported, adding that Hegseth “commended Germany on recent actions to lift its debt brake while urging the Minister to actualize defense spending increases and accelerate development of credible capabilities.”
Thursday, NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker told Newsmax that Europe’s NATO allies will step up to handle more of their defense.
“The United States is not going to leave Europe. But at the same time, we need to equalize,” Whitaker said, adding that the European allies understand they need to pay more on defense spending.
“We need to make sure that our European allies, as President Trump always says, pay their fair share, and we’re going to see significant developments as we head to the summit in June,” Whitaker said, giving no indication about Trump’s personal plans on attending the gathering.
Trump has long argued that NATO member states should ramp up their military spending, including telling reporters in the Oval Office in March that the United States would not defend other countries that he does not think are spending enough money.
“It’s common sense, right?” he said at the time. “If they don’t pay, I’m not going to defend them. No, I’m not going to defend them.”
Sizo number 2 is one of Putin’s most notorious torture prisons – dubbed by many as a “concentration camp”.
Before the war broke out it held juvenile inmates and mothers with young children.
But it now serves a much more sinister purpose as a barbaric torture centre for Ukrainian captives, some of which are civilians.
The terrified prisoners are tied up and blindfolded onboard military trucks daubed with the Z symbol before being transported to the centre, according to the Guardian.
Upon arrival many receive a “welcoming” procedure known as “reception”, where guards punch, kick and beat them relentlessly with batons.
The chief medic of a Ukrainian marine brigade who arrived at the prison in 2022, Volodymyr Labuzov, said: “This is a sacred ritual for them.
“Blindfolded, with your hands tied and your head bowed low, you are ordered to walk, and every dog standing there considers it necessary to hit you with something.”
But Labuzov said this was just the start of a string of regular beatings for prisoners – during the twice-daily cell searches and interrogations.
The exact layout of the site is unknown but former inmates have identified two buildings as the main torture sites – as they recalled harrowing screams coming from them.
The site reportedly includes various torture chambers containing an array pain-inducing tools including an electric chair.
Another room is said to have been used to hang handcuffed detainees upside down in a foetal position with their knees strapped to a bar while being severely beaten.
Former prisoners recalled the horrific “Putin’s phone” treatment – where wires are attached to earlobes, the nose or genitals before shocks are sent via a Soviet-era battery-powered field phone called a TA-57.
Many also go hungry inside the barbaric prison with a typical meal in the prison reportedly being around four and a half spoonfuls of food.
And the food they receive is sometimes mixed with bones and entrails.
Former prisoners said that some inmates would not eat during the day and instead chose to save their rations for a single evening meal just to feel full enough to sleep.
They also reported a twisted ban on speaking Ukrainian and recalled being forced reciting of patriotic Russian poems.
While prison staff oversee the day-to-day running of the facility, officers from Russia’s FSB security service are in charge of the torture system and conduct the most important interrogations.
Viktoria Roschyna vanished into Putin‘s penal hell in the summer of 2023 while reporting in Ukraine‘s occupied territories.
She was held captive in Taganrog’s SIZO-2 where she is thought to have been tortured and brutally murdered.
Ukrainian prosecutors revealed that the award-winning reporter was likely tortured prior to her tragic death.
Prosecutors said the forensic examination exposed “numerous signs of torture and ill-treatment… including abrasions and haemorrhages on various parts of the body, a broken rib and possible traces of electric shock”.
Head of the war crimes department at the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office Yuriy Belousov said that experts had confirmed the injuries were sustained while Roshchyna was still alive.
Belousov said that the state of the body made it impossible to determine the cause of death.
But he added that Ukraine was working with international forensic experts to find answers.
Officials in Kyiv also claim that the removal of her eyes, brain and larynx is likely further evidence of the atrocious torture she suffered in captivity, according to the DailMail.
It is known to be a common practice in Russia to remove the body parts of prisoners who have been tortured beyond the limits to hide human rights violations.
Ukrainian prisoners of war from the Azov battalionCredit: EPAKyiv residents attend rally for Ukrainian prisoners of warCredit: Getty
An expert told Important Stories: “The larynx can be important evidence in cases of strangulation.
“When a person is strangled, the hyoid bone [in the neck] is often broken.”
The expert continued: “Haemorrhages can be found in the whites of the eyes, and oxygen deprivation can be detected in the brain.”
Roschyna’s body was returned as part of an exchange involving 757 dead Ukrainians in February.
Her body bag was wrongly marked as “unidentified male” who had died of heart failure.
DNA testing later confirmed that the emaciated body, with its eyes, brain and larynx removed, was Roshchyna’s.
Roshchyna worked for digital media organisation Hromadske TV among other outlets.
Russian forces managed to capture around 68 square miles of Ukraine in April. But it cost them 4,800 vehicles and more than 36,600 dead and wounded troops, according to one statistician who collects data mostly from official Ukrainian sources including the general staff in Kyiv.
In the same month, Ukrainian losses were “minimal,” concluded analyst Konrad Muzyka of Rochan Consulting in Poland.
Ukraine sprawls across 233,000 square miles, 19% of which is under Russian occupation. At the current rates of advance and loss, the Russians would capture the rest of Ukraine in the year 2256 at the cost of 101 million casualties. The current population of Russia is 144 million.
Incredibly, staggering losses in people and equipment haven’t yet crippled the Russian military in Ukraine. The Kremlin is equipping its forces with thousands of civilian vehicles, including scooters, compact cars and even at least one bus.
Meanwhile, it’s recruiting 30,000 troops per month, Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe, told U.S. lawmakers on April 3. Since many of the wounded eventually return to the front line, the Russian armed forces recruit more people every month than they lose.
As a result, Cavoli said, the Russian force in Ukraine is actually growing. It now numbers no fewer than 600,000 troops, “the highest level over the course of the war and almost double the size of the initial invasion force” in February 2022, Cavoli said.
How the Kremlin has managed to sustain and even expand its recruitment effort comes down to two things: money and mood. Record enlistments are “driven by high sign-on bonuses and speculation that the war will soon be over,” explained Janis Kluge, deputy head of the Eastern Europe and Eurasia Division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
Whether the money and good vibes are sustainable is an open question. “All told, Russia’s defense budget will account for 40% of all government expenditures which is at its highest level since the Cold War,” Cavoli said. By comparison, the United States spends just 13% of its federal budget on the military.
The spending has buoyed Russians’ attitude toward the war, even as total casualties exceeded 800,000 earlier this year. “As a direct result of its defense spending, Russian investments in its industrial base have reduced national unemployment to 2.4%,” Cavoli said. “The Russian economy is on a war footing and will remain so for the foreseeable future.”
But a war footing isn’t always very efficient. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has vowed to maintain the elevated military spending even as plummeting oil prices and the damage from Ukrainian drone attacks squeeze revenue from energy exports, cutting economic growth in Russia by more than half compared to a year ago.
Whether the money and good vibes are sustainable is an open question. “All told, Russia’s defense budget will account for 40% of all government expenditures which is at its highest level since the Cold War,” Cavoli said. By comparison, the United States spends just 13% of its federal budget on the military.
The spending has buoyed Russians’ attitude toward the war, even as total casualties exceeded 800,000 earlier this year. “As a direct result of its defense spending, Russian investments in its industrial base have reduced national unemployment to 2.4%,” Cavoli said. “The Russian economy is on a war footing and will remain so for the foreseeable future.”
David Axe is a journalist and filmmaker based in Columbia, South Carolina. He joined Forbes in 2020, and currently focuses on Ukraine.
THE ARTFUL DILETTANTE 