I’m totally okay with Blinken playing guitar in downtown Kyiv.
Apparently, it’s drawing criticism.
I get it on the other hand — there is death and destruction and you have one of the top Western officials engaging in a joyful act on the very soil that’s experiencing so much suffering. Tonedeaf, many would say, especially in light of the supposedly slow arrival of additional aid.
But I think it’s okay.
The US has provided hundreds of billions of aid to Ukraine. I’m not judging how fast and how effective the support has been — I’m not an expert. But the aid has been sizeable, bipartisan, and ongoing. It can’t be taken for granted.
The tone-deafness of Blinken’s act?
Not only do I think it’s fine, I actually welcome it. It’s humane. It’s very Western in spirit, and ‘Western’ in a good way — high spirits, freedom, joy, and solidarity. Authenticity, even if awkward, over fear and mediocrity. Also, let’s admit: despite our support for Ukraine, we ordinary folks aren’t exactly sacrificing our moments of entertainment. To pull our hair out over Blinken’s light-hearted act would be a little hypocritical.
I can’t judge Blinken’s guitar skills but who cares. Maybe Keith Richards can visit too and put on an even better performance.
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