-BY GREB RIEMER
Dear Editor,
On a trip to SE Asia several years ago, in a small restaurant in Pu Quoc with Vietnamese, English and Russian menus, we met a young Russian couple who spoke very good English. We chatted before, during and after a real Vietnamese supper. They were keen to know about where we were from, how we lived, and what we did for a living. All the usual subjects that come up around the table when conversations are started. I asked them about Russian politics, and the young man kind of rolled his eyes and said, “It’s not really politics in Russia. It is one way or the road.” “We tolerate it plain and simple because life is better now than before.” “Putin is harmless!” he said; little did he know. “He is living off the prosperity that has resulted from the demise of the Socialist state.” I asked, “But how is that better for you?” His response was short and simple, “NOW WE CAN TRAVEL!” It was a statement that I had all but forgotten until recently.
Putin has complete control over his media, and his citizens have blinders on. If the free world wants to crack Putin’s hold over his media and his people, their ability to travel freely is where we, as free nations, can hit him. I suggest that Canada and other like-minded countries create a commercial NO-FLY ZONE over Russia. Not a military No Fly Zone a Commercial No Fly Zone.
Lots of Countries around the world are supporting Putin by allowing their airlines to fly into Russia or receive flights from Russian air. Putin’s slaves think everything is normal. Here is how it could work, if an airline flies into Russia, we don’t allow them to fly into Canada. If a country accepts flights from Russia, we don’t allow our airlines to fly into that country. If Canada and our partner nations in the fight to help Ukraine join and implement such a policy, it won’t take long for the countries that are flying into and out of Russia to figure out where the money is. No more sitting on the fence and benefitting from Russian business and tourism at the expense of the freedom of Ukraine. You are with us and Ukraine or against us.
Greg Riemer, Retired - Lumsden, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Idea’s and opinions expressed here are those of the author
