MUSINGS and other writing by Mark Kolke

. . . . . . there is no edge to openness

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TOY POLITICS
 
Thursday, July 14, 2022
 
 
 
 
 
The column I planned for today will have to wait.
 
 
 
It was ‘not quite ready.’
 
 
 
Then I read a news item yesterday – and realized this important breaking news.
 
 
 
I preface this with my general belief that most news from typically reliable sources is well-intentioned and nearly accurate, but just as often incomplete and a little slow – but this was a hot-off-the-press item yesterday that gave me pause, made me laugh, and deserves repeating.
 
 
 
We are all concerned about the war in Ukraine and the evils of Putin’s Russia – and many are hand-wringing over how to best send a message that will get through. Fix and return turbines, or confiscate them? Prisoner exchanges + sanctions, and so many companies are pulling out of Russia. The McDonald’s stores are rebranded and kicking out burgers, so life isn’t being disrupted much, but now there seems to be a new player/weapon in that voting with their feet movement – LEGO.
 
 
 
Yes, kids toys; LEGO is ceasing operations in Russia. I predict the children of Russia will prevail upon their parents to convince Putin’s government to end the war so there can be LEGO under every tree this Christmas.
 
 
 
I hope this move brings the Russians to their senses and alters the course of the war – and we expect there will be LEGO under every Ukrainian tree!
 
 
 
Down with Putin, up with LEGO, and kudos to that Danish firm, the world’s largest toy maker, for taking a stand, something too many companies and countries are doing in too wishy-washy a way …
 
 
 
For two years, we faced increasing risk from COVID-19 but became desensitized to it in inverse proportion to the growing threat. Similarly, we all got excited to support Ukraine and talk tough against Putin, but now that inflation has bumped the war news below the fold, our concern level is falling when it appears Ukraine needs support more than ever.
 
 
 
Read the news, pick and choose what you like – but watch that LEGO story, it might just tip Russian sentiment, and hopefully, more companies will follow.
 
 
 
Putin’s people need to put him out of office, so Ukraine needs all the help it can get, and every child with a LEGO wish on their list can add to the message …
 
 

 


 
 

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