LETTER: See who are patriots and who are traitors

Editor, Register-Mail: President Zelensky spoke remotely to the Canadian Parliament on March 15, which gave a thunderous, clapping three-minute standing-ovation. Zelensky addressed our Congress on March 16, asking Congress to do what they can to "STOP funding Putin's war!" Congress can sanction the Moscow stock exchange, and can pressure American companies to stop supporting Russia. Zelensky urged Congress to sanction Russian Dumas. Nearly everyone was standing, clapping, few were dry-eyed; I noticed Marjorie Taylor Greene, sitting quietly. I'm sure there were others, similarly unmoved. Congressmembers interviewed said it was most impactful!

Zelensky brilliantly reminded us of Pearl Harbor and Sept 11, and invoked Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech; Zelensky imploring, "I Have a Need!" He's requesting more smart-missiles to defend their country; they NEED more surface-to-air missiles. Ukrainians from all walks of life have become soldiers. Over 3 million Ukrainian women and children have fled their country; Poland has welcomed nearly 2 million refugees.

Zelensky said to Biden, "You are a leader of the nation; I urge you to be the leader of the world, which means — a leader in this." Biden is trying NOT to escalate to a nuclear power WWIII; only 80 years ago, we were fighting WWII. Biden spoke to Americans on March 16, outlining the assistance we've provided and further assistance we will provide Ukraine: $14 billion in aid approved and weaponry: sea-based defenses, armed patrol boats, unmanned drones, munitions, jamming equipment & longer-range missiles to combat Russian aggression. He doesn't want to show Putin our full hand. I'm betting we send new, smart, 'killer switchblade drones,' small portable, lethal weapons that can hover and strike. Biden said, "America stands with the forces for freedom, always has, always will."

Putin began this invasion telling his people that Russia was on a 'denazification-mission' in Ukraine, which was nonsense and didn't gain traction. Russian TV has started incendiary-propaganda about 'U.S. backed biolabs in Ukraine,' a talking-point which QAnon followers quickly espoused. Former Congressional Representative Tulsi Gabbard has joined in amplifying that Kremlin claim, as have Fox news anchors, who support and elevate Russian propaganda. Senator Mitt Romney called some of these people out, for their anti-American activities, saying their lies can cost lives.

SUPPORT DEMOCRACY EVERYWHERE! Diplomats are striving to gain a ceasefire agreement, but War Criminal Putin released a video of himself, giving an angry address, regarding biolabs and why this war is necessary. Putin said that Russian people are seeing "who the patriots are and who the traitors are," and so we are also in America. — Trish Forsyth Voss

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: LETTER: See who are patriots and who are traitors