Finally, Finland Speaks the Truth Without Fear!

During my childhood and youth, Finland was known for the fact that its inhabitants voluntarily self-censored everything negative that the Soviet Union did. This was the case whenever the Russians caused problems in the world, and even more so when the great power of the East humiliated Finland.

The Soviet Union eventually collapsed under its own misery, and finally, Finland dared to become a normal democracy, seeking its friends among like-minded nations—and ultimately joining the Western defense alliance.

The difference compared to past decades is truly astonishing. Or what should one think of the fact that Finnish Member of Parliament Timo Heinonen (National Coalition Party) has shared his own thoughts on social media as follows:

"Russia's ambassador to Finland, Pavel Kuznetsov! You, under the leadership of your dictator Vladimir Putin, started the war of aggression in Ukraine and committed war crimes. It is sad that you chose the path of a rogue state. The blame is entirely yours."

His statement is not particularly remarkable in itself but is firmly based on facts. And as such, it should be understood everywhere in the world—including in Russia.

However, as someone raised in a Finland that was once deeply influenced by the Soviet Union, this evokes very special feelings in me. Having experienced all that, it is truly great to see Finnish politicians addressing issues as they are and valuing adherence to facts!

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finland Boosts Military Self-Sufficiency and Support for Ukraine
Finnish Minister Riikka Purra: “Putin Is a War Criminal, an Aggressive Imperialist”
History of Finland XV: Paasikivi-Kekkonen doctrine

Biden's Withdrawal Opens a New Possibility for Democrats!

Yesterday brought the long-awaited news of Joe Biden's announcement to not pursue a second presidential term. This immediately reshaped the course of the U.S. presidential election.

At this point, many are likely certain that Biden’s withdrawal has secured Donald Trump’s re-election for a second term as the president of the world's leading superpower. However, I am not so sure about this.

Of course, I admit that Trump’s challenger is in a hurry to justify to the nation why he or she should be elected. The situation is not made any easier by the fact that the competitor has gained sympathy from an assassination attempt against him.

In reality, however, the new candidate—whoever he or she may be—holds a trump card, at least if he or she is relatively unknown to most of the electorate. This way, his or her first national appearance will create an unusually significant impression on the voters.

If this impression pleases the majority of voters, Donald Trump will be in trouble, because despite his great popularity, he also evokes a lot of negative feelings among people. Therefore, in a country with low voter turnout like the United States, an appealing candidate might motivate even those voters who could not imagine placing their trust in either Biden or Trump.

Therefore, the Democrats should look for a candidate who has the potential to successfully launch their campaign in the manner I described above. But if they fail to do so, another four years of Trumpism lies ahead.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Joe Biden Must Step Aside, But Can a Suitable Candidate Be Found?
Biden's dementia and Trump's speeches may improve European security
Risk of dementia in the U.S. presidential elections