The fall of Mariupol at Orthodox Easter

As one family walks out of Mariupol with four children, a last-ditch effort to remove those holding strong in the underground caverns beneath a steel factory is taking place. Ukrainian forces and civilians have been stuck underground for weeks. Food and water is running out. And Putin says to just surround the place and wait for them to die. 

There's a field about 19 km outside of Mariupol where a possible mass grave holding thousands of dead has been identified. It is several football fields long. A second mass grave was also spotted. The international tribunals have their hands full. But it will take a long time to bring anyone, especially Putin, to justice. 

Today is Orthodox Easter. The Russians who claim to be Christian have no remorse, no scruples, no Christianity in their bones. 

Christ is Risen! And so shall Ukraine. 

Ukrainian Easter in Ireland

I've lived in Ireland since 2008, and I have not hosted a traditional Easter lunch until this year. I learned that the Catholic Church in Westport was going to do a blessing of the baskets at 2:30 pm on Easter Saturday and I thought this would be a good year to invite friends over to help us celebrate and to introduce them to the traditions I grew up with. I didn't know then how events would unfold.

Alex's paska ready for the oven.

How good a liar is Putin, really?

Христос Воскрес! Christ is Risen. 

It is Easter Monday, Обливаний понеділок, and I am angry. Not happy about Christ having arisen for our salvation, but angry that Putin has once again threatened our freedom.

I have been angry about the new situation in Ukraine for some time. It is so clear that the insurgency in Eastern Ukraine over the past few weeks is being orchestrated by ex-KGB liar Putin. It is clear that the insurgents are Russian special forces troops. Photos have been documenting this consistently for the past couple of weeks. Today's New York Times carries US sanctioned photos released by Ukraine's government clearly identifying the troops on the ground as Russian special forces. The way in which it is all unfolding is entirely akin to Georgia and Crimea. Putin's greed is clear. The West's apathy is as well.

Putin is a blatant liar. He says there are no Russian troops on Ukraine's soil. He said the same in Crimea, then later admitted that of course Russian troops backed the loyal separatists. When will he admit his lies this