It’s the spring break, so I’m working on my book from home. I just looked out of the window of my study and saw a young deer strolling right in front of the window. At a little distance, two fat raccoons with stripy tails were sauntering by the creek.
My colleagues are planning a massive exodus from this university and this region because there is no political will and no interest on the part of the citizens in preserving public education in Illinois. It will be a great pity to have to leave this beautiful area.
Clarissa's Blog 
Clarissa,
This hatred dates back to earlier days Russians hate the West when it was part of the Soviet Union. There is very little to justify hatred, but is hard to overcome. Russia in three times the size of Canada and would like to dominate. But there is profound corruption and a feeling that everything belongs to everyone. Such hatred may disappear if the US keeps a low profile and absolute honesty. That is very difficult because of Washington politics. John Boehner has never ceased to put obstacles in President Obamas policies. It’s a long story. My best wishes for the book.
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I don’t recognize your name, so maybe you don’t realize our hostess was born in the Soviet Union and lived there until it collapsed (and then in independent Ukraine until despair at the soviet destruction of human capital drove her away).
“a feeling that everything belongs to everyone”
There was no such feeling in any communist country of Europe that I ever heard of. Everything belonged to party higher ups and everybody knew it.
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Cliff, I was aware of this. She has suffered and I emphatize. Thank you for writing. Micheline
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It’s “empathize.” By the way, this feeling did exist. It’s at the very heart of “communism.”
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I should add that the Russians are a fine people. They are carrying a burden, the burden of history.
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