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Margaret Irish's avatar

From your words to the Pope’s ear, Martin. We never know what exactly will precipitate change. I was struck by your sentence “Moscow depleted the country of opportunity and hope, the vibrancy of its academic, cultural and political institutions vanishing within a gray miasma of fear and fealty.” Today, you can sadly replace “Moscow” with “The Trump administration” and render a statement that’s equally true for America.

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Martin Kuz's avatar

Thanks very much, Meg. And I agree -- there are alarming parallels between Moscow (then and now) and Washington. Leo's initial moves and statements are beams of light in an increasingly dark historical moment.

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Gabriella's avatar

Excellent work! Appropriately scathing where due.

I feel like I'm one of the few to remember Mehmet Ali Agca (not sure of spelling). Wonder where he is now. At the age of 13, I was dutifully reading Time during lunch breaks in the library at school. It helped with stress.

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Martin Kuz's avatar

Many thanks, Gabriella. Good memory -- that's the correct spelling. You might check out the Wikipedia page on him. Here's one intriguing tidbit: "In 2014, thirty-three years after his crime, Ağca visited Vatican City to lay white roses on the tomb of the recently canonized John Paul II, and said he wanted to meet Pope Francis, a request that was denied."

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Gabriella's avatar

Martin, thanks. I read the Wikipedia last night. He's led rather a charmed life! He was so young when he did it... and of course, didn't *kill* the Pope, so that helps. Funny how Francis avoided him! (I didn't know about him assassinating the Turkish newspaper editor, which is rather grim.)

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