Russians
Whenever I hear the song "Russians" by Sting, for some reason, I am reminded of a one long-ago episode of "Picket Fences" about a man who was on trial for massacre. His defense was: He is not accountable for his murderous deeds because, simply, it is just the way he is. Being raised in a violent home and neighborhood, his lawyers believe, with the aid of experts, made him into a monster that has developed a propensity to murder in cold blood. In short, blame it all on his past because it is neither his fault, nor his choice to be born in such a cursed circumstance…I think he was acquitted.
My point is: there is always a reason behind every -what we perceive to be- evil deed.
In the song "Russians" there is a line that goes "I hope the Russians love their children too”. This some-sort-of indirect plea was most relevant during the cold war when threats of nuclear war were always present, a time when if you were a fan of Rambo it only means that you see the Soviets collectively as the absolute evil villain.
But Russians are human beings too, and as the song implies, are parents also, who, presumably, love their children so much they wouldn’t dare destroy the latter’s future by initiating a nuclear “first strike”.
If there was something to be learned on that part of history it is that life is a cycle of protection. Not only are we counting our future on our children but also that their lovable and cuddly nature, which has proven to have the power to melt the heart of even the most powerful war-freak parent (if the above historical event, or lack of, were an indication) will make sure they will have one.
