Day: March 17, 2022

Tractors symbolize Ukrainian Resistance to Russia

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Like St. Javelin and the Ghost of Kyiv before it, the humble tractor has become a symbol of Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion. Videos and pictures of tractors hauling away Russian armor have gone viral on social media. Though none have been verified, there’s half a dozen or so clips making the rounds and as they’re shared, they’re eventually turned into memes, posters, and T-Shirts. A tractor hauling away Russian armor is now as ubiquitous a symbol as the Javelin or Molotov Cocktail.

The first video appears to have surfaced online on February 28, just four days after the war started. In the video, a tractor is shown hauling away a Russian tank while someone runs alongside, desperately trying to catch up. “Ukrainian farmer steals Russian tank from right under the nose of the Russians who occupied it,” a subtitle says.

The footage spread far and wide and soon it was matched with other, similar videos and photos. A green John Deere hauled a Russian tank through a snowy street. Two tractors hauled a piece of Russian armor through a muddy field…the veracity of tractors hauling tanks doesn’t matter to people sharing the footage and transforming it into memes. It’s a powerful symbol that bolsters twin narratives about the war: Russia’s military hardware was not prepared for this war and everyone in Ukraine is ready to fight back against Russia, including farmers.

On March 1, Kyiv also announced it won’t be charging taxes on Russian assets captured by Ukrainian citizens. “Have you captured a Russian tank or armored personnel carrier and are worried about how to declare it? Keep calm and continue to defend the Motherland! There is no need to declare the captured Russian tanks and other equipment,” read the announcement.

For me, that’s the best endorsement of the reality of farmers rolling away with Russian armored vehicles hooked up to their tractors. Letting folks know in advance they won’t be taxed on their spoils of war is an absolute hoot – and spot on!

Doesn’t do the US connection any harm, either, to see how many of those tractors are John Deere Green.

Apple lands documentary about Sir Lewis Hamilton, 7x F1 world champ

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Apple TV+ announced…that it has landed a new feature documentary about the groundbreaking life and career of seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, who has broken both records and barriers to become one of the greatest Formula One drivers in history. The documentary will feature full access to Hamilton and his team, on and off the track, and an all-star cast of guest interviews.

Hamilton has blazed an uncharted trail professionally, socially and culturally, and transformed the sport on a global scale. Coming from a working-class family, Lewis succeeded in a sport where the odds were stacked against him but where his talent shone through, allowing him to dominate the sport for over a decade. Hamilton is currently the only Black driver to race in the Formula One series. He embraced what made him different and his rise to the top of his career has made him fiercely committed to using his platform to influence positive change for future generations…

Apple recently made history earning six Academy Award nominations across major categories, including Best Picture, for “CODA,” the first-ever motion picture starring a predominantly Deaf cast in leading roles to receive this distinction, along with multiple Oscar nominations for “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” including Best Actor for star Denzel Washington, one of the most nominated actors ever and the most nominated Black man in history.

This is an automagic Win-Win for a gearhead like me…who also spent my lifetime dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement as the core value within progressive politics. Being at Lime rock Park for Opening Day in April, 1957 is a memory I treasure. More important to character and purpose in life was my first sit-in down in Virginia in 1961.