I know what writer’s block feels like . . . I’ve been through a recent bout of it myself. Staring at that blank screen, hour after hour. Searching the internet for fascinating news items; searching my brain for amusing memories to pass along in the hope that others will find them interesting. And nothing clicks.

Can that also happen to people who speak, rather than write, for a living or a pastime?

Could the always eloquent Dmitry Peskov — the adorable front man for the Kremlin leadership — be running out of new ways to say . . . well, anything?

Or maybe he just didn’t have time to come up with something fresh and new to start the week when asked on Tuesday whether the Russian government might be thinking of altering its stance on nuclear arms control. Instead, this is what he had to offer:

“Please re-listen and re-read the statements that the president has made on this issue — I mean on the topic of possible permission for the use of Western weapons deep into the territory of Russia. The statement that the president made in St. Petersburg. The position of the Russian Federation is very clearly stated there.” [Dmitry Antonov and Guy Faulconbridge, Reuters, September 24, 2024.]

The statement to which he was referring was one made by Vladimir Putin on September 12th:

“If this decision [on missiles] is taken, it will mean nothing less than the direct involvement of NATO countries, the United States and European countries in the war in Ukraine. this will be their direct participation, and this, of course, will significantly change the very essence, the very nature of the conflict.” [Id.]

Perhaps there was just no better way to say it. Some words are so clear, so memorable, so eternal in their message, they cannot be improved upon — such as Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Mark Antony’s speech at Caesar’s funeral, Lady Macbeth’s mad scene, or Nikita Khrushchev’s incomparable “We will bury you.”

Or perhaps Dmitry suddenly recalled his boss’ use of the word “war” in that statement on September 12th, and was anxious to change the subject lest someone ask what happened to the “special military operation.”

Whatever the reason, I am quite sure our ever-dependable Dmitry Peskov will be back with more of his famous bon mots in short order.

Looking forward to hearing from you as always, Dima.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/25/24