Assumptions about Russia: they’re all we’ve got

UKRAINE. Something happened on the way to Heaven

When I interviewed for Saga Holidays, their mantra was “Make sure.” Making sure is not assuming. Because, says Saga, “Assume makes an ass out of u and me.” Ha, ha.

However, assumptions are sometimes all we’ve got. But they should be expressed guardedly. Because we’re not sure. That’s why they’re assumptions.

Assumption 1: all the good folk left Russia immediately after the invasion.
Assumption 2: all the Russians who stayed are ardent Putinists.
Assumption 2a: not all of them, some of them. We don't know which, though. A majority: that’ll be it.
Assumption 3: no one in Ukraine profited from the invasion.
Assumption 4: no one in Russia suffered as a result of the invasion.
Assumption 5: every last Ukrainian who fled from the invasion was an innocent, hard-working member of the public.
Assumption 6: all the Russians fleeing after the invasion were poor, oppressed people.
Assumption 7: none of the Russians fleeing now is a poor, oppressed person.
Assumption 8: if an ardent Putinist is prevented leaving Russia, he will strive to bring down Putin.
Assumption 9: those fleeing Russia now have changed their minds and are anti-Putin, and that’s why they're leaving; er, no they’re not, they’re Putinists and will act as fifth-columnists in our countries; er, no, they’re really good people and will bring down the Kremlin’s leadership, er ... no, they’re lazy and we don’t want them, er ... no, er ... they’re draft-dodgers and should be punished, but not by us, by someone else, whose draft they’re dodging, er ...we don’t know. Go home, nasty Russian. And face thy destiny. Like a man. But not on a battlefield. 

If we want them dead on the battlefield, would it not be easier just to shoot them as they queue up at border posts?

If you’re going to assume something, then follow it through to its conclusion, and that will tell you whether your assumption stands to reason. If it doesn’t, you may make an ass out of you, but you won’t make one out of me, sorry. But, you will save the world, and I won’t.

Something happened on the way to Heaven, said Phil Collins.