Perhaps we can all agree on this particular "cancellation"

I'm not certain how "cancel" become the go-to term every time someone objects to a position or action or quote or poor choice (or just ANOTHER choice), but it seems like a good concept to apply to Russia right now.

The "free world" is steadily canceling Russia in response to its invasion of a peaceful neighboring democracy. Freezing or seizing assets held in foreign banks is a good start and that instantly caused at least temporary problems for Russians in terms of interest rates, inflation, and the value of the ruble. But cultural cancellations may have more effect on everyday Russian citizens.

No World Cup playoffs. No hosting big international contests. No buying Russian vodka. No releasing Disney movies (at least for a while). No overlooking Putin supporters in the arts.

I am a fan of some sort of direct response to bullies, including punching them in the nose, due to the satisfying feeling of vengeance achieved. I suppose that is why I root for the bad guys to not only die (say, in the recent "Reacher" series on Amazon Prime) but to die in some gruesome way. But just because that physical response satisfies my reptilian brain is no reason to ignore more "civilized" instincts.

The isolating of a bully nation like Russia -- even though I am aware that most ordinary Russians have nothing to do with the invasion and may not support anything about it -- is more effective than any punches will ever be. 

It is human nature to want to connect with others, and have the freedom to explore the world, and to participate in all that modern technology and economies can provide. 

Take away those connections and you present people with a raw fact: much of the world disapproves of Russia, and Putin represents the country. In some part of my logical brain, I would agree that I would not like ordinary Russians to suffer. But in my emotional brain, I know that leaders will not make changes without a push from some large number of the citizens they purport to lead.

Just as, in some ways, I have to "own" the fact that my own country could elect a ludicrous salesman as its leader just five years ago -- despite my own opposition -- so ordinary Russians have to "own" their cold-eyed bully who is leading them to... who knows?

Russian society, Russian athletics, Russian art, Russian goods... they must be excluded from the free world for some time to come. 

I feel the same about Trump and his minions, but that is for another day.

Exclusion is the only logical response to a country bullying neighbors, and it's nice to see much of the world embrace enforcing this isolation.