Letting bygones be bygones is a tough sell

It is difficult to see how Russia can reenter the larger world of politics and commerce after a long war of aggression against Ukraine which includes indiscriminate bombing of civilians. 

I can't imagine Ukrainians finding forgiveness for a country that invaded and destroyed simply because they chose to do so. Thousands of dead civilians and billions in damages buildings and roads and so many young men dead... just to defend their country.

I can't imagine Europeans more generally allowing relations with their giant neighbor to return to anything close to normal. They can all see what could be their fate, should the Putin cult continue its trail of tears.

And yet... the world has a way of finding paths toward normalcy, even after the most heinous acts, including war. Look at Europe itself and how Germany has been able to return to civilization's good graces. Same with Japan.  

Right now it's hard to find much forgiveness in my heart for the hypocritical and power-hungry Angry White People Party, but somehow the country slowly and fitfully knit itself back together after the Civil War.

So never say never.

The passage of time and the reality of our ultimate need to simply get along with one another on our little planet combine to overcome almost anything, I guess.

I used to think Richard Nixon was the ultimate example of a power-mad politicians, but Trump leaves Tricky Dick in the dust. Nixon was closer to a modern Democrat than to an election denier and Christian Nationalist. 

Now we have a major political party that has no agenda beyond grievance and power and denying any changes in our social structure.

In 50 years, will the whole White Nationalist movement seem almost silly and certainly a transitional stage in our national saga?

Never say never.