Impromptus today begins with Oleg Sentsov, one of the most remarkable people I know, or know of. He is a film director. He was a political prisoner of the Kremlin. Now he fights in the Ukrainian military, on the front lines. A truly extraordinary individual.

I also discuss Herschel Walker and his nomination by the Republican Party for the U.S. Senate in Georgia. Are there any standards for the Senate (other than winning an election, of course)? Or is everything LOL? This is an uncomfortable subject for Republicans, needless to say, but uncomfortable subjects are often the ones that most need addressing.

If you’re in the mood for a sportscast, I’ve got one for you: here. My guests are David French and Vivek Dave, and they are superb, as usual. Under discussion: an expanded Big Ten; the mind of Kevin Durant; Showtime and Sho’ Time (the first referring to the Magic-led Lakers, the second referring to Shohei Ohtani); and more.

Let’s have some reader mail.

Mr. Nordlinger,
. . . Thank you for writing “Coming to Grips with Abortion” [here]. You hit a lot of the points that I think about as well. I don’t want to deny anyone a “choice” because I believe in liberty. However, I can’t get away from the fact that the baby is a separate person from the mother. I really liked your line that the mother has a “stewardship over that body.” It seems like a great way to think about it versus the mother’s bodily autonomy. My wife, whom I love, has drifted over the years to the point of view that the mother should have the decision and it should be left only to her; no governmental interference. You speak of blind spots, and I think that pro-choicers don’t really wrestle with the fact that there are two lives involved. It is important for us all to examine our blind spots, as you say.
Just my two cents. . . .

A reader has written me about recent notes on Ukraine. I will quote his last line — a P.S., actually: “I hate reading some of the stuff you (and others) have to write, but for God’s sake keep it up.”

In an Impromptus, I wrote,

“Wokeness” is new (the word, I mean). When I was coming of age, we said “PC.” This predated the personal computer, I’m pretty sure. We meant “political correctness.”

An expert on language writes me to say that “PC” in both meanings “took off in the mid ’80s” — but, strictly speaking, “PC” for “personal computer” is older.

Finally, some fightin’ words. Responding to this column, a reader writes,

As to the threat of secession by Texas . . . all hat, no cattle. Brisket is overrated. Eastern NC chopped or pulled pork BBQ is better.

When it comes to brisket, pulled pork, and such — I am an equal-opportunity employer, or eater. Food o’ the gods.