Greetings all and first up a huge thank you once again to Anna and for the inspiration to write a little story, as well as Caroline and Ian for liking/commenting on my last blog entry.
Well, I'm sure like countless others you awoke to some pretty shocking news this morning. War is in Europe again as one evil dictator wishes to subjugate a nation back to suppression and fear. It's hard to believe that anyone would wish to return to the dark days of the cold war but it appears that is exactly what one despot yearns for. A realm of a Russian empire steeped in glory and ego massage.
It is desperately hard for those in Ukraine to stand up against a military superpower and the threat of modern firepower. Then there's the chilling implicit threat to anyone who dares to interfere where there is clear inference to nuclear weapons. It's a sobering thought when there are 6200 nukes at his disposal but of course there is M.A.D. (mutually assured destruction) to consider.
Like some of my readers I can remember back in the 70's and 80's the chill of the cold war. Countries like Poland, Bulgaria, Czechoslavakia (as it was then), Romania and many more were firmly in the pocket of the old Soviet Union. I remember the propaganda and counter propaganda that was so prevalent at the time. I can recall those rather daft public information films about what to do in a nuclear attack. It all seemed a distant memory until the last month or two.
Since the break-up of the old Eastern Bloc I've met and made friends from that part of the world and guess what. They are just like you and me and this is the great tragedy unfurling before us now. Those who are in Ukraine are just ordinary people terrified at the prospect of facing off against Russia and the repression that will inevitably follow. Spare a thought too for the ordinary citizen in Russia who dare not speak out. There are rumours of demonstrations being planned in Moscow already but you can bet they will be snuffed out very quickly indeed with brutality and force.
Imagine if you lived in those Eastern countries who are very near to Russia and who Russia considers as vassals of their great empire, especially the Balkan states. The bear is hungry and rest assured Ukraine is the opening gambit in what he is after.
It is hard to fathom why anyone would do such a thing after all the nonsense of Covid and in an era where we are supposed to be in a more enlightened age. I see it like this. These wretches from the past are desperate to have one shot of glory but I foresee for them an end that befell the likes of Mussolini, Hussein and Gadaffi. The best thing they can do is exit the stage and let those who aspire for a brighter future and unity to take over for they offer nothing but misery and fear. Dinosaurs are extinct and soon Putin and his like will be too, I just pray not too many lives are lost in this pointless pursuit of colonial glory.
Apologies for the somber tone of today's post but it is a dark day but better ones will come. Until then, let's send our thoughts and prayers to those innocent souls in Ukraine.
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