Bits and Pieces

Small Stuff Bothering: scanning the news begs the question, “What’s really important?” The bigger the problems are, the more time we spend on the smaller stuff. Why is that? Is it because we are avoiding the big items? Is it because the big topics are too weighty and scary? Do we even care? Reading the headlines, it would seem we don’t care.

Or, are fashion shifts more important than world war? Or even cyberattacks? Or pandemic issues? Really?

I think it is time to focus on the big issues before they engulf us in a point of no return. The rest is nothing but distraction from the important things.

A World at War: yes, we are in a world war. It may not seem so because bombs are not falling on our homes or destroying our bridges and infrastructure. But we are at war. A nation is being bombarded indiscriminate of civilian casualties. Entire apartment blocks are being destroyed. Schools and hospitals are under attack. Public spaces like malls and theaters are being pulverized. It is clear Russia will get what it wants at any cost.

Economic sanctions hurt both sides. Upending the energy markets costs all of us, but it is worth the price to starve the Putin’s of the world of needed revenues. Threat of broader attacks from other regionals powers (Belarus for example) is a natural progression. Cyberattacks by Russia on their enemies like Europe, America and NATO members, seems logical. Threat of nuclear ramifications are tossed about. This deals with both nuclear power plants and weaponry. The threat is real whether action occurs or not.

Russia has chosen to expand its demands to the entire world community – ‘do as we say, or…’ That makes this a world war. We must respond. But how? That takes deep thought. We have the weaponry and delivery systems. But are there actions that will produce desired results without military action?

If so, what does that look like? And who is working on this?

Values: no matter the topic, my mind trends toward the comfortable position on any topic under discussion. It just does. Listening to the discussion might dislodge my position a bit. If it does, my mind will consider other options. Does yours do so as well? Values tend to lock us into positions but considering the roots of values is important. It just might identify inconsistencies in logic. Misplaced values are easily formed. Discipline helps us remain rooted in core values.

March 23, 2022

 

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