Consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

With the first shot fired I sat down and wrote the following list. It is just a starting point. But it was therapeutic. Getting down to the basics helped me place this terrible current event into historical perspective. That led me to a range of results that will likely be our history going forward. The process was instructive. The consequences:

1.       Death, and usual horrors of war on Ukrainians

2.       Subjugation of Ukraine; re-absorption into Russia for re-birthing USSR

3.       Instability on all borders of Russia, Ukraine, etc.

4.       Total challenge to NATO’s mission and resolve

5.       Economic disruption of world markets

6.       Economic disruption of world banking system

7.       Greater instability with China and all other powers

8.       Hot hostilities will happen between NATO and Russia; this must be unless Russia withdraws unconditionally

9.       Economic sanctions alone will not control Russia’s/Putin’s behavior.

10.   American policies needed to be put into place:

a.       Restrictions on travel; all travel

b.       Reduction of vehicular traffic

c.       Work from home to become new standard of employment

d.       Protection of cyberspace; we must be invincible in this regard

e.       We isolate Russia in all matters

f.        We begin to isolate China in all matters possible while retaining communication and relations; China is a co-conspirator of sorts with Putin; watch them distance themselves from Putin, but...

g.     Adopt defensive posture on all education, intellectual property, etc.; others want what we invent; they pay or collaborate for access; no exceptions.

This list blossomed in moments. I admit some are emotional and inappropriate for the long haul. However, even those items speak to the need for our nation to change its method of dealing with the world at large.

The American people are peaceful. We may be competitive, but we are not mean and violent by nature. We have deep-rooted respect for justice and fairness. Violate that delicate balance and the nasty side of our human nature (and yours) appears. It is a natural, human reaction.

Russia’s people most likely are peace loving, too. It is not they who invade Ukraine or wrest a portion of a country and patriate it to Russia (remember Crimea). It is Putin who does this. He is the provoker of violence. He is the demander of power, money, hegemony. Putin is driven by his own sense of self and prestige. The latter is not from gratefulness of others, but rather homage to his eminence from others. ‘Bow to me, the Caesar.’

Poppycock. His is merely a man strutting on life’s stage for 70+ years. When that term is done, it is done. Putin thinks so much of himself that he lost everything that truly matters. Sad to watch, really. He really is a loser on the grandest of scales.

Now, to be honored and remembered because of accomplishments that benefit the goodwill of mankind, that is a goal worthy of effort. Has Putin ever attempted such? No. That doesn’t seem to matter to him.

America is many things and follows many false gods. In the main, however, America is a land of good people striving to be better for themselves and others. It is the common good of the community that matters most. In that we lose ourselves and yet find what matters.

It is the root of happiness.

March 3, 2022

 

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Intimacy

As we mature, we become deeply involved in relationships. Some of this is basic family relations – siblings, parental – and the like. Next is friends who enter our homes and we theirs. Neighbors, classmates, mutual hobbyists and so forth. Then we develop friendships that go much deeper. We comfort one another when we are hurting physically or emotionally. We discuss the matters of life and learn much more about ourselves and each other. We can even anticipate how others will react to various situations and stimuli. Good friendships do not spread to everyone we know. No, good friendships are special, close and deeply personal. We focus attention and brainpower on these few friends. Some special relationships focus on specific topics of interest and importance. Yes, we have specialized friendships. Most common. But one day, we get to know one person very well. An emotional connection forms with deep roots. A need to know the person more fully expands in personal ways. We sense this b...
Read more

Bits & Pieces

Pie: Apple pie more specifically. With Thanksgiving just passed, many of us enjoyed a good apple pie. Sure, there was pumpkin to accompany the turkey, but in our family multiple pies are offered in the holidays. Apple is surely one. Pecan, pumpkin and others, too. But I almost always choose apple. When I was in college, I was asked what kind of pie did I eat most often. In front of my mom, I answered apple, because I was always looking for a pie as good as mom’s own. Of course my mother was pleased, but it was a true statement just the same. When I was married, Ann’s pie was darned good. Her mother’s recipe. But we fiddled with the recipe until it took on its own generational name, and boy, was it good! Today I still order apple pie for dessert because I am always looking for a great pie to challenge our family recipes. I rarely do find such a prize. Do others do the same? Do you search for a great pie of choice, continually? If you do, what’s your story? Why do you do this? ...
Read more

Remembering Tom Sherlock

Tom Sherlock died on Wednesday, April 3rd. He was 65 years old and did not survive a heart surgery. That was his unexpected end and sad enough. But there is more to his story. Tom joined Dan Schuyler and George Safford to create what became the Village Chronicles, a weekly newspaper serving Warrenville, Illinois. That paper expanded to serve Winfield and then West Chicago. The paper published for eight years and built a good reputation for itself. Tom served the paper in several ways. He was our information technology guru, provided hardware and software to support the paper's operations. He was our sole bookkeeper, accountant and financial manager. He designed our distribution process and provided office space for meetings and layout and typesetting. His efforts supported the work of 32 volunteers who wrote and reported on the communities we served.  The newspaper broke even financially most of the time, but it was a struggle. Tom managed to find money to keep the newspaper afloat...
Read more