Feeling very tearful at the thought of ordinary people in Kyiv being given guns

[Flamingo49]

I find it heartbreaking and so sad to think of ordinary families in Kyiv being told to make Molotov cocktails and defend themselves with guns. Can't imagine how terrified I would feel if BoJo was handing out machine guns telling us to protect our nation. Anyone else?

When I was a teenager in the 60s, the cold war was all around, and we discussed the Cuba missile crisis at school. People used to say, "Would you rather be dead or red?", meaning, I suppose, "Would you cuddle up to the Communists if we were taken over, rather than resist". The Berlin wall was suddenly built up and it surprised me years later that it went down and the USSR fell apart.
This move by Putin makes me feel sad. I feel as if we have gone backwards, in the world.
If BoJo told me to use a Molotov cocktail I'd lob the first one at a 'thing-that-was-built' which I hate. I've been longing to do that for a long time.
If he gave me a machine-gun I'd pray I never felt the need to use it.
I haven't read all the thread but I know someone upthread has said we must never take anything for granted.
There was a story that the little rifle which stood in the corner was one which Grandma was to use if an enemy plane came down during WW2, in the nearby field. She was to go and take them prisoner until help came to her. I used to think they told me that to make me laugh but that probably was the best plan at the time - in case.

OK, so I hope OP will donate money to the relevant charities or offers her home to people in need. because that's what real empathy means in action.

@okthx

OK, so I hope OP will donate money to the relevant charities or offers her home to people in need. because that's what real empathy means in action.

So empathy has some sort of a 'pay-as-you-go' element to it?

Behave

@UserBotLurking9to5

I wonder if age comes in to it *@EvilPea*. My DC now at nearly 19 and 16 could fend for themselves if I died. I think my survival instinct would be less than my determination to fight now than it would have been ten years ago. But God knows. How can I know I'd react. I think I would fight. I'd want to live though.

I wonder if that would add another layer of defiance as there’s a good chance they would be fighting at 19 and not far off at 16.

It does, @lemmein, otherwise it doesn’t mean much. “I’m worried for our climate so so much…” while flying for holidays several times a year and driving to get some milk instead of walking 10 min. Let’s agree to disagree.

A doctor friend of mine has offered to take in a refugee family. At least she's offered - our repulsive government seems to be hell bent on making it difficult for Ukrainians to come here at all.

@ilovesooty

A doctor friend of mine has offered to take in a refugee family. At least she's offered - our repulsive government seems to be hell bent on making it difficult for Ukrainians to come here at all.

I was reading that. We seem to be utterly failing in any support

“Europes problem now”

Excellent posts lemmein , not that you should be having to post them.

It's odd how much criticism OP has received, just for expressing how upset she feels about this situation. It seems that some people are very keen to pile in for a fight. OP, you expressed a sadness that many people feel right now.

Evil pea

I think we all feel passive and impotent.
When Donald Tusk launches a scathing attacks on his beloved EU we know we're all feeling helpless.

How do the Italians feel?
How do the Germans feel?

Tusk Said they are an embarrassment.

I can see why the Germans and Italians are in a hard place with gas supplies.

The gas and oil situation is a complex one.
If I’ve understood this correctly
Currently the Russian oligarchs own the oil and gas? Not the state???
If the tap gets turned off to Germany and Italy, they have no gas and cannot heat their homes.

However, the oligarchs are losing money as no one can buy their gas??
Is that the crux of it?

So turning off the gas is not as straightforward? It depends if the seller (oligarchs) agree.

Or have I completely misunderstood

And the shoes evil pea?

The Gucci shoes?

Yes the gas issue is massively complex And stoping buying the gas isn't simple And Will cause pain to the countries that buy it.

But it's going to cause pain if we all get dragged into a war.
Difficult choices all around.

Just had to Google the Gucci shoe issue.
How the fuck does a war get stopped over luxury fucking shoes.
Madness. It’s madness