...to not be distraught about the war in Ukraine

[donquixotedelamancha]

AIBU to have no clue why so many people on MN are so worried?

In my lifetime there have been many terrible wars in other countries and this country has been to war five times. This war doesn't involve us and any effects on us will be minor compared to what we've just experienced.

I completely understand people feeling worried for Ukrainians (as for any country in crisis) but why so much worry for us?

@Getoff

Re Cuba Strategic Air Command went to DEFCON 2 which was one step away from a shooting war..outside of the Forces the level of public concern has been well documented over the years.

Also slightly less well known is that as a result of misreading of the NATO Able Archer 83 exercise by the Soviets elements of the Warsaw Pact tactical Air Force were loaded with tactical nuclear weapons in readiness for a strike..that all has only come to light in recent years.

So whilst I’d agree the public threats this time around are highly unusual and unprecedented the world/Europe certainly has been in a couple in more immediate danger a least a couple of times before.

[quote IcyWinterWonderland]@Woahthehorsey Read my second post[/quote]
I did. I'm still not sure what the point of worrying about something we don't know will happen, can't control or do anything about, is going to do.

I'm very much not a worrier and much more a doer. And if I can't do, I still don't worry, I just get on with day to day living, concentrate on the task at hand.

@Woahthehorsey The OP asked why 'why so much worry for us?' and I answered that. Putin will not stop at Ukraine if everyone just stands by and says 'oh don't worry about that Putin lol. I am 100% certain.

He has even threatened Finland regarding NATO membership. So that is why a lot of people are worried. He will invade Europe given half a chance.

Why are people worried?

I dunno. It’s not like the despotic ruler of a massive military power has invaded a neighbouring country in violation of international law and basically said that if anyone challenges him they’ll get nuked.

It’s a complete mystery.

@PinkPlantCase

I agree OP but only from the point of view that I have enough shit to deal with and don’t want to add ‘war in Ukraine’ to my mental list of things I have to worry about.

Can I do anything about it? No. So what’s the point in getting all stressed about it.

This is pretty much where I’m at. I am horrified by what’s happening, but I simply haven’t the energy or capacity to have any real emotional response to it.

@TimeToMakeACupofTea

Why are people worried?

I dunno. It’s not like the despotic ruler of a massive military power has invaded a neighbouring country in violation of international law and basically said that if anyone challenges him they’ll get nuked.

It’s a complete mystery.

I dunno. It’s not like the despotic ruler of a massive military power has invaded a neighbouring country in violation of international law and basically said that if anyone challenges him they’ll get nuked

Yeah why worry eh? Must be lovely to not have that particular DNA or gene whatever it is. I can't imagine anyone not being even just a bit worried right now.

There’s a huge difference between “distraught” and “a bit worried”

To the 'I can't do anything about it' brigade- that's just not true.

You can write to your political representatives and say that you want them to push for stronger sanctions against Putin and his supporters, and provide support to the people of Ukraine both the ones who remain and those who will need somewhere safe to be.

Then you can donate what you can.

Then I suppose you can tell yourself there is nothing more you can do.

I'm not even in Europe and I'm not naïve enough to think this can't impact me and my family. Crack a history book and see how far these things can go.

To be fair to op, this thread was started days ago and things have moved on pretty rapidly since then. I think Putin is going to have to be removed somehow. He’s got nothing to lose now, which is the scariest thing.

Wondering if the OP still has 'no clue as to why so many people on MN are so worried?' ???
Even 3 days ago there was always the possibility of the situation escalating as it appears to be, to not acknowledge that possibility, shows ignorance.

Wondering if the OP still has 'no clue as to why so many people on MN are so worried?' ???

I’m still nine the wiser. Concern, sure? Wondering what the outcome will be? Of course? Sitting worrying about it? Not to the point that a whole load of people appear to be on MN.

I kind of see your point here OP but honestly I find it more incredible how so many people are all ‘oh Russia is so unreasonable, Putin is a crazy mad man….. how very dare they’ but those same people roll their eyes if you point out that the USA and Britain and the UN and the EU has done this repeatedly since the Second World War… invade or infiltrate countries to put puppet governments in for their own benefits, take their resources, protect themselves and their interests. We just turn a blind eye to that. It’s easier to not mind so much when we benefit from it in the long run. But as soon as we might actually be affected…. Terrible!

@Thebestwaytoscareatory

YANBU

I am utterly sick of the hypocrisy of the West when it comes to matters like this.

While we have been quick to voice outrage against Russia's invasion of Ukraine there has been almost complete silence over other ongoing armed conflicts around the globe. Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the US have rained down airstrikes on Syria, Yemen, and Somalia in the past 48 hours without so much as a whisper of objection from the masses. Conflicts rage unnoticed in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Haiti, Libya, Myanmar while thoughts of Afghanistan, so recently the focus of the western publics outcries, are now firmly out of sight and out of mind. It was only a few months ago mumsnet was awash with posters bleating on about the "terrible tradegy of abandoning innocent people to the Taliban". Now it doesn't even register.

Elsewhere UEFA have removed the champions league final from St Petersburg but will go ahead with the World Cup in Qatar. Similarly, Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel have said they will boycott the Russian grand prix while happily attending the Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabian and two USA races.

To top it off our leaders speak of enforcing "tough" sanctions on Russia, but only those that don't risk upsetting the flow of oil and gas, and refuse point blank to acknowledge any wrong doing of their previous and continued military interventions around the world.

NATO and the West constantly talk about democracy, peace and freedom, yet we have been, and continue to be, the greatest threat to those ideals to anyone who doesn't fall in line with our way of thinking or bow down to the western war machinewhen we decide they need a change of regime, whether they ask for it or not.

Very, very well said. Where’s all the handwringing and wailing about these things? Oh, I get it, we’re only supposed to be be horrified if it might effect us.

Agree that in the past the UK hasn't cared if there isn't anything in it for them. So intervened more when oil involved.
However the staked are far higher this time as Putin is definitely using the threat of nuclear weapons.
I fibd it hard to believe that anyone is going to just shrug their shoulders now and say it doesn't affect us.

There’s a chasm between being concerned and ‘distraught’ though. Some people just have to make everything about them.

I wouldn't say I am distraught but I am worried about the implications of the latest developments especially for the whole world.

Worrying never helped anyone. However, this is now the biggest crisis of my lifetime and I am concerned. This has a direct implication for the UK as a NATO member. Putin's mantra is that Ukraine was historically part of Russia and the Soviet Union so therefore should be again. This could apply to any of the Baltic states who are now NATO members, and if they are attacked we are at war. The same if Poland is attacked. I am not clear where this ends, but to say this has/will have nothing to do with us is really nieve.

@TimeToMakeACupofTea

Why are people worried?

I dunno. It’s not like the despotic ruler of a massive military power has invaded a neighbouring country in violation of international law and basically said that if anyone challenges him they’ll get nuked.

It’s a complete mystery.

No one is going to get nuked though are they! That's the point. There is NO threat to us except some higher prices coming.

It's people making the situation all about them. It's disgusting.
Anyone who has this opinion is accused of virtue signalling.

Do people seriously just blindly follow MSM interpretation of events when it suits them?
Where was the outpouring of worry and grief tourism for the other poor innocents who get blasted in wars over the world every single day?

To me, it makes a mockery of the genuine distress the people displaced by war go through .

We live in a safe, pampered country, we have no need to worry.

I have seen posts where people have said they cannot stop crying or look at their children.
That's just vulgar, why? It happens every day!! Maybe if we were truly more concerned about ALL conflicts, ALL deaths, our governments might stop being able to get away with causing so many of them

No one is going to get nuked though are they! That's the point. There is NO threat to us except some higher prices coming.

I think you're naive to assume there is no chance of a nuclear war. Putin has said before that if there is no Russia, there is no need for a world. Putin's vision of Russia is a sprawling, powerful USSR-style one. In his eyes Russia is already on the verge of irrelevance, because ex-USSR territories are turning away from Russia and embracing the west.

The old MAD principles don't apply to someone who would rather see the world destroyed than be seen as a failure as a leader. He might just be crazy enough to start a nuclear war rather than accept defeat.

A nuclear war isn't a certainty - it's unlikely - but not to recognise the possibility is very short-sighted.

@misssunshine4040 ‘worry and grief tourism’ is a great phase.

*phrase, not phase.

I’m seeing people in my Facebook add the Ukrainian flag to their profile picture and five minutes later post asking if the post office is open. WTF!

@MorningStarling

No one is going to get nuked though are they! That's the point. There is NO threat to us except some higher prices coming.

I think you're naive to assume there is no chance of a nuclear war. Putin has said before that if there is no Russia, there is no need for a world. Putin's vision of Russia is a sprawling, powerful USSR-style one. In his eyes Russia is already on the verge of irrelevance, because ex-USSR territories are turning away from Russia and embracing the west.

The old MAD principles don't apply to someone who would rather see the world destroyed than be seen as a failure as a leader. He might just be crazy enough to start a nuclear war rather than accept defeat.

A nuclear war isn't a certainty - it's unlikely - but not to recognise the possibility is very short-sighted.

It's not naive, it's realistic.

Reality of it is codes must be released and what general is going to allow this? What human being is going to see their own family obliterated by a nuclear war? He will be overthrown or killed before it gets to that stage.

The world has nuclear weapons as deterrents. Putin is not stupid,

The point I'm making is, the threat of global annihilation is minuscule.

Let's focus on the global humanitarian crisis that is happening daily and stop being so blindsided to see what suits us

Reality of it is codes must be released and what general is going to allow this?

I’m not sure anybody here really knows the reality of all the protocols the Russians use for nuclear release and if they do…

We do know from what is in the public domain about the equivalent western systems is that there are usually several pathways which may involve the approval/cooperation of more than one individual…

Unfortunately who is to say that Putin, being the sort person he is, hasn’t put in place a system to ensure he can authorise release regardless of his senior advisors wishes….

Not a happy thought.