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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

301 replies

donquixotedelamancha · 24/02/2022 21:54

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?

OP posts:
Iamnotamermaid · 24/02/2022 23:21

Never thought I would say this but I think Biden has got Putin's intentions summarised fairly accurately and they affect us all. The fact Russia has control on Chernobyl should concern everyone in Europe.

Shadowsense · 24/02/2022 23:21

As for the accusations of Russian propaganda and demands for thread deletions, that's just entering the realms of silly.

Why? Wars are not only fought with fire power these days. This is clear following recent historical events. It’s common knowledge that Russia’s influence affected outcomes of US elections and Brexit.

Original poster
donquixotedelamancha · 24/02/2022 23:21

I have definitely seen you in here before! Possibly in the Bluestocking?

I've never posted on that thread but I post far too much in FWR.

I am very amused by the idea that 5,000 posts on MN were cover for one thread about Russia.

OP posts:
SuperSocks · 24/02/2022 23:22

Because we aren't as a nation dependant on Syria or Yemen or Afghanistan etc for their natural resources. Neither have their deranged leaders (AFAIK) threatened to destroy the world if we stand up to them.

Shadowsense · 24/02/2022 23:22

There are a lot of posters on this thread desperate to minimise the invasion of a European country apparently….

Scianel · 24/02/2022 23:23

@saraclara you've summed it up well. There's certain prescribed topics for emoting at any given time.

Kassle · 24/02/2022 23:23

There are a lot of posters on this thread desperate to minimise the invasion of a European country apparently

It's a defense mechanism, people do it when they're scared and trying to pretend that they aren't.

saraclara · 24/02/2022 23:24

@Shadowsense

Sara Lara what’s ridiculous about the idea that countries post on forums to seat popular opinion? Russia even have form for it in the US election / Brexit
What's ridiculous about accusing OP of this is that she's a regular poster with nigh on a thousand posts to her name, on all kinds of random subjects.

If she's a Russian propagandist she's been playing a very very long game.

HumbleBumbleLady · 24/02/2022 23:24

In general, people are only concerned when things are directly affecting them.
People will be upset seeing disturbing images of war but that’s as far as it goes, when the threat is directed at you, it’s completely different, it becomes a reality.

Shadowsense · 24/02/2022 23:26

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Scianel · 24/02/2022 23:26

when the threat is directed at you, it’s completely different, it becomes a reality

Absolutely, but its annoying when people claim its because they care so much for others and are occupying the moral high ground.
It's plain to see how selective that empathy is.

No shame in just admitting they're worried for themselves and their families.

Girlmumdogmumboymum · 24/02/2022 23:27

I do hope you're right. As Bpris was one of the first to start speaking out with his sanctions and offering to help Ukraine out with additional arms, when Putin said there would be repercussions for people who support Ukraine, I am not so sure.

One thing we do have on our side is the amount of Russian money we have in the UK tied up in property. Less chance of bombing London if he and those close to him will suffer severe losses .....I hope

Woahthehorsey · 24/02/2022 23:27

@Shadowsense

There are a lot of posters on this thread desperate to minimise the invasion of a European country apparently….
Minimise?

There's a difference between minimising and refusing to go in to a blind panic. Please tell me how your worry is more productive than me concentrating on the concerns I actually can do something about?

Shadowsense · 24/02/2022 23:27

And op sure has a lot of loyal mumsnet posters desperate to say she’s the real deal eh…

Thebestwaytoscareatory · 24/02/2022 23:29

It feels like a form of grief tourism to me.

That's exactly what it is and it happens over and over and over again on here.

There's a bout of hysteria, outrage, name calling, and accusations of being a bot or troll that lasts about a month then dwindles to a murmur as the pretense of caring/being outraged fades, followed by a deafening silence as more important matters like what's on netflix or who's a bigger arsehole resume their positions at centre stage. Then a few months later something new will pop up to stir the hysteria again and the cycle repeats.

In the last couple of years or so we've had that exact cycle repeat with the Afghanistan withdrawal, Yemen bombings, Israel/Palestine conflict (that's a regular flarer), BLM movement, and Hong Kong protests (there's probably loads I've missed too).

Justanotherlurker · 24/02/2022 23:29

The US did but (like everything else on Russia) we looked both ways. We spend a lot of money on russian gas and they spend a lot of money in the UK

We rely on Russia for 5% of our gas, far less than Europe, and no we didn't look both ways, we was against nordstream.

Imagine being in a position where you think the rest of the EU hasn't looked sideways to Russian money and think it's just a UK issue...

Woahthehorsey · 24/02/2022 23:29

@HumbleBumbleLady

In general, people are only concerned when things are directly affecting them. People will be upset seeing disturbing images of war but that’s as far as it goes, when the threat is directed at you, it’s completely different, it becomes a reality.
And when it's directly affecting me, there might be things I do to minimise the impact or such, but until then I have to accept there's nothing I can do.
Original poster
donquixotedelamancha · 24/02/2022 23:29

Do you understand the complexities of geopolitics at all? In those 15 years Russia has been funding separatists states to make sure a vote to join NATO would be scuppered, it's not as binary and simplistic as you want to make out.

I didn't say it was. I am well aware of Russia funding separatists. Arguably Ukraine joing NATO might have split the country.

But the reason we can do nothing now is because the Ukraine issue has been punted while Russia has funded separatists, annexed Crimea, spread propaganda in the east and wages a low level proxy war.

15+ years ago there were choices, now there aren't. If we genuinely wished to dissuade Putin that time has passed.

to even suggest so shows you don't have the 'intellectual' stance that you think you have.

Are you confusing me with another poster? When did I claim to be intellectual.

maybe your stop the war donations has influenced your post, but it's not as insightful as you think it is

Eh?

OP posts:
TuscanApothecary · 24/02/2022 23:31

There's a lot of money to be made in war. I doubt the London property would make a dent in either sides pocket.

I do think a lot of countries still go to war, like they did in the crusades and further back, to make money. I can't remember how much money was made from the Iraq war off the top of my head but I remember being shocked about the figure a few years ago.

Original poster
donquixotedelamancha · 24/02/2022 23:32

Imagine being in a position where you think the rest of the EU hasn't looked sideways to Russian money and think it's just a UK issue...

I didn't say that. I said the US has been stronger than us. The whole EU has been very weak on Russia.

Frankly I would understand (but disagree) if the EU did want to cosy up to Russia. I just think the inconsistency emboldens Putin.

OP posts:
Changeee15467 · 24/02/2022 23:32

YANBU OP. It’s one thing after another and whether I’m just desensitised or whatever now I don’t know but I’m really not worried for myself or my family. What upsets me is the catastrophe that is unfolding for the Ukrainian people.

MysteriesOfTheOrganism · 24/02/2022 23:33

You really think he only wants Ukraine? His goal is to restore the Russian control of Eastern Europe that the Soviet Union had. As most of those are now NATO members, that's starting to look like the prelude to World War 3... at the very least he will want to begin a prolonged destabilisation of Europe. Either way, you should be concerned.

milkyaqua · 24/02/2022 23:35

That's exactly what it is and it happens over and over and over again on here.

No, what actually happens goes like this:

2020 Coronavirus pandemic. Global. MN - vast swathes of complacency.
2022 Coronavirus pandemic. Global. MN - vast swathes of complacency.

Meanwhile, 2020-2022 MN - shrill cries of similarity to the Holocaust, Nazis, Hitler, when required to wear masks, etc...

2022 - World power invades Ukraine (startling reminded of Germany's invasion of Poland, WW2) and on MN - everyone forgets their Nazi memes.

Beeinalily · 24/02/2022 23:35

Taking people's minds off what's going on with our own government though, innit?

Woahthehorsey · 24/02/2022 23:36

@MysteriesOfTheOrganism

You really think he only wants Ukraine? His goal is to restore the Russian control of Eastern Europe that the Soviet Union had. As most of those are now NATO members, that's starting to look like the prelude to World War 3... at the very least he will want to begin a prolonged destabilisation of Europe. Either way, you should be concerned.
I'll ask again: what good is being concerned going to do?