Ukraine - it’s nothing to do with us.

[Greyhop]

I don’t often go on Facebook for exactly this reason. A friend had written this post saying Ukraine is nothing to do with us, and slamming Boris for getting involved. I want to reply, I want to articulate a good reply. A kind reply. Or should I just leave it? AIBU to respond to her offensive post?

When you say we should be doing something, does that mean you'd be okay with your sons or husband being called up to actively participate. Because that's what you're asking of others.

Doing something doesn't equal all out warfare.

Cutting off Russia's means off communication would be a good start.

Cutting off all of their resources outside of Russia itself etc.

The world isn't what it was 80 years ago. We don't need to fight them on the beaches this time.

When we have heartbreak going on in our own families right under our noses, it is hard to take on the world's problems on top of it.
It doesn't mean we don't care.
It just means that we are already on the verge of a mental breakdown and there comes a cut off point.

"First they came for..."

You could quote the “All that’s required for evil to triumph…” quote at her and leave it at that. How sad to have such an absence of empathy for others’ suffering.

@LiveintheNow

For Whom the Bell Tolls By John Donnee_

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

That’s amazing. Thank you for sharing. I am heartbroken about Ukraine. It seems that the only way out is for the Russian people to stand against Putin. There are many good and brave Russians in the streets -risking arrest and god-knows-what. The western powers that support Russia and allow Russian oligarchs to profit from human misery are just as guilty.

@Greyhop

I don’t often go on Facebook for exactly this reason. A friend had written this post saying Ukraine is nothing to do with us, and slamming Boris for getting involved. I want to reply, I want to articulate a good reply. A kind reply. Or should I just leave it? AIBU to respond to her offensive post?

Does she have a lot going on in her own life by any chance?

@Lalliella

You could quote the “All that’s required for evil to triumph…” quote at her and leave it at that. How sad to have such an absence of empathy for others’ suffering.

which is actually the philosophy I follow in replying to offensive stuff on Facebook. I personally would and do call out offensive views. I’ve lost friends over it but would view them as no loss.

@MrsToadflax

Probably wise to leave it, but I'd be tempted to make my own post about how important it is that we are involved and that we offer help for all displaced citizens.

Yes, we should suspend visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens, like Ireland has.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion . I personally think it's a bit weird to announce all your unasked-for thoughts publicly to strangers but I guess I'm just showing my age.
I also don't understand the compulsion to acknowledge and reply .

She's talking out of fear for her own life and wellbeing. That's kind of understandable.
However, it will definitely get worse if we pretend Ukraine and Russia are not our problems. We get involved out of our interestests first of all.
I understand you want to say something, but you cannot reason with emotions. Leave it. She might change her mind later, or be open to discussions at some later point.

@UserBotLurking9to5

The hesitancy to suspend use of swift is in part because it would instantly create a black market i thought.

Suspending Russia's access to SWIFT would really damage Russia, but there's an opinion that Putin would close the gas pipeline that Germany relies so heavily on.

That is possibly why Germany are being a bit more cautious than other EU & NATO nations with regard to what actions to take.

Absolutely! They know it will be a fucking catastrophe to poke the bear now they rely so heavily on the resources coming from that direction. What a fools game this is.

If you wrestle with a pig you will both end up dirty and the pig will enjoy it
Don’t engage with idiots on FB

Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion but they’re not entitled to their own facts.

So if she’s posted incorrect information, I’d post a gentle ‘actually I’m not sure that’s 100% right’ response, with links to sources to support. Not for her directly, but for others who might be reading to get a more balanced view.

If she’s just giving her views I’d ignore. Her views are hers, and yours are yours. Realistically neither of them is going to make even the tiniest impact on what happens, so what’s the point?

It’s ok to disagree with people, and it’s ok to unfollow them virtually so you can carry on being friends in real life without being reminded of it all the time.

Why we you going around giving a fuck about what some school run mum thinks?
Just ignore her. She’s entitled to her uneducated opinion and it’s of no consequence to you.

Meant to say I suppose you could chuck out "that's what we said about Hitler" (the first they came for... piece) but there would be no point.

This narrative really pisses me off. The UK and US have spent much of years since WW2 merrily stomping around the world, invading whatever country they wish and laying waste to whoever stands in their way, without much more than a muttering of disapproval from the public.

Yet Russia, who were instrumental to stopping Hitler and suffered the greatest number of casualties in doing so, are the one's tarred with the Hitler tag immediately.

Tell which country acts more like Nazi Germany, the one that obliterates a culture because they want them to think and act like them, slaughters 100s of 1000s of innocent people because of their religon/nationality, and imprisons anyone they don't like in brutal conditions for decades without trial or charge

or

the country that has invaded its neighbour, in an attempt to prevent a hostile organisation getting a foothold on it's border and due to ongoing political tensions?

It is fine to think the Russian invasion is unjust or travesty buy at least have the guts to admit you're chief reason for being outraged is because it's happening to a European country and might directly affect you, and not because you give one iota of shit about the suffering of innocent people at the hands of hostile nation.

I don’t think ‘Russia’ is being tarred with any brush at all. The Russian people don’t get to choose who their leader is. Putin on the other hand aligns very nicely with the Hitler tag. He fits the mould beautifully.

@Rollonspring1111

When we have heartbreak going on in our own families right under our noses, it is hard to take on the world's problems on top of it. It doesn't mean we don't care. It just means that we are already on the verge of a mental breakdown and there comes a cut off point.

Yes, personally I'm not seeing much past a funeral and making sure my dad is OK its selfish I admit but I cannot see past it right now but outside my house is a race track people panic buying again and I need fucking fuel ffs

@Greyhop

I would reply kindly as our children are in the same class - and the teacher was trying to articulate it all to the children yesterday,

In that case, say nothing. Don't argue with mums of the kids in your DC's class...it will never end well. You won't change her ignorant mindset anyway.

Perhaps look here and see if there are any facts you think are worth sharing, or just copy and past the link into her comments www.instagram.com/p/CaDSPoMv-10/?utm_medium=copy_link

I wouldn't say a thing to her on FB. Just ignore it. It isn't going to change her mind about anything and it won't do any good. You'll just stir the pot.

If she starts saying more and more things that you find offensive then just block her. Don't get drawn into something on social media.

If the subject ever comes up in face to face conversation, then that would be the time to challenge her, if you want to.

She is a moron. You can't argue with stupid

Totally agree with what you’ve written @Thebestwaytoscareatory
How people are blind to this or choose to be blind to this is beyond me!!! Everyone loves a good and easy to identify enemy.

Do you think there's any chance anything you say would persuade her otherwise?

Well there's a conflict in Mali at the moment and noone's suggesting we get involved there. So it isn't just about helping others, it's about self interest - we care more about Ukraine because it's in Europe and it's impacting on us. So while I don't agree with her I also don't think she's necessarily being unfeeling or immoral because there are lots of conflicts around the world that we take no part in.