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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be so worried about an imminent war

154 replies

Saladcreamdreams · 28/01/2024 23:27

Is anyone else absolutely terrified or just me?
Tensions seem to be ramping up

OP posts:
Spiderzed · 31/01/2024 10:21

Peace shouldn't ever be taken for granted, we are very fortunate here that thankfully we live relatively peaceful lives and have people willing to help us maintain that. War is always a possibility, no point worrying really though what can you do!

BiddyPop · 31/01/2024 11:28

There has not been a single day since the of WWII where there has been peace on the entire planet. That has been some form of war going on somewhere in that entire time - almost 79 years now.

So why do you think that now is any worse than other times in that period?

If you are particularly worried, see how or can be organised to look after yourself and your family self-sufficiently rather than needing Government help...can you look after yourselves for light, heat, food, water, cooking, first aid and essential medicines- initially for 3 days and then a couple of weeks? If something happens, have you a plan for what to do, where would be safe to go, what should you bring ...how would you move, on foot, by car...do you have small or older/less able folks to think about, family pets etc? What documents are essential and where are they in case you need them in a hurry? Are there any specific sentimental items that are portable that you would bring. What clothes, food, other essentials would you need to pack and move? Do you have savings and can you access them relatively easily? Have you written down, on a piece of paper or in a notebook, essential information - dates of birth/marriage etc, any allergies or medical issues in family, ALL relevant phone numbers (extended family, local services, government contacts etc) in case you lose power in your own phone and thus lose the numbers - if you have a notebook, you could use another phone to call people.

But the UK is an island off the edge of Europe and, sorry to say, no longer the world leader it once was. So there is a lower likelihood of being targeted than others such as US, China, Iran, etc. If you were to think strategically, Italy is the chair of G7 this year - so makes more sense in the heart of Europe than the UK.

There is always a danger. But there's also always a danger of being run over by a bus. Statistically possible but not terribly likely for an average person on an average day.

NeedToChangeName · 31/01/2024 11:30

AnneLovesGilbert · 28/01/2024 23:37

What would you do about it anyway?

There’s no point in worrying. That won’t stop you and I get a bit caught up in too much news sometimes, but I turn the radio off and listen to music for a bit, call someone for a chat, hug my children, eat a fried egg sandwich and look out of my window.

The birds on the fence couldn’t give a shit, they’re just going about their day hoping the squirrels don’t eat all the fat balls.

@AnneLovesGilbert I think this is a good strategy. I check news headlines every day, but that's it. I try to focus on what's happening around me

TheYearOfSmallThings · 31/01/2024 11:34

For my entire life (almost 50 years) there has been war ongoing in various places around the world. I'm not happy about it, obviously, but if I lay awake worrying about it I would have wasted my life, so I keep it in perspective.

Livida · 31/01/2024 12:03

TheYearOfSmallThings · 31/01/2024 11:34

For my entire life (almost 50 years) there has been war ongoing in various places around the world. I'm not happy about it, obviously, but if I lay awake worrying about it I would have wasted my life, so I keep it in perspective.

Yes but never quite so much, and never with the threat to pull us in to the extent that there is within the next decade. It's a total tinderbox and we're just sitting here hoping it goes the right way.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 31/01/2024 12:14

Livida · 31/01/2024 12:03

Yes but never quite so much, and never with the threat to pull us in to the extent that there is within the next decade. It's a total tinderbox and we're just sitting here hoping it goes the right way.

No honestly, this is unfortunately not unusual.

Saladcreamdreams · 31/01/2024 13:23

I am reading all replies

OP posts:
facepalmdaily · 31/01/2024 16:13

I’m overly anxious, to the point I’ve just had my anti anxiety meds increased. I’ve taken myself off all SM. I don’t watch the news, I don’t listen to the radio, I don’t read newspapers, I don’t have a news ticker on my laptop, if anyone mentions it I walk away or ask them to stop as I’m so triggered by it. I can genuinely say that it’s taking over my life to the point I’m spending money like I’ll die tomorrow! I am very anxious person anyway and this just ramps it up. I feel very sad.

21ZIGGY · 31/01/2024 17:10

I have a friend who was in the british army until 10 years ago. He has been written to and put on notice that he may be called up. I was really shocked by that. I was with the "never gonna happen" brigade (still am really) but this has sown a seed of doubt

Livida · 31/01/2024 17:34

21ZIGGY · 31/01/2024 17:10

I have a friend who was in the british army until 10 years ago. He has been written to and put on notice that he may be called up. I was really shocked by that. I was with the "never gonna happen" brigade (still am really) but this has sown a seed of doubt

Well that's pretty scary

Trappedandunhappy · 31/01/2024 17:57

Livida · 31/01/2024 17:34

Well that's pretty scary

If it’s true.

IncompleteSenten · 31/01/2024 18:00

Wouldn't they have some sort of confidentiality requirement in the letter? I'm not part of the military so perhaps not but I would have thought stuff like that is not supposed to be shared ahead of time.

Wupity · 31/01/2024 18:46

Is that what happens in the army. Even after you have left you can be called up again and be obliged to serve?

21ZIGGY · 31/01/2024 19:07

@Wupity yes under the reserve forces act

21ZIGGY · 31/01/2024 19:07

@Trappedandunhappy many thanks for implying im lying 🤷‍♀️

tsmainsqueeze · 31/01/2024 19:08

DiscoBeat · 28/01/2024 23:50

It's so worrying. I can hardly think of anything else at the moment. I have two teenaged boys and really fear for their future.

I have two boys also,well young adults and even though i'm quite calm and down to earth normally i go into a complete panic thinking of them being conscripted, i'ts unbearable to think about.

Wupity · 31/01/2024 19:15

@21ZIGGy thanks that’s interesting. Scary!

PollyPeep · 31/01/2024 20:30

@tsmainsqueeze I have two boys too and it didn't even cross my mind to be concerned about it. Genuinely, how do you think conscription would even work? There aren't enough places in prison for all the refusers. And the majority would refuse. Will they just round people up off the street or steal them away in the night? On a practical note, people need two incomes to pay the mortgage now so is the government going to step in and pay everyone's mortgage until a war is over? It's just so incredibly unlikely to happen. I can imagine people being enlisted to help with the technological side, but not literally being put in an army uniform and sent to Europe.

hairbearbunches · 31/01/2024 20:55

Not wishing to ramp up the anxiety, but Fiona Hill - the lady from the North East who ended up working at the Pentagon for the last couple of decades - is of the opinion that WW3 has already started.

Saladcreamdreams · 31/01/2024 21:06

Who is she ?

OP posts:
IClaudine · 31/01/2024 21:33

21ZIGGY · 31/01/2024 17:10

I have a friend who was in the british army until 10 years ago. He has been written to and put on notice that he may be called up. I was really shocked by that. I was with the "never gonna happen" brigade (still am really) but this has sown a seed of doubt

But it would be just into the reserves though, not full time duty?

"On leaving full time service personnel are transferred into the reserves which usually lasts for six years. The army has the right to call up reservists for any reason for up to sixteen days in the year. All three forces may call up reserves for longer periods during emergencies, or when the Defence Secretary judges there is a national need"

https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/joint-committees/human-rights/Briefing_from_Forces_Watch_Terms_of_service.pdf

I think I remember something from last year when the government was saying it might need to call on reserves more, be cause (surprise!) the Tories have cut the armed services to the bone.

IClaudine · 31/01/2024 21:38

hairbearbunches · 31/01/2024 20:55

Not wishing to ramp up the anxiety, but Fiona Hill - the lady from the North East who ended up working at the Pentagon for the last couple of decades - is of the opinion that WW3 has already started.

Sorry, found the link:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/02/28/world-war-iii-already-there-00012340

ETA: so she said that two years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine. We are all still here so far!

Begsthequestion · 01/02/2024 14:27

LaDerniereVacheFolle · 30/01/2024 17:46

Thank you for this factual and sane post.

I think many people are seeing WAR properly for the first time up close on Social Media.

If you've never taken much of an interest in history or politics (or you're just quite young) I can understand what's happening can seem like the beginning of the end of days! But it's really not. Since humans have been humans (and before) there has always been war.

Depressing but factual.

I don't use social media, have a political science-type degreeand am not "quite young".

I do pay attention to global events and there is an awful lot of tension rising in many places, for differing reasons.

"There has always been war" is kind of reiterating the likelihood, not ameliorating it.

Begsthequestion · 01/02/2024 14:33

Trappedandunhappy · 30/01/2024 17:48

Ahem. Sorry to be a pedant, and not at all the point of the thread, but it was actually Feb 22 1797 when the French invaded West Wales.

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofWales/The-Last-Invasion-of-Britain/

It wasn’t a hugely competent invasion and they were largely foiled by a woman called Jemima. It’s a great little bit of history that has been somewhat ignored.

What about the five year nazi occupation of the Channel Islands from 1940? Although a crown dependency, rather than being a part of the UK, the UK is responsible for their defence.