February Twenty-seventh; Thoughts on The Ripples That Should Concern us All

He asked, “Why should we worry about what is going on so far away?” (Link heavy)

I tried to explain as best I could, in as condensed a version that still carried the full reason as possible. He has a tendency to lose interest if my explanations grow too wordy. I guess many of us do, our attention spans have become shortened over the course of time. We’ve gone from full length movies, to online videos to tic tok. We’ve gone from full status shares to twitter that limits characters. From phone conversations to text messages that may or may not be littered with emojis. It is understandable that some do not want or can’t wait for one to ‘get to the point’. But I had to try.

Why worry about what is going on in the Ukraine? Why be concerned about what Russia is doing and threatening to do? Because in the grand scheme of things, it effects us all. It doesn’t matter if it is something happening on our border, no matter where we reside, or across the world. There will be ripple effects and they could be devastating.

Sitting here in the United States, far away from the battle raging, we struggle to see what is real or false, truth from fiction, threat from promise. All while innocent people flea, and innocent people die. But, why should we be concerned?

First off, again, those are human lives being lost, being injured. Families who are separated as women and children flea while adult men from eighteen to sixty have to stay and fight to protect their homeland and the life they know and love. The photos have shown a brave people, Ukrainians who stand strong, who walk up to tanks, people arming themselves ready to go to battle. An eighty year old grandfather packed a small suitcase and went to sign up to help. Strangers are helping get children to safety. Neighboring countries are opening borders, are telling those seeking asylum bring your pets, they are welcome. People opening hotel rooms as a place to stay.

The president of Ukraine posted a request on Twitter asking Elon Musk for help and Elon Musk responded.  https://news.yahoo.com/plea-ukraine-elon-musk-says-025553039.html

When the International Space Station was threatened, he stepped in again: https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-protect-iss-crashing-russian-threats-2022-2?op=1

One man, doing what he can. Yes, he is wealthy, but he is using what he has, to stand up and make a difference.

Sanctions have been set in place against Russia: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/25/list-of-sanctions-on-russia-after-invasion How much of a difference they will make, is yet to be seen.

I think because some believe that Putin may have lost touch with reality, to quote this headline: https://www.yahoo.com/news/putin-ukraine-russia-catherine-belton-skullduggery-152902828.html

Considering all of that, we are still seeing the damage done. To a country, to its cities, to its people. Even as we see those citizens stand strong. But, as I was asked, why should something happening so far away, concern us? Ripples. Toss a pebble into a still pool and see what happens. From that initial sound of pebble hitting the surface and sinking, the effects ripple outward.

Putin dropped a very big pebble into a peaceful pool. That first attack bringing the ripples of reactions. The strongest being the defiance of the citizens not willing to sit down and surrender. But, should the Ukraine fall, should the sanctions not bring about the desired result, what then? As Putin tosses out threats, are other countries moving back and turning their face away in an attempt to remain safe? I would hope not as that is a sign of fear and weakness. What is a sure sign of strength in this? https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2022/02/26/besieged-ukrainian-president-shows-russia-an-alternative-to-a-hiding-vladimir-putin/?sh=1f9e77a71c5e If the Ukrainian president can stand in the midst of this war, strong and sure, can other countries not follow his lead? Because if Ukraine falls, and if Putin has lost touch, whose to say how far he may take this? Whose to say that he won’t spread this war further, larger, more inhumane?

What is happening in the Ukraine, to her people, will and does touch us all, as it should. It should concern us in all aspects. We should be paying attention to everything that is going on there, and everywhere. The actions and reactions. Who stands strong and who turns away. Who is brave, and who hides. We should care about the actions of the one man, losing touch or not because there may be those who think the actions a good idea and become the copy cat war monger.

I’ve watched the videos. I’ve seen the photos. I’ve witnessed a quiet country stand up against a bear, determined to not go quietly and without a fight. I’ve seen bravery in action. I’ve seen the defiance of the few against the many. I’ve seen a world coming together in the condemnation of this action by Russia. I’ve seen evidence of individuals who not only verbalize their intent to help, but put words to action. Because they know and understand that ripple effect and the possibilities. How does one deflect a ripple before it reaches its destination, by creating a conflicting ripple. That is what I see so many doing, creating that conflicting ripple by their standing with the citizens and reaching out to help those citizens of the Ukraine. May we all be that difference, may we all stand strong and do as we are able to create those conflicting ripples. Because what is going on in the Ukraine, does concern us all.

As vast as the world is, it is still finite