The war in Ukraine started on February 24. While it is still very much in the news, I fear we will lose interest in soon while worrying instead about the inflation and the price of gas. As this happens, we will also find a way to politicize the war with the midterm elections coming up.
The Trump half of us want to blame Biden for the war and inflation which almost reached 8% this past week. They will say he is weak and too old to lead decisively. If Trump were still President, we wouldn’t have inflation and Russia wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine. The other half of us, blame Trump and seemingly odd relationship with Putin and the pressures applied to Zelensky to open up a probe on Biden’s son Hunter in 2019. This faction still believes that the Russians influenced the 2016 election that got Trump elected. Trump actually called Putin savvy when the invasion of Ukraine began. I have no clue no idea where the truth lies in this quagmire of false news and conspiracy theories. Thankfully, there is no shortage of friends and family that see all of this clearer than I do and are willing to educate me.
Right now all of this seems to be in check and mostly our focus is the war and the death, destruction, and refugees associated with it.
The world is looking at Ukraine with great concern. They are trying, via diplomacy and sanctions, to get Russia to cease hostilities and withdraw. The sanctions will have some impact eventually. What we don’t know is the unintended consequences on the global economy. While the world is focued and verbal about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Azerbaijan is shelling Armenian villages in Nogorno Karabagh once more demanding they withdraw from the villages on the border with Nakhichevan. In this case, no one but Armenians are watching and crying out.
Even with the eyes of the world on Ukraine and even with the some serious sanctions in place, the war wages on. At some point, military actions can only be halted with military action. In Ukraine, Biden has made clear we will not be committing troops nor will we establish a no-fly zone. So, Putin keeps advancing his troops. There is already speculation that Putin may not stop in Ukraine and could threaten the Baltics. There is worry that China may attack Taiwan or North Korea invading the South. If any of these happen who will stop them? Who would take the risk, expenses, and loss of life that war brings? My fear is Azerbaijan and Turkey could invade Armenia and the Nogorno-Karabakh Republic. Who would care? Who would stop them?
The world and mankind seem to be at an inflection point. The world is smaller. We are faced with the pandemic which hopefully is waning. We have to deal with global warming. And, now, we have to deal with wherever Putin’s megalomania is taking us. I have little faith in any of our options for leaders to be able to navigate this quagmire. I have even less faith that the people will miraculously rise up and refuse
I find it rather unsettling.
I close with the lyrics of Edwin Starr’s War (1970)
War
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, uhh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y'all
War, huh (good God)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me, oh
War, I despise
'Cause it means destruction of innocent lives
War means tears to thousands of mother's eyes
When their sons go off to fight
And lose their lives
I said, war, huh (good God, y'all)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, just say it again
War (whoa), huh (oh Lord)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
It ain't nothing but a heart-breaker
(War) Friend only to The Undertaker
Oh, war it's an enemy to all mankind
The thought of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest
Within the younger generation
Induction then destruction
Who wants to die? Oh
War, huh (good God y'all)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it, say it, say it
War (uh-huh), huh (yeah, huh)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
It ain't nothing but a heart-breaker
(War) It's got one friend that's The Undertaker
Oh, war, has shattered many a young man's dreams
Made him disabled, bitter and mean
Life is much too short and precious
To spend fighting wars each day
War can't give life
It can only take it away, oh
War, huh (good God y'all)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, say it again
War (whoa), huh (oh Lord)
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
It ain't nothing but a heart breaker
(War) Friend only to The Undertaker, woo
Peace, love and understanding, tell me
Is there no place for them today?
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord knows there's got to be a better way, oh
War, huh (God y'all)
What is it good for? You tell me (nothing)
Say it, say it, say it, say it
War (good God), huh (now, huh)
What is it good for?
Stand up and shout it (nothing)
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Barrett Strong / Norman Whitfield
War lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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