Thankfully I wasn´ t there the last time, underlining the fact that a lifetime has passed since anything like this stained our continent. Speechless is a popular way of expressing being overwhelmed by emotions. I can´ t say I´ m speechless, just angry, disappointed and frustrated and realize there are few new words I could add to the torrent of condemnation from all corners of the world directed at Russia.
Nice words, though it all seems so inadequate when people are dying in a European democracy just across the water from me. Inadequate it is of course, which is the evil calculation made by the megalomaniac in the Kremlin, that nobody will go to war and risk nuclear escalation in support of the Ukraine. That makes sense to most Europeans, excepting perhaps the extremely bellicose. In the short run all we can do is gnash our teeth and do what we can to help. In the long run we should do everything possible to ensure that this aggression, accompanied by disgusting political rhetoric and propaganda to justify it, does not go unpunished. I think Germany needs to stop behaving like a reformed arsonist who refuses to lend out his garden hose as his neighbour´ s house burns down, with the motivation that he´ s done with all that; but if asked, he might consider calling the fire brigade. Sweden has a history of looking the other way which was brutally brought to mind by her Prime Minister, Magdalena Andersson being caught with her knickers down, when she couldn´ t say whether it was an invasion or not, until someone defined the word for her. Since then I suppose she´ s looked it up in a dictionary, as soon afterwards she was on her way to have a chat with Jens. Sweden is after all an associate member of NATO. Not being a member is a risky but considering public opinion, political expedient, which now has egg on its face.
There is hope, highlighted by almost universal condemnation, barring China which surprises no one. Despite individual politicians squirming in their political and oh so vital democratic straight-jackets, there appears to be a united European front.
It´ s not all about politicians though. We have a global economy, the internet, social media, a world of international sporting events, a system of international travel and if we as individuals, all make use of whatever tiny possibility we have to exert influence on any of them to boycott Russia, then we will have done our bit. #StopPutin
