By Thomas Gaulkin, February 27, 2022
Russia pressed on with its invasion of Ukraine through the weekend, and social media continued to prove its essential, grisly role in the documentation of 21st-century conflict. Defying Vladimir Putin’s increasingly bellicose rhetoric, Ukraine’s President Zelensky posted videos from the streets around Kyiv’s government district that appeared to galvanize Ukraine’s army of soldiers and citizens—as well as world opinion—in opposition to Russia’s assault. In this new compilation of recordings from Ukraine, surreal clips of tanks driving in urban traffic and gunfights near playgrounds filled social media feeds alongside ghastly footage of missile strikes, destruction, and panic as people fled for shelter below ground and across Ukraine’s western borders. (Editor’s note: While we endeavor to ensure any footage obtained from online channels is authentic, not all videos have been verified.)
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A Letter to the People of The United States of America.
While the World watches in knowing disbelief the horrifying events taking place at this moment in Ukraine, I think it needs to be noticed by each and every one of us, the Amazing Courage & Bravery of the citizens of that embattled country!
The People of Ukraine are what We The People aspire to be. Like our forefathers before, fighting for independence from an oppressive state who’s ideals and values were not inline with our own.
They of able body are at this moment taking up arms, as our forefathers did at Our Nation’s Great crucible, knowing that by doing so will forfeit their “Civilian” status and become fair game to the aggressors. WOW!!
They are very much the under dog and are facing superior, in almost every way, enemy fighters.
Yet they Fight!
To the End? Certainly.
To the Death? Likely.
The people of Ukraine are in the crosshairs of history and they are Doing Themselves Beyond Proud & A Damn Good Job facing it!
Sadly, even as we Americans sit in safety while watching such history unfolding, we should count our blessings and be thankful that we are not in the same position.
We Should each and every one of us watch and more than that, REMEMBER, what we see from the people of Ukraine!
I can’t help but think ‘What if we were in the same position as those in Ukraine?’ If being romantic and far fetched very far, I’d say that like our forefathers 250yrs ago we’d rise to the challenge.
We certainly have the weapons.
Do we have even half of the courage as the people of Ukraine?
Possibly. *Then I pause and shudder. *
NO! NO! NO!
NO WE WOULD NOT!! NOT Today!
If a Superior force or military juggernaut showed up at our borders and said that they only wanted to get rid of our leadership for whatever reason they decide, either factual or made up.
Would we fight in the cities in which we are so comfortable?
Send our Father’s, Brothers, Husbands and Sons to a near certain death.
250 Years ago Sure. October of 2001, you bet your ass we would and many did!
In 2022, NO!
Our founding fathers weep at the current divisiveness and downright malice we show our fellow statesmen on an hourly basis.
We are States, but are we United? I cannot tell.
If such a force were to show up at our borders in the present political, socioeconomic climate, Half our country would step out of the way and the other half would cheer them on!
That is the very reason that we are not nearly the same ilk as our Brothers and Sisters of Ukraine.
We Should Aspire To Be That Way YESTERDAY!!
WAKE UP PEOPLE!! DO BETTER!!
Please remember the Brave People of Ukraine the next time you have a political debate, discussion, or even in private thought.
GODSPEED UKRAINE!
Your Friend and Fellow American,
GoodCKJ
The sound of the sirens in one of the video clips made my heart drop into my stomach, and that's a feeling I don't easily get from videos. Something about it was so eerie, the echoing of the siren on what looked like a calm night. Makes me feel sick to my stomach. I wish my country was currently doing more to help, especially considering the pattern being repeated that is so similar to other wars. I'm only seventeen years old, so of course I'm "naive" (except I am actually quite cynical). Though, I am naive to the destruction of nuclear warheads and to international conflict to some extent, given this is something I've experienced for this first time at an age where I can truly understand it and develop my own thoughts about the topic. To get to my point, those sirens led me to comment here because I have a few questions that I've asked myself, my friends, my family. and now I will ask you the same questions.
Are you planning? Have you thought of how it could impact you or your country?
How much do you know? From both sides. How biased is your information?
Have you thought about how you personally can help? Will you help?
Are you currently stable financially, emotionally, and physically to be apart of a conflict such as this?
Could the leaders in your country do a better job? Can you and others speak up to try to point this out and get the job done?
Think about survival, shelter, yourself, your loved ones, and your livelihood.
I understand those who may like the idea of staying "neutral". Neutrality is idealistic and it would be nice, but it sadly isn't realistic. In World War 2, the US planned to stay neutral and they did so until the attack on Pearl Harbor. That is only one instance of chaos caused by neutrality. Neutrality does not mean peace, neither does retaliation. In the end, it's survival of the fittest if this were to escalate. The countries that have the best economics, leadership, policies, and unity will succeed over the others.
....It is now less than 100 seconds to midnight.
John Deere anounced the suspension of shipments to Russia. With spring upon us it would be a good idea to suspend service and maintenance on existing equipment including software if you haven't already done so.