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Of course, all this could happen, and I could be killed in my car on the way to an appt. this afternoon. It's where you choose to direct your energies, but this is a big one. Perhaps it's the novelty of it - I was too young to be really impacted by bomb drills during the Cold War. My brothers remember them (they're much older than me), but this must be what it was like.

It's wild to think back on it now, those nuclear bomb drills in school where you hid under your desk as if there was any point to that. Watching those films in school about the horrible ways you would die if it happened. They say Gen X was the "whatever" slacker generation. Gee, wonder why? We didn't expect to live, so why care about the future?

It's absolutely heartrending watching this on the news. I can't turn it off. I've never seen such courage and it breaks my heart watching these people go through this horror.

Wouldn't an EMP stop a nuke attack? Just curious.

The fact that no one can go in to help Ukraine for fear of a nuclear war says way to much about the path humanity is on.

Gotta say the Ukrainians are a tough lot. Now I know why my mom is a badness lol

I am so saddened for the people on both sides who could / have lost their homes, families, and lives.

On a more personal note, one of my three adopted sons is from Russia. I brought him home to the United States when he was one year old. He has fetal alcohol syndrome, and some mental health issues. We feel lucky that he can have a job and function mostly normal in the world.

He came to me the other night and asked me what I thought of him going to Ukraine to fight "to save the children". He has no military training, was in fact rejected from the military when he inquired about joining, due to psychosis.

I have tried to cautiously discourage him, but he seems determined.

Oh, and of course his passport lists Russia as his place of birth.

I tried to suggest to him that it was not possible to get into Ukraine at this time. That he would be responsible for his own uniform, certain supplies, etc. I told him that he may not be allowed into the country with a Russian passport at this time. I also explained that even if he were to make his way to Ukraine, if anyone with whom he was fighting side-by-side with, were to find out where he was born, there could be serious issues.

I also am not sure how a civilian in the middle of a war situation can be positive. He has no knowledge of anything having to do with combat issues.

I finally told him to get in touch with the Ukrainian embassy and talk with them.

Prayers for all who have been personally effected.

I am so saddened for the people on both sides who could / have lost their homes, families, and lives.

The awful news coverage is really getting to me, to the point that last night I had a nightmare. In it I was fighting against the Russians in Ukraine! I was with a small group of volunteers and armed with just an old handgun. We were in a pub! and about to be surrounded on all sides by Russian troops. I was videoing on my mobile phone and before any fighting had begun my last words were to my fiance. I told her I loved her. It was then that I woke up.

It's just heartbreaking to know there are men and women actually living this nightmare who are never going to wake up! God only knows the long term effects this 'special military operation' (or war as it's more commonly called) will have on Ukraine's children.

The first casualty of war is the truth. There is no truth though. How can there be? There is only our truth which is peddled by whichever media channels suit our own personal and political agendas (CNN/Fox News in the US) or in the case of Russia, the sole censored State run one!

I wonder sometimes whether the human race even deserves to continue to exist.

I wonder sometimes whether the human race even deserves to continue to exist

I wonder this alot.

Isnt there a Keanu Reeves movie where he plays an alien sent to collect all the Earth's creatures MINUS humans because humanity has been given a death sentence. Dammit what's that movie called?

One woman convinces him to save humans.

I always thought, even back then if I was that one person who coukd change the mind of thr aliens to not destroy humans I wouldn't do it.

Why save a species that continually tries to destroy itself.

Unlike most NATO countries both Ukraine and Russia have mostly conscript armies. The term of service is one year. ONE YEAR! After that there is a period where males can be recalled to service.
Anybody with military experience will confirm that a year hardly makes someone a good soldier. If it takes 5000 miles and 500 hours to become a decent driver then imagine how long it takes to become a decent tank-driver, or shot, or mortar-man...

I find that disturbing… The majority of combatants are young men 18-14 with extremely limited military training and experience. The civilians being killed are being killed by young men with limited military experience and knowledge, scared and wondering why they aren’t at home. The majority of defenders are young men scared sh##less. The majority of the military combatants killed are young men with no real input on why they are where they are.

I’m a patriot and I love my country. But I hate it when people in power – by their unilateral and selfish decisions – play on this patriotism to place me, my sons or any other person in a position to kill or be killed.

I also am not sure how a civilian in the middle of a war situation can be positive. He has no knowledge of anything having to do with combat issues.

I finally told him to get in touch with the Ukrainian embassy and talk with them.

I read a great article from the AP yesterday, talking about this exactly - author is Ben Fox (I'm sure you can google it). I'm sure you've already googled the topic to death, but he confirms what you are saying in your post about what a bad idea this is. Since the war started, 6,000 people have inquired at the embassy about volunteering. Only 100 have made the cut, and they are highly trained from previous service.

Here's a blip from the article I read: The U.S. government discourages Americans from going to fight in Ukraine, which raises legal and national security issues.

Since the Feb. 24 invasion, the embassy in Washington has heard from at least 6,000 people inquiring about volunteering for service, the "vast majority" of them American citizens, said Kremenetskyi, who oversees the screening of potential U.S. recruits.

Half the potential volunteers were quickly rejected and didn’t even make it to the Zoom interview, the general said. They lacked the required military experience, had a criminal background or weren’t suitable for other reasons such as age, including a 16-year-old boy and a 73-year-old man.

Some who expressed interest were rejected because the embassy said it couldn't do adequate vetting. The general didn't disclose the methods used to screen people.

When you have a 16-year old boy, and 73-year old man trying to volunteer, then you know people are feeling incredibly helpless.

Have you seen the video of the little ukrainian girl singing let it go in thr bomb shelter?

Breaks my heart.

Also heard their zoo took losses. Fucking Russians are killing thr animals.

I hope they rot in hell.

number4...

Thank you thank you thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I have breathed a sigh of relief just reading your post.

THANK YOU.

I also wanted to say that when we think about poor "war decisions" made from one side or another, let’s be sure to remember that it’s the governments - not the people.

When I went to get my son at age 12 months, there was an outpouring of graciousness and appreciation from the Russian people. And we have heard from Dragn about the goodness of the Ukrainian people.

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 For a swift resolution.

My anger isn't at the Russian people but their leader. Just disnt want to risk breaking guidelines.

My kids were all talking about this today before school. Big d asked me of I knew what a world War was and before ei coukd answer told me....he is fucking 7 Years old and is explain to me what a world War is. He also said he doesn't want to die.

DS said he just doesn't understand adults and why they want to fight so much.

Me too kid. Me too.

And hitting and bombing a maternity hospital! How LOW can they go? Guess I shouldn't even ask. Helpless women in labor having to run from bombs and innocent newborn babies in danger.

The sheer human tragedy and ruthlessness is incomprehensible, I am praying for the people of Ukraine.

Heartbreaking.

[This message edited by Tallgirl at 1:21 PM, Saturday, March 12th]