Russia Invades Ukraine 2022

[nett]

login-walled, and not a single person on this forum mentioned it. That's my point.

By that standard, nobody could mourn violence, suffering, and death anywhere, anytime because there's always something else going on that could be whatabouted to dismiss it.

I think that’s right. One can respond to the question, “Why don’t you care about Donetsk?” with “why don’t you care about Grozny or Aleppo?”

I actually agree with you. To be honest, I don't care that much. I'm not there, I don't know anyone there, and I cannot possible positively affect anything by getting emotionally involved.

I cannot consciously "care" about all the bad thing happening in the world. And because of that, I have to refuse allowing the MSM control of what I "care" about.

I pray for all people suffering from war daily, but that's the extent of my care. I am concerned about all the supposedly non-resistant people who have immediately jumped on the pro-war-with-russia bandwagon because of the sensationalization of this conflict. That's real concerning to me.

[Neto]

By that standard, nobody could mourn violence, suffering, and death anywhere, anytime because there's always something else going on that could be whatabouted to dismiss it.

I think that’s right. One can respond to the question, “Why don’t you care about Donetsk?” with “why don’t you care about Grozny or Aleppo?”

I actually agree with you. To be honest, I don't care that much. I'm not there, I don't know anyone there, and I cannot possible positively affect anything by getting emotionally involved.

I cannot consciously "care" about all the bad thing happening in the world. And because of that, I have to refuse allowing the MSM control of what I "care" about.

I pray for all people suffering from war daily, but that's the extent of my care. I am concerned about all the supposedly non-resistant people who have immediately jumped on the pro-war-with-russia bandwagon because of the sensationalization of this conflict. That's real concerning to me.

I don't think it is actually the "news" that is creating more of a response about this. It's a bit like the fact that if a pretty young white woman disappears or is found murdered, many white people will react more strongly than if a person of another ethnicity is found to have suffered the same thing. Everyone has a cultural identity, and when a victim (or victims) fall into the same category, there is a stronger response. I do think that it is important to realize this, admit to it, and be more understanding and yes, empathetic, when there is not that automatic identification. How many people here knew Sasha Krause, or Linda Stoltzfoos? Some, yes, but most not. Yet there was a lot of discussion and "following of the story/news" in those cases. But I also don't think that any amount of postulating will completely rid anyone of that tendency, because it is a natural human response. (Sin is also a natural human response, so I'm not saying that one should give in to this, or claim that we cannot do anything about it. But then I'll also admit that I'm the type of person who will cry in response to a movie, even though I know full well that it is all fake. I wasn't always quite this way, but some events in my life have made me much more so that way, things that I'll probably never completely "get over", things that have made some people say that I "have issues".)

For me, the Ukraine-Russia deal is personal, because I know that I almost certainly have relatives who would consider those to be their nationality, some on one side, others on the opposite. Also, specifically for Ukraine, I have family history there. There are places that, even though I have never been there, invoke an emotional response, because I have heard those place names mentioned my whole life. I have also admitted to this, if not in this thread, then in another. I have also publicly acknowledged here that it has alarmed me how much this situation has drawn me toward political opinions.

[nett]

I think that’s right. One can respond to the question, “Why don’t you care about Donetsk?” with “why don’t you care about Grozny or Aleppo?”

I actually agree with you. To be honest, I don't care that much. I'm not there, I don't know anyone there, and I cannot possible positively affect anything by getting emotionally involved.

I cannot consciously "care" about all the bad thing happening in the world. And because of that, I have to refuse allowing the MSM control of what I "care" about.

I pray for all people suffering from war daily, but that's the extent of my care. I am concerned about all the supposedly non-resistant people who have immediately jumped on the pro-war-with-russia bandwagon because of the sensationalization of this conflict. That's real concerning to me.

I don't think it is actually the "news" that is creating more of a response about this. It's a bit like the fact that if a pretty young white woman disappears or is found murdered, many white people will react more strongly than if a person of another ethnicity is found to have suffered the same thing. Everyone has a cultural identity, and when a victim (or victims) fall into the same category, there is a stronger response. I do think that it is important to realize this, admit to it, and be more understanding and yes, empathetic, when there is not that automatic identification. How many people here knew Sasha Krause, or Linda Stoltzfoos? Some, yes, but most not. Yet there was a lot of discussion and "following of the story/news" in those cases. But I also don't think that any amount of postulating will completely rid anyone of that tendency, because it is a natural human response. (Sin is also a natural human response, so I'm not saying that one should give in to this, or claim that we cannot do anything about it. But then I'll also admit that I'm the type of person who will cry in response to a movie, even though I know full well that it is all fake. I wasn't always quite this way, but some events in my life have made me much more so that way, things that I'll probably never completely "get over", things that have made some people say that I "have issues".)

For me, the Ukraine-Russia deal is personal, because I know that I almost certainly have relatives who would consider those to be their nationality, some on one side, others on the opposite. Also, specifically for Ukraine, I have family history there. There are places that, even though I have never been there, invoke an emotional response, because I have heard those place names mentioned my whole life. I have also admitted to this, if not in this thread, then in another. I have also publicly acknowledged here that it has alarmed me how much this situation has drawn me toward political opinions.

Awareness is key.

[nett]

I'm not sure if I would really recommend anyone watch a lot of these videos (unless you are VERY desensitized to violence), but things in Donestk seem really bad. Seems much more gratuitous than Mariupol. Just mindless killing with no strategy.

https://twitter.com/PLnewstoday

Boot, What do you think about this guy? I didn't do a ton of research, but he seems to be independent, and his reporting predates the Russian invasion.

[nett]

I'm not sure if I would really recommend anyone watch a lot of these videos (unless you are VERY desensitized to violence), but things in Donestk seem really bad. Seems much more gratuitous than Mariupol. Just mindless killing with no strategy.

https://twitter.com/PLnewstoday

Boot, What do you think about this guy? I didn't do a ton of research, but he seems to be independent, and his reporting predates the Russian invasion.

Bellingcat has one article that mentions him. https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2022/02 ... he-donbas/

[ohio jones]

The only reason you all care this much, is the media whipped you up into it.

I don't share Neto's family history, but I have Ukrainian-American friends. I have connections to people who have adopted Ukrainian children. I have connections to people in neighboring countries who are working tirelessly to minister to Ukrainian refugees. What I'm hearing from these people is not in conflict with what I'm hearing from the media. But perhaps it explains why I'm paying more attention to this situation that to other things happening in other places, and will continue to do so if or when the headlines move on to other matters.

It's fine to point out biases and agendae and sensationalism on the part of the media, which certainly exist, but that can be done without becoming a devil's advocate for the other side.

[Josh]

The only reason you all care this much, is the media whipped you up into it.

I don't share Neto's family history, but I have Ukrainian-American friends. I have connections to people who have adopted Ukrainian children. I have connections to people in neighboring countries who are working tirelessly to minister to Ukrainian refugees. What I'm hearing from these people is not in conflict with what I'm hearing from the media. But perhaps it explains why I'm paying more attention to this situation that to other things happening in other places, and will continue to do so if or when the headlines move on to other matters.

It's fine to point out biases and agendae and sensationalism on the part of the media, which certainly exist, but that can be done without becoming a devil's advocate for the other side.

I find it frustrating the same concern hasn’t been extended to ethnic Russians who have been dealing with this for the last 8 years. It just seems hopelessly biased.

I’m against violence and war in general, but I do not align with whatever my own government or my own personal best interests might promote, and then ignore violence that my own government is OK with. That’s what I have a problem with here. Very few people have taken an actually neutral position.

[Dan Z]

The only reason you all care this much, is the media whipped you up into it.

I don't share Neto's family history, but I have Ukrainian-American friends. I have connections to people who have adopted Ukrainian children. I have connections to people in neighboring countries who are working tirelessly to minister to Ukrainian refugees. What I'm hearing from these people is not in conflict with what I'm hearing from the media. But perhaps it explains why I'm paying more attention to this situation that to other things happening in other places, and will continue to do so if or when the headlines move on to other matters.

It's fine to point out biases and agendae and sensationalism on the part of the media, which certainly exist, but that can be done without becoming a devil's advocate for the other side.

Perspective...

In considering why people are reacting so strongly to the Ukraine invasion, it's worth noting the size and effect of this war - nearly 200,000 invading troops, roughly 1,000 incoming missiles thus far, extensive destruction of Ukrainian cities, thousands of civilians killed, 3 million external refugees in just a few weeks (almost half of them children!), destabilized world markets, nuclear powers inched closer to all-out war - the media hasn't "whipped this up". This is a BIG DEAL! In fact, it's the most significant world invasion in almost 20 years (since Iraq), and the largest war in Europe in a lifetime.

[Josh]

Destabilised world markets?

Well, who decided to do that?

[temporal1]

The only reason you all care this much, is the media whipped you up into it.

I don't share Neto's family history, but I have Ukrainian-American friends. I have connections to people who have adopted Ukrainian children. I have connections to people in neighboring countries who are working tirelessly to minister to Ukrainian refugees. What I'm hearing from these people is not in conflict with what I'm hearing from the media. But perhaps it explains why I'm paying more attention to this situation that to other things happening in other places, and will continue to do so if or when the headlines move on to other matters.

It's fine to point out biases and agendae and sensationalism on the part of the media, which certainly exist, but that can be done without becoming a devil's advocate for the other side.

oj has a point, this forum has members with first-person history or ties to Ukraine, that’s not new.
it’s unlikely nett has a grasp of this. he’s not wrong about media stirring emotions. that’s reflected on most topics on this forum - that is, the ones that generate the most heat.

the convoy in Canada was another example. i believe it was discussed way more on this forum than in the mainstream - several members are in Canada, and, lots of family and fellowship ties.

nett has good points that deserve consideration. i don’t think he’s trying to offend in any way.
i don’t think anyone is.

i don’t think it’s necessary for “everyone” to respond exactly the same way to this terrible situation.
having a different perspective does NOT make you evil or uncaring.

none of us has the magic wand (we think we’d love to have) to solve the problems, to stop the pain.
we have prayer. we are impatient, not wanting to wait for God.

Putin+Zelensky are the principals that may find a resolution. i’m praying for them to find a way everyday.
i pray the mainstream and war mongers ALLOW them to find a way out. i’m sad to think outsiders may have done more damage than good. we may never know.

God knows.