I can feel the tears brewing in my eyes......

I haven't read most of the thread.
That's against GN rules.

volver

It's weird on here tonight, isn't it?

The TV is even weirder

Just popped in for a quick look, just going to pop out again ?

It's weird on here tonight, isn't it?

Callistemon21 Were there any general appeals for goods to help Syrian refugees in Syria with collection points all over the country? were there lorries running from all over the country to Syria?

I don't need a lecture thank you Monica
The majority of Syrian refugees sought refuge in nearby countries, most in Turkey.

Arguing about logistics isn't really helpful or productive.

AviaParva has left Gransnet, as will I now. For better pastures!

youtube.com/watch?v=hqHVo4B26r8&feature=share

volver

Can you perhaps explain how Mr Brown suggested we get Putin to the tribunal? I missed the interviews.

www.lifehack.org/303037/researchers-find-3-reasons-sarcastic-people-are-more-intelligent

That’s quite funny in a sad way! I was always taught that “sarcasm is the lowest form of humour”.
I think I might give more credence to a professional Psychology website than to life hack.

I’ll find the link for you to the Gordon Brown interview today. ?

M0nica

No sarcasm whatsoever in my post, just exasperation that someone kept saying that they couldn't understand why Putin hadn't been arrested, but could offer no idea how this could be done.

If The Hague and UN haven’t worked it out yet, I think you’re expecting a lot from AviaParva!

Can you perhaps explain how Mr Brown suggested we get Putin to the tribunal? I missed the interviews.

www.lifehack.org/303037/researchers-find-3-reasons-sarcastic-people-are-more-intelligent

Here’s a helpful link.

www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/think-well/201206/think-sarcasm-is-funny-think-again

We could all learn from the dignity of the Ukraine people.

No sarcasm whatsoever in my post, just exasperation that someone kept saying that they couldn't understand why Putin hadn't been arrested, but could offer no idea how this could be done.

M0nica

*Aviaparva*. Exactly how do we arrest Putin? That is the question that matters. Do we invite him to come out of Russia and meet us at the Hague? De we send an Uber to pick him up at the front door of the Kremlin? Do you think he would oblige us by travelling, except under duress to the Hague? If he got into the Uber, do you think he would let it go anywhere where he might be arrested?

All the arrest warrants, all the evidence in the world are no use if we cannot physically arrest him and get him to court.

How do you suggest we do it? I am sure the court in the Hague would be very happy if you could show them a foolproof way of doing it.

You might want to look at the Gordon Brown interviews of today.

And maybe rethink your use of sarcasm .

Callistemon21 Were there any general appeals for goods to help Syrian refugees in Syria with collection points all over the country? were there lorries running from all over the country to Syria? Not that I m aware of. To get things to help th Syrians, the best way was to give money to a charity working in the area.

The other problem with Syria, Myanmar etc, is that they were all civil wars where those fighting on both sides were the same nationality and fighting and territory was intermixed between both sets of protagionists.

What makes Ukrains so unique is that an independent country has been attacked and an attempt is beng made by a bigger country to incorporate it into their territory.

There are also a large number of Ukrainians living and working in this country

I can remember some years ago a major natural catatstrophe somewhere in Asia, where people in this country rallied round to send aid and aid workers to help. Once again it was because there were a lot of people from that country living in this country, so that many people knew someone whose family was directly involved

Aveline
I know my feelings,the worst of it being no doubt like wise many others, the frustration that we can do so little about it.

I think the continual coverage on our television screens brings this into very sharp focus. It’s easier for journalists to get to Ukraine, although being there is very dangerous as shown by the attack on SkyNews (?) reporters the other day, whereas coverage from Afghanistan is rather limited now due to the difficulties of getting there and staying there. There was far more coverage of Afghanistan when our soldiers were there.
So I’m just saying that maybe the huge amount of coverage is possibly affecting people more just now. I don’t think it’s racism because the British people are always compassionate and give generously to any conflict or natural event wherever in the world it happens.

Well I wasn’t going to say anything but Blue belle has said it for me. On another thread they were asking who would give a refugee a room, well I never saw anything like that for other refugees, just from many we have no room, where will they go and we have people on the streets. Well I am sorry but it appears that some people are selective and only seem to really care about the ones who look like us and dress like us. Yes you may have friends given money etc but message I get from thi s thread is that you are, I will say selective to be kind.

We don’t all have to think alike to have any moral authority, but the one thing I have seen here on Gransnet is posters speaking with one voice to condemn the actions of Putin in Ukraine.

Absolutely*Granny23*. Perfectly understandable.

Bluebell You have absolutely no idea what I have done to help various refugees or that I have friends among both the Syrian, Ukrainian and the big Polish (they were billeted in our village hall during WW11) Communities locally.

Anyway - I feel no need to justify myself to you or others of your ilk. I was just trying to understand and explain why this crisis has affected me even more strongly than previous ones. It just feels more close up and personal. During one conversation with both DDs the elder one mentioned that when a disaster or tragedy, here or abroad, is reported on the News, we all do a quick check in our minds and are still very concerned, but much relieved, when we realise that none of our close family or friends are in the danger zone. Surely this is just human nature, herd instinct, call it what you will?

Callistemon21

Violetsky you did say to Granny23:
I hope you have apologised to your daughter for saying that

Then you said:
I cannot apologise for my honest reaction to someone else's words

^Granny23 doesn't need to apologise to her DD for saying that and it is not our business to suggest she does, even if we feel differently.

There are a few problems with what you have said.

I didn't tell *Granny23 to apologise, I said I hoped she had/would.

I don't have a vested interest in a relationship, whereas Granny23 has a relationship that matters with her daughter.

It would only be the same if I had asked Granny23 to apologise to me, which I didn't

Hope this helps

I heard part of an interview on R4 this morning; an American citizen of Ukrainian birth who was now able to move his family out and get away. When asked what the rest of the world could do, he said put up with potential shortages caused by cutting on oil and gas supplies from Russia, whatever we have to go short of, it is never as bad as sitting underground, on a concrete platform, clutching your children and a suitcase of belongings. The report that did it for me last night was of the coach full of orphans with learning difficulties, their terrified and uncomprehending looks, and their brave carers.

BlueBelle actually I think you’re being very judgmental about some of the posters on this thread and you are not displaying any empathy towards them.
I agree with volver and Chewbacca. The reason some people find it easier to identify with what’s happening in Ukraine is because it’s nearer geographically and because of the threats made against us by Putin and the threat of a nuclear strike.
A lot of money and charitable gifts were given and are still being given to other areas of war including Syria and Afghanistan.
There is no moral superiority in claiming I care more because I care about all wars.
Posters are distressed about this war now, but are perfectly able to feel empathy and offer contributions for other wars now and in the pst/future.

It's not awful BlueBelle. It's an emotional gut reaction which we're all entitled to feel especially at times these.

You do not know what others have shed tears over or not of course I don’t luckygirl I only know what I read on here on this thread and the points of view that were expressed that the war in Ukraine is upsetting people so much because it’s nearby and because it’s in Europe and some even mentioned them looking like us wearing clothes like us !!! I find that very very upsetting
If people are saying it’s frightening because we ve had peace in Europe for so long etc that’s quite a different thing and very understandable but saying it’s because we ‘look like them’ is just plain awful