Ukraine

? ????????

Only the British could make a comedy on this dark subject.

www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_witchfinder/

For you, Lucca (I managed to find one of him looking serious)

Callistemon21

^There was a post on Facebook saying how every woman in the world is now in love with the President of Ukraine and they’re probably right^.

I'm not in love with him but I do want to go and give him a big, motherly hug and say "Well done, we're very proud of you and we're all with you!"
And to go and put Clive Myrie's helmet on for him!

The two things that brought home the seriousness of the situation last week was seeing Clive Myrie actually in Kyiv and then watching The Last Leg and seeing everyone on it being so sombre. Not that I wasn’t worried/upset about it before but it suddenly became much more personal.

The Swiss sense of humour. Isn’t that a contradiction in terms.
Kali2
You were the poster who extolled the virtue of the wonderful British sense of humour when talking about the book This is going to hurt.
Do you stand by that? Or, are you just having a pop at Lucca and Callistemon I think it’s the latter.

I’m reminded of Margo ( the good life) when she broke down because she realised she didn’t have a sense of humour.

I admire the Ukrainian president. A brave and inspirational man who makes Putin look like the evil coward that he is.

Whatever your reason for being in hospital Lucca, I hope you are well.

There was a post on Facebook saying how every woman in the world is now in love with the President of Ukraine and they’re probably right.

I'm not in love with him but I do want to go and give him a big, motherly hug and say "Well done, we're very proud of you and we're all with you!"
And to go and put Clive Myrie's helmet on for him!

Of course Calli. If a little light relief during a crisis can be found, it is a welcome distraction. It certainly does not distract from the severity of the situation we share.

I was blasted on another thread for making a light hearted remark about Russia being kicked out of the Eurovision Song Contest. It seems certain posters are permanently on Outrage Alert.

It must be draining not to have a sense of humour.

Thank you kalu daisy anne Callistemon

Some of us have other anxieties too, Kalu, as you know, and a little light relief amidst all the stress is welcome.

Lucca it reminded me of the happy time when we were waiting for family to arrive from Australia for a holiday, the last time they came before Covid.
That odd feeling when you see someone famous unexpectedly and he was right next to me! He'd been reporting from Africa, I think, on a disaster there.

Ignore it Lucca. Something I realised years ago is that the Swiss do not share our sense of humour. Kali is bang out of order to question yours! A bit of light relief is what got many through previous wars here.

More virtue signalling indeed Calli

I think we’re all a bit hypersensitive at the moment. There was a post on Facebook saying how every woman in the world is now in love with the President of Ukraine and they’re probably right. Dr John Campbell did a webchat with a Russian who now lives in the U.K. He’s a psychoanalyst or something of that nature and gave a chilling insight into how Putins mind works. Wasn’t the most reassuring of webchats but, as Dr John said, we need to know and understand these things.

Kali2

Callistemon ''Give me peace, international respect and understanding.''

oh yes - but this is not what is happening now. And YES, in war, I'd rather have 2 armies fighting it out in a field- then civilians torn to pieces in their sleep from the air.

As for Frank Gardner, I am fully aware of who he is. And think he is excellent. What is obscene- on THIS thread of all threads, is your and Lucca's comment about you having a crush on him. How totally insensitive and inapropriate.

Kali, the difficulty of conflict is often managed by the off-hand humorous remark. I don't think we are all going to start wearing hairshirts just because that is your preference. Your reaction seems quite extreme.

Lucca don't worry about it.
I know exactly what you mean and it is a British thing - somehow managing to show a glimpse of humour when things are desperate.
Although I feel as if I'm in a state of high anxiety for several reasons at the moment, I knew what you meant!

I think many of us have been used to these kind of remarks over many years.
As I said, it's just virtue signalling.

Kali2

Callistemon ''Give me peace, international respect and understanding.''

oh yes - but this is not what is happening now. And YES, in war, I'd rather have 2 armies fighting it out in a field- then civilians torn to pieces in their sleep from the air.

As for Frank Gardner, I am fully aware of who he is. And think he is excellent. What is obscene- on THIS thread of all threads, is your and Lucca's comment about you having a crush on him. How totally insensitive and inapropriate.

No, not obscene.
He's a brave man and stoical.
Was a war correspondent. I think we have fully expressed how much we admire those who are reporting from these dangerous places.

I do find virtue signalling from a country like Switzerland rather tedious - in fact quite nauseating - though.

GrannyGravy13

Totally agree Whitewavemark2

It appears the EU is finding out what it’s power is capable of

I think your statement above is rather over egging the pudding.

The EU has no power when it comes to China. China is not bothered by it or the U.K. Russia might have held some sway, but in my opinion that’s dwindling as they can see the rest of the world uniting against it.

The USA under a strong presidency would have limited sway not sure about the current POTUS ?

Last word on the subject then I must get on.

What I do think is that China is the only country that has any real influence over Russia.

The EU is using that knowledge to further its diplomatic pursuits.

Kali2

Callistemon ''Give me peace, international respect and understanding.''

oh yes - but this is not what is happening now. And YES, in war, I'd rather have 2 armies fighting it out in a field- then civilians torn to pieces in their sleep from the air.

As for Frank Gardner, I am fully aware of who he is. And think he is excellent. What is obscene- on THIS thread of all threads, is your and Lucca's comment about you having a crush on him. How totally insensitive and inapropriate.

Don’t be so rude.
I have already explained.I take this Ukraine thing very seriously. I was in hospital watching the non stop news about it and was so impressed with how he spoke that I had a moment of frivolity.

I’m now very upset. And it was I who had the crush. Not Callistemon so you owe her an apology too.

''It appears the EU is finding out what it’s power is capable of''

''I think your statement above is rather over egging the pudding. ''

Totally agree with the first comment. It has been amazing to see the EU come together in 100s of ways, and feeling 'together' for a common cause. And the way borders have opened, trains and flights provided, coaches, private cars, and people being supported by their Governments to provide help and support.

And whether you like it or not, sad and tragic to see the UK sitting at the side, making noises in an empty corner- and stopping refugees, even those with relatives, from entering the country.

Ah Oldwoman, but it provides much employment, don't you know!

Callistemon ''Give me peace, international respect and understanding.''

oh yes - but this is not what is happening now. And YES, in war, I'd rather have 2 armies fighting it out in a field- then civilians torn to pieces in their sleep from the air.

As for Frank Gardner, I am fully aware of who he is. And think he is excellent. What is obscene- on THIS thread of all threads, is your and Lucca's comment about you having a crush on him. How totally insensitive and inapropriate.

Kali2

From a friend today

*What kind of human being invents a 'Thermo Baric' bomb that cam stuck the oxygen out of a person's lungs while demolishing an entire city block?
Why would they do that?
Why?* *and clusterbombs*

I seem to recall something said by a soldier about frangible bullets (fragment when they hit a body), he said he would like to meet the person who invented them - and then use one to shoot them!

GrannyGravy13

Totally agree Whitewavemark2

It appears the EU is finding out what it’s power is capable of

I think your statement above is rather over egging the pudding.

The EU has no power when it comes to China. China is not bothered by it or the U.K. Russia might have held some sway, but in my opinion that’s dwindling as they can see the rest of the world uniting against it.

The USA under a strong presidency would have limited sway not sure about the current POTUS ?

I rather think this President, elected as leader of his country, is a sane and strong human being, doing very well.

Put Putin and the last idiot together and we would either end up with a huge change from democracy to dictatorship or simply nothing left.

Whitewavemark2

GrannyGravy13

Whitewavemark2

The EU is meeting with China next month to dispel tensions, over Ukraine.

It appears that the EU is finding out what it’s power is capable of.

Why are the EU waiting until next month (April) to meet with China?

They should be meeting now

Yes of course but China has dictated the date

... and?