Searching for positives
I share most brief – albeit troubled – thoughts in a short column today.
Take first the issue of war in my lead caption. What’s happening in the besieged neighbouring state to the Russian Republic – Ukraine – brought back to me similar images as when the USA mounted invasions and/or “rescues” in Kuwait and Iraq in very recent history. And there have been other inter-state war-like conflicts over the past two decades.
Those interested may easily peruse the various dictionary definitions for the term “war”. War-monger Putin is describing his brutal invasion and possible occupation of the peaceful non-provocative neighbour Ukraine as a “special military operation”. Indeed the very first Russian incursions into the neighbouring sovereign state, prelude to the current bombs-laden wholesale invasion, was really no war. When obvious patriotic defensive resistance swiftly started, then was a war begun.
I’ll always remember the bravado and raw patriotic courage of ordinary and military Ukrainians against the night of the Russian war machine. Imagine if the patriots did secure Russian – free skies and weaponry promised by sympathetic non-combatant allies!
But, Frankly speaking, this war of invasion and occupation, evoked ambiguous responses in my now-partisan Third World mind. On the one hand I welcome the almost unprecedented European, near-global solidarity against Putin’s lustful and brutal incursions where non-military senior citizens and children are amongst those killed because they didn’t manage to escape as the world’s latest refugees. The UN, the EU, NATO, even far-away internations groupings, are all unified in condemnation.
On the other hand, it is mind-boggling to me that, even as hundreds of veterans and sympathizers voluntarily rush to the Ukrainians’ assistance, America, Britain, Canada, Australia and much of the same Europe are but audiences and spectators to the slaughter of innocents! Would the practical assistance of Ukraine’s non-Russian neighbours actually ignite some “World War Three”? I doubt Putin could handle any world-wide aggression against his army, which found the plucky Ukrainians more than a handful. Arise UN, EU and NATO!
The invasion’s cost-of-living fall-out
It was grim humour, Frankly Speaking, to see Americans wailing over rising gasoline and other fuel prices as people were being slaughtered in Ukraine. Survival of the once-fittest first?
The UN’s world food programme is warning that wheat will be in short supply as Ukraine’s farmers cannot till their fields. Sanctions against Russian trade will mean fuel shortages far and wide. Will Arab and African oil rescue the non-combatant world? Including “peaceful places” such as the Dear, Green land of Guyana?
Throw in the ravages of COVID and current natural disasters in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and it is obvious that all must steel themselves for reasonable survival.
Naturally and obviously Guyanese must ask themselves just what they and elected leaders must do to survive external challenges. An ambitious partisan opposition will, no doubt, pounce upon cost-of-living challenges now to indulge in cost-of-living politics. The majority of this country’s fair-minded apolitical citizens will ignore opposition negativity but can’t ignore rising prices!
The question is: what strategies does this government plan to combat imminent cost-of-living challenges about to face the population? Oil revenues??
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Still opportunity to be racist?
I have to forego my planned miniature “dissertation” on race meant for this space today. Won’t ever do justice. So just read the following.
One of my eleven (11) girl-friends desperately seeks employment. So she called a number advertised two weeks ago in the Sunday chronicle newspaper.
Would-be employer: “Are you Indian, Amerindian, Negro, what?”
Girlfriend: “I’m Afro-Guyanese”.
Employer: “To be honest this job is still available but is not fuh black people…”
I don’t know, am not sure, why I was somewhat stunned. The lady was being frank. Even honest? Preference or racist? (To be developed.)
The civilian Ukrainians – mostly females and children – were fleeing during the first week of bombardments. On trains to the borders. Those frightened Caucasian Ukrainians actually still found time to prevent Afro-persons – including scores of African students – from boarding packed trains to safety. Racism during war?
Thousands of Ukrainians have Russian relatives – Caucasians all. Is Putin racist? Ho-ho-ho.
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A world without positives?
Indications of the world’s end? No joy, happiness non-stop? No positives for most? Just disasters, diseases, war, fatal incidents? Poverty?
Are religious persons still contented as thousands suffer throughout the world?
My positives? Music, favourite meals, ability to attend funerals, fading good health. What are yours?
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Imagine! Ponder…
● 1) Will anyone who moved/desecrated parliament’s mace ever be penalized? Will anyone being prosecuted for GECOM’s alleged 2020 elections offences be found guilty? Ho-ho-ho!
● 2) Everything about war should be war crimes.
● 3) New Zealand and it’s cricket venues are of natural and man-made beauty. Pity I can’t visit.
Til next week! (allanafenty@yahoo.com)
