It looks like the “full tonto” communist, his cronies, and the brainwashed Russians didn’t understand the profound hatred people from the Eastern bloc have for Russian communists. The tonto also didn’t realise that in neither of those countries were all the people brainwashed and as much as he tries, neither are many of his Russians. As some of their banks might default due to illiquidity, they might have the incentive to act. I’m from Romania and we took care of our “beloved leader”, if anyone needs some inspiration for the best way to deal with a maniac.
It looks like the west was blind too to what was happening. Buying from communist countries led to this because while in UK we had months of “was there a party?”, in those countries if anyone asks something, they are imprisoned and the leader of the opposition is getting Novichok. Without checks and balances, they can do what they want and by trading with them, we are complacent. Too many sports were used as powerful propaganda tool for the communists (and not only), allowing even for doping to play under a we-are-not-russians-but-still-russians-still-used-in-propaganda flag (hopefully FIFA will change their mind, IOC will probably not). I did what I could, I boycotted the Winter Olympics. China should have never organised the Olympics due to: Uyghur, Yulin Dog Meat Festival, Hong Kong, Taiwan. These Winter Olympics continued the 1936 Summer Olympics tradition. I also avoid buying from China, when one asks themselves, do I really need this *usually* plastic thing they discover that the answer is *usually* no.
What I am doing now? I will be wearing a badge to show my support. I donated to a small animal charity in Romania I knew about, Casa lui Patrocle, who is helping people who are fleeing with their pets. From the first day, even before legislation was in place, border guards allowed people to get into Romania with their dogs and cats. Having a charity at the border and on social media who can direct them to suitable accommodation and giving their pets some food helps both animals and people. If you can, donate, only a pound if you can’t do more and that adds up. There are other charities if you want to help in any other way.
When I’m back in London I will go to demonstrations, as the time allows.
I made two Ugears model, which were made in Ukraine. One of them was a Christmas gift and we got another one after finishing the first one. These are so relaxing to make and they work, mechanically, which is fun. The design is so intricate, really good, and great value for money.
I visited the Old Operating Theatre, a must-see museum in London if you ask me. Check the link if you want to see my review with a lot of pictures from the museum.
1. Date night. 2. A Lady of Cotton. 3. Picked up a book from the library. 4. Lunch at Indigo Greens. 5. Afternoon tea at Indigo Greens. 6. Snowdrop in the garden. 7. I like the decor in the building where my London flat is. 8. Neat burger, to celebrate two fab marks at two essays. 9. Working from the coffee shop was not as great as I imagined it would be. We need to try another, more quiet place. 10. Asian supermarket shop. 11. John Snow pub. 12. Old Operating Theatre. 13. Wild Root grazing box. 14. Valentine’s Day. 15. Ugears model. 16. Liverpool Central Library. 17. An online seminar, just this once, a reminder of how I studied for over an year though. 18. The Salisbury Poisonings. 19. Wraps at Meatless Liverpool. 20. Finished another book. 21. Pasta al olio. 22. Another flower in my garden. 23. 3 books. 24. I stand with Ukraine. 25. Relaxing walk on the canal. 26. View from Whins Green Kitchen. 27. Dessert pizza, homemade. 28. Books in February.
I read 7 books this month, all non-fiction, all really great for different reasons. A Lady of Cotton was the biography of Hannah Greg, the millowner’s wife of Quarry Bank Mill, a fascinating woman and a well written and researched book. I read another book on the Gregs, for university. Another book I read for university was on Jews in Medieval England, a good introduction which can be enjoyed by everybody.
The book on religions origins was a scholarly, well researched book, great to read. Besides that I read Anne Frank’s diary and a memoir of Simon Mayall.
Books I read in February:
A Lady of Cotton by David Sekers – 5 stars
The Origins of Judaism, Christianity and Islam by John Pickard – 5 stars
The Gregs of Styal by Mary B Rose – 5 stars
Expulsion, England’s Jewish Solution by Richard Huscroft – 5 stars
Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain by Mike Rendell – 5 stars
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank – 5 stars
Soldier in the Sand by Simon Mayall – 5 stars
Thank you for sharing your views and it is true what you say about a western viewpoint. I can not get over how we have been so stupid to allow this to happen to be honest. Surely it was only ever a matter of time. The poor families and people of Ukraine, we have made a collection of requested items at work and I have two colleagues driving it to Romania to deliver to a charity we filled a whole lorry I couldn’t believe how much we managed to buy/gather. I am also donating when I can.
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I wish peace will return. It’s awful seeing the destruction the war is causing and the families displaced and separated. I love the look of those Ugears model, I think my eldest would enjoy building them. Your homemade pizza dessert looks amazing!
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I think we have been guilty of being blind to the things going on with Russia in the west for far too long. The news with the invasion of Ukraine really is awful. Trying to find ways where we can help is a good approach. I like your UGears model – it looks amazing. The Old Operating Theatre sounds like a fascinating place to visit. #project365
WELL SAID!!! I’ve been very cynical about the Western relationship with Putin and Russia for years (when Covid first came about, I actually confess to thinking it was some elaborate, convoluted Putin-plot). Whilst I know that is stupid, I’ve been very concerned with him for years and that comes from my Western perspective. To hear from someone who comes from a country with a history of Russian suppression, is interesting and of course, scary. There are, as you say, many that are brainwashed as well as those that aren’t. The whole thing is just so heartbreaking.
It was lovely to hear about the rest of your month. Lots of lovely things. I love seeing the flowers in your garden.
I just wondered how you are after this time about Festus. I always think of him when I come to your blog.xx
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I’m going to send you an email today. xx
I desperately hope that more can be done to protect Ukraine and her people, animals, culture and heritage. #project365
I have to say the invasion was a real shock to me and I am shocked that he has been planning it for so long. I do feel sorry for the all the sportsmen / women and paralympians who have worked so hard, be stopped from competing
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A Russian gymnast, Ivan Kuliak, is investigated for displaying the pro-invasion symbol while on the podium next to Ukrainian Illia Kovtun (who won gold). Not all Russians are pro-war, but also not all Russians are against war. That and the doping should be more than enough to kick them out of competing. Not only for the rest, but for them too, as they are brainwashed and used as propaganda tools.
It’s really interesting to hear a point of view about what’s going on in Ukraine who’s been a lot closer to it than we are. I’ve got a work friend who’s only just gone back home to Lithuania and friends in Poland. Hopefully the charities will get the donations they need to continue to support the people who need it.
I can’ tear myself away, worrying so much about these courageous people of Ukraine. It is indeed heartbreaking and I can only hope that things will turn their way, although they are severely limited by lack of weapons. I hope those US and NATO are providing will arrive soon and be of some help. Thank you for posting about the animal humanitarian effort.
You’ve had a busy month. I’m now reading a book about Anne Frank — a non-fiction called “The Betrayal of Anne Frank” about who presumably was the one who alerted the police to their hiding place. I know there is some controversy to the research but it sounds very interesting and so far (I’m not far in) well written.
The Ukrainians are receiving weapons and I think they will receive a steady supply. I wanted to share about that charity because I admire their work, especially now, as they are helping people who are not willing to leave their pets behind.
I reserved The Betrayal of Anne Frank at the library, I need to wait until the person who reads it brings it back. 🙂
I’m not sure how much the US’s “diplomatic boycott” of the Olympics achieved. On one hand, I hate to see athletes who have trained their entire lives not get to compete, but I also feel we’re turning a blind eye to so many things by participating. Too much in the world has become politicized.
I admire your stance on Ukraine and appreciated your comment on “dealing with a maniac”.
You had a productive month!
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You are looking at the problem from western eyes, which is natural, I am looking (unfortunately) from under-the-iron-curtain eyes and those athletes are tools to be used, abused, and disposed of, by the state. They were forced or encouraged to take banned substances to push more and get more medals for Putin’s propaganda machine. By banning Russian athletes to compete, a real ban, not the shambles it was at the Olympics, they are not only stopping a small part of the propaganda, but also protecting them from harm.
I boycotted the Winter Olympics, but I read the article about the Russian coach, Eteri Tutberidze, who has some harsh methods, which would be considered child abuse in the west. She shouted at the 15-year-old who struggled on the ice, because she was found of doping. The teenager is a victim and she should have never been allowed to compete, for her sake in the first place, and for future Russian girls who might want to skate.
The communists always used sports and arts (e.g. dancing) for propaganda. With technology and science is hard, one needs people who think, but one can deny people the “luxury” of thinking, as in those fields, following orders and working hard is enough. For me is no surprise that while China and Russia take a considerable amount of medals at the Olympics are not capable of making suitable vaccines (without trying the steal data from Oxford).
You’re right. I’m looking at it from a western viewpoint and thinking more of the US athletes. But after reading Forty Autumns, I should better understand the plight of those being “used”.
No, she should not have been allowed to compete, especially as an American in the summer games was denied the opportunity in a similar situation.
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I admire your stance on the political situation in Russia and your stance about other countries and organisations. I hope you are able to get to the demonstrations and show your support
Thank you. I hope I will be able to go to a demonstration tomorrow.
Your observations about the war are interesting, pointing out that the belief in the West that the old hostility between Russia and the rest was a thing of the past. The main problem with dependence on Russian energy supplies is that it’s very hard to cut them off. Having Russian gasoline in your tank or Russian heating fuel is not like buying little trinkets from China!
best… mae
Germany has a lot to answer for this indeed. They closed a nuclear plant while they are dependent on Russia oil&gas, that’s just crazy not only because it makes them weak from a political point of view, but also for environmental reasons. Yes, buying trinkets from China can be more easily avoided, but even those are still bought by millions, which comes with the same problems: environmental and geopolitical.
People in the west are willing to buy their smaller house and move into a big house, but think that investing in solar panels for example is too expensive, although that makes more sense for so many different reasons, including the future of their children&grandchildren. I mean, it’s unlikely there are many cases when 2 spare bedrooms are needed.
Although a lot of what you have shared I wasn’t aware of, I am so much in agreement with you generally about the situation. I can’t even begin to imagine what these people are going through! And yet, as you say, most of us were blind to what was happening. May God help us.
It’s heartbreaking what is happening in Ukraine, I agree.