MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2024 - WAR, NON-VIOLENCE

 MONDAY, JANUARY 15 2024 MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY (non-violence)

What is the cost of a human life?

Casualties in the Russo-Ukrainian War include approximately 500,000 Ukrainians during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Let’s use the ½ million figure.

Since the war began, over 2,600 schools have been damaged and over 400 destroyed across Ukraine, according to the Ministry of Education.

As of November 6, 2023, more than 150,000 buildings and structures in Ukraine have been destroyed by the war. This includes more than 150,000 residential buildings, with about 18,000 high-rise buildings.

The population of Ukraine is about 44 million.  So, about 2.4% have died - but the whole country is suffering.  

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Traditional armies generally have more men than women in the age range of 18 to 32.  This is the “up-and-coming generation.”   These might be teachers, cops, firefighters, farmers, mechanics, doctors, sales clerks, cooks/chefs, builders, engineers, and many more occupations.  

Then you have a lot of homeless people.  Soviet-era high-rise apartments might have 1,000 people living in them - now on the streets or living with family and friends. 

Churches, synagogues, senior centers, shopping centers, theaters, and recreation centers (football (soccer) fields, parks, swimming pools) have been destroyed.

Whenever this terrible thing is done, there will be substantial infrastructure issues - building schools, apartments, roads, bridges, 

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Plus, the expenses of a war are astronomical.  Tanks, guns, rockets, and weapons are expensive.  Your arm needs food and uniforms.  There are medical needs and. housing needs.

The end result is that this has been expensive.  And, it will be costly for years - no matter the outcome.

Now, I’m looking at one side - the Russian side also has expenses and loss of lives.  

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WHY - why did this war happen? 

• Annexation of Crimea

• In March 2014, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine after a disputed referendum. This was the first time since World War II that a European state annexed another's territory.

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• Support for separatists

• Russia supported pro-Russian separatists fighting the Ukrainian military in the Donbas war. In April 2014, armed Russian-backed separatists seized Ukrainian government buildings and proclaimed the independent Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic.

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• Resistance to NATO expansion

• Russia wants to resist the further eastward expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Ukraine is central to this goal.

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• Restoration of Russia's sphere of influence

• Russia wants to restore its historical sphere of influence around its western borders.

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One of the philosophical questions is, “Does the end justify the means?”  If Russia wins, did the expenses and loss of life justify the conquest of a sovereign state?  

 Was this a war built on hatred?  Did Russia hate that Ukraine was getting too democratic?  Were their philosophical reasons - like capitalism versus communism?  

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While this was a regional war (eastern Europe), it had global implications. The natural gas pipeline that furnished Germany was western Europe was cut off, and expenses for that fuel skyrocketed.  The United States has pumped billions into helping Ukraine - billions that could be used for immigrants on our border. 

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As this conflict looks to start its third year, many (including me) are stunned that it even started in the first place.  

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From a protest song in the 1960s about the Vietnam War:

War, 

What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing, uhh

War, huh, yeah

What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing

Say it again: War,
What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing, listen to me,

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LOVE WINS

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

LOVE TRANSFORMS 

(Can these two neighboring countries be transformed to get along)

Karen Anne White, ©, January 15, 2024