War! What is it Good For?

I want to start off with this video (with lyrics).

Edwin Starr - War (What is it good for)

I was watching aljazeera.com early this morning and found myself in tears.

It is war, once again, in my lifetime. I was curious to see what my country has gotten itself into by way of war and violent conflict in just my lifetime. I did a quick google search and came across this article:

Kelly, Martin. "American Involvement in Wars From Colonial Times to the Present." ThoughtCo, Jul. 31, 2021, thoughtco.com/american-involvement-wars-colonial-times-present-4059761.

It gives a chart of all the conflicts and wars the United States of America has been involved in. A LOT.

This chart starts just after World War II ended. If I am looking up the wars in my lifetime, I would need to start in the middle of the Vietnam War.

I was born in 1968.

The article was updated in November of 2020. I think the charts were as well.

These are just the U.S. conflicts. Wikipedia has another chart for global wars. If you are curious, check here.

These articles and charts demonstrate that. across the globe, there has been war every day since the day I was born.

I am so sad. I am so worried for Europe. I feel bad for the Russian people who are also embroiled in this war whether they want to be or not. Just check out the FIFA statement regarding the World Cup.

I'm worried for all the refugees and all the people joining the Ukraine military. I feel proud of the people that are standing up to invasion, tyranny, and downright bullying. I have always had a soft spot for the underdog. For rebels.

Ukrainian guards tell Russian warship "Fuck you!" image created by Jonica Bradley

I marveled at Zelenskyy's response to offers of safety by other countries.

"I don't need a ride, I need ammunition."

I marvel at the response 13 border guards stationed on a small, rocky Black Sea outcropping known as Snake Island gave to a Russian naval ship that was broadcasting a message asking for their surrender. 

"Russian warship, go fuck yourself!"

Some people are calling this a rallying cry for Ukrainians. Some are calling the 13 guards heroes. I imagine their families' devastation and pride.

I marvel at Germany's reversal of its long-held law regarding arming foreign countries.

I marvel at the reversal of Switzerland's centuries of neutrality.

I marvel at the Russian military's lack of supplies. They are running out of gas for their war machines. This has ever been the case.

I marvel at live nuclear weapons.

And I am so sad. So terribly sad at the horrible cost of one political system's greed.

And now we wait. We wait for the talks in Belarus. We wait for the inevitible.

Does anybody truly believe this will end with Ukraine? Is this the start of another world war?