Ukraine v. Russia.

So, it’s hard to watch the news over the past week and not have something to say; but where to start?

I almost feel like I have to remark on the tumultuous history of Russia before 1917, The Soviet Union and the present day Russia. Suffice it to say that Russia was a monarchy, that was over thrown as a result of the Russia Revolution of 1917. After some years there was a civil war which ended with a communist government head by Vladmir Lenin. Within another few years, at its height, the USSR contained 15 Soviet Socialist Republics, one of those was Ukraine. 

Ukraine did not achieve complete independence until 1991, after many years of foreign control by, at various times, Poland, Lithuania, Romania, and Czechoslovakia. Finally it became part of the USSR. 

Since the fall of the USSR, the relations between Ukraine and Russia have been, in my opinion, tense. A lot of this revolves around economics. Russia already has control of Crimea and to gain control of Ukraine would increase it’s access to the Mediterranean Sea and a major trade route to Western Europe. Russian exports are mostly hydro carbons. It would also control NATO influence in Eastern Europe. 

As much of history, actions are being somewhat controlled by the love of money. Many would agree that Russia is an oligarchy. A very select and rich elite are calling the shots which explains why the drastic economic sanctions against, not only Russia but significant wealthy private citizens literally hits them where it matters. 

All that being said, I think that Putin is a bit of a megalomaniac and has a lust for power. Any leader of this type is not just a threat to their country, but to the rest of the World. I think the recent invasion of Ukraine makes this all too clear. 

I am completely behind Ukrainian Resistance to, in my opinion, an invasion and an act of war. All because Ukraine is seeking closer ties to Western Europe. 

I would like to believe that the economic sanctions will discourage Russian from further aggressive actions, but I also know this is unlikely. As much as I know that there is more good in the world than bad, It frightens me that the bad can still do so much damage to our World. 

As a caveat, if you are following this global event, or anything else for that matter, be careful of your sources. Social Media is a breeding ground for false information and propaganda from both sides.

Resources:

www.britanica.com

www.history.com

www.carnegieendowment.org

www.aljeera.com

www.cbc.ca

If you have suggestions for other sources of information, I welcome them. 

Ignored History

So February is Black History Month. I am aware that there are differing opinions about the fact that there is a month dedicated to history of a specific people. What bothers me most is that one is necessary. 

At some point in time, I hope that a Black History Month is not necessary, however I do believe we need it now. It is sad but true. 

I look back on all I learnt in history in school and I do not remember being taught anything about Black people in Canada or the United States. There was not even a unit dedicated to the many significant events surrounding Black People, or Aboriginal Peoples or women for that matter. This is a disgrace to our education system, and further evidence that much of the history we learn was written by white men. 

This is the reason that a focus on ignored history is absolutely necessary. 

Certainly, we know about Sir John A. MacDonald, Dr. Banting, Tommy Douglas.  We can all probably recite some basic facts about all these men. But what do we know about the women, the Aboriginals and the Black history makers. I admit, I had to go looking for these significant history makers. 

Do you know who Viola Desmond was and what she did?   Do you know who Agnes Macphail was and what she did? Do you know who Nahnebahwequay and what she did. What about Lincoln Alexander, or Mifflar Wistar Gibbs, Louis Riel, Tecumseh, and Laura Secord (not the chocolate company)?

There are so many more to name but they have been forgotten or even worse, ignored. 

I challenge you to discover the richness of Canadian History that has been disregarded by our present education system. Dust off the books in the library, light up the internet and revel in the accomplishment of the unknown heroes and heroines of Canada. 

Whose Freedom is more important?

So I usually avoid politics but I have something to say. 

Everybody should have a choice of what  to put or not put in their body. Yes I am talking about vaccines, specifically the covid 19 vaccine. There has been much information and misinformation spread by doctors, nurses, celebrities and others. I chose to take my health information from medical professionals. I figure they would be the most informed. 

Do big pharmaceuticals have a mission to make money? Of course they do. How do you think they got to be big pharmaceuticals?  This an issue for a different day. Today I want to say something about public health. 

As I said, you have a right to not get vaccinated. But you also must understand that their will be consequences to that choice, as with any choice. Your right to extend your arm ends at the tip of my nose. When your choices or actions are putting other people at risk, then it is the responsibility of authorities to place limitations on your movements. People have been charged with crimes for not divulging their HIV status to their sexual partners. Mary Mallon’s (Typhoid Mary) had her movements restricted because, though she showed no symptoms, she infected many with typhoid when working in kitchen. She infected 53 people and at least 3 people died as a result. 

In neither of these cases do I think the authorities were unfounded in their actions. Whether you believe it or not, covid 19 is real and a pandemic. People have died. Whether these were elderly or young adults, it makes no difference. They were all people and they all died. As a member of society and my community it is my responsibility to take the concerns of my fellow human beings into consideration when making my personal choices. If not, then my community has an obligation to keep itself safe. 

If I were to drink and drive, I am endangering other people, and my driver’s license should be revoked.  If I am not vaccinated for a disease that kills, my movements should be restricted, for the safety of others. 

The Trucker Protesters are angry with the Federal Government and the rest of us are suffering. People have been laid off because of lack of supplies. Their fellow truckers are waiting more than 9 hours at the Ambassador Bridge to cross the border and bring goods to Canadians. Billions of dollars are being lost in trade. The Village of Couts Alberta was completely cut off. When that blockade wound down, authorities found a considerable amount of weapons. If the protests were to be peaceful, why the guns?  

People comparing themselves to the Jewish population of Europe during the Holocaust is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. The Jewish people were not endangering their neighbours. They were denied basic human rights based on faith not an illness. They were worked to death, subject to inhumane experiments against their will, and eventually put to death in a horrible way.

 How dare truck drivers who are being required to be vaccinated because they are crossing borders, to areas that have low vaccination rates, who risk bringing a deadly virus back to their families and friends even think that they are in any way persecuted as were the European Jewish during the 1930’s and 1940’s. 

Lets face it, this an experience that most of us have not had before and I hope that we never have to again. But if it means that for the safety of my family and community, I am willing to err on the side of caution, for my sake and yours.