I suspect due to the nature of online forums (anonymous, not face-to-face) that it is extremely difficult to have civil discussion about heated topics. Having an in-person argument about an emotional topic is difficult enough for many people.

While very little offends me, I think we have to keep in mind that this is a *model engineering* forum. Should every forum host discussions on every topic? (The answer is no.) If one wanted to have a political discussion…aren't there dedicated forums for that elsewhere online? And I'm sure visiting those would be enlightening about the feasibility of civil discussion on emotional topics.

I thought political discussions were what bar (pub) fights are for.

Mike

Is a war or an invasion a political topic? I don't think discussion of WW2 would be classed as political. Invasion of Ukraine is a military matter, not necessarily political.

But discussion of say the UK or US government's reaction to the invasion, that would be political and best avoided.

As for unilateral political assassination of the invasion's leader, would that not be lowering ourselves to their level? And unfortunately probably not practical as Putin has been living in a snake pit all his life, first in the KGB and then in Russian politics. I am sure his personal security is impenetrable. He is not going to do a Gaddafi and sit in a tent waiting to be bombed. (Although even Gaddafi was cunning/lucky enough to not be there on the night.)

Sure.

Sadly, though, there are compelling reasons why authoritarian systems of government (which tend to be the seed-beds of tyrants) are still thriving in the world today. And authoritarian systems almost inevitably entail an uspurge in nationalism and the pursuit of irredentist ambitions*, such as we're now witnessing in Ukraine.

*This is a convenient and up-to-date introduction to that particular topic.

Hi Steve,

It’s a sensitive issue, politics causes strong emotions and bitter arguments, is there a line between political issues and humanitarian crisis? yes, but it's a fine one, personally I'd steer clear of subjects doing the rounds on 24 hour news networks, but hopefully this will put you at ease slightly.

What's happening is not anything new, maybe new to isolated westerners, Russia did this in Rhodesia while my family lived there, I'm only mentioning this because it's history, not current news cycle material.

Russian insurgents shot down civil aircraft with Strela man pads, planted bombs in Rubbish on public roads, my mother right up until she stopped driving about 5 years ago would never drive over anything lying in the road, and panic if someone else driving did, those experiences causing a permanent psychosis of sorts.

Tyrants rely are scaring people into submission, from what I've seen Ukrainians are pulling together in an effort that defies rational, if they can remain so brave in the face of what's happening, I wouldn't worry too much, There's a video on YouTube of a Ukrainian man pulling over in his car to a broken down Russian APC, he rolls his window down and says "what's the problem" the Russian soldiers reply "we ran out of fuel" the Ukrainian guy replies "can I tow you back to the Russian border" the Russian laughs and tells him to ffff off.

We're quite privileged in the modern western world, since the second world war actual physical conflict has been a distant thing we view on the news, people who live through real struggle generally adapt with unique sense of humour and calmness, our leaders have rightly chosen to not physically intervene, that would escalate the situation, but support for actual Ukrainian people should continue so they have the means to decide their own future.

Maybe I'm biased, I was speaking to my father a few weeks back, a story came on the news about a Spitfire Aircraft being restored, he told me about an acquaintance of his, a gentleman by the name of 'Jack Malloch' Jack was the owner of Trans Air Africa, and was engaged in an international arms smuggling operation dubbed 'sanction busting' the Prime Minister of the time was Ian Smith who was a second world war pilot, who had been shot down in Italy I believe, lived with some resistance fighters for a while before making his escape, Smith gifted Jack the New Sarum airbase mascot which was a Spitfire on a plinth, for using his company to ferry in needed arms, my father said it disappeared one day, then months later after being made airworthy again, Jack landed and trundled down the runway in his new 'gift'.

So despite our often idiotic leaders, they have approached this in the correct way, no serious escalation but give the people in Ukraine the means to fight if they want to, this supply is massively important to them and justified.

So I wouldn't worry too much, maybe turn off the 24 hours news stream, constant negativity and fear isn't good for the mind.

Edited By Pete. on 27/02/2022 04:09:45

Having already closed down threads yesterday I will lock this one and point Steve and others to this post of Neil's

Edited By JasonB on 27/02/2022 07:20:35