Friday, November 14, 2014

Putin, Crimea, Ukraine- MATTHEW WARD

Photo by Mike Rann

Now, we happily address the major issues of expressed interest. What do Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine portend for that region? For the short term, general confusion and in some quarters, fighting. Putin wants the same that other national leaders want: a strong economy, a stable government and a calm citizenry. He didn’t realize the breadth of discontentment among Ukrainians or anticipate the outcry after those living in Crimea voted to join Russia, where the majority of voters feel a comfortable familiarity.

Actually, this is a case of rejoining. Throughout your recorded history national borders have swayed to and fro in accordance with the victors of wars, ensuing gain or loss of control, and need for natural resources. Never have the few in power considered how this affected the populace, whose lot was to endure the results of a culture split into different national allegiances or the combining of different cultures under one flag.

That ages-old system has been coming apart at the seams side by side with tyrannical regimes falling as voices have risen to crescendos with demands for change. Disagreement as to exactly what direction those changes should take is due to the lingering duality within individuals at the extremes of the spectrum—progressive, futuristic ideas at one end, intent to hold onto or return to the past at the other. As the light continues intensifying, the extremes will fade away as the desire to live together harmoniously becomes ever stronger.

Matthew Ward,
June 2, 2014

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