I walked by a group of Ukrainians in Stockholm yesterday. Their embassy had asked for help via Facebook. They got a massive response. Twenty people now working around the clock sorting all the gifts. Two trucks have already left Sweden via Nynäshamn, a ferry port, and are now on their way to the Polish border.
It just shows that we have to have nuclear weapons. Russia would just attack any country that could not fight back. The present situation is very reminiscent of the second world war. People tried to appease Hitler but he was determined to attack other countries. So is Putin. Appeasement does not work. Dictators only listen to strength.
The Polish deli on Stert Street has posted that they are collecting for Ukrainian refugees who have crossed the border into Poland. https://www.facebook.com/ZubrAbingdon & R&R are helping https://www.facebook.com/RandRAbingdon/
Apparently there is a lorry leaving for Poland on Friday so they need donations by Thursday 3rd at the latest. This is their list of suggested items for collection (no more clothes please):
For women and children-
Nappies in various sizes.
Sanitary pads
Antipyretic, analgesic drugs
Disposable cups
Cutlery,
Forks,
Powdered soups,
Fruit pouches for children,
Dry food,
Tea,
Porridge/energy bars
Empty thermos food flask
Rechargeable power banks for phones
Handkerchiefs,
Wet wipes
Things needed for soldiers:
BITTER chocolate – they do not have time for canned food, they will take chocolate in their pocket and consume as they go.
BLANKETS, pillows
Medicine – painkillers and antipyretics for children and adults (so that they are segregated)
Bandages of various sizes, hydrogen peroxide, bandages for dressings, anything that can help them dress wounds, blood bags
PLEASE DO NOT BRING CASH.
Last day for collection is Thursday.
You are right Janet. I’m afraid I find the Peace Group very naive and misguided. They seem to think everyone is basically good and will honour agreements. As someone whose mother was a refugee from Hitler I know that this is patently not the case. Evil exists and sometimes only force and the threat of force can stop it. The nuclear deterrent has kept us free from war since 1945 and hopefully even Putin will not want to go down in history as the person who destroyed his country. There is only one person “stoking war” at the moment. and that is he. The problem with these “peaceniks” is that they cannot acknowledge their fear. It is incredibly difficult to deal with but it has to be faced, not met with cowardice and appeasement. That leads to war, not peace, as we saw in 1939.
Totally agree. And what on earth good do they think this will do in the scheme of things. I’m sure Putin will take a lot of notice (not!). They should get off their backsides and do something practical.
NB If you look at the Polish shop’s facebook – 5 hours ago (1400) they said “We are almost full of your donations. We have to suspend collections. Please do not bring any more items to the shop. We have enough for our lorry. There is no room for it at the moment. If we will be able to organise more we will let you know. Thank you again for help. You are great. We never expected such a huge response.”
and then later at 1600 they said that “As we are temporary overloaded and organising transport of your donations. There are other ways to donate. This is a picture with codes and links for big organisations that are collecting funds. If anyone want to send money this is right way.”
In the same way that hundreds of private houses and estates were requisitioned for a variety of uses in the two World Wars could we do the same now and use the large number of properties left empty by their Russian oligarch owners ?
These could house many Ukrainian refugees and, after a suitable period to adjust, they could be encouraged to fill some of the range of job vacancies available all over the country.
In the interim some of the more saleable items from these properies could be sold to help with their support.
All’s fair in love and war…?
Great comments here- They are ‘free’ to an express their opinions in Abingdon….because of Democracy, the rule of law and NATO etc. I wonder how they would get on as the ‘Moscow peace group’ – not sure how long before they would be rounded up, minutes I would think! We all want peace but where the aggressor is so blatant they have to be stopped be they called Putin or Hitler. Speaking as a bit of a ‘Leftie’ myself, there are some on the hard left who still see Russia as a Socialist Utopia. There is quite a bit of this on social media. I saw one last night plying the Ukraine Zelensky is a Nazi etc line – Not sure they are smart enough to work he is Jewish himself – Stalin called these people in the west ‘Useful idiots’ – blood on their hands in my view.
We are fortunate in this country that we can gather and express opinions peacefully and non-violently and that should always be respected even if we do not agree with the views expressed. There have been such demonstrations this past week in Moscow and other Russian cities by extremely brave Russian citizens, risking arrest and imprisonment, which make it clear that Putin does not have the support for this war by an unknown proportion of the Russian people. His threat of using nuclear weapons is a truly frightening prospect – there can be no `small` nuclear war Working for peace is not craven appeasement but always supporting constructive alternatives to war, wherever and however they can be found.
As one of those keeping the vigil for peace, I was grateful for the dozens of motorists who gave us a toot or a thumbs-up. so, Janet and co, please don’t sneer at us. Just pray for peace and show what side you are on – strong peace or disastrous weak war.
Indeed Anthony. I’ve been shocked by the responses on here from those decrying calls for peace and suggesting that protestors should get off their backsides and do something practical. Protestors ARE off their backsides, and ARE doing something: it’s not practical in terms of resolving the conflict, but at least it makes people think and respond. Knowing the sort of people who protest, they are probably also donating time, money and resources to relief efforts. Keyboard warriors may or may not be doing ‘something practical’ as well as posting here, but slagging off other people helps no one
I walked by a group of Ukrainians in Stockholm yesterday. Their embassy had asked for help via Facebook. They got a massive response. Twenty people now working around the clock sorting all the gifts. Two trucks have already left Sweden via Nynäshamn, a ferry port, and are now on their way to the Polish border.
It just shows that we have to have nuclear weapons. Russia would just attack any country that could not fight back. The present situation is very reminiscent of the second world war. People tried to appease Hitler but he was determined to attack other countries. So is Putin. Appeasement does not work. Dictators only listen to strength.
The Polish deli on Stert Street has posted that they are collecting for Ukrainian refugees who have crossed the border into Poland. https://www.facebook.com/ZubrAbingdon & R&R are helping https://www.facebook.com/RandRAbingdon/
Apparently there is a lorry leaving for Poland on Friday so they need donations by Thursday 3rd at the latest. This is their list of suggested items for collection (no more clothes please):
For women and children-
Nappies in various sizes.
Sanitary pads
Antipyretic, analgesic drugs
Disposable cups
Cutlery,
Forks,
Powdered soups,
Fruit pouches for children,
Dry food,
Tea,
Porridge/energy bars
Empty thermos food flask
Rechargeable power banks for phones
Handkerchiefs,
Wet wipes
Things needed for soldiers:
BITTER chocolate – they do not have time for canned food, they will take chocolate in their pocket and consume as they go.
BLANKETS, pillows
Medicine – painkillers and antipyretics for children and adults (so that they are segregated)
Bandages of various sizes, hydrogen peroxide, bandages for dressings, anything that can help them dress wounds, blood bags
PLEASE DO NOT BRING CASH.
Last day for collection is Thursday.
You are right Janet. I’m afraid I find the Peace Group very naive and misguided. They seem to think everyone is basically good and will honour agreements. As someone whose mother was a refugee from Hitler I know that this is patently not the case. Evil exists and sometimes only force and the threat of force can stop it. The nuclear deterrent has kept us free from war since 1945 and hopefully even Putin will not want to go down in history as the person who destroyed his country. There is only one person “stoking war” at the moment. and that is he. The problem with these “peaceniks” is that they cannot acknowledge their fear. It is incredibly difficult to deal with but it has to be faced, not met with cowardice and appeasement. That leads to war, not peace, as we saw in 1939.
Totally agree. And what on earth good do they think this will do in the scheme of things. I’m sure Putin will take a lot of notice (not!). They should get off their backsides and do something practical.
NB If you look at the Polish shop’s facebook – 5 hours ago (1400) they said “We are almost full of your donations. We have to suspend collections. Please do not bring any more items to the shop. We have enough for our lorry. There is no room for it at the moment. If we will be able to organise more we will let you know. Thank you again for help. You are great. We never expected such a huge response.”
and then later at 1600 they said that “As we are temporary overloaded and organising transport of your donations. There are other ways to donate. This is a picture with codes and links for big organisations that are collecting funds. If anyone want to send money this is right way.”
While it is wonderful and great community spirit what all these local groups are doing with collection for the people of Ukraine, it is now better, given all the logistical problems for shipping these items, to donate via one of the big organised charities, such as the Red Cross.
https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal?c_code=175151&c_source=google&c_name=Ukraine%20Crisis%20Appeal&adg=pure%20brand&c_creative=brand&c_medium=cpc&gclid=CjwKCAiAyPyQBhB6EiwAFUuaktmJvOL2qO9QgXQllC90L6t4LuwUnhAGvbGyE8L41zxJ87LMn9P4rRoCHsQQAvD_BwE
In the same way that hundreds of private houses and estates were requisitioned for a variety of uses in the two World Wars could we do the same now and use the large number of properties left empty by their Russian oligarch owners ?
These could house many Ukrainian refugees and, after a suitable period to adjust, they could be encouraged to fill some of the range of job vacancies available all over the country.
In the interim some of the more saleable items from these properies could be sold to help with their support.
All’s fair in love and war…?
Great comments here- They are ‘free’ to an express their opinions in Abingdon….because of Democracy, the rule of law and NATO etc. I wonder how they would get on as the ‘Moscow peace group’ – not sure how long before they would be rounded up, minutes I would think! We all want peace but where the aggressor is so blatant they have to be stopped be they called Putin or Hitler. Speaking as a bit of a ‘Leftie’ myself, there are some on the hard left who still see Russia as a Socialist Utopia. There is quite a bit of this on social media. I saw one last night plying the Ukraine Zelensky is a Nazi etc line – Not sure they are smart enough to work he is Jewish himself – Stalin called these people in the west ‘Useful idiots’ – blood on their hands in my view.
We are fortunate in this country that we can gather and express opinions peacefully and non-violently and that should always be respected even if we do not agree with the views expressed. There have been such demonstrations this past week in Moscow and other Russian cities by extremely brave Russian citizens, risking arrest and imprisonment, which make it clear that Putin does not have the support for this war by an unknown proportion of the Russian people. His threat of using nuclear weapons is a truly frightening prospect – there can be no `small` nuclear war Working for peace is not craven appeasement but always supporting constructive alternatives to war, wherever and however they can be found.
As one of those keeping the vigil for peace, I was grateful for the dozens of motorists who gave us a toot or a thumbs-up. so, Janet and co, please don’t sneer at us. Just pray for peace and show what side you are on – strong peace or disastrous weak war.
Indeed Anthony. I’ve been shocked by the responses on here from those decrying calls for peace and suggesting that protestors should get off their backsides and do something practical. Protestors ARE off their backsides, and ARE doing something: it’s not practical in terms of resolving the conflict, but at least it makes people think and respond. Knowing the sort of people who protest, they are probably also donating time, money and resources to relief efforts. Keyboard warriors may or may not be doing ‘something practical’ as well as posting here, but slagging off other people helps no one
Thank you Chris, well said
Knowing some of the peace protesters I quite agree