It is 8:30am at work and

you are realizing things have gone so far south they have landed in Tierra del Fuego. They aren’t in Antartica because then they would freeze and even though you would love to see the problem lost in some ice cavity three miles down, the problem still needs to be resolved. 

Yes, folks work has gone so far south, they can’t even find the solutions to all the problems they have created. They stopped testing solutions because no one is sure that even the patches are worth implementing at this point. 

And this is now almost a year and a half into the original mess they created. Don’t you love it when your organization relies too much on one software vendor who appears to have bitten off way more than they can chew. 

And I do not think this is going to happen, but housing bubble???? Someone mentioned foreclosures are on the rise again. We are just now starting to recover from the last disaster.

Earlier this week I tweeted out I would love to hear about a Ukraine counter offensive and over the last couple of days there has been a headline or two about one, however, I am not uncrossing my fingers just yet. Those people are living a hell I hope Putin spends an eternity in one a thousand times worse. And as a good Christian you are not suppose to wish that anyone go to hell, but but but.....I cannot imagine what some of the civilians in those cities must be going through. 

And I haven’t mentioned this in quite awhile but it is dallasareaopin on Twitter.

There was another economic bit of news I heard the other day that I wanted to remember (besides the theft at the gas pump), hopefully I will and I can spit out my normal tomfoolery on that madness.

Have a better evening

What could the West give the Russian people to stop Putin’s war?

 Does it really boil down to coming up with something that can offer more opportunity to the average Russian than what Putin offers?

I do not know, but let’s talk about a few things.

First for a millennium Russia has wanted to be a major player in world events and it appears Putin is trying to create his Russian vision of what that might be. Of course the major issue is he is going about it in the most inhuman way. 

So is the real problem twenty years of a small group of oligarchs benefiting from a person with a modern day caesar complex trying to create some type of dynasty based on a historic dream.

Actually though there is nothing in the world that should prevent Russia from having their dream if they were to find a way to do so as an economic leader and not through a false militaristic dream. 

In some ways Russia does have a destiny to fulfill and could be as the connecting economy between Europe and Central and more of Asia. This is what Russia should have been given the chance to do when the Soviet Union broke up. There were no leaders prepared though for that task in Russia so the corruption began. 

Now a few people have complete control of the Russian economy so the people of Russia were not given enough of the opportunity they needed to learn to become a vital economic power. If you concentrate too much power and wealth in a fledgling government, the people suffer and the destiny of the country is robbed.

Somehow Russia needs to replace Putin, the oligarchs need to reinvest their wealth in the country to open up large swaths of the untapped potential to allow the people of Russia to flourish.

It would do the world a wonderful favor if the US and Russia could invest more in their countries in the people instead of their militaries. Russia could use its resources and even their oil resources to invest in renewable energy along with Europe and the US. This partnership could change the entire dynamic for the rest of the world not only in fighting climate change, but also terrorism. 

So lets offer Russia the chance to end the war, come to the table to negotiate new nuclear treaties, offer them the chance to join the European Union so they can participate in all the growing economies which would do what they want and move NATO off of their border. A vibrant Russia participating WITH the US and Europe benefits the world. Their economy grows as they can begin their own investment with the countries of central Asia and bringing forth a new route of trade. This development works south to India and creates a new trade and economic dynamic that helps Russia to grow and brings forth new economy and trade with Europe. Russia becomes the center of a new dynamic and takes it’s place as a leading country in world affairs. 

All this instead of trying to force a change in borders that only creates a cosmetic change on a map for a few years. There will be no victory for Russia in Ukraine, however Russia could change the dynamic by claiming its true place in the world through the northern route to Asia. It does not need to make Ukraine a vassal state to Putin, but a partner in the growth of Russia. The Ukrainian and Russian people are not the same people, but the share much of the same history and culture so they both could benefit from connecting the West with the East through Russia. There is also a few other Eastern European countries that benefit from a more dynamic economy with Russia taking over the development of this new opportunity with investing in central Asia. 

Russia becoming an economic leader, raising the status of the Russian people and engaging others through development will make them a much greater country than the path Putin is taking them in his misguided concept of building an empire. 

So Russia needs to stop Putin, come to the table, Russia and the West need to help Ukraine rebuild while Russia takes new steps forward becoming not a physical empire, but a leader in the world dynamic. 

The world is not at war with Russia. Putin is at war with the world and changing that reality goes a long way to Russia becoming great. Putin’s way keeps Russians down and only hurts the country more and more with every passing day. 

It is not an olive branch we need to offer, but a hand and a vision. It still lies with Russia to change their destiny. 

Russia leading the charge to bring central Asia into the 21st century  with renewable energy, electric cars, large train routes for transporting goods and tourists, preferably electric, mining of rare minerals, continue to expand their agriculture with new developments, building tractors to sell instead of tanks so to speak, continuing to develop a space program and more.  These simplistic examples and more allows Russia to offer the surrounding region trade growth to begin their ascent. 

I probably should include a map to show you the potential, yet go find one and start with the Black Sea and head east for a long way.

Just a bit of open thoughts or different avenues to find a way to stop the needless suffering in Ukraine caused by one man. We have had too many like him in history. It is time to change the narrative. 

Don’t make presumptions before reading, but this does contain pro-life thoughts

First of all still injured so typing is a bit difficult. And because of that unable to get as in depth as I would like,yet here are three reasons why the pro life argument isn’t as appreciated as it should be. And let’s remember pro life is the respect and dignity of life from conception to natural death. The first short discussion is the argument all sides can agree. The next two short discussions may cause disagreement with me by both liberals and conservatives.

The unhinged murdering of civilians in Ukraine is evil. First of all an unprovoked attack is wrong at all levels and then when the indiscriminate killing of civilians begin only the lowest levels of hell await those perpetrators of that horror. Again we respect the dignity of life until a natural death. 

Something many of us miss was recently brought home to me by young people discussing the current identity crisis of sexual orientation. For many of them this identity decision is only causing great consternation. Adolescence is difficult enough without a myriad of identity choices for them self or a friend being thrown at them as if they are ready or completely understand them. I do not want to talk about whether being gay is right or wrong, but the fact that if we do not recognize people struggle with these current determinations we are losing our ability to talk to people about it. Many on the far right want to eradicate this out or our society, all the while destroying the ability to address the issue head on. And by head on, I do not mean in a confrontational manner, but in an engaged manner. Young people are going through tough times and the current generational proclamation of being able to identify in a multitude of ways is scary to people of my generation. We all have our beliefs, but to summarily disregard what people think of themselves does goes against the truth that all life must be respected. And if you want to try and make the point that marriage between a man and a woman is what God intended for us, that only falls on deaf ears when you completely disrespect and ignore what someone is telling you is their struggle. Also if you alienate people or ostracize people you only create an environment where they might feel the answer is anti social behavior or suicide so how does this fit into a pro life argument. 

And finally and I have talked about this topic numerous times and that is mental health. And my example I was going to use I am backing out of since I do not have all the facts. Actually this was a big news event and the news stories do not seem to have all the facts so all of us need to be a bit subdued in our opinions. Yet, mental health issues do lead to some committing suicide. We must address mental health and depression both by empowering the medical community to do more, but also within our own families. We cannot be afraid to discuss someone that is struggling. Sometimes it is obvious and the family is forced into making tough decisions or decisions they do not like, but the issue is so dramatic they end up either thoroughly beat up and separated or come together and get the help  the family member needs. Many times though the signs are subtle or they choose to ignore them and then one day they are answering questions as to what happened. I do not like the product, but there is a good tv ad out there right now for some online counseling. I think counseling needs to be more one on one in person, but I cannot control that, but the subtle messaging that you just cannot tell people to buck up or move on is a good message. This isn’t the verbiage of the commercials, but I think the gist. This is good. At least many people that are suffering internally may see this and it opens them up to pursue addressing their developing issues. And hopefully they do seek some help before they spiral out of control. Again, people have the right to a dignified life and if you are struggling you shouldn’t have to hide your pain because society has a problem with mental health. We, as a society need to learn this is real and treat people with the dignity they deserve so they get help and get back to enjoying this wonderful thing called life we have been given. 

This has not been as in depth as I would like and each topic deserves more than even its own individual post. If for some reason though someone realizes that dignity of life is ongoing and that we must all fight for it each and every day and can move on in a positive direction than that makes me glad.

Cheers