Russia v Ukraine; the Market Loses

The drumbeats of war are upon us. 

Three weeks ago, Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine. Within forty-eight hours, the entire world rallied around Ukraine and demanded action from the free world.

Profile photos on varying social media platforms turned yellow and blue in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Many of these champions of justice can’t even find Ukraine on a map.

Welcome to 2022.

Amid the turmoil in the Slavic world, one question remains; what happened to Covid-19?

Suddenly, a virus that brought the world to a screeching halt, toppled small businesses, infused experimental drugs into healthy human beings, and divided an already tumultuous world, disappeared like a fart in the wind.

The Russia/ Ukraine conflict is complex.

It has been brewing for some time. To gauge what is happening when the cameras are not rolling is difficult.

Mainstream media was quick to frame the issue as David versus Goliath. Much of the populace immediately backed Ukraine.

Russia was painted as the schoolyard bully out for the pimply-faced Freshman’s lunch money.

I try to approach world issues void of emotion. Whenever MSM wields a narrative, I sense something is afoot.

When I share this belief with loved ones, they paint me a lunatic. To question events that the television depicts is suddenly démodé.

Does this affect me? No. I leave the onus on others to connect the dots when world events are involved.

When Covid-19 started, I voiced concerns. To see the state of the world transform so quickly had me on high alert.

When I disclosed these feelings to my inner circle, their heads were left shaking.

Dogma is the new norm when it comes to world affairs. Whatever side Facebook, Twitter, CNN, MSNBC take becomes the only lens to frame an issue.

Dangerous.

When I was younger, my grandmother would say three sides exist to an issue; yours, mine, and the truth. In my fifth decade of life, her words ring true.

Russians believe they have no other choice than to invade Ukraine due to NATO’s constant meddling in neighbouring countries.

Ukrainians desire autonomy. They look to the West as a conceptual framework for how they wish to live.

Same-sex marriage, pro-choice, transgender rights; tenets most Ukrainians embrace that Russia would never allow due to religious doctrine.

Asserting one side as favourable is foolhardy.

Put plainly, Ukraine covets a liberal way of life while its Eastern neighbour remains a vestige for conservative views.

Mainstream media fails to acknowledge NATO’s constant presence in Russia’s part of the world.

America’s point of reference would be starkly different if Russia decided to set up camp in Mexico, Canada, or Cuba [with the latter, they already did, and we know how that played out].

The situation in the Slavic world is a hotbed with no resolution in sight.

As early as this past weekend, Putin reached out to Supreme Leader of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping Xi for weapons.

Comparatively, Ukraine has turned to members of NATO for assistance.

It is East versus West. Within one month, the Coronavirus narrative has vanished, and in its place is war.

In some parts of the Union, gas is a whopping $7 per gallon. Wall Street is getting pummeled.

The pandemic may be over, but turbulent times lay ahead. With mid-term elections slated for Fall, bet green money that even more divisive programming awaits.

Load up on necessities, fortify your homes, and save for a rainy day because as sure as the days in June are long, a hurricane looms.

And don’t be shocked if you find yourself filling up your vehicle for no less than a hundred bucks come summer.