Duck and Cover

In the 1950's, schoolchildren took part in drills that would help them survive a nuclear attack. They were known as "Duck and Cover" drills. Similar to fire drills except that the plan was to survive a bomb that would destroy the entire city by hiding under their desk. They were lessons that I took part in along with the rest of the kids because it got me out of class and was kind of fun. But, until recently, I never considered having to take part in a nuclear attack a serious possibility.

When Russia invaded Ukraine the free world came together to supply humanitarian and military aid to support the innocent people being slaughtered. After failing to achieve most of their objectives Putin has become even more desperate. Putin has threatened to use nuclear weapons if NATO, the U.S. or the E.U. attempt to actively assist Ukraine with troops or heavy weapons.

Not since the Cuban Missile Crisis has the world ever been faced with the very real possibility of a nuclear war. A war that could end life as we know it forever.

So, while Putin wreaks havoc on the country and slaughters the population to the point of genocide, the rest of the world stands back and wring their hands, understandably fearful of triggering a reaction that would lead to a nuclear conflict. The leaders of the free world are faced with letting thousands die to save millions.

Even more disturbing is the way that the people of the world have responded to these unprecedented and perilous events. 

The global media is covering the war like some Apocalyptic Sports event, portraying it as The Forces of Good vs. the Forces of Evil. Network Newscasts are saturated with all forms of analysis and opinions while talk show hosts compete with trying to make light of the tragedies. Daily and even hourly reports keep the world updated in real time on the number of defeats, victories, survivors and casualties.

Politicians across the world see this as a chance to appear to rally behind the oppressed and support huge financial relief. Meanwhile they point fingers at their opposition and heap blame on everyone except Putin. Photo-ops, speeches and opportunities to put themselves in front of a camera dictate their personal and party positions.

The talking heads that represent the military point of view debate the various scenarios that might happen if Russia does launch a nuclear weapon. They talk about the use of smaller "tactical" nuclear weapons as if there really is some level of nuclear war that can be limited. Hoping the attacks could be confined to some specific regions without spreading beyond the initial target. It's like they have all forgotten the concept of what is known as "M.A.D." It stands for "mutual assured destruction."

Meanwhile the people far, far away from the actual battlefields continue their daily routine. They watch the evening news, shake their heads and pronounce their support for the people of Ukraine. They donate money to a war that seems so very far away. Somehow it seems that people either a) don't understand how close nuclear war is or b) don't really understand that what they're seeing on TV is not a new reality show. People are at a point where they don't believe or trust main stream media. 

On sites like FaceBook and Twitter, where people will debate any arcane subject endlessly and with insane passion, people don't seem to be talking about Putin's threat. There are so many more important issues than the end of the world. 

They scream and protest the prices at the pump and focus on how they are impacted personally by inflation and the rising cost of living. At the same time they seem oblivious to the price the far away people under attack are paying. It has cost tens of thousands of innocent people their lives. Millions have had to flee their homes and families. There seems to be no end in sight of the horrors of war for the people of Ukraine. But if Russia launches a nuclear weapon it will signal the beginning of the end for all of us.

In the 1950’s school kids practiced drills to learn how to prepare for a nuclear attack; never being told that such a war would be the end of civilization. Whatever lessons learned by that generation has long since been lost. The fear that people felt back then has faded, 

There was a well known saying in my generation; a generation still old enough to remember Hiroshima. "One nuclear bomb can ruin your whole day.”

It's become pretty clear to me at least. All it's going to take is one mistake and everybody’s day is going to be ruined. 

Myself? I'm going to practice my "Duck and Cover" techniques just in case.