No Carnival topics out of respect for the current political situation

Dear users, dear authors,
I hadn’t planned to cover the topic of Carnival this year anyway, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Out of respect for the events in Ukraine, I would find it very inappropriate at this time to discuss Carnival on the forum, even on Rose Monday and Shrove Tuesday. So there won’t be a thread on the topic of “Happy Fasching.”
How are you all doing right now with the pandemic, the events in Ukraine, and just in general?

I find it appalling how cold-blooded and inhumane Putin is—invading a sovereign country and then brazenly claiming they’re all Nazis, just to satisfy his lust for power. I just hope he has people behind the scenes who, if things get really serious, will step on the brakes and stop him before he presses that infamous red button—that’s what I’m most afraid of. Ever since I read the first news reports online yesterday, I’ve been a bit shaken up and can’t quite make sense of the world anymore—that people in this day and age would still resort to such measures, as if World War II and the subsequent conflicts in Asia, etc., hadn’t shown clearly and vividly enough that war leads to nothing but suffering and misery for people.

Best regards, Inge

I see it the same way as Inge—we’re supposedly so advanced, but it seems we haven’t learned a thing. Nothing—absolutely nothing—justifies a war. It’s the most senseless thing there is. But the lust for power will probably never die out.
I found it absolutely terrible when I saw that he’d actually gone through with it. As if everything else going on in the world weren’t enough—now there’s war, too.

The situation leaves me speechless.

Power-hungry people have never done the world any good.

Although it was to be expected (Putin had been working toward it long enough), it still really shocked me. I had expected even the most power-hungry among them to show more common sense—surely it should have dawned on everyone by now that in wars, there are always only losers.
I was equally astonished (I apparently still go through life with a very naive outlook) at the sight of the revelers here in Cologne on Weiberfastnacht. Some people really do have an unshakable spirit!
We’re not exactly carnival enthusiasts ourselves, but of course I’m happy for everyone to enjoy the festivities, traditions, and everything that goes with them. But here in Cologne in particular, the street carnival has taken a disturbing turn in recent years—it’s become very alcohol-fueled and, as a result, aggressive. And for such people to be celebrating in the face of so much suffering, practically “right next door”—that’s hard to bear.
That’s why I think this decision is very good and absolutely appropriate; thank you for it.
Personally, I’ve noticed that after all this time with COVID, I’ve had more than enough of bad news; I’m becoming much more sensitive, and it’s all really taking a toll on me now.

I have panic attacks when I think about Ukraine. It’s always the innocent who suffer—the children.

I’ve had trouble sleeping for years, and this situation is making it worse. COVID-19 doesn’t scare me as much as the war. Now I turn off the TV whenever reports and news stories are on. I already get enough of it through my phone.

Gabi 

Thanks! I’d also find it out of place to celebrate cheerfully as if nothing had happened. Here (in our Reformed canton), the carnival season doesn’t even start until the end of next week, and I’m curious to see if there will be any changes to the programs. I also never would have believed that Putin would really take his lust for power this far, and I’m appalled by how many people believe all the lies being spread and by how much hatred they direct toward those with different views! 

I’m also frightened by the power of the media. When, for example, someone like Putin, Trump, or Erdogan can manipulate social media to spread THEIR version of the truth—and everything that’s said or written is under their control—how is the public supposed to decide what the truth is? Older people, in particular, tend to believe what they’re told. Young people certainly have other channels, but they can’t counteract it because the dictators immediately shut everything down.
The internet isn’t just a blessing—when misused, it becomes a curse.

I wish the people in Ukraine a lot of strength. I understand their calls for military support from the Western world. But if that happens, it would be the start of a Third World War.
It’s all terrible.

I’m definitely not in the mood to celebrate. What we’re seeing in the media is truly frightening.
The fact that something like this can still happen in this day and age makes us incredibly angry.
Especially because there’s nothing we can do about it. Those who want to wage war will do so, no matter what, regardless of the cost. We’re the ones who suffer—those of us who just want to live in peace.
We were already restricted because of the pandemic, and now they’re taking away our last glimmer of hope.

I work at a nursing home with many elderly residents who’ve already lived through wars; they keep asking me, full of fear, what’s going to happen next. It’s playing on every TV channel in the rooms.
So in the dining room, we always just turn on the radio or a CD so they don’t hear too much of it, but it doesn’t work. It’s just shocking, I can only say.

When we staff members had a break, we’d go out onto the terrace for about five minutes, and suddenly we’d hear a bang here and there—you immediately think, “Are they already shooting?” It sounded like a New Year’s Eve firecracker, but you didn’t see anything. That’s how far the fear has gone.
People don’t even dare to go out on the street at night anymore.

A good decision.
I don’t think any of us are in the mood to celebrate or have fun right now.

I can still remember the Cold War era very well. The Soviet Union was building up its military, America was building up its military, and we were right in the middle of it.
  Helmut Schmidt mentioned this a few years ago in one of his last interviews—we were extremely close to a Third World War....

And when I see what’s happening in Ukraine, I’m really afraid of a Third World War. Putin’s threat was unmistakable:
If you interfere, I’ll wipe you out.

And he can do it—he has enough nuclear weapons... 
I said several years ago that we’re surrounded by unpredictable heads of state: Putin, Erdogan, Kim, and Trump (at least the latter is no longer in office)....

I hope and pray every day that the war will be over soon... I don’t think I’ve ever been this scared. It makes the coronavirus seem like a distant concern..... 

Even though we can’t change the current situation, I still think it would be good if we could all be there for one another. So that there’s at least a safe haven here for anyone who needs someone to talk to, a friendly conversation, a little distraction, comfort, etc. 

Dear friends,
I’d already been on the lookout for this topic and am glad that Josefa is providing a platform for it here.
I wasn’t sure whether this should remain a “fear-free” space, but let’s not kid ourselves: things have become so threatening since noon today that I already feel the urge to talk about it—the fear is overwhelming.
As some of you already know, I suffer from anxiety. As such, you’re always afraid of the future and expect the worst. With my specific fear of illness, the coronavirus has already sapped a lot of my strength, but THIS really takes the cake! I almost had a panic attack at noon today—my heart was racing, my pulse was high, I was just stressed out. I think this (Josefa, I’ll add the asterisks myself so you don’t have to censor it) ******** is capable of anything.
I saw a video on Twitter this morning where a Russian politician really let loose with his hatred toward Germans, and I’ve been feeling terrible ever since.
We live 30 km from the largest U.S. air base outside the U.S., and it’s clear that we’d be a target here. I already thought I was in the wrong movie with COVID and those ****** deniers. What’s so hard to understand about a contagious virus? But now my head is practically spinning.
I’ve NEVER understood all this power-grabbing. My country, your country—we’re just guests here on Earth, and we treat it so badly. It’s all just about wealth and power. No sooner has someone achieved it than there are envious people—someone “wants it too.” All I’ve heard in recent years is “me, me, me.” Nothing but egomaniacs out there, taking whatever they want. Consideration and community—foreign concepts; everyone’s a lone wolf, and the strongest wins. That’s not the world I want to live in. I want to live peacefully. Society is becoming increasingly brutal. Mindless consumer goods, more and more perverts and crazy people, bizarre legal rulings. I just don’t get any of it anymore.

Just this morning I woke up and thought how nice it was that I’d had a peaceful night, and I prayed for all the poor souls who hadn’t. And now I have to pray for us and hope for the best.

  I’m moved to tears by how much solidarity the world is showing (except for those other ******* people in power who were mentioned earlier). People declaring their solidarity, taking to the streets. Hackers getting involved, people donating money, people taking in refugees.
I want good to prevail, for peace to return and remain. And not just militarily, but also in the minds of those who live this superficial lifestyle—which many (if not most) people lead. I hope that children will no longer have to live in fear of adults who destroy their souls and their futures.  

@Anja
I understand you so well. I’m also someone who struggles with anxiety. Although I’ve been stable for several years now, I’ve noticed that over the last few days I’ve really had to muster a lot of strength to keep from panicking.

Lately, I’ve been watching nothing but the news, and of course I followed the Chancellor’s statement today as well.
  I also think it’s so important that we never forget that this is Putin’s war, not the war of the Russian people. Most Russians don’t want war. I saw a picture that really moved me.
It shows a man holding a sign that says, “I’m Russian. Sorry for that”....

Earlier, I read that Putin has put his nuclear forces on alert.... 

Dear @Anja,
you’ve taken the words right out of my mouth! What’s coming at me right now surpasses anything I’ve ever experienced. I’m not quite sure how to protect myself from this flood of negative emotions that’s increasingly paralyzing me. Right now, my only strategy is to distract myself, keep busy with my sewing machine, watch as little news as possible, and pray.
It’s hard to think positively when you’re in fear mode. I’m in that mode too, but I realize it’s urgently necessary to get out of it. Fear paralyzes and isn’t very helpful, even though it’s deeply human and, at the moment, almost impossible to avoid.
A wise friend once said to me, “Love is the opposite of fear.” And love has become rare in our self-centered society and world. And yet it’s the only way we have to live together peacefully on this earth. It starts with the little things. We are all human, and we all make mistakes. I’m often shocked by how quick people are to criticize, to hate, and to feel they’re in the right—and to make sure everyone who, in their eyes, deserves it feels it, too. Envy and resentment don’t get us anywhere.
Love, compassion, understanding, tolerance, generosity, kindness, solidarity, forgiveness—these are the qualities we need to live together in peace here. We cannot reach the “great and powerful,” and we clearly cannot influence them significantly. But we can start small—in our families, in our neighborhoods, or even here at Crazypatterns. With kindness, with a smile, with a kind word. We humans must stick together and not fight against one another. And if many of us try to do this on a small scale, it will bring about a change in the overall fabric of society. I am deeply convinced of this.
Perhaps some of you still remember the days of the Cold War. There was a song by Sting where he sings, “I hope the Russians love their children too...” I hold on to that. All people want to live in peace. We live together on this Earth, and everyone has the same right to be here. We all want to see our children grow up, and they should be allowed to flourish in peace and without fear.
We must believe in the good that lies within every person. I wish us all courage, hope, trust, and confidence for these times.
Warm regards, Annette

Annette, I still know that Sting song by heart. And unfortunately, even after all these years, it’s still just as true today.

Dear Annette, you couldn’t have put it better. That’s exactly how I see it, too. It all starts small. You can already see that in the way people around you sometimes treat each other. I always try to stay friendly and positive. It’s not always easy, but I don’t want to get into arguments or have to get upset all the time.
I also don’t like it when I read some of those inappropriate comments about patterns here on CP, for example. That really isn’t necessary.
There’s already so much bad stuff going on in the world—we don’t need to be attacking each other on top of that.
The mantra I’m listening to and singing along with right now is:
Om tare tuttare ture soha.
It’s the mantra of Green Tara. She dispels all fears.

How are you all coping with the situation right now?

Well, when I heard yesterday that Putin was putting his nuclear weapons on standby, I felt really sick with worry at first, because the man apparently doesn’t realize that if he pushes the button, he’ll be the loser, along with humanity as a whole. Because after that, our world will truly and really be a completely different place than the one we know, if we even survive such a nuclear strike. We’re right in the middle of it all, and our industry is a target for any aggressor. You can really only hope that there are people in the Kremlin who have a little more sense than Putin and then refuse to carry out the order or can somehow stop him. You really shouldn’t think about it too much, because otherwise you’ll end up losing your mind.

Love, Inge

What I find frightening is that we have absolutely no idea whether Putin is even in his right mind anymore. You don’t have to like him, but I actually always considered him very intelligent. Right now, though, there’s absolutely no sign of that at all.

That’s right, Veronika. 

How true the quote is [Mod has removed the quote]
I wonder if Putin is aware of that?

Dear Ruth,
the quote is, of course, appropriate, but unfortunately I had to remove it.

Why did you have to remove it, Josefa? 

I didn’t even notice that quote.

Yeah, in my opinion it wasn’t a big deal, so I’d like to know the intention behind it.

I can understand that Josefa wants to keep things in check here and won’t tolerate insults. But a quote from Einstein???

I’m sorry, but given everything that’s happening in the world, I immediately thought of censorship. 

When it comes to quotes, you may need to research whether you’re allowed to use them freely. Then you’d have to figure out whether this counts as private use here in the forum or not, and so on.
I don’t have time for that.
Just Google some quotes by Karl Valentin to see how much legal trouble there’s always with them.
Normally, you’re allowed to use quotes—for example, if the author has been dead for at least 70 years—but I can’t spend time checking on a case-by-case basis whether a particular quote is freely usable or not. So I’d ask you to please refrain from posting quotes.
Thanks.

Just because I want to avoid legal trouble—or don’t have the time or money to gather or obtain legally binding information about quotes in the forum—that has absolutely nothing to do with censorship.