Liz In Ukraine

I’ve been quiet lately for a few reasons not least of which is some much-needed time out on the Isle of Wight.  For any of you that have never been …VISIT its so calming to the soul, I even got to see a red squirrel in the wild!

I’ve also been quiet because I’ve been trying to avoid all the political and (anti) social unrest. One should never blog when one is incensed by ones fellow man

I am at the very least disappointed in my fellow man, at worst terrifyingly disappointed in some of my fellow countrymen.

While Ukraine and Gaza civilians are bombed the ‘Patriots ‘in my country demanded we reclaim the flag. 

Demonstrations were organised around the country with the usual suspects shouting unpleasant ideology against peoples of a different colour than white.  I’m always fascinated that they don’t seem to be so offended by the influx of eg, Australians in London.  I went to a party in a five bedded house in London once.  It was inhabited by 36 of our antipodean cousins. 

When I tell the story of exploring the living conditions people find it hilarious.  I changed the race once, exactly the same story.  The reaction was as simple as the contrast between white and black. Anyway, I digress.

 “I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK” echoes around the UK: Suddenly people are ‘patriotically’ flying the Union flag (Flag not Jack, it’s only a Jack on a ship!)  or St Georges Cross. Yet I wonder, if we face the same trials that the people of Ukraine are facing right now how many of those demanding their patriotic rights would fight for them as hard, and as varied as Ukrainians do right now,

Every week our communities ask for patriotic citizens who will help in schools, or hospitals, or care homes. Litter picks are organised to help Keep Britian Tidy and are so poorly attended that its embarrassing. There are Volunteer Bureaux and Councils for Voluntary Service etc in nearly every village town and city with volunteer vacancies in desperate need of filling, there are pleas for school governors, charitable trustees or people just to simply check that neighbours are still alive in extremes of weather. 

Whilst in Ukraine, Patriotic old ladies make trench candles. Patriotic teenagers weave camouflage netting. Patriotic groups come together to supply firewood or food parcels.

Patriotic individuals who were musicians, ballet dancers opera singers, teachers, shop workers and in nearly every other walk of life put on the Ukrainian uniform and fight Patriotically to get their country back.

Now these are the type of patriots I would love to think would defend my country,

Sadly, whilst I think the Welsh, Scots, and Cornish would be a real thorn in the backside to any invader, I fear those who in those recent demonstrations proudly draped a flag around their shoulders or on their heads declaring that Brits are best (whilst ordering foreign street food and drinking German beer) would probably be a bit pants at defence. 

Hell, they can’t even manage to carry their litter to the nearest bin!

A litter picking Red Squirrel -NOT on the Isle of Wight which is predominately litter free!

[Red squirrel at Formby by Andrew Lakin]