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THE DEATH OF Philip Seymour Hoffman from an apparent heroin overdose earlier this week is a tragedy on a number of levels. It is, first and foremost, a tragedy for his family; for his partner, his children, his relatives, his friends. More broadly, it is a tragedy for the acting community – he was a talented and highly regarded actor – an Academy Award winner – still active and working, and with much left to offer. More broadly still, it is regarded as a tragedy by the world at large. It has, not for the first time, brought the tragedy of death from ‘hard’ drug use into the wider public consciousness, both in Ireland and abroad.
The reality is that many people don’t have a friend or relative who experiences problematic heroin use. However, the death of a public figure from drug use always serves to challenge the stereotypes that people often have of drug users. And, at least for a short period, death from heroin overdose moves from the category of ‘things that will never happen to me or my friends’ to ‘things that can happen to anyone’.
And the reality is that the root cause of this tragedy, addiction, can indeed happen to anyone. Addiction is no respecter of status. In terms of negative consequences, death is, obviously, the extreme case. However, for every person who dies from an overdose, there are many others who will overdose and survive. There will be more still that will not overdose, but for whom drug use will be problematic, impacting negatively on their lives in some significant way. Many of these may not ever come into contact with addiction services. Why is this?
Well, addiction is still stigmatising. Addiction to an illicitly obtained, controlled drug like heroin is even more so. It can be difficult to accept you have a problem yourself, much less ask society at large to accept that you have a problem. And the more we feel apart from mainstream society, the harder it can be to want to engage with that society. For many people, continuing to medicate themselves can feel like the only option. As Griffith Edwards has noted:
Dealing with drugs… is a matter of dealing with much else besides drugs. It must be about our choice of value systems… and what life can offer that is as good as, or better than, intoxication.
When you feel isolated from mainstream society, it can be difficult to see what life can offer that is, indeed, better than intoxication. And even if the cycle is broken, it can be easy to find solace in drug use again. Stopping using can be the easy part. As Tracey Helton Mitchell notes:
In the years I have been off heroin, I have struggled with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Many addicts find that once the drugs are removed, the underlying cause to the use can be nearly as painful as the use itself… I dealt with these feelings without using heroin. However, the thought crossed my mind many times that relief can easily be found at the bottom of a spoon. That is part of my affliction.
Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death is a public tragedy, but his addiction was personal. People choose to use drugs – and choose to stop using drugs – for their own individual reasons. There is a story in and a story out for everyone who has made that journey. Addiction is not the same for everyone – each person has their own individual experience.
So, what is to be done? Well, we need our responses to be accommodating of these experiences. We need to continue to be ‘client centred’; we need to provide services that are more accessible to people, not those which place often unmanageable preconditions to entry; and we need to be open – open to change in how we deliver services, and open to challenging our own views of what addiction is and who it affects.
Ireland has had a heroin problem since the late 1970s; more recently, heroin use has become more prevalent in areas outside Dublin, and dealing with addiction has become more complicated as polydrug use becomes the norm. Ultimately, to be effective in tackling this problem, we need to own it as a society – we need to recognise that people who use drugs problematically are not any different from anyone else.
In Ireland, an average of one person per day died by overdose in 2011, the most recent data available. That their stories were not news does not make them any less deserving of our empathy and respect. Continued stigmatisation will, unfortunately, lead to more isolation, more secrecy, more risk and more death – it is a path to be avoided.
Tony Duffin is the Director of the Ana Liffey Drug Project, a national addiction service working to reduce the harm caused by drug use in Ireland. Ana Liffey provided direct services to over 3,500 clients in 2012, many of whom are among the most marginalised from mainstream service provision. To find out more about the Ana Liffey’s services click here. To donate to the Ana Liffey, click here.
Follow the Ana Liffey Drug Project on Facebook and Twitter @AnaLiffey
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This is wonderful news. Despite the NATO love in, despite all the huff and puff, despite the goading of Russia as these same “leaders” stood by while Russians were murdered indiscriminately in their homes and burnt alive, the Russians did not do what Washington desired and invade. Rather democracy was fought for in Novorossiya. Local people with help from concerned fellow Russians from over the border, laid down their lives to fight to maintain their freedom against an invading hostile force populated with many neo Nazis, whose allegiance they no longer commanded. My deepest condolences to the families of all those who died on Donbass, Odessa and Mariupol. I hope there is no more violence.
“Democracy was fought for” by the unelected self appointed, not really democracy now is it
I wouldn’t hold out for much John, this ceasefire as welcome as it is, is only serving to supplement the narrative, plenty more chapters I’ve no doubt have already been written by ~NATO
They held a referendum. They voted for independence. They fought and won. That’s pretty much the essence of democracy. This country imposes now sanctions on a friendly nation without any consultation with our parliament. That’s undemocratic. We should fix our own democracy before finger wagging at people who just won their freedom.
Agreed Joe. I think we have seen the last of open war in Ukraine, at least for now. But that isn’t the end of it by a long shot.
Good Man Juris – i mean John.
Russia is an authoritarian state and the sooner the current government collapses the better. We should stand firm and help hasten that time.
David can you tell me when Dáil Éireann debated our placing sanctions on Russia? I can’t find any record of that debate.
David you were on here advocating Nato funding for jihadists in Chechnya and Dagestan. The same people who massacred innocent school children in Beslan. Have you got even a hint of decency in you?
Come on Burke, get the pom-poms out and cheerlead for more massacres ye Clown!
I didn’t advocate for that at all. I said we should perhaps think of funding freedom fighters in the many restive provinces of Russia. Don’t forget it was genocide in the 19th century which made them part of Russia and they have never liked Russians and aren’t ethnically Russian either. Since everyone is so supportive of rebels why not fund some with genuine grievances?
Joe this nut job slap thinks Ashya Kings parents should spend the rest of their days in jail for trying to save the life of their terminally ill child. He has a screw loose.
The ‘freedom fighters’ in the restive provinces are jihadists so that IS what you are advocating. Your just trying to sugarcoat it.
‘Don’t forget it was genocide in the 19th century which made them part of Russia ‘ Just out of curiousity David how do you think the USA emerged as a nation state?
But we are talking about Russia. I don’t see what the US has to do with anything?
Are you American?
If you dont see what the USA has to gain here you should go back to your books (whatever they are)
I’m Irish. The question is relevant, as the US emerged on the back of genocide of the natives who resided there for millenia.
Where is brake down on nationalities of murdered “Russians”. And why Russian Army shelled Novoazovsk full of “Russian” civilians? 60 % of population there are Ukrainians, Greek and others. Any credible source of information on your words? UN, any Russian source at least?
Read some alternatives of Beslan tragedy http://www.pravdabeslana.ru/english.htm. BTW Putin did not show up in Beslan. Here a bit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beslan_school_hostage_crisis. Putin never met with families of dead kids. All the rebels wanted is to free some of their comrades from Russian prisons. But idiot Putin said he does not speak with terrorists and ordered a siege of school packed with hostages. By independent reports and words of relatives, there are more people died from Russian “Shmell” flamethrowers and RPG’s then from explosives planted by rebels. Exactly the same strory as with Kursk. When he refused help from UK navy and let his sailors die. “Tough man”
Putin “do not stand on his nees”. Just to remind you that UA exchanged NAZI governor of DNR Gubarev for 3 soldiers. And Putin took the risk of murdering 1100 kids.
Who they?
Oleksandr you are getting desparate now. This isn’t about Beslan. This is about your government murderous terrorist attack on a peaceful people in your own country. This is about people burned alive at Odessa, the massacre at the polling booths in Mariupol, the shelling of innocent civilians, the return of the Galicica SS batallion to attack a people whose grandfathers had defeated the same enemy. You lost Oleksandr. Good triumphed over evil. Go home and think long and hard.
My post about Beslan was to Scipio
Have you seen a map of Novorossiya? Whose fathers defeated fascists? Those DNR fighters? Look at their resumes John? Half of them were in prisons. Bolotov was organizer of financial pyramid. I lost 1 grandad and one great uncle in WW2 fighting against Hitler. And I lost about 5 members of family in 1930-s famine created by Stalin. Did you see a recent UN report on your “peaceful people”?
I’m not doubting your family’s fight against the Nazis. I take your word for it. I accept opinions are divided. The East didn’t accept the way Yanukovitch was overthrown and the new gov. They fought and I support them. You made excuses about people I saw being burned alive in Odessa. I don’t like you for that reason. Yes of course I am not Ukrainian or Russian. My wife is Russian, my children half Russian, all are Russian citizens, all speak Russian. I came to know and love Russian people over many many years. I am tired of listening to Russophobia. I don’t ever want to see pro Russians be burned alive in front of my face again. I don’t want war between Russia and the west. I won’t sit around and watch Russians die. I won’t sit around while Russians are attacks in their homes. This is personal for me as it is for you. I don’t care what you think of me. I have been honest. If you want to get support for your Russophobia talk to someone else. I know what side I am on until the day I die.
And remember this, for however long your country tries to provoke war between Russia and the west, you are my sworn enemy.
And did you see the Chechens die? I am afraid John that I am not a Russophobic. AntiPutin yes. Russophobic no. It is despite my country was invaded by Russia. It is amazing how a big margin of Russian people believes that Putin is a great governor. And how they think that recreation of Empire or USSR is more important then good roads and clean hospitals. Look at relations between UK and Ireland now. That’s how relations between Ukraine and Russia could be if Putin read some history and cared about his people well being but not about his ambitions. “Жадность фраера погубит”
E..mm. Did my country attacked another country? Did we annexed anything so it is our fault now? We even did not have a well prepared army because we thought we will never have a war. And up till 2014 we were the only nation out of all former USSR which did not have any blood on our hands.
John I hope you’re not referring to Putin as good. If we can agree on one thing let it be a recognition of his dictatorial tendencies.
@John, your crocodile tears don’t really fool anybody.
Not when seen alongside such barely-concealed gleeful triumphalism – “we won, you lost, get over it”…
More misquotes.
@ Wayne O’Fathaigh … Democracy can never be replaced by a foreign imposed coup regime.
This will only last as long as the next false flag.
NATO is itching itself to draw Russia into war.
Your not wrong there. They haven’t the b@lls to ratchet it up themselves. They’ll slink off back to their lairs and cook up something new. For today though peace has broken out.
This will only last as long as the next false flag.
Russia is itching itself to draw NATO into war.
Gabbi Johnson .. NATO was responsible for that failed false flag…
They broke an old agreement with Russia not to expand eastwards.
# Blood thirsty War mongers…
“Russia is itching… Blah blah … war”. Then answer me this chief, why didn’t the Russians occupy the whole of Ukraine? After all, thousands of Russians have been slaughtered. The Russian army was partially mobilised, Putin got authority from the Duma etc Surely this was a golden opportunity to roll a few tank batallion and a dollop of tactical nukes up to the Polish border? That would’ve shaken up the pot at the ver least no?
Nato is itching… blah blah …war’…. you’re watching too much ‘Russia Today’… Ukraine is a sovereign country.. with which its borders have been altered without the say of the Ukranian people (not just crimea). Russia is arming rebels but saying they’re not involved… if it was legitimate why not come clean… as for the Duma giving access – what difference does that make? if Putin says jump they say how high – you’re using the same arguments that Dick Cheney would have used.
@Idiot No 2… Poland granted access for NATO to allow weapons for defence… good job too i hear there are a number of ‘russian speakers’ on Polands eastern borders.
But i guess we’re all brainwashed part of a conspiracy blah blah corporations, western, neo liberal blah blah blah.
Try reading the question next time.
@John are you a communist?
No, John is parroting Kremlin-sourced propaganda for whatever reason I don’t quite understand. Seems to have dreadful short and long term memory too.
Ukraine have agreed to a ceasefire with Russian Army should be the headline I think.
Or ‘Coup Still Not Successful’
I am tired to repeat to you John. Please give me brake down on nationalities of civilians killed in Eastern Ukraine. Just to remind you that about 60% of population of Donbass are Ukrainians and other nation except Russia. And I hope you could see pictures of Novoazovsk attacked by Russian army with heavy artillery and tanks. That town was full of civilians because the nearest DNR blockpost was 100km away. It seems like you repeat the same lies all the time. Nukes? And how are you people think you are different from Hitler’s Germany in 1939?
I don’t have a breakdown Oleksandr. I do know that your Nazi inspired Russophobic loony bin leaders in Kiev are responsible for all deaths. I know that the East, which just wanted their language, culture and livelihoods secure did not attack the west. Your murderous Kiev leaders ordered that. Do you know that the Ukraine army lost many tens of thousands of men? Most conscripted. They are as much victims of this sickness that took power in Ukraine as the peaceful Donbass citizens. The war is over. The counter terrorism operation announced by prime minister Zacharchenko may continue but I hope that the talks tomorrow will avoid that. But what about the remaining Nazi armies who disobey Kiev like Kolomoiski’s? Time will tell. One thing is for sure, Ukraine will be de Nazified (peacefully). Ukrainians will have to think long and hard on why they attacked their own people. Me I blame the US and her Kiev puppets, not you Oleksandr, not ordinary Ukranians. It’s over now. It’s time to rebuild Ukraine.
Russians occupy the whole Ukraine? You are still paying tribute to Kadyrov. How are you going to occupy country with 43 million population?
So if you do not have a break down how can you say all the killed civilians are Russians and killed by Ukrainian Army? Here on TheJournal were pictures of Novoazovsk shelled by Russian Army. Did you? You never gave me an evidence of ethnic cleansing by UA army. And if you listen interviews of UA officers or commanders of volonteer batalions 70% of them speak Russian. Are you real John? I have heard Russians have programs which generate answers. And what is West of Ukraine in your opinion? Everything what is to the West from Russia. Is Dnepropetrovsk or Odessa are in Western Ukraine? And do you know that 90% of population of those cities speak Russian? We wont’ have to rebuild Ukraine if Girkin and Borodai, Putins puppets won’t come to our land.
Like I said, a peaceful people in the East who decided democratically they do not want to be governed by a government in Kiev which lost its authority over them, were attacked by the Ukraine army. You can huff and puff all you want. The fact is these people didn’t even demand full independence. Now they have won it through force of arms. Your gov refused to negotiate. Now they will negotiate. Odessa and Dnepropetrovsk I know well are Russian speaking cities. They are still part of Ukraine. Put a strong leash on your governments Nazi bands yet roaming Novorossiya and they may yet stay in Ukraine.
Did you see resent pols in Odessa and Dnepr? “Decided democratically” , I do not even want to comment such referendums with 92% results. Have you seen an interview of Nikolaev paratroopers commander? Half of his soldiers were ethnic Russians. Who won what? Do you believe in lost Russian paratroopers John or the ones which are on vacation?
You attacked Russians in their homes on land that was Russia until the 1930s. “If you come to Russia with a sword, by the sword you will perish”. You are wasting your time talking to me. I already told you this is personal. Go find some other westerners who will be happy to hate Russians.
@John, given the gravity of the situation, it would be good to have a serious debate with you – one of the tiny percentage of people with access to non-government controlled media who apparently thinks in Kremlin-originated terms like “Nazi-inspired Russiphobic looney bin leaders”. But instead, the best you can do is to keep parroting the same tawdry propagandist crap.
And that’s a pity, as the topic really does deserve something a little more than your juvenilia.
“Was Russia untill the 1930s” And do you know that Moscow was built by Kiev knyaz? The Rome Empire occupied few continents. US belonged to Britain and Spain. Kuban (Russia) was populated by Ukrainian Kossaks and in 1905 about 60% of population in that region spoke Ukrainian. So may be we all start fighting and after nuclear strikes we will come to the stone age where is each tribe fight against the other.
Yes, Oleksandr, but, but Putin will have won.
Isn’t that the short-guy pride that people like John and the thousands of Ukraine’s “little green tourists” are fighting for?
That exactly what they are fighting for and they are there more for threats then for occupation. It is interesting how the things are turning around in Russia. Independent Media (there are only few left) and Human Right Activists doing investigations on Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine. As per organizer of Russian “Gruz 200″ (dead soldier) group there are already 2000 Russian Army Soldiers are killed. Some estimates tell 200. That’s not “volunteers” but regular Russian soldiers. There is a growing unrest in Russia now about how their bodies are handled. The Union of Soldiers’ Mothers of ST. Peterborough were named “foreign agents” for revealing the truth about killed soldiers. Another relatives are threaten or paid. But some are speaking up. Even Putin supporters are not happy that the soldiers die like bums.
First they were trying to hide the truth. Soldiers killed in Ukraine were reported as dead from incidents or strokes. When more and more bodies start to come it become hard to hide the evidence so yesterday there was first official funeral of one of Russian paratroopers killed in Ukraine. This is the new propaganda line created by Putin’s PR agents. The official statement about death of Anatoliy Travkin stated that “He went for holidays and did not tell to his young wife (imagine this) and his commanders where he was going (even more interesting)” The same information was shared by commander of DNR Zacharchenko about a week ago. He said that they have fighters of Russian Army among them but they are “volunteers on holidays”.
The most amazing thing that Putin’s PR agents probably bought they way out of the army and did not know that in Russian Army, as per very strict rules, every soldier or even general has to write a notice to his upper commander where he is going for holidays and for how long, they should get a legal paper and when he goes for holiday he need to register with the closest military base so in case of war he can interrupt his holidays. If those rules are not met a soldier can be fired or go to military prison up to 2 years. They basically lost in their lies.
All this information is from Russian sources.
Russia didn’t conscript tens if thousands of her youth to fight a pointless war to please her new US wh0remaster. Call me what you want. You attacked Russians. We will never see eye to eye on this one, neither you or Mr Hilliard. I couldn’t care less.
Hahaha, owned…..
Which Russians John? Where sent? There is Ukrainian Army on Ukrainian Territory. BtW can you explain me phenomenon of people (especially young and educated) are running from territories occupied by DNR/LNR and Russian Army and people returning to towns retaken or controlled by Ukrainian Army?
It’s not Ukraine territory anymore. You made a cabinet of 30% Nazis after a coup. You lost Crimea. You had a chance to negotiate on the East. You chose war. You lost the East. You lost Olek. Tough.
You caused 200k refugees. Your government is a disgrace. Not fit to be called European.
Can you tell me this phenomenon… Blah blah… Can you tell me why some guy is a Nazi… Can you tell me why some guy kills his dog … Blah blah.., can you tell me why two women talk to each other in some photo and that’s bad… Here is what I can tell you. Your country got used by the US to try to hurt Russia. The maidan crowd were tricked. Your leaders shouted for joy as Russians were murdered. You tried to take Russia’s naval base. Your military in Crimea defected to Russia 75%. You promptly lost Crimea the people there wanted to join Russia they didn’t want Ukraine. You had a chance to negotiate in the East. Your new CIA masters chose war for you. You lost the East people there don’t want Ukraine. Donbass is Novorossiya. Crimea is Russia. It’s over. You lost.
There are no refuges in Mykoliv, Herson, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk all these regions are Russian speaking. If there are no Russian agents there is no War. Who are 30% of NAZI’s , name them. Here are some friends of Putin with help of which he plans to destroy EU http://iwpr.net/report-news/far-right-recruited-crimea-poll-observers a bit more http://anton-shekhovtsov.blogspot.ie/2014/03/pro-russian-extremists-observe.html
Name by name. “European friends of Putin” All Nazies. Some were procecuted http://www.searchlightmagazine.com/news/featured-news/european-right-wing-extremists-and-other-pro-russian-activists-observed-the-crimean-refere
Putin plans to destroy EU… EU will collapse. It’s inevitable. I hope Putin makes it quick. My passport says “Irish Republic”. It doesn’t say “the west”. It doesn’t say “the EU”.
You have no problem with a coup of your elected president who was chased from the country by Ukrainian nazis. When Crimea runs a referendum for independence you kick and scream and send me some crap blog with some photos. Like I said, this country is full of Rusdophobes who will believe your bullsh@t. Why you want to waste time on me? I don’t trust you, I don’t like you, I don’t believe a single f@@king word that comes from your mouth. All you Ukrainians do is try to convince me Russians are bad. You make me want to vomit. You are full of hate.
2 women talk to each other? I Read more news about that case, may be it will open your eyes a bit. I understand John it’s Friday night. Lost? There more and more people in Crimea are not happy with current situation and I do not even want to comment “referendum”. Reporter of “Ukrainska Pravda” who is Russian and had Russian passport voted 3 times. All documented. Instead of friendly Ukraine (at least neutral) with a weak military (look at the equipment of UA in Crimea and now) he got a country with rapidly developing military and possible member of NATO. He gave a boost to Ukrainian Military production, some companies are working 24 hours shifts now. He managed to break a trust of Western Politicians that even his best friends trying to distance from him. He is becoming a weak satellite of China, where he came to sign a gas deal but had to run home and do a “secret discount” .Brought his country to economic downturn. Recently he even managed to anger his closest satellite Nazarbaev by saying that there were no such country as Kazakhstan and his clown Zhirinovsky said that Kazakhstan is next. Great Emperor looser Putler. Only 27% of people in Simferopol (Crimea) say that they are Russian citizens.This is from Russian pro government poll.
I am really start to think John that you are programmed. You are sending me answers with the same words just mixed with another answers. The words are coming from your mouth John. I am giving you evidence. So let’s see. I posted you links of “European NAZI Observers” on Crimean referendum. So which part of that is a lie? The information about dead soldiers taken out of Russian sources and if you look up (I guess you can speak Russian) you’ll see names of Russian soldiers and their grieving parents. So where are my words or lies here? Can I please get a list of Nazi’s and their crimes of 30% of people in Ukrainian Government. Next time I go for holidays I will file report to police on them? Help me please.
“I hope Putin makes it quick”. And can you make any conclusions why he wants to destroy EU but want to recreate USSR or Russian Empire? Any logic or ideas?
Hell yeah! Ukrainians are too stupid to know what is good for them! They should let the gentle Russians do whats best for them, and tell its idiot citizens to stay quiet and be grateful! Russia only wants to protect them…..
The people of Crimea want to be part of Russia. Do you dispute this? I’ve been to Crimea many times. You sent me some photos. Who cares? There is a Gallup independent poll after referendum which confirms the result ie over 80% of Crimeans say the referendum reflected wish of the people there.
http://www.bbg.gov/wp-content/media/2014/06/Ukraine-slide-deck.pdf
Some Russians died fighting in Ukraine. Right, I don’t doubt it. Yet there was no invasion. Again there are polls since the referenda confirming 68% want independence from
Kiev but don’t want to join Russia. My comment on Putin destroying the EU is tongue in cheek. EU is an undemocratic mess it will fail that’s my opinion. So what is your point? Apart from my country is ruined and it’s all Russia’s fault. That’s your point right?
I’ve been to the Moon many times, and the dark side wants independence, but never invaded though…. Tongue in cheek….
Deegan has just got his ass handed to him..
Yep, exactly as I have not seen any US soldiers or “volunteers” in Ukraine, only Putinists. And it is a great link you send me. Another evidence that “referendum” was faked. I am more then sure if you do such a referendum in Kaliningrad region. Just ask people how they would like to join Germany you”ll get the same result. Or if you ask people of who live in better part of the town to vote for independence from poorer part you”ll get a vote again. So why instead of Second Chechen War Putin did not organized referendum and why people are prosecuted in Kuban and Novosibirsk for promoting federalization. I think you know that RF is only on the paper, otherwise it is a unitarian state
John you’ve been saying all along there was no Russian involvement, now you’re saying the Russian army was partially mobilised. Which is it?
Deegan. Your irish passport doesn’t say EU…?? Take a look again, You must not use it much
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_passport#/image/File:Eirepas.JPG
Oleksandr, you’ve been saying all along Putin this and Putin that, what are you’re thoughts on Poroshenko? Tymoshenko? Yatsenyuk? And the Mh17 flight? The Maidan Sniper killings?
Is it just me, or reading through this thread has Deegan totally lost the plot tonight?
Hi Joe. Sorry, time to watch one part of American Dad and bed time. I’ll answer to you on next ocasion. Poroshenko is from my region- Vinytsya. But he would not be my favorite politician. He is just Ok .
Oleksandr, your from Ukraine? So why would you think you assume you know what your talking about?? Mr Deegan here has done thorough research, without his non western government influence. He searched day and night on Google till he found what validated his cock and bull make believe imagination! I live in Canada, work with many nationalities, Uzbek, Armenian, Ukrainian, Russian, arab, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Indian, Kazak, Latvian….. These guys all tell me first hand accounts of life….. Not from CNN….. But to loonies here, they are full of shit….. All these keyboard warriors on
Journal are complete losers…… Unable to face day to day life…. And live of some fantasy they know whats ‘really’ going on in the world….. They fantasize hollywood style about saving humanity……. Pathetic…. Funny, I have friends, Ukrainian and Russian…… Both know there is no such thing as
Ukrainian rebels…… Its the Russian army……
Oleksandr you hate Russia and would prefer it were broken up. You’re not alone on that wish. Many people here will agree with you. I don’t.
Graham Kavanagh… I live in Canada… Blah blah … I’ve talked to lots of people … Blah blah. Have you been to Russia? Have you talked to Russians in Russia? You might get a different perspective than what you hear from someone you met in Canada in an Irish bar.
Stephen my passport says nationality = Irish.
John I don’t think anyone’s looking for Russia to be broken up, just to stop invading its neighbours.
Oleksandr says “RF is only on paper”. He wants sympathy for his own plight while maintaining Russia isn’t a real country but exists “only on paper”. The implication here is he’d like to see it breakup. He’s not alone there. Obamas mentor is Brzenski who was instrumental in creating the Mujaheddin in Afghsnistan in the 1980s and is known publicly to favour the eventual breakup of Russia. Wolfowitz doctrine calls for preventing Russia’s rise as a “constraint on US power”. Ukraine wants to join the EU anyway. Let whatever is left of it join the EU in due course. Trying to surround a country with a hostile military alliance does not exactly convey the message of peace and friendship.
“hostile military alliance”
Ask the former soviet states whether they wanted NATO membership to enable them to invade Russia or as a deterrent against Russian aggression.
Inconvenient truth.
Around and around we go…
That’s the thing with incovenient truths – you can try and ignore them but they don’t go away.
I have no doubt the new NATO crowd were told it’s for defence. 57% of Poles didn’t believe it. Didn’t matter.
After Putin’s recent actions they know damn well its for defence.
That’s Russia’s big issue – they treat smaller neighbours with contempt, bullying and aggression and then wonder why these countries then look towards NATO.
Short-term thinking at its best, and until there is a change in the Russian mindset there won’t be an improvement in the relationship with any of it’s neighbours for a more stable long-term future.
John I wish Russia to be a prosperous country with a smart leader who brings peace.
When I want to make a point blah blah blah….. When I disagree with someone blah blah blah….. Seriously the mind of a deranged prescription deprived nut. No, not been to Russia…. But you have. Oleksandr however has been to Ukraine, but your response to him is blah blah blah….. The people I know from Ukraine, I see everyday at work, google that word, not at a bar…. Where would you think that, shows too that you are nothing. These Ukrainians suffered at the hands of russians during USSR days. It was Russian way of life or a life of misery or persecution. Was like that for many other nationalities under Soviet days. Since the break up, Russia has maintained that superiority feeling. You say you have been to Russia…….if so, why did you go back to Ireland?
Russia invaded Ukraine. They are sending in soldiers and when they are across the boarder, these soldiers state they are “civilians”. Putin is a Dictator who won’t let go of power. He has people who challenge him jailed and wants wants to cause war
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The settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace. This morning I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine. Some of you, perhaps, have already heard what it contains but I would just like to read it to you: ‘ … We regard the agreement signed last night and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement as symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again.
The lads in the tank are shouting for Tipp,gwan the boys
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