Is it now time for Russians to overthrow dictator Putin?
IT might seem clichéd but the world is staggering towards a critical juncture in its precarious life.
As the diminutive despot Vladimir Putin impassively caresses the nuclear button, the planet would seem to momentarily wobble on its axis.
The West is reluctant to enter the war, given the fragility of the situation. Civilian casualties continue to creep up as the EU and its allies dither over whether a derring-do endeavour in Ukraine is feasible or if they should leave the situation as a fait accompli.
History has shown that it is only after a war that the true horrors – the mass graves, the savagery, the chilling executions and torture that tyrants like Putin are capable of – are fully exposed.
The EU is considering a ‘fresh wave of sanctions’ in response to farcical referenda which will be a foregone conclusion. But is it enough? If we are to learn from world history, it isn’t. Procrastination thieves human life.
The Roman Emperor Nero purportedly played on his fiddle while half the city of Rome was burned to the ground in six days.
Maybe it’s time the rationalminded people of Russia began an insurrection and overthrew this dictator and gave the Motherland back to the people: a nation for the people, of the people, by the people. Because these so-called ‘sanctions’ seem lazy and have not stopped the war as the world continues to stutter towards the edge of the Apocalypse. CORMAC TROY,
Birr, Co. Offaly.
Stop the cyber bullies
I FOUND it rather compelling to learn that UK police have dropped their investigation into the recent alleged ‘online threat’ made to the Harry Potter author JK Rowling.
The author had shared screenshots of a message from a user who had written ‘don’t worry you are next’ in response to her tweet about Salman Rushdie.
I have always believed in the freedom of speech.
Just because someone’s point of view annoys me does not give me, or anyone else, the right to anonymously hide behind a keyboard and spew out vitriolic threats.
Unfortunately, there is a small cohort of people out there who feel the need to behave in this craven manner and cause others pain and discomfort. Many of us are able to laugh it off, but for others such behaviours can have adverse consequences.
Online abuse did not come out of nowhere; it’s a new form of a historical problem, whether it’s the controlling of women and the marginalised genders through fear or just being a nuisance.
Cyber bullies can now hide behind a mask of anonymity online as these cowards do not need direct physical access to their victims to do unimaginable harm.
The difference is that this abuse now happens on devices with serial numbers, with IP addresses and platforms with digital breadcrumb trails, so we do have the ability to track down, and crack down on, these delinquents.
The issue is where our priorities lie. So while the lawmakers, who don’t even run their own social media accounts, and CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg refuse to make accountability a priority, many activists who fight for a fair society will stay exhausted.
I would love to see a holistic and collaborative effort from the platforms and lawmakers, as well as having independent initiatives, who know the reality of this issue and not just the theory.
This would be a positive start and may act as the catalyst for change in this cyber world of ours. Until then, there will be people left hoping that one day our safety from these sick and twisted trolls will finally become a priority.
Understandably, JK Rowling has reported feeling very sick on hearing the UK police have now dropped their investigation into the alleged online threat made against her. I just hope that this novelist will be OK and that better days will be ahead for her.
JOHN O’BRIEN, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.