Hi Foxy,

As I've said many times on the Forum I am a pacifist, and I always believe diplomacy is a far better pathway to solving national differences than war ever is. That's not to say I support aggression, I don't. Russia probably has some legitimate beefs concerning NATO/American build up on its boarders, who wants nuclear missiles pointed at them. Regardless of that Russia is wrong in invading Ukraine. The Ukrainians have every right to defend themselves from Russian aggression.

History tells us that military treaties, rather than making for a more peaceful world do the exact opposite, NATO is no exception. One of the problems I have with America is not only do they want to act as the world's "policeman", they also want to be the world's arbitrator of what's acceptable (to them) and what's not, what's right (to them) and what's not. When the cop tells you what the law will be, you have a serious problem, and that's how America acts in the world today.

I would trust Putin as far as I could throw him, I do trust Biden more.

Dear Paul,

I've had little sleep last night - tossing and turning
over what's happening in Ukraine. It's horrible.
A nightmare. It brings back memories of my youth and
the stories my parents told me. The horrific bombings,
the fleeing, the terror and searching for safety.

My heart goes out to the Ukrainian people both in the
Ukraine and here in Australia.

Hi Foxy and Issy,

I totally agree, it is the innocent people who suffer in war, people who have no say in decision making, no control over events. Trust in those you don't know is a big ask.

News my way, my right eye was done Wednesday, out the same day, doc looked on Thursday, said ok, no driving, come back next Wednesday, keep using the drops. I want to see some improvement before I let him poke the left eye.

Here in Brisbane, rain, rain and more rain, I'd say 400mm plus in 3 days on us, rain gauge useless, local roads flooded. Those near the Brisbane River getting flooded this morning on the high tide.

Hope Hassy is okay on the (lack of) Sunshine Coast, even if I want to turn him into cannon fodder, ha, ha.

Paul,
Should be OK, I’ve got 20/20 vision in the right eye now and the plastic insert lens shouldn’t deterioate.

Dear Paul,

Glad to hear that things went well.

My husband and I are due for our eye tests soon.

We're having our booster COVID shots on Monday
afternoon.

My younger brother rang me yesterday. He and his wife
are planning a trip to see us in Victoria in a couple
of weeks. Neither him nor his wife are vaccinated.
They're firmly anti-vaccers. And I don't know how to
tell him that we don't want to see him.

Am I wrong?