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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I’ll try to make it as general as possible. What if there is a hot topic, A  vs B. Say most people around you support A. You do, too, but you have questions or doubts about A, or you can understand (but not support) B’s reasoning. you don’t perceive A as something flawless. 
However if you ask those questions, or even don’t support A with all your heart, you are labeled as (insert whatever insult du jour you can think of). 
How to deal with it? 
I find that in the most recent conflicts I can’t support one side without reservation, yet it seems like I am expected to. I am genuinely scared of all the silence is violence type tropes. [/quote]

It sounds like you are talking about the Israel/Palestine conflict.  Israel was attacked by Hamas and attacked back, but if anyone expresses concern for the Palestinians (not Hamas), then you are labeled and a Hamas sympathizer.  I get it.  Like a PP said, we are now supporting loyalties, and there is no more critical thinking allowed.  It’s sad.[/quote]

OP here. This is part of it. I’ll say that the expression of sympathy to the innocent victims is allowed, however nothing more is. If I say that maybe it should be easier to deliver aid - I am the enemy. If so much as mention the settlements - I am the enemy. 
Next, take the Ukrainian conflict. There is a number of Russians who are suffering through no fault of their own, yet it is bad form to express sympathy for them. Saying that Ukraine has a history of corruption is also bad form. 
All right, now let’s look at covid. One can’t say that the businesses or schools were only closed until there was no more money/political will to keep them closed. They are labeled an old lady killer. 
BLM? Pointing out that the victim had criminal history makes you a racist.
All in all, One should not question The Good Guy! 
[/quote]

Off topic...other than those in the Russian military, who are the Russians suffering?[/quote]

People (villagers) living super close to the border are being bombed and attacked. 
Lots of medications aren’t available anymore due to sanctions (despite the promise to not sanction essentials)
People protesting the war are thrown in jail 
Those who have relatives in ukraine who can’t leave 
Heck, even those who live abroad and it’s become a whole ordeal to visit their family

I do realize the Ukrainians are suffering x100. However it’s sad that no compassion is allowed unless it’s The Good Side.
[/quote]

For Russia, this was 100% a war of choice.  Russia was under zero credible threat of invasion nor any other credible threat of harm.  And Russia could end this war tomorrow, by withdrawing.

Ukraine on the other hand had zero choice in this.  Russia intended to invade and did so with only the flimsiest of pretexts.  And if Ukraine stops fighting, they will get destroyed.

So, it's not just about "suffering" nor is it about some artificial perception of "good side" or "bad side."[/quote]

I don’t want to go into specifics too much as it will just lead to duplication of arguments in other threads, I just wanted to say that even such a small deviation from the “acceptable” point of view as feeling sorry for the innocent victims of the other side (yes I think people of Iran don’t really have influence over their government’s actions, for example) leads to accusations of all the bad things imaginable. 
[/quote]
I really wouldn’t put a lot of stock into how people react online. There are way too many bad actors looking to disrupt, to make you feel agitated and alienated.

Although for the record, I have a lot more sympathy for the average Iranian civilian citizen than I do for the average Russian civilian citizen probably because I’ve seen so many videos of Russians bragging and boasting and glorying in the war in Ukraine. On the one hand they don’t have a free media, on the other hand, rightly or wrongly I credit Russians with being a fairly intelligent people who can see through bullcrap.

But really. Just stop worrying what people are saying to you online. Wayyyy too many people have an agenda and that agenda increasingly seems like they just want people aggravated and anxious, suspicious of their fellow Americans. [/quote]

You are biased. Many Russians who loudly expressed their dissent were aggressively and often violently shut down. Many many disagree with the war but they keep their opinions to themselves in fear of retaliation. That's why you only see the videos of gleeful monsters. My Russian friends are part of a volunteer group that helps Ukrainians who were dislocated to Russia to get to Europe. You will not know about these people helping and volunteering, they don't advertise their participation for safety reasons.

Ukrainians are the victims in that war, no debate here.  Yet, although it's easier to paint the whole Russian nation as a soulless violent mass, the reality is much more nuanced. [/quote]

Trump understood those nuances when he said that there is no reason to be enemies with Russia. And he was labeled a Russian supporter. The world was so much better when Americans and Russians was able to find some common ground. Biden is not getting it. [/quote]

Tbh, as Russian, I don’t see what common ground could be or should found with the Russian government now. I wish only victory to Ukraine and support Biden’s decision to send aid. I also want the world to know about many Western leaders who helped Putin shut the anti-war protests but now act as if there were no opposition at all and each Russian citizen should be punished.[/quote]

I am another Russian, I hope you understand that all aid serves the purpose of those providing it, first and foremost. Just remember it when you support decisions to send aid :) [/quote]

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