No one wants war. Not even warring nations like Russia, whose Putin expected everyone to back down, like the USSR backed down during the October, 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. No one backed down and Russian soldiers were ordered to plow ahead -- invading Ukraine, destroying its civic buildings, killing its citizens. What was said to be a liberation of two southern breakaway republics of Russian-speakers was suddenly an attack on the capitol.
An invasion is not a war, nor is an attack. Ukrainians are defending themselves from invasion, attacks. When is war? Does it begin with a declaration? The Korean War was not a war -- not officially -- and as of this minute there is no formal declaration that it is over. Nor was the Vietnam War a war (or the American War, as the Vietnamese call it). To refer to what's happening in Ukraine right now as a war absolves the Russians from starting it.
I appreciate businesses daring to express their beliefs, particularly when these beliefs are unpopular. Such a gesture tells me that what one believes in is more important than money. But what is this sign saying? NO WAR, yes, but then Ukraine's flag, as if it is Ukraine we are saying "NO" to? And if I went inside this bar and asked for a Stoli rocks? How about if I went inside and offered them $100 to pour the bottle down the sink? Just how far are people willing to go to get it right?
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