Echos of a Cold War

As any baby boomer in their late 50s or early 60s can tell you, the 1950s were a scary time.  Although most of us were barely aware of it, from the time of the Berlin airlift through the Cuban missile crisis we could have been radioactive toast at any time.  We all knew where the fallout shelters were located in our schools and we practice huddling under our desks in case of nuclear attack.  What a hoot.   My parents either ignored the situation or chose not to discuss it in front of the children.  Some more proactive people with more money or time built and stocked backyard fallout shelters for their families.  Invitations to take refuge in these homemade shelters were at a premium and friendships and family relationships were fractured because of them.  It is hard to remember these days, but the latest round of saber rattling over the situation in Ukraine is bringing back uncomfortable memories.  Some of the idiots in Congress who probably couldn't find the country on a map are ardent Ukrainians now.  Regardless of the fact the present government is arguably illegal and overthrew a legitimately elected government.  The Russians are concerned because many armament factories their military depends on are located in eastern Ukraine.  Should the country fall into the western orbit these factories would be at risk.  The Russians have skin in the game.  We have nothing but John McCain's hurt fee fees.  I really don't feel like risking a nuclear summer to defend an ambiguous situation in which the Russians are willing to go all out.  I hope cooler heads prevail.