About war in Ukraine

[Pushkiin]

I have a question for you.
So, do you think, what BGA has done, is worse than racism?

The accusations of xenophobia on the one side or racism of BGA on the other other are not helpful, since they simplify the political, ethical and moral positions regarding the war in Ukraine, reducing postion to identity politics. The war in Ukraine is more than about identity politics, people are dying and specific actions are required to put the pressure on Russian government, on Russian people (of different ethnicity), since the majority of people who live in Russia support the war in Ukraine.

For instance, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has banned today Russia and Belarus from its official competitions "until further notice" in response to Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine : https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-belarus- ... 56039.html

Netflix suspended all service in Russia as well: https://www.politico.eu/article/netflix ... -services/

Today in Chernihiv, nine people died while waiting in line for bread: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/worl ... 37094.html There is a horrific video of the assault, but I will not post it here.

[PuertoRini]

*moderated*

[Cruella-Devil]

BGA have acted with DECORUM.

Well Done!

[thx3811]

I think it's just sooo not fair that BGA lets agressor countries russia and belarus players maintain their right to play, while they brutally took away the same right from Ukrainians. If you don't want to ban russians and belarussians then maybe at least you could regularly send them info messages in their respective languages about actual situation in Ukraine and about their dictators' responsibility of this barbarian war. Not just once but every day!

[CactusStream]

Трымайцеся Украіна! Да перамогі адзін крок! Вось мы Вольныя Беларусы з Грузіі! Перадаем гуманітарнурную дапамогу, выходзім кожны дзень на вуліцы і калі будзе магчымасць (нейкі калідор) - прыедзем да Вас!! Слава Украіне!! Жыве Беларусь!

[donbettyr]

I am premium subscriber, I was born and live in Russia, I have friends in Kiev, Sumi and Zaporozhie. Every day I check if they are still alive. Nothing can justify throwing my friends out of their homes. I am helping them the way I can. I did not elect this government and its leader, I always voted against and protested until they made a protest ending in guaranteed detainment. Even now, when it became a crime to express disagreement with the war, I signed a petition against it and I sent a letter to our parliament.
This is nothing compared to losing your home, but we are scared, frustrated and anxious of the future. Board games are one of those rare things which are helping not to go insane these days.
If BGA banned me, some users here would praise such decision. I would understand them. They have nothing to thank our country for.
But would not help stop this ongoing nightmare. This would make guys like me despond and depress even more.
Thank you for saving access and for still playing with us.

[MorganShii]

I think it's just sooo not fair that BGA lets agressor countries russia and belarus players maintain their right to play, while they brutally took away the same right from Ukrainians. If you don't want to ban russians and belarussians then maybe at least you could regularly send them info messages in their respective languages about actual situation in Ukraine and about their dictators' responsibility of this barbarian war. Not just once but every day!

The first thing I want to ask is how do you propose to identify users from Russia? Only those who have designated their country? It's easy to fix and play on. The location where the log in is from? Thanks to our politicians, now most of the population knows how to use VPN.
At least - it's useless.
In addition, now the most adequate part of Russians is in a very precarious position. They are hated in their own country, they are hated in most of the world, they are scared of what's going on too. If you think that social isolation motivates to fight, it is not. It shows that you are alone and that it would be better for you to remain silent, because the country where you live is all that you have from now and forever.
Now people are very weak against the military power of their own country, but they try to resist.
Sanctions from companies and the deprivation of some benefits and recognition at the state level - this is OK. Personally, I am in favor of these sanctions, because they finally affect the broad masses and do not allow them to completely ignore what is happening as usual.
But getting banned from every small community where you're just trying not to go completely crazy?
Access to online board games is not a great loss. A great loss is the hope of understanding and forgiveness.

In conclusion, as already mentioned, now our politicians are promoting the rhetoric that "It is better to be alone, but strong and independent" than "Humiliate yourself among Europeans who hate you". Don't support at least that.

I am not very good at english and I just hope that everything I have written will be understood exactly as I wanted to express it.

[dertaz]

I am premium subscriber, I was born and live in Russia, I have friends in Kiev, Sumi and Zaporozhie. Every day I check if they are still alive. Nothing can justify throwing my friends out of their homes. I am helping them the way I can. I did not elect this government and its leader, I always voted against and protested until they made a protest ending in guaranteed detainment. Even now, when it became a crime to express disagreement with the war, I signed a petition against it and I sent a letter to our parliament.
This is nothing compared to losing your home, but we are scared, frustrated and anxious of the future. Board games are one of those rare things which are helping not to go insane these days.
If BGA banned me, some users here would praise such decision. I would understand them. They have nothing to thank our country for.
But would not help stop this ongoing nightmare. This would make guys like me despond and depress even more.
Thank you for saving access and for still playing with us.

If people are divided on banning Russian players, then at least there should be a ban on using the Russian flag on this site.

[Cruella-Devil]

What difference will banning a flag make?

At the end of the day this is a Gaming Site not a Politics Forum.

[Zalk]

Banning a flag means removing a country/government from the world (as Putler and his hand dogs deserve).

Even Paralympic games has banned russia, come on! Usually Olympic committee is the most peaceful organization ever!
Do at least something! Remove russian flag from list and replace it with Ukrainian flag. If player doesn't support his government and killing peaceful citizens of Ukraine, he can leave Ukrainian flag or change to any other. If supports then he should leave our community with his bloody hands.