Malaysian Plane Shot Down Over Ukraine: Start of a Wider War?

Back on June 16th - not that long ago - we posted:

Reason dictates that the Ukrainian - Russian conflict ought not begin a world war. After all, who would fight whom and why would they fight? It's too far-fetched to see multiple countries joining in a modern total war, not only because it would be against their own interests to slaughter each other, but because after the experience of the two world wars of the 20th century, people have learned first-hand the horrors of modern warfare, aided as it is by weapons of mass destruction.

Then again, much of this logic was understood when World War I began. It's important to know this when we brush aside talk of a wider war in the Ukrainian - Russian conflict.

Now a commercial jet plane filled with passengers is shot down over Ukraine. Perhaps not the start of a wider war, but we have to wonder: Why would someone or some group shoot down a commercial jet filled with passengers? Also, let's not forget to ask: Why would a commercial airline fly over a war zone? No answer to either question yet - if one ever is offered.

As we parse through the available evidence, and match the facts against our reasoned consideration, we can't help but question the sanity or moral compass of anyone purposely shooting down a commercial airliner filled with innocent passengers. We can't can't help but wonder what might be gained by either Ukrainian opponents of the current Kiev regime or by agents or direct representatives of the Moscow government of Russia by killing innocents. We can, however, reiterate a point we made as this confrontation in Ukraine heated up at the beginning of the summer:

Perhaps the Russians believed that a quick war against Ukraine would result in even greater commercial riches. But when we turn to history and see how people believed World War I would end quickly, we see that it may be more wishful thinking based on an illusion that lucrative commerce trumps war in every case. We ought not discount the danger that a government or governments will simply pursue its political ambitions, even in our own times, in the face of unimaginable, incalculable destruction of lives and wealth. If history has taught us anything, it would be just that. 

Before you dismiss the current disturbing events in Ukraine and hope that all sides will come to their senses, remember that such has been the hope of all reasonable people throughout history when events such as this threatened the peace, security, and stability of so many people in so many other parts of the world.

People will go to unimaginable lengths to get what they want, to punish those they wist to punish. It's the sad, tragic and evil way of this world. It's not likely to change anytime soon.