Unlike Ukraine, Europe is not experiencing bombs and missiles being dropped on it. Yet even under peacetime conditions, those in charge are finding it more and more difficult to maintain simple things such as keeping the lights on and the trains running. Since the chances of the endemic corruption being addressed are roughly zero, authorities are busy trying to construct an excuse that people will believe.

Back in the old first-world days, one could board a flight and look forward to a fun and pleasurable experience, sometimes even including a meal served right where you sat. Now airline passengers get served an experience which is much more spicy.

Coming to grips with the fact that your first-world expectations are not going to be realized requires adopting a more third-world mindset. As such, one should no longer take it for granted that you can run to the store and back in your car without the possibility of running into “teen thugs” who will shoot you in the face.