Russian invasion of Ukraine discussion

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

(1) Q, what could and should the US do to improve on that without creating a vacuum filled by China or Russia that would benefit the world and US? I'm open to discussion/learning there.

Do what America great in the 20th century, the forgotten tactic of the Romans, and covered in the movie “Space Balls!”

FRANCHISING!!!

Seriously. Not kidding. We all think of the Romans as military door-kickers conquering the world, and that was part of it, the start of it. But after defeating areas militarily, they integrated them into their economic system but allowed them a certain level of autonomy as long as you kicked back a certain kick-up back to Rome. After WWII, we kind of did the same thing, but moved past the direct pay-off method for the realization that the network effects of an increasing market were more beneficial financially.

We need more of that with-us/against us kind of thing. China was the chimera of collectivist economy that we allowed to participate in the market economy. We should pivot towards the SE Asia and Africa as out sources of partners.

Nice to see someone who is on his own side around here. I WISH America was a hard-core and ruthless as these guys think. The world would be a lot better off.

A buddy that I have that I grew up with but now lives over in Europe noted some thing over there. While our lefties are extremely global in the international in focus, the leftist parties in the European countries are not as global and are far more nationalistic in character. So a commie in Italy is very pro Italian. A commie here is very anti-American. It also leads to interesting discussions of what “fascism“ is. The European model of fascism is far different than our understanding, even though we reference the European fascism models.

Fascism and democracy have to be the two most weaponized words of the past 10 years in politics.

Just like a Supreme Court justice, my buddy has drifted leftward during his time over there.

The US apology tour is over.

It was with Trump. He laid out the facts and reality. Biden isn’t as bad as Barry- because Barry had all this leftist head-trash that made him want to apologize for America and the west for saving the world in the 20th century.

[yoni]

Cite your sources, please.

Some where close to maybe 20 times in the Ukraine and being around some of the leaders.



Why do you keep speaking like you know these dudes personally?

I have said many times I don't know Zelenski nor Putin, but my brother knows both of them really well. So maybe projecting his view.

[yoni]

He claims his brother knows Putin and zelensky.... and the Pope and Elvis.

No he has never met the Pope and Elvis.

[gsd2053]

I don't care if his brother knows Putin, Zelensky, the Pope.

Maybe he does. Maybe he doesn't. It's the internet. Since I don't know him or his brother. I will take what he says at that value.

His posts are entertaining, and he seems to always be respectful. So he seems OK to me.

[1168]

“Having been there close to 20 times and been around some leaders” is an anecdote, not a source. When you say “Ukraine is more corrupt than Russia”, you are talking about something international watchdogs quantify, and have been doing so for some time. And your anecdotal claim is contrary to their data, thus requires evidence.

In your investigation into the difference in levels of corruption in Russia and Ukraine, how many times did you visit the Kremlin? What years did you collect this info?

[Buncheong]

"It's a slaughter"

https://ukrainevolunteer297689472.wo...s-a-slaughter/

[WillBrink]

Another good interview. Does not paint a good picture by the foreign volunteers fighting and that's been consistent in every interview I have viewed so far. Hopefully it improves for them or they will probably start leaving:

[Artos]

Interesting article someone posted on another forum.

Germany and EU have been handed over a declaration of war

https://thesaker.is/germany-and-eu-h...ration-of-war/

[DG23]

Interesting article someone posted on another forum.

Germany and EU have been handed over a declaration of war

https://thesaker.is/germany-and-eu-h...ration-of-war/

Now it’s painfully clear the imperial velvet gloves are off when it comes to the vassals. EU independence: verboten. Cooperation with China: verboten. Independent trade connectivity with Asia: verboten. The only place for the EU is to be economically subjugated to the US: a tawdry remix of 1945-1955. With a perverse neoliberal twist: we will own your industrial capacity, and you will have nothing.

Agree that they are vassal states. We own their asses whether they like it or not.

Going to be funny as hell this winter watching their people freeze and factories close down thanks to their energy costs exploding. They get what they asked for!

[DG23]

“Having been there close to 20 times and been around some leaders” is an anecdote, not a source. When you say “Ukraine is more corrupt than Russia”, you are talking about something international watchdogs quantify, and have been doing so for some time.

Like Amnesty International?

Amnesty International said on Friday that it stands by a report in which it accused Kiev of endangering civilians by placing its military assets in schools and residential areas. The investigation drew the ire of the Ukrainian government and President Vladimir Zelensky.

The report, which was released on Thursday, accused Kiev of “a clear violation of international humanitarian law” as it documented that Ukraine was placing its military close to civilian infrastructure, thus putting civilian lives at risk. In particular, the NGO said it found evidence of current or prior military activity in 22 out of the 29 schools it visited in Ukraine between April and July.