World War III?
Now that Putin has actually gone into Ukraine {God please intervene} what's next? We've been warned that it will hurt the world financially, got it, already happening.
But what else is this about? What's Putin's endgame?Well, I was sure - and said so various times - that Putin would never invade Ukraine. Obviously, completely wrong. Now, I have absolutely no idea what he wants to achieve. I suspect God won't be much help.
Putin is not predictable, that much is clear. I, personally, do not think Ukraine is the endgame, far from it, but as unpredictable as Putin is...so goes the games he plays!
As for God not being any help, certainly not to anyone who seeks to replace him, that never ends well, so that's a plus.
If God is love, religion is nature and people are basically good. This will be cleazed in the wash and will pass through all those destroyer types of fear and hate..
Many are Miserable now and the narrative people's like laughing at me now. Yet too many have to punch down to get a laugh rather than punch at the real bullies. Life is too important to take too seriously. The Kings, one world order and imperialism are finally being exposed for their true colors after century of suffering. I encourage centrolist or communist leaders like Trudeau , Fauci Putin, and Biden. Also Gates, leaders of New Zealand, Australia and their leader Klaus under WEF to keep on talking their big lies and BS who have a great lack of a sense of humor, so, keep them taking.
They managed to separate the world population into Two types, the Vaccinated and the Unvaxxed , destruction at front of economics, poverty, inflation, mass suicide harming relationship and on every level on life. Let China, Russian, NATO , BRICKS America all exhaust themselves for centrolist one world order . I'll be the fool optimist ready with healthy food, freedom and affordable housing to show them how magic and science reality of co-existing. The bigger change rather than Ukraine war is the unvaxxed division that are beginning to win back their lives and the other 40% will follow,. Just another failure of the greedy at attempt at honorable truth and decency. A Ukraine war is another distraction of bank and State wars that solve nothing."The Kings, one world order and imperialism are finally being exposed" amen to that, but at what cost? Is it too late to stop them?
How far will they take it? What did Putin mean by, "any interference with Russian actions will face consequences you have never seen."
That sounds like nuclear talk to me!! I am a woman of faith, I am comfortable in that, but I pray for this lost world.Like lawyer who pretend to have nuclear weapons to destroy the entire. The wealthy are too greedy and vain to kill themselves. It's always the bad guys running the world with fear and money rather the love in kindness. Yet the 99% out number them and a few grass root people out smart them throughout human history.
His Endgame?
I think he wants Ukraine back under the influence of Russia. He has always wanted this and no NATO.
The Ukraine is a satellite state to Russia where we inserted ourselves into their election process and helped facilitate a revolution and then installed a Western sympathizing government.
Ukraine being a satellite state of Russia makes it far more important to Russia for economic and security reasons than it ever could be to American interests.
The Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC) united several ex-Soviet republics, Putin had sought Ukraine’s membership in this Moscow-dominated free-trade bloc which launched in 2000.
Ukraine was supposed to be the most essential part of the EAEC after Russia, but right when Ukraine leaders agreed to join, the overthrow of the elected government began and was eventually replaced by a pro-western temporary new government through violence and murder.
Whatever befalls the Ukraine is directly tied to our (primarily the US) interference and no one should forget that, without the CIA's manipulations, without billions of dollars pouring in to support anti-Russian sentiment, we would not be on the brink of war with Russia... because Ukraine would still be in a happy alliance (if you will) with Russia.
This is basically a Civil War that was largely created by Western interference over the last two decades, even if it were not, our inserting ourselves into what is practically a Civil War is not exactly something we have some right or obligation to do.
We are involving ourselves because Russia is sitting on one of the most important reserves of oil and natural gas in the world.
If this were Rwanda and they were massacring millions of people in a neighboring state, the US wouldn't do more than say "Tsk Tsk" you need to stop that.
Let me tell you what is at stake... and see if you like the idea of escalating conflict with Russia:
$10 a gallon at the pump for gas.
$50 a pound for steak at the store.
$1.50 a kwh for power at home.
And of course on top of outrageous prices that you will not be able to afford to pay, you can also look forward to the potential for Nuclear War.
If we had sane people in Washington DC, we would have said flat out the Ukraine will never become a member of NATO and given any guarantee Putin wanted to ensure it, and we would have never backed a pro-western government in Ukraine.
Joe Biden on Ukraine - Billion Dollars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnIPw_Who7E
Biden and Ukraine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjXAxzddS4o"We are involving ourselves because Russia is sitting on one of the most important reserves of oil and natural gas in the world.
If this were Rwanda and they were massacring millions of people in a neighboring state, the US wouldn't do more than say "Tsk Tsk" you need to stop that."
Bullseye!! or should I say Bearseye......If this were Rwanda and they were massacring millions of people in a neighboring state, the US wouldn't do more than say "Tsk Tsk" you need to stop that....
Well said.
As much as Russia is sitting on natural resources - that is about it. Its economy is not strong and flexible enough to support itself through crisis situations. Good for "Blitzkrieg" but not for long distance. The only issue is: the West will return to normal soon and is also not fit for long distance confrontation.
What a mess. Putin makes a shame of himself, but politics of the West is not innocent either.I am sure you are speaking generally, I don't want any escalation of conflict anywhere, definitely not us going toe to toe with Russia.
I'd rather U.S. troops currently stationed abroad indefinitely, be back home in the states and for our wide open southern border to be secured, once and for all. I'd like to be secure in the knowledge that this current administration is prepared for whatever may be coming our way, rather than fixated on Trump rallies and truckers as the biggest threats on planet earth, oh and can't forget....climate change, according to John Kerry!!! Good grief!
Us, energy independent once more, as we were for a short time, thanks to President Trump, I don't want us dependent on any other Country.
But, we don't have any of that right now, we have nothing going for us and Putin and every other dictator on earth knows how weak we are. I am questioning how far he takes this!My faith has always been with the loving selfish independent individuals who win out throughout human history as everyone has been natural born anarchist.
America today is older, crankier and more ripe for a break-up. It is one nation, divisible. Americans are more split than at any time since the civil war – by geography, history, religion, values and, increasingly, politics
Same for Countries who are breaking up into smaller countries because they are happier.Nope, no America bashing from me today, nor any other day! Not gonna do it!
Progressive Marxists work overtime to divide and conquer America, it's not due to the things you've mentioned, that is what makes up America, we are a giant melting pot.
One thing we aren't is selfish and we definitely have a few war mongers among us, no doubt.
We need to get much better at picking our battles. We are sending artillery and aid and carrying a big stick, that should suffice for now. But, again, we have a weak President in place right now and everybody and his brother knows it.I don't look at American or any human being any better or any worst than myself. Yet you and many Americans would find Trudeau and Biden negative leaders of their country and for many good reasons. A country is only one part of the thousands of parts of my soul. To over focus on one part would unbalanced my well being. Because centralist power like banks and corporationism have overreach on the peoples causing of unbalance in the people's well being in life.
I recommend to look at this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If61baWF4GEThat was a persuasive video. It supports a lot of what I thought, but it also gave me some new stuff to consider, and `adjusted' some of my current perceptions.
Then it turned to its theme: it's all about the gas and oil. The blunt reality of national economic survival. Production was excellent and the narration was emphatic in tone—it definitely was presenting a particular view.
So, once again, "Have I been sold?" I still don't know. *shrug
GAWow. Very intelligently made video, full of information. Great analysis of the geopolitical situation. In my opinion, very plausible.
An excellent piece.
Very detailed, explains everything really, there is no question in my mind now that Putin plans on taking and holding all territory up to the Dnieper River.
This was my thought before I knew about the Natural Gas. That combined with the need for access to water for Crimea, makes me absolutely convinced that is his goal.
Other than the effort to surround the Capitol City Kiev it appears almost all effort is focused east of the Dnieper.
I also did not know about the natural gas in the Black Sea.
As much as it may give a hint on the rational of Russian strategic decision making, of course it does not justify the invasion of Ukraine.
Just yesterday i had a discussion with a waiter in my favourite restaurant about Ukraine. He is a Kurd from the border region (Turkey, Syria, Iraq) and he told me quite frankly: Now Russia has joined the club of aggressors, same as the USA and old colonial powers.
In the discussion it became obvious that he made a difference between interventions in Syria, Lybia.. and the invasion of a country with afunctioning, legal administration.Shame on Russia's adminitrators, plenty shame. Glory and victory to God and Ukraine!
+10000000, I am with the Ukrainian people. They have suffered under the Russian regime for centuries. Pray that the Ukraine stay free. That is all the Ukrainian people want.
Your friend would be right, but again, the video link you provided gives us many answers as to why.
The Ukraine leader was adamant in his position that he would reclaim Crimea, he was seeking the aid of "the West' in this effort. This is something Russia (Putin) will never allow.
Ukraine cut off the primary source of water to Crimea, they were in effect killing it off, this added to the pressure that Russia had to act.
Ukraine had Shell and other international companies coming in to access the natural gas, this would have eventually supplied the EU with all the natural gas it needed, which Russia currently supplies, Russia's economy depends on those revenues.
Russia securing control of access to those resources is securing its own economic existence, ensuring that the EU continues to remain somewhat dependent on Russia... there is security in that.
The reason why I think Russia will stop and secure its positions East of the River:
1- Leaving Room for Ukraine to continue to exist, similar to the North - South Korea situation we have with a Armistice.
2- He does not want to move up to the borders of Poland or Romania, NATO nations, and give the west any reason to believe he will invade.
3- The more land mass you take, the longer the supply lines, the harder it is to maintain control.
4- The River makes a natural border and a deterrent for counter attack.
5- This is all he needs to secure the majority of areas with natural gas deposits.
6- This gives Russia complete control of the Sea of Azov.
7- This gives Russia control of water resources for Crimea.
8- The people in the East (North of the River) predominantly speak Russian, and prior to the last 10 years were very pro-Russian.
Whereas the People in the West (West of the River) were always anti-Russian and where all the pro-western support originated.
This to me makes tactical sense, this to me makes economic sense... that doesn't mean this is what will happen, but the further Russia pushes past the River the more likely it will be met by more than Ukrainian forces.
And that of course is when it all goes to hell, perhaps literally, too many people like to forget Russia is sitting on perhaps the world's largest amount of Nuclear Missiles in the world.I too just watched the video and agree "it makes tactical and economic sense", in Putin's mind, squash the competition and take back what is rightfully mine, again, in his mind, this invasion is justified.
But, every time power hungry, greedy men have conquered, throughout history, there is no end in sight; their lust for power takes over. It really is, as often portrayed in kid's cartoons, the villain takes the town and next IT'S THE WORLD.
Hopefully he is eliminated long before that...by Ukrainians would be ideal or by some operation, that we don't know anything about yet.
Glory to Ukraine.
Money and control are always the great motivators for war. (and religion)
I bet it has to do with controlling energy supplies.
As a good detective would say: follow the money.If Trump was still in power, i don't think Putin and Russia can dare that far. Who told you Americans to vote for Old Joe Biden? The old man is still doing is mocking dance always.
Miebakagh, the last time Putin invaded, Ole Joe Biden was the VP to President Obama, Trump was as much an interruption to Vladimir Putin as he was to those seeking to destroy the U.S. from the inside, he had to wait it out too.
Not sure who voted for Joe Biden, no one I know, at least that don't admit it. But, what's done is done.
People need to understand, as Mike has attempted to point out, the Ukrainians aren't backing down! The citizens have taken up arms, they are in a fight, that they plan to win.
Recommend this link.
Associates press and blogger info with Ukraine war map.
https://liveuamap.com/enNot only, what is Putin's endgame, what is the U.S.A 's red line!
At this point, it would appear we have none. Biden roams around like none of this is even happening working on his Green agenda... He just is pretty much ignoring this crisis, and waiting for it to play out. He plays his usual blame game. His red line is "don't ask me any questions or I will get angry".
I pretty much agree Sharlee, but we can be comforted in the knowledge that the VP is on top of things, with rhymes and giggles. {sigh}
In all seriousness, I pray that there is an adult or two among them, advising and counseling, in such matters of life and death.
Oh Yeah... She sure can laugh it up so to say.
Well, we are smaller than a lion now. More like a coyote.
?
That's been seen before, but possibly, on a much more massive scale.
They won't used nuclear weapons, they are not that stupid to kill themselves. Even cold blooded crocodile, love their young.
I guess that depends on how long he has been planning this, how extensive his target area is and how prepared he is for the retaliation that would inevitably come. He's a hard nut to crack!
It's all a game for the tag team of megalomaniacs that they are all playing us and will fail again, behind the curtains of the WEF. Putin warns at WEF that the pandemic is of a fight of all against-all. The fight against Ukraine has been going on for a century.
I think this is a VERY wrong assumption to make.
I am not going to belabor, or express in more detail, how irate I am with "western" leadership... other than to say the ignorance, arrogance, conceit and contempt of our current "leaders" today is unsufferable.
What has occurred in Ukraine, while tragic, is nothing compared to what MAY happen if this spirals out of control.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is threatening to deploy tactical nuclear weapons.
Putin addressed the issue at a press conference.
“I want to stress it one more time. I’ve been saying it, but I’d very much want you to finally hear me, and to deliver it to your audience in print, TV, and online,” Putin said. “Do you understand it or not, that if Ukraine joins Nato and attempts to bring Crimea back by military means, the European countries will be automatically pulled into a war conflict with Russia?”
“Of course the [military] potential of NATO and Russia are incomparable. We understand it,” Putin said. “But we also understand that Russia is one of the leading nuclear states, and by some modern components, it even outperforms many.”
According to the Federation of American Scientists Russia has just under 4,500 nuclear warheads in its stockpile making it the largest military superpower in the world today.
“There will be no winners, and you will be pulled into this conflict against your will,’ Putin added. “You won’t even have time to blink your eye when you execute Article 5”
https://www.israel365news.com/266134/ru … clear-war/Personally from hiding under a desk at school as a kid, for fear of a nuclear attack. It's not the lifestyle I wanted to live in fear,. So I replaced it to lead my life by loving them to death. To be fearless and confront the dangers of freedom or kneel to a safety slave. Most empowerment was loving what I do for most hours of my life, or one cannot master life. How many times in your life, they told you the world was going to End? Ronald Reagan wrote a book on how to win a nuclear war, would you read that.? Or enjoy watching from the front row seats, the greatest freakshow ever of two kings fighting to exhaustion for stuff.
Or enjoy what you really really want to do? The world will sort itself out.
Ukrainians seem to have a lot of fight in them, they are not backing down nor running away. The video circulating of what happened at Snake Island, where the 13 Ukrainian border guards were killed, after telling Russia what they could go do to themselves, leaves no doubt, their desire is to be independent of Russia. Someone referred to them as westernized. If that means they are all in for the endless fight for freedom, Godspeed Ukraine!
Didn't know that they had survived, when I posted this. We didn't hear the rest of the story until later on.
... the rest of the story, no. The false story, yes.
and what is the purpose of these false narratives?
To amp up enthusiasm for war with Russia.
Resist I say.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP-AAakqEH4Hey, you sick or you took a break from Hubpages? While you pop up lately like an ad, I reason you're adding fuel to the discussion. Welcome back.
Hi, Miebakagh. - healthy as a freaking horse, (knocking on wood, of course.) I enter in when I have an angle I believe in. Usually, my beliefs do add fuel to whatever is raging, which, frankly, I'm always surprised (and dismayed) about. Thanks to a couple here, you, included, I come back.
PS I also love the discussions, which I learn so much from.
I have resisted commenting because this is so personal to me.
Things are bad in the Ukraine right now. Very bad. I have talked to people and relatives. Everyone is really scared. But they are also very determined. Don't believe all the reports you are being told about Russians having an easy time of it. They're not. I don't know why the Ukrainian victories are not broadcast. They are happening.
In the Eastern European mind, war is not won quickly but slowly over time. Russia can take certain parts of Ukraine, but will they be able to hold them for a long time? The Ukrainians know this land and everything that goes with it. Help is arriving slowly, but it is coming.
The feeling in the town where my family comes from has a saying people state when it comes to Russia "I would rather die a free wolf than have life as a Russian pet." I hope the translation isn't too confusing.
When Ukrainian people in the United States are meeting one another now, they are saying "Слава Україні - Glory to the Ukraine" "Слава героям - Glory to the Heroes or Defenders of Ukraine "If the people want to be free they will win.
I do have curiosity about what your opinion is on the "two halves", so to speak, of Ukraine.
I do see the potential for a divided Ukraine, East and West, like we have had in Korea for some 70+ years, like once existed in Germany.
I like to better understand what is going on, but to be clear, I have no skin in the game.
One thing I heard however that I did not like, was that Ukraine has declared martial law and that no men from age 18 to 60 could leave the country. That to me is not a "free society", forcing people to stay in harms way that have no interest in fighting is wrong.
I hope you are spared the loss of those you know and love over there, this is a tragic thing to happen, so avoidable IMO... I leave it at that."I do have curiosity about what your opinion is on the "two halves", so to speak, of Ukraine.
I do see the potential for a divided Ukraine, East and West, like we have had in Korea for some 70+ years, like once existed in Germany."
It is not as clear-cut east vs west as you would like to believe. There is a lot of history concerning the eastern part of the Ukraine. When the separatists made their move in 2014 many loyal Ukrainians were murdered or left the area. They numbered in the tens of thousands. The separatists would not have been able to accomplish anything without the training, support and equipment of the Russians. Imagine if the morons from the riots of 2020 had training, weapons and support from Russia. They would have been able to take Portland and hold it. This is similar.
"no men from age 18 to 60 could leave the country"
That's right. This is an all-out war. Men, women and even children of all ages are taking up arms to defend Ukraine. This has not been a real issue. If Ukraine falls to the Russians, what type of "free society" will these people have then?
Few people know there is a group of vets from the US and Canada that are fighting in the Ukraine right now. Canada has the largest population of Ukrainians outside Ukraine. There are also Ukrainians from other parts of the world coming to join the fight. The war has started. It will last as long as the will to fight is in every Ukrainian.
I will not share any details, but things are bad and affecting my friends and family in the Ukraine very much."I will not share any details, but things are bad and affecting my friends and family in the Ukraine very much."
Political differences, aside, I am sorry to hear this, Mike.Thank you, for the detailed reply.
You have had some great insight into this matter, it is a shame I had not seen it sooner, to quote your own observations from weeks ago:
Yes, they annexed Crimea without a fight. It was easy for them.
Do you know in Ukraine Crimea was always referred to as "The autonomous area" They were part of Ukraine, but not really a state within the Ukraine.
Many people in Ukraine found the annexation of Crimea disturbing, but not really all that upsetting.
--And yet the West never accepted it, continued to threaten Russia over it, continued to sanction Russia because of it. And refused to give any assurance that they would not act further because of it.
It is not that I agree with anything that Russia has done, it is that the West has done nothing but antagonize the situation and make it fester.
To continue quoting you:
I know the Russian mind and what they think about Ukraine. This is more about the Russian ego than it is about a Russian benefit. There is a long history of Russians being enraged when Ukrainians stood up to them. Russia does want to have their leader put back in power in Ukraine.
This is probably why Russia was not so upset when Poland became part of NATO.
The whole thing makes no sense at all.
"NATO sends more ships, jets to eastern Europe as Russia builds up troops near Ukraine"
--Why is it, despite the amassing of troops, despite the meeting with Xi (China) where the two nations assured one another support, the West would not give one inch to de-escalate the situation?
It is one thing to go that extra mile... to concede to the concerns of Putin/Russia to ensure peace, and then if those efforts are betrayed, you deal with it.
But the effort was never made, the West just spat in Putin's face even as he stood up there just a week ago and warned what he would do.
Seeing people eat up the villainization of Putin, clamoring for war against Russia (we are only on the verge of Nuclear Destruction after all) while refusing to hold their own leader's incompetence at fault for any of this is really sad...
I know you get it Mike, this post of yours says it all:
I spoke with a guy who is for a war with Russia. I told him to come down to the VA with me to the residential section. I can introduce him to some fellow soldiers who have lost limbs, eyesight, have partial plastic skulls because part of theirs was blown away. He can look at all the bullet scars and more. THEN talk to me about sending out troops to war. I go down to the VA regularly, and I don't think people see this enough to understand the toll war takes on those who fight them.
--It is never the people who understand the costs of war that push for it. Those who talk arrogantly and insultingly... those people will never put themselves on the front lines. But they are happy to talk tough.
Those who know better, try to find compromise, try to support and push for understanding of the other side's views to reach a détente .
Was it possible to avoid what is occurring today in Ukraine?
We will never know, because the effort was never really made. We have some of the worst collective leadership "the West" has ever seen in living memory IMO... and we should all fear where such incompetence will lead us.
https://hubpages.com/politics/forum/354 … f-they-do?
"I would rather die a free wolf than have life as a Russian pet", isn't the least bit confusing Mike!! Praying for your family, for your Country. Glory to the Ukraine.
Dear Mike, I sympathize with you and your sentiments but in the overall global scenario, Ukraine is not of much importance. I agree with the statement of the president of Byelorussia , Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko that Ukraine brought trouble by its own act by falling into the trap of the Anglo-Saxon powers to encircle Russia. The Anglo-Saxon powers fooled Ukraine and when the chips were down they were nowhere to be seen and no wonder the Ukrainian president has lamented that "we are left alone." You, my friend, are wrong on one count; the Russians are not going to occupy Ukraine but they will ensure that Ukraine remains neutral and doesn't become a member of NATO. That is all and that Ukraine will have to agree.
I sincerely hope that the war finish and the sooner the Ukrainian army lays down arms the better for it to avoid casualties. As a soldier and pilot, I hope you will agree with me that fighting bravely is not a substitute for victory. In the long run, I can see the end of the hegemony of the Anglo-Saxon powers, and, maybe Ukraine may have done a mistake in hitching its wagon to their horse. All the same, God save Ukraine.A Chinese quote is the fiery Dragon can not defeat the snake in the grass. With the US at all the 180 invaded countries from the US war history and Russia hardly says a thing. The only war US won was the Mexican war as war still solves nothing.
That's right emge, it a balance between NATO vs BRICS. where BRICS is playing more fair with 3 times the BRICS population growth and with Ecomic greater growth. Wail NATO has four times the war budget. War is great business for the wealthy meaning we the people are not growing well recently.
Biden best offer for protection is Ukrainian all get vaccinated."I sincerely hope that the war finish and the sooner the Ukrainian army lays down arms the better for it to avoid casualties"
PLEASE do not comment on any more of my posts. I don't like how you think, and I really disagree with your opinions.You don't know how I think. if you don't understand my only rule is to be honest and do not Harm. That means any violence or any War should be abolished. being the point. Only last defenses against your body with equal force.
The pot calling the kettle black is the point between NATO vs. BRICS. After the freedom Convoy thought you knew me better.
Sorry, for your Family over in Ukraine. Can't stand bullies of any kind.
As many Ukrainians are now saying all over the world to one another.
Слава Україні...Slava Eukrianee =Glory to the Ukraine
Слава героям...Slava Erohem = Glory to the heroes...the defenders of the Ukraine.The Ukrainian fighting spirit is alive and strong.
"Ukrainian soldier livestreamed from Snake Island during heroic stand against Russia
The 13 soldiers on the island were wiped out after telling a Russian warship to 'f---' itself"
https://www.foxnews.com/world/ukrainian … roic-standI don't think the world knows how badly Ukrainians dislike the Russian government and military. I listened to it, and she calls him something a bit worse.
"Ukranian woman in viral video purportedly tells Russian soldier he will die: 'Piece of s---'
'You are occupiers, you are enemies' the woman told the soldier"
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ukrain … oldier-dieI am deeply saddened for you and your family. There is no question that Ukrainians are the bravest of people. If anyone can stand up to this Goliath, it is them.
I'm curious as to what makes somebody believe that "Ukraine isn't that important." Everyone’s life matters. I'm really sorry about what's going on in Ukraine. May God bless and protect everyone, and may everything be resolved peacefully.
I wish may the power of love overcomes the love of power.Not surprising..
Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova said Thursday that a platoon of Russian soldiers surrendered to the Ukrainian military, saying they "didn't know that they were brought to Ukraine to kill Ukrainians."
At a press briefing, Markarova said, "Just before I came here, we got information from our chief commander that one of the platoons of the 74th motorized brigade from Kemerovo Oblast surrendered."
Allegedly Putin is also using threats and beatings to forcibly send soldiers to Ukraine
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ru … ar-AAUgrBI
https://thehill.com/policy/internationa … -ukrainianThis is interesting.
It is a strange relationship between Russians and Ukrainians. Many Russians live and work in Ukraine and many Ukrainians live and work in Russia. They have a very long history together. Did you know that borscht is actually a Ukrainian invention?
Most Ukrainians don't have an argument with the Russian people. Their anger has always been focused on the Russian government and its military.
According to the Kyiv Post Russians are suffering significant losses.
Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar:
Russian forces had suffered the following losses:
Tanks – up to 80
Aircraft – 10
Helicopters – 7
Personnel – 2,800
Armored combat vehicles of different types – 516
ALSO - Russia has asked for a delegation of Ukrainian leaders to go to Minsk to discuss options. This is only the second day of fighting, and the Russians want to talk about things. I have faith in Ukrainians to win this battle.Amen Mike, I believe the Ukrainian people were vastly underestimated! Praying that their strong will and resolve crushes Putin's conquering capabilities.
Thanks for your update Readmikenow.
I hope your family is safe.
War is murder on a grand scale organized by politicians. No excuses.
I hope your family won't be so-called "collateral damage". (I hope the person who invented this term is collateral damage him/herself..)
We may have a different point of views, but I wish you and your friends back in the Ukraine all the strength in the coming days.Thank you for your kind words. Horrible things are happening with all Ukrainian families right now.
The determination of the Ukrainian people is again evident.
'Ghost of Kyiv': Lone fighter pilot credited with shooting down six Russian jets"
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news … _pmdeZDZR0Always punching up, not down. Ukrainian are big good hearted people from my experience , it's their land.
For those who ask: “Why does Ukraine matter?”
This is why Ukraine matters:
It is the second-largest country by area in Europe and has a population of over 40 million, more than Poland.
Ukraine ranks:
1st in Europe in proven recoverable reserves of uranium ores;
2nd place in Europe and 10th place in the world in terms of titanium ore reserves;
2nd place in the world in terms of explored reserves of manganese ores (2.3 billion tons, or 12% of the world's reserves);
2nd largest iron ore reserves in the world (30 billion tons);
2nd place in Europe in terms of mercury ore reserves;
3rd place in Europe (13th place in the world) in shale gas reserves (22 trillion cubic meters)
4th in the world by the total value of natural resources;
7th place in the world in coal reserves (33.9 billion tons)
Ukraine is an important agricultural country:
1st in Europe in terms of arable land area;
3rd place in the world by the area of black soil (25% of world's volume);
1st place in the world in exports of sunflower and sunflower oil;
2nd place in the world in barley production and 4th place in barley exports;
3rd largest producer and 4th largest exporter of corn in the world;
4th largest producer of potatoes in the world;
5th largest rye producer in the world;
5th place in the world in bee production (75,000 tons);
8th place in the world in wheat exports;
9th place in the world in the production of chicken eggs;
16th place in the world in cheese exports.
Ukraine can meet the food needs of 600 million people.
Ukraine is an important industrialized country:
1st in Europe in ammonia production;
Europe's 2nd’s and the world’s 4th largest natural gas pipeline system;
3rd largest in Europe and 8th largest in the world in terms of installed capacity of nuclear power plants;
3rd place in Europe and 11th in the world in terms of rail network length (21,700 km);
3rd place in the world (after the U.S. and France) in production of locators and locating equipment;
3rd largest iron exporter in the world
4th largest exporter of turbines for nuclear power plants in the world;
4th world's largest manufacturer of rocket launchers;
4th place in the world in clay exports
4th place in the world in titanium exports
8th place in the world in exports of ores and concentrates;
9th place in the world in exports of defense industry products;
10th largest steel producer in the world (32.4 million tons).
Ukraine matters. That is why its independence is important to the rest of the world.- Vladimir Karasposted 2 years ago
0Political reality has from ever been a subject to interpretation, and it's not any different these days, with this Russian invasion of Ukraine. The mainstream version of the story is portraying Putin as a greedy dude wanting to spread his territory, and I have no solid reason to doubt it.
The question, however is, what ever happened with the story about "NATO planning to built its bases in Ukraine, which makes Putin quite nervous, since that would bring them to his immediate neighborhood?"
Of course, we have to feel sorry for the people of Ukraine, because civilians always pay for idiocies of politicians.
Should we trust Putin's defensive strategy to prevent having NATO as a neighbor? How would I know, especially after being a political cynic and not trusting ANY politicians.
I am simply curious.
NATO was formed as a counterpart to the Soviet's Warsaw Pact, and with Soviet Union falling apart, so did Warsaw Pact -- but NATO stayed.
WHY?
Really, why? Who was the "enemy" at this nuclear age when any of the
biggies" attacking another biggie would mean suicide.
With over 75 military bases scattered globally, the West seems to ensure its global hegemony, its power to coerce, to blackmail, to intimidate. Where are the foreign military bases of Russia, China, India?
NATO is already in Poland, and if it's true that the next position would be in Ukraine, then no one should wonder why Putin doesn't like this strategic game.
BUT, NONE OF THE MENTIONED POINTS MAY BE CORRECT -- and I could be completely wrong here, while only those who are working for Russian, American, or Ukrainian intelligence could correct me -- none of those who are just "having an opinion."
We may "know" nothing about this invasion, once more being in the position to cherry pick among the possible explanations.
Mike, I empathize with you, there was a time when my country had to fight for its independence, and many of my people were brutally killed.Vladimir, thank you.
Many people don't know that a proposal was put forth that made sense.
The Ukraine would agree to never be a member of NATO. If the Russians did invade, Ukraine would automatically be considered a NATO nation. That way Russia didn't have to worry about NATO military resources in Ukraine and Ukraine would be protected if there was a Russian invasion. The Europeans and Americans didn't even present it to Russia. We have seen what happened.An excellent insight.
Many of my posts on here have been attacked by people who think they know the history of what it took to get here, or worse, they have a "My government right or wrong" mindset.
I am no expert on the matter, but I fully believe this was almost EASILY avoidable if "the West" did not goad Russia/Putin, over the course of many years, into this.
Perhaps there were some that thought Putin would never dare, perhaps there were some that always wanted this to happen so that they would have and excuse to topple Russia (ALL such people I consider insane and enemies of humanity, to risk war with the country with the most Nuclear weapons other than our own is beyond arrogant and ignorant).
The disregard with which they took Putin's position, the arrogance of the EU and America to not consider giving such a simple assurance as to not push NATO right onto Moscow's doorstep... unbelievable.
And these same individuals are now goading him into taking it the next step, to Nuclear War... the audacity of the West... Russia is not Iraq, Russia is not Libya, Russia can end our civilization as we know it... and we should have ALWAYS treated Russia with the respect it deserves, because THIS is the alternative.
If we had done that, if those assurances had been provided... then this would be all Putin's fault, then he would be an utter madman... but they never gave him an inch, they just kept poking him in the eye.
- Vladimir Karasposted 2 years ago0
Mike -- Thanks for correcting me, you obviously know more about the whole situation. After all, it's your country and you surely followed the development closely.
- Vladimir Karasposted 2 years ago0
Angie -- There will never be a WW3, other than by a technical error. There is simple logic to support such statement -- if it had ever been due to happen, it would have happened long time ago, while the superpowers didn't have satellites to spy on each others' every move, and to kick out of operation the whole energy infrastructure of each other, and while nukes were not distributed enough to make every major attack a sheer suicide.
No one starts a war without a chance to win.
White house and Kremlin are so damn easy targets, after all.
Politicians may play their psychological war all they want, but generals are the ones to say that final big NO, because they are the ones who KNOW they can't start something that they won't be able to finish.
I wouldn't lose my sleep over such an impossibility.
And if I am mistaken, I won't have a chance to wake up to feel scared. LOL Hi Vlad, not losing sleep, but I am always concerned for war-torn countries and pray that the casualties aren't astronomical. Should I be very concerned about technical errors though!
Hope all is well with you.I appreciate your humanity. Not hearing much of it these days. I'm absolutely sick by seeing the images coming out of Ukraine today. Babies from a neonatal intensive care unit being moved to a basement because of Putin's invasion & bombing. At the same time I can turn to right-wing media with commentators smiling, laughing & extolling the virtues and military strategy of Russia and Putin while simultaneously trashing our own country.
I don't see trashing a policy or political opponent as the same as "trashing our own country." And that is what I would guess you are talking about; the Carlsons and Hannities of Right-wing commentators.
I imagine they are gleeful, (your laughing and smiling), because they have another club to use to beat-up on Pres. Biden, (or any Democrat). I don't share their glee and I do agree with an earlier point of yours—it's a bad time to be promoting their displays of self-righteousness.
But, my criticism is just for their shallowness. I find it hard to criticize the military soundness of Putin's moves and don't think any positive statement about them is extolling Putin's virtues.
Blind nationalism is not a good thing and I think that is the position your closing thought displays.
GAYes, you've hit the nail on the head. Blind nationalism. It's gone too far. It's gotten to the point of destroying individualism in our country. It's destroying people's capacity to reason the world around them and find the logic surrounding political and social events. It persuades them to think in conformity to their established standards. One step further, nationalism is one of the first red flags of fascism. The questioning and trashing of the integrity of democracy that I am seeing on some media outlets Is deeply concerning. This is what nationalism does. It tears down democracies through lies, ignorance and hate. Yeah, it is dangerous.
It looks like you misunderstood my comment—in the context of this discussion, or else you are playing with me.
My "blind nationalism" was to the point that any non-negative statement about Putin, (even when they aren't endorsing the man), is deemed as anti-American, which is what some, (yours), of the responses I am seeing in this thread are saying.
GA
Fascinating thread from 7 years ago on the matter.
https://hubpages.com/politics/forum/307 … ld-war-iiiYep, this is not a new topic, and the responses to it are the same now as then. And the folks commenting on it don't seem to know anything more now than they did seven years ago—myself included.
GAHey, I am just trying to figure out the mind of men...
to clarify, men like Vladimir Putin. Maybe for Putin it really is all about getting the band back together, but times have changed and the band members have moved onto greener pastures.
I have learned a lot from this thread. No regrets in posting it.
I know that we can all agree on one thing, that this end soon, with minimal bloodshed!"that this end soon, with minimal bloodshed!"
Trust me...it's too late for that.The mind of Putin is all any of us can guess about. I am seeing two schools of thought. One is that Putin is a sneaky, clever, (but mad), murdering ex-KGB boogyman sinisterly scheming to recreate the Soviet Union and dominate the world.
And the other extreme is that he is just a proud, (but perhaps paranoid), national leader trying to ensure the security of his mother country against the historical aggressions against his nation by The West, (aka the U.S.A.), through NATO expansion.
My Google University audit tells me that both are partly right, but I think the second one is more right and more realistic. So, I picked my own position to speculate from.
I think Putin is a sneaky, clever, scheming, and murdering ex-KGB power-controlling leader, (after all he is a politician). I do think he wants to restore his nation's standing on the world stage as an important and equal member of the community. But I do not think he wants to restore the original USSR. My thinking tells me that Putin is not a madman that would trigger a world war by invading a NATO nation, but he is proud enough to risk this Ukraine invasion to "Enough!' relative to NATO expansion.
From the second school of thought, I agree with almost all of it. I also think this crisis is the fault of The West, (aka The U.S.A.), but I don't lay the seed for this crisis just at the feet of the last two or three administrations. I think that from Bush Jr. forward, all our administrations have missed opportunities, (or at least didn't create opportunities), and most have even deepened the mistrust and seriousness of the issue.
The clincher for me is a common, and I think correct, label applied to Putin's driving force: `he thinks like a 19th-century man'. That seems pretty explanatory to me, and I agree with it. I think the 20th-century mindset that we see in The West, (aka The U.S.A.), is like a match between a man with a gun and a man that is threatening to take away his allowance and internet access. I would bet on the gun.
Time to cut it off. I think the Biden-bashing is as bad, (and wrong), as the Putin-boogyman portrayals.
GAAs this is a serious and somber thread, I will refrain from addition comment, other than to note you have a way of it.
I know what you mean, but somber and serious doesn't always have to be that to carry the same message. And in that vein; my cute analogy was meant to be accurate, so it was deadly serious, if not somber.
GAJust so avoidable.
'The West' is supposed to be the more reasonable, to recognize the value of compromise, is it not?
Consider where we were one week ago... Russia's armies surrounding the Ukraine, Xi & Putin meeting together and agreeing on mutual support... and still, there couldn't even be a concession regarding NATO put forth?
I wonder if this is a result of how truly out-of-touch, in a bubble, our leadership is. Are they susceptible to their own propaganda?
Did they think by scolding Russia, belittling Putin, and threatening sanctions (after years of sanctions and telling Putin they would never accept Crimea's secession) that he would be cowed into submission?
** We accept Crimea's secession, we agree to Ukraine never joining NATO.
** In return you end support for the separatists, and pull back your armies.
No?
War is better?Chris57's video has caused me some concern. Although I thought I was on the right track—relative to the "whys,"—and thought I knew that I didn't know a lot, but what I did know seemed logical and right. Now I am not so sure. It looks like I didn't know what I thought I didn't know.
If the gas and oil claims of the video are right it opens up a new possibility, relative to the "whys." The "whys" might have very little to do with NATO and everything to do with national economic survival.
If the video is right, and Ukraine did prosper from those offshore resources, Russia would be at risk of becoming an almost-3rd-rate nation on the national stage.
I gotta rethink this issue. The video made so much sense to me that I gotta check some stuff out before accepting it. But `damn, it does seem to be a legitimate explanation.
And here's a possibility for a hot tangent . . . what if our government knew this and are reacting in a planned way? Hmm. . .
*Wait, I didn't mean that to infer any sinister conspiracy stuff. More like they couldn't say what they really knew for our own security reasons. Maybe the truth is that Ukraine is lost and there is nothing the West can do to stop it.
If Putin really is fighting for Russia's future economic survival and national standing, then it's a fight to the death for him. Sanctions won't mean beans. They will hurt, but not as much as his losing this battle.
GAI agree, I wrote a follow up post that came to the same conclusions.
I am proficient in military tactics, my reasoning is sound, add the fact that Russia has its back up against the wall economically if it allows the Eastern half of Ukraine to "be free"...
If Russian leadership is considering long term interests of what is best for Russia, and it's own independence, to not become a "banana republic" beholden to the West with no control of its future...
This is a war it will never give up, not until everything East of the Dnieper River is under their complete control. Permanently.
The problem Russian leadership may have, is it is a hard sell to their own people... few would understand the long term economic ramifications of this not being successful.
Once Putin made this move, it is all or nothing, Russia will be economically crushed if they fail, which leads me back to what I was saying a week back... 'the West' leadership is insane or incompetent to push Russia, a country with the world's largest stockpile of Nuclear Missiles, into such a desperate situation.Since I started thinking about this issue my position has shifted so much that I don't fully trust what I think I think.
I like logic and reason as validators, and my embrace of the original NATO position was due to the logic and reason, and historical example, in what I found. (or what was presented).
Now, after Chris57's latest link, (and some follow-up looking around to check his stuff out), I am tossing all that logic and reason out. I am doing a `Russia Reset'
The entire issue is about Russia's economic survival. This is not a `cry uncle' fight, it's a national life or death fight.
The NATO angle is a pretext purposely promoted by Russia as a ruse. It would seem obvious, to me, that this plan is probably a decade or more old, (or at least since the discovery of the potential of Ukraine's offshore resource potential became known). The only possible negative, for Putin, was if The West agreed to his original "no NATO" demands. Then he would have to invent another pretext for his actions because I believe this Ukraine crisis was going to occur regardless of the West's reactions.
Russia will take control of the western portion and keep it by alignment with Mother Russia. He will wreck eastern Ukraine and then leave it to The West to rebuild—at massive costs. But not to Russia.
And to toss in another crazy angle, climate change looks to have played a large part in both Putin's sense of urgency and the power of his gas export resources. In an effort to be more `green' Europe has increased its dependency on Russian energy by getting rid of its previous nuclear and coal options. . A nation 60% dependent on something is surely going to have different priorities than one that is only 10% dependent.
Yep, I have been so wrong, so far, that I don't mind planting my flag on this latest theory. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it. ;-)
GASwap West and East there, and I agree... and the border will be right at the Dnieper River. Just like the Imjin River in Korea.
If they push past it, it is not with intent to hold it, it is to ensure they have enough time to solidify their positions East of the river without having missiles & mortars within range, to harden control, before pulling back.
The Western half of Ukraine will be the warzone for as long as necessary until an Armistice is agreed upon.
The alternatives at the moment do not seem numerous or good... either a failed effort and a failed state (Russia), which is of concern because of the Nukes... or the West begins to intercede and Putin keeps his promise and responds with Nuclear Missiles.As I noted elsewhere, while the focus is on Ukraine, I believe China readies its own moves... they make their positions and views clear, I'm not sure anyone in the West is taking it seriously.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8LSHMp2xyA
Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) also stated that Putin's end game is to control the Black sea and to further increase oil production in his country. This is not surprising and seems highly probable as indicated by Chris57's link. (I watched half of it )
Furthermore, my understanding is that Russia produces the dirtiest oil of any nation. So much for protecting the planet.
U.S. oil production is safe and much cleaner. Were Biden to stop being held hostage by climate activists we could solve this Russian problem. But, that will not happen... not part of his end game, sadly.Too bad we're refining the world's dirtiest oil from Canada. refining heavy oils, such as the Canadian oil sands, has been shown to generate significant amounts of fine particulate matter and other air pollutants. These pollutants have been linked to asthma, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer. The oil industry is a lot more complex than most of us understand.
Not all oil is created equal: Some kinds produce 80 percent more global warming pollution than others. the leading offenders are Canada, China, Nigeria, Venezuela and California.I disagree your last statement that includes Nigeria being among the 80% offenders when she produce Brent Light. That statement needs a balancing frame work.
Faye sounds like you have done your research on Canadian oil. Makes me wonder with this administration pushing its new green deal, why are we purchasing 50% of our oil from Canada.
"The vast majority is from Canada, 136,090,000, making up over 50 percent of all imports. From Russia, 17,855,000 barrels were imported, with November's imports being the lowest value of the year, but still 7 percent of all imports"
It would seem this is all very hypocritical of the Biden Adminstration. One planet, one atmosphere...
Yet we have some pushing for climate control. All seems very silly in the light of common sense. And under Biden, we have returned to getting more oil from other countries. So, do you feel this is a benefit to the planet?
Under last administration --- How much oil was imported to the US in 2020?
In 2020, the United States imported about 7.86 million barrels per day (MMb/d) of petroleum from about 80 countries. Petroleum includes crude oil, hydrocarbon gas liquids, refined petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel fuel, and biofuels (including ethanol and biodiesel).Sep 20, 2021"
2021 --- "How much oil did the United States import in 2021?
In the month of November 2021, which is the last data set available, the US imported 254,162,000 barrels of oil. It consumes a stunning 17.2 million barrels per day, much more than the just over 3 million of Russia'.The urgency about climate change has reached the boardrooms of Exxon Mobil, BP, Shell and other international oil companies. Under intense pressure, these companies are universally pledging to prepare for a low-carbon or "lower-carbon" future.
This won't be an overnight revolution but the signs are there that oil companies are pivoting to renewables. This is the only real path to true energy independence.
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/0 … ean-energy
I am not extolling Bill Gates but this is also an interesting read
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/06/bill-ga … years.html
https://financialpost.com/financial-tim … ean-energy
The oil issue is huge changing and complex. In no way do I have any grasp on it. Anytime I think I do, I discover a different facet of it.Faye, you did not understand the essence of my comment. I was pointing out the fact that just because we have curbed our production of oil and natural gas. We have been using more and purchasing more from other countries. Countries that are well known to use the dirtiest methods to produce it.
Bidens is buying energy from Countries that produce real problems for our environment. Like I said one planet Faye, one atmosphere. Just because he tossed some a bone and stopped producing energy does not negate the fact we are using more and buying it from other countries that do not have the technologies we have to produce clean oil and natural gas. You have been sold some pretty snake oil.
Hopefully, this clarifies my first comment. Joe just sold some on a shell game. He is hurting the climate more than helping it by purchasing oil and natural gas off the show, and the bigger joke is we are paying so much more for it.
Under Trump, our emotions were actually going down, not anymore..
. Greenhouse gas emissions jumped in 2021, despite Biden’s climate pledges https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/10/2287 … ge-pledgesGotcha, my bad on the misinterpreted context. The following article helped me to better understand the underpinnings of the oil industry And why these decisions are made. It gets at the reality that we need to be both an importer and exporter of oil And why we just cannot keep all American oil here. Also that we need different types of oil to make different types of products. It details the different locations, qualities and quantities of U.S. crude oil to explain why the U.S. has continued to import and export crude oil even as it has become abundant domestically. At any rate, it helped me to understand the Canadian oil situation in our relationship with it and the fact that all oil isn't interchangeable.
But ultimately It just leads me back to the fact that we need to move away from fossil fuel. I also just wanted point out categorically the fact that there is a LIMIT to the fossil fuels on earth that we are gobbling up. I think many are oblivious of the fact that there will be a time, measured in decades, when these fuels will run out. Because of global population rise, there is a growing demand for energy. This growth is endangering our future. What will we do when fossil fuels run out? What energy sources can we rely on after this happen?
https://www.api.org/news-policy-and-iss … export-oil"But ultimately It just leads me back to the fact that we need to move away from fossil fuel. "
Can't argue that sentiment. Just pointing out we have a man in the White House that ran on just that sentiment. And has us in a much worse situation, as does he have our planet. He is the worst kind of politician --- tell them anything, and don't mean a word of it. The proof is in his lack of conviction. The stats, and purchase info speak volumes. And we are as I said buying energy from counties that have dirty procedures to produce what they are sending us.Ok here's the question. Canada's oil is the tar sand variety which is obviously toxic to extract , we agree. I understand we are one of the top producers of crude oil. But are we or have we extracted tar sand oil here? I do believe it exists in Utah and maybe a few other states.
I'm trying to get to the reasoning of importing Canadian tar sand oil. Although I do understand that our refineries here are configured almost solely to refine the sand heavy oil.While oil prices are surging, Canadian crude is getting cheaper...
https://financialpost.com/commodities/e … ng-cheaperSo it's cheaper than what we could produce here? For the same type of oil? Even with the transit costs? I've yet to find an explanation of this that makes sense for me.
"Still, American refineries are importing, and refining, record amounts of Canadian oil right now, but at massively discounted prices compared to average global oil prices, which helps lead to huge profits for American refiners." Hmm, This was from 2018.
https://www.desmog.com/2018/10/25/canad … al-losses/I had got the idea you had hoped to cut importing dirty produced energy to improve the climate. No doubt Canadian oil is cheap, always has been. Trump had us almost energy independent by mid-2020. And was exporting out oil, and buying far less from other countries.
I never said all oil is created equal. I said American production of oil is cleaner and safer and Russia's is not. If we opened up pipelines here, we could produce much more clean oil than we are now. And frankly, we can become energy independent again. Energy independence means we produced more energy than we used. It does not mean we stopped importing and exporting energy.
It is absurd to rely heavily on oil from other countries, especially Russia. To do so flies in the face of what it means to be responsible stewards of our economy and our planet.
That being said, I am not a climate change alarmist. Most of the climate change initiatives put forth by this administration will ultimately hurt the poor and the middle class while making our planet dirtier. Furthermore, our nation will lose its wealth and become more dependent on China for batteries and everything else we will need to create hybrid cars. As we all know, China is one big dirty factory.
I have a different perspective on your last point. I do not think U.S. oil production matters as an effector in the basic scheme. This is about future production.
GAIt appears Ukrainians have taken back Kharkiv, pushed the Russians out of the capitol Kyiv, and maintain control of the two cities I suspect were key to the success or failure of this invasion.
Glorious and victorious Ukraines! Shame on Putin! Shame on Russia! And God be praised!
If it was exactly 7 years ago...let me think...I railroad and start commenting 3 years ago having been on hubpages 8 years. I don't see the opinion that I fit into that hole. Is it within the first 5 years, or thereafter? I don't like to miss certain forum threads and posts.
If the West likewise match into Ukrain, Tension can be loose. Let it be. Who knows if Russia backs down on world pressure?
Someday the courage and self-sacrifice of the Ukrainian people in this battle for their land will be revealed.
This is from a Ukrainian unit about to face overwhelming odds. The commander made one last video of his and his men before the battle. This is what he said.
“Me, a lieutenant in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, company commander. Here are my warriors. We are not afraid; we are not panicking. We do not lay down our arms and we will not succumb to any tyrants. We will not allow any murderers to impose their will on us. We will not give you a millimeter of our own land.
"Maybe this is our last recording. I don't know if I was a good or bad person, or what God will say. But I know that I am a good citizen and a good soldier. I am the protector of my homeland. The guarantor of her peace. Her shield and sword in time of war.
"You who come here whoever you are, whatever you are, who invade our house--get out of our land. We'll fight you until the last bullet. And when they're over, we'll fight you with our bare fists. We will fight you on land, in water, underground, and in the air. Neither of you will get out of here alive. You will all die. And our land will be free.
"Glory to Ukraine. Glory heroes.”The Lft is a brave soldier...a son of the gun.
My prayers are with the Ukrainian people. "Glory to Ukraine. Glory heroes.”
It would seem America can justify watching innocent people in harm's way.
As I watch this happen, I can only feel America has lost a piece of its soul.France to deliver more military equipment to Ukraine: presidency
France will send more military equipment, as well as fuel, to Ukraine to help fight off the Russian invasion and slap more economic sanctions on Moscow, the presidency said in a statement.
The new sanctions would encompass “national measures to freeze the financial assets of Russian figures”, as well as “new measures” to be taken “with European partners concerning the SWIFT” interbank system, the Elysee statement said.
Putin is also working on taking back Belarus and Kazakhstan . I don't support any centralism. This is the only time, I support locals with guns for fire to fight fire.for their families.
Rather than risk getting my family jewels ensnarled straddling a chain link fence, I have a position.
Circumstances being as they are now, the West has no choice but to submit Russian and Putin to every sanction, but even now we are talking about exemptions, already. I am confident that Putin is as shrewd as he is ruthless and has anticipated every possible sanction from the West and considered them all as acceptable risks. To be successful, every Western nation and NATO member needs to ante up.
But I cannot ignore US and Western complicity in this crisis. It is not appeasement to consider Putin's security concerns when if the situation were reversed we would ask for the same. We did it 1962. I don't like the idea that what is good for the goose is not for the gander. America always think that it wears the "White Hat". There is that nationalism again. If I were the adversary, I would not be quick to embrace that idea. We can invade to make the world safe for democracy, which is usually for our own self promoting political and economic interests. But, we say other nations cannot do the same? World peace hinges on restraint and those that wants to lead, need to lead by example. Reasonable people can expect nothing less, because "might makes right" simply cannot work indefinitely.
If we come through this crisis, both sides need to sit down and see what will satisfy Putin short of sacrificing the independence of the former satellite nations that he considers in Russia's orbit. The "my way or the highway" attitude from the US or Russia won't do.
Every US President in office since 1991 share a part of the blame as to why we are where we are today. So, attacking Biden is myopic.I agree with everything but the very last sentence.
Biden is the one there now... he is the one that had to deal with Russia moving its Troops to surround Ukraine.
He is the one who watched (as the world did) Xi and Putin meet and come to a mutual agreement of support for one another's actions against 'rogue states'.
At that point... you are an idiot to keep pushing Putin and conceding nothing.
Hence, once more, Biden puts himself in the idiot category.
Biden's past interests in Ukraine don't help matters any, he's dirty.
I read an interview of the Russian Ambassador to Finland and he mentioned that we have taken stock of all sanctions and taken measures and frankly we don't care a S*** about them.
Further, why blame Biden so much. He has his limitations and he's doing the best in the circumstances but there's nothing that he can do because very soon he's going to have China on his hands-on Taiwan.
To the main theme of this discussion, I don't think there's going to be World War III. As far as Putin is concerned, he has already achieved his objectives
emge, I'm completely with you in that. WW 1 and 2 has taught mankind and the present generations the evils of war. Where and how can we learn the merits of war? Does it exists? Some 40 years ago, the world lead by Morocco goes to war against Hussein Sadam. People think it would lead to WW 3. The heavens and the Earth these days will not sanction such a war again.
I disagree. We can’t predict what will happen in the future. Even if the current problems don’t lead to a world war, there may be one in the future. Humanity has some wonderful characteristics and some terrible ones. Unless there’s a significant change in our nature and in our societies in the future, the threat of a major war will remain.
Linda, I may agree or may not agree with you in such a circumstance. Prior to WW 1 and 2, is there any war fought on such a grand scale? The 2nd WW is just a re-do of the 1st WW. Both were started by Germany. But no matter how human nature is...war that can be tag #WW 3 should not arise. The reason is that Christians, Moslems, Athenism, and others have good understand of such an event, and had been praying against such. WW 3 is in the hands of God. Nevertheless, pocket(s) of war like that going on in Ukraine is predicable and unfortunate. God save America! God save Ukraine! Yes, God save America. She does not seems to justify her production of Bibles, to the world? Does America pray earnestly to God these days? She is the prophet to the world.
All major wars can be sourced to Banks and state in the last century. Religion has been a tool much like how they are using big Pharma drug cartels for separation the world population in half and against each other by vaxxers vs. unvaxxers. We are not out of this third world war yet. I belong to only the optimist club, We the people, (not we the Government) The human struggle has been making some healthy progress from centuries of surpression.
Miebakagh, I certainly respect your right to hold your own religious views. I have a different opinion of what God is from you, however. I think it’s very risky to assume that God won’t allow a third world war to occur. Humans must take action to prevent the event from occurring (and to prevent a nuclear war).
Putin is not a ‘rational’ leader, so you can’t rule anything out. For example, earlier today, because of aggressive sanctions by the Western Powers against Russia; Putin has now put Russia’s nuclear deterrent forces on high alert!!!
Russian nuclear deterrence forces put on high alert: https://youtu.be/Kp4CV18JCFoGod please intervene. In Jesus' name, Amen.
So, who and where are the guys that said that Putin would eventually stand down?He had raised the ante with the nuclear option over threats from the west that have been just economic sanctions. Putin knows that NATO will not go to war over the Ukraine. What is his real purpose, is it to frighten the world? Who can say with confidence that there will ever be a line that he won't cross?
I think every person follows a line of reason, especially those in power do, call it strategy.
However i am totally lost with Putin. When he made his speech last week and i listened "боевая машина движется" - the war machine is moving - i thought he ment the NATO advancements towards Ukraine. But apparantly he was talking about Russian troops closing in on the border to Ukraine.
From the video link i posted earlier it can be assessed that Russia felt itself cornered by military and economic action of the west.
A dog who is cornered and afraid is likely to eventually attack the person it is afraid of. This dog will not hold on to a small piece of meat only (Ukraine) but grab for the hand, arm, the person... I very much hope this time my line of thought is wrong - concerning the nukes.I saw in Putin, much like Trump, an expansive ego that may well go beyond political realities. Hitler and his lebensraum, Mussolini and the old Roman Empire and now, Putin with a revived USSR. Such people will go beyond the pale in achieving a dream or vision. I had a fear that such an attitude would lead to erratic and unpredictable behavior from Putin. As it appears that the entire globe has nothing but derision for Putin's invasion. The "dog" is a good analogy, we may all do well to negotiate terms where we can ameliorate his impression of "being cornered".
100% agree. Putin's history shows he does not say something he won't back up. We are in such trouble.
What the hell, Cred? You grabbed the gold ring on this one.
In the context of discussing Putin's objectives you found an angle to introduce; Trump, Hitler, and Mussolini in just one and one-half sentences.
Well done.
*Now you know that was just a friendly jab, right? After all, I could have made it an uppercut with the mention of "lebensraum" and "ameliorate." :-O
GAOf course it is a friendly jab. Keeping each other honest is part of what we do here.
There is a similarity in the ambitious objectives of these men. I did fail to specifically mention Trump and his "Big Lie" fantasy as part of the mix.Yeah, did go for the gold, but you didn't get greedy about it.
GA
Some time ago i watched a (kind of rare) interview with Putin. A German journalist was sitting next to Putin in his car and they had a discussion in German (Putin speaks German). In this "private" environment he spoke mainly about his fascination of fear. Fear being the fuel to drive him to the top and being the essence to keep others at distance.
Now, i am no brain doctor, but i think what someone thinks and expresses of what others will do or will not do directly reflects on his/her own mindset. Putin is driven by fear and this seems to get out of control. Hope i am wrong. Until recently i thought i was wrong. I am not so sure anymore.The concern I have with Putin is will he make good on his threats to use Nuclear Weapons.
When I watch videos like these:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG4pIrxSwlQ
I have my doubts as to the determination of the Russian forces.
I also hear about lack of supply lines, tanks running out of fuel, not knowing where they are going, being turned back by crowds that refuse to let them into their towns (and the tanks unwillingness to commit violence to get thru).
My gut feeling is this is going to be a major failure for Russia, this is day five now and the offensive has stalled and been turned away from key cities and sites.Chris, I have been taught that Russia has always had an inferiority complex relative to Western Europe. The idea of the resentment that I have heard which been the case over centuries on this matter, may have a remotely contributing factor. Does this idea play anywhere from your experience?
Sometimes, fear and the anticipation of what could happen may be as effective as actual activity. In that sense, Putin reveals a shrewdness not shared by well known 20th century tyrants. Putin be may driven by fear but he uses it to take the world to the brink over what is still a regional matter.Fear-mongering is certainly effective in the United States, with at least half of the population and probably much more. Conquering through fear seems to be the end game of anarchists and "Social Democrats" who hate America.
Do you support fear and anticipation as an end game to destroy the United States?Savvy,
I don't trust Rightwingers and hard core conservatives, from my view they remain the real threat to the existence of our Republic, and will be ultimately responsible for presiding over its unraveling.
With the Right, the brutal reality of its actions demonstrate that they are far beyond just inducing fear in their adversaries.
But again, that is just my humble opinion......Credence, my love. Nice try. I'll take that as a yes.
Too bad, Savvy, you sound like a nice lady. What would it take to entice you away from the Dark Side of the Force over to the Good side?
You got anarchist all wrong. They are the most peaceful and non warlike group of people I ever met next to the Amish.
They will use guns to protect themselves and family only as very last resort.
It is why anarchist are not for centralist State and banks who are responsible for all major wars this century.
Leave anarchist out of this hell on earth occupational crime on humanity.Wrong again. I worked with a self-proclaimed anarchist. He was the most deceptive SOB I ever had the displeasure of knowing.
Get over your romanticism of the word. You're not an anarchist. If you were, you would not be consumed by vax vs anti-vax. Sorry, but you agree with conservatives on this one.i guess you didn't know the largest gathering of anarchist in the world are in Montreal. I built sand and snow festival in Ottawa and Montreal for 10 years and know a lot of them.. The Convoy freedom in Ottawa really represent the peaceful, love festive nature of Anarchist. The oddball guy that claim he is an anarchist may or may not be. Or Unless how much you paint all anarchist with the same big brush or trust information from the big fake news that control the mass minds..
Labels don't really stick on me anyway, The anarchist part is only one part of thousands parts of my soul. Having most success working with anarchist living with them than any other group in the world. And that's in three different off grid off eco villages, including now in Nova Scotia we have no need for banks or state, vaccines lethal injection or dictatorship. If you love your government, vaccines, banks and the whole synthetic world, we are not against that just not for it for ourselves, live and let live. In my lifestyle, left and right wings are often too extreme point of view. We prefer our answers in the middle or simple or small, just right like the 3 bears story or everything in moderation.
What war was ever in the name of anarchist?
Every time I hear about Countries and their Governments plus financial banks always leading the way against our wishes. It's an ugly freak show of the worst hell on earth, same for the those masks of shame and guinea pig vaccines.
Castle, I'm not an anarchist. But if I'm push to the wall, I'll personally defend myself. Such individual and corporate bodies still exists a plenty. Have you ever bench press a case in the courts of law? D' you think only anarchist do that? Is my point clear? Thank you?
Trudeau and Putin are not following their own country laws nor international laws. We the people of the world will handle them.
What is not known, is many in Ottawa area of were anarchist handled the freedom convoy with most peacefully way possible and got their way changing the vaccines mandates.'...we the people of the world' I'll take it you mean the United Nations. Not really interested in the vaccine talk now, 'cause we should come to a cross-road.
UN is still centralist, not the true consciousness of the People. It's possible UN could be in the future run by the people not by corporatism.
Yes, certain people seem to understand the effectiveness of fear-mongering. "Real power is – I don’t even want to use the word – fear.”
This sentence could have been written by Machiavelli. It was spoken by Mr. Trump in March 2016 when he was still only a candidate for the US presidency, and these words now appear as the epigraph to Bob Woodward’s book Fear: Trump in the White House.
No, I don't support fear as an end game to destroy our country.
I didn't support this statement either “And we fight. We fight like hell And if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.”
Yes, authoritarian leaders thrive on fear."And we fight. We fight like hell And if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.”
Sounds like Zelensky's speech or any other leader who loves their country.
I rather love the quote. Not surprised you do not.There is a rather large difference between rallying your citizens when an aggressive dictator Is launching an unprovoked attack on your country and one who is trying to sell the false narrative of a "rigged" election.
What in your mind Faye, places Donald Trump in the Dictator category? In the same category of Putin, Hitler, Mussolini, Pol Pot, Castro, Xi Jinping......?
Why is he so hated?
I am just curious, because I've never seen anything quite like it. As much as I dislike Obama and now Biden, as Presidents, I don't hate either one of them, I just pray for us to survive them!
Trump never attempted to keep American citizens under his thumb, under Government control, he didn't tear down America, stating that she needed to be "transformed" or make EVERYTHING about race, as Obama did, or live as Biden does, as if we have nothing to lose, so, again, I am just curious....
Because Putin is on the warpath, we are not a good place right now!! Even so, even still...you {and others} continue right along on the Hate Trump train (by the way, you don't think it is a little suspicious that mystery ballots, putting Biden over the top, were found in the dead of night? Just sayin')
But, I suppose you all are perfectly okay with Biden at the helm, for whatever may be coming our way....anyone but Trump right? You all feel very comfortable in that fact, correct?According to YouGov (a respected Opinion Poll in the UK) at the end of 2021:-
• Donald Trump was Liked by just 18% of Brits and Disliked by 71%
• Barack Obama was liked by 67% of Brits and disliked by just 16%
• Bill Clinton was liked by 23% of Brits and Disliked by 34%
• Vladimir Putin was liked by just 13% of Brits and Disliked by 66%.
https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/ex … nald_Trump
https://yougov.co.uk/ratings/politics/p … icians/all
In summary, in Britain Trump wasn’t liked much more than Putin, and disliked significantly more than Putin; although I’m sure that under the current circumstances Putin’s rating in the UK will have fallen significantly more in the last week.
And interestingly, Barack Obama is the most Popular Foreign Politician, in the eyes of Brits.
Nevertheless, Trump was never popular in Britain. In fact his unpopularity was so great in Britain that in 2017 there were 1,863,708 anti-Trump signatures on a petition to the UK Parliament requesting that he not be allowed to make a State visit to the UK; which is why the UK Conservative Government postponed his visit, and downgraded the visit status. It’s also why the Speaker of the House of Commons banned Trump from speaking in the UK Parliament at Westminster, London: https://youtu.be/ywOGF0NHJXc
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 … n-petitionHmmm.....a strong, determined, resolved, and practical, true leader in the West, not liked by the Brits?
Well abwilliams, that’s the Brits for you.
Actually, Trump started to rile the Brits during his 2016 Presidential Campaign when he falsely claimed that parts of London were a ‘No Go’ Zone, where even the police would not go, because it was controlled by Muslim – A complete lie.
Then when he made his wide spread ban of Muslims into the USA, that was the last straw; it caused many widespread protests across Britain.
Brits don’t like Trump because he’s a Racist.
Here’s an anti-Trump demonstration in London in 2018:- https://youtu.be/JC2SyzWbw8k"Then when he made his wide spread ban of Muslims into the USA, that was the last straw; it caused many widespread protests across Britain."
This is a BLATENT lie. He did NOT put a wide-spread ban on Muslims. He created a list of seven countries with little or no travel vetting for terrorists. Two of the countries on the list were not Muslim majority countries. That would be North Korea and Venezuela. It was upheld by the US Supreme Court.
Are all Brits that gullible?When you say "ban of Muslims into the USA", are you recalling falsely when the seven countries were restricted from entry into the U.S.A. because the travelers could prove no ties to anyone in the States, could not be properly vetted and we couldn't be sure of their intentions? The decision that our Supreme Court upheld?
You are just repeating and sharing links of the many lies told, which were spun and repeated, spun and repeated by the {should be in jail} Hillary Clinton and her loving media minions, who NEVER expected the people to elect an outsider rather than ACCEPT the establishment's choice.
Also, I have always heard that there are many Muslim areas exempt to a Police presence, long before I heard it from Trump. So you are saying, that is not true, such areas do not exist?
Trump is not a racist, far from it. In fact, more Blacks and Hispanics support him, even now, more than any other Republican before.
You are just flipping through the wrong pages, the leftist pages.No matter how short is the memory of his followers...
We know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viDffWUjcBA
And then,
"There's no reason to apologize," Trump said during a joint news conference alongside the President of Nigeria when asked if he would apologize for his call during the 2016 presidential campaign for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. There's nothing to apologize for. We have to have strong immigration laws to protect our country."
And
https://youtu.be/2nJSElZv78M?t=175
And a lot more.And yet there was no ban on just Muslims. Again, the ban was on 7 countries and two of them were NOT Muslim majority countries. It was not based on them being Muslims. What President Donald Trump did was upheld by the SCOTUS. These are the facts minus the emotion and rhetoric.
Sure. You're right. SCOTUS upheld his 3rd version of the travel ban. And Trump wasnt happy.
"The Justice Dept. should have stayed with the original Travel Ban, not the watered down, politically correct version they submitted to S.C.” -DT
Like I said, We know.The bans were done by country not by religion = FACT
Abwilliams, yes I am saying such areas in the UK do NOT exist; regardless to where it originated from it was all lies perpetuated by FOX News and Trump. And that wasn’t the only lie by Fox News and Trump, both Fox News and Trump also falsely claimed that Birmingham, England is a ‘no go’ zone because it’s populated by all Muslims, and they made similar ‘fake claims’ about France.
• Birmingham reacts to US TV 'no-go' slur: https://youtu.be/am2XFnENUFk
Also:-
• UK Government’s anger towards Trump for promoting racist hate in the UK: https://youtu.be/wyjEDCaaPCc
I may have used emotive language, which you call lies because I may have overstated the point, but the fact remains that a ban was imposed, and culturally Brits do find Trump offensive and a racist – Call it cultural difference if you like, but in the eyes of Brits Trump is a racist. As this video will emphasise that point: - https://youtu.be/ywOGF0NHJXc
I hate to read anyone say Trump is a dictator. For 'he's a jolly good fellow'. Don't like it? Then why put him among the worst of dictators as Adolf Hitler? Where's Hitler who's still in hidding dead or alife? Trump was on course making 'America First'. Now, how is America? Toothless and can't bite! Leaderless and don't have direction. God save America! Amen.
Yes,
. I miss him, especially right about now, Miebakagh!
Mr. Trump, at the very least leaned toward autocracy.
I'll keep my response short.
In my view, Mr. Trump’s refusal to admit the truth of widely accepted facts corroded our political discourse and is consistent with the practice of many authoritarian leaders. The assertion of the power to define reality is destructive of democratic governance, in part because many people believe him and are not amenable to contrary evidence. I won't enumerate Mr. Trump's lies but they culminated in the "big lie". A number of people now have suffered a break with reality in choosing to believe a free and fair election was rigged. A claim based on a foundation of lie and misinformation. Mr. Trump effectively redefined reality for many.
Part of the character of the 'big lie' is that it turns the powerful person into the victim and then that allows the powerful person to actually exact revenge, like it's a promise for the future. The big lie has its roots in history and Mr. Trump just took a page.
Lying and misinformation are tools of tyrants. Just look at Putin.You are flipping through the same leftist rags as the Brits, making false assumptions left and right, when it comes to Trump.
You are so wrong on so many levels! Trump's biggest fault, was his New York attitude which needed a little adjustment and fine-tuning, at least while he was President, but Que sera sera!
You don't think Hillary should be in jail right now, I suppose?
Although there's evidence that she spied on Trump while campaigning and after he was in the White House!!! ALL WHILE attempting to frame him, as if he had ties to Russia?
Have you not been paying attention Faye, have you not seen the Durham Report? (well, what we have of it thus far) there's much more to come!
It is a FACT that mysterious ballots were found in the dead of night, mysteriously all for Biden. There's video of it happening in Atlanta, {doubtful it could be found now} I attempted to share what was going on with Hunter and his and his Father's many ties to China, but social media squashed everything I attempted to share....but you keep on buying into the lies and believing everything you hear coming from leftist media, don't mind me.Sorry abwilliams, but it’s nothing to do with the “Brits flipping through the same leftist rags”; normally we’re not that bothered whether the President of the USA is Republican or Democrat – that’s your politics, not ours.
But what we do object to is a President of the USA who throws insults and lies at the British e.g.
• Trump claiming that parts of London was ‘no go’ zone because of the Muslims – Fake News, and regardless to its origin Trump had no right using Fake News to insult Britain with lies.
• Trump claiming that Birmingham is a ‘no go’ zone; fake news originated by Fox News, and repeated by Trump.
• Trumps’ continued personal attacks on the Mayor of London, simply because the London’s Mayor is a Muslim.
• Retweeting Fake Videos in support of an illegal British ultra-right-wing racist organisation.
These are just a few examples of Trumps periodic attack and insult of the British people; and then you wonder why the Brits don’t like him?
Donald Trump Vs Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London): The Feud Explained https://youtu.be/YYk2BLkYNI4Did he hurt the Mayor's feelings, no offense, I'm not seeing any case being made here...."retweets"?!?
There's evidence that the Hillary Clinton campaign paid an internet company to spy on the Trump campaign and didn't stop there. Her campaign continued to spy once he moved from the campaign trail to the White House!!! Her campaign paid an internet company to extract data from Trump's servers in the White House!!! All in an effort to setup Trump for "colluding with Russia" our media and the world was all over the story and spent Trump's entire term talking about something that was set up, a criminal act. There is evidence of this! One of her attorneys has already gone to jail! The investigation is still ongoing, more indictments are forthcoming.
I don't even have time to get into the Biden family right now.Can you point me to that evidence? I mean specifically where Durham states that Hillary Clinton paid a company to spy on Mr. Trump?
This is a journalist making a statement without any quotation from Durham's actual filing. Do you have the wording from the actual filing?
Very awful. All that are involve should be prosecute.
Wait though. Before you make that decision please realize that these sources are a journalists opinion. There is no direct quote from Durham or the filing itself.
Durham’s filing doesn’t say the Clinton campaign spied on Trump, nor does it say that the data referenced in the filing came from the time when he was president.Wait? I'm very patient for that. It's a remark I made. Yes, let the truth come out full circle. But is it true that Mrs. Hilary Clinton's lawyer was jailed on the basis of these false accusation(spying against Trump's campaign?). I'm wondering.
From your NBC news source:
"The filing does not specify whether any of the data collection occurred while Trump was in office. It also does not allege that the content of any communications from the Executive Office of the President (EOP) or any parties were compromised or read and there’s no indication data collection went beyond identifying where the internet traffic came from and where it went.
Cybersecurity expert Rob Graham told NBC News that what Joffe appeared to have been doing was a search for domain names and addresses to which a computer had tried to connect.
When you type in the name of a website like Google.com, Graham said, DNS will translate it to a specific IP address and a specific group of servers. Monitoring such traffic reveals only that one computer or server is trying to reach another, he said, not the contents of a person’s screen or messages."
It is only Mr Trump who is making this conclusion. I've seen that even Durham himself Is distancing himself from the misinterpretation by certain media of his report.It's not looking too good for Hillary, but you can keep believing that the evil Donald Trump is making it all up if that's what gives you comfort.
Are you waiting for something in Vanity Fair? They've already excused and defended Hillary's actions, I've checked.I have no concern over how It's "looking" for Hillary And I certainly do not seek or find comfort in statements of any politician. Your sarcasm and presumptive speech add nothing to genuine conversation.
No sarcasm, you've used Vanity Fair as a source in the past, thought that may be where you get your information.
You are just ready to change the course of this conversation, don't blame it on me.I believe I cited them one time. I read and refer to a very wide range of sources. Please don't infer what I'm "ready to do". Also, I don't see any blame placed. You were blatantly and clearly sarcastic if not downright condescending.
BTW, I have roots in the Carolinas. {assuming Fayetteville NC?}
Are you a native or a transplant? I am in Florida now, have been for many years, but I still have many connections there. I love the Carolinas!
Yes, Arthur.
I remember these actions from the Trump administration as startling and irresponsible. I fail to understand why so many have such short memories.
I was both embarrassed and ashamed to be an American.
That dalliance with that Klan like organization in the U.K. certainly riled me up and reaffirmed my view of his true nature as a man.
If I were where you are, I would have taken issue with Mr. Trump and his behavior as well. It is not really that hard to understand at all.
Sorry abwilliams, it’s immaterial whether Trump hurt our Mayor’s feelings or not; that is just trivialising a serious matter of insult on anther free world nation.
The fact is that the Leader of the USA should NOT go around insulting other leaders in the ‘free’ world.
And it’s not just the insults on our Mayor in England, it’s all the lies and insults made against us (Brits) because of his repeated false claims/lies (fake news) about parts of England being ‘no go’ zones.
Do you honestly expect a leader of the USA to insult another country (England) and for the citizens of that country to then say "that’s fine, go on, continue insulting us, we don't mind"; NO, the way he did it, and the consistency of his brash lies, was insulting, and quite naturally incited hatred against him from the Brits.
If you’re not surprised that Brits took umbrage against Trump for the way he periodically insulted us, then I guess that in American culture it’s perfectly acceptable to insult who like?
As regard to what Hilary Clinton may or may not have done; that’s American politics, and is of little interest in Britain. It still doesn’t excuse Trumps vile attitudes towards others such as Muslims and Brits.
• Back in the summer of 2019 Trump called one of our British Ambassadors “a pompous fool”, and lashed out at Theresa May (our then Prime Minister) and also called her “foolish”.
This is what Boris Johnson (now our Prime Minister) thought of Trump:- https://youtu.be/p4EAc0QFubs
So it’s more than whether Tump hurt our Mayors feelings or not (that’s just trivialising it); it’s the fact that Trump has insulted the whole of British Society and riled everyone, regardless to politics, including our previous and current Conservative Prime Ministers.Arthur, did Trump really did all this to the Brits? I'm ashame to hear that. Thanks for informing.
Yeah Miebakagh, as Credence confirmed above, Trump did do all that to the Brits.
Our own Prime Minster in the UK, Boris Johnson (a Conservative/Capitalist) can be a bumbling fool at times, but even as a Conservative (right-wing politician) even Boris doesn’t think much of Trump; as this short video clip demonstrates e.g. not just the words, but also the body language says it all. https://youtu.be/p4EAc0QFubs
Also, on the UK leaving the EU (Brexit) the UK is now desperate for Trade Agreements, and a Trade Agreement with the USA would be a feather in Boris Johnson cap. However, during early negotiations not only did Trump insist that the UK lowers its ‘food standards’ to allow import of American food, but also Trump wanted to have a major stake in the NHS e.g. so that American medical insurances and pharmaceutical Companies could make fat profits from the NHS.
On both counts, Boris made it clear to Trump that neither lowering our food standards nor the selling of the NHS to the USA were options. As made clear in this short video clip:- https://youtu.be/Yz_M-djtUqwNot to worry, the Establishment, here in the good ole U.S.A. got rid of that big bully that nobody liked, we now have a real dynamo, Joe Biden, so you can all relax!
Yes, the president we have who doesn't know there is a difference between "Iranians" and "Ukrainians." Trust me, they are very different.
Right?
That's not all, the leader of the Party which started the DEFUND THE POLICE movement, reminded us that we need to fund not defund the Police....??? AS IF, someone else {the Republicans} started all of that nonsense. The Dems were popping up like Jack and Jill's in-the-box, in the affirmative, it's repulsive how they spin and attempt to rewrite history!
The SOTU speech was one big joke!
Oh and Biden is going to cure cancer! But, nothing about getting back to energy independence here on our own ripe with resources soil, nothing about cutting ALL ties with Russia and telling them what they can do with their oil.
Now you've gone and done it Mike, opened up a can of worms (wink)
Hi Yves, Faye may not be fired up by the quote, but I sure as heck am!
Sorry to interrupt, good to see you, carry on.AB, Freedom and dignity are worth fighting for. The Left admires the popularity of the masses (much like the Nazi's of Germany). China, in particular, loves them for that because China controls much of the U.S. media. Here is an article which shows you how Biden is capitulating to (President) Xi by dismissing the successful China Initiative implemented in 2018.
https://www.heritage.org/crime-and-just … r-greatestThere was so much evidence of what Biden would and wouldn't do, the why and the why not.....before the election!
Unfortunately for all of us, everything he "would do" and does...BENEFITS our enemies, not us, never us, God forbid, it benefit us!!
But, the left plays along, they did their part in defeating Trump, by golly, and that is what really matters.
I can't see where buyer's remorse has set in yet, only more knife twisting of how much they hate Trump, no matter the thread, no matter the subject matter. It's mind-blowing!
Is this not the scariest aspect of this conflict? As a rule, Putin does not flinch. This crisis is escalating out of control.
I had hoped I would never see the day a country threatened to use a nuclear weapon. it would seem Putin may have felt he would just walk in and easily take Ukraine. He is losing pride... a Very dangerous desperate man. A man that doe not like to lose.Regarding your concern about nuclear weapons, let us hope Putin is only escalating to de-escalate. We shall see.
Thankfully, Germany is supplying weapons to Ukraine. Biden has stated he would do so as well. Let us pray the weapons will get where they need to be before it is too late.
I believe in the people of Ukraine. I am in awe of their courage, their spirit of sacrifice, and their love of country. I wish more Americans had their sense of loyalty. My prayers remain with the citizens of Ukraine and for the safety of President Zelensky and his deputies.Yesterday, when the UK’s Foreign Secretary (Senior Government Minister) was asked if she would support people going to Ukraine to help the fight, the foreign secretary replied: “Absolutely, if that’s what they wanted to do.”
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ … c668c19b0d
So there will be Brits joining the conflict, and I’m sure many across Europe who will also answer the recent “call to arms” (request for volunteers from around the world) by the Ukraine President.Better the European handle this, than the US involvement
I agree. But if Europe can't do the job, guess who the world will look to in order to make things right? The United States.
Yes, that I agreed. Let Europe or the Europeans handle they affairs. But the call to help any where in the world should not be refused. Nevertheless, the USA should seriously get involve in prayers. She should pray that a Old Joe Biden don't ever enter the Oval Office again; a Pelosi don't occupy the Congress Chair. God save America! Glorious Ukraine! Gloriou victory!
Out of all the European militaries I've experienced, the Brits are the only ones who are dependable and will do what they say. If I had to choose a military to back me up in a fight, it would be the Brits. Of course, the Brits I've experienced said much of the US military has been modeled after the British military, which is true. I then point out the US has made all the necessary improvements to make it much better.
Then comes the challenges to a drinking contest, and that's when things get real. I'm never able to remember who wins, but it doesn't matter.In my experience it’s the Scots who can drink you under the table!
Who really wins a war? ends up solving nothing. Most common thread is in the side with greater population would wins that war.
Keeping it within Europe would keep equal in defense, not soils for the wealthy being the greatest damage and waste of all.
US has half of the world's war budget. And we don't want China and India siding with Russia as they have a pack. The more the bullies stir the crap, the more it stinks. Then it's a destructive chess game, not a game of Tit for Tat.The Scots are great, and the Welsh are certainly able to hold their own in any drinking challenge. We did a lot of serious stuff when I was in the military. We also had some very good times when we were able to get free time.
Your last paragraphe is making me laugh. If you know me well, and I throw the challenge to a drinking contest, you'll laugh madly.
I could join the party on the sidelines with my weed. In case of too much alcohol breaks outs of vomiting and fighting matches. Or I'll hold the keys to their cars
Putin's actions are based on the fact that he is losing and the focus of rage by the world.
His desire to invoke his nuclear weapons is an act of a desperate man.
He has made request to meet with Ukrainian leaders and there will now be talks.
Putin did not understand the fierce determination to remain free that is in every Ukrainian.
There have been many sacrifices for Ukrainian freedom made by Ukrainians. Trust me, they will never give up.This could very well be true.
They should have secured everything of import East of the River by now, this is day 4, they have gained very little ground in the last two days.
I don't see a sound strategic plan here, but I recognize I have limited information to work with and I don't know what the goals they set for this operation are.
This is the mark of a true leader. A man who refuses to be afraid of the enemy and will stay until the bitter end.
"Ukraine's Zelenskyy Rejects U.S. Evacuation Offer: 'I Need Ammunition, Not A Ride'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned down an American offer early Saturday to be evacuated from the capital city, Kyiv, which is under attack by Russia.
“The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride,” Zelenskyy said, according to the Ukrainian Embassy in the U.K."
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ukraine- … mg00000016He was made fun of and mocked, but he has earned his stripes.
Godspeed President Zelenskyy!I think Putin wants to separate Ukraine into two Two countries.
NATO is a more of a offensive military complex. I wish to eliminate. Nothing wrong from other countries helping out Ukraine.
Actually, Russia should call off the offensive, because its objectives have been achieved. Firstly, I don't think Ukraine will ever become a member of NATO now. and it will remain a divided country with the Eastern parts independent; so no point in continuing the offensive.
I don´t know if their objectives have been achieved. If Russia wanted to separate the predominantly Russian speaking population and make the regions independend (while depending on Russia), if Russia wanted to achieve this then they failed (at least until now).
I looked at many adhoc smartphone videos on social media. It is not the videos and pictures, it is the supporting audio that is interesting.
Fighting is going on in the East and close to Kiev. Videos from Kharkiv are all with clear Russian speaking audio, but very anti Russian. And as i could hear: native speakers, not Ukraine speakers. So the narrative of the East being happy to separate is probably false (except for the Donbas region). Kind of explains why Russian superiority is not really showing and advance is very slow. People defend their home, no matter Russians or Ukrainians.
This is why i think that Russia, Putin has not achieved the objectives. And that makes the situation even more dangerous and unpredictable. The narrative of genocide of Russians in Ukraine is plain fake. If that was the self accelerating motive.. what is left?
The Ukrainian president appears to be the one who is the villain. What is his achievement? While siding with the USA and insisting on joining NATO? The result is Ukraine will be divided into two countries (it already has) and now the Americans will not touch them with a barge pole and offer NATO membership to them. America will not fight Russia for the sake of Ukraine.
US is already playing a chess game with China and a cold civil war at home. It's up to Europe to balance things out. Beside, Biden belong in a straight jacket.
Castle, I agree up to the point of Biden belonging in a straight jacket. Lord knows that I am not a fan of Biden; he does not belong in that office, he belongs at Shady Acres, wrapped in a blanket, not a straight jacket.
This can never come to a standoff between the U.S. and Russia, most people understand why, don't need to get into that and Europe is perfectly capable of banding together.I don't understand these attacks on Biden's age and mental acuity. Are you a mental health professional? Health professional?
Experts have said Biden does not exhibit signs of dementia.
I feel these comments are sort of supporting ageism.
Only 5% of Americans in their 70s have dementia. There’s no reason to assume Joe Biden is one of them, unless you’re looking for political ammunition. This casual ageism is also insulting to two generations of seniors.Faye, this is a new one, I thought I had been called every -ist and -ism there is, but this is a first.
My Dad is much older than Joe Biden and I would trust him in this post much, much more than I do Joe Biden.
I am not sure what Biden has said or done which gives you such confidence in his capabilities and leadership, perhaps you can share it with me.
I didn't realize that he had passed a cognitive test, when was that?I'm certainly not calling you specifically ageist. I should have been more clear that I am speaking in general terms concerning the way these accusations of mental decline are thrown around. As far as I know there is no requirement of a cognitive test for presidents.
To produce a laundry list of things President Biden is said or done that produced confidence in my view probably would make very little difference in changing any opinion you may have And that is certainly fine. I just don't find a real justification for these assaults on his cognition. Does he stutter and stumble? Yes he does. Is his recall lightning fast? No it's not but either is mine and I have quite a bit less on my plate then he does. I'm willing to cut him some slack and respect.
The attacks of agism and dementia are, In my opinion, just another low blow, cheap shot to gain political points." As far as I know the"re is no requirement of a cognitive test for presidents".
Perhaps if you feel this way, little anyone can say to you that would change your mind.
This is just not the right situation to "cut him some slack". The country is in a huge crisis. We need a leader that is able to make quick decisions, because we may be in store for problems that will require truely not only quick fission making but sound decision making.
Many have been pointing out Biden's cognitive state even before he won the election. This is just not the time to worry about low blows or cheap shots. We need someone in the White House with a truely sound mind.This sure sounds like the psychiatric claims and demands during Pres. Trump s time in office. Has the coin flipped?
GATrump was mentally competent, but egotistical, arrogant, self-centered, insulting, callous, etc.
Biden is more refined, well mannered (though he has crotchety old man moments) but clearly in cognitive decline. Anyone with sense can see that.
The man literally stares off into space for seconds when mid-sentence... hold on, I'm going to just grab the top youtube video a search gives me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6uingtAWbk
Saying Biden is not suffering from cognitive decline is like saying Trump isn't a jerk to people he doesn't like. It's an absurd argument to make, you can make it, but its absurd... and most people will see it as such even if they don't challenge you on it."clearly in cognitive decline. Anyone with sense can see that.".
Anyone with sense would know that you couldn't really diagnose cognitive decline or someone's mental state through the screen of media.... Particularly if you're not a mental health professional.Sure...here are some experts who are concerned, concern comes from them seeing the same things as I, that which appears to be cognitive decline, hence, "anyone with sense can see that":
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wash … use-doctor
https://www.opindia.com/2021/08/experts … entia/amp/
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2 … itive-testNo, actually the only way to diagnose cognitive problems is by observing behavior and testing. Which Biden will not submit to...
What are the 8 cognitive skills?
The 8 Core Cognitive Capacities
Sustained Attention.
Response Inhibition.
Speed of Information Processing.
Cognitive Flexibility.
Multiple Simultaneous Attention.
Working Memory.
Category Formation.
Pattern Recognition.
Very much observable. I think Ken's video shows Biden has real cognitive problems. Have you not heard many of the stories he tells that turned out to be false?
In my view, Trump had some personality disorders that were blatantly clear. . Biden, I feel has cognitive problems. And actually, when it was asked of Trump he took a cognitive test.
I don't feel Biden could pass a cognitive test. I have watched him as close as I watched Trump, no way could he pass. Just my take.I wasn't getting into the reasons for the claims, for either president. I just stumbled a bit when I saw it. Thought maybe I had stepped through the mirror or something. ;-)
GASo here goes --- What is your view on this well-bandied subject. In your view, do you think Biden is cognitively up to doing the job he has been voted into?
And if you feel he is not, (perhaps due to the state the country is now in) do you feel at this point that Congress should take steps to remove him?
Join me in the weeds on this one. Hey, you know what I think. So, I have always respected your views, and I promise not to pull you into a quicksand conversation.Since you asked, I will join you in the weeds, (you probably won't like it), but not in the mud.
I start with this in regards to any president. I think a president's job is to surround himself with the best minds and information available to guide their decision-making. That includes political and strategical analysis. And, I have faith that, regardless of the deadwood and idiots that might also be in the folks gathered, some good advice does get through.
If we, here and the rest of the folks, are so wise, (after our Google visits), as to think we know what we are talking about, then surely at least some of those analytical minds that give information to the president must be a step or two ahead of us.
Relative to Pres. Biden's decisions, I now think this situation—the world, (meaning the USA), vs. Russia, is a lot more complicated than any of us can know. So, since I believe the sanctions were never expected to be a deterrent, (and the president recently said so), the question is why were they promoted so much? The answer is that they were for the non-Russian public that was demanding that somebody do something. Although the sanctions will hurt Putin, I think their purpose was just as much pablum for the screaming public as it was to hurt Putin.
In short, there might be some nitpicking I would have with Pres. Biden's policy directions in other areas, but I would give him a passing grade, so far, regarding Ukraine.
Now, to the really juicy part . . . the president's cognitive state.
That's the mud I won't step in, y'all can keep those directions, but consider this:
Just step back to the Trump years and remember the number of `Trump is . . . fill-in any mental dysfunction or physical ailment, that those of the Left and Right addressed. Consider the claims and rebuttals.
You and your ilk* forcefully denied the legitimacy of the Left's claims with link battles of counter-facts, medical ethics condemnations, and such. And I agreed with you. You were right, such public idiot charges are BS.
Whether it's a letter with 17 Nobel signatures, or one with 144 medical experts, or one with 117 `great' military signatures, when it comes through the public medium that these opinions are facts, then it is really just spin.
That is why I think the Trump supporters were right then. So I was on your side. But what the hell happened? Now you and your ilk* are making the exact, (okay, the specific diagnosis might vary), same claims, and using the same type of `supporting' evidence that you called wrong back then.
The only thing that changed was the president's name. So I think those questions and discussions are not for me.
However, without talking about the truth of your claims, take a look at them from my perspective—regarding his Ukraine announcements, (that's all we really know, we have no ideas what decisions are made that aren't announced. See what you think.
And the Congress question . . . Hell no. The presidency has that decision-making power for a reason.
*Okay, now to the aterisk. You did see the asterisk, didn't you?
I was just funnin' with the "You and your ilk" Sharlee. For me, that phrase is like a poke in the eye, I always jump on whoever said it, and I think you would too. So take a breath, I was poking the bear for fun.
Replace that phrase with "Some folks" and you will read the same message but without the hot-button push that the devil made me do. He's been on my shoulder all day.
GAwill join you in the weeds, (you probably won't like it), but not in the mud.
I like that thought, I'm doing the same as when much blows over.I can agree, Biden has some good minds around him. I could name a few. However, is he listening or will he listen to them? His decisions thus far in the first year indicate he does not. (just my view)
"If we, here and the rest of the folks, are so wise, (after our Google visits), as to think we know what we are talking about, then surely at least some of those analytical minds that give information to the president must be a step or two ahead of us."
Would appear they should be. But are they? Do you see problems being solved on any front or just more problems being created? I see more piling up, serious problems.
I feel the sanctions were for show, something that would give NATO something to say from a pedestal. I feel Putin anticipated any and all pain NATO could dish up.
I think Ukraine has a card they could play if they come close to losing. That would be to blow Putin's three other pipelines that supply 80% of Europe's oil all run through Ukraine. I have not heard any strategies make mention of these pipelines. Odd
My view differs from what I feel Trump suffers from and with I feel Biden suffers from. Trump appeared to have true personality disorders. II feel Biden has cognitive problems which would be more serious for a person to do the job of a president of the free world. Trump, clearly has some history of listening to advisors. Take Fauci for example. Biden, may not have the ability to reason properly.
I was not one to defend some of the personality problems trump clearly had. I would defend many of his words that perhaps he said due to his personality problems. But, it would be very hard to deny he had several blatantly obvious personality disorders.
Hey, appreciate your view. and ya stopped me in my tracks I must say. LOL
Trump pass an obese test from his doctor saying he is not obese. Many people know Biden
is out of his mind. None of this matters much in the world of fraud, force and liar world. At lease they show me the opposite way to think.
Being an anarchist, I don't desire any political points, brownie points would be nice. When anyone breaks a promise to me, it very difficult to win that trust back. When Presidents break over 75% of their promise, what kind of a horrible human being is that?
Since the world was split into half vaxxers and unvaccinated. That is what they do best divide and conquer. I know what healthy integrity and free side I will be on.
Some in Congress have requested he take a cognitive test. He has not, and at one point became angry when he was asked to. Could you list an expert that said Biden does not have signs of dementia? I have not found any true professionals that went out on that limb.
As a citizen, I would like him to take a couple of tests. I feel his demeanor is that of early senility.
He is one scary dude, and I would assume others are pulling the strings. But, however, they are doing a poor job.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-confus … 1634940377
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news … -interview
There is example after example of his confusion. No need to beat a dead horse... But In my view, he is very much incoherent at times.
I think it's obvious why some bring up his cognitive state,
he is president... We need someone with a sound mind to run the country. It's very scary to think of him making important decisions, and other countries have now clearly taken advantage due to his obvious weaknesses.https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2 … oe-biden-/
Yes, Biden does stumble over words, often rushing to finish his thought before the stutter sets in. Yes, he has trouble sometimes with digressions that he fails to bring back to the original point of the story. At times, his arguments can lose their power, not to mention their thread. He’s not a great speaker, and I never thought he’d be a great candidate. But that doesn’t mean someone suffers from dementia, either. He’s a gaffe machine. He was a gaffe machine in his first presidential run in 1988.
But no one with anything like full-blown dementia can stand up for more than an hour taking questions without consistently losing his or her way. Anyone who is suffering from dementia, who is caring for someone who has dementia, who has seen a person you love lose everything to the disease, knows better.Please reread my comment --
I never said he has full-blown dementia. I have always felt he has very common cognitive problems --- he is confused at times, he seems to have a loss of memory or attentiveness, he at random makes up stories about himself that are untrue. he at times has trouble understanding or making sense, and just goes off on an unrelated subject, he has difficulty recognizing people, places, or things, and he changes to mood quickly and shows quick anger.
Maybe not a straight jacket. How about rubber made millary toys, he could play with in a nursing home. In cause Biden hits another patient over the head with a nuclear missle.
I think this song (below) which won Ukraine the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest is appropriate to the current situation. It was Ukraine’s 2016 entry in the Eurovision Song Contest, as a protest against Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014; and it’s one of my favourite Eurovision Songs: https://youtu.be/75OwdZJzlkg
Yes. And I think the boycott of Rusia out of the next Eurovision Song Contest is the most badass boycott ever.!!!
They should have written it on the bus too, that if people chose BREXIT the UK would have been thrown out of the EUROvision Song Contest. I bet that BREXIT never would have happened...
Yep, if only the Pro-EU campaign (led by David Cameron) was as ruthless as the Brexit campaign (led by Boris Johnson) in spinning lies to gain votes. But the war isn’t over, there is a hard core of EU supporters (led by the Liberal Democrats) who will fit on; so maybe in a generation or two ‘EU membership’ will be back on the Agenda?
In regards to the Eurovision Song Contest, fortunately, being part of the Eurovision Song Contest doesn’t require EU membership; thus, Israel and Australia are active members of the Eurovision Song Contest.In regards to the Eurovision Song Contest, fortunately, being part of the Eurovision Song Contest doesn’t require EU membership; thus, Israel and Australia are active members of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Yes, I know, but I wonder if the Brexit voters know.... They seemed to have believed the strangest things and seem to have voted with no knowledge or idea what the European Union actually meant.
(A build-up of a negative image starting in the Thatcher years..)
To go back to topic...
Wouldn't surprise me if the Ukrain would be sooner part of the Euro block than the UK...
Interesting choice of words; "attacks and low blows and cheap shots", I'm a proud Trump supporter!
I don't feel the need to separate myself from that fact, as so many others do, never saw him as perfect, but who is? Forget the constant barrage from his many haters, his supposed supporters are always so quick to throw him under the bus. I see it here in the forums, all of the time.
He did a great job for the United States of America, he built up our military, he was securing our borders {which are now overrun with only God knows who} he had us completely energy independent .....he warned NATO about doing business with Russia and about being so DEPENDENT on Russia!
He kept us free from war! Putin didn't conquer on his watch, but he did on Biden's, twice now. I could go on, trust me, but that's another thread for another day.
One last thought, so you might understand me a little better. My motto if you will, is along the lines of the way me and my brothers were raised; to never start a fight, but if it comes our way, be ready for it and don't back down. This is the motto of Reagan and Trump: Let's prepare to never go to war, but let us ALWAYS be prepared for it, just in case!
I don't know what all is going on, I don't claim to, I've speculated about Putin's endgame, I've wondered at times, if everything he does, every move he makes, is an attempt to pull us {the U.S.} in.
A wide open border, a clueless President {ageist, so be it} at the helm and Putin on the warpath, doesn't leave us very prepared for whatever may come next.Biden has brought us to the steps of a nuclear war, and all in one year. never thought I would see this day.
Nor I Sharlee. I knew we were in over our heads, but didn't expect to be dealing with a rogue wave too!
I beg to differ on the area of energy Independence. I believe it's a bit of a myth. when it comes to energy sources like oil, coal, and natural gas, there is no hiding from the fluctuations of the global market. Should the worst-case scenario ever arrive, our domestic production, however big, will not protect us. The only way to be truly independent of those risks is to not use those energy sources at all. Making the pivot to renewable energy is going to take some time but the oil companies are actually investing in its production and moving more and more toward alternate sources of energy. Of course it is not going to happen overnight but it is going to happen.
If we assume that what Mr. Trump means by "energy dominance" or independence is true protection from the political and economic instability of the rest of the world, then producing 18 percent of the globe's oil is not nearly enough. America would need to produce the vast majority of the global oil supply, an impossible feat. Or it would need to completely outlaw all imports and exports of oil (as well as coal and natural gas), which seems equally hair-brained. Even then, the U.S. would still be vulnerable to the domestic risks of these energy sources: the doubtful geological and economic sustainability of the American shale oil boom, the massive water consumption that electricity production from fossil fuels requires, the ongoing press of climate change, and of course the fact that eventually these energy sources will run out.
Again, it's not as simple as it's being portrayed.It isn't a myth that we produced more than we consumed in 2019 and by 2020, we were on a roll. That being said, it's never a bad idea to utilize what is at one's disposal and for us it is oil, coal, natural gas and plenty of it; there is no evidence that hydraulic fracturing or the pipelines {which were in the works until shut down, this time by Biden} have done any harm, whatsoever!
Especially now, with so much uncertainty in the world, we need to utilize what we have been gifted!
Let's always be looking into alternatives, such as biomass; waste to energy, okay! {not a fan of adding to bird extinction via wind turbines} but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak.
The Russians are now angry at Canadians.
"Russia threatens retaliation after 'hostile' Ottawa protest
After hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Russian Embassy in Ottawa on Sunday to show their support for Ukraine, Russia’s foreign ministry demanded that Canada keep its diplomats safe — and threatened retaliation if they failed to do so.
The protesters, who then made their way to city hall, were called hostile in a statement by Russia’s foreign ministry. Russia called in Canada’s ambassador to Moscow to lodge a formal protest, Reuters reported.
Russia’s foreign ministry also said the country reserves the right to take action if Ottawa does not keep its diplomatic staff safe.
As well as the Ottawa embassy, it said Ukrainian supporters were also protesting outside two other consulates.
Crowds of protesters gathered outside the Russian consulate office on Saturday in Montreal. A group of people also gathered outside of Toronto’s Russian consulate office on Saturday in support of Ukrainians.
A larger gathering of Ukraine supporters was held in Toronto on Sunday, where Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who has Ukranian roots, addressed the crowd."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/canada/r … d=msedgntpInteresting!
How WILL the in-training dictators, Trudeau and Freeland, handle this?Thanks for the update.
The two latest developments on this side of the pond are:-
• The EU has banned RT (Russian State owned TV) across the EU; YouTube is taking down all RT videos across the European platform, and the UK Government has asked Ofcom to ban RT in the UK (Ofcom is currently considering the request).
• The UK is the first country in the world to pass laws to ban all Russian ships, or any ships that have a Russian connection, from British Ports, with immediate effect.
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-pas … 022-03-01/Great! All nations of the world should follow suit. That will teach Putin and his likes a hard lessen. Besides, the.UN should put pressure on Russia t6 withdraw her aggrssivive bent from Ukraine.
Rubbish! Russia should be angry at herself alone. She's an aggressor, threathening the peace and independence of a small sovereign nation.
https://mobile.twitter.com/jamesmelvill … 8425063430
Klaus Schwab is very proud of Trudeau and half his cabinet plus Putin for being Globalist leaders for the WEF.
Put-in a nuclear gun to the head of the world, is a threat that lacks a great deal of consciousness.So correct. he was concerned about trucking the 52% of oil into the US. That's all he was concerned about, and keeping his zombies in line with masks and injections. But, zombies do get mad with raising the gas, prices, and lack of funds in the social coffers.
I follow Jesus Christ and I support Donald Trump and any and every other leader who actually cares about this Country and our allies and especially cares about the type of future my children and grandchildren are going to have.
I wanted to share with everyone that more than one Russian person who knows me and my family has made contact to apologize for what Putin is doing to the Ukraine.
PLEASE don't take your anger for Putin out against the regular Russian people.
The Russian people I have met here and in Ukraine are good people.
Being just an average citizen trying to live life in Russia has many challenges most Americans don't know or understand. Putin IS a dictator and DOES control things with fear.
I'm sure most Russian people will confirm this.God bless the Russia people! But dictators like Putin needs to be hanged!
killing Putin would be us acting like Hypocrites, to what he is doing. How about him working his butt off for every once of freedom wail he is in prison for life. More productive than wasteful end result. Or we are only showing we are as horrible human being as he is.
I had no doubt for a moment that the Russian people are nice people, that goes for most cultures; it's not the people, its the dictators.
Readmikenow, you might be interested to know that a long standing close friend of mine is of Ukrainian descent e.g. his parents immigrated to Britain as refugees from Ukraine in 1948.
We were work colleagues in the civil service going back decades, and as he was also an active Trade Union Activist we also worked closely together on Union Activities; and often drink together with other workmates in the local pubs at lunch time.
And now, since my retirement, we‘ve kept in touch and still meet up periodically throughout the year, with another old work college, to enjoy an evening pint in the pub and a chat.
So not surprisingly he has relatives in Ukraine, and quite naturally it’s a very stressful time for him.
Thanks for saying this Mike, it's a shame that it even needs to be said. But, as we all know very well, while most people are rational and understanding in such matters, there are many that are neither rational nor understanding.
Can you give an update on what is happening? What is the latest on the 40 mile convoy of tanks and trucks headed toward Kyiv?
I came into work early and haven't caught any news today.There are rumors the Russian convoy has run out of fuel and food. Their supply lines have been damaged. The Russians destroyed a television tower in Kyiv. This is of little consequence as televisions stations are using the internet to broadcast. Many Russian soldiers have been seen abandoning their military vehicles and running into the woods. Nobody knows why.
This is the damage to the Russian invaders. This is from the Kyiv Post about 2 hours ago. It has been translated. They've had 5,700 of their soldiers killed or wounded.
KyivPost
@KyivPost
·
2h
Losses of Russian Army in #UkraineRussiaWar on the 6th day:
Planes - 29
Automobile techniques - 305
MLRS - 24
ACV - 846
Helicopters - 29
Artylerian systems - 77
Cisterns with fuel - 60
Cutters - 2
Tanks - 198
Antiair defense ways - 7
UAV - 3
Militaries - 5710
Things are still very difficult for Ukraine. Help from around the world is arriving.
This is a picture of what happened after the Russian military blew up an apartment building.Do we have to believe a war rumour? what good is that? truth can be stranger than fiction!
Horrific picture.
Yes, Ukraine is far from out of the woods. They remain in my prayers.
Thanks Mike.Thank you...Ukrainians need all of the prayers they can get.
It's good to pray. If the Ukraines needs prayer, this is the time. I've add mine like I did for America. And of course, prayers will eventually will bring down the hands of God to change the situation. God save America! God save Ukraine!
Terrible photo, atrocities of war are manifold.
What puzzles me are the broken supply communications among Russian forces. But then - not really unexpected. In my professional life i experienced many examples of Russians being technical geniouses but totally failing on the organisation field. Apparently military is also following this pattern.
This tank traffic jam from the north into Kiev, how is this possible? Did Ukrainians run out of anti tank guns? They could get many with a single shot as old Odysseus did with his bow.
I have little knowledge of military warfare and tactics, but this all looks like laymen at work.I have no idea what tactical reason are going on right now for the Ukrainian military.
I have to believe there are reasons for it.I was not reflecting on the Ukraine military.
I just don´t understand what the Russian forces are doing.
They have tanks and off road vehicles. Why are they blocking each other on paved roads that a formula 1 racing car can go on? Why do they expose themselves this foolishly? Can´t be only arrogance.
Do modern Russian tanks have built in street sign recognition? And if all inbound traffic lights are turned to red, then tanks have to stop - or not? Again - what is going on?
Can´t be all this gossip of tanks running out of gas or equipment being unreliable and broken. And Ukraine troops with handguns also don´t do much harm to a grown up tank.
If i were Russian commander, i would destroy supply lines from the west first and concentrate all intelligence on this objective. You simply can´t hide and distribute thousands of anti tank, anti aircraft handheld weapons in a barn. You need scaled up logistics for this.
I was clueless when Putin attacked Ukraine. Didn´t expect this. Think it is foolish.
But now - Russian forces - how badly are they performing? What were all maneuvres in Belorus good for? Into how many playbook ambushes the Russians ran into? Don´t they learn?
At the end of the day brute force and majority in numbers will win. But Ukraine is sure fighting.
How many of Russian soldiers just leave their vehicles, throw away their uniforms and go to friends, relatives in Ukraine? I have doubts with the high casualties. How many defected?It's starting to become an internet war. Twitter is full of images and videos made by locals.
I think that's the biggest mistake Putin made. He perhaps underestimated the reaction of the rest of the world and the impact of the live videos on social media.Public podcast is changing the world of reality vs the properganda mainstream News.
Freedom convoy in Canada was the most intelligent peaceful war protest, I've ever seen in my life. People podcasting reality in Ukraine will be the most powerful tool for the people also and getting real survival help to their families. Now I'm doing podcast episode for my own business survival.
Holy crap!!! That is more Russians killed than in Iraq of American soldiers killed.
I am amused, when the USA attacked Iraq no such reaction, when the USA attacked Afghanistan, no such reactions; there are many other examples where USA attacked and there was no reaction. Good, there is to be a reaction only when Russia attacks or China will attack! Hypocrisy all around.
emge, i'm amused likewise. You rightly tag it hypocrisy. But really? When Ronald Reagan attack Tripoli in Africa, the world woke up and stand at attention. That's not hypocrasy. That's Big Brother in action! That's the guinea policeman of the world in active service. emge, have you ever wound your way through George Orwell's '1984'? There you get the big big picture. So when a big statd Russia attack Ukraine, a peaceful state,how is it hypocrisy compared to RR vs. Tripoli?
One time the world looked at America to save us From USSR. In a way they did by Regan out spending them to death in a nuclear race, causing the domino collapse of 17 block countries.
Problem is Ragan also brought in the wealthy trickle down theory that will never work well for the majority. When we send a bigger rat to kill the other rat , We have a greater rat race problem. People power must think and do it themselves.
Lol , they may come after you, if your not one sided.
From my experience people are basically good and 95% agreement on 6 continents travelled. When it come to political and media life is the pits and everyone is labeled.
This is from they Kyiv Post from about an hour ago.
"Ukraine official statement: UAF has stopped Russian Federation (RF) attack in the north, Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) advances in the east
UAF forces have brought RF attacks to a full stop in the northern half of the country, while the situation to the south is more fluid, a senior government official said on Wednesday.
Oleksii Arestovych, a Presidential administration spokesman, said Ukrainian deep strikes and counterattacks brought all RF forward movement to a halt in the Chernhiv and Sumy sectors. RF forces have taken substantial losses and are reorganizing, but UAF regular forces and partisans are hunting down survivors, he said.
The city of Kharkiv is under extremely heavy fire, Arestovych said, with RF forces using all manner of weapons from air-dropped bombs to artillery to rockets. Most of the strikes are hitting civilian homes or businesses, per an RF strategy to “break the will” of the city’s population, he said. UAF regular and territorial forces are still fighting for the city house to house, and Kharkiv has effectively become “A 21st Century Stalingrad”, Arestovych said.
UAF forces in the east are holding their ground and at one location, the village Horlivka, they have advanced and digging in. This confirmed earlier reports UAF forces had captured the locality. It was the first instance of UAF forces capturing ground previously controlled by the Russian-controlled enclave “LNDPR”.
In the south, the city Mariupol remains under UAF control, while street battles are in progress in Kherson and Mykolaiv, where the RF landed some troops by air. Arestovych said UAF elements were systematically attacking these RF forces and that most should be eliminated by the end of the day.
Arestovych singled out the situation around the city of Enerhodar as worrying, because of the proximity of RF troops to a nuclear power station there. At present RF columns in the vicinity are stopped, he said.
Citing a flood of images in Ukrainian conventional and social media as evidence, Arestovych claimed RF soldiers are “massively” quitting their vehicles to avoid having to attack into the teeth of Ukrainian defenses. He claimed that RF losses to date have been so high, as to force the Kremlin to mobilize military institute students as reserves and replacements.
Despite wide but unconfirmed media reports that the Belarusian army might move to support its embattled RF allies, at present, Arestovych said, Ukrainian intelligence has seen insufficient evidence Minsk intends to intervene in the war.'
https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politi … pdate.htmlLooks like phase 2 of the world war 3. Ukrainian are another level of Stubbornness than those of the Canadian truckers. Who many say, they will fight to the very last man or women. Finally many world citizen are waking up from the one world order, to collective consciousness. And aware of one distraction to another. Ukrainian buildings are built like tanks, they look worst by bombs shelled than they are killing citizens. About 85% of war death are done by guns. Already 5000 Russian troops refuse to get off their ship to attack the Ukrainians. Russian troops will have to go door to door for whatever awaiting them with gas bombs and anything Ukrainian can get their hand on to kill them with.
Sound like a journey of a killer haunted horror house from hell.
One controversy in the UK is whether to add Roman Abramovich, Russian oligarch (net worth $14.5 billion), to the UK Government’s list of Russian oligarch for freezing their assets.
Roman Abramovich is the most famous (and most popular) Russian oligarch in the UK, because he owns Chelsea Football Club, which he bought in 2003 for £140 million ($187 million) when it was struggling, it’s now worth over $3 billion.
Although Roman Abramovich does have known ties with Putin, in spite of calls from the Opposition Parties, the UK Government hasn’t as yet added Roman Abramovich to their growing list of Russian oligarch for freezing their assets.
Fans of the Chelsea Football Club has loyalty to Roman Abramovich for what’s he’s done for the club, and don’t want him added to the list; especially as it would mean that if his assets were frozen their football club wouldn’t be able to function, because all their assets (which currently belong to Roman Abramovich) would also be frozen.
Anyway, Roman Abramovich stated yesterday that he intends to sell the Football club for the benefit of the club, and the clubs fans; and to use the proceeds (he’s asking $3 billion for the club) for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine.
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/02/spor … b-sale-sptYes, we need more kindness in this world . More than Religion, Banks, State and vaccines.
Human kindness?
The life of Abramovich is full of ripping other people from their assets. That is what oligarchs do. They don´t breed from humanity.
This guy Abramovich is simply hanging is shirt into the wind. And the wind is blowing against Russia now. So he tries to save his financial soul by doing a PR job.
I have an anecdote from a couple of years ago. It is about oligarchs, organisation.
My company tried to get a contract in Moscow and we had contacted a new agent to give us local support. First meeting in that agents office was very interesting. While looking like a busy office with all kinds of engineering staff, they didn´t have a single projector for our meeting room. All were broke. Would have done no good anyhow because electric window shades to darken the room did not work either. Then i asked the CEO about the owner of that business. He answered with a little uneasiness: "You know, everything in Russia is owned by some 15 oligarchs". He left it to me to find find out who: The Rotenberg brothers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkady_Rotenberg
Back to the invasion of Ukraine. When you compare the slow progress of the RF in Ukraine (unsupported supply lines, tanks out of gas, uncrypted communication, disoriented and uninformed drafted kids in uniforms) to broken projectors and window shades of an oligarchs business - what is the difference?
Ukrainian people are certainly showing bravery. But this lack of organisational backbone in the Russian forces adds to the failure.
I admit, i was wrong about the goals and actions of Putin. I also thought the general organisational problems in Russia only applied to civil society and industry. May be i was wrong too. Looks like the Military suffers from the same disfunctional virus as the Russian economy does.Abramovich enriched himself in the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union, obtaining Russian state-owned assets at prices far below market value in Russia's controversial loans-for-shares privatization program. Abramovich was a confidant of former Russian president Boris Yeltsin and current Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Today the UK Government has done a full asset freeze and travel ban against Alisher Usmanov and Igor Shuvalov, two of Russia's leading oligarchs with significant interests in the UK and close links to the Kremlin.I was in Russia in the early 90ties. On every street corner vouchers were sold, traded for an apple and an egg.
These vouchers were shares of formerly state owned assets. Shares that every citizen was entitled for. Only - most didn´t know what an asset is, they gave away their shares for nothing.
Russian economy is only based on natural resources. There is virtually nothing that the world market demands, that is not natural resources. And what they do sell is mostly military equipment. Nothing supporting industrial productivity.
I recently read an Indian comment on the questionable performance of the RF in the first week of invasion. India had bought a lot of war equipment from Russia, from fighter planes to tanks and logistic equipment. Questions are raised about the quality and durability of Russian equipment, especially under combat conditions. Apparently Indian army already does have durability issues with the Russian stuff. Certainly no support for the sales force of Russian war equipment.Yeah, I do seem to remember the old Lada Car being a bit of a laugh?
The car was available in the UK from 1983 but only sold just 20,000 or 30,000 per year, compared to the Ford which was selling almost 400,000 a year (20 times the volume). The Lada ceased to be sold in the UK in 1997 due to the tightening of EU ‘safety’ and ‘emissions’ legislation.Again an anecdote from personal experience:
Ladas and Zhigulis had a feature that no western car has (as far as i know). They feature electric light for the engine compartment. Comes in handy if you break down in the middle of the night. - And exactly this happened to the Zhiguli of a friend. At night, at freezing -20°C we had carburator problems. Never forgot the experienced rearch of my friend for the switch in the dark.
Guys, there are issues with Russian made equipment - even until today. And apparently this also applies to the military stuff. However Russians are champions in workarounds. As sad as it may be in the current invasion. Ukrainians will find out soon that Russian military will come with successful workarounds.Yeah, there space programme, getting Yuri Gagarin, the first man into outer space on inferior technology, is testimony to that.
Every technology however crude, with wrought certain beneficial effect. Consider the Wright Brothers and the europlane.
Yep, Hobart’s Funnies is another good example; British tanks adapted do things ordinary tanks can’t do in preparation for Normandy landings in the 2nd world war. The tanks were adapted cheaply and quickly in innovative ways by attaching things to them, as can only be explained in the video below.
For example the ‘Churchill AVRE tank adapted to carry a ‘Fascine’, which is a bundle of wooden poles or rough brushwood lashed together with wires carried in front of the tank that could be released to fill a ditch or form a step – see image below.
The British offered a third of their Hobart’s Funnies to the Americans, but the take up from the Americans was minimal, because I think the Americans were rather sceptical of such weird looking tanks; consequently the American losses on the beaches during the Normandy Invasion was far greater.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobart%27s_Funnies
Hobart’s Funnies: The British D-Day Tanks - https://youtu.be/lHzBfltvogw
The picture of the tank looks more impressive to me than the talk. It remind me of a certain part of Northern Nigeria, whe the women usual crry logs of wound on they back, not the head. Yet, its these ldies that wins the day always. The Hobert funny would be a crowd puller if it were display, or show-case on a street. It's very impressive.
Actually, some of the Hobart’s Funnies are on display, at the Bovington Tank Museum, Dorset, England. The Bovington Tank Museum has almost 300 vehicles on exhibition from 26 countries and is the largest collection of tanks and the third largest collection of armoured vehicles in the world.
We visited the Tank Museum back in 2006, when our son was a teenager, and during our visit the museum did a ‘mock’ battle that I filmed (on my old camera), which is now on YouTube.
During the mock battle they asked for volunteers from the audience to take part in the mock battle; at about 1:30 minutes into the video the first volunteer running across the display area is our son; and again, at the end of the mock battle our son is the teenager on the far left of the screen.
Mock Tank Battle at Bovington: https://youtu.be/Tf6CiugtQRU
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tank_Museum
• https://tankmuseum.org/
To say that the courage of the Ukrainian people is inspiring is an understatement. Here is a video of unarmed Ukrainian citizen confronting armed Russian soldiers. They keep advancing on the Russian soldiers even though Russians are firing over their heads. The Russians eventually retreat. I don't understand much of it because they are speaking Russian. It is a pretty powerful thing to watch.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/dr … d=msedgntpSomething like this has happened before. Just before the fall of the eastern Block Countries. Russian soldiers told hired local soldiers to kill their citizens, if they did not comply. The local soldier refused, they would rather shoot the Russians.
Force is communism.It is evident that many of these Russian soldiers don't want to be there, don't want this war. This truly is, Putin's war.
Who wants to be on Putin side and go in there?
Hitler already there before one snap a finger...likewise Biden.
What is Putin? A fool. And who wants to be on a fool's side?
I love and like people worldwide. Can't stand bully states and banks. Centralist Systems generally are energy vampires and suck.
But not all banks are that bad. The Central bank of a country regulate say the trade banks. Some may not compile with regulations that calls for its lisence being revoked. Yet, certain individuals are bent on screwing customers into the millions. Seems you ever had this in mind?
Central banking has been the cause of all major wars in the last 100 years.
It's why much of middle East has been invaded for oil and not having their Centro banking. Crypto currency and free trading is the greatest threat to banking.
It's why I don't use banks and create our own economy trade and Govern ourselves.
Wow Mike, so powerful!!
Go back home to Russia!
Glory to Ukraine!
(not a translation, an observation)@ both Nathanville and Chriss57. You have enlighten me well. Throughout my schooling days, my study of history has not taken a bite of Russian culture or social life. But when ordinary folks are quering up in the streets for bread, Putin is amassing more than half the state wealth into his pocket. Now, he's considered to be the richest man in Russian. With that said, it seems very few who he has helped to wealth are backing him up even in the military, because he was once part of the son of a gun. Let the Russians do away with him.
We can only hope; but his regime is so brutal against anyone who shows dissent that it would be difficult for Russians to rise up against Putin.
Yes, but within the miltary are some elites and seniors that can profess loyality to the state more than than Putin? Why are these sleeping? I'm count on that. Let them strike, even if it lead to civil war. It's freedom for every Russian.
I'm just writing to say that I'm saddened by what's going on in Ukraine. I sincerely hope and pray that everything will be resolved with peace. It's a heartbreaking situation. While watching a news channel today, I heard that many of Russia's news anchors have resigned live on television, expressing their dissatisfaction with Putin's actions. May God bless everyone. Ameen!
Putin appears to be a very stubborn and tough person. God bless and protect the people of Ukraine and the rest of the world. Ameen!!
Blessings and Peace!!Does anyone realize that by purchasing oil from Russia the United States and especially biden have blood on their hands? They are financing the murdering of thousands of Ukrainians. If democrats are not ashamed of this...they should be.
It makes sense to me Joseph Biden is really the No. ! Enemy of the USA...an unprecedent mole.
Putin strategy, Biden boxed himself in, now it's dam if he does and dam if he doesn't.
Yes. All Americans should earnestly beg ex- President Donald Trump for forgiveness for the wrong done to him...then intensified efforts to bring back Trump to reserved and right all the wrongs of a mindless puppet!
Yes Mike, some of us do realize.
It's madness!!
When you stop and think about the reasons why....
The left will do business with Russia, even as they are up to their eyeballs in war crimes and crimes against humanity, before they'll utilize our own natural resources here on American soil!!!
They'll continue to do business with China, knowing they too, are up to their eyeballs in crimes against humanity!
What's a better word, than madness? I'm struggling.Utilizing our own natural resources here isn't as simple as some portray. We aren't Saudi Arabia or Venezuela. Our oil industry is not nationalized. Oil companies in our country are essentially ruled by Wall Street and pressures to provide dividends to investors. Profits sore as prices rise.
Exxon, Chevron, Shell and BP were among group who have previously resisted calls to increase production but doled out record shareholder dividends.
Are you making a case for nationalizing US oil? Basically socializing itI am making the case for energy independence in lieu of a wicked strategy that has greatly benefited a handful of leftists, enabling them to become even wealthier, via claims of saving the earth from the climate.
Energy independence comes from a shift from oil to renewables. American Oil companies Will continue to act in their own interests, which is profit and high dividends for shareholders regardless. This is capitalism.
This is clearly your opinion. My opinion differs. I feel we become energy-independent using our available resources that we have an abundance of, working on clean technology in regards to pumping and obtaining natural gas that ultimately will improve the climate. We have one atmosphere, we can protect it from the problems other countries cause with their production, that we ultimately purchase. Always amazes me that some just don't understand the fact we can't control other countries and how they produce what we buy. Do you feel we need not concern ourselves with the problems of climate change in other parts of the world, and we should continue to support how they pollute simply by purchasing from them? This all seems non-sensical.
While I think it is a good idea to usher in renewables, I don't see these renewables ever replacing the need for oil and natural gas. They have a place to be used along side oil and gas at this point in time."Always amazes me that some just don't understand the fact we can't control other countries and how they produce what we buy."
I think I am not explaining my point very clearly. I am not coming from a point of climate as much as I am stating that our American oil companies do not act in our best interest anymore than foreign ones do. They act with an eye only to the bottom line and pressures from Wall Street to return the highest dividends to shareholders. American oil is not nationalized. Our government does not control it As it is in countries such as Saudi Arabia or Venezuela and others. Even allowing additional drilling here which President Biden has done in spades is not going to change American oil companies tactics. It won't lower prices And our government has no ability unless we nationalize oil to control its prices.
The other thing keeping US production in check: investors seem to be reluctant to invest in fossil fuel stocks. Major US oil stocks have lagged behind the broader market for most of the last two years, teaching executives a hard lesson: Use the recent windfalls to reward investors, not sink more wells.
But I also suppose that we could end up in the same position if renewables are ultimately private also.
What I'm really saying is that American oil companies have shown themselves to be unwilling to forgo profit to help the country out of this situation. We therefore rely on a mix of oil from around the world. Sadly that very dirty tar sand oil is the variety needed most. Yes when we do have very clean oil here. You are making a great case for nationalization of our oil.
This is a good explanation of what's happening in the American oil industry currently
https://www.npr.org/2021/03/06/97364904 … l-not-moreWhen oil companies do not "act in our best interest", we the consumer, effect change, by going to the cheaper pumps, going with the more affordable oil company. If they are competing for our business, they will keep it affordable, otherwise they go under, along with their shareholders. Currently, oil companies are doing the right thing by pulling out of Russia, that's a start.
I am more directly speaking to the fact that American oil companies / producers are unwilling to help our country use less foreign oil.
Perhaps they will be more willing now Faye, but the Democratic leadership must be involved.
I don't believe this is a right/left issue. There is bipartisan support to ban Russian oil even though it is a very small percent of our imports. Actually, I've read elsewhere that our imports during January and February of this year were down and although we have oil coming in from Russia it had been previously bought. I am not aware that there are current, recent plans to buy more?
At any rate, Europe would have to participate in these types of sanctions to have a great effect.
Didn't Putin mention targets of the energy sector would be viewed as And escalation of the conflict? I'm not saying in any way this is a reason for inaction. Just an observation.
But also, their are reports that there is a reluctance to sanction energy as it will just drive up the prices globally and actually pad Putin's pockets. This is where China comes in and I don't think this aspect has gotten much media play.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy … 022-02-16/
But even in the absence of sanctions targeting Russia's energy exports, there is a "self-sanctioning phenomenon" underway given that Moscow is being viewed as a "toxic asset."
Russia's commodity trading is drying up as international banks and traders refuse to do deals with their Russian counterparts.It certainly says a lot about the priorities of Nation leaders and Governing bodies.
Russia has three pipelines (other than Nord Stream 2) that run through Ukraine to supply Europe with energy. Those lines could be shut down once the lines ht NATO soil. Are they? Thus far no, Europe and the US continue to purchase oil and gas via the two banks that were exempt from the Swift Sanction.
The fact is it is business as usual for Russia in regard to cash flow from energy sales. This cash is funding Putin's war, the killing of men, women, and children, and the destruction of their country.
This is just a fact, a fact many human beings in our world are willing to turn away from.
Should we blame only Democrats? I say we blame both. Is our Congress in session today to try to solve this humanitarian crisis --- No, they took the weekend off. Both Republicans and Democrats saw it fit to leave for the weekend.
Have we the people been vociferous about stopping the purchase of oil from Russia? Much of the media is concentrating on "pain at the pump"... I find this callous, but what I expected.
Score -- https://fortune.com/2022/03/03/russia-o … sequences/
"As the West tries to quit all things Russian, oil seems to be the hardest thing to wean itself from.
In the U.S., President Joe Biden has so far resisted calls from Democrats and Republicans to ban Russian oil imports, as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to mount his brutal war on Ukraine.
Germany and other European nations have signaled similar opposition, with German Economy Minister Robert Habeck telling reporters on Thursday, “I wouldn’t support an embargo on imports of fossil fuels from Russia.”
" The U.S. imports 670,000 barrels of crude oil and petroleum products each day from Russia, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which only accounts for 5% of its crude imports."
Biden claims the U.S. weighs cutting Russian oil imports amid broad public support
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy … 022-03-04/
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy … 022-03-01/
THUS FAR THE US, AS WELL AS EUROPE, CONTINUE TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. AND ADD CASH TO PUTIN'S WAR EFFORTS.
Lol, funny, but not funny. We need a little humor these days.
No matter how this Ukraine war ends. Short term or long term, Putin losses. No longer the people of the world will tolerate senseless killing of citizens of the world. Not by NATO, or by Russia. At lease this is a good turn of world events.
Thank goodness for cell phone recording reality. Even when in Russia they use progranda news, Yet is no longer Russian like the USSR, as I've visit both time period as a sculptor and international swimmer. And Canada proganda News didn't work on blinding the people totally on the Freedom convoy neither.
Ukraine will somehow save themselves if other Countries are too terrified. The longer the war gose on, Ukraine gain opposing strength. Just like Covid disappearing and they will try some more poli-trick scams on us. Be aware to be very diverse in this Aquarius age. I'm ready for anything they throw at me, how about yourselves?There is the possibility for that as well.
You are correct, the longer this goes on, the worse it is likely to get for the Russian Army.
There are a lot of variables at play, and there is a lot at risk, this needs time to play out...tragic as that may be for the Ukrainian people.
Under President Donald Trump the United States exported oil. NOW 6.6 percent of our oil comes from the blood money of Russia.
Here is an article from CNN. Same information can be found from various sources, but I chose CNN for the liberals.
"As a result of the shale boom, the US is the world’s largest oil producer, with output expected to average 12.4 million barrels a day this year and 13.3 million barrels a day in 2020. Likewise, America is the world’s largest producer of natural gas, producing an average of 91.3 billion cubic feet of LNG a day this year and 92.7 billion cubic feet a day in 2020."
https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/09/perspect … index.html
This could be done again. If the biden administration wasn't so corrupt, we would probably be doing it now. Maybe Russia purchased a significant amount of Hunter Biden's artwork to make this possible.Then, bring back ex-President Donald Trump. He's the man for the real job!
In terms of oil, We export and import for different reasons.
Why does the US import oil given that it is one of the major producers globally?
The primary reason is that many of our refineries are still designed for heavy crude and most of what we produce now is light sweet crude via fracking. We export that which other nations are setup to process, and import what we are more capable of processing. This will not change until either new refineries come online (expensive to build and current prices do not justify such an expense) or all the present ones are upgraded to handle all of what we produce.
This is a disadvantage to a capitalist economy where corporate and investor profits take center stage. Countries like China, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia where the State owns the industry will always have an advantage in this area.
Should we cut off our tiny percent of importation from Russia? Of course.
Additionally, The decline in domestic crude oil production in 2021 came “as result of a decline in drilling activity related to low oil prices,” according to an EIA (US energy information administration) report in January. “Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic led to supply and demand disruptions,” the report noted.
In fact, the EIA has been forecasting that the U.S. would import more petroleum than it exports in 2021 and 2022 ever since April 2020.Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah
STOP purchasing Russian oil. It is blood money...period.
It is something that CAN be done by the United States but isn't being done because the being that is president right now is a senseless, babbling corrupt political fool. We have a stupid, ignorant, cackling hen for a vice president.
Like a T-shirt I say the other day that says, "We don't need Russia to try and destroy the United States. We have Democrats for that"Agree... And it will get much worse, I for one expected this one mess after another with this president, I mean why in the world would this tyrant not move while he has this weak administration that in its short history has created problem after problem, and totally ignored them all.
Hold on to your chair, there will be more to come.Lol Biden address to the nation. lol, Sorry, Tragedy translate to honesty and serious comedy to me
I know US can find other ways for oil and gas. US will and Russia oil is lifeline to further war in Ukraine
I have spent significant time today (between making comments here) to evaluate much of the latest information available regarding the war.
I have to preface this by saying none of my information comes from the MSM (CNN, FOX, etc.), nor do I have any interest in what they are saying, so its likely way off from what you might be hearing.
Russia has already lost the war in the North West to capture Kyiv, and other Northern efforts have stalled.
Russia's only continued success is in the South, South East sectors, this is where their original focus was, this is where they had sound planning and good lines of support prepared... and even that has gone far from perfect.
On the Northern side it seems those Russian troops had expected to be welcomed as liberators. They were not prepared for stiff resistance and they were not prepared to go beyond three days, their supplies dried up.
So what seems to be happening is a complete disconnect between Russian Command & Putin and what is actually occurring on the battlefield.
I would not be at all surprised if the Russian forces are routed, equipment abandoned, and forces captured in the North and North West sections, beginning at any time now.
The Southern Push is finally meeting heavy resistance and will not make it to Kyiv. Well... shouldn't make it. This is where some of the best troops and supply lines seem to be concentrated, so some continued success is possible here.
I am far more worried about what Putin might do regarding Nuclear weapons, or even Nuclear power plants, than I am the Russian army winning the conventional war.
Outside of the Donbas - Crimea South Eastern section I do not see them holding their ground.
Russia has committed over 95% of the forces arrayed for this invasion, there are no reserves that I am aware of left to be brought forth.
I also heard that Russia committed more than 75% of its total military forces to this invasion, if that is accurate, they have already lost the war and continued efforts to advance will mean they won't even be able to hold the South East regions which are their strongest positions.
Russia has already lost this war, even if Putin doesn't know it yet... my biggest fear is what he may do if he refuses to accept his failure.I appreciate this summation. Really thorough. I hope Putin retreats to a bunker and goes the way of Hitler.
Let Putin hang himself. That's enough for him.
Stalin's numbers of deaths were worst than Hitler in Europe.
Putin's has 17 years of power of compared to Bush, Obama 16 years of power. Wail dozens of countries were invaded and each US President killing millions of mostly of woman and children of the middle East over mostly banking and oil. Under Trump power he didn't end any Major wars.
I'd say Putin is not winning this Ukraine war by killing 100s of Ukraine citizens compare to 1000s of Russian being killed. Any invading of a country would not fit international law nor religious laws, So most know it's immoral and ethically wrong on all levels, Which is impressive for the power of the people awareness and hope the same is held up with NATO mass destruction of the earth also. Cell phone podcast are raw in reality and extra wisdom for the people.
To compare Putin to American Presidents war road record and Hitler results, it's better to rethink.
It looks like the Southern advance of the Russian forces is backed by better logistic support. With respect to war logistics and organisation i recommend this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4wRdoWpw0w
What i didn´t know was the heavy reliance of Russian troop deployment on railroad transport.
It seems that the major error in the North was that the Russians did not protect the railroads into Ukraine. And the Ukraine forces blew up all railroads to Russia and Belorus at the beginning of the invasion.
Left Russian forces with their trucks only. And they also ran out of fuel, causing the traffic jams north of Kijv.
I am no military guy, but i have experience and skills in analysing corporate structures. What i learned from the video is that Russia applies a push principle for logistic supplies (meaning all parts of the forces get some kind of an entitlement and refill in ammunition, fuel...) On the other hand Nato and the USA apply the pull principle (Demand of frontline forces is transfered to logistics and logistics service the requests). Much more flexible, the pull principle, to say the least.
I noted early on in the invasion that Russian economy is in no good shape for a long confrontation. Can make a 100m sprint but not go long distance.
Russian forces still seem to follow socialist principles, as old joke tells:
"What happens if the Soviet Union captures the Sahara desert? - Nothing at first, but eventually the desert runs out of sand".
Looks like they ran out of precision targeting ammunition. Sadly civilians are to suffer from old style bombardments and barrage.The firey dragon can not defeat the snake in the grass.
Look at effectiveness of Russian bombardment has been on buildings built like tanks. There has been more than 10 times Russian killed for each Ukrainian. If Putin manager to kill the president of Ukraine it will make him a martyr and they fight even harder. When it time for Russian to go door to door it will be worst. The Ukrainian have greater advantage of knowledge of every building, street and allay way. Also collecting Russian gun and tanks along the way, just like the middle East did. They show Ukrainian joy riding Russian tank. Hard to beat people with human right laws on their side with heart.
The war is a distraction from the Covid world war that is now lost. There Even with the non violence on freedom Convoy side were called Nazis. IT will be some esle like green environment passport or AIDs next. The freeze on bank account, now cause a run on banks in Canada, Russian and a few other countries. All wars are related with banks the last hunted years. Now reinvest your bank currency into some thing esle, is a great idea.I had actually watched that video. Nice job who-ever did it.
That post was a summarization, my quick expression of what I deemed the situation to be... I am sure there were things I was unaware of.The real issue will be how Russian economy will suffer from sanctions. Because that will have the domestic pressure rise in Russia.
Not easy to find any data, but i could find a pattern:
Russia exports some 12 to 15% of its GDP almost entirely natural resources (too few Lada or Russian Vodka sold abroad). On the other hand Russia imports some 6 to 8% of its GDP almost entirely manufactured products.
An economy needs some 15% of its GDP in manufactured products to sustain status quo. If Russia looses 6% imports through sanctions, then Russian economy will have to shrink to (15% - 6%)/15% = 60% of its current size to reset to the 15% threshold.
This will cause huge uprisings in the population. Putin will either have to heavily suppress protests or resign from office. Will not happen in days or weeks but in a year or two.
The discussion about oil and gas imports from Russia is less fruitfull with respect to harming the economy. It simply does not help to cut off money inflow (by oil and gas) if the money can not be spent on imports any more. A real midterm treat in sanctions will be the chip industry. Russia does not have a single fab. Even local chip makers (Elbrus) import from Taiwan or Korea.
I don´t think Putin is stupid. He may be deranged in his attempts to restore the Soviet Union empire, but he is not stupid. This makes him dangerous. If he knows he can´t win and will loose economically he is cornered. By now Nato found out that Russian military forces are overestimated. We hear statements like "France or UK could deal alone with Russia". Not a good situation for Putin, provokes his nuclear option.
Meanwhile people in Ukraine are suffering. Young Russians soldiers are dying. A humanitarian desaster for both sides of the conflict.Numbers on Russian financial "war chest":
Supposed to be some 650 billion USD in foreign assets/currency.
From this 360 billion USD in stocks/obligations in western banks.
Another 160 billion in liquid assets in foreign banks. Leaves only 130 billion USD in directly accessable foreign reserves inside Russia.
Until now Swift channels are kept open for oil/gas exports. This adds some 1,5 bill. per day. Rising energy prices play into the hands of Russia.
General question: How much does the war cost per day? Does anyone have a figure?
Another question: Military budget of Russia was between 60 to 80 billion USD for the past 10 years. That was 200 million USD per day. How much of this portion is spent in Ukraine per day?
Daily war material consumption:
600 rockets in 10 days: 60 midrange missiles per day at 300.000 each? 18 million?
Aircraft and helicopter sorties per day: 1000 with 2h flight time and 3000 USD/h = 6 million?
Bombloads per sortie: 50000 USD = 50 million?
Groundforces vehicle loss per day: 50 (10 tanks at 10 mill., 40 trucks at 0,3 mill.) = 112 million ?
That already adds up to almost 200 million USD per day for immediate material replacement, not accounting for typical wear and maintenance cost (i forgot, Russian equipment is poorly maintained, so will more likely break than remain in combat).
This Ukraine war eats up more than the total daily "allowance" from the military budget. And that is only for ground and air forces. Naval forces not included.
With my knowledge of Russian industry, they are not flexible enough to step up production and replace. So we may likely see in the coming weeks that Russian momentum will fade. They simply run out of everything, including ammunition.
I know how to break down industrial processes and operations and i played the trick on this military issue. Numbers may be wrong. But they are certainly much closer to the truth than what an Estonian Nato general said: 20 billion until now, would be 2 billion per day. That is way too much. May have been close to 1 billion in the first days of the invasion. Would kind of explain why the Russians ran out of supplies so early, not only because of logistic issues.
Just an assumption. Probably a little more than an educated guess. Please forgive me that i tackle the war like an accountant while all the war atrocities are happening every day.it's true the US spent USSR to death in the arm race causing the fall of the Block wall. The world could spend Russia to death in this Ukraine war.
The economics and the cost is not the issue.
This war will be lost because the Russian army has a limited amount of professional soldiers (non-conscripts) and those units are not nearly numerous enough to take Ukraine.
Russia had an elite (or more professional) force capable of conducting rapid, complex operations with generally modern equipment, these soldiers number less than 100,000.
The rest of the military, still relies upon conscription, mass mobilization and mixed levels of 'modern' equipment.
There are no forces for Russia to call up, 95% of Russia's top forces are most likely already in Ukraine. What remains in Russia will be required to remain there to hold Russia.
So the economics, the cost of running the war, is irrelevant.
Within a week I expect a rout of all Russian forces except in the South/South East sector where they have Crimea, Naval Support, and still intact supply lines.
All other forces south of the Russian border will be compromised (abandoned) or destroyed.
Very soon, Russia's air superiority will be no more, Russia will be unable to fly over Ukraine due to surface to air missiles causing massive losses... they lost 9 aircraft (Jets and Helicopters) today alone.
Russia has already lost this war convincingly, Putin is not a military man, and I'm sure his generals are loathe to tell him the truth, but the failures of their campaign are obvious and many.Are negations between Russia and Ukraine a possible outcome, where Russia agrees that Ukraine can remain neutral? Or is it too late for that?
Actually, I heard that we should have encouraged a neutral Ukraine years ago. But NOOOO we and western countries urged for them to join NATO. This, I do believe is what has scared Putin and (whoever else is behind the scenes.) He desires the greatness of a unified Russia. Maybe he wants more than just the Ukraine, but I think he would be happy if Ukraine leaders promise not to join NATO and remain friends with Russia.Until Putin´s infamous speech before the invasion started, i thought that it was Putin´s first objective to keep Ukraine out of Nato.
I think we all had to learn that his main objective is to rebuild the Russian empire. So what really does it matter if Ukraine stays out of Nato? Isn´t this piece of the bargaining cake just something to let Putin keep his face?
I believe it is very important in every negotiation that Ukraine is not insisting on a status of before 2014. Crimea will stay with Russia. Land connections, water and energy supplies must be reestablished between mainland and Crimea. Ukraine could even earn money from this. It was foolish to cut this water channel and dry out Crimea.
And i hope this war opens the eyes for all Ukrainians that they can be united even with their differences in language und ethnic background. Ukraine has to solve their inner conflict of Nazi like nationalists in the west (Galicia) and Russian speaking people in the south east.
There is some tiny seed of truth in Putin´s narrative for the invasion, but only a tiny, tiny one. And the narrative prooved to be unstable. I follow the news coverage from the war. It is interesting how many anti Russian comments were coming from people with Russian background (i speak Russian well enough to identify the accent and where people are from). This war has united Ukraine, not only Nato.
These Luhansk and Donezk regions are somehow artificially stirred conflict zones. Russia kind on inflicted this to distract from Crimea. I have no clue of how to solve this.I agree, Ukrainians are more united than ever before.
What would Russia do if the Ukraine starts to win this war? If Russia is driven back, I wonder what that would do to the Russian Psyche when it comes to Ukraine.
I know many Russians never took Ukraine serious. Many always had the attitude that Ukraine is there for them to take over when they choose. I bet they have a different attitude now.
I don´t dispute the insufficiency of the Russian military personal. There are certainly issues with the quality.
The military budget that i mentioned includes payment of the troops. And (again my industrial consulting approach) you get what you pay for.
My very limited military experience as a conscript in the cold war draws an ambivalent picture. With conscripts the overall educational level was much higher in our army than after transition to a professional army. Soldiers are simply payed way less than in the civil world. Again - you get what you pay for.
I learned that no company is successful with an "elite" of professional skills. "Elite" supports flexibility, but does not replace leadership. Certainly applies to the military as well.
It is only hints that us laypersons can collect to get a clear picture. But the outlook is the same. No matter running out of equipment or running out of troups, Russia will have to retreat. The time for the 100m sprint is long over. No energy left for the marathon.What's wrong with the world, and what's the world waiting for? Should she pressured the UN and rush to Russia to fight the 'polar bear'? Yes, and partitioned Russia and make it a no country. And again, yes, the world did it to Germany. And did it at the Operation Thunder Storm to Iran in the 1980's. So, what's wrong with the world I ask again?
Thank you, Chriss57 for the information. Whether it's speculated, you use a reliable index or data for the computing. As I once said in this forum, I'm not familiar with Russia and it's block countries. I never had a read on her in my History or Economic class. Bv like the USA or China, she regularly features in the world affair scenario. She had a mindset to dorminate the world right after the 2nd. WW, when she insisted that the bombs America dropped on the two Japanese cities of Horishina and Nagasaki were meant for her. Russria, is a coward to invade Ukraine. Victory Ukraine!
As someone who speaks with Ukrainians regularly, I can tell you the main problem Putin has is the determination of the Ukrainian people. There are so many stories of bravery and sacrifice that would bring most people to tears. The Ukrainians are still angry and full of determination.
The world has united around Ukraine. The first of 16,000 foreign volunteers have reached Ukraine. Another wave of 20,000 is forming. Military equipment is also starting to arrive. There is a former US special forces officer that is in charge of an all-American/Canadian unit now fighting for the Ukrainians. I can tell you, the Ukrainians will not stop until the Russians are out of all of their territory.
Ukrainians know the longer this war lasts, the worse it is for Putin. The Russian army is in for some surprises in the coming weeks.I suspect there will be plenty of capable ex-soldiers making their way there. The chance to fight on the side of good, not because you were deployed and ordered to go fight somewhere, is tempting to many.
https://www.sofx.com/2022/03/02/want-to … ary-times/Bottomline if police or military troops came to harm my family and I, there would be a fight.
Because I don't believe in wars, led by bank and state. I would excape with family to another country.
Don't think war draft works because the people do not desire to be there. Just like 80% who don't like their job and most likely will not do, a good job.
For the 1000s of foreign military soldiers who vuleenteer to go to Ukraine. Will fight with purpose vs the most Russian wil not.I described myself as a lay person, though I had a BA degree in History. As a teenager, history make an impression of war on my person. So when I went for enlistment for the Officer Cadre course in the Nigerian Army I've pass the age limit. It's suppose to be less than 20 but I was 21. Yet I continoue to read history and graduate BA Honours...that land me to becoming an Adminitrative Officer. Now, the spirit for volunters is tempting at 66 years. And I've no military training. Victory for Ukraine!
Would you go to fight and vulenteer your service to Ukraine if your age was 59?
"Victory for Ukraine!"
Thank you!
In Ukrainian we say "Slava Ukrainee" which means "Glory to the Ukraine.
The response to this is "Erohom Slava" which means "To the heroes (defenders of Ukraine) Glory.
My prayer is that he {Putin} is incapable of accepting failure and in his weakest moment, it becomes a defining moment for someone within his circle, who does have the capability of accepting defeat, with the good sense to stop him, before OUR "biggest fear" is realized!!!
Thanks for sharing your assessment with us Ken.I must wonder how the media's coverage of Putin losing ground so to say will affect his decisions on what to do next.
It would seem over the past couple of days he has increased shelling and leaving cities, causing an increase in civilian death. The videos are leaking onto youtube, from cell phones. very graphic and heartbreaking
These videos are up for short time and removed. However the people of. Ukraine keeps them coming. They won't be swept away without letting the world know what Putin is doing. Sooner or later the media will be forced to show the truth of what is being done to these human beings.
"Russia has already lost this war, even if Putin doesn't know it yet... my biggest fear is what he may do if he refuses to accept his failure."
My own guess tells me we won't need to wait long to see what Putin will do. He has stepped up the destruction of cities, he will just plummet these cities until they are level, and there is no life left in them. It would seem this may be why he took time to surround the larger cities.Of course the properganda machine news is worldwide owned mostly by the super rich. It will force many worldwide people like myself to pick up a camera rather than a gun. Because I can't imagine running out of ideas to kill anyone for the sake of state and banks.
My food, freedom and housing buissiness covers the living basic for anyone. My family and I are always covered by alternative ways of living rather other than corperationism Pharma, State and banks. This will be the most creative times and most fastest changes by far that people will go through in their entire lives. Where for at least half will soon live for the better.
Believe or Not. I did a few projects for Ripley Believe it or Not. Learned a few things, it going to get even more freakier. .I will admit I have envied your way of life from afar. Your ideologies are different than many, and I credit your way of being unafraid of sharing them.
It would seem your preparation for alternative ways of living was a very good way to ensure your happiness and freedom.Every person has alternative ways of living. Some just make adjustments to suit the situation. I'm a practical person and there's enough for me and others in the fields and seas.
Not sure If every person has what it takes to live an alternative lifestyle - to move away from what society see as norms. To choose a life that makes them happy in their own skin, and ignore others' standard norms.
Not everyone can, yet more can now, than any other time in human history. Due to more of my recent life success. And my closest friend and I, are opening up life coaching. He into relationship coaching and I into holistic business life coaching. Kind of the like how JP awake out of California is doing wail podcasting his holistic products. My Podcast is called :Artist on the beach: coming soon. Also my daughter is doing podcast interviews for the younger generations. She is age 31 and looks like 18 and I'm age 67 and been told to look like age 50 or younger. Artist creative lifestyle keeps us Young.
Thank you, very much.
Have to say, the last two Covid years has been the greatest challenge of my life. The beauty of such tragedy actually brings more people tapped into a higher energy level of well being than ever before , after this great abuse. Where Others will prefer to stick to their owners.
Enjoy sharing with you ,
No need for envy or greed in this world,. If we are all God's, no better nor worst.
https://thehill.com/opinion/internation … -heres-why
Ken
That a good idea to ignore the news as much as we can, and do more of the thinking for ourselves. The US finishes-dead-last-in-media-trust-among-46-countries-here they survey.It took a month... but this post proved to be fairly accurate.
It took Putin a month to swallow this reality, which was obvious just days after I posted this.
Russia has now pulled its troops out of the West, North-West, North and South efforts. Troops and equipment are being pulled back into Russia or sent back to the South-East & Eastern efforts in and around the Donbas region.
This is a relief. I think Putin was debating the use of more powerful weapons, perhaps even weighing the option of using a tactical nuke.
Instead he has chosen to concede Ukraine, concede capturing Kyiv.
However, Putin is doubling down on the Donbas region (rich in coal and Natural Gas) and I think he will go to extreme lengths to retain control of this region and I absolutely believe that Putin would have to be dead for Crimea to be released from Russian control.
**
The Donetsk basin (Donbass), located on the territory of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, is the largest (95% of coal and energy reserves) in Ukraine. The discovered reserves of industrial categories of Donbass coal are 57 billion tons. With an annual production of 100 million tons, these reserves will last for 570 years.
The area of the basin is about 60,000 sq. km. (50,000 sq. km. within the Ukrainian border). The eastern part of the Donetsk basin is located in the Rostov region of Russia. Industrial coal mining began in 1795.
Donbass is the industrial heartland of Ukraine and one of the major industrial and mining-metallurgical complexes of Europe. It is the most urbanized and Russified area of Ukraine. Kharkiv, Dnipro and Donetsk are the main cities.
There are three main oil and gas bearing provinces in Ukraine. The main one is the Dnieper-Donetsk oil and gas province discovered in the 1950s. Oil deposits lie mainly at the depth of about 4,500 meters, gas and gas condensate - 5,000-6,000 meters.Ken, I agreed with you that Putin has already lost the war in Ukraine. Let him go ahead and use the nuke tactic. The world is waiting for him and will deal with him accordingly.
Appreciate your diligence, and it well seems by your assessment Putin is losing this war. I have, and from day one had the same worry that Putin may not accept he failed and uses nuclear and Chemical weapons.
At this point, we wait and hope he just accepts he lost this war. Not sure how he would accept being charged with war crimes. This could send him over the edge.That contrarian devil is still firmly rooted on my shoulder, here's a long one for you Ken.
I don't buy the `Russia is losing the war" claims that are coming from all directions. And I know that is contrary to real military experts, (besides just TV military experts), and apparent proof of real-time images. Oh well, I've been wrong before.
As you have said, it is the "big picture" that informs all other aspects and discussions, and that picture starts with the biggest question; what were Putin's goals for the invasion? Since Putin hasn't said, the world's answers are only speculation. Well-informed and considered speculation, but still speculation.
I think the speculation that Putin invaded because of NATO, and that he expected a quick, and possibly welcomed victory is wrong. It presented the wrong big picture. Some "experts' were even saying Putin expected a very short invasion—maybe 5-days to get Kyiv. Does anyone still think that Putin's goal was to stop NATO by conquering Ukraine?
For those that do, the apparent real facts on the ground support them. Consider the massive amount of military resources committed on so many different battlefronts; the dire effect on a weaker defense force diluted throughout the nation. Russia was wrecking Ukraine for weeks, and then, as the world's material support flooded in, Russia's advance was slowed, stalled, and then became a withdrawal.
The Western world wants Putin to fail, for the obvious `wrongness' of the act and the obvious humanitarian reasons, but more importantly, and generally unspoken, for the reason that a Putin win threatens their future security by making Russia stronger.
All the information we are being shown supports that big picture. The world needs Putin to fail so that is the current analysis being pushed.
I know that you know this, I mention it to show that is not the big picture I am looking at. I think the NATO angle is false, so the big picture painted from it has to be false also.
If my big picture is right, then the same things we are being shown to prove Putin is failing can also be interpreted to show that he is succeeding just as planned.
Miltary and economic losses had to be a cost Putin calculated as a price of success. Regardless of which "goal" is supported, that seems an acceptable fact. More than a few sources have described the best Russian forces as being on the eastern front, and the worst, (the conscripts), on the Western front.
The Western area military is the one failing, so the world is rejoicing and generally ignoring the success of the eastern military. Now, with Putin slowly "retreating" those western forces to the east, (to join up with the more experienced eastern forces), will almost certainly join in the final few battles around the Mariupol area to finish that landbridge holding.
If you remember my "big picture", that Putin's real goal was to grab Ukraine's Black Sea resources and create a landbridge from Crimea to Russia, (and wreck greater Ukraine in the process), than what we are being told and shown is just false hope.
Even Russia is adding paint to your big picture:
"Russia’s Defense Ministry said its military had secured Solodke, a town in the Donetsk region, as Ukraine urged civilians to leave. The country's eastern area, as well as parts of the Kharkiv region, braced for a new Russian offensive. Moscow is mobilizing troops to expand its control over Donbas, following their withdrawal from Ukraine's north and towns around the capital, Kyiv."
Consider my big picture with this Apr. 4, status map.
Putin doesn't want greater Ukraine. He doesn't want the burden of rebuilding Ukraine or the burden of governing it. He doesn't need them. He needs the economic and landbridge goals. Now that control of that landbridge is almost secured, Putin has the tragedy of a wrecked Ukraine as a reason to `submit' to being forced to the negotiating table. But will he be a victor or a defeated tyrant?
Will the negotiations give in to his landbridge demand in exchange for an armistice, for peace? If they do, (and many trail ballons on that idea have been floated recently), what has Putin lost, and what has he gained?
He has lost a lot of Russian lives, put Russia if the position of a pariah state, and suffered great economic costs. I believe those costs were anticipated and planned for, he doesn't value the lost lives and considers the economic and prestige losses as temporary.
What has he "won"?
He has stolen three-quarters of Ukraine's potential national energy resources which will make Russia the future dominant oil and gas producer of the eastern world. He will hold even stronger energy dominance over Europe. And, he will impoverish Ukraine by stealing its future economic potential. He will make the West shoulder the cost of rebuilding Ukraine.
He has established the landbridge with control of the entire eastern breakaway regions, and will likely proceed to `officially' annex them into `Mother' Russia, creating a physical Russian landmass, (including cementing his claim to Crimea), to Black Sea access.
I posted this scenario 5 weeks ago, the events of the past week seem to fit into it.
GA"He has stolen three-quarters of Ukraine's potential national energy resources which will make Russia the future dominant oil and gas producer of the eastern world."
I would have to say this war is far from over. Putin has won nothing. We will see what happens with Ukraine focuses their best forces in the east.I hope you are right Mike. I hope the described common perception is right.
GA
GA, yes you theorized this weeks ago and I concurred with it, I was quite impressed with it actually.
I believe there is strong reason why we will see this come to fruition.
What I am about to say may seem cynical, or even conspiratory, but is none the less the truth:
Many people are happy with this, BAE, Raytheon, Lockheed, etc. their stocks have gone up since the war began, orders for equipment are through the roof, this is big money for them.
Oil companies are loving it, they are raking in profits, Exxon, BP, Chevron, Valero, even the Saudis are going to make bank because of this war.
As Europe and others turn away from Russia, they will profit. Russia's oil and gas companies are owned and operated by the state-owned monopoly Transneft, companies like Shell and Exxon aren't allowed and they can't directly compete with Russia in the EU market... so this is a big win for them.
America wins because the EU and other allies see much more need for America to stick around as the world's Policeman and to stay on the dollar as the World's Reserve currency, the alternative is to trust in China, and China doesn't seem to concerned about what Russia or anyone else does to them.
There are a great many powerful people and powerful corporations that are thanking whatever gods they believe in that Russia did this. They have no desire to destroy Russia, to overthrow Putin, to help Ukraine defeat totally and humiliatingly Russian forces.... they want none of that.
They want Russia to be the Big Bad Boogeyman everyone needs to fear, that everyone needs America to protect them from... and don't look to China for that protection, they are more likely to come take control of your nation themselves if America isn't in their way.That doesn't sound conspiratorial to me. To your point about profits and boogeyman Russia, wouldn't those profit-seekers still win with a Putin loss?
I think the NATO up-armament trend will still occur, and less Russian energy dominance would open more fields of entry for them wouldn't it? In short, a win-win for the profit seekers.
GARussia still needs to appear as a legitimate threat.
If Ukraine gives Russia a beat down, having lost no territory, how much of a threat would Russia appear then?I see a picture of none. As Germany that start the first and second world war was defeated and pose no threat till date... Does Iran that instigated the world to convey the Desert Storm still pose a threat to world peace? Hardly the case.
Hmm . . . Maybe so. I haven't thought about this enough to argue it, but a quick thought is that I don't see a Russian failure in Ukraine as the end of danger from them. Ironically symbolic is a thought to reference the old adage about wounded bears. They are said to be more dangerous than ever. *shrug
GAYes, like a seriously wounded lion in the wild. Ever seen such an animal survive? In the Zoo, a Vet will take care of such. But here we're dealing with sholdier human beings whose morales seems to have been devastivated.
I feel this article gives a good review of how bad off the Russian military, in terms of conducting an offensive, is today.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-russ … 49654.htmlIt was a good article, and it does offer credible support for the thoughts about how bad the Russian military is in most areas. Still, I am fighting my own stubbornness. I can't let go of the thought: `Yeah, but . . . ' what if all those analyses and descriptions are true and the Russians still have, (or think they have), the capability to get what they want, and, considered the cost worth it?
Damn, there's a song about that feeling isn't there? ♫ Somethings got a hold on me ♫?
GARussia-boy is supposed to have 100 tin soldiers. At least that was what his uncle gave him the money for. Ukraine-boy is having 10 soldiers.
When Russia-boy got the money to buy his soldiers, he immediately went to the next store for candy. Left only the funds for 70 tin soldiers. Then some 20 soldiers worth of tin had to be spared because Russia-mom needed new tin spoons. And Russia-boy forgot that the mold for the soldiers had to be in good shape. So another 20 of his newly casted soldiers were crooked and couldn´t stand for parade.
Left Russia-boy with 30 tin soldiers. - Still 3 times the number of Ukraine-boy´s tin soldiers.
Corruption is an evergreen in Russia (and in Ukraine). The story about the Admiral Kusnetzov and the PD50 floating dock tells it all. Do you think this is different in Uralwagonzavod (tanks)? Or for aircraft and helicopters?
I can only hope that NATO-boy is doing a little better in this tin soldier game.
As i am from Germany i can only say: Germany-boy doesn´t want to play with tin soldiers. His greatgrandfather had played too much with them 80 years ago. But Germany-boy is quite good at casting soldiers. So he sells them all over the world (volume almost twice as high as UK exports).
Only this attitude doesn´t help in the current mess in Ukraine.
I don't feel Putin will walk away without winning this war. I do realize the media is touting Russia is losing. However, the pictures say another thing. As does the pursuit to kill civilians.
I feel he has not really gotten started yet. He certainly now sees that Ukraine will not give up, and will most likely bring out "bigger weapons".By "bigger weapons", d'you mean nuke bombs? Let him go ahead and do so. What's stopping him to do just that? And the whole world will deal with him accordingly.
I am not sure If anyone in this world will step up to the threat of being hit with a nuclear bomb. I would think he will use a Nuke that would be considered small in Ukraine, and then threaten to use a huge one used on Russia. I think he will most likely use chemical weapons before he would a nuke.
It is good news, Ken, lets hope that Putin stands down....
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