Politics

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Vashper I know this will conflict with your self-perception, but 90% of the American people rarely think of Russia if at all. Those of us who do think of you tend to view Russia as a paranoid schizophrenic 12 year old schoolchild with a loaded AK and a grenade in their backpack as he wanders the halls of his middle school. I know it is hard to accept, but no one wants anything that you have. No one has demonstrated that more than the peoples of Central Europe. That is a relationship built over a thousand years culminating in Soviet tanks, jackboots, and terror of the KGB and MVB. Their governments and peoples would be insane not to want to align themselves with the West and to acquire some sort of security assurances. Your nation's behavior in Ukraine has only solidified those perceptions and finally driven Sweden and Finland into membership in the Atlantic Alliance.

Outside of a normal trading relationship, there is nothing that you have that this country or frankly any NATO member needs - unless, it is perhaps sane leadership and to be left alone.

The facts are your nation brutally invaded a country that had been independent for 30 years. Based on the air assault landings in Homstomel and the beleaguered Russian troops north of Kiev, the intent clearly was a Hungarian or Czech model of quickly seizing the country. The strategic genius in the Kremlin and his sycophantic generals seemed to have missed the part about the Ukrainian people having a vote as well. They are continuing to vote at your nation's enormous cost every single day.

You have suffered nearly a million casualties in Ukraine. Sure, most were those second class Asian dependents about which a Muscovite has no real interest, but you also lost the core of your modernized army. Many of those young officers were future leaders in your nation. How much more of your future are you and your fellow citizens willing to discard for the sake of an ex-KGB thug's vanity?

Finally, if I may offer you and whomever reads your mail a suggestion. Your paranoia is focused in the wrong direction. Despite their help with drones and munitions, Iran hates you far worse than they hate us. For the moment, they have trapped themselves in a conflict with Israel and their nuclear aspirations. But when that passes, they will resume their destabilization efforts in Russia's Muslim south and southeast. The West will be a useful ally when that happens.

Also, you have a simmering territorial conflict that could erupt at any point that Xi or a successor believes he needs to distract domestic opinion from the trajectory of China's economy or failure with respect to Taiwan. I would note, even an unclassified assessment of the correlation of forces between the PLA and the Russian armed forces would have me sleepless in Moscow. Other than another internal catastrophe, those are your actual international threats - not NATO.

That’s all well and good but where’s the bear ?

 

[rookhawk]

Vashper I know this will conflict with your self-perception, but 90% of the American people rarely think of Russia if at all. Those of us who do think of you tend to view Russia as a paranoid schizophrenic 12 year old schoolchild with a loaded AK and a grenade in their backpack as he wanders the halls of his middle school. I know it is hard to accept, but no one wants anything that you have. No one has demonstrated that more than the peoples of Central Europe. That is a relationship built over a thousand years culminating in Soviet tanks, jackboots, and terror of the KGB and MVB. Their governments and peoples would be insane not to want to align themselves with the West and to acquire some sort of security assurances. Your nation's behavior in Ukraine has only solidified those perceptions and finally driven Sweden and Finland into membership in the Atlantic Alliance.

Outside of a normal trading relationship, there is nothing that you have that this country or frankly any NATO member needs - unless, it is perhaps sane leadership and to be left alone.

The facts are your nation brutally invaded a country that had been independent for 30 years. Based on the air assault landings in Homstomel and the beleaguered Russian troops north of Kiev, the intent clearly was a Hungarian or Czech model of quickly seizing the country. The strategic genius in the Kremlin and his sycophantic generals seemed to have missed the part about the Ukrainian people having a vote as well. They are continuing to vote at your nation's enormous cost every single day.

You have suffered nearly a million casualties in Ukraine. Sure, most were those second class Asian dependents about which a Muscovite has no real interest, but you also lost the core of your modernized army. Many of those young officers were future leaders in your nation. How much more of your future are you and your fellow citizens willing to discard for the sake of an ex-KGB thug's vanity?

Finally, if I may offer you and whomever reads your mail a suggestion. Your paranoia is focused in the wrong direction. Despite their help with drones and munitions, Iran hates you far worse than they hate us. For the moment, they have trapped themselves in a conflict with Israel and their nuclear aspirations. But when that passes, they will resume their destabilization efforts in Russia's Muslim south and southeast. The West will be a useful ally when that happens.

Also, you have a simmering territorial conflict that could erupt at any point that Xi or a successor believes he needs to distract domestic opinion from the trajectory of China's economy or failure with respect to Taiwan. I would note, even an unclassified assessment of the correlation of forces between the PLA and the Russian armed forces would have me sleepless in Moscow. Other than another internal catastrophe, those are your actual international threats - not NATO.

To add to this, I tend to subscribe to Zeihan's analysis of Russia. The West believes Russia is a long-term threat. I'm not certain that the West really is on Ukraine's side, they are on the side of diminishing the breeding generation of Russia tit-for-tat. The result of continued war is that Russia will be missing a generation of people which is going to punctuate the inverted population pyramid of Russia. This war will be Russia's last war because there will not be enough younger people to support an aging Russia in the absence of a generation of breeding-age men.

If Russia wants survival, it is in their absolute interest to sue for peace and align with the West. If they choose to continue, they will be a shell of their former self which will allow China to eventually seize control of Russia.

This isn't about right or wrong, its about the facts of populations. Russia will cause their extinction if they don't stop fighting this war. I'd rather have peace with Russia and eventually Western alignment than to see Russia's extinction by China in 30 years.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Sounds like the administration that condemned Zelenskyy for not showing up in a suite couldn’t come up with one in black for the the pope’s funeral.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Sounds like the administration that condemned Zelenskyy for not showing up in a suite couldn’t come up with one in black for the the pope’s funeral.

Non Catholics are allowed to wear blue. Could you be more petty?

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

Sounds like the administration that condemned Zelenskyy for not showing up in a suite couldn’t come up with one in black for the the pope’s funeral.

Prince William, the future King of Canada, wore a navy blue suit.

Zelensky wore black but not a suit. Personally I think it makes him look a bit like an auto mechanic in his Dickies.

It’s really a non-story.

Why Did Prince William Wear a Blue Suit to Pope Francis’ Funeral?

Prince William and President Donald Trump sparked a social media debate by wearing blue suits instead of black clothing to Pope Francis' funeral on April 26.

people.com

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Non Catholics are allowed to wear blue. Could you be more petty?

I’ll own that one being Catholic I didn’t realize the etiquette allows for non Catholics to wear blue. We’ve always warn black to funerals.

 

[Hank2211]

One may not be convinced but atleast before calling posters for all kinds of names do your own research or ask. But again some don’t want move regardless of clearity. Its easy to tell by the reply who possesses good social and intelligent skills and those are just proud with a strong opinion.

I don’t understand what you’re saying here.

Have I called anyone names? I don’t think so, certainly not in the post you referenced.

I was simply pointing out that there’s no point in debating people who tell you in advance that nothing you can say or do will ever convince them that they are wrong.

And, again, I expressed no opinion at all in this post on any subject matter, other than that of debates in general.

Help?

 

[Altitude sickness]

I’ve worn a blue suit to many funerals.

Heck if this Swiss Guards clothes are ok. Then a nice blue suit should be fine.

 

[John Wasmuth]

There are more than a few on here that are not interested in hearing your opinion, they only want their opinion coming out of your mouth. Otherwise they don’t want you or I or whomever posting anything contrary to their ideals.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

I don’t understand what you’re saying here.

Have I called anyone names? I don’t think so, certainly not in the post you referenced.

I was simply pointing out that there’s no point in debating people who tell you in advance that nothing you can say or do will ever convince them that they are wrong.

And, again, I expressed no opinion at all in this post on any subject matter, other than that of debates in general.

Help?

I’m guessing he was trying to build on your post and not call you out for anything, seems like there is occasionally a language barrier with him.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

I’ve worn a blue suit to many funerals.

Heck if this Swiss Guards clothes are ok. Then a nice blue suit should be fine.

View attachment 681719

Like I said that was a mistake on my part being Catholic and in a predominantly Catholic region black is still the only colour worn to funerals here.

 

[BonUm16]

Lots of blue when not cropped for effect.

 

[Altitude sickness]

these days your lucky if anyone wears any color suit to a funeral. Many wear jeans or sweat pants.

 

[Hank2211]

As a lifelong (and proud) Catholic, I think we can get off the discussion of the appropriate colour of suit to wear to a funeral, Catholic or otherwise.

First, because what’s important is that you are there, honoring and praying for the souls of the departed, and what you are wearing is completely irrelevant to that.

Second, because it would be un-Catholic to criticize or belittle anyone for their choice of attire in this context. A “good” Catholic (which I unfortunately cannot always claim to be) might even suggest that it is “unchristian” to be so petty.

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

I’ll own that one being Catholic I didn’t realize the etiquette allows for non Catholics to wear blue. We’ve always warn black to funerals.

Mr. Biden seems to have been wearing a blue tie as well. Though, with a black suit.

I usually wear a dark jacket with a black tie to funerals. I think most of what I’ve seen between Biden, Trump, and Prince William has been within the realm of tasteful conservative dress. President Trump could have skipped the shiny lapel pin but it’s a minor detail. Mr. Biden has a more subdued one that works well.

I think that if there was a good time to wear a suit by Zelensky, this would have been it. I understand that he is going for the “leader of a nation at war” look when he’s abroad but I don’t believe funerals are the place to make a statement but it’s hardly a pressing world issue.

 

[John Wasmuth]

I always wear black to funerals, seems fitting as a sign of respect and morning. When I left the Catholic Church it was in “the name of the father, the son, and the Holy Ghost”, not the “Holy Spirit”. But I think it’s rather petty worrying about what color was worn more than who attended……

 

[VertigoBE]

Well most EVs are heavier thus are more hazardous to other vehicles and drivers. They are heavier so do more road damage. They are more hazardous to emergency workers who have to deal with the hazardous materials and the greater fire and electrocution risks. The batteries and electronics components are hazmat so will have to dealt with locally. Globally, the raw material extraction then manufacture of the base components, primarily in places like China, is extremely environmentally damaging. Once the useful life of such components and vehicles is used up some can be recycled at great expense but other portions have to be stored in long term hazmat storage facilities. The carbon fiber and nano carbon fiber used in the frames and bodies of many of these vehicles, to help offset some of the greater mass of the battery, is currently considered hazmat so has to be stored in long term secure facilities. No one knows what to do with most of it, a situation similar to the dilemma associated with the carbon fiber primary structures of wind turbines. Much of that crap may have an environmental half life of millions of years or more. Then charging the EV batteries will require greater grid density of outlets and place a greater strain on the regional power grid. Just as with powering AI, the gas lighting continues about how increasing EV use won’t or doesn’t increase the cost of electricity to average consumer. Possibly the largest public gas lighting effort currently under way that is conveniently flying under the complicit MSM’s radar. Please explain the economic principle where increased demand without comparable increased supply doesn’t increase cost? No mystery at all why Kansas is considering increased fees. And I’m sure Waste Management ( aka Big Green) is busy lobbying conversely for more EV use without offset fee or penalty, After all they have continually attempted to corner much of the government contract market for handling and storing such waste. What a system…

Well said!

 

[Brent in Az]

Biden didn't burst into flames by stepping on Holy ground?

 

[Brent in Az]

Americans lost $16.6 billion dollars to scams last year. Up 33% over 2023, with seniors being the most vulnerable.
Investment and cryptocurrency are the most common scams.

Scams will be even worse as artificial intelligence technology advances.

 

[rigbymauser]

And the damage done to international relations and business will be his legacy.

I don’t understand what you’re saying here.

Have I called anyone names? I don’t think so, certainly not in the post you referenced.

I was simply pointing out that there’s no point in debating people who tell you in advance that nothing you can say or do will ever convince them that they are wrong.

And, again, I expressed no opinion at all in this post on any subject matter, other than that of debates in general.

Help?

No no.it was a generel obsrvation. Definatly not on you.