Politics

[Tundra Tiger]

I think that is accurate. The question is how much of what Russia gained beginning in 2022 will they be allowed to keep. If it is everything they currently occupy, then Putin can not only declare victory - he will regardless - his declaration will be truthful. I found little in the Trump's truth posting that gives me a lot of confidence. But, we'll see.

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"I want to thank President Putin..."

I about vomited when I read that. There is no punishment on earth that is remotely appropriate. There is absolutely nothing he should be thanked for.

 

[Red Leg]

"I want to thank President Putin..."

I about vomited when I read that. There is no punishment on earth that is remotely appropriate. There is absolutely nothing he should be thanked for.

I think this brief BBC article captures my concerns exactly.

Donald Trump offers Vladimir Putin a way back in from the cold

The BBC's Steve Rosenberg analyses how one phone call between Moscow and DC has already upended east-west relations.

www.bbc.com

 

[Wheels]

Gabbard confirmed..

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/02/12/tulsi-gabbard-senate-confirmation/

and RFK Jr over another hurdle.. my guess is he will be confirmed by tomorrow.. Friday at the latest..

There are no difficult confirmations left from what I can tell.. Lutnick, Stefanik, Deremer, etc should get past the senate with little effort..

Im honestly amazed.. even with control of the house and the senate, I thought there would be more resistance from the old guard..

mitch mconnel was the only R vote against gabbard.. and its a given at this point he's going to be an intentional thorn in Trumps butt every time he has the opportunity.. so no real surprise there..

It is interesting since the issues with USAID has come to light and with Bessent going to Ukraine to meet with Zelenskky. Probably to go over the books of US funding to Ukraine. (Remember the 175B vs 75B discrepancy) The pushback by a hand full of Republican Senators regarding Cabinet confirmations seems to have vanished. It would almost make a cynical individual think there was a correlation.

 

[WAB]

I think this brief BBC article captures my concerns exactly.

Donald Trump offers Vladimir Putin a way back in from the cold

The BBC's Steve Rosenberg analyses how one phone call between Moscow and DC has already upended east-west relations.

www.bbc.com

Very well written. Of all the good things happening domestically and in Israel, this to me looks like a major foreign policy blunder. To entertain the thought of State visits in the midst of the carnage initiated by this madman, seems like exactly the wrong message to send. The right message would be somewhat similar to what was delivered to Hamas.

 

[Alistair]

Very well written. Of all the good things happening domestically and Israel, this to me looks like a major foreign policy blunder. To entertain the thought of State visits in the midst of the carnage initiated by this madman, seems like exactly the wrong message to send. The right message would be somewhat similar to what was delivered to Hamas.

I wrote the following back in July of this year, in this thread in fact:

However, my worry is this. I'm not sure Trump is particularly likely to follow a route that whilst helpful to Ukraine, would be an expensive, categorical statement that he's willing to get stuck into the problem.

I don't think he's personally very interested in the Ukraine situation except as a tool to blame on Biden, and a lot of his supporters seem very opposed to any US involvement in the conflict at all.

I would therefore expect Trump to do the politically expedient thing, which would be to continue Biden's half assed policies whilst pressuring Zelensky to fold. He might even cut off some US aid to help that negotiation (which, let's be honest, would also be popular with a lot of the MAGA crowd).

A Russia peace deal wouldn't be worth much, you're correct, but it'd be excellent optics for the start of Trump's presidential run, and I hardly think his core supporters are paying enough attention to dig into the finer details of what 'the deal' entails. Note too that Trump probably has rather more power to force Zelensky to the table than he does Putin, so I'd assume that'd be the obvious starting point.

I guess it's reassuring that at least in one aspect Trump is predictable.

 

[steve white]

In the meeting on DOGE this morning quite a lot was made of disappearance of funds through web scams perpetrated by Romania, Nigeria, China and others. Many billions of dollars and little hope of recovery! Was also shocked by the low level of security regarding verification of recipients. We can't even operate the largest government at the same level as PayPal.
I hope people have their eyes wide open now. I think the bad actors assumed what they were doing could not be apprehended, and they would never be discovered. Would love to see heads roll and prison doors swing open.
Losses from fraud and waste at the ballpark of 20% are absolutely unacceptable. Did we all assume that these outrageous deficits were the normal or unavoidable costs of doing government? What a wake up call.....

 

[deewayne2003]

In the meeting on DOGE this morning quite a lot was made of disappearance of funds through web scams perpetrated by Romania, Nigeria, China and others. Many billions of dollars and little hope of recovery! Was also shocked by the low level of security regarding verification of recipients. We can't even operate the largest government at the same level as PayPal.
I hope people have their eyes wide open now. I think the bad actors assumed what they were doing could not be apprehended, and they would never be discovered. Would love to see heads roll and prison doors swing open.
Losses at the ballpark of 20% are absolutely unacceptable. Did we all assume that these outrageous deficits were the unavoidable costs of doing government? What a wake up call.....

This is a 16min clip of Mike Benz's Shawn Ryan show interview where he describes how Samantha Powers the Administrator of USAID person wealth has swollen from $6.7mil in 2021 to $30mil in 2024.

While making a $180k salary.

Also covers how Fauci said "We need to make it hurt" - in regards to how to deal with people spreading information counter to the vaccine agenda.

 

[cwpayton]

Sort of. The administration finessed this by changing the name to another Bragg. It was originally named for Confederate General Braxton Bragg, a North Carolina native. His name was banished during the post Floyd pandering to BLM, and it was changed to Fort Liberty. It has now be renamed again, but now for Army Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II paratrooper and Silver Star recipient from Maine. Pretty clever way of working it to avoid the whole "racist" thing in congress and in the media. But, not quite as bold a move as the initial headlines would lead us to believe.

I should also note that Bragg is generally considered one of the worst generals on either side during the war and was largely loathed by peers and subordinates alike.

Fort Hood would be much trickier. It was named after Confederate General John Bell Hood who initially formed and commanded the famed Texas Brigade during the War Between the States after serving in the cavalry in Texas fighting the Comanche in the 1850's. But, he was a native of Kentucky.

It is now named for General Richard E. Cavazos who was a native Texan from Kingsville and from the Army's perspective at least, incidentally of Hispanic heritage. He had a storied military career which included winning the Distinguished Service Cross (second only to the Medal of Honor) in Korea as a lieutenant. He won a second Distinguished Service Cross in Vietnam commanding a battalion on the Cambodian border in a story of heroism very similar to "We Were Soldiers."

He eventually retired as a Four Star in 1984 after serving as CG US Army Forces Command. However, he continued to actively advise army leadership development by serving on Army Warfighter exercises as a mentor. It was in that role, that as a battalion and brigade commander I came to know and respect him personally participating in Warfighter exercises at Fort Hood. He was one of my most cherished mentors.

Texas could not have a better representative for whom to name a post on Texas soil. It is why much of the anger over the name changes was muted here compared to the rest of the South.

Whats in a name? Quite a bit really, its interesting that Pfc Bragg reached back from the grave and out ranked a general Bragg of civil war notoriety for name selection to Ft Bragg . According to "Wikipedia" if they are to be believed, he also received the purple heart , born in Maine ,yes, but served in Ft Bragg N.C. OF THE 513TH paratroopers, Escaped after being captured, stole a German ambulance and took a wounded Budy to a allied hospital ,saving his life. just everyday stuff in WWII, nothing to really brag about.

 

[Newboomer]

This is a 16min clip of Mike Benz's Shawn Ryan show interview where he describes how Samantha Powers the Administrator of USAID person wealth has swollen from $6.7mil in 2021 to $30mil in 2024.

While making a $180k salary.

Also covers how Fauci said "We need to make it hurt" - in regards to how to deal with people spreading information counter to the vaccine agenda.

Fauci needs to be hurt---in a big way.

 

[Wheels]

Wonder if Letitia James will get a perp walk and mugshot in SDNY.

Charging a Governor and an Attorney General. We are living in interesting times.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1889802007399244249

 

[Wheels]

Fauci needs to be hurt---in a big way.

I have a feeling this will be addressed after the RFK confirmation and that DOGE will be involved in reviewing HHS, NIH, CDC. It will be interesting to see how many biolabs they were funding and in what countries.

 

[Red Leg]

Whats in a name? Quite a bit really, its interesting that Pfc Bragg reached back from the grave and out ranked a general Bragg of civil war notoriety for name selection to Ft Bragg . According to "wijkipedia" if they are to be believed, he also received the purple heart , born in Maine ,yes, but served in Ft bragg N.C. OF THE 513TH paratroopers, Escaped after being captured, stole a German ambulance and took a wounded Budy to a allied hospital ,saving his life. just everyday stuff in wwII.

Everyday stuff during WWII didn't earn a PFC a Silver Star and Purple Heart. His actions were heroic for that time as well, and were famous enough to be mentioned in John Eisenhower's Bitter Woods - an excellent read by the way.

He is an appropriate choice - but he was chosen because his last name was Bragg. It is about the only way it could have been done without stirring up a hornet's nest in Congress.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Very well written. Of all the good things happening domestically and in Israel, this to me looks like a major foreign policy blunder. To entertain the thought of State visits in the midst of the carnage initiated by this madman, seems like exactly the wrong message to send. The right message would be somewhat similar to what was delivered to Hamas.

Trump is still hoping to get a hotel and casino in Moscow.

The Truth Behind Trump Tower Moscow: How Trump Risked Everything For A (Relatively) Tiny Deal

Candidate Trump jeopardized his eventual presidency on a middling deal—and one that would have had Vladimir Putin's fingerprints all over it.

www.forbes.com

 

[Wheels]

Trump to have a news conference tomorrow and read names of recipients of waste and fraud totaling billions. Trump is overwhelming the media and building public support. A couple months ago Elon said he would be done by July 4, 2026 and we would have a celebration. I would have been happy if he could go through 25% of the budget in four years. He may make his goal.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1889794177631948865

 

[cwpayton]

Everyday stuff during WWII didn't earn a PFC a Silver Star and Purple Heart. His actions were heroic for that time as well, and were famous enough to be mentioned in John Eisenhower's Bitter Woods - an excellent read by the way.

He is an appropriate choice - but he was chosen because his last name was Bragg. It is about the only way it could have been done without stirring up a hornet's nest in Congress.

I assume the "bitter woods " is a book on the battle of the BULGE ",if not possibly the Argonne forest battle of WWI fame, and my great uncle was killed in, I will make an effort to pick it up. I always check the book sections of goodwill type stores for unusual or out of print books, I' ve found some great ones.

 

[cwpayton]

Trump is still hoping to get a hotel and casino in Moscow.

The Truth Behind Trump Tower Moscow: How Trump Risked Everything For A (Relatively) Tiny Deal

Candidate Trump jeopardized his eventual presidency on a middling deal—and one that would have had Vladimir Putin's fingerprints all over it.

www.forbes.com

Word is Moscow Putin has requested a special TRUMP edition slot machine that guarantees 100% return on all invested in the risky endeavors.

 

[Jeff505]

Santa Clause uses a straw? Who knew?!

 

[Red Leg]

I assume the "bitter woods " is a book on the battle of the BULGE ",if not possibly the Argonne forest battle of WWI fame, and my great uncle was killed in, I will make an effort to pick it up. I always check the book sections of goodwill type stores for unusual or out of print books, I' ve found some great ones.

Yes, it is a superb history of the Battle of the Battle of the Bulge during which Bragg's heroic actions took place. John Eisenhower was one of the president's sons and had an accomplished career as well. He was also a fine writer and historian. Stephen Ambrose, then at the height of his powers as a historian, provided the introduction to the book which was published in 1969 and is still in publication.

The Meuse-Argonne offensive was the last great campaign of WWI which drove the Central Powers to the negotiating table. American casualties were very high as our fresh troops took over much of the brunt of the fighting and breakthrough. You great uncle died in a noble cause. The American cemetery at Romagne, France, which holds most of those casualties (nearly 15,000) is of extraordinary beauty. Almost no Americans ever set foot there because our average countryman is clueless about that war. When we were last there, we were among perhaps a dozen on the whole 130 acre memorial. I doubt many of them were American citizens.

 

[Russ16]

Yes, it is a superb history of the Battle of the Battle of the Bulge during which Bragg's heroic actions took place. John Eisenhower was one of the president's sons and had an accomplished career as well. He was also a fine writer and historian. Stephen Ambrose, then at the height of his powers as a historian, provided the introduction to the book which was published in 1969 and is still in publication.

The Meuse-Argonne offensive was the last great campaign of WWI which drove the Central Powers to the negotiating table. American casualties were very high as our fresh troops took over much of the brunt of the fighting and breakthrough. You great uncle died in a noble cause. The American cemetery at Romagne, France, which holds most of those casualties (nearly 15,000) is of extraordinary beauty. Almost no Americans ever set foot there because our average countryman is clueless about that war. When we were last there, we were among perhaps a dozen on the whole 130 acre memorial. I doubt many of them were American citizens.

View attachment 665002

That’s a beautiful cemetery. My great grandfather spent basically the whole war in the trenches as an engineer for the Canadians. Brought home an English war bride and moved to Iowa. We have a suitcase full of the trench maps he drew they are basically a history of many of the major battles of the war.

 

[WAB]

That’s a beautiful cemetery. My great grandfather spent basically the whole war in the trenches as an engineer for the Canadians. Brought home an English war bride and moved to Iowa. We have a suitcase full of the trench maps he drew they are basically a history of many of the major battles of the war.

Those trench maps must be incredible. He may have mapped areas my great uncle fought. He lied and joined the Canadian military at 17. Those men went through hell in that war.