Politics

[bowjijohn]

I can’t get my head around recent events

The US vice President did speak much truth to EU leaders

Much of what he said is well received amongst the people of the UK

Agreed that Europe needs to shoulder much of the security burden in the European area

Agreed that the EU has ‘cadged a lift’ on the backs of the US and pissed away money on socialist values

Agreed that the EU is an inefficient economic block that survives through the implementation of protectionism

All the above though do not excuse the promotion of Putin above the station of a clever and ruthless leader of an international crime gang

In doing so, Trump brings war in Europe very much more likely

It is not true that US lives will not be yet again wasted on European fields as a result of weak western leadership and delusional US isolationism

Because a failed Europe is catastrophic to Western interests in the world

Trump is allowing Putin to regroup and re attack

He does not “know Putin”

if he really believes that he can do a deal with him, he is a pillock

Putin is looking for weakness to exploit

In summary

Trump is either operating at a level that I (and many others) can’t conceive

Or

He is dictatorial and delusional.

I do hope it is the former

On the battlefield and in international strategy - delusion is a terminal quality

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Good grief, I’m Canadian Sherlock.

eh! You keeping forgetting "eh"

 

[WAB]

And I'm American, but I never made the assertion that I speak for every American on any topic, nor do I have the qualifications to speak about your personal experiences of which I have absolutely ZERO knowledge "Sherlock"...

You’re getting yourself all worked up over nothing. If you reread my post you will see that I did not claim to be speaking for all Canadians, simply that I am more qualified to speak for Canadians than you are. Having citizenship in both countries, having done all of my schooling in Canada, and having spent roughly three quarters of my professional career in the US, my experience provides a different point of view than many.

 

[BSO Dave]

You’re getting yourself all worked up over nothing. If you reread my post you will see that I did not claim to be speaking for all Canadians, simply that I am more qualified to speak for Canadians than you are. Having citizenship in both countries, having done all of my schooling in Canada, and having spent roughly three quarters of my professional career in the US, my experience provides a different point of view than many.

I'm not getting worked up my Canadian friend... I don't get worked up by anything anyone posts here... It's pure entertainment for me... PM me your address and I will send this to you... Consider it a goodwill gesture towards US/Canadian relations...

 

[mdwest]

[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]" data-quote="Russ[emoji6]" data-source="post: 0" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch">

But we weren’t just talking about defense contracting. There are a lot of government functions that require a different model than that.

I’m for smaller government but it’s important to acknowledge that there are a variety of functions that require different approaches. It can’t all be done through contractors.

Same model applies across DOS, DOJ, DHS, etc…

 

[Altitude sickness]

I can’t get my head around recent events

The US vice President did speak much truth to EU leaders

Much of what he said is well received amongst the people of the UK

Agreed that Europe needs to shoulder much of the security burden in the European area

Agreed that the EU has ‘cadged a lift’ on the backs of the US and pissed away money on socialist values

Agreed that the EU is an inefficient economic block that survives through the implementation of protectionism

All the above though do not excuse the promotion of Putin above the station of a clever and ruthless leader of an international crime gang

In doing so, Trump brings war in Europe very much more likely

It is not true that US lives will not be yet again wasted on European fields as a result of weak western leadership and delusional US isolationism

Because a failed Europe is catastrophic to Western interests in the world

Trump is allowing Putin to regroup and re attack

He does not “know Putin”

if he really believes that he can do a deal with him, he is a pillock

Putin is looking for weakness to exploit

In summary

Trump is either operating at a level that I (and many others) can’t conceive

Or

He is dictatorial and delusional.

On the battlefield and in international strategy - delusion is a terminal quality

I don’t think Vance wants to hand Europe over to Putin.

Look at from the U.S. taxpayer point of view.

We spend hundreds of Billions in Ukraine. All good. Then we look at many Ukrainian neighboring nations that have the luxury to waste their money on ridiculous social issues of the day. Instead of spending more on defense. It tends to upset a US citizen that is having a hard time making ends meet to send their tax money.

If my friend is living beyond his means. Partying, spending his money of frivolous drag queen parties and social justice BS, and unfettered immigration as some in Europe has. That is great. Good for him. But then don’t come Hat in Hand to borrow money for a leaking roof.

Vance is saying your current leaders are focused on the wrong priorities.

Our tax money should be your back up plan. Not your first line of defense.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Same model applies across DOS, DOJ, DHS, etc…

Even in the private sector. It’s rare that a contractor does not perform better, faster, cheaper than the parent organization. That does not mean the parent organization ceases to exist.

It just farms out duties that specialists do better.

 

[Red Leg]

I can’t get my head around recent events

The US vice President did speak much truth to EU leaders

Much of what he said is well received amongst the people of the UK

Agreed that Europe needs to shoulder much of the security burden in the European area

Agreed that the EU has ‘cadged a lift’ on the backs of the US and pissed away money on socialist values

Agreed that the EU is an inefficient economic block that survives through the implementation of protectionism

All the above though do not excuse the promotion of Putin above the station of a clever and ruthless leader of an international crime gang

In doing so, Trump brings war in Europe very much more likely

It is not true that US lives will not be yet again wasted on European fields as a result of weak western leadership and delusional US isolationism

Because a failed Europe is catastrophic to Western interests in the world

Trump is allowing Putin to regroup and re attack

He does not “know Putin”

if he really believes that he can do a deal with him, he is a pillock

Putin is looking for weakness to exploit

In summary

Trump is either operating at a level that I (and many others) can’t conceive

Or

He is dictatorial and delusional.

I do hope it is the former

On the battlefield and in international strategy - delusion is a terminal quality

Very well said. I too thought that Vance's remarks were a long overdue American slap in the face to European socialism. With respect to Ukraine, Vance at least said what Hegseth should have said (and has now very clumsily and far too late tried to walk back). I have had little confidence in Trump on the international Pol/mil front, and I have seen nothing yet that encourages me to change that opinion.

Fortunately, not all republicans have become unquestioning supporters of naivete abroad.

Senior Republican senator ‘puzzled’ and ‘disturbed’ by Hegseth’s Ukraine remarks

Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker is breaking with the line from the Trump White House.

www.politico.eu

 

[Altitude sickness]

Back to the “Dirty Deeds not Done Cheap” by USAID.

With a little curiosity and searching skills. You will find that every tactic used nefariously overseas by the groups indirectly and covertly funded by USAID. Has been used internally for decades. A few examples.

Hillary Clinton’s State Department and the CIA funding the rebels to overthrow Muammar al-Gaddafi. Remember how she and Obama fell in love with the Muslim Brotherhood. And of course inside that group were the same people we were fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Tools they use abroad and at home

Buy off the media through back door deals. The money sent through many hands to clean it.

Pay for “organic” unrest and protests and hopefully riots. What is gained by riots. You hope the opposition clamps down so examples of extremism can be shown to the world. As an example of what your team has been guarding against. The other team is Hitler. See, we told you so. And we will protect you against Hitler. (Jan 6th???)

There will be another uprising soon similar to BLM and the summer of love. and they hope Trumps team will over react.

Does anyone still think the “summer of love” was organic. It’s one of the same plays used all over world by NGOs indirectly funded by USAID and the State Dept.

It’s does sound crazy. But these are only a few of the tools in the toolbox to plant unrest where you need it. And if you deny our government hasn’t done it all over the world for decades you’re very naïve.

So then, once you realize they’re very good at it all over the world why wouldn’t they use it here to get what they want. And to protect us from Hitler. Small wings inside the CIA and State Dept primarily

Remember the CIA and other agencies don’t actually man the protests or uprising themselves.

They use useful idiots and true believers. Fund and instigate those true believers. Maybe open a few doors for them that they can’t do themselves. Grease the skids here. Plant fake information there.

Have the local Media spin the desired message.

 

[V.Veritas]

Yes. He basically advocated to vote for nationalist far right parties.

No, he didn’t not.
Where did you get this idea from?
What he said was that the “elites” should not predetermine the results of an election and cancel it if they don’t like the results. That action contradicts the basic principle of a democracy. (I just summarized his entire speech in a sentence. )

Before we get into a polemic I should mention that I’m replying from Romania, since Vance used it as a prime example.

 

[roverandbrew]

Contractors

So we are just shuffling money. Contracts are often awarded based off cost and not the ability to deliver a great product. Contractors work great for surge capability in government or to bridge a POM cycle. Not sure I want my steady state operations filled by a rotation of contractors.

 

[roverandbrew]

I can’t get my head around recent events

The US vice President did speak much truth to EU leaders

Much of what he said is well received amongst the people of the UK

Agreed that Europe needs to shoulder much of the security burden in the European area

Agreed that the EU has ‘cadged a lift’ on the backs of the US and pissed away money on socialist values

Agreed that the EU is an inefficient economic block that survives through the implementation of protectionism

All the above though do not excuse the promotion of Putin above the station of a clever and ruthless leader of an international crime gang

In doing so, Trump brings war in Europe very much more likely

It is not true that US lives will not be yet again wasted on European fields as a result of weak western leadership and delusional US isolationism

Because a failed Europe is catastrophic to Western interests in the world

Trump is allowing Putin to regroup and re attack

He does not “know Putin”

if he really believes that he can do a deal with him, he is a pillock

Putin is looking for weakness to exploit

In summary

Trump is either operating at a level that I (and many others) can’t conceive

Or

He is dictatorial and delusional.

I do hope it is the former

On the battlefield and in international strategy - delusion is a terminal quality

He is dictatorial and delusional.

 

[roverandbrew]

The agencies they work for shouldn’t even exist.
Show me in the Constitution where a Department of Education, Bureau of Labor, USDA is authorized. It’s not.
Outside of ports of entry, immigration, State Department, and our military the federal government has very little Constitutional authority.

I am afraid the minimum you are talking about is well beyond the "10% is all we need".

 

[Altitude sickness]

No, he didn’t not.
Where did you get this idea from?
What he said was that the “elites” should not predetermine the results of an election and cancel it if they don’t like the results. That action contradicts the basic principle of a democracy. (I just summarized his entire speech in a sentence. )

Before we get into a polemic I should mention that I’m replying from Romania, since Vance used it as a prime example.

Romania is exactly where the focus should be. The winning President Is against the huge naval base. And boom the election is nullified.

 

[deewayne2003]

Should Musk be looking into NASA? Seems unethical for him to be investigating a pseudo competitor.

Well your also talking about a competitor that has to contract with Space X to retrieve astronauts from the space station because they are incapable.

This federal competitor has also been trying to use every federal regulation possible to impede Space X progress.

Even with all the hurdles Space X is still conducting missions at a fraction of the cost.

 

[YancyW]

Well your also talking about a competitor that has to contract with Space X to retrieve astronauts from the space station because they are incapable.

Boeing with a massive failure is the reason NASA has contracted out the rescue mission to SpaceX.

 

[deewayne2003]

Boeing with a massive failure is the reason NASA has contracted out the rescue mission to SpaceX.

You made my point for me…..

So your saying a long standing defense contractor with billions in government contracts failed to complete a government contract…..

I bet Boeing still got paid for the failure though!

Hell USA tax payers probably fully funded the research and development of the failure for YEARS.

 

[PARA45]

https://news.va.gov/138326/va-secretary-doug-collins-veterans-benefits/

 

[roverandbrew]

https://news.va.gov/138326/va-secretary-doug-collins-veterans-benefits/

The VA just fired a 1000 people when they were already short staffed. Actions speak louder than words.

The quote below from that link lets me know this is more propaganda from the administration.

"Collins reinforced VA’s dedication to fulfilling its mission under President Trump’s leadership and concluded his message with an assurance of ongoing transparency regarding developments at VA."

 

[Altitude sickness]

There is zero chance Trump or Hegseth will lead any calls for cuts to veterans benefits. Or the Military buildup.

Effective, efficient service maybe. But not cuts.

The leftist inside these agencies will try to slow or degrade service to blame on the Trump team. But it won’t be due to cuts to benefits.