Politics

[Altitude sickness]

On Signalgate. I really want to believe Mike Waltz is telling the truth. He was an officer in the Green Berets, which is pretty much the last of the Boy Scouts now that the FBI is Sullied.

I would have a small group of NSA analysts dig to see if any have communicated with Goldberg in the past. Trust but Verify

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

We see it in much of the discussion in this thread. Climate alarmists speak with a the arrogant certainty of the Roman Church shortly before Martin Luther nailed his theses in 1517. Go back several hundred posts and you will see the same unquestioning "Belief" in masks, vaccines, school closures etc. Others become committed in their "Belief" in a politician or political movement.

Because of such commitment to a "Belief," those who question those beliefs become an enemy imbued with all the evils of Satan. I can point to dozens of posts in this thread as illustrations.

I think this theme should extend to those on this thread that question the continuation of support of the war in Ukraine. My opinion on the war has mostly been in agreement with yours. However, my thoughts are changing.

At first and especially after we were all surprised at the resilience of the Ukrainians to fight back, I was fully in support of a victory for Ukraine as defined by kicking Putin and his forces completely out of the country. That seemed to be in the works, but now the war appears to be at a stalemate for the time being and has become a war of attrition. That said, Putin has no problem throwing more of his young men into the meat grinder and I believe has more of them than do Ukraine.

I believe you have said that in order to take ground, while air support is needed, eventually you must take that ground with forces on the ground. It seems that is not possible for Ukraine to do without bringing in foreign troops. If that is the case that almost certainly means NATO troops. Do we really wish to go to war with Russia over this relatively small amount of ground in Ukraine, one of the more corrupt nations on this earth?

Would we be conceding some amount of victory to Putin if he were allowed to maintain control over the eastern part of the country he has now? Perhaps, but at what cost has this come to Putin?

I offer the following:

1. Putin has killed off so many of his people. He is as you've stated, is now fighting with conscripts. His professional soldiers have been greatly wiped out.

2. His modern war systems have been wiped out and he is fighting with out of date obsolete equipment. We've seen where ATVs and even stories of donkeys being used for transportation. His navy has even been affected with so many vessels destroyed by a country that doesn't even have a navy.

3. The war has awakened Europe who now seems poised to increase its own defense spending and as such make NATO even stronger.

4. Speaking of making NATO stronger, now we have Sweden and Finland in the alliance and as you say, puts NATO on Russia's doorstep.

5. All of that said, what threat does Putin now represent to the west? His military is in shambles. Russia's economy has been decimated. This ill advised invasion of Ukraine has only led to a strengthening of NATO. So even if he could rebuild his military back to where it was prior to the war in 10 years (and I question that), who cares? The strength of that military was greatly over estimated as seen by the results in Ukraine. So maybe he could rebuild to a point that Russia is actually a threat again and do that in say 20 years, Putin will be 92 by then. Will he even be still in power much less alive?

6. Who exactly would we be fighting for? My understanding is that the people in the eastern part of Ukraine actually wanted to stay with Russia when the USSR fell. They identify as Russians, not Ukrainians. Is it a good idea to fight for people who really don't want your support in the first place? It doesn't to me, in fact I thought that was one of the lessons we learned from Viet Nam.

My point in this little diatribe of mine and to that portion of your post that I quoted is that reasonable people can look at the facts of the situation and arrive at place that may not agree with your POV. As such I don't think it adds to the conversation that those folks be labeled as Putin apologists or neo-isolationists.

As I've said before, I greatly respect your command of history, your Army service and rank achieved. I look forward to your reply.

 

[Brent in Az]

As soon as the leftist wailing begins, I'm sure a rogue federal judge will step in to try and stop a common sense presidential action.

 

[mark-hunter]

Your historical review sort of lacks the mortar between the bricks.

Format of forum is too short, to make full elaborate.
Once you have bricks, cement, you need water.
And water part in this equation is economy, after we discussed the main modern core values.
I will try to keep it short.

I am not the economist, but I can add 2 and 2.
To buy at least minimum size flat - 2 bedrooms, size 50 m2 in apartment building, it is around 200.000 EUR, plus taxes and fees. Pluse 10-20K, for furniture.
Average salary is 1300 EUR.
So, to start family you need to buy at least a flat, if not building own house from scratch.
Buy a car.

Buying a property is not mandatory, but then option is rent. Consider 600 EUR for monthly rent fee. It comes to the same, as morgage or loan.
Now get married, and have on or two kids and provide decent standard of living?

Option 2:
Stay with parents, dont get married.
This is reality.
My country suffered around 25% of population decline, due all these factors (negative birth rate, plus economy, plus woke policies not promoting classic marriage and family incentives) . Young people emigrated elsewhere to work, and its not gonna be easier to start family in foreign countries.

 

[rookhawk]

Kidding aside, Sanders was an interesting character. Actually shot a man.

There was a history channel series about Americans that changed the world. I can't recall the name, but they covered Col. Harland Sanders in great detail and BOY was he a colorful character. Also a classic loser until his mid-50s, quite a late bloomer.

One anecdote was that he became a lawyer and opted to punch his own client in front of the judge. In another anecdote you alluded to, he didn't just shoot a man, he shot his direct-competitor that owned another gas station.

He's a friggin legend!

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks to Marine NCOs at Quantico

 

[Opposite Pole]

As both medical science and climate science are gradually freed from the censorship of the last couple of decades, I suspect we will see an ever increasing flood of peer reviewed evidence that populations truly were being fed a set of "Beliefs" rather than the results of scrupulously researched scientific conclusions. The same process has taken place in the social/cultural environment where nations are awakening to the catastrophic effect of unassimilable ethnic minorities and their impact on public safety and culture.

The recent release of Yale University's peer reviewed analysis of the adverse effects of the Covid vaccines seems to be opening the floodgates of what was essentially forbidden research for the better part of three years.

Peer reviewed research like that below is also beginning to lift the veil on what passes for a pseudo religious scientific climate belief rather than "settled science." Both the commentary and actual paper (link within) are worth reading - particularly by those so unquestionably devoted to their efforts to personally save the planet.

The Climate Scam is Over..

Peer-reviewed AI analysis completely debunks all of the "man-made" claims

www.malone.news

The public reaction to this growing and extremely healthy scientific skepticism of "settled science" will be interesting to observe. As Western societies have become ever more skeptical of the divine, the need for a "Belief" with a capital B has to be vested somewhere.

We see it in much of the discussion in this thread. Climate alarmists speak with a the arrogant certainty of the Roman Church shortly before Martin Luther nailed his theses in 1517. Go back several hundred posts and you will see the same unquestioning "Belief" in masks, vaccines, school closures etc. Others become committed in their "Belief" in a politician or political movement.

Because of such commitment to a "Belief," those who question those beliefs become an enemy imbued with all the evils of Satan. I can point to dozens of posts in this thread as illustrations.

The catch is that this works only so long as the skeptics and non-believers are kept silent. For a couple of decades scientific control was possible in this country thanks to a collective liberal ownership of the sources of information. However, like the scientific and intellectual blossoming of the reformation and enlightenment, that is changing and changing rapidly due to a new era of freedom of thought and expression happening first here in the US, but a movement that will likely spread throughout the West as Europe's ever more repressive efforts to dictate thought inevitably fail - perhaps dramatically.

I haven’t had the chance to read the paper yet but “Peer-reviewed AI analysis…” sure is an interesting phrase.

 

[cash_tx]

Spotted on FB, for what it's worth:

 

[cash_tx]

Just another example of why I don't trust the CIA at all.

Here'a report from 1988 where they were STILL screwing around with remote viewing psychics. The claim was they found the Ark of the Covenant.

If any of you are history buffs or enjoy skeptical inquiry, you have to remember the Amazing Randi and his team of young practicing magicians just prior to this had made a complete mockery of the CIA for their paranormal research in partnership with Stanford University.

You'd expect Central Intelligence to be a bit smarter than to be conned by sorcerers, spoon benders, remove viewers, and other complete bunk that never stands up to the scientific method.

Secret CIA files claim Ark of the Covenant has been found

A recently resurfaced CIA document claims that the Ark of the Covenant was found during the agency's secret tests.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I'm always happy to meet a fellow fan of the Amazing Randi. Too little of his brand of critical thinking and healthy skepticism exists in our society today; hopefully the young people will reverse that tide over time. I try to coach my girls as best I can, but I'm just "Dad"... ;-)

 

[deewayne2003]

Any number of those videos on YouTube....

And people complain about the DOE being shut down; their just the product of the education provided by their elders system…..

Trump signs auto tariffs at 25% additional to the base 2.5% or other pre existing tariffs.

 

[Red Leg]

6. Who exactly would we be fighting for? My understanding is that the people in the eastern part of Ukraine actually wanted to stay with Russia when the USSR fell. They identify as Russians, not Ukrainians. Is it a good idea to fight for people who really don't want your support in the first place? It doesn't to me, in fact I thought that was one of the lessons we learned from Viet Nam.

My point in this little diatribe of mine and to that portion of your post that I quoted is that reasonable people can look at the facts of the situation and arrive at place that may not agree with your POV. As such I don't think it adds to the conversation that those folks be labeled as Putin apologists or neo-isolationists.

As I've said before, I greatly respect your command of history, your Army service and rank achieved. I look forward to your reply.

As you say, facts matter - not propaganda spread by Russian state media or its willing accomplices such as Tucker Carlson, Douglas MacGregor, and regrettably J. D. Vance and Steve Witkoff.

Whitkoff, who has no foreign policy experience and seemingly no understanding of the recent history of the region appeared on Tucker Carlson's pod cast five days ago and stated, "the biggest problem in this conflict is the so-called four regions: Donbas, Crimea, Luhansk and two others (couldn't think of those names one presumes)." He claimed that "there were referendums where the vast majority of people indicated that they wanted to be under Russian rule." He saw this as "the key issue in the conflict" and "the first thing that needs to be resolved."

The tiny little issue he did not bring up was that those recent referendums were held at the muzzle of Russian guns after the invasion. Not surprisingly, they reflected the same sort of results one sees in Putin's "elections" in Moscow. These referendums are not considered valid under settled international law. The only free internationally recognized referendums were held in December of 1991 when the referendum asked, "Do you support the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine?" Over 84% of eligible voters (31,891,742 people) participated, and an overwhelming 92.3% (28,804,071) voted "Yes," with support spanning all regions, including Crimea and the Donbas. International observers noted that the process adhered to democratic standards, marking it as a genuine expression of the Ukrainian people's will.

I suppose we can choose to ignore the fate of those people under the heel of Russian boots in the occupied regions, but I suggest history will not be flattering in its judgment. Secondly, for all the reasons you listed, Russia is desperate for an end to the fighting. Putin does not dare declare mobilization and is forced to crawl on his knees to North Korea of all places for troop support. His economy is in an ever accelerating collapse. Trump has enormous leverage to apply. He can use against Putin or he can use it against Zelensky and NATO. It truly sickens me that he seems determined to do the latter.

There is a deal to be had where Russia gets part of Donbas and all off Crimea or where it gets everything it now occupies plus all those portions of those five provinces it has failed to take or been driven from. I am very much afraid a settlement will look far more like the latter rather than the former.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Wait, what…… certainly doesn’t look like musk,

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Here's some more good news. My and your Vice President getting down and dirty (maybe a little..) like he did 20 years ago...

As I always said, "If you want to know what's going on, ask a corporal."

 

[John Wasmuth]

Holy moly! Here’s another one,

 

[SaintPanzer]

Just another example of why I don't trust the CIA at all.

Here'a report from 1988 where they were STILL screwing around with remote viewing psychics. The claim was they found the Ark of the Covenant.

I don't know what the CIA is trying to sell. Everybody knows the Ark of the Covenant was found by Professor Henry "Indiana" Jones in 1936 and is now stored in an unnamed Smithsonian warehouse. This was well documented in 1981, I'm not sure why it's even a question.

 

[rookhawk]

I don't know what the CIA is trying to sell. Everybody knows the Ark of the Covenant was found by Professor Henry "Indiana" Jones in 1936 and is now stored in an unnamed Smithsonian warehouse. This was well documented in 1981, I'm not sure why it's even a question.

Top men are working on it. “Top men”.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

I don't know what the CIA is trying to sell. Everybody knows the Ark of the Covenant was found by Professor Henry "Indiana" Jones in 1936 and is now stored in an unnamed Smithsonian warehouse. This was well documented in 1981, I'm not sure why it's even a question.

doctor jones bastard son Bob falfa went on to be a local celebrity in the SoCal drag racing scene despite several notable wrecks including on while street racing in a highly modified 55 Chevy.

 

[gbflyer]

WTF is wrong with these people. Lack of basic education? I have been heavily involved in public schools over the last 28 years but I am staring to thing that cutting the DOE is the right thing if this is the result. Damn!

Dem lawmaker suggests females athletically equal to males while voting to keep trans athletes in girls sports

Pennsylvania Democrat state senator Lindsey Williams suggested that female athletes are physically comparable to male athletes and don't face disadvantages.

www.foxnews.com

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

As you say, facts matter - not propaganda spread by Russian state media or its willing accomplices such as Tucker Carlson, Douglas MacGregor, and regrettably J. D. Vance and Steve Witkoff.

Whitkoff, who has no foreign policy experience and seemingly no understanding of the recent history of the region appeared on Tucker Carlson's pod cast five days ago and stated, "the biggest problem in this conflict is the so-called four regions: Donbas, Crimea, Luhansk and two others (couldn't think of those names one presumes)." He claimed that "there were referendums where the vast majority of people indicated that they wanted to be under Russian rule." He saw this as "the key issue in the conflict" and "the first thing that needs to be resolved."

The tiny little issue he did not bring up was that those recent referendums were held at the muzzle of Russian guns after the invasion. Not surprisingly, they reflected the same sort of results one sees in Putin's "elections" in Moscow. These referendums are not considered valid under settled international law. The only free internationally recognized referendums were held in December of 1991 when the referendum asked, "Do you support the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine?" Over 84% of eligible voters (31,891,742 people) participated, and an overwhelming 92.3% (28,804,071) voted "Yes," with support spanning all regions, including Crimea and the Donbas. International observers noted that the process adhered to democratic standards, marking it as a genuine expression of the Ukrainian people's will.

I suppose we can choose to ignore the fate of those people under the heel of Russian boots in the occupied regions, but I suggest history will not be flattering in its judgment. Secondly, for all the reasons you listed, Russia is desperate for an end to the fighting. Putin does not dare declare mobilization and is forced to crawl on his knees to North Korea of all places for troop support. His economy is in an ever accelerating collapse. Trump has enormous leverage to apply. He can use against Putin or he can use it against Zelensky and NATO. It truly sickens me that he seems determined to do the latter.

There is a deal to be had where Russia gets part of Donbas and all off Crimea or where it gets everything it now occupies plus all those portions of those five provinces it has failed to take or been driven from. I am very much afraid a settlement will look far more like the latter rather than the former.

I don't have anymore use for Tucker than you do, about the same for Hannity. Fact is I rarely watch the news, I prefer to read it.

You inspired me however to research the ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine a bit more. While there seems to be a significant population of ethnic Russians there, they are still a minority versus ethinic Ukrainians. So that argument indeed has no basis.

I think it a bit premature to say exactly just how it will work out or exactly what Trump is thinking. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems you're resigned to Putin and the Russians retaining some control of Ukraine. It's a matter of how much he gets at this point.

In regards to the fate of the people there as well as all Russians suffering under Putin, I get it. I feel for the Chinese, North Koreans, Iranians and whoever else live under dictator rule, but we can't save the world.

 

[KJE81]

Apparently the US and Russia are considering restarting the Nordstream pipe and the russian foreign minister wants US to apply leverage on Europe to force them to no longer resist buying russian gas. It will be interesting to see what Trump does.

"There is talk about the Nord Streams," Lavrov told Russia’s state-controlled Channel One TV station, according to a readout shared by his ministry Wednesday. "It will probably be interesting if the Americans use their influence on Europe and force it not to refuse Russian gas."

Also I wondering how much leverage he still has over Europe since he has basically allready ruled out US adhering to article 5 in case of a conflict against Russia and also allready started a trade war with europe, what more can he threat to do at this point? Perhaps start to supply Russia with weapons against Ukraine but hopefully that is not on the table.

Russia and US discuss restarting Nord Stream pipelines, Kremlin says

EU countries are against reviving the ruptured gas links, which experts say will also prove legally difficult — even if there’s an American buyout.

www.politico.eu