Politics

[spike.t]

We should not blame our Russian friend. After all, many Russians die because for some reason they keep falling out of windows...

In all fairness, this is a public forum. If anyone in Russia posts anything against thier government, they too may fall out of a window. Unfortunately, this is not a joke...

Maybe he should just stay quiet...sucked up too much putin kool aid me thinks.....

 

[Altitude sickness]

I live :30 from a major US Canadian border crossing. I’ve driven back and forth many times. As a kid we used to go to concerts, dinner, movies. Etc. In Sarnia Ont.

Then as an Adult Fishing, Bear hunting, visiting relatives.

As an adult, retired military and with nothing on my criminal record. I’ve been grilled like they found the Outlaw Jose Wales.

“Look Jethro we got the Josey Wales”

One fond memory was 3 of us going bear hunting. And having our hunting supplies for a week spread out on a parking lot and while searching they lay all over my archery gear, take apart my arrows to look down the shafts, trash everything and then when they don’t find anything, tell us you’re free to go.

We just left home :30 minutes prior after days of strategic packing and now our shit is laying on an acre of pavement to repack. So now our 12 hr drive is delayed 2 hours.

I really love this highly secretive interrogation tactic. They use

Barney stares at his screen, like he seeing your deepest, dark secrets, and ask you questions. Like have you ever been convicted of a felony. When you said no, he says, are you sure? Looking at his magical screen like he sees something you forgot about. Then you start getting pissy and say “yeah I’m pretty sure I would remember if I had a felony”.

They then use that as an excuse that you’re getting lippy and escalate to the next level of BS. Sir pull over to that lane and another Barney will meet you.

My last example was when helping a friend go to customs at the border to get his 4457‘s documented. It was like I was trying to sneak across the Berlin wall.

I got so pissed off knowing millions were at that very moment strolling across our southern border while me standing there answering ridiculous questions from Barney. And I didn’t even have weapons to check serial numbers.

Yep, you finally got me. I’ve been evading the federales with Poncho and Lefty for years, and I finally stumbled into your dragnet.

Don’t even get me started on going into Quebec.

I don’t like to say never but I’m pretty confident. I will never step inside Canada again.

And to be clear, I’ve been screwed with by American Barney’s far more often coming back home. more than Canadians when going into Canada. Most of the time the Canadian BP were fine.

I must look like a criminal

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Maybe he should just stay quiet...sucked up too much putin kool aid me thinks.....

I get and even on some level respect him sticking up for his home country. But I want to believe that on some level he sees the utterly indefensible position of Russia's invasion of Ukraine... or maybe not. It turns my stomach as an American that our president wants to give Putin what he sought to take all along.

 

[Dragan N.]

Scott CWO, that's not convincing. I remember the events of the 90s well. Baker promised Gorbachev that there would be no advance to the east, and the Germans talked about this at the highest level (by the way, the Germans respected this agreement for quite a long time). Yeltsin even agreed in 1996 to withdraw Russian missiles from Ukraine, in exchange for neutral status (this is the main content of the Budapest Memorandum). As a result, in 1999, NATO invited the Baltic tigers to join NATO. Yeltsin's policy was compromised and he had to leave. And the biggest problem now is not even the war, but the fact that no one believes the promises of the West, and this applies not only to Russians. Do you remember the deployment of anti-missiles in Poland? Allegedly "against Iranian missiles"? The Afghan taxi driver was laughing, I was driving with him somewhere in Europe, they like to talk about politics.

Here is a list of declassified documents which show what Western leaders told Gorbachev:

NATO Expansion: What Gorbachev Heard | National Security Archive

Western leaders gave multiple assurances against NATO expansion to Gorbachev in 1990-1991 according to declassified American, Russian, British, Germans documents

nsarchive.gwu.edu

These are documents from Western archives which show that Gorbachev was led to believe that NATO would not expand one inch eastwards. But hey this is somehow "Russian propaganda" or "Putin's talking points".

Ukraine brings back bodies of over 900 fallen soldiers

These included service members killed in the Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, Bakhmut, Vuhledar, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Kharkiv sectors of the front, as well as those in Russian morgues.

kyivindependent.com

Speaking of the present war, the Ukrainians acknowledge that they received the bodies of 909 Ukrainian soldiers in the latest body exchange between Russia and Ukraine. However the Ukrainian media omits the fact that the Russians received the bodies of only 43 Russian soldiers in return. This certainly explains why the Ukrainians are facing a critical manpower shortage...

 

[spike.t]

Here is a list of declassified documents which show what Western leaders told Gorbachev:

NATO Expansion: What Gorbachev Heard | National Security Archive

Western leaders gave multiple assurances against NATO expansion to Gorbachev in 1990-1991 according to declassified American, Russian, British, Germans documents

nsarchive.gwu.edu

These are documents from Western archives which show that Gorbachev was led to believe that NATO would not expand one inch eastwards. But hey this is somehow "Russian propaganda" or "Putin's talking points".

Ukraine brings back bodies of over 900 fallen soldiers

These included service members killed in the Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, Bakhmut, Vuhledar, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Kharkiv sectors of the front, as well as those in Russian morgues.

kyivindependent.com

Speaking of the present war, the Ukrainians acknowledge that they received the bodies of 909 Ukrainian soldiers in the latest body exchange between Russia and Ukraine. However the Ukrainian media omits the fact that the Russians received the bodies of only 43 Russian soldiers in return. This certainly explains why the Ukrainians are facing a critical manpower shortage...

Presumably because most Russian dead are left where they fall.....the Russians don't sem too bothered about collecting their dead...and I doubt the Ukrainians can be bothered either.....

‘A lot of Russians have been killed. We like this’: on the frontline with a Ukrainian artillery unit

Soldiers expect Moscow to launch summer offensive and dismiss US efforts to bring peace as ‘pretty disappointing’

www.theguardian.com

 

[Dragan N.]

Presumably because most Russian dead are left where they fall.....the Russians don't sem too bothered about collecting their dead...and I doubt the Ukrainians can be bothered either.....

‘A lot of Russians have been killed. We like this’: on the frontline with a Ukrainian artillery unit

Soldiers expect Moscow to launch summer offensive and dismiss US efforts to bring peace as ‘pretty disappointing’

www.theguardian.com

If Russia doesn't care to retrieve fallen soldiers from the battleground, how do they give 909 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine? If Ukraine does care to retrieve soldies from the battleground, why do they only give Russia 43 and how is that Russia was able to pick up 909 bodies left by Ukrainians and Ukraine was only able to pick up 43 bodies left by Russians, especially if losses are ~5 to 1 in favor of Ukraine, as per the Green T-shift?

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

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

Quite possibly.

It’s definitely a mixed bag. I love his domestic policy but disagree with most of his foreign policy thus far.

 

[Aaron N]

"You will never convince me . . ."

Finally, we get the bottom line. There's no point in having a discussion or debate with people who will never be convinced. Facts won't matter, and evidence won't matter. It's like trying to convince a flat earthed that the earth is round.

I'm not saying who's right and who's wrong in this debate, but I am saying there's no point to the debate at all if people don't care what the other side has to say.

To be fair, a disc is still round……

 

[Red Leg]

I have heard more than once that NATO's expansion to the east is not an aggressive step at all, and it does not pose any threat to Russia. And I even read it, and even here. And now it turns out that we have to tremble and cringe. That's the answer to why such events unfolded after the fascist coup in Ukraine.
And what is the purpose of these steps, which are quite expensive, by the way, besides provoking Russia? There is definitely no benefit for Sweden and Finland. Logically speaking, this looks like preparation for an annihilating war against Russia, it is not needed for anything else.

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.

 

[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.