Thanks, MFS62, for providing this Politico interview with Dr. Fiona Hill, whose insights and vast knowledge need wider dissemination. I agree with you that many US citizens are only vaguely aware that there no longer is an entity known as the United Soviet Socialist Republics. As for "commies," all those obedient GQPers chant "commie, commie, socialist, socialist" in that twangy monotone they affect so efficiently. They've been fact-deficient for so long, they can't keep their memes straight. I appreciate your own insights so keep them coming.MFS62 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 01, 2022 1:40 pmThis Russia expert doesn't take nukes off the table: (long, but offers a complete picture of Putin and how he thinks)Lefty Specialist wrote: ↑Tue Mar 01, 2022 1:00 pmNo. It's bluster, and Biden didn't fall for it. Even on regular alert, our nuke forces and theirs get up to speed pretty quickly.
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/ ... e-00012340
LaterThere’s lots of danger ahead, she warned. Putin is increasingly operating emotionally and likely to use all the weapons at his disposal, including nuclear ones. It’s important not to have any illusions — but equally important not to lose hope.
“Every time you think, ’No, he wouldn’t, would he?’ Well, yes, he would,” Hill said. “And he wants us to know that, of course. It’s not that we should be intimidated and scared…. We have to prepare for those contingencies and figure out what is it that we’re going to do to head them off.”
Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
- Double Switch
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Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
"Morons, I've got morons on my team." --- Republican Senator Mitt Romney (UT)
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
Oh, my gosh. Put on a bib if you're gonna slobber on him!
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- Lefty Specialist
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Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
When I see that headline, I can't help thinking about this:batmagadanleadoff wrote: ↑Tue Mar 01, 2022 10:56 pm Pat Robertson says Putin was ‘compelled by God’ to invade Ukraine to fulfill Armageddon prophecy
![Image](https://media0.giphy.com/media/xT9KVqVCDHN6UG9u4U/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e47elape2dl5irh75llhdtyy40sen0yfly3k0vtvviy&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
Even duct tape can't fix stupid. But it can sure muffle the sound.
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
Pat Robertson is a serial failure when it comes to predicting Armageddon.
I think his show is called The 700 Club in honor of the number of apocalyptic events he's incorrectly predicted.
I think his show is called The 700 Club in honor of the number of apocalyptic events he's incorrectly predicted.
A Shaolin monk does not sell himself for a handful of rice.
- batmagadanleadoff
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Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
Just Pat Robertson?
Back to the war in Ukraine: The best thing that could happen is for some insider with access to Putin to take him out. Like permanently. I'd say the exact same thing for a specific certain aspect of our Domestic political situation right here in the ol' USA, but I won't.
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
His prediction was the one brought up above.
A Shaolin monk does not sell himself for a handful of rice.
- Lefty Specialist
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Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
batmagadanleadoff wrote: ↑Thu Mar 03, 2022 2:41 pmJust Pat Robertson?
Back to the war in Ukraine: The best thing that could happen is for some insider with access to Putin to take him out. Like permanently. I'd say the exact same thing for a specific certain aspect of our Domestic political situation right here in the ol' USA, but I won't.
Vlad has been thinking about this too. It's why he has those cartoonishly-long tables for meetings.
![Image](https://i.inews.co.uk/content/uploads/2022/02/PRI_223524626-640x360.jpg)
Even duct tape can't fix stupid. But it can sure muffle the sound.
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
That a foreign head of state or head of government would allow that sort of garbage only feeds President Putin's narcissism.
A Shaolin monk does not sell himself for a handful of rice.
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
"I got the button right over there."
"Right, but no one person controls the button. There are safe guards."
"Maybe, perahps."
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Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
Knowing how effective this would be against oncoming Russian tank and equipment columns, I think this is a great idea.
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/com ... raine-now/
That plane is exactly what is needed, now!
Later
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/com ... raine-now/
That plane is exactly what is needed, now!
Later
"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness". William Lonsdale Watkinson
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
"They fear love because it creates a world they can't control" - George Orwell
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
"They fear love because it creates a world they can't control" - George Orwell
- Double Switch
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Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
Again, thanks for providing a great link and an informative read. My only question to the writer would be why he thinks the USA still has a moral compass. It's not been in evidence for many years. Nevertheless, I have bookmarked your source.MFS62 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 03, 2022 6:47 pm Knowing how effective this would be against oncoming Russian tank and equipment columns, I think this is a great idea.
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/com ... raine-now/
That plane is exactly what is needed, now!
Later
"Morons, I've got morons on my team." --- Republican Senator Mitt Romney (UT)
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
We're getting announcements of US companies no longer doing business with Russia.
What I'd like to see is a list of US Fortune 500 companies that are still doing business with Russia.
Later
What I'd like to see is a list of US Fortune 500 companies that are still doing business with Russia.
Later
"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness". William Lonsdale Watkinson
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
"They fear love because it creates a world they can't control" - George Orwell
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
"They fear love because it creates a world they can't control" - George Orwell
- metsmarathon
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Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
while on the face of it, i applaud the idea of "just give ukraine warplanes" it really, REALLY falls flat in the face of realistic implementation.
it's not like pulling up to the local hertz and figuring out the new rental car in the parking lot - these planes, even the venerable a-10, require a tremendous amount of training, and a huge logistical tail. you don't just pick 'em up over the weekend. to say nothing about spare parts and maintenance, and connected systems, and all the weapons and electronics and communication and targeting systems and what not.
also, not minimal is the fact that a-10s would be sitting ducks flying in contested skies against more advanced fighters. as ground support platforms they're outstanding and awesome. but they're slow, and would get shot down without air superiority in place. but more importantly, i don't know that they'd ever get into the air in the first place, given how long it would take to get a crew flightworthy.
it's really the huge advantage of handing out manpads and anti-tank missiles to ukraine - these weapons are standalone, can really be used by anyone with minimal training, and can make mincemeat of the russian armor, especially when employed by irregular combatants against an invading/occupying force.
the only way giving air support to ukraine works is by having those planes flown by their own nations. if ever the un were looking for an excuse to demonstrate their relevance, this is that time. take a stand against the unprovoked invasion of one nation against the other, and impose a no-fly zone against russia, backed by UN airpower.
it's not like pulling up to the local hertz and figuring out the new rental car in the parking lot - these planes, even the venerable a-10, require a tremendous amount of training, and a huge logistical tail. you don't just pick 'em up over the weekend. to say nothing about spare parts and maintenance, and connected systems, and all the weapons and electronics and communication and targeting systems and what not.
also, not minimal is the fact that a-10s would be sitting ducks flying in contested skies against more advanced fighters. as ground support platforms they're outstanding and awesome. but they're slow, and would get shot down without air superiority in place. but more importantly, i don't know that they'd ever get into the air in the first place, given how long it would take to get a crew flightworthy.
it's really the huge advantage of handing out manpads and anti-tank missiles to ukraine - these weapons are standalone, can really be used by anyone with minimal training, and can make mincemeat of the russian armor, especially when employed by irregular combatants against an invading/occupying force.
the only way giving air support to ukraine works is by having those planes flown by their own nations. if ever the un were looking for an excuse to demonstrate their relevance, this is that time. take a stand against the unprovoked invasion of one nation against the other, and impose a no-fly zone against russia, backed by UN airpower.
- batmagadanleadoff
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Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
With the war in Ukraine, there's hardly any Covid or Trump talk on cable TV news lately.
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
According to that article, (a) the airplane was designed to operate in Europe from ill-prepared facilities, and (b) pilot retraining is minimal.metsmarathon wrote: ↑Mon Mar 07, 2022 11:25 amit's not like pulling up to the local hertz and figuring out the new rental car in the parking lot - these planes, even the venerable a-10, require a tremendous amount of training, and a huge logistical tail. you don't just pick 'em up over the weekend. to say nothing about spare parts and maintenance, and connected systems, and all the weapons and electronics and communication and targeting systems and what not.
I assume the readership of Defense News are frequently folks with an interest in the defense industry, and certainly an interest in old equipment finding new purpose and marketability, so take those claims with whatever amount of salt suits your taste. I can't pretend to know much of anything on the matter.
A Shaolin monk does not sell himself for a handful of rice.
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
Coca-Cola and McDonald's are getting bottom scrolly bar attention on BBC.
I haven't been to an American news station or outlet in about five days now.
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- metsmarathon
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Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
there's a difference between an ill-prepared facility and an under-equipped facility, i think. i dunno.... i read that op-ed and was just scratching my head about it. even minimal training is weeks-to-months to learn and relearn new flight systems, so that you don't have to think about it when a target starts shooting back.Edgy MD wrote: ↑Mon Mar 07, 2022 1:12 pmAccording to that article, (a) the airplane was designed to operate in Europe from ill-prepared facilities, and (b) pilot retraining is minimal.metsmarathon wrote: ↑Mon Mar 07, 2022 11:25 amit's not like pulling up to the local hertz and figuring out the new rental car in the parking lot - these planes, even the venerable a-10, require a tremendous amount of training, and a huge logistical tail. you don't just pick 'em up over the weekend. to say nothing about spare parts and maintenance, and connected systems, and all the weapons and electronics and communication and targeting systems and what not.
I assume the readership of Defense News are frequently folks with an interest in the defense industry, and certainly an interest in old equipment finding new purpose and marketability, so take those claims with whatever amount of salt suits your taste. I can't pretend to know much of anything on the matter.
it's why the idea of transferring cold war era planes from other european nations has so much appeal. they already fly those planes. but even that is fraught with difficulty as those planes are all different revisions. again, those little changes can make the difference between life and death when you have to fall back on muscle memory. and flying fighter jets in combat is definitely one of those muscle memory type things.
yes, when it comes down to it, i'm finding reasons not to save lives. but thats because i believe there are better ways to achieve the same goals that will not be as wasteful of both equipment and valuable pilots.
but i could be wrong. i'm hardly an aviation expert. just know that as interconnected as our military systems are, and as specialized as the versions we sell to foreign nations are, it's just not as easy or as quick as handing over the keys.
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
Intuition would have me agree with you. As I suggested, I'm guessing that there's at least a little bit of wishful thinking sewn into that essay.
A Shaolin monk does not sell himself for a handful of rice.
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
The banning of Russian oil is primarily targeting the US consumer.
200-300 a barrell
200-300 a barrell
Diabetic Squirrel
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
Uh, make that 850+... I got carried away.
Last edited by kcmets on Tue Mar 08, 2022 2:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
You don't actually think your government is targeting you, do you?
A Shaolin monk does not sell himself for a handful of rice.
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
Charging $.75/gallon more for gas an owner already had in his tank is kinda
price gouging and unpatriotic. Or a windfall, depends...
price gouging and unpatriotic. Or a windfall, depends...
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- batmagadanleadoff
- Posts: 8016
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Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
McDonald's succumbs to public pressure, shuts down all of its Russian located McD's restaurants.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/08/mcdonal ... raine.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/08/mcdonal ... raine.html
- batmagadanleadoff
- Posts: 8016
- Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 10:43 am
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
And get their quarter-pounder. It's fresh; not frozen anymore.batmagadanleadoff wrote: ↑Tue Mar 08, 2022 2:59 pm McDonald's succumbs to public pressure, shuts down all of its Russian located McD's restaurants.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/08/mcdonal ... raine.html
ttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article ... chain.html
Re: Russia, Ukraine and NATO 2022
Poland has agreed to place their old MiG-29 fighters at the disposal of the US which is the first step for sending the fighters to Ukraine.
That model has been used by the Ukraine Air Force before and little, if any, training will be needed.
Later
That model has been used by the Ukraine Air Force before and little, if any, training will be needed.
Later
"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness". William Lonsdale Watkinson
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
"They fear love because it creates a world they can't control" - George Orwell
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
"They fear love because it creates a world they can't control" - George Orwell