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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 10, 2022 19:40:04 GMT -8
Fair or not, and I think it is generally not completely fair, the sitting president gets the lion's share of blame for things which happen during his term. We don't know if Putin would have invaded the Ukraine in February of 2022 had Trump still been president of the USA. But the argument that he might have is irrelevant. All we know, in this regard, is that Putin invaded the Ukraine when Biden was president and not when Trump was.
That said, as I have tried to make clear, this event is the result of many different things including geography and history over which nobody has any control. Those things over which people have had control have been handled poorly over the last thirty years and anyone who has followed events over this period cannot deny that.
There is no doubt that the Biden administration (and others) has played its part in this fiasco, but the main weight of responsibility will have to be placed on Putin's back. Where does this take us? Is it that we feel better by saying it? Fine, say it. That and $3 will get you a cup of coffee. Stalin and the Soviet Union took over all of Eastern Europe and placed puppet regimes in power and we did not go to war with them. China attacked and took over Tibet and we did not go to war with it. China has something like 2 millions Uyghurs in concentration camps and we do not declare war on it. The Hutus slaughtered several hundred thousand Tutis in Rwanda and we did nothing. I could go on.
Inflexible and absolute ideas of black and white, right and wrong, good and evil, are dangerous when dealing in international relations. The left has some very absolute ideas as to black and white, right and wrong and good and evil and conservatives generally reject these. Conservatives also understand human nature and that in international relations actions generally induce reactions. These may result in situations much more deadly and dangerous than the problem the original action was meant to alleviate or correct. Therefore, a nation's responses to another nation's actions must be carefully considered by cool heads. To expect perfection, or even justice is likely a pipe dream.
It is unfortunate that the people of the Ukraine are suffering under this attack, but the USA and NATO have no business getting involved in this dispute. Had they been serious about the sovereignty of the Ukraine and protecting it from possible Russian invasion, they should have brought it into the alliance years ago. Of course they didn't, and this should give you an idea of the actual value they place on the Ukraine. The Ukraine has been a willing cat's paw for the USA and NATO for many years. Now they are seeing this role has a cost. Unfortunately, the common people are suffering for the selfish actions of their leaders. As we all know, this is nothing unusual.
Again I say, "Stay out of it."
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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 10, 2022 21:19:03 GMT -8
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Post by artraveler on Mar 10, 2022 22:19:53 GMT -8
The lunacy is going to get worse as the Russians slowly take Kiev and dictate peace terms from the steps of the Parliament. No one is going to like it, men and women in $1,000 suits are going to thump their chests and talk about what a brave stand the Ukraine has made. The thousands of widows and orphans will take small comfort in the hypocritical words from the supposed leaders and generals. I suppose there will be movies about the use to be free state of Ukraine.
Truly, if I were Ukrainian I would be on the front line. But, I'm not. I have enough divided loyalties as it is. I hold citizenship in two great nations and family in both. Caring about Ukraine, except on a level of how does it relate to Americans and Israelis is only a study in Realpolitc. This is Europe's problem and Europe needs to put on their clean white panties and deal with it. Now I think I will invoke Russian genius in the face of Russian barbarity, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony.
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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 11, 2022 11:37:07 GMT -8
I can understand that and would also probably do the same thing. But I am not Ukrainian. None of my parents or grandparents were Ukrainian. I have, to my knowledge, met only one person who was of Ukrainian descent and he ended up getting killed in the Donbas conflict about six or seven years ago. The U.S.A. has no vital national interests in the Ukraine. As such, I have no desire or pressing reason to get involved in this fight.
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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 11, 2022 12:04:54 GMT -8
Clearly the EU doesn't believe the Ukraine is worth destroying the collective economies of its member states. I would suggest that this is a realistic position. This also casts the light of truth on the situation, which has been clouded by lies and b.s from the Western media and governments, particularly those of the U.K. and America. No sanctions on Russian oil and gas |
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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 11, 2022 20:52:08 GMT -8
The EU's "foreign minister" Joseph Borrell has come out and admitted it was a mistake to offer the Ukraine membership in NATO. Talk about closing the barn door after the horse has bolted. Why didn't they say this four weeks back? Maybe it is a sign of the slow success of Putin's invasion. Perhaps NATO, the EU and even the Ukraine are slowly coming round to the Russian point of view. "War is politics by other means." - Carl von Clausewitz. It was a mistake to offer Ukraine Nato membership |
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
Posts: 12,261
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Russia
Mar 12, 2022 9:38:21 GMT -8
Post by Brad Nelson on Mar 12, 2022 9:38:21 GMT -8
A friend in the Mac software business, who I’ve long known, sent a bulk email this morning. His pitch is thus: The easiest (maybe safest) way to donate is to make a donation through the software developer’s site, which I just did. Not only will you potentially buy a bullet with Putin’s name on it, you can get a free piece of Mac software called “Unclutter.”’ I’ve never heard of that one. But Jon is a straight-shooter and I trust him. Blah blah blah blah. Words are cheap. I'm putting my money where my mouth is. |
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Russia
Mar 12, 2022 12:12:59 GMT -8
Post by kungfuzu on Mar 12, 2022 12:12:59 GMT -8
Here is a list of charities which are helping with the Ukraine relief effort. Brad's link to the software developer's site came up "404" each time I tried to open the link. Charities |
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Russia
Mar 12, 2022 12:20:43 GMT -8
Post by kungfuzu on Mar 12, 2022 12:20:43 GMT -8
An interesting piece (with numerous short videos) from a Brit who visited the Ukraine recently. It appears he was there from March 5th through March 9th. Food for thought |
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Russia
Mar 13, 2022 9:15:03 GMT -8
Post by kungfuzu on Mar 13, 2022 9:15:03 GMT -8
An interesting analysis of what has happened so far in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and how Putin is under pressure. BNE Intellinews |
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
Posts: 12,261
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Russia
Mar 13, 2022 20:50:55 GMT -8
Post by Brad Nelson on Mar 13, 2022 20:50:55 GMT -8
I was having trouble with the link too. But the one directly to the National Bank of Ukraine (in the quoted text) does work. I just felt safer going through the software developer (the link that doesn't work....although it does when you click on it from within the email that I was sent). Believe me, Jon Gotow is about as square of a fellow as I've ever known (via the internet). So I trust him when he recommends another shareware author. I assume this guy wouldn't keep the cash for himself. But it's always in the back of my mind not to get scammed.
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Russia
Mar 14, 2022 6:32:47 GMT -8
Post by kungfuzu on Mar 14, 2022 6:32:47 GMT -8
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Russia
Mar 15, 2022 9:37:09 GMT -8
Post by kungfuzu on Mar 15, 2022 9:37:09 GMT -8
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
Posts: 12,261
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Post by Brad Nelson on Mar 15, 2022 9:52:10 GMT -8
I will likely make another donation, and this one directly to that Ukrainian bank account. I want the money to go to defending Ukraine. Granted, the need is probably for blankets as well as bullets. Both are needed.
I logged onto my personal PayPal account this morning. At the top was a "click me" button to help Ukraine. Okay. Sure. This would be easy and secure going through PayPal.
But that button then took me to a page with 16 different charities listed. Every one of them was about helping the refugees and/or promoting some squishy NGO-ish utopian feel-good thingie.
But what I want to do is support those who are staying behind to support their homeland and who are directly trying to repel the murderous Russian invaders. None of these charities even hinted that you would be purchasing anything like a bullet with Putin's name on it.
Yes, there is a place for providing funds for medical relief. But what Ukraine needs most right now is the ability to kill Russians and destroy their equipment. I somehow don't think that is going to happen if I give to the "Sunflower of Peace" organization, which is one of the 16 charities mentioned.
Sorry, but what we need to do now most of all is to kill Russians. And whether talking about the "Sunflower for Peace" organization or boycotting Russian dressing, either is nearly useless for undertaking what is most urgent.
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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 15, 2022 11:55:48 GMT -8
The move away from the US dollar as the world's currency is speeding up. Saudi Arabia considers accepting Yuan as payment "Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton.With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States of America emerged as a power unique in world history. Never had any power been so much more powerful than any potential competitor, but perhaps more importantly, never had any power in history been able to project its power anywhere in the world within hours. This combination of power and speed was absolutely unprecedented. Many, including the author, hoped that this unprecedented situation would be used for the good of not only our nation, but for the good of the world in general. Those who had no understanding of history, such as Francis Fukayama, spouted unrealistic blather such as "The End of History." Others of us, who knew history and human nature, never believed such nonsense, but did believe that the United States of America, due to its special republican and democratic nature, would use its power to help maintain stability around the world and be the great example to other nations. At the same time, the freedoms and prosperity of the American people would be nurtured, maintained and expanded as the time, money and efforts required to fight the Cold War would no longer be needed and could be focused profitably elsewhere. We did not expect perfection, but we did hope for improvement. Some thirty years later, both Fukayama and the author have been proven wrong. History has not ended. In spite of the globalists efforts to create one world, reality has broken out. We are presently seeing the world financial system splintering and this will very likely continue. This fact alone will have devastating effect on the globalist/WEF agenda. On the other hand, the somewhat optimistic expectations held by the author have been dashed on the truth which Lord Acton pronounced over one hundred years ago. I can think of no better example of the corruptiblity of mankind than that which has transpired over the last thirty years. The U.S.A. has gone from Ronald Reagan's "Shining City on a Hill" to the "Whore of Babylon" in record time. Decadent, degenerate and cancerous are adjectives which should be used to describe too many of our major institutions. The lesson to take from this is that anything approaching absolute power cannot be entrusted to any organization, much less any individual. To ensure sure concentration of power does not develop, other points of power much exist. This is a simple lesson which our Founding Fathers understood and which we in our national hubris, forgot. |
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Russia
Mar 16, 2022 8:17:32 GMT -8
Post by kungfuzu on Mar 16, 2022 8:17:32 GMT -8
I have been expecting something like this, but this particular action is pretty aggressive. The pressure is being applied. Gazprom reverses gas flow |
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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 16, 2022 19:38:17 GMT -8
Western politicians are all clamoring about the Ukraine in order to gain political points. Macron is particularly odious as he is being presented as the mediator in the Russian/Ukrainian conflict only to lift his chances in the upcoming French presidential election. Till now, his popularity has been sinking. Perhaps he, and American politicians should worry more about improving the lot of their own citizens than grandstanding about a conflict which they actually care very little about. For years, Europe has been filling Russian coffers with cash while at the same time they portray Putin as the Devil. Anyone see a contradiction here? The real Macron is the bastard who spreads pain. You would not bow down, now you must suffer A tyrant is a tyrant is a tyrant. |
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Russia
Mar 17, 2022 20:26:14 GMT -8
Post by kungfuzu on Mar 17, 2022 20:26:14 GMT -8
I have heard similar reports from several different sources. I don't feel sorry for any foreign volunteers who might get trapped in the Ukraine. What do they think it is "Beau Geste?" Volunteers are trapped |
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Russia
Mar 17, 2022 20:31:41 GMT -8
Post by kungfuzu on Mar 17, 2022 20:31:41 GMT -8
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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 19, 2022 12:04:02 GMT -8
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