To most ordinary americans, war is abstract. It appears only on TV screens. Not like a bomb is falling on your backyard. Its a different thing if the voting is such that those for the war will be conscripted to the army. Then the response will be drastically different.
War in Ukraine soon?
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To most ordinary americans, war is abstract. It appears only on TV screens. Not like a bomb is falling on your backyard. Its a different thing if the voting is such that those for the war will be conscripted to the army. Then the response will be drastically different.
Unless you think a large air deployment would cause the oligarchs/military/FSB to overthrow Putin before any Russians and Americans are killed, then your assumption is incorrect. Russia is organized like the mob....weakness is a sign to overthrow the Don...Putin cannot show weakness so he'll lob bombs on European airbases and roll the die, hoping Biden is too senile or weak to respond in kind. You yourself said he's a gambler...the only way out of your hypothetical is you think a show of strength forces his overthrow, which is a huge roll of the dice, because if that doesn't happen, it's almost a guaranteed nuclear exchange. Again, you don't know what happens in five years and the sanctions the US has in place and the unexpected losses are certainly enough to make him (and particularly China which as you've said) is all business.
Sorry...this exchange is most illuminating as to the workings of your mind.... couldn't understand before why you took the positions you did so I ascribed it all to "religion"....but it may be as simple as you just can't make a risk calculation to save your life. You are willing to roll the dice RIGHT NOW on nuclear war....but a little bug with an IFR under one percent that sent you into makes us Australia.
In a tactical war, nuclear weapons make no sense. Modern weapon technology allows the pilot to ask "Which window?" when he is asked to hit a house with a cruise missile. Nuclear weapons destroy the target for the enemy and also for the shooter. Unless Putin wants to govern a wasteland, his best use of nuclear weapons is political, and once he uses them, he loses.
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the problem is war isn't always rational. Sometimes its just emotional.
War Sucks!!!!
China is one nation with 2 governments. One in Beijing and one in Taipei.
The People´s Republic of China in Beijing will absolutely invade the Republic of Taiwan if such a nation ever is declared. That is a guarantee.
As long as Taiwan remains under Republic of China in Taipei, I do not see any risk of this happening.
The logic is that Taiwan even though it is under the administration of Taipei is still a Chinese government, albeit not a Communist one, but it is still Chinese territory under a Chinese government. I suppose the Chinese think that as long as it is Chinese territory who cares which government is governing it. China have been split into multiple nations so many times throughout history.
If there is a coup in Taipei, and the Republic of China in Taipei is overthrown and ceases to exist, and a new nation is declared, then Communist china will see itself as a force that is needed to come in to rescue Taiwan from falling into separatist hands.
The issue I see is the inconsistency of US policy. US policy recognizes the government in Beijing as legitimate government of China. Yet it sells weapons to the Republic of China government in Taiwan, thus it is supporting and supplying arms to an illegitimate government.
The US should stop selling weapons to the ROC in Taiwan OR recognize the Republic of China in Taiwan as the legitimate government of China. It is trying to have my cake and it eat too on this issue. Just recognize Taiwan as China.
So sad Espoal that you play with war. I lost a buddy and many died fighting the BS that Herbert got is into. His 9/11/90 NWO speech is ringing true today. The cool news is you guys got caught. You are something else with your war talk. Sad day for anyone who is in any war. War sucks!!!
baldref
GOLD
Who is this "most everyone" you speak of? I must not know them.
Hüsker Dü
DA
Must be the “I’d rather have trump as king forever over Biden for four years!” people. I know a couple of those.
baldref
GOLD
The first time you make sense, will be the first time you make sense. But you do you.
Hüsker Dü
DA
Just a quote I read on social media and thought it was right in line with someone preferring a dictator. King=dictator, get it?
whatithink
GOLD
"Russia is organized like the mob", that may actually be a saving grace. Triggering Article 5 by invading a NATO country will start a European conflict. There is no way NATO doesn't respond with overwhelming force. Given how Russia has rolled into the Ukraine, their ground troops & armor would be toast in a day. From there its straight to nukes.
No "mob" presses the self-destruct button willingly and everyone loses in that type of European conflict. I can certainly see a coup dumping Putin, but can also see purges by Putin. The former would be good at this point, the latter could be even more dangerous than things currently are.
IMV, the European response to this is way more than Putin could have contemplated. I think its the correct response because they are basically saying "we want peace, but we are preparing for war". These are very dangerous times.
NO WAY HOME: THE EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE OF CHILDREN IN UKRAINE’S ORPHANAGES
Published by Disability Rights International, this report documents the exploitation and trafficking of institutionalized children in Ukraine. Whilst UNICEF estimates that there are 82,000 children living in institutions, other advocacy groups have suggested that the number is far greater. This problem has been exasperated with Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, leading to more children disappearing or being abandoned by these institutions that were supposed to protect them. In these institutions, Disability Rights International has found that the children face sex and labour trafficking, sexual abuse, physical abuse, forced abortion and lack of community support. Many children who graduated from orphanages are often forced onto the streets while facing substance abuse among other issues. Nevertheless, there are many international parties that still donate to these institutions, perpetuating these problems.
Published by Disability Rights International, this report documents the exploitation and trafficking of institutionalized children in Ukraine. Whilst UNICEF estimates that there are 82,000 children living in institutions, other advocacy groups have suggested that the number is far greater. This problem has been exasperated with Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, leading to more children disappearing or being abandoned by these institutions that were supposed to protect them. In these institutions, Disability Rights International has found that the children face sex and labour trafficking, sexual abuse, physical abuse, forced abortion and lack of community support. Many children who graduated from orphanages are often forced onto the streets while facing substance abuse among other issues. Nevertheless, there are many international parties that still donate to these institutions, perpetuating these problems.
the battle of the cities has started. Russia is no longer being cautious about civilian collateral damage and is preparing Chechnya type tactics to level the cities with artillery. An amphibious invasion is headed towards Odessa. Ukraine is vowing to turn Kiev Deneper Odessa and Kharkiv into new Stalingrad’s with street to street fighting. The spring mud is early and is already snagging wheeled vehicles. Russian casualties now stand between 5000-7000 killed or wounded but a lot more people including civilians are going to die in the next 2-4 days when the Russian assault comes on line.
Yes, you probably do not know them. Some of them are Iraqis who wished Saddam was back. Some of them are Libyans who wished Gaddafi was back.
Its called the Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Most of these lower needs can be achieved through financial freedom. Political freedom does not except at the very top of self actualization.
I remember reading an article decades ago, Filipinos were questioning if they were lagging behind the rest of South East Asia and Asia because they had too much democracy. Many successful Asian tigers were ruled by dictators, to start, Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew, South Korea under Park Chung Hee, Republic of China in Taiwan under Chiang to name a few.
To give an example, Singapore has such a draconian government that it holds the world record for imprisoning the longest ever serving political prisoner without trial, beating Nelson Mandela. Yet every election, the ruling party wins easily, why? Financial freedom. People become rich under this government. At some point when money is no longer an object, they will go for higher level needs.
For most countries with GDP under 15000, I think it is safe to say to say the priority for most people is financial freedom over political freedom. Many citizens who think political freedom matters soon realize that upon changing the government through election, the same corruption happens no matter who is in government. Good economy and governance on the other hand guarantees food on the table, shelter, a happy family, and if a dictator can deliver that, why not.
For this, I believe that many attempts to "spread democracy" like those in Iraq or Libya to name a few, are really sinister attempts at destablizing foreign governments.
baldref
GOLD
most everyone. I see......weird shit dude.
I have this prediction. Once all the bad guys are captured, everyone still alive on earth will get a UBI. It's because all of our past family and friends worked as slaves and died in endless wars and so have we. This is our time!!! Everyone will be set free truly, just like in 1776. Land is everywhere. Freedom is coming and it;s not going to be weird. We have plenty of resources for all of us. It's the liars and cheaters that have taken for themselves. Us vs Them will be over, at least that's what my intuition is telling.
Hüsker Dü
DA
Europe’s Sleeping Giant Awakens
Politics in Berlin has undergone a cataclysm that no one saw coming.
www.theatlantic.com
Reports from European and Eastern sources about what's happening inside Russia is ugly. It looks like the Duma is scheduled to meet in the coming days and analysts are speculating they will take certain actions including: giving Putin the right to rule by absolute decree without the Duma, prohibiting the movement of currency and people out of Russia (the lower upper classes and upper middle class has begun to exodus), declare martial law (including one report that protestors will be send to serve at the front) and reintroduce general conscription and call up the reservists (since the occupation in the Ukraine is anticipated to be long and bloody). Meanwhile foreign companies, like Ikea and McDonalds, unable to to operate their businesses without currency transfers and having begun the process already of transferring out their foreign national staffs, have begun to shutter. Reports are that Russian casualties may now top 7000 and there are reports of whole units surrendering or going AWOL....that doesn't mean the Russian offensive is over but that it's shifted to another phase: the use of artillery to level cities and terrorize them into surrender....in response Ukraine has announced Russian artillery men will not be given quarter and will be shot on sight. The 25 year integration of Russia into the global economy is essentially being undone in the course of less than a month and a big question is how the late millenials and Zers will react to that, given they have no recollection of a time when Russia was cut off from the world and can't get new iphones or use their apple pay.