Ukraine conflict

Ben and Johnny complete their escape from Ukraine. This is just so bizarre, this is Eastern Europe 85 years ago. Look at these people that Putin is attacking, Ukraine has the most beautiful women in the world. They look like Americans. Look at the people in the train station, these are modern civilized people, what's going on is complete Insanity. I know this, Johnny the Asian guy is just dumb enough that he would still be in Ukraine if it wasn't for Benjamin talking him out of it. He was in complete denial about what was going on because he owns an apartment there. I'm so thankful they both got out because I consider them internet friends, I've been following them for years.

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Quote: Evenbob

Ukraine has the most beautiful women in the world.

No argument there.

Quote: kenarman

Ancient Egypt was top dog in the world for 3000 years, Rome for about 1000 years, The US is a blip at 100 years as a top dog.

???????????
It's a big planet
I doubt people in China were aware of Rome or Egypt
Same for the American Indians
Zulu Nation in Southern Africa disagrees
Aztecs also disagree
All the cultures in North America, South America,most of Asia ignored Rome and Eygpt.
No planetary top dogs till the USA
Rome and Eygypt were just small local powers. Not even close to being top dogs.

Quote: kenarman

Ancient Egypt was top dog in the world for 3000 years, Rome for about 1000 years, The US is a blip at 100 years as a top dog.

You guys are missing, that is what makes it so impressive.

Most countries built their power over centuries or more. America popped out of nowhere and took the world by Storm.

The only war (after the Revolution) that America was in any kind of Risk was the Civil War, because only America can challenge America.

Quote: terapined

All the cultures in North America, South America,most of Asia ignored Rome and Eygpt.

Rome and Eygypt were just small local powers. Not even close to being top dogs.

They didn't ignore Rome and Egypt they didn't know they existed. The Indian cultures in the widely separated areas of the Americas had no idea each other existed.

The US exists because of the cultural and technology gains by the Romans and earlier cultures. The language you speak is based upon these cultures. England and the other European power houses that conquered the rest of the world once they found it all had their roots in Roman technology with a good sprinkling of Muslim and Indian subcontinent knowledge.

The reason that the NATO response has been so muted is they are dependent on Russia for their energy needs. The EU countries have merrily gone about destroying their own energy production capabilities in the name of climate change, that is what happens when you become enamored with a young girl called Greta. Have they been reducing carbon? No they have replaced this shutdown of their own generation with imports from Russia.

"Germany currently gets about half of its natural gas and coal from Russia, and a third of its oil. Allies such as the United States have long warned that the heavy reliance of Europe's biggest economy on Russia energy imports is a strategic risk given the growing friction with Moscow."

These imports can't be replaced easily or fast and Germany has no intention of stopping these imports and freeze in the dark. Americans don't need to feel smug about this since Biden has created the same situation in the US when he shut down large sectors of the US industry in the name of climate change. This production was replaced with Russian oil. Biden is not shutting down the import of this oil. So much for significant sanctions, Russia has made the west dependent on Russian carbon.

Quote: kenarman

The reason that the NATO response has been so muted is they are dependent on Russia for their energy needs. The EU countries have merrily gone about destroying their own energy production capabilities in the name of climate change, that is what happens when you become enamored with a young girl called Greta. Have they been reducing carbon? No they have replaced this shutdown of their own generation with imports from Russia.

"Germany currently gets about half of its natural gas and coal from Russia, and a third of its oil. Allies such as the United States have long warned that the heavy reliance of Europe's biggest economy on Russia energy imports is a strategic risk given the growing friction with Moscow."

These imports can't be replaced easily or fast and Germany has no intention of stopping these imports and freeze in the dark. Americans don't need to feel smug about this since Biden has created the same situation in the US when he shut down large sectors of the US industry in the name of climate change. This production was replaced with Russian oil. Biden is not shutting down the import of this oil. So much for significant sanctions, Russia has made the west dependent on Russian carbon.

This is very true, Russia has been funding the anti-fracking craze in the U.S. while expanding it in their country. People thought this was a conspiracy a few years ago.... Now the truth comes out.... This goes back way further than Biden. There were some really mainstream anti-fracking propaganda films in the mid 2000s.

Quote: kenarman

The reason that the NATO response has been so muted is they are dependent on Russia for their energy needs. The EU countries have merrily gone about destroying their own energy production capabilities in the name of climate change, that is what happens when you become enamored with a young girl called Greta. Have they been reducing carbon? No they have replaced this shutdown of their own generation with imports from Russia.

"Germany currently gets about half of its natural gas and coal from Russia, and a third of its oil. Allies such as the United States have long warned that the heavy reliance of Europe's biggest economy on Russia energy imports is a strategic risk given the growing friction with Moscow."

These imports can't be replaced easily or fast and Germany has no intention of stopping these imports and freeze in the dark. Americans don't need to feel smug about this since Biden has created the same situation in the US when he shut down large sectors of the US industry in the name of climate change. This production was replaced with Russian oil. Biden is not shutting down the import of this oil. So much for significant sanctions, Russia has made the west dependent on Russian carbon.

Our rightwing will pivot and pretend that they meant Russia was our biggest threat all along instead of China. And all the climate change is a hoax advocates will just jump on the band wagon promoting production.

IMO, the real issue, is we have multiple issues some of which conflict with each other. More than once we've worked with autocrats to accomplish one goal and have problems with them later. There's not usually an easy answer. N. Korea is about the easiest one, because we never really need to use N. Korea for anything.
We just need him to not make trouble.

Ukrainian parliament member says Biden’s SOTU was ‘a total disappointment’ for Ukraine

"We had been promised the protection by the international community. We gave up our nuclear weapons.