OT: Russia-Ukraine War

[Im Coming Home]

A lot of ya'll seem very uninformed on this situation and it shows. Please go do some research...

[KnicksGadfly]

We have Nazis in our military and law enforcement agencies too. Every country does. This is just propaganda used by Putin. He’s no different than Trump in that regard though he is smarter and shrewder.

Make no mistake I’m not trying to minimize the far right or neo nazis. However I can see that for people literally fighting for their lives and their Democracy, the far right is probably a little bit down on the list of issues to worry about. I mean if China invaded the US and the Proud Boys were on the frontlines fighting, it could be a all hands on deck situation despite the fact that they’re absolute scum.

The difference between neoliberals and leftists right here.

If China invaded America and the only choice was funding the Proud Boys or letting China win I already know which choice is best for my black ass and it ain't the Proud Boys.

This was the same argument towards supporting all the far right dictators America has always supported. How about we mind our own business for once.

I’m glad you brought up the Proud Boys cause guess which Eastern European despot helped elect the ex-US President who encourages anti-black rhetoric? And is now funding right wing extremism?

[E-Balla]

Make no mistake I’m not trying to minimize the far right or neo nazis. However I can see that for people literally fighting for their lives and their Democracy, the far right is probably a little bit down on the list of issues to worry about. I mean if China invaded the US and the Proud Boys were on the frontlines fighting, it could be a all hands on deck situation despite the fact that they’re absolute scum.

The difference between neoliberals and leftists right here.

If China invaded America and the only choice was funding the Proud Boys or letting China win I already know which choice is best for my black ass and it ain't the Proud Boys.

This was the same argument towards supporting all the far right dictators America has always supported. How about we mind our own business for once.

I’m glad you brought up the Proud Boys cause guess which Eastern European despot helped elect the ex-US President who encourages anti-black rhetoric? And is now funding right wing extremism?

Ok... **** Russia lmao.

Putin ain't **** either.

Read on Twitter

Pay more attention to stories like this. Things YOU can affect personally.

[KnicksGadfly]

The difference between neoliberals and leftists right here.

If China invaded America and the only choice was funding the Proud Boys or letting China win I already know which choice is best for my black ass and it ain't the Proud Boys.

This was the same argument towards supporting all the far right dictators America has always supported. How about we mind our own business for once.

I’m glad you brought up the Proud Boys cause guess which Eastern European despot helped elect the ex-US President who encourages anti-black rhetoric? And is now funding right wing extremism?

Ok... **** Russia lmao.

Putin ain't **** either.

Read on Twitter

Pay more attention to stories like this. Things YOU can affect personally.

Well, I think my main point is that Putin was actually pretty successful getting what he wanted when he got Trump elected. He’s not gonna stop. I don’t want Trump re-elected, and I assume you don’t want that either.

I don’t think minding our business is just gonna fix things. There are some instances where that is something America should do, stop doing so much. But in this case, America should do something. We might disagree on what that is, but I think withdrawing and hoping Putin leaves alone will still get us bad scenarios that hurt our communities. At the very least, we should be building our cyber security, for example, and in this day and age, that’s part of warfare.

[E-Balla]

I’m glad you brought up the Proud Boys cause guess which Eastern European despot helped elect the ex-US President who encourages anti-black rhetoric? And is now funding right wing extremism?

Ok... **** Russia lmao.

Putin ain't **** either.

Read on Twitter

Pay more attention to stories like this. Things YOU can affect personally.

Well, I think my main point is that Putin was actually pretty successful getting what he wanted when he got Trump elected. He’s not gonna stop. I don’t want Trump re-elected, and I assume you don’t want that either.

I don’t think minding our business is just gonna fix things. There are some instances where that is something America should do, stop doing so much. But in this case, America should do something. We might disagree on what that is, but I think withdrawing and hoping Putin leaves alone will still get us bad scenarios that hurt our communities. At the very least, we should be building our cyber security, for example, and in this day and age, that’s part of warfare.

I don't care who wins the presidency because it really doesn't matter all too much. Democrats are dragging their feet and not even doing the bare minimum at this point. They should really rebrand as the "Not Trumps" because honestly the only positive I've heard anyone say about em in 2 years is, "hey at least it's not Trump!"

And America doing something (this war isn't new, it's been ramping up for a decade now) got us here in the first place. I'm tired of America prodding other nations and then hiding our hands when a war breaks out.

[HarthorneWingo]

We have Nazis in our military and law enforcement agencies too. Every country does. This is just propaganda used by Putin. He’s no different than Trump in that regard though he is smarter and shrewder.

Make no mistake I’m not trying to minimize the far right or neo nazis. However I can see that for people literally fighting for their lives and their Democracy, the far right is probably a little bit down on the list of issues to worry about. I mean if China invaded the US and the Proud Boys were on the frontlines fighting, it could be a all hands on deck situation despite the fact that they’re absolute scum.

The difference between neoliberals and leftists right here.

If China invaded America and the only choice was funding the Proud Boys or letting China win I already know which choice is best for my black ass and it ain't the Proud Boys.

This was the same argument towards supporting all the far right dictators America has always supported. How about we mind our own business for once.

Your scenario allows for only a Proud Boys victory and control of the county OR a takeover by China? Do I have that right? If I do, then it's not a logical one. Just because our military has proud boys and oath "keepers" (i.e. breakers) in it doesn't mean that they are absolved of any atrocities or crimes they commit during and after war. I'm not sure I get your point.

[8516knicks]

I have no idea what tangent u guys are talking about. the fact is Russia has invaded the Ukraine. Do u stand with them or the Ukraine?

[HarthorneWingo]

I have no idea what tangent u guys are talking about. the fact is Russia has invaded the Ukraine. Do u stand with them or the Ukraine?

Seems pretty simple to me.

[HarthorneWingo]

Putin is isolating himself from his advisors. He’s drunk with power. There little public support for the war (only 8-9%).

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/26/world/europe/putin-ukraine-advisers.html

Putin Seems to Sideline Advisers on Ukraine, Taking a Political Risk

Authoritarian leaders rely on elite support to govern. Jeopardizing those relationships in wartime could be risky, experts say.

*****

But elites still matter. And the Putin advisers’ apparent confusion during Monday’s meeting, including the exchange with Mr. Naryshkin, gave the impression that Russian president had kept this crucial group out of the loop on his plans.

“He seemed to be humiliating some of these people,” Dr. Popova said — particularly in the way he spoke to Mr. Naryshkin, a prominent silovik who served in the KGB at the same time as Mr. Putin.

But even the seating arrangements of Mr. Putin’s recent meetings, in which he has placed himself at a literal distance from his advisers, convey an image that he is separated from everyone, including his elite coalition. It could be because he wanted to avoid catching the coronavirus, reportedly a significant fear for the Russian leader. But some observers, Dr. Popova said, believe Mr. Putin intended to convey the impression that he is the king, and his advisers mere courtiers — a message they might not appreciate.

*****

But public anger over the war could undermine that advantage, and even become a political liability. The war will strain the Russian economy. And it has already been a blow to Mr. Putin’s public image as a careful and pragmatic steward of Russian interests.

There was low public support for war in Ukraine even before casualties began to mount. A long-running academic survey found in December that only 8 percent of Russians supported a military conflict against Ukraine, and only 9 percent thought that Russia should arm Ukrainian separatists. That is a very large enthusiasm gap for Mr. Putin to overcome.

[thebuzzardman]

Mind your money, some financial impacts are going to felt all around.

Wall Street Counsels Washington Against Kicking Russia Off SWIFT
= JPMorgan, Citigroup see possibility the move would backfire
= Secondary sanctions on Russian banks seen as best alternative

Some of Wall Street’s largest banks told lawmakers and the Biden administration that kicking Russia off the SWIFT financial-messaging system would have far-reaching fallout that could hurt the global economy and undermine the purpose of the penalties, people familiar with the matter said.

Firms including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup Inc. suggested Washington stick with other types of sanctions to punish Russia for invading Ukraine, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private talks. Other banks with less international exposure were more receptive to the idea, telling officials that it would be a manageable step. Representatives from the banks declined to comment.

Opponents of the idea passed along a warning: Booting Russia from the critical global system -- which handles 42 million messages a day and serves as a lifeline to some of the world’s biggest financial institutions -- could backfire, sending inflation higher, pushing Russia closer to China and shielding financial transactions from scrutiny by the West. It might also encourage the development of a SWIFT alternative that could eventually damage the supremacy of the U.S. dollar.

This is the main concern for them. Something China and Russia were already working on or laying the groundwork for.

[darmani]

Who are these American born and raised Putin apologists? I've never even remotely met one.

Buy a mirror.

Anyone who believes that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is a result of "American war mongering machine" is a Putin apologist and/or a complete and utter idiot.

[NowWHYcee7]

Y'all trying to pretend we gotta pick a side because it's Russia. Imma say what I said about Hong Kong, wtf y'all want us to do about it? Because if the answer is go to war I'll always oppose that.

The American Left only pretends to be anti-war when Republicans are in office.

[Clyde_Style]

Y'all trying to pretend we gotta pick a side because it's Russia. Imma say what I said about Hong Kong, wtf y'all want us to do about it? Because if the answer is go to war I'll always oppose that.

The American Left only pretends to be anti-war when Republicans are in office.

LBJ thanks you for the laugh

[Clyde_Style]

I will not at all be surprised if Putin loses power. I think this was a gamble that he is going to lose.

[Pointgod]

Also NATO won't get into any direct conflict? They're already there!

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/25/nato-deploy-troops-eastern-flank-ukraine-00011902

Pointgod you need to read before you talk my guy.

Hold up are you saying that Eastern flank means NATO is putting troops in Ukraine? I’ll let you clarify this before claiming that I don’t read before I talk.

Mobilizing in Poland is a clear act of aggression. We've seen this all before. None of us are ignorant as to what the start of war looks like.

Wait defending your borders is an act of aggression? WTF? You say that you’re well read and understand what’s going on so I’m going to assume you know that Poland borders Ukraine and if Russia mange’s to capture Ukraine, they could then move to Poland. It’s pretty clear that NATO mobilizing is defensive, which is the point of the NATO.

Nato will deploy significant extra troops to countries in eastern Europe which are part of the alliance, but UK ministers warned there would be no forces going to Ukraine itself to avoid an “existential” war between Russia and the west.

“No one should be fooled by the Russian government’s barrage of lies,” the leaders said in a joint statement. “We are now making significant additional defensive deployments of forces to the eastern part of the alliance.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/25/nato-deploy-extra-troops-eastern-europe-ukraine-russia-war

So NATO countries mobilizing troops to defend their borders act of aggression. Ukraine fighting off Russians, act of aggression. But somehow Russia invading a country is “well the US just wants to start a war”. This could end tomorrow if Putin stopped if Putin wants it to.

[NowWHYcee7]

Y'all trying to pretend we gotta pick a side because it's Russia. Imma say what I said about Hong Kong, wtf y'all want us to do about it? Because if the answer is go to war I'll always oppose that.

The American Left only pretends to be anti-war when Republicans are in office.

LBJ thanks you for the laugh

Vietnam thanks you for the same.

[Clyde_Style]

The American Left only pretends to be anti-war when Republicans are in office.

LBJ thanks you for the laugh

Vietnam thanks you for the same.

WTF is wrong with you?

GTFO with your idiot hot takes

You don’t know jack about American history and you spout nonsense memes you read somewhere else

[BKlutch]

Er, what?

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is a duck. Eballa and compensated Russian apologists.

Totally. I give so much of a damn about Russia.

Who are these American born and raised Putin apologists? I've never even remotely met one.

I don't give a **** about any country other than America because I don't pay taxes in any country but America. What the **** does me or any of y'all condemning Russia do for anyone? I'm sorry I speak about promoting tangible actions instead of virtue signaling like you do. Unless you are saying America should engage here and escalate the conflict you're literally just posturing to make yourself seem humane here. You don't give a **** about the Ukraine, if you did you'd know more about this conflict than what you've seen on the news this week.

I'm not not a hypocrite so I can openly admit the only foreign conflicts I care about are ones my tax dollars support.

Your comments are outrageous, offensive, and go way to far. They are despicable.

"You don't give a **** about the Ukraine, if you did you'd know more about this conflict than what you've seen on the news this week."

My Father's family are all from Kiev, Ukraine. Don't you dare say that to me.

"the Ukraine"??
That is the colonial name given to Ukraine by the conquering Soviets. You cannot write off a whole country and it's independence by using that word. We never use the N word, and I'll thank you to stop saying this.

"What the **** does me or any of y'all condemning Russia do for anyone?"
Putin is afraid of a democratic, Jewish run country so close to his. His playbook, as was that of all the Soviets and their latter-day Russian descendents, is to deny Ukrainian identity and try to destroy it by crushing their culture, erase the meanings of their origins, and assimilate them into his fantasized Soviet Union 2.0.

Just becase you don't understand what is going on there doesn't give you a reason to write such hurtful comments about a people who are under brutal attack by a nuclear (per Putin's recent emphasis) superpower. Again, let me say that if the Russians were paying you to write what you do, you couldn't do a better job than you are to rep their warmongering, enthnic and culture destroying war policies. Your comments are deeply offensive and you need to stop this now.

[Pointgod]

We have Nazis in our military and law enforcement agencies too. Every country does. This is just propaganda used by Putin. He’s no different than Trump in that regard though he is smarter and shrewder.

Make no mistake I’m not trying to minimize the far right or neo nazis. However I can see that for people literally fighting for their lives and their Democracy, the far right is probably a little bit down on the list of issues to worry about. I mean if China invaded the US and the Proud Boys were on the frontlines fighting, it could be a all hands on deck situation despite the fact that they’re absolute scum.

The difference between neoliberals and leftists right here.

If China invaded America and the only choice was funding the Proud Boys or letting China win I already know which choice is best for my black ass and it ain't the Proud Boys.

This was the same argument towards supporting all the far right dictators America has always supported. How about we mind our own business for once.

You completely made up this scenario. In this scenario Biden is still President, the Proud Boys have exactly as much political power as they have now, which is zero. If you “win” you still have a Democracy to go back to no matter how cynical you are.

I get it you’re part of the reactionary left that’s so bitter with the political process that you’re happy to just let Democracy blow up. As much as you hate Joe Biden, if you think living under the boot of Xi won’t be the worst experience of your life, you should read what it’s like for Chinese dissidents or the Uyghers in the internment camps.

[Clyde_Style]

Now we have clowns posting that being against a war is contingent on who sits in the White House. Where do these brainless monkeys get their drivel from? The stupidity of it all is obscene. I do know this jerk is a brain dead right winger who thinks they just owned the libtards, but it’s worse than that. There is an invasion of the Ukraine and these creeps try to use it to score points against the “left” whatever they think that is. GTFO of here with your stupid trash