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Author
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Topic: The War in Europe
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 619 of 995 (893363)
04-07-2022 9:00 PM
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Reply to: Message 616 by jar
04-07-2022 7:14 PM
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Re: What if Eleanor Roosevelt ...
How positive are we that we can take out ALL of the Russian Boomers before responding on land? It seems highly unlikely to me that we can take out any Russian nukes. U.S weapon systems are notorious for malfunctions as the electronic sophistication increases. There is a reason the Webb Space Telescope has functioned flawlessly. Ten billion dollars and 20 years planning and hand building it. Testing every single component thousands of times. No one (that can do anything) on the planet is interested in saving everything we care about from nuclear anhelation. Reagan started selling that myth (Star Wars, a fictional program designed after a fiction story) in the 80s and the republicans have carried the ball ever since all the while whittling away at any inspectors and regulations to ensure the U.S. military gets what it's paying for. ABE: I also wanted to mention the serious breaches of security at the Pentagon in 2015 and then for an undetected long term intrusion during Trump. Edited by Tanypteryx, : No reason given.
What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 616 by jar, posted 04-07-2022 7:14 PM | | jar has replied |
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 620 by jar, posted 04-08-2022 8:15 AM | | Tanypteryx has not replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Re: Opinion of a General
Retired General Wesley Clark thinks we either face the devil now or face him later in a much worse situation. I remember listening to him talking about international relations and military stuff and to me, he always seemed rational and reasonable. Look at the world and this situation the way it really is right now, not as some delusional nutjobs want to pretend it is. I sure don't envy any of the final decision makers in these perilous times, and I continue to be puzzled why anyone would seek those positions. On a brighter note, I saw on this morning's news that humans are being impregnated by aliens.
What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 622 by Theodoric, posted 04-08-2022 1:51 PM | | Theodoric has not replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 634 of 995 (893405)
04-10-2022 5:37 PM
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Reply to: Message 631 by Tangle
04-10-2022 2:58 PM
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I've heard a few retired generals commenting that it may be possible for Ukraine to actually win if they get enough help (short of air and boots). The Russians got their asses kicked in Afghanistan and I'm hoping for the same outcome in Ukraine. I hope we are actually helping that happen!
What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 631 by Tangle, posted 04-10-2022 2:58 PM | | Tangle has not replied |
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 635 by AZPaul3, posted 04-10-2022 5:57 PM | | Tanypteryx has not replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 638 of 995 (893415)
04-11-2022 10:29 PM
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy's full 60 Minutes interview in Ukrainian
Volodymyr Zelenskyy's full 60 Minutes interview in Ukrainian quote:
Language translation is more art than science. Different translators have varied opinions of words and their meaning. For our interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, we used the services of three, independent, interpreters of the Ukrainian language. The first translation occurred in the moment, simultaneously, during the interview. Later, a second translator watched the entire interview on video and translated Ukrainian to English verbatim. In the final editing process, a third translator sat with us and verified the edits that are always necessary for clarity and concision. At some points in our story, when phrases in English and Ukrainian did not match each other in length, we made the best effort possible to convey Mr. Zelenskyy's comments with precision and context. As a service to Ukrainian speakers, we are posting the hour-long, April 7th interview in its entirety.
The wartime president: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks with Scott Pelley in Kyiv (translated English version) Every time I see Zelenskyy I admire him more. He seems to be a man of dignity, honor, integrity and a humble self awareness. He appears to be a really good leader also! Character does still matter. Edited by Tanypteryx, : No reason given.
What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 639 by Phat, posted 04-12-2022 2:42 AM | | Tanypteryx has not replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 686 of 995 (893547)
04-16-2022 12:42 PM
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Reply to: Message 684 by Percy
04-16-2022 11:51 AM
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Re: Sanctions, Smanctions
I didn't note this in my last post, so I'll note it now, that I don't think seizing oligarch's yachts has any impact on Russian war capabilities. I'm not sure of the impact of making oligarch's unhappy on Putin's hold on power. I don't think seizing oligarch's yachts was intended to have any effect on the war. It was intended to make everyone else on the planet a little happier knowing that toys were taken away from some really, really rich criminals. But one thing I have noticed, is really rich people don't give a shit about loosing stuff, even expensive stuff like normal people feel when our hard earned stuff is stolen. Rich people are still rich, and they just don't value things they never had to work hard for.
I still believe sanctions are slow-acting to no-acting when it comes to influencing a countries behavior, and this recent Russian example of sanctions at work seems no different. It looks like sanctions are what democracies do when they have almost no influence over events or behavior of tyrants. They would probably work to significantly weaken the tyrants if they were complete blockades of anything going into or coming out of the country, but blockades are impossible and take cooperation and possible sacrifice by the blockaders, so all we spectators can do is sit around and argue about what might happen. I have seen no solution proposals that have any chance of actually ending this war without a whole shitload more death and destruction. I predict that Putin (and the rest of the world) are not going to be happy with how it ends.
What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 684 by Percy, posted 04-16-2022 11:51 AM | | Percy has seen this message but not replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 700 of 995 (893595)
04-17-2022 11:32 AM
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I don't know what the best decision is with regards to no-fly zones, but someone in NATO or the U.S. military has decided not to try that. What I'm wondering, have we (NATO or the U.S.) ever successfully enforced a no-fly zone in previous engagements where the Russians were involved? Do we really have the capability to do that? How many planes would it take? How many would have to be in the air at any given time? How many weeks or months could we maintain it? How many planes can we afford to lose? I know next to nothing about our military capabilities, but I did notice that after 20 years in Afghanistan and many trillions of dollars spent by our side, compared to miniscule amounts spent by our adversaries, we lost. I suspect the reason we will not see a no-fly zone in Ukraine is because the decision makers know we cannot enforce it and they are afraid of demonstrating that to the world.
What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 701 by AZPaul3, posted 04-17-2022 12:36 PM | | Tanypteryx has not replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Re: Going Postal
It's generally best practice to punch the bully in the nose right off the bat. It provides clarity. I may be reading things incorrectly, but I always thought Putin sees the U.S. as the bully, of course, tyrants hardly ever are rational or even close to normal.
I suspect the moment Putin decided to go nuclear would be the most hazardous of his career. Straight up madness even gave Kevin McCarthy a moment of sanity. I have lost any confidence I may have once had that we have enough uncorrupted decision makers will make any good choices regarding this renewed armed standoff with Russia. Someone remind me how we can tell we won the Cold War?
Stop Tzar Vladimir the Condemned!What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 737 of 995 (894021)
04-28-2022 10:36 PM
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Reply to: Message 734 by Theodoric
04-28-2022 9:44 PM
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Re: Going Postal
Even with that knowledge what are we to do? First off, send all his republican supporters in Congress to Moscow as a permanent peace delegation. Next, nuke Moscow. Edited by Tanypteryx, : No reason given.
Stop Tzar Vladimir the Condemned!What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 734 by Theodoric, posted 04-28-2022 9:44 PM | | Theodoric has not replied |
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 741 by Omnivorous, posted 04-28-2022 11:04 PM | | Tanypteryx has not replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 740 of 995 (894024)
04-28-2022 10:52 PM
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Reply to: Message 739 by AZPaul3
04-28-2022 10:49 PM
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Re: Going Postal
I hope whatever gets that fucker is slow and painful!
Stop Tzar Vladimir the Condemned!What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 739 by AZPaul3, posted 04-28-2022 10:49 PM | | AZPaul3 has not replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 761 of 995 (894091)
04-30-2022 2:09 PM
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Ukrainian ATVs buzzing around like Murder Hornets
I saw a report today about Ukrainians using ATVs mounted with anti-tank missiles for hit and run tactics. The Ukrainians have demonstrated they are very adept at adopting underdog tactics against an invader that apparently has failed with adequate planning and logistics prior to invasion. The Russians have inflicted a lot of destruction, but there sure has not been a shocking display of sophisticated military technology like I remember watching on CNN during the first "Gulf War" with Iraq. Back then I got a feeling that Russians (and a lot of other adversaries) were saying "HOLY SHIT". To me, it also looks like Putin isn't a competent enough leader to recognize what incompetence and corruption have done to Russia's military. I have to wonder what percentage of their nuclear missiles and launchers are actually still functional?
Stop Tzar Vladimir the Condemned!What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 762 by Phat, posted 04-30-2022 2:23 PM | | Tanypteryx has replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 767 of 995 (894097)
04-30-2022 4:17 PM
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Reply to: Message 762 by Phat
04-30-2022 2:23 PM
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Re: Nuclear Winter and Sobering realities of the fragility of the Biosphere
Even if it's only 10%, that's 400 Nukes. I bet that would be pretty frustrating repeatedly pushing the launch buttons and having nothing happen, or even worse, the warhead explodes on the launcher.
I am soberly realistic regarding the future of humanity. Really? I have never noticed that.
And I am not as blindly idealistic as are some of you. Can you point to some examples?
It is far from only being the fault of the Republicans, for example. I haven't seen anyone claim that, but I also have not seen anyone claiming the republicans are just too darn good, either.
Humanity itself is fully culpable. Bullshit! I'm sure not culpable for a single thing the republicans have done, for example.
Of course, men like Putin do represent evil incarnate. They care little for anything or anyone outside their own narrow and warped view of future existence. Yeah, we have a Congress full of our own home grown Putin clones waiting in line behind President Turd. ABE: I just realized that you forgot to even mention anything about "Sobering realities of the fragility of the Biosphere", so enlighten us. Edited by Tanypteryx, : No reason given.
Stop Tzar Vladimir the Condemned!What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 762 by Phat, posted 04-30-2022 2:23 PM | | Phat has replied |
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 771 by Phat, posted 05-01-2022 3:22 PM | | Tanypteryx has replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 774 of 995 (894109)
05-01-2022 5:51 PM
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Reply to: Message 771 by Phat
05-01-2022 3:22 PM
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Re: Nuclear Winter and Sobering realities of the fragility of the Biosphere
phat writes: Yes. In general, the liberally progressive globalists want more people to have money--at the expense of the ultra rich. You could have used a few more derogatory names in there to get your point across, like bleeding heart liberally progressive socialist globalists. You seem to think it is a much better and more functional system to tax everyone except the rich, to build the infrastructure for the rich to monopolize and control, and that the government should directly and indirectly pay tax money to the ultra rich. You think that the rich should never fucking ever pay for the benefits they get for free and that we have to pay for with our taxes.
phat writes: it necessitates government control and dispersal of the money. IT BECOMES MANDATORY. Historically and presently, who do you think controls the tax money? Taxes are already mandatory for everyone, except the wealthy. Just what do you think is so horrible about making them pay their share and lowering everyone elses's taxes?
phat writes: This threatens freedom and private property rights. Really? How does passing laws that force rich people to pay for the benefits they receive just like the rest of us, threaten freedom or property rights? You think it is a better and more functional system to let the rich get away with rigging the system by passing tax cuts for themselves so they continue to get all the benefits, and making the rest of us pay for it and give them free huge fucking bonuses on top of it.
phat writes: Mandatory taxation to fund mammoth projects that are marketed as helping the masses when they will end up raising taxes and forcing everyone to pay for them. Hmmmm, well it's better than cutting taxes on the wealthy that are marketed as helping the masses when they will end up raising taxes and forcing everyone to pay for them.
phat writes: It seems that Democrats want fiat money at unlimited amounts as needed. You know it's all just money, using your scary word "fiat" for emphasis is as stupid as using socialist.
phat writes: It also seems as if they want all money openly public and not hidden or private. Are you talking about political campaign contributions? I guess you approve of Putin and the Chinese and all the other foreign assholes contributing and buying our elected representatives in government?
phat writes: All im saying is that they seem to think a limited nuclear exchange is possible. It will ruin everything. Then why didn't you just say that, instead of trying to make it sound like you give a shit about the biosphere.
Stop Tzar Vladimir the Condemned!What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 771 by Phat, posted 05-01-2022 3:22 PM | | Phat has seen this message but not replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 785 of 995 (894134)
05-02-2022 7:18 PM
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Reply to: Message 784 by Percy
05-02-2022 6:47 PM
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Re: On Appeasement
No one foresaw a full scale invasion of Ukraine on the horizon, not even Ukraine itself. Hmmm, I thought Trump's "perfect phone call" with Zelenskyy was about Ukranian security in light of Russian aggression and possible invasion.
But isn't that why we have a State Department, a CIA, an NSA, etc? Shouldn't agencies like the CIA and the NSA been feeding the State Department information that would have led them to a) see the critical role Ukraine plays in western security, and b) that Russia was becoming an increasing threat to Ukraine. Well, considering that most of the most knowledgeable experts in international relations were systematically purged from many key positions in all these agencies, especially the State Department, by Trump and Pompeo (and Tillerson before him), trustworthy analysis might be in short supply. They specifically got rid of experts on Ukraine and Russia. I suspect that many in the U.S. who were surprised by Ukraine's vigorous defense against Russia, were thinking about 20 years and trillions of dollars spent training and arming Afghans who all turned out to be our enemies and didn't want to get burned again.
Stop Tzar Vladimir the Condemned!What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 784 by Percy, posted 05-02-2022 6:47 PM | | Percy has seen this message but not replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 795 of 995 (894159)
05-03-2022 5:31 PM
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Reply to: Message 794 by Percy
05-03-2022 5:02 PM
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Re: On Appeasement
It seems to me that you have been quite critical of a lack preparedness by Biden and the West. I think AZ is asking what you think should have been done and when, and how you think it would have changed the situation as it stands right now. I think that's a fair question, but I also think, "I don't know" is and equally fair answer. Remember we are all on the same side here, pro-west, pro-NATO, pro-Ukraine and anti-Putin and anti-Russian aggression, at least I think we are...
Stop Tzar Vladimir the Condemned!What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 794 by Percy, posted 05-03-2022 5:02 PM | | Percy has replied |
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 797 by Percy, posted 05-04-2022 6:53 AM | | Tanypteryx has replied |
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Tanypteryx
Member Posts: 4413 From: Oregon, USA Joined: 08-27-2006 Member Rating: 5.3
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Message 799 of 995 (894168)
05-04-2022 11:50 AM
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Reply to: Message 797 by Percy
05-04-2022 6:53 AM
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Re: On Appeasement
Does holding such views turn someone into a valid target for sniper/hand grenade style posts, so much so that you tag likes to such posts? Well, I didn't read it that way, and by now you should know that it is my MO to tag likes on any post that has a phrase I like.
Is it because I hold a view you disagree with, that Biden and NATO deserve blame for letting their guard down? If not then please explain what's really up, because it sure seems that way to me. Message 785Tanypteryx writes: Persy writes: But isn't that why we have a State Department, a CIA, an NSA, etc? Shouldn't agencies like the CIA and the NSA been feeding the State Department information that would have led them to a) see the critical role Ukraine plays in western security, and b) that Russia was becoming an increasing threat to Ukraine. Well, considering that most of the most knowledgeable experts in international relations were systematically purged from many key positions in all these agencies, especially the State Department, by Trump and Pompeo (and Tillerson before him), trustworthy analysis might be in short supply. They specifically got rid of experts on Ukraine and Russia. I suspect that many in the U.S. who were surprised by Ukraine's vigorous defense against Russia, were thinking about 20 years and trillions of dollars spent training and arming Afghans who all turned out to be our enemies and didn't want to get burned again. I think Putin, with his sly smile, enjoys sending mixed signals to the U.S. and because he's smart enough to try and keep his rivals off balance, unlike his puppet Trump, who would never say what he intended to do because he had no clue what to do or what the issues are.
And about being on the same side, I don't have a side, except of reasoned discussion. OK, carry on, I shouldn't have butted in. ABE: Just to clarify.
Pursy writes: Tanypteryx writes: Remember we are all on the same side here, pro-west, pro-NATO, pro-Ukraine and anti-Putin and anti-Russian aggression, at least I think we are... I'm not the one who got hyper-aggressive and abusive, so why are you saying this to me? I'm sorry, I didn't mean that to be any criticism of your behavior, it was just a comment for all the participants. Edited by Tanypteryx, : No reason given.
Stop Tzar Vladimir the Condemned!What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty PythonOne important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 797 by Percy, posted 05-04-2022 6:53 AM | | Percy has seen this message but not replied |
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