Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5

Melissa Rivera5 said:So, I'm already busy sanding down the hardwood floors and just got the wood stove installed.

🤣🤣hahaha, this is gold—where I live, people say you're just asking for trouble in the coming months...

Melissa Rivera5 said:Wait, hold up. So this massive iron army—this supposed giant of both morale and military might, this beast from Asia and Europe that supposedly planned everything out perfectly for their special operation, accounted for all the sanctions, and hasn't even fully kicked off yet... they have to CROWDFUND their equipment?! I mean, if this keeps up, they'll be crowdfunding firecrackers soon just to scrape out the gunpowder because that's probably all they've got left.

Honestly, calling them orcs is an insult to orcs. At least those guys had a decent supply of swords. I think their menu even expanded for a bit there.

Orcs don't have free will.

Russ does.

Everything they're doing is a choice they made themselves...

So, looks like some serious homework just landed on the desk of the Ukrainian government. Victoria Spartz—that US Congresswoman with Ukrainian roots—is throwing some heavy accusations at the Office of the President of the United States, and man, she isn't pulling any punches. She’s basically demanding an investigation into four big things:
A whole "Watergate" style scandal;
The halting of domestic weapons development (specifically stuff like Patriot, Javelin, and HIMARS) and instead focusing on securing more 122mm and 152mm ammo supplies
The loss of Kherson, which I guess led to that whole tragedy involving the Azov Regiment
And stalling the setup of the anti-corruption office and the state prosecutor

http://spartz.house.gov/media/press-...s-yermak-issue.

Then you've got the Volunteer Corps calling all this nothing but Russian propaganda meant to mess with the relationship between the USA and Ukraine

https://ukrainian.voanews.com/a/spar...-/6652163.html

Anyway, I guess the real question is... who’s actually telling the truth here? Who can we even trust?

Congress just held a vote on whether we should stop calling the President "President" and start calling him "Ruler" instead.

"George Marshall, the first deputy chair of the House Committee on the Judiciary, told The New York Times that he isn't buying into the Republican Party's little idea to swap out the word 'President' for 'Ruler.' According to him, sure, maybe 'President' isn't the perfect term for the head of state, but honestly, who has the time? We've got massive socio-economic issues and foreign policy headaches to deal with right now.

“I mean, obviously, it’s not necessary. Not right now, anyway. Once we actually get a handle on the big socio-economic stuff and our standing in the world, then maybe we can sit around and debate what to call government jobs. But no, definitely not needed yet. Maybe 'President' isn't the ideal word for America, but look, we’ve borrowed plenty of terms from other languages and countries even back in the old days. I don't see any point in doing this now, so why dwell on the future? There are much bigger fires to put out,” he said.

The Republican Party had previously told the Associated Press that the whole concept of a "President" is relatively fresh in America, so they figured if it hasn't fully "taken root" yet, they might as well swap it out.

“The title for the head of state has always been a bit confusing for us. The whole idea of a 'President' acting as the chief executive really only started gaining traction in the United States in the late 18th century, and it took forever to spread globally. In our country, by historical standards, this is pretty much a new way of talking, and since it’s not totally set in stone, you could easily change it. For instance, using 'Head of State' or even 'Ruler'—both of those would probably make more sense to an American ear,” the Republican Party representative claimed in their statement."

https://www-gazeta-ru.translate.goog...r&_x_tr_pto=sc

gentlerider7 said:Congress just held a vote on whether we should stop calling the President "President" and start calling him "Ruler" instead.

"George Marshall, the first deputy chair of the House Committee on the Judiciary, told The New York Times that he isn't buying into the Republican Party's little idea to swap out the word 'President' for 'Ruler.' According to him, sure, maybe 'President' isn't the perfect term for the head of state, but honestly, who has the time? We've got massive socio-economic issues and foreign policy headaches to deal with right now.

“I mean, obviously, it’s not necessary. Not right now, anyway. Once we actually get a handle on the big socio-economic stuff and our standing in the world, then maybe we can sit around and debate what to call government jobs. But no, definitely not needed yet. Maybe 'President' isn't the ideal word for America, but look, we’ve borrowed plenty of terms from other languages and countries even back in the old days. I don't see any point in doing this now, so why dwell on the future? There are much bigger fires to put out,” he said.

The Republican Party had previously told the Associated Press that the whole concept of a "President" is relatively fresh in America, so they figured if it hasn't fully "taken root" yet, they might as well swap it out.

“The title for the head of state has always been a bit confusing for us. The whole idea of a 'President' acting as the chief executive really only started gaining traction in the United States in the late 18th century, and it took forever to spread globally. In our country, by historical standards, this is pretty much a new way of talking, and since it’s not totally set in stone, you could easily change it. For instance, using 'Head of State' or even 'Ruler'—both of those would probably make more sense to an American ear,” the Republican Party representative claimed in their statement."

https://www-gazeta-ru.translate.goog...r&_x_tr_pto=sc

No more hiding behind the curtain! 😵

Better to just swap it to Car.

I cannot jump straight to conclusions... one must establish the ruler before crowning an emperor.
Regarding politics, the Russ have been operating on this same cycle for two centuries now, stretching back through the 18th and 19th.

dustyowl29 said:Better to just swap it to Car.

Get straight to the "boss."

Anyone know if the President is going to be the head of the RPC too? Just thinking out loud here, but I'd hate for Elizabeth II to have control over that while the President doesn't. That would be such a mess...

Arthur Miller7 said:No more hiding behind the curtain! 😵

It looked ridiculous anyway...

Let them turn into some weird little quasi-monarchy like they have in Syria, North Korea, and all that...

Nancy Gomez26 said:The entire mechanism is engineered with one goal: keeping people in the occupied zones, and beyond, paralyzed by fear. It is a logical paradox. How can someone speak a language that the authorities simultaneously claim does not exist? How can you punish a man for practicing something you deny is real? Suddenly, the narrative shifts, and for some reason, the language is suddenly legitimate again. Tomorrow, the wind may change again, and they will decide it doesn't exist once more. This is classic authoritarian behavior—the kind seen in Moscow—where a central power seeks to dictate the very existence of those beneath them. And let’s be clear, this isn't limited to occupied lands; it is how they treat their own citizens within Russia as well. The real solution would be for the citizens of the Russian Federation—who are actually the ones under the heaviest boot—to realize exactly what kind of regime they live under and replace them themselves.

Sure, they can ban speech, but they can't stop people from thinking in Ukrainian.
Fear is one of their primary tools. I think those who want real change in Russia feel completely paralyzed—I mean, how do you actually change a regime? They held elections in these republics, sure, but you could vote as many times as you wanted since the winners were decided before the first ballot was even cast.

goldenowl73 said:I honestly have no clue which teachers they're talking about. Down in Kherson, they're starting to hand out apartments to teachers brought in from Russia because the locals refuse to teach using the Russian curriculum.

😢😢.

We’re looking at teachers from Russia, doctors from Russia, even a new administration from Russia. A lot of people just refuse to follow the Russian curriculum—and it isn't just the schools; the occupiers are trying to force everything on them. But honestly, it ends up being whatever the people want. Except, right now, the people aren't stepping up—which is why there hasn't been a referendum in Kherson yet. There just aren't enough folks willing to cooperate or join some kind of local assembly. Instead, they're playing dirty and using blackmail—forcing people to take Russian passports just to get humanitarian aid or access to Russian funds. It's a tough spot to be in.

Kate Cook27 said:😢😢.

We’re looking at teachers from Russia, doctors from Russia, even a new administration from Russia. A lot of people just refuse to follow the Russian curriculum—and it isn't just the schools; the occupiers are trying to force everything on them. But honestly, it ends up being whatever the people want. Except, right now, the people aren't stepping up—which is why there hasn't been a referendum in Kherson yet. There just aren't enough folks willing to cooperate or join some kind of local assembly. Instead, they're playing dirty and using blackmail—forcing people to take Russian passports just to get humanitarian aid or access to Russian funds. It's a tough spot to be in.

Deeply insidious and discriminatory behavior from the Russians... especially using humanitarian aid as a bargaining chip.

Gerald Torres84 said:I cannot jump straight to conclusions... one must establish the ruler before crowning an emperor.
Regarding politics, the Russ have been operating on this same cycle for two centuries now, stretching back through the 18th and 19th.

Or maybe more along the lines of Star Wars.
An emperor with millions of faceless, nameless soldiers—where his way is the only way, controlling every corner of space and every tiny detail of daily life.

It’s probably a good thing there isn't a Darth Vader around building a Death Star... hopefully.

Paul Thomas46 said:Or maybe more along the lines of Star Wars.
An emperor with millions of faceless, nameless soldiers—where his way is the only way, controlling every corner of space and every tiny detail of daily life.

It’s probably a good thing there isn't a Darth Vader around building a Death Star... hopefully.

To me, this feels way more like George Orwell's 1984.

Big Brother sits at the top!
Directly underneath is the inner party... the elite that makes up about 2% of the population.
Then you've got the outside party working for the elites, making up roughly 13%.
And at the very bottom, you have the masses, who account for a staggering 85%.
They've even got a Ministry of Truth acting as their thought police... honestly, it’s like it was ripped straight from the book!

Ukraine War



Did you catch how he finished that thought? He mentioned that an American soldier... well, would much rather be right there on the front lines in Ukraine with them.

And honestly, looking at the situation, maybe he’s telling the truth.😉

Best,

Donna Wells2 said:To me, this feels way more like George Orwell's 1984.

Big Brother sits at the top!
Directly underneath is the inner party... the elite that makes up about 2% of the population.
Then you've got the outside party working for the elites, making up roughly 13%.
And at the very bottom, you have the masses, who account for a staggering 85%.
They've even got a Ministry of Truth acting as their thought police... honestly, it’s like it was ripped straight from the book!

Comparing Russia to Nazi Germany:

1. Public support for the regime and its policies is roughly identical.
2. Conquests:
a) Austria in 1938—annexed in a single day on March 13th via blitzkrieg, all with the support of the Austrians.
b) Ukraine in 2022—it's been dragging on for over four months now due to relentless Ukrainian resistance.

Amanda Allen4 said:Comparing Russia to Nazi Germany:

1. Public support for the regime and its policies is roughly identical.
2. Conquests:
a) Austria in 1938—annexed in a single day on March 13th via blitzkrieg, all with the support of the Austrians.
b) Ukraine in 2022—it's been dragging on for over four months now due to relentless Ukrainian resistance.

The only genuine parallel between Russia and Nazi Germany—the one that actually holds water—is the similarity between Hitler and Putin, specifically regarding their sheer delusions of grandeur.

Russia hit a brick wall at the very first obstacle, whereas Germany was practically knocking on the door of their ultimate goal.
Back then, the world was caught completely off guard by Hitler, but Putin? The West saw him coming from a mile away and reacted immediately.

Best regards,

Amanda Allen4 said:Comparing Russia to Nazi Germany:

1. Public support for the regime and its policies is roughly identical.
2. Conquests:
a) Austria in 1938—annexed in a single day on March 13th via blitzkrieg, all with the support of the Austrians.
b) Ukraine in 2022—it's been dragging on for over four months now due to relentless Ukrainian resistance.

I agree with all of that, though I'd just add the occupation of the Sudetenland under the guise of "protecting endangered Germans," which eventually led to the takeover of all of Czechoslovakia.
I want to specifically highlight that phrase: "endangered Germans."
Wasn't it exactly the same thing for us thirty years ago? Just one specific group being labeled as "endangered"... honestly, they're acting the same way today as they did 200 years ago.

Bryan Booth82 said:The only genuine parallel between Russia and Nazi Germany—the one that actually holds water—is the similarity between Hitler and Putin, specifically regarding their sheer delusions of grandeur.

Russia hit a brick wall at the very first obstacle, whereas Germany was practically knocking on the door of their ultimate goal.
Back then, the world was caught completely off guard by Hitler, but Putin? The West saw him coming from a mile away and reacted immediately.

Best regards,

They read him so well, though, that Putin managed to play the "reliable business partner" role for quite a while.

Both Hitler and Putin ended up on the cover of Time magazine as "Person of the Year." ☕