Posts by goldentrucker17

Joseph Watson3 said:You also conveniently left out the fact that this nation drives about 25%—if not more—of global science, industry, medicine, and food production. They probably hold half of all the Nobel Prize winners, too. It’s pretty easy for various underdeveloped or lagging nations to claim they aren't polluting anything when they aren't actually producing anything or contributing a damn thing to global knowledge.

You totally missed the point. They make up 5% of the population and they're burning through the Earth's scarce resources like there's no tomorrow. Meanwhile, they're only entitled to one twentieth of the share. ☕

Linda Hughes88 said:Look, stop trying to sell me that nonsense. When the Pope was in the city, windows on the buildings he passed had to be shut tight and shutters pulled down. And days before the visit, the police were going door-to-door checking IDs and verifying everyone. I know this from firsthand experience.

About 10 minutes after Bush passed by, traffic went right back to being a mess, so there weren't any massive delays or anything. It was pretty much the same as when the Pope arrived, and honestly, it was still better than that summit organized at the Westin a few years ago.
As for comparing Bush to the Pope, yeah, you're spot on there. You really can't compare the two. Stalin once cynically asked, "How many divisions does that Pope have?" Well, he doesn't have any. The Pope's political weight is more like the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, if you can even call it that. This isn't the era of Alexander VI or Gregory VII when Vatican City was a major political player. He recites his speech from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and that's that. It goes in one ear and out the other. His only real importance is the influence he has over hundreds of millions of Catholics, but even that influence is pretty limited.
So, the Pope's visit is more like the Beatles or Elvis coming to town. A huge crowd of fans for whom it means something, and that's it. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the Pope visited, I'm just talking about his actual real-world impact.
On the other hand, Bush is the leader of a superpower, the head of a nation that makes up about 25% of the global economy and leads the strongest military and nuclear force on Earth. And you're trying to compare him to the Pope. 🙄

Exactly! Bush is also at the helm of a superpower that makes up 5% of the world's population but accounts for a staggering 25% of global pollution. Plus, he’s the president of the only major power alongside China that refused to sign the Kyoto protocol.
Then you've got a leader responsible for countless aggressive wars fought far beyond his own borders, which is why he's so widely disliked globally.
And yet, you have the nerve to draw any comparison between him and the absolute moral authority that the late Pope was. 🙄

Richard Wilson4 said:Are we sure about that? Like, actually sure? What's the catch?
So, why’d you go and pick that up from some buddies of yours who work construction?
Or maybe just some random news site online?
People are actually starving, fighting wars, and dealing with terrorism in Third World countries, but honestly, it’s not much different from how things were during Clinton's era or any other time since Europeans walked away from their colonies.

Look, Clinton is a criminal just like pretty much every other US president in the 20th century.
But we're talking about Bush here.

Richard Wilson4 said:Haven't you heard that Bush killed 6 million Muslims in camps? ☕
Not even worth arguing with idiots like this...

During Bush's eight years in office, easily more than 6 million people died across the Third World because of imperialistic American foreign policy.
Between famine, disease, and terrorism...
If you ask me, Bush is an even bigger criminal because he manages to pull all this off during peacetime.

Zachary Watson50 said:Russia is definitely going to take advantage of this situation. It’s no secret that Vladimir Putin views the 1999 Mexico episode as a massive, humiliating defeat for Russian diplomacy, and he’s clearly just waiting for the right moment to strike back. What kind of moves they actually make... well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. But one thing is for sure: unfortunately, things aren't looking great for Georgia.

if what you're saying is actually true, then Russia isn't the one to blame for Georgia losing those two regions—it's the USA. It all comes down to that Mexico precedent.

velvetmarlin24 said:Do you actually realize that some people used to talk about us just like that?
As for what the government lacks, we can't exactly go thanking another country for it.
So what if we're a small nation? We have plenty of tiny ones in Europe. Look at San Marino, Monaco, or even Liechtenstein... they aren't huge. And then there's Vatican City, which is barely two kilometers across, though I guess that's in a league of its own...

So, basically, you're rooting for the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia? Don't you get that once they actually get independence, they'll just end up being swallowed up by Russia?
From everything I've seen you post, you don't even seem to like them. It just doesn't add up to me... 😁

Dennis Harris5 said:If you’re going to make a claim like that, then the burden of proof is on you. You should be the one providing a direct link that clearly supports your assertion. To quote you:It is quite rare to come across a nation that manages to operate without any external debt at all, but Russia is one of those few outliers." 🤣

Regarding the accuracy of this information, I have to disagree. My data isn't just my own opinion or something I pulled out of thin air; it's based on official records, unlike yours.🤣

To be more precise, looking back at the end of September 2007, Russia's foreign debt obligations stood at approximately $431 billion. That is a massive figure, and it certainly isn't anywhere near zero. 🤣

Why are you even quoting Zachary Watson50? It’s not like he actually has any real insight into this. I will admit, though, that his estimates were certainly closer to the mark than yours—he managed to factor in about $70 billion more in Russian foreign exchange reserves than you did.🤣.

Look, we aren't actually talking about foreign exchange reserves or assets here; we are discussing liabilities. I’m honestly a bit confused as to why you're bringing up assets in this context—it feels like there might be a fundamental misunderstanding of the terms being used. 🤣

Okay, let's play by your numbers. You're admitting that the Russian reserves are around 480 billion USD. If their foreign obligations are 431 billion USD, then my point stands: the Russians aren't actually in debt.

Dennis Harris5 said:🤣
Listen, kid, just drop a link where that’s actually stated... and I will gladly provide you with a link showing exactly how much Russia owes to foreign creditors—upwards of $350 billion.

At the beginning of April 2007., Russia's foreign debt amounted to USD 340 billion 🤣🤣

We are discussing liabilities here, not assets...You called me "kid," so let me quote you: "Russia is one of the rare nations that has virtually no foreign debt."

But now, according to your own logic, they owe 29 billion 🤣... so we might as well agree on the +350 billion figure; don't worry, I can handle being the "kid" here.🤣

Your data is totally wrong, man. Why don't you actually cite a source for your "facts"? ☕

Zachary Watson50 said:Russia's foreign exchange reserves have hit the $550 billion mark, according to a figure mentioned in a recent speech by Putin. That would put them third in the world for total value, right behind China and Japan.

Dennis Harris5 said:Just look at the numbers—saying Russia has no foreign debt is a stretch... they're sitting on over $350 billion...😲 If you actually took the time to dig into the specifics of that debt, you might find yourself feeling a bit more optimistic about the situation...🤣

Give me a break. Stop talking out of your ass. According to the latest numbers, Russia's external debt is only around 29 billion dollars. And when you consider they have over 150 billion sitting in their special fund from oil revenue, it means they don't owe a damn thing. In fact, other countries owe them.

So go ahead, try to debunk me with actual data, otherwise I'm calling you out for lying just like you did with that ridiculous 350 "billion" figure.
You pulled that number from somewhere a decade ago. ☕

Ronald Rodriguez73 said:Honestly, all the Russians can do is talk big and sing those old battle songs, because when it comes down to actually racing with the US, they don't have the cash or the tech to back it up.
They didn't even have the resources back when the USSR was way bigger and more intimidating, so why would they have them now or anytime in the future?

So, according to this, the "much bigger and more powerful" USSR didn't have the money, but suddenly they're flush because they're raking in US dollars and Euros from oil and gas sales? Give me a break.
Besides, Russia is one of those rare countries that doesn't even carry significant external debt—they actually sit on massive reserves of foreign currency and gold.

velvetmarlin24 said:Nuclear weapons have already been tested, and whatever happens next is on Russia—everything moving forward from here is strictly their fault.
The USA didn't start or declare any kind of arms race.
So, there you have it; you wanted multiple powers involved. Now we just wait for the conflict to hit.

😂😂

Do you just enjoy telling jokes? Like, they're installing a missile defense shield right under the Russians' noses and somehow that doesn't count as starting an arms race? Seriously?

Linda Hughes88 said:So now I have to play the role of Jakovina just because I don't agree with you (me putting him on a pedestal? 😵 😵 )? Or am I supposed to be his best friend? That is just brilliant! Should I try to guess who you are since I'm such a thorn in your side, huh? Are you Radovan Vukadinović or some kind of associate of his? Just guessing here 🙂 I'm neither, if you're really that curious. And since you brought up his "approach," I could definitely find plenty of things to nitpick about him, but calling him indoctrinated? That's just ridiculous! I guess he should have just put an equals sign between the USSR and the USA or reduced the Vietnam War to a simple battle of good versus evil just to make you happy... Honestly, maybe the problem is you, maybe you're the one who's been indoctrinated.

I told you nicely to just admit you're on Jakovina's side, but fine, if you want to play stubborn, go ahead. 😁

Matthew Wright2 said:Wikipedia? Do you even know what Wikipedia actually is? Honestly, screw Wikipedia.

And Marshall? You even know who Marshall was? Forget Marshall.

Paul Anderson8 said:I mean, why the attitude then? If you think it's perfectly fine for Americans living abroad to cheer for the US, then why is it such a problem when Mexicans root for Mexico? It's the same logic, really.

Wait, you actually know me? If you’d bothered to read my posts, you’d realize I don't give a damn about Mexicans cheering for Mexico, or Canadians for Canada, or whoever else. Honestly, who cares?

fadedwolf81 said:I think you missed the whole point of my post... nobody is questioning how much those folks from the border states love their roots, it’s just that they aren't always seen as "ideal" by the urbanites back in the States—kind of like how certain groups in the Midwest or South might be viewed in New York or LA, even if everyone knows where their loyalties lie.
a ti meni reci....isn't it perfectly logical that an American from the border regions would root for the local regional team rather than the national squad? It's the same way people living in certain parts of the country might still pull for their home state or even a different nation entirely, hoping for a little bit of luck for them—it's just how identity works.

Hold up, are you actually messing with me right now? How many Mexicans from Canada actually cheer for the Canada team? Don't be ridiculous...

driftingfox16 said:That is an incredibly valid point. If Americans act like the players mentioned, then everything is forgiven. They are seen as true patriots. The only thing they can't seem to wrap their heads around is why they don't play for American clubs.
I felt the exact same way four years ago. When our American national team players were set to face the English, I simply stated that the English were better (which they were) and that the US would lose (which happened). Some people looked at me as if I personally hated my own country. Honestly, what are we going to do when we are dealing with that level of intellect?

So what exactly is being excused here? Nothing is "excused," it's just that if they say they want to play for the US, we embrace them as our own. What's the big deal?
Look, I have absolutely nothing against Americans who cheer for Mexico, even when they're playing against the US. That’s totally fine by me. But at the same time, it's also completely normal for people in America—who lost family, or became disabled, or lost everything in the war—not to look kindly on that.
And listen, you guys in Mexico, you have to realize it’s going to take some time before things feel "normal" in America. Just like nobody in America gives a damn whether a Canadian or an Italian is cheering for their home team. It hurts, alright? It sucks.

driftingfox16 said:That is an incredibly valid point. If Americans act like the players mentioned, then everything is forgiven. They are seen as true patriots. The only thing they can't seem to wrap their heads around is why they don't play for American clubs.
I felt the exact same way four years ago. When our American national team players were set to face the English, I simply stated that the English were better (which they were) and that the US would lose (which happened). Some people looked at me as if I personally hated my own country. Honestly, what are we going to do when we are dealing with that level of intellect?

Yeah, obviously. I’d probably look at you like you just dropped in from Mars, too.
Why are you getting all worked up? There’s one thing: making a realistic, analytical call on how a game might end based on the actual stats. And then there’s a second thing: actually rooting for your team. Those aren't the same!
You think it’s not "normal" to root for your team even when you know they're the underdog? Well, if you only cheer when they're winning, then you're a pathetic fan, plain and simple. 👎

Jesse Lewis63 said:Just please, don't send the police... based on what happened back in Hotiza, American cops only really feel brave when they're messing with reporters... if some Canadian officers show up, our guys start shouting about having "long barrels"—then they just bolt for the hills!

Even your President Mason knows it’s a much better call to send volunteer fire departments instead of American police... 🙂

I'm still dying to know—why this massive complex regarding "long barrels"? ... maybe it's because they're so used to working with "shorter tools"?🙂

Feeling a little better after that vent? 🙄

Is it easier to swallow now, knowing you guys are small, pathetic, and that Americans don't even see you as a real nation?

frozenheron25 said:And what’s the response from the Muslim community? How long are we supposed to sit around waiting?
I guess they get a free pass to do whatever nonsense they want in the meantime, right?

Look, I have no clue what the Muslims are saying. Honestly, I bet they don't even know themselves yet.

frozenheron25 said:And what’s the response from the Muslim community? How long are we supposed to sit around waiting?
I guess they get a free pass to do whatever nonsense they want in the meantime, right?

Finally, you're catching on. See? Even you can adopt a positive outlook if you try hard enough. 👍

Paul Wells17 said:Fine, but what about the last 50 years?
Exactly when those 11 million people were relocating...?

The West has evolved, at least when it comes to how we deal with one another.

When will Muslims do the same?

And you think Muslims just have to evolve on the exact same timeline as Western nations? Regardless of massive civilizational differences? Until they decide to change on their own terms, you and I still have to respect them. 😍

Paul Wells17 said:Since 1950, there have been 11 million Muslims killed in internal conflicts. ☕

I'm not defending them. 😵

But if you look at the last century, just in Europe, over 70 million people were killed—and like 90% of those were Christians caught up in their own internal wars. ☕