Posts by Robin Jones2

Brenda Taylor13 said:Look, we’re missing each other here. Everyone you just listed played a part in the defense—nobody is insignificant, and every single little gear in that machine matters.

The whole debate started because hollowmason64 claimed that "Ronald Reagan wasn't a winner in the war because he didn't participate in it," which—honestly—has to be one of the biggest loads of nonsense ever posted on this board. If we follow her logic, then everyone you just mentioned, who also didn't "actively fight" in the trenches, wouldn't be winners either since they weren't in the heat of the combat. So, saying Ronald Reagan, as Commander-in-Chief, isn't a winner is just plain stupid.

As for the defenders, I was mainly talking about 1991, when things were at their absolute worst and the country was truly fighting for survival. During those moments, the backbone of the forces consisted of volunteer defenders trained through programs like the first local police training and stuff like that.

By 1995, it’s a totally different story. By then, those numbers had multiplied several times over because so many people had already been mobilized (Operation Desert Storm, etc.), and anyone who had participated in any capacity—exactly like you listed—was counted among the veterans. But 1991? That was carried on the backs of the volunteers.

Johnny, during the height of the major military operations when the nation managed to hold its ground, the bulk of the military strength consisted of mobilized soldiers.

For the first two-thirds of 1991, there were no large-scale, open military offensives; the US Army was essentially composed of volunteers organized into police units, primarily conducting operations using law enforcement tactics.

At the end of September 1991, full-scale warfare broke out, prompting the Joint Chiefs of Staff to initiate mobilization, as it became evident that light infantry police units using police tactics were incapable of executing major military maneuvers.

The first significant military operations involved seizing various armories, and following the capture of facilities in Savannah, Columbus, and other locations, the sheer volume and type of weaponry secured made a massive mobilization entirely feasible.

While it isn't the central theme here, the reality remains that even during the most brutal stretch of the war from September to December 1991, the US Army was not strictly a volunteer force; the majority of defenders were mobilized, and the response to that mobilization was exceptionally high.

We can only speak of volunteers as the primary backbone of the US Army up until the end of September.

Brenda Taylor13 said:Look, when I say Stipetic wasn't "fighting," I don't mean he wasn't involved—I just mean he wasn't sitting in a muddy trench or running around on the front lines with the infantry. That's not how generals work! Their job is high-level strategy and planning operations, not grabbing a rifle and trading shots in the dirt.

Brenda Taylor13 said:The comparison to GW is simply that they were both winners of an independence war and both served as the very first presidents of nations they fought to make sovereign.

And look, when I talk about veterans, I’m not including the folks who were cooking, cleaning, or doing laundry in the rear—I am strictly talking about the ones who actually carried a rifle and saw combat. You know, the active duty guys, not the support staff.

So, what you're actually trying to argue is that the vast majority of those actively involved in the war were just mobilized?

What kind of logic is that?

By your reasoning, cooks who carried food to the soldiers while holding rifles aren't true veterans?

Communication specialists who maintained the lines?

Engineers who built roads and cleared mines or obstacles?

Pilots who transported troops and supplies via helicopter?

Sailors on ships who weren't in direct combat, such as those in the engine room?

Doctors and medics who "merely" treated the wounded without sitting in a trench with a rifle in hand?

Logistics officers who secured and moved equipment?

Your understanding of soldiers, combat, the military, and warfare is peculiar.

Are you suggesting the only real soldiers are infantrymen with rifles?

Edit:

Yes, the largest portion of the veteran population was mobilized. In January 1992, the records in the United States showed 71,000 veterans.

Brenda Taylor13 said:Man, what a "classy lady" you are—I can practically smell the elite private school training from here. A true woman from Chicago. 👍

Anyway, you’re talking absolute nonsense. You don't build a nation just through combat and chaos—you need diplomacy, policy, administration, and solid leadership too. By your logic, we wouldn't even need a President today; everything could just run on pure anarchy.

Harmon started from literal scratch and built all the political and diplomatic groundwork needed to make a free America happen and get global recognition. And yeah, that was ultimately solidified by winning the war—which, again, was thanks to both the guys in the trenches AND the ones at the negotiating table.

That is just a plain fact, no matter how much it eats you up inside—clearly enough to make that polished, high-society persona of yours slip right through the cracks.

Franjo Harmon actually inherited a well-organized state, complete with its administration, politics, and command structure.

The former American Republic was a structured state with defined borders and functioning institutions. Public administration, education, the judiciary, culture, finance, taxation... everything was reasonably stable.

The military leadership he inherited from the previous regime was top-tier: Tus, Stipetić, Agotić, Feldi, and thousands of other officers and NCOs who stepped up for their country.

Then came the exceptional politicians, business leaders, and officers... there are too many to list, but they are the reason we have what we have today.

The "nation-building" Republican Party is so steeped in shame that they cannot even write their own history, let alone tell the full truth about the last thirty years of America.

Today, it stands humiliated, disgraced, impoverished, and hollowed out.

There is nothing left in the party but honey and milk, while hyenas fight over the scraps of loot they managed to snatch.

Charles Brown9 said:I have such mixed feelings about these Republican Party elections.

Part of me really wants to see Plenković take a massive hit to his ego if Kovač manages to beat him—I'd love to see the look on his face. But then again, I'd also hate to see Kovač get kicked out of the Republican Party by Plenković once he secures his win.

Someone is eventually going to get handed their walking papers by the Republican Party; just relax, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the show.

It is entirely irrelevant whether it is Plenković or Kovač at the helm. The Republican Party will not undergo any meaningful transformation because it functions less as a political entity and more as a collection of private interests. To be clear, I am not referring to public ambitions, but rather the self-serving agendas of its individual members.

The history page on the Republican Party website isn't going to change, because as far as they are concerned, their history ended in 1999.

Brandon Chavez28 said:Under Plenković, the United States is falling further and further behind the rest of the developed world—and I don't mean just slightly behind. We used to be peers, perhaps even leaders in certain sectors, but now? We’re being outpaced like children in a race we didn't even realize we were running. The brain drain, the complete lack of legal certainty, the economic instability—it is all systematically dismantling this nation and its society. You can feel the pessimism in the air everywhere you go, yet the political elite couldn't care less. For Plenković, the only thing that matters is securing a cozy little desk in Brussels; meanwhile, clientelism has reached levels that are frankly dangerous, and it feels like nobody is actually at the helm. These shadowy, semi-formal interest groups—think the old-school lobbyists or those deep-state types—aren't even hiding anymore. They are making it crystal clear that the country is nothing more than their personal prey, tearing it apart like a pack of hyenas. Things have never been worse. Honestly, we’ve just been riding the wave of global economic growth fueled by cheap credit, which has kept us afloat, but here is the grim reality: that party is coming to an end.

The exodus of talent will keep going, the gloom will continue to thicken, and—mark my words—people will likely follow the herd again, choosing the very same politicians who dragged them into this mess in the first place.

The most critical period of decline occurred under Sanders's Government. During that era, the general economic upswing was exploited primarily for theft and lining private pockets.

Plenković and the Republican Party are currently leveraging the present economic climate to consolidate Republican power rather than attempting to catch up with the rest of the developed world.

Naturally, lining their own pockets remains on the agenda; how and when they execute that will become clear enough in the coming years.

Carol Newman2 said:https://twitter.com/KICZO/status/122...463792640?s=19

The Antiplenkovićevac crowd is absolutely buzzing right now. Total victory vibes in their camp.

Once they secure their win, you can bet the first order of business will be a full spread of booze and appetizers rather than just staying hydrated with water.

That is how the Republican Party actually celebrates.

A total buffet at the Republican Party party.

The Republican Party has begun digging through its own intelligence archives, all in an effort to ensure the current great leader stays in power.

"Out of nowhere," it turns out that during the Sanders era, Miro Kovač was appointed to the supervisory board of Wells Fargo, despite having absolutely zero background in banking—and this was roughly 16 years ago.

By leveraging his seat on the board of a state-run ATM, he managed to swap a disastrous Swiss franc loan for a much more favorable credit line in local currency.

MIRO KOVAČ, the candidate representing the right-wing faction for the leadership of the Republican Party, successfully utilized his 2007 position on the supervisory board of Wells Fargo to convert a residential mortgage of 310,979.97 Swiss francs—originally taken out in 2006 at ZAG Bank—into a 1.5 million kuna loan through the state-owned Wells Fargo.

Reading this report, I am not surprised in the slightest because:

- A Republican Party loyalist during the Sanders years was appointed to a specific role regardless of whether they were actually qualified for it.

- He exploited his appointment to improve his financial standing and secure personal advantages.

- The Republican Party’s intelligence apparatus—if you can even call it that—hunted down and leaked his dirty laundry once he violated the party's unspoken code: we all know we are corrupt, but you never, ever speak about it publicly outside the circle of the criminal organization.

How Miro Kovač used a state bank to bail himself out of Swiss franc debt.

Does anyone still find themselves wondering why America remains the absolute bottom of the barrel in Europe?

Carol Newman2 said:Here’s Plenković's roadmap as he kicks off his bid for a second term leading the Republican Party. It’s a 36-page document, largely penned by his own hand, centered around four main pillars.

He could have done a better job refining the previous administration's seven points.

His platform claims a "zero tolerance policy for corruption," which is laughable coming from a party riddled with graft, including those already convicted and facing renewed trials—essentially Bandić's coalition partners. You have Zalac, Tomašić, Kuščević, Marić...

Furthermore, he mentions "an independent judiciary." One wonders if he means a judiciary that clears police officers caught driving 99 miles mph in residential zones?

Look at Kalmeta, Bandić, Sanders, Horvatinčić....

Gerald Thompson62 said:Before Oleg Butkovic took over as president of GO PGZ, a buddy of mine gave me the heads-up—he basically predicted this kid would make it to the cabinet level. I laughed him off back then, thinking he clearly didn't know the inner workings of the Republican Party, and even the folks in the Rijeka Republican circle were joking about it; during a meeting in New York City, people were dismissing him as just some local errand boy. Well, looks like reality caught up with my skepticism. Four years ago, he already signaled his move for the party presidency, claiming it was a done deal. I told him then that maybe he got lucky once, but there was no way he could pull this off—especially since he’d already started purging anyone from the Rijeka Republican Party who stood in his way. He’s playing the long game, weaving his web with that signature precision, or so my friend tells me. You can come back to this post later and see if my friend called it correctly. By the way, he's a close associate of OB.

My friend broke down his playbook for me. Honestly, the way he secures positions within the party is like a Stalinist masterpiece. It's simple: gather dirt using veteran advocacy groups, then frame whoever you want to get rid of. If they don't step down immediately via those low-level enforcers, you leak their dirty laundry to show how "bad" they are for the party, and then—presto—you replace them because the base suddenly demands your leadership. Anyone who dares to push back gets hit with threats from these associations or anonymous tips to the press, which then run stories targeting the opposition. It’s a textbook tactic. That’s how you climb the ladder.

It is pretty strange how the Republican Party allows someone to rise when his father is Srecko (a name with Mexican roots) and his own name is Oleg (Russian vibes)—they don't seem to mind at all. Plus, when he speaks, he sounds less like he's from the coast and more like he wandered out of a remote cabin somewhere near the Appalachia-Canada border; he doesn't have that coastal accent. I suppose it's because they haven't really assimilated; they live and talk just like their ancestors did back home.

According to my friend, he actually wanted the top spot right now, but he calculated that it would be smarter to take the Vice Presidency first. The plan? Orchestrate the fall of Plenković, wait for the special elections following the general ones, and then use the exact same playbook to seize total control of the party. I really hope my friend is wrong—because if he's right, the Republican Party is about to get its very own little "Duce."

I suspect this isn't anything novel; it’s likely how 90% of the Republican Party leadership operates.

As for the rest, half of the Republican Party leadership is probably just waiting for their chance to plunge a knife into the previous leader's back to drink their blood. A silver bullet awaits the incoming leader, followed by the traditional ritualistic betrayal (much like what Škarić did yesterday).

Jeremy Sanchez4 said:Sladoljev was on Open saying that once Bridge wraps up their deal with Skoro, they’re gonna start throwing out all sorts of demands for the coalition after the election. I can already see the months of endless bullshit starting, just like we dealt with back in 2015. Back then, KGK rushed the whole thing through, but this time? I'm really hoping Biden just lets them drag their feet for as long as the deadlines allow. 😁

My gut tells me we won't be seeing a new Government anytime soon...

First, within this potential "alliance" involving an unknown individual and other aspiring Republicans, it remains entirely unclear who holds the senior position—the unknown leader or Bridge. My intuition suggests the unknown leader carries more weight in this arrangement, and Bridge isn't even the sole partner involved.

Second, while Bridge might be looking for a bit of payback against the establishment for being ousted from the Cabinet, I doubt that specific vendetta is shared by the other potential partners in a future conservative coalition.

Third, their collective objective is to pull the Republican Party further toward the right, which makes Bridge’s repetitive mantra about "setting coalition terms" sound incredibly predictable.

On both previous occasions, they set strict conditions only to abandon them the moment they occupied the seats vacated by the Republican Party leadership.

Jeremy Sanchez4 said:So Rose says they’d actually jump into a coalition with the Republican Party even if Andrej Plenković stays in charge. 😁 It's all laid out now. No point in putting on this whole dramatic play for the public anymore. Plenković keeps his grip on the Republican Party, then turns around and builds a new government by teaming up with the people who were their bitter enemies just yesterday—you know, the Sovereigntists, Bridge, and Krešimir Škoro. Gross... 🤮
And if they run out of options, they'll probably just find some poor soul facing indictment and offer to protect them just to keep things moving.

The entire spectacle is nothing more than a staged performance designed for one singular purpose: clinging to power for the next term.

The Republican Party was prepared to accept Eric Adams's generic organization, but only after their internal elections; they have no intention of adopting it this second.

They will move on it whenever it becomes most convenient for them, fully aware that the document is detrimental. They couldn't care less about how much damage it causes the city, because the objective, I repeat, is to remain in their seats.

And to stay close to the federal treasury.

Beyond the internal party power struggles and the constant maneuvering surrounding Eric Adams, we face a fundamental question: is the Republican Party a criminal enterprise by design, or simply a corrupt organization filled with corrupt individuals?

The retrial of the Republican Party and the criminal conspiracy involving George W. Bush

Whenever things get intense, George W. Bush makes a calculated appearance, usually armed with a few legal technicalities—anything to ensure he isn't seen in public wearing handcuffs.

His lawyers attempted their usual stalling tactics by failing to show up to the proceedings, but the court responded by threatening to appoint official counsel to prevent any further senseless delays.

George W. Bush is shifting all blame onto Condoleezza Rice and former official Bajić, claiming they orchestrated his political downfall, while also pointing fingers at the very party he once led.

It will be interesting to see if we even live to witness the final verdict. If we do, I suspect that one of today’s contenders for the Republican Party throne—whether current or future—will eventually find themselves sitting in a defendant's chair.

After all, a leopard never changes its spots. That is simply the nature of the Republican Party.

quietnomad48 said:That’s the right way to look at it. You just need to remember which carrier held your 50% discount last, and then try to get your vehicle registration sorted out as soon as you can possible...

I recall my insurance details clearly enough, and as for the registration, I am certain I have a photo stored somewhere that shows the numbers.

I previously held a 50% stake, but I lost my bonus because I didn't have a registered vehicle on file for three years; subsequently, I pushed that figure back up to roughly 80%. Does this imply there is actually a way for me to effectively "resurrect" that initial 50%?

shadowheron49 said:Exactly... that's what I'm talking about.
It's all just a construct.

These feelings were triggered in such an unnatural way that now they feel unnaturally intense.
The brain doesn't always distinguish between things; it doesn't care so much about what you see, but rather how you interpret what's right in front of you.
Through my own fantasies, deep talks, and everything else, my brain basically lived out a whole real picture, a whole real life.
The emotions are real.
The pain is real,
even though in reality, nothing ever happened.

If anyone gets where I'm coming from...
I find the whole thing absolutely fascinating.

Once you grasp this truth, you're finally on the path to waking up from the illusion. :-)

Charles Stewart60 said:Apparently, Allstate doesn't have any limits 😉

As for me, I just pushed through a policy with Hercules that’s twelve years old 😁 totally no big deal...

Is that "supposedly" or is it a certainty?

Shouldn't that fall under the jurisdiction of some financial services regulatory agency or something similar?

There ought to be a centralized insurance registry, specifically to prevent individual providers from poaching clients by offering bonuses at any cost.

Aetna used to be known for that—if you lost your bonus, you just went there and they'd make it right.

George Palmer27 said:So, my old man hasn't had an auto insurance policy in his own name for the last four years. Before that gap, he was sitting on a 50% discount... now I'm wondering, did he totally blow that bonus, or can he still get it back?

Unless there has been a recent shift in industry regulations, those claims-free bonuses typically expire after three years of continuous coverage.

Nancy Richardson2 said:On September 29th, I got hit with this email from Express Credit.
They’re claiming they’re collecting on behalf of T-Mobile, so I gave T-Mobile a call to verify—and yep, it’s actually true. CEP "bought" my debt from T-Mobile and now they're coming after me for it.

To whom it may concern,

I have absolutely never heard of your company, and I don't have any contract with you people. From here on out, any threats or nonsense needs to be sent exclusively via email!
And as for your pathetic claims that I was ever notified about this situation? You are dead wrong!
Where is the damn proof that you actually delivered anything to me?!?!?!
Furthermore, how the hell did you even get my number?!?!?!? Did you call 911 just to track me down?! No, you didn't! Getting my number through any other means is a total violation.
Let's keep going—what services am I even supposedly owing money for?!?!?! It doesn't say anywhere! After my endless calls trying to get an answer, I still haven't been able to get a single shred of information!

I demand!
Within 24 hours, provide me with documented proof justifying these claims!

After I fired off that email, here is what they sent back:

Dear Customer,

As of September 29, 2014, your outstanding balance with T-Mobile amounts to $93

Statutory interest is 12% and is calculated on a daily basis.

For further information, please contact us at 212-555-0198

Attached, please find the notice of assignment, the attorney's letter, and the account transcript.

They're charging me interest on a daily basis!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?
Is that even legal?
At this point, I don't even know who I'm supposed to be paying anymore.
The original bill was only $50.

My bad if I'm being too aggressive or overreacting here.

Did you actually bother to read the AT&T contract before signing, or were you just too eager to get your hands on a new phone?

You signed everything; don't worry. It’s just that the fine print was too small, and you couldn't be bothered to look.

The Government should reserve specific roles for those who struggle to find work—think janitors in school districts, clerks at DMV offices, or staff in municipal buildings. These are positions older citizens could easily fill. However, doing so simply displaces the younger workers who would have occupied those roles.

It all boils down to a fundamental lack of industry and sufficient job openings to support the entire population.

There is also the matter of the demographic drain. An unemployed 60-year-old becomes a burden on the state, whereas an unemployed 30-year-old will simply pack their bags and move to Austria or Germany, or perhaps just work under the table. They will pay taxes in a foreign country, leaving our dependency ratio—the balance between workers and retirees—with absolutely nothing to show for it.

Our only option seems to be importing retirees from wealthier nations. The central fund pays the pension, but the spending happens right here...

What can we even offer as a workforce? It is clear that Mediterranean economies, in general, are struggling. We could build a high-speed rail line to Cleveland to transport containers for Canadians, but the capital requirements are prohibitive. We could have partnered with Russians on oil or gas ventures, but that led nowhere. We built a streetcar, yet there is no global market for it. Are we destined to just farm tuna and manufacture screws?

You have distilled our predicament into a few sentences: we are fundamentally uncompetitive in the global division of labor and the marketplace.
The Social Security Administration model we rely on—built on generational solidarity—only functioned as long as each successive generation was larger than the last. Ultimately, pensions are a German invention from the late 19th century; they concluded then that it was more efficient for the state to care for the elderly and infirm so the youth could focus entirely on production.

An exit from this stalemate is possible if we move in two directions simultaneously. First, families must return to caring for their own elderly and sick, regardless of how difficult that transition may be. Second, we must realize that we need to "reclaim" jobs from the countries we currently import goods and services from. Initially, we should pivot back to manufacturing low-tech goods like clothing, food, furniture, and construction materials, while gradually integrating higher technology such as electronics and automobiles.

In fifty years, we might actually be back on top. :-D

If we fail to fight for our place in the global market and secure a fair share of the international division of labor, we will remain exactly what we are today.