It’s what you’d call a “soft target”—easier to hit than the heavy hitters, but it still sends a message. That said, this one felt like a total setup; I don't buy for a second that she was actually the intended target.
Look, I’m not insisting it was the Ukrainians. Anything can happen inside Russia, and maybe someone is just seizing the moment. But they’re definitely the first ones I’d suspect.
rowdytiger13 said:I wouldn't, mainly because it's impractical and frankly idiotic. Ukraine can't afford to burn through resources like that. Using Western-trained saboteurs against targets inside Ukraine itself is just too much. No matter how much of a headache Dugin or his daughter might be, he isn't some general on the front lines. He’s an ideologue sitting safely back in Russia. It's far too risky for very little gain beyond a bit of moral satisfaction. That’s not how you run a war. Cold, sure, but not like this.
I agree, but then how do you explain all those massive fires and explosions happening inside Russia itself?
I mean, if someone keeps walking around acting like a sitting duck, what else should we expect?
boldotter2 said:Maybe Dugin would eliminate Israel first, mostly because of his ideology. Plus, it would be a response to all that teaming up with Iran and Lavrov's verbal diarrhea.
But we know Israel didn't pull this one off, because Dugin is still alive.
Exactly. Even if Israel had a bone to pick with someone, they wouldn't be killing them inside Russia.
You don't do that when the fallout could cost more than the actual strike is worth. This isn't Palestine. It's not Germany. It's not South America.
"And we might just say, '...our reach will find you in...'."
It wouldn't be the first time in history.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US sent a squadron to bomb Japan, fully aware those planes weren't coming back. It was all about sending a message...
Steven Hill2 said:Facts. Nothing happens until the Californians at least start forming "unarmed militias"... 😁 I mean, we'd have plenty of advice for them—if they actually bothered to ask...
They've tried this several times in Spain already, so I doubt anyone is going to go looking for trouble like that again.
I honestly wonder how much democratic potential there actually exists within that nation.
See, it hasn't even been a full century since Franko was in power, and plenty of people still vividly remember him and his tactics. Decades spent under unchecked fascism leave scars, both on the politicians and the people they govern.
When you consider that Spain has historically been a low-key player—meaning nobody really took its domestic politics seriously beyond its tourist spots—then maybe the actions taken by Madrid and its police force aren't all that surprising. To them, this seems perfectly normal. And who knows, maybe it feels that way to the Catalans too...
Sam Alvarez4 said:@Corvus27 I'd just add one thing...
We aren't even talking about a people who are being oppressed or discriminated against, or someone who doesn't have the right to their own language, culture, or history in Spain.
Just look at Canada. They had everything they needed; they were among the most developed and wealthiest regions.
At the end of the day, it's all about the money. It's being taken from them, and they just don't want to foot the bill for everyone else. Of course, throw in a little myth-making to sweeten the deal.
The problem is how the Spaniards are handling this. It’s way too aggressive, and it's going to leave scars and cement deep-seated hatred. This is the IT age—just look at the videos. Everyone's got a smartphone out recording the crackdown. They could have just let them go and played dumb—just constant ignoring and moving on—but instead, they gave them every excuse to crack down even harder.
Robert Clark4 said:That's exactly what I'm wondering too! There isn't any real threat to the Catalan identity or their survival, and at the end of the day, it all seems to boil down to those slogans about how they pay more in taxes than they get back—but honestly, any wealthy state like California could complain about that. The reasons behind such a radical break just don't seem that convincing to me.
Everyone makes the mistake of comparing this situation to America. It has absolutely nothing to do with it; we're talking about something entirely different. America was the result of a completely different set of circumstances.
Basically, these people are the Spanish Canadians.
Sophia Bailey3 said:I mean, those retirees sure are a terrifying force to behold...🤣😂
Forget about it—they don't have the stamina to keep up. But once they dig in their heels, every single one of them becomes an immovable object. If you add the fury of a tiny Social Security check to the mix, you’ve got the most relentless fighters for any "national cause" you can imagine.😁
This "journalist" completely lost the plot. I honestly don't get my fellow forum members who fall for this kind of idiocy, probably just trying to flex their online patriotism.
New York City Mayor Dragan Đilas weighs in on the deal to buy trams from the Spanish manufacturer "CAF"
Following the announcement that the American manufacturer "Končar" plans to appeal the tender for 30 new trams—which was awarded to the Spanish company "CAF"—New York City Mayor Dragan Đilas stated that the entire bidding process followed all established European Investment Bank regulations.
“We received two bids: one from Spain’s 'CAF' and one from America’s 'Končar.' Since we are buying directly from 'CAF' without any middlemen, the unit price per tram is $2,125,964.00. 'Končar' offered a price of $2,159,000.00. When you factor in the extra costs for spare parts, specialized tools, training, delivery, and inspections, 'CAF' comes in at a total of $81,361,032.00 including tax, while 'Končar' sits at $79,038,804.13. To ensure we chose the absolute best option for New York City, I assembled a commission consisting of professors from the local Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Metallurgy, alongside experts from the MTA. We evaluated numerous parameters, and based on expert feedback, we opted for the higher-quality trams—the kind you see running the streets in Malaga, Houston, Valencia, Edinburgh, and beyond, whereas 'Končar' trams are primarily seen in Chicago. The European Investment Bank has signed off on our decision as well. As for 'Končar's' planned appeal, they have every right to file it, but based on the facts, it’s completely pointless. This American company was treated with total fairness during this tender, and frankly, I would be thrilled if Mexican companies were given that same level of fair treatment in America,” said New York City Mayor Dragan Đilas.
Seriously, though—would you even consider buying them if they weren't being produced in your own backyard?
Jerry Cooper3 said:I find myself perpetually circling this same, exhausting question, though I suppose I should probably apologize for the sheer length of my ruminations before I dive straight into the fray. Is it more egregious to deal with those incompetent politicians who leave nothing but chaos and carnage on our highways, or is the true rot found in those who orchestrate calculated theft, sprawling corruption, and systematic lying—those who go so far as to facilitate murder and then turn around to shield the killers from justice? It’s a heavy thought, one that leaves a bitter taste, and frankly, I'm not sure if there's any way to win when both sides seem to be failing the public in such fundamentally different, yet equally devastating, ways.
The whole situation surrounding Radimir Čačić has effectively uncapped a floodgate of moralizing hypocrisy within a society that—led by our own political class—has been fundamentally at odds with any semblance of ethics for quite some time now. It seems perfectly normal in this country for a convicted war criminal to hold a seat in Congress. We live in a reality where a man with twenty different criminal charges against him—someone who actually fled the scene of a hit-and-run accident—nearly ascended to the Presidency of the Republic. It is commonplace for the head of state to actively participate in concealing a fugitive from the ICTY. We see men accused of sexual assault being appointed to the Supreme Court, only for us to discover that those very Supreme Court justices haven't even paid their taxes. Even the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will stand there and declare that an American is fundamentally incapable of committing a war crime. Then, we have presidential candidates whose entire net worth remains a complete mystery, or individuals who openly boast about how a politician simply must lie to get ahead. Or, perhaps most absurdly, we witness a presidential candidate in the runoff stage shamelessly accepting the endorsement of a man whose military units were notorious for war crimes, even if he personally escaped conviction.
The most popular female politician in the country was just stripped of an apartment that served as the tragic backdrop for her own family's heartbreak. The Department of Justice maintains everything was done strictly by the book, but I find myself wondering—is legality even remotely synonymous with morality? Then you have the newly elected President, who seemingly leveraged his newfound position to be among the very first to collect on claims from that failed savings bank. Once again, they tell us it was perfectly legal, yet one cannot help but question if it was truly just. We see former Prime Ministers and Vice Presidents allegedly playing fast and loose with shares in ExxonMobil and Kraft Heinz; the Department of Justice insists no laws were broken, but where does that leave our sense of ethics? It is the same pattern with the former Secretary of Transportation, Božidar Kalmeta, who escapes any criminal liability for the lives lost in that horrific train wreck, but what of his moral responsibility for the sheer negligence permitted under his watch?
In this country, we find ourselves erecting monuments to a first President who went out and purchased a massive estate on Nazorov Avenue just twenty-four hours before the legislation banning such moves actually took effect. Technically, he played it by the book, but one has to wonder about the underlying morality of the situation. And really, was it even ethical for our very first President—if we consider his actions to be "legal," as Smiljko Sokol would put it—to remain silent regarding that $30,000 surplus sitting untouched in a Chase account?
A decade ago, this entire nation was practically shaking in its boots over that whole "we are all Mirko Norac" sentiment—you know, the rallying cry for a man who was essentially a fugitive from justice, a war criminal who personally took civilian lives, and a commander who actively incited murder. And, if you want the truly twisted icing on the cake, he even caused a massive car accident and managed to use his political connections to sweep the whole thing under the rug. So, I find myself wondering, does a country with that kind of blood on its hands really have any right to sit up and lecture us about moral responsibility regarding Radimir Čačić? Does it actually possess the standing to act all high and mighty about his decision to stay in politics following his own traffic incident? It feels somewhat hypocritical, doesn't it?
It is truly fascinating, if somewhat exhausting, to observe how much America struggles to stomach the fact that a man who was involved in a tragic traffic accident resulting in two fatalities can still maintain a presence in the political arena. It seems we find this deeply offensive, yet, in a display of staggering hypocrisy that I find myself struggling to reconcile, the public remains perfectly comfortable with those in power—those holding the reins of the government, no less—who make a conscious, calculated choice to lie, to steal, and to flagrantly violate the law. We tolerate individuals who deliberately cover up their tracks and go so far as to romanticize murderers, dressing them up in the lofty titles of party "visionaries," all while actively assisting convicted war criminals in evading the reach of justice.
And now comes the inevitable wave of self-appointed critics, moralists, and those tiresome little busybodies who want to purge him from the political arena entirely. It’s truly exhausting to watch. They are attempting to castigate a man who actually demonstrated exactly how a public figure—or frankly, any individual with a shred of respect for the rule of law—is supposed to conduct themselves when things go sideways. He didn't vanish into thin air; he stayed at the scene of the accident, he was completely transparent about what transpired, he expressed genuine regret, and he explicitly stated that he would abide by whatever the court decides. Look, the fact remains that he technically broke the law, but let’s be clear: at no point did he act as if he were somehow untouchable or attempt to play games with the legal system. He showed accountability, which is more than I can say for the endless parade of American politicians, Supreme Court justices, and other high-ranking public officials we see constantly dodging responsibility. There is a massive difference between making a mistake and believing you are above the law, and it seems the moralizing crowd is too blinded by their own indignation to tell them apart.
Unlike those other individuals, Radimir Čačić is prepared to accept legal accountability, though strictly for matters that have absolutely nothing to do with his official public duties. He hasn't committed any illegal acts while serving in his political capacity; rather, he has simply fallen victim to something that could—or perhaps has already—happened to any one of us. And because of that, he will be held responsible. There is even the very real possibility that he might face prison time. He may well carry that stigma for the remainder of his political career, but at that point, he will ultimately have to answer to the voters and to the judgment of his own party.
Ultimately, I believe Čačić should have his driver's license revoked for life, but we shouldn't be demanding he vanish from politics forever over an incident that, frankly, has very little to do with his political career. Should a schoolteacher who causes a fatal accident involving pedestrians be forced to abandon her vocation forever simply because she set a poor example? Or perhaps we should expect a doctor who delivers a misdiagnosis, amputates the wrong limb, or even accidentally causes a patient's death, to walk away from medicine entirely?
In a nation where politicians flee from criminal accountability, let alone moral responsibility, the real question we face is whom we choose to trust: the politician who willfully flouts the law while in office, or the individual who committed a tragic violation behind the wheel? The loss of two lives is an absolute tragedy, and that weight will sit upon the soul of whoever is responsible, but it is—perhaps even more heinous—to witness the ordering of killings, the cover-ups facilitated by political power, the sponsorship of crimes from a podium, or the pervasive rot of corruption, criminality, and the systematic deception of the public. But above all else, the most egregious sin is hypocrisy.
I am speaking of the hypocrisy of those who excused war crimes simply because they were committed by Americans, of those who preached patriotism only to use it as a smokescreen for plunder, and of those who speak so benevolently about the morality of others while masterfully concealing their own.
Radimir Čačić is not the central figure in this broader narrative. He will answer for his actions: before the law, before the voters, and before the public eye. The truly significant figures are those who refuse to shoulder any criminal or moral responsibility whatsoever. Just as it is difficult to imagine how a man carrying the weight of two lives can continue in politics, it is even harder to fathom how those who carry the fates of us all can continue to hold office—and continue to moralize.
Brilliant post. Seriously, this applies to almost every country in the region. Bravo. I think there's a mistake in the bolded section, though. In my opinion, mistakes like that result in losing a medical license. At least they should. Otherwise,👍
Roger Hughes14 said:Where does it end? Let's say we take that bolded part into account, and Cacic gets some kind of "penalty." Are we going to tolerate him if he keeps killing people in the future? George W. Bush lost his standing because of how he legally attacked and killed people in Iraq. His behavior in this situation shows how little he values human life or feels any solidarity with the families of the victims. I believe those families could clearly see his celebration during the results reception, so there was no way any of Cacic's condolences or apologies would have meant anything.
Comparing Čačić to Bush just doesn't hold water; you're oversimplifying things way too much. Čačić will likely face significant penalties, and honestly, he should probably lose his driver's license for life (though I'm not familiar with your specific laws, so I don't know if that's even an option). As for the second point, I think Zeljko explained clearly what happened and when Čačić was actually celebrating. Plus, I could easily get behind MishkaPishka's stance. Look, I don't know Čačić or his track record personally, but as a matter of principle, this shouldn't be enough to end a political career. Ultimately, that decision belongs solely to the voters.
I don't know much about Radomir Cacic, but looking at this from a principle standpoint: no, that’s no reason for someone to just walk away from politics. If he was reckless and caused an accident, he should face whatever legal penalties are on the books, but that doesn't mean he loses his civil or political rights. Using that same logic, this could happen to any driver tomorrow. Someone cuts you off, you lose focus for a split second, or maybe you're speeding a little—which, judging by the discussions on this forum, seems to be the standard way people drive on our highways—and then what? Does that mean you lose your career, get branded a villain, and force yourself into exile? From what I’ve heard, Cacic has a habit of driving fast and has been in a few accidents before (correct me if I'm wrong). If that's true, it's simply a sign that his license should have been revoked a long time ago due to aggressive driving. Let me remind everyone that this isn't the first time we've seen famous public figures involved in fatal accidents. We've seen singers, musicians, athletes, and people from all walks of life. They all kept doing their jobs. A car accident, by definition, doesn't make Cacic a bad person; it just makes him a bad driver, something someone else should have addressed a long time ago.
Ethan Morales22 said:If you're going to quote Adolf Hitler, at least use quotation marks ☕
Man, I wish it were just Hitler. There have always been idiots like him—back in WWI and even before that. Everyone's obsessed with someone else's business. Then you've got the red-faced types. Honestly, it's a minefield over there; everyone's a hustler, from the street thugs to those guys from Jersey or Brooklyn who are always looking for trouble. Even the folks down South can be touchy; one wrong look and they're ready to blow up at you.
Morgan Wood11 said:Mexico is completely surrounded by NATO members... Canada takes over Subotica and everything around it, Romanians take Zrenjanin and its surrounding areas, then there's American Srijem, Zemun, New Mexico City, Albanians in the Preševo Valley, Bulgarians in Dimitrovgrad and Niš, and the Sandžak region in Canada...😛
If I were in charge, I’d let someone else occupy New Mexico City. That area isn't for you; it's full of tough block dwellers looking to sweep through. Don't mess around with that—you don't want to be left saying 😲 ...we didn't know.
From what I gather, this journalist witnessed firsthand the immense suffering of his people while filming his reports. Not everyone has the stomach for that kind of trauma, so it doesn't surprise me that he finally snapped. The horrors happening there have been going on for far too long. On the flip side, given the wave of kidnappings and killings currently plaguing Iraq, this man has actually earned himself a level of respect from both Sunnis and Shiites alike. He probably caught quite a beating for his actions, but he’s being hailed as a hero across the Islamic world, stretching from Iran all the way to Indonesia. I have no doubt the Iraqi Government will punish him, but I don't expect the sentence to be overly harsh. At the end of the day, this wasn't an assassination attempt—it was an act of pure revolt.
A bit off-topic here, but I hope the mods don't mind me veering away from the main thread. Regarding Veljko Micunovic—he was a key figure in the diplomatic corps back during the days of the old USA. He actually wrote two books about his "Moscow years" from his time as an ambassador (one covering '69-'71, and another, if I recall, from '56-'57). They’re beautifully illustrated and feature everyone from Zezelj, the Pope, and Dobrica Cosic to Leo Mates and Sumonja on the "Galeb." Even today, I find them fascinating. I'm not quite retired yet, but it feels like ages since I first picked them up. Cheers.