rowdytiger13 said:Lukashenko’s own military isn't going to follow orders regarding an attack on Ukraine. The public is even less likely to go along with it. He's basically signing his own death warrant with his own people—though this time he might actually fail because the military would probably revolt too. He knows it, and Putin knows it. That’s exactly why Putin stopped pushing him. It’s been a while since he posted, so I guess he had to drop something just to let us know he's still around.
Spot on. The Putin loyalists are getting desperate enough to grab any ally they can find. Even Lukashenko 👍
Did I say at the start of this conflict that the Russian military was nothing more than a paper tiger? Did I mention how oligarchic corruption had gutted their forces, or ask if any sane person would actually pick a fight with people possessing such fierce, stubborn grit?
Ever since the days of Peter the Great and Catherine the Great, they’ve relied on that wild, indomitable spirit for warfare. These aren't people who fold easily or live in fear. Sure, they might have been a bit rusty at the start—having forgotten how to actually fight—but now, with help from the West, they are systematically dismantling what used to be called the fourth strongest military on the planet.
At this point, Putin has what he has, and his secret agendas won't sustain him forever once they achieve their immediate goals. Once that happens, neither Putin nor his inner circle will show an ounce of strength toward Ukraine. They’ll likely pour everything left into this war, especially given the precarious situation they find themselves in.
And as for the Ukrainians? The most dangerous opponent for any invader is the local warrior who has become intimately acquainted with war, hunger, and death—someone fighting for their own home. A person with nothing left to lose goes into battle with both head and heart. It is pure psychology.
People like that rarely lose in the long run. The Ukrainians are going to see this through to the end, no matter how long it takes. They won't stop until everything is cleared out, and every mass grave or piece of evidence regarding atrocities found along the way only serves to harden their resolve. The only way this changes is if the war spills over into Russia itself, perhaps triggering internal uprisings as people begin demanding accountability.
Even the opposition in Chechnya—all those who are itching to take down Kadyrov—won't just sit idly by. Anything can happen there. As for Lukashenko? He is far too slick and calculating a ruler to drag his entire nation, or himself, into a massive confrontation against the NATO crowd. He felt forced to let Putin in and stand by his side, but really, what choice did he have? They face the risk of being swallowed up by a conquest of Belarus or a direct war with Russia, and unlike the Ukrainians, they don't have a "Big Brother" like the West to back them up. The Russians would swallow them whole in a heartbeat, and he'd likely be deposed or imprisoned. Let's be realistic.
If you look at where Putin stands right now and see the direction this is heading, it becomes clear that much of the talk about supporting Russia is just empty noise. People claim to be standing with Russia, when in reality, they are just looking out for their own interests. Will he send a portion of his army? Unlikely. I don't think he's quite that insane. Not unless Putin puts even more pressure on him.
The war continues, and Russia will retaliate by striking larger cities, but in the grand scheme of things, they have already lost. They are losing day by day.
Zachary Jackson4 said:Now, today, he claims Ukraine can delay its defeat.
Maybe Crimea and those two other provinces will end up under Russian control. For now, at least. It’s all about securing peace and stopping the fighting, but that’s just a temporary fix for many years to come; once that devil Putin is finally gone and sent where he belongs, we'll start seeing a completely different narrative unfold. Slowly but surely. 😉 Even back in 1993, we were missing a third of our territory, and look how things turned out. Just take it slow.
silverotter72 said:Look, you can't pull oil out of the ground without cash, and you certainly can't turn raw material into a product without cash. You can't even handle basic farming, planting or harvesting, without capital. But then again, if you actually have the money, you can always just go somewhere else and buy the raw materials there.
Spot on. 👍 Plus, if the leadership in Venezuela decides to get on board with the American plan, this whole conflict could wrap up incredibly fast. We're talking months instead of years, with the Russian army exiting Ukraine before we know it.
Matthew Rodriguez9 said:I’m totally on the same page here, and honestly, I think Putin knows it too—he’s playing a pretty dangerous game with his oligarchy.
They'll take him down like a sitting duck. Sooner or later. You can try anything else, just don't mess with my money.
The current situation is genuinely unbearable, and as weird as it sounds given the horror unfolding in Ukraine, the ones suffering the most damage from this war are actually the Russians. Long-term damage. Economic fallout that you can't even put a number on. It grows every single day. What were they thinking? Putin and his crew? Now they're exactly where the West wanted them: isolated from the rest of the world. He’s basically playing right into their hands. 😵 Russia isn't going to annex Ukraine or walk away with the whole country anyway. Instead, they're just self-destructing on so many different levels.
I suspect they were bracing for some diplomatic rebukes from the West, but certainly not sanctions this heavy or walls built this high. I really believe they're in total shock over how the entire international community reacted.
The Russian military has already lost the war, Putin has lost the war, Russia has lost the war... they just refuse to admit it.
Carol Hernandez88 said:For anyone applying the same questionable logic used by the author of the quote above:
Absolutely. Pittsburgh serves as proof, but... Pittsburgh, San Diego, Annapolis, Greensboro, San Diego didn't become part of America.
Anyone who thinks they can maintain permanent control over foreign territory through this specific style of warfare is delusional. You don't find Americans in Vietnam, Germans in Poland, or the American army in Indianapolis. Even the Kazakhs gave Putin the middle finger.
And let’s be real, Hitler was far more powerful than Putin, so what does that matter? You can do whatever you want, but there's always a limit. Ukrainians have never been an easy target throughout history; that's just Cossack blood in their veins.
Even if they manage to break Kyiv and Lviv for now, Ukraine won't become Russia in the long run, and nobody actually wants to deal with decades of terrorism and guerrilla warfare. This will drag on as long as Putin is alive, and how long that lasts depends entirely on how much his little war games end up costing the Russian billionaires and the mafia. Am I making sense here?
Precisely. This is how the big games are played in the shadows. Putin has devolved from an authority figure into nothing more than an irrational madman, essentially a modern-day Hitler. Both out here in the West and back in Russia.
Checkmate. The king is falling. I’d bet anything his successor is already being lined up.
It feels to me like this whole thing is just a massive trap set for Putin.
You’re dealing with an absolute ruler here—a nationalist who has zero interest in democracy or globalism. He’s someone who refuses to let globalism, the West, or mainstream Western corporations come into Russia to exploit national resources and everything else tied to that narrative... at least, not on their terms. Russia is powerful. And honestly, you can't just unseat him and his inner circle because he's too deeply entrenched. Your only real option would be a Kennedy-style move, but that would likely just solidify the current political status quo. Not to mention the sheer amount of money it would cost amidst the resulting chaos. 😉 So, what’s the play? You provoke him gradually. You irritate him, poking at his core ideologies and his ego. You identify his psychological vulnerabilities as both a man and a leader, then humiliate and manipulate him. You exploit those weaknesses. You basically get those hypothetical leaders in Europe to play right into your hands. Putin launches an assault on an innocent, non-confrontational, West-leaning Ukraine, which allows you to frame him as a mad narcissist attacking a victim. Which, to be fair, is exactly what Ukraine is. I'm just laying out the scenario. You fuel the madness until, in the eyes of the world, the democracies, and even his own people, he looks like a warmongering lunatic. Everyone starts wanting him gone. Between the sanctions and other strategic moves, the fallout eventually forces him out of power, whether through diplomacy or brute force. Once he falls, the autocracy and the dream of a new USSR collapse along with him. Boom. Modernity rushes in, bringing Western business and globalism in all its various forms. The West grows stronger, and China gets even more powerful, even though they’re already an economic titan.
The people pulling the strings have him exactly where they want him. And if nothing else, at least Americans selling oil will make a killing. They’re putting Putin exactly where they intended. The pressure builds every single day, though unfortunately, the Ukrainians and Russians will be the ones footing the bill. Interesting theory, isn't it?
Putin is losing his grip. He’s bound to be absolutely livid about it. The sanctions are hitting hard, the oil taps are being shut off, and yet—against all the "expert" predictions—the Ukrainians still haven't surrendered. How long was that supposed to take again? 96 hours? And considering the Russian Army hasn't even made a serious dent anywhere outside of Kyiv... it's clear that Ukraine is much more than just its capital. I'm hearing reports that Ukrainians have seized a hydroelectric plant and that Western weaponry is already flowing in. There's really no telling how long the Ukrainian people can hold out against this madman's onslaught. May God watch over them.
Hey everyone, I’m looking for some advice on which private ophthalmologist or eye clinic I should visit for a serious intraocular pressure screening to hopefully get ahead of any potential glaucoma. Maybe I’m being a bit dramatic, but I can't help feeling anxious about this. Also, does a private doctor have the authority to write me a prescription for eye pressure drops? 🤔 Basically, I tried getting an appointment at either Vinogradska Hospital or Holy Spirit Hospital, but the wait times are sitting at 3 to 6 months—and since everything has been slowed down due to COVID, it feels like it's taking even longer. Just to be clear, I’ve already had my eyes checked for glasses and contacts, so I don't need an optometrist for that; I need a specialist. Thanks so much for any help you can give.
rustywalker42 said:I'm not in isolation, nor am I under suspicion. This past Saturday, I was driving home on I-95 from Washington, D.C., and over the next 168 miles I saw maybe 7 or 8 cars total.
I don't wander through stores; my tank is full.
I don't drink coffee, I don't smoke, and I don't touch alcohol. I don't go to bars or anything.
So tell me, why should I suffer because of a handful of morons from Washington, D.C. or Florida?
Besides, my county still hasn't seen any cases.
🙏🙏🙏
It's not a revolution, but you know a revolution eats its own children, right?
Decisions like these? They eat their own children too.
Sorry, I didn't actually mean you personally, but your question definitely got under my skin.😉
As for everything else... you really need to find a wife. You don't drink, you don't smoke, you aren't shady... you're basically a saint.😁
Maybe we're all being a bit paranoid, but when I hear about some lunatic getting infected just because they went over to a neighbor's place for a quick coffee while wearing a mask—only for their son to come home from abroad carrying COVID... ugh. I'd implement a strict 24-hour curfew immediately.😠 Some people might feel relaxed thinking they're invincible or too young to care, but based on all the stories coming out of Italy, COVID doesn't just target the elderly. Looking at these infection and age statistics here in the USA... it’s pretty grim, and honestly, we should all just stay home. Sure, some people can't stay put because of work, but those who can have absolutely no reason to be out on the streets. Instead, they wander around aimlessly. They insist on going to the grocery store today, tomorrow, and the day after simply because they "have to," and since the local markets haven't closed down, they end up wandering through the aisles, bumping into each other while poking at the produce and breathing all over the fruit. Half of them don't even bother with hand sanitizer. People are just reckless and careless. I have this retired neighbor who, right up until this snow hit, was heading out every single day—every single day—to the store or the market, followed by a little stroll around the neighborhood. No mask, and his commitment to washing his hands was honestly laughable. Get what I'm saying? I wouldn't even want to just lock him in his house; I'd rather lock him in the basement, tied up, just to keep him from wandering. That's how I feel.
My own immune system isn't the strongest, I have someone close to me with asthma, and two grandmothers—one of whom barely survived cancer and still has concerning lab results—so... yeah, I'm a little stricter when it comes to citizens running around like idiots.
rustywalker42 said:Honestly, it might be better if they just killed us all. That would definitely stop the virus from spreading.
I really don't get you people. My city has been a ghost town for days; there isn't a soul in sight.
What other "brilliant" measures are you guys planning to roll out?
What kind of restrictions are we talking about—not being allowed to step off your porch if you're stuck in isolation and suspected of having COVID? How are you all behaving on the I-95, or when you're playing tag by driving from one city to another with three other people crammed in the car, or even just hanging out in pharmacies? And what's the deal with how everyone is acting at gas stations and grocery stores? Why can't they just deliver groceries to us? Just enough to let the infection levels settle down a bit? It's only two weeks of isolation. Clearly, people either can't or won't follow the rules; apparently, they should have implemented strict controls and checkpoints at the pharmacies because, God forbid, you have to stay inside for a measly two or three weeks. No, we absolutely have to wander around, grab coffee with the neighbors, visit our elderly relatives, and host backyard BBQs. Does everyone here live completely alone? Give me a break.🙄
I don't actually know the guy personally, so I can't really weigh in on his character as an individual. I'm certainly not buying into the whole flat earth thing either—honestly, give me a break, people! 😁 That’s why I decided to dig a little deeper into what he was actually talking about. Regardless of how you feel about him, the man seems to be having a blast, and frankly, it’s a shame because everyone bashing him is ignoring the fact that there are plenty of things NASA has labeled as "fake" or impossible that many scientists and hobbyists alike still question... so there's definitely something to it. NASA isn't some infallible deity.
For instance, I found this video pretty entertaining.
🤣
Man, the tires on this car are totally giving out; it looks like Elon Musk picked up some cheap used ones instead of sticking with something reliable like Goodyear. What a joke!
Hey, Sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong sub, but does anyone have a second to help me out? I'm running into a weird issue where Facebook videos have absolutely no sound. Everything works perfectly fine on my phone—audio is crisp and clear there—but when I try to watch videos on my desktop... nothing. Just silence. The strange part is that everything else works just fine; whether I'm watching YouTube or just listening to music on my computer, the audio is totally normal. It's strictly an issue with Facebook. Any idea what I should do to fix this? Thanks, everyone.
People tend to confuse true humility with absolute, mindless obedience to human authorities or worldly standards. Whether those standards are genuine or completely manufactured—they're wrong. It usually stems from a deep-seated sense of inferiority, where someone feels everyone else is inherently better than them based on whatever metrics the world prizes. It’s entirely unnecessary. There are actually several different flavors of fake humility. Most people link humility to false modesty, self-deprecation, or dodging responsibility altogether—the kind of attitude where one says, "Only God can save me, I'm a nobody, so I'll just sit here and wait for Him to handle everything." They pair this with various forms of renunciation (usually useless ones) and a specific type of self-loathing that ends up belittling both themselves and everyone else. There is nothing more arrogant than false modesty or the notion that living in poverty or being submissive to worldly standards is a sign of being humble. The same goes for those who act "humble" in the face of wealth, money, or someone else's status and success; more often than not, that person is just living in a state of fear and insecurity.
Someone who is truly, lovingly humble before God is never pathologically submissive toward people. Those who are constantly bowing down to others don't actually love themselves; it's usually just a form of passive aggression or a desperate fear of being judged by others. It's an inferiority complex, plain and simple.
That isn't humility. I believe Jesus demonstrated profound love and humility toward God, but he never debased himself just to please the people or the authorities of his era. He didn't lie about who He was under the guise of being "humble" before authority. He lacked that desperate need to be liked because he wasn't driven by an inferiority complex or fear. He didn't play the crowd because his ego wasn't in the driver's seat, so there was no need to seek universal approval. Instead, Jesus showed love for humanity and compassion for our weaknesses, illustrating what the kingdom of God actually looks like. His own followers didn't quite grasp that the world changes when the heart changes—that the kingdom of God needs to take root in the human heart first. That's a different matter entirely. At least, that's my take on it. He didn't bow down to false idols, nor to arbitrary rules or social constructs. Ideas and regulations were never placed above the human being; he understood the human soul deeply. Social norms and laws weren't his ultimate authority—God and the goodness of man were. That is the subtle distinction that defines a truly wise person.😉
You know what the most interesting thing is? The kids themselves don't care one bit about having religious education classes at school. Not the ones attending them, and certainly not the ones whose parents opt them out. Not at all.
The only people who seem to have a problem with religious studies in schools are the parents of the children who don't attend these optional classes. They act like it's some massive tragedy or a deep trauma if their child spends an hour sitting in the library reading something or just hanging out on a computer. Aargh, as if that will tragically derail their development in this world full of pink sunshine and rainbows.🙂 I haven’t heard any kid coming forward to loudly claim they are being discriminated against, bullied, or neglected just because they aren't going to religion class. It’s really just that it bothers their parents... the kids aren't whining about being forced into it. It's the neoliberal parents who are whining. As a "trauma," it’s apparently a disaster if a child gets to head home early (presumably because tennis practice isn't until 6 PM) or if they pick up a book. Oh, and heaven forbid they socialize a little with classmates at school or chat outside during recess... yikes. Horror! Not a single child has claimed they would much rather spend those hours grinding through physics or extra math drills. No, it's just the parents—specifically the parents whose kids don't go to religion class—who think it's a waste of time.😵 They want to decide for everyone, attempting to dictate where children should be enrolled based on the free will of other parents who choose to have their kids attend religious studies. Give me a break! It's the absurdity of neoliberal bullsh— Pardon me. Trying to dictate someone else's free choice just because you personally don't like it.😁 You don't want your kid in religion class? Fine... then don't send them. It's not mandatory. Foreign language requirements aren't mandatory either, yet nobody goes on a crusade about discriminating against kids who don't want to take them. Nobody asks via Contra or B.A.B.A. where the rest of the kids are being discriminated against while George is busy learning German. They don't worry if or how much their little Steffek is suffering because he isn't conjugating verbs, but is instead resting his brain from studying 90% useless information. Fair enough?
Meanwhile, those same people who nitpick over religious education try to force their kids to spend that hour studying partisan history, queer culture, algorithms, or some endless list of activities they cram them into without even asking:"Would you really, truly want to play the cello or study Japanese on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or are you doing this just to please Mommy and Daddy? Honey, what would you actually do in your free time? Play outside, stay in with Barbies, play video games, or just bounce a tennis ball around?" Ask your kids honestly. Tell them they can stay home if they don't want to go anymore and that there won't be any trouble. Show them some respect, be democratic, and then you'll see what the kids actually say. Cello, German lessons, or playing? 😉 Let's run a poll on how many kids are pushed into various extracurriculars just so parents can prove to themselves that their kids are super smart and they are super elite parents. Let's run a poll on what those kids actually think about the parents forcing them into rigid schedules of tennis, cello, language lessons, swimming, ballet, karate, and so on. Sound good?☕ Let the kids decide for themselves whether they’d rather play the cello or attend religion class. I mean, since we are *so* liberal and care *so* deeply about children's rights and our own kids. See you tomorrow for coffee.
We really need to pin down what a "lone wolf" actually is. It’s not some social misfit or an outcast hiding from the world, romance, or human connection because they're terrified of it. 🙄 It isn't about being a selfish jerk who hates everyone, either. Rather, these are people who are just as content hanging out with a crowd as they are being alone. They aren't carrying around some deep-seated resentment that forces them into isolation; instead, they simply refuse to build their entire lives around the arbitrary standards or social pressures of the masses. They don't rely on anyone else to feel whole. They never find themselves bored or feeling empty when they're by themselves. Their happiness isn't tethered to the presence of others. They genuinely enjoy people, but they also feel perfectly comfortable navigating the world solo, as much as that’s even possible in this life. They are emotionally and spiritually self-sufficient, capable of standing on their own two feet without spiraling into depression, misery, or whatever other negative headspace comes with isolation. They take care of themselves quite well, thank you very much. They don't let society dictate their definition of success or how they should live. They don't feel this frantic pressure to get married, settle down, or spend every single weekend surrounded by friends, family, or crowds at a bar just to feel complete. They don't need sidecars attached to their lives just to stay upright. There are plenty of people who are constantly surrounded by groups but are completely alone in their souls... that doesn't mean anything. A true lone wolf doesn't necessarily need conventional relationships or pack-like behavior to be satisfied with themselves and the world. They carve out their own path and make their own calls without fishing for compliments or seeking validation from the neighbors—all while making sure they aren't stepping on anyone else's toes. In fact, they don't get overly attached to anyone, and they tend to feel at home wherever they go. They love the company of others just as much as they cherish their own solitude. Something like that, anyway.👍
steelmarlin77 said:Do you ever feel like you actually made something of yourself in this life? Because, honestly, I haven't. I poured everything I had into it, really gave my all and handed out everything I could spare to the people around me—to everyone I actually cared about—but apparently, I’m just not important enough to even warrant a response to a post like this. Not that they’d even know I wrote it, anyway. If I had to kick the bucket today, I’m pretty sure all those people have someone else more vital, or way more significant, than me to worry about. They’d move on and forget me pretty damn fast, maybe some would take a little longer, but that’s basically the whole story.
Is that supposed to be enough? You know, for enlightenment, or self-discovery, or reaching the absolute peak of human achievement? It has to be, because there isn't anything else left to grab onto.
Wow, talk about a heavy dose of passive aggression and wallowing.🙄
Spirituality is a journey toward Truth... and the experiences we go through can liberate us from various illusions and the Ego's dominance over the Spirit. How? I could write a whole book, but the principle is simple. Surrender instead of struggle; accepting whatever life throws our way. Blessing, gratitude... and service. Done with love. Love is the key.
We are all just passing through this world, and as the saying goes, "life is just a bridge, so don't go building a castle on it."😉 It's beautifully put: "As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower in the field; the wind blows over it, and it vanishes, and its place knows it no more." Psalm 103 Only the soul is eternal... which is why everything should be done for the soul's well-being.
People take themselves far too seriously, measuring their worth by material standards or by rules imposed by flawed human nature. So, why are you so afraid of death? Because your question is essentially screaming one thing: I am afraid of dying. That passive aggression you're showing is just hidden anger. Strip it away. Beneath the layers of passive resentment lies active anger, beneath that comes sadness, and beneath the sadness... pain. What is your actual pain? Why did you bury it under so many distractions? 🤔
Carl Rivera43 said:So, I wanted to throw some thoughts out there regarding the main topic here.
Also, I’d love to hear your take on why alcohol seems to unlock such deep emotional layers for so many people? Do you think that constantly bottling up our feelings eventually leads to total burnout and a loss of focus?
How do we explain this current era where hiding how we actually feel seems almost encouraged? Does seeing people who are overly emotional or brutally honest inspire you, or do you find those habits a bit much?
Anyway, those are just some jumping-off points for the discussion. Maybe in this online space, we can actually talk more freely about stuff like this—topics that rarely get any airtime in the mainstream media. Do you ever dive into these kinds of deep conversations with your friends or people you know?
I wouldn't know, honestly, since I don't touch the stuff. Alcohol doesn't open up emotions; it just blurs them.
It basically just temporarily drowns out negative feelings... which is why people drink.😉
Do you think suppressing too many emotions leads to excessive depression and a loss of focus?
Suppressed fear eventually turns into rage and depression... And suppressed injustice manifests as grief and anger. It doesn't really matter if we hide things from others; what matters is that we don't lie to ourselves—that we don't force ourselves to feel things we aren't feeling, or deny what we actually do feel. Swallowing your negative emotions whole is a direct path to depression, outbursts, and physical health issues.
The key is expressing those emotions effectively... before they morph into something much uglier and more destructive for everyone involved, including ourselves. That is, until we learn how to deconstruct and actually handle them.
How do you explain the current era where, let's say, hiding one's emotions is almost encouraged? Do people who are overly emotional and brutally honest inspire you, or do you find those habits problematic?
I am honest with the honest. I appreciate people who wear their hearts on their sleeves... though personally, due to some past experiences and general vulnerability, I don't show everything to everyone. It isn't necessarily about a lack of trust, but rather... bad experiences, the fear of being emotionally wounded when showing certain feelings, realizing my own emotional weaknesses, fearing judgment, worrying people will exploit my feelings, or losing illusions that—even if they are just illusions—still mean something to me. Last birthday, I had to let go of a few illusions, which wasn't exactly a pleasant experience. You shouldn't offer your emotions to someone who won't respect them. I don't exactly have blind faith that everyone is going to step up and help me. More often than not, people will just target my vulnerabilities... or mock me. So, I block. It's difficult for me because I am an emotional person by nature, but this is better for my peace of mind.
As for the rest? I'm working on it.😉
Do you discuss these kinds of topics with your friends or acquaintances?
Only with a select few... one of them is a wonderful, brilliant woman from Chicago who understands this perfectly (hi, B.). Otherwise, I generally don't talk about it... there are certain emotional secrets I haven't told anyone and probably never will. Only God knows them. My world.😉