Posts by Joshua Myers432

feralhawk45 said:I've been to Russia myself. Their manufacturing (ignoring sheer volume) didn't impress me, and neither did the skill level of their experts.
Sure, any hack can build a TV in a garage, but they're using parts made in the West (or under Western control).

If they managed to launch the first satellite and put a man in space, they can certainly manage to build a TV, a fridge, or a car that meets 1990s standards. Naturally, most of the bright minds will flee a country like that, but the nation won't just collapse. All these projections about Russia falling apart are being viewed through our (Western) lens, which is fundamentally flawed. It's like North Korea; people have lived there in misery for seventy years, yet they still sing odes to the Great Leader.

analogbear5 said:His issue is that he went on the defensive—which, let's be honest, is basically admitting defeat when you're arguing online.

Now it's back to you to actually show how much—and in what ways—the war in Ukraine is hitting the global economy.

Politicians love hiding behind "public sentiment" or "the will of the people" because they never want to commit to anything real. If they actually said something concrete, everyone would see they're full of it.

It’s like he can't even manage to get the ball over the net. 😁 Let him prove that this economic mess is solely the fault of COVID and has nothing to do with the war or sanctions. It’s obvious that sanctions are hitting the American economy hard—anyone claiming otherwise is either oblivious or intentionally playing dumb. Sure, dodging the fallout from a global conflict is nearly impossible, and there's only so much room to maneuver, but pretending we don't see the connection? That constant cycle of ignorance and recycled lies has basically become the trademark of this forum.

hollowdriver13 said:Nah, you got me wrong there. It doesn't mean I was out there partying during the lockdowns or anything, I just did my best to roll with whatever was happening at the time.

Anyway, since we’re drifting away from the main topic—let's talk inflation, money printing, those rock-bottom interest rates, and how much of this mess is due to war versus everything else? We could even bring in Alessio Rastati, since he loves playing economist and dropping theories without much actual substance behind them.

So, how much of this inflation was actually caused by monetary expansion and low interest rates, and how much can we really pin on the war?
Also, if inflation is such a bad thing, why is everyone so terrified of deflation hitting the economy? At what point does "normal" annual inflation cross the line into runaway hyperinflation?
Basically, what's the real difference between "good" and "bad" inflation, and what's driving the climb more: the endless money printing or the conflict abroad? And what kind of ratio are we looking at?

Thanks in advance!

Half of your questions don't have an answer because economics isn't an exact science (despite what some people claim), and the other half feels like you're just flailing, trying to prove that sanctions actually matter and haven't had any impact on the chaos we've seen over the last few weeks. You aren't entirely wrong, though; Ukraine is still standing, so you could argue that the sanctions have at least some level of utility.

hollowdriver13 said:So you're telling me that massive money printing and those near-zero interest rates from the Fed during COVID didn't play a role at all?

If that's the case, then wouldn't it be pretty helpful to see an actual, well-reasoned breakdown of inflation regarding the war? I mean, specifically looking at the impact of the war versus the massive surge in the total money supply that happened right before things kicked off—basically, what would inflation look like if the war hadn't even happened?

Thanks in advance.

It did. I'm guessing you were first in line to cheer for that whole lockdown madness, or am I mistaken?

Nathan Evans78 said:We’re all just sitting here waiting for those massive collapses everyone keeps promising—you know, those "it's happening any second now" predictions—mostly because we're all just completely exhausted by this inflation.

Yeah, right. It’ll happen any second now. Just like the Russians on the Mississippi. 🤣

And let's be real: inflation has nothing to do with the war. It’s probably just because Mercury aligned with Jupiter or some other nonsense. We're clearly just in a bad astrological phase.

John Ramos45 said:If we apply a bit of actual logic here, why would anyone hand $70 to Russia when they’re under sanctions and essentially being squeezed by the West? It's pretty simple: a Chinese buyer can just pick up oil from Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UK, or Nigeria, whereas Russia is stuck trying to offload its supply to China or India at massive discounts just to stay afloat.

Then why wouldn't Americans or Arabs charge Europe $150 when they hold all the cards? There's your logic right there... tell me how that works.

A $200 billion deficit, an economy performing like Spain, and astronomical war costs -> Collapse and civil unrest in 3, 2, 1...

goldenorca11 said:

I haven't seen any posts from gFlores lately! I’m really looking forward to seeing what they have to say next. It’s always such a treat when they jump back into the conversation. says:
That’s a great question! It really makes you wonder—will there even be a sovereign Ukraine left five years from now? ☕

So, let me get this straight: we’re talking about a nation that officially counts over 43 million people—though the Russophile crowd on the forums insists it’s actually closer to 20 million—and they’re predicting the whole thing will just vanish within five years? Honestly, I can't help but chuckle! It sounds like something out of a low-budget sci-fi flick.

It’s honestly pretty obvious when you look at the numbers. The pace at which NATO is pouring money and hardware into Ukraine right now is incredible. It’s so massive that anyone paying attention can see they aren't going to lose this. In fact, I truly believe that once the dust settles, they’re going to experience a total economic rebirth—think along the lines of how West Germany or Japan completely transformed after World War II. It's going to be amazing to watch!

America is facing a massive demographic crisis right now. Honestly, if we weren't part of the EU, I truly believe a neighbor like Mexico could just absorb our entire territory within five to ten years without even firing a single shot. It’s pretty sobering when you think about it! We’ve become so vulnerable under the leadership of people like Milanović and Plenković over the last decade. It's a tough pill to swallow, but someone has to say it.

I'm just checking in! Hope everyone is having a fantastic day. says:
It feels like I’m just reading through some naive wish list rather than looking at the actual reality on the ground! 😁

So, experts are pointing out that this "shadow fleet" might actually be giving Russia a massive loophole to dodge sanctions or sell their oil way above the price cap. It’s making things incredibly tricky to track, too—it’s becoming almost impossible to tell exactly where those Russian barrels are being sold! Experts have finally uncovered the evidence! I was just digging through some customs data, and you wouldn't believe what I found! It turns out that Ural, the big-name Russian oil brand, is actually being sold at key ports for much higher prices than the official figures suggest. It’s quite a discrepancy!

I just caught this fascinating report on the latest developments regarding the conflict in Ukraine, and I couldn't resist sharing it with you all! It’s one of those stories that really makes you stop and think about how rapidly the situation on the ground is shifting. The piece dives deep into the tactical maneuvers being employed by the Ukrainian military units as they navigate these incredibly complex circumstances. It reminds me of a documentary I watched last summer about strategic shifts in historical conflicts—it's amazing how much history repeats itself when you look closely enough at the chess match being played out. There is so much nuance here, especially when you consider the broader geopolitical implications for NATO and the rest of the world. It’s definitely not a simple "black and white" situation, which is what makes following this news so engaging. I'll be keeping a very close eye on this over the coming weeks! What are your thoughts? Does anyone else feel like we're watching a pivotal moment in modern history unfold right before our eyes?

The last time I took a look at what folks were posting over on Fox News, I remember thinking that no one with half a brain actually goes there looking for decent comments!
Smart people read between the lines just to figure out exactly what kind of nonsense is being served up to everyone else as "news."
Total clickbait trash.

Who’s actually going to ask him anything? Seriously, who was out there trying to interview Hitler back in 1945? No one.

The world finally woke up to the fact that they’re dealing with a total psychopath. Honestly, if he hadn't managed to survive long enough to get through a trial, I have a feeling people would have just taken matters into their own hands and finished the job right then and there.

The Japanese were incredibly naive when they showed their intention to drag this war out at such an enormous cost to themselves. Hiroshima and Nagasaki sent a crystal-clear message: admit defeat now, or you’ll face total annihilation—all while we don't lose a single one of our own!

It all comes down to this for Putin: he either admits defeat, takes his own life, or faces a courtroom.

Mexicans are in an even worse spot; everyone capable of leaving has already fled the country. If they had somehow managed to get into the EU, nobody would have stayed. Meanwhile, NATO is pumping in just enough weapons to keep the Ukrainians afloat. Where are the tanks? Where are the jets, the advanced drones, or the long-range missiles?

goldenorca11 said:

I haven't seen any posts from gFlores lately! I’m really looking forward to seeing what they have to say next. It’s always such a treat when they jump back into the conversation. says:
That’s a great question! It really makes you wonder—will there even be a sovereign Ukraine left five years from now? ☕

So, let me get this straight: we’re talking about a nation that officially counts over 43 million people—though the Russophile crowd on the forums insists it’s actually closer to 20 million—and they’re predicting the whole thing will just vanish within five years? Honestly, I can't help but chuckle! It sounds like something out of a low-budget sci-fi flick.

It’s honestly pretty obvious when you look at the numbers. The pace at which NATO is pouring money and hardware into Ukraine right now is incredible. It’s so massive that anyone paying attention can see they aren't going to lose this. In fact, I truly believe that once the dust settles, they’re going to experience a total economic rebirth—think along the lines of how West Germany or Japan completely transformed after World War II. It's going to be amazing to watch!

America is facing a massive demographic crisis right now. Honestly, if we weren't part of the EU, I truly believe a neighbor like Mexico could just absorb our entire territory within five to ten years without even firing a single shot. It’s pretty sobering when you think about it! We’ve become so vulnerable under the leadership of people like Milanović and Plenković over the last decade. It's a tough pill to swallow, but someone has to say it.

I'm just checking in! Hope everyone is having a fantastic day. says:
It feels like I’m just reading through some naive wish list rather than looking at the actual reality on the ground! 😁

So, experts are pointing out that this "shadow fleet" might actually be giving Russia a massive loophole to dodge sanctions or sell their oil way above the price cap. It’s making things incredibly tricky to track, too—it’s becoming almost impossible to tell exactly where those Russian barrels are being sold! Experts have finally uncovered the evidence! I was just digging through some customs data, and you wouldn't believe what I found! It turns out that Ural, the big-name Russian oil brand, is actually being sold at key ports for much higher prices than the official figures suggest. It’s quite a discrepancy!

I just caught this fascinating report on the latest developments regarding the conflict in Ukraine, and I couldn't resist sharing it with you all! It’s one of those stories that really makes you stop and think about how rapidly the situation on the ground is shifting. The piece dives deep into the tactical maneuvers being employed by the Ukrainian military units as they navigate these incredibly complex circumstances. It reminds me of a documentary I watched last summer about strategic shifts in historical conflicts—it's amazing how much history repeats itself when you look closely enough at the chess match being played out. There is so much nuance here, especially when you consider the broader geopolitical implications for NATO and the rest of the world. It’s definitely not a simple "black and white" situation, which is what makes following this news so engaging. I'll be keeping a very close eye on this over the coming weeks! What are your thoughts? Does anyone else feel like we're watching a pivotal moment in modern history unfold right before our eyes?

The last time I took a look at what folks were posting over on Fox News, I remember thinking that no one with half a brain actually goes there looking for decent comments!
Smart people read between the lines just to figure out exactly what kind of nonsense is being served up to everyone else as "news."
Total clickbait trash.

Who’s actually going to ask him anything? Seriously, who was out there trying to interview Hitler back in 1945? No one.

The world finally woke up to the fact that they’re dealing with a total psychopath. Honestly, if he hadn't managed to survive long enough to get through a trial, I have a feeling people would have just taken matters into their own hands and finished the job right then and there.

The Japanese were incredibly naive when they showed their intention to drag this war out at such an enormous cost to themselves. Hiroshima and Nagasaki sent a crystal-clear message: admit defeat now, or you’ll face total annihilation—all while we don't lose a single one of our own!

It all comes down to this for Putin: he either admits defeat, takes his own life, or faces a courtroom.

Are you suggesting Vladimir Putin should pull a move like the Americans?

Nathan Thomas12 said:We can argue about it all day, but that massive deficit in the Russian budget is definitely something to smile about.☕
Their economy is shrinking, and it’s obvious they’ll end up with their tails between their legs.
Whether they collapse in two years or five doesn't really matter—the point is they're headed straight for it.

That's fine, but will there even be a Ukraine left in five years? ☕

Nathan Evans78 said:

RUB ISM Manufacturing PMI (February) 53.6

EUR US Manufacturing PMI (February) 46.3

Honestly, it feels like Russia is the one walking away with all the wins in this data set. 🤣

Sure, you can see those sanctions are working perfectly. 🎉

STS can actually be handled on the fly—you don't even need to be moored to one another. And it doesn't take "a few days" either.

Nathan Thomas12 said:Ever since February 24th, people have been openly saying sanctions have a long-term impact. Which part of that simple sentence is confusing you? :nezna:
I haven't seen anyone throwing around "short-term" figures of 30% anywhere. Maybe you read that on some other forum, because it definitely wasn't here. :nezna:
Here are the facts: Russia had a 5% GDP deficit in the first month. That could potentially hit 60% of GDP by year-end. It took us 30 years to rack up debt like that, and we're a corrupt mess at that.

I’m just laying out the facts here. Their GDP didn't even dip by 5% back in 2022, let alone the 50% collapse everyone predicted. I don't even want to waste my breath digging through old posts written by absolute idiots or those CIA shills on this forum. And look, if we're pretending sanctions against Russia have some massive long-term impact, shouldn't we also admit that losing access to cheap energy is going to have its own long-term consequences?

analogbear5 said:What kind of god-tier debt level are we talking about here? Is the Eternal Jew coming to the European Union to collect the interest personally or something?

Sure, why not? Let's just go into massive debt and bury ourselves in it. I'm sure the next generation will be more than happy to pick up the tab. 🎉

Nathan Thomas12 said:First, you were all over the sanctions thing, claiming Europe was shooting itself in both feet and predicting a total freeze-out and economic meltdown.
I mean, isn't this brilliant? We didn't freeze up and we haven't collapsed economically.
What would have happened if your little prophecy actually came true?
Then there's your take on Russia being self-sufficient and immune to sanctions.
Well, look at them—running an economy with a monthly deficit of 5% of GDP!
They can repaint the whole damn house for a year, but it won't change the reality. 🕺
EDIT: maybe go back to talking about nukes—your economic takes are clearly a lost cause. ☕

You and your crowd claimed it would be 30%. You were just off by 25%. But I suppose since you argue sanctions are a "long-term game," they work both ways, right? Honestly, 5% isn't terrible for a nation fighting an all-out war—just look at how much stress Ukraine has endured despite all the Western aid.

As for the nuclear rhetoric, that's coming from high-ranking Russian officials, not me. What am I supposed to add to that? When someone holding the world's largest nuclear arsenal starts making open threats, what is a rational person meant to conclude? I'm not asking you, so don't feel obligated to answer. 🍿

analogbear5 said:GDP growth isn't a downward slide; it's an uphill climb.

Honestly, I wouldn't get too excited—the worst is likely behind us. We managed some growth despite that insane inflation, which is actually a pretty decent feat if you think about it.

At this point, foreign demand for German goods is a much bigger factor than Russia.

A declining GDP growth rate is a downward spiral, and it ends in a recession. A growth rate of 0.3% is absolute garbage. Honestly, even rates around 3% are crap when you consider the debt levels and the interest rates attached to them. The US should be "growing" at 1.3% for 2023—so either that number is total trash, or you're just a mouthpiece for the Republican Party.

analogbear5 said:He asked about GDP growth, so I gave him the numbers. Honestly, what does inflation even have to do with it?

As for the downward trend—here’s the data for the last 25 years. Just a heads-up: the graph shows the percentage growth compared to the previous period, not the raw GDP figures.

So, we've seen a slide from February 2022 until now. The real question is whether Germany is going to slip into a full-blown recession or manage to hold steady. I am seeing a tiny glimmer of optimism lately, though.🙂

analogbear5 said:

This looks like a total nose dive. 😁Are you going to actually show an inflation chart, or are we just going to pretend that isn't part of the equation?☕

Sean Reed3 said:Personally, I’d argue they’ve been running a wartime economy since 1941 and just never stopped...

If that's the case, what do we call Americans? They spend more on their military budget than every other nation on Earth combined. 😁 And they’ve been doing it for decades. 🤣

We'll see. A bunch of self-proclaimed economic and military experts here were all preaching that their GDP would crater by 30%, yet it only dipped by 3%. It’s a wash. So, what’s the next move?

Anthony Hill5 said:Oh sure, that constitutes massive progress. We are talking about wheat production and livestock here, after all. One cannot simply ignore the fact that this requires high-level technology and actual specialized know-how.

Besides, I pointed out at the very onset of the war that their entire agricultural sector remains heavily dependent on Western machinery.

That’s not true. If your grandma is growing lettuce in her backyard, then sure, it counts.

hollowdriver13 said:Local seeds or Western corporate stuff?

Are we talking homegrown herbicides/insecticides/fertilizers or the usual Western chemical imports?

I mean, they aren't even capable of manufacturing fireproof flight suits for their pilots, so they have to rely on shell companies and gray-market smuggling just to get the gear needed for training.

https://twitter.com/deanwingrin/stat...40951291478016

I'm not sure, but I do know they've been under sanctions since 2014. Besides, it’s delusional to think sanctions work perfectly. Smuggling will always exist, and China will sell them absolutely everything they need or want.

And it isn't realistic to assume sanctions will kick them back into the Dark Ages. The list of Russian technological achievements over the last 80 years is too long; if we tried to hit them with those kinds of sanctions, we'd be the ones crawling into bunkers.