Offside (General Discussion)

There was really only one Franjo Tuđman, I suppose.

(I wonder how many people will be triggered by this 😁)

Anthony Wright30 said:There was really only one Franjo Tuđman, I suppose.

(I wonder how many people will be triggered by this 😁)

Tuki is to Volodymyr Zelenskyy what Henry Kissinger is to your average guy on this forum...

James Anderson5 said:That’s why I was being cautious, though I wouldn't say anyone here actually knows what life is really like for the average Russian. If anyone does have firsthand experience, it would be interesting to hear it. At least it's clear the average American is doing better and better. And if someone actually squeezed them with sanctions, or if a large part of the world stopped buying their bonds, they'd go under just like that...

We shouldn't take our media, or their praise and opinions regarding anything or anyone, too seriously. I either don't follow these reports coming out of Ukraine, or I simply don't believe any of them. Just look at all the manipulation involving that tank crushing the car, or that kid crossing the border by himself; I'm sure the Russians aren't much more unbiased than that...

I'm more interested in how all of this will reflect on us and Europe, and the reflection is looking catastrophic...

He showed himself by not running away, which isn't exactly an achievement—it would be the absolute bottom of the barrel if a national leader fled during a war. As for political moves, if he accepts some kind of neutrality status, then he's a complete amateur. He should have realized a long time ago where this was heading and tried to negotiate some sort of compromise to avoid the war and all these casualties. Putin mentioned a red line several times; what exactly did he think was going to happen?...

Here's a counter-opinion for you... 😁

I'll pass on the whole Putin and his "red line" nonsense. That whole slogan went down the drain right after that speech where he started whining about the historical injustice of breaking up the Soviet Union and separating Russia from Ukraine. That's the whole gist of it—that these countries "fled" from Russia's embrace. It reminds me of another country where nobody understands how everyone who used to be part of the same nation suddenly bolted the second they got the chance. Like, how does that even happen?

You're acting pretty brave for someone in 2022 when the USA can hit basically any spot on the planet with missiles launched from Kentucky.

Was there even a shred of a chance for Ukraine to hang onto its nuclear weapons? I mean, if they actually had nukes, nobody would be messing with them, right?
And if it wasn't an option, then I guess "someone" was supposed to guarantee their arsenal so they wouldn't get attacked.
But when someone actually gets hit, both sides end up facing the music—depending on who started the fight. 🤔

So basically, it’s just NATO's joke—they didn't stick to the guarantees. ☕

James Anderson5 said:That’s why I was being cautious, though I wouldn't say anyone here actually knows what life is really like for the average Russian. If anyone does have firsthand experience, it would be interesting to hear it. At least it's clear the average American is doing better and better. And if someone actually squeezed them with sanctions, or if a large part of the world stopped buying their bonds, they'd go under just like that...

We shouldn't take our media, or their praise and opinions regarding anything or anyone, too seriously. I either don't follow these reports coming out of Ukraine, or I simply don't believe any of them. Just look at all the manipulation involving that tank crushing the car, or that kid crossing the border by himself; I'm sure the Russians aren't much more unbiased than that...

I'm more interested in how all of this will reflect on us and Europe, and the reflection is looking catastrophic...

He showed himself by not running away, which isn't exactly an achievement—it would be the absolute bottom of the barrel if a national leader fled during a war. As for political moves, if he accepts some kind of neutrality status, then he's a complete amateur. He should have realized a long time ago where this was heading and tried to negotiate some sort of compromise to avoid the war and all these casualties. Putin mentioned a red line several times; what exactly did he think was going to happen?...

Here's a counter-opinion for you... 😁

The average American doesn't live under a brutal dictatorship, so no matter how you look at it, things are better for them than for the average Russian. This current mess is just a temporary state; I have zero doubt they'll bounce back. Just like I have zero doubt you'd much rather trade places with an average American than with an average Russian.

coastalheron12 said:Was there even a shred of a chance for Ukraine to hang onto its nuclear weapons? I mean, if they actually had nukes, nobody would be messing with them, right?
And if it wasn't an option, then I guess "someone" was supposed to guarantee their arsenal so they wouldn't get attacked.
But when someone actually gets hit, both sides end up facing the music—depending on who started the fight. 🤔

So basically, it’s just NATO's joke—they didn't stick to the guarantees. ☕

Giving up those nukes was an unprecedentedly stupid move—honestly, I have no idea what they were thinking when they made that call.

Thomas Hayes said:Giving up those nukes was an unprecedentedly stupid move—honestly, I have no idea what they were thinking when they made that call.

Look, hand on heart, dealing with that kind of absolute economic clusterfuck is exhausting. Honestly, everyone was just relieved to finally be rid of them. Who could even blame them at that point?

They had a gentleman's agreement. That’s all there was to those verbal pacts and guarantees.

https://twitter.com/mdmitri91/status...5Es1_&ref_url=

That’s it right there—total dictatorship, old-school Soviet style.

Let me put this in plain American English for you.

Don't forget, the enemy never sleeps. And things are getting messy; the foreign enemy is being fueled by enemies within.

Anthony Jackson2 said:Man, the guy was a comedian before he had a real job, so of course there's random footage of him all over the internet. You have to view it through that lens—it was just his gig back then.

As president, he’s held his own so far. I don't think Plenky would have been out there "lobbying" in Brussels half as effectively while other world leaders are actually flying into a war-torn country to meet a prime minister in a besieged city. That's something you have to respect.

That pale imitation of a leader would simply leave his top henchman, Banet, to handle the heavy lifting while he sat back and lobbied for some "good vibes" to be sent our way from the EU headquarters. No need to worry, really.

Paul Sanders5 said:https://twitter.com/mdmitri91/status...5Es1_&ref_url=

That’s it right there—total dictatorship, old-school Soviet style.

Let me put this in plain American English for you.

Don't forget, the enemy never sleeps. And things are getting messy; the foreign enemy is being fueled by enemies within.

These Russians seem to have essentially walked right out of the Yugoslav People's Army Headquarters in Belgrade back in '89.

Paul Sanders5 said:I'll pass on the whole Putin and his "red line" nonsense. That whole slogan went down the drain right after that speech where he started whining about the historical injustice of breaking up the Soviet Union and separating Russia from Ukraine. That's the whole gist of it—that these countries "fled" from Russia's embrace. It reminds me of another country where nobody understands how everyone who used to be part of the same nation suddenly bolted the second they got the chance. Like, how does that even happen?

You're acting pretty brave for someone in 2022 when the USA can hit basically any spot on the planet with missiles launched from Kentucky.

Who cares if you or I push anyone around? Who cares about justice or injustice? Interests rule the world, not fairness. Proximity definitely matters—I won't get into all the details, but it's enough to say it matters to both Americans and Russians. If it didn't, the US wouldn't be setting up military bases wherever they please...

Thomas Hayes said:The average American doesn't live under a brutal dictatorship, so no matter how you look at it, things are better for them than for the average Russian. This current mess is just a temporary state; I have zero doubt they'll bounce back. Just like I have zero doubt you'd much rather trade places with an average American than with an average Russian.

The average American actually lives in an oligarchy run by powerful lobbies and corporations. It has nothing to do with democratic ideals; whoever has more cash wins the election, and the country is led by a senile old man. Since WWII, their "democracy" has basically just been two parties, so we're doing pretty well compared to that. Their media freedom is such a joke that nobody there even trusts them, and they've gone out of their way to try and shut down relatively harmless figures like Joe Rogan just because he messes with their narratives. They've really struck gold with their social system...

I don't buy the idea that the average Russian doesn't dislike that system. In fact, even the Putin haters seem to claim he still holds most of his people's support. Democracy isn't necessarily the best solution for every culture. For instance, in Libya, it was clearly better to have some enlightened tribal leader. The Chinese also rose up without any democracy, using an evolved version of communism...

Ultimately, I'm mostly interested in what this situation is doing to us—inflation potentially hitting 10-20%, possible shortages in stores, the massive spike in the cost of living, and so on. There isn't nearly enough talk about it. I worry that if this keeps up, things will only get worse, and as a country, we aren't prepared for crises like this...

Good grief, look at all the weaponry the Ukrainians are receiving from the Americans and their allies 🐔
...

Joseph Clark37 said:Good grief, look at all the weaponry the Ukrainians are receiving from the Americans and their allies 🐔
...

You say they're "getting" it—as if that gear wasn't already sitting right there on the border with Russia? 🐔

Anthony Jackson2 said:You say they're "getting" it—as if that gear wasn't already sitting right there on the border with Russia? 🐔

Most of it is. I believe everything they report receiving is either right on the border in Poland or already moving through Ukraine toward transit warehouses and their final destinations...

The situation remains deeply uncertain... It is difficult to gauge the true impact at this stage...

The war in Ukraine has turned out to be an incredible testing ground for all kinds of weaponry, with the Russians essentially serving as the test mice...

James Anderson5 said:That’s why I was being cautious, though I wouldn't say anyone here actually knows what life is really like for the average Russian. If anyone does have firsthand experience, it would be interesting to hear it. At least it's clear the average American is doing better and better. And if someone actually squeezed them with sanctions, or if a large part of the world stopped buying their bonds, they'd go under just like that...

We shouldn't take our media, or their praise and opinions regarding anything or anyone, too seriously. I either don't follow these reports coming out of Ukraine, or I simply don't believe any of them. Just look at all the manipulation involving that tank crushing the car, or that kid crossing the border by himself; I'm sure the Russians aren't much more unbiased than that...

I'm more interested in how all of this will reflect on us and Europe, and the reflection is looking catastrophic...

He showed himself by not running away, which isn't exactly an achievement—it would be the absolute bottom of the barrel if a national leader fled during a war. As for political moves, if he accepts some kind of neutrality status, then he's a complete amateur. He should have realized a long time ago where this was heading and tried to negotiate some sort of compromise to avoid the war and all these casualties. Putin mentioned a red line several times; what exactly did he think was going to happen?...

Here's a counter-opinion for you... 😁

About ten years ago, I was working on warehouse automation in Moscow. Spent three months there. Everything outside the main ring is just pure misery. The city center is great, sure, but you can't afford to live there unless you're loaded.
The real difference between America and Russia is that an American is poor by choice, whereas a Russian isn't.

William Kim said:About ten years ago, I was working on warehouse automation in Moscow. Spent three months there. Everything outside the main ring is just pure misery. The city center is great, sure, but you can't afford to live there unless you're loaded.
The real difference between America and Russia is that an American is poor by choice, whereas a Russian isn't.

Honestly, it’s no surprise—Moscow is easily one of the most expensive cities on the planet.

coastalheron12 said:Was there even a shred of a chance for Ukraine to hang onto its nuclear weapons? I mean, if they actually had nukes, nobody would be messing with them, right?
And if it wasn't an option, then I guess "someone" was supposed to guarantee their arsenal so they wouldn't get attacked.
But when someone actually gets hit, both sides end up facing the music—depending on who started the fight. 🤔

So basically, it’s just NATO's joke—they didn't stick to the guarantees. ☕

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum

coastalheron12 said:What kind of job are you guys doing where you have to report stuff—I swear I have to Google everything, damn it, I just posted this, 🤦 how long into the New Year are you actually going to be writing last year's dates?
Or should we be getting worried that we're already three months in and people are still typing 2021?

It sucks having to date things backward, but since I'm signing off six times a day, I just pay attention for the first two weeks of the year and after that, it doesn't really matter.

James Anderson5 said:Who cares if you or I push anyone around? Who cares about justice or injustice? Interests rule the world, not fairness. Proximity definitely matters—I won't get into all the details, but it's enough to say it matters to both Americans and Russians. If it didn't, the US wouldn't be setting up military bases wherever they please...

The average American actually lives in an oligarchy run by powerful lobbies and corporations. It has nothing to do with democratic ideals; whoever has more cash wins the election, and the country is led by a senile old man. Since WWII, their "democracy" has basically just been two parties, so we're doing pretty well compared to that. Their media freedom is such a joke that nobody there even trusts them, and they've gone out of their way to try and shut down relatively harmless figures like Joe Rogan just because he messes with their narratives. They've really struck gold with their social system...

I don't buy the idea that the average Russian doesn't dislike that system. In fact, even the Putin haters seem to claim he still holds most of his people's support. Democracy isn't necessarily the best solution for every culture. For instance, in Libya, it was clearly better to have some enlightened tribal leader. The Chinese also rose up without any democracy, using an evolved version of communism...

Ultimately, I'm mostly interested in what this situation is doing to us—inflation potentially hitting 10-20%, possible shortages in stores, the massive spike in the cost of living, and so on. There isn't nearly enough talk about it. I worry that if this keeps up, things will only get worse, and as a country, we aren't prepared for crises like this...

Sometimes you just have to step out of your own comfort zone and sacrifice a bit of your quality of life for the greater good.
This is the moment where you have to stand up to a crazy dictator—because if you don't push back now, you might find yourself stuck in a trench before you know it.