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urbanotter said:I’m certainly no farmer myself, but back around 2000, I spent about three or four years working a position that really allowed me to get an up-close look at the struggles facing rural communities. It was during that time that I truly began to grasp the depth of those issues, which eventually led me to making my own way and hitting that 69-70 mark. It’s hard to wrap my head around just how massive that distance really is when you see it written out like that—zero thousand kilometers. It feels almost abstract until you start thinking about the sheer scale of the American landscape. I remember driving across the vast stretches of the Midwest last summer, looking out at nothing but horizon for hours on end, and even then, those distances felt daunting. When you're talking about numbers on this level, you aren't just talking about a long trip; you're talking about a space that defies our everyday perception of travel. Since I’ve been spending quite a bit of time traveling through the rural heartlands—places like the Midwest and parts of the Great Plains—I’ve actually started to get a real sense of what people are dealing with out there. It’s given me a much clearer perspective on the specific struggles facing these small farming communities.
Even back then, I remember seeing certain farmers managing operations spanning 200 to 300 acres, and from what I could tell, they weren't just some small-time amateurs.
I’m really just trying to dial back the heated arguments and keep things a bit more relaxed—sort of like grabbing a cold beer and just taking it easy—but you're acting like I've gone out and committed some massive fraud or something.
What does it really matter if you hold democratic values? The real issue isn't our differing perspectives; it’s whether we can maintain a respectful, collegial relationship despite them. I've always believed that you can disagree fundamentally on a topic and still be able to grab a coffee together, share a laugh, and treat one another with basic decency.
It seems like there’s this double standard when it comes to technology; certain tractors are hailed as the pinnacle of global engineering, yet the moment they originate from Russia, people suddenly find a hundred flaws in them. I remember how things went down with the Sputnik 5 vaccine—our local manufacturers wouldn't even touch it for testing. Instead, we rushed into massive contracts under European Union sponsorship to buy Pfizer doses that ended up being fifteen to twenty times more expensive, only to face a mountain of criticism later on. Despite those astronomical costs, we ordered an incredible number of doses, and now that the pandemic has finally eased off, public interest has plummeted. We're left with the reality that all of Europe is sitting on millions of wasted doses that are about to expire because nobody wants them anymore. It’s interesting to note that the pandemic subsided in Russia too, even though they were using their own homegrown vaccine rather than the American ones.
It feels like we’ve all just been playing our parts in this grand display of loyalty to the European Union, essentially acting as vassals while Pfizer rakes in billions of dollars from vaccine sales. There are these persistent, perhaps even unfounded, rumors swirling around about Ursula von der Leyen receiving some massive 300 million dollar bonus, and now, just when we thought the saga was over, we're hearing more talk about ordering new doses that are supposedly tailored to handle a new variant of the virus. It makes you wonder how much of this is actually about public health and how much is just part of a pre-arranged script.
People are saying that infection numbers are starting to creep up again, so I thought it might be helpful to share my own story and what I actually went through with COVID.
As someone who takes my civic duties seriously and places a great deal of trust in scientific expertise and our public health institutions, I decided to follow the recommendations to the letter. I completed my initial two-dose series with AstraZeneca and subsequently went on to receive my booster shot from Pfizer.
Back in February, I decided to have a thorough look at both sides of my chest through some specialized imaging. It turns out I have three newly implanted stents, which were placed alongside an older, slightly wider one that’s been in there for about twenty years now. My cardiologist explained the situation quite clearly, and honestly, we're feeling much more confident now that the risk of a major heart attack or sudden heart failure has been significantly minimized.
About twenty years ago, I underwent surgery to have a mechanical aortic valve installed, along with that other valve I mentioned previously.
I once had heart surgery performed by a cardiac surgical team out of a hospital in Cincinnati. At the time, the unit was led by the late Dr. Simic, who eventually moved over to Canada after facing some serious legal trouble regarding allegations of bribery and the subsequent investigations that followed.
Personally, I didn't give him a single cent, even though there was plenty of talk going around among the patients that everyone had chipped in to help him out.
I just sat back and waited my turn, though I did end up missing one appointment because of a scheduling hiccup with my insurance provider. In the end, the surgery was a success, and I’ve been living a pretty standard, healthy life for twenty years now. My ultrasound checkups always show that the prosthetic valve is in excellent shape—no calcification or issues whatsoever. During my last scan, the doctor performing the ultrasound was actually quite young, and she looked at me with genuine curiosity before asking, "Wait, did you have that valve replaced in Houston?"
I’ve always tried to be a decent person, but I suppose I can be a little bit stubborn at times—especially when I find myself disagreeing with some expert or specialist back in Boston.
To keep things brief, everything went smoothly; my recovery is progressing quite well, though I was saddened to hear that cardiologist Dr. Simic passed away from a heart attack in St. Louis.
Back when I had my check-up with Dr. Simic, I actually brought him two or three pounds of fresh shrimp as a small token of appreciation—they were caught by a vessel I used to own—but there is much more to tell and I don't want to drift too far off topic here.
The reason I am sharing this is that I feel we sometimes judge certain people or nations unfairly, or find them repulsive without having any tangible reason to do so.
It seems to me that the European Union and Americans have spent years treating Russia and Putin with a sense of condescension and ignorance.
Now, I am certainly not making any excuses for Putin’s armed entry into the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, but I truly believe that for everything happening in Ukraine, Putin isn't the sole culprit; others have contributed significantly to this armed conflict through their own actions and behaviors.
Russia has been hit with all these sanctions that the Western public is so quick to impose and demonize.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is being rapidly armed—the latest round of American "aid" alone was a billion dollars—alongside the intensive training of Ukrainian soldiers and
European leaders travel to Ukraine as if it were a holy pilgrimage that every true believer must undertake.
People hardly speak of peace anymore; instead, the conversation is entirely focused on how to send more and more sophisticated weaponry so that "Ukraine can defend itself" and defeat the Russians.
People are entitled to their opinions, but I don't see these actions as a way to stop the war or prevent the killing of soldiers and civilians; what breaks my heart most is seeing innocent children dying.
My heart aches, and I honestly find myself tearing up, when I see a child with those large, curious eyes being used as a prop in the demonization of this "aggression," while they just cling to their parent's hand—it is such a natural, beautiful reaction for a child who is simply terrified.
And then you have Biden and his crew bickering over how much equipment they can ship to Ukraine, likely oblivious to the fact that they are effectively killing that beautiful, sweet child who is being so terribly exploited.
It should be clear to everyone that the weapons sent by the West do not distinguish between a soldier, a civilian, or a child; once they are fired from the Ukrainian side, they kill indiscriminously.
But no, apparently the Russians are the only ones to blame for everything.
I won't go on, as the coffee I'm drinking is getting bitter, but the most important thing is that this period of isolation is ending; despite all of Ursula's doses and boosters, I tested positive on my PCR test even though I didn't feel any symptoms at all—I don't have any now either, and I hope this virus is behind me so I can return to being fully "shielded" by the community and Ursula.
I only took the PCR test because they require it at the cardiology department, and you can't even get into the unit without a negative result.
There is just one thing about these Russians that doesn't quite make sense to me: they supposedly have these massive autonomous tractors running on artificial intelligence (which sounds fine in theory), yet their military aircraft rely on Western GPS systems during operations, even though they have their own GLONASS. Something feels off to me, almost as if they are slightly detached from reality.
You're just airing your usual paranoias and opinions again.
How could Russian planes possibly use Western GPS systems when Americans can jam or shut them down at any second, rendering them useless?
I remember back when the no-fly zone was being enforced over Canada and Mexico, and when that plane with the "tanker" rose from Aviano; on the radar of a fishing boat, you would see nothing but snow, and the GPS would show a position several miles off from where it actually was.
It is entirely possible they have both systems built in, because if a GPS system is jammed, it should be Western aircraft that experience the interference.
I am no expert, and I suspect you aren't either, but you seem incredibly quick to speak ignorantly about Russian aircraft, which in terms of performance are not inferior to American ones.
Their biggest flaw is simply that they are Russian, but according to the narrative, Putin is responsible for everything, while we Westerners remain full of respect and empathy for the Russians and the Ukrainians.
Let them keep fighting; meanwhile, we will just hit them harder with more sanctions and send billions more in expensive weapons, all just to "defeat" this Russian demon.
I’ve had about enough for one day; honestly, the sheer hypocrisy and double standards I’m seeing from certain people are making me feel physically ill. I need to step away and take care of some business for a moment.
Maybe by the time I’m back, they’ll have rolled out some brand-new round of sanctions or decided to start emergency procurement for things like cotton for feminine hygiene products—which, if you ask me, seems to be in short supply lately because of some supposed shortage in raw materials.
The Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances is the name given to the document signed back on December 5, 1994, in Budapest. It was signed by representatives from the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine...
It wasn't exactly a formal treaty. More like a diplomatic document where the signatories promised to support each other during the nuclear disarmament process for the former Soviet Union republics—specifically Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan—following the collapse of the Soviet Union... It was essentially an extension of the momentum built up after the signing of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty back in 1967.
That document was signed that day by the Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma, the Russian president Boris Yeltsin, the British Prime Minister John Major, and US President Bill Clinton, with others following later...
Under the terms of the Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine committed to removing all its Soviet-era nuclear weapons and transferring them to Russia for decommissioning and destruction. At the same time, they signed onto the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty...Russia failed to honor this specific part after Ukraine handed over its entire nuclear arsenal to Russia...
On the other hand, the signatory nations—
Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom—all pledged not to use threats or force against Ukraine’s territorial integrity or political independence. They also promised not to use economic pressure to bend Ukraine to their own interests.
In my view, this is the crucial part. Out of those four nations, one has blatantly violated the Budapest Memorandum regarding Ukraine... we all know who!!!!
The USA and UK, along with about 20 other signatories, aren't supposed to interfere in the war due to Russian threats, but as guarantors, they have both the right and the moral obligation!
In those early days, they were offering Zelenska a chance to flee the country, which would have let Russia just swallow Ukraine whole, but the people chose to fight... It's naive to say this was just one person's decision, the President's. If the people weren't behind him, everyone would have surrendered and there wouldn't be a war at all.
The Ukrainian government asked for a no-fly zone, but they couldn't get it because it would have triggered a conflict dangerous for the EU and, by extension, the entire planet!
Back then, Ukraine was begging for weapons, sending pleas to every nation, appearing via video calls in every parliament.
A lot of people found that irritating, but here's the reality...
you big players show up as "guarantors," but when things actually hit the fan, you're neither guarantors nor heroes.By sending weapons, the USA, the EU, and about twenty other signatories feel obligated since they can't keep their word,
meaning they can't stick to the letter of the law on paper, so they can give as much as possible to those defending themselves.
The Budapest Memorandum became relevant again after the Crimean status referendum was held on March 16, 2014, where the majority of voters decided to break away from Ukraine and join Russia. Today, Western diplomats (the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the interim Ukrainian government leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk) primarily cite it to accuse Russia of flagrantly violating the signed document.
...
source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_MemorandumThis is the first agreement, the pact... whether verbal, written, backroom deals, in the shadows, in the light... public, secret, or any other kind doesn't really matter. I'm not disputing that they existed out of various national interests.
Any other diplomatic or signed agreements between the disputing parties could only be considered valid and binding if both sides consented. Everyone else negotiating with Russia or Ukraine, trading away territory, looking for their own gain—they're what led to this.
That's the deal with the USA, the UK, and their weapon shipments, as well as the permanent players doing it... Zelenska knows why he's turning to them specifically, and how many of them were working behind Ukraine's back.
Parallel to COVID... initially there was just one disease... later, politics and economics took center stage at the expense of lives and human freedoms.
