I think this deserves its own thread.
And, to start things off...
This is just brutal timing pic.twitter.com/n4MeLZZ3Xt
— whitesoxdave (@barstoolWSD) February 24, 2022
CNN is a clownshow.
As for what Russia is doing.......NATO has is destroyed if this goes on. We look like fools. Its obvious that Russia and China are more powerful then we are.
posted by justincredibleI think this deserves its own thread.
And, to start things off...
This is just brutal timing pic.twitter.com/n4MeLZZ3Xt
— whitesoxdave (@barstoolWSD) February 24, 2022
I'll do my part to support the Ukranian people by not going to Applebee's
posted by brutus161I'll do my part to support the Ukranian people by not going to Applebee's
It's the least that all of us can do.
I own a microwave and have beer in the fridge. I'm literally an Applebee's.
posted by justincredibleI own a microwave and have beer in the fridge. I'm literally an Applebee's.
Please tell me that you don't have that shit-ass hick song from the commercial in your record collection.
posted by HereticPlease tell me that you don't have that shit-ass hick song from the commercial in your record collection.
I do not.
I think Russia is playing the only card it has (assuming Putin wishes to project power). He knows Ukraine is not going to get foreign troops to its rescue and is okay with sanctions, which will not affect him or his cronies. His initial displays of missiles and bombs, while "shock and awe" will not last forever. If Russia wishes to occupy Ukraine, eventually Russians are going to start dying. Then we'll see what how much of a stomach the Russian people have for his ambitions. Maybe they'll be okay that. But maybe they won't. We'll see.
We are in downtown Moscow where hundreds are protesting against the Ukraine invasion. Arrests. A large police presence. It takes a special kind of bravery to protest in Putin’s Russia - especially on the day he sends his country to war. pic.twitter.com/zDJEEKU03m
— James Longman (@JamesAALongman) February 24, 2022
posted by justincredible
We are in downtown Moscow where hundreds are protesting against the Ukraine invasion. Arrests. A large police presence. It takes a special kind of bravery to protest in Putin’s Russia - especially on the day he sends his country to war. pic.twitter.com/zDJEEKU03m
— James Longman (@JamesAALongman) February 24, 2022
"Special kind of bravery", you can say that again. Admire people with balls like that.
I’m more worried China uses this to try and seize control over Taiwan and then all hell breaks lose.
A couple higher ups have told me they are expecting cyber attacks on our banking system and having a small amount of cash on hand may be smart.
posted by sportchamppsI’m more worried China uses this to try and seize control over Taiwan and then all hell breaks lose.
A couple higher ups have told me they are expecting cyber attacks on our banking system and having a small amount of cash on hand may be smart.
Would not be surprised by anything China does, and if you just watched that biden press conf you know why Putin is on the move -- weak and feeble is not a deterrent.
We are soooo screwed.
posted by justincredible
We are in downtown Moscow where hundreds are protesting against the Ukraine invasion. Arrests. A large police presence. It takes a special kind of bravery to protest in Putin’s Russia - especially on the day he sends his country to war. pic.twitter.com/zDJEEKU03m
— James Longman (@JamesAALongman) February 24, 2022
Some of the smarter analysts have been warning that global energy policy could embolden Putin.
Basically, shunning fossil fuels - and especially nuclear - in favor of expensive and unreliable "green" energy left Europe dependent on natural gas from Russia. Compounded by Biden shutting down some energy production here.
Germany is especially vulnerable. I think there has to be a lot of grifting going on, globally, given the neglect for nuclear. If it was truly a climate crisis, nuclear would have almost completely replaced fossil fuels by now. But, actually, fossil fuel use has continued a steady rise, despite the increase in renewables. Nuclear energy production has been basically flat for the past 20+ years.
And what I read on nuclear waste - ALL nuclear waste, ever, would fill a football field 10 meters deep. That's kind of nothing, really.
posted by gutIf it was truly a climate crisis, nuclear would have almost completely replaced fossil fuels by now.
Great point. I think that makes a ton of sense. The way out of fossil fuels is already here, has been for a long time and is dying out. That shows a ton.
If this keeps up, there are going to be a lot of accidental falls from balconies in the coming weeks.
posted by gutSome of the smarter analysts have been warning that global energy policy could embolden Putin.
Basically, shunning fossil fuels - and especially nuclear - in favor of expensive and unreliable "green" energy left Europe dependent on natural gas from Russia. Compounded by Biden shutting down some energy production here.
Germany is especially vulnerable. I think there has to be a lot of grifting going on, globally, given the neglect for nuclear. If it was truly a climate crisis, nuclear would have almost completely replaced fossil fuels by now. But, actually, fossil fuel use has continued a steady rise, despite the increase in renewables. Nuclear energy production has been basically flat for the past 20+ years.
And what I read on nuclear waste - ALL nuclear waste, ever, would fill a football field 10 meters deep. That's kind of nothing, really.
John Kerry is concerned this will distract from climate change. Dudes a joke.
This is bad, but is not historically bad. This is just the latest of Soviet, Russian incursion in their historic sphere of influence. This is just like Hungary in the 50s and Czech in the 1970s. Under Russia, this is in the Chechnya and Georgia invasions. This is just on a larger scale.
But, Russia is still playing in their historic sandbox. They have not invaded a NATO country or threatened to do so far. That is where Putin knows he cannot do. Ukraine should not become a member of NATO also.
I'd also say, this is just the end result of 20+ years of taking apart cooperative security measures that were put in place at the end of the Cold War. When you take away arms control measures, like INF treaty, Open Skies treaty, add in missile defense in Poland, reduce shared cooperative security engagements and as other mentioned let Russia be the energy producer in Europe, you get this.
Isolating Russia on banking and the international market is really all we can do. Then again, that was all we could do during the Cold War too.
This is bad, but not 1980s level bad..when they start to talk nuclear launches in western Europe like in the 1980s...then we can talk.
posted by ptown_trojans_1This is bad, but is not historically bad. This is just the latest of Soviet, Russian incursion in their historic sphere of influence. This is just like Hungary in the 50s and Czech in the 1970s. Under Russia, this is in the Chechnya and Georgia invasions. This is just on a larger scale.
But, Russia is still playing in their historic sandbox. They have not invaded a NATO country or threatened to do so far. That is where Putin knows he cannot do. Ukraine should not become a member of NATO also.
I'd also say, this is just the end result of 20+ years of taking apart cooperative security measures that were put in place at the end of the Cold War. When you take away arms control measures, like INF treaty, Open Skies treaty, add in missile defense in Poland, reduce shared cooperative security engagements and as other mentioned let Russia be the energy producer in Europe, you get this.
Isolating Russia on banking and the international market is really all we can do. Then again, that was all we could do during the Cold War too.
This is bad, but not 1980s level bad..when they start to talk nuclear launches in western Europe like in the 1980s...then we can talk.
I'm glad an incursion is just bombing the heck out of targets in another country, taking over their airfields and other strongholds, and airlifting troops in. For a minute, I thought something serious was happening.
posted by sportchamppsI’m more worried China uses this to try and seize control over Taiwan and then all hell breaks lose.
A couple higher ups have told me they are expecting cyber attacks on our banking system and having a small amount of cash on hand may be smart.
It has been US policy since Truman to not allow Taiwan to be taken by force. So, that is very different than Ukraine which is not a member of NATO.
Apples and oranges.
posted by QuakerOats
I'm glad an incursion is just bombing the heck out of targets in another country, taking over their airfields and other strongholds, and airlifting troops in. For a minute, I thought something serious was happening.
U better get in line with the right wing talking points my man
No one is happier than the floundering cable news networks. And the right wing media gets to pontificate on Biden being feckless, while the left wing media is like "whew, finally another distraction we can blame on Trump".
posted by gutNo one is happier than the floundering cable news networks. And the right wing media gets to pontificate on Biden being feckless, while the left wing media is like "whew, finally another distraction we can blame on Trump".
The politically radicalized from the left and right would rather a ruthless predator like Putin succeed so that they can blame their US political enemies as opposed to good things happening in the world. Probably always been the case, but more obvious today.
Ukraine was an officially recognized sovereign nation by Russia. Its the 2nd largest nation in Europe by area with several NATO nations on the border. This can get out of hand. Ukrainian refugees will begin to populate cities, towns, and villages in bordering NATO nations. Its already happening. If Russia is able to occupy Ukraine a resistance will develop. It will develop and work in and out of these nations borders. Smuggling arms across those borders to send Russian occupiers home in body bags.
Policy and a defense treaty are two different things. We do not even officially recognize Taiwan as a independent sovereign nation. China has always asserted its part of China. The US handsomely provides arms for Taiwan but is under no official contractual obligation to defend it if attacked. This is why Boris Johnson is running around wanting to expand "NATO" type agreements in Asia.
Justin can ready the China-Taiwan thread.
Ok, I think I'm ready for nuclear war now...
Dear Mister President Vladimir Putin… pic.twitter.com/LbDFBHVWJf
— AnnaLynne McCord (@IAMannalynnemcc) February 24, 2022