Ukraine Protests

[Grand Vol]

Watched the Brett Baier segment on Fox with usual round table. They were asked what can be done at this point to contain Putin. There was a very interesting discussion that followed where for 15 minutes everyone on the panel talked about this was Obama's fault because he is weak and stuff like Syria.

I had not heard that claim before.

Oh wait, that's right, that's all they've been saying on Fox for weeks. Oh, and no one answered the question.

Well, they are correct you know...

ETA: I think you watch more Fox News than I do.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Give it up. Your original post was about this absurd idea that France, Germany and Russia were going to team up to be this incredible alliance that was going to counter the US on the world stage. Now of course you are grasping at straws after being told how absurd that idea was and would never happen since the Germans and Russians do NOT like each other enough to enter into some pact like this. You completely ignore the historical animosity of those two people.

Trade relations are one thing as it's been going on even when the Russians were staring down tank barrels at the Fulda Gap at the West Germans. German citizen acceptance of the Russian annexation of the Crimea is something else, yet again entirely unrelated to an alliance.

What point are you going to try to link in next? The fact that Mercedes cars are popular in Russia, hence they will be in an alliance soon?

Just one point to clarify, I don't think France is in the mix. China, Germany and Russia are who I am mainly focusing on. Lets get that clear first.

Again, time is on my side and things are developing. Get your laughs in now and savor the moments while you still can, though.

 

[FLVOL69]

Watched the Brett Baier segment on Fox with usual round table. They were asked what can be done at this point to contain Putin. There was a very interesting discussion that followed where for 15 minutes everyone on the panel talked about this was Obama's fault because he is weak and stuff like Syria.

I had not heard that claim before.


























Oh wait, that's right, that's all they've been saying on Fox for weeks. Oh, and no one answered the question.

Perception is reality, your boy is weak .

 

[Obsessed]

I don't think anyone but Putin knows the end game here. Options range from a new Soviet style Russian empire to he stops in the Crimea and we never hear another peep.

Seriously doubt that second one though lol

To me and what I think? It's about buffer zones. With NATO expanding towards Russia and her borders (even on it in some places) I think Putin wants a little more of a buffer before NATO has moved entirely on all borders. And if that means the Eastern Ukraine, keeping Belarus in his hip pocket and the Crimea, that's his end game. Georgia is a wild card here, but I'm not sure if the remainder of NATO would allow them in being that they have few, if any, historical ties to Europe and with the South Ossetia war so fresh in everyone's memories. That could change though.

And the USA?

 

[allvol123]

Perception is reality, your boy is weak .

He is a weak boy, no doubt there.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

I don't think anyone but Putin knows the end game here. Options range from a new Soviet style Russian empire to he stops in the Crimea and we never hear another peep.

Seriously doubt that second one though lol

To me and what I think? It's about buffer zones. With NATO expanding towards Russia and her borders (even on it in some places) I think Putin wants a little more of a buffer before NATO has moved entirely on all borders. And if that means the Eastern Ukraine, keeping Belarus in his hip pocket and the Crimea, that's his end game. Georgia is a wild card here, but I'm not sure if the remainder of NATO would allow them in being that they have few, if any, historical ties to Europe and with the South Ossetia war so fresh in everyone's memories. That could change though.

This is exactly what I have been saying... Ukraine is right in Putin's backyard. What other reaction did the US expect from him by causing chaos in a neighboring country with long historical ties to it?

 

[Grand Vol]

And the USA?

We give Texas and California back to the Mexicans, Florida back to the Spanish, Alaska to the Russians and the British suddenly start walking down 5th Avenue in a victory parade. I'd say the we'd offer the French New Orleans back, but I figure they wouldn't want any part of that mess either.

Hard to tell what our reactions would be. I certainly won't say actions since we haven't been very proactive in many world affairs as of late. I do think an unchecked Putin will become a predominate leader in the world stage, more so than he is already. The problem lies in the balance of our reactions. Too soft (as we've seen in the Crimea) and the world rolls their eyes. Too hard up front and it gives the Russians more of a reason to play hardball.

Again, I go back to the Benghazi situation. The world was watching how we would react. Instead of going in and killing people and breaking their toys like many nations would have done, we squabbled, misled, omitted, tossed aside and covered up what happened. And had a seriously weak response to the whole situation.

(yes LG, you can scoff and roll your eyes here)

And one of those countries was Russia. They saw how weak we were in the response and made predictions on our actions in the future. And went into the Crimea in a way they knew we couldn't respond with outside of military action which our public would probably be against.

So the US after three more years? I don't even want to wager a guess.

 

[Grand Vol]

Just one point to clarify, I don't think France is in the mix. China, Germany and Russia are who I am mainly focusing on. Lets get that clear first.

Again, time is on my side and things are developing. Get your laughs in now and savor the moments while you still can, though.

Here's the original post:

I read this with considerable incredulity, but still makes you think:

The geopolitics of Ukraine's schism | Al Jazeera America

Which has this idiot from Al Jezeera talking about some Tom Clancy-esque French-German-Russian alliance that counters the US on the world stage. Then you pop in with this:

Now that is where I disagree. Germany could very easily cooperate with Russia. But I don't see China breaking away from Russia to unite with the US and Japan. The US and Japan will just be allowed to waste away as their economies implode.

Which is even more nonsense and now try to back up your claims about gas imports and the German people accepting the Russian annexation of the Crimea. Acceptance does not mean they like it. I accept the fact I will never have Bar Refaeli alone in a hot tub wanting to do naughty things to me, doesn't mean I like it.

And this idea that Russia and China are going to team up now and take over the world? Really? If China wants to destroy us, they do not need the Russians help in doing it. Economically they could destroy us if they wanted which in turn destroys us as a world and military power.

Just stop...

 

[Burhead]

I can't understand how Moscow & Berlin could co-exist in a new alliance but political winds do change frequently. With the Russian people so nationalistic & patriotic I don't think they've forgotten the Second World War so easily.

 

[volinbham]

Watched the Brett Baier segment on Fox with usual round table. They were asked what can be done at this point to contain Putin. There was a very interesting discussion that followed where for 15 minutes everyone on the panel talked about this was Obama's fault because he is weak and stuff like Syria.

I had not heard that claim before.

Oh wait, that's right, that's all they've been saying on Fox for weeks. Oh, and no one answered the question.

Watched it too and you are overstating that they said it was Obama's fault. You left out that they said Bush misread Putin too. Finally, you missed the real point that because our FP has resulted in depending on Putin for help in Syria and Iran that we've hamstrung ourselves and that our sanctions are too small (an opinion).

But sure, go ahead and twist what you heard to make your daily shot at Fox and your hourly defense of Obama.

 

[volprof]

I can't understand how Moscow & Berlin could co-exist in a new alliance but political winds do change frequently. With the Russian people so nationalistic & patriotic I don't think they've forgotten the Second World War so easily.

From what I've gathered, there's more Bammer in Russians than there is in Bammers. So, no, they haven't forgotten about it, nor will they.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Here's the original post:



Which has this idiot from Al Jezeera talking about some Tom Clancy-esque French-German-Russian alliance that counters the US on the world stage. Then you pop in with this:



Which is even more nonsense and now try to back up your claims about gas imports and the German people accepting the Russian annexation of the Crimea. Acceptance does not mean they like it. I accept the fact I will never have Bar Refaeli alone in a hot tub wanting to do naughty things to me, doesn't mean I like it.

And this idea that Russia and China are going to team up now and take over the world? Really? If China wants to destroy us, they do not need the Russians help in doing it. Economically they could destroy us if they wanted which in turn destroys us as a world and military power.

Just stop...

Ignorance is bliss. But keep laughing. Meanwhile, I will be watching the US alienate more countries along the way and we will see in about 3-4 years where all of this ends up.

 

[Grand Vol]

From what I've gathered, there's more Bammer in Russians than there is in Bammers. So, no, they haven't forgotten about it, nor will they.

Actually, I'd use the Texas Longhorns analogy. Even when they suck, like suck huge, there is still a pride there about how great they (think they) are. And remind you incessantly how great their record is and exactly the last time they beat you.

 

[volinbham]

From what I've gathered, there's more Bammer in Russians than there is in Bammers. So, no, they haven't forgotten about it, nor will they.

I know the Bammers, I work with the Bammers. The Russians are no Bammers

(to paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen)

 

[volprof]

Ignorance is bliss. But keep laughing. Meanwhile, I will be watching the US alienate more countries along the way and we will see in about 3-4 years where all of this ends up.

I don't know about the next 3-4 years, but in the next 10-20, Russia will be a dirthole. And not because of a war, but because of implosion.

 

[Grand Vol]

Ignorance is bliss.

So is fantasy which is the world you live in.

But keep laughing. Meanwhile, I will be watching the US alienate more countries along the way and we will see in about 3-4 years where all of this ends up.

Reasonably certain we aren't going to see a Sino-Russian Pact that takes over the world.

 

[Grand Vol]

I don't know about the next 3-4 years, but in the next 10-20, Russia will be a dirthole. And not because of a war, but because of implosion.

Same could be said of us.

 

[marcusluvsvols]

Ignorance is bliss. But keep laughing. Meanwhile, I will be watching the US alienate more countries along the way and we will see in about 3-4 years where all of this ends up.

Dude are you just hoping and praying for the destruction of the US? Why don't you just pack your bags and GTFO? America...love it or leave it. There's a difference between disagreeing with the policy and actions of our leaders and rooting for our enemies to prevail against the greatest country on earth. If you don't love America then don't let the door hit you in the azz on the way out. I have defended you more than oncein your crusade against women as you have some valid points. But don't sit over there at your keyboard grinning from ear to ear at the prospect of the country we love imploding and think you have a singe friend on this site. As much as people around here ***** we are all Americans first and foremost. If you're against the USA then you're no friend of mine.

 

[volprof]

Actually, I'd use the Texas Longhorns analogy. Even when they suck, like suck huge, there is still a pride there about how great they (think they) are. And remind you incessantly how great their record is and exactly the last time they beat you.

Okay, let's just say Russians are like any *******s that don't like UT.

 

[volprof]

Same could be said of us.

If this is an Obama commentary, you all give him far too much credit. He's not that much of a mastermind.

 

[Grand Vol]

If this is an Obama commentary, you all give him far too much credit. He's not that much of a mastermind.

No, that's actually an apolitical post for a change.

Surprising, isn't it?

Although I'll pull an LG and put in at least one swipe like he does at the GOP

"Obama certainly isn't helping a whole lot..."

 

[Grand Vol]

Okay, let's just say Russians are like any *******s that don't like UT.

Longhorn fans don't hate us. They are just jelly that we have the original UT and a way nicer shade of orange.

Unoriginal and trademark stealing ****s that they are.

 

[volprof]

Longhorn fans don't hate us. They are just jelly that we have the original UT and a way nicer shade of orange.

Unoriginal and trademark stealing ****s that they are.

They are a bunch of *****es, aren't they. And our orange is much better. Burnt orange is for the fastidious. Big orange is for the people.

 

[volprof]

No, that's actually an apolitical post for a change.

Surprising, isn't it?

Although I'll pull an LG and put in at least one swipe like he does at the GOP

"Obama certainly isn't helping a whole lot..."

Okay, my apologies. Yes, you're right that Obama isn't helping. I agree that he has contributed to a culture of political gridlock, to say the least. But parties have done so but, nonetheless, Obama is our chief executive, so he needs to play the part of a leader and make smart concessions. And stop violating the Constitution, although one could probably make a convincing case that just about every president has violated that document at some point.

Anyhow, I still think we'll be okay in the near term, even despite our debt. (And by "near term," I mean the next 15-20 years or so.) We're kind of like the big investment banks back in 08 and 09. We're too big to fail, at least at the moment. That won't last forever though, so hopefully our next few leaders can get things under control, and hopefully our next few congresses can actually agree on some things.

 

[Grand Vol]

Okay, my apologies. Yes, you're right that Obama isn't helping. I agree that he has contributed to a culture of political gridlock, to say the least. But parties have done so but, nonetheless, Obama is our chief executive, so he needs to play the part of a leader and make smart concessions. And stop violating the Constitution, although one could probably make a convincing case that just about every president has violated that document at some point.

Anyhow, I still think we'll be okay in the near term, even despite our debt. (And by "near term," I mean the next 15-20 years or so.) We're kind of like the big investment banks back in 08 and 09. We're too big to fail, at least at the moment. That won't last forever though, so hopefully our next few leaders can get things under control, and hopefully our next few congresses can actually agree on some things.

There is no such thing as "too big to fail."