Ukraine related: Was Ukraine Government Is Handing Out Guns To Citizens, What Happened to Gun Control?

[tigerwillow1]

Should we have let Bin-Laden live free??

Our government lies to us. The press lies to us. The judiciary branch is corrupted. Congress is corrupted. Not wanting to answer things where I don't know the facts, I have to pass on the question. If what's good and bad is determined by its effect on the economy, count me out. One thing I'm pretty sure of, it there was a true ranked list of who has most damaged the USA and/or the world, I doubt that Bin Laden would be anywhere near the top, Those near the top are not only live free, but also in luxury.

 

[sebastiantombs]

Wonder how long this guy will still be alive?

On a Russian Talk Show, Retired Colonel Stuns Colleagues by Saying Invasion Isn't Going Well

A military analyst on one of Russian state television’s most popular networks left his fellow panelists in stunned silence Monday when he said that the conflict in Ukraine was deteriorating for Russia, giving the kind of honest assessment that is virtually banished from the official airwaves...

www.yahoo.com

 

[mat200]

Our government lies to us. The press lies to us. The judiciary branch is corrupted. Congress is corrupted. Not wanting to answer things where I don't know the facts, I have to pass on the question. If what's good and bad is determined by its effect on the economy, count me out. One thing I'm pretty sure of, it there was a true ranked list of who has most damaged the USA and/or the world, I doubt that Bin Laden would be anywhere near the top, Those near the top are not only live free, but also in luxury.

Yes, corruption in the system abounds .. yet:

9/11 was a very significant attack and cost .. so even if you see others as costing the USA more, as an attack on USA 9/11 ranks along with Pearl Harbor attack ...

There had to be a response to that attack and it has to be significant.

 

[mat200]

" .. how does it end? .. I don't know how it will end, I certainly do not know when it will end .. conflict could last several months it could last in terms of years .. I do not think there will be a near term political settlement .. how will it wind down .. I see two ways .. one is exhaustion ( where both sides get exhausted ) and they move towards negotiations or a frozen conflict .. the other possibility is military stalemate, where both sides realize there is no military way to break open this conflict to reach your ends therefore it is time to either wind down the conflict or to move towards serious negotiations ( Russians have not been serious so far ) .. "


Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs
Thomas Graham ─ Putin’s Gambit: Why He Chose War and How it Will End

Thomas Graham is a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He is a cofounder of the Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies program at Yale University and sits on its faculty steering committee. He is also a research fellow at the MacMillan Center at Yale. He has been a lecturer in global affairs and political science since 2011, teaching courses on U.S.-Russian relations and Russian foreign policy, as well as cybersecurity and counterterrorism. Graham was special assistant to the president and senior director for Russia on the National Security Council staff from 2004 to 2007, during which he managed a White House-Kremlin strategic dialogue. He was director for Russian affairs on the staff from 2002 to 2004.

 

[Griswalduk]

On a lighter note. It's thirsty work

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-61518209?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=62875c5b4259031cb5a24917%26Small%20Finnish%20brewery%20can%27t%20cope%20with%20demand%20for%20new%20Nato%20beer%262022-05-20T11%3A49%3A56.117Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:a7b81b53-c4da-4620-a66b-dafe3e64ded5&pinned_post_asset_id=62875c5b4259031cb5a24917&pinned_post_type=share

 

[tigerwillow1]

Ruble hit a 4-year high against the dollar today. The press is explaining how it's artificial and the Russian economy is crumbling internally. Maybe they're right, it's just that I can't imagine the big money players throwing their money down the toilet over something they know isn't real. Maybe the only way we'll know the truth is if Krugman says something about it, since he's reliably wrong. He did say something 7 weeks ago:

"So Russia’s defense of the ruble, while impressive, isn’t a sign that the Putin regime is handling economic policy well. It reflects, instead, an odd choice of priorities, and may actually be a further sign of Russia’s policy dysfunction." Ruble has climbed 33% against the dollar since then.

Wonking Out: The Curious Case of the Recovering Ruble

 

[Griswalduk]

The answer to the the curious case of the recovering Russian Ruble is very simple.

1. If you don't believe in the Rubles miraculous recovery stick with the Dollar, Euro, GB pound or your local currency. You have nothing to lose.

2. If you 1/2 believe in the Rubles miraculous recovery then go ahead and invest your savings, pensions even remortgage the house just don't cry if goes wrong.

3 if you 100% fully believe in the Rubles miraculous recovery then invest in the Chinese yen. This is where the movers, shakers and country makers will be speculating

 

[tigerwillow1]

I'm just watching from the sidelines, and take notice when the facts don't match the narrative we're being fed.

 

[N-i-k-s-o-n]

Ruble hit a 4-year high against the dollar today. The press is explaining how it's artificial and the Russian economy is crumbling internally. Maybe they're right, it's just that I can't imagine the big money players throwing their money down the toilet over something they know isn't real. Maybe the only way we'll know the truth is if Krugman says something about it, since he's reliably wrong. He did say something 7 weeks ago:

"So Russia’s defense of the ruble, while impressive, isn’t a sign that the Putin regime is handling economic policy well. It reflects, instead, an odd choice of priorities, and may actually be a further sign of Russia’s policy dysfunction." Ruble has climbed 33% against the dollar since then.

Wonking Out: The Curious Case of the Recovering Ruble

Thank you, I have read this article. You can also read his more recent article:

Opinion | How the West Is Strangling Putin’s Economy (Published 2022)

Russia can export, but it can’t buy what it needs.

www.nytimes.com

I am not a specialist in politics and economics (although I have a higher economic education with honors), I will try to comment.

First of all, his articles are a product for "internal consumption" in the US, filled with victorious reports, although it was hard to expect otherwise.

1. "Russia's military failure in Ukraine has refuted almost all predictions." Is it really a failure? Both the first article and the second list the author's assumptions based on the assumptions of the "analysts", based on the assumptions of the bloggers. For example, that Putin planned to capture Kyiv in 48-72 hours. There were no such statements, and could not be. No matter how you feel about Putin, he took office not because of the politically relevant skin color, gender and sexual orientation, unlike ... and he understands the impossibility of occupying a metropolis at such a time.
There is a steady destruction of Ukrainian forces, and Western captured weapons are replenishing the reserves of the DPR troops. The remnants of the AZOV battalion are surrendering, they are waiting for a court and a military tribunal. True, in the Ukrainian and Western press this is neatly called "they have completed their mission." Missile strikes are carried out on the places of basing troops and warehouses with weapons coming from abroad.

2. Frankly, in Russia there is a shortage of foreign components for equipment. This provides opportunities for the organization of parallel imports and the development of Russian companies.

3. The author reports a ban on oil imports to the United States (nasty Putin raised prices at American gas stations). Interestingly, imports of fertilizers and titanium from Russia to the USA still continue?

5. "And Europe, in particular, has yet to impose an embargo on Russian oil, let alone do anything substantial to wean itself off dependence on Russian gas." Stupid Europeans for some reason want to live in warmth and are not ready to destroy their industry, although the leaders of their countries speak directly about the need to reduce heat in apartments, abandon cars in favor of bicycles and meat.

And another funny Russian anecdote.

"Vladimir Zelensky became the most influential person of 2022 according to Time magazine.

He influenced the size of the territory of Ukraine. And, by the way, of Russia too. Influenced the prices of gas and oil. On the prices of agricultural products and fertilizers. Influenced the trajectory of air routes in Eurasia. Influenced the rate of inflation in countries around the world.

Strongly influenced the entire next heating season in the Eurozone.

Thanks to him, Ukraine also won Eurovision.

There are no questions for Time, they are right.".

 

[Griswalduk]

It is a cast iron, made from granite and set in stone guarantee that all articles, reports and commentary on the exchange rate (both for and against) involve people who have no rubles or people looking to offload them. Below is a rudimentary flowchart for those interested in real world economics.

Q1. Do i have any rubles? If yes go to A1. If not go to Q2.

Q2. Do i want any rubles. If yes give yourself a shake and go to Q1. If not go to A2.

A1. Get rid of them quick and go back to Q1

A2. You have invested wisely. Live long and prosper.

Repeat as necessary

 

[N-i-k-s-o-n]

It is a cast iron, made from granite and set in stone guarantee that all articles, reports and commentary on the exchange rate (both for and against) involve people who have no rubles or people looking to offload them. Below is a rudimentary flowchart for those interested in real world economics.

Q1. Do i have any rubles? If yes go to A1. If not go to Q2.

Q2. Do i want any rubles. If yes give yourself a shake and go to Q1. If not go to A2.

A1. Get rid of them quick and go back to Q1

A2. You have invested wisely. Live long and prosper.

Repeat as necessary

I'm 39 years old.
When I was in elementary school, perestroika began in the USSR. There were food problems in the country. And I remember how at school they gave us humanitarian aid from the United States - packs of powdered milk and large cans of beef stew.
I was born and raised in Moscow in an ordinary family, and did not see serious poverty. But my wife grew up in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny - this city was created for the employees of the KAMAZ truck plant. And her parents were either not paid money at all, or they were given coupons instead of money, which could be exchanged for products at an unfavorable rate.
I also remember the first time I went to the supermarket in the mid-1990s and saw European and American products in bright and beautiful packaging.
Then there were the first and second Chechen wars, defaults and many other events, factories were closed. And it was absolutely impossible to imagine that Russia could step in and withstand such sanctions as they are now.
Perhaps your joke will sound completely different after a while.

 

[mat200]

I'm 39 years old.
When I was in elementary school, perestroika began in the USSR. There were food problems in the country. And I remember how at school they gave us humanitarian aid from the United States - packs of powdered milk and large cans of beef stew.
I was born and raised in Moscow in an ordinary family, and did not see serious poverty. But my wife grew up in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny - this city was created for the employees of the KAMAZ truck plant. And her parents were either not paid money at all, or they were given coupons instead of money, which could be exchanged for products at an unfavorable rate.
I also remember the first time I went to the supermarket in the mid-1990s and saw European and American products in bright and beautiful packaging.
Then there were the first and second Chechen wars, defaults and many other events, factories were closed. And it was absolutely impossible to imagine that Russia could step in and withstand such sanctions as they are now.
Perhaps your joke will sound completely different after a while.

@N-i-k-s-o-n

This war did not need to happen, Ukraine was not going to attack Russia, NATO was not going to attack Russia.

NATO has too many nations in it to get a consensus in normal times .. it took Putin's attack on Ukraine to have NATO members agree ..

unfortunately, I see a lot in Russia getting exciting about this war .. it is not going to end well for Russia .. nor Ukraine .. nor most European countries .. nor Turkey, .. nor any country which imports food and oil ..

From pure economics point of view, Russia could have kept the situation prior to Feb invasion and the situation would be much better, could have made a lot of good money selling food, oil, and commodities to EU ... now many in EU do not trust Russia at all .. not good for Russians.

 

[Griswalduk]

I'm 39 years old.
When I was in elementary school, perestroika began in the USSR. There were food problems in the country. And I remember how at school they gave us humanitarian aid from the United States - packs of powdered milk and large cans of beef stew.
I was born and raised in Moscow in an ordinary family, and did not see serious poverty. But my wife grew up in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny - this city was created for the employees of the KAMAZ truck plant. And her parents were either not paid money at all, or they were given coupons instead of money, which could be exchanged for products at an unfavorable rate.
I also remember the first time I went to the supermarket in the mid-1990s and saw European and American products in bright and beautiful packaging.
Then there were the first and second Chechen wars, defaults and many other events, factories were closed. And it was absolutely impossible to imagine that Russia could step in and withstand such sanctions as they are now.
Perhaps your joke will sound completely different after a while.

There will be no withstanding and there will be no victories. In all wars previous, now or in future there will only be losers. It's a case of who is going to loose the most.

See link below from 1 off my previous posts. If it's not taught in your locality it should be

So as you put it perhaps your joke will sound completely different after a while.

 

[mat200]

Thank you, I have read this article. You can also read his more recent article:

Opinion | How the West Is Strangling Putin’s Economy (Published 2022)

Russia can export, but it can’t buy what it needs.

www.nytimes.com

I am not a specialist in politics and economics (although I have a higher economic education with honors), I will try to comment.

First of all, his articles are a product for "internal consumption" in the US, filled with victorious reports, although it was hard to expect otherwise.

1. "Russia's military failure in Ukraine has refuted almost all predictions." Is it really a failure? Both the first article and the second list the author's assumptions based on the assumptions of the "analysts", based on the assumptions of the bloggers. For example, that Putin planned to capture Kyiv in 48-72 hours. There were no such statements, and could not be. No matter how you feel about Putin, he took office not because of the politically relevant skin color, gender and sexual orientation, unlike ... and he understands the impossibility of occupying a metropolis at such a time.
There is a steady destruction of Ukrainian forces, and Western captured weapons are replenishing the reserves of the DPR troops. The remnants of the AZOV battalion are surrendering, they are waiting for a court and a military tribunal. True, in the Ukrainian and Western press this is neatly called "they have completed their mission." Missile strikes are carried out on the places of basing troops and warehouses with weapons coming from abroad.

2. Frankly, in Russia there is a shortage of foreign components for equipment. This provides opportunities for the organization of parallel imports and the development of Russian companies.

3. The author reports a ban on oil imports to the United States (nasty Putin raised prices at American gas stations). Interestingly, imports of fertilizers and titanium from Russia to the USA still continue?

5. "And Europe, in particular, has yet to impose an embargo on Russian oil, let alone do anything substantial to wean itself off dependence on Russian gas." Stupid Europeans for some reason want to live in warmth and are not ready to destroy their industry, although the leaders of their countries speak directly about the need to reduce heat in apartments, abandon cars in favor of bicycles and meat.

And another funny Russian anecdote.

"Vladimir Zelensky became the most influential person of 2022 according to Time magazine.

He influenced the size of the territory of Ukraine. And, by the way, of Russia too. Influenced the prices of gas and oil. On the prices of agricultural products and fertilizers. Influenced the trajectory of air routes in Eurasia. Influenced the rate of inflation in countries around the world.

Strongly influenced the entire next heating season in the Eurozone.

Thanks to him, Ukraine also won Eurovision.

There are no questions for Time, they are right.".

A few facts:
1) "The remnants of the AZOV battalion are surrendering, .. "

There is AZOV battalion elements which are on the front line and not in Mariupol

There were other non-AZOV elements in Mariupol - most of these groups are represented in surrendered Ukrainian troops.

2) "Vladimir Zelensky became the most influential person of 2022 according to Time magazine.

Well, Putin did give Zelensky an opportunity to become a hero .. as well as give AZOV battalion hero medals .. Hero of the Ukraine

SO, perhaps like Time Magazine covers of the past we should put Putin on the cover?





hmmmm .. I guess they did ..

 

[tigerwillow1]

Ruble Hits 5-Year High as Gas Buyers Bend to Putin’s Will
I'm not planning to be a jerk and post this every day. I'm just highly intrigued by what looks like the law of unintended consequences striking again. The 5-year high is against the euro, although the ruble did go up against the dollar again today. Against the dollar, it is now close to 3x more valuable than at its low point after the sanctions were announced. Comparing Europe with Russia, it sure looks like our highly intelligent leaders threw out the baby with the bathwater, as that saying goes.

" The Russian currency is the best performer globally this year. "

 

[SJGUSMC21]

Fact: Putin invaded a sovereign nation.
I will refer you to the picture of Hitler, and when you look at it, remember his land grab. Hitler did it quickly and IMO, foolishly and with greed. Not Putin, his is being done in a slow, methodical way that can take years. Putin is taking his time....reclaiming what he believes was the great Soviet Union.
Maybe in his mind, he is reestablishing that NATO buffer zone to the Mother land. I don't know, I do not think like a mad man.
Bottom line. How many woman, children, uncles, fathers, mothers and FAMILIES have died needlessly because of his brutality? Putin is a damn war criminal.

The past glorious USSR:

 

[Bowman]

I think..... If this was a war between Canada and the USA. You might just appreciate the situation much better than perceptions posted here.

This is a bad conflict. There's nothing slightly funny about it at all.

On a good day I can see the mountains near the border. They are just 775km away.
I know of people in Chernabyl. Like I said. If it was closer, you would understand. Thank you.

 

[Griswalduk]

I think we all understand the universal language of death and destruction no matter where it is.

 

[Oceanslider]

 

[SJGUSMC21]

^^Can't lie, I've done worse.

Cannes Film Festival: Topless protester disrupts ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing’ red carpet premiere

A woman who stripped off her clothes to reveal a message written on her body has crashed the Cannes Film Festival red carpet premiere of George Miller’s “Three Thousand Years of Longing.”

www.foxnews.com