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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, February 28, 2022

What's Your Take on Putin's Invasion of Ukraine?

I am sure was the case with many of you, I spent most of the weekend reading and watching as much about the Ukraine invasion as I could. I was unimpressed by American accounts that invariably faded into one side or the other of the Trump-Biden culture war. What impressed me most were European and Indian news accounts from WION, France 24 and DW News, all of which were streaming on YouTube.  Most of the world (with some notable exceptions) have united in condemning Putin's belligerence. Ironically, his use of force has united Europe and America in ways no one would have thought possible.

Germany has reversed its long-standing revulsion at defense spending. It will now be spending 2% of its GDP on the military, something Trump urged them to do during his time in office. France has actually seized a cargo ship bound for Russia, and nearly all of Europe is denying Russia the use of its airspace. 

At the same time, Putin has managed to lionize Volodymyr Zelensky, an erstwhile comedian who has rallied his countrymen (and much of the world) in resistance to authoritarian rule. Even as the Russian military made its way to Kyiv, he has resolutely refused to flee. 

Putin had predicted that his soldiers would be greeted by Ukranians with flowers. Instead, it's been Molotov cocktails. One resident actually knelt in front of an approaching Russian tank. 

As of Sunday afternoon,it appears that Russian forced have yet to occupy a single large city in a country whose defense is considerably weaker. Inexplicably, Putin has placed his country on nuclear alert even though Ukraine possesses no nuclear weapons. He also called Ukranians Nazis, even though Zelensky is Jewish. 

I acknowledge I am no expert on international affairs. but it seems to me that OPutin has blundered badly and has diminished himself in the eyes of the world. What is your take? 

64 comments:

Anonymous said...

Putin has indeed over-reached on this one. In some ways it might make him more dangerous because his out-size ego will not permit this humiliation. He will also see his leadership at home diminished which he cannot tolerate. Let's hope for everyone's sake that he can figure out some way to back off gracefully or this will get much worse.

Anonymous said...

Somebody better knock him out for good--everybody on this this earth will be much better off--do it before he starts word war 3 and destroys everybody.

Anonymous said...

Putin's misjudging of invading Ukraine is as bad as Biden's misjudging the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Both didn't realize the ferocity of the opposing forces. With the amount of weapons aid now pouring into Ukraine from NATO countries, sanctions imposed by the the U.S., EU, and others, the fact that Putin's seeing open anti-war demonstrations in his own country in defiance of Russian law, and the quick victory Putin hoped for isn't being achieved, Putin made a huge blunder. This could be a long and protracted war.
Putin has put himself in a quagmire of problems abroad and at home. Ukraine isn't Hungary of 1956, and other than Trump and a few of his pro-Russia supporters in our own government, he is a pariah on the world stage.

peterjcochran said...

Well , now COMRADE Putin Has to attempt to save face. Yesterday about this time Ukrainian forces grilled 70 Chechnya Elite Guards Km NW. of Kiev in their vehicles. I mean they were roasted. Survivors turned around and went back across the border. As of three days ago 103 Russian tanks distorted of the 397 the claim were serviceable ,his supply chain is slower than expected, His artillery is strongest asset. The Russians have lost several high cost attacking aircraft and at least two large transports. I figure he has lost 3,500 people so far. Russians are a world power against people in a defensive posture of lesser capacity. that have guts and determination. Putin committed almost all of his assets to this campaign and with dismissal results. If this former Sitcom comic Ukrainian President survives this ,I mean personally doesn’t get killed off , he will be a respected and honored world leader that we haven’t seen phrases maybe in our lifetime.

Anonymous said...

I’m not able to truly understand what’s going on over there. Can’t see how anyone else in America can be either. Propaganda runs heavily in our American news outlets. Our own Morning Call is full of distortion and censorship of matters dealing with this conflict.

For me, there is clear evidence Ukraine has been used as a puppet nation by key American political players. My goodness, the manipulation of that nation to enrich people affiliated with Obama/Clinton/Biden operatives has been fully demonstrated. Same for several Republican grifters in Congress right now. Ukraine has a long history of corruption and our own government took advantage.

Putin did overplay his hand, though. His original plan to control just two Ukraine regions where people are very favorable to Russia and primarily speak Russian, to recognize them as independent governments outside of Ukraine, really WAS a clever (or genius) strategy. That move was certainly palatable and was actually met by celebration and dancing in the streets there.

For some reason, Putin pushed further into Ukraine. That was a mistake. HOWEVER, he has done so gingerly. Apparently, not wanting to destroy the Ukraine people, nor too heavily decimate its infrastructure. Notice the electric power is still on in Ukraine cities. Not something that I would expect. The Russian and Ukrainian governments will even be sitting down for talks today.

To summarize, I believe America has dirty hands in all of this, too. This is the perspective I bring when following along.

Anonymous said...

Agreed.
And can you imagine what would have happened in Ukraine if Trump was re-elected?
Germany woke up. Didn't listen to orange man. Now, funny, 2% GDP. Hmm?

Anonymous said...

I'll try to put down a few "quick takes", vs. a long post:

It's funny what a dose of reality can do. The Germans are waking up to the very real possibility that the Ukraine conflict could spill over to some of the NATO countries and require them to help defend those countries (or themselves). The Germans are unpleasantly realizing that the German Army isn't ready to fight, and they can't properly equip a division (20,000 soldiers) of infantry, or even just a single brigade (3,000-5,000 soldiers).

I admire the fact that Zelensky is staying in the country. I haven't necessarily been a fan of his government, but had he left it wouldn't have been a good sign to those left behind trying to fight off the Russians. I believe the person who Zelensky replaced is also staying in country and fighting.

While we're talking about Zelensky staying to fight, the fact that Biden took the weekend to rest back in Delaware doesn't look good. Yes, I'm sure he was kept updated, blah, blah, blah, but it's not good optics for him to be spending the weekend at the beach.

I certainly don't think that the US should commit US troops to the Ukraine, and Biden is right to keep us out of it in that regard. However, the sanctions so far have been weak, uneven, and many are easy for the Russians to get around. Also, many of the sanctions should have been put in place earlier, and there's no excuse that increased military aid (in the form of arms) is just coming now. One can only hope the aid actually makes a difference by the time it gets there.

The best way to hurt Putin is to increase our domestic oil production to drop the price of oil. Yet Biden and the democrats either don't realize this or care enough to do it. They're wrong.

Did Putin miscalculate? I'm not sure if that's actually the case, but I can hope so. Still, should Russian assassins take out Zelensky, Putin would be able to install a pro-Russian puppet leader and win the day. That puppet government would certainly lack standing in the world community and no doubt the Ukranians would continue to fight, but it would go a long way towards giving Putin the outcome he wants. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

Anonymous said...

I found it very useful to look at foreign alignments. While it's true that the condemnation is near universal, these foreign viewpoints hint at the geopolitical implications.

https://www.indiatvnews.com/opinion/news/russia-ukraine-war-crisis-where-do-middle-eastern-countries-stand-syria-israel-saudi-arabia-turkey-nato-2022-02-25-761563

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/25/where-do-russias-allies-stand-as-western-powers-slam-moscow

Interesting that most of the apologists are old-fashioned leftists/socialists, although Israel and Saudi Arabia have some complicated strategic issues to juggle.

Anonymous said...

It's too late for him to turn back. He'll still take Ukraine amid a lot more casualties than he envisioned. And then the new Cold War starts. This is an information war and Russia is losing it badly. That doesn't mean they can't bulldoze Ukraine and simply accept the condemnation. The new Soviet Union will be surrounded by a renewed NATO, enlarged by Russia's border countries. Europe will again be forced to choose. Germans sending stingers to Ukraine is a very positive development.

It's heartening that Putin's claims that the Jewish comedian Zelensky is a neo-nazi are not being taken seriously by anyone, least of all Russians who have cousins in, and regularly traveled to, peaceful and prosperous Ukraine. It's also sad that citizens are having to scramble for weapons and training. Never give up your weapons. As ugly and uncomfortable as it is, this is why our 2A has nothing to do with hunting and target shooting. Just as 1A doesn't exist to protect "Hi. Have a nice day," neither does 2A exist to protect whitetail deer season. Uncomfortable truths of America.

Anonymous said...

Now that Russian soldiers are illegally in the Ukraine, how long will it take progressive democrats to demand that they have the right to vote in Ukrainian elections?

Anonymous said...

I like Stoli. A lot. I understand and support the PALCB no longer buying it. But pulling that from the shelves which was already bought by taxpayers is fiscally irresponsible. I'm willing to accept commie vodka at cost in an effort to stand for freedom and save taxpayers from a substantial loss. Also looking for alternative recommendations. Anyone recommending Tito's will not be taken seriously. TIA

Anonymous said...

Why are we not energy dependent? We send our money to Russia to purchase its oil, which helps support its ability to wage war and we send money to defeat Russia's aggression. Bah! These climate control solar/wind energy fools will be the death of us yet! Those who believe everyone will always play nice in the sandbox are nuts!

Anonymous said...

Why are we not energy dependent? We send our money to Russia to purchase its oil, which helps support its ability to wage war and we send money to defeat Russia's aggression. Bah! These climate control solar/wind energy fools will be the death of us yet! Those who believe everyone will always play nice in the sandbox are nuts!

Anonymous said...

Invading a country the size of Texas, with a population of California, with a brittle, under trained, and low morale force is never a great idea. Believing your own propaganda that your forces would be welcomed is/was delusional.

Russia obviously has the larger force and barring some dramatic turnaround in the next 2-3 days will eventually overtake, Kiev. The next step is holding it for what appears to be a long time with a well funded insurgency constantly chipping away at it making an already unpopular war at home even more unbearable.

Putin has shit his own bed with this gamble and sadly many Americans are going to be forced to roll around in it - namely Tucker Carlson, who has been exposed as a treasonous piece of shit.

Anonymous said...

VLAD: I'm annexing Ukraine.
US: Don't you dare. But we'll keep buying your oil at its new inflated price.
VLAD: Still taking Ukraine. I have sonic, subsonic, and nuclear weapons that I'll use.
US: Don't you dare. We're not going to buy your vodka. We'll still buy your oil.
VLAD: ???

Anonymous said...

I think Putin read the United States' reaction correctly in that he was not concerned about us at all. He completely misread the Ukranian citizens, and inadvertently forced Germany to announce its rearmament which will change things in Europe.

He made a significant mistake.

Anonymous said...

"P" has started on a course which is further backing himself into the corner with each kilometer of Ukraine that his soldiers travel. I believe that he started this to garner concessions from Ukraine and other European countries His countries economy is built largely on oil and the income thereof. With the push for decreased fossil fuel usage his countries long term economic viability is in jeopardy. Just ask any Russian in this country who still has family back in mother Russia and they regularly send money and goods back to them much like many others do to third world nations.

Combined with this you have the desperation level which a dictator gets to when losing the strangle grip on his world. In recent Years "P" has had his control threatened by numerous upstarts contending for the leadership of Russia. He has summarily neutralized those individuals. But the challenges continue to come.

On the world stage he has been grasping at whoever he can manipulate or garner favor from. He has especially targeted those from historic enemies trying to prove he has the ability to destroy enemies from within. HIs speeches over the past 5 or so years have eluded to manipulation and lap dog approach he has garnered from certain other world leaders. He utilizes technology to manipulate, money to buy off and flattery to infatuate those easily influenceable.

So in the end he is looking for a last ditch to maintain his strangle hold. He feels threatened. He feels like he is losing control. He shows signs that he feels has not achieved anything lasting in his lifetime. He has so much money it means nothing to him.
He needs adulation, idolization, and pure power. He feels endangered not for the country but for himself personally. He is not different then many people who get to a point in their life when they question everything they have done with their life, are unsure of their future, and want to re-grasp what they thought they had wanted all along. He just has the power, money, and control to manipulate or orders others to assist him in tryin to re-achieve his self perceived actuation.

Anonymous said...

I find it almost surreal following various Twitter feeds from Ukraine seeing ordinary citizens going about their day and having various interactions with Russian soldiers. In one case a Russian tank ran out of gas and a Ukrainian driver happened to be going by and asked them if they wanted a ride back to Russia. There have been other cases like this too with ordinary citizens have interactions with Russian soldiers. It’s odd. It’s also very odd having this war live streamed on YouTube and other platforms.

Anonymous said...

Putin has officially stolen part of Ukraine and has now moved his military into that stolen land to ‘protect it’.

Anonymous said...

I have also tried to expend my reading to foreign sources to balance my understanding. Interestingly in my following of social media I am observing a significant number of people I know who are Trump supporters and routine followers of Fox News posting highly critical opinions of Putin and the Russian invasion and also posts strongly supporting the brave resistance of the Ukrainian people. Many of these posts included some sort of reference to the fact that it their belief that Putin himself has "gone off the rails". Many of these Trump supporters are also mentioning a degree of shock and disgust that Putin is making threats involving the possible use of nuclear weapons. Based on my observations of social media I believe Putin himself may be uniting the anti- Putin/invasion opinions of many Americans who currently agree on little else.

Anonymous said...

You are correct Bernie that foreign news is doing an excellent job of explaining this, way better than American media. Here's a great video that breaks this down as well ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If61baWF4GE ) and it lacks the tribalism that points a finger of blame at the orange menace or the word salad. WION did an exceptional breakdown, this is a historical conflict that exceeds the memory of the average American most concerned with their team being the dominant party of control which is accomplished by wholly diminishing the opposing team.

Bernie O'Hare said...

“ Somebody better knock him out for good--everybody on this this earth will be much better off--do it before he starts word war 3 and destroys everybody.”

Although I consider Putin a murderer and a thug, I oppose sending out ninjas. He should be tried in an international court.

Anonymous said...

I get the sense that Putin's days are numbered in Russia as a result of this horrible miscalculation.

As a leader of an autocracy/kleptocracy all is good as long as the status quo is maintained. Unfortunately, greed never recognizes its limits. The country is economically top heavy, and the unhappiness of its citizens soon to be under the stress of worthless currency and inflation rates already in the 20% range is going to reach a boiling point.

Either a regular "Ivan Six Pack" a la Lech Walesa will emerge to lead a revolution, or more likely, one or more of the previously loyal oligarchs that have supported Putin, will see an opening and make his move to secure power for himself.

The question is how bad and how far the fallout will be for those who aided and abetted Putin...

Anonymous said...

Anon 4:38 said: "Putin has put himself in a quagmire of problems abroad and at home. Ukraine isn't Hungary of 1956, and other than Trump and a few of his pro-Russia supporters in our own government, he is a pariah on the world stage."

Anon 9:04 said: "Many of these Trump supporters are also mentioning a degree of shock and disgust that Putin is making threats involving the possible use of nuclear weapons. Based on my observations of social media I believe Putin himself may be uniting the anti- Putin/invasion opinions of many Americans who currently agree on little else."


Trump was talking about the dangers of Putin/Russia years ago, as well as the need for NATO countries to increase their defense contributions and cut their reliance on Russian oil. He sanctioned the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia back in 2019. Biden removed those sanctions as soon as he took office, only reinstating them when the Ukraine conflict began.

So Trump and his supporters have long been against Putin and aware of the dangers he and his government in Russia pose to the world. Had you not been so caught up in a phony Russia collusion narrative put out by the democrats in 2016, you would be aware of that.

That said, glad to have you on board. Now let's push to stop importing oil from Russia and Iran (which Biden has quietly been doing) and get our own oil production up to where it was before Biden and his democrat minions cut it off. That will hurt Putin more than anything Biden has done to date.

Anonymous said...

International court--you laeyers suck.

Anonymous said...

I miss the days when the CIA had teeth and took care of these things before escalation.

Anonymous said...

Putin wants to take Russia back to the good old days. Along the lines of "be careful what you wish for," a return to the old days raises the possibility he will be dealt with in the old ways: arrest and summary trial - or summary execution without trial. Then, there is always the old KGB Cold War calling card: getting tossed out a high rise window to make it look like suicide. We can only hope.

Anonymous said...

Anon 4:37 am said: "Somebody better knock him out for good--everybody on this this earth will be much better off--do it before he starts word war 3 and destroys everybody."


Having him knocked out is great, but I can't think of a quicker way to get to WW3 than for the US or its allies to do that.

Even if the Russian people don't agree with Putin, I can't imagine them (or more importantly the Russian military) looking too favorably on having their leader taken out by a foreign government.

I'd also be concerned about who takes over after Putin being assassinated. My guess is they wouldn't be looking to favorably towards the West and might try to retaliate, either in-kind or by escalating to a nuclear strike.

In addition, even without an assassination whoever takes over after Putin might not be an improvement. So there's a lot to consider before taking any extreme action like that.

Right now, our focus should be on applying maximum pressure to get Putin and Russia out of the Ukraine. That means sanctioning Putin's oligarchs personally, cutting off Russian oil to the West and ramping up US production immediately to help take its place.

While I'm happy the Ukrainians have held off the Russians so far, there will certainly be food, water, and other shortages happening across their country that will make it much more difficult to survive, much less fight. They are already on borrowed time, so that also needs to be addressed immediately.

Anonymous said...

I think the idea that Putin "bit off more than he can chew" is premature. We expect Russian propaganda, but the propaganda from the Ukrainian side, and US media, is also kicked into overdrive. When you actually look at the amount of territory captured, Russia is advancing relatively rapidly, given the seem to be going for a "soft" invasion rather than an Iraq-style shock & awe decimation.

The tragedy though is that this war was preventable. Russia, for all it's crimes amd problems, is a world power, and needed to be respected as such. Ukraine could have come to some kind of security agreement with Russia, but instead we kept antagonizing and rattling about a NATO membership. Ukraine could have kept it's sovereignty. Now, the likely outcome is probably going to be a Russian puppet state, and a lot of dead on both sides.

Anonymous said...

That's is true . Hopefully they are using environmentally friendly bombs that are recyclable. With lead free bullets. Lead in drinking water. Just more CRT proof of the oppressor keeping the oppressed down. Maybe just send over Hunter with an 8 ball and let him work it out for the big guy. He's doing a amazing job so far.

Anonymous said...

Bernie you belong on the view

Anonymous said...

Say what you want about CNN… But their war correspondents out in the field have done a top-notch job covering this war. You get great coverage and you get the facts without political commentary or the what it’s.

William Sherman said...

I've just been hearing reports that Belarus will be sending support to the Russians in the Ukraine

Anonymous said...

According to the American Fuel and Manufacturing organization, oil from Russia accounts for about 1% of total crude oil processed by US refineries. The price of a barrel of oil is determined on the international market, not in the US. The whole discussion of Russian Oil in the USA is a ghost argument, irrelevant to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine..

Anonymous said...

I can appreciate that some areas in far eastern Ukraine have many ethnic Russians and pro-Russia sympathies, perhaps there should be some reasonable discussions towards adjusting the border if through referendum etc.. But for a dictator to just organize an army and attack a sovereign nation unprovoked is unacceptable. If the rest of the World stood by and did nothing, my concern would be that Putin goes crazy and starts declaring war on Poland, Finland and others. Finally, I must say that much as Putin comes across as an unstable lunatic, Zelensky has projected a leadership image Americans can embrace; brave, proud and calm yet defiant..."they will see our faces and not our backs" it could have been a slogan from the American Revolution.

Anonymous said...

Putin was not expecting to meet this much resistance. He thought he'd done enough damage to NATO and international relations among western allies during Trump's reign. But, Biden quickly began repairing our relationships with our allies and the world stands united against Russia. This could be a very long, expensive battle for Putin but he'll likely prevail in the end. And the world will be in a second Cold War.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you nuts just read the blog and make ignorant comments. Praise the lord none of you wield any real power. Like predicting the weather, international relations is real hard. Stick to small talk if you cannot spit out the partisan politics hook.

Anonymous said...

Anon 4:38 said: "Putin has put himself in a quagmire of problems abroad and at home. Ukraine isn't Hungary of 1956, and other than Trump and a few of his pro-Russia supporters in our own government, he is a pariah on the world stage."

Anon 9:04 said: "Many of these Trump supporters are also mentioning a degree of shock and disgust that Putin is making threats involving the possible use of nuclear weapons. Based on my observations of social media I believe Putin himself may be uniting the anti- Putin/invasion opinions of many Americans who currently agree on little else."


Trump was talking about the dangers of Putin/Russia years ago, as well as the need for NATO countries to increase their defense contributions and cut their reliance on Russian oil. He sanctioned the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia back in 2019. Biden removed those sanctions as soon as he took office, only reinstating them when the Ukraine conflict began.

So Trump and his supporters have long been against Putin and aware of the dangers he and his government in Russia pose to the world. Had you not been so caught up in a phony Russia collusion narrative put out by the democrats in 2016, you would be aware of that.

That said, glad to have you on board. Now let's push to stop importing oil from Russia and Iran (which Biden has quietly been doing) and get our own oil production up to where it was before Biden and his democrat minions cut it off. That will hurt Putin more than anything Biden has done to date.

Anonymous said...

@11:36 am

Geez…. Have you been under a rock the past couple days? That was reported on Friday already dude

Anonymous said...

"Say what you want about CNN ..."

OK. I will; thank you. They ran a split screen of a Kyiv air raid, complete with sirens and missile explosions, along side an Applebee's commercial for fried chicken with a popular Zac Brown Band jingle. All's good in the neighborhood when you're cashing in on dead Ukranians, as they're actually dying on live TV! Say what you want about CNN. But say it with contempt and disgust.

Anonymous said...

@1:32 so I guess you are a disgruntled Trump idolizing dictator supporting communist based on your post. Sounds like a Trumpism and a Putinistic parallel where you blame other people for exactly what you are.

Anonymous said...

BP and Shell announced they're ending their E&P arrangements in Russia. Exxon and the remainder will follow. Russia's energy is worthless in the ground. They rely almost exclusively on foreign E&Ps to drill it and get it to market. This is surprising and significant news. Even more significant is Switzerland taking a side. It's about time Europe woke up to the bear in their bed. Hope it wasn't too late.

Anonymous said...

2:33 PM

Always love the "seldom right, never uncertain" crowd.

Before mocking someone, you might want to educate yourself on the difference between "direct" and "indirect" support. Today's announcement if true would be a significant escalation of Belarus involvement.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/belarus-ukrainian-intel-suggests-country-is-prepared-to-join-russian-invasion-and-us-suspends-operations-at-embassy/ar-AAUq1Tc

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/28/belarus-troops-ukraine-russia-invasion

michael molovinsky said...

About Jews in Ukraine. I know Jews who migrated from Ukraine in the early 1990's. They wore crosses, and very much downplayed their religion. My friend told me that he wasn't a "Russian" until he moved here. Back there, everyone told him that he wasn't a Russian or Ukrainian, but that he was a JEW.

The media is now making a big deal about Kelensky being Jewish...I strongly suspect that something that he didn't emphasize

Anonymous said...

"[Trump] sanctioned the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia back in 2019. Biden removed those sanctions as soon as he took office, only reinstating them when the Ukraine conflict began." ~ Anonymous 1:55

Try watching something other than FAUX News to get all the facts.

Policies toward Russia began under President Barack Obama, particularly after Russia annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine in 2014.

For instance, Trump kept in place the Magnitsky Act, which targeted high-ranking Russians with sanctions.

In a Feb. 8 Facebook post, Kayleigh McEnany, a former press secretary for then-President Donald Trump, applauded Trump’s efforts to block the pipeline while he was in office and accused his successor, President Joe Biden, of handing the pipeline over to Russia. (This is 1:55 parroting FAUX News, that was parroting McEnany)

McEnany’s dichotomy is exaggerated. The first part of her statement has some validity but ignores that both presidents have sanctioned Russia, without stopping the project. The second part is flat wrong.

Anonymous said...

@2:35 obviously you missed that person‘s point and used it for your own political agenda. I also happen to think their war correspondents are doing an amazing job covering the war without bias. The fact that they actually have the audacity to run a commercial during the news has nothing to do with the reporters in the field genius.

Anonymous said...

Trump 2024! Make Russia Great Again!

Anonymous said...

@10:27 check you facts. Your piss boy has been in love with Putin for years. He partied with him for years before the presidency. He got on his knees for him so he could get some of his money. He praised him as a great man before and during his presidency. He stood beside him and questioned his own intelligence teams. He recently called him a genius. When Putin declared parts of Ukraine independent and a portion of Russia Trump said it was wonderful. Any warning about Putin coming out of his mouth is a face book farce and internet absurdity. He would hand over the keys to our democracy for Putin's pleasure to gain Putin's approval.

Any semblance of trump warning about Putin is malarkey.

I know this additional site is CNN so you will probably cry about it but read it before you comment. https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/17/politics/trump-soft-on-russia/index.html

Bernie O'Hare said...

I decline to publish any additional anonymous comments suggesting that anyone be eliminated. If you want to be a tough guy, stop being a pussy and ID yourself.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"About Jews in Ukraine. I know Jews who migrated from Ukraine in the early 1990's. They wore crosses, and very much downplayed their religion"

That's understandable, given the blatant anti-Semitism from Ukraine and Russia. I suspect that's on the wane, as evidenced by Zelensky's election. I doubt he walks sporting a Yeshiva Macabee T-shirt (though he should), and probably only felt the need to point out his Jewish roots after being called a Nazi.

peterjcochran said...

The new events of a 40 Mile Convoy now appears catastrophic towards Capital of Kiev . This can turn either way. If Ukrainians jame up the road to make it stall ,they can catch Russians dismounted in the open . If not it might be over. The Russians apparently trying mercenaries to assonate President Of Ukrainian. I say that’s the report.

Anonymous said...

@ 2:41

Bingo!!! Let's spread the word that Shell and BP are not buying Russian oil, and give them our business. Altering our habits is an inconvenience that pales in comparison to Ukranian suffering.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Putin has indeed over-reached on this one. In some ways it might make him more dangerous because his out-size ego will not permit this humiliation. He will also see his leadership at home diminished which he cannot tolerate. Let's hope for everyone's sake that he can figure out some way to back off gracefully or this will get much worse.

February 28, 2022 at 2:00 AM

Sadly, if only this was true. Reports indicate a 40? mile long Russian war-ready military convoy is heading for the capital.

Anonymous said...

Serious question - So what is the GOP, and more importantly President Trump going to do now that all the Russian banks and money laundering options they've relied on for the past decade for funding have dried up? Many of their PACs and a lot of Trump's finances have significant and documented ties to Russian oligarchs.

$250M Trump Organization and personal loans are coming due for him later this year. How/where can that be financed without access to his usual lenders?

C said...

Putin is a prideful man. We need to offer him a way out that allows him to save face. Otherwise this goes on for a generation.

peterjcochran said...

Bernie, can I add my update from this war, - The General Staff submitted— here are numbers,- News CenssorNET Russian army killed ,wounded,198 tanks 229 helicopters 200 Russians captured,846 armored vehicles, 77 artillery systems,24 MLRS (Rocket s) 60 tanks with fuel and lubricants- 3 operational-tactical unmanned aerial vehicles 2 boats 305 vehicles destroyed or damaged. UKR.GOV 03/1 time 10:11 hrs. Ovcharuk - they are joining to legions with UKR ,experienced guys .

peterjcochran said...

Main TV tower inKiev just hit with explosive of some sort , 5,710 dead or injured Russians as of 06:00 hrs there time today 01March 2022.

Anonymous said...

When will you do a local piece on why we lost our head of elections?

Anonymous said...

During this incredible insane Russian war against people fighting for freedom you really have to worry and post about this? Are you so disconnected that only trump bashing is on your mind and now those innocent people dying for freedom. Be grateful you live here and stop the hatred in our country

Anonymous said...

2:39 I gave you too much credit, you're more dense than I realized. You're not even in the ball park. I have family in Ukraine and have a decent grasp of what is going on. Pop Pop was 10 years old during the Great Terror and remembered it well. The Russians executed his neighbors in front of him over sheepskins they hid from the red army. He was signed up in the red army at the end of a bayonet. Killed his mother and sister, brother was killed in the siege of Leningrad.

I'm not disgruntled, I'm an American.

peterjcochran said...

There was a park area shown that happened to be where the Nazis executed thousands Jews and others . My hat off to these folks ,ordinary citizens are defiant against the Russian invaders. Putin doesn’t care if he kills off scores of his own people anymore than he killed civilian woman and children. I believe Putin is a war criminal at this point and needs to be arrested by somebody. We here should be as valiant as they as a civilian population. God be with the Ukrainian people. I dreamt that I stood , a stand off with Putin with a handgun and he ,with his Makarov at 500;meters for the close in on each other like a reverse duel to settle this. The UN needed to chain down this rabid dog.

peterjcochran said...

Bernie , your title , that Putin may have done a favor- you might be right again . Im thinking that with petroleum buyers now laying low with Russians, this might be the catalyst to reverse the lefties on the pipeline . That pipeline was Evan holding up Forks Twp drivers on Sullivan Trail then —- nothing . We as an industrial nation need to be be energy independent, and produce ,and culture technology. This administration has put the boots to this ,I think because they want to screw the Orange Man. They need to think what’s good for us Evan if the Orange Man instituted it . It’s about our health ,wealth ,security and. well-being. Prosperity even helps charities better than government handouts. Want to repair our Infrastructure, sell BONDS , they will pay costs ,not the 47% that pay taxes-as directly .

peterjcochran said...

I posted my assessment March o1 an 02 on activity buy Ukrainian against Russians. Someplace I said his conscripts 18-19 year old would be no match for Ukrainians . I posted 28 February too. Now I say I was wrong about a direct attack . The school solution is if an entity attempts to occupy foreign ground in an urban area the kill rates are about 5-1 in favor of citizens.so Putin doesn’t care about analyzing losses ,he just will pore more in . He’s a 20th century man ,like Stalin .

peterjcochran said...

I posted my assessment March o1 an 02 on activity buy Ukrainian against Russians. Someplace I said his conscripts 18-19 year old would be no match for Ukrainians . I posted 28 February too. Now I say I was wrong about a direct attack . The school solution is if an entity attempts to occupy foreign ground in an urban area the kill rates are about 5-1 in favor of citizens.so Putin doesn’t care about analyzing losses ,he just will pore more in . He’s a 20th century man ,like Stalin .