Stupid Shit in Kyiv

[Xpartan]

Having a senile POTUS, and a cackling buffoon for a VP has its advantageous: they'll make the ideal dispensable fall guys when the shit hits the fan.

Touche! Seems like justice is about to catch up with him, as more and more Jan 5 insurgents are directly implicating him in the insurrection. Don't know about the ex-VP, though, since unlike his former boss, he still possessed enough brain matter to avoid breaking the law.

But yeah, the Senile Orange is going down hard. Thank you for bringing it up to our attention.

[Jmsuttr]

First of all I wanted to give my support to the people of Ukraine and especially the men and women serving in the military and fighting the Russian war machine of Putin. I hope that the Ukrainians will prevail as I have seen them on the internet really giving the Russians a good ass pounding. I hope they regain their independence again and kick the Russians out for good. I also lament I never got to visit Ukraine and meet some of the lovely sex workers over there in the past, guess now I never will. Life is cruel and unfair and that bastard Putin is to blame, he is a real POS.

Looking at the current state of affairs, it very much looks like Putin won't achieve his original goal of taking over Ukraine. It remains to be seen whether he'll be able to hold more Ukrainian territory than previously or will be forced to retreat to the pre-Feb 24th borders (or further).

But at some point, hopefully not too long in the future, there will be an end to active hostilities at least in the western areas and likely also in Kyiv and surrounding areas. When that happens, it's my guess there will be some kind of Marshall Plan put in place. If that's the case, money will come flooding in to the areas where Western govt reps and NGOs are based. Many refugees will be returning and a lot of them will voluntarily relocate to those areas. For one reason, their prior homes may no longer be habitable or in safe areas. For another, the money flooding in should create jobs and other opportunities as reconstruction efforts take off.

I'm thinking those hubs of reconstruction activity will attract sex workers as the rest of the country will be too poor (or destroyed) to support them. And it's possible that many of the sex workers will be women who previously worked in non sex-related jobs. Some of them may fall victim to trafficking / coercion, but many will see it as an opportunity to make more money than they otherwise could and thereby rebuild their lives and help their families. While a mongering board probably isn't the best place to moralize, anyone who takes advantage of a woman who isn't free to choose is a reprehensible piece of shit.

And, moving beyond Ukrainian borders, there will be some women who will settle in the country to which they fled, and decide that's the place they want to try to earn a living. Depending on the country and the individual situation, sex work might be their chosen option. It'll be interesting to see where everyone ends up after the dust settles, especially if Ukraine is accepted into the EU (Schengen status?) and residency / citizenship requirements are relaxed for refugees.

[HulaHoops]

I apologise, we haven't taken any pictures. It just hasn't been our main focus since we've been here. I will make an effort on Wednesday to take a picture close to the motherland monument.

In regards to the statement: "I've never been in a place that's racist to white people before."

I am more relaxed and logical now. Basically because I know I will be leaving Kyiv soon and I admit the statement above was an over emotional one.

I realize now that it's not fair whatsoever to judge people based on how they behave during wartime. I understand perfectly now that during wartime, the native civilians are given priority.

At the time I made the statement, I was extremely stressed and not sleeping well whatsoever. As I have said before we made the wrong decision to come here.

That particular statement came from some situations my group and I experienced.

1. One situation was when we went to purchase some items / seek assistance and we were ignored / brushed aside, while Ukrainians were given preferential treatment...

We left Ukraine sometime ago, I'm back home in Berlin. Far away from the war and Russia's madness.

[Golfinho]

Now he's shaking hands with Thin Air!!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_59agcnLAj4

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zB0W91E3XOU

President Joe Biden has made a "howler" of a gaffe during his State of the Union speech mistaking Ukrainians for "Iranians".

Having a senile POTUS, and a cackling buffoon for a VP has its advantageous: they'll make the ideal dispensable fall guys when the shit hits the fan.

[SeaBeeJoe]

First of all I wanted to give my support to the people of Ukraine and especially the men and women serving in the military and fighting the Russian war machine of Putin. I hope that the Ukrainians will prevail as I have seen them on the internet really giving the Russians a good ass pounding. I hope they regain their independence again and kick the Russians out for good. I also lament I never got to visit Ukraine and meet some of the lovely sex workers over there in the past, guess now I never will. Life is cruel and unfair and that bastard Putin is to blame, he is a real POS.

[Jojosun]

Old age wasn't a handicap then, but old age & apparent senility encourages even Old Allies to take the piss out of Politics by Joe President, LOL.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WOhcCPqc4pk

Now he's shaking hands with Thin Air!!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_59agcnLAj4

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zB0W91E3XOU

President Joe Biden has made a "howler" of a gaffe during his State of the Union speech – mistaking Ukrainians for "Iranians".

[WyattEarp]

...........I completely agree that there's no substitute for experience on the battlefield, and I'm sure every military command in the world, US included, is examining every scrap of information coming out of Ukraine under a high-powered microscope. One clear takeaway is that relatively inexpensive systems, like drones and shoulder-fired anti-tank weapons (Javelin, NLAW, etc.), have dramatically impacted battlefield dynamics.

The Ukraine military and some NATO members have been training together for several years. The Ukrainians were getting prepared for what now seems like Putin's inevitable aggression.

An interesting quote from am April 13 Wall Street Journal article encapsulates some of the tactical changes: "Soldiers, plus military brass and overseers in parliament, have been transformed from a rigid Soviet-style force into a modern army that thinks on the move." Apparently, NATO was also able to learn from the Ukrainians original Soviet-style thinking.

In addition to changing battlefield dynamics, the Ukrainians are proving out the axiom that the defense has the advantage. Tanks as somewhat large and relatively slow targets might have limited effectiveness against an organized military with modern weaponry.

My fear is that as the longer this drags out Putin will do something crazy out of frustration.

[Jojosun]

Saddam and the Afghani Muhjahaddim / Taliban were chosen and put into power by your Uncle Shmuel.

Don't know who you mean by Uncle Shmuel! But we know ABU YAER was very popular with Congress.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgmds5FIM4g

Netanyahu versus Abu Yair https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BJHyCvJNu.

"An uninformed visitor to Israel on eve of elections could be forgiven for thinking the PM was running as head of an Arab party due to his efforts to present himself as a lover of the sector."

"We are all with you Abu Yair" LOL.

[Timmy21]

We all want to find out who will be The Ultimate Winners in The Ukraine Coflict, don't we?

According to this analysis in the respected Financial Times," The US will be the ultimate winner of Ukraine's crisis.

America stands to gain in stature and influence in Europe, Asia and the court of world opinion."

Written by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janan_Ganesh.

Of course it's all a matter of Opinions and we all have more than one.

"Janan Ganesh is a biweekly columnist and associate editor for the FT. He writes on American politics for the FT and culture for FT Weekend.

Following the end of WW 2, 'The United States had more money than they could spend, more food than they could eat, more steel than they could use, more clothes than they could ever wear' (World At War ep. 25,1975.) Following European conflicts, it would appear the US makes out pretty well.

[Neurosynth]

I apologise, we haven't taken any pictures. It just hasn't been our main focus since we've been here. I will make an effort on Wednesday to take a picture close to the motherland monument.

In regards to the statement: "I've never been in a place that's racist to white people before."

I am more relaxed and logical now. Basically because I know I will be leaving Kyiv soon and I admit the statement above was an over emotional one.
…

I do admit it saddened me to be called a troll and a liar. I however understand what would make you guys think that. I am a lurker, I read and don't contribute. However I will change that, I will start posting more and contributing value to the forums. I have been to Ukraine many times and this website has been a great resource, Kyiv is a wonderful place as I am sure we all know. Once wartime is over, I am sure things will go back to normal. As long as the Russians don't shell everything to dust.

So no "I made it home" post?

[Jmsuttr]

Again, I stress that these are unconfirmed rumors at this time, but they're certainly something to keep a watch for over the next few days.

1. Defense Minister Gen. Shoigu has suffered a massive heart attack. He's reportedly alive but in hospital intensive care. Also, 20 other Russian generals have reportedly been arrested.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...al-causes.html

2. Admiral Igor Osipov, Commander of the Black Sea Fleet, has reportedly been arrested (and his adjutant badly beaten).

https://mobile.twitter.com/IsraelThr...C97cWko4UqAAAA

This Tweet is in Russian so you'll need to use your favorite translation method.

If these turn out to be true, or even one of them, it's indicative of purges at the highest levels and a continued cracking of the system. And it's my fervent hope that it all comes crashing down on pseudo-Tsar Putin's head.

[Golfinho]

I don't remember people choosing Sadaam Hussein and the Taliban. That's self-determination, pardner.

Saddam and the Afghani Muhjahaddim / Taliban were chosen and put into power by your Uncle Shmuel. That's blowback, son. Apparently you don't remember much.

[Jmsuttr]

Russia displays its tanks in a competition called Tank Olympics (or Tank Biathalon). There's videos. It's good watching. Look and see how the tanks from various countries compare. Not battle conditions obviously.

The rap against US armament is expensive maintenance, among other things. There's also a substantial literature on this. But until there's actual battlefield conditions, there's no way to know.

I have no doubt the Russians are able to put on a good show, as I'm sure the tank crews and mechanics understand that a good performance is needed to keep their next posting from being someplace in remotest Siberia. But (and I'm not an expert on the topic) I've seen quite a few analyses pointing out that the Russian Battle Tactical Group (BTG) generally has fewer personnel allocated to logistics than its American counterpart. And that issue was exacerbated by Putin's arrogance in assuming his army would only need a short time to achieve victory.

Complicated weapons systems that require expensive maintenance are certainly an issue, but the answer is to have a battle plan that ensures sufficient resources to repair or replace. I completely agree that there's no substitute for experience on the battlefield, and I'm sure every military command in the world, US included, is examining every scrap of information coming out of Ukraine under a high-powered microscope. One clear takeaway is that relatively inexpensive systems, like drones and shoulder-fired anti-tank weapons (Javelin, NLAW, etc.), have dramatically impacted battlefield dynamics.

[Jmsuttr]

Well, it's not like we have a choice, unless you want to convert your dollars into diamonds and wear them in a little bag hanging around your neck. Or join the procession opening bank accounts in Panama, or start buying aquifers.

I could make like an oligarch and open a bank account in Switzerland, the Caymans, or similar location and make deposits in any currency they're willing to accept. And, for US citizens, I've seen guidelines for opening non-resident accounts in both Canada and Mexico. I also lived in a Middle Eastern country for a number of years and had the opportunity (which I declined) to open a local account, denominated in that nation's currency.

I don't claim to have exhaustively researched any of those options, for the simple reason that I'm happy to stick with the US dollar. I'm just making the point that, for anyone so inclined, there are options available other than precious stones or metals.

[Xpartan]

Best investment as Mark Twain said, Buy land, they're not making it anymore.

What about buying Land in Russia with the Inevitable regime change there!

"Russia is an ideal country for farming business, mostly because the land is still very cheap. Foreigners have already purchased about 5 million hectares of agricultural land in Russia, and there are many reasons for this:

The cost of 1 acre of Russian land is several times cheaper than the price of 1 acre in South America or even in Africa."

The more things change in Russia, the more they stay the same.

Buying into Russian land, you're also buying into Russian lawlessness, mind-blowing corruption and the lack of basic human rights. Every low-level administrator will hold an overwhelming power over you, unless you have the funds to buy their loyalty.

And god forbid you become successful one day. That's the worst thing that can happen to you in Russia.

Google "raider attacks".

https://www.ft.com/content/b2d2d226-...8-60495fe6ca71