Stupid Shit in Kyiv

[Jmsuttr]

As always, posted as info for those who choose to read and decide for themselves.

https://www.businessinsider.com/russ...nctions-2022-5

Of course, there are those who are predisposed to ignore the content itself and attack or ridicule the authors. I think it's become quite apparent which forum members prefer to tread the path of intellectual vacuousness and vapidity.

P.S. I would also point out that this analysis makes essentially the same point as the one I posted earlier, which is that the drastic drop in goods flowing into Russia is its Achilles' Heel.

[Jmsuttr]

With a second passport and cash in hand, Gone back to Russia!

"One-third of Russian olim left Israel after 1 month with new passport, Cash.

https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-705369

As I read the article, it's not talking about high-profile oligarchs but rather Russians from the other levels of Russian society. Those people have the benefit of generally being able to fly "under the radar," while anything done by an oligarch would draw attention.

IMO, any Russian opposed to the war, or worried about their country's future, has probably thought about or made plans for leaving, either temporarily or permanently. And it's not surprising to me that some would straddle the fence for as long as possible, keeping their options open but not making a final decision unless or until the exit door is about to slam shut. So my thoughts are that these returnees (to the extent they haven't burned all their bridges), with 2nd passports in hand, are part of that "straddle" group.

Their biggest problem will be if the exit door shuts suddenly and unexpectedly. Then they'll be mostly screwed. Also, if something happens to put them on the radar of authorities while still in Russia, they'll experience the same result (screwed). Notice that the article makes no mention of Ukrainian refugees similarly gaming the system.

[Golfinho]

Seems you guys are all here. Go watch it. https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1060921954507161.

Besides the American ghetto dwellers, we have some Reddit schmuck setting himself as an authority. Social media is not where to dive for the main parameters.

The mega surrenders continue.

Ukraine will probably ber divided into three part: Russian affiliated, Polish (and Romanian and Hungarian) controlled, and Zelensky's corrupt rump. Good luck bonking Nazi widows there.

Azovstal steel plant utterly destroyed. Now it looks like Detroit.

[Jojosun]

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/...war-in-ukraine

"For twenty years of my diplomatic career I have seen different turns of our foreign policy, but never have I been so ashamed of my country as on February 24 of this year," Boris Bondarev (Russian diplomat, now ex-diplomat) said.

"The aggressive war unleashed by Putin against Ukraine, and in fact against the entire Western world, is not only a crime against the Ukrainian people, but also, perhaps, the most serious crime against the people of Russia," (see a viewable image of the full statement in the link below).

https://unwatch.org/wp-content/uploa...0178de76bc.jpg..

The most ex senior advisor lands in Israel.

"Putin's Senior Adviser Reportedly in Israel After Leaving Russia Over Ukraine Invasion.

Russian-Jewish Anatoly Chubais was the Kremlin's special representative for ties with international organizations, and had been an architect of economic reforms and privatization under Boris Yeltsin in the 1990's."

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...ion-1.10783221

[Jojosun]

With a second passport and cash in hand, Gone back to Russia!

"One-third of Russian olim left Israel after 1 month with new passport, Cash.

https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-705369

[Jmsuttr]

Krugman? That's your idea of third party confirmation? LOL. A prime example of the Nobel Dynomite awards degenerated to political theatre.

That's purely a figment of your own imagination.

What I did say was:

1. Nobel laureate.

2. Economist.

3. Analysis of Russian sanctions.

And, as a factual matter, all of the above are absolutely true.

As far as the analysis itself, I posted it primarily for information purposes and, while I included a brief summary, I didn't comment on, or endorse, any of the elements of the analysis. Everyone can read and make up their own mind.

So, if you want challenge or rebut anything in the article, knock yourself out. But when you try to insinuate that there's something in a post that isn't there, you're swimming neck-deep in Pedro M's shit-filled swimming pool. Is that really where you want to be?

One of the key elements of an intellectually honest debate is accurately portraying the other person's positions and statements, even if you disagree. Engaging in distortion or, even worse, ad hominem, is a clear indication that you're unwilling or unable to debate on the merits of the argument itself.

[The Cane]

If only our "Evo" Morales shared some of the same:

https://apnews.com/article/russia-uk...d2b18b6727bf99

[Golfinho]

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/19/o...s-ukraine.html

Short version:

1. Money flowing into Russia doesn't help if it can't be used to buy needed goods.

2. The flow of goods into Russia has dropped drastically, not only from countries formally participating in sanctions, but also from countries that aren't formally participating, including China.

3. Viewed in this context, Russia's trade surplus is a sign of weakness, as it signifies their inability to spend money outside their borders.

4. Since the current conflict has largely become a war of attrition, with significant equipment losses on both sides, time is working against Putin because of the inability to import materials, components, and parts needed to repair or replace war equipment. Ukraine, however, is being replenished by NATO and the West on an ongoing basis.

BTW, for those forum members who have a brain, and understand the difference between platforms and sources, here's the subreddit posting that points to the original article:

Krugman? That's your idea of third party confirmation? LOL. A prime example of the Nobel Dynomite awards degenerated to political theatre.

[Jmsuttr]

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/...war-in-ukraine

"For twenty years of my diplomatic career I have seen different turns of our foreign policy, but never have I been so ashamed of my country as on February 24 of this year," Boris Bondarev (Russian diplomat, now ex-diplomat) said.

"The aggressive war unleashed by Putin against Ukraine, and in fact against the entire Western world, is not only a crime against the Ukrainian people, but also, perhaps, the most serious crime against the people of Russia," (see a viewable image of the full statement in the link below).

https://unwatch.org/wp-content/uploa...0178de76bc.jpg

Those who've read my earlier posts know I've been keeping an eye out for instances of Russian elites turning their backs on Putin and the Kremlin. This incident qualifies, IMO, because no one in Russia gets to be a career diplomat, much less assigned to the United Nations, without being a member of the "in" group and having gained the approval of other elites.

If the letter and tone is taken at face value, then it would seem Bondarev has been disaffected with the ill-advised invasion from the very beginning. Which makes me wonder if he waited until he was able to settle his affairs in Russia (family, financial, etc.) before handing in his resignation. It's not something he could have done openly, so if it took a few months that would be understandable. He's certainly burned his bridges, so there's no going back. If he doesn't already have a second passport, he'll probably be applying for political asylum soon.

The watch continues! Who will be next?

[Jmsuttr]

Seems you guys are all here. Go watch it. https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1060921954507161.

Besides the American ghetto dwellers, we have some Reddit schmuck setting himself as an authority. Social media is not where to dive for the main parameters.

The mega surrenders continue.

Ukraine will probably ber divided into three part: Russian affiliated, Polish (and Romanian and Hungarian) controlled, and Zelensky's corrupt rump. Good luck bonking Nazi widows there.

https://t.me/ukrainenowenglish/6520

Quite a thought-provoking map, eh?

Funny how Russia's "partner," China, seems to be sitting on the sidelines, waiting and licking its chops for the possible (likely?) breakup of Russia.

But only delusional fools think they can predict the future. I'm satisfied with accurately observing present realities and proposing reasonable extrapolations from that body of evidence.

And there is no reality-based scenario or extrapolation in which Russia wins. With each passing day they continue to eat their "seed corn," diminishing whatever reserves they may have, while sanctions prevent any meaningful replenishment. Meanwhile, Ukraine is being continually replenished and refreshed by the US, NATO, and a coalition of freedom-loving nations.

P.S. I don't do Facebook. You can suck dick if you want, but that's not how I roll.

[PedroMorales]

Seems you guys are all here. Go watch it. https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1060921954507161.

Besides the American ghetto dwellers, we have some Reddit schmuck setting himself as an authority. Social media is not where to dive for the main parameters.

The mega surrenders continue.

Ukraine will probably ber divided into three part: Russian affiliated, Polish (and Romanian and Hungarian) controlled, and Zelensky's corrupt rump. Good luck bonking Nazi widows there.

[Jmsuttr]

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/19/o...s-ukraine.html

Short version:

1. Money flowing into Russia doesn't help if it can't be used to buy needed goods.

2. The flow of goods into Russia has dropped drastically, not only from countries formally participating in sanctions, but also from countries that aren't formally participating, including China.

3. Viewed in this context, Russia's trade surplus is a sign of weakness, as it signifies their inability to spend money outside their borders.

4. Since the current conflict has largely become a war of attrition, with significant equipment losses on both sides, time is working against Putin because of the inability to import materials, components, and parts needed to repair or replace war equipment. Ukraine, however, is being replenished by NATO and the West on an ongoing basis.

BTW, for those forum members who have a brain, and understand the difference between platforms and sources, here's the subreddit posting that points to the original article:

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkrainianCo...utins_economy/

And here's the same type of post on Twitter:

https://mobile.twitter.com/BaldwinRE...72892746588160

[Xpartan]

On a positive note, Russia is winning hands down.

Pants down is more like it.

Their morale is down, their economy is down, their relationship with the whole world is down in the dumps.

Russia has taken two large Ukrainian cities Mariupol and Kherson. The later was taken easily because it had been completely unprotected, while their "great" victory in Mariupol took a 3-month siege, tens of thousands dead civilians and Russian solders, complete destruction of a city with half-million population and a mind-boggling number of crimes against humanity.

3 months to take one city! The Pyrrhic victory wasn't as devastated to the victor as Mariupol.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhus_of_Epirus

In the meantime, Ukrainians have cleaned up the Kharkov Oblast from the enemy and reached the Russian border. And the land-lease hasn't even started yet.

Hands down, huh. Keep it up, comrade.

On the American simpletons calling me Comrade to appear witty, the Communists are Russia's main opposition party

Nice try.

"Comrade" is still the only official way to address one's superior or colleague in the Russia's Armed Forces, Police, Russian Guard, FSB, GRU and every other military or paramililtary organization in the RF.

As a dedicated info-soldier for Mother Russia you are but a comrade, so don't sell yourself short, LOL.

Capiche, Tovarisch Morales?

[WyattEarp]

https://blogs.berkeley.edu/2022/05/1...a-ukraine-war/

See the Open Letter for full details, but here are the main points, or patterns, addressed:

Pattern #1: Denying Ukraine's sovereign integrity.

Pattern #2: Treating Ukraine as an American pawn on a geo-political chessboard.

Pattern #3. Suggesting that Russia was threatened by NATO.

Pattern #4. Stating that the USA Isn't any better than Russia.

Pattern #5. Whitewashing Putin's goals for invading Ukraine.

Pattern #6. Assuming that Putin is interested in a diplomatic solution.

Pattern #7. Advocating that yielding to Russian demands is the way to avert the nuclear war.

A thoughtful, respectful, and civil discussion and rebuttal. Something that's sadly lacking in many circles.

P.S. The pro-Russia characterization of Chomsky, et al, is mine alone, not the article's authors.

Chomsky's perspectives have had their moments. As we age, we kind of get stuck in familiar patterns of thought. At 93, I think that is likely with Chomsky. He sees everything through the lens of imperialism. In his mind, the Ukraine is a proxy war between Russia and the United States. I believe Chomsky accepted North Vietnamese agency during the Vietnam War even though they were being supplied militarily by the Soviet Union. On a similar basis, the Ukrainians should have agency over their own sovereignty.

I use the analogy of choosing what to put in the box when making a clearly very biased case. You simply leave things out that don't fit the argument. Jmsuttr, the American slavery argument is exactly like that box. You had to point out everything left out of the box and ignored about global slavery.

[Jmsuttr]

Belgium is now tightening the screws over monkeypox. Fuck off to Reddit and see what 4 chan have to say about it and then return. As regards sources, it is an information to noise thing (look it up, but not on Reddit). Your fan club here are moronic Americans, many of whom probably did disgusting things in Iraq and Afghanistan.

On a positive note, Russia is winning hands down.

On the American simpletons calling me Comrade to appear witty, the Communists are Russia's main opposition party; they are not in government but you go ahead to boil things down to your level.

As regards rebuttals, You haven't rebutted, much as you may be fond of butts. That is because I am not engaging with you because you are nothing to engage with.

You'll be happy to hear I am getting better, another few days to be safe. Then I'll be fighting fit again, as much as age allows me. I've caught up on my reading (no Reddit or 4 chan for me) and I hoped to be back in the saddle, but not with Ukrainians, soon. But then the Yanks spread monkeypox, on which I have my theories.

Maybe you should ask the Finnish doctors for another series of shots, or a refund, since you're clearly hallucinating.

There are NO credible military analysts anywhere on the planet (including neutral countries AND those favorable to Russia) who are even remotely talking about Russia winning. The MOST favorable assessment with respect to Russia is that of a stalemate scenario.

Even inside Russia there is pessimism, as I demonstrated with the YouTube link in my recent post, from anyone who has even a shred of a connection with reality. The only ones who speak differently are the propaganda-mongers, who probably don't believe it themselves, and those who are in the throes of rabies-induced hallucinations.

And Reddit, contrary to your delusional babbling, is not a source. Neither is Twitter. But both are platforms where people DO post their sources and those sources can then be vetted to see whether or not they're backed up by credibility and expertise. Every one of my sources has been so vetted and there isn't a single link in ANY of my posts that relies on some random Reddit or Twitter post. I consistently point to the original source, and invite everyone to read and decide for themselves.

Therefore, your attack on the platforms is simply the most lame and transparent example possible of ad hominem. If you have any substantive criticism against either the credentials or content of the numerous experts I've cited, feel free to post for the benefit of the forum. But you can't, so you won't, because you're an intellectual pipsqueak who can't bring himself (or, more likely, isn't able) to rise above the level of personal insults.

And that's where you're stuck, in the gutter with your Russian nationalist buddy Little Vlad and his Neo-Nazi minions in the Wagner battalion, and beyond. As for an actual reBUTTal, you couldn't find one with two hands and a compass.

Meanwhile, every real-world indication is that Russia is in a death-spiral, while the US and NATO (soon to include Finland and Sweden!) are on an ever upward trajectory. Thanks, LilliPutin!