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[QUOTE=Xpartan;2685653]Putin's henchmen must be really desperate if they resort to sending their trolls to a mongering board.[/QUOTE]When China starting cracking down on Hong Kong, saw the same thing with China's trolls on social media.
It's bizarre when national pride translates to subjugating a people who want self-determination.
[QUOTE=Jmsuttr;2685632]I'm guessing that India, being shrewd consumers, will either demand a return clause or a steep discount! Russia would have been better off just displaying their weapon systems in parades, rather than actually using them and letting the world see their shortcomings.[/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=Golfinho;2685744]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.[/QUOTE]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."
[QUOTE=Jojosun;2685845]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."[/QUOTE]The price factors in the cost of clearing Stalin's skeletons.
[QUOTE=WyattEarp;2685808]It's bizarre when national pride translates to subjugating a people who want self-determination.[/QUOTE]Except when America does it, pardner, that's different. That's bringing Freedom.
[QUOTE=Golfinho;2685887]Except when America does it, pardner, that's different. That's bringing Freedom.[/QUOTE]I don't remember people choosing Sadaam Hussein and the Taliban. That's self-determination, pardner.
[QUOTE=WyattEarp;2685808]When China starting cracking down on Hong Kong, saw the same thing with China's trolls on social media.
It's bizarre when national pride translates to subjugating a people who want self-determination.[/QUOTE]Social media is one thing (Putin's "Internet Research Agency" has been doing it for years) but a mongering board? LOL!
[QUOTE=Jojosun;2685845]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."[/QUOTE]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".
[URL]https://www.ft.com/content/b2d2d226-791f-11e7-a3e8-60495fe6ca71[/URL]
[QUOTE=Golfinho;2685744]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.[/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=Golfinho;2685844]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.[/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=WyattEarp;2685926]I don't remember people choosing Sadaam Hussein and the Taliban. That's self-determination, pardner.[/QUOTE]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.
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.
[URL]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10718247/Putins-defence-minister-Sergei-Shoigu-massive-heart-attack-not-natural-causes.html[/URL]
2. Admiral Igor Osipov, Commander of the Black Sea Fleet, has reportedly been arrested (and his adjutant badly beaten).
[URL]https://mobile.twitter.com/IsraelThreads/status/1514694443345092611?cxt=HHwWhoC97cWko4UqAAAA[/URL]
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.
[QUOTE=HulaHoops;2677236]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.[/QUOTE]So no "I made it home" post?
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 [URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janan_Ganesh[/URL].
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.
[QUOTE=Golfinho;2685975]Saddam and the Afghani Muhjahaddim / Taliban were chosen and put into power by your Uncle Shmuel. [/QUOTE]Don't know who you mean by Uncle Shmuel! But we know ABU YAER was very popular with Congress.
[URL]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgmds5FIM4g[/URL]
Netanyahu versus Abu Yair [URL]https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BJHyCvJNu[/URL].
"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.