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[QUOTE=PVMonger;2751133]You sound like Donnie the Dumbass. Maybe you are him, who knows.
By the way, if you consistently posted just 1 or 2 sources, that'd be enough.
[B]Only an idiot would think that somebody else is going to do your work for you[/B][/QUOTE]You did Google it and you saw I was right. If you had time to reply to any post you can check. But obviously you know I am right so you just pretend you didn't look. Everyone else on this forum has googled it.
[QUOTE=CaliGuy;2750966]Just Google it. Every article Google posts confirms China is dependent on coal and is continuing to add more coal fired power daily. No secret. It is easier for you to Google it than me posting 100 articles supporting this.[/QUOTE]I did Google it and in one minute I saw pages of articles on China increasing coal fired factories and power plants steadily over the past 5 years. India not far behind them and now Europe starting to convert some power plants back to coal. Canada and USA have been selling the majority of their coal to China.
[QUOTE=Tiny12;2751208]Elvis, Canada and Cali Guy, great posts on energy! This excerpt from a news article in today's Wall Street Journal might be of interest.
[B]Administration officials have been exploring export bans on gasoline and diesel as a potential response to worst-case scenarios if shortages emerge around the country. But officials have acknowledged that isnt an ideal option, and oil industry analysts say it could backfire by spreading fear or creating bottlenecks in the markets that raise prices themselves.
The White House also called on U.S. oil producers to increase their output. But their appetite for doing so has been hamstrung by Wall Street investors who, stung by years of low returns in the 2010s, have asked that they focus on returning cash to shareholders via buybacks, paying down debt and dividends rather than reinvesting it in more oil production.
They believe that theres a finite period in which they have to operate, Bart Melek, global head of commodity markets strategy at investment bank TD Securities, said of U.S. oil-and-gas producers. (Tiny's note: They believe if Biden and like minded politicians maintain control of the federal government, we won't have a domestic oil and gas industry. So why invest?)
A government-led push to transition away from fossil fuels and into alternative energies is having an impact on refining capacity, a capital-intensive industry that requires multibillion-dollar investments to build gasoline-making plants, industry experts said.
In Washington, lawmakers focused their attention on Saudi Arabia, saying the country has aligned with Russia despite its attack on Ukraine, making the kingdom unfit for U.S. support.
They are pitching bills that would potentially seize the assets that OPEC member countries own in the U.S., or mandate the removal of U.S. armed forces from Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.
As a candidate, Mr. Biden had threatened similar action against Saudi Arabia, which isnt a formal ally, but he moved to soften that stance this year amid fears over high energy prices and Saudi Arabias drift toward Russia and China.
The president has overseen the release of nearly a third of what had been over 600 million barrels in the federal governments strategic petroleum reserves as of last Novembera move that analysts said helped ease surging energy prices.
But that brings the reserves down near levels the U.S. may not be able to go below without violating international agreements. And it limits the presidents capacity to respond if prices surge again, analysts say, just a month before midterm elections in which inflation and energy prices are a key issue.
White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese told reporters traveling aboard Air Force One on Thursday that the industry is charging consumers at margins about a third higher than it has historically, and that it should cut those costs for consumers at a time of record-high profits.
[URL]https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-takes-aim-at-opec-for-oil-production-cuts-11665096529[/URL][/B]
I'm not sure whether the Biden Administration is serious about some of these stupid criticisms and ideas, or if all this is just part of the propaganda effort before the mid term elections.
Deese's comment, and similar things Biden has said, crack me up.
The long term net profit margin for refiners and marketers is around 2. 2% on average. The industry isn't that profitable. Refineries were shut down during COVID as a result, never to re-open. If you knee cap the refiners during the good times, what kind of effect do you think that will have on refining capacity and gasoline prices in the longer term? Well, we know, although some of our anti-capitalist friends here probably don't.
Biden, more so than Deese, has complained about price gouging by the refiners. The last couple of quarters, the net profit margin of the refiners has been abnormally high, around 4. 4% on average. So how much difference will that extra 2% margin make in the price of a gallon of gasoline? Well, maybe about $4. 00 x. 02 = eight cents per gallon?
Also, here's an excerpt from an editorial today from the same newspaper, which I believe we'll all agree with. The "international drama, referenced below, refers to the Biden administration cozying up to Maduro and Venezuela.
[B]All of this international drama, and growing American economic vulnerability, could have been avoided if the Biden Administration hadnt made a policy of waging war on the domestic U.S. oil-and-gas industry. The White House blames the industry for high gas prices while it does everything it can to make drilling more difficult and financially risky.
As an act of strategic self-sabotage, this is matched only by Germanys determination over two decades to make itself vulnerable to Russian natural gas.
Amid a war in Europe, a global energy crisis, and a risk of a global recession, a serious U.S. Administration would do everything in its power to encourage more domestic energy production. This Administration would rather make America more dependent on the constructive steps of dictators.
[URL]https://www.wsj.com/articles/joe-biden-and-the-oil-dictators-venezuela-nicolas-maduro-oil-supply-opec-energy-production-11665073129[/URL]
[/B][/QUOTE]Another great post. Facts are facts but the dumb ass socials won't like it.
[QUOTE=Elvis2008;2751178]Spidy,
I lived in the Northern USA when we had snow storms that drenched us with snow 5 feet deep, and magazine headlines showed the next ice age coming. Now it is global warming. 99% of climate change global warming nuts blow off the fact that scientists were predicting an ice age even as CO2 levels rose. 1% have an explanation. They say the banning of CFCs which were destroying the ozone layer was the reason for that change. So now guys at Freakonomics proposed putting a huge hose into the sky and flooding the sky with CFCs. I just shake my head at all this. That man can control the weather and that someone has an answer to weather problems is the oldest con in the history of mankind.
I would not be shocked if the oil companies lied but the climate scientists have not been honest either. There was no bigger climate change nut than Bill Maher and even he has gotten tired of defending the climate "scientists" who predicted so much of the world would be under water now. There was no more arrogant phrasing than "saving the planet" as if we could even do that. We are not stronger than mother earth.
That said, I do not want to breathe dirty air, and the worst for that among energy production is the use of coal. Autism rates skyrocket the closer children live to coal plants and coal plants actually puts our more radiation than a nuclear plant does. When you look at what goes into making windmills and solar panels, it is a myth that those are clean sources of energy. Nuclear has been so much safer and cleaner than any other form of energy.
Natural gas cars do not need to be manufactured. Gasoline cars can be converted to natural gas with an $800 kit well. This is done in Mexico and Brazil all the time where there is not so much red tape. Doing it in the USA for some fucked up reason is $8000. If you go to Brazil (highly recommended for the women), you will see many taxis with a big tank in their windows. That is natural gas and when I was there, the taxis were filling up their cabs with that for like $5.
If you take a picture from a satellite at night, you can see what areas of the country are lit up, and it typically corresponds to populated areas. The exceptions to this are in West Texas and North Dakota. Those areas produce a tremendous amount of oil and they do not have pipeline capacity to transport all the natural gas produced as a by product so they burn it off and create enormous amounts of light.
Spidy, wouldn't you rather we use that natural gas to power our cars or be shipped to Europe? The Europeans are going to be freezing this winter and they have money and would pay us for that versus going cold. All that needs to happen is that there be pipelines built to LNG terminals, and we do not have those pipelines so they can be built right?
Pipelines are a great business. Warren Buffett said the best business to own was a toll road, and pipe lines are like that. The oil and gas companies have to pay the pipeline companies to move their product. Kinder Morgan, the largest pipeline operator in the USA, is a great long term investment. The risk? Well, the biggest risk is if you have a president who is fucking dumb ass who screws pipeline companies over to the tune of billions of dollars his first day in office.
You do not need to do futuristic predictions. Nuclear is cleaner and safer than coal so let us build nuclear. Subsidizing electric cars that get their electricity from coal is not clean energy. It is virtue signaling and fucking stupid. Why are we not building pipelines and using natural gas to power vehicles versus burning it off? It is a complete fucking waste. The reason it costs $8000 to convert a car to natural gas is because of EPA regulations. Again, it is $800 in Mexico and Brazil.[/QUOTE]I live in the northern USA states also and in the oil and gas service business and you are totally right. Unless Biden stupidity ends of his trying to destroy the USA oil and gas and pipelines the energy crises is here to stay. Today rather than talk to domestic oil companies to increase drilling he is talking to Venezuela and Iran our enemies.
Meanwhile, the Unemployment Rate is way down and the Labor Force Participation Rate is way up for Hispanics, Blacks, Whites, Asians, Men, Women, really all demographics since Biden received the worst across-the-board conditions hand off in history from Trump and took office:
[B]Hispanic unemployment rate falls sharply, but fewer workers join labor force.[/B]
(see longer term trend charts here).
[URL]https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/07/hispanic-unemployment-rate-falls-sharply-in-september-but-fewer-workers-join-labor-force.html?__source=androidappshare[/URL]
[QUOTE]Fluctuations are common in monthly reports and require several consecutive periods of a similar move before one can deduce a trend.[/QUOTE]Thanks Joe, Nancy, Chuck, the Dems and everyone who voted for them. Too bad about the less than stellar Fed Chairman that Trump appointed though. Oh well. Those historic Biden economic, chips, infrastructure, cost-reduction and revenue enhancing legislative achievements will more than make up for that kind of thing.
[QUOTE=CaliGuy;2750965]The last 2 years prove your statement is a lie. Biden by far the worst president ever. The dumbest president ever. The most incompetent president ever. These are facts. All Americans have witnessed this. Only people in other countries watching fake CNN news have not seen it. But 300,000,000 Americans have witnessed the dumbest, most incompetent and worst president in history. No one can deny this. And yes the people who voted for him were conned. The people who still support him have proven beyond doubt that they are the dumbest people on the USA because they have witnessed his stupidity and they are to dumb to know it.[/QUOTE]The last 2 years do prove you are right. Biden is the worst president ever. And correct only the dumbest people in America would disagree.
[QUOTE=Tiny12;2751208]
In Washington, lawmakers focused their attention on Saudi Arabia, saying the country has aligned with Russia despite its attack on Ukraine, making the kingdom unfit for U.S. support.
They are pitching bills that would potentially seize the assets that OPEC member countries own in the U.S., or mandate the removal of U.S. armed forces from Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.
As a candidate, Mr. Biden had threatened similar action against Saudi Arabia, which isnt a formal ally, but he moved to soften that stance this year amid fears over high energy prices and Saudi Arabias drift toward Russia and China.[/QUOTE]Oh brother! Eih's post about Biden's tough talk cracks me up as does this. Oil was $40 to $60 a barrel under Trump and it is $80 to $100 under Biden, and these evil oil companies and the evil Saudis are making money hand over fist with Biden as president. Hell, they should probably donate to his re-election campaign.
And there was this article today. [URL]https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/biden-welcomes-venezuela-oil-he-prepares-block-all-us-offshore-drilling[/URL].
Yesterday afternoon. After reports that the Biden admin would ease sanctions if Venezuela would pleeeeease pump more oil, at BradHuston succinctly opined on Twitter:
So basically Biden is saying that domestic producers are more evil than Venezuela's Nicholas Maduro. ".
This morning, it appears the Biden administration is doubling down on that as Fox Business reports that the Biden administration is nearing a decision on the future of federal offshore fossil fuel drilling and hasn't ruled out a complete block on new leases.
End of link. This should not be news. It should be satire from the Babylon Bee but it is not.
Tiny, if you were an oil company would you bid on one of these leases after the Keystone fiasco and Elizabeth Warren and her windfall profit tax? I would not touch this if I were Exxon or Chevron. I would be looking at other countries to invest in. There is a shale field in Argentina as big as the Permian. I would probably invest there. You wonder if Chevron would rather deal with Maduro over Biden. I cannot believe I actually typed that.
Oh well, the Saudis are laughing all the way to the bank.
[QUOTE=Tiny12;2751199]
I was referring to the $60 billion+ that the USA has committed to Ukraine. Now to all Democratic politicians and many Republicans, that's a drop in the bucket. But to some of us, the ones who are paying the taxes, that's real money. We're enabling a war. Many people will die in Ukraine. Others will die in Africa because grain shipments were cut. Perhaps some in Europe this winter because they can't afford to heat their homes. The Ukrainian economy has been devastated and a huge % of the population displaced. And we're shoveling fuel on the fire. [/QUOTE]We aren't "shoveling fuel on any fire" but are helping an ally defend themselves against a tyrant who has said in no uncertain terms that the Ukraine belongs to Russia and has no right to exist. Take a while and read Putin's speech prior to the invasion. Take him and Russian state news at their word. Ukrainians are willing to pay the price to preserve their land and identity, and to ward off the genocidal and murderous actions of Russia. They are grateful to the US and NATO for the requested help, and to our citizens, that is those of us that don't whine about paying taxes toward standing for democracy in Europe. Thankfully such are very much a minority of Republicans in the House and Senate, only 11 senators voting against the latest aid package, 57 of 212 Repub Congressmen.
[QUOTE=Tiny12;2751199]If Trump had stolen the election in 2020 I bet Russia never would have invaded Ukraine. Trump wasn't above kissing an autocrat's ass, especially when that autocrat controls the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. On the other hand, Joe Biden, like George W. Bush and Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton before him, often emphasizes sanctimony and moral superiority in USA Foreign and defense policy over other considerations.[/QUOTE]Trump wasn't going to steal anything. His only hope would have been martial law which in the end would not have proved successful. If Pence had tried the recommended stunt he'd have been laughed out of the chamber.
Poots has had his sights on Ukraine for ages. He waited though as Trump was the gift that kept on giving, wrecking US democracy with stolen election lies, killing us off bungling a pandemic, looking the other way at hacks on our government cyber infrastructures, sowing divisions in NATO and other isolationist nonsense, believing Poots over our own intelligence, etc and essentially making himself the laughing stock of Europe. Why distract from all that by invading Ukraine? This couldn't continue though without us sinking more into isolation and autocracy with a corrupt grifter at the helm. With Trump gone Poots then asks for the impossible, that the US guarantee that the Ukraine will never be admitted into NATO while knowing full well that no US president has that authority. NATO has an open door policy, and excluding any country perpetually is against the charter. But this wasn't the issue anyway as Poots wants to rebuild empire, and for now, wants the Ukraine, their industries, farmlands, and ports. And thanks to us, our NATO partners, and the bravery and skill of the Ukrainians Russia is losing.
As to nukes, Russia's arsenal is only slightly larger than ours but we don't know what sort of repair it's in. Given what they've shown us of their army it's all plenty questionable. The odds of them using it remains small as it would mean that Russia would then lose the handful of world players that will still have something to do with them. Regardless we the US do not shirk at nuclear saber rattling. While you are whining about Bush, Obama, and Biden don't forget Reagan who led us to victory in the Cold War. Without a doubt he's turning in his grave considering Trump and his followers and the isolationist and appeasement tendencies of the same.
Now go write me up a novel. If you're anything it's chatty, plus it seems you have plenty of time on your hands. Wink.
[QUOTE=Canada;2751240]The last 2 years do prove you are right. Biden is the worst president ever. And correct only the dumbest people in America would disagree.[/QUOTE][URL]https://time.com/5936036/secret-2020-election-campaign/[/URL]
The oligarchs knew they weren't enough dummies voting to get Joe in there legitimately or they wouldn't of spent billions to cheat.
[QUOTE=PVMonger;2751134]Only MAGAts believe that President Biden is the worst President ever. Most presidential historians rate Donnie the Dumbass in the bottom 5. You, of course, don't believe that because you believe Donnie the Dumbass when he fantasizes that he'd beat a P-VP combo of Washington and Lincoln.[/QUOTE]I see you like insulting 90% of ISG, good job working the ref!!
[QUOTE=CaliGuy;2751224]Great post. It really shows the incompetence and stupidity of Biden and his staff. Biden is putting the USA in severe energy consequences. National security with wiping out the Stategic Oil Reserve along with increasing inflation which is horrendous for low and middle income families. And he doesn't care because it doesn't affect them. Now he is letting out criminals right before the mid terms because he has nothing positive to report. Does he think these criminals will run out and vote? I guess to vote democrat you need to be illegal, criminal, druggie or just plain stupid.[/QUOTE]That's what I thought too. Biden's pulling out all stops to try to help with the midterms. In addition to the pardons and the releases from the SPR when oil was $85 a barrel, there was also the student loan forgiveness. And the tax subsidies in the ridiculously-named Inflation Reduction Act for people who want EV's. He's buying votes.
I don't have a problem with pardons for marijuana possession, but the timing sure is suspicious.
[QUOTE=Elvis2008;2751261]Oh brother! Eih's post about Biden's tough talk cracks me up as does this. Oil was $40 to $60 a barrel under Trump and it is $80 to $100 under Biden, and these evil oil companies and the evil Saudis are making money hand over fist with Biden as president. Hell, they should probably donate to his re-election campaign.
And there was this article today. [URL]https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/biden-welcomes-venezuela-oil-he-prepares-block-all-us-offshore-drilling[/URL].
Yesterday afternoon. After reports that the Biden admin would ease sanctions if Venezuela would pleeeeease pump more oil, at BradHuston succinctly opined on Twitter:
So basically Biden is saying that domestic producers are more evil than Venezuela's Nicholas Maduro. ".
This morning, it appears the Biden administration is doubling down on that as Fox Business reports that the Biden administration is nearing a decision on the future of federal offshore fossil fuel drilling and hasn't ruled out a complete block on new leases.
End of link. This should not be news. It should be satire from the Babylon Bee but it is not.
Tiny, if you were an oil company would you bid on one of these leases after the Keystone fiasco and Elizabeth Warren and her windfall profit tax? I would not touch this if I were Exxon or Chevron. I would be looking at other countries to invest in. There is a shale field in Argentina as big as the Permian. I would probably invest there. You wonder if Chevron would rather deal with Maduro over Biden. I cannot believe I actually typed that.
Oh well, the Saudis are laughing all the way to the bank.[/QUOTE]Well, to answer your question Elvis, no, I would not. After an oil company acquires an offshore lease, it may acquire seismic data, drill exploration wells, and then drill development wells if it finds commercial oil. Then there's all the infrastructure that has to go in to produce the wells. It could be ten years before the lease is actually producing oil. By that time, if the Democrats (except Joe Manchin) have their way, there won't be an oil industry. The industry, Wall Street, and lenders all have concerns about investing billions and then ending up with stranded assets.
[QUOTE=Paulie97;2751288]We aren't "shoveling fuel on any fire" but are helping an ally defend themselves against a tyrant who has said in no uncertain terms that the Ukraine belongs to Russia and has no right to exist. Take a while and read Putin's speech prior to the invasion. Take him and Russian state news at their word. Ukrainians are willing to pay the price to preserve their land and identity, and to ward off the genocidal and murderous actions of Russia. They are grateful to the US and NATO for the requested help, and to our citizens, that is those of us that don't whine about paying taxes toward standing for democracy in Europe. Thankfully such are very much a minority of Republicans in the House and Senate, only 11 senators voting against the latest aid package, 57 of 212 Repub Congressmen.
Trump wasn't going to steal anything. His only hope would have been martial law which in the end would not have proved successful. If Pence had tried the recommended stunt he'd have been laughed out of the chamber.
Poots has had his sights on Ukraine for ages. He waited though as Trump was the gift that kept on giving, wrecking US democracy with stolen election lies, killing us off bungling a pandemic, looking the other way at hacks on our government cyber infrastructures, sowing divisions in NATO and other isolationist nonsense, believing Poots over our own intelligence, etc and essentially making himself the laughing stock of Europe. Why distract from all that by invading Ukraine? This couldn't continue though without us sinking more into isolation and autocracy with a corrupt grifter at the helm. With Trump gone Poots then asks for the impossible, that the US guarantee that the Ukraine will never be admitted into NATO while knowing full well that no US president has that authority. NATO has an open door policy, and excluding any country perpetually is against the charter. But this wasn't the issue anyway as Poots wants to rebuild empire, and for now, wants the Ukraine, their industries, farmlands, and ports. And thanks to us, our NATO partners, and the bravery and skill of the Ukrainians Russia is losing.
As to nukes, Russia's arsenal is only slightly larger than ours but we don't know what sort of repair it's in. Given what they've shown us of their army it's all plenty questionable. The odds of them using it remains small as it would mean that Russia would then lose the handful of world players that will still have something to do with them. Regardless we the US do not shirk at nuclear saber rattling. While you are whining about Bush, Obama, and Biden don't forget Reagan who led us to victory in the Cold War. Without a doubt he's turning in his grave considering Trump and his followers and the isolationist and appeasement tendencies of the same.
Now go write me up a novel. If you're anything it's chatty, plus it seems you have plenty of time on your hands. Wink.[/QUOTE]I still love you Paulie, even if you are a warmonger.
[QUOTE=ChocoLoco;2751136] I wrote a lengthy reply which was mostly lies from the past and I go back more years than most. My reply did not get posted. Something wrong with my tablet or connection most likely. Not blaming administration. No single source. I have read about Ethanol for years. Just did a Google search and many articles out there. [/QUOTE] Yet another [b]"just Google it"[/b] reply. There are "many articles out there", yet it is unbelievable as to why you can't provide even one (1). Yes, yes, I know you had tablet/connection problems, but please feel free to respond at a later date with any one of many said Googled articles, to support your opinions/arguments...I'll wait!!
Okay, Okay, I know, I know. [b]Asked[/b] and [b]answered[/b], as I told another BM, not so long ago. But really...not even a single article link of reference? Okay...enough said!!!
[QUOTE=ChocoLoco;2751136] ... I live in an area where 10% ethanol is mandatory due to EPA Regs so that's all we can buy. Cross the county line and it's pure gas for less and better mileage but don't believe me, do some research and see for yourselves. I'm an energy conservationist but don't believe all their solutions as most are profit driven scams. The EV's are another. How long to fill a tank of gas vs fully charging? How many charging stations with how many chargers will it take and everyone won't fill up at same time. They don't now so a bad analogy with the laundry. Mining for battery minerals, the making of the battery and disposing are all environmentally harmful. Put our scientist and engineers to work on a high mileage minimal to no pollution gas engines and get rid of all the huge monster vehicles. Coal or nuclear power plants are not energy or environmentally friendly. Ice friendly discussion though. No name calling. Very refreshing to see differences of opinions expressed civilly like men not boys who know it all. P.S.: I'm not a fan of big oil and actually look at then as the worst but IF and if is a big word, we can do what I mentioned, it would be a more immediate and less harmful solution. [/QUOTE]
Most gasoline sold in the US contains 10% ethanol. Gas is cheaper, but not always, as fuel prices can be volatile. How many people have gas (CNG) vehicles or would buy gas vehicles? Is big auto going to manufacture gas vehicles for people to buy? Would people still convert to gas, if the conversion costs were lower? How long would it take for CNG fueling stations/infrastructure to catch up to the level gasoline fueling stations?
[b]Natural Gas Vehicles: Why Arent We Buying Them?[/b]
[URL]https://www.compare.com/ways-to-save/vehicle/natural-gas-vehicles-guide [/URL]
Most businesses, except of course when they call themselves a "non-profit" business, are profit driven, with the goal of providing the consumer a viable product that they'll want to buy. [b]Where is the scam[/b] in selling people EVs, that want to buy them?
How long to fill a tank of gas vs fully charging? Well, the consumer will usually buy (or not) knowing "charging issues" they are willing to put up with vs. pumping gas.
Also, the charging vs. filling up and charging stations infrastructure gap is closing. Laundry was a joke of course, to poke fun at the anti-EV nay-sayers who make the argument about "EVs being plugged-in all at once". Mining for the current, battery LFP/LMFP materials is no more harmful than current oil, oil-sands or gas mining practices. Other battery chemistries (not requiring tons of mining), are being developed and will look to diversify our reliance on harmful mining. [b]EV batteries are being recycled[/b], that's great for the environment.
Nuclear is the better option than coal, but still has it's drawbacks. More wind and solar are coming online and the tech is getting better and becoming more mature, given time. EVs/Electrification is the way to go, going forward, with most forms of transportation.
What you said, it most definitely sure is refreshing. It would also be very [b]refreshing[/b] to have posters who substantiate and support their arguments/opinions with even the occasional articles/source or link(s), thereby giving more context to the readers of said post.
Even MDS1 posts links, albeit mostly from his favourite fascist right-wing media source(s).
[QUOTE=Tiny12;2751320]I still love you Paulie, even if you are a warmonger.[/QUOTE]Sadly evil exists thus we need cops with guns and even armies and bombs and alliances.
The isolationist whataboutists including some far left academics and a past his prime Pat Buchanan want to talk about the failures of democracy in the Greater Middle East, while the primary aim there was the War on Terror. Ongoing but we hear a lot less out of al qaeda and isis these days. But my whatabouts that Pat and the Noam Chomskys ignore completely is what about Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Estonia to name a few? Or Ukraine? Though democracy is often challenged, all these countries get drastically higher freedom scores than Russia.
[URL]https://freedomhouse.org/countries/freedom-world/scores[/URL]
And this is all in part due to their desires for freedom in a post Soviet world along with support from freedom loving countries in Western Europe and the US. And before anyone talks about NATO expansion, Central and Eastern Europe expanded into NATO not the other way around. They enjoyed freedom and democracy and asked for integration and protection, thus analysis that attempts to demonize the West so often completely ignores the agencies of these countries. The agency of Ukraine at present is the most obvious.
This while Russia has so often been invited to join the civilized world but have chosen kleptocracy and apathy instead. But the social contract was just broken, which was that Putin essentially promised to improve standards of living if the people stayed out of politics. This latest mobilization and mass exodus of young men reflect a wake up call.
P.S. We have hammered this out thoroughly on the stupid shit in Kyiv thread in the Ukraine forum if anyone cares to check out the posts there.