The Ukraine Crisis

[Ibanez]

Biden could be goving a much stronger response. Starting with removing Russia from SWIFT, and putting sanctions on the Russian energy companies.

This invasion was coming - I don't see why there are "talks." They should already know what to do. SWIFT should be #1.

[Ibanez]

They won't fight. There's no money in it for them. They'll put on some BDUs and flak jackets for a photo op, that's the extent of it.

Uh, most of those guys have served multiple combat tours already

But now they're politicians. Trust me, I would LOVE to be proven wrong. I just don't think many of them would take up arms.

[kalm]

Biden could be goving a much stronger response. Starting with removing Russia from SWIFT, and putting sanctions on the Russian energy companies.

This invasion was coming - I don't see why there are "talks." They should already know what to do. SWIFT should be #1.

I don’t think many actually believed Putin would be able to do it. Even the Ukrainians.

But I’m guessing Putin knew. He also knows the endgame. Part of that being Europe needs the energy. Prices are through the roof.

[Col Hogan]

[CAA Flagship]

Biden could be goving a much stronger response. Starting with removing Russia from SWIFT, and putting sanctions on the Russian energy companies.

This invasion was coming - I don't see why there are "talks." They should already know what to do. SWIFT should be #1.

Whatever is done, it is not done in a vacuum. There will be pain felt by others, and probably by us. And that is just the direct reaction. Then you have to weigh the unknown reactions. Putin is a cornered animal and won't give up easily.
The actions we need to take are ones that affect him in the medium and long term as well as short term. If we hit him with short term consequences, he is likely to go full-asshole.

[BDKJMU]

This invasion was coming - I don't see why there are "talks." They should already know what to do. SWIFT should be #1.

I don’t think many actually believed Putin would be able to do it. Even the Ukrainians.

But I’m guessing Putin knew. He also knows the endgame. Part of that being Europe needs the energy. Prices are through the roof.

But Russia needs the $$$. Cut off their energy exports, and their economy eventually collapses.

[BDKJMU]

Meanwhile, Hitler is rolling over in his grave. What a shame.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/germany-a ... -top-chief

And this is an example of how Trump was right in other NATO countries needing to pay up, and carry their own weight..

[kalm]

Russia threatens Finland and Sweden with military consequences if they seek to join NATO…

https://thehill.com/policy/internationa ... k4mcz3vprY

[Ibanez]

Russia threatens Finland and Sweden with military consequences if they seek to join NATO…

https://thehill.com/policy/internationa ... k4mcz3vprY

Can the anyone blame them? They want that Article 5 protection.

[GannonFan]

Russia threatens Finland and Sweden with military consequences if they seek to join NATO…

https://thehill.com/policy/internationa ... k4mcz3vprY

Ukraine is seeing the problem with NOT being in NATO right now. I think Finland and Sweden would like the option to not be invaded. The Baltic states are probably feeling pretty good about the NATO alliance right now given what's happening in Ukraine could've been happening to them. At least they know there will be a NATO military response (with actual people and weapons) should Putin decide to move in that direction.

[kalm]

Another good read on the potential domestic risk for Putin.

https://www.axios.com/russian-public-op ... 0IQIWtqsPk

[Ibanez]

Russia threatens Finland and Sweden with military consequences if they seek to join NATO…

https://thehill.com/policy/internationa ... k4mcz3vprY

Ukraine is seeing the problem with NOT being in NATO right now. I think Finland and Sweden would like the option to not be invaded. The Baltic states are probably feeling pretty good about the NATO alliance right now given what's happening in Ukraine could've been happening to them. At least they know there will be a NATO military response (with actual people and weapons) should Putin decide to move in that direction.

Agreed. And now that the NATO Response Force has been activated, seemingly for the first time ever according to some news agencies, the defense of those Baltic States might be next.

[93henfan]

That was doable in the early 80s. Now, you couldn't afford the ammo for that AK due to Biden's sanction on Russian ammo from 2021.

A tad bit of irony.

[GannonFan]

Now the real payback starts. Russia is now kicked out of the Eurovision contest for 2022. How do you like that now, Mr. Putin!!! Europe is playing hardball now.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/25/entertai ... index.html

Although, it does raise the question why the IOC doesn't just out and out ban Russia from any future Olympics (including the Paralympics), given this invasion as well as the continual doping scandals. I know the IOC is as corrupt as the day is long, so they're probably not too worried about the morality of any of this, but that should be something too. Make Russia into a pariah - they kinda already are anyway, just make it official. Heck, soccer isn't known for standing up to bad behavior and they've already moved the UEFA Champions League out of Russia and teams are already saying they aren't going to Russia to play qualifiers.

[UNI88]

Now the real payback starts. Russia is now kicked out of the Eurovision contest for 2022. How do you like that now, Mr. Putin!!! Europe is playing hardball now.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/25/entertai ... index.html

Although, it does raise the question why the IOC doesn't just out and out ban Russia from any future Olympics (including the Paralympics), given this invasion as well as the continual doping scandals. I know the IOC is as corrupt as the day is long, so they're probably not too worried about the morality of any of this, but that should be something too. Make Russia into a pariah - they kinda already are anyway, just make it official. Heck, soccer isn't known for standing up to bad behavior and they've already moved the UEFA Champions League out of Russia and teams are already saying they aren't going to Russia to play qualifiers.

Chairman Xi won't allow it.

[Ibanez]

Now the real payback starts. Russia is now kicked out of the Eurovision contest for 2022. How do you like that now, Mr. Putin!!! Europe is playing hardball now.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/25/entertai ... index.html

Although, it does raise the question why the IOC doesn't just out and out ban Russia from any future Olympics (including the Paralympics), given this invasion as well as the continual doping scandals. I know the IOC is as corrupt as the day is long, so they're probably not too worried about the morality of any of this, but that should be something too. Make Russia into a pariah - they kinda already are anyway, just make it official. Heck, soccer isn't known for standing up to bad behavior and they've already moved the UEFA Champions League out of Russia and teams are already saying they aren't going to Russia to play qualifiers.

They also lose an F1 race, HAAS racing has replaced its Russian driver, F1 has taken the Russian flag of its website, etc....never before have harsher penalties been handed down.

[93henfan]

HAAS racing has replaced its Russian driver

I'll assume that is just for testing this week. His dad is the biggest funder of the team. He's a money driver, like Lance Stroll; only driving because of daddy's funding coming with him in the seat as a contingency.

[CAA Flagship]

Now the real payback starts. Russia is now kicked out of the Eurovision contest for 2022. How do you like that now, Mr. Putin!!! Europe is playing hardball now.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/25/entertai ... index.html

Although, it does raise the question why the IOC doesn't just out and out ban Russia from any future Olympics (including the Paralympics), given this invasion as well as the continual doping scandals. I know the IOC is as corrupt as the day is long, so they're probably not too worried about the morality of any of this, but that should be something too. Make Russia into a pariah - they kinda already are anyway, just make it official. Heck, soccer isn't known for standing up to bad behavior and they've already moved the UEFA Champions League out of Russia and teams are already saying they aren't going to Russia to play qualifiers.

They also lose an F1 race, HAAS racing has replaced its Russian driver, F1 has taken the Russian flag of its website, etc....never before have harsher penalties been handed down.

In solidarity, I'm laying off the Russian vodka and Russian porn.

[93henfan]

They also lose an F1 race, HAAS racing has replaced its Russian driver, F1 has taken the Russian flag of its website, etc....never before have harsher penalties been handed down.

In solidarity, I'm laying off the Russian vodka and Russian porn.

Yep. Polish vodka and Ukrainian porn will have to suffice.

[Ibanez]

HAAS racing has replaced its Russian driver

I'll assume that is just for testing this week. His dad is the biggest funder of the team. He's a money driver, like Lance Stroll; only driving because of daddy's funding coming with him in the seat as a contingency.

As of right now, yes. There was a story or two earlier about looking at his fathers company. The branding and Russian flag colors were removed from the livery today.

[Ibanez]

In solidarity, I'm laying off the Russian vodka and Russian porn.

Yep. Polish vodka and Ukrainian porn will have to suffice.

In the service of your country, gentlemen.

[93henfan]

I'll assume that is just for testing this week. His dad is the biggest funder of the team. He's a money driver, like Lance Stroll; only driving because of daddy's funding coming with him in the seat as a contingency.

As of right now, yes. There was a story or two earlier about looking at his fathers company.

Could be the end of Haas F1 if they lose Uralkali. It's hard to keep going when you suck and the only reason a company will sponsor you is because the owner has a fetish that his son can drive an F1 car.

[AZGrizFan]

We know Trump is an idiot, but is/was he useful?

I think it all depends on your political lens. If you're moderate in any way, you might say he was just an idiot who by inaction and praise emboldened Putin.

The below pretty much sums up my opinion on the varying sides and their views:

Hard Right - Trump was the best thing since slice bread and he's the hero we need! MAGA! See BDK for reference.
Hard Left - TRUMP WAS AWFUL AND A PUPPET! PUTINS' HAND IS STILL UP HIS BUTT! #IMPEACH45 .See DBack for reference
Moderates - Trump was an idiot and a known con man. He did some good, some bad. He should've kept his mouth shut and not surrounded himself with sycophant's. Putin probably didn't know what to make of him b/c he was sucking up to dictators like himself and Kim Jong, bashing NATO and throwing out wild conspiracies about everything from windmill cancer to bleach in your veins. See Uni88, Gannon and myself for reference.

Trump: right about wiretapping in Trump Tower. Right about Russiagate. Right about the border and securing the border. Right about NATO needing to spend more on defense. Right about the sanctions on the Russian pipeline. Right about European countries needing to get off the Russian oil teet…

For an idiot, he sure has ended up being right about a lot of shit…as opposed to the current octagenarian in the White House who is a smooth O-fer on being right about literally anything.

[Ibanez]

As of right now, yes. There was a story or two earlier about looking at his fathers company.

Could be the end of Haas F1 if they lose Uralkali. It's hard to keep going when you suck and the only reason a company will sponsor you is because the owner has a fetish that his son can drive an F1 car.

It's a shame that they suck so much. You really want to root for Haas, the home country team. But damnit...they are awful.

[Ibanez]

I think it all depends on your political lens. If you're moderate in any way, you might say he was just an idiot who by inaction and praise emboldened Putin.

The below pretty much sums up my opinion on the varying sides and their views:

Hard Right - Trump was the best thing since slice bread and he's the hero we need! MAGA! See BDK for reference.
Hard Left - TRUMP WAS AWFUL AND A PUPPET! PUTINS' HAND IS STILL UP HIS BUTT! #IMPEACH45 .See DBack for reference
Moderates - Trump was an idiot and a known con man. He did some good, some bad. He should've kept his mouth shut and not surrounded himself with sycophant's. Putin probably didn't know what to make of him b/c he was sucking up to dictators like himself and Kim Jong, bashing NATO and throwing out wild conspiracies about everything from windmill cancer to bleach in your veins. See Uni88, Gannon and myself for reference.

Trump: right about wiretapping in Trump Tower. Right about Russiagate. Right about NATO needing to spend more on defense. Right about the sanctions on the Russian pipeline. Right about European countries needing to get off the Russian oil teet…

For an idiot, he sure has ended up being right about a lot of shit…

Oh yeah.. those Russian sanctions sure worked. Trump was wrong about a rigged 2020 election. Wrong about COVID-19 just going away. Wrong about Russian interference in the 2016 election. Wrong about Russian sponsored SolarWinds hack that occurred on his watch. Wrong about Ukraine hacking out elections.


He was wrong and right about many things but let's not canonize the man just yet.