The Ukraine Crisis

[Caribbean Hen]

Try again

Are they not giving $ and weapons to UKR, the same as we are?

Yea it’s like watching 2 kids in the pool playing

Marco

Polo

[UNI88]

George Will Scorches GOP’s Anti-Ukraine Wing With A Chilling Thought

Instead, they voted “to endanger civilization,” Will wrote in his latest column for The Washington Post published Wednesday.

“Hoping to enhance their political security in their mostly safe seats, and for the infantile satisfaction of populist naughtiness (insulting a mostly fictitious ‘establishment’), they voted to assure [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s attempt to erase a European nation,” Will fumed.
...
But despite its eventual success, Will warned the “cabal of grotesques [in the GOP] might yet predominate.’”
...
“Today’s Moscow-Beijing-Tehran axis is, as the 1930s Axis was, watching,” he wrote, adding: “We can now see that the great unraveling that was World War II perhaps began with Japan’s 1931 invasion of Manchuria. Without the benefit of retrospection, we cannot be certain that World War III has not begun.”

George Will is a true conservative.

[kalm]

Where’s Seagriz?

[houndawg]

George Will Scorches GOP’s Anti-Ukraine Wing With A Chilling Thought

Instead, they voted “to endanger civilization,” Will wrote in his latest column for The Washington Post published Wednesday.

“Hoping to enhance their political security in their mostly safe seats, and for the infantile satisfaction of populist naughtiness (insulting a mostly fictitious ‘establishment’), they voted to assure [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s attempt to erase a European nation,” Will fumed.
...
But despite its eventual success, Will warned the “cabal of grotesques [in the GOP] might yet predominate.’”
...
“Today’s Moscow-Beijing-Tehran axis is, as the 1930s Axis was, watching,” he wrote, adding: “We can now see that the great unraveling that was World War II perhaps began with Japan’s 1931 invasion of Manchuria. Without the benefit of retrospection, we cannot be certain that World War III has not begun.”

George Will is a true conservative.

[houndawg]

Where’s Seagriz?

[UNI88]

Russia's economy is so driven by the war in Ukraine that it cannot afford to either win or lose, economist says

Russia's GDP grew 5.5% year-over-year over the third quarter of 2023, according to data from the Russian government. But most of that growth is being fueled by the nation's monster military spending, Foucart said, with plans for the Kremlin to spend a record 36.6 trillion rubles, or $386 billion on defense this year.

"Military pay, ammunition, tanks, planes, and compensation for dead and wounded soldiers, all contribute to the GDP figures. Put simply, the war against Ukraine is now the main driver of Russia's economic growth" Foucart said in an op-ed for The Conversation this week.

Other areas of Russia's economy are hurting as the war drags on. Moscow is slammed with a severe labor shortage, thanks to young professionals fleeing the country or being pulled into the conflict. The nation is now short around 5 million workers, according to one estimate, which is causing wages to soar.
...
That all puts the Kremlin in a tough position, no matter the outcome of the war in Ukraine. Even if Russia wins, the nation can't afford to rebuild and secure Ukraine, due to the financial costs as well as the impact of remaining isolated from the rest of the global market.

[kalm]

Russia's economy is so driven by the war in Ukraine that it cannot afford to either win or lose, economist says

Russia's GDP grew 5.5% year-over-year over the third quarter of 2023, according to data from the Russian government. But most of that growth is being fueled by the nation's monster military spending, Foucart said, with plans for the Kremlin to spend a record 36.6 trillion rubles, or $386 billion on defense this year.

"Military pay, ammunition, tanks, planes, and compensation for dead and wounded soldiers, all contribute to the GDP figures. Put simply, the war against Ukraine is now the main driver of Russia's economic growth" Foucart said in an op-ed for The Conversation this week.

Other areas of Russia's economy are hurting as the war drags on. Moscow is slammed with a severe labor shortage, thanks to young professionals fleeing the country or being pulled into the conflict. The nation is now short around 5 million workers, according to one estimate, which is causing wages to soar.
...
That all puts the Kremlin in a tough position, no matter the outcome of the war in Ukraine. Even if Russia wins, the nation can't afford to rebuild and secure Ukraine, due to the financial costs as well as the impact of remaining isolated from the rest of the global market.

They also have a huge demographic and highly skilled worker problem coming up. This is an interesting video on it from an Iowa native.

[Caribbean Hen]

Russia's economy is so driven by the war in Ukraine that it cannot afford to either win or lose, economist says

Russia's GDP grew 5.5% year-over-year over the third quarter of 2023, according to data from the Russian government. But most of that growth is being fueled by the nation's monster military spending, Foucart said, with plans for the Kremlin to spend a record 36.6 trillion rubles, or $386 billion on defense this year.

"Military pay, ammunition, tanks, planes, and compensation for dead and wounded soldiers, all contribute to the GDP figures. Put simply, the war against Ukraine is now the main driver of Russia's economic growth" Foucart said in an op-ed for The Conversation this week.

Other areas of Russia's economy are hurting as the war drags on. Moscow is slammed with a severe labor shortage, thanks to young professionals fleeing the country or being pulled into the conflict. The nation is now short around 5 million workers, according to one estimate, which is causing wages to soar.
...
That all puts the Kremlin in a tough position, no matter the outcome of the war in Ukraine. Even if Russia wins, the nation can't afford to rebuild and secure Ukraine, due to the financial costs as well as the impact of remaining isolated from the rest of the global market.

So why no revolt?

[UNI88]

Russia's economy is so driven by the war in Ukraine that it cannot afford to either win or lose, economist says

So why no revolt?

Because this is all FAKE NEWS being spread by a corrupt FOURTH ESTATE. There is no economic or demographic crisis in russia. They're kicking Ukraine's ass, their economy is humming and the russian people are happy as clams.

Is that what you're attempting to insinuate with your question? Is that the defense/deflection being spread like a virus in MAQA yahoo echo chambers?

[houndawg]

Russia's economy is so driven by the war in Ukraine that it cannot afford to either win or lose, economist says

So why no revolt?

Putin's critics keep falling out of windows and drinking Polonium and shit.

[Caribbean Hen]

So why no revolt?

Putin's critics keep falling out of windows and drinking Polonium and shit.

Sounds like Hillary’s playbook

[kalm]

Putin's critics keep falling out of windows and drinking Polonium and shit.

Sounds like Hillary’s playbook

I agree.

But I thought you were just here to school us all on how rotten JRB is.

[houndawg]

Sounds like Hillary’s playbook

I agree.

But I thought you were just here to school us all on how rotten JRB is.

careful about saying "school" around CH, it seems to trigger him - probably had a hard time on the playground

[Caribbean Hen]

Sounds like Hillary’s playbook

I agree.

But I thought you were just here to school us all on how rotten JRB is.

Joey and all his likenesses

[kalm]

I agree.

But I thought you were just here to school us all on how rotten JRB is.

Joey and all his likenesses

So you didn’t just come here about Biden.

[BDKJMU]

George Will Scorches GOP’s Anti-Ukraine Wing With A Chilling Thought

Instead, they voted “to endanger civilization,” Will wrote in his latest column for The Washington Post published Wednesday.

“Hoping to enhance their political security in their mostly safe seats, and for the infantile satisfaction of populist naughtiness (insulting a mostly fictitious ‘establishment’), they voted to assure [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s attempt to erase a European nation,” Will fumed.
...
But despite its eventual success, Will warned the “cabal of grotesques [in the GOP] might yet predominate.’”
...
“Today’s Moscow-Beijing-Tehran axis is, as the 1930s Axis was, watching,” he wrote, adding: “We can now see that the great unraveling that was World War II perhaps began with Japan’s 1931 invasion of Manchuria. Without the benefit of retrospection, we cannot be certain that World War III has not begun.”

George Will is a true conservative.

One who doesn’t care about the debt or deficit spending..

[BDKJMU]

So much for the Abrams tanks the US has given to Ukraine.

Cheap Russian drones overwhelm US-made Abrams tanks, taken out of action

Ukrainian forces are withdrawing US-provided Abrams M1A1 main battle tanks from the front lines after at least five have been destroyed by cheap Russian drones, according to the AP…

….The Russian forces avoided head-to-head clashes between tanks that they were likely to lose and instead adopted a new tactic: attacking the Abrams with swarms of drones that targeted tanks weak points: typically the point where the turret meets the body, the rear covering of the engine and the top of the tank where the armour is thinnest….

…One senior military official, speaking anonymously, said another problem was the Russian forces usually had plenty of warning when an Abrams tank was on the way thanks to extensive drone surveillance. 'There isn't open ground that you can just drive across without fear of detection.'

…While Ukraine led in the use and development of drones in the first year of the war, Russia has been pouring money into its military industrial complex and has now overtaken Ukraine in terms of both the quantity and quality of drones that it is producing, as well as all its munition supplies in general.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on TV on April 25 that the heavy state investment into the military industrial complex and conversion of civilian production to military has resulted in Russia producing more arms than it needs, with the surplus heading to warehouses rather than the front line….

….This investment is also altering the balance of power for tanks. Earlier this year, the Russian defence ministry announced that it had inducted over 1,500 new main battle tanks in 2023 to support its war campaign, whereas Forbes reported in December that Ukraine is down to 350, most of which are the Soviet warhorse, a modified T-72 tank.

The failure of the Abrams to make a difference is a costly miscalculation. The export cost of an Abrams tank can be around $10mn, while Col. Markus Reisner, an Austrian military trainer who follows the weapons being used in Ukraine, told the Euromaidan Press that the Russian suicide drones being used to destroy them can be as cheap as $500 each (a ratio of 20,000:1)….

…..Likewise, Germany sent about five squadrons of its equally powerful Leopard main battle tanks that have been equally disappointing. At least 11 of the 21 sent have been destroyed or damaged and taken out of action, Forbes reported in December. The majority of the Leopard 2A6 tanks sent to Ukraine by Germany are no longer functioning, a senior politician for the German Greens said in Januar……

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ar-AA1nIxGp

[houndawg]

So much for the Abrams tanks the US has given to Ukraine.

Cheap Russian drones overwhelm US-made Abrams tanks, taken out of action

Ukrainian forces are withdrawing US-provided Abrams M1A1 main battle tanks from the front lines after at least five have been destroyed by cheap Russian drones, according to the AP…

….The Russian forces avoided head-to-head clashes between tanks that they were likely to lose and instead adopted a new tactic: attacking the Abrams with swarms of drones that targeted tanks weak points: typically the point where the turret meets the body, the rear covering of the engine and the top of the tank where the armour is thinnest….

…One senior military official, speaking anonymously, said another problem was the Russian forces usually had plenty of warning when an Abrams tank was on the way thanks to extensive drone surveillance. 'There isn't open ground that you can just drive across without fear of detection.'

…While Ukraine led in the use and development of drones in the first year of the war, Russia has been pouring money into its military industrial complex and has now overtaken Ukraine in terms of both the quantity and quality of drones that it is producing, as well as all its munition supplies in general.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on TV on April 25 that the heavy state investment into the military industrial complex and conversion of civilian production to military has resulted in Russia producing more arms than it needs, with the surplus heading to warehouses rather than the front line….

….This investment is also altering the balance of power for tanks. Earlier this year, the Russian defence ministry announced that it had inducted over 1,500 new main battle tanks in 2023 to support its war campaign, whereas Forbes reported in December that Ukraine is down to 350, most of which are the Soviet warhorse, a modified T-72 tank.

The failure of the Abrams to make a difference is a costly miscalculation. The export cost of an Abrams tank can be around $10mn, while Col. Markus Reisner, an Austrian military trainer who follows the weapons being used in Ukraine, told the Euromaidan Press that the Russian suicide drones being used to destroy them can be as cheap as $500 each (a ratio of 20,000:1)….

…..Likewise, Germany sent about five squadrons of its equally powerful Leopard main battle tanks that have been equally disappointing. At least 11 of the 21 sent have been destroyed or damaged and taken out of action, Forbes reported in December. The majority of the Leopard 2A6 tanks sent to Ukraine by Germany are no longer functioning, a senior politician for the German Greens said in Januar……

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ar-AA1nIxGp

so much for all tanks, just like battleships. The times, they are a changin....

[Caribbean Hen]

Joey and all his likenesses

So you didn’t just come here about Biden.

Slow Joe is top priority

McCartney carrying The Beatles is on the list

[Caribbean Hen]

I agree.

But I thought you were just here to school us all on how rotten JRB is.

careful about saying "school" around CH, it seems to trigger him - probably had a hard time on the playground

No, part of my problem in school was when I was in the classroom, I was dreaming of the playground.

They put me in classes with the nerdy college bound smartest kids, and I noticed the teachers didn’t teach a damn thing. They just sent us to the library to do research and find the answers. I would go the library and read the sports page and eventually started some football pools… mostly NFL games in the late 70’s … early and my senior year I looked around one day and realized …. damn this party is almost over

[houndawg]

So you didn’t just come here about Biden.

Slow Joe is top priority

McCartney carrying The Beatles is on the list

Sir Paul was the best all around musician in the band but the key when the Beatles broke out was Ringo.

[Caribbean Hen]

Slow Joe is top priority

McCartney carrying The Beatles is on the list

Sir Paul was the best all around musician in the band but the key when the Beatles broke out was Ringo.

Hey, I like Ringo but let’s not go crazy here

[houndawg]

Sir Paul was the best all around musician in the band but the key when the Beatles broke out was Ringo.

Hey, I like Ringo but let’s not go crazy here

Guess who got the most fan mail when they broke out in the US.


The Beatles problem early on was the drumming. The cliche is true: A good band with an average drummer is an average band, an average band with a good drummer is a good band. Ringo's drumming has been bad-mouthed for decades by people that don't know shit about music. The reason George Martin hired him is because he was the best drummer in England at the time. Listen to the drums in "Rain", and listen to "I saw Her Standing There". Ringo rocks and in every sense but songwriting he is at least their musical equal. I put him up there with Richie Hayward, (Little Feat)- and Al Jackson Jr.,(Booker T and the MGs). I like him better than Neal Peart, both of them are flawless technicians with impeccable timing. The difference? Ringo swings - Neal wouldn't swing if you hung him.

[kalm]

Hey, I like Ringo but let’s not go crazy here

Guess who got the most fan mail when they broke out in the US.


The Beatles problem early on was the drumming. The cliche is true: A good band with an average drummer is an average band, an average band with a good drummer is a good band. Ringo's drumming has been bad-mouthed for decades by people that don't know shit about music. The reason George Martin hired him is because he was the best drummer in England at the time. Listen to the drums in "Rain", and listen to "I saw Her Standing There". Ringo rocks and in every sense but songwriting he is at least their musical equal. I put him up there with Richie Hayward, (Little Feat)- and Al Jackson Jr.,(Booker T and the MGs). I like him better than Neal Peart, both of them are flawless technicians with impeccable timing. The difference? Ringo swings - Neal wouldn't swing if you hung him.

[UNI88]

George Will Scorches GOP’s Anti-Ukraine Wing With A Chilling Thought

George Will is a true conservative.

One who doesn’t care about the debt or deficit spending..

I must have missed where I typed FISCAL before conservative.