Could #Bribenomics get us into a war against a nuclear-armed adversary? https://t.co/udZbqarmaC

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) August 11, 2023

That's not my question, that is a (very good) US Senator asking the real question, and Jordan Peterson.

nortex97 said:

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J. Walter Weatherman said:

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nortex97 said:

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YouBet said:

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NATO leadership has already said they would likely relax the normal entrance requirements for Ukraine. Whether or not that statement is supported by all member countries is another matter. Biden has indicated, so far, he's not willing to admit them yet.

When I last read up on this, I believe there are 7 overall requirements that must be met and Ukraine had met only 2 of them. This was a pre-invasion article I read.

---

The whole point of the war is to cover up Biden's long running family corruption in Ukraine for the remainder of his political career, which looks to be less than a year to go right now, and secondarily to help his other foreign benefactors, the Chinese.

So to that extent it's been a great success. Sorry to those 300K who had to die.

---

So Putin and Biden are working together now?

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I know the deniers are never going to accept that but yes. Russia is run by a smallish set of oligarchs, basically, who are fabulously rich. For instance, the mayor of Moscow didn't get elected for his promises to lower crime or fix pot holes, or run against Putin etc some day.

His widow…Elena Baturina…paid the Bidens a lot, oh by the way the specific amount that Joe paid for his car. She's exempt from sanctions. The Bidens sold out to the Chinese and Russians (Burisma was, functionally, run by rich Russians too). The Bidens weren't picky in who they took money from, into their shell companies, but of course Joe was a special envoy to the most corrupt country in Europe as VP. Russia and Ukraine are very similar in their levels of corruption, oh by the way.

There's a lot of dirt out there for anyone to just now be asking 'what, you mean Joe Biden took money and was/is a partner with Russians? What in the world?'

The list goes on and on.

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Ok, but none of that says "Putin started the war because Biden told him to so that Biden could cover up corruption." Which is an objectively insane thing to say. Especially because it would mean Putin is partnering with the guy who is sending weapons that are killing his own soldiers and making his attempted invasion of Ukraine much more difficult.

nortex97 said:

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Could #Bribenomics get us into a war against a nuclear-armed adversary? https://t.co/udZbqarmaC

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) August 11, 2023

That's not my question, that is a (very good) US Senator asking the real question, and Jordan Peterson.

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Apparently they won't do "anything," because all they have to do is go home.

Teslag said:

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RebelE Infantry said:

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Teslag said:

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Ukraine will want, and should be allowed, to join NATO with any peace deal. It's the only way to assure any peace is permanent. Russia knows this too. Russia would be fine agreeing to a peace now, and them come back for another bite at the apple years later. Ukraine in NATO completely takes that off the table.

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The problem is that Ukraine in NATO is a complete nonstarter for Russia. The only exception to this would be if Ukraine is reduced to a rump state existing solely to the west of the Dnieper and sans Odessa.

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Then russia has no interest in peace unless they are given enough land?

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Not necessarily. Russia needs guarantees that there will not be a NATO state on its southwestern border. That's what started this whole mess in the first place. Now, whether the Russians buy any peace deal the West may offer is another question entirely. The West in general and the US in particular have proven time and again to be untrustworthy negotiators.

The ironic part is that by admitting to using the Minsk Agreements as a stalling tactic and preparation for war, Ukraine has assured it will pay a much higher price than it otherwise would have to end this war.

J. Walter Weatherman said:

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nortex97 said:

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J. Walter Weatherman said:

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nortex97 said:

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YouBet said:

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NATO leadership has already said they would likely relax the normal entrance requirements for Ukraine. Whether or not that statement is supported by all member countries is another matter. Biden has indicated, so far, he's not willing to admit them yet.

When I last read up on this, I believe there are 7 overall requirements that must be met and Ukraine had met only 2 of them. This was a pre-invasion article I read.

---

The whole point of the war is to cover up Biden's long running family corruption in Ukraine for the remainder of his political career, which looks to be less than a year to go right now, and secondarily to help his other foreign benefactors, the Chinese.

So to that extent it's been a great success. Sorry to those 300K who had to die.

---

So Putin and Biden are working together now?

---

I know the deniers are never going to accept that but yes. Russia is run by a smallish set of oligarchs, basically, who are fabulously rich. For instance, the mayor of Moscow didn't get elected for his promises to lower crime or fix pot holes, or run against Putin etc some day.

His widow…Elena Baturina…paid the Bidens a lot, oh by the way the specific amount that Joe paid for his car. She's exempt from sanctions. The Bidens sold out to the Chinese and Russians (Burisma was, functionally, run by rich Russians too). The Bidens weren't picky in who they took money from, into their shell companies, but of course Joe was a special envoy to the most corrupt country in Europe as VP. Russia and Ukraine are very similar in their levels of corruption, oh by the way.

There's a lot of dirt out there for anyone to just now be asking 'what, you mean Joe Biden took money and was/is a partner with Russians? What in the world?'

The list goes on and on.

---

Ok, but none of that says "Putin started the war because Biden told him to so that Biden could cover up corruption." Which is an objectively insane thing to say. Especially because it would mean Putin is partnering with the guy who is sending weapons that are killing his own soldiers and making his attempted invasion of Ukraine much more difficult.

---

Biden practically begged him to invade in December 2021.

Putin, like Zelensky, has zero concerns for his conscripts/soldiers deaths.

Quote:

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That's what started this whole mess in the first place.

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No, what started this "whole mess" was Russian tank columns and mechanized infantry cross into Ukraine in an attempted land grab. Why would Ukraine ever want to join NATO when Russia pulls **** like that?

And through Russia's actions they have now grown NATO in size even without Ukraine and expanded their border with them. So that excuse is complete BS on their part.

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_213448.htm#:~:text=Finland%20became%20NATO's%20newest%20member,at%20NATO%20Headquarters%20in%20Brussels.

nortex97 said:

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J. Walter Weatherman said:

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nortex97 said:

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J. Walter Weatherman said:

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nortex97 said:

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YouBet said:

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NATO leadership has already said they would likely relax the normal entrance requirements for Ukraine. Whether or not that statement is supported by all member countries is another matter. Biden has indicated, so far, he's not willing to admit them yet.

When I last read up on this, I believe there are 7 overall requirements that must be met and Ukraine had met only 2 of them. This was a pre-invasion article I read.

---

The whole point of the war is to cover up Biden's long running family corruption in Ukraine for the remainder of his political career, which looks to be less than a year to go right now, and secondarily to help his other foreign benefactors, the Chinese.

So to that extent it's been a great success. Sorry to those 300K who had to die.

---

So Putin and Biden are working together now?

---

I know the deniers are never going to accept that but yes. Russia is run by a smallish set of oligarchs, basically, who are fabulously rich. For instance, the mayor of Moscow didn't get elected for his promises to lower crime or fix pot holes, or run against Putin etc some day.

His widow…Elena Baturina…paid the Bidens a lot, oh by the way the specific amount that Joe paid for his car. She's exempt from sanctions. The Bidens sold out to the Chinese and Russians (Burisma was, functionally, run by rich Russians too). The Bidens weren't picky in who they took money from, into their shell companies, but of course Joe was a special envoy to the most corrupt country in Europe as VP. Russia and Ukraine are very similar in their levels of corruption, oh by the way.

There's a lot of dirt out there for anyone to just now be asking 'what, you mean Joe Biden took money and was/is a partner with Russians? What in the world?'

The list goes on and on.

---

Ok, but none of that says "Putin started the war because Biden told him to so that Biden could cover up corruption." Which is an objectively insane thing to say. Especially because it would mean Putin is partnering with the guy who is sending weapons that are killing his own soldiers and making his attempted invasion of Ukraine much more difficult.

---

Biden practically begged him to invade in December 2021.

Putin, like Zelensky, has zero concerns for his conscripts/soldiers deaths.

---

Right, but I'm assuming he what's to win. And your theory implies Putin is working directly with the guy who is making that much harder.

I don't mean to assert they have daily calls to coordinate. It's not that kind of relationship. But suffice to say, much of the "Russia bad" narrative is simply for public consumption…and should be analyzed/contextualized given Biden's 40+ year career of relationships with Russians and his vice presidential history as business partners with them under the table. That didn't change when he became senile over the past few years, even if his ability to conceal the family embezzlement schemes faded to nil.

My assertion is that the theater of the absurd in public is some sort of idea that Biden suddenly turned on Putin over invading Ukraine, this time (unlike in 2014, oh by the way), and that Xi, Biden, Putin, and the Russian ruling class (and Ukrainian one, much smaller), aren't essentially all on the same team in this conflict.

It drove massive inflation, weakened the US and Europe economically, empowered China throughout the world, and concealed much of Biden's grifting/criminality, while enriching/serving to enrich many more much more so (Blackrock, etc). Looking at it as some sort of 'fight for freedom from invasion/subjugation' or democracy is…well I've stated my take on that.

nortex97 said:

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I don't mean to assert they have daily calls to coordinate. It's not that kind of relationship. But suffice to say, much of the "Russia bad" narrative is simply for public consumption…and should be analyzed/contextualized given Biden's 40+ year career of relationships with Russians and his vice presidential history as business partners with them under the table. That didn't change when he became senile over the past few years, even if his ability to conceal the family embezzlement schemes faded to nil.

My assertion is that the theater of the absurd in public is some sort of idea that Biden suddenly turned on Putin over invading Ukraine, this time (unlike in 2014, oh by the way), and that Xi, Biden, Putin, and the Russian ruling class (and Ukrainian one, much smaller), aren't essentially all on the same team in this conflict.

It drove massive inflation, weakened the US and Europe economically, empowered China throughout the world, and concealed much of Biden's grifting/criminality, while enriching/serving to enrich many more much more so (Blackrock, etc). Looking at it as some sort of 'fight for freedom from invasion/subjugation' or democracy is…well I've stated my take on that.

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The shifting in global alliances is going to get real interesting. China is on a bad downward slope having reached a pinnacle in its economic growth and modernization of much of its society. They may decide now is the time to strike Taiwan... or they may retreat to their turtle shell and try to salvage any remaining groth potential.

Russia is likely at the beginning of a rise in geopolitical power. With a weakening EU and NATO likely on the way out, there is going to be a power vacuum in Europe.

Fun off the cuff bet... I think the UK reasserts itself on the global stage. They are pissed at the US and tired of being the has been of the global empires.

Quote:

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Russia is likely at the beginning of a rise in geopolitical power. With a weakening EU and NATO likely on the way out, there is going to be a power vacuum in Europe.

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None of this statement is backed up by reality. NATO is stronger than it's ever been, with an enlarged footprint and substantially more funding. Russia is falling apart economically and culturally. It's full of rot and the populace is strung out, downtrodden, and increasingly isolated from the rest of the world.

Teslag said:

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Quote:

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Russia is likely at the beginning of a rise in geopolitical power. With a weakening EU and NATO likely on the way out, there is going to be a power vacuum in Europe.

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None of this statement is backed up by reality. NATO is stronger than it's ever been, with an enlarged footprint and substantially more funding. Russia is falling apart economically and culturally. It's full of rot and the populace is strung out, downtrodden, and increasingly isolated from the rest of the world.

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Times of India is Russian propaganda, but NYT reports the same.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/russian-economy-posts-growth-for-first-time-in-a-year/articleshow/102656966.cms?from=mdr

Michael Bloomberg (known Russian puppet) has a news org spreading Russian state media talking points as well.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-11/russia-s-war-economy-is-on-course-to-recover-from-sanctions-hit

And let's not forget it's usually been the UK that has had to drag the rest of the world to the Ukrainian table...

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4001199-washington-should-emulate-great-britains-gutsy-military-support-for-ukraine/

Quote:

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Once again, it is Great Britain, rather than the United States, that is poised to call Russian President Vladimir Putin's bluff and provide Ukraine with yet another set of capabilities that it desperately needs.

Yet on May 4 the UK Ministry of Defense announced that it had just closed the window for company expressions of interest (EOI) to provide "missiles or rockets with a range 100-300 km; land, sea or air launch." A week later, the UK announced it would transfer Storm Shadow air-launched missiles to Ukraine; the weapon has a 250 km range. In other words, London was offering the Ukrainian forces its equivalent of the American ATACMS.

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https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/uk-pressuring-nations-arming-ukraine-rcna87362

Quote:

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In the more than 15 months since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, Britain has positioned itself as the leading supplier of advanced weaponry to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's military. The U.K. was the first country to provide lethal aid to Ukraine and also the first to send advanced systems like Western tanks.

"We've certainly been one of the leaders at nudging and encouraging others to have greater political courage," Tobias Ellwood, a conservative member of Parliament and the chair of its Defense Select Committee, told NBC News. "To look Russia in the eye conscious of that escalatory ladder and provide Ukraine what they needed."

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I agree with your first part.

Second, Russia I think faces a 20 year period of 'well, ok' power in its sphere, but it is demographically doomed to splinter (after Ukraine). Their attempts to drum up historical greatness (Moscow as the 'new Rome' for instance) borders on the absurd looking at their actual economy.

UK politics completely mystify me. As with the US, I guess it depends if the urban (left) areas wind up dominating politics there. Brexit has worked well for them from what I've seen, but while they remain a key financial center/tech power, their status as an industrial one is at best questionable I think.

https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/russian-economy-current-account-surplus-drops-85-war-ukraine-putin-2023-8

Quote:

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Russia's economy has struggled to keep growing as its war with Ukraine drags on, and central bank data showed Wednesday that its current account surplus saw an 85% year-over-year decline from January to July.
The current account, which is a measure of the total money flowing in and out of the country for trade and investments, surged to $165.4 billion in the six months to July 2022. When Russia launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine last February, the country kept its oil and gas exports flowing, which allowed foreign payments to continue lining its coffers.
Those energy revenues, however, have since tumbled, down 41% year-over-year for the first seven months of 2023. The latest data show Russia's current account is now at $25.2 billion, which reflects the heavy toll that war and Western sanctions have had on the economy.

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And now the Ruble is worth less than the Mexican Peso

https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-ruble-putin-ukraine-war-invasion-dollar-western-sanctions-2023-8

Quote:

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Russia's currency just plunged to its lowest level against the dollar since the beginning of its war in Ukraine another sign that the nation's economy is sputtering as the conflict drags on and its economy is burdened with Western sanctions.

The ruble has traded around 96 against the dollar since last Friday. It's the cheapest Russia's currency has been since Putin began his invasion of Ukraine in February last year, which caused the ruble to briefly plummet to 120 against the dollar.

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UK politics have mystified people for a thousand years or more.

There is not as much separation between rural and urban there in my experience. Hell, almost anywhere in the country you are a couple hour drive or an hour or so train ride from a "major" city.

They have come to terms earlier than us on the immigration problems, woke issues, and producing college graduates with bullshat degrees.

And their national pride is itching for a revitalization. Add in Charles III wanting to leave his tramp stamp on the nation, and I think its ripe for a resurgence.

The hardest part about predicting Russia regards being able to read what is in Putin's head and who realistically succeeds him. I think the Bear is on the rise though I am certain that is not a positive development in the world.

nortex97 said:

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I don't mean to assert they have daily calls to coordinate. It's not that kind of relationship. But suffice to say, much of the "Russia bad" narrative is simply for public consumption…and should be analyzed/contextualized given Biden's 40+ year career of relationships with Russians and his vice presidential history as business partners with them under the table. That didn't change when he became senile over the past few years, even if his ability to conceal the family embezzlement schemes faded to nil.

My assertion is that the theater of the absurd in public is some sort of idea that Biden suddenly turned on Putin over invading Ukraine, this time (unlike in 2014, oh by the way), and that Xi, Biden, Putin, and the Russian ruling class (and Ukrainian one, much smaller), aren't essentially all on the same team in this conflict.

It drove massive inflation, weakened the US and Europe economically, empowered China throughout the world, and concealed much of Biden's grifting/criminality, while enriching/serving to enrich many more much more so (Blackrock, etc). Looking at it as some sort of 'fight for freedom from invasion/subjugation' or democracy is…well I've stated my take on that.

---

Certainly your opinion, just seems to me like you are over-complicating the reality of why Putin started the war and wish-casting in a search for a roundabout way to blame Biden.

And the "Russia bad" narrative comes from the objective fact that they launched an invasion of a neighbor who didn't attack them and started a war that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people who would still be alive today if they didn't invade. Again, you can try and over-complicate it all you want, but those are the basic facts.

Teslag said:

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Quote:

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That's what started this whole mess in the first place.

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No, what started this "whole mess" was Russian tank columns and mechanized infantry cross into Ukraine in an attempted land grab. Why would Ukraine ever want to join NATO when Russia pulls **** like that?

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If you sincerely believe that this conflict began in February of 2022, then this conversation ends here.

Teslag said:

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And let's not forget it's usually been the UK that has had to drag the rest of the world to the Ukrainian table...

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4001199-washington-should-emulate-great-britains-gutsy-military-support-for-ukraine/

Quote:

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Once again, it is Great Britain, rather than the United States, that is poised to call Russian President Vladimir Putin's bluff and provide Ukraine with yet another set of capabilities that it desperately needs.

Yet on May 4 the UK Ministry of Defense announced that it had just closed the window for company expressions of interest (EOI) to provide "missiles or rockets with a range 100-300 km; land, sea or air launch." A week later, the UK announced it would transfer Storm Shadow air-launched missiles to Ukraine; the weapon has a 250 km range. In other words, London was offering the Ukrainian forces its equivalent of the American ATACMS.

---

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/uk-pressuring-nations-arming-ukraine-rcna87362

Quote:

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In the more than 15 months since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, Britain has positioned itself as the leading supplier of advanced weaponry to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's military. The U.K. was the first country to provide lethal aid to Ukraine and also the first to send advanced systems like Western tanks.

"We've certainly been one of the leaders at nudging and encouraging others to have greater political courage," Tobias Ellwood, a conservative member of Parliament and the chair of its Defense Select Committee, told NBC News. "To look Russia in the eye conscious of that escalatory ladder and provide Ukraine what they needed."

---

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You are correct. Just as they dragged us into the Second World War, they are doing their level best to drag us into a third.

Democrats/left-leaning groups were mad at his rhetoric going back to March 2021. He(*) had every opportunity to de-escalate, with Putin (of course), and chose to do the opposite since getting sworn into office.

That's not wish casting, it's history.

nortex97 said:

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Democrats/left-leaning groups were mad at his rhetoric going back to March 2021. He(*) had every opportunity to de-escalate, with Putin (of course), and chose to do the opposite since getting sworn into office.

That's not wish casting, it's history.

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It definitely wasn't helpful. But I attribute that more to him being a senile moron than some 12D chess master conspiracy plan. YMMV.

RebelE Infantry said:

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Teslag said:

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Quote:

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That's what started this whole mess in the first place.

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No, what started this "whole mess" was Russian tank columns and mechanized infantry cross into Ukraine in an attempted land grab. Why would Ukraine ever want to join NATO when Russia pulls **** like that?

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If you sincerely believe that this conflict began in February of 2022, then this conversation ends here.

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Of course. Russia also invaded sovereign Ukraine in another land grab in 2014. So Ukraine has been invaded twice, and you still wonder why they want to join NATO.

From my perspective, "its all Russias fault and there is no nuance" is becoming a less and less popular position because people are starting to see the corruption in our own government.

PlaneCrashGuy said:

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From my perspective, "its all Russias fault and there is no nuance" is becoming a less and less popular position because people are starting to see the corruption in our own government.

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It is Russia's fault, but there is also nuance. A Putin puppet fiefdom was overturned in a color revolution which was aided by the West. Russia never cared about "nazis" or any real threat of NATO invasion. What they wanted in Ukraine was to secure the farmlands, the natural resources, and the majority of the Black Sea coast. They had that without fighting when their guy was running the show (similar to Belarus). The nationalist ideals of a return to the historical lands of the Russian Empire also played a huge part.

And so our idiots in Washington will support Ukraine down to their last soldier !

oysterbayAG said:

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And so our idiots in Washington will support Ukraine down to their last soldier !

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The idiots in Washington don't give two shatz about the Ukes. All they want is to make money of the game.

Trump came to DC with money and that scared them to death and they were right to be scared.

My statement was intended to convey a meaning less about the actual popularity of the position or the fault of the war, it was written more about how/what/why I see the reason for the shift.

You may say what you will about Nortex, but it is undeniable how well he has documented the shift in western media coverage with his hyperlinks these last few weeks when compared to last year.

Afganistan : Poppy Seeds

Ukraine : ____________

Stat Monitor Repairman said:

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Afganistan : Poppy Seeds

Ukraine : ____________

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Sex slaves.

It's the hub of the trafficking trade of eastern Europe.

PlaneCrashGuy said:

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My statement was intended to convey a meaning less about the actual popularity of the position or the fault of the war, it was written more about how/what/why I see the reason for the shift.

You may say what you will about Nortex, but it is undeniable how well he has documented the shift in western media coverage with his hyperlinks these last few weeks when compared to last year.

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I've yet to see any shift in mainstream media blaming anyone but Russia and rightfully so.

Not a Bot said:

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PlaneCrashGuy said:

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From my perspective, "its all Russias fault and there is no nuance" is becoming a less and less popular position because people are starting to see the corruption in our own government.

---

It is Russia's fault, but there is also nuance. A Putin puppet fiefdom was overturned in a color revolution which was aided by the West. Russia never cared about "nazis" or any real threat of NATO invasion. What they wanted in Ukraine was to secure the farmlands, the natural resources, and the majority of the Black Sea coast. They had that without fighting when their guy was running the show (similar to Belarus). The nationalist ideals of a return to the historical lands of the Russian Empire also played a huge part.

---

Spot on

Teslag said:

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Quote:

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Russia is likely at the beginning of a rise in geopolitical power. With a weakening EU and NATO likely on the way out, there is going to be a power vacuum in Europe.

---

None of this statement is backed up by reality. NATO is stronger than it's ever been, with an enlarged footprint and substantially more funding. Russia is falling apart economically and culturally. It's full of rot and the populace is strung out, downtrodden, and increasingly isolated from the rest of the world.

---

This is definitely an American -centric viewpoint. NATO may be stronger (without evidence to back it up I am unable to argue), but Russia is definitely looking better to third world countries when they promise to replace lost grain imports for free.

Teslag said:

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https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/russian-economy-current-account-surplus-drops-85-war-ukraine-putin-2023-8

Quote:

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With threats of the Petro dollar demise, why would you compare anything to the US dollar?
Russia's economy has struggled to keep growing as its war with Ukraine drags on, and central bank data showed Wednesday that its current account surplus saw an 85% year-over-year decline from January to July.
The current account, which is a measure of the total money flowing in and out of the country for trade and investments, surged to $165.4 billion in the six months to July 2022. When Russia launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine last February, the country kept its oil and gas exports flowing, which allowed foreign payments to continue lining its coffers.
Those energy revenues, however, have since tumbled, down 41% year-over-year for the first seven months of 2023. The latest data show Russia's current account is now at $25.2 billion, which reflects the heavy toll that war and Western sanctions have had on the economy.

---

And now the Ruble is worth less than the Mexican Peso

https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-ruble-putin-ukraine-war-invasion-dollar-western-sanctions-2023-8

Quote:

---

Russia's currency just plunged to its lowest level against the dollar since the beginning of its war in Ukraine another sign that the nation's economy is sputtering as the conflict drags on and its economy is burdened with Western sanctions.

The ruble has traded around 96 against the dollar since last Friday. It's the cheapest Russia's currency has been since Putin began his invasion of Ukraine in February last year, which caused the ruble to briefly plummet to 120 against the dollar.

---

---

J. Walter Weatherman said:

---

nortex97 said:

---

I don't mean to assert they have daily calls to coordinate. It's not that kind of relationship. But suffice to say, much of the "Russia bad" narrative is simply for public consumption…and should be analyzed/contextualized given Biden's 40+ year career of relationships with Russians and his vice presidential history as business partners with them under the table. That didn't change when he became senile over the past few years, even if his ability to conceal the family embezzlement schemes faded to nil.

My assertion is that the theater of the absurd in public is some sort of idea that Biden suddenly turned on Putin over invading Ukraine, this time (unlike in 2014, oh by the way), and that Xi, Biden, Putin, and the Russian ruling class (and Ukrainian one, much smaller), aren't essentially all on the same team in this conflict.

It drove massive inflation, weakened the US and Europe economically, empowered China throughout the world, and concealed much of Biden's grifting/criminality, while enriching/serving to enrich many more much more so (Blackrock, etc). Looking at it as some sort of 'fight for freedom from invasion/subjugation' or democracy is…well I've stated my take on that.

---

Certainly your opinion, just seems to me like you are over-complicating the reality of why Putin started the war and wish-casting in a search for a roundabout way to blame Biden.

And the "Russia bad" narrative comes from the objective fact that they launched an invasion of a neighbor who didn't attack them and started a war that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people who would still be alive today if they didn't invade. Again, you can try and over-complicate it all you want, but those are the basic facts.

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Not complicated at all. That's how war works. As I've previously stated, a nation's right to exist is based on its ability to defend itself. Do you think differently?