Joe Biden, or whoever pulls his strings, needs to keep Ukraine from total collapse until after November 4th. Thousands more Ukrainian (and Russian) casualties are only a relatively minor matter when one has an election to win.
The trap may be, however, that as you note, to forestall Ukrainian defeat they may take steps that lead to an even more horrendous war - one with direct conflict between NATO and Russia.
Dennis, I'm not saying Trump couldn't seek to end the war. But ending the war "in a day" is the type of Trumpian boast that is equal parts absurd and egotistical.
Do you really think Putin, Zelensky, and everyone else involved would obey Trump's "stop now" order, because he said so?
The point is that Trump is reckless with his rhetoric and consumed with his own self image. My father had a saying: the empty barrel makes the most noise.
Zelensky is very definitely a standard, run-of-the-species disposable pawn, Dennis; just like, as You pointed out, those folks back in Vietnam.
And Netanyahu is a disposable pawn in the same sense that Trump and Biden are. Just like Obama, Cheney/Bush II, Clinton, Bozo and Bush I, and The Peanut Farmer were disposable pawns before them.
Dennis: If "everybody knows" that Trump's "ending all wars in a day" is Trumpian Bullshit, and nobody takes it seriously, then what, exactly, IS the GODAM[N] IDEA?
And exactly what are he and his Fans continuing to babble and blubber about?
The million dollar question is whether Trump's Ruling Political Class/Deep State owners, operators, commanders, controllers, handlers, and script writers would LET him pick up the phone and make those phone calls.
And Team Bush the Lesser didn't start that War with Iraq all by him and itself.
He/It had lots and Lots of help from Congress on that; and could not have had that or any other part of "The Forever War" without it.
Dennis: What do You think New Zealand's role will be in the encircling of China to its east along with Australia [and the UK], The Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan, all ably commanded and controlled by the U.S.?
Well Joe Biden said he wanted to be remembered as a great president like LBJ so it looks like Biden is getting us involved in a more modern Vietnam war. Just like LBJ.
The new $60 billion headline aid to Ukraine is $13 to replace presidential drawdown assets, $13 billion in new military assistance, and $20 billion for direct assistance from EUCOM!
That $20 billion is a lot of ISR, and logistics, repairs by contracts, etc. Probably some of it is for past bills. There is no limit to protecting the empire.
It's interesting that manpower, in this age of high tech everything, is proving decisive in Ukraine. Of course there are several weapons that can destroy manpower, nuclear being primary, but also the old standby nerve gas, and there are bioweapons and don't forget the "neutron bomb" of the Carter years that was said to leave hardware intact will killing humans.
Hardware is profitable. It is destroyed either directly or in wearing out with use and must be replaced. There are corporations eager to ramp up production as needed. Now killing humans...they can't be manufactured so there is no profit in replacing them.
War, as it has turned out for the US far removed from any theater, has proven quite manageable given that there is no longer any real budget for the US and money can be dispensed in any amount at any time. If one goes by the old adage of follow the money then what Congress does, that otherwise is inexplicable, makes sense. We the people are only observers.
Have to do something to justify May as "Military Appreciation Month." Besides, any escalation will certainly be justified and long overdue: the Commies (let's call 'em what they are) have always hated The American Way of Life with all its freedoms, including blue jeans and the NFL, just like the rest of the world. It's past time we went (insert Slim Pickens voice), "Toe to toe with the Rooskies."
I think you watch too much TV and too many Hollywood movies which are brought to you by the Military-Industrial-Congressional-Intelligence-Media-Academia-Think-Tank complex (MICIMATT). We are all conditioned from birth to accept a certain vision of the US (all that spreading democracy and freedom crap). Some of us recognize the hypocrisy of the messaging; others do not.
Countries do not hate the US because of its "American way of life". Countries hate a US government violently forcing itself upon other countries to create economic dependency on the US and its corporations.
"Sarcasm." And I believe "hatred of the American way of life" remains the government's justification fobbed off on the Great Unwashed. Having spent quite a few years living in foreign climes - as I do today and which I realize you couldn't know - I am well aware of what others dislike about the US.
Just trying to lighten things up a bit, jg. As for volunteering, I'm already closer to Ukraine than is comfortable for an old geezer like myself. Problem is, you can't light out for the tall timber anymore. Those days are gone. Nowhere's truly safe anymore.
Do You think the greatest threat to America ~ and the Planet ~ today is some form of "Communism," ie, Socialism, Socialist Democracy, Progressivism, etc? Or is it Deep State Corporatist Fascism?
I think the greatest threat to America has been, continues to be, and will likely always be itself. That's from top to bottom, from the willful ignorance of the general populace who apparently don't object to being openly used and abused to those who live to do the using and abusing, either from the shadows or in the light of day. Where lies the greater evil: with the deed, with those who perpetrate it, or with those who allow it?
As for the planet and the lifeforms it currently supports ... the threat lies with those who have or seek nuclear strike capabilities. The US may have opened Pandora's Box, but there are plenty of hands rummaging around in it, and I've yet to see any indication anyone connected to those hands gives a damn about anything beyond their own lifetime.
But i gotta ask: At what point in recent American history ~ like since 9/11 or even the end of World War II ~ have the American Peoples been given the choice of NOT being openly used and abused by the American system of Government and Governance, and its owners, operators, commanders, and controllers? When have they been given a REAL Choice on the matter?
And what steps can, could, and should the American Peoples take today ~ right now ~ to bring that being used and abused by their Leaders and Masters to a complete and total halt? Anything? What are their options?
More Trump? More Biden? More anybody?
As regards the threat to the Planet and the rest of Life on it: My guess is that the effects that Human activity is having on the Biosphere, in general, and the Climate, in particular, is a graver, more real, and immediate probable threat than an exchange of nuclear warheads.
The Fires, Floods, Droughts, extended Tornado Outbreaks, and enhanced Hurricanes are causing increasingly considerable death, destruction, and suffering all over Planet; and promise only to get worse.
And as regards Your DFQ: Are those who are completely powerless to first prevent ~ and then failing that, to stop ~ an evil deed from happening actually "allowing" that evil deed to happen?
Jeff, don't fall for the notion that powerless people are to blame. It's those in power who enable genocide who are to blame, not the powerless, and especially not those powerless people who are out in the streets protesting against it.
With apologies for the delay in getting back to you, jg. I place the blame squarely on the complacency of the electorate. If they cared about what goes on in D.C. (and, subsequently, around the world) they wouldn't continue to re-elect people like Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell. Unless, of course, those two - along with people like M.T Greene, M. Gaetz, AOC, et al - truly represent their views and desires, in which case things are considerably worse than we thought. That's this morning's view from northern Europe, at any rate.
Joe Biden, or whoever pulls his strings, needs to keep Ukraine from total collapse until after November 4th. Thousands more Ukrainian (and Russian) casualties are only a relatively minor matter when one has an election to win.
The trap may be, however, that as you note, to forestall Ukrainian defeat they may take steps that lead to an even more horrendous war - one with direct conflict between NATO and Russia.
At least if Trump wins, we know he'll resolve the conflict in a day. :-)
Dennis, I'm not saying Trump couldn't seek to end the war. But ending the war "in a day" is the type of Trumpian boast that is equal parts absurd and egotistical.
Do you really think Putin, Zelensky, and everyone else involved would obey Trump's "stop now" order, because he said so?
The point is that Trump is reckless with his rhetoric and consumed with his own self image. My father had a saying: the empty barrel makes the most noise.
DT makes a lot of noise.
Zelensky is very definitely a standard, run-of-the-species disposable pawn, Dennis; just like, as You pointed out, those folks back in Vietnam.
And Netanyahu is a disposable pawn in the same sense that Trump and Biden are. Just like Obama, Cheney/Bush II, Clinton, Bozo and Bush I, and The Peanut Farmer were disposable pawns before them.
Dennis: If "everybody knows" that Trump's "ending all wars in a day" is Trumpian Bullshit, and nobody takes it seriously, then what, exactly, IS the GODAM[N] IDEA?
And exactly what are he and his Fans continuing to babble and blubber about?
The million dollar question is whether Trump's Ruling Political Class/Deep State owners, operators, commanders, controllers, handlers, and script writers would LET him pick up the phone and make those phone calls.
And Team Bush the Lesser didn't start that War with Iraq all by him and itself.
He/It had lots and Lots of help from Congress on that; and could not have had that or any other part of "The Forever War" without it.
Dennis: What do You think New Zealand's role will be in the encircling of China to its east along with Australia [and the UK], The Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan, all ably commanded and controlled by the U.S.?
See https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/17pqz5j/us_military_encirclement_of_china/ for an overview.
Well Joe Biden said he wanted to be remembered as a great president like LBJ so it looks like Biden is getting us involved in a more modern Vietnam war. Just like LBJ.
The new $60 billion headline aid to Ukraine is $13 to replace presidential drawdown assets, $13 billion in new military assistance, and $20 billion for direct assistance from EUCOM!
That $20 billion is a lot of ISR, and logistics, repairs by contracts, etc. Probably some of it is for past bills. There is no limit to protecting the empire.
It's interesting that manpower, in this age of high tech everything, is proving decisive in Ukraine. Of course there are several weapons that can destroy manpower, nuclear being primary, but also the old standby nerve gas, and there are bioweapons and don't forget the "neutron bomb" of the Carter years that was said to leave hardware intact will killing humans.
Hardware is profitable. It is destroyed either directly or in wearing out with use and must be replaced. There are corporations eager to ramp up production as needed. Now killing humans...they can't be manufactured so there is no profit in replacing them.
War, as it has turned out for the US far removed from any theater, has proven quite manageable given that there is no longer any real budget for the US and money can be dispensed in any amount at any time. If one goes by the old adage of follow the money then what Congress does, that otherwise is inexplicable, makes sense. We the people are only observers.
Have to do something to justify May as "Military Appreciation Month." Besides, any escalation will certainly be justified and long overdue: the Commies (let's call 'em what they are) have always hated The American Way of Life with all its freedoms, including blue jeans and the NFL, just like the rest of the world. It's past time we went (insert Slim Pickens voice), "Toe to toe with the Rooskies."
I think you watch too much TV and too many Hollywood movies which are brought to you by the Military-Industrial-Congressional-Intelligence-Media-Academia-Think-Tank complex (MICIMATT). We are all conditioned from birth to accept a certain vision of the US (all that spreading democracy and freedom crap). Some of us recognize the hypocrisy of the messaging; others do not.
Countries do not hate the US because of its "American way of life". Countries hate a US government violently forcing itself upon other countries to create economic dependency on the US and its corporations.
"Sarcasm." And I believe "hatred of the American way of life" remains the government's justification fobbed off on the Great Unwashed. Having spent quite a few years living in foreign climes - as I do today and which I realize you couldn't know - I am well aware of what others dislike about the US.
Do You volunteer to be on that frontline to go "toe to toe" with them Rooskies of Eurasia?
Or to go be on that frontline against them Chinese over in Eastasia?
And is the greatest threat to America ~ and the Planet ~ today "Commies" [whatever they still are]? Or is it Deep State Corporatist Fascists?
Just trying to lighten things up a bit, jg. As for volunteering, I'm already closer to Ukraine than is comfortable for an old geezer like myself. Problem is, you can't light out for the tall timber anymore. Those days are gone. Nowhere's truly safe anymore.
Got it. But tell me:
Do You think the greatest threat to America ~ and the Planet ~ today is some form of "Communism," ie, Socialism, Socialist Democracy, Progressivism, etc? Or is it Deep State Corporatist Fascism?
I think the greatest threat to America has been, continues to be, and will likely always be itself. That's from top to bottom, from the willful ignorance of the general populace who apparently don't object to being openly used and abused to those who live to do the using and abusing, either from the shadows or in the light of day. Where lies the greater evil: with the deed, with those who perpetrate it, or with those who allow it?
As for the planet and the lifeforms it currently supports ... the threat lies with those who have or seek nuclear strike capabilities. The US may have opened Pandora's Box, but there are plenty of hands rummaging around in it, and I've yet to see any indication anyone connected to those hands gives a damn about anything beyond their own lifetime.
Good points and a Damn Fine Question, wdt.
But i gotta ask: At what point in recent American history ~ like since 9/11 or even the end of World War II ~ have the American Peoples been given the choice of NOT being openly used and abused by the American system of Government and Governance, and its owners, operators, commanders, and controllers? When have they been given a REAL Choice on the matter?
And what steps can, could, and should the American Peoples take today ~ right now ~ to bring that being used and abused by their Leaders and Masters to a complete and total halt? Anything? What are their options?
More Trump? More Biden? More anybody?
As regards the threat to the Planet and the rest of Life on it: My guess is that the effects that Human activity is having on the Biosphere, in general, and the Climate, in particular, is a graver, more real, and immediate probable threat than an exchange of nuclear warheads.
The Fires, Floods, Droughts, extended Tornado Outbreaks, and enhanced Hurricanes are causing increasingly considerable death, destruction, and suffering all over Planet; and promise only to get worse.
And as regards Your DFQ: Are those who are completely powerless to first prevent ~ and then failing that, to stop ~ an evil deed from happening actually "allowing" that evil deed to happen?
Jeff, don't fall for the notion that powerless people are to blame. It's those in power who enable genocide who are to blame, not the powerless, and especially not those powerless people who are out in the streets protesting against it.
With apologies for the delay in getting back to you, jg. I place the blame squarely on the complacency of the electorate. If they cared about what goes on in D.C. (and, subsequently, around the world) they wouldn't continue to re-elect people like Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell. Unless, of course, those two - along with people like M.T Greene, M. Gaetz, AOC, et al - truly represent their views and desires, in which case things are considerably worse than we thought. That's this morning's view from northern Europe, at any rate.