"A lot of the reporting [ . . .] suggests Presidents Biden and Zelenskyy have an uphill climb when it comes to sustaining support for Ukraine ¨. . .]. This is fucking insane.
A lot seems to mean some US/European media, I hate to tell you this, but there is very, very little support for NATO/Ukrainian position among UN members, nor among the independent media (even corporate and state media). It's not that the 85% of the world which don't buy the Ukrainian position outright are Putin's dupes, but they are skeptical of both western and Russian propaganda, and their governments tend to take a more nuanced view of the whole mess,
Yeah, I really have to wonder what the "nuance" is -- "Russia's really big, has nukes and might be crazy enough to use them, and has a lot of oil and gas, so maybe we should just let them have it?"
That factors in, though I've seen some outside the west also making the point that the US is the only country ever to have used nukes, and it claims a right to a first strike. The other factor is that the western countries have a history to live down as former colonial powers in Asia, Africa, Latin America (the latter also suspicious of the US). <
Of course, there are counter-arguments to be made, but the Russians have been more pursuative in their arguments when it comes to the global south.
That’s ridiculous. Sure the US “detonated” nukes in WWII. Since then over the last 70+ years, nukes have been “used” not just by the US but very extensively by Russia as a “deterrent” ie during the “cold war” the entire world lived under the fear and threat of not just the US but Also the USSR and then Russia using nuclear weapons.
Again with the global south russian disinformation. Here, the eu busts 10 myths for you:
They make up the bulk of the audience Zelensky was trying to win over... i.e. the UN members. Nothing says they are right, only that they are not buying what he's selling.
"They" being another European country, not anyting in Asia, Africa, Latin America... which see the western nations as more of an existential threat to their own interests.
You're right... some of these natins are a tough crowd, especially those that define "democracy" less in terms of economic rights or political theories, but more "bread and butter" issues like equatable access to housing, health care, food.
Sometimes countries lose their minds. France in the time of Napoleon. Germany in the time of Hitler. America with that Trump thing. And Russia with Putin.
Those aren't the only examples, but time is tight.
Whether it’s Russia who wants to genocide Ukraine and steal their land or Ukraine refusing to let Russia genocide them and steal their land, both sides have contributed to the polarized partisan tribalism.
Add too, foreign agrobusinesses have had a stake in this since 2014, when the post-Maidan administrations began allowing foreigners to buy up agricultural land and take control of exports.... no, the grain is not going to the "third world", but to European feed-lots.
Much of the overt support for Russia in the global south has to do with the Russians more open to selling grain at lower prices to African/Asian markets than to European ones (who have enough to eat even without the extra meat).
As long as Kevin makes it a condition that he passes this thing with 218 Republican votes, the shutdown is on him.
There's over 200 Dems, he wouldn't even need that many of them to vote to keep government open. But he doesn't dare use any of them, as it'd mean a quick end to his Speakerdom.
He can't control Dems. But if it is a shitty bill he won't get votes for it anyway, unless the House Dems know the Senate will kick it to the curb. Or not even bring it up for a vote.
Keeping the government open is too much for the GQP. I’m sorry, but until Social Security checks start being missed, the GQP has no incentive to not pull this fire alarm at every opportunity.
Speaking of which- I was just dinged on my SS because of paying for Medicare Part B which Idaho used to pay for until the Covid restrictions were lifted. My only source of income dropped 15% ....screwed!
Of course. It's hard to thump your chest and claim the mantle of uber-manliness when we have such a prominent example of actual bravery and leadership.
Starts with the fact that he wouldn't "play ball" with Trump to smear Biden. Then there's the fact that Trump decreed that Republicans have to love Putin, so Zelensky is persona non grata with them.
I've been thinking about that call and how Zelensky navigated the Orange Fuhrer's blatant blackmail. English is not Zelensky's first language, and neither is Mafia speak. I have a feeling he was surrounded by some European diplomats who were familiar with Stupidous Maximous and acted as interpreters.
"A lot of the reporting [ . . .] suggests Presidents Biden and Zelenskyy have an uphill climb when it comes to sustaining support for Ukraine ¨. . .]. This is fucking insane.
A lot seems to mean some US/European media, I hate to tell you this, but there is very, very little support for NATO/Ukrainian position among UN members, nor among the independent media (even corporate and state media). It's not that the 85% of the world which don't buy the Ukrainian position outright are Putin's dupes, but they are skeptical of both western and Russian propaganda, and their governments tend to take a more nuanced view of the whole mess,
Yeah, I really have to wonder what the "nuance" is -- "Russia's really big, has nukes and might be crazy enough to use them, and has a lot of oil and gas, so maybe we should just let them have it?"
That factors in, though I've seen some outside the west also making the point that the US is the only country ever to have used nukes, and it claims a right to a first strike. The other factor is that the western countries have a history to live down as former colonial powers in Asia, Africa, Latin America (the latter also suspicious of the US). <
Of course, there are counter-arguments to be made, but the Russians have been more pursuative in their arguments when it comes to the global south.
Volodya, is that you?
That’s ridiculous. Sure the US “detonated” nukes in WWII. Since then over the last 70+ years, nukes have been “used” not just by the US but very extensively by Russia as a “deterrent” ie during the “cold war” the entire world lived under the fear and threat of not just the US but Also the USSR and then Russia using nuclear weapons.
Again with the global south russian disinformation. Here, the eu busts 10 myths for you:
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/russia/debunking-10-russian-myths-about-black-sea-grain-initiative_en?s=177
You've lost me, what the fuck does "the global south" have to do with Ukraine and Russia's invasion of it?
They make up the bulk of the audience Zelensky was trying to win over... i.e. the UN members. Nothing says they are right, only that they are not buying what he's selling.
more nuanced than "they got invaded and Putin is on the record as saying he wants to kill all Ukranians who are not loyal to him"?
Tough crowd
"They" being another European country, not anyting in Asia, Africa, Latin America... which see the western nations as more of an existential threat to their own interests.
You're right... some of these natins are a tough crowd, especially those that define "democracy" less in terms of economic rights or political theories, but more "bread and butter" issues like equatable access to housing, health care, food.
Really you should take a break from whatever propoganda you are getting that from and read this:
https://www.state.gov/russias-war-on-ukraines-grain-and-global-food-supply-in-five-myths/
Apparently never again means actually again.
Oh. My. God. Zelenskyy's speech. I was crying and holding my breath until he finished. The very best of humanity lives in that man. Slava Ukrainii.
Sometimes countries lose their minds. France in the time of Napoleon. Germany in the time of Hitler. America with that Trump thing. And Russia with Putin.
Those aren't the only examples, but time is tight.
France and Germany came around, not too sure about the Divided States of America.
Jesus, Zelenskyy is not fucking around.
Reading them for filth.
I liked how the camera kept cutting over to the nervous Orc
I'm gonna guess and hope that Pres. Zelenskyy has a state-of-the-art security team, if not better than that.
I'm going to guess that the art is redefined by the state-of-the-Zelenskyy-security-team
Zelenskyy is supposed to be coming to Toronto later this week. Wonder if he'll stop by Queen's Park...
WHICH Queen?
Dear departed Vicky. A lot of stuff in Toronto is named after her.
not that nutty queen in the white hat, whoever the hell she is, Queen Dildo or something?
She does not rate a park. She gets a dried-up dog turd.
harsh, but fair.
to be fair, the domestic asslickers' puppet masters will have conniptions of their own.
Damn...I seem to have a rather large lump in my throat watching Zelensky accept the American flag from Nancy Pelosi...
I bet that gave Nancy a thrill. I hope it gave one to Volodymyr as well.
When will Fox News start complaining Zelenskyy isn't wearing a tie?
Three...two...one....
Very OT ...
Person on event organizing committee: "I think we should" (add more responsibilities and restrictions 3 weeks prior to event)
Me: "OK, who wants to take responsibility for doing those things?"
* crickets *
With ALL of my black little heart I am hoping for and veritably willing triumph followed by PEACE in the great nation of Ukraine in 2024.
That it be for the good of global democracy so mote it be.
Whether it’s Russia who wants to genocide Ukraine and steal their land or Ukraine refusing to let Russia genocide them and steal their land, both sides have contributed to the polarized partisan tribalism.
NYT
Add too, foreign agrobusinesses have had a stake in this since 2014, when the post-Maidan administrations began allowing foreigners to buy up agricultural land and take control of exports.... no, the grain is not going to the "third world", but to European feed-lots.
Much of the overt support for Russia in the global south has to do with the Russians more open to selling grain at lower prices to African/Asian markets than to European ones (who have enough to eat even without the extra meat).
No. Much of 'the overt support for Russia in the global south' has to do with wild enthusiasm for fascism, tyranny, and murderous dictators.
Sounds like you need to read this:
https://www.state.gov/russias-war-on-ukraines-grain-and-global-food-supply-in-five-myths/
At this point the MSM can't seem to frame any issue any other way.
I'm sorry, but mother fucking printers. I'm about to go into a meeting, and I can't print out what I need to.
Printers don't even get the privilege of sucking my ass.
Printers have always been the weak spot in I.T. Always, since Day One. Mine has to be reinstalled at least once a year.
Babbage never got his Differential Engine finished because the printing apparatus wouldn't.
Why do they never work when you really need it? Every time kid would have a paper due, the stupid thing would quit.
PC LOAD LETTER!?!?
Printers are bullshit anyway. WTF do we even need to print anymore?
Because computers were the end of the need for printed docs, as was foretold by the prescient folks at Wired Magazine? Uh huh.
"Paperless Offices", Yo!
In my experience, loads of stuff.
Recipes are what gets printed around here.
Alas, government bureaucracies need hardcopies of many things you can obtain online, such as VA award letters.
Honestly, because many clients don't have smart phones or computers, so we like to give them documents.
OT: We're at the "fire in a whorehouse" level of chaos, to quote one of my Great-Uncles...
𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗛𝘂𝗿𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱: 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁
https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/2023/09/house-republicans-hurl-closer-to-shutdown-as-bill-to-keep-government-open-gets-scrapped-report/
I would like to hear more about your great-uncle!
Definitely a character.
Dear America,
When will you ever learn that the Republicans have zero interest in or ability to govern?
Yrs,
GoutMachine
As long as Kevin makes it a condition that he passes this thing with 218 Republican votes, the shutdown is on him.
There's over 200 Dems, he wouldn't even need that many of them to vote to keep government open. But he doesn't dare use any of them, as it'd mean a quick end to his Speakerdom.
He can't control Dems. But if it is a shitty bill he won't get votes for it anyway, unless the House Dems know the Senate will kick it to the curb. Or not even bring it up for a vote.
The Hastert rule needs to die a short fiery death.
Tsk. He built it...
The Reactionaries want a shutdown. And they can keep sabotaging all efforts to prevent one.
Guess Qev should fix that, huh?
Keeping the government open is too much for the GQP. I’m sorry, but until Social Security checks start being missed, the GQP has no incentive to not pull this fire alarm at every opportunity.
Rethuglicons possess absolutely NO capacity to govern functionally or responsibly.
With the GQP it's simply varying degrees of abject, spend-into-the-red dissension and chaos.
Not 'til there's some personal consequences, they won't.
I don't even think missed Social Security checks will spoil this trick for them; unless and until it costs them power.
Speaking of which- I was just dinged on my SS because of paying for Medicare Part B which Idaho used to pay for until the Covid restrictions were lifted. My only source of income dropped 15% ....screwed!
Do Republicans hate Zelenskyy because he’s an actual alpha male, not a Putin-puffing, performative boor?
Of course. It's hard to thump your chest and claim the mantle of uber-manliness when we have such a prominent example of actual bravery and leadership.
It’s because Putin/Trump told them to.
Starts with the fact that he wouldn't "play ball" with Trump to smear Biden. Then there's the fact that Trump decreed that Republicans have to love Putin, so Zelensky is persona non grata with them.
I hate that term. He's just a decent human being and they don't like those kinds.
From comedian to World Leader this man is a class act.
That and he was the first person to publicly not give the dear leader everything he wanted.
I've been thinking about that call and how Zelensky navigated the Orange Fuhrer's blatant blackmail. English is not Zelensky's first language, and neither is Mafia speak. I have a feeling he was surrounded by some European diplomats who were familiar with Stupidous Maximous and acted as interpreters.
Making Qevin, Turtle, et al. look bad.