Isaac

In Ampthill, Bedfordshire, where they have a massive factory in my country, Lockheed Martin are far more important relative to the local economy than ...

https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/styles/body_embedded/public/2020-12/arms_industry_social_media-12.jpg?itok=MJsPh4fn

Is it? What multi-billion dollar industry does cynicism prop up?

It isn't.

I'm not writing them all out again. I've already stated them, you opposed them with your knee-jerk tribalism, I pointed that out...now you want to avo...

I didn't say it was 'required' did I? I said I had no reason to. Not liking cricket gives me no reason to play cricket. Is that the same as saying I'm...

In other news - what 'people on the outside' just don't realise about the French is that they wear onions around their neck, berets and stripy jumpers...

Just in case anyone is in any doubt as to the nature of US 'help'. You mean protect innocent Syrians surely? "...sorry, who are the Syrians?"

I didn't need your permission, but thanks. Is there some evidence of my having done so? I'm not 'supporting no one', I'm supporting Ukrainians, and Ye...

True...ish. I think that an important distinction might be drawn between simply not being involved (I'm currently not warmongering), and being opposed...

Typical non-answer. It was perfectly precise as it was. People support strategies not sides, in contrast to you entire position here that anything sho...

Your final sentence undermines your entire argument. People are making choices about strategy, not sides. But five minutes of consideration would have...

If I say to someone about to shoot a child "for God's sake don't shoot!" It's not a counter argument to ask "well what should I do instead?"

This is Shireen Al-Adeimi talking about the war in Yemen. Sums up what's happening here quite well.

Why in hell's name would you do that? Do you think there's a soul in the Western world who doesn't know that already? It's the front page of every fuc...

I'm not Russian, nor talking to any Russians. Why would I morally condemn them? This is a discussion forum, not a socialising site. You're not 'gettin...

Oh right, so just stupidity then. I can forgive that.

If you don't understand the relevance of some of the points to the geopolitical situation, you can just ask. Alternatively, if all you want is post af...

I'm sure, given the newfound zealotry, @"Olivier5" will join heartily in the calls for you to back up such accusations with quotes. Or does your insis...

So? The argument was that you raised token mantras where they had no relevance in context. Their 'importance' is immaterial. Indeed it would. Why woul...

Yeah, there's been some weird moral arguments raised as truisms which I thought had been put to bed long ago. This idea that we should support the wea...

Halcyon days indeed! We could insult whichever mental condition we liked - what fun we had. Fortunately for my tattered reputation, I used a lower cas...

Nothing. Yet that is a necessary task (unless you advise we just guess). It is not a necessary task for us to assume a single goal for all Ukrainians,...

Yeah, I was trying to convey to @"Wayfarer" earlier this very idea that propaganda is not just lies, but (more so, in my opinion) distraction, misdire...

Sure. The first time I mentioned the word was in response to... We were talking about Russia's rhetorical use of the Neo-Nazi issue and the most diplo...

And its use in context... https://www.eurointelligence.com/column/the-cheerleading-has-to-stop

For you, maybe. I'm quite happy with the claim and prepared to stand by it. For me, however, the point is very much the astonishing... Your narcissism...

You really are a case, aren't you. Tell me, when you wrote that, what went through your mind? Did you think of all the nasty insulting things you've s...

I'd also add that it's different for those in power. Vivek Chibber explained it quite well in an interview recently, so I'll borrow him...

This is possibly the most hilarious one of the last page, so I thought it worth re-iterating. If there were propaganda, from what source were you expe...

Then it is for 'you' to decide isn't it? Your last sentence literally entails a decision. It's that decision we're discussing. If some Ukrainians (the...

Yes, I agree, but, of course, there's more to believing one has a choice than merely it being materially the case. I think a greater part of what make...

Yes, exactly. If it does it does. I wasn't being dismissive of it as a method, more of its absence as a condemnation. I have the greatest respect for ...

Weather today cloudy with some sunny intervals. Highs of 12 degrees.

But earlier you said... ...and... Now you're arguing he won't use nukes because it's not a strategically smart move. It seems Putin swings from the em...

And that makes a difference to the argument how?

He also said he was carrying out a 'special operation' to denazify Ukraine. You believe that?

What? You really will drag up anything to avoid just having to concede won't you? Now Putin won't escalate because of his world-renowned decency? A mi...

Then why... ...?

https://www.rferl.org/a/death-toll-up-to-13-000-in-ukraine-conflict-says-un-rights-office/29791647.html How many more are you prepared to reach while ...

I don't see how that analysis makes any difference. I'm not painting those republics as utopia so you providing data showing they're not is irrelevant...

I'm not speaking to Russian soldiers. Nor am I speaking to Ukrainians. I'm speaking (mostly) to Europeans, Americans and Scandinavians. So why would I...

Wtf? What have I said that could possibly lead to that conclusion?

Yes (insofar as any such description was in word only - not forming part of any conclusion). If you agree that Ukraine is no picnic and Russia not a t...

I don't object to your assessment of Russia. I object to your assessment of Ukraine. This need to polemicise is at the heart of the problem. Russia is...

Imagine thinking the Russians in that photo lack agency! They can't just decide for themselves that they like Putin's agenda. No, you have to go and a...

I was referring to your conclusions, not your evidence. We're all just 'some guy'. The entire point of this forum is that we respond in some reasoned ...

Yes. I'm firmly convinced of the fact that no minor fact of geographical or cultural heterodoxy will have any impact on the logical existence of two o...

So what? A guy says something and?

Unfortunately for the Ukrainians, neither your nor your nor @"SophistiCat"'s taking offence at the suggestion changes the facts on the ground. People ...