Mikie

I don't. I'll keep trying to push things in that direction -- I just don't see the odds of success as probable. But as long as there's a chance, it's ...

It wasn't critical of my position -- which you failed to grasp -- it was a strawman about a "neocon analysis" and then platitudes about bravely facing...

True. That’d be fine with me. Odds are rather slim, unfortunately.

Sure. I'm not married to any one strategy -- I just want the war to end. If that's the outcome, I don't care how it's done. Again, I harp on the US be...

Is this an argument? I guess I can’t disprove that the war in Iraq wasn’t to spread freedom and democracy either. Maybe it really was!

Yes. Claiming someone you disagree with is not seeing the “actual world” or should look at the world “as it is” is an insult. You could just as easily...

The administration could still throw its weight behind negotiations.

I don’t feel you’ve really understood me. A lot of your post is strawmaning. And I want it to be noted that it was you who started with insults, not m...

Well that’s a merit! I think it overlooks the fact that the US helped provoke this war, and that this is also a great opportunity to weaken an enemy b...

Well that seems tedious, but kudos to you for doing so!

:lol:

That’s probably all true, in my opinion. But it’s not a complete picture. It’s a narrative that leaves out a lot of information — information that’s e...

Sorry, this may seem out of left field and no offense is meant, but I’m wondering: do you write all of these links out yourself, or are these somehow ...

I don’t pretend to have any special knowledge about Putin’s motivations. I’m sure this played a role. I’m sure egoism played a role, etc. Then we can ...

Right, all the more reason why the examples I mentioned are poor justifications — given by the US — for not encouraging talks. It’ll only get more peo...

You’ve also heard comments made by secretary Austin about the US’s goals: https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/04/25/politics/biden-administration-russia-stra...

I gave a sample of reports above. There are others, if interested.

It appears that they are, yes. I gave a sample of sources above. Is it easily “verified”? No— because the meetings occur behind closed doors and we’re...

Only reports quoting high level officials at the meetings. The evidence isn’t easily verifiable. But if you look at the historical and documentary rec...

True. Not sure if that corrective makes a difference.

I think this is pretty obvious. Given that he invaded a country. Biden — or at least his administration — is pushing for war as well. By blocking nego...

I didn’t say I was unable or unwilling to discuss anything, but that we probably won’t get too far. Mainly because assumptions about the US’s intentio...

So here’s the disagreement, then. I think this statement is naive. The motivations go far beyond defending Ukraine. If that’s truly where you think th...

I’ve mostly avoided this thread. A lot of heat, almost no light. Or substance.

Exactly. As I said, the US (and UK) staying out of it would itself be a good start, since neither are interested in peace.

Or even get out of the way of negotiations. As I’m sure has been cited, back in April there were negotiations between Kiev and Moscow. Both the UK and...

Indeed.

Those aren’t the only options. The war could end with nuclear weapons, which we’re getting closer and closer to — and so threatens the survival of lif...

It does appear so. I don’t see how Ukraine could have come this far without US backing. The US motivations are questionable. It’s certainly not for lo...

But notice that I didn’t mention the past. I’m talking about right now. I’m not interested in arguing about that either. I’m interested in finding out...

Yes indeed. I’m surprised by how often this is getting equated with Russian apologetics. I haven’t heard one person cheering Putin on. His actions, to...

Let the good times roll.

Eh— If you need to go through exercises like these to remind yourself that people aren’t “orcs,” then there are bigger problems afoot.

Jesus. If I had to go through this four times I’d hang myself. Feel better!

Fair enough. I only know Friedman. Hayek and Von Mises are probably worth reading as well. But who has the time for bullshit.

Got COVID for the first time. I have to say…it kinda sucks.

Just playing devils advocate, as difficult as it is. I agree with you. Ok. Failing to see the relevance to the thread, but fine.

But this infringes on the rights of private citizens. In the private enterprise system the role of the corporation is solely to maximize profits withi...

Lucky bastard. The one I made I used only chicken so I can’t comment on the seafood. I’m too afraid to try that so soon.

So I’m obsessed with paella. Last week I made it for the first time — very simple beginner recipe. Fantastic. I may have been overly zealous with the ...

But corporations are not owned by the community. While they’re in communities, what they do in the privacy of their own buildings isn’t the business o...

I sound like a broken record, but any time one wants to discuss science one should at least define what one means by science.

:kiss:

There are no dots to connect — which is why you can’t explain what they are. Next time, don’t just copy and paste from a Website and claim that it ans...

Yeah, sorry, but a comment like this is embarrassing. Considering Chomsky has actually read Smith, unlike you — apart from the fact that he’s an inter...

Gotta agree with Chomsky here regarding Smith:

I’m very familiar with Smith. I don’t consider this a summary of his “overall thought,” nor do I see much connection with the OP or what we were discu...

That’s a well known quote. But have you actually read Adam Smith? Was this what you meant by “covered it well”? What you describe seems to be what he ...

Yeah? Please point me to the relevant passages you have in mind.

From January 2020, before the pandemic, William Lazonick: Pretty spot-on. Three months later, COVID lockdowns would start and the debt picture wasn't ...