Benkei

also, from one of those sources apokrisis keeps insisting I don't read.

It's funny how you keep trying to find a psychological issue with me simply because I don't agree with you. If I'm not an apologist (bad by associatio...

I'm not the one making sweeping claims about Russian identity based on a few speeches by Putin or even the existence of nationalism in a country. It's...

It contradicts the facts and still you maintain it by equivocating the acquiescence to existing power by a population that has barely any agency, with...

"Russian identity is imperialistic". Reality: Russians fleeing mobilisation.

I think the crux in that quote is what he means with Russia. If he meant including Crimea and Donetsk then following that premise, I guess technically...

I don't need to provide sources when what you bring to the table aren't facts. The onus is in you to show the facts supporting your position. Merely o...

Which is not what he's talking about. He's saying the West is pushing Ukraine to move military action into Russia (a bit unclear but I think he means ...

Where have I argued this not to be the case? That was not your argument. You had a whole shtick about Russian identity that was pure fiction. That's w...

During that time, there were several insurgencies, civil war and the rise of IS when they left. That's your idea of an occupation? Just being around s...

Neither of which were occupations. So that doesn't compare. It's defeat and hold and for the latter you need boots on the ground.

You're suggesting the FSB singlehandedly overturned military doctrine which is consistent both in NATO and Russia for decades that an offensive force ...

This is inconsistent with sending far too few troops to occupy Ukraine. It's also based on relatively recent speeches, so while certainly Putin may ha...

Aha, so even if that's accurate then you claim that Putin is Russia? Seems a bit of a stretch.

Our opinions seem to be "important" to the point where they're relevant to their thread. Most discussions don't change the world but we still have the...

Living ecologically is unfortunately considered optional and something to be weighed against economic interests. I don't know. I feel rather strongly ...

No seriously. What facts underpin what reads as assumptions on what the apparently monolithic Russian entity wants? Something that Russian society and...

This reads like fiction.

I thought you were a cop in the USA. :rofl: I understand from some NATO friends you need about 3 times the manpower to invade, which is why NATO was a...

Have you read it? First few pages start off really weird.

merci. I'd vote for black mold over Lindsey Graham but that's me.

:chin: What I'm missing again from your reply: even if all of that is true (which I don't think any of us are in a position to say with certainty one ...

What's an IUD?

Thank you. Custodianship is indeed what I mean. Too bad Europeans killed most of those indigenous people. Are you aware of any decent books describing...

What constitutes "beating the Russians"? I think this is a typical example of a different definition of winning (as I understand "beating the Russians...

The problem as I see it, is that common decency is not measurable and very few people are inclined to act upon it as they're generally too busy surviv...

Not my experience. But it is true people are very much married to most of their opinions and this medium isn't necessarily the best. I've personally h...

I've not committed to any viewpoint with respect to that cartoon. My point is you're not going to shift a perspective by insisting it's wrong (or vari...

That is so cool. Thanks for sharing! Too bad most people get fucked up growing up.

What people in this thread should remember is that perspectives may differ around the same facts: http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4349895/Perspectives_...

As Mao said: "all is chaos under the heavens, the times are excellent". While I do believe we need the EU to effectively combat the various global cri...

For anyone with half a brain: Trump torpedoed the deal because he refused to recertify the suspension of sanctions while it's on record the Iranians c...

@"ssu" Also let's talk about this. I have found the decisions to impose sanctions incredibly callous in regard of our own populations, especially when...

I think it's funny the West likes to pretend they don't do exactly the same. There's a long history of this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_ele...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/14/patagonias-billionaire-owner-gives-away-company-to-fight-climate-crisis-yvon-chouinard

What's worse is that the Iranians were sticking to the JCPOA as verified multiple times by the IAEA. Then Trump torpedoes the deal, the Europeans didn...

But but polar bears have tripled since the 60s.

Yes, you're an idiot. We know that. It wasn't a trade deal. What was the purpose of the JCPOA?

I already did, I said the agreement did exactly what it was supposed to do, which is obvious to anyone having actually read the thing. Your repeated q...

Exactly what it wanted. It sounds like you don't understand the purpose of the agreement. So what do you think the purpose was?

:rofl: Of course you have. Which is why you claim it gave zero return on investment yet did exactly what it was supposed to do for three years.

So you haven't actually read it and don't understand why it was agreed. Got it.

So no actual opinion on the JCPA then? Why was it shoddy again? We all know the only reason Trump hated it because it was something Obama accomplished...

So in real life, I'd ask you to explain the JCPA to me and why it's shoddy and we would be enjoying to see you flounder like a fish on land but since ...

It's funny how Barr is such a huge critic lately. Also about this ruling. What struck me as particularly exceptional upon reading it, is how she offer...

About 30% of most issues is not "some". Maybe it's different in the US. Even so, I have the feeling you're not understanding my general comment. The w...

So you've just made Friedman's case that printing money causes inflation. It indirectly funds government expenditure (increased demand) because banks ...

For me the immediate problem is the information apocalypse. If we don't get a handle on that, no shared narratives and therefore no social acceptance ...

*facepalm* What a fucking farce.

Funny how that never stops judges from imputing mens rea from people's behaviour. I invite you to search NOS4A2's comments concerning Rittenhouse to s...