Politics

[MauserM03Blog]

Out of interest why does America still dislike Russia? The Cold War ended over 30 years ago.

I will suggest it's because Russia, its leaders and its people keep doing awful things to other nations and individuals, all around the world. That's why Australians dislike Russia.

 

[Certus]

I will suggest it's because Russia, its leaders and its people keep doing awful things to other nations and individuals, all around the world. That's why Australians dislike Russia.

Before the Ukraine thing though?

 

[Vashper]

I will suggest it's because Russia, its leaders and its people keep doing awful things to other nations and individuals, all around the world. That's why Australians dislike Russia.

Confirm. When I find myself abroad, I always try to do the most terrible things to the locals.
I'm just afraid of the Australians - they walk on their heads there, you don't know what to expect from them.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I did not realize that a willingness to acknowledge obvious blame/responsibility was a sign of being "unhinged"... The fact that Brent "liked" your comment tells me everything I need to know about it.

Just saying.. My comment was not in response to that post alone.

I get the national interest argument re Ukraine. That is THE primary reason for supporting them.

However, if your main argument (a well intentioned but simplistic and naive argument) for supporting Ukraine is that they were a sovereign country invaded by Russia then at least be consistent and be interventionist everywhere else in the world. There’s all kinds of horrible stuff going on in a lot of places. It’s like we got to the 21st century and said ah yes, finally, all international borders are fixed (unless an area wants to secede) and expansionism is dead.

The pearl clutching and hand wringing really does get old and tiresome. It’s just the same people saying and liking and whining and complaining about the same stuff and it’s played out.

In some ways all the comments bemoaning of the invasion reminds me of Kony2012. A relatively early example of internet “slacktivism” and virtue signaling.

I checked and Joseph Kony (a terribly evil man) is still at large.

A negotiated settlement will happen. There will be concessions. Putin wanted the entire country. That won’t happen. I think a lot of posts in this thread will not age well (I’m not talking about mine), which is pretty normal when it comes to Trump. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

 

[gearguywb]

I just have one request; If you are so strongly anti-Trump (certainly your prerogative), please enlighten us as to how Pres. Harris would have done a better job given the world situation?

More of the same? Brilliant plan to cut government waste? Handle the southern border crisis? Ukraine?

Looking forward to your answers.

 

[Brent in Az]

Military personnel arrested for trying to sell information to China

Former, active-duty Army soldiers charged in scheme allegedly selling sensitive military information to China

Three U.S. Army soldiers – two active-duty and one former – have been indicted for their alleged roles in gathering and selling sensitive information to China, the DOJ said.

www.foxnews.com

 

[Brent in Az]

Unhinged leftist lunatic, Al Green, is filing articles of impeachment on Trump.
Seems as Al is butthurt for getting thrown out of the joint session address over his tantrums.

 

[fourfive8]

Since aviation has been major topic lately here's a couple of Youtube videos to watch. If I could choose, here is the type pilot I want! Experience, attitude and demeanor. skill and training. I think Captain Ugyen Dema of Druk Air Bhutan has 10,000 +/- hours. She is one of only a handful qualified into Paro Bhutan. Airbus A319/320s are the primary passenger jets into Paro. One video shows approach and landing in clear conditions and one shows approach and landing in rain.

Just a follow up on pilots and airports and the crashes that have made news lately.... added to the fact many of us have traveled and hunted in remote places. The Tenzing-Hlllary airport (Lukla) in Nepal is kind of an anomaly as a paved runway and only for STOL props and props like Twin Otters. It is too short and tight for normal jet airliners. Comparing airports can become apples to oranges. Paro in Bhutan is rated as one of the most difficult/dangerous if not the most for normal jet airliners and aircraft larger than A319-320s can't. Poke around and find the video of the rough landing by a somewhat comparable 737 with wrong pilot. Yikes! Surprised it didn't end up like the "Toronto slam"!

Of the many "runway-less" bush flights I've taken, pic's show the tightest! Nephew and I on DIY caribou hunt in SW AK. Hump with builders at uphill end and severe drop-off at downhill end. Downhill take off only. Hope for favorable wind and pick the right bounce for lift off.

Oh and adding some "aviation" politics to the" Politics" thread... Biden DID leave the two astronauts stranded on the ISS for 9 months on purpose because having Musk bring them back after the failed Boeing Starliner fiasco would have made Trump look good before the election. And they are still not back as of today. If I were king, I'd have sht eating & grinnin' Bill Nelson in for a heat lamp chat. I don't think he was preemptively pardoned by Biden?

 

[observe]

 

[mdwest]

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Unhinged leftist lunatic, Al Green, is filing articles of impeachment on Trump.
Seems as Al is butthurt for getting thrown out of the joint session address over his tantrums.

More bread and circuses from the left..

I sincerely hope they keep the theatrics and assclownery up…

This sort of thing is exactly why they lost in November..

The center didn’t move purposefully toward Trump.. it ran as hard as it could away from the D party…

 

[Red Leg]

Before the Ukraine thing though?

I would suggest picking up and and actually reading a few books on the history of relations between East and West and educating yourself on the subject.

Books in my library that I can personally recommend are:

"The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West" Edward Lucas

"Red Notice: A true Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice" by Bill Browder

"The Long Hangover: Putin's New Russia and the Ghosts of the Past" by Shaun Walker A brilliant work knitting the current behavior of Russia to its Soviet and Tsarist authoritarian past.

"Russia and the West Under Lenin and Stalin" by George F. Kennan This book was written in the sixties and is still considered a must read to understand Russian interests, behavior, and systemic antithetical interest in opposing the West, capitalism, and true representative democracy.

"Putin’s War Against Ukraine: Revolution, Nationalism, and Crime" by Taras Kuzio A little dated because of the war, it nevertheless clearly demonstrates Putin's strategy in undermining Ukraine and the Western Alliance.

A recurring theme you will find is a century of Soviet and Russian strategies and actions that either directly threatened U.S. security, undermined US global influence, or destabilized regions critical to American interests. Remember, we only maintain our economic security through free access to worldwide markets. Under the Soviet Union, Communism's global challenge to democratic capitalist norms of international behavior were followed in short order following collapse of the USSR with Putin's authoritarian nationalism which both directly challenges the Western democracies in Europe, but also US interests in Africa and Middle East.

 

[Red Leg]

I just have one request; If you are so strongly anti-Trump (certainly your prerogative), please enlighten us as to how Pres. Harris would have done a better job given the world situation?

More of the same? Brilliant plan to cut government waste? Handle the southern border crisis? Ukraine?

Looking forward to your answers.

I am neither anti or pro Trump - I voted him however reluctantly because I saw him as the lesser of two extraordinarily flawed alternatives. My vote is a hiring decision for a president who works for me. I do not follow anyone.

I think a Harris administration would have been a continuation of Biden's disastrous immigration policies, divisive cultural initiatives. and unsustainable budgetary and monetary policies.

We will see how the Federal restructuring process concludes. It is a long overdue initiative, but the chaotic way it is being implemented does not bode well for its long term success.

I have seen exactly zero to date from this president that he even understands what constitutes our actual international interests. I am confident that a Harris administration would fully get that however badly they may have pursued them.

I am deeply concerned about his naïve expectations of "world peace," his alienation of critical allies, and unilateral decision to undermine our military capabilities.

 

[mdwest]

Trump pauses some Mexico, Canada tariffs: What’s exempt, and what’s next?

About half of Mexico’s exports to the US, and a little more than a third of Canada’s, will be exempt for a month.

www.aljazeera.com

CA gets a reprieve like MX, until April 2nd on all things USMCA..

Key thing to note.. while that covers a lot (automobiles are covered under USMCA for example).. there is still A LOT that remains tariffed at 25%.. USMCA covered less than 40% of Canadian exports to the US.. so 60%+ of the stuff typically purchased from Canada (most of which is is individual consumer goods.. USMCA is more focused on large scale commodities) will still be tariffed until further negotiations are completed.

 

[Fastrig]

I would suggest picking up and and actually reading a few books on the history of relations between East and West and educating yourself on the subject.

Books in my library that I can personally recommend are:

"The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West" Edward Lucas

"Red Notice: A true Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice" by Bill Browder

"The Long Hangover: Putin's New Russia and the Ghosts of the Past" by Shaun Walker A brilliant work knitting the current behavior of Russia to its Soviet and Tsarist authoritarian past.

"Russia and the West Under Lenin and Stalin" by George F. Kennan This book was written in the sixties and is still considered a must read to understand Russian interests, behavior, and systemic antithetical interest opposing the West and true representative democracy.

"Putin’s War Against Ukraine: Revolution, Nationalism, and Crime" by Taras Kuzio A little dated because of the war, it nevertheless clearly demonstrates Putin's strategy in undermining Ukraine and the Western Alliance.

A recurring theme you will find is a century of Soviet and Russian strategies and actions that either directly threatened U.S. security, undermined US global influence, or destabilized regions critical to American interests. Remember, we only maintain our economic security through free access to worldwide markets. Under the Soviet Union, Communism's global challenge to democratic capitalist norms of international behavior were followed in short order following collapse of the USSR with Putin's authoritarian nationalism which both directly challenges the Western democracies in Europe, but also US interests in Africa and Middle East.

Just picked up copy of The Long Hangover, was recommended by a neighbor. Agree with your general assessment of Putin/Russia, however at some point we have to face the reality that we simply cannot afford to fund all this stuff. Our so called allies need to start picking up a much larger part of the tab and we have to quit giving the money away with nothing in return. We must start thinking more in the vein of ROI if we are going to stick our nose into things and open our checkbook. The EU is perfectly happy to whine about Russia and their security, minimally open its checkbook to address it, let us pour money out of ours with zero ROI, and then get indignant when we push back....Russia is on their backdoor step, not ours. It's high time we start saying, what do we get in return for our help, Your security doesn't cut it.

 

[WAB]

I would suggest picking up and and actually reading a few books on the history of relations between East and West and educating yourself on the subject.

Books in my library that I can personally recommend are:

"The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West" Edward Lucas

"Red Notice: A true Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice" by Bill Browder

"The Long Hangover: Putin's New Russia and the Ghosts of the Past" by Shaun Walker A brilliant work knitting the current behavior of Russia to its Soviet and Tsarist authoritarian past.

"Russia and the West Under Lenin and Stalin" by George F. Kennan This book was written in the sixties and is still considered a must read to understand Russian interests, behavior, and systemic antithetical interest opposing the West and true representative democracy.

"Putin’s War Against Ukraine: Revolution, Nationalism, and Crime" by Taras Kuzio A little dated because of the war, it nevertheless clearly demonstrates Putin's strategy in undermining Ukraine and the Western Alliance.

A recurring theme you will find is a century of Soviet and Russian strategies and actions that either directly threatened U.S. security, undermined US global influence, or destabilized regions critical to American interests. Remember, we only maintain our economic security through free access to worldwide markets. Under the Soviet Union, Communism's global challenge to democratic capitalist norms of international behavior were followed in short order following collapse of the USSR with Putin's authoritarian nationalism which both directly challenges the Western democracies in Europe, but also US interests in Africa and Middle East.

I wish more people would study history and its impact on global politics today. We would be far less isolationist as a people, and far
More likely to make astute moves internationally if we did.

In my travels, something that surprised me in Kiev were the statues of Stalin and Lenin still standing. I asked friends about it and no one seemed to know why, although they clearly hated both of these men. I suspect they are gone now.

 

[Red Leg]

Just picked up copy of The Long Hangover, was recommended by a neighbor. Agree with your general assessment of Putin/Russia, however at some point we have to face the reality that we simply cannot afford to fund all this stuff. Our so called allies need to start picking up a much larger part of the tab and we have to quit giving the money away with nothing in return. We must start thinking more in the vein of ROI if we are going to stick our nose into things and open our checkbook. The EU is perfectly happy to whine about Russia and their security, minimally open its checkbook to address it, let us pour money out of ours with zero ROI, and then get indignant when we push back....Russia is on their backdoor step, not ours. It's high time we start saying, what do we get in return for our help, Your security doesn't cut it.

My only quibble with your assessment is that our critical national interests with regard to a stable, accessible, democratic/capitalist Europe in no way changes due to the scale of European defense investments. We are not involved in altruism in Europe. Yes, our allies should contribute more to their own defense. It would make securing our interests easier and less expensive. But those critical interests do not and will not change regardless of their investments.

There are other underlying complicating issues, none bigger than Europe's history. A little over a generation ago, Germany turned away from a military modernization effort in part because of the latent fears of its neighbors of German Continental dominance. Since May of 1945, that past has colored every perception of Germany reestablishing a powerful role on the Continent. It is playing out right now in Germany where the centrist conservatives can not bring themselves to unite with the AfD to form an actual conservative government. US leadership on the Continent has always been key in keeping those ghosts at bay.

 

[Tanks]

Unhinged leftist lunatic, Al Green, is filing articles of impeachment on Trump.
Seems as Al is butthurt for getting thrown out of the joint session address over his tantrums.

He said he was going to do that last month.

 

[mark-hunter]

Out of interest why does America still dislike Russia? The Cold War ended over 30 years ago.

I am following this debate with interest.

Mind, first, in politics there is no like, or dislike, there is only articulated and defined interest.
Secondly there is no historic permanent evidence of liking or disliking between America and Russia. But i will come to that later.

I met in drilling business and in shipping many Americans, in drilling mostly from Louisiana and from Texas, and have been to USA many times. eastern and western coast, north and south. I never met American disliking somebody by nationality. All of them great people, and never refusing a drink in the bar, if chance appeared. (They do complain on this or that administration)

Historical evidence suggests there is no "disliking" or "liking".
In American Civil war Britain (although "neutral") took political stance convenient to confederate states. French textile relied on southern cotton, and they "as neutral" also took political stance convenient to confederate states.

Both countries France and Britain supplied weapons to confederate states. This did not help union.
Besides diplomatic activity and refusal of Russia to join France and Britain is some form of alliance against union, they sent naval fleet to prevent seaborn raids in the north ports by confederates.
This helped creation of union

(A bit earlier - British and Texas relations: Texan - Mexican war and the British part. Battle of Campeche - engraved on my colt 1860 army cal 44, there is a pictogram of Campeche battle with Mexican fleet. Mexicans had most modern naval guns - paixhan - red leg would know about it -, under command of British (officers or advisors, and partially manned brit crew) - aint that funny, and Sam Houstons fleet took them out Brits didnt help Texas either.)

WW I, they took the same side (USA and Russia).
Then there was a short conflict 1918-20 between them, where international coalition tried to remove Bolsheviks from power. to be honest to help Russian monarchy. (sorry)

But most surprising is Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Overall in his time and before world 2, he made several shocking decisions (similar level of shock to the world and nation, as pres, trump is making now ) including revived friendship with Russia. All those had consequences and conclusions after the world war 2.

Early Isolationism and Shift in American foreign Policy,
Good neigbour policy, which preserved relations in south America,
Recognition of soviet union in 1933,
land and lease program conceived before USA entered the war, 1940.
And economic embargo on Japan.
Those are tectonic changes in till then American foreign policy which lead the states and the world to and out from world war 2. And Russia and the states to world war 2 alliance.

Russia pushed till Berlin in WW2, having 27 million casualties of their own. The question is, if America was not allied to Russia (or that Roosevelt did not take early decisions), or kept isolationism in force, how would world war 2 end west from Berlin? Western Europe wellbeing aside, moving America from isolationism led America to become global power. (USA benefited from alliance)

So, the history suggests there are phases in relationship, good and bad. But when it was good, it was good for USA

I am not certain where the president Trumps decision making will lead the world in the future, but the decisions he makes (the way how he makes them from established main stream flow) reminds me of FDR.

After president Trump took the oval office, the statements were unimaginable:
Take Greenland
Take Panama
Make peace with Russia.
(just like that???)

How?
OK, Panama is Americas backyard, so I was suspecting kinetic action Grenada 2.0.
Everyday I read something surprising, and yesterday I read:
Blackrock paid a buy out of Panama ports from Chinese. (no shots fired, no Grenada 2.0)
America therefore, owns Panama as promised. (entry ports Balboa and Christobal)

This also, i don't believe it happened just by offer that cannot be refused in local harbor msters office, I am certain there was diplomatic agreement between China and USA, before the deal was made. Chinese pulled out.

Now, lets move "like and dislike" aside. To understand the politics, we have to understand the interest. I still haven't figured out the next American strategic global interest. But it could easily be Arctic resources. I could imagine some form of partnership would be handy, because Russia has the biggest amount of assets in the region, and technology so far. Thye have rare earhts for export in good quantity
Panama is easily understandable, control of major sea routes, and possibility quickly to transfer the navy assets.

Explanation:
While some of above is known history, some is less known. How do I know about the texan battle of Campeche, when Texas fought for ist own independence?
I have colt army 1860, cap and ball. Black powder. On its cylinder are engraved some tall ships with sail. What a sailing boats have to do with Army? Battle of Campeche, engraved so Samuel Colt could make advertising in Texas when Colts company faced some problems.
I made a reaserch, and made an article about it, once. Few years ago.

 

[Fastrig]

My only quibble with your assessment is that our critical national interests with regard to a stable, accessible, democratic/capitalist Europe in no way changes due to the scale of European defense investments. We are not involved in altruism in Europe. Yes, our allies should contribute more to their own defense. It would make securing our interests easier and less expensive. But those critical interests do not and will not change regardless of their investments.

There are other underlying complicating issues, none bigger than Europe's history. A little over a generation ago, Germany turned away from a military modernization effort in part because of the latent fears of its neighbors of German Continental dominance. Since May of 1945, that past has colored every perception of Germany reestablishing a powerful role on the Continent. It is playing out right now in Germany where the centrist conservatives can not bring themselves to unite with the AfD to form an actual conservative government. US leadership on the Continent has always been key in keeping those ghosts at bay.

We are generally on the same page, however I'm looking at the status quo, as I call it, as being non-sustainable, maybe even past that at this point. I know you are a big military gentleman, so am I, however when the annual interest on our national debt is more than the entire DOD annual budget, we've got a major issue. Yes, world stability and addressing it is an item we shouldn't ignore, however we can't do that from a broke position. If the US collapses financially, and we are on the verge of that, then world security is going to collapse on a scale that is unimaginable. We are, and have been, being played financially by the EU, and good part of the rest of the world, all in the name of "security" since the end of WWII. We give and give and give, with no thought about a return on all that money....if Trump is doing one thing that I completely agree with, he is saying enough of this, it isn't sustainable, you aren't taking advantage of us any more. It's long overdue.

Agree with you on Germany completely....the Germans need to quit being afraid of their past shadows and step up, IMO.

I'm honestly not overly worried about Russia at this point. They have shown in Ukraine that they are not the existential threat everyone thought they were militarily. We need to deal with them from a position of strength, that's what they respect, but the status quo thinking that Russia is going to invade the rest of Europe is not sound. One much smaller country in Europe, essentially, kicked the hell out of the Russian military, or least held them to a stand off. Germany, France, the UK, et all could crush Russia, even without the US. Outside of nukes, which they aren't going to use unless backed into a deep corner, the Russians are not the threat they once were. Putin won't last forever, he's already reportedly in trouble at home. My stance remains, he wants out of Ukraine, let's find a way to make that happen, and quit spending money we don't have.

I'm much more worried about China, but that's a whole other topic.

 

[Hunt anything]

As for the British and French leaning towards the confederacy, a divided United States was advantageous for them.
Our relationship with Russia seems to have always been strained, while allies in the two world wars it was a marriage of convenience. Defeat the Germans at all cost.several times when US ships would deliver supplies the Russians would in prison the crews of the ships and any military personnel on board. I believe they would hold in pilots that landed in Soviet territory as well.
I don’t believe the American people dislike the Russian people but the powers in Washington and Moscow will always distrust one another for the most part. With that being said who knows what Trump thinks and that’s probably why many seem somewhat Leary of him.
Others can speak more eloquently on the subject but this is some things I remember.