Politics

[Hunt anything]

I think he actually reneged on the deal 3 times, Kiev, Munich and Washington.

 

[mdwest]

There have been Worldwide sanctions on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. What is left for Trump to sanction?
For example: We have not been replenishing parts for their planes. No computer chips. American businesses are out of Russia, we have been taking possession of oligarchs' yachts etc., etc..

Well… the EU did buy more than $24b in oil from Russia in 2024…

They also continue to buy nickel, natural gas, and fertilizer from Russia in large quantities..

Russian exports are down 60-85% depending on which commodity you’re talking about… but there is still quite a bit more the EU could potentially stop buying…

And the EU is still selling vehicles, machinery, plastics, and electrical components in high volume to Russia…

Again, trade is down… but it is far from cut off… and there is a lot more the EU could cut off or sanction…

Granted those are EU imports/exports.. not US…

But we’re still buying some stuff as well…

We imported about $4.5b in goods from Russia last year…

And we’re still exporting a few billion a year..

We just aren’t nearly as bad as the Europeans about continuing to support the Russian economy

 

[LivingTheDream]

@mdwest beat me to it!

This is also one of the bizarre things of this proxy war to me. Is that trade and travel is still going on between Russia and the West. I mean Hunters are still bringing guns into Russia to go hunting.

For all the bad/evil propaganda put out from both sides it seems like there is a lot of business going on.

 

[fourfive8]

Space X rocket disintegrates. Not very inspiring when they are trying to get the other one ready to try and rescue the stranded astronaut's.

Interesting times.

Two different systems entirely. Space X Crew Dragon capsule on Falcon 9 is only US system currently getting crew to and from ISS. The Space X Starship with super heavy booster is a future and experimental moon and mars system.

The most recent super heavy flew well and succeeded in capture back at launch site. The upper stage ship that lost control and created the show is still completely experimental… testing heat tiles, avionics, dummy payloads, guide fins, etc.

Of course all the media and most of the population remain generally dumb on such things.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Whether you like it or not, Zelensky had an opportunity to keep the aid/support coming but HE decided to renege on the deal. The American taxpayer needs to get something in return for our commitment. Remember, as a country, we are broke. So broke we can't pay attention. Taxpayers are tired of paying for stuff that doesn't directly affect us. Too much to fix within our own borders to worry about what boils down to a border dispute.

You did get something out of the deal nukes out of Ukraine in the 90s

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

@Red Leg what do you think the likelihood of a nuclear exchange would of been if Z had access to nuclear weapons ? Do you think Russia would of invaded at all if Ukraine still had a nuclear deterrent?

Everyone is acting on the assumption that Ukraine is a new expense when in reality it is just the bill coming due on deal made in the 90s and the Ukrainian people have paid the highest price.

 

[gbflyer]

On the subject of nuclear exchange…Musk sent $80M worth of Starlink equipment to Ukraine to reestablish comms after their network was hacked by Russia prior to the invasion. Not being one to let charity go to waste, by September 2022 Ukraine was attempting to use it offensively as guidance for 6 armed mini submersible drones to attack the Russian fleet at Sevastopol. Musk got wind and personally shut Starlink down, which led to panic calls from the Ukraine Vice PM begging him to turn it back on. Musk refused.

If the attack had been successful, or other subsequent operations, it’s difficult to know what that day would have ended with.

 

[deewayne2003]

He has stopped all aid including stuff authorized previously and was waiting delivery in Poland. More importantly he has stopped intelligent sharing which means Ukraine does not have as good targeting information as before. To be honest I am surprised he also has not stopped Starlink.

On the other side has also has stopped Cyber command functions at DOD targeting Russia.

It could not have been better for Putin and Russia.

What happened to the EU countries stepping up?

 

[DillonG]

Why is Ukraine a major subject for so many U.S. members on the forum and not domestic policy? I thought economic and entitlement reform would be a bigger subject-matter.

Also, the Trump speech was a snooze-fest. Everyone that has listened to him speak for 5 minutes knows how that speech would play out. His tactics were predictable, Democrat response was predictable, MSM coverage was obviously predictable.

 

[mdwest]

Why is Ukraine a major subject for so many U.S. members on the forum and not domestic policy? I thought economic and entitlement reform would be a bigger subject-matter.

Also, the Trump speech was a snooze-fest. Everyone that has listened to him speak for 5 minutes knows how that speech would play out. His tactics were predictable, Democrat response was predictable, MSM coverage was obviously predictable.

because outside of the tariffs (which have gotten a good bit of traction in this thread), most that participate on AH are very likely very much on board with the rest of the economic and entitlement reform... they may or may not like the manner in which it is being executed.. but they're largely going to be in favor of the intentions nonetheless..

 

[DillonG]

because outside of the tariffs (which have gotten a good bit of traction in this thread), most that participate on AH are very likely very much on board with the rest of the economic and entitlement reform... they may or may not like the manner in which it is being executed.. but they're largely going to be in favor of the intentions nonetheless..

Fair enough, what type of reforms to entitlement programs (social security, Medicare, Medicaid, welfare, etc.) would you like to see happen before the end of Trump’s presidency? He has nothing to lose. He cannot be re-elected and is in the best position to demand change to the largest expenditures on the federal budget.

 

[Wheels]

AOC's deputy communications director was evidently an illegal and self deported.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898201115172167928

 

[Red Leg]

Whether you like it or not, Zelensky had an opportunity to keep the aid/support coming but HE decided to renege on the deal. The American taxpayer needs to get something in return for our commitment. Remember, as a country, we are broke. So broke we can't pay attention. Taxpayers are tired of paying for stuff that doesn't directly affect us. Too much to fix within our own borders to worry about what boils down to a border dispute.

Almost nothing has the potential to affect us more than a resurgent Russia threatening Europe. It is why Xi blessed the Russian invasion of Ukraine to better free his hand in the Western Pacific. Sticking our heads in the sand in no way lessens the importance of that national interest. Making it the payee for our domestic mismanagement is fools errand. We spent over SIX TRILLION dollars last year as a nation. During the same period we spent approximately $50 billion on a critical national interest in Ukraine. You do the math on the percentage of that 6 trillion. And don't say we have to start somewhere. "Somewhere" should never be a critical national interest.

 

[Red Leg]

On the subject of nuclear exchange…Musk sent $80M worth of Starlink equipment to Ukraine to reestablish comms after their network was hacked by Russia prior to the invasion. Not being one to let charity go to waste, by September 2022 Ukraine was attempting to use it offensively as guidance for 6 armed mini submersible drones to attack the Russian fleet at Sevastopol. Musk got wind and personally shut Starlink down, which led to panic calls from the Ukraine Vice PM begging him to turn it back on. Musk refused.

If the attack had been successful, or other subsequent operations, it’s difficult to know what that day would have ended with.

Sunk vessels that could join the rest of the Black Sea Fleet protecting the floor of the Black Sea.

 

[Red Leg]

@Red Leg what do you think the likelihood of a nuclear exchange would of been if Z had access to nuclear weapons ? Do you think Russia would of invaded at all if Ukraine still had a nuclear deterrent?

Everyone is acting on the assumption that Ukraine is a new expense when in reality it is just the bill coming due on deal made in the 90s and the Ukrainian people have paid the highest price.

No they would not have. Just like we will never invade North Korea. It is why Iran desperately wants them and why Israel has them.

 

[Jeff505]

Fair question. My brother runs cattle and I hunt regularly on several sheep farms in the district. I shoot a lot of foxes and pigs that eat lambs and ewes giving birth.

I do not oppose cattle and sheep, but I don't think it's wise to clear forests for them either. I eat beef and wear wool. In Australia, lots of trees were felled to clear land for cattle and sheep. It's damaged the land, hugely. I am in favour of planting trees to restore the land, save the soil and our beautiful and fascinating wildlife, as well as soak up carbon.

Many of our farmers struggle to make a living on a thousand or more acres. In many places the land is ruined. If being sponsored to plant trees on behalf of city folk becomes a far more lucrative lifestyle than running livestock, then I'm happy for them to switch. I'll be trying to help them with that.

I agree with planting trees, the US has more trees then in recorded history. Trees like CO2. I do not believe that man made activities can change the climate in any appreciable fashion. Please convince me that I am wrong. Tell me if there are lifestyles that contribute to climate change.

Human culture and technology has been stunted in the past by “mini ice ages”. This has occurred on and off for the last recordable 800 years. With the exception of stratovarius violins I see nothing good taking place in these cold periods.

As a free thinking individual, I oppose ice ages, if you can convince me that my lifestyle contributes to global warming the I will adjust my wants for the global good. I will walk the earth with a giant carbon footprint, just call me Sasquatch. If forced to drive an electric vehicle I will tow a trailer burning tires. I have so much enjoyed the last 20 years of mild winters and will do my part to see that this continues.

And so my Australian friend, convince me that I can affect the climate and I will. I wish that this were true. So look at the irony, if I am made to believe that I am a factor In this then our lifestyles will cancel each other out. Hopefully you see the humor in this.

 

[Scott CWO]

Columbia University out of control. Trump cancels $400 million in federal money.

My daughter got her Masters at Columbia and her husband got his undergraduate degree there on the GI Bill after Army tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. They cannot believe what is going on there.

 

[Scott CWO]

Whether you like it or not, Zelensky had an opportunity to keep the aid/support coming but HE decided to renege on the deal. The American taxpayer needs to get something in return for our commitment. Remember, as a country, we are broke. So broke we can't pay attention. Taxpayers are tired of paying for stuff that doesn't directly affect us. Too much to fix within our own borders to worry about what boils down to a border dispute.

Zelensky did not renege. Where do you get this stuff? He was told to leave the WH after loitering there after the news conference ended. He was hoping to still sign the deal but was forced out.

 

[Scott CWO]

I think he actually reneged on the deal 3 times, Kiev, Munich and Washington.

Not at WH. He was told to leave after loitering around waiting to still sign it.

 

[hyipl]