Politics

[Red Leg]

I think he’s just proving he can flip the switch any time he likes… another means for forcing Zelenskkys hand… if Ukraine doesn’t capitulate quickly he’ll flip the switch back the other direction fairly soon..

It’s barbaric..

But I’m guessing effective..

After sifting through the reporting this morning, and trying to parse Trump's statement concerning restarting intel cooperation, "We, we just about have. I mean, we really just about have," it would appear we have turned back on our early warning technical support. This primarily would be collected by NRO, NSA, and the Air Force. It would monitor take off and tracks of Russian strategic aviation assets (primarily TU=22m and MIG-31K), ballistic missile launches, and any C3 patterns indicating an imminent Russian strike against infrastructure.

Last night, the Russian's launched 142 Shahad type drones against Ukrainian infrastructure and the interception rate seems to have been typically high unlike the attack three nights ago without an intel feed.

The US seems still to be withholding consolidated intelligence which would be provided by CIA and offer all source assessments of Russian tactical and operational activity and which would provide targeting for long range weapons like ATACMS and SCALP.

Three days ago, the administration ordered MAXAR to break its contract with Ukraine preventing the Ukrainian military from continuing to develop its own satellite-based imagery.

Of course, nothing has been done to limit Russian capabilities, which to date, the little dictator in the Kremlin seems delighted to exploit.

 

[Red Leg]

Talking to an old colleague last night about the intel issue, our inexplicable foreign policy, apparent goals to hamstring our warfighting capabilities, alienate our allies, and the general state of the country, he reminded me of a quote from Alexander Dugan who has been described as Putin's Rasputin. I actually own a copy of "The Foundations of Geopolitics / The Geopolitical Future of Russia," published almost 30 years ago in 1997 and is required reading at the Russian Staff College. It, along with the works of a couple of other authors, formed the basis for discussion at an Army Staff principals off-site back around 2002 which my colleague also attended. In his work, Dugan clearly articulates his vision for Russia's strategic goals.

"The battle for the world rule of Russians" has not ended and Russia remains "the staging area of a new anti-bourgeois, anti-American revolution". The Eurasian Empire will be constructed "on the fundamental principle of the common enemy: the rejection of Atlanticism, strategic control of the U.S., and the refusal to allow liberal values to dominate us.

The point of discussion last night was the methodology that he recommended that Russia follow in achieving those ends.

"Russia should 'introduce geopolitical disorder into internal American activity, encouraging all kinds of separatism and ethnic, social, and racial conflicts, actively supporting all dissident movements – extremist, racist, and sectarian groups, thus destabilizing internal political processes in the U.S. It would also make sense simultaneously to support isolationist tendencies in American politics'."

Due to the "Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax" MAGA world has seemingly decided that Russia is actually no threat to the United States and is simply a misunderstood society waiting to be among our close allies. From my perspective, it would appear Russia has instead been very successful thus far in implementing Dugan's strategy. It is perhaps useful to remember no one has had more influence on Putin than Dugan. I wonder if Trump or Vance have even heard of him.

 

[fourfive8]

Let’s see… Buy a sail boat, add a solar panel, jack around on the water, regurgitate agenda driven pseudo-science spewed out by the mainstream media and just like that- “I are green”! What a pile of self-deluded virtue signal.

Reminds me of watching a $100k Ford Raptor with a mountain bike draped over the tailgate driving 200 miles to a well known rock and sand pile to “ride green”

 

[MLindsay]

I imagine you'll provide the same advice to JD Vance? Get over to Ukraine and see the war crimes and terror bombing for yourself?

Ukraine has nothing to do with burning in Africa. Can you concentrate!

 

[fourfive8]

Signature campaign to revoke Musk’s citizenship- huh? Well knock yourselves out. I doubt he is heartbroken over the “love” emanating from our north.

I’ve been to Canada a few times in my life. Neither impressed nor unimpressed. I can take it or leave it. And come to think of it, never lost anything in Canada anyway… . But, after my last experience with the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) and Canada Air in the Vancouver Intl Airport a few years ago I have zero desire to visit Canada again. My family and I were very poorly treated, for no reason by agents of the CBSA and reps of Canada Air - every one a PRICK! Caused stress to all of us and cost no small amount of money. All for no reason other than an arbitrary expression for show of the general attitude of every one of those arrogant aholes if not, sadly, major portions of the population. Of all customs and border agents I’ve dealt with around the world including all the common, small time bribery specialists in various African countries. none have come close to the CBSA pricks to our north. The closest comparison I’ve run into are the similar bastards in China.

I doubt Carney will be any different- just a schlicker, more articulate version of truedope,

 

[rigbymauser]

Signature campaign to revoke Musk’s citizenship- huh? Well knock yourselves out. I doubt he is heartbroken over the “love” emanating from our north.

I’ve been to Canada a few times in my life. Neither impressed nor unimpressed. I can take it or leave it. And come to think of it, never lost anything in Canada anyway… . But, after my last experience with the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) and Canada Air in the Vancouver Intl Airport a few years ago I have zero desire to visit Canada again. My family and I were very poorly treated, for no reason by agents of the CBSA and reps of Canada Air - every one a PRICK! Caused stress to all of us and cost no small amount of money. All for no reason other than an arbitrary expression for show of the general attitude of every one of those arrogant aholes if not, sadly, major portions of the population. Of all customs and border agents I’ve dealt with around the world including all the common, small time bribery specialists in various African countries. none have come close to the CBSA pricks to our north. The closest comparison I’ve run into are the similar bastards in China.

I doubt Carney will be any different- just a schlicker, more articulate version of truedope,

I have been many times to the US and only one time I ran into a PRICK who excised his authority to the full. There is nothing one can do as a tourist/visitor and if you call them out you are fXXXXX....and they know it. Sometime you run into these people who are government employed. A friend of mine who is a lawyer said once that all the D students from lawschool ended up working in public office. That says something.

 

[deewayne2003]

Of all customs and border agents I’ve dealt with around the world including all the common, small time bribery specialists in various African countries. none have come close to the CBSA pricks to our north.

Sadly, I agree with you - Of all the countries I have traveled to I can honestly say that CBSA is by far the most antagonistic and rudest border control I've ever dealt with and not just one instance.

Ferry crossing in Victoria, Airport in Winnipeg & land crossing at international falls...... All PRICKS!

Not to mention a 1.5 hour search and questioning by Ontario game wardens after purchasing my moose export permit, only to have them tell me my paperwork was "flawless"; all this after spending 10days with poachers on top of us while hunting a lake that was a "Private crown lease" so outfitter was supposed to have exclusive access by float plane....NOPE!

Poachers so brazen they pulled up to my friends in their boat and asked "Seen any moose? Ehhh" Then proceeded to tie their boat to the tree my bear bait marker was and camp 30yds from the bait site.

I've been to Canada at least 8 times and after the last experience, I decided that my money is better spent elsewhere; my final words to my moose outfitter......

"Get a good look at my ass when I get in the truck, because you'll never see it here again!"

Which again is sad, because while visiting friends and family in Seattle we would take the Port Angeles ferry over to Victoria which is a beautiful city..... but never again!

 

[Fastrig]

Did you read it? It is mostly how Trump could use the idea of lifting sanctions as a bargaining tool, not adding new sanctions to what is already there.

Also, sanctions take time to have their impact felt. With stopping all aid to Ukraine and stopping intelligence sharing it seems the immediate impact is on Ukraine. Russia can keep pummeling the civilian infrastructure in hopes of having better leverage on Ukraine.

So far, all actions by Trump have been pro Russia and anti-Ukraine and anti allies.

Yes, I read it...you had mentioned sanctions so thought you might find it interesting......I'm not sure what is going on behind the scenes, none of us do, but something is going on with Z, IMO, that Trump is dealing with...sure with Russia too....I don't see "anti" anything personally, what I see is the Trump admin saying that the status quo with this war, NATO, EU, et al is going to change and the US tax payers are done funding everyone like we have been. Three years of this crap and no one in the EU/NATO/US has done much to stop it, they just kept funneling more and more weapons, supplies and money into it, while blathering about EU security, standing with Ukraine, yada, yada, yada. It looked more and more to me like the powers-at-be, up till now, wanted this thing to continue. They certainly didn't make the tough calls needed to bring it to an end.

Someone is finally dealing with this mess and now all those that didn't deal with Russia for the last three years are crying foul, claiming anti this or that, pro this or that, etc. I'm calling BS. My guess, and that's all it is based on observation, is that Trump admin suggested Russia absorbing the eastern border areas of Ukraine that have been pro-Russia, the US entering into a minerals deal to pay back the US for all the money we've provided, and putting together a peace deal that took NATO membership off the table for maybe 5-10 years. Guessing Z dug his heals in over it, and sparks flew. Z thinks he has leverage, and he doesn't. The alternative is the Ukraine falls to Russia over the course of the next year or so, they are flat out of men to keep fighting....watch the YouTube videos of them grabbing men off the streets, etc. into forced conscription. Trump got left a losing hand, period, and he's doing what he can to save as much as possible, again IMHO.

 

[mdwest]

Just when I thought things couldnt get more weird..

Has there been some sort of separatist movement in Alberta prior to Trump making his "51st State" statement?

 

[mdwest]

and more gun grabbing in Canada? targeting hunters?

I have no clue who Rachel Parker is.. she doesn't seem like a looney bird.. but at this point Ive seen exactly 2 of her videos.. so I don't really have a base line to make an assessment... Is she reporting accurately? (this and the prior video about Alberta)?

 

[Binoman]

 

[YancyW]

Just when I thought things couldnt get more weird..

Has there been some sort of separatist movement in Alberta prior to Trump making his "51st State" statement?

You are going to make our northern friends grumpy first thing in the morning. Alberta has 85% of all the oil, and something like 50 billion trees, which is crazy to think about.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Massacres in Syria. Who would have thunk it

 

[gbflyer]

Sadly, I agree with you - Of all the countries I have traveled to I can honestly say that CBSA is by far the most antagonistic and rudest border control I've ever dealt with and not just one instance.

Ferry crossing in Victoria, Airport in Winnipeg & land crossing at international falls...... All PRICKS!

Not to mention a 1.5 hour search and questioning by Ontario game wardens after purchasing my moose export permit, only to have them tell me my paperwork was "flawless"; all this after spending 10days with poachers on top of us while hunting a lake that was a "Private crown lease" so outfitter was supposed to have exclusive access by float plane....NOPE!

Poachers so brazen they pulled up to my friends in their boat and asked "Seen any moose? Ehhh" Then proceeded to tie their boat to the tree my bear bait marker was and camp 30yds from the bait site.

I've been to Canada at least 8 times and after the last experience, I decided that my money is better spent elsewhere; my final words to my moose outfitter......

"Get a good look at my ass when I get in the truck, because you'll never see it here again!"

Which again is sad, because while visiting friends and family in Seattle we would take the Port Angeles ferry over to Victoria which is a beautiful city..... but never again!

That’s too bad. I’ve never had a bad encounter with the Canadians. Guess the Alaska drivers license buys a little respect.

 

[WAB]

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That’s too bad. I’ve never had a bad encounter with the Canadians. Guess the Alaska drivers license buys a little respect. [emoji[emoji6]]

Likewise, but I use my Canadian passport when crossing into Canada so perhaps that helps.

 

[mdwest]

I find Canadians and Brits typically to be among the most polite people on the planet...

Unfortunately, the exception in both countries has been with airport security people... Every time I have transited Toronto, London, etc.. the best case scenario is that Ive had to deal with a frustrated, frazzled worker that simply isn't pleasant to be around.. the worst case scenario has been dealing with people that are very intentionally trying to be assholes to everyone that comes through screening (whether its security screening, customs screening, immigration screening, etc)..

All of that said, while I haven't dealt with a lot of intentional a-holes coming into the US from an international location.. I have dealt with a LOT of outright idiots...

If given the choice, I'd rather deal with the a-hole in Canada or the UK that at least has some understanding of what their job and responsibilities are, than some of the TSA and Customs and Immigration idiots in the US that Ive had to deal with that don't have a clue..

Dont get me started on the time I sat in the additional screening room at DFW for over an hour while 2 customs agents tried to figure out whether or not my bow had to be cleared like a firearm or not to come back into the country.. they argued (with each other, and with me) about the serial number, the 4457, etc... etc..

 

[Fastrig]

I find Canadians and Brits typically to be among the most polite people on the planet...

Unfortunately, the exception in both countries has been with airport security people... Every time I have transited Toronto, London, etc.. the best case scenario is that Ive had to deal with a frustrated, frazzled worker that simply isn't pleasant to be around.. the worst case scenario has been dealing with people that are very intentionally trying to be assholes to everyone that comes through screening (whether its security screening, customs screening, immigration screening, etc)..

All of that said, while I haven't dealt with a lot of intentional a-holes coming into the US from an international location.. I have dealt with a LOT of outright idiots...

If given the choice, I'd rather deal with the a-hole in Canada or the UK that at least has some understanding of what their job and responsibilities are, than some of the TSA and Customs and Immigration idiots in the US that Ive had to deal with that don't have a clue..

Dont get me started on the time I sat in the additional screening room at DFW for over an hour while 2 customs agents tried to figure out whether or not my bow had to be cleared like a firearm or not to come back into the country.. they argued (with each other, and with me) about the serial number, the 4457, etc... etc..

Agree, the Canadian and UK folks are some of the nicest people we've met while traveling abroad. Customs people internationally leave a lot to be desired in many cases, however our TSA has some truly Dumb people working for it, true asshats with no cognitive abilities whatsoever. Luck of the draw sometimes with who you get stuck with.