AGREE Sort of points to a national need for mnore and better public education. I do not know the age at which kids are allowed to quit going to school but I will wager that whatever that is, it is too young. And then . . . . I am an old guy (87). In the second or third grade I was in public school in Oklahoma. There were about 60 (that's right, 60) kids to one teacher. Knowing she could not teach 60 kids she watched her students for about a week or two then segrgated the class. She put about 15 or 20 of us in the frint rows, left a gap of four or so rows and put the rest begind them. She told that group to just be quiet. She taught just the front rows. I am sure that was fine with the oil barons who controlled Oklahoma. They had less interest in educarion than they did in counting the trees in a forest. All those back row kids grew up, got the vote and continued the same anti-education policy. And we wonder why someone like trump gets elected?
And the 93 mil eligible voters who did not vote. That is a lot of people who are clueless. I just finished watching "Number 24" on Netflix. I highly recommend it. It will show how keeping freedom at the front of the picture can guide all decision making.
Kevin, do you have numbers? All the non-voters I know are millennial males who are well off, and whose wives and girlfriends voted. What they told me is that their vote doesn't count and it would be too hard to get to the polls. So, when wealthy, White men tell me this, what I view them as saying is, my life will be fine whoever wins, so I don't care.
Oh, I'm sure there are a lot of those. And if they are in non-swing-states, they have a point. It's not "... so I don't care" but "California will go to Harris regardless, so she doesn't need my vote" (or the reverse in Texas).
Trump didn't have a clue where Greenland was or why it could matter to global shipping until his billionaire handlers showed him. He still expects it to be green. After all, as Andy Borowitz pointed out, Trump thinks Iceland has a monopoly on the world's ice.
I am soo tired and he hasn’t even started. A good thing that only we know about potential rare earth minerals on the island. we should be able to buy it for some glass pearls and chick fil-A gift cards.
The threats to buy Greenland, threats to Canada and Panama are all linked and the arrow flies straight to Russia. Yes, Greenland has minerals and potential bases that would allow Russia strategic access to the Atlantic, Europe and North America, Panama too is in the plan due to Canal access to the Atlantic. Panama honors the embargo against Russian ships from using the canal.
Russia, as the world is well aware, wants the shipping routes through the Artic Circle as the ice melts. There are also huge reserves of oil both the US and Russian covet. The plan, Jay, has a much more frightning scenario, it is beyond a money making proposition from Trumps and the likes of Cotton.
I kind of think that Panama got thrown in the mix because we had a lease on that strip so we could build and manage the canal. During that period Americans often just assumed it was American territory and sort of overlooked (or ignored) the clause that limited American control to 99 years. There was quite a to-do as the time approached, with violence threatened (by entitled Americans used to having their own way). It didn't work (lots of pushback both in the US and internationally), and the canal zone was officially returned to Panama, per conditions of the lease (and I suppose, international law). But there remained an undertone among some that somehow the USA should be "entitled" to the canal zone, and maybe all of Panama, because you know, probably Manifest Destiny and that sort of thing.
Another example of short-sighted magical thinking.
Besides, the canal has some operating problems due to water shortage on the one hand and silting in of the lakes they incorporated into the canal passage, It requires some major overhall, and one of the proposals involves building a whole new canal in a different location on the isthmus. Engineers are rolling their eyes.
So Panama is not really an issue so much as a concept. And we know how Trump is with concepts.
They did build a second passage for the super-frighter container ships that were too large to get through the original locks. (I've been through the canal several times and my sister just cruised through last week.
That's what I think. Trump has visions of being the ruler of the biggest country and land mass in the world, consisting of the US, Canada, and Greenland and covering the entire northern part of the continent. Then he could show Russian and China "who's boss".
I've seen conflicting information about Panama honoring the embargo. The oil tanker that lost power off the coast of Germany a few days ago alleged to be part of Russia's shadow fleet. It was flagged in Panama, reportedly because Panama does not honor the embargo against Russia.
This whole thing about Greenland strikes me as a diversion and a manipulation from the get-go. Hadn't thought about whether Russia might be involved, and frankly don't know what to think of the possibility. But there is definitely something screwy going on. One thought that crosses my mind is that the motivation behind it might not be so much US security as certain entrepreneurial players might be setting up for what they think will be easy pickings of mineral riches, but admit that is from the nether reaches of my mind (based on what I saw happening in Russia when state ownership began to disintegrate, and what happened in the Americas when Europeans showed up a few centuries ago. This looks like just an extension of what we've always done and still are.
Either way, if the motivation is the mineral rights, I wonder if they realize that the payload lies beneath a few miles of ice. Yup, it's melting, but not that fast.
As for the independence thing in Greenland, yes, it has been on the table for a long time. It's called "keeping your options open". Until recently, there wasn't really much urgency about it. I have relatives who have relatives in Greenland. According to THAT intel, there are a few people who want independence, but the main thing there is that they want to make their own decisions about things that are currently federal, meaning through the Danish government (which Greenland is part of, in the peculiarly Danish way of doing things).
My thought is that a coalition entourage of mainland North American indigenous people should make a trip to Greenland about what could happen to them should they somehow find themselves a territory of the USA. They will not become a state. They would become a wholly controlled territory of the US, and are likely to have even less independence than they feel they have as part of Denmark. Ask Puerto Rico about their experience.
It's a near certainty that US national security isn't the motivating factor here, regardless of who's pulling the strings. Greenland is rich in uranium and rare earth elements. If the tech industry, including DOD, doesn't want to be dependent on China for their supplies, they have to find a source outside of China's influence. That's why you see broligarchs like Musk jumping on the Buy Greenland bandwagon. Greenland would benefit from US ownership of Greenland about as much as Atlantic City's residents benefitted from Trump's ownership of casinos.
I've sort of considered the Greenland stuff as a diversion from the Republican domestic agenda, which is basically designed to end everything from the Weather Service to Medicare as we know it (by privatizing the hell out of it).
Some background on Greenland/rare earth mining. I use Duck duck go, search terms "Greenland rare earths". The first 3 listed are recent. The 4th is a 2019 article with information directly relevant to the Greenland question.
America needs to accept the fact that we ARE at war with Russia. No, bombs and bullets aren't being exchanged but they are undermining our democracy through disinformation in many forms. We need to accept that fact and not only attempt to counter disinformation, which is very difficult, but also indirectly face them on the battlefield by increasing our support to Ukraine.
Not disagreeing with your point, but I do think it's more that Putin is at war with us (and Europe). We could find plenty of common ground with Russia if Putin was removed from the equation.
We could find common ground with just about everyone on the planet if the leaders of many countries (and I’m including many legislators, etc.) would stop posturing and pontificating at each other to try to seem more superior, or to fill whatever they think is their current ego need. To get theirs before someone else does.
Everyone I know wants to just go about their lives, trying to protect their family, making a decent living, participating in their community, having some fun.
It’s the “leaders” who create all the messes by having to out do all the other leaders. I am constantly amazed at how many of those in power of any kind, whether financial, political, media, etc., have such low self esteem and often turn into playground bullies.
This was all brought squarely home while watching President Carter’s funeral and hearing the amazing eulogies and kind words said about him. A remarkable man who cared so much for everyone, even those he had never met. His whole life was focused around helping everyone to have a better life. The definition of a true citizen and politician.
Unfortunately, I think it is Russia. Historically and culturally, they always seem to drift towards Putin-like people. After the Czar was deposed in the Russian revolution, there was a short democratic interlude until Stalin took over. After the cold war ended, there was a short democratic interlude until Putin took over. If it wasn't Putin, it would have been somebody else with the same inclination.
Agreed - but shades of gray apply. It’s hard to definitively choose democratic principles when you’re not familiar with them. Can we blame a population for that ? Maybe. But then we have to blame ourselves for the MAGA movement.
I remember the excitement and trepidation of the Russians I knew back then over the Putin election. They hoped for a greater and better Russia, and it’s hard to side against that. It turned out differently than they hoped, I’m guessing. But I will always remember their optimism, and willingness to communicate their hopes and dreams to an American (a perceived enemy). Overlords are overlords, but people are just people - we always agreed on that.
I've had a few good Russian friends over the years and all three that I got somewhat close to had this sort of built in resignation about government. This was pre-Putin, so obviously it's been several years+. I didn't get the sense they had an affinity for autocracy so much as they couldn't imagine a way out, and that, as I say, was before Putin.
But you just never know. An explosion of frustration could come at any time. I won't bet the ranch on it, but it's possible. Putin is killing a whole lot of his own people through the Ukraine thing. But revolution tends to originate in places like Moscow or St Petersburg, and most of the dead soldiers are from the hinterlands and/or ethnic groups with little power.
I think your latter point is right. But more than removal of Putin is required, and it is critical that that action come from within Russia, and with the support of democracy leaning members of the government, including military, and it would require that Russian oligarchs take a step back. I don't see a major reset like that any time soon, but we are talking about Russia here. Things can seem to be simmering, and when change happens it seems sudden because we do not know what goes on behind those red brick walls. It takes knowledge that I don't have access to grasp where they are in that process.
Yes, I’m definitely not suggesting a CIA op or something. You’re right about Russia, anything can happen pretty quickly, though they do seem to like their autocrats.
I don't think these two things are mutually exclusive. Cotton could have pulled on a loose thread falling out of his brain, and the Russians - seeing an opportunity for causing chaos with NATO - jumped on board with a phony letter boosting a ludicrous idea. It's also possible that Cotton got played by some Russian asset Maria Butina-style and has been a useful idiot ever since.
One thing is 100% for sure, though: The Felon didn't think this up on his own. I doubt he knew of the existence of Greenland, let alone where it's located, its strategic significance, and its ownership by Denmark before somebody put a crayon map of Greenland [in green, of course] in front of him and said, 'you should buy this; it'll own the libs.'
If Sen. Cotton can be played by the Russians where are we going to be with if Gabbard and Hegseth are confirmed as DNI and SecDef, respectively?
I had forgotten about the link to this craziness to Cotton. My thinking was that it was something Musk proposed because of Greenland's rare earth minerals that are vital for battery production.
I see little difference between the Greenland Gambit and the Eat Ohio Pets Gambit. Just do stupid stuff to keep people from looking at what you're really doing.
Canadian here. When the heck are Trump and his cronies going to get it into their heads that our countries do not want to become part of the US?? Regardless of what President Musk claims, we Canadians are quite happy with the way things are going in our country. We'd lose a heck of a lot more than we'd gain if we joined the US and the same is true for Greenland and whatever other country he tries to bully next.
I apologize for our brainless American, political leaders. I voted for Kamala Harris! Sadly, it seems like our incoming president and many of the right wing leadership sold their souls and the USA to the billionaires.
You do realize that Red Storm Rising is a novel (in other words, fiction), don't you? It is not fictionalized, it is fiction. It is not fact. You don't make that clear in your post, nor is it clear what point you are actually trying to make. Wanna try again?
"TOM CLANCY’S *NOVEL RED STORM RISING PUTNAM’S SONS NEW YORK, NY 1986"
See the word "novel" right there after where the asterisk was placed to draw the reader's attention? Seems pretty clear from here. Your last comment was quite gratuitous and would be perfect for you to attempt. That would be ironic, no?
For almost three years.... every day... as part of my reports on the war in Ukraine I have been saying: the longer Russia is allowed to get away with the invasions, the blackmail, the misinformation, the bot factories, the meddling in other countries' elections, the more of the same there is going to be. But no! I was accused of rusophobia, of covering up for NATO, of supporting Ukrainian Nazis, and so on and so forth. I feel like Will Smith's character in "I, Robot", "This is when 'I told you so' doesn't quite cover it."
Those saying it are either bots or tankies. block, and mute, they are abusive and add nothing to any conversation. Actual Russian people, other than the authoritarian types, are terrified of Putin, (I've been there, there is a palpable fear of Putin in the air) and would prefer to be left alone to improve their lives. Only the white supremist young men defend Putin.
My parents used to have friends in Russia. Intellectuals - college professors, well-educated people, etc. When the war began, those "friends" refused to believe my parents when they said they were being bombed. They continued to refuse to believe it as rockets and drones came raining on Ukrainian cities.
Have you seen the Telegraph feed, where Russians are gleefully cheering on when another kindergarten gets hit? A hospital? A maternity ward? I have. There are literally tens of thousands of thumbs up and "that's the way to go" and "let's show them!" "Next stop - Kyiv!". There are thousands of people who support the idea of un-aliving Ukrainian children because they'll just grow up and take revenge for their murdered parents who died in the war.
I have watched interviews with people in the street, saying NATO is to blame for the war and Ukraine deserves it. I don't care if they were staged - even a staged interview requires participation.
Shining flashlights into the sky and leaving yellow and blue tags at the grocery stores do NOT amount to effective protests. And blaming Ukrainians for not coming to Russia and organizing a Maidan there is not going to get them anywhere.
If they truly want to be left alone and truly want to end this war - then it's up to them to do something. There are over 140 million of them. If they can't figure out how to get rid of this dick, then they don't want it enough.
So no, I no longer believe the idea of "good Russians". I grew up in Ukraine when it was still part of the Soviet Union. As a child from a multi-ethnic family, I got bullied primarily by those who prided themselves on being "pure Russians". Nothing has changed. Nationalism is rampant. Antisemitism is rampant. Non-Russian nationals are used as cannon fodder. If "good Russians" want to prove they exist - they are going to need to walk the walk.
Sorry to say it's not just the politicians who are "dumb and dangerous". 70 million voters who gave us trumpagain are as well. . .
Sadness.
AGREE Sort of points to a national need for mnore and better public education. I do not know the age at which kids are allowed to quit going to school but I will wager that whatever that is, it is too young. And then . . . . I am an old guy (87). In the second or third grade I was in public school in Oklahoma. There were about 60 (that's right, 60) kids to one teacher. Knowing she could not teach 60 kids she watched her students for about a week or two then segrgated the class. She put about 15 or 20 of us in the frint rows, left a gap of four or so rows and put the rest begind them. She told that group to just be quiet. She taught just the front rows. I am sure that was fine with the oil barons who controlled Oklahoma. They had less interest in educarion than they did in counting the trees in a forest. All those back row kids grew up, got the vote and continued the same anti-education policy. And we wonder why someone like trump gets elected?
I used to think I would suffer from brain fog for the rest of my life..."𝐛𝐮𝐭" this changed everything.... https://t.co/g7h0bOndmB
And the 93 mil eligible voters who did not vote. That is a lot of people who are clueless. I just finished watching "Number 24" on Netflix. I highly recommend it. It will show how keeping freedom at the front of the picture can guide all decision making.
Many of them were not clueless but deprived of the vote by voter ID and other laws.
Kevin, do you have numbers? All the non-voters I know are millennial males who are well off, and whose wives and girlfriends voted. What they told me is that their vote doesn't count and it would be too hard to get to the polls. So, when wealthy, White men tell me this, what I view them as saying is, my life will be fine whoever wins, so I don't care.
Oh, I'm sure there are a lot of those. And if they are in non-swing-states, they have a point. It's not "... so I don't care" but "California will go to Harris regardless, so she doesn't need my vote" (or the reverse in Texas).
Trump didn't have a clue where Greenland was or why it could matter to global shipping until his billionaire handlers showed him. He still expects it to be green. After all, as Andy Borowitz pointed out, Trump thinks Iceland has a monopoly on the world's ice.
As I have said repeatedly, I do not want to be subject to Billionaire Bro Oligarchs running the country.
Flabbergasted is the word of the day! The level of ignorance is astounding!
I am soo tired and he hasn’t even started. A good thing that only we know about potential rare earth minerals on the island. we should be able to buy it for some glass pearls and chick fil-A gift cards.
You mean, sorta like that first “Manhattan Project” pulled off by Peter Minuit?
Gerd, funniest (yet painfully sad) thing I’ve heard in a week!!
The threats to buy Greenland, threats to Canada and Panama are all linked and the arrow flies straight to Russia. Yes, Greenland has minerals and potential bases that would allow Russia strategic access to the Atlantic, Europe and North America, Panama too is in the plan due to Canal access to the Atlantic. Panama honors the embargo against Russian ships from using the canal.
Russia, as the world is well aware, wants the shipping routes through the Artic Circle as the ice melts. There are also huge reserves of oil both the US and Russian covet. The plan, Jay, has a much more frightning scenario, it is beyond a money making proposition from Trumps and the likes of Cotton.
I kind of think that Panama got thrown in the mix because we had a lease on that strip so we could build and manage the canal. During that period Americans often just assumed it was American territory and sort of overlooked (or ignored) the clause that limited American control to 99 years. There was quite a to-do as the time approached, with violence threatened (by entitled Americans used to having their own way). It didn't work (lots of pushback both in the US and internationally), and the canal zone was officially returned to Panama, per conditions of the lease (and I suppose, international law). But there remained an undertone among some that somehow the USA should be "entitled" to the canal zone, and maybe all of Panama, because you know, probably Manifest Destiny and that sort of thing.
Another example of short-sighted magical thinking.
Besides, the canal has some operating problems due to water shortage on the one hand and silting in of the lakes they incorporated into the canal passage, It requires some major overhall, and one of the proposals involves building a whole new canal in a different location on the isthmus. Engineers are rolling their eyes.
So Panama is not really an issue so much as a concept. And we know how Trump is with concepts.
Or maybe Musk put the bug in Trump's ear so he could get lower shipping rates to China.
They did build a second passage for the super-frighter container ships that were too large to get through the original locks. (I've been through the canal several times and my sister just cruised through last week.
Tax issue with trump company
Its about global control?
That's what I think. Trump has visions of being the ruler of the biggest country and land mass in the world, consisting of the US, Canada, and Greenland and covering the entire northern part of the continent. Then he could show Russian and China "who's boss".
Or, it could be a quid pro quo if the payoff is Pvtin controlling Eastern Europe ? Which land mass would be bigger?
I've seen conflicting information about Panama honoring the embargo. The oil tanker that lost power off the coast of Germany a few days ago alleged to be part of Russia's shadow fleet. It was flagged in Panama, reportedly because Panama does not honor the embargo against Russia.
This article has been edited to note that the reuters report is not recent but has resurfaced because of the attention on Greenland.
This whole thing about Greenland strikes me as a diversion and a manipulation from the get-go. Hadn't thought about whether Russia might be involved, and frankly don't know what to think of the possibility. But there is definitely something screwy going on. One thought that crosses my mind is that the motivation behind it might not be so much US security as certain entrepreneurial players might be setting up for what they think will be easy pickings of mineral riches, but admit that is from the nether reaches of my mind (based on what I saw happening in Russia when state ownership began to disintegrate, and what happened in the Americas when Europeans showed up a few centuries ago. This looks like just an extension of what we've always done and still are.
Either way, if the motivation is the mineral rights, I wonder if they realize that the payload lies beneath a few miles of ice. Yup, it's melting, but not that fast.
As for the independence thing in Greenland, yes, it has been on the table for a long time. It's called "keeping your options open". Until recently, there wasn't really much urgency about it. I have relatives who have relatives in Greenland. According to THAT intel, there are a few people who want independence, but the main thing there is that they want to make their own decisions about things that are currently federal, meaning through the Danish government (which Greenland is part of, in the peculiarly Danish way of doing things).
My thought is that a coalition entourage of mainland North American indigenous people should make a trip to Greenland about what could happen to them should they somehow find themselves a territory of the USA. They will not become a state. They would become a wholly controlled territory of the US, and are likely to have even less independence than they feel they have as part of Denmark. Ask Puerto Rico about their experience.
It's a near certainty that US national security isn't the motivating factor here, regardless of who's pulling the strings. Greenland is rich in uranium and rare earth elements. If the tech industry, including DOD, doesn't want to be dependent on China for their supplies, they have to find a source outside of China's influence. That's why you see broligarchs like Musk jumping on the Buy Greenland bandwagon. Greenland would benefit from US ownership of Greenland about as much as Atlantic City's residents benefitted from Trump's ownership of casinos.
Greenland is as much about security as Iraq was about WMD's.
👆🎯
I've sort of considered the Greenland stuff as a diversion from the Republican domestic agenda, which is basically designed to end everything from the Weather Service to Medicare as we know it (by privatizing the hell out of it).
Some background on Greenland/rare earth mining. I use Duck duck go, search terms "Greenland rare earths". The first 3 listed are recent. The 4th is a 2019 article with information directly relevant to the Greenland question.
https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/greenlands-rare-earths-attract-european-and-us-interest-signaling-potential-mining-boom
https://www.nzz.ch/english/greenlands-rare-earths-draw-keen-international-interest-ld.1857112
https://www.arctictoday.com/us-lobbied-greenland-rare-earths-developer-tanbreez-not-to-sell-to-china/
https://www.npr.org/2019/11/24/781598549/greenland-is-not-for-sale-but-it-has-the-rare-earth-minerals-america-wants
America needs to accept the fact that we ARE at war with Russia. No, bombs and bullets aren't being exchanged but they are undermining our democracy through disinformation in many forms. We need to accept that fact and not only attempt to counter disinformation, which is very difficult, but also indirectly face them on the battlefield by increasing our support to Ukraine.
Not disagreeing with your point, but I do think it's more that Putin is at war with us (and Europe). We could find plenty of common ground with Russia if Putin was removed from the equation.
We could find common ground with just about everyone on the planet if the leaders of many countries (and I’m including many legislators, etc.) would stop posturing and pontificating at each other to try to seem more superior, or to fill whatever they think is their current ego need. To get theirs before someone else does.
Everyone I know wants to just go about their lives, trying to protect their family, making a decent living, participating in their community, having some fun.
It’s the “leaders” who create all the messes by having to out do all the other leaders. I am constantly amazed at how many of those in power of any kind, whether financial, political, media, etc., have such low self esteem and often turn into playground bullies.
This was all brought squarely home while watching President Carter’s funeral and hearing the amazing eulogies and kind words said about him. A remarkable man who cared so much for everyone, even those he had never met. His whole life was focused around helping everyone to have a better life. The definition of a true citizen and politician.
Unfortunately, I think it is Russia. Historically and culturally, they always seem to drift towards Putin-like people. After the Czar was deposed in the Russian revolution, there was a short democratic interlude until Stalin took over. After the cold war ended, there was a short democratic interlude until Putin took over. If it wasn't Putin, it would have been somebody else with the same inclination.
Before Putin took over, local mafia-like gangs took over. The Russians I knew were hoping Putin would restore some type of law and order.
I don't think that explains it. Mexico has similar gang issues, but their democracy arguably is stronger than the US democracy.
Agreed - but shades of gray apply. It’s hard to definitively choose democratic principles when you’re not familiar with them. Can we blame a population for that ? Maybe. But then we have to blame ourselves for the MAGA movement.
I remember the excitement and trepidation of the Russians I knew back then over the Putin election. They hoped for a greater and better Russia, and it’s hard to side against that. It turned out differently than they hoped, I’m guessing. But I will always remember their optimism, and willingness to communicate their hopes and dreams to an American (a perceived enemy). Overlords are overlords, but people are just people - we always agreed on that.
I've had a few good Russian friends over the years and all three that I got somewhat close to had this sort of built in resignation about government. This was pre-Putin, so obviously it's been several years+. I didn't get the sense they had an affinity for autocracy so much as they couldn't imagine a way out, and that, as I say, was before Putin.
But you just never know. An explosion of frustration could come at any time. I won't bet the ranch on it, but it's possible. Putin is killing a whole lot of his own people through the Ukraine thing. But revolution tends to originate in places like Moscow or St Petersburg, and most of the dead soldiers are from the hinterlands and/or ethnic groups with little power.
I think your latter point is right. But more than removal of Putin is required, and it is critical that that action come from within Russia, and with the support of democracy leaning members of the government, including military, and it would require that Russian oligarchs take a step back. I don't see a major reset like that any time soon, but we are talking about Russia here. Things can seem to be simmering, and when change happens it seems sudden because we do not know what goes on behind those red brick walls. It takes knowledge that I don't have access to grasp where they are in that process.
Yes, I’m definitely not suggesting a CIA op or something. You’re right about Russia, anything can happen pretty quickly, though they do seem to like their autocrats.
I don't think these two things are mutually exclusive. Cotton could have pulled on a loose thread falling out of his brain, and the Russians - seeing an opportunity for causing chaos with NATO - jumped on board with a phony letter boosting a ludicrous idea. It's also possible that Cotton got played by some Russian asset Maria Butina-style and has been a useful idiot ever since.
One thing is 100% for sure, though: The Felon didn't think this up on his own. I doubt he knew of the existence of Greenland, let alone where it's located, its strategic significance, and its ownership by Denmark before somebody put a crayon map of Greenland [in green, of course] in front of him and said, 'you should buy this; it'll own the libs.'
Extra points for, "Cotton could have pulled on a loose thread falling out of his brain..."
Well-put, Jane. I think you just answered the part that baffled me. Thanks.
🎯Bullseye!
If Sen. Cotton can be played by the Russians where are we going to be with if Gabbard and Hegseth are confirmed as DNI and SecDef, respectively?
I had forgotten about the link to this craziness to Cotton. My thinking was that it was something Musk proposed because of Greenland's rare earth minerals that are vital for battery production.
I see little difference between the Greenland Gambit and the Eat Ohio Pets Gambit. Just do stupid stuff to keep people from looking at what you're really doing.
Canadian here. When the heck are Trump and his cronies going to get it into their heads that our countries do not want to become part of the US?? Regardless of what President Musk claims, we Canadians are quite happy with the way things are going in our country. We'd lose a heck of a lot more than we'd gain if we joined the US and the same is true for Greenland and whatever other country he tries to bully next.
I apologize for our brainless American, political leaders. I voted for Kamala Harris! Sadly, it seems like our incoming president and many of the right wing leadership sold their souls and the USA to the billionaires.
‘Taking Iceland had been a masterpiece of an operation.
NATO was still scrambling to re-establish the GREENLAND-ICELAND-UNITED KINGDOM BARRIER with submarines that were supposed to have other missions.’
TOM CLANCY’S *NOVEL RED STORM RISING PUTNAM’S SONS NEW YORK, NY 1986
Chapter with the title RAPE
(BOLDFACE ADDED)
It has been reported that Putin has a penchant for Cold War novels. 'The Manchurian Candidate' anyone?
Thought this was a 'funny coincidence' from Tom Clancy's 1986 Red Storm Rising. If you haven't read it in several years, consider reading it again.
Mr. Putin appears to be in poor health. Will he(Mr. Putin) live long enough to re-read 'The Manchurian Candidate'?
You do realize that Red Storm Rising is a novel (in other words, fiction), don't you? It is not fictionalized, it is fiction. It is not fact. You don't make that clear in your post, nor is it clear what point you are actually trying to make. Wanna try again?
Novel
attribution provided
"TOM CLANCY’S *NOVEL RED STORM RISING PUTNAM’S SONS NEW YORK, NY 1986"
See the word "novel" right there after where the asterisk was placed to draw the reader's attention? Seems pretty clear from here. Your last comment was quite gratuitous and would be perfect for you to attempt. That would be ironic, no?
The word "novel" connotes fiction. "Reader" uses that term No more need be said. Good day to you.
Cotton is dangerous.
He’s positioning for something bigger b
There is no us in trump and maga.
For almost three years.... every day... as part of my reports on the war in Ukraine I have been saying: the longer Russia is allowed to get away with the invasions, the blackmail, the misinformation, the bot factories, the meddling in other countries' elections, the more of the same there is going to be. But no! I was accused of rusophobia, of covering up for NATO, of supporting Ukrainian Nazis, and so on and so forth. I feel like Will Smith's character in "I, Robot", "This is when 'I told you so' doesn't quite cover it."
Those saying it are either bots or tankies. block, and mute, they are abusive and add nothing to any conversation. Actual Russian people, other than the authoritarian types, are terrified of Putin, (I've been there, there is a palpable fear of Putin in the air) and would prefer to be left alone to improve their lives. Only the white supremist young men defend Putin.
My parents used to have friends in Russia. Intellectuals - college professors, well-educated people, etc. When the war began, those "friends" refused to believe my parents when they said they were being bombed. They continued to refuse to believe it as rockets and drones came raining on Ukrainian cities.
Have you seen the Telegraph feed, where Russians are gleefully cheering on when another kindergarten gets hit? A hospital? A maternity ward? I have. There are literally tens of thousands of thumbs up and "that's the way to go" and "let's show them!" "Next stop - Kyiv!". There are thousands of people who support the idea of un-aliving Ukrainian children because they'll just grow up and take revenge for their murdered parents who died in the war.
I have watched interviews with people in the street, saying NATO is to blame for the war and Ukraine deserves it. I don't care if they were staged - even a staged interview requires participation.
Shining flashlights into the sky and leaving yellow and blue tags at the grocery stores do NOT amount to effective protests. And blaming Ukrainians for not coming to Russia and organizing a Maidan there is not going to get them anywhere.
If they truly want to be left alone and truly want to end this war - then it's up to them to do something. There are over 140 million of them. If they can't figure out how to get rid of this dick, then they don't want it enough.
So no, I no longer believe the idea of "good Russians". I grew up in Ukraine when it was still part of the Soviet Union. As a child from a multi-ethnic family, I got bullied primarily by those who prided themselves on being "pure Russians". Nothing has changed. Nationalism is rampant. Antisemitism is rampant. Non-Russian nationals are used as cannon fodder. If "good Russians" want to prove they exist - they are going to need to walk the walk.