I even heard (because of where I live and I listen, seldom speak) Putin is arresting members of the pedophile ring that is so plaguing children around the world… you know, the one that involves all the Dems and half of Hollywood… but not one of those Hallmark actors. Some days I feel like I’m losing my mind.
I hadn't heard that one yet, but it sure doesn't surprise me. I both feel sorry for folks like you who live where you do, and think of you as very brave for still doing so.
How tight ( and lengthy) does the sanction "vice" have to become to squeeze out a shift? This approach ( which I totally understand) is giving Putin lots of time to destroy and eradicate.
Also, TC, would appreciate your thoughts on the mixed message of: "the Russian offensive is not going as planned " VS "the Russian troops are taking yet another city"???
They haven't yet taken any major city past Kherson, and they're barely in control there (though the reports this morning is that the screws are tightening quickly as Putin's goon squad arrives to arrest people). They were supposed to have this all wrapped up in 3 days. There's a report this morning that the head of the FSB's Fifth Bureau and his #2 - who were involved in the planning of all this - were arrested last night, a sign that things are not going well and recriminations are coming. They have no secure comms due to the incompetence of knocking down the 3G and 4G cell towers in Ukraine their encrypted cellphones needed to work, so they have to talk "in the clear." As a result, yesterday they lost their third senior general killed by Ukrainians due to the comms failure.
Overall, they seem to be about as competent as the Red Army that got outfought by the Finns in the Winter War back in 1939-40, when the Red Army had no leadership after Stalin killed off his senior commanders in the Show Trials. Yes, they eventually overwhelmed the Finns with numbers, but their performance was pitiful. Putin has probably "topped" the military command by only allowing loyalists to the top, and sycophants are never good commanders.
Thank you so so much for this! I am not reading enough to get this inside perspective but I knew you would have some insight. I just keep seeing the destruction and the desperate begging of the Ukrainians for help. (It does seem irrationally incompetent to destroy the cell towers!!) Had not heard about the arrests of the FSB guys. How completely terrifying to be under the thumb of a maniac!! Anyway, thank you for taking the time to respond to my question!!
Lot of birds migrate between Ukraine and Russia? Bird migration is generally north to south, not west to east. But then the Russians and Fox News know their marks will believe anything.
China is also pushing the same line of DIS-information. It seems Ji has made his decision to stand with Putin at least for the time being. My guess is the calculation is that the west will tire of the situation if Putin can just keep up the killing and destruction. I heard someone say from a forum held at Columbia a couple of days ago, that China will step in and buy up assets at fire sale prices. I feel as though the western alliance is being flummoxed by a guy who is holding the world hostage, even as he escalates the war. The word is he's bringing in mercenaries from Syria. It would really be something if one day we heard that Eric Prince has a contract for his own mercenaries. Given the crowd around the former "president" I would not be surprised at all. President Zelensky believes Putin is bluffing about using a nuclear weapon. I'm not so sure. One thing however is certain, Putin will destroy the entire nation of Ukraine in order to prove he can do whatever he wants, and to see if he can cause the former "republics" to freeze in the headlights along with the NATO alliance. Western countries have been so busy building the globalized money making apparatus they have forgotten what it means to live under the actual threat of yet another totalitarian fascist regime which Russia under Putin has become. And don't forget - Erdogan is no hero. He's an autocrat within NATO. I still believe he fomented a "coup" himself in order to crack down on dissidents. Plus he hangs with Putin. So the lines are never clear.
I even heard (because of where I live and I listen, seldom speak) Putin is arresting members of the pedophile ring that is so plaguing children around the world… you know, the one that involves all the Dems and half of Hollywood… but not one of those Hallmark actors. Some days I feel like I’m losing my mind.
I hadn't heard that one yet, but it sure doesn't surprise me. I both feel sorry for folks like you who live where you do, and think of you as very brave for still doing so.
How tight ( and lengthy) does the sanction "vice" have to become to squeeze out a shift? This approach ( which I totally understand) is giving Putin lots of time to destroy and eradicate.
Also, TC, would appreciate your thoughts on the mixed message of: "the Russian offensive is not going as planned " VS "the Russian troops are taking yet another city"???
They haven't yet taken any major city past Kherson, and they're barely in control there (though the reports this morning is that the screws are tightening quickly as Putin's goon squad arrives to arrest people). They were supposed to have this all wrapped up in 3 days. There's a report this morning that the head of the FSB's Fifth Bureau and his #2 - who were involved in the planning of all this - were arrested last night, a sign that things are not going well and recriminations are coming. They have no secure comms due to the incompetence of knocking down the 3G and 4G cell towers in Ukraine their encrypted cellphones needed to work, so they have to talk "in the clear." As a result, yesterday they lost their third senior general killed by Ukrainians due to the comms failure.
Overall, they seem to be about as competent as the Red Army that got outfought by the Finns in the Winter War back in 1939-40, when the Red Army had no leadership after Stalin killed off his senior commanders in the Show Trials. Yes, they eventually overwhelmed the Finns with numbers, but their performance was pitiful. Putin has probably "topped" the military command by only allowing loyalists to the top, and sycophants are never good commanders.
Thank you so so much for this! I am not reading enough to get this inside perspective but I knew you would have some insight. I just keep seeing the destruction and the desperate begging of the Ukrainians for help. (It does seem irrationally incompetent to destroy the cell towers!!) Had not heard about the arrests of the FSB guys. How completely terrifying to be under the thumb of a maniac!! Anyway, thank you for taking the time to respond to my question!!
Lot of birds migrate between Ukraine and Russia? Bird migration is generally north to south, not west to east. But then the Russians and Fox News know their marks will believe anything.
I’m surprised they used the word “migration” instead of illegal bird “immigration”!
China is also pushing the same line of DIS-information. It seems Ji has made his decision to stand with Putin at least for the time being. My guess is the calculation is that the west will tire of the situation if Putin can just keep up the killing and destruction. I heard someone say from a forum held at Columbia a couple of days ago, that China will step in and buy up assets at fire sale prices. I feel as though the western alliance is being flummoxed by a guy who is holding the world hostage, even as he escalates the war. The word is he's bringing in mercenaries from Syria. It would really be something if one day we heard that Eric Prince has a contract for his own mercenaries. Given the crowd around the former "president" I would not be surprised at all. President Zelensky believes Putin is bluffing about using a nuclear weapon. I'm not so sure. One thing however is certain, Putin will destroy the entire nation of Ukraine in order to prove he can do whatever he wants, and to see if he can cause the former "republics" to freeze in the headlights along with the NATO alliance. Western countries have been so busy building the globalized money making apparatus they have forgotten what it means to live under the actual threat of yet another totalitarian fascist regime which Russia under Putin has become. And don't forget - Erdogan is no hero. He's an autocrat within NATO. I still believe he fomented a "coup" himself in order to crack down on dissidents. Plus he hangs with Putin. So the lines are never clear.
.,.and the lines are intertwined.