Ukraine
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If Putin is pushed into a corner with his supporters, that is when the big red button becomes enticing.
If those in Russia can see a way out they will possibly take it but I see the best real world outcome being Putin and a few others going into retirement in one of the few nations that support, or at least understand him.
If Putin and his crowd are pushed too tightly into that box he is surrounded by, there is the real possibility that Russian nuclear weapons get launched at those he feels have isolated him and his plans for Russia.
Not likely to see him or his commanders in the Hague prison anytime let alone soon.
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I see various polls here in Ireland that indicates a lowering of concern with regard to what is happening in Ukraine, very very sad! If seems the general population is more interested about the people slapping and being slapped at the Oscars..... even more sad by far!
Germany started two World Wars! I'm not 100% sure about WW1 but definitely WW2. Now Germany leads the EU! I still think that the Western powers and particularly the Industrial Military Complex / Globalists need an 'enemy' and Russia has filled this role for a long time with China in second place.
In 1991 the EU and the Western Powers had a chance to bring the RF into the flock and do business but they would not even give it any serious though. We are now seeing the consequences of this ill conceived action.
I don't think we will be seeing nukes flying around as it would take a total lunatic to press the red button and Putin is definitely not a lunatic. He may be many unsavoury things but he knows it would be the end for humanity.
The EU needs to talk to the FR about joining the EU in some form or fashion as this would be the best way to secure peace in Europe. If Russia was part of the EU why should NATO continue to exist? Instead, nations could further develop the UN and give it some real teeth so that it would not be the toothless wonder it is today. The first step should be to relocate the UN HQ to a 'more middle of the road' country.
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I hope clearer heads prevail, among the Putin supporters and senior military at least. Will that happen, no idea. The UN has plenty of teeth to deal with transgressors but will not use them, they hide hbehind votes that include the accused nation and allow one vote or one abstention to prevent having to actually DO anything. No way that organisation is worth any more than the knee's ups they have drinking and eating fine vittles and doing SFA. Time for a redo from start.
Not much time for the eu either. How can any organisation not be a country or state yet have a 'national' flag and anthem? After being chased away from the table before when he was on bended knee's, Putin will not grovel at the eu table and there would have to be a completely new organisation which limits itself to being trading agreements and not much else. Far too much eu nationalism fmt.
Perhaps even scrap nato and bring in something more global, something that brings a proper responsibility to the larger and better off nations to protect the poorer and less influential nations. We could do a lot more good like that and also clean the place up. We are as a species leaving the place in a right tip state and it has to stop.
We pride ourselves as being the smartest species on the planet and yet we foul up at every hurdle. When are we going to wise up? I pointed out the fact of a european war a long time ago when I was first thinking which way to jump in brexit. I knew we would be where we are and these guys are paid to be smart. Why did I not do more? I went to Op Granby as a volunteer from civvy street and am not fit enough to go to Ukraine. I am SO annoyed with all this. Quite apart from those who want to drive our advancement in directions that suit their friends and push money their way when we should be looking at facts and potential in MANY directions rather than one.
Don't mind me folks, I just believe we are better and should be better still. I shall climb off my soap box now and leave you in peace.
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@mike lucey said:
I see various polls here in Ireland that indicates a lowering of concern with regard to what is happening in Ukraine, very very sad! If seems the general population is more interested about the people slapping and being slapped at the Oscars..... even more sad by far!
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Unfortunately,
I saw a video of sheep in a row to be slaughtered. They were able to see what is happening and there were two of them busy coital approaching... No comment! -
@unknownuser said:
Unfortunately,
I saw a video of sheep in a row to be slaughtered.
They were able to see what is happening and there were two of them busy coital approaching...
No comment!
Nice way to go! -
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Thanks for posting Gary Kasparov's TED Talk. However I was disappointed with his solution to the situation, fighting! Fighting will not solve this very sad situation. We have to find a better way and that can only be started with talking no matter how long it takes.
Here is an interview with Nina Khrushcheva, Professor of International Affairs at the New School New York. She is Nikita Khrushchev's great-grand daughter. Her analysis of Putin is quite frightening and leaves little hope for a resolution anytime soon.
After listening to her thoughts it looks to me that it's only the RF citizens by whatever means will resolve this disaster.
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Sadly, the information held by average Russian citizens is given to them by the regime so regime change will have to come from those Putin calls friends. Not likely at the moment.
It will take a repeat of a certain Egyptian leader, shot at a rally by his own guards.
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I simply had to say something, so I composed this song and animated video in support of the people of Ukraine.
As a note, I used several SketchUp models in the animation (thanks Fredo for Animator) -
I heard this song years ago, frankly it should be played everywhere. Especially now.
I have to say that it punches above its weight but everything is in there. Enjoy.
https://thealternateroutes.com/albums/nothing_more/
Listen to it, buy it if you like it, the whole album is great and based on being positive.
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The more time passes the more I get assured that Poo-tin is defeated in Ukraine! It replicates two different management points of views, the power of all confronting power of one!
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@dale said:
I simply had to say something, so I composed this song and animated video in support of the people of Ukraine.
As a note, I used several SketchUp models in the animation (thanks Fredo for Animator)Bravo dale! A great gesture indeed. I will spread it around.
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I've just listened to the António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations and Sergey Lavrov, RF Minister of Foreign Affairs, comments/answers to the Press on the DW covered meeting outcome. This is the link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBy2TEfsXUs
Its well worth listening.At long last talks between the UN and the RF have begun. This is the only way some sort of positive progress will happen and hopefully a resolution to the conflict will be reached.
What I took from the press conference was that a totally neutral entity that is acceptable to all parties will have to be found to act as a mediator. I have no idea want or who could fill this role.
My major concern now is that Putin may resort to using tactical nuclear weapons after Germany has rowed in with the supply of anti aircraft tanks etc.
The more one thinks about it, the situation is Ukraine plus NATO backing (minus nuke supply) versus the Russian Federation. Now that Putin is in a corner, the West must be very careful and broker a settlement that does not, whether we like it or not, make Putin look like a looser. Remember what happened after WWI! The ill conceived armistice's draconian penalties indirectly brought Hitler to power and WWII with the loss of 50M souls.
It's said that, 'It's an ill wind that blows no good!'. One doesn't have to look too hard to find the bunch that is laughing all the way to the bank. It looks like it's the Arms Trade as warned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his Military-Industrial Complex Speech 1961.
To get an overview of the Arms Trade, it's worth watching 'Follow the Money' (Booming global trade: Seller, buyers and profiteers) on Deutsche Welle> dw.com here, https://youtu.be/UjiFzmYVG7w?list=PLT6yxVwBEbi0AKJXT8tseRoYHctKpD1Fj
BTW, the reporter is an Irishman, Arthur Sillivan. He presents very well,
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Thanks Mike.
I just want the conversation to continue. -
@dale said:
Thanks Mike.
I just want the conversation to continue.You are totally right dale. There are so many silly distractions these days, film actor's law suits with their ex-wives etc etc that folks easily forget about the important things and as we know the most important issue the world is facing at the moment is the Ukraine conflict. If the worst case scenario plays out there, little else will matter.
We need to get as much information as we can about the situation and keep public opinion focused/active on the issue and push for a resolution even if all we can do is highlight the issue.
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About all we as average Joe's can do is talk, as long as we do this it cannot be swept under the carpet by newer events, as Putin wants.
It may not get anywhere but I send an email to the Duma most days.
I know but they will at least see the thing before they delete it.
My point to them is that they should save Russia from Putin, the saving of the Ukraine would be a bonus to that, just a question of altering the semantics for the different parties.
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@mike amos said:
About all we as average Joe's can do is talk, as long as we do this it cannot be swept under the carpet by newer events, as Putin wants.
It may not get anywhere but I send an email to the Duma most days.
I know but they will at least see the thing before they delete it.
My point to them is that they should save Russia from Putin, the saving of the Ukraine would be a bonus to that, just a question of altering the semantics for the different parties.
That is a very positive step Mike. Do you have the correct email address and are your emails in English? I will follow your lead.
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Absolutely love this direct approach Mike. I agree, please post the contact info.
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Just listened to Ilya Ponomarev being interviewed on DW, he was a member of the Russian parliament and the only Russian lawmaker who voted against the annexation of Crimea in 2014. He was then forced out and now lives in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv where he has joined the territorial defense forces.
Of course he is very much anti Putin but reassures us that in his opinion Putin will not press the 'Red Button' as he is far too fond of living the good life. His overall assessment of Putin is very measured and he points out many traits in his character, both good and very bad.
This is the link to the interview, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV4tLpuy7Rk
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The closest I can get to this is. http://duma.gov.ru/en/contacts/citizen/
This is an English language page but I must warn you that I have had intrusion attempts on my pc and it has been very squirrely lately meaning a complete reinstall of my Firefox installation and settings have been all over the place.
Nothing destructive, just a pain to deal with so happy for small whatever.
The more we can stick this in their faces the less they can hide from the truth.
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