The United States(!) of A

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factotum started the topic in Thursday, 27 Aug 2020 at 11:12am

Septic Tanks are going to Septic Tank

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velocityjohnno Sunday, 2 Mar 2025 at 10:23pm

I found this interesting, it mentions Russia's economic growth is driven by 28% of GDP into arms/military/war effort, and suggests there are no other growth drivers to take this place, inferring further conflict is the only way to keep this economy running.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/02/putin-cant-afford-peace-...

Consider that Japan spend 22% of GDP on the Imperial Navy in the leadup to WW2 and from that point of extreme economic imbalance gave the Western powers an absolute walloping in the first 6 months (only; as Yamamoto predicted) of the Pacific war.

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Confusion Sunday, 2 Mar 2025 at 10:38pm

Hawke
At least we know
Trump likes and admires bad people

?si=X_0yoRCfZxfOrHxl bad people
Because he is a bad person.

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velocityjohnno Sunday, 2 Mar 2025 at 10:38pm

And another update has the byline:

"The Kremlin has claimed that Donald Trump’s Ukraine policy “largely coincides” with Vladimir Putin’s."

What are the chances...?

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velocityjohnno Sunday, 2 Mar 2025 at 10:46pm

And from earlier today, Norwegian fuel supplier speaks truth to power (and burns up what would be a lucrative contract) in spectacular style:

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegian-fuel-supplier-refuses-u-s-wars...

'Norwegian fuel company Haltbakk Bunkers has announced it will cease supplying fuel to U.S. military forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
In a strongly worded statement, the company criticised a televised event involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, referring to it as the “biggest shitshow ever presented live on TV.”'

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Confusion Sunday, 2 Mar 2025 at 10:56pm

It’s not so much the US policy towards Ukraine
More Trumps Policy.

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Confusion Sunday, 2 Mar 2025 at 10:57pm

やらはさなわ

southernraw's picture
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southernraw Sunday, 2 Mar 2025 at 11:12pm
velocityjohnno wrote:

And from earlier today, Norwegian fuel supplier speaks truth to power (and burns up what would be a lucrative contract) in spectacular style:

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegian-fuel-supplier-refuses-u-s-wars...

'Norwegian fuel company Haltbakk Bunkers has announced it will cease supplying fuel to U.S. military forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
In a strongly worded statement, the company criticised a televised event involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, referring to it as the “biggest shitshow ever presented live on TV.”'

Yeah saw that VJ. That's big.

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wax24 Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 12:17am

Hey VJ..... The main weapon of The Coalition of the Willing is fear and surprise...... ahh1... our TWO main weapons are fear and surprise. And ruthless efficiency! Doh! Our THREE main weapons are fear, surprise, a ruthless efficiency, and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... our FOUR......
(someone please cue the spam song....)

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flollo Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 1:20am
southernraw wrote:
velocityjohnno wrote:

And from earlier today, Norwegian fuel supplier speaks truth to power (and burns up what would be a lucrative contract) in spectacular style:

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegian-fuel-supplier-refuses-u-s-wars...

'Norwegian fuel company Haltbakk Bunkers has announced it will cease supplying fuel to U.S. military forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
In a strongly worded statement, the company criticised a televised event involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, referring to it as the “biggest shitshow ever presented live on TV.”'

Yeah saw that VJ. That's big.

The government stepped in and stopped this. They will guarantee fuel supply to US ships. That’s common sense.

https://www.reuters.com/world/norway-says-it-will-keep-supplying-fuel-us...

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southernraw Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 1:26am
flollo wrote:
southernraw wrote:
velocityjohnno wrote:

And from earlier today, Norwegian fuel supplier speaks truth to power (and burns up what would be a lucrative contract) in spectacular style:

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegian-fuel-supplier-refuses-u-s-wars...

'Norwegian fuel company Haltbakk Bunkers has announced it will cease supplying fuel to U.S. military forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
In a strongly worded statement, the company criticised a televised event involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, referring to it as the “biggest shitshow ever presented live on TV.”'

Yeah saw that VJ. That's big.

The government stepped in and stopped this. They will guarantee fuel supply to US ships. That’s common sense.

https://www.reuters.com/world/norway-says-it-will-keep-supplying-fuel-us...

Common sense eh? That's a matter of opinion.

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flollo Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 1:38am

When Ukrainian citizens were shot in the streets because they wanted to join Europe in 2014 the Europe did nothing to help them out. When Russians took Crimea the Europe did nothing to help the Ukraine out. When war in Donbas kicked off the Europe did nothing to kill it right there and then. They casually gave plenty of time to Russia to build up their military. When Russia invaded in 2022 the Europe would probably do nothing if it wasn’t for Biden who eagerly jumped in with huge amount of support. And to their credit, the UK. We can all thank Biden for his determination to fight the Russians.

Let’s see what happens this time around. Lots of fancy language but Ukraine needs weapons and troops. I still remember the disappointment I felt with the EU in 2014. Who will lead these efforts? The UK is definitely stepping up but they were involved from the beginning anyway and they’re not in the EU. Chances of the US/UK alliance breaking are zero. Macron probably. I reckon Macron can somewhat manage Trump. Germany is all talk but realistically, they’re in a recession and they’re going through an existential crisis. Maybe this new guy can turn it around but I doubt it if he takes the greens in. Spain, Italy? They’re useless and Italy never won a war anyway. Give it to the Polish I reckon.

In hindsight, Angela’s foreign and immigration policies were disaster for Germany and the EU. Can they turn it around? Their track record would say no but let’s hope so.

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flollo Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 1:41am
southernraw wrote:
flollo wrote:
southernraw wrote:
velocityjohnno wrote:

And from earlier today, Norwegian fuel supplier speaks truth to power (and burns up what would be a lucrative contract) in spectacular style:

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegian-fuel-supplier-refuses-u-s-wars...

'Norwegian fuel company Haltbakk Bunkers has announced it will cease supplying fuel to U.S. military forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
In a strongly worded statement, the company criticised a televised event involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, referring to it as the “biggest shitshow ever presented live on TV.”'

Yeah saw that VJ. That's big.

The government stepped in and stopped this. They will guarantee fuel supply to US ships. That’s common sense.

https://www.reuters.com/world/norway-says-it-will-keep-supplying-fuel-us...

Common sense eh? That's a matter of opinion.

Absolutely common sense. Don’t refuel them on their path to the European side of the Arctic? The one that is shared with Russia? Sure, you can shut it down but make sure you build your own capacity first. I trust Norwegian government more than a virtue signalling corporation.

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southernraw Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 2:06am
flollo wrote:
southernraw wrote:
flollo wrote:
southernraw wrote:
velocityjohnno wrote:

And from earlier today, Norwegian fuel supplier speaks truth to power (and burns up what would be a lucrative contract) in spectacular style:

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegian-fuel-supplier-refuses-u-s-wars...

'Norwegian fuel company Haltbakk Bunkers has announced it will cease supplying fuel to U.S. military forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
In a strongly worded statement, the company criticised a televised event involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, referring to it as the “biggest shitshow ever presented live on TV.”'

Yeah saw that VJ. That's big.

The government stepped in and stopped this. They will guarantee fuel supply to US ships. That’s common sense.

https://www.reuters.com/world/norway-says-it-will-keep-supplying-fuel-us...

Common sense eh? That's a matter of opinion.

Absolutely common sense. Don’t refuel them on their path to the European side of the Arctic? The one that is shared with Russia? Sure, you can shut it down but make sure you build your own capacity first. I trust Norwegian government more than a virtue signalling corporation.

To be honest @flollo, i think you have a better grasp on things than myself, and i'll graciously bow out
Appreciate your insights as always.

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southernraw Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 2:12am

Whats becoming clearer though, is the more you know, the less you know....in my case anyway. Got a lot of learning to do on the history of how this got to this point.
Cheers.

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quadzilla Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 6:50am

Here's a link to the assistance to Ukraine from other countries.
Twumps 350Billion claim doesnt add up.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/these-countries-have...

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Supafreak Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 7:09am
andy-mac's picture
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andy-mac Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 7:17am

Interesting going through all the headlines and leaders offering support to Ukraine.
Will it continue when these countries have to actually start putting in $$ and troops?
My understanding (limited as had been pointed out) is that one of the main issues
in Ukraine is now man power, or lack of.
Seen the videos cannot confirm authencity of young men getting picked up off the street as conscripts?
Will these countries still be keen if they have to send their young men off to die, or if Russia starts lobbing missiles into these countries with threat of nucs to follow.

Dangerous times.

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quadzilla Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 7:29am

A dissection of the OvalAmbush from the Ukrainian perspective.

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andy-mac Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 7:31am

Where is the coalition of willing to step in and stop the starvation of civilians and targeting of kids here?
Western hypocrisy on display.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2025/mar/01/how-a-12-year-old-bo...

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burleigh Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 8:14am
flollo wrote:
southernraw wrote:
velocityjohnno wrote:

And from earlier today, Norwegian fuel supplier speaks truth to power (and burns up what would be a lucrative contract) in spectacular style:

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegian-fuel-supplier-refuses-u-s-wars...

'Norwegian fuel company Haltbakk Bunkers has announced it will cease supplying fuel to U.S. military forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
In a strongly worded statement, the company criticised a televised event involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, referring to it as the “biggest shitshow ever presented live on TV.”'

Yeah saw that VJ. That's big.

The government stepped in and stopped this. They will guarantee fuel supply to US ships. That’s common sense.

https://www.reuters.com/world/norway-says-it-will-keep-supplying-fuel-us...

Publicity stunt

Confusion's picture
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Confusion Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 9:03am
burleigh wrote:
flollo wrote:
southernraw wrote:
velocityjohnno wrote:

And from earlier today, Norwegian fuel supplier speaks truth to power (and burns up what would be a lucrative contract) in spectacular style:

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegian-fuel-supplier-refuses-u-s-wars...

'Norwegian fuel company Haltbakk Bunkers has announced it will cease supplying fuel to U.S. military forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
In a strongly worded statement, the company criticised a televised event involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, referring to it as the “biggest shitshow ever presented live on TV.”'

Yeah saw that VJ. That's big.

The government stepped in and stopped this. They will guarantee fuel supply to US ships. That’s common sense.

https://www.reuters.com/world/norway-says-it-will-keep-supplying-fuel-us...

Publicity stunt

That’s ironic after Trumps and Vance’s
“Performance “ at the Oval Office.

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flollo Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 9:27am
andy-mac wrote:

Where is the coalition of willing to step in and stop the starvation of civilians and targeting of kids here?
Western hypocrisy on display.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2025/mar/01/how-a-12-year-old-bo...

And there is no coalition of anything for an ongoing human catastrophe in Yemen. People are dying from starvation for years now and no one cares. No one stands with Yemen. 150 thousand dead from conflict and another 227 dead from famine. Kids dying from starvation. But I guess no one cares when an Arab kills another Arab.

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andy-mac Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 9:50am
flollo wrote:
andy-mac wrote:

Where is the coalition of willing to step in and stop the starvation of civilians and targeting of kids here?
Western hypocrisy on display.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2025/mar/01/how-a-12-year-old-bo...

And there is no coalition of anything for an ongoing human catastrophe in Yemen. People are dying from starvation for years now and no one cares. No one stands with Yemen. 150 thousand dead from conflict and another 227 dead from famine. Kids dying from starvation. But I guess no one cares when an Arab kills another Arab.

Didn't that start with the US supplying weapons to Saudi?

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quadzilla Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 9:51am

J D not adVANCEd brain!

andy-mac's picture
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andy-mac Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 10:01am
andy-mac wrote:
flollo wrote:
andy-mac wrote:

Where is the coalition of willing to step in and stop the starvation of civilians and targeting of kids here?
Western hypocrisy on display.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2025/mar/01/how-a-12-year-old-bo...

And there is no coalition of anything for an ongoing human catastrophe in Yemen. People are dying from starvation for years now and no one cares. No one stands with Yemen. 150 thousand dead from conflict and another 227 dead from famine. Kids dying from starvation. But I guess no one cares when an Arab kills another Arab.

Didn't that start with the US supplying weapons to Saudi?

Do not know a lot about this, but did have a friend/ colleague who I had worked with. He ran tours in the ME, including Yemen and he was horrified when this war started. He was blaming rightly or wrongly the Saudis...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi-led_intervention_in_the_Yemeni_civil....

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flollo Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 10:16am

I’m not fully across it but I remember when it started. The Saudis play a huge role in this war and they obviously have the biggest military budget in the region. It started like 10 years ago now and it doesn’t look it will finish anytime soon. This was never a stable region to begin with. And, this being next to a major shipping route means many are involved. Remember those UK/US strikes in early 2024? When Red Sea was basically cut off? Even Australia supported those. So yeah, many are involved in some capacity but no one seems to care about millions of starving civilians.

This source reckons that half of population is hungry and they don’t know when the next meal will be.

https://www.wfpusa.org/countries/yemen/

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andy-mac Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 10:39am
flollo wrote:

I’m not fully across it but I remember when it started. The Saudis play a huge role in this war and they obviously have the biggest military budget in the region. It started like 10 years ago now and it doesn’t look it will finish anytime soon. This was never a stable region to begin with. And, this being next to a major shipping route means many are involved. Remember those UK/US strikes in early 2024? When Red Sea was basically cut off? Even Australia supported those. So yeah, many are involved in some capacity but no one seems to care about millions of starving civilians.

This source reckons that half of population is hungry and they don’t know when the next meal will be.

https://www.wfpusa.org/countries/yemen/

Humans ey. :(

Houthis have been lobbing missiles into Israel and shutting down shipping. One story was they actually damaged a US aircraft carrier that had to return home. Who knows if true?
I believe they have stopped since Gaza cease fire, but said will start up again in war resumes.
Maybe they should be concentrating feeding their population?
Fook we are lucky to live in Oz.

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sypkan Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 11:02am
andy-mac wrote:

Interesting going through all the headlines and leaders offering support to Ukraine.
Will it continue when these countries have to actually start putting in $$ and troops?
My understanding (limited as had been pointed out) is that one of the main issues
in Ukraine is now man power, or lack of.
Seen the videos cannot confirm authencity of young men getting picked up off the street as conscripts?
Will these countries still be keen if they have to send their young men off to die, or if Russia starts lobbing missiles into these countries with threat of nucs to follow.

Dangerous times.

this is the top and bottom of it

lotsa supporters for their little war at a disrance...

biden willing to send unlimited $$$... 'for as long as it takes'

but ukraine simply doesn't have the population to support such a war indefinitely, whereas russia, has the population and dogged determination to do so

no one does the meat grinder like russia does the meat grinder

who's going to be the first to send troops?

will commenters on here support sending aussie troops?

colin powell said vietnam taught america to never get involved in war again that doesn't have a clear objective...

obviously they didn't stick to that - with disastrous results - but what is the clear objective here?

send a heap more $$$, more resources, kill a heap more people, and we'll just see if we can wear putin down...

good luck with that

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/03/02/secretary_rubio_well_...

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andy-mac Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 11:13am
flollo wrote:
andy-mac wrote:

Where is the coalition of willing to step in and stop the starvation of civilians and targeting of kids here?
Western hypocrisy on display.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2025/mar/01/how-a-12-year-old-bo...

And there is no coalition of anything for an ongoing human catastrophe in Yemen. People are dying from starvation for years now and no one cares. No one stands with Yemen. 150 thousand dead from conflict and another 227 dead from famine. Kids dying from starvation. But I guess no one cares when an Arab kills another Arab.

Also will add, the Gaza 'war' could be stopped immediately if the USA told Israel they had to stop it, but they don't, they continue to supply the means to continue the slaughter.
Anyway off topic.
Not sure that is the case in Yemen?

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Westofthelake Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 11:40am

Imagine blaming Ukraine for letting Russia invade them...you gotta laugh at Team clown at the big White Top House:

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sypkan Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 11:41am
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sypkan Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 11:51am

well... seems kier's willing to go boots on the ground...

though detail is vague

before or after the... cough cough... peace deal?

all a bit NATO-y trigger-y if before...

https://x.com/koshercockney/status/1896298979857752300

I imagine he's talking about after... hope he is...

anyway, might be a good thing if trump's trumpyness has wedgied UK and france and friends to negotiate a peace deal rather than trump

negotiations is a start

this is half the problem, biden and blinken flatly refused to talk...

for three fucking years!!

insanity

and largely about domestic politics and their manufactured deciet as much as anything...

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sypkan Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 12:32pm

the plot thickens

I've seen it suggested that the whole meeting was a set up by trump and vance just to humiliate zelensky...

however, as we've seen numerous times now, this can be a case of...

'accuse the other side of that what you are doing'

101

I hope this isn't all about domestic politics, because we're in an eight year death spiral of recklessness if it is...

a death spiral costing millions of lives by proxy

a death spiral certain people seem incapable of breaking out of

but the time line here is very telling

https://nypost.com/2025/03/01/opinion/dems-lead-zelensky-ukraine-off-a-c...

it was a set up one way or another...

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indo-dreaming Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 12:34pm
flollo wrote:
andy-mac wrote:

Where is the coalition of willing to step in and stop the starvation of civilians and targeting of kids here?
Western hypocrisy on display.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2025/mar/01/how-a-12-year-old-bo...

And there is no coalition of anything for an ongoing human catastrophe in Yemen. People are dying from starvation for years now and no one cares. No one stands with Yemen. 150 thousand dead from conflict and another 227 dead from famine. Kids dying from starvation. But I guess no one cares when an Arab kills another Arab.

Same deal with Sudan.

70 Christians beheaded in i think Congo last week too, got little coverage in media.

#nojewsnonews

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stunet Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 12:38pm

It was the first time high level negotiations had been televised. Whoever ordered that also orchestrated the set up.

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flollo Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 12:41pm
sypkan wrote:

well... seems kier's willing to go boots on the ground...

though detail is vague

before or after the... cough cough... peace deal?

all a bit NATO-y trigger-y if before...

https://x.com/koshercockney/status/1896298979857752300

I imagine he's talking about after... hope he is...

anyway, might be a good thing if trump's trumpyness has wedgied UK and france and friends to negotiate a peace deal rather than trump

negotiations is a start

this is half the problem, biden and blinken flatly refused to talk...

for three fucking years!!

insanity

and largely about domestic politics and their manufactured deciet as much as anything...

I like the UK leadership in this. Their financial situation is my biggest concern. They are quite broke at the moment. I've seen some wild ideas in the last 48h. Some are even proposing cutting welfare programs to finance military expenditure. They committed to go to 2.5% of the GDP but some are advocating for that to be 4%. It probably should be at 4%. But the deficit is 127.5B pounds. That's a staggering number. It's nearly at 5% of the GDP. So any further borrowing will not work. How sustainable do you think is this situation with cutting public services, climate goals to boost the military?

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etarip Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 12:48pm
sypkan wrote:

the plot thickens

I've seen it suggested that the whole meeting was a set up by trump and vance just to humiliate zelensky...

however, as we've seen numerous times now, this can be a case of...

'accuse the other side of that what you are doing'

101

I hope this isn't all about domestic politics, because we're in an eight year death spiral of recklessness if it is...

a death spiral costing millions of lives by proxy

a death spiral certain people seem incapable of breaking out of

but the time line here is very telling

https://nypost.com/2025/03/01/opinion/dems-lead-zelensky-ukraine-off-a-c...

it was a set up one way or another...

The meeting that Zelenskyy was at prior to the WH ambush was bipartisan Syppo. Rs and Ds.

Stop perpetuating bullshit that this was a Dem setup.

Why shouldn’t the minerals deal be linked to some kind of security guarantee?

You know that a minerals deal was considered under Obama in 2014 (ish) but there wasn’t the commercial viability to get industry interested? It’s also been suggested that Trump and co didn’t want to be perceived as rehashing an Obama initiative. And if it wasn’t that, didn’t want to have the viability come out of the woodwork and undermine the ‘good deal’ narrative.

It was stillborn; wasn’t in Trumps plan, and a love ambush is a good way to inflate a narrative that Ukraine is the obstacle to a ceasefire: which incidentally is the preferred perception from Russia.

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sypkan Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 12:51pm

the penny finally drops...

(the euro penny)

about 5... 10... 15 years too late...

https://x.com/The_Real_Fly/status/1896315948409434201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etf...

fire up those factories!!

(in china?)

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flollo Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 12:58pm

Another thing to think about. Kier talks about arming Ukraine permanently to detter any future Russian threats. Makes sense yeah? Ukraine would then become one the strongest (militarily) countries in Europe. But what happens if there is a regime change in the future? And if that regime comes purely through democratic elections. It might sound unlikely in the next 5-10 years but these decisions are very long term and there is absolutely a possibility of a regime change in Ukraine. And what do you do if that regime is friendly to Russia? You will have one of the strongest, experienced militaries in Europe against you. It's not like this doesn't happen all the time. How many times did the US support someone for them to become an enemy years later.

So, how do you prevent it? Do you manipulate future elections? Do you set up your bases in Ukraine? Do you spy and bribe? You have to do something. Let's not be naive here, neither EU, the UK or the US will arm Ukraine permanently and then let that country change into pro Russian regime. They absolutely know that they need to stay there for good in some sort of capacity.

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basesix Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 12:59pm

the episode of Yes, Prime Minister where Hacker wants to cancel trident nukes, spend the money on conventional army and reintroduce national service, ticking several politically popular boxes must be getting a run on socials.. (1 of 2)

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flollo Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 12:59pm
sypkan wrote:

the penny finally drops...

(the euro penny)

about 5... 10... 15 years too late...

https://x.com/The_Real_Fly/status/1896315948409434201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etf...

fire up those factories!!

(in china?)

Ursula started pushing this a lot as Trump got elected. He is crazy but he did force others to start taking this seriously and look into increasing military investments.

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sypkan Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 1:12pm

"The meeting that Zelenskyy was at prior to the WH ambush was bipartisan Syppo. Rs and Ds.

Stop perpetuating bullshit that this was a Dem setup."

but only a dem knew zelensky was turning it down before the WH meeting?

and posted as such on SM before the WH meeting...

"Why shouldn’t the minerals deal be linked to some kind of security guarantee?"

I agree, but that wasn't the place to squabble over it was it?

surely these details were discussed before the ceremonial sign off...

"You know that a minerals deal was considered under Obama in 2014 (ish) but there wasn’t the commercial viability to get industry interested? It’s also been suggested that Trump and co didn’t want to be perceived as rehashing an Obama initiative. And if it wasn’t that, didn’t want to have the viability come out of the woodwork and undermine the ‘good deal’ narrative."

as I said a few days ago...

'so it's basically biden inc. and victoria nuland with trasparency...

what's not to love?'

anyway, I think this is a good development, maybe...

force the euros and kier to negotiate rather than trump

let's see what they can do...

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sypkan Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 1:08pm
flollo wrote:

Another thing to think about. Kier talks about arming Ukraine permanently to detter any future Russian threats. Makes sense yeah? Ukraine would then become one the strongest (militarily) countries in Europe. But what happens if there is a regime change in the future? And if that regime comes purely through democratic elections. It might sound unlikely in the next 5-10 years but these decisions are very long term and there is absolutely a possibility of a regime change in Ukraine. And what do you do if that regime is friendly to Russia? You will have one of the strongest, experienced militaries in Europe against you. It's not like this doesn't happen all the time. How many times did the US support someone for them to become an enemy years later.

So, how do you prevent it? Do you manipulate future elections? Do you set up your bases in Ukraine? Do you spy and bribe? You have to do something. Let's not be naive here, neither EU, the UK or the US will arm Ukraine permanently and then let that country change into pro Russian regime. They absolutely know that they need to stay there for good in some sort of capacity.

Indeed flollo

I guess you do... exactly what t hey did 10 years ago...

https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1896254472965534055

what could possibly go wrong?

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flollo Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 1:35pm

This is how things are. Would you invest 100s of billions and years of effort and then just let it go? Neither Russians or Chinese or anyone else would let it go. They turn against you one day and you have serious troubles. Trump can isolate himself but someone will take his place in the rest of the world. No one is sitting idle.

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Confusion Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 3:16pm

New comment

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stunet Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 3:29pm

King Charles to be peacemaker.

Wonder if Trump will wear his own crown?

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Westofthelake Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 3:38pm

I reckon he will.

trump-king

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basesix Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 4:12pm

I can't help picturing the small talk, when the inevitable awkward silence descends..

'hrmph.. oh.. I say, Donald.. you might enjoy this, I tried a fake-media claim of my own once, when the press tapped my telephone and recorded me saying that I desired to be a tampon inside my mistress' fanny.. oh! hoh, no, you say 'fanny' for bottom don't you? ..oh, my, none of that.. huh! I just wanted to be inserted into her twot, you know.. the plebs made a terrible fuss, as I'm sure you can imagine..' (KCIII leans in) 'but enough locker room talk.. tell me, old chap... what do your fellow countrymen think of homeopathy?'

(Trump grimaces, sips his tea with raised eyebrows and noncommittally inspects a cucumber sandwich)

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velocityjohnno Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 4:14pm
wax24 wrote:

Hey VJ..... The main weapon of The Coalition of the Willing is fear and surprise...... ahh1... our TWO main weapons are fear and surprise. And ruthless efficiency! Doh! Our THREE main weapons are fear, surprise, a ruthless efficiency, and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... our FOUR......
(someone please cue the spam song....)

Hahah! That was very good!

You could sum up this thread as

"Hello. I'm here for an argument."
"No you're not."

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Optimist Monday, 3 Mar 2025 at 4:28pm

Why did he meet with the democrats at all before trump?
They are not in power and they are the reason he’s in the trouble he’s in.
And so he stills parrots their war strategy instead of taking a deal.
And now…. Europe sells him guns on hire purchase instead of America.
And…the war goes on and on and on.
And those bad bad Russians who love good old fashioned family values , go to church and love chess are still the enemy.
You can not like Vlad, but average people are just people and leaders and deals change eventually.
Now we have a new military buildup in the European Union…
An all new militarised Germany as well…
With a massive Islamic population in Europe
….and some good old azov brigade Nazis through the army in Ukraine.
What could possibly go wrong.