The Crazy SOB Actually Did it!

[Allhallowsday]

So you are saying NATO not letting Ukraine in, is the cause of this situation?

I think Lester is acknowledging a no-win situation; a trap. 

If you believe NATO letting Ukraine in would have led to conflict, I expect you are correct. 

The possibility of NATO expansion into Ukraine surely has spooked poo-tin.  The ramifications are complex and huge. 

[Alex]

Oh I know the role of NATO expansion in it and how Putin has used it as an excuse for what he was going to do anyway. The reason they weren't being allowed in was to avoid conflict with Russia. Oddly enough, avoiding conflict with Russia was also why Ukraine wanted in.

I also know that Ukraine isn't in NATO and wasn't going to be getting in, which from your earlier post, you didn't seem to be aware of.

[lester1/2jr]

If you are going to nitpick : 15 billion for UKRAINE for assistance in a conflict that occurred because yaddq yadda

No enhanced child tax credit for Americans experiencing record inflation and so forth.

[Alex]

There, we are making progress. Well done.

[LilCerberus]

If you are going to nitpick : 15 billion for UKRAINE for assistance in a conflict that occurred because yaddq yadda

No enhanced child tax credit for Americans experiencing record inflation and so forth.

Which comes out to about $49 per person...

[lester1/2jr]

It's a thousand bucks isn't it

[Alex]

Only if the population of the US is a mere 15,000,000. I think it is around 330 million which would make Cerb's number more accurate.

[LilCerberus]

It's the Ukrainian refugees getting $49 each in lieu of American parents getting a $1,000 tax credit.

[lester1/2jr]

I see what you're saying

[LilCerberus]

I read somewhere that the Ukraine had the foresight to destroy all rail lines between the two countries, which is important as Russian military trucks only have a 90 miles range, and are geared for transporting missiles, not food, fuel or other supplies...

[Rev. Powell]

Nata still posting and still feeding pigeons. The park is deserted except for her and her husband. Looks like they managed to buy some berries as well. Per reports Russian forces are regrouping outside the city. I predict they'll increase shelling soon. Russia doesn't want house-to-house urban fighting but they may not have a choice.

My Russian friend continues to post on Facebook, using a VPN.

[Rev. Powell]

A son living in Ukraine begs his father not to listen to Russian propaganda:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSIsrvim4ec&t=470s

[lester1/2jr]

I'd actually rather not know about stuff like this

https://www.businessinsider.com/roman-abramovich-russian-oligarch-israel-holocaust-museum-ask-sanction-donor-2022-03

Last month, Israel's Holocaust Memorial Museum, a chief rabbi, and several Israeli charities and organizations asked the US to avoid sanctioning Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, The Times of Israel reported on Sunday.

"I gotta get out of these sanctions... Let me call in a favor to the Holocaust Museum"

[Rev. Powell]

I'd actually rather not know about stuff like this

https://www.businessinsider.com/roman-abramovich-russian-oligarch-israel-holocaust-museum-ask-sanction-donor-2022-03

Last month, Israel's Holocaust Memorial Museum, a chief rabbi, and several Israeli charities and organizations asked the US to avoid sanctioning Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, The Times of Israel reported on Sunday.

"I gotta get out of these sanctions... Let me call in a favor to the Holocaust Museum"

Pretty icky. 

[lester1/2jr]

I actually feel bad for Israel in these cases. They are between a rock and a hard place and can't really stand on principle when they probably would like to. Does anyone actually WANT to be friends with Saudi Arabia? it's unfathomable