The Morning Rant – Buck Shots [5/20/2022]

Should Americans Die To Protect A Country (Finland) Whose P.M. Calls Us Racists?

Finland’s Prime Minister, who smeared Trump-voting Americans as being racist, has generously decided that she is now willing to let those racist Americans fight and die to protect her country. How thoughtful.

Sharing an 830-mile border with Russia, which is in a war-making mood right now, Finland has reconsidered its commitment to neutrality, and it now wants to join NATO and be part of America’s security umbrella.

Finland and Sweden confirm intention to join NATO; Announcements signify historic shift in policy in Nordic countries [The Guardian – 5/15/2022]

Finland’s prime minister, Sanna Marin, said she hoped parliament would confirm the decision “in the coming days”, adding that as a member of Nato, Finland would help reinforce not just the 30-member, US-led defensive alliance but also “strengthen the EU, whose voice in Nato can become stronger”.

If she’s willing to let Americans onto Finnish soil and die on her country’s behalf, you’d think she has great respect for us, right?

Uh, no. She hates us. This tweet of hers is from November 2016.

She thinks we’re a bunch of nasty racists. And after Trump’s election, she was happy to go on Twitter and tell the world that we’re a bunch of nasty racists.

I am sick of Americans being asked to put their lives on the line to protect Europeans who hate us. The Americans who would be asked to take up arms and defend her country against Russia are the same American demographic that she slandered.

We disappointed her once by voting for Trump. How about we disappoint her again by refusing to come to her rescue?

Countries that elect leaders who slander the United States and the character of our people are not worth spilling one drop of American blood to protect.

*****

DeSantis & Florida GOP Are Going To Deny Newspapers Revenue From Legal Notices

A GOP governor with the backbone to simply fight back against the media is rare enough. DeSantis not only fights back, he goes on offense.

You know those legal notices from local governing agencies that are published in newspapers? Why can’t they be published online instead? Well, doing that would deny newspapers a nice stream of revenue. Which, come to think of it, is a darn good reason to publish them online.

Did the Florida Legislature pass this bill to punish newspapers? Some lawmakers say yes

In Florida, local governments are required by law to publish certain notices in print newspapers or on newspaper websites. Those notices include updates on government meetings and budgets, code enforcement notifications and hazardous waste disposal notices.

With almost no local newspaper competition anymore, the monopoly local fish-wraps get a steady stream of taxpayer revenue from these notices – revenue that helps fund their biased left-wing journalism.

House Bill 7049, which now heads to DeSantis, would eliminate the requirement for local governments to publish those notices in a third-party publication. Instead, governments would be allowed to publish them on a county website.
The measure cleared the Senate 26 to 13, and the House 79 to 40, mostly along party lines.

Ron DeSantis’ Press Secretary, Christina Pushaw, saw fit to rub a little salt in the media’s wounds.

*****

Speaking of Christina Pushaw

Ms. Pushaw, like her boss, is so refreshing. She doesn’t just defend DeSantis from the media. She punches back – hard - and she gets the media to lash out at her in partisan anger. At which point she has won, because she has forced them to reveal that they are biased partisans with a liberal agenda, rather than anything close to objective.

The media has an unhinged hatred of Ms. Pushaw, desperate to find some way to destroy her or cancel her. Only Trump, DeSantis, and Tucker Carlson are as hated as Pushaw by the media. And she wears it like a badge of honor.

We need more Ron DeSantises running state governments, and we need more Chistina Pushaws battling the media.

(buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com)

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good morning everyone.

Posted by: Tonypete at May 20, 2022 11:01 AM (Msys3)

2 I guess I could look up her argument about how immigration gave us Brexit and Trump, but I'm going to guess that her solution doesn't including limiting immigration to blunt the attacks or address the concerns of the voters.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at May 20, 2022 11:02 AM (LvTSG)

3 1st

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 20, 2022 11:02 AM (RS4cl)

4 close

Posted by: doug at May 20, 2022 11:03 AM (8/lc0)

5 Damn, not 1st

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 20, 2022 11:03 AM (RS4cl)

6 I can't wait to see WH press sec Pushaw. Unless she turns into Amanda Carpenter.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:04 AM (R8uWY)

7 Blackball 'em....Sweden, too.

Posted by: BignJames at May 20, 2022 11:04 AM (AwYPR)

8 Top 10, but great Monkey Face, onto content

Posted by: Skip's phone at May 20, 2022 11:05 AM (UsOVD)

9 Knew a finish carpenter.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko Solutions at May 20, 2022 11:05 AM (hWaIR)

10 Funny thing, I've been attacked for my isolationist tendencies.

Case in point: Finland.

I do not get why why we should continue to protect the ungrateful wretches of Europe.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at May 20, 2022 11:06 AM (5pTK/)

11 Only buttplugs will protect you from monkeypox. Everyone plug up! Stores required to check for a properly seated plug prior to entry.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:06 AM (R8uWY)

12 A GOP governor with the backbone to simply fight back against the media is rare enough. DeSantis not only fights back, he goes on offense.

Calling in the Eighth Air Force for saturation bombing is probably a bit much.

Right?

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:06 AM (ZsR3z)

13 Oh, no. Not Finland!

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:06 AM (R8uWY)

14 Top 20

Posted by: olddog in mo at May 20, 2022 11:07 AM (ViCCR)

15 It's our Democrats Propaganda Ministry pushing racism, the bitch is reading their Propaganda and pushing it onward.

Posted by: Skip's phone at May 20, 2022 11:07 AM (UsOVD)

16 What about Lapland?

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:07 AM (R8uWY)

17 The Florida law makes sense. Why waste money on newspaper notices nobody reads anyway? Putting it online makes a lot more sense, although it's just a matter of time before somebody screams this is raaaaaacist or white supremacist or whatever because not everybody knows how to or can go online, or something.

But given that the Biden junta gives cell phones and cell service (at taxpayer expense, of course) to illegal aliens, at least they don't have that excuse.

Posted by: TrivialPursuer--FJB at May 20, 2022 11:07 AM (MvHI3)

18 Calling in the Eighth Air Force for saturation bombing is probably a bit much.

Right?
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:06 AM (ZsR3z)
------------

I think you misspelled, "a good beginning."

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at May 20, 2022 11:07 AM (5pTK/)

19 Calling in the Eighth Air Force for saturation bombing is probably a bit much.

Right?
Posted by: Archimedes

Nah, Not a bit!
-- Zombie Curtis LeMay

Posted by: Tonypete at May 20, 2022 11:08 AM (Msys3)

20 Isn't Sanna Marin the same woman making nice-nice with Obumbles at some funeral, much to the scowling dismay of Big Mike?

Posted by: Diogenes at May 20, 2022 11:08 AM (anj39)

21 Maybe with Finland and Sweden joining NATO the US can withdraw now.

Posted by: olddog in mo at May 20, 2022 11:09 AM (ViCCR)

22 Finland can fuck right off.

And...

DeSantis and Pushaw need to remember that like rust, the left never sleeps. Once they're out from the security umbrella of politics they'll be harassed like never before.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 20, 2022 11:09 AM (BFigT)

23 LOL, NATO? So apparently because someone thought it was a bright idea to let turkey into Nato and they have veto power over whether Finland and Sweden in. Now no matter what you think of letting F and S in, there is no fuckin way turkey should have say in it since they should not be in Nato to begin with

Posted by: Nevergiveup at May 20, 2022 11:09 AM (d0Qel)

24 "Countries that elect leaders who slander the United States and the character of our people are not worth spilling one drop of American blood to protect."

By that reasoning, the United States is not worthy of being protected since we "elected" an asshat who slanders us and our character nonstop.

Maybe don't treat countries as if they are only what their leaders say they are?

Posted by: Some1 at May 20, 2022 11:09 AM (goNKK)

25 A simple yet brilliant way to attack the local media. There is a reason for notices. There was a reason for using the local media. There are less reasons to use local media in today's day and age. Brilliant.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:10 AM (sX1BW)

26 Monkeypox!

Posted by: spindrift at May 20, 2022 11:10 AM (h5TKJ)

27 I sense an attitude about filthy Scandis around this place.

Posted by: Roy at May 20, 2022 11:10 AM (paiFd)

28
I do not get why why we should continue to protect the ungrateful wretches of Europe.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing

I do

Posted by: Raytheon et al at May 20, 2022 11:10 AM (63Dwl)

29 Dang. Got here late this morning and missed the art thread. Guessing it was some good commentin' going on there. The hoard loves them some tiddies....

Posted by: Grapefruit LaCroix at May 20, 2022 11:10 AM (o/WE3)

30 Hawaiian Judge: Arbitrary and Capricious.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:10 AM (R8uWY)

31 Maybe with Finland and Sweden joining NATO the US can withdraw now.

Posted by: olddog in mo

I get the anger at the skandis, but in theory, at least, we also derive a benefit from NATO, and can help protect the former satellites who are doing their part.

How about a division of labor. You guys (Europe) handle the conventional stuff, and if it goes nuclear, we're on it!

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:11 AM (ZsR3z)

32 These fucking United Airlines cocksuckers keep changing my outbound plane to LAX and reassigning my chosen fucking seats. They don't even tell you. This is the 3rd time they've changed seats on me, and this time they again stuck us in the very back of the fucking plane next to the fucking toilet. I had to pay $35 to get a pair of the "preferred" seats in the middle of the plane. I fucking hate the airlines and hate flying and they can all suck my dick and balls until they choke to death.

Posted by: Elric Blade at May 20, 2022 11:11 AM (iFTx/)

33 @Some1, you'd have a point, if that road ran both directions.

It doesn't. The US is the one called on to do the protecting, not the other way around.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at May 20, 2022 11:12 AM (5pTK/)

34 How about a division of labor. You guys (Europe) handle the conventional stuff, and if it goes nuclear, we're on it!

----------------

What if they nuke Davos?

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:12 AM (sX1BW)

35 I'm writing to Cruz to make sure he is aware of Marin's tweet . Won't do any good but I want to take away any deniability excuses.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 11:12 AM (oc1LF)

36 What if they nuke Davos?

Win-win

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:12 AM (ZsR3z)

37 The missiles are flying. Hallelujah.

Posted by: Greg Stillson at May 20, 2022 11:12 AM (F0YaR)

38 I mean this sincerely, NATO can go eff itself.

It's a racket that, again, we pay for.

Posted by: Seems Legit at May 20, 2022 11:13 AM (DcKNO)

39 Public notices aren't just a steady stream of income for newspapers, they are basically the only thing keeping the lights on for papers.

You would be surprised how ridiculously expensive they are.

Good on DeSantis and the FL legislature. This is a huge win.

Posted by: Ultra MAGA Venus at May 20, 2022 11:13 AM (YVBLw)

40 #WhosNext

LMFAO, absolutely hilarious.

Posted by: Curly Shuffle at May 20, 2022 11:14 AM (TNyrE)

41 Name one thing the Democrats HAVE NOT screwed up.
Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse

Well, the gravity still works well.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 20, 2022 11:14 AM (FVME7)

42 If Turkey does block the skandis, they (Turkey) need to go. It isn't as if they're there for us. Well, they were a bit, but I'm still cranked about Gallipoli.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:14 AM (ZsR3z)

43 Why doesn't Biden/Obama/Soros just pull the trigger already and apply for membership in the EU?

Posted by: red speck at May 20, 2022 11:14 AM (gS3OW)

44 I do
Posted by: Raytheon et al at May 20, 2022 11:10 AM (63Dwl)

-------

Exactly.

Eisenhower was a good man who tried to warn us.

Posted by: Seems Legit at May 20, 2022 11:15 AM (DcKNO)

45 The death of the local paper is not a good thing.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at May 20, 2022 11:15 AM (v31Ye)

46 Finland’s Prime Minister, who smeared Trump-voting Americans as being racist

I seem to recall her nation having a war alliance with a certain race-obsessed garbage state.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at May 20, 2022 11:15 AM (KFhLj)

47 39 Public notices aren't just a steady stream of income for newspapers, they are basically the only thing keeping the lights on for papers.

You would be surprised how ridiculously expensive they are.

Good on DeSantis and the FL legislature. This is a huge win.
Posted by: Ultra MAGA Venus at May 20, 2022 11:13 AM (YVBLw)

======

So, it's going to shutter more local newspapers to get purchased by Facebook and the AP?

Meh. It's not like local newspapers are an actual prominent source of news, anyway.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at May 20, 2022 11:15 AM (LvTSG)

48 I would make an FTC complaint about UA. You pay for upgraded seats, then they move you back to steerage without refund or compensation. Worse than bait and switch.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:16 AM (R8uWY)

49 The death of the local paper is not a good thing.

--------------

Its not a bad thing either.

There are plenty of ways for good local community papers to survive. Focusing on the good of the local community is a start. Part of that good is holding local government accountable and not just being smear merchants.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:16 AM (sX1BW)

50 The death of the local paper is not a good thing.

Sorry, no. I can get leftist propaganda for free anytime. Why do I need them?

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:16 AM (ZsR3z)

51 We need more Ron DeSantises running state governments, and we need more Chistina Pushaws battling the media.

-------

This x 49 plus territories.

Posted by: Seems Legit at May 20, 2022 11:16 AM (DcKNO)

52 Buck made the point about Finland in the podcast that is coming up in about 45 minutes.

I think it is a great point!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 20, 2022 11:17 AM (XIJ/X)

53 There's a certain kind of circular logic employed, also known as a tautology, with respect to migration.

The first component that was heard, "America is too white" or somesuch. This was debated in Congress during the 1965 immigration overhaul.

There was a moratorium on immigration dating from the early part of the century, due to communists and anarchist "bomb throwers". Seriously.

Anyhoo, senator Ted Kennedy, a Democrat, assured the nation that the immigration bill "would not change the racial makeup of the country". Apparently it was considered acceptable to notice such things in those days.

What I'm getting at, it's difficult to have a rational discourse with a "Heads We Win, Tails You Lose" debate. The "Great Replacement" has been around a long time, and they've been gloating about it for decades.

Why then, is it a crime to even object (as an opinion) to something they stated they were setting out to do in the first place? Nobody voted to have our borders, language, and culture erased. We're not a "blood and soil" nation, but if even a Civic Nationalism ist Verboten, then what the leftists have forged is nothing more than the Balkans on Steroids. Wicked

Posted by: Common Tater at May 20, 2022 11:17 AM (Xp/q+)

54 The Finns at least have Lauri and Anni from The Hydraulic Press Channel to make improvised shaped charge explosives to use in anti-Soviet-armor missions.

Posted by: Stink Monkeyplex at May 20, 2022 11:17 AM (PE0d1)

55 41 Name one thing the Democrats HAVE NOT screwed up.
Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse
--------------
Well they did open a tax free liquor store in the Capital. Unfortunately, we're not able to shop there but it is a step in the right direction.

Posted by: Puddin Head at May 20, 2022 11:17 AM (uia9V)

56 45 The death of the local paper is not a good thing.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger at May 20, 2022 11:15 AM (v31Ye)

------

Explain, please. You can always bring your laptop to a coffee shop.

Posted by: Seems Legit at May 20, 2022 11:17 AM (DcKNO)

57 >The death of the local paper is not a good thing.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger at May 20, 2022 11:15 AM (v31Ye)

Wasn't us who killed it. They murdered it years ago and are now wearing it like a skinsuit, just like all of their other conquests.

Posted by: Dworkin Barimen - anarcho-tyranny? you're soaking in it! at May 20, 2022 11:17 AM (n+JUG)

58 A judge will stop the Fl legislation. No way it stands. Access to the internet is not universal.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:17 AM (R8uWY)

59 With respect to Finland joining NATO, I read yesterday that Turkey had vetoed the deal. Now maybe Erdogan just wants a big payoff to agree, in which case it could be on again, but for now the attempt is dead.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 20, 2022 11:18 AM (trdmm)

60 The death of the local paper is not a good thing.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger

Perhaps not. Expand on this please.

I dropped mine after specific mention of "p*ssy hats" for weeks on the front page. (And the follow up back and forth with the paper's editor)

My thinking is this - If I can't read aloud to my Mother or granddaughters from the paper, it's dead to me.

Posted by: Tonypete at May 20, 2022 11:18 AM (Msys3)

61 Ooh, NY Post has an article on Warren Wilhelm Jr. running for Congress in NY. Elect him, New Yorkers! You know it is your density!

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at May 20, 2022 11:18 AM (PiwSw)

62 Willowed:

396
When you wish upon a falling star
For naked women. There you are!
Like a Russian mail-in Bride
She'll divorce you, skin your hide
Then you will you had your pay, your home, your car!

You get to suffer for my art!

Posted by: naturalfake at May 20, 2022 11:18 AM (5NkmN)

63 Meh. It's not like local newspapers are an actual prominent source of news, anyway.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi

******

"Local" papers barely exist anymore. In my state, one company is a monopoly in each of the major markets, having consumed the previous "local" papers there.

Posted by: Ultra MAGA Venus at May 20, 2022 11:18 AM (YVBLw)

64 I'm willing to extend the benefit of the doubt to the Finns and their politicians. They probably form their opinions of America by listening to "Voice of America" radio and watching CNN

Posted by: Pouncer at May 20, 2022 11:18 AM (Dtlne)

65 I guess I could look up her argument about how immigration gave us Brexit and Trump, but I'm going to guess that her solution doesn't including limiting immigration to blunt the attacks or address the concerns of the voters.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at May 20, 2022 11:02 AM (LvTSG)

The People: We don't want open borders
The Establishment: Open borders it is!
The People: We think we need new politicians.
The Establishment: You racist sonsabitches!

Posted by: Wally at May 20, 2022 11:18 AM (FJYfm)

66 Hillary Clinton working Biden security detail.

William Gallo @GalloVOA
A member of Biden's advance security team got drunk and assaulted a Korean citizen outside a Seoul hotel in a dispute that began over a taxi fare, reports TV Chosun.

Posted by: andycanuck (Jtln5) at May 20, 2022 11:18 AM (yikp0)

67 House Bill 7049, which now heads to DeSantis, would eliminate the requirement for local governments to publish those notices in a third-party publication. Instead, governments would be allowed to publish them on a county website.
++++
I can understand the argument against this - well, I could, in a prior era. Nobody reads government publications or goes to government websites. To make people *actually* aware of things going on, forcing the governments to publish in a public paper makes some sense. None of this "it was on display , in the cellar, in a locked filing cabinet, in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door reading 'beware of the leopard.'"

But that doesn't apply now. Nobody reads the papers anymore and this requirement, while it made some degree of sense in the past when *everyone* read the papers, now amounts to a shadow subsidy for the press.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 20, 2022 11:19 AM (DU+/6)

68 So, it's going to shutter more local newspapers to get purchased by Facebook and the AP?

Meh. It's not like local newspapers are an actual prominent source of news, anyway.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at May 20, 2022 11:15 AM (LvTSG)
-------------

It's amazing how leftist newspapers are. Even here, small town USA, the local paper definitely has a leftist bent, Yet, our representative is Paul Gosar.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at May 20, 2022 11:19 AM (5pTK/)

69 This publishing requirement is a total racket and sop to the news media and long ago outlived any possible usefulness. Some states like NY also have publishing requirements when companies like LLCs are formed. That requirement alone can cost $1200 or more. For what? The sec'y of state reviews the formation materials to ensure they are correct and that the chosen company name isn't already taken or too similar to one already taken. What possible purpose can publishing the formation of an LLC for something like 3 weeks in local newspapers have, other than handing money to the newspapers?

Posted by: Elric Blade at May 20, 2022 11:19 AM (iFTx/)

70 Oh no, If this goes through, NATO will be finnished!

Posted by: Muldoon at May 20, 2022 11:19 AM (kXYt5)

71 We need more Ron DeSantises running state governments, and we need more Chistina Pushaws battling the media.

Yes, we do. To paraphrase Orwell, if there is any hope*, it comes from these people.

*spoiler: I don't think there is.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 20, 2022 11:19 AM (2JVJo)

72
Oh damn. I can't imagine what I'd do without... my local newspaper.

Heaven forfend! I'd be lost without... my local newspaper.

I get really important information from... my local newspaper.

Posted by: Shit nobody's ever said at May 20, 2022 11:19 AM (o0I+B)

73 There is also a difference between the local community paper - serving a fairly small community - and the bigger city papers (e.g., Dallas Morning News, Austin-American Statesman, etc.). The former typically (not always) reports on positive developments within the community.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:20 AM (sX1BW)

74 I thought it was a retweet from Joe Biden. It was hateful, divisive and bigoted, but then I realized it was a complete organized thought.

Posted by: Dirks Strewn DA at May 20, 2022 11:20 AM (kfcYC)

75 Europe has never forgiven the U.S. for doing so much to help win WW II or the Marshall Plan. They also like to rag on us for spending so much on our military while they spend so much on their beloved social programs, ignoring that the reason they can afford those social programs is because we provide their military coverage.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I wasn't particularly fond of the '70s the first time around at May 20, 2022 11:20 AM (sjtZ7)

76 58 A judge will stop the Fl legislation. No way it stands. Access to the internet is not universal.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:17 AM (R8uWY)

I imagine that would be easily addressed by printing up some hard copies and making them available at the county courthouse.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 20, 2022 11:20 AM (trdmm)

77 A judge will stop the Fl legislation. No way it stands. Access to the internet is not universal.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy

***

Sunshine laws (which are what public notices are about) are not constitutionally protected.

The state legislature gets to define what constitutes public notice for the political subdivisions (i.e., local governments) in its state.

Posted by: Ultra MAGA Venus at May 20, 2022 11:20 AM (YVBLw)

78 The crazy drive to expand NATO has nothing to do with anyone's defense.

It's all about expanding the NATO money laundering capability to replace the money laundering machine they're losing in Ukraine.

Posted by: Hereogar at May 20, 2022 11:20 AM (vxOXM)

79 Oh no, If this goes through, NATO will be finnished!

Nor way!

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:20 AM (ZsR3z)

80 Filthy, ungrateful icebacks.

Posted by: Darth Randall at May 20, 2022 11:20 AM (YsdWG)

81 GE is down 15% since Jan 2021
LOLGF assholes.

Posted by: Joe Xiden at May 20, 2022 11:20 AM (3vQN0)

82 The Finns should not be allowed into NATO. Nor should the Swedes. Nor should the Ukranians. Nor should anyone else. NATO should not be expanding. It is no longer fit for purpose and has no discernible mission. It should be dismantled, not expanded.

And even if that weren't true, even if NATO should be expanded, they should still not be allowed in. This is like going to get dental insurance after finding out you have a ton of cavities and will need a bunch of root canals and bridgework. You don't get to buy insurance - or enter a defense pact - after the triggering event has already occurred.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 20, 2022 11:21 AM (DU+/6)

83 will wish...

yeeesh.

*kicks rock*

Posted by: naturalfake at May 20, 2022 11:21 AM (5NkmN)

84 Bring back the town crier.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:21 AM (R8uWY)

85 DJIA under 31K now this moment

Posted by: banana Dream at May 20, 2022 11:22 AM (XlZ2m)

86 NATO has nothing to do with Finland’s supposed safety or whatever. It’s all a give away to Lockheed and other Dem donors.

Posted by: Joe Xiden at May 20, 2022 11:22 AM (3vQN0)

87 I only read my local paper for the arrest reports. Do you mean there's other stuff in there?

Posted by: Wally at May 20, 2022 11:22 AM (FJYfm)

88 Kayleigh Mcenany was another who I truly enjoyed watching as she filleted the presstitues.

Posted by: Gunslinger at May 20, 2022 11:22 AM (R2gO3)

89 When do we rename NATO? We could call it Europe.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:22 AM (sX1BW)

90 Bring back the town crier.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy

And the public stocks.

When I'm elected King, there's gonna be some changes.

Posted by: Tonypete at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (Msys3)

91 Hey Russia, want some more frozen Forests?
Know right where you can get some

Posted by: Skip's phone at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (UsOVD)

92 There is an important point with regard to the Finns. They have a large, serious, well-equipped army, and history of very effective combat with the Russians. They really aren't one of the free riders.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (ZsR3z)

93 You don't get to buy insurance - or enter a defense pact - after the triggering event has already occurred.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 20, 2022 11:21 AM (DU+/6)

LOL
- Obamacare

Posted by: Joe Xiden at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (3vQN0)

94 The USA should pull out of NATO. Fuck these ungrateful Eurotrash cocksuckers. Let them defend themselves.

Posted by: Elric Blade at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (iFTx/)

95 The death of the local paper is not a good thing.

If the local paper concerned itself solely with local issues, then yes, it would. But when the local paper devotes a majority of its space to DNC press releases (otherwise known as AP and Reuters), then it deserves to die.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (2JVJo)

96 The dems want a federal firearms license which requires a background check and ID to obtain. I don't know how they square an ID requirement for constitutionally protected activity but decry ID requirements for voting as too onerous.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (R8uWY)

97 There are plenty of ways for good local community papers to survive. Focusing on the good of the local community is a start. Part of that good is holding local government accountable and not just being smear merchants.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:16 AM (sX1BW)

I agree, the main issue I see for local papers is that they all create online versions which disincentivize people from buying the actual paper itself.

In a small community, a weekly tabloid with some multi-part investigative journalism, government coverage, youth sports coverage, a religion section, an arts section, a community events section, and local business section still has value, IMO.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (v31Ye)

98 The dems want a federal firearms license which requires a background check and ID to obtain. I don't know how they square an ID requirement for constitutionally protected activity but decry ID requirements for voting as too onerous.

This is an excellent point. ID or not? Pick one.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:24 AM (ZsR3z)

99 The Biden's Disinformation Governance Board is much more in line with the Clinton administration than Obama.
Obama was more careful with his radical agenda.

Clinton, in the beginning, with his cabinet nomination of a person who advocated - along with Clinton -
proportional voting is more in tune with Biden.

Posted by: Braenyard at May 20, 2022 11:25 AM (vW9Vw)

100 If the local paper concerned itself solely with local issues, then yes, it would. But when the local paper devotes a majority of its space to DNC press releases (otherwise known as AP and Reuters), then it deserves to die.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (2JVJo)
++++
I dunno about the local paper here because I have never read it. When I was in Denver, I would sometimes pick up the Post and leaf through it when I went out to breakfast (they had copies lying around). Very little local stuff. Most of it was AP reprint. There's no point.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 20, 2022 11:25 AM (DU+/6)

101 US Court of Appeals for the 3rd circuit threw out a case brought by the NLRB against The Federalist because Ben Domenech made a joke on Twitter that if his people wanted to unionize he would send them back to the salt mines.

The commies at the NLRB actually sued him over a joke on Twitter and lost. Another win for free speech against the totalitarian left.

Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 11:25 AM (ZLI7S)

102 My local rag is indistinguishable from the NYT even though my county voted for Trump by 15. So if it died a really slow and painful death, I would shed no tears.

Posted by: Joe Xiden at May 20, 2022 11:25 AM (3vQN0)

103 The dems want a federal firearms license which requires a background check and ID to obtain. I don't know how they square an ID requirement for constitutionally protected activity but decry ID requirements for voting as too onerous.

This is an excellent point. ID or not? Pick one.

----------------

No, they don't get to pick one. We do. ID for voting is good and should be done. ID for guns infringes upon my God-given rights.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:26 AM (sX1BW)

104 William Gallo @GalloVOA
A member of Biden's advance security team got drunk and assaulted a Korean citizen outside a Seoul hotel in a dispute that began over a taxi fare, reports TV Chosun.
Posted by: andycanuck

Foreign relations is Biden's forte.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 20, 2022 11:26 AM (FVME7)

105 My local rag is indistinguishable from the NYT even though my county voted for Trump by 15. So if it died a really slow and painful death, I would shed no tears.

WaPo is my local rag. I win.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:26 AM (ZsR3z)

106 Fuck Finland. And Sweden. I have some Viking blood but the Vikings would be vomiting in their graves over the weak, whining pussies their descendants have become. There aren't even any Swedish weather girls . . . .

Posted by: Elric Blade at May 20, 2022 11:26 AM (iFTx/)

107 101 US Court of Appeals for the 3rd circuit threw out a case brought by the NLRB against The Federalist because Ben Domenech made a joke on Twitter that if his people wanted to unionize he would send them back to the salt mines.

The commies at the NLRB actually sued him over a joke on Twitter and lost. Another win for free speech against the totalitarian left.
Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 11:25 AM (ZLI7S)

=======

Did the court decision grant him court costs to be paid personally by the person at the NLRB who initiated the move?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at May 20, 2022 11:26 AM (LvTSG)

108 Oh no, If this goes through, NATO will be finnished!
----------------------------
Isolationists think that'd be pretty swede, Muldoon.

Posted by: andycanuck (Jtln5) at May 20, 2022 11:26 AM (yikp0)

109 Forgive me if this was already mentioned, but Tucker went after a creepy WaPo writer the other day, for texting and emailing Pushaw acquaintances looking for salacious gossip he could use in a hit piece he was writing about her. He specifically was looking for former or current relationship leads he could contact.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 11:26 AM (kuuAI)

110 What happened to *all* print (dead tree) media over the last 20 - 30 years is that, thanks to the internet they stopped making money. All the people interested in making money left and went to other businesses, which left only rich ideologues as the only people left with any interest in running or operating a newspaper or print magazine, at any level. They are vanity projects for someone, all of them are. And for whatever reason, no one on the right has been interested in doing that, so they have all been take over by left wing fanatics who don't care how much money they lose or how many would-be readers they drive away.

Now as happened with CNN+, eventually whoever is paying the bills gets sick of tossing millions away every year and then the whole thing simply folds.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 20, 2022 11:27 AM (trdmm)

111 Our own government hates white Americans, demonizes us as a matter of official policy and gloats about us being ethnically cleansed. Should we fight and die for the sake of that nation either?

Posted by: BunnyFooFoo at May 20, 2022 11:27 AM (C94Fi)

112 By that reasoning, the United States is not worthy of being protected since we "elected" an asshat who slanders us and our character nonstop.

Posted by: Some1

So, you're agreeing we should not be in Nato? Win!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 20, 2022 11:27 AM (56+8G)

113 A member of Biden's advance security team got drunk and assaulted a Korean citizen outside a Seoul hotel in a dispute that began over a taxi fare, reports TV Chosun.
Posted by: andycanuck

This jamoke will probably be reassigned to the State Dept. and placed on the South Korean desk.

With a promotion.

Posted by: Tonypete at May 20, 2022 11:27 AM (Msys3)

114 "Longest weekly losing streak since 2001"

The Biden economy is so much better than Trump's.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at May 20, 2022 11:27 AM (LvTSG)

115 104 William Gallo @GalloVOA
A member of Biden's advance security team got drunk and assaulted a Korean citizen outside a Seoul hotel in a dispute that began over a taxi fare, reports TV Chosun.
Posted by: andycanuck

_______________________________

Well, at least they didn't get into a drunken fight with their prostitutes. Remember that one?

Posted by: Elric Blade at May 20, 2022 11:27 AM (iFTx/)

116 So when I receive my Federal Gun License, I'm able to carry in all 50 states, on Aircraft, in Schools and Federal buildings and Post Offices, Parks, etc.

Correct? Pretty cool, huh.

Posted by: Common Tater at May 20, 2022 11:27 AM (Xp/q+)

117 The death of the local paper is not a good thing.

--------------

Its not a bad thing either.

There are plenty of ways for good local community papers to survive. Focusing on the good of the local community is a start. Part of that good is holding local government accountable and not just being smear merchants.
Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:16 AM (sX1BW)
***
I have bought a paler in years. I miss the comics.
That said, there is a local on-line paper that just started. Its free. It mostly sucks (a lot of reposting other sources) but is getting better. Best part is its easy to respond to a story...no more writing to the editor who cherry picks letters to publish.

Posted by: Diogenes at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (anj39)

118 Screw Finland. Your PM hates us? I think you should fend for yourselves if the Russian bear turns its gaze upon you.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (WsJuq)

119 96 The dems want a federal firearms license which requires a background check and ID to obtain. I don't know how they square an ID requirement for constitutionally protected activity but decry ID requirements for voting as too onerous.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (R8uWY)

-----------

Use their "argument" against them: "Why do you racists want to prevent black & brown people from obtaining firearms?"

Posted by: ShainS -- Welcome to the boneyard, we got fun & games & Starveflation aims at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (y7A/s)

120 Not my monkey, not my rodeo.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (bVYXr)

121 My local paper is short on information
long on propaganda
long on sucking up to city council

Posted by: Braenyard at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (vW9Vw)

122 96 The dems want a federal firearms license which requires a background check and ID to obtain. I don't know how they square an ID requirement for constitutionally protected activity but decry ID requirements for voting as too onerous.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (R8uWY)

-----------

Use their ~~argument~~ insulting, disingenuous, racist demagoguery against them: "Why do you racists want to prevent black & brown people from obtaining firearms?"

Posted by: ShainS -- Welcome to the boneyard, we got fun & games & Starveflation aims at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (NKYeH)

123
In the not so distant future, when some country decides it's finally time to just topple the United States once and for all and then feast on its bloated corpse, I am sure the Finns will ride to the rescue. It's critical to get them on board right now. That way, they'll be totally grateful to us, and repay our generosity by bringing the awesome force of Finnish combat arms to bear when we're in trouble.

Posted by: This is all retarded. at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (o0I+B)

124 Finland is something like 94% Finnish.

>>>Just 3.5% of the population is made up of foreign citizens, which is one of the lowest rates in the European Union. Most foreign citizens are from Estonia, Russia, and Sweden. Children of foreigners born in Finland do not automatically receive Finnish citizenship unless they cannot get citizenship in another nation.

World Population Review

https://tinyurl.com/2zf25y7m

That's as absurd as the Lilly-white U.S. northerners lecturing the southerners that they need to be more diverse and inclusive, while encountering the single black teen in town and moving to the other side of the street.

Finland's PM can horsefuck and send her brothers and sisters to fight the commies.

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (SH2Zi)

125 >>Did the court decision grant him court costs to be paid personally by the person at the NLRB who initiated the move?

Don't know, haven't read the decision just saw the headline. The left hates to be mocked the way a vampire hates garlic.

Oh and the story about Musk exposing himself and making unwanted advances on an employee and then making a big settlement is also fake.

Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (ZLI7S)

126 WaPo is my local rag. I win.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:26 AM (ZsR3z)

Walk represents the readers of the DC area. My local rag is like weapons but represents a conservative area. Which I will never understand. I guess the readers are just too dumb to understand? Like why pay money to rad how awful you are?

Posted by: Joe Xiden at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (3vQN0)

127 indistinguishable from the NYT

-
Didja see this NYT correction? They bring dead kids back to life.

https://bit.ly/3NqdgKn

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (FVME7)

128 @GalloVOA
A member of Biden's advance security team got drunk and assaulted a Korean citizen outside a Seoul hotel in a dispute that began over a taxi fare, reports TV Chosun.
Posted by: andycanuck (Jtln5) at May 20, 2022 11:18 AM (yikp0)
++++
Excellent. Norms restored. This is behavior I have come to expect from Secret Service men abroad. The quietude during Trump was discomforting.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (DU+/6)

129 Oh no, If this goes through, NATO will be finnished!
----------------------------
Isolationists think that'd be pretty swede, Muldoon.
Posted by: andycanuck (Jtln5) at May 20, 2022 11:26 AM (yikp0)
***

Is any of this really Germain?

Posted by: Diogenes at May 20, 2022 11:29 AM (anj39)

130 William Gallo @GalloVOA
A member of Biden's advance security team got drunk and assaulted a Korean citizen outside a Seoul hotel in a dispute that began over a taxi fare, reports TV Chosun.

Cut them a break. If you had to guard that senile putz, you'd be drunk also. Just saying

Posted by: Nevergiveup at May 20, 2022 11:30 AM (d0Qel)

131 He specifically was looking for former or current relationship leads he could contact.
Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 11:26 AM (kuuAI)

Who's surprised? That's their M.O., that's all they ever do. It's all they know how to do, it's always the Mean Girls table at junior high, every time. See the attacks on Musk from "Business Insider" (a far left publication that has nothing do with "business) yesterday. This brought about the BEST tweet I have seen in a week - Musk tweeted "If there is a scandal involving me, PLEASE call it Elongate!"

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 20, 2022 11:30 AM (trdmm)

132 Of course access to the internet is universal. Libraries are full of computers now. And the government is paying for internet for low income people. That's the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at May 20, 2022 11:30 AM (5HBd1)

133 94 The USA should pull out of NATO. Fuck these ungrateful Eurotrash cocksuckers. Let them defend themselves.
Posted by: Elric Blade at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (iFTx/)

Seconded.

Also, Finland (and Sweden's) entry into NATO isn't assured yet - Erdogan is saying Turkey will block the unanimous consent needed for them. Whether or not this is just a bidding war (probably) to see if the US/NATO will bow to Erdo's demands, we'll see.

Regardless, what a screwup. Shouldn't Biden's/NATO's foreign policy teams consulted all of NATO's member's privately to see if they had any concerns/demands before publicly announcing this?

Posted by: Thrawn at May 20, 2022 11:30 AM (Rl7KJ)

134 I seem to recall her nation having a war alliance with a certain race-obsessed garbage state.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at May 20, 2022 11:15 AM (KFhLj)
---

Could you narrow that down a bit?

Posted by: Darth Randall at May 20, 2022 11:30 AM (YsdWG)

135 16 What about Lapland?

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:07 AM (R8uWY)

Good name for a strip club.

Posted by: Javems at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (dpfOB)

136 I've said it before, and I'll say it again: a lot of Europeans (populace and leaders both) are ingrates and freeloaders, who don't respect or appreciate what the USA has done and continues to do. NATO is only the tip of the iceberg.

It's not just public statements-- many NATO members are delinquent in meeting their obligations, and Trump rightly called them out for it.

If we largely pulled out of Europe and left them to Putin's tender mercies, well, karma can be a bitch.

(Russia isn't as strong as it appeared anyway, so Europe might actually fare well in a fight without us.)

Posted by: Lance McCormick at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (l8gTz)

137 This brought about the BEST tweet I have seen in a week - Musk tweeted "If there is a scandal involving me, PLEASE call it Elongate!"

This guy just HAS to have a stable of writers.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (ZsR3z)

138 Doesn't Finland have a bit of a Nazi past?

Posted by: Mean Tweets at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (BOJAx)

139 Ace's forgotten music links were never even gotten the first time to be forgotten now. I must have lived a very sheltered music life.

Posted by: banana Dream at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (XlZ2m)

140 US Court of Appeals for the 3rd circuit threw out a case brought by the NLRB against The Federalist because Ben Domenech made a joke on Twitter that if his people wanted to unionize he would send them back to the salt mines.

The commies at the NLRB actually sued him over a joke on Twitter and lost. Another win for free speech against the totalitarian left.
Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 11:25 AM (ZLI7S)

=======

Did the court decision grant him court costs to be paid personally by the person at the NLRB who initiated the move?
==
the process is the punishment

Posted by: sweet freedom at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (5VVYl)

141
When do we rename NATO? We could call it Europe.
Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe)

P.U. the E.U.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (63Dwl)

142 Is this Finnish PM the one who likes to party all night?
And is she also the one persecuting the pastor who believes what the Bible says about sodomy?

Posted by: N.L. Urker, there are chickens in my trench at May 20, 2022 11:32 AM (eGTCV)

143 I don't know how they square an ID requirement for constitutionally protected activity
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (R8uWY)
====================
I agree, but then I remembered airplane travel without a federally approved ID is already prohibited.

Would that requirement stand up to a court challenge, I wonder...

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 11:32 AM (kuuAI)

144 Finland is something like 94% Finnish.
____________

Yep. This bitch has a helluva nerve lecturing us about welcoming "immigrants" when Finland is so lily white and homogeneous.

Maybe we should ship 30 or 40 million illegal aliens over to Finland so she can share the joys of unlimited immigration?

Posted by: TrivialPursuer--FJB at May 20, 2022 11:32 AM (MvHI3)

145 >>the process is the punishment

Then Michael Sussmann is getting the shit punished out of him.

Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 11:32 AM (ZLI7S)

146 Is any of this really Germain?
-------------------------------------
As long as it doesn't involve those Israeli semantics, we should debate it.

Posted by: andycanuck (Jtln5) at May 20, 2022 11:32 AM (yikp0)

147
What can Finland or Sweden do for us? Nothing.

What do we owe Finland or Sweden? Nothing.

Posted by: This is all retarded. at May 20, 2022 11:32 AM (o0I+B)

148 To be fair, she is kinda hot...

Posted by: FriscoYoda at May 20, 2022 11:33 AM (S7une)

149 121 My local paper is short on information
long on propaganda
long on sucking up to city council

Posted by: Braenyard at May 20, 2022 11:28 AM (vW9Vw)

---------

We live in a very conservative area, and the local rag is mini-Progda, natch. They literally can't give it away ... we often receive a free week of deliveries hoping to induce us to subscribe -- and it goes straight into the recycle bin (sans rubber band, which we collect).

Posted by: ShainS -- Welcome to the boneyard, we got fun & games & Starveflation aims at May 20, 2022 11:33 AM (qTwBO)

150 The left hates to be mocked the way a vampire hates garlic.

-
Reposted because it's funny. Lesbian vampire speaks.

https://youtu.be/H6jVtjZCJ8E

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 20, 2022 11:33 AM (FVME7)

151 This brought about the BEST tweet I have seen in a week - Musk tweeted "If there is a scandal involving me, PLEASE call it Elongate!"

This guy just HAS to have a stable of writers.
==
Just turned the whole thing into a joke. Instant defusion.

Posted by: sweet freedom at May 20, 2022 11:33 AM (5VVYl)

152 Is this Finnish PM the one who likes to party all night?
And is she also the one persecuting the pastor who believes what the Bible says about sodomy?

This may be true, but OTOH, hawt.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:33 AM (ZsR3z)

153 You want to see a revenue source for 'local' papers?
Check the cost of obituaries. I had a reason to need post one until I saw the cost.

I then had remote relatives say 'it' didn't happen because they couldn't find an obit in the paper.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 20, 2022 11:33 AM (56+8G)

154 Any NATO country (cough, Turkey, cough) can veto a new member.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at May 20, 2022 11:33 AM (5kI0z)

155 Is any of this really Germain?
-------------------------------------
As long as it doesn't involve those Israeli semantics, we should debate it.
Posted by: andycanuck (Jtln5) at May 20, 2022 11:32 AM (yikp0)
-----------

I think we're Hungary to talk Turkey.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at May 20, 2022 11:33 AM (5pTK/)

156 The USA should pull out of NATO. Fuck these ungrateful Eurotrash cocksuckers. Let them defend themselves.
Posted by: Elric Blade at May 20, 2022 11:23 AM (iFTx/)
================
If Ukraine can handle Russia without the 82nd Airborne, so can Germany.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 11:33 AM (kuuAI)

157 The death of the local paper is not a good thing.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger

Perhaps not. Expand on this please.

I could write a thesis on this, but I'll try to be brief.

Internet archives can be altered, deleted, and throttled. That's hard to do with physical print.

30,000 periodicals have the potential of offering 30,000 different perspectives. Conglomerated newspapers (and associated websites) as companies like USA Today purchase failing local papers begins to force everything towards a single homogenous narrative. All of a sudden, in East Tennessee for instance, I get the exact same opinion writers as California, but in California the never get the East Tennessee community perspective.

Think about the range of websites/blogs people visited in the early web era versus the consolidated social media sites that control what can be shared to the masses.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at May 20, 2022 11:33 AM (v31Ye)

158 Is this Finnish PM the one who likes to party all night?
And is she also the one persecuting the pastor who believes what the Bible says about sodomy?
Posted by: N.L. Urker, there are chickens in my trench at May 20, 2022 11:32 AM (eGTCV)
++++
Yup. She's cute and likes to party.

She also considers herself above the law (like going out clubbing in contravention of her own COVID rules) and hates America, churches, etc.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 20, 2022 11:33 AM (DU+/6)

159 The PM is the one who was whoring it up at night clubs and kept her phone off.

Posted by: Joe Xiden at May 20, 2022 11:34 AM (3vQN0)

160 Finland is something like 94% Finnish.

pffft

Posted by: JAPAN at May 20, 2022 11:34 AM (us2H3)

161 turkey should not be on Nato.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at May 20, 2022 11:34 AM (d0Qel)

162 Oh and the story about Musk exposing himself and making unwanted advances on an employee and then making a big settlement is also fake.

Transparently so. This is the Kavanaugh playbook again, and they didn't even change the key of the song.

Posted by: Ian S. at May 20, 2022 11:34 AM (ZGrMX)

163 Finland is something like 94% Finnish.

While their neighbor Sweden is 20% mohammedan, and ungovernable, per their own government.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at May 20, 2022 11:34 AM (5kI0z)

164 Finland has slightly less people in it than Minnesota (5.5 million compared to 5.7 million) So, it's as if Minnesota were its own country. (and Minnesota ranks 22nd in state population)

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 20, 2022 11:35 AM (trdmm)

165 the process is the punishment

Then Michael Sussmann is getting the shit punished out of him.
Posted by: JackStraw
==
I'm sure he's thinking he makes it through the next week or so, he can put it behind him. He's been pictured smiling leaving the courthouse. Nightly.

Posted by: sweet freedom at May 20, 2022 11:35 AM (Ik5/f)

166 I don't know anything about Finland
I'm inclined to say fuck 'em

also, am happy to see the art thread was a naked lady chasing what looks like the Hale-Bopp comet of 1997

Posted by: DB at May 20, 2022 11:35 AM (geLO8)

167 Best time to plant a tree, 20 years ago.
Best time to get US out of NATO, twice that.

Posted by: DaveA at May 20, 2022 11:35 AM (FhXTo)

168 161 turkey should not be on Nato.
Posted by: Nevergiveup at May 20, 2022 11:34 AM (d0Qel)

Neither should the US.

Posted by: Joe Xiden at May 20, 2022 11:35 AM (3vQN0)

169 Erdogan/Turkey, now there's a country that belongs in NATO.

Posted by: Braenyard at May 20, 2022 11:35 AM (vW9Vw)

170 154 Any NATO country (cough, Turkey, cough) can veto a new member.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at May 20, 2022 11:33 AM (5kI0z)

This is a curious question - if (long shot), Turkey manages to block Finland and Sweden's membership to NATO, how big will the calls get to remove Turkey from NATO?

Posted by: Thrawn at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM (Rl7KJ)

171 trial isn't fun and games, but its not prison time.

Posted by: sweet freedom at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM (Ik5/f)

172 This brought about the BEST tweet I have seen in a week - Musk tweeted "If there is a scandal involving me, PLEASE call it Elongate!"

This guy just HAS to have a stable of writers.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (ZsR3z)

The dude is Gen X. He's seen things, is cynical as they come, gives no Fs, and has FU money to back it up.

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM (SH2Zi)

173 Christina Pushaw and Kayleigh Mcinery. I don't know where Trump and DeSantis found these two ladies, but we need more like them, many more like them. I loved McInery's press conferences. She'd come in with her binder and never once miss a beat. Prepared for every outrageous squawk from the WHPC. Not a single deer-in-the-headlight moment. Pushaw is every bit as good.

I stopped taking the local rag years back. I got tired of paying for what I'd read on line three to ten days earlier. Not to mention the paper got smaller and smaller by the month. The final straw was when the Weird Herald decided I should pay extra for the Thanksgiving paper -- the one with all the paid ads.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I wasn't particularly fond of the '70s the first time around at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM (sjtZ7)

174 If Ukraine can handle Russia without the 82nd Airborne, so can Germany.
Posted by: Huck Follywood

lol, can you image Germany giving out ARs, AK47s, and ammo?

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM (56+8G)

175 Doesn't Finland have a bit of a Nazi past?
Posted by: Mean Tweets at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (BOJAx)

Panzer division "Wiking," which participated in the invasion of Russia.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM (2JVJo)

176 What can Finland or Sweden do for us? Nothing.

What do we owe Finland or Sweden? Nothing.

Posted by: This is all retarded. at May 20, 2022 11:32 AM (o0I+B)

---------

I'm surprised they haven't renamed the car company to Vulva ... or maybe Mulva to celebrate the transgender Male Vulva.

Posted by: ShainS -- Welcome to the boneyard, we got fun & games & Starveflation aims at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM (qTwBO)

177 Finland is something like 94% Finnish.

pffft
Posted by: JAPAN

Wow, I had no idea Japan had so many Finns.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM (ZsR3z)

178 Turkey can prove their value by nuking KEEV. The tears from the globalists watching their slush fund literally vaporize would be delicious.

Posted by: Ian S. at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM (ZGrMX)

179 Putin was very clear...no Ukraine in NATO.
I doubt he will let another country, one with 800 miles of common border to Russia, join either.
Not much he could do about it now, but he won't forget.

Posted by: Diogenes at May 20, 2022 11:37 AM (anj39)

180 The left claims California belongs to Mexico because the US illegally took it from Mexico. Well then using that logic doesn’t Finland and Ukraine rightly belong to Russia?

Posted by: Joe Xiden at May 20, 2022 11:37 AM (3vQN0)

181 Marin is vile, disgusting WEF trash.

Posted by: spindrift at May 20, 2022 11:37 AM (h5TKJ)

182 Nina Jankowicz furious over the 'pause' of Disinfo Board, says it was ‘undone’ by ‘disinformation

that is so precious

Posted by: DB at May 20, 2022 11:38 AM (geLO8)

183 179. Zero. Turkey has a good military. They will be in NATO as long as it exists.

Posted by: Nick in Tallahassee at May 20, 2022 11:38 AM (rBAkF)

184 >>m sure he's thinking he makes it through the next week or so, he can put it behind him. He's been pictured smiling leaving the courthouse. Nightly.

So was Michael Flynn.

Leslie McAdoo, a terrific federal criminal defense lawyer who is on our side estimates that Sussmann's defense has already cost him north of $1.5 million and he was forced to resign from his high powered job at the most powerful Democrat law firm in the country, Perkins Coie.

That would certainly but a crimp in my lifestyle.

There is no question as to his guilt. The evidence being presented against him is overwhelming and the former General Counsel of the FBI is flat out calling him a liar. That can't be good for any lawyers future prospects.

Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 11:38 AM (ZLI7S)

185 Ukrainians giving up "defending" Mariupol?

MSNBC was sure the Russians were just about ready to lose the entire war. Is it possible they got that wrong?

What about the poor (overwhelmingly ethnic Russian, Russian speaking) residents of Mariupol? Are they worried that the Ukrainian speaking Nazis that were protecting them are leaving? I'll bet that evil Putin has ordered that everyone in the town be shot on sight.

Posted by: jwest at May 20, 2022 11:38 AM (/BlEx)

186 Putin was very clear...no Ukraine in NATO.
I doubt he will let another country, one with 800 miles of common border to Russia, join either.
Not much he could do about it now, but he won't forget.

Sorry, we don't take orders from Vlad.

I hope he doesn't forget, and says "I don't want another asskicking".

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:38 AM (ZsR3z)

187 Is any of this really Germain?
Posted by: Diogenes at May 20, 2022 11:29 AM (anj39)

The damn Germans got nothin to do with it !

Posted by: Sherriff Buford T Justice in hot pursuit at May 20, 2022 11:38 AM (S+j2h)

188 Fuck Europe, let them deal with Russia. We'll give them as much help as they have given us with our border problem.

They want us to give billions in aid to protect them from Russia while they give billions to Russia in oil payments so they can say they are green within their country.

Posted by: Blago at May 20, 2022 11:38 AM (STGfL)

189 Should Americans Die To Protect A Country (Finland) Whose P.M. Calls Us Racists?

*insert BugsBunnyNO.gif*

Posted by: The_Hoser at May 20, 2022 11:39 AM (7+4Wi)

190 180 The left claims California belongs to Mexico because the US illegally took it from Mexico. Well then using that logic doesn’t Finland and Ukraine rightly belong to Russia?

Posted by: Joe Xiden at May 20, 2022 11:37 AM (3vQN0)

-----------------
And most of Russia belongs to Mongolia.

Posted by: Curly Shuffle at May 20, 2022 11:39 AM (TNyrE)

191 The left claims California belongs to Mexico because the US illegally took it from Mexico. Well then using that logic doesn’t Finland and Ukraine rightly belong to Russia?
Posted by: Joe Xiden at May 20, 2022 11:37 AM (3vQN0)
------------

Take it a step further: Italy should be running Europe, because the Romans once ruled Europe.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at May 20, 2022 11:39 AM (5pTK/)

192 138 Doesn't Finland have a bit of a Nazi past?
Posted by: Mean Tweets at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (BOJAx

----------

They did as long as the Nazis looked like they were going to win. When the Red Army started to steamroller the krauts the Finns sent a delegation to see Stalin, mewling words if abject contrition.

Stalin was not amused.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 20, 2022 11:39 AM (XG2Fi)

193 107. Levin last night reported that some left wing group of attorneys filed an ethics complaint with the state of Texas and the Texas bar against Ted Cruz for signing on as a representative attorney when Texas sued after the election regarding the steal. Texas vs. Pennsylvania? They want Cruz sanctioned and possibly disbarred for representing clients who were trying to overturn an election. Levin said the only way to stop this is by conservative law groups filing the same types of complaints in mass against leftist for the slightest thing.

Posted by: Jen the original at May 20, 2022 11:39 AM (uQS2t)

194
Not much he could do about it now, but he won't forget.
Posted by: Diogenes at May 20, 2022 11:37 AM (anj39)

The only possible reason for doing this is to create a situation with war potential. No other possible explanation.

Our government desperately wants war with Russia. It's completely insane. These people must go. They are a danger to the world at this point.

Posted by: Somewhere along the line, we became the bad guys at May 20, 2022 11:39 AM (o0I+B)

195 I don't know anything about Finland

Posted by: DB

All you need to know is that they signed a non-aggression pact with the USSR in 1948.

Under the pact, Finland was obliged to resist armed attacks by NATO against Finland, or against the Soviet Union through Finland. If necessary, Finland was to ask for Soviet military aid to do so.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at May 20, 2022 11:40 AM (5kI0z)

196 Turkey has a good military. They will be in NATO as long as it exists.

It's interesting that Turkey is supplying Bayraktar drones to Ukraine. I'm sure Vlad is displeased.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:40 AM (ZsR3z)

197 >>> I'm surprised they haven't renamed the car company to Vulva ... or maybe Mulva to celebrate the transgender Male Vulva.
Posted by: ShainS -- Welcome to the boneyard, we got fun & games & Starveflation aims at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM (qTwBO)

They could merge with TaTa.

Posted by: banana Dream at May 20, 2022 11:40 AM (XlZ2m)

198 The left claims California belongs to Mexico because the US illegally took it from Mexico.

---------------

I'm sensing an easy answer that may satisfy the left and right.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:40 AM (sX1BW)

199 Doesn't Finland have a bit of a Nazi past?
Posted by: Mean Tweets at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (BOJAx)

Panzer division "Wiking," which participated in the invasion of Russia.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM

They were a minor ally of the Germans during WWII. Germany supplied them with quite a bit of war material to fight the Russians.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at May 20, 2022 11:40 AM (bVYXr)

200 114 "Longest weekly losing streak since 2001"

The Biden economy is so much better than Trump's.
--------------
There's a lot more losing in Biden. Button your chinstrap.

Posted by: Puddin Head at May 20, 2022 11:40 AM (uia9V)

201 Was Sweden and Finland part of NATO when the USSR existed? Why necessary now?

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 11:41 AM (oc1LF)

202 estimates that Sussmann's defense has already cost him north of $1.5 million and he was forced to resign from his high powered job at the most powerful Democrat law firm in the country, Perkins Coie.

That would certainly but a crimp in my lifestyle.

There is no question as to his guilt. The evidence being presented against him is overwhelming and the former General Counsel of the FBI is flat out calling him a liar. That can't be good for any lawyers future prospects.
Posted by: JackStraw
==
1. There is no way he is paying for it out of his own pocket.
2. His future prospects are secured forever as long as he is a "stand up" guy for the mob.

You are a man of sunny disposition. Cheers.

Posted by: sweet freedom at May 20, 2022 11:41 AM (+qPBj)

203 Isn't it telling by the way in Florida how many Democrats voted to keep the revenue stream coming to their apparatchiks?

This is just "good government" not forcing people to pay a stupid fee to a monopoly newspaper when no one reads those things anyway.

Posted by: Blago at May 20, 2022 11:41 AM (STGfL)

204 They did as long as the Nazis looked like they were going to win. When the Red Army started to steamroller the krauts the Finns sent a delegation to see Stalin, mewling words if abject contrition.

Stalin was not amused.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 20, 2022 11:39 AM (XG2Fi)
---------------

Russia, under Stalin, invaded Finland, "The Winter War." I don't blame Finland for joining Hitler's invasion.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at May 20, 2022 11:41 AM (5pTK/)

205 This is a curious question - if (long shot), Turkey manages to block Finland and Sweden's membership to NATO, how big will the calls get to remove Turkey from NATO?
Posted by: Thrawn at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM (Rl7KJ)

It's already come up; apparently there is NO way to remove an existing member, the possibility was never contemplated. The only way to do it would be for all the members to agree to completely dissolve the current NATO and then re-form it out of scratch with a new member list.

Obviously that is not going to happen.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 20, 2022 11:41 AM (trdmm)

206

A Fin once bit my sister...

Posted by: MIRROR UNIVERSE MASSIVE RECIDIVIST at May 20, 2022 11:41 AM (7DYli)

207 124 Finland is something like 94% Finnish.

And 6% that haven't yet started.

Posted by: moon_over_vermont at May 20, 2022 11:41 AM (NxOLn)

208 Sigh the russian amen corner is out again
Later

Posted by: Nevergiveup at May 20, 2022 11:41 AM (d0Qel)

209
We defend Finland because an expansionist Russia is WORSE for our interests than a Finnish politician spewing out mean tweets.

Posted by: ArthurK at May 20, 2022 11:42 AM (zBwIl)

210 Finland produces some fine hockey players.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, there are chickens in my trench at May 20, 2022 11:42 AM (eGTCV)

211 Here's a fun fact about Finland. At the Helsinki airport there is a US style sports bar that is entirely themed with Boston sports memorabilia. Celtics, Bruins, Red Sox, Patriots, even some Boston college stuff.

Pretty random.

Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 11:42 AM (ZLI7S)

212 This female prime minister is a prime example of the bad side of female nature. Most women left to their own devices will self destruct without a mans leadership.......and say stupid shit like she does.

Women trying to emulate masculinity=Toxic Masculinity

Note; I said MOST not all for you feminists here at AoS

Posted by: JROD at May 20, 2022 11:42 AM (0jZnq)

213 24 Finland is something like 94% Finnish.

And 6% that haven't yet started.

Posted by: moon_over_vermont

-------------

An early leader for best comment of the day. Going to be tough to supplant.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:42 AM (sX1BW)

214 Ummm ... can I just take the easy way out and make a combined statement that sums up my ever-so-obsequious position on the topic(-s)? Okay: FUCK 'EM ALL.

Posted by: Dr_No at May 20, 2022 11:43 AM (mu5GU)

215 Out of all the globalist BS

Nato, UN, WHO, IMF. All of it.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:43 AM (R8uWY)

216 Gov. Abbott should consider proposing a state licensing board for attorneys, instead of continuing to let the guild license and discipline them.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 11:43 AM (kuuAI)

217 >>> This brought about the BEST tweet I have seen in a week - Musk tweeted "If there is a scandal involving me, PLEASE call it Elongate!"

This guy just HAS to have a stable of writers.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (ZsR3z)

I've wondered if one of the BB guys pitches things to him or they discuss stuff. He started getting really really funny after his interview with BB. The best one I've seen is the one from a day or so where he explains to women what mansplaining means. That is so great I wish I had come up with it.

Posted by: banana Dream at May 20, 2022 11:43 AM (XlZ2m)

218 192 They did as long as the Nazis looked like they were going to win. When the Red Army started to steamroller the krauts the Finns sent a delegation to see Stalin, mewling words if abject contrition.

Stalin was not amused.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 20, 2022 11:39 AM (XG2Fi)

---

Bonus points for using "mewling" and Stalin in the same sentence, which may have never happened before.

Posted by: The_Hoser at May 20, 2022 11:43 AM (7+4Wi)

219 I've got some important social media posting to do this weekend! The number of wrong comments on FB are threatening our democracy. Just kidding, no Facebook in sight at my house.

Posted by: Jimco Industries at May 20, 2022 11:43 AM (buTO7)

220 174 If Ukraine can handle Russia without the 82nd Airborne, so can Germany.
Posted by: Huck Follywood

lol, can you image Germany giving out ARs, AK47s, and ammo?
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 20, 2022 11:36 AM (56+8G)
-------------------

When they were with us in Afghanistan? they had mid-day beer breaks and didn't go out after dark.
Germany, fat chance.

Posted by: Braenyard at May 20, 2022 11:43 AM (vW9Vw)

221
We defend Finland because an expansionist Russia is WORSE for our interests than a Finnish politician spewing out mean tweets.
Posted by: ArthurK at May 20, 2022 11:42 AM (zBwIl)

Wait... putting Finland in NATO to provoke Russia into starting a war with the United States, a war we cannot and will not win, is in "our" interests?

Ok then.

Posted by: This is nuts at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (o0I+B)

222 Remember as much as Democrats yak about "solutions", they don't actually have to solve any problem. If the country is going downhill on skies, the main thing is that you can't name anything that they have done to cause the downturn that they cannot somehow blame on somebody else.

Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (krQz2)

223 It's all those vowels that trouble me about Finland.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, there are chickens in my trench at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (eGTCV)

224 Was Sweden and Finland part of NATO when the USSR existed? Why necessary now?

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter

No. Sweden was neutral in both world wars, and Finland was allied with the USSR after the second, until the USSR collapsed.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (5kI0z)

225 166 also, am happy to see the art thread was a naked lady chasing what looks like the Hale-Bopp comet of 1997

how soon they forget

Posted by: comet kahoutek at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (sGtp+)

226 Doesn't Finland have a bit of a Nazi past?
Posted by: Mean Tweets

Finland was an ally of Nazi Germany. The USSR attacked Finland in the winter of '40 - '41. (Although the USSR eventually won, they did so poorly I suspect that their nincompoopery contributed to Hitler underestimating the USSR and launching Barbarossa.) Finland fought with the Nazis to reclaim land lost to the USSR during the Winter War. They annoyed Hitler by stopping once their land had beer reclaimed.

A million years ago when I was a music major, our professor told us how underground orchestras would gather during the Nazi occupation to play Sibelius' Finlandia. He was a might shy on historical knowledge.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (FVME7)

227 We defend Finland because an expansionist Russia is WORSE for our interests than a Finnish politician spewing out mean tweets.
Posted by: ArthurK
___

Or Finland could defend itself?

These European countries get to shift their defense costs on to the US so they can give their own people a lavish welfare state.

We could probably double everyone's Social Security for what we spend "protecting" Europe.

And considering how much trouble Russia has had with Ukraine, I don't think it would take much to repel Russia.

Posted by: Blago at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (STGfL)

228 Sigh the russian amen corner is out again
Later

So it's not just me.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (ZsR3z)

229 Gov. Abbott should consider proposing a state licensing board for attorneys, instead of continuing to let the guild license and discipline them.

---------------

Things Gov Abbott should do:

1. Send the National Guard to the border.
2. Deputize freedom lovers and send them to the border.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:45 AM (sX1BW)

230 The best one I've seen is the one from a day or so where he explains to women what mansplaining means. That is so great I wish I had come up with it.

Posted by: banana Dream at May 20, 2022 11:43 AM (XlZ2m)

That is BB-worthy.

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 20, 2022 11:45 AM (SH2Zi)

231 We defend Finland because an expansionist Russia is WORSE for our interests than a Finnish politician spewing out mean tweets.
Posted by: ArthurK at May 20, 2022 11:42 AM (zBwIl)
===============
Is Russia expansionist? Or is it merely making good on its own version of the Monroe Doctrine?

And, what national interest do we have in a Russia/Finland dispute, or a Russian/Ukraine war?

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 11:45 AM (kuuAI)

232 180 The left claims California belongs to Mexico because the US illegally took it from Mexico. Well then using that logic doesn’t Finland and Ukraine rightly belong to Russia?
Posted by: Joe Xiden at May 20, 2022 11:37 AM (3vQN0)

just to be pedantic, the US *Legally* took title to it under the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 20, 2022 11:45 AM (trdmm)

233

94% of Sweden are melanotically endowed Muslim immigrants... The other 6% are rape victims.

Posted by: Just Sayin at May 20, 2022 11:45 AM (S/GqB)

234 Re access to the internet is not universal: Neither is access to a fucking newspaper. They aren't free, last time I checked. And the county courthouse, libraries, etc., all have free internet access, not to mention almost all businesses nowadays.

Posted by: FriscoYoda at May 20, 2022 11:46 AM (S7une)

235 223 It's all those vowels that trouble me about Finland.

and the salmiak. don't forget the salmiak.

Posted by: Kulak Anachronda, behind the Newsom curtain at May 20, 2022 11:46 AM (sGtp+)

236 Wait... putting Finland in NATO to provoke Russia into starting a war with the United States, a war we cannot and will not win, is in "our" interests?

Ok then.

Cute. Do you know why the Baltics haven't been invaded by Russia? It's because they're NATO members.

The idea of NATO is not to start a war, it's to dissuade Russia from starting one. It has worked well so far. What do you have to offer?

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:46 AM (ZsR3z)

237 I would be willing to accept some Swedish refugees.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:46 AM (R8uWY)

238 >223 It's all those vowels that trouble me about Finland.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, there are chickens in my trench at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (eGTCV)

It's all the k's that trouble me.

Posted by: Muad'dib at May 20, 2022 11:47 AM (2igD3)

239 The western institutions are increasingly being run by shrill progressive women. It's a recipe for utter destruction.

Posted by: Max Power at May 20, 2022 11:47 AM (k7+BO)

240 I am always fascinated by search results. I typed in a fairly simple and straightforward string 'Pro life events Lexington, Ky'.

-the first result was actually a list of prolife events. My biggest quibble there was the site was not organized by date, but had an event in August first, then one in May (which has already passed.) The dates were spread out all over the place and jumbled in order. Kind of low hanging fruit.

-three results in the first page about Red MAGA hats at prolife events with two articles saying this or that Bishop is critical of Trump or MAGA hats at pro-life events.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at May 20, 2022 11:47 AM (dNqv+)

241 The idea of NATO is not to start a war, it's to dissuade Russia from starting one. It has worked well so far. What do you have to offer?

-----------------

Letting the Euros protect themselves.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:47 AM (sX1BW)

242 >>Remember as much as Democrats yak about "solutions", they don't actually have to solve any problem. If the country is going downhill on skies, the main thing is that you can't name anything that they have done to cause the downturn that they cannot somehow blame on somebody else.

True to a point but there is a price to be paid. Biden now has the lowest approval rating at this time in his presidency since Carter and going lower. The Democrat's prospects this Fall are about as bad as they can get and also going lower.

Lots of people who are either apathetic or are swayed by the media when times are good aren't so accommodating when gas is $6/gallon, food prices are through the roof, inflation is surging past a 40 year high and baby formula is unavailable. People are sick of Democrat blame game, they want results and they aren't coming from this insane clown posse.

Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 11:48 AM (ZLI7S)

243 209
We defend Finland because an expansionist Russia is WORSE for our interests than a Finnish politician spewing out mean tweets.
Posted by: ArthurK at May 20, 2022 11:42 AM (zBwIl)
-----------------------

We don't need any relevant or history based thought processes around here. OK?

Posted by: Braenyard at May 20, 2022 11:48 AM (vW9Vw)

244 We defend Finland because an expansionist Russia is WORSE for our interests than a Finnish politician spewing out mean tweets.
Posted by: ArthurK at May 20, 2022 11:42 AM (zBwIl)

I don't agree but at the minimum the leader of Finland should have to apologize and withdraw those comments before consideration of membership.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 11:48 AM (oc1LF)

245 My four-year-old grandson Face-Timed me this morning. With a quaver in his voice he asked me why the prime ministers of Scandinavian countries have such an overinflated sense of their importance, and if it could be because the actual geographic size of their countries is greatly exaggerated by the common Mercatur projection maps. And also to tell me that he didn't wet the bed last night.

Posted by: Muldoon at May 20, 2022 11:48 AM (kXYt5)

246 239 The western institutions are increasingly being run by shrill progressive women. It's a recipe for utter destruction.
Posted by: Max Power at May 20, 2022 11:47 AM (k7+BO)

----------

Are you sure?

Are you a biologist?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 20, 2022 11:48 AM (XG2Fi)

247 No. Sweden was neutral in both world wars, and Finland was allied with the USSR after the second, until the USSR collapsed.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (5kI0z)
===============
Sweden was officially neutral but (and please correct me if my memory is faulty) I vaguely recall the Gestapo operated pretty freely there, and also that Sweden was selling all sorts of war material to the Germans throughout the war.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 11:48 AM (kuuAI)

248 None of this is accidental. The globalists want a world war.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:48 AM (R8uWY)

249 The idea of NATO is not to start a war, it's to dissuade Russia from starting one.

---------------

By your own standard, NATO has failed in its mission.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:48 AM (sX1BW)

250 222 Remember as much as Democrats yak about "solutions", they don't actually have to solve any problem. If the country is going downhill on skies, the main thing is that you can't name anything that they have done to cause the downturn that they cannot somehow blame on somebody else.
Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (krQz2)

=======

This is really a Uniparty thing. The ruling power needs to keep its masses in line in order to maintain the ruling power's status.

The ruling powers don't know what the future could bring, so they manipulate the masses through familiar things like immigration, abortion, gun control, and repealing the ACA. They have no intention of actually fixing anything. Any fixes are designed to increase their own power and little else.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at May 20, 2022 11:49 AM (LvTSG)

251 Where do I find Jj and CBD's podcast. Someone help a moron out.

Posted by: Sock Monkey * Ungovernable at May 20, 2022 11:49 AM (Czvw6)

252 "Countries that elect leaders who slander the United States and the character of our people are not worth spilling one drop of American blood to protect."

Perfect. Nothing else needs saying.

Posted by: boynsea at May 20, 2022 11:49 AM (cx155)

253 Posted by: Muldoon at May 20, 2022 11:48 AM (kXYt5)
===============
Classic Swallwell mockery

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 11:49 AM (kuuAI)

254 The idea of NATO is not to start a war, it's to dissuade Russia from starting one. It has worked well so far. What do you have to offer?

The original idea of NATO was to dissuade Russia from starting a war, I posit that the mission has changed. It is now not only pushing aggressively on Russia's borders, it is encouraging a greater war than currently exists.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at May 20, 2022 11:49 AM (5kI0z)

255 The idea of NATO is not to start a war, it's to dissuade Russia from starting one. It has worked well so far. What do you have to offer?

-----------------

It was to dissuade the USSR. There is no more Warsaw Pact.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 11:50 AM (oc1LF)

256 No NATO expansion unless they bring to the table double what the USA is paying in treasure and manpower. NO MORE FREELOADERS!

As a staunch heterosexual, I get a chubby on everything Governor and Grand Inquisitor DeSantis does.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at May 20, 2022 11:50 AM (iDcra)

257 In 3 or 4 years we'll be accepting Russia into NATO. And then NATO will consider kicking the USA out.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 20, 2022 11:50 AM (fs1hN)

258 The western institutions are increasingly being run by shrill progressive women. It's a recipe for utter destruction.
Posted by: Max Power at May 20, 2022 11:47 AM (k7+BO)

----------

Are you sure?

Are you a biologist?
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 20, 2022 11:48 AM (XG2Fi)
---
Or a shrillologist?

Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 11:50 AM (krQz2)

259 223 It's all those vowels that trouble me about Finland.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, there are chickens in my trench at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (eGTCV)

It's all the k's that trouble me.
Posted by: Muad'dib at May 20, 2022 11:47 AM (2igD3)

This is about me, isn't it?

Posted by: Kaapo Kaako at May 20, 2022 11:50 AM (FJYfm)

260 If Sweden falls into Russian hands, who will supply the world with meatballs?

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:50 AM (R8uWY)

261 The idea of NATO is not to start a war, it's to dissuade Russia from starting one. It has worked well so far. What do you have to offer?
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:46 AM (ZsR3z)
-------------

Europe used American defense tax dollar to avoid spending their own money on their military, and, instead spent the money on social programs.

Europe is more than big enough, and has the means to take care of themselves. They prefer not to. If Europe doesn't care, why should we?

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at May 20, 2022 11:50 AM (5pTK/)

262 257 In 3 or 4 years we'll be accepting Russia into NATO. And then NATO will consider kicking the USA out.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 20, 2022 11:50 AM (fs1hN)

========

Fine. Do it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at May 20, 2022 11:50 AM (LvTSG)

263
And, what national interest do we have in a Russia/Finland dispute, or a Russian/Ukraine war?
Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 11:45 AM (kuuAI)

This. We are creating a situation with a high potential for us to hemorrhage blood and treasure in Eastern Europe to defeat a country that has not and will not attack us, short of responding to our own damned actions.

This is so decidedly not in the US interest that I'm having a hard time believing anyone outside of the clinically insane could believe otherwise.

Posted by: This is nuts at May 20, 2022 11:50 AM (o0I+B)

264 Finland, IIRC, requires immigrants to adopt local customs, learn the language, and obey laws.

The muzzies hate that.

Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at May 20, 2022 11:51 AM (lKAqb)

265 Posted by: Muldoon at May 20, 2022 11:48 AM (kXYt5)

....

"Pawpaw, will I have to die for the Scandis," he said with a tear streaming down his cheek.

I didn't know what to tell him.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at May 20, 2022 11:51 AM (v31Ye)

266 It's all those vowels that trouble me about Finland.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, there are chickens in my trench at May 20, 2022 11:44 AM (eGTCV)

It's all the k's that trouble me.

Posted by: Muad'dib at May 20, 2022 11:47 AM (2igD3)

Surstromming. Ain't nobody got time for that.

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 20, 2022 11:51 AM (SH2Zi)

267 246 239 The western institutions are increasingly being run by shrill progressive women. It's a recipe for utter destruction.
Posted by: Max Power at May 20, 2022 11:47 AM (k7+BO)

----------

Are you sure?

Are you a biologist?
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 20, 2022 11:48 AM (XG2Fi)

Maybe he stayed in a Holiday Inn last night...

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at May 20, 2022 11:51 AM (ZSK0i)

268 This is so decidedly not in the US interest that I'm having a hard time believing anyone outside of the clinically insane could believe otherwise.
Posted by: This is nuts at May 20, 2022 11:50 AM (o0I+B)

---------

Gentlemen, the marker has been thrown.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 20, 2022 11:51 AM (XG2Fi)

269 wait

the wide world of sports 'agony of defeat' guy was Finnish, I think

Posted by: DB at May 20, 2022 11:52 AM (geLO8)

270 Where do I find Jj and CBD's podcast. Someone help a moron out.
Posted by: Sock Monkey

CVS, Walgreens, Bed Bath, and all fine podcast retailers.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:52 AM (R8uWY)

271 I think we should base decisions such as this (e.g., membership in NATO) or whether it advances American national interests, not whether the (temporary) head of some government said something stupid in the past (they all do).

Posted by: FriscoYoda at May 20, 2022 11:52 AM (S7une)

272 Sweden was officially neutral but (and please correct me if my memory is faulty) I vaguely recall the Gestapo operated pretty freely there, and also that Sweden was selling all sorts of war material to the Germans throughout the war.

Posted by: Huck Follywood,

From what I have found, Sweden indeed sold Germany much of the high quality metal they used, and Nazis were allowed to operate, but so were Allied forces. For example, the intelligence that showed the Bismarck was going to sea in May 1940 was transmitted from Swedish diplomatic circles. They were playing both sides, really.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at May 20, 2022 11:52 AM (5kI0z)

273 cutjibnewsletter.com

Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at May 20, 2022 11:52 AM (lKAqb)

274 What can we name this rule?

The more vocal the white anti-racists, the farther they live from actual minorities.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at May 20, 2022 11:53 AM (Zf0+a)

275 I think we should base decisions such as this (e.g., membership in NATO) or whether it advances American national interests, not whether the (temporary) head of some government said something stupid in the past (they all do).

--------------

If we based such decisions on spite, they would be better than what we are doing now.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:53 AM (sX1BW)

276 just to be pedantic, the US *Legally* took title to it under the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Posted by: Tom Servo
-------------------------

which included a cubic metric ton of USDs

Posted by: Braenyard at May 20, 2022 11:53 AM (vW9Vw)

277 I din't know how America can realistically ignore the aspirations of a nation with so many saunas.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 20, 2022 11:53 AM (XG2Fi)

278 the details behind "Elongate" - in 2016 or 2017, Musk's company offered massages to executives as a perk. Musk got one of these massages; later on, apparently the masseuse claimed he made inappropriate remarks, he says it never happened. Eventually his company terminated her and offered her a financial settlement, combined with a strict non-disclosure clause, to shut up and go away. That happened 4 years ago.

Now some "friend" of hers is talking to the media and claims this is what the "Friend" told her had happened; the woman at the center of it, not wanting to violate her agreement, has said nothing. In other words, it's all hearsay with no actual witness who is talking.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 20, 2022 11:53 AM (trdmm)

279 The instant that Finland and Sweden join NATO we should immediately base an armored division, a Marine MEU, an infantry division, a AF tactical strike squadron and an airborne brigade in each country, and also homeport a carrier.

Want to play? Let's play.

Posted by: Sharkman at May 20, 2022 11:53 AM (OrWo5)

280 The Swedish Bikini Team is probably banned in their own country now.

Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at May 20, 2022 11:53 AM (Pu/aU)

281 My thought on Putin and WWIII is Putin becomes more powerful as the US approaches the Mid Terms. Really stupid place to put a party but its what they do.

Posted by: Puddin Head at May 20, 2022 11:53 AM (uia9V)

282 How many Swedish nannies do we get in return?

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (sX1BW)

283 Gentlemen, the marker has been thrown.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 20, 2022 11:51 AM (XG2Fi)
===============
He seems to think America is being governed by the clinically insane.

Can anyone prove him wrong?

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (kuuAI)

284 The idea of NATO is not to start a war, it's to dissuade Russia from starting one.
---------------
By your own standard, NATO has failed in its mission.

Which NATO country has Russia attacked?

It was to dissuade the USSR. There is no more Warsaw Pact.

So? Putin has explicitly said one of his goals, if not his primary goal, is to reconstitute the USSR. It's crazy, but that's what he's trying to do. He's attacked Georgia, Ukraine, and made noises about Belarus and Moldova. Seems to me he's making good on his threats, or at least he will do so as long as there is no pushback. It's when he no longer fears a response that things get really dangerous.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (ZsR3z)

285 The left claims California belongs to Mexico because the US illegally took it from Mexico.

-
After Mexico had illegally taken it from the Indians.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (FVME7)

286 The western institutions are increasingly being run by shrill progressive women. It's a recipe for utter destruction.
===
Of course it is. Our self loathing can only be alleviated we "feel", by utter debasement. When we are "ruined" only then will we "feel" safe and under control.

related: Ace is on a continuing rant about how Men are allowed to have fun anymore. Its because women (not all), feel insecure and want to punish men for that insecurity they feel. Bad boys not giving us the tingles, you are grounded!!!

Posted by: shrill progressive women at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (nIYAr)

287 Let's Go Brandon!

On Friday the ruble surged to the highest level in seven years against the euro, thanks in large part to the Putin-ordered mandatory conversion of foreign currency by export-focused companies, also as China and India (and much of Europe) are still buying Russia's energy and agricultural products... despite the loud the threats coming from Washington, which have lately included a potential move to block Russian sovereign debt payments.

At this point the Russian currency is about 20% stronger than pre-invasion, as the war grinds on into its fourth month. Jumping as much as 9% against the Euro, the ruble last hit this level in June 2015

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (R8uWY)

288 I think we should base decisions such as this (e.g., membership in NATO) or whether it advances American national interests, not whether the (temporary) head of some government said something stupid in the past (they all do).
Posted by: FriscoYoda at May 20, 2022 11:52 AM (S7une)

Both can be considered because they're intertwined. Why is Finland part of our National Interest suddenly when they weren't during the Cold War?

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (oc1LF)

289 Before Biden I wanted us out of the UN.

Now after Biden I want us out of NATO

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (ESjRY)

290 Where do I find Jj and CBD's podcast. Someone help a moron out.

Posted by: Sock Monkey * Ungovernable at May 20, 2022 11:49 AM (Czvw6)

https://cutjibnewsletter.com/cjn-speaks/

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 20, 2022 11:55 AM (SH2Zi)

291 Where do I find Jj and CBD's podcast. Someone help a moron out.
Posted by: Sock Monkey

There's usually a link on the sidebar.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 20, 2022 11:55 AM (2JVJo)

292 Related:
The more vocal the minority anti-racist is, the bigger the house(s) they live in.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at May 20, 2022 11:55 AM (Zf0+a)

293 285 The left claims California belongs to Mexico because the US illegally took it from Mexico.

-
After Mexico had illegally taken it from the Indians.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (FVME7)

========

And the Mexicans illegally took Mexico from France.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at May 20, 2022 11:55 AM (LvTSG)

294 >>The original idea of NATO was to dissuade Russia from starting a war, I posit that the mission has changed. It is now not only pushing aggressively on Russia's borders, it is encouraging a greater war than currently exists.

The original missionl of NATO was to stop the expansion of communism by the Soviet Union, an alliance which hasn't existed in a long time.

At the time NATO was limited to 12 countries one of which was the US. After the fall of the Soviet Union we gave Russia repeated assurances that NATO would not be expanded eastward. We lied. Continually.

Russia has warned that repeated expansion of NATO would lead to war and yet we kept going. We didn't listen and we got a Russian invasion of Georgia. We didn't listen and we got a Russian invasion of Ukraine. We can blame Putin all we want but the reality is the NATO alliance does not have clean hands either.

Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 11:55 AM (ZLI7S)

295 I think it's a reach to call that "punishment". Revoking Disney's special status was a little closer to punishment than simply updating laws that say things have to be published on paper.

If you can update the laws and fuck the newspapers--who the state should have no interest in subsidizing--all the better.

Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 11:55 AM (krQz2)

296 So? Putin has explicitly said one of his goals, if not his primary goal, is to reconstitute the USSR. It's crazy, but that's what he's trying to do. He's attacked Georgia, Ukraine, and made noises about Belarus and Moldova. Seems to me he's making good on his threats, or at least he will do so as long as there is no pushback. It's when he no longer fears a response that things get really dangerous.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM

putin is dying and wants to get the band back together before he goes.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at May 20, 2022 11:55 AM (bVYXr)

297 84 Bring back the town crier.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:21 AM (R8uWY)

Yes! The guy from 'Rome', please.

Posted by: sal at May 20, 2022 11:55 AM (bJKUl)

298 After Mexico had illegally taken it from the Indians.
Posted by: Anonosaurus

And the indians took it from early Christians who were transported there from Israel by UFO.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:56 AM (R8uWY)

299

When surfing pron, never EVER search for 'Finish anal'...

Posted by: Shemp Smith at May 20, 2022 11:56 AM (S/GqB)

300 Sanna Martin should go back to being a cat girl.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 11:56 AM (ESjRY)

301 270 Where do I find Jj and CBD's podcast. Someone help a moron out.
Posted by: Sock Monkey

CVS, Walgreens, Bed Bath, and all fine podcast retailers.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:52 AM (R8uWY)

The list of JJ and CBDs podcasts.

https://tinyurl.com/2jdazp97

The most recent one seems not to be available.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at May 20, 2022 11:56 AM (dNqv+)

302 No way those internet notices are sufficient to prevent a default judgment from being overturned on motion from the defendant.

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at May 20, 2022 11:56 AM (GD2xa)

303 Putin has explicitly said one of his goals, if not his primary goal, is to reconstitute the USSR. It's crazy, but that's what he's trying to do.

----------------

Its not crazy that Russia fancies itself an empire. Whether that empire exists as the USSR or any other form, that is what Russia (not just Putin) wants.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 11:57 AM (sX1BW)

304 I think it's somewhat backwards thinking to say "We need to get out of NATO to remove these entanglements" when we are driving NATO and recruiting entanglements.

NATO isn't the cause, NATO is the excuse.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (v31Ye)

305

FINNISH ANALISTS ONCE BIT MY SISTER...

Posted by: MIRROR UNIVERSE MASSIVE RECIDIVIST at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (7DYli)

306 So, fun fact from WWII...Churchill was considering declaring war on the Soviet Union over their invasion of Finland.

Events in France would stay that decision.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (ESjRY)

307 We're about to enter hurricane season, and we're already having gas shortages. A strategically placed hurricane could basically ruin another entire summer. Summer travel season, and then silly season.
This Monday is going to convince me if this is all intentional. If we let unrestricted illegal entry into our country knowing what's about to take place with energy, food, etc., then our government is doing this on purpose. Change my mind. What's the other explanation?

Posted by: Mean Tweets at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (BOJAx)

308 Nope.

Posted by: SOMEASSHOLESTOLEMYPEN at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (ytSiK)

309 Let's Go Brandon!

On Friday the ruble surged to the highest level in seven years against the euro, thanks in large part to the Putin-ordered mandatory conversion of foreign currency by export-focused companies, also as China and India (and much of Europe) are still buying Russia's energy and agricultural products... despite the loud the threats coming from Washington, which have lately included a potential move to block Russian sovereign debt payments.

At this point the Russian currency is about 20% stronger than pre-invasion, as the war grinds on into its fourth month. Jumping as much as 9% against the Euro, the ruble last hit this level in June 2015

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (R8uWY)
===

I don't know about Ukraine but the USA and europe are losing this war... well the people of the USA and eu are losing big time.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (iDcra)

310 The Finn PM's an idiot. But that wasn't hard to tell.

Finland's not important to anyone now, WRT alliances or military strategery. Russia has zero interest, NATO would gain nothing by "using" Finland in any way.

Sweden has always been counted as a de facto NATO (hostile) power by the Russians, reasonably assumed to be part of the western coalition in any large conflict. Soviets were as aggressive in their intel/recon activities against Sweden as any NATO country (nobody remember "Whisky on the rocks" incident?)

This is just the reductio ad absurdum of NATO's continued existence, much less expansion, since 1991.

And I don't care about the idiotic opinions of ignorant foreigners, including Europeans. Alliances aren't based on sentiment and friendship, they're based on interests and strategy. And NATO has had no raison d'etre going on 40 years now.

Posted by: rhomboid at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (OTzUX)

311 Uh, no. She hates us. This tweet of hers is from November 2016.

Yeah but that makes her a twerp, not Finland uniformly America-hating. I am fine with disbanding NATO and forcing nations to defend themselves, but if NATO exists, there's no good reason to say Finland cannot join.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (KZzsI)

312 302 No way those internet notices are sufficient to prevent a default judgment from being overturned on motion from the defendant.
Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis

***

Legal notices are not the same as public notices.

Public notices are solely about what public entities have to publish to give notice to the public about what they are doing (i.e., budget is being adopted at next meeting of the public entity, etc.)

Posted by: Ultra MAGA Venus at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (YVBLw)

313 After the fall of the Soviet Union we gave Russia repeated assurances that NATO would not be expanded eastward. We lied. Continually.

Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 11:55 AM (ZLI7S)
---
Yeah, that's the part that can't be countered with "Well PUTIN is a BAD MAN!"

Strategic lying is one thing, but the assurances are part of the diplomacy of it, not subterfuge.

Anytime we have to strategically lie to Putin, we should. But we should not lie about an overview while trying to turn an adversarial relationship into a partly diplomatic relationship as standoffs can end.

Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (krQz2)

314 And the indians took it from early Christians who were transported there from Israel by UFO.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 11:56 AM (R8uWY)

Go home, Joseph Smith, you're drunk.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (trdmm)

315
Doesn't Finland have a bit of a Nazi past?
Posted by: Mean Tweets at May 20, 2022 11:31 AM (BOJAx)

Sort of. After the rest of the Eurotrash left them twisting in the wind during the Winter War, they pretty much had no choice but to cozy up with Germany in order to have any chance of standing up to the Soviets. But they never bought into Nazi ideology, more than once they told Hitler and his minions to go horsefuck when pressured to adopt Nazi policies.

They were especially resistant to Jewish persecution, with a large number of Jews serving in the Finnish Army (leading to several of them hilariously being awarded Iron Crosses from Germany, which they immediately declined). The only Finnish Jews deported to concentration camps were about 200 or so, by a single mayor in a single week. He got bitchslapped by the Finnish government as soon as they found out about it, and was later convicted of treason. Most of those deported Finnish Jews survived to return home.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (n+4am)

316 Thanks Aetius. Cat you never fail to live up yo my expectations.

Posted by: Sock Monkey * Ungovernable at May 20, 2022 11:59 AM (Czvw6)

317 o? Putin has explicitly said one of his goals, if not his primary goal, is to reconstitute the USSR. It's crazy, but that's what he's trying to do. He's attacked Georgia, Ukraine, and made noises about Belarus and Moldova. Seems to me he's making good on his threats, or at least he will do so as long as there is no pushback. It's when he no longer fears a response that things get really dangerous.
==
Nah. Ukraine is about pipelines. he doesn't need all those minor satellites if he controls western europes access to gas. Those satellites are more trouble to manage behind iron curtain. Ukraine is exception. It is full of criminal fcukery that is very profitable and now, sadly that graft is going to Uncle Sam and not Uncle Piotr. He's a scum bag, but so are the people involved in running Ukraine.

Posted by: shrill progressive women like Victoria Nuland at May 20, 2022 12:00 PM (5VVYl)

318 I think we should base decisions such as this (e.g., membership in NATO) or whether it advances American national interests, not whether the (temporary) head of some government said something stupid in the past (they all do).

Posted by: FriscoYoda

Fair enough. Lay out the specific national interests involved in getting into a war with Russia over Finland that could not be achieved by other means. Make your case.

Posted by: Brother Tim, #teamheadsonpikes at May 20, 2022 12:00 PM (OUMaO)

319 302. But random ads in a penny saver are sufficient? That makes no sense.

Posted by: Nick in Tallahassee at May 20, 2022 12:00 PM (rBAkF)

320 Step 1: Negotiate a 99 year lease on the port of San Diego and transportation rights with the Indian tribes in CA

Step 2: Formally give the state of California to the Indians.

Step 3: Watch California liberals and Mexicans stammer as to why that's not actually what they wanted.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 12:00 PM (ESjRY)

321 Yes! The guy from 'Rome', please.

Posted by: sal

One of.the best characters in a series absolutely stuffed with great characters. I need to perform a rewatch on Rome. Stat!

Posted by: Sharkman at May 20, 2022 12:00 PM (OrWo5)

322 So? Putin has explicitly said one of his goals, if not his primary goal, is to reconstitute the USSR. It's crazy, but that's what he's trying to do. He's attacked Georgia, Ukraine, and made noises about Belarus and Moldova. Seems to me he's making good on his threats, or at least he will do so as long as there is no pushback. It's when he no longer fears a response that things get really dangerous.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (ZsR3z)

Afaik that's untrue and simply a distortion of comments that Russians had emotional attachments to the USSR and that the aftermath was quite painful for them (which it was).

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:00 PM (b2nrj)

323 At this point the Russian currency is about 20% stronger than pre-invasion, as the war grinds on into its fourth month. Jumping as much as 9% against the Euro, the ruble last hit this level in June 2015
---
And they've moved to a gold standard I've read.

More and more and more it's being confirmed: The sole reason the western elite want war with Russia is because they refused to bend a knee to their illegitimate control via big tech and institutions capture.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at May 20, 2022 12:00 PM (Zf0+a)

324 but if NATO exists, there's no good reason to say Finland cannot join.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (KZzsI)

I don't need a "good" reason.

Posted by: Recep Erdogan at May 20, 2022 12:00 PM (trdmm)

325 Putin has explicitly said one of his goals, if not his primary goal, is to reconstitute the USSR. It's crazy, but that's what he's trying to do.
====

I truly don't know. Did Putin really say this or is this just another media and government lie. I tend to think it is another media/government lie after the last 14 years.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at May 20, 2022 12:00 PM (iDcra)

326 Finland and Sweden in NATO will simply be two more countries dependent on the United States for defense which will contribute little themselves to that defense. What, precisely, do we gain from doing this?

Posted by: radar at May 20, 2022 12:01 PM (9/IeZ)

327 Let's do some horse trading. We get Finland; they get Oregon.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 20, 2022 12:01 PM (FVME7)

328 After the fall of the Soviet Union we gave Russia repeated assurances that NATO would not be expanded eastward.

Yeah and Russia lied about how they weren't going to expand Russia or invade neighboring countries, too. Which is the entire purpose of NATO: to protect member nations from being invaded by Russia.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:01 PM (KZzsI)

329 If you can update the laws and fuck the newspapers--who the state should have no interest in subsidizing--all the better.

Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 11:55 AM (krQz2)

If only they had a vehicle by which they could air their public grievances and rally public support.

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 20, 2022 12:01 PM (SH2Zi)

330 So, fun fact from WWII...Churchill was considering declaring war on the Soviet Union over their invasion of Finland.

Events in France would stay that decision.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (ESjRY

Since the Soviets basically attacked Poland at the same time as the Nazis I'm surprised he didn't. Either he knew Hitler planned on betraying Stalin or he knew they could only handle one mad man at a time.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 12:01 PM (oc1LF)

331 Putin has explicitly said one of his goals, if not his primary goal, is to reconstitute the USSR. It's crazy, but that's what he's trying to do.
============
Has he really ever said that? I think you are referring to him bemoaning the collapse of the Soviet Union as the "greates geopolitical disaster of modern times", a retrospective comment on the political status of Russia, but he has (to my knowledge) not ever expressed a prospective goal of reconstituting the USSR. He repeatedly mocks communists and communism, which seems antithetical (also) to your assertion he is rebuilding the Union Of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 12:02 PM (kuuAI)

332 Step 3: Watch California liberals and Mexicans stammer as to why that's not actually what they wanted.

Posted by: 18-1

Would be fun to watch those Democrat votes in congress and electoral votes disappear.

Posted by: Sharkman at May 20, 2022 12:02 PM (OrWo5)

333 The people in the Russian enclaves in Ukraine want to join Russia - they've been bombed for the last 8 years by "their" government.

The people in Eastern Ukraine may or may not want to join Russia - look at the vote from their last mostly free and fair election.

The people in Western Ukraine, and the people in Finland, have no interest in joining Russia...and Putin will not attempt to do so.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 12:02 PM (ESjRY)

334 Russia has warned that repeated expansion of NATO would lead to war and yet we kept going. We didn't listen and we got a Russian invasion of Georgia. We didn't listen and we got a Russian invasion of Ukraine. We can blame Putin all we want but the reality is the NATO alliance does not have clean hands either.

Does anyone really think that Putin invades other countries because he's afraid that NATO will invade Russia? He does it because he wants to be the leader of a superpower again.

NATO might have (probably did) say things on which they've since reneged. How is that Ukraine's fault? Georgia's? If Putin had kept his mouth shut, and minded his own business, instead of trying to reconstitute the USSR, there would be no problem. Does anyone remember German soldiers training with dummy rifles? Unionized Dutch soldiers? These are the people who represent a mortal threat to Russia?

Nope, this fiasco is on Putin.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:02 PM (ZsR3z)

335 Can we resolve this whole California thing by just giving it back to Mexico?

Posted by: Wally at May 20, 2022 12:02 PM (FJYfm)

336 Re the US SW and Mexico: Everyone forgets that we PAID Mexico for that territory, even though we had already conquered it militarily and didn’t need to:

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at May 20, 2022 12:02 PM (RS4cl)

337 Yeah but that makes her a twerp, not Finland uniformly America-hating. I am fine with disbanding NATO and forcing nations to defend themselves, but if NATO exists, there's no good reason to say Finland cannot join.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 11:58 AM (KZzsI)
++++
There is. Russia is an involved party, too. Russia has for more than a decade marked "eastward expansion of NATO" as a reason for war. There is no rule that says that a NATO country - or even all of NATO - cannot respond to the defense of a non-member, only that the needn't do so. Eastward expansion of NATO is considered a war-justifying action by Russia.

We can argue as to whether that's reasonable or not, and if it presents real risks or not (Georgia and Ukraine would probably have strong opinions on the matter), but it stands that this is Russia's position and expanding NATO eastward acts as an open provocation.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 20, 2022 12:03 PM (DU+/6)

338 Access to the internet is not universal.

More people have access to the internet than newspapers and papers aren’t free.

Posted by: Squid at May 20, 2022 12:03 PM (mrdgj)

339 Can we resolve this whole California thing by just giving it back to Mexico?

-----------

Second look at Lex Luther?

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 12:03 PM (sX1BW)

340 I truly don't know. Did Putin really say this or is this just another media and government lie. I tend to think it is another media/government lie after the last 14 years.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at May 20, 2022 12:00 PM (iDcra)
===============
he never said it.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 12:03 PM (kuuAI)

341 Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 12:02 PM (kuuAI)

Yes a normal mischaracterization of what he has said.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 12:03 PM (oc1LF)

342 In this day and age nationalistic urges to reclaim perceived lost land, peoples or whatever is really not based on some moral high ground.

It's mostly about wealth. There's no power without wealth. The converse is also true, but in the case of Russia it's about the wealth. If Putin can be seen as making Russia wealthy in the eyes of the west he thinks he'll earn respect. After that comes the power.

NATO and the US are greedy little whores in this situation and it pisses Putin off to no end.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 20, 2022 12:03 PM (BFigT)

343 Russia has warned that repeated expansion of NATO would lead to war and yet we kept going.

Clearly, we should let him continue to just invade all neighboring nations as he wishes.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:03 PM (KZzsI)

344 What's the other explanation?
====
Our president has had several pieces of his brain removed surgically. He was never very bright to begin with. He is 79 years old. On his best day he would be incapable of dealing with the level of complexity required of a president.

He's also completely and wholly owned by China

Posted by: Power of "and" at May 20, 2022 12:04 PM (Ik5/f)

345 He repeatedly mocks communists and communism, which seems antithetical (also) to your assertion he is rebuilding the Union Of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Putin is a traditional paternal autocrat. He wants to be El Jefe, have his slice of the pie and to unify "his people". Unlike the Soviets, or our rulers for that matter, he has no interest in remaking mankind in the socialist manner.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 12:04 PM (ESjRY)

346 5/20, Happy National Floating Bridge Day to my peeps in the 425 & 206 area codes!

Posted by: Rex B at May 20, 2022 12:04 PM (toZgo)

347 Afaik that's untrue and simply a distortion of comments that Russians had emotional attachments to the USSR and that the aftermath was quite painful for them (which it was).

Res ipsa loquitur. Nobody made him invade other countries.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:04 PM (ZsR3z)

348 >>Anytime we have to strategically lie to Putin, we should. But we should not lie about an overview while trying to turn an adversarial relationship into a partly diplomatic relationship as standoffs can end.

I think this is one of the big reasons that the establishment is quick to brand anyone who dissents from their mantra Ukraine good, Putin bad, is branded a Putin apologist. We can't be doing subversive things like accurately portraying history.

Decades of bad foreign policy helped bring us to this point. Putin can be a mafia boss pretending to be a world leader but that doesn't absolve all the moronic decisions we made to get us here. Keep poking the bear long enough and he will respond. Ask Leonardo DiCaprio.

Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 12:05 PM (ZLI7S)

349 Can we resolve this whole California thing by just giving it back to Mexico?
Posted by: Wally

As long as they keep the people living there. Including the DC politicians.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 12:05 PM (R8uWY)

350
Admitting Finland to NATO in this situation is just like a drunk at a bar poking his finger into someone's chest and slurring about how he couldn't kick his ass if he tried, and he doesn't have the BALLS to try.

It's naked provocation. No other possible reason to do this, other than to try and get the fight we're looking for.

Posted by: This is nuts at May 20, 2022 12:05 PM (o0I+B)

351 Russia has warned that repeated expansion of NATO would lead to war and yet we kept going.

Clearly, we should let him continue to just invade all neighboring nations as he wishes.

---------------

Except that is not what he is doing. He is reclaiming territories that are traditionally Russian (directly or indirectly). I'm all for defending Poland and Hungary.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 12:05 PM (sX1BW)

352 So? Putin has explicitly said one of his goals, if not his primary goal, is to reconstitute the USSR. It's crazy, but that's what he's trying to do. He's attacked Georgia, Ukraine, and made noises about Belarus and Moldova.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (ZsR3z)
---
Reunification wars happen. And you really have to weigh the cost of letting them run their course vs. stepping in as we did with Korea and Viet Nam.

Face it, Korea and Viet Nam we got into as colonial wars. Asians couldn't have the same reunification wars that Europe had been through because...the West would lose the property we claimed!

The Hohenzollerns weren't saints, but imagine dealing with all the little mini-states of German people, rather than Germany.

Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 12:05 PM (krQz2)

353 Yeah and Russia lied about how they weren't going to expand Russia or invade neighboring countries, too. Which is the entire purpose of NATO: to protect member nations from being invaded by Russia.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:01 PM (KZzsI)

Western analysis indicates that we believe Russia believes in an offensive defense to "pre-empt" invasions.

Russia has invaded Georgia and Ukraine after we "tried" to bring them into NATO. Though notably in neither case did they take the whole country and seem to be trying to create buffers.

Likely these wars could've been avoided if we stopped trying to bring their neighbors under our umbrella, which Russia interprets as moves to prepare to invade them.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:05 PM (b2nrj)

354 Russia has for more than a decade marked "eastward expansion of NATO" as a reason for war

So? Are we to have our policy dictated to us by an arbitrary declaration by some nation? Russia could state that moving back to cane sugar in Coca Cola is a reason for war, but who cares? Is an invalid reason for war by any sane definition and all accepted legal definitions.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:05 PM (KZzsI)

355 >>Clearly, we should let him continue to just invade all neighboring nations as he wishes.

Which ones was he invading before we invited them to join NATO?

Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 12:06 PM (ZLI7S)

356 Why would Putin attack Belarus? The President there is totally on board with Russia. He's an ally.

I don't think people understand how much movement there was in this area after the Soviets fell. Russians moved into a lot of countries that had been part of the USSR. For the most part, there's been no problem as many of those states are part of their Federation and have free travel between countries.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at May 20, 2022 12:06 PM (5HBd1)

357
'Go Horsefuck' is an elegant phrase and one worthy of more frequent use.

Posted by: Some Dude at May 20, 2022 12:06 PM (S/GqB)

358 ? Putin has explicitly said one of his goals, if not his primary goal, is to reconstitute the USSR. It's crazy, but that's what he's trying to do. He's attacked Georgia, Ukraine, and made noises about Belarus and Moldova. Seems to me he's making good on his threats, or at least he will do so as long as there is no pushback. It's when he no longer fears a response that things get really dangerous.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 11:54 AM (ZsR3z)
++++
The Georgia invasion was in direct response to NATO expansion. The Ukraine invasion is at least partially due to the same. Belarus is not in NATO and already has significant Russian influence. Ditto Moldova. Given Russian influence in both of those countries and their non-membership in NATO, why would Russia invade them to make them formal Russian states?

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 20, 2022 12:06 PM (DU+/6)

359
As long as they keep the people living there. Including the DC politicians.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 12:05 PM (R8uWY)
-----------

I think you're on to something: Move DC to CA, then give CA back to Mexico!

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (5pTK/) at May 20, 2022 12:06 PM (5pTK/)

360 Nope, this fiasco is on Putin.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:02 PM (ZsR3z)
==============
Well, that is certainly true. Putin invaded Ukraine.

Except Russia was provoked by NATO flirting with unnecessary expansion right up Russia's border. Lots of blame to go around here.

The important thing is to not get involved. Walk away. This is not and should not be our fight. Ukraine is a corrupt morass, anyway.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 12:06 PM (kuuAI)

361 The brave men who stormed Normandy did so for the express purpose of establishing a system where Moldova and Finland are protected by Uncle Sam.

Posted by: Nick in Tallahassee at May 20, 2022 12:06 PM (rBAkF)

362 instead of trying to reconstitute the USSR,

Ahh, there it is.

My favorite war-hawk propaganda.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at May 20, 2022 12:06 PM (v31Ye)

363 315 Finland also had an SS Division. They still have a memorial or two for them in Finland. They were pure grunt without the Einsatzkommando stuff, and Himmler, little turd chicken farmer, said not one inch of ground was given where a Finnish SS man stood.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at May 20, 2022 12:06 PM (lz5hY)

364 Nope, this fiasco is on Putin.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:02 PM (ZsR3z)

History only starts yesterday for some people. Ukraine is not some innocent little country that was unexpectedly invaded.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 12:07 PM (oc1LF)

365 Finland did contribute a couple divisions to Operation Barbarossa. Which is pretty understandable.

Posted by: Sharkman at May 20, 2022 12:07 PM (OrWo5)

366 Are we to have our policy dictated to us by an arbitrary declaration by some nation?

--------------

When said nation has a large arsenal of nuclear weapons, they do have a say.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 12:07 PM (sX1BW)

367 Clearly, we should let him continue to just invade all neighboring nations as he wishes.
-------------
Meh, Finland hasn't been executing Russian speakers for the last 8 years. Sweden joining just sees a savings on defense spending that they can lavish on Muzzies.

Posted by: Puddin Head at May 20, 2022 12:07 PM (uia9V)

368 Western analysis indicates that we believe Russia believes in an offensive defense to "pre-empt" invasions.

Which is a nutso way to deal with problems, and typical of Russian paranoia. And we didn't "try" to bring anyone into NATO, there was no serious push, no vote, no talks between NATO countries. I don't thnk there was even an offer to do so.

And, as I recall neither previous invasion by Russia involved any statements or complaints about NATO whatsoever; they just invaded because they declared some section "actually Russia" and took it.

And even if there was such a discussion, THAT DOES NOT JUSTIFY INVADING ANOTHER COUNTRY.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:08 PM (KZzsI)

369 Can we resolve this whole California thing by just giving it back to Mexico?
---
The 5th largest economy in the World? Just let that go to Mexico?

It's tempting, but I doubt it would be wise.

Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 12:08 PM (krQz2)

370 Res ipsa loquitur. Nobody made him invade other countries.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:04 PM (ZsR3z)

And there's nothing suggesting that he's insane enough to believe he could reconstitute the USSR. They've been pretty clear about articulating the reasonable fear that the US might just topple their government if in a good position to do so. They have also declared that in consequence the US won't be allowed to flip their satellites.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:08 PM (b2nrj)

371 Clearly, we should let him continue to just invade all neighboring nations as he wishes.

Which ones was he invading before we invited them to join NATO?

Posted by: JackStraw

This is a concise and accurate summation. Only need to add that Ukraine is the most corrupt country outside of the African continent, and that western politicians are in on the take, which makes it easier for them to push our children into battle.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at May 20, 2022 12:08 PM (5kI0z)

372 Admitting Finland to NATO in this situation is just like a drunk at a bar poking his finger into someone's chest and slurring about how he couldn't kick his ass if he tried, and he doesn't have the BALLS to try.

It's naked provocation. No other possible reason to do this, other than to try and get the fight we're looking for.
Posted by: This is nuts
__

Exactly.

NATO expansion is not much different than when the USSR put their missiles in Cuba. About the only defense is "but we were the good guys in that situation!"

I think Russia looks at the West in a much different way then we do and probably sees how corrupt and evil we can be.

I'm not saying Russia is the good guy, they aren't, but I really think we poked this bear and created this situation.

Posted by: Blago at May 20, 2022 12:09 PM (STGfL)

373 And even if there was such a discussion, THAT DOES NOT JUSTIFY INVADING ANOTHER COUNTRY.

-------------

Perhaps not. It also does not necessitate our involvement in said invasion.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 12:09 PM (sX1BW)

374 Let's do some horse trading. We get Finland; they get Oregon.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 20, 2022 12:01 PM (FVME7)

Sold.

Posted by: Comrade flounder, wrecker, hoarder, saboteur at May 20, 2022 12:09 PM (SH2Zi)

375 Sweden joining just sees a savings on defense spending that they can lavish on Muzzies.
Posted by: Puddin Head at May 20, 2022 12:07 PM (uia9V)

------

How much can there be to save? The Swedish military barely exists as it is.

Posted by: radar at May 20, 2022 12:09 PM (9/IeZ)

376 Didn't the Ukraine comic president run on stopping the war of Donbas? He didn't even try. Ukraine has been waging war there for years.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at May 20, 2022 12:09 PM (iDcra)

377 When said nation has a large arsenal of nuclear weapons, they do have a say.

That doesn't make their say valid, legal, or rational. It just makes them a bully waving a gun in your face.

Ukraine is not some innocent little country that was unexpectedly invaded.

Right, Russia gave them plenty of warning. They expected it after having been invaded in the past.

Whether Ukraine is a scumbag corrupt Deep State puppet or not, that is not justification for invasion.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:09 PM (KZzsI)

378 Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:08 PM (KZzsI)

Hmmm... invading a country due to a perceived threat?

oh, wait, you are NOT talking about Iraq?

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 20, 2022 12:10 PM (oHd/0)

379 Except that is not what he is doing. He is reclaiming territories that are traditionally Russian (directly or indirectly). I'm all for defending Poland and Hungary.

Good to know.

Posted by: Hitler eying the Sudetenland at May 20, 2022 12:10 PM (ZsR3z)

380 Keep up on Gatestone for the Muslum takeover of Scandinavia, we will very soon see who are the racists.

Posted by: Skip's phone at May 20, 2022 12:10 PM (UsOVD)

381 Hmmm, the main page is acting wonky.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at May 20, 2022 12:10 PM (dNqv+)

382 Well, that is a bad sign.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at May 20, 2022 12:10 PM (dNqv+)

383 Clearly, we should let him continue to just invade all neighboring nations as he wishes.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:03 PM (KZzsI)
++++
I have to take the other side on that. Since the fall of the USSR, Russia hasn't been all that active militarily. There was a lot going on in Chechnya for a while, but that is a Russian internal affair. The invasion of Georgia was in direct response to NATO expansion. The invasion of Crimea was in direct response to a Western-engineered color revolution in Ukraine and planned NATO expansion. The invasion of Kazakhstan was in direct response to an attempted color revolution, probably engineered by us. The invasion of Ukraine was in direct response to planned NATO expansion and the Ukrainian government's hostility toward its ethnic Russian minority (though that in isolation would likely not have caused such a response).

I am not Pro-Russian, but I am also not pro-Ukraine by any means nor am I, at this point, even pro-NATO. But to claim that Russia has been gallivanting along and invading her neighbors for no reason but Putin's quest for empire is in my opinion short-sighted.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 20, 2022 12:10 PM (DU+/6)

384 Oh, blank eh?

Posted by: Skip's phone at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (UsOVD)

385 MUMR is not too far wrong.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (dNqv+)

386 Can we resolve this whole California thing by just giving it back to Mexico?
---
The 5th largest economy in the World? Just let that go to Mexico?

It's tempting, but I doubt it would be wise.

Posted by: Axeman
===

Quickly watch it become the 10th then the 15th. You know I am right.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (iDcra)

387 NATO expansion is not much different than when the USSR put their missiles in Cuba. About the only defense is "but we were the good guys in that situation!"

Posted by: Blago at May 20, 2022 12:09 PM (STGfL)
---
That's exactly how it sounded to me too!

*fistbump*

Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (krQz2)

388 381 Hmmm, the main page is acting wonky.
-----------------
I blame Putin.

Posted by: Puddin Head at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (uia9V)

389 Res ipsa loquitur. Nobody made him invade other countries.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:04 PM (ZsR3

Seriously do you ignore everything that's occurred up to military action?

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (oc1LF)

390 Except Russia was provoked by NATO flirting with unnecessary expansion right up Russia's border. Lots of blame to go around here.

Yep. If the US has an interest in Ukraine (and hat tip we don't) we should have spent more time talking with Russia and less time demonizing them.

For example...if we had pressured the Ukes to stop shelling the Russian enclaves and actually implement the Minsk accords they signed...would they have? Well...if we paid them...and then in turn you can ask for things from Russia...

See...that's diplomacy...when done well everyone comes out ahead.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (ESjRY)

391 Well, that is a bad sign.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at May 20, 2022 12:10 PM (dNqv+)

I think I fixed it. Although the lead hamster is now in the disposall!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (XIJ/X)

392 Does anyone really think that Putin invades other countries because he's afraid that NATO will invade Russia? He does it because he wants to be the leader of a superpower again.
==
Except he isn't the ruler of the Georgian Republics after all this time. He is occupying parts of that country still.

Its not that simple. I don't know what the hell is going on, but you'll not make a reasoned case that he's trying to rebuild the old empire by piecemeal conquests when they are like 10 years apart. And unculminated at that. He's out for something specific.

Posted by: it doesn't fit a simple solution at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (hjS9P)

393 It also does not necessitate our involvement in said invasion.

Certainly we shouldn't be involved. But the discussion is about Finland joining NATO as defense against being invaded by Russia without the slightest just cause like two other neighboring countries. Russia has made noises about invading other nations as well. Their intent and actions are clear.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (KZzsI)

394 >>Didn't the Ukraine comic president run on stopping the war of Donbas? He didn't even try. Ukraine has been waging war there for years.

With over 10,000 killed, maybe as many as 15,000.

Of course that was the same time period US lawmakers were putting restrictions on aid to Ukraine demanding that none of the aid go to groups like the Azov Battalion which they were at the time calling neo-Nazis. Because they were.

But now there are no neo-Nazis in Ukraine. Magic.

Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (ZLI7S)

395
The important thing is to not get involved. Walk away. This is not and should not be our fight. Ukraine is a corrupt morass, anyway.
Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 12:06 PM (kuuAI)

This is patently obvious. Some people can't see this, but only because they don't want to.

Where is the American interest in war with Russia? Where? Someone, please point it out to me. Who cares if Putin conquers the whole Slavic world? It's none of our business and not one American should die for this.

Our leaders are having a psychotic break, and dragging us along into their nightmare.

Posted by: This is nuts at May 20, 2022 12:12 PM (o0I+B)

396 And, as I recall neither previous invasion by Russia involved any statements or complaints about NATO whatsoever; they just invaded because they declared some section "actually Russia" and took it.

And even if there was such a discussion, THAT DOES NOT JUSTIFY INVADING ANOTHER COUNTRY.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:08 PM (KZzsI)

Russia has been very clear about the NATO thing. Just because western media ignores it doesn't mean they weren't constantly talking about it and publishing it as their motive from official government entities. It has also been in the list of their war demands from the start, Ukraine can't join NATO.

If they are paranoid, why are we provoking them over what exactly?

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:12 PM (b2nrj)

397 Which ones was he invading before we invited them to join NATO?

Posted by: JackStraw

Are they independent countries or not?

Posted by: Hitler eying the Sudetenland at May 20, 2022 12:12 PM (ZsR3z)

398 I think I fixed it. Although the lead hamster is now in the disposall!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (XIJ/X)

Making hamster sausage?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at May 20, 2022 12:12 PM (dNqv+)

399 Whoops, that was me.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:12 PM (ZsR3z)

400 Beware of foreign entanglements

Posted by: DB at May 20, 2022 12:12 PM (geLO8)

401
Unfortunately, now this means that The Anarchangel's classic post on Finland is kinda obsolete.

Sad.

https://tinyurl.com/59s8a96t

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at May 20, 2022 12:12 PM (n+4am)

402 315 Finland also had an SS Division. They still have a memorial or two for them in Finland. They were pure grunt without the Einsatzkommando stuff, and Himmler, little turd chicken farmer, said not one inch of ground was given where a Finnish SS man stood.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at May 20, 2022 12:06 PM (lz5hY)
==============
I have a recollection that a Finn who was a highly decorated SS trooper moved to the US Army after the war and became one of the most decorated Green Berets in Vietnam. I wish I could recall his name, because it was a helluva story.

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (kuuAI)

403 Does anyone really think that Putin invades other countries because he's afraid that NATO will invade Russia? He does it because he wants to be the leader of a superpower again.

I think its both.

Except Russia was provoked by NATO flirting with unnecessary expansion right up Russia's border

Oh, no! A neighboring country! A sovereign nation next door is doing something I don't like! I should INVADE AND KILL PEOPLE TO STOP THEM!

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (KZzsI)

404 Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:05 PM (KZzsI)

OK, so if suddenly we had Chinese troops sitting across the Rio Grande, don't you think we'd do something about it?

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (oHd/0)

405 Certainly we shouldn't be involved. But the discussion is about Finland joining NATO as defense against being invaded by Russia without the slightest just cause like two other neighboring countries. Russia has made noises about invading other nations as well. Their intent and actions are clear.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (KZzsI)

So, we're going to encourage them to invade Finland? We've got rather consistent Russian behavior and diplomatic communication on this front at this point.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (b2nrj)

406 And even if there was such a discussion, THAT DOES NOT JUSTIFY INVADING ANOTHER COUNTRY.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:08 PM (KZzsI)
++++
On the latter point, I disagree. Small countries orbit big ones and the big ones claim hegemony. Would we have invaded Mexico if it appeared that they were going to join the Warsaw Pact? We probably would have. Would China invade Mongolia if it were to try to join NATO? It probably would.

It doesn't make it right, but it is a justification. Political reality is still a thing.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (DU+/6)

407 Russia has been very clear about the NATO thing.

So?

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (KZzsI)

408 There's a long tradition of aid to Finland. We sent them Brewster Buffalos. Whoopie!. They actually made pretty good use of them what with no Jap Zeroes around.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (lz5hY)

409 Can we resolve this whole California thing by just giving it back to Mexico?
---
The 5th largest economy in the World? Just let that go to Mexico?

---------------

I think it would move down the largest economy list in pretty short order.

Posted by: SH (Overturn Roe) at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (sX1BW)

410 Oh, no! A neighboring country! A sovereign nation next door is doing something I don't like! I should INVADE AND KILL PEOPLE TO STOP THEM!
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (KZzsI)

Now do Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (oHd/0)

411 I'm not saying Russia is the good guy, they aren't, but I really think we poked this bear and created this situation.
-------------
By "we" you meant Obama, Hillary and Nuland and their Wall Street donors, rite?

Posted by: Puddin Head at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (uia9V)

412 OK, so if suddenly we had Chinese troops sitting across the Rio Grande, don't you think we'd do something about it?
Posted by: Romeo13 at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (oHd/0)

Right now? Probably not. Besides, they'd be neck deep in the cartels at that point.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at May 20, 2022 12:14 PM (dNqv+)

413 Didn't the Ukraine comic president run on stopping the war of Donbas?

Yeah. Seems like it was an important issue to Uke voters before the war - they didn't want to provoke Russia/ethnic Russians in the Russian enclaves.

But our boy Poroshenko did.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 12:14 PM (ESjRY)

414 The 5th largest economy in the World? Just let that go to Mexico?

It's tempting, but I doubt it would be wise.

Posted by: Axeman
===

Quickly watch it become the 10th then the 15th. You know I am right.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at May 20, 2022 12:11 PM (iDcra)
---
I do. And it probably would become a lot less under Mexico's (mis)governance.

But it represents a lot of land and raw materials that would hurt to lose. And you know it could regain if it came to its senses. Maybe it just has to get beat down enough to get there.

Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 12:14 PM (krQz2)

415 When gas gets to $10/gl, we will be really putting the screws to Russia and Putin.

Fuck Joe Biden!

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at May 20, 2022 12:14 PM (iDcra)

416 Does anyone really think that Putin invades other countries because he's afraid that NATO will invade Russia? He does it because he wants to be the leader of a superpower again.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:02 PM (ZsR3z)

He's not going to make Russia a superpower by slicing off tiny pieces of land every decade.

Russia's entire military, like Iran's, is built around a conflict with the US. NATO is the foremost thing in their mind as far as military concerns go.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:14 PM (b2nrj)

417 Now do Afghanistan, and Iraq.

I did enjoy Shrub attempting to say something about the Uke war and basically ending up slamming himself. It was just too perfect.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 12:14 PM (ESjRY)

418 Beware of foreign entanglements
Posted by: DB

Entangling your foreigns is how you get monkeypox

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 12:15 PM (R8uWY)

419 OK, so if suddenly we had Chinese troops sitting across the Rio Grande, don't you think we'd do something about it?

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (oHd/0)
---
I don't know that that much red carpet could be made that quickly.

Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 12:15 PM (krQz2)

420 I am sick of Americans being asked to put their lives on the line to protect Europeans who hate us.

+1000

Posted by: Notorious BFD at May 20, 2022 12:15 PM (Xrfse)

421 Axeman think of it like cutting off a arm with gangrene

Posted by: Skip's phone at May 20, 2022 12:15 PM (UsOVD)

422 Whether Ukraine is a scumbag corrupt Deep State puppet or not, that is not justification for invasion.
==
Right. But you could sort of understand why you'd be more threatened by a scumbag corrupt deep state puppet, esp if you think the deep state has a hankering for WWIII, than you would be of a nice little stable democratically elected republic that was just chugging along and doing a nice business in wheat.

Posted by: it doesn't fit a simple solution at May 20, 2022 12:15 PM (hjS9P)

423 Would we have invaded Mexico if it appeared that they were going to join the Warsaw Pact?

No. I mean there's no way of telling without asking Dr Strange, but no, we would not have invaded them.

And I am heartily sick of people trotting out the Warsaw Pact as if there's the slightest similarity or equivalence here between them an NATO.

That's like saying "well we shouldn't allow this neighborhood to have the police patrol its streets, after all how would we react if that neighborhood had the Crips take over?"

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:15 PM (KZzsI)

424 Whether Ukraine is a scumbag corrupt Deep State puppet or not, that is not justification for invasion.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:09 PM (KZzsI)

There are a number of other reasons they invaded that have been discussed here repeatedly. You may not agree with them but they are not unreasonable.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 12:15 PM (oc1LF)

425 402 Huck, I know that story and can't recall the guy's name. Last seen leaving Saigon as it fell, toting an 03A3 and heading to the bush.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at May 20, 2022 12:15 PM (lz5hY)

426
So?
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (KZzsI)

Well why do you want these countries to be at war with Russia? We could not violate the ultimatum, and just... not have a war? What's the goal of these wars we're looking for?

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:16 PM (b2nrj)

427 Which is a nutso way to deal with problems, and typical of Russian paranoia.

We spent $10 trillion, 20 years, millions of lives, and gave unlimited surveillance powers to the state because we were afraid goat herders might bring America to her knees from halfway around the globe.

When America does paranoia, we do it up right.

Up to and including, but not limited to, INVADING OTHER COUNTRIES and installing puppet governments.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at May 20, 2022 12:16 PM (v31Ye)

428 89 >>>When do we rename NATO? We could call it Europe.

Or East America. (We've already got a North and South one.)

Posted by: red speck at May 20, 2022 12:16 PM (gS3OW)

429 The point of NATO, originally, was to lessen the chances of war in Europe when we were faced by an existential enemy that wanted to conquer us.

As of 2022 all NATO does is suck up American dollars and provoke wars.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 12:16 PM (ESjRY)

430 Putin's getting the Soviet Union back together? The country that nobody (including half of its people) liked, that's economy tanked, and that's military showed little proficiency?
Isn't this sort of like threatening to get Abba back together? It's a bad thing, but ultimately not particularly dangerous.

Posted by: Wally at May 20, 2022 12:16 PM (FJYfm)

431 Chinese troops across the Mexican border the Democrats would like it was their allies

Posted by: Skip's phone at May 20, 2022 12:16 PM (UsOVD)

432 No. I mean there's no way of telling without asking Dr Strange, but no, we would not have invaded them.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:15 PM (KZzsI)

Obviously we would've tried to topple Mexico's government if they joined the Warsaw Pact. Consistent with what we did literally everywhere else in the Cold War. Military action is hard to say but quite plausible. It wouldn't be the first time we invaded a country to stop communist rule.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:17 PM (b2nrj)

433 Imagine how big the CA economy could be if the state government wasn't a bunch of commie fucktards.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at May 20, 2022 12:17 PM (R8uWY)

434 OK, so if suddenly we had Chinese troops sitting across the Rio Grande, don't you think we'd do something about it?

Putting aside how the current administration would probably throw a parade, yes we'd do something about it... but we wouldn't invade them with tanks and bombs.

Again, this equivalency between US troops and Chinese is... demented.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:17 PM (KZzsI)

435 I am not Pro-Russian, but I am also not pro-Ukraine by any means nor am I, at this point, even pro-NATO. But to claim that Russia has been gallivanting along and invading her neighbors for no reason but Putin's quest for empire is in my opinion short-sighted.

What then? As I said earlier, it is laughable to think that NATO represented an offensive threat to Russia. IMHO, it IS about Putin's desire to rebuild Russia into a superpower. The fact that the former captive states are joining NATO is extra salt in the wound. I have no interest in encouraging Putin to think there's even a remote chance he'll get his wish.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:18 PM (ZsR3z)

436 >>Are they independent countries or not?

A strong case than neither Georgia nor Ukraine, particularly Ukraine, were totally independent. Especially after we ran a color revolution in Ukraine to take down a dually elected president who was favorable to Russia and replaced him with a puppet friendly to the west.

Putin's not stupid. He knows what we did and what we tried to do recently in Kazakhstan and he said so in plain language.

None of this is new. For years we fought communist expansion fomented by the SU in Latin and South America and almost went to war in Cuba over missiles. We did go to war in Vietnam over communist expansion. This didn't start with Ukraine. It's been going on since the end of WWII. Trump wanted a new way forward and the globalists did not.

Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 12:18 PM (ZLI7S)

437 Up to and including, but not limited to, INVADING OTHER COUNTRIES and installing puppet governments.

One of our claims against Iraq is that the government was attacking the Kurdish people in the north for no good reason and that by treaty they weren't allowed to do that.

One of our claims against Ukraine by Russia is that the government was attacking the ethnic Russia in the east people for no good reason and that by treaty they weren't allowed to do that.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 12:18 PM (ESjRY)

438 Chinese troops across the Mexican border the Democrats would like it was their allies

Posted by: Skip's phone at May 20, 2022 12:16 PM (UsOVD)
---
They, for one, would welcome their new Chinese overlords.

Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 12:18 PM (krQz2)

439 As of 2022 all NATO does is suck up American dollars and provoke wars.

The first half is true, the second... no. Its Russia that's provoking war. Nothing NATO is doing or trying to do is a provocation to war. Russia's paranoid stupidity and declarations are on them, not us.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:18 PM (KZzsI)

440
I have a recollection that a Finn who was a highly decorated SS trooper moved to the US Army after the war and became one of the most decorated Green Berets in Vietnam. I wish I could recall his name, because it was a helluva story.
Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 12:13 PM (kuuAI)

Larry Thorne

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at May 20, 2022 12:19 PM (n+4am)

441 And I am heartily sick of people trotting out the Warsaw Pact as if there's the slightest similarity or equivalence here between them an NATO.

That's like saying "well we shouldn't allow this neighborhood to have the police patrol its streets, after all how would we react if that neighborhood had the Crips take over?"
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:15 PM (KZzsI)
++++
The Warsaw Pact and NATO were opposed organizations. The Pact was more complete in that they were imperial territories, but it isn't an irrelevant comparison.

And no, it isn't at all like your police example because the city - and the crips - in this example are all in the United States and subject to our laws. And Russia being aggressive, oppressive bastards doesn't mean that they aren't the regional power, and it doesn't mean that they don't have their own version of the Monroe Doctrine, and it doesn't mean that they haven't laid down very clearly what they consider provocation, and it doesn't mean that we can provoke them at will and then put all of the blame at their feet.

If we want to play in what Russia considers to be its sandbox, we have to be prepared to conquer it. We aren't.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 20, 2022 12:19 PM (DU+/6)

442 One of our claims against Iraq is that the government was attacking the Kurdish people in the north for no good reason and that by treaty they weren't allowed to do that.

Putting aside the other dozen reasons which were the primary cause, even if that was the main thing.... does that make what Russia is doing okay?

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:19 PM (KZzsI)

443 326 "What, precisely, do we gain from doing this?"

Another couple of rat holes to pour American tax dollars into.

Posted by: Ju at May 20, 2022 12:19 PM (aTmM/)

444 nood

ewok

Posted by: banana Dream at May 20, 2022 12:19 PM (XlZ2m)

445 What's the goal of these wars we're looking for?
--------------
Oodles of commodities like oil, minerals and food. Why do you think Manhattan has had a hardon for Russia's 13 time zones? The real question is have we done a secret deal with China to slice Russia in two?

Posted by: Puddin Head at May 20, 2022 12:20 PM (uia9V)

446 I think some of us here have eaten the whole government-media lie about Russia with little to no thought that there is another and very viable side to this story. Those people appear to really want another war to kill Americans and put us deeper in debt.

I don't agree with it but you guys do you.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at May 20, 2022 12:20 PM (iDcra)

447 Yeah, NATO used to be a shield from Russia's attack on Europe.

Now, it seems, we just want to shield Putin's eyes from seeing our attack coming.

Posted by: Axeman at May 20, 2022 12:20 PM (krQz2)

448 Russia's paranoid stupidity and declarations are on them, not us.

If the US had left NATO after Trump and said publicly Europe's defense was on Europe would Ukraine have felt emboldened to violate the Minsk accords or not?

Both Poroshenko and Zelensky have strongly hinted they were promised NATO would defend them from Russia.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 12:20 PM (ESjRY)

449 What then? As I said earlier, it is laughable to think that NATO represented an offensive threat to Russia. IMHO, it IS about Putin's desire to rebuild Russia into a superpower. The fact that the former captive states are joining NATO is extra salt in the wound. I have no interest in encouraging Putin to think there's even a remote chance he'll get his wish.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:18 PM (ZsR3z)

Why wouldn't NATO be an offensive threat to Russia? Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan.

And Putin isn't immortal. It'd take him what, 1000 years to rebuild the USSR at the current rate? The talking point is dumb.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:20 PM (b2nrj)

450 And Russia being aggressive, oppressive bastards doesn't mean that they aren't the regional power, and it doesn't mean that they don't have their own version of the Monroe Doctrine, and it doesn't mean that they haven't laid down very clearly what they consider provocation, and it doesn't mean that we can provoke them at will and then put all of the blame at their feet.

It just means they have no legal or proper justification for invasion, no matter what they claim. They're wrong. Why people keep trying to defend their actions baffles me.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:21 PM (KZzsI)

451 Look at a map of the world from 1800, 1900 and 2000. Countries change, the nature of man doesn't.

Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at May 20, 2022 12:21 PM (Pu/aU)

452 Both Poroshenko and Zelensky have strongly hinted they were promised NATO would defend them from Russia.

Its difficult to believe them, though, given that nearly everything they say is a lie or propaganda.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:21 PM (KZzsI)

453 The point of NATO, originally, was to lessen the chances of war in Europe when we were faced by an existential enemy that wanted to conquer us.

As of 2022 all NATO does is suck up American dollars and provoke wars.

Posted by: 18-1

So you're saying NATO ISN'T a threat to the Russians?

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:22 PM (ZsR3z)

454
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:17 PM (KZzsI)

Russia is asshoe. No doubt about it. But we are creating a scenario where we could be forced to commit to a long, bloody, and failed war with a country that has not attacked us, and would never have considered doing so without the situation WE created.

There is no way to square this circle. I have bad news for the patriots - we are asshoe, too.

Posted by: This is nuts at May 20, 2022 12:22 PM (o0I+B)

455 There's not one thing they could say to make make me believe anything coming out of western media, nor anyone who is current or recently former "generals" or whatever. Finland and Sweden can suck a rope. And so can Ukraine. The Ukes spent a ton of time and effort kissing up to NON-Trump forces for at least the last 5 years, and actively undermining Trump at times. I feel bad for the average Ukrainian, but in the end, its their leadership that is responsible for their mess. Shouldn't have fucced around with the donbass for the last decade, and shouldn't have depended on our dirt ball McCains and Bidens. Sucks, but, they chose poorly.

Posted by: Theskepticalschnauzer aka THELonebadger at May 20, 2022 12:22 PM (h+7ej)

456 Putting aside the other dozen reasons which were the primary cause, even if that was the main thing.... does that make what Russia is doing okay?

It isn't about what's morally right. Its ignoring that they are using the same damn justification we used, after telling us they would do so and demanding we stop it for years.

This war is 100% on Joe Biden and Barack Obama because any halfway decent to diplomacy would have stopped it from happening.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 12:22 PM (ESjRY)

457 It just means they have no legal or proper justification for invasion, no matter what they claim. They're wrong. Why people keep trying to defend their actions baffles me.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 20, 2022 12:21 PM (KZzsI)

We're not talking about an abstract moral question. The question is, why draw Ukraine into war with Russia?

Was it necessary and inevitable? No.
Is it beneficial or desirable? Yet to get a good answer on this one but mostly it looks arbitrary and pointless.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:24 PM (b2nrj)

458 So you're saying NATO ISN'T a threat to the Russians?

/Reads lefty blogs....

Hmm, we should totally execute a nuclear first strike on the Russians. Because...um...Russiaman Bad.

/Reads quotes from our political leaders, who also read those lefty blogs

America's goal is to weaken Russia

/Steps back

Why these Russians are crazy to think we are a threat to them. Right?

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 12:24 PM (ESjRY)

459 I think some of us here have eaten the whole government-media lie about Russia with little to no thought that there is another and very viable side to this story. Those people appear to really want another war to kill Americans and put us deeper in debt.

I don't agree with it but you guys do you.

Uh oh, he's on to us.

Posted by: Warmongers, Inc. at May 20, 2022 12:24 PM (ZsR3z)

460 What then? As I said earlier, it is laughable to think that NATO represented an offensive threat to Russia. IMHO, it IS about Putin's desire to rebuild Russia into a superpower. The fact that the former captive states are joining NATO is extra salt in the wound. I have no interest in encouraging Putin to think there's even a remote chance he'll get his wish.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:18 PM (ZsR3z)
++++
Putin certainly wants to improve and resurrect Russia's influence and power. In that respect, he has failed mightily in this excursion. But Russia hasn't invaded her neighbors under Putin's watch - a watch now lasting over 20 years - absent attempted NATO expansion or color revolutions in what what Russia considers its sphere of influence. We had a Cuban Missile Crisis, an invasion of the Dominican Republic, and invasion of Granada, various intelligence actions to topple governments, direct support of anticommunist regimes, etc. in the last part of the last century because we didn't want Russia or Russian friendlies in our hemisphere. Was that fair? Was any of that consistent with national self-determination of the states we targeted? But we're the hegemon.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at May 20, 2022 12:25 PM (DU+/6)

461 So you're saying NATO ISN'T a threat to the Russians?
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:22 PM (ZsR3z)

What part of provoke wars didn't you realize you copied and pasted?

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 12:25 PM (oc1LF)

462
So you're saying NATO ISN'T a threat to the Russians?
Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:22 PM (ZsR3z)

If the US decides to knock over Russia(like we do to countries on the regular), yes. If it doesn't, no.

Russia is naturally a lot more concerned about this prospect than you are. Their perspective guides their actions and should be taken into account in diplomacy to avoid unnecessary wars.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:25 PM (b2nrj)

463 Is it beneficial or desirable? Yet to get a good answer on this one but mostly it looks arbitrary and pointless.

The US has no strategic interest in Ukraine. None.

And yet we are on the brink of war with another nuclear power over the question of what country two mostly ethnic Russian provinces become part of.

Its insane.

Posted by: 18-1 at May 20, 2022 12:26 PM (ESjRY)

464 How much can there be to save? The Swedish military barely exists as it is.
Posted by: radar at May 20, 2022 12:09 PM (9/IeZ)
================
Unlike a lot of European countries, Sweden has grown its defense spending in US Dollar terms pretty regularly.

Their economy has expanded hugely after abandoning socialism, so it has dropped as a percentage of GDP, but even there it is higher than almost all the members of NATO.

Sweden has done as much as most NATO countries for years (I even know two Swedes who served in Afghanistan!).

https://tinyurl.com/mtswraa4

Posted by: Huck Follywood, Break The Teachers Unions at May 20, 2022 12:27 PM (kuuAI)

465 What part of provoke wars didn't you realize you copied and pasted?

What part of "provoke wars" constitutes a threat? Either NATO is a pack of useless, impotent grifters, or it's a serious military that is a good value for money. Pick one. That should be within your capabilities. Or perhaps not.

Posted by: Warmongers, Inc. at May 20, 2022 12:28 PM (ZsR3z)

466 Well, some things never change.

National Guard Officer Retires After "Motoroboating" (Don't Look This Up) Subordinant

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 20, 2022 12:28 PM (FVME7)

467 The Ukraine chose a coup instead of holding internationally monitored elections offered to them. The Coup immediately outlawed the Russian language and subsequently shelled ethnic Russian enclaves. To me It was like the Palestinians /PLO constantly poking the Israeli bear.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 12:31 PM (oc1LF)

468 What part of "provoke wars" constitutes a threat? Either NATO is a pack of useless, impotent grifters, or it's a serious military that is a good value for money. Pick one. That should be within your capabilities. Or perhaps not.
Posted by: Warmongers, Inc. at May 20, 2022 12:28 PM (ZsR3z)

Well that's a bit of a false dichotomy. Poland, Greece, and Turkey are all fairly militarized. Germany, France, England, Italy, etc. are useless grifters.

The US does not benefit from NATO, Europe does. So the threat that NATO presents to Russia isn't really relevant to whether they're "good value".

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:32 PM (b2nrj)

469 According to NATO, we're supposed to be willing to send US troops to die to defend Turkey. Also stupid. Basically a Muslim dictatorship that also hates us.

It's clear Russia is not the USSR anymore and even rag tag countries that never had a plan can repel a Russian invasion. Let these countries figure it out themselves and let them spend trillions on their own defense.

Posted by: Blago at May 20, 2022 12:32 PM (STGfL)

470 And I'm so tired of hearing about how nothing excuses Russia's actions here. Here our govt has spent the last decade egging on the lousy people who WE put in charge to fucc with Russia and russian speaking Ukrainians in the East, and RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO RUSSIA. Did people really think they wouldn't feel compelled to respond?

Posted by: Theskepticalschnauzer aka THELonebadger at May 20, 2022 12:33 PM (h+7ej)

471 The US does not benefit from NATO, Europe does. So the threat that NATO presents to Russia isn't really relevant to whether they're "good value".

That's true if you assume that another big war in Europe wouldn't affect us. It would, of course, and would also send an unmistakable signal to Xi that we are weak and decadent. Personally, I prefer having tyrants fear crossing me.

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:33 PM (ZsR3z)

472 What part of "provoke wars" constitutes a threat? Either NATO is a pack of useless, impotent grifters, or it's a serious military that is a good value for money. Pick one. That should be within your capabilities. Or perhaps not.
Posted by: Warmongers, Inc. at May 20, 2022 12:28 PM (ZsR3z)

Another nonsensical black and white logic post.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette at May 20, 2022 12:34 PM (oc1LF)

473 To put it another way, NATO is a great deal for Germany, a terrible deal for the US, vital to Poland's position, and the primary threat to Russia (after which would be China). If NATO didn't exist (or Russia joined it; the reasons it doesn't are complicated on both ends) the US could align with Russia against China.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at May 20, 2022 12:34 PM (b2nrj)

474 Ask Leonardo DiCaprio.
Posted by: JackStraw at May 20, 2022 12:05 PM (ZLI7S)

They cut the scene where the bear leans back and smokes a cigarette afterwards and smirks when Leo mewls "what are thinking?" It's probably in the Director's Cut.

Posted by: Boswell at May 20, 2022 12:34 PM (5iUNf)

475 Another nonsensical black and white logic post.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter Wynette

Scogg, is that you?

Posted by: Archimedes at May 20, 2022 12:37 PM (ZsR3z)

476 50 The death of the local paper is not a good thing.

Yes. We need the Klown team over at Action News to take a powder too.

Posted by: CZ = FNG, Free Republic of Florida at May 20, 2022 12:39 PM (MkuC5)

477 45 The death of the local paper is not a good thing.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger

If they don't want to die, they should stop killing themselves.

Posted by: Dirks Strewn DA at May 20, 2022 12:42 PM (kfcYC)

478 Trump needs to invite all those scandi and Eastern european countries to conference, just do it on his own, fuck Biden, host it at Trump Tower or Mar Lago with the purpose of them forming their own new alliance separate from Nato and russia. Nato would be deadweight to them anyway, I gaurantee Sweden alone still has more gear sitting around than germany or any of the other countries except maybe France or Turkey. As long as he is just hosting them and not making deals on behalf of the US the media can squeal all they want, he wouldn't be doing anything wrong.

Posted by: JoshO at May 20, 2022 12:45 PM (Z9wz+)

479 High time that we moved legal notice publishing requirements into the 21st century. Public notices for environmental permits, death notices for estates, road construction and other legally required notices required by law is a very large and lucrative income. Has anyone noticed how much it costs to run one of these in the local paper?

Newspaper readership is the merest fraction of what it was 40 years ago.

Posted by: The Guy at May 20, 2022 12:54 PM (dwCRW)

480 US out of NATO. There's nothing "north Atlantic" about it now.

Posted by: Texican ette at May 20, 2022 01:26 PM (BJRHT)

481 Churchill made quite a few speeches critical of the United States. Therefore Mr. Throckmorton thinks that things like Operation Overlord were unnecessary, no?

Posted by: Cow Demon at May 20, 2022 03:32 PM (CdZ4i)

482 Every day I thank God that even if I have to live in Joe Vegetable's America I still live in Ron DeSantis' and Christina Pushaw's Florida.

Posted by: go get your fuckin shine box at May 20, 2022 09:14 PM (WusEB)

483 Ꮋeya i'm for the first time here. Ӏ found this board and I
find It truly uѕeful & it helped me out a lot.
I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.

Posted by: blob at May 24, 2022 04:39 AM (NKTqG)

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