The Cognitive Dissonance Of The Pro-Ukraine/Anti-Russia Commentariat

There is a default assumption among the vast majority of the media, both the mass-market variety and the supposedly high-minded elites who comment on everything, no matter their expertise.

Ukraine GOOD! Russia BAD!

That sums it up nicely.

And they are half correct! What they seem to miss is that Ukraine is a kleptocratic cesspool of corruption, and their only saving grace is that they were attacked by Putin's Russia, and not by Poland or Belarus, which would have elicited a giant yawn in western capitals. And they also miss the provocation from the West that probably began with Bush senior, when Russia was still the Soviet Union. They were promised that NATO had no plans to expand east, so the buffer between western Europe and mother Russia that the Soviet Union had created wasn't necessary.

Of course that was a lie, and the NATO pressure on Russia's borders, whether real or imagined by a paranoid Putin, increased. George Kennan, who was one of the creators of the West's policy of containment during the Cold War, said:

I think it is the beginning of a new cold war. I think the Russians will gradually react quite adversely and it will affect their policies. I think it is a tragic mistake.

And it obviously was. For better or for worse, a sober foreign policy with Russia must grant some degree of autonomy on its own borders. But there is no rational analysis anymore. Russia is the ultimate evil, and everything it does is tarred by the behavior of Putin, who is absolutely a horrible man and a murderous dictator.

By extension, everything done to combat Russia is just wonderful! That includes whatever Ukraine wants to do, like firing missiles and drones at cities in Russia. Sure, Russia does that too, but let us judge both sides with the same moral compass.

Here is an essay that begins with a discussion of America's coming sanctions against Russia. The website is staffed by seemingly intelligent people who are conventionally well educated...The Ivy League!

Iran and the Russia Sanctions Bill

The Senate passed the Russia sanctions bill earlier this month, and now it is expected to pass the House fairly easily. The bill should be passed, as it will increase pressure on Russia's leadership, economy, defense industrial base, and top foreign enablers.
The bill is not only about Ukraine, but will help deter Russia from attacking NATO countries. Russia has already used sabotage, influence campaigns, espionage, GPS interference, hacking, and assassination on NATO soil. On July 20 and July 21, the Lithuanian and Polish governments warned that Russia is considering new attacks on NATO allies. These could include the use of captured Ukrainian drones in a false flag or hybrid attack. In addition to Poland and Lithuania, all of the Baltic states and Romania are at particularly high risk.

Notice the assumption that Russia is just itching to expand the war? No discussion of why, but it is going to happen..."Because We Said So!"

Of course they must also discuss Russia's failures!

The war has for a long time not been going well for Putin, with over 1.4 million Russian casualties and as many as 625,000 Ukrainian casualties. Given that Putin's goal was to conquer Ukraine as a prize, he fails as he destroys the object of his goal, and his goal destroys Russia. The front is moving at a snail's pace, and the increasing range, sophistication, and lethality of indigenously-produced Ukrainian weapons are wreaking havoc on Russia's energy infrastructure and its strategic military assets, including attack submarines and nuclear-capable bombers.
From purely national security considerations, the Russian military should therefore consider changing tack, whether or not Putin agrees. The Russian army, navy, and air force are being severely degraded when they are needed to defend Russia's east against China. Military exhaustion in Russia, as in Afghanistan in 1989 with a short-lived democratization following two years later, could be the fertile soil from which a new and more stable Russian democracy emerges. With democracy would come trade openings to the West and major gains in GDP growth and general economic prosperity.

So which is it? Russia is expansionist and wants more territory, or Russia is failing and must change their strategy. Oh, and by the way, this writer seems to be calling for Russia's armed forces to stage a coup, because that is what it is called when they disobey their civilian leader. No mention of how that might shake out, or how much uncertainty that would inject into an already chaotic region.

The reality is somewhere in the middle. Yes, Russia and Putin began this border dispute without sufficient provocation, and are absolutely the aggressors. But Ukraine and the West are not blameless. As for Russia's attacks on its neighbors? They are meant as warnings to stay out of the fray, and probably not as precursors of invasions of Poland or Hungary. It is not clear that Russia has the capacity to open another front, particularly against Poland, with its large, well-trained armed forces and natural antipathy for Russia.

If Europe were truly serious about combating Russian expansionism, why have they spent more money on Russian natural gas than they have spent to assist the Ukrainian armed forces?

That seems disingenuous!

Posted by: CBD at 12:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Nooded.

Posted by: Nazdar at October 18, 2026 12:04 PM (NcvvS)

2 And SPONGE!!

Posted by: Nazdar at October 18, 2026 12:05 PM (NcvvS)

3 Good afternoon everyone

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2026 12:05 PM (Ia/+0)

4 The rioters in Paris have made it to the Louvre.

This is all Putin's fault, of course. /s

Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 12:06 PM (aD4fx)

5 Said many years as this has gone on, Putin acts like a Czar and wants the land held by them through conquest back.

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2026 12:07 PM (Ia/+0)

6 Only way Russia breaks Poland is with nukes. The Baltic states are vulnerable.

Posted by: Nazdar at October 18, 2026 12:08 PM (NcvvS)

7 So which is it? Russia is expansionist and wants more territory, or Russia is failing and must change their strategy.

You are required to believe two things simultaneously: that Russia is about to collapse, and that Russia will be blitzing into Paris next Thursday if Ukraine loses the war.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 12:08 PM (aD4fx)

8 Europe's been buying Russian fuel (gas & diesel) which in turn is propping up Putin. Little Z gets pissed and drones Russian petro facilities... something Trump specifically asked the clown not to do.

Yet, the EU is up in arms about the "Russian Bear."

Spare me....

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 18, 2026 12:09 PM (RORbl)

9 No mention of how that might shake out

Who could possibly be worse than that warmonger Hindenburg?

Posted by: Conventional Wisdom, 1929! at October 18, 2026 12:11 PM (aD4fx)

10 It was inevitable that Russia's European border states, other than puppet Belarus, would seek admission to NATO. Undoubtedly significant, um, 'gratuities' to Western politicians helped get them in. Very, very shortsighted on the part of the West.

Posted by: Nazdar at October 18, 2026 12:12 PM (NcvvS)

11 4 The rioters in Paris have made it to the Louvre.

This is all Putin's fault, of course. /s
Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 12:06 PM (aD4fx)

That's silly.
Everything bad in the world is Trump's fault.

GatewayPundit had an article of Macron at a Celine Dion concert. I hope this finally breaks the country and the average people take it back cleansing everything.

Posted by: Stateless - Ralphy - 106 years old! Puppy at heart! at October 18, 2026 12:13 PM (Sco7b)

12 Sacre bleu!

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 18, 2026 12:15 PM (8B4gm)

13 Sustained Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries, including a nine-day shutdown of the Novorossiysk export terminal, the longest disruption since the full-scale invasion began, pushed Russia to import 172,000 tonnes of oil products in August alone, more than seven times the previous post-invasion monthly high.

Prior to the War Russia sometimes was selling around 30% of all spot market Diesel.
Now it is importing.
And now you know why the cost of Diesel is high.

Posted by: r hennigantx at October 18, 2026 12:15 PM (/+uur)

14 Headline (FOX News):

"European Parliament votes to confront Muslim Brotherhood, 'Islamist entryism' in overwhelming vote"

Excerpt:

"Following the sanctioning of foreign Muslim Brotherhood groups by the Trump administration, the European Parliament recently took its own action against the transnational radical Islamist group.

As Europe begins to respond to the threat of radical Islam across the continent, an overwhelming majority of the European Parliament voted for a resolution that condemned the Muslim Brotherhood and its actions."

Me: Eh, it's a start. There's no "European Army", and if the French riots intensify, then a military response is called for.

Posted by: mrp at October 18, 2026 12:16 PM (rj6Yv)

15 Macron is going on French TV in a couple of hours.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 12:17 PM (aD4fx)

16 For a alternate view:

https://tinyurl.com/42mc4752

TL;DR: The West is run by a bunch of hysterical Karens, while the Russians keep plodding along with their long-term plan to push NATO back to the 1991 borders and have a nice big buffer zone between themselves and the lunatics.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at October 18, 2026 12:17 PM (TVOOe)

17 It's (D)ifferent when we do it.

Posted by: EU Elites at October 18, 2026 12:17 PM (0sNs1)

18 For my part, I call for a pox on both governments, and I feel sorry for the civilians on both sides who suffer far worse than the governments do, for any and all attacks, sanctions, embargos, tariffs, etc.

Posted by: RandomDave at October 18, 2026 12:17 PM (aJQbY)

19 15 Macron is going on French TV in a couple of hours.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 12:17 PM (aD4fx)

To resign ?

Posted by: It's me donna at October 18, 2026 12:18 PM (+gK6I)

20 I said Z., Z. Z. Rider
Oh see, what you have done

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 12:18 PM (ndZc7)

21 Macron is going on French TV in a couple of hours.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 12:17 PM (aD4fx)

Doing the best Kevin Bacon imitation from Animal House.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at October 18, 2026 12:19 PM (hmYU4)

22 As Europe begins to respond to the threat of radical Islam across the continent, an overwhelming majority of the European Parliament voted for a resolution that condemned the Muslim Brotherhood and its actions."
Posted by: mrp at October 18, 2026 12:16 PM

Nothing will happen.

Posted by: Le Guy who says, sardonically, "Nothing will happen." at October 18, 2026 12:20 PM (0sNs1)

23 Is Paris burning? You betcha!

https://tinyurl.com/3a5z7jw6

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 12:21 PM (ndZc7)

24 Just waiting for the goatrapers in the UK to get uppity.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 18, 2026 12:21 PM (8B4gm)

25 How can you have a thread on this subject without mentioning filth like Victoria Nuland?!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 12:23 PM (skLNB)

26 Gas in my neck o' the woods was down 40 cents since last week.. Diesel still the same high price unfortunately... Thanks Zelenskyy...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 18, 2026 12:23 PM (+gK6I)

27 15 Macron is going on French TV in a couple of hours.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 12:17 PM (aD4fx)

Fantastic!

A Captain Kirk - Captain Picard like speech which will envelop France in a blue light of love and understanding and bring everything to a satisfying conclusion.

That's very Obama of 'him'.

Posted by: Stateless - Ralphy - 106 years old! Puppy at heart! at October 18, 2026 12:23 PM (Sco7b)

28 Didja see this?

Eric Daugherty
@EricLDaugh
🚨 JUST NOW: CBS News has DELETED a post after they got ripped and Community Noted for calling the mass violent leftist French riots "scuffles" with "small groups"

-
Firey but mostly peaceful?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 12:24 PM (ndZc7)

29 How can you have a thread on this subject without mentioning filth like Victoria Nuland?!
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 12:23 PM (skLNB)

A rotten bitch that needs sent to hell.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 18, 2026 12:24 PM (8B4gm)

30 Ukraine is a kleptocratic cesspool of corruption,
=
A mirror image of their patrons in DC.

Posted by: Methos, inauthentic X-bot account at October 18, 2026 12:24 PM (vSvIl)

31 Eric Daugherty
@EricLDaugh
🚨 JUST NOW: CBS News has DELETED a post after they got ripped and Community Noted for calling the mass violent leftist French riots "scuffles" with "small groups"

-
Firey but mostly peaceful?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 12:24 PM (ndZc7)

I'm surprised CBS mentioned it at all....

Posted by: It's me donna at October 18, 2026 12:24 PM (+gK6I)

32 Russia has 3 problems: the EU, Iran and China. I am a bit of a Russophile and believe that our best long move is alignment with Russia and abandoning NATO/EU.

Posted by: Accomack at October 18, 2026 12:25 PM (dJCmT)

33 The late 20th and early 21st centuries’ more vile and obscure persons: Nuland and Jarret.

Posted by: Accomack at October 18, 2026 12:28 PM (dJCmT)

34 The left started hating Putin after he banned foreign gays from adopting Russian kids. Before that nobody really cared about him one way or another. After that he turned into global enemy number 1.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 18, 2026 12:28 PM (/J9Hq)

35 I do have to admit I’ve seen footage of actual French “youths” rioting. The majority is Islamic of course but not fully.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 18, 2026 12:30 PM (/J9Hq)

36 Meanwhile, Don Lemon explains it all.

Harvard Kennedy School
@Kennedy_School
Don Lemon describes the motives behind his firing from CNN, citing the network's intentional shift to the right and their appeasement of President Trump and the MAGA movement

-
Damn right wing propagandists!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 12:31 PM (ndZc7)

37
Macron is going on French TV in a couple of hours.
Posted by: The ARC of History!

To resign ?
Posted by: It's me donna

A little song. A little dance.
A little seltzer down his pants.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 18, 2026 12:31 PM (Cqx++)

38 Russia has 3 problems: the EU, Iran and China. I am a bit of a Russophile and believe that our best long move is alignment with Russia and abandoning NATO/EU.

Posted by: Accomack at October 18, 2026 12:25 PM (dJCmT)
-

We've been to Russia. There is much beauty there. But there is more rot. And Putin took the dictatorial thug route. Not much to like. So, yeh, hold your nose and kiss the rotten fish.

NATO is dead if Europe is dead. Time will tell - perhaps very soon.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 12:32 PM (skLNB)

39 I dripped some chocolate milk on my yellow T-shirt. World Peace will have to wait.

Posted by: Accomack at October 18, 2026 12:32 PM (dJCmT)

40 >> The war has for a long time not been going well for Putin, with over 1.4 million Russian casualties and as many as 625,000 Ukrainian casualties

Personally, I think these casualty numbers are total BS. Who verifies and how? I don’t trust Ukraine or Russia to publish real numbers…. I’d bet they’re much lower but that would sell the hysteria like these numbers do

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at October 18, 2026 12:35 PM (M+uMR)

41 "Let both these asses be set to grind corn."

Posted by: PARKER at October 18, 2026 12:36 PM (hJWil)

42 You're traveling through another dimension -- a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's a signpost up ahead: your next stop: the Twilight Zone!

Western Lensman
@WesternLensman
Jim Acosta speaking at No Kings.

He says as a member of the press, he's used to covering these kinds of events, but not giving his opinion.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 12:37 PM (ndZc7)

43 Lower casualty numbers would NOT sell the hysteria… fat finger there

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at October 18, 2026 12:37 PM (M+uMR)

44 Russia has always had a preference for a strong and violent paternal authoritarianism. My feeling is that the Russian populace is closer to our Pennsyltucky Florida man ethos than any part of Europe has ever had. That affinity is what I would from.
Europe has had a malevolent bitchiness towards America since the first pelt was peeled.

Posted by: Accomack at October 18, 2026 12:38 PM (dJCmT)

45 Ukraine and Z are corrupt beyond belief. The NATO nations are being conquered from within. We need to withdraw to our own hemisphere and destroy the Commie nations of Mexico, Cuba, and Canada first, before caring about the clowns in Europe.

Posted by: Pax Americana Begins Here at October 18, 2026 12:39 PM (EdP2u)

46 Only conclusion I can draw at this point is both assholes are loosing.
Works for me.

Posted by: Reforger at October 18, 2026 12:39 PM (Ae6Br)

47 Morons, this may be the last or next to last time you and your countrymen get to vote in a constitutional republic:

https://tinyurl.com/5prws9ve

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 12:39 PM (skLNB)

48 Israel War Room is having some fun with the "scuffles" in France:

"We call on France to exercise restraint when dispersing the freedom fighters on the streets of Paris. These brave warriors for justice must receive immediate humanitarian aid, and their safety must be guaranteed in accordance with international law. Failure to comply will leave us no choice but to bring a case before the ICJ, in close cooperation with that renowned champion of human rights, Afghanistan."

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at October 18, 2026 12:40 PM (B0NCh)

49 I doubt Poland but in past centuries it has been under Russia, but Lithuania and Latvia are well within the Czars control.

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2026 12:41 PM (Ia/+0)

50 If powder keg Europe does explode causing foreigners to flee, forcing people back to America for their own safety, that'd be pretty hard to keep quiet.

And, it could only help President Trump if people found out what's truly going on.

Which explains the lack of coverage and the minimization of everything.

A guy on a CBC clip said it was impossible, just impossible, to fully understand what caused this. Where's Hercule Poirot when you need him?

Posted by: Stateless - Ralphy - 106 years old! Puppy at heart! at October 18, 2026 12:44 PM (Sco7b)

51 I am a bit of a Russophile

-
How Hitler, a music lover, could listen to Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, and Tchaikovsky and conclude the Russians are subhuman is beyond me.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 12:44 PM (ndZc7)

52 "Russia has 3 problems: the EU, Iran and China."

Some wise guy on X recently said Russia gets their drone tech from Iran, the parts from China, and assembly from North Korea. Sounds about right.

It would be better to have Russia and India (and Japan) aligned with US -- against China ... and the (non Abraham Accords?) Muslims. And would be nice if Europe would stop their on suicide.

Of course India is doing their own invasion of the USA, and Canada. Western nations need to start believing in the Western Ideals or they will soon go up in smoke.

Posted by: illiniwek at October 18, 2026 12:45 PM (vbXSk)

53 Sending special regards to all AOS nette neighbors with a uterus.

https://tinyurl.com/yptb4hym

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 12:46 PM (skLNB)

54 Flammennacht anyone?

X link:
https://tinyurl.com/5bsh3zuc

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 18, 2026 12:46 PM (1Ff7Z)

55 Oh, and I hope everyone had a great time at the 'No King's Days' protests held all across the country yesterday.

Massive coverage.

Or maybe not....

Posted by: Stateless - Ralphy - 106 years old! Puppy at heart! at October 18, 2026 12:47 PM (Sco7b)

56 Berlin was considered the eastern outpost of civilized Europe. Aligning with Russia would pull them east, away from Europe, and help stabilize their border with China. Japan would benefit from the proximity of oil and minerals. The Pacific ports are shielded by Japan and Sakhalin island.

Posted by: Accomack at October 18, 2026 12:48 PM (28cZF)

57 Afternoon everyone, thx CBD
While I don't like the Russians behavior, they have been fighting over boundaries in that region since before the USA existed.
Thus war has been a cash cow for the Western elite. I've been watching various vids regularly and while the Ukraine has tried various counterattacks ,recent success around Lymon, the Russians are grinding them down . The drone strikes into Russia might be too little late.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 18, 2026 12:48 PM (kGIZD)

58 MA GOP Lt. Governor candidate just flipped the vote:

https://tinyurl.com/5n7bxvd3

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 12:49 PM (skLNB)

59 "Youth" means black.

Posted by: In case you didn't know at October 18, 2026 12:50 PM (SeSfo)

60 France is the first domino.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 18, 2026 12:51 PM (2WIwB)

61 New Dr Mark Feldon on Hitlers first jail term

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2026 12:51 PM (Ia/+0)

62 The rioters in Paris have made it to the Louvre.

I mentioned elsewhere about a week ago that they should evacuate all the art and artifacts there. While not exactly the Library of Alexandria, the historical losses will be significant.

Posted by: Halfhand at October 18, 2026 12:51 PM (9JZkc)

63 Sending special regards to all AOS nette neighbors with a uterus.

https://tinyurl.com/yptb4hym
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 12:46 PM (skLNB)

=====

So if you've had a hysterectomy, does that mean you're not a woman?

Posted by: Jordan61 at October 18, 2026 12:52 PM (6pTMw)

64 60 France is the first domino.
Posted by: Diogenes at October 18, 2026 12:51 PM (2WIwB)

Which surprises me because I thought England would go first..

Posted by: It's me donna at October 18, 2026 12:52 PM (+gK6I)

65 The casualty numbers still make no sense to me.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 18, 2026 12:52 PM (Y/06r)

66 62 The rioters in Paris have made it to the Louvre.
+++

Is there any threat to the supply of steel toed work boots?

Posted by: I gotta ask at October 18, 2026 12:53 PM (SeSfo)

67 The Bavarians thought the Prussians were animals.
Russia is doing what it can to survive. It can’t possible defend itself from any of the lunatics around them. They might decide to never overtly side with the US because their neighbors would carve them up.
Our borders are an anomalous situation.

Posted by: Accomack at October 18, 2026 12:53 PM (4c58h)

68 Only conclusion I can draw at this point is both assholes are loosing.
Works for me."

Agreed. Uke "hackers" were quite the problem across... everything. Can't talk about them now, tho.

"Let them fight"

Posted by: man at October 18, 2026 12:53 PM (pfXMo)

69 So if you've had a hysterectomy, does that mean you're not a woman?

Posted by: Jordan61 at October 18, 2026 12:52 PM (6pTMw)
-

If you're asking about me personally, then the answer is yes.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 12:54 PM (skLNB)

70 68 Only conclusion I can draw at this point is both assholes are loosing.
Works for me."

Me too....

Posted by: It's me donna at October 18, 2026 12:54 PM (+gK6I)

71 The rioters in Paris have made it to the Louvre."

Bummer. But hey, they're students. Or something.

Oh, and take this advice: Purchase Ammunition.

Posted by: man at October 18, 2026 12:55 PM (pfXMo)

72 Trans crazies attacked a Harry Potter show at a theater in England. While I don't want a muzzie takeover of Merry Olde England, if it occurs I'll root for the muzzies over the trannies

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 18, 2026 12:55 PM (kGIZD)

73 May the successors of both regimes be less blood-thirsty. And let it be sooner rather than later.

Posted by: RandomDave at October 18, 2026 12:56 PM (aJQbY)

74 May the successors of both regimes be less blood-thirsty. "

European history might not agree w/that...

Posted by: man at October 18, 2026 12:57 PM (pfXMo)

75 MA GOP Lt. Governor candidate just flipped the vote:

https://tinyurl.com/5n7bxvd3
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 12:49 PM (skL

Did he ever have a chance anyway?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 18, 2026 12:57 PM (1Ff7Z)

76 Q:

Who could possibly be worse than Antonio Guterres running the UN?

A:

https://tinyurl.com/42fwhvxu

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 12:58 PM (skLNB)

77 Did he ever have a chance anyway?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 18, 2026 12:57 PM (1Ff7Z

MA ? I'd say no...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 18, 2026 12:58 PM (+gK6I)

78 European history might not agree w/that...

Occasionally there is something new under the sun, n'est pas?

Doesn't hurt to pray for the impossible, sometimes it happens.

Posted by: RandomDave at October 18, 2026 12:58 PM (aJQbY)

79 Which surprises me because I thought England would go first..
Posted by: It's me donna at October 18, 2026 12:52 PM (+gK6I)

I've given that some thought. England may be first and was done with more subtlety and the Brits just don't know it yet. OR...they just haven't had the nationwide uprising that France is experiencing. France may be the test case.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 18, 2026 12:59 PM (2WIwB)

80 MA GOP Lt. Governor candidate just flipped the vote:

https://tinyurl.com/5n7bxvd3

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 12:49 PM (skL
-

Did he ever have a chance anyway?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 18, 2026 12:57 PM (1Ff7Z)
-

Gorilla Glue. Coffin.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 12:59 PM (skLNB)

81 I've given that some thought. England may be first and was done with more subtlety and the Brits just don't know it yet. OR...they just haven't had the nationwide uprising that France is experiencing. France may be the test case.
Posted by: Diogenes at October 18, 2026 12:59 PM (2WIwB)

There definitely seems to be a method here.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 18, 2026 01:00 PM (Y/06r)

82 The casualty numbers still make no sense to me.

Posted by: Aetius451AD

"The first casualty when war comes is truth."

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 01:00 PM (ndZc7)

83 Home! Stuff unloaded. Nap time.

Posted by: Eromero at October 18, 2026 01:01 PM (LHPAg)

84 "The rioters in Paris have made it to the Louvre."

France should use live fire (bullets, not flames) before they allow the Antifa/Muslim alliance to destroy the Louvre. Not sure they have the willpower to do that though.

Posted by: illiniwek at October 18, 2026 01:02 PM (vbXSk)

85 If Europe were truly serious about combating Russian expansionism, why have they spent more money on Russian natural gas than they have spent to assist the Ukrainian armed forces?

Because European Gov'ts are self-destructive and traitorous to their best interests. Why would they import so many literally rapacious "asian" immigrants and let them run amok?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 18, 2026 01:04 PM (l3cgK)

86 France should use live fire (bullets, not flames) before they allow the Antifa/Muslim alliance to destroy the Louvre. Not sure they have the willpower to do that though.
Posted by: illiniwek at October 18, 2026 01:02 PM (vbXSk)

Just let them destroy the I.M. Pei addition. Leave the rest alone.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 18, 2026 01:04 PM (1Ff7Z)

87 84 "The rioters in Paris have made it to the Louvre."

France should use live fire (bullets, not flames) before they allow the Antifa/Muslim alliance to destroy the Louvre. Not sure they have the willpower to do that though.

Posted by: illiniwek at October 18, 2026 01:02 PM (vbXSk)

Why not firepower AND fire...the power of AND...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 18, 2026 01:05 PM (l3cgK)

88 Muzzies will do to the Louvre what they did to the Buddhas of Afghanistan...

The Louvre will end up a mosque.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 18, 2026 01:06 PM (l3cgK)

89 The rioters in Paris have made it to the Louvre.

This is all Putin's fault, of course. /s
Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 12:06 PM (aD4fx)

If you're a muslim determined to run France as a muslim state, destroying the Louvre should be one of your first priorities.

Once destroyed that is a huge part of French culture that can never be remade or rebuilt.

Next target...the churches.

As long as the Frogs keep burping on about "Radical Islam" and not "Islam"...well, simply put they will lose because they have not identified the enemy.

Posted by: naturalfake at October 18, 2026 01:06 PM (YSUhf)

90 scuffle
mostly peaceful
bar argument
sports bet collection
angry tea party
kerfuffle
and
respectful mob

Various levels of French Rioting.

Posted by: r hennigantx at October 18, 2026 01:06 PM (/+uur)

91 89 The rioters in Paris have made it to the Louvre.

This is all Putin's fault, of course. /s
Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 12:06 PM (aD4fx)

If you're a muslim determined to run France as a muslim state, destroying the Louvre should be one of your first priorities.

Once destroyed that is a huge part of French culture that can never be remade or rebuilt.

Next target...the churches.

As long as the Frogs keep burping on about "Radical Islam" and not "Islam"...well, simply put they will lose because they have not identified the enemy.

Posted by: naturalfake at October 18, 2026 01:06 PM (YSUhf)

When all Islam is radical, none of it is...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 18, 2026 01:07 PM (l3cgK)

92 "France may be the test case."

Italy is also getting the riot and fire routine now as well.
Milan ... link to X
https://tinyurl.com/y2kj6kpj

Posted by: illiniwek at October 18, 2026 01:07 PM (vbXSk)

93 They are looting the Food King.

Posted by: r hennigantx at October 18, 2026 01:07 PM (/+uur)

94 The British government might surrender first, but looks like France is gokng to get to actually fight it out first if the French people get their act together

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2026 01:08 PM (Ia/+0)

95 82 The casualty numbers still make no sense to me.

Posted by: Aetius451AD

"The first casualty when war comes is truth."
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks

Closest comparable war is Iran-Iraq and pretty much settled on over 1 million in military casualties over the course of that war. Russia is using literal cannon fodder and the same tactics it used in WWII--throwing bodies at the assault after its armor attacks failed early on in the war. And they use expendables like North Koreans, some mercenaries, prisoners, and ethnic non Russians from the periphery of the Russian state. Their battlefield medicine has not improved much if at all from WWII either. So yeah, it is possible that a whole lot of 'Russians' got killed and even more got maimed severely enough to be casualties.

Casualties fwiw, don't equal deaths--and run a multiple of combat deaths. And the casualty rates are probably asymmetrical as attackers usually take 2:1 or more casualties than defenders.

Yeah, there is the fog of war and all that but I think we are avoiding by questioning numbers of casualties from the sheer stupidity of continuing this war from Russia AND Ukraine sending people into a meatgrinder.

Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:08 PM (E4rtv)

96 Fifty-two minutes to Macron's speech.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 01:09 PM (aD4fx)

97 Which surprises me because I thought England would go first..
Posted by: It's me donna

A book I enjoyed was Anno Dracula by Kim Newman about and England in which Van Helsing, Jonathan Harker, and the guys failed to kill Dracula and vampirism becomes cool. Pretty much the same thing.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 01:09 PM (ndZc7)

98 Yeah, there is the fog of war and all that but I think we are avoiding by questioning numbers of casualties from the sheer stupidity of continuing this war from Russia AND Ukraine sending people into a meatgrinder.

Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:08 PM (E4rtv)

I don't want to know what kind of sausage the leaders of those two countries are trying to make.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 18, 2026 01:10 PM (l3cgK)

99 Welp

Good for CBD that he wasn't swanning about Paris this week and was in Corsicana instead.

Posted by: naturalfake at October 18, 2026 01:11 PM (YSUhf)

100 96 Fifty-two minutes to Macron's speech.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 01:09 PM (aD4fx)

That'll show them!

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 18, 2026 01:11 PM (Y/06r)

101
Once destroyed that is a huge part of French culture that can never be remade or rebuilt.

Next target...the churches.

As long as the Frogs keep burping on about "Radical Islam" and not "Islam"...well, simply put they will lose because they have not identified the enemy.

Posted by: naturalfake at October 18, 2026 01:06 PM (YSUhf)

You can bet the muzzies have scoped out the nuclear bases as well.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 18, 2026 01:12 PM (2WIwB)

102 They are looting the Food King.

Posted by: r hennigantx

What I learned today. The French verb for "to loot" is "pillar".

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 01:13 PM (ndZc7)

103 Yeah, there is the fog of war and all that but I think we are avoiding by questioning numbers of casualties from the sheer stupidity of continuing this war from Russia AND Ukraine sending people into a meatgrinder.
Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:08 PM (E4rtv)

Part of my point is a quick bing search showed Ukraine as having a population of 36 million.

The casualty rates do not make sense. Not with the images we are being shown. Both sides seem to just be business as usual when you see pictures of the countries themselves. There is a feel of ... playacting? A show war?

I dunno.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 18, 2026 01:13 PM (Y/06r)

104 Muffy and I will have to postpone our cheese and wine tour during the holidays in France this year. Sigh. I guess we will have to spend the season in dreary old Hawaii sightseeing in the poors misery while the do their hurricane "clean up".
Life can be hard sometimes. I am just happy Daddy and Lovey are not here to see us slumming.

Posted by: Thurston & Muffy Howell IV at October 18, 2026 01:15 PM (JAh4c)

105 A nice, noncontroversial topic for a change!

Posted by: runner at October 18, 2026 01:15 PM (AKptf)

106 The frogs brought this upon themselves.

*shrugs*

Somewhere in all this there's a lesson to be learned. We'll see who's ready to learn it.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 18, 2026 01:15 PM (RORbl)

107 They are looting the Food King.

Posted by: r hennigantx

What I learned today. The French verb for "to loot" is "pillar".

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 01:13 PM (ndZc7)
-

So, the Sixth Pillar of Islam!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 18, 2026 01:16 PM (skLNB)

108 67 The Bavarians thought the Prussians were animals.
Russia is doing what it can to survive. It can’t possible defend itself from any of the lunatics around them. They might decide to never overtly side with the US because their neighbors would carve them up.
Our borders are an anomalous situation.
Posted by: Accomack
---------
Russians are not in much better shape than the Euros are. Ethnics including Muslims have higher fertility rates than white Russians and the war is not making that better.

But like WWI or Iran Iraq, neither Putin nor Zelinskyy can muster the will to turn off the meatgrinder lest they themselves be a casualty of it. Putin might survive it but history is going to be harsh in its judgment of him, Zelinkskyy is a gone goose.

So both sides stagger on and will increasingly target civilians on both sides and infrastructure because the front lines have become stationary--waste of lives, money, and hope in these countries and an equally stupid Euroland that a proxy war with Russia with the aim of looting its frozen assets while their capitals are burning from Muzzies.

Reminds me of late WWI in fact.

Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:16 PM (E4rtv)

109 Somewhere in all this there's a lesson to be learned. We'll see who's ready to learn it.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 18, 2026 01:15 PM (RORbl)

Not us!

Posted by: GOPe at October 18, 2026 01:17 PM (1Ff7Z)

110 So both sides stagger on and will increasingly target civilians on both sides and infrastructure because the front lines have become stationary--waste of lives, money, and hope in these countries and an equally stupid Euroland that a proxy war with Russia with the aim of looting its frozen assets while their capitals are burning from Muzzies.

Reminds me of late WWI in fact.
Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:16 PM (E4rtv)

Ukraine has already done that by going after Russian businesses. Steven Green and the others were doing the 'We'll winter in Moscow!' dance.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 18, 2026 01:18 PM (Y/06r)

111 Hilarious:

Saints are scheduled to leave tonight for Paris, where they play the Steelers next Sunday at Stade de France. Despite intense riots and social unrest there, the NFL says the game is on.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 01:18 PM (aD4fx)

112 "Both sides seem to just be business as usual when you see pictures of the countries themselves. There is a feel of ... playacting? A show war?"

I see a lot of "live drone action" videos of Ukraine drones hitting individuals or small groups of Russians, as well as those hitting the "Russian Amazon", and oil and tech centers. Russian drones hit some infrastructure, but also apartment buildings. Looks like a lot of death all around.

Posted by: illiniwek at October 18, 2026 01:19 PM (vbXSk)

113 And they also miss the provocation from the West that probably began with Bush senior, when Russia was still the Soviet Union. They were promised that NATO had no plans to expand east, so the buffer between western Europe and mother Russia that the Soviet Union had created wasn't necessary.

IIRC, Bush the Elder begged, begged the Baltic States to stay in the Soviet Union, for stability.

The Bush family is a chancre on America's ass.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 18, 2026 01:19 PM (AG5Uy)

114 The casualty rates do not make sense. Not with the images we are being shown. Both sides seem to just be business as usual when you see pictures of the countries themselves. There is a feel of ... playacting? A show war?

I dunno.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 18, 2026 01:13 PM (Y/06r)

I agree with this. Where are all the body bags.. and funerals??

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at October 18, 2026 01:20 PM (M+uMR)

115 CBD promised to guarantee the sovereignty of Ukraine in exchange for giving up its nuclear bombs

Ukraine will to decades to become a real democracy at least 1 generation
How long did it take the USA?

Posted by: Paul at October 18, 2026 01:20 PM (lC4LS)

116 Saints are scheduled to leave tonight for Paris, where they play the Steelers next Sunday at Stade de France. Despite intense riots and social unrest there, the NFL says the game is on.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 01:18 PM (aD4fx)

What could go wrong?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at October 18, 2026 01:20 PM (Y/06r)

117 Norwegian teen recruited while gaming gets 20 years for trying to carry out contract killing in the UK for Iran

-
Call of Duty, man.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 01:20 PM (ndZc7)

118 Malik: They burning Churches!

Tyreek: That's a'ight, I like Popeye's better anyway.

Posted by: Urrybody's Lives Matters! at October 18, 2026 01:21 PM (EdP2u)

119 I've always wondered , if 'Ukraine" so good, howcome (new word coined here) there is NO extradition treaty with the US and Ukraine?

I mean, there have been (and maybe this continues) problems with hackers/hacking teams, credit card thievery / exploitation out of Ukraine - and they won't / can't extradite 'persons' involved ...

Posted by: _Jim at October 18, 2026 01:21 PM (KBnQv)

120 The important thing for us is that Ukranyans are trying to sink R and Trump's chances of keeping the House.

Posted by: runner at October 18, 2026 01:21 PM (AKptf)

121 Shut up, fool.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 18, 2026 01:21 PM (AG5Uy)

122 The casualty rates do not make sense. Not with the images we are being shown. Both sides seem to just be business as usual when you see pictures of the countries themselves. There is a feel of ... playacting? A show war?

I dunno.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
=======
For Russia, a lot of their casualties and deaths are throwaway cannon fodder. For Ukraine, they seemingly have better medical care to preserve as many troops as possible after becoming a casualty. So like a Purple Heart, casualties can run from relatively minor to major, and the side with better logistics and medical care has a much better survival rate like the US v. North Korea or in the GWOT. Primitive societies result in a lot of needless combatant deaths because of battlefield medicine not much changed than put a hot iron on it and some dirt. From all accounts, Russia has a more primitive battlefield medicine and worse logistics than the Ukrainians. Plus attackers suffer disproportionate casualties than defenders in most cases.

Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:21 PM (E4rtv)

123 It seems the EU, Ukraine, Russia, China, India, and Muslim strongholds are aspiring to reach a specific level of corruption, and racing to see who can get there first.

Obi Wan Kenobi: Mos Eisley spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at October 18, 2026 01:21 PM (qx7Zg)

124
Yes, Russia and Putin began this border dispute without sufficient provocation...

But did not Slow Joe in effect say, "Well, if Putin attacks Ukraine, perhaps he will not attack it TOO much..." That was an invite to par-tay extended by a globalist know it all whose ability to foresee any future extended no further than to when he next would soil himself.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at October 18, 2026 01:22 PM (trSL4)

125 102 They are looting the Food King.

Posted by: r hennigantx

What I learned today. The French verb for "to loot" is "pillar".

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 01:13 PM (ndZc7)

Oh, THAT'S how Muzzies are the pillars of their communities...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at October 18, 2026 01:22 PM (l3cgK)

126 Every time Trump says there is an understanding or an agreement of some sort, between the two sided, here come Zelenskyy with some BS and total contradiction of everything that Trump says.

Posted by: runner at October 18, 2026 01:23 PM (AKptf)

127 Clinton convinced the Ukraine to give up their nukes saying the West would defend them. So Bubba is responsible for this crap also

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 18, 2026 01:23 PM (kGIZD)

128 I'm always surprised by the troll's inability to form a cogent sentence.

Posted by: Halfhand at October 18, 2026 01:23 PM (9JZkc)

129 This Zelensky fuck needs to disappear

Posted by: Vibe-ing with Savage Henry at October 18, 2026 01:24 PM (ZxPkt)

130 Youth" means black.
Posted by: In case you didn't know at October 18, 2026 12:50 PM (SeSfo)

In Europe also Muslim.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 18, 2026 01:24 PM (/J9Hq)

131 120 The important thing for us is that Ukranyans are trying to sink R and Trump's chances of keeping the House.
Posted by: runner

Every single nation is interfering with our elections which is why I favor retrenching back to the Western Hemisphere and letting these meglomaniac and greedy assholes off each other.

Canada for example is doing much of the same shit, UK ditto, China and Russia, ditto, Ukraine also. Frankly we are beset in the world by a bunch of asshole nations including our allies that want to abuse us.

Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:24 PM (E4rtv)

132
What could go wrong?
Posted by: Aetius451AD

Queue up Talking Heads' "Burning Down the House".

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at October 18, 2026 01:24 PM (trSL4)

133 Whete are the Saints going to camp at when they get to France?

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2026 01:24 PM (Ia/+0)

134 Besides 'Never start a land war in Asia', a common saying is never get dragged into Democrat wars.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 18, 2026 01:24 PM (AG5Uy)

135 Whete are the Saints going to camp at when they get to France?
Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2026 01:24 PM

ISWYDT

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 18, 2026 01:25 PM (AG5Uy)

136 Saints are scheduled to leave tonight for Paris, where they play the Steelers next Sunday at Stade de France. Despite intense riots and social unrest there, the NFL says the game is on.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 01:18 PM (aD4fx)

What could go wrong?

Posted by: Aetius451AD

Just change the team names to the Dead Christians and Looters.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 01:25 PM (ndZc7)

137 The left has never not been in love with Russia.

Well except 1939-1941.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at October 18, 2026 01:25 PM (RIvkX)

138 126 Every time Trump says there is an understanding or an agreement of some sort, between the two sided, here come Zelenskyy with some BS and total contradiction of everything that Trump says.
Posted by: runner
======
Putin might survive a peace, Zelenskyy won't and that includes his stolen wealth. And it doesn't help that the Euros have their hand up Zelenskyy's ass because they want to keep those frozen Russian assets to pay for what they spent on this stupid war.

Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:25 PM (E4rtv)

139 It looks as if the goatraper businesses are being left alone. And the Jewish businesses are being targeted. Imagine that.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at October 18, 2026 01:26 PM (8B4gm)

140 Every single nation is interfering with our elections which is why I favor retrenching back to the Western Hemisphere and letting these meglomaniac and greedy assholes off each other.

Canada for example is doing much of the same shit, UK ditto, China and Russia, ditto, Ukraine also. Frankly we are beset in the world by a bunch of asshole nations including our allies that want to abuse us.
Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:24 PM (E4rtv)

Not "every nation" has impact on gas prices, whig.

Posted by: runner at October 18, 2026 01:27 PM (AKptf)

141 Fifty-two minutes to Macron's speech.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at October 18, 2026 01:09 PM (aD4fx)

He will blame anyone and everyone except the real problem.

Islam.

Posted by: Mohammed Mohammed El Mohammed at October 18, 2026 01:27 PM (JAh4c)

142 If Bush gave his word there would be no NATO expansion, it was not recorded anywhere in writing. No treaty.
On the other hand, the US, UK, and, ironically, Russia, signed an understanding by which Ukraine's borders would be guaranteed, in exchange for the latter giving up nuclear weapons.
It's hard for me to understand why Bush's verbal agreement matters, but a written understanding doesn't.

Posted by: PG at October 18, 2026 01:27 PM (uzddd)

143
The Ukies v Rooskis cohorts have seen first hand the precipitous fall from grace of the "Two States' Solution" advocates at State.

They are stirring any and every pot to forestall the same fate from befalling them.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at October 18, 2026 01:27 PM (trSL4)

144 119 I've always wondered , if 'Ukraine" so good, howcome (new word coined here) there is NO extradition treaty with the US and Ukraine?

I mean, there have been (and maybe this continues) problems with hackers/hacking teams, credit card thievery / exploitation out of Ukraine - and they won't / can't extradite 'persons' involved ...
Posted by: _Jim

Neither does Russia. Best to be beyond binary thinking--it is possible that Euroland, Ukraine, and Russia are all run by self serving assholes that wish the US ill. No reason this historical era is much different than previous ones where Washington warned the US of permanent foreign entanglements.

Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:28 PM (E4rtv)

145 Speaking of youuuuthes I see a lot of scuttlebutt that a group of illiterate football yuuuthes from Auburn beat a similar group from Georgia and it’s some kind of big deal.

Wonder if the average gpa of said “student athlete” youths is over or under 1.0. Does anyone even bother pretending they go to class anymore?

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 18, 2026 01:28 PM (/J9Hq)

146 The French government is broke.

Posted by: mrp at October 18, 2026 01:28 PM (rj6Yv)

147 Obi Wan Kenobi: Mos Eisley spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at October 18, 2026 01:21 PM (qx7Zg)

Oh yeah?

Posted by: The US Congress at October 18, 2026 01:29 PM (1Ff7Z)

148
Wonder if the average gpa of said “student athlete” youths is over or under 1.0. Does anyone even bother pretending they go to class anymore?
Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez

They go to their banks far more often than they go to their classes.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at October 18, 2026 01:31 PM (trSL4)

149 The French government is broke.
Posted by: mrp at October 18, 2026 01:28 PM (rj6Yv)

I know right? Imagine...a broke, busted and bankrupt government in debt to itself. I mean really. Using the public till to buy votes and influence people. Could never happen here.

Posted by: Uncle Sugar at October 18, 2026 01:31 PM (JAh4c)

150 They won't do it but the French need to start shooting the rioters asses. This is ridiculous.

Posted by: Case at October 18, 2026 01:31 PM (ROPCF)

151 What they seem to miss is that Ukraine is a kleptocratic cesspool of corruption, and their only saving grace is that they were attacked by Putin's Russia,

===

Ukranians were clever, they did not attack Russia directly, they just stared ethnic cleansing of Russians - starting with language, then physically, within their own territory.

Posted by: runner at October 18, 2026 01:32 PM (AKptf)

152 Been a bit of a Russian history buff in the last decade, definitely read more Russian history than all others

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2026 01:32 PM (Ia/+0)

153 Canada for example is doing much of the same shit, UK ditto, China and Russia, ditto, Ukraine also. Frankly we are beset in the world by a bunch of asshole nations including our allies that want to abuse us.
Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:24 PM (E4rtv)

Major story circulating about a major fire on the Wainwright military base in Alberta with multiple casualties today. The very unusual and cautious statements by government spokesmen lead one to believe that the Canadian military is at fault for the stuation, whatever it is. One video leaked shows it to be a large grass/forest fire, moving very rapidly.

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 18, 2026 01:32 PM (rnLOS)

154 The Ukrainians did not expect that Putin would take on the EU and NATO. Because MI6 did not think that he would!

Posted by: runner at October 18, 2026 01:34 PM (AKptf)

155 It is the height of irony that a team called the Saints will be playing during an Islamic takeover

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 18, 2026 01:34 PM (kGIZD)

156 142
On the other hand, the US, UK, and, ironically, Russia, signed an understanding by which Ukraine's borders would be guaranteed, in exchange for the latter giving up nuclear weapons.
It's hard for me to understand why Bush's verbal agreement matters, but a written understanding doesn't.
Posted by: PG
======
Putin is simply continuing a long line of disastrous Russian thinking about the Near Abroad going back to the czars. And that doctrine was because a lot of Russian plains are not defensible from invasions from the West. Czars worried little about invasions from the East traditionally because the population and political core of the Russian ethnic state was not challenged.

Bush and a bunch of Euros that should have known better thought a temporary collapse of the Russian Empire Mk 2 (called the USSR) was permanent and promptly let loose the CIA, AID, and other obnoxious New World Order types to bring democracy to the Near Abroad which immediately in the aftermath of the Kosovo-Serbian imbroglio Russians took as a direct threat.

NATO should have terminated post-Wall era.

Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:35 PM (E4rtv)

157 >>They were promised that NATO had no plans to expand east, so the buffer between western Europe and mother Russia that the Soviet Union had created wasn't necessary.

You don't say.

The question is why did the uniparty want control of Ukraine so bad the ran a coup in Ukraine and then started hinting at NATO membership knowing it was going to cause Russia to attack just like they did in Georgia?

Posted by: JackStraw at October 18, 2026 01:35 PM (viF8m)

158 They won't do it but the French need to start shooting the rioters asses. This is ridiculous.

Posted by: Case

https://tinyurl.com/339cw9xt

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 01:35 PM (ndZc7)

159 France is a mess. Martial is the only way out now.

Posted by: runner at October 18, 2026 01:37 PM (AKptf)

160 Major story circulating about a major fire on the Wainwright military base in Alberta with multiple casualties today.

You got your dead skunk in the middle of the road. Dead skunk in the middle of the road. Dead skunk in the middle of the road. Stinking to high heaven.

Posted by: Loudon Wainwright III at October 18, 2026 01:37 PM (JAh4c)

161 Ukranians were clever, they did not attack Russia directly, they just stared ethnic cleansing of Russians - starting with language, then physically, within their own territory.
Posted by: runner

Russia has used its spread out minorities as a weapon against surrounding states and just like the US, a minority that is subject to the control of a country outside the US is a national security issue.

Russia got into the endless Balkan wars and WWI in part because of its ethnic pan Slavic bullshit that treated Serbians as the equivalent of Russians. They do the same old shit in Latvia, Lithuania, etc. Frankly, Ukrainians and Russians do the same things to each other and pretend that their side is virtuous while the other guy is a sob. Both countries have assholes running them.

Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:38 PM (E4rtv)

162 A whiff of grapeshot is called for.

Posted by: Vibe-ing with Savage Henry at October 18, 2026 01:38 PM (ZxPkt)

163 151 They won't do it but the French need to start shooting the rioters asses. This is ridiculous.
Posted by: Case at October 18, 2026 01:31 PM (ROPCF)

There is very good precedent for what is happening, and what needs to happen next - the Paris Commune of 1871. Revolutionaries took over Paris for two months with a huge amount of targeted killings and burning of famous landmarks.

The French Army finally responded, and put in end to it at a relatively low cost comparatively; 10,000 to 20,000 of the revolutionaries killed either in battle or executed shortly after capture.

After that, Paris had 40 years of peace and calm.

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 18, 2026 01:39 PM (rnLOS)

164 Major story circulating about a major fire on the Wainwright military base in Alberta with multiple casualties today. The very unusual and cautious statements by government spokesmen lead one to believe that the Canadian military is at fault for the stuation, whatever it is. One video leaked shows it to be a large grass/forest fire, moving very rapidly.

Posted by: Tom Servo

According to local sources on base, Canadian Forces personnel had been conducting exercises over several days when an artillery projectile reportedly struck an active natural gas well on the bombing range, triggering a massive detonation.

The blast is said to have levelled nearby tactical training buildings, with subsequent fires reaching munitions storage and setting off secondary detonations across the range.

-
Hey! I know. Let's hold our artillery live fire drill over by the gas wells.

You mean the ones by the ordnance dumps? Sure.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 01:42 PM (ndZc7)

165 You don't say.

The question is why did the uniparty want control of Ukraine so bad the ran a coup in Ukraine and then started hinting at NATO membership knowing it was going to cause Russia to attack just like they did in Georgia?
Posted by: JackStraw
========
Because the Euros want to use the US guarantee of NATO in order to do their own dirty great game bullshit. Russia is not a saint either doing its own crap like using its nat gas as a energy weapon. All of them are in fact assholes that deserve each other. Just we need to get out of the rubber room that the NATO treaty causes with these crazy SOBs playing their endless Risk games.

If Russia is not careful, it will lose the East to the Chinese and the periphery to its now battle hardened minority ethnics that constitute a similar internal threat that Muzzies do to Euroland.

If we end the mullahs ability to launch nukes via missiles across the Middle East and world, I am for leaving the Middle East to its inhabitants as well.

Return to a strong Navy, Air Force, and Space force protecting us using island bases for defense in depth around the world, and keep the Army at home.

Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:44 PM (E4rtv)

166 Good for CBD that he wasn't swanning about Paris this week and was in Corsicana instead.

Posted by: naturalfake at October 18, 2026 01:11 PM (YSUhf)

Somebody had to stir the Manhattans.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 18, 2026 01:47 PM (EzdDC)

167 Russia has used its spread out minorities as a weapon against surrounding states and just like the US, a minority that is subject to the control of a country outside the US is a national security issue.

Russia got into the endless Balkan wars and WWI in part because of its ethnic pan Slavic bullshit that treated Serbians as the equivalent of Russians. They do the same old shit in Latvia, Lithuania, etc. Frankly, Ukrainians and Russians do the same things to each other and pretend that their side is virtuous while the other guy is a sob. Both countries have assholes running them.
Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:38 PM (E4rtv)

You are forgetting it seems, or maybe not aware, of the numerous treaties throughout the ages that smaller pseudo-states surrounding Russia signed, as a method of protection agains the hordes of whatever they were seeking protection from. Like the Pereiaslav Agreement for example, and others similar.

Posted by: runner at October 18, 2026 01:48 PM (AKptf)

168 Because the Euros want to use the US guarantee of NATO in order to do their own dirty great game bullshit"

And with US dollars...

Posted by: man at October 18, 2026 01:50 PM (k0zLw)

169 Russia got into the endless Balkan wars and WWI in part because of its ethnic pan Slavic bullshit that treated Serbians as the equivalent of Russians. They do the same old shit in Latvia, Lithuania, etc. Frankly, Ukrainians and Russians do the same things to each other and pretend that their side is virtuous while the other guy is a sob. Both countries have assholes running them.
Posted by: whig

Reminds me of my WWI joke. How did the war start, anyway?

All the countries were led by f*cking idiots.

Thank goodness we don't have to worry about that today!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 01:52 PM (ndZc7)

170 >>Because the Euros want to use the US guarantee of NATO in order to do their own dirty great game bullshit. Russia is not a saint either doing its own crap like using its nat gas as a energy weapon. All of them are in fact assholes that deserve each other. Just we need to get out of the rubber room that the NATO treaty causes with these crazy SOBs playing their endless Risk games.

There are no saints in international matters. But there are stupid decisions.

When the Soviets started moving missiles to Cuba it nearly caused WWIII. Why anyone thought the west fucking around in Ukraine wouldn't incite a similar reaction is a mystery.

Of course Putin was going to go to guns. Just like he did in Georgia and just like he did in Kazakhstan although almost nobody noticed that one.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 18, 2026 01:53 PM (viF8m)

171 Interesting YouTuber on everything Russian you might want to ask, Elvira Bary, have watched maybe 2 dozen of her videos

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2026 01:53 PM (Ia/+0)

172 >> and the NATO pressure on Russia's borders, whether real or imagined by a paranoid Putin, increased.

Assumes evidence that doesn’t exist.

I don’t know what it will take for some people to realize, apart from Ukraine, that Putin has, and still is trying to undermine our country. He’s been part of every nefarious effort and funded every subversive, terrorist group and enemy of the United States. A lot of the blood in battles we fought for the last 20 years is on his hands. His bots are on X pushing every divisive piece of propaganda he can. His hands are all over the mass migration efforts and riots. He has a basic internal desire to destroy our country no matter what it takes, and that has zero to do with Ukraine.

Posted by: Vengeance at October 18, 2026 01:53 PM (xkNPX)

173 How do the yuuuutes know what business is owned by Joos vs non-Joos? Unless the buisness is explicitly Jewish like a kosher deli or something.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 18, 2026 01:54 PM (/J9Hq)

174 Putin sees Ukraine as hurting his prestige. He doesn’t care what it takes to subdue them. He also sees the fact Ukraine has held their own for this long as a direct affront to his power. Meanwhile the Russian people and economy pay the price.

Posted by: Vengeance at October 18, 2026 01:55 PM (xkNPX)

175 How do the yuuuutes know what business is owned by Joos vs non-Joos? Unless the buisness is explicitly Jewish like a kosher deli or something.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez

According to the link above about Milan,they came equipped with lists.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 01:56 PM (ndZc7)

176 Which surprises me because I thought England would go first."

Our news can't translate...

Posted by: man at October 18, 2026 01:57 PM (k0zLw)

177 How do the yuuuutes know what business is owned by Joos vs non-Joos? Unless the buisness is explicitly Jewish like a kosher deli or something.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 18, 2026 01:54 PM (/J9Hq)

The French have experience at keeping lists of Jews and Jewish owned businesses. The museum of The Shoah in Paris has samples of the files they built for the Nazis.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 18, 2026 01:57 PM (TGuwa)

178 Does anyone truly believe Putin wants to take over Poland and Romania and shit? This is scaremongering by Ukraine to get Europeans on their side. Give me a fucking break.

Posted by: Sandy Cocazio Ortez at October 18, 2026 01:57 PM (/J9Hq)

179 Putin is getting up in age, no telling how many yesrs he has left to hold power. Would get interesting if he dropped over some day out of the blue.

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2026 01:58 PM (Ia/+0)

180 The French government is broke.
Posted by: mrp at October 18, 2026 01:28 PM (rj6Yv)

Invest in brioche.

Posted by: LASue at October 18, 2026 01:58 PM (lCppi)

181 Not "every nation" has impact on gas prices, whig.
Posted by: runner

Interference is interference. Canada is targeting competitive senate race states with tariffs and bans, and so on. UK is mucking about with City of London trying to spike insurance rates on tankers to affect our elections, France and Spain, doing their best to keep us from attacking their mullah friendz by hindering US strikes on the mullahs, I can go on. Russia cyber strikes and amplifying batshit crazy Tuca and his vile compatriots like Massie the Assie, etc. are interference in US elections. I can go on but the basic facts are the US has lots of people claiming to be friendly to it but are actually waiting to stab us in the back to suit their internal ruling classes.

Truth is most countries, apart from mebbe Israel and Japan, are in fact run by murderous thieving assholes that wish the US ill one way or another.

Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 01:58 PM (E4rtv)

182 I don't think Putin will touch Poland

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2026 01:59 PM (Ia/+0)

183 According to the link above about Milan,they came equipped with lists.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Up, Up, and Away! at October 18, 2026 01:56 PM (ndZc7)

From a government office no doubt.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at October 18, 2026 01:59 PM (1Ff7Z)

184 NOOD

Posted by: Skip at October 18, 2026 02:00 PM (Ia/+0)

185 I was fighting it, but like a moth to a flame -

NYT, 2 days ago, Is This the Breaking Point for Trump and Zelensky? And also, Zelensky Says Ukraine Will Resume Russian Refinery Strikes, Defying Trump

The Telegraph, 2 days ago, Trump: Zelensky is destroying Ukraine (US president says Ukrainian leader is ‘more difficult to deal with than Putin)

The Weekly Times, 1 day ago, Zelensky drums up European backing as Trump ties slump

CGTN, also 1 day ago, Ukraine's Zelensky says believes US will lift more Russia sanctions

Breaking the news, 2 hrs. ago, Zelensky says he held talks with Witkoff, Kushner

And minutes ago, 'Zelensky: We are in nonstop contact with US'

The Australian, 1 hr ago, Zelensky tells NBC ‘thankful’ US has unblocked intelligence sharing

Blackmailing, thieving little oligarch who became the entire political platform for the Democrats since O, Brennan, Hillary, etc. It suits them; it's easy in many ways.

And USAID is only over under "USAID."

imho, of course.

Posted by: L - No nic... at October 18, 2026 02:00 PM (NFX2v)

186 179 Putin is getting up in age, no telling how many yesrs he has left to hold power. Would get interesting if he dropped over some day out of the blue.
Posted by: Skip
=====
Same as Xi, opaque to us about their health and each have their own succession issues. The peril of an autocratic leader is that they cannot groom a successor lest that successor decide to make the leadership change early.

Posted by: whig at October 18, 2026 02:01 PM (E4rtv)

187 Trust no one.

Posted by: toby928(c) intones sonorously at October 18, 2026 02:01 PM (AG5Uy)

188 an artillery projectile reportedly struck"

Sgt. Hulka hardest hit...

Posted by: man at October 18, 2026 02:02 PM (k0zLw)

189 I'm on YouTube now. I queried France Riots Oct 18 and there are videos from a few hours ago.

This bgonthescene is showing the streets.

LOL - looks like a war zone. Why the lol? France is getting to enjoy their multi-culturalism - Canada's official policy - to the fullest.

Good and hard.

Posted by: Stateless - Ralphy - 106 years old! Puppy at heart! at October 18, 2026 02:07 PM (Sco7b)

190 an artillery projectile reportedly struck"

Sgt. Hulka hardest hit...
Posted by: man at October 18, 2026 02:02 PM (k0zLw)

It is very easy to.screw up artillery fire. Artillery flies a long way and just be off a tiny bit on the aim and you miss bigly. Be wrong on the propellant, and you can miss by a mile!

Posted by: Diogenes at October 18, 2026 02:12 PM (2WIwB)

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