I have to honestly say I don't know who is telling the truth or is using propaganda. This is why there is a term called "the fog of war." But I do believe Ukraine has the right to be their own Nation. And Putin and his Russia have bitten off more than they can chew. In a conventional war, Russia has lost. The only thing at this point that will save the day for Putin and Russia is their nuclear arsenal.
This is why the World is on "tender hooks." Putin is unpredictable. He is some what like Hitler. He'll maybe go down with the ship.But the question is, is he willing to take down the rest of the world with him?
It makes me curious at times what Hitler would have done if he had access to atom bombs.
He probably would have used them before drilling a hole through his head with a Walther p38.
Putin is facing a nuclear dilemma and a similar demise as Der Fuher.
so should the US offer Putin a way out?
No. This is, as far as I'm concerned Putins War. He made his bed, let him sleep in it. All through out history some nations have tried to help other nations that were invaded for no apparent reason. In Korea and Viet Nam the Russians and Chinese were arming the armies we were fighting against.
Feel free to elaborate how the Thought Police will round and punish freethinking non-conformists.
oh good. Please elaborate on how your free speech and civil liberty have been curtailed.
I'll wait.
You just don't want to be held responsible for your views. You don't want anyone to push back, you don't want to be criticized for taking the Russian side. That's not how this works. You can say and write what you want but you will also get pushback. That's not a free speech stoppage.
Feel free to elaborate how the Thought Police will round and punish freethinking non-conformists.
oh good. Please elaborate on how your free speech and civil liberty have been curtailed.
I'll wait.
You just don't want to be held responsible for your views. You don't want anyone to push back, you don't want to be criticized for taking the Russian side. That's not how this works. You can say and write what you want but you will also get pushback. That's not a free speech stoppage.
Ernest is very concerned that free speech, civility liberty, and truth have not been sufficiently curtailed in Russia.
A Moscow prosecutor has asked a court to declare as \"extremist\" the work of rapper Oxxxymiron, one of Russia's most popular musicians, who has publicly opposed the invasion of Ukraine, Russian news agencies reported.
Pentagon and front-line Ukraine soldiers state there is no "offensive"
"there was no counteroffensive" "There is no counteroffensive and there won’t be" "There might be an imitation of [a counteroffensive] but there won’t be a real one. We absolutely do not have the weaponry for one."
Ukraine Southern Command calls for press censorship:
"...media attention could affect the results... Let’s filter information..."
Meanwhile, another assassination in Kherson, this time a grain merchant accused of being a collaborator. Had the back of his head blown off with a shotgun, while his wife was stabbed in the neck.
Is it too much to ask we be truthful? And not celebrate or sanction murder of civilians?
Feel free to elaborate how the Thought Police will round and punish freethinking non-conformists.
oh good. Please elaborate on how your free speech and civil liberty have been curtailed.
I'll wait.
You just don't want to be held responsible for your views. You don't want anyone to push back, you don't want to be criticized for taking the Russian side. That's not how this works. You can say and write what you want but you will also get pushback. That's not a free speech stoppage.
Well, this post for example.
I am characterized as "taking the Russian side", even though I post facts and opinions critical of all sides.
The simplistic view seems to be "you're with us or against us".
I can be neither.
Pointing out mistruths or misdeeds on the Russian side seems fine, but noting the same from others consistently invites condemnation.
For not singularly representing every Ukraine action and statement as right and true, I have been called a "Russian Troll", "Anti-American", and much worse.
There are mean-spirited posters here regularly calling others down, while calling for violence and even genocide.
Personal attacks serve to intimidate others into keeping quiet, stifling discussion and participation. It's toxic.
Pentagon and front-line Ukraine soldiers state there is no "offensive"
"there was no counteroffensive" "There is no counteroffensive and there won’t be" "There might be an imitation of [a counteroffensive] but there won’t be a real one. We absolutely do not have the weaponry for one."
Ukraine Southern Command calls for press censorship:
"...media attention could affect the results... Let’s filter information..."
Meanwhile, another assassination in Kherson, this time a grain merchant accused of being a collaborator. Had the back of his head blown off with a shotgun, while his wife was stabbed in the neck.
Is it too much to ask we be truthful? And not celebrate or sanction murder of civilians?
You're calling out one guy, who doesn't appear to have even posted in this thread before, for one sentence, that may or may not even be wrong. That's called strawman.
You cite two sources, the US Pentagon and the Guardian, that I'm willing to bet money that you previously said were sources of propaganda and not credible. That's called hypocrisy.
You then change topics with a vague reference to a murder of a civilian in Kherson. If you were referring to Oleksiy Kovalev, from what I'm reading (I had to go find it since you didn't cite anything for some reason), there is much more to him than merely your label as a civilian grain merchant. You're aware of your omissions regarding Kovalev. That's called being misleading.
Yet again, your make-believe schtick as some neutral observer appears to be only fooling yourself.
oh good. Please elaborate on how your free speech and civil liberty have been curtailed.
I'll wait.
You just don't want to be held responsible for your views. You don't want anyone to push back, you don't want to be criticized for taking the Russian side. That's not how this works. You can say and write what you want but you will also get pushback. That's not a free speech stoppage.
Well, this post for example.
I am characterized as "taking the Russian side", even though I post facts and opinions critical of all sides.
The simplistic view seems to be "you're with us or against us".
I can be neither.
Pointing out mistruths or misdeeds on the Russian side seems fine, but noting the same from others consistently invites condemnation.
For not singularly representing every Ukraine action and statement as right and true, I have been called a "Russian Troll", "Anti-American", and much worse.
There are mean-spirited posters here regularly calling others down, while calling for violence and even genocide.
Personal attacks serve to intimidate others into keeping quiet, stifling discussion and participation. It's toxic.
Ernest’s posting history
Snake Island - Ukraine is lying. They only hit three patches of dirt, or maybe an old communication tower. Next day, Russia retreats.
Butterfly mines in Donetsk - The UK MOD is lying and they were most likely put there by Ukraine.
Attack on POW camp in Olenivka - Ukraine probably killed their own POWs.
Attack on Kramatorsk railway station - Most likely done by Ukraine.
Man, I wonder how people could mistake you for a pro-Putin troll when on every occasion you have blamed Ukraine without evidence. Let me guess, you blame them for being invaded too, just like your pal Carmine.
Pentagon and front-line Ukraine soldiers state there is no "offensive"
"there was no counteroffensive" "There is no counteroffensive and there won’t be" "There might be an imitation of [a counteroffensive] but there won’t be a real one. We absolutely do not have the weaponry for one."
Ukraine Southern Command calls for press censorship:
"...media attention could affect the results... Let’s filter information..."
Meanwhile, another assassination in Kherson, this time a grain merchant accused of being a collaborator. Had the back of his head blown off with a shotgun, while his wife was stabbed in the neck.
Is it too much to ask we be truthful? And not celebrate or sanction murder of civilians?
You're calling out one guy, who doesn't appear to have even posted in this thread before, for one sentence, that may or may not even be wrong. That's called strawman.
You cite two sources, the US Pentagon and the Guardian, that I'm willing to bet money that you previously said were sources of propaganda and not credible. That's called hypocrisy.
You then change topics with a vague reference to a murder of a civilian in Kherson. If you were referring to Oleksiy Kovalev, from what I'm reading (I had to go find it since you didn't cite anything for some reason), there is much more to him than merely your label as a civilian grain merchant. You're aware of your omissions regarding Kovalev. That's called being misleading.
Yet again, your make-believe schtick as some neutral observer appears to be only fooling yourself.
Save the insults. Read the article. I merely paraphrased it.
But please go on.
Kindly clarify whether extra-judicial murders, civilian assassinations, is a bad thing or good thing?
"The military commanders have got to advise, Look, Mr. President, we have done as much as we can, but we really can’t throw the Russians out."Former British ...
I am characterized as "taking the Russian side", even though I post facts and opinions critical of all sides.
The simplistic view seems to be "you're with us or against us".
I can be neither.
Pointing out mistruths or misdeeds on the Russian side seems fine, but noting the same from others consistently invites condemnation.
For not singularly representing every Ukraine action and statement as right and true, I have been called a "Russian Troll", "Anti-American", and much worse.
There are mean-spirited posters here regularly calling others down, while calling for violence and even genocide.
Personal attacks serve to intimidate others into keeping quiet, stifling discussion and participation. It's toxic.
Ernest’s posting history
Snake Island - Ukraine is lying. They only hit three patches of dirt, or maybe an old communication tower. Next day, Russia retreats.
Butterfly mines in Donetsk - The UK MOD is lying and they were most likely put there by Ukraine.
Attack on POW camp in Olenivka - Ukraine probably killed their own POWs.
Attack on Kramatorsk railway station - Most likely done by Ukraine.
Man, I wonder how people could mistake you for a pro-Putin troll when on every occasion you have blamed Ukraine without evidence. Let me guess, you blame them for being invaded too, just like your pal Carmine.
This hardly comprehensive. You are nit-picking and selectively presenting facts in an attempt to discredit me and everything I've posted.
Anyway, in review:
1. Snake Island. I corrected myself about the damage assessment as soon as new information became available.
2. Butterfly mines. Assessment stands. I stated Ukraine attacking a Russian-held area seemed "more likely than not" than Russia attacking Russian-held territory. What is claimed as proof-positive of Russian culpability is a British MOD claim made with no evidence or source provided. In contrast, another poster stated Russia rained butterfly mines down on a Russian-held civilian neighbourhood to restrict movement of would-be saboteurs. Ridiculously improbable, yet you took no issue with that position.
3. Attack on POW barracks. The barracks were newly constructed. It was away from the usual POW barracks. Prisoners had been moved there 1 or 2 days prior to the attack. I allowed for a possibility Ukraine performed a precision strike based on an incorrect report is was barracks for guards or soldiers. There was a lot of that occurring then. I took no certain position and still do not.
4. Attack on Kramatorsk railway station. In an absence of early facts, I did express doubt about who conducted the attack. I later revised this position, stating it seemed likely to me that Russia conducted the attack. Following the evidence, what there is, is consistent with my approach - even if it sometimes presents conclusions Western propagandists are uncomfortable with.
Carmine is not my "pal" and there is no basis for "guessing that I blame Ukraine for being invaded". Just more insults.
You can find plenty of posts in this thread where I called out Russian propaganda and misdeeds.
Snake Island - Ukraine is lying. They only hit three patches of dirt, or maybe an old communication tower. Next day, Russia retreats.
Butterfly mines in Donetsk - The UK MOD is lying and they were most likely put there by Ukraine.
Attack on POW camp in Olenivka - Ukraine probably killed their own POWs.
Attack on Kramatorsk railway station - Most likely done by Ukraine.
Man, I wonder how people could mistake you for a pro-Putin troll when on every occasion you have blamed Ukraine without evidence. Let me guess, you blame them for being invaded too, just like your pal Carmine.
This hardly comprehensive. You are nit-picking and selectively presenting facts in an attempt to discredit me and everything I've posted.
Anyway, in review:
1. Snake Island. I corrected myself about the damage assessment as soon as new information became available.
2. Butterfly mines. Assessment stands. I stated Ukraine attacking a Russian-held area seemed "more likely than not" than Russia attacking Russian-held territory. What is claimed as proof-positive of Russian culpability is a British MOD claim made with no evidence or source provided. In contrast, another poster stated Russia rained butterfly mines down on a Russian-held civilian neighbourhood to restrict movement of would-be saboteurs. Ridiculously improbable, yet you took no issue with that position.
3. Attack on POW barracks. The barracks were newly constructed. It was away from the usual POW barracks. Prisoners had been moved there 1 or 2 days prior to the attack. I allowed for a possibility Ukraine performed a precision strike based on an incorrect report is was barracks for guards or soldiers. There was a lot of that occurring then. I took no certain position and still do not.
4. Attack on Kramatorsk railway station. In an absence of early facts, I did express doubt about who conducted the attack. I later revised this position, stating it seemed likely to me that Russia conducted the attack. Following the evidence, what there is, is consistent with my approach - even if it sometimes presents conclusions Western propagandists are uncomfortable with.
Carmine is not my "pal" and there is no basis for "guessing that I blame Ukraine for being invaded". Just more insults.
You can find plenty of posts in this thread where I called out Russian propaganda and misdeeds.
So in every case you blamed Ukraine, despite evidence pointing to Russia, as I said. Again, the problem with always taking Russia’s side is that people may mistake you for being pro-Russian.
oh good. Please elaborate on how your free speech and civil liberty have been curtailed.
I'll wait.
You just don't want to be held responsible for your views. You don't want anyone to push back, you don't want to be criticized for taking the Russian side. That's not how this works. You can say and write what you want but you will also get pushback. That's not a free speech stoppage.
Ernest is very concerned that free speech, civility liberty, and truth have not been sufficiently curtailed in Russia.
I made no reference to what these freedoms are in Russia, but what they ought to be here.
The precipitating message was not speaking to my own situation, but in response to a post seemingly calling for political round-up and prosecution of "Russian Trolls".
Hereabouts, that definition encompasses anyone expressing views not fully supportive of Ukraine narrative.
