Russia - Ukraine

[highfigh]

The other danger in all this is a Russo/Chinese alliance or detent. The Chinese have been salivating to swallow Taiwan for some time now. If the Russians are not resisted, then China will be emboldened. We can not in any way tolerate the annexation of Taiwan.

Getting back to audio matters, look after your gear with great care. Sanctions against China could happen with swiftness. That would certainly upset a lot of supply chains.

History tells us that in times like these a lot of cards can fall in quick succession.

I fear these are dark times.

What supply chain for AV equipment? Sure, some thinks are in stock but even the largest distributors have no idea when they'll be receiving many of their best selling product categories. Nobody has a line on a way to get product into the US. It would be interesting to see what's sitting on cargo ships.

Biden will not be able to handle this in the way he needs to and it will not go well- the World depends on a strong US POTUS and that doesn't describe him. If he can't handle it and leaves office for some reason, Harris can't be moved into the White House- she's far from the person needed. Do we have a special election?

 

[SithZedi]

What supply chain for AV equipment? Sure, some thinks are in stock but even the largest distributors have no idea when they'll be receiving many of their best selling product categories. Nobody has a line on a way to get product into the US. It would be interesting to see what's sitting on cargo ships.

Biden will not be able to handle this in the way he needs to and it will not go well- the World depends on a strong US POTUS and that doesn't describe him. If he can't handle it and leaves office for some reason, Harris can't be moved into the White House- she's far from the person needed. Do we have a special election?

Well if something happens to Biden and Harris I believe we'll get "Suddenly Nancy" as president. Have to check the Constitution again for this scenario.....

 

[j_garcia]

I really didn't think he would do it again. I guess nothing really happened to them after the whole Crimea thing, but really, I don't see what he thinks is really going to happen. Not a good sign of things to come for all those bordering countries.

 

[3db]

I have to say that I disagree on allowing Ukraine into NATO. For one, I believe only liberal democracies with a commitment to the rule of law should be admitted to the alliance. Ukraine, while making efforts to get to such a state, is not there yet. And now, it looks like they won't get there for the foreseeable future - if at all. At the same time, it's not for Russia to make such decisions and we were right not agree to their demands to never admit Ukraine.

And, it's a Catch-22 situation. An invitation to Ukraine to join would have triggered an immediate Russian invasion anyway. So, damned if you do, damned if you don't.


I'm not sure what Canada could have done that would make a difference. Our own Finance Minister (who is also Deputy PM) has been declared persona non grata by the Russian regime because of her prior support for Ukraine.


Russia better hope they're self-sufficient because they soon won't be able to afford imports as the Ruble continues to tank.

Looks like we are going to disagree on the Ukranian membership into NATO. If Ukraine was allowed in early enough even in a limited capacity, we could have build up early enough and Putin would not have risked a military involvement with NATO. Its too late now.

Canada imports from Russia far more goods than we export to Russia including oil and platinum. Economic santions dont work and history has prooved that time and time again. I just point you to North Korea. Yes its hurting but the leadership is still in control and shows no sign of collapsing.

 

[highfigh]

Well if something happens to Biden and Harris I believe we'll get "Suddenly Nancy" as president. Have to check the Constitution again for this scenario.....

Yup- speaker of the house is next, after VP.

If anyone thinks losing POTUS will go smoothly, guess again.

No.	Office[3]	Incumbent	Party
1	Vice President	Kamala Harris		Democratic
2	Speaker of the House of Representatives	Nancy Pelosi		Democratic
3	President pro tempore of the Senate	Patrick Leahy		Democratic
4	Secretary of State	Antony Blinken		Democratic
5	Secretary of the Treasury	Janet Yellen		Democratic
6	Secretary of Defense	Lloyd Austin		Unknown
7	Attorney General	Merrick Garland		Unknown
8	Secretary of the Interior	Deb Haaland		Democratic
9	Secretary of Agriculture	Tom Vilsack		Democratic
10	Secretary of Commerce	Gina Raimondo		Democratic
11	Secretary of Labor	Marty Walsh		Democratic
12	Secretary of Health and Human Services	Xavier Becerra		Democratic
13	Secretary of Housing and Urban Development	Marcia Fudge		Democratic
14	Secretary of Transportation	Pete Buttigieg		Democratic
–[A]	Secretary of Energy	Jennifer Granholm		Democratic
15	Secretary of Education	Miguel Cardona		Democratic
16	Secretary of Veterans Affairs	Denis McDonough		Democratic
–[A]	Secretary of Homeland Security	Alejandro Mayorkas		Unknown

 

[SithZedi]

Yup- speaker of the house is next, after VP.

If anyone thinks losing POTUS will go smoothly, guess again.

No.	Office[3]	Incumbent	Party
1	Vice President	Kamala Harris		Democratic
2	Speaker of the House of Representatives	Nancy Pelosi		Democratic
3	President pro tempore of the Senate	Patrick Leahy		Democratic
4	Secretary of State	Antony Blinken		Democratic
5	Secretary of the Treasury	Janet Yellen		Democratic
6	Secretary of Defense	Lloyd Austin		Unknown
7	Attorney General	Merrick Garland		Unknown
8	Secretary of the Interior	Deb Haaland		Democratic
9	Secretary of Agriculture	Tom Vilsack		Democratic
10	Secretary of Commerce	Gina Raimondo		Democratic
11	Secretary of Labor	Marty Walsh		Democratic
12	Secretary of Health and Human Services	Xavier Becerra		Democratic
13	Secretary of Housing and Urban Development	Marcia Fudge		Democratic
14	Secretary of Transportation	Pete Buttigieg		Democratic
–[A]	Secretary of Energy	Jennifer Granholm		Democratic
15	Secretary of Education	Miguel Cardona		Democratic
16	Secretary of Veterans Affairs	Denis McDonough		Democratic
–[A]	Secretary of Homeland Security	Alejandro Mayorkas		Unknown

Talk about Designated Survivor. Although I would admit liking more the Kiefer Sutherland in 24 for the job versus the former......

 

[John Parks]

Yup- speaker of the house is next, after VP.

If anyone thinks losing POTUS will go smoothly, guess again.

No.	Office[3]	Incumbent	Party
1	Vice President	Kamala Harris		Democratic
2	Speaker of the House of Representatives	Nancy Pelosi		Democratic
3	President pro tempore of the Senate	Patrick Leahy		Democratic
4	Secretary of State	Antony Blinken		Democratic
5	Secretary of the Treasury	Janet Yellen		Democratic
6	Secretary of Defense	Lloyd Austin		Unknown
7	Attorney General	Merrick Garland		Unknown
8	Secretary of the Interior	Deb Haaland		Democratic
9	Secretary of Agriculture	Tom Vilsack		Democratic
10	Secretary of Commerce	Gina Raimondo		Democratic
11	Secretary of Labor	Marty Walsh		Democratic
12	Secretary of Health and Human Services	Xavier Becerra		Democratic
13	Secretary of Housing and Urban Development	Marcia Fudge		Democratic
14	Secretary of Transportation	Pete Buttigieg		Democratic
–[A]	Secretary of Energy	Jennifer Granholm		Democratic
15	Secretary of Education	Miguel Cardona		Democratic
16	Secretary of Veterans Affairs	Denis McDonough		Democratic
–[A]	Secretary of Homeland Security	Alejandro Mayorkas		Unknown

Well that is a depressing list if I ever saw one...

 

[Replicant 7]

Talk about Designated Survivor. Although I would admit liking more the Kiefer Sutherland in 24 for the job versus the former......

Lmao, was just thinking the same thing, before I read your post. Was gonna post something alone those lines but you beat me to it. Very nice!

 

[SithZedi]

Well that is a depressing list if I ever saw one...

Isn't Gran

Well that is a depressing list if I ever saw one...

Mayorkas is the only one I could take on that list and he's ineligible.

 

[highfigh]

Isn't Gran

Mayorkas is the only one I could take on that list and he's ineligible.

Why the EFF would you take him? Have you seen or heard his comments on how they're 'handling' the border?

 

[MaxInValrico]

Not in agreement with you there. There are changes, sometimes dramatic, when you dismiss or early retire personnel which happened many times under Obama's 8 years.
When Biden took office, new leadership sets the tone and priorities even in the thickest of bureaucracies. Should you review testimonies by Austin and Milley in front of Congress prior to the Afgh. withdrawal, you might think otherwise. In a nutshell, climate change, "Countering Extremists Working Group", and diversity were to be major points of focus. Later on, unvaxx'ed personnel. If you think this doesn't matter to military personnel, or morale, or that the Afgh withdrawal is not relevant, well again we disagree.

A properly run military should be always focused on training for combat so they can kill the enemy. If they get called in to do so that's the job.

How many years have you spent in the military and what service were you in?

 

[GO-NAD!]

Looks like we are going to disagree on the Ukranian membership into NATO. If Ukraine was allowed in early enough even in a limited capacity, we could have build up early enough and Putin would not have risked a military involvement with NATO. Its too late now.

Canada imports from Russia far more goods than we export to Russia including oil and platinum. Economic santions dont work and history has prooved that time and time again. I just point you to North Korea. Yes its hurting but the leadership is still in control and shows no sign of collapsing.

We don't import any oil from Russia and Canada is the 4th largest producer of platinum in the world, so I doubt we get any of that from Russia either. I'm happy to make Russia a super-sized North Korea if they insist on being a$$holes.

 

[Danzilla31]

I may be wrong, but I highly doubt Russia will attack a NATO member for the very reason that it would trigger Article 5 - an attack on one is an attack on all. To reinforce that policy, the US, UK, Germany and Canada have forces stationed in Poland, Romania and the Baltic countries. They aren't there in sufficient numbers to stop a determined attack, but their very presence means engaging with those countries forces would remove all question of how NATO would respond. Otherwise, Putin might be tempted to test NATO's will to honour Article 5.

But, make no mistake, these are indeed, dark times.

I don't know Putin has done everything he said he would do. He said if Ukraine wasn't taken off the table for NATO this is what he would do. Sure enough that's what he did. He also said if Ukraine ever did become a member it would be all out war. Based on his actions here he may not be bluffing

I'm not taking his side I just don't know if Ukraine would ever be allowed to join. Simply because of the geographical importance of that region for Russia. They seem quiet serious about not letting NATO that close to there borders.

He will take Ukraine. Taking it and having the resources to hold it indefinetly is another matter. Especially with the Sanctions he will be enduring. Unless he has figured out a way around those.

Maybe since the sanctions that would hurt the most cant be implemented. Which is on his gas and oil. This just kills NATOS ability to do anything. The fact that some of its members depend on that sector from Russia. Its like trying to fight an opponent with one hand tied behind your back.

 

[Mr._Clark]

There are quite a few videos of the Russian attacks on YouTube. Some are quite dramatic:

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

If there is anything the Russians don't know about the Blackhawk or A29, it's because they just aren't interested. They aren't particularly exotic aircraft.
...

I wouldn't mind having a Blackhawk parked in my back yard. With some fuel storage tanks full as well.
Haven't flown it but there is a first time for many things.

 

[Dude#1279435]

Yup- speaker of the house is next, after VP.

If anyone thinks losing POTUS will go smoothly, guess again.

No.	Office[3]	Incumbent	Party
1	Vice President	Kamala Harris		Democratic
2	Speaker of the House of Representatives	Nancy Pelosi		Democratic
3	President pro tempore of the Senate	Patrick Leahy		Democratic
4	Secretary of State	Antony Blinken		Democratic
5	Secretary of the Treasury	Janet Yellen		Democratic
6	Secretary of Defense	Lloyd Austin		Unknown
7	Attorney General	Merrick Garland		Unknown
8	Secretary of the Interior	Deb Haaland		Democratic
9	Secretary of Agriculture	Tom Vilsack		Democratic
10	Secretary of Commerce	Gina Raimondo		Democratic
11	Secretary of Labor	Marty Walsh		Democratic
12	Secretary of Health and Human Services	Xavier Becerra		Democratic
13	Secretary of Housing and Urban Development	Marcia Fudge		Democratic
14	Secretary of Transportation	Pete Buttigieg		Democratic
–[A]	Secretary of Energy	Jennifer Granholm		Democratic
15	Secretary of Education	Miguel Cardona		Democratic
16	Secretary of Veterans Affairs	Denis McDonough		Democratic
–[A]	Secretary of Homeland Security	Alejandro Mayorkas		Unknown

The Trump Effect

 

[mtrycrafts]

We need Amanda Waller and a hit team to snuff out Russia's political elite because CIA sanctioned hits will only paint targets on the Western leader's heads.

Yes, we do.
Also, leveling his billion-dollar fortress. Maybe his new mistress the skater will poison him?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Yup- speaker of the house is next, after VP.

If anyone thinks losing POTUS will go smoothly, guess again.

No.	Office[3]	Incumbent	Party
1	Vice President	Kamala Harris		Democratic
2	Speaker of the House of Representatives	Nancy Pelosi		Democratic
3	President pro tempore of the Senate	Patrick Leahy		Democratic
4	Secretary of State	Antony Blinken		Democratic
5	Secretary of the Treasury	Janet Yellen		Democratic
6	Secretary of Defense	Lloyd Austin		Unknown
7	Attorney General	Merrick Garland		Unknown
8	Secretary of the Interior	Deb Haaland		Democratic
9	Secretary of Agriculture	Tom Vilsack		Democratic
10	Secretary of Commerce	Gina Raimondo		Democratic
11	Secretary of Labor	Marty Walsh		Democratic
12	Secretary of Health and Human Services	Xavier Becerra		Democratic
13	Secretary of Housing and Urban Development	Marcia Fudge		Democratic
14	Secretary of Transportation	Pete Buttigieg		Democratic
–[A]	Secretary of Energy	Jennifer Granholm		Democratic
15	Secretary of Education	Miguel Cardona		Democratic
16	Secretary of Veterans Affairs	Denis McDonough		Democratic
–[A]	Secretary of Homeland Security	Alejandro Mayorkas		Unknown

What's my number?

 

[Hattrick17]

Sanctions need to be increased. Remove the banking trade system away from Russia with Europe world and they will fold the Russian public will not tolerate the economic collapse this can cause them.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Talk about Designated Survivor. Although I would admit liking more the Kiefer Sutherland in 24 for the job versus the former......

That may come in if all are dead at the same time as in the movie in a joint session of congress. Maybe my number will come up as well.