Russia - Ukraine

[SithZedi]

defendukraine.org

According to defendukraine: The US, UK and EU should implement the following sanctions without delay.
1. Cancel the one-month grace period of US initial sanctions.

2. Sanction all Belarusian and Russian banks, freeze all assets, and put them all on the US Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list.

3. Request Visa and MasterCard to halt transactions of their credit and debit cards issued by all Russian banks.

4. Impose restrictions on ruble clearing.

5. Disconnect all Russian and Belorussian banks from SWIFT, not just a “select” number.

6. Impose a blanket ban on US public sector pension funds holding Russian assets.

7. Impose total export controls, including on technology/electronics.

8. Ban trading with all Russian energy and commodity companies.

9. Seize all crypto-wallets linked to Russia.

10. Sanction all Duma members and all members of the Russian government.

11. Sanction the top 100 Russian oligarchs, not just a few.

Good start. But let's not forget Putin's main benefactor in China.
If we are really serious about stopping this war and the next one.

 

[SithZedi]

Republicans, in effect, supporting Putins invasion of Ukraine and showing that they don't care.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2022/03/05/republicans-federal-spending-ukraine-vaccines/?itid=lk_fullstory

>>>
Senate Republicans have issued a series of early threats against a still-forming deal to fund the federal government, signaling that they could delay the package — which may include emergency aid to Ukraine — over concerns about excessive spending and vaccine mandates.

The early warnings, delivered in two letters to Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), could slow lawmakers’ time-sensitive work as Russia’s incursion into Ukraine is intensifying — all while Washington faces a March 11 deadline to fund federal agencies and avoid a government shutdown.
...
<<<

It really doesn't take much for the Bezos Post to try to distract or spin the public from the real failures in this crisis. Like those that occurred before the tanks rolled into the Ukraine.

Let's recap just some items.
German, or EU its the same really, energy policy.
Lack of European spending on NATO.
Policies that have caused energy prices to rise benefiting Putin.
The Biden Democrats doing this in May 2021.

Biden to waive sanctions on Putin crony in charge of Nord Stream 2 pipeline

Biden isn't willing to compromise the relationship with Germany over this pipeline.

www.axios.com

Then this in January of this year.

Cruz's Nord Stream 2 sanctions bill fails in U.S. Senate

The U.S. Senate on Thursday failed to pass a bill to slap sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, a day after Democrats unveiled their own legislation.

www.reuters.com

The best time to help the Ukraine was before the war by doing this reversing Obama policy. "President Barack Obama considered selling and financing anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in theory but never approved the measure"

US to send anti-tank missiles to Ukraine

If the president formally signs off, the plan will be presented to Congress.

abcnews.go.com

The corporate media rely on their assumption that the public have a memory capacity of goldfish.

 

[haraldo]

One disturbing fact is that west europe and EU is still pumping tons of money into the Russian war machine, Gazprom is delivering gas to Germany and Italy as normal, so EU is still helping finance the war towards Ukraine.

would a possible next step be to blow up the pipeline(s) if it doesn´t stop....

Gazprom resumes westbound gas flows via Yamal pipeline to Germany

Russian energy company Gazprom on Thursday resumed westbound natural gas supplies via the Yamal-Europe pipeline to Germany from Poland, data from Gascade pipeline operator showed, with flows expected to continue until at least Friday morning.

www.reuters.com

 

[Trell]

One disturbing fact is that west europe and EU is still pumping tons of money into the Russian war machine, Gazprom is delivering gas to Germany and Italy as normal, so EU is still helping finance the war towards Ukraine.

would a possible next step be to blow up the pipeline(s) if it doesn´t stop....

Gazprom resumes westbound gas flows via Yamal pipeline to Germany

Russian energy company Gazprom on Thursday resumed westbound natural gas supplies via the Yamal-Europe pipeline to Germany from Poland, data from Gascade pipeline operator showed, with flows expected to continue until at least Friday morning.

www.reuters.com

There is a huge dependency on gas from Russia and that will take some time to lessen.

 

[SithZedi]

It's Sunday so maybe you'll have the time to watch this. It's light years better than watching the Media assessments.

 

[highfigh]

Republicans, in effect, supporting Putins invasion of Ukraine and showing that they don't care.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2022/03/05/republicans-federal-spending-ukraine-vaccines/?itid=lk_fullstory

>>>
Senate Republicans have issued a series of early threats against a still-forming deal to fund the federal government, signaling that they could delay the package — which may include emergency aid to Ukraine — over concerns about excessive spending and vaccine mandates.

The early warnings, delivered in two letters to Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), could slow lawmakers’ time-sensitive work as Russia’s incursion into Ukraine is intensifying — all while Washington faces a March 11 deadline to fund federal agencies and avoid a government shutdown.
...
<<<

You're blaming Republicans when the US can't even fund its own government without using play money? How much has the rest of the world sent to Ukraine? Have you ever seen the US Federal deficit? It's over $90,000 for EVERY person in the country and that's more than 334 million people. Where do you think the money would come from?

According to this link- the US has contributed more than $650 Million in the year preceding Feb 24, 2022 and Biden admin wants to provide $6.4 Billion in aid, some want to provide $10 Billion.

That said, any Republican who doesn't think Russia is the problem and doesn't want to help Ukraine needs to suffer horribly for the rest of their lives.

 

[highfigh]

It really doesn't take much for the Bezos Post to try to distract or spin the public from the real failures in this crisis. Like those that occurred before the tanks rolled into the Ukraine.

Let's recap just some items.
German, or EU its the same really, energy policy.
Lack of European spending on NATO.
Policies that have caused energy prices to rise benefiting Putin.
The Biden Democrats doing this in May 2021.

Biden to waive sanctions on Putin crony in charge of Nord Stream 2 pipeline

Biden isn't willing to compromise the relationship with Germany over this pipeline.

www.axios.com

Then this in January of this year.

Cruz's Nord Stream 2 sanctions bill fails in U.S. Senate

The U.S. Senate on Thursday failed to pass a bill to slap sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, a day after Democrats unveiled their own legislation.

www.reuters.com

The best time to help the Ukraine was before the war by doing this reversing Obama policy. "President Barack Obama considered selling and financing anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in theory but never approved the measure"

US to send anti-tank missiles to Ukraine

If the president formally signs off, the plan will be presented to Congress.

abcnews.go.com

The corporate media rely on their assumption that the public have a memory capacity of goldfish.

WRT Goldfish- are you referring to the little crackers?

And Biden's policy WRT the price for fossil fuel is to raise it in an attempt to decrease US dependence on it, as if some magic replacement is just around the effing corner, just as the world is dragging itself out of the pit caused by COVID. Great. Inflation is already at a 30-40 year high and he wants fuel to cost more. What a f&ckstick.

Biden needs to get ready for the mobs who want him gone because I think that's coming. The guy doesn't have a clue about what's happening out here.

 

[Trell]

You're blaming Republicans when the US can't even fund its own government without using play money? How much has the rest of the world sent to Ukraine? Have you ever seen the US Federal deficit? It's over $90,000 for EVERY person in the country and that's more than 334 million people. Where do you think the money would come from?

According to this link- the US has contributed more than $650 Million in the year preceding Feb 24, 2022 and Biden admin wants to provide $6.4 Billion in aid, some want to provide $10 Billion.

That said, any Republican who doesn't think Russia is the problem and doesn't want to help Ukraine needs to suffer horribly for the rest of their lives.

Any funding problems are caused by Republicans since there is a Democrat in the White House that they want to obstruct, whatever the cost. With a Republican President they have no problems with deficits.

And here Republicans don’t care that their obstructionism is helping Russia in their war and also sends a clear message what their priorities are.

And what is play money?

 

[GO-NAD!]

It really doesn't take much for the Bezos Post to try to distract or spin the public from the real failures in this crisis. Like those that occurred before the tanks rolled into the Ukraine.

Let's recap just some items.
German, or EU its the same really, energy policy.
Lack of European spending on NATO.
Policies that have caused energy prices to rise benefiting Putin.
The Biden Democrats doing this in May 2021.

Biden to waive sanctions on Putin crony in charge of Nord Stream 2 pipeline

Biden isn't willing to compromise the relationship with Germany over this pipeline.

www.axios.com

Then this in January of this year.

Cruz's Nord Stream 2 sanctions bill fails in U.S. Senate

The U.S. Senate on Thursday failed to pass a bill to slap sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, a day after Democrats unveiled their own legislation.

www.reuters.com

The best time to help the Ukraine was before the war by doing this reversing Obama policy. "President Barack Obama considered selling and financing anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in theory but never approved the measure"

US to send anti-tank missiles to Ukraine

If the president formally signs off, the plan will be presented to Congress.

abcnews.go.com

The corporate media rely on their assumption that the public have a memory capacity of goldfish.

None of the items/policies you listed - if reversed - would have made a difference. Putin would have still invaded Ukraine.

 

[haraldo]

There is a huge dependency on gas from Russia and that will take some time to lessen.

Looks like EU is not willing to take some minor inconveniences to support Ukraine, there are always alternatives to gas

 

[highfigh]

Any funding problems are caused by Republicans since there is a Democrat in the White House that they want to obstruct, whatever the cost. With a Republican President they have no problems with deficits.

And here Republicans don’t care that their obstructionism is helping Russia in their war and also sends a clear message what their priorities are.

And what is play money?

That's bullcrap and you know it.

Printing money to pay for government programs, foreign aid, etc leads to higher inflation. Familiar with the board game Monopoly? The money used for that is 'play money'.

The deficit was relatively low during Bush and we had gone to the Middle Easy for the Gulf War. That changed when the economy tanked because of the real estate BS caused by the financial institutions and before you decide that Conservatives were at fault, you need to know that the financial sector is top heavy with people who vote for Democrats. That makes Obama's first term look bad but the 2nd half was much better.

U.S. Budget Deficit by Year Compared to GDP and Debt

The federal budget deficit rises when government spending is high, such as during wars or recessions. Budget deficits cause the national debt to grow.

www.thebalance.com

 

[highfigh]

Looks like EU is not willing to take some minor inconveniences to support Ukraine, there are always alternatives to gas

And how fast can whole countries change from one energy source to another? Do you want people to go out and gather firewood, so they can be warm? How will they burn it in a gas or oil-fired heater? Power plants can't use alternatives- they spend a lot trying to use one fuel, efficiently.

What are these alternatives and how can the whole of Europe get them quickly when so much power is produced using Coal?

 

[highfigh]

And in his latest claim,

Russia, without evidence, says Ukraine making nuclear "dirty bomb"

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, with the aim to "demilitarise" and "denazify" its pro-Western neighbour and prevent Kyiv from joining NATO. The TASS, RIA and Interfax news agencies quoted "a representative of a competent body" in Russia on Sunday as...

www.yahoo.com

 

[Trell]

Looks like EU is not willing to take some minor inconveniences to support Ukraine, there are always alternatives to gas

The problem is that it is not a minor inconvenience to just cut off supplies of Russian gas. Europe should not have become this dependent, but here we are.

 

[SithZedi]

None of the items/policies you listed - if reversed - would have made a difference. Putin would have still invaded Ukraine.

I don't think any one besides Putin can say if any policy would have any effect on his decision.
Amoung many things Putin is called generally rational, calculating, and paranoid by close observers.
Having said that, all of the policies listed above could have easily been interpreted as green lights to him.
The idea would have been to plant any seed of doubt in his head to make him think twice before invasion.
The West projected weakness and the bully took advantage.
Again, late term Bush weak = Georgia, Obama weak = Crimea, Biden weak = Ukraine. I name US presidents but include Europe too. All three presidents and Europe had weak China policies too, an important factor now.

Was it a miscalculation? Only time will tell.

 

[Trell]

That's bullcrap and you know it.

Printing money to pay for government programs, foreign aid, etc leads to higher inflation. Familiar with the board game Monopoly? The money used for that is 'play money'.

The deficit was relatively low during Bush and we had gone to the Middle Easy for the Gulf War. That changed when the economy tanked because of the real estate BS caused by the financial institutions and before you decide that Conservatives were at fault, you need to know that the financial sector is top heavy with people who vote for Democrats. That makes Obama's first term look bad but the 2nd half was much better.

U.S. Budget Deficit by Year Compared to GDP and Debt

The federal budget deficit rises when government spending is high, such as during wars or recessions. Budget deficits cause the national debt to grow.

www.thebalance.com

You should educate yourself more about this. It does not work the way you think it does.

 

[highfigh]

The problem is that it is not a minor inconvenience to just cut off supplies of Russian gas. Europe should not have become this dependent, but here we are.

US did the same with using China as their major manufacturing base and that has cost this country dearly but the underlying reason for using foreign manufacturing isn't only the cost of labor.

Eventually, the one source decided that they want to screw their customers who have no options for finding another source in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[highfigh]

You should educate yourself more about this. It does not work the way you think it does.

Once again, you tell someone they're wrong but can't be bothered to explain why. That's helpful.

 

[Trell]

Once again, you tell someone they're wrong but can't be bothered to explain why. That's helpful.

Your first sentence in your post was “That's bullcrap and you know it.” Not exactly responsive to explanations, are you? And that was the tone of the rest of your post.

Krugman has over the years written a number of posts in NYT about deficits, money printing and inflation as well as deflation. Google for it.

 

[Mr._Clark]

T

One disturbing fact is that west europe and EU is still pumping tons of money into the Russian war machine, Gazprom is delivering gas to Germany and Italy as normal, so EU is still helping finance the war towards Ukraine.

would a possible next step be to blow up the pipeline(s) if it doesn´t stop....

Gazprom resumes westbound gas flows via Yamal pipeline to Germany

Russian energy company Gazprom on Thursday resumed westbound natural gas supplies via the Yamal-Europe pipeline to Germany from Poland, data from Gascade pipeline operator showed, with flows expected to continue until at least Friday morning.

www.reuters.com

This is a conundrum. If western countries cut off the gas, it will hurt Russia but it will also hurt the western countries. I’m not sure which side would be degraded more. My initial impression is that Russia would be degraded more but I don’t know that for a fact.

On the other hand, if western countries cut it off, I suspect that politically it might might be difficult for western leaders to say to their people “I know you’re suffering but Russia is suffering more” whereas Putin can say to his people “It’s those evil western countries that are causing your suffering!”

If I was in charge I’d say we need to take a stand and stop feeding the beast that is coming to devour us.