A Few Words On Censorship

Trump's friend Farage blames the E.U. I never would have thought Farage would have been proven right.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=09jHEGKyd-M

Trump is here supporting Russia on Ukraine and blaming Biden. And more people seek Trump's re-election.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cRpeJpBYXVs

A war has indeed started. Farage stated he'd hoped Putin wouldn't have gone so far but squarely blames the E.U. I read Putin's national address and, yes, he scores a few points. Namely the lies forwarded over Iraq and WMD and NATO's expansion to Russia's borders.
What will happen now?
Hard to say how Russians will react. Putin's speech was a good one but if Slavic people die and things backfire somehow, opposition could split Russia.
Putin's taking a gamble but I still blame the E.U.

It could easily backfire. Russian forums are showing a lot of hostility to Putin. I noticed a while ago how the Russian mentality somehow westernised. You can see this through the various anglo words, used in the country. I get the feeling a lot of young Russians lost the nostalgic patriotism that feeds Putin. Protests are slowly gearing up and that could get worse.
I do sympathise that NATO has been encircling and pushing Russia's security but to solve the situation militarily is risky. If Ukraine falls quickly, Putin might get away with it. However, if the war draws major casualties Putin could face a backlash. His dream of restoring Russia as an empire is alien to many Russian people.
Time will tell.

The thing is, if Putin is invading Ukraine to prevent NATO having countries on Russia's borders, they will still be there as NATO still border Ukraine. The best solution is for Ukraine to become neutral like Switzerland, but they want to join NATO, so there isn't a solution, but I think you're right about young Russian not wanting to be old Russia.... the Russian people can stop Putin if they have the will.

Just so you know, you may not be able to discuss ANYTHING here much longer. The forum's not paying, so site owners are debating pulling the plug.

tokeless wrote:The thing is, if Putin is invading Ukraine to prevent NATO having countries on Russia's borders, they will still be there as NATO still border Ukraine. The best solution is for Ukraine to become neutral like Switzerland, but they want to join NATO, so there isn't a solution, but I think you're right about young Russian not wanting to be old Russia.... the Russian people can stop Putin if they have the will.

Here's the crux. Russia only wanted Crimea back. It's a valuable strategic port and ethnically Russian throughout. The snag was Ukraine wanted Crimea back and increased NATO presence in that region hinted Ukraine would be supported. This left Russia with a problem as Ukraine was getting stronger, as well as closer to NATO membership. So, finally Russia opted to use force. By rights the EU could have discharged the crisis but refused to budge.
For me, the gripe is the overall lack of democracy in Russia (as well as the EU). None of them offers a real constitution and all see themselves as monarchs. Russia's weak spot is it relies on its armed forces but lacks a civilization that "attracts" support. The US used to have that angle once. I mean people fled repressive countries to live in America. Russia cannot offer that. It's a state monopolised giant where one view alone reigns. Nobody wants it. People want to think their own way, not to be censored and controlled by EU cronies and Putinists. And now even America has fallen. Very little democracy left in that country.

I noticed China used the most tactful foreign commentary. Neither support nor staged indignation. Just a call to use diplomacy to all sides. It may be that China will develop soon into a more sophisticated power than the totally corrupt and fake E.U.

For me, the gripe is the overall lack of democracy in Russia (as well as the EU). None of them offers a real constitution and all see themselves as monarchs. Russia's weak spot is it relies on its armed forces but lacks a civilization that "attracts" support.

Do you think there could ever be another revolution in Russia? If the people want to have more say, democracy etc, then they have to try and create that. Old Russia belongs in the past, as does Putin's thinking.

Candid wrote:Just so you know....

CORECTION: It isn't about the forum not paying, it's because it's old-fashioned and not enough people are using it.

tokeless wrote:For me, the gripe is the overall lack of democracy in Russia (as well as the EU). None of them offers a real constitution and all see themselves as monarchs. Russia's weak spot is it relies on its armed forces but lacks a civilization that "attracts" support.

Do you think there could ever be another revolution in Russia? If the people want to have more say, democracy etc, then they have to try and create that. Old Russia belongs in the past, as does Putin's thinking.

I understand this way of thinking. Russia is surrounded by countries allied to the US and EU. These countries have bombed smaller countries like Iraq in a drive to dominate global politics. Russia has been left isolated and aware Ukraine can be used to topple Russia. And that objective is real I think. Despite that Putin is now in a very tight spot. America bombs Iraq and global protests can be managed. Russia intervenes in Ukraine but has little support, more so the opportunity to have negotiated a suitable deal with NATO.
I don't know how it will play out. Maybe if Ukraine falls quickly Putin could then negotiate some mutual security deal. If the conflict drags on Putin could face fragmentation within Russia. He could be removed as Krushchev was over Cuba.

Stakes are very high. The best outcome to be hoped for is a stalemate. The Ukraine is getting millions of dollars in weapons and has majority support at a global level. Russia has a far bigger military but has suffered far stiffer resistance than expected. And the economy has been hit hard.
I noticed RT is off the air and that Russia too is banning free reporting. That shows total lack of willingness to hear out different points of view - in all cases.
I listened to views in Russia. It seems divided. A lot of people now hate Putin while others feel NATO is to blame.
The danger is that Putin is cornered. It may be too late to turn back. Unless he plain loses control and the Russian military break ranks.

Trump seems to be all over the place. He seems not to know what's going on or who is fighting about what.

davidbanner99@ wrote:Trump seems to be all over the place. He seems not to know what's going on or who is fighting about what.

Obviously it's all fake. A guy with such integrity will be targeted with lies... clean as a whistle that fella. I wonder if he'll face sanctions because he "knows him well, very, very well"

davidbanner99@ wrote:Trump seems to be all over the place. He seems not to know what's going on or who is fighting about what.

"It's like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog." Michael J 'Crocodile' Dundee