@Longpatrol I don’t know that I’d rope all Republicans to that. It’s a militant part that has managed to take control of the party politically. Just dangerous to paint with broad strokes.

@Longpatrol Several months ago I saw an estimate that roughly half of Russia's conventional war fighting capabilities had already been destroyed in their Ukraine war. And now cheap Ukrainian drones are traveling a few hundred miles to blow holes in Russia's most modern fighters and bombers while Ukrainian missiles play havoc with Russia's black sea naval fleet. It's got to be hurting.

@ElwoodBlues I sure hope so. I pray it’s a huge drain. Putin has ruined Russia.

@Thinkerbell I hope you are wrong about that. This is a chance to raise the bar and he could "take one for the team." But I suspect you are right..😷

@whowasthatmaskedman

Nah, Hunter would strike too close to home.
They are currently prosecuting corrupt Senator Menendez (D, New Jersey) as a sacrificial lamb (hah, some lamb), but he's already screaming 'anti-Latino!' 🙄

@Thinkerbell Yes. Mendez is so open about it even I have heard the stories.😷

@SW-User I can't take you seriously either 🙄


These are your words, not mine. Imagine confusing peace with surrender, and openly advocating for letting genocide happen undisturbed.

@sarabee1995 neither of us have spoken to everyone in Ukraine, but I know for certain that there are people living there who do not want the war to continue and who want a peace deal to be made. However, I won't deny that some Ukrainians seem determined to continue fighting at any and all costs.

It seems to me that Zelenskyy and other people in Ukraine have to justify this loss to themselves now, and that there is an emerging belief along the lines of "if we give up or agree to peace, it will all be for nothing."

You have to understand that when people start thinking like that, they are already acknowledging their weak position, and the horrific and unforgiving reality of what they are living in. There are two things you can do when that happens, and that is continue fighting, thereby inflicting more harm to yourself, OR negotiate peace and stop the harm and the loss before it goes too far.

It isn't worthwhile to fight against an enemy that can't be beaten, if we value more than dreams and ideals.

I am sure you will remind me that it is also about governance, but Russian governance would not be vastly different under a peace deal. It could also be the case that Russia withdraws from all areas belonging to Ukraine prior to the 2022 invasion, and they may be satisfied with Ukraine ensuring that NATO will not spread to Russia's borders. I can tell you that withdrawing prior to peace talks is not an option for Russia, as any sensible person would be able to recognize.

Peace talks would have to start before any withdrawal, and the needs of both countries would have to be considered. Ukraine's 10-point peace plan is neither desirable nor practical for Russia. In particular, they cannot withdraw before talks, and Ukraine suggests they will still try to join NATO.

If NATO is a significant problem for Russia, why would Putin agree to a plan that provides no assurance of Ukraine joining it, and in fact suggests they will pursue joining it?

When peace deals are made, unless one party has been completely decimated, concessions have to be made on both sides. Ukraine's proposal is one-sided, and it would significantly weaken Russia. This is why Russia won't agree to it.

@ElwoodBlues staggering.

@msros The now-famous High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), high-speed anti-radiation missile (HARM) systems designed to destroy enemy radar, and more basic gear for frontline soldiers has been vital to Ukrainians’ success in forcing Russian forces to retreat.