Russia operates out of fear

All organizations that operate out of fear, and based on fear, are doomed to produce evil results.

SPECTRE

More to the point, irrational fear.

Putin’s logic seems to be that NATO, (ie, the USA), wants Ukraine to be a member so NATO, (ie the USA), can invade and take over “mother Russia”.

Through his propaganda, he seems to have convinced the citizens of Russia.

We se it as totally irrational.

But we don’t live in Eastern Europe.

Irrational ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Russia

Ukraine needs a buffer

Ukraine needs a buffer Originally Posted by VitaMan

Ukraine 'IS' the buffer.

The name even means borderland.

You are correct. Ukraine also "NEEDS" a buffer.

Finland is starting to realize they need something also.

Given the fact that The United States lied, cheated, corrupted and manipulated governments throughout Europe and MENA, Putin’s fears aren’t unfounded.

Given the fact that The United States lied, cheated, corrupted and manipulated governments throughout Europe and MENA, Putin’s fears aren’t unfounded. Originally Posted by Jacuzzme

This is 2022.

We live in a different world that we did just a decade ago.

Freedom is the hope and dream of mankind. It is a shame that in this day and age we still have huge populations ruled by thugs.

I understand that Putin wants to reconstitute Russia as the old empire of the Czars or the old Soviet Union . . .he has said so several times rather explicitly.

More generlly, these authoritarian regimes don't or can't see the advantage of the economic model of thee western-style democracies including Japan and perhaps Singapore. North Korea can literally look across the DMZ and see the economic benefits of not being North Korea. Russia was wandering down that road to some extant with foreign investment and world trade. China has tried but is now becoming a neighborhood bully too.

It is sad in a way, but also grim and dangerous for everyone.

This is 2022.

We live in a different world that we did just a decade ago.
Originally Posted by Jackie S

Actually "we" don't!

When Bitten was VP the Russians invaded Ukraine.

This is 2022.

We live in a different world that we did just a decade ago. Originally Posted by Jackie S

It’s the same Ukraine that the US ran a coup on, at the behest of military hardware manufacturers, ruining their economy and installing corrupt puppet regimes, just like we did in a dozen other countries.

Freedom is the hope and dream of mankind.

Politicians don't give a flying fuck about people’s “freedom”, only the enrichment of themselves and their corporate sponsors. They should be made to wear jackets, like a NASCAR driver, emblazoned with “Raytheon” and “KBR”. If they’re gonna shill for a company, own it.

... No worrys - when TRUMP is voted back-on He will fix everything.

### Salty

... No worrys - when TRUMP is voted back-on He will fix everything.

### Salty Originally Posted by Salty Again

I think that things will at least take a turn for the better when (ever) Mr. Biden is no longer president. I did vote for Trump, but in my judgement, President Obama was more competent than Mr. Biden. At the very least, when Obama spoke, you knew it was him talking.

At the very least, when Obama spoke, you knew it was him talking. Originally Posted by ICU 812

When you heard him speak.

When you didn't hear what he was saying is the bothersome part.

He publicly humiliated Bitten at the White House and said NOTHING!

All organizations that operate out of fear, and based on fear, are doomed to produce evil results. Originally Posted by VitaMan

The Democratic National Committee and the current administration.

The "results" are particularly EVIL.