US Politics XXXIV: Biden Against the Manchine (Live at the Sinema)

[BEAL]

https://twitter.com/ememess/status/1...479474691?s=21

This is their base that they have to feed or fear their party will never regain power

[Bluer White]

For all its parallels, Ukraine war feels distant in Taiwan
https://apnews.com/article/russia-uk...e49a5be58b013f

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The Russian attack on Ukraine has put a spotlight on another place that could face an invasion by its larger neighbor, as some analysts draw quick comparisons to China’s threats to assert its control over self-ruled Taiwan.

While similarities exist and Taiwan is a democracy that has defied a more powerful authoritarian government, the differences are much greater. And for many on the island, the war in Ukraine, and war in general, feels far away.

......The critical question for Taiwan is whether the United States, which is not sending troops to defend Ukraine, would intervene if China invaded. The U.S. has no official ties with Taiwan but has historical relations and sells Taiwan billions of dollars worth of weapons. It is also bound by its own law to ensure Taiwan can defend itself.

Taiwan is also a dominant player in the production of semiconductors that are used in everything from smartphones to cars.

“Taiwan’s economy and technology is important to the U.S., and perhaps the U.S. will value Taiwan more, but we have to see how the conflict plays out,” said Kao-Cheng Wang, a professor at the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and strategic studies at Tamkang University in Taiwan.

....China has not ruled out force if necessary to achieve reunification, but for now, military action remains unlikely and outside events will have relatively little effect on Beijing’s calculations, said Li Minjiang, a Chinese international relations expert at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.

“External influences on China’s decision over Taiwan are minimal,” Li said, adding China would continue to use information campaigns and peaceful inducements to influence public opinion on Taiwan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is different from Xi and has previously used force against other countries, such as neighboring Georgia, said Wang, the Tamkang University professor. “Xi Jinping is rather strong, but he increased military activity, rather than starting a war.”


A little more positive take on Taiwan, given what's happening in Eastern Europe.

[LuckyNumber7]

The good news about Taiwan is that their military is far more equipped and far more modern than Ukraine. Invading them would not be as easy, nor would securing air or naval superiority. We’ve armed them with modern arms.

[LuckyNumber7]

To be clear, while they’re still much smaller than China, it takes way more resource to invade a country when you need to go toe to toe with modern technology in the air and sea. China would still undoubtedly defeat Taiwan, but they’d first have to down some 300 modern multirole fighter jets and a mid-sized naval fleet. That’s a far cry from Ukraine’s 20-30 semi-modern multirole fighters and non-existent navy.

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by LuckyNumber7

The good news about Taiwan is that their military is far more equipped and far more modern than Ukraine. Invading them would not be as easy, nor would securing air or naval superiority. We’ve armed them with modern arms.

Originally Posted by LuckyNumber7

To be clear, while they’re still much smaller than China, it takes way more resource to invade a country when you need to go toe to toe with modern technology in the air and sea. China would still undoubtedly defeat Taiwan, but they’d first have to down some 300 modern multirole fighter jets and a mid-sized naval fleet. That’s a far cry from Ukraine’s 20-30 semi-modern multirole fighters and non-existent navy.

there's also obviously a major difference between being invaded from direct land borders on 3 sides of your country, versus being an island with 100 miles of ocean separating you from your enemy.

[Vlad n U 2]

Originally Posted by Bluer White

Yeah

41 million folks living in a free European country, not knowing what the next day might bring. Hard to believe here in 2022.

If your definition of 'free' is being the poorest country in Europe, where millions live in poverty, elections are often decided by local oligarchs and political progressivism (as in Russia) is quashed - then sure.

But make no mistake this is a terrible, catastrophic event and the Russian state (not people) deserve to suffer for it.

[dazzledbylight]

Originally Posted by Jerry Dunk

The sheer volume of things they could have done, things they promised to do, and the things that are needed to stave off the horrors incoming due to climate change ... I'm sorry, I can't give credit for doing the bare minimum. There are so many more things they needed to do that would help the poor and the oppressed and didn't do. It's not all just Republican obstruction. The calls come from inside the house as well.

I can see where the winds are blowing based on the leaks to reporters in the know. They're going to blame "the Squad' and believe that the cultural issues are what cost the Democrats in the mid-terms. It's what they always do. There's no appetite in the Democratic Party to consider moving to the left on economic issues, so everything is in terms of trying to thread some kind of needle with culture war issues. And so the cycle continues.

I'd rather have the "bare minimum" than nothing at all.

And we're currently stuck with Manchin, and Sienema.
At least, they prevent Majority Leader McConnell. Though he, the repugs, drump & his minions still do their damage.

Of course we can always (and should do) more. We can always do better! "Keep on pushing" as the song goes.
As for climate change (shudders) - I'd never call myself an activist, but I do call myself a long term semi-activist of around 50 yrs.

Spent a fair amount of time in the early-mid '80's on Renewable Energies. Too FEW people paid attention!

As for The Squad, hopefully they'll hang in there. ������

[LuckyNumber7]

How crazy is it that Petro Poroshenko came out of self imposed exile in Poland to roam the Kiev streets with an AK47 to fight for his country?

That certainly is one way to earn your honor back.

[MrsSpringsteen]

It turns out that small man narcissists who only care about themselves really are extremely dangerous after all. Who would have thunk it?

[Bluer White]

Major signal sent by Germany.

In Policy Shift, Germany Now Says It Will Send Ukraine 1,500 Anti-Tank, Antiaircraft Missiles
https://www.rferl.org/a/germany-mili.../31725290.html

[Bluer White]

The trick is avoiding attacks on any supply line coming from the West, and inside a NATO border. That's opening a whole new can of worms that everyone, except Mr. Putin maybe, is trying so hard to prevent.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

You dropped this

https://twitter.com/JoJoFromJerz/sta...r7LOWrguA&s=19

[Bluer White]

Originally Posted by Vlad n U 2

But make no mistake this is a terrible, catastrophic event and the Russian state (not people) deserve to suffer for it.

Agreed.

One example: SWIFT sanctions on Russia aren't easy to put in place....likely why the initial action has been delayed a few days.

It takes time to target the right entities and the right banks. And obviously the U.S. doesn't push the buttons for the system. It all needs to be negotiated with the stakeholders. Many of the transactions between Russia and Europe have nothing to do with the war, so Europe would want to tread lightly. For now.

[Vlad n U 2]

Originally Posted by LuckyNumber7

How crazy is it that Petro Poroshenko came out of self imposed exile in Poland to roam the Kiev streets with an AK47 to fight for his country?

That certainly is one way to earn your honor back.

He's a piece of shit, there's no way we 'gotta hand it to him' - probably hoping it means he won't get attention on him for his treason trial.

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by Vlad n U 2

He's a piece of shit, there's no way we 'gotta hand it to him' - probably hoping it means he won't get attention on him for his treason trial.

https://www.reddit.com/r/therewasana...or_the_camera/

[LuckyNumber7]

Originally Posted by Vlad n U 2

He's a piece of shit, there's no way we 'gotta hand it to him' - probably hoping it means he won't get attention on him for his treason trial.

I didn’t say that?
Though I think if the dude actually does stay and fight, he does re-earn some honor. Doesn’t forgive him for his crimes or stop him from being put on trial.

[LuckyNumber7]

I know our content is probably biased on Twitter, but it’s amazing to see how foolish Russian advances look. Small units/convoys of foot soldiers wandering into urban areas with no heavy armor. Just squads foot trialing an armored car. Sitting ducks, one ambush and they’re all dead. I suspect that’s exactly what’s happening…

[Bluer White]

Originally Posted by LuckyNumber7

I know our content is probably biased on Twitter, but it’s amazing to see how foolish Russian advances look. Small units/convoys of foot soldiers wandering into urban areas with no heavy armor. Just squads foot trialing an armored car. Sitting ducks, one ambush and they’re all dead. I suspect that’s exactly what’s happening…

As the urban fighting likely escalates in the next few weeks (or months?)...and Mr. Putin keeps issuing his threats to the entire West,

you begin to wonder when something might happen to his hold on power inside the motherland. Before this whole thing goes beyond the tragedy in Ukraine.

[LuckyNumber7]

Originally Posted by Bluer White

As the urban fighting likely escalates in the next few weeks (or months?)...and Mr. Putin keeps issuing his threats to the entire West,



you begin to wonder when something might happen to his hold on power inside the motherland. Before this whole thing goes beyond the tragedy in Ukraine.

Agreed, and that makes things super scary if he’s truly unhinged.

[Vlad n U 2]

Originally Posted by LuckyNumber7

I know our content is probably biased on Twitter, but it’s amazing to see how foolish Russian advances look. Small units/convoys of foot soldiers wandering into urban areas with no heavy armor. Just squads foot trialing an armored car. Sitting ducks, one ambush and they’re all dead. I suspect that’s exactly what’s happening…

Really just a bunch of kids with little training by the looks.