Ukraine

[Unagi]

I honestly have no faith there's anyone left to stand up to him when that moment comes otherwise I'd be all for us doing more.

You have a country doing that, right now - and you are kinda wishing they would stop standing up to him. That's what I don't get. I would think you would join me in the thought (with the goal being to keep a future available to our kids) that we may actually truly need (Need!) Ukraine to stand up to Putin right now, and win it.

I don't disagree with any of that. The problem is, they won't win. Putin will go to the nuclear option first and then we all lose. I hope to God I'm wrong.

In sorta a Dr.Strange way - perhaps that's the only path forward to actually ending this and averting something way worse.

[IceBear]

Just so you all understand my level of pessimism, when I was in university, every semester while I was waiting for the grades to be posted I was confident that I had flunked out. That's just how my freaking brain works and I know it's not healthy

I'm fine with your pessimism, personally, I just want to focus it on the long-term pending doom, instead of the kneejerk-panic-short-term one.

I guess I'm looking at it as a stall tactic...de escalate for now and then work on getting rid of him without it getting to the nuclear option. I really hope that the sanctions cause the Russian people to overthrow him, but given the reporting from Russia and the crackdowns, I don't have any faith in that either. They are lied to and scared.

I don't really expect them to take the offer on the table, I mean that's not how negotiations should work, but hopefully, with that as a starting point they can scale it back to something more palatable.

[Unagi]

Russia is trotting out WMD claims now. That the US built bio weapon labs in Ukraine.

Q-Anon has picked this up, saying that Trump and Putin are working together to destroy Fauci led labs there. Presumably where we made COVID?

I'm happy if Q-Anon wants to force the marriage between Putin and Trump. Let em all go down with the ship.

[Archinerd]

I work with a large number of eastern europeans (Russia, Poland, Romania, and Moldova) and listening to them brainstorm and coordinate with one another on how to help their friends and family escape the war is sobering.

[Jaymann]

Russia is trotting out WMD claims now. That the US built bio weapon labs in Ukraine.

Q-Anon has picked this up, saying that Trump and Putin are working together to destroy Fauci led labs there. Presumably where we made COVID?

I'm happy if Q-Anon wants to force the marriage between Putin and Trump. Let em all go down with the ship.

Ah, I knew Fauci was Dr. Evil. That's what they found on Hunter Biden's laptop!

[IceBear]

When you say that, what do you mean? That no one would engage him, militarily, even if he started using tactical nukes in Kyiv?

Oh, I missed that. I meant someone in the Russian military to stand up to the order to use nukes. See when Trump was in power we (outside the USA) were afraid that he might use nukes, but we were confident that there would be someone in your military that would say "Fuck that, go sit down and have a juice box with your temper tantrum". But when it comes to if Putin says use nukes I don't think there's anyone left in command over in Russia (he's had decades to weed out his opposition) that will say no. If I had faith that there was anyone inside of Russia to stop him from going nuclear, I'd be all for NATO rolling into Ukraine.

[LawBeefaroni]

The de-Nazification of Stolichnaya:

The vodka, famously marketed as Russian, will now be sold and marketed simply as Stoli, the company said in a statement.

Stoli Group's founder, Russian-born billionaire Yuri Shefler, was exiled from that nation in 2000 because of his opposition to Putin. The liquor has long been marketed as Russian vodka, but its production facilities have been in Latvia since that year. Stoli Group is a unit of Luxembourg-based SPI Group.

[Max Peck]

"Russian warship, go fuck yourself!"

Video allegedly showing the Russian Navy patrol ship Vasily Bykov burning after being targeted by Ukrainian forces last night.

Russian patrol boat Vasily Bykov

The ship participated in the attack on Snake Island on 24 February 2022 during the first day of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine together with the Russian cruiser Moskva.

[Daehawk]

So the takeaway is buy more Stoli? Im in.

[Daehawk]

Well I certainly didn't see this one coming from that country. Scroll it down to see the translation. If its real.

[Carpet_pissr]

Re: the Airbnb deal I mentioned above, here’s the exchange for those interested.

Kiev Super View deluxe a….
Reservation confirmed •
Reservation
1 Share listing

In case it's not clear:
(My wife's message to the airbnb owner)
Olga,
We are not planning to
come but wanted to send
you support from
the US. Our hope is that you
are safe and your lovely
home is intact. Our thoughts
and love are with you, your
family, and your country.

(from airbnb to my wife)
Olga 1:06 AM
Thank you very much. Tears
sits in our dry throats..
Enemy is powerful and
crazy.. But we see all the
world support us. This
support means a lot.
I promise to spent the sent
by you money on
humanitarian needs. Many
people who lost their
home.and who needs help.
God bless you.
I hope to see blue peacefull
sky over Ukraine and over all
the world very soon.
And hope to meet you one
day and host you in peaceful
and independent Ukraine

[msteelers]

That’s powerful. Thank you for sharing.

[Smoove_B]

How'd you pick an place to rent? I guess I'd be concerned someone set up a scam? I guess if it has a rating (i.e. prior visitors) that might be a good way to "rent" a space? It's a great idea.

[Carpet_pissr]

How'd you pick an place to rent? I guess I'd be concerned someone set up a scam? I guess if it has a rating (i.e. prior visitors) that might be a good way to "rent" a space? It's a great idea.

Yeah, cynical me had the same first initial thought as well (how do you know it's not a scam?!), but I ASSUME Airbnb has some kind of check in place to avoid that? Really no idea. It goes through the Airbnb platform of course, but ALSO of course, that doesn't mean there can't be abuse.

Anyway, my wife would have sent it even if there was a 50% (or more probably) chance of it being a scam. She booked something like 3 days I think (and of course rates are pretty cheap, relatively!)

I don't know how she picked that particular place, I will ask.

Edit: her answer re: picking a place: "just picked one"
My wife, the essayist, ladies and gents!

[LordMortis]

I looked at the earlier link and didn't find my niche. CP's way is more direct but I don't know how to not get scammed, but I'm more thinking here is where I'm sending money and so it's where my money went:

https://wck.org/

https://wck.org/en-us/news/chefs-for-ukraine

https://wck.org/donate

You can't make sure your money goes Ukraine but more money means more relief everywhere, and they are putting a lot of resources toward Ukraine.

All donations are used to support current relief efforts and reliance programs. We are unable to split your online donation between specific relief efforts

[Lagom Lite]

Evil Putin is going to start World War 3! With nukes!

Allow me another perspective apart from the sentiments expressed in this thread of late.

Putin is not a "crazy evil madman". You're letting your American black-and-white sensibilities and Red paranoia get to you. Putin is a cynical, ambitious imperialist - a bully and a thug - in whose interest it is to make you think he could drop nukes any day. This time, however, he completely misjudged Ukraine's will to fight, how the West would respond, and how well he could control the narrative inside of Russia and the Russian military.

That's why there's increased repression of independent media, scary rhetoric aimed at the West and overtures to ceasefire with Ukraine. Putin is doing damage control. He is trying to scare the West from getting further involved. This latest offer from the Kreml re: ceasefire terms is absolutely a breakthrough and shows that the Kremlin really actually does want to make a deal with Zelenski. Not because they're good people, mind you, but because Mother Russia bleeds.

Ukraine won't accept the deal though, as well they shouldn't, because Russia can't be trusted to honor agreements long-term (or even short-term). Agreeing to those terms now only postpones the fight a few years. Russia needs to lose this war badly enough to be deterred from coming back for a long time.

At any rate, the damage is done and the Cold War is back, at least while Putin remains in power.

[Carpet_pissr]

I looked at the earlier link and didn't find my niche. CP's way is more direct but I don't know how to not get scammed, but I'm more thinking here is where I'm sending money and so it's where my money went:

https://wck.org/

https://wck.org/en-us/news/chefs-for-ukraine

https://wck.org/donate

You can't make sure your money goes Ukraine but more money means more relief everywhere, and they are putting a lot of resources toward Ukraine.

All donations are used to support current relief efforts and reliance programs. We are unable to split your online donation between specific relief efforts

Edit: If you click on a property with SUPERHOST on the pic, they are hosts that have an established rep, if you are worried about being scammed.

And even if they don't show that classification, you can look for hosts with reviews well before the invasion for extra assurance.

Right below the listing header you can see SUPERHOST, with the reviews to the left (and dates of reviews when you click).


Edit 2: Last thing and I will shut up about this:

Some of those "superhost" listings look like they are very well off (to be able to rent a nice apt like that out) Hell, maybe they are living in the EU or the US and just renting it out for all we know. So if you wanted to select a NON superhost listing, or maybe pick one that is modest looking, or even one with zero reviews, you can still see if they are verified by airbnb, and importantly, when they joined. I would probably not book with someone that just created an account. Just click on their profile to see the below.

Example (zero reviews, but very modest apartment to say the least, and has been verified by airbnb, AND joined in 2018) :

[malchior]

Evil Putin is going to start World War 3! With nukes!

Stuff

Agree 100%. Putin's misjudged everything - including the fundamental theory pf the entire operation. It clearly was designed on a flawed premise that Ukraine would collapse almost immediately. And yet they'll probably grind out something where he can claim a win protected by his nuclear shield.

[LordMortis]

Ukraine won't accept the deal though, as well they shouldn't, because Russia can't be trusted to honor agreements long-term (or even short-term).

That was proven with the month leading up to the invasion right up until this week. Everything coming out them has been a lie, to Ukraine, to the West, to their own people, and seemingly even to the lion's share of their military. From the look of it the only one not lied to was Xi, which is disconcerting in itself.

[IceBear]

Evil Putin is going to start World War 3! With nukes!

Allow me another perspective apart from the sentiments expressed in this thread of late.

Putin is not a "crazy evil madman". You're letting your American black-and-white sensibilities and Red paranoia get to you. Putin is a cynical, ambitious imperialist - a bully and a thug - in whose interest it is to make you think he could drop nukes any day. This time, however, he completely misjudged Ukraine's will to fight, how the West would respond, and how well he could control the narrative inside of Russia and the Russian military.

That's why there's increased repression of independent media, scary rhetoric aimed at the West and overtures to ceasefire with Ukraine. Putin is doing damage control. He is trying to scare the West from getting further involved. This latest offer from the Kreml re: ceasefire terms is absolutely a breakthrough and shows that the Kremlin really actually does want to make a deal with Zelenski. Not because they're good people, mind you, but because Mother Russia bleeds.

Ukraine won't accept the deal though, as well they shouldn't, because Russia can't be trusted to honor agreements long-term (or even short-term). Agreeing to those terms now only postpones the fight a few years. Russia needs to lose this war badly enough to be deterred from coming back for a long time.

At any rate, the damage is done and the Cold War is back, at least while Putin remains in power.

The logical part of me agrees with this 100% (not American but close enough)

I just can't convince my panicky emotional side to agree - that's why I'm up all night and unable to function at work

[Carpet_pissr]

Well, I'm just glad the US would never be so prideful as to get our asses whooped by such an "inferior" opponent, and then try to lie about how we didn't lose.

Reminds me of this awesome scene from Fish Called Wanda

https://youtu.be/RzT7s9OnJZU?t=148

Cleese: "BOI, they whipped your ass REAL GOOD!!!"

[Lagom Lite]

(not American but close enough)

Canadian? Well if I'm "European" you're American, buddy.

[IceBear]

(not American but close enough)

Canadian? Well if I'm "European" your'e American, buddy.

It's probably more true in my case

[El Guapo]

Evil Putin is going to start World War 3! With nukes!

Allow me another perspective apart from the sentiments expressed in this thread of late.

Putin is not a "crazy evil madman". You're letting your American black-and-white sensibilities and Red paranoia get to you. Putin is a cynical, ambitious imperialist - a bully and a thug - in whose interest it is to make you think he could drop nukes any day. This time, however, he completely misjudged Ukraine's will to fight, how the West would respond, and how well he could control the narrative inside of Russia and the Russian military.

That's why there's increased repression of independent media, scary rhetoric aimed at the West and overtures to ceasefire with Ukraine. Putin is doing damage control. He is trying to scare the West from getting further involved. This latest offer from the Kreml re: ceasefire terms is absolutely a breakthrough and shows that the Kremlin really actually does want to make a deal with Zelenski. Not because they're good people, mind you, but because Mother Russia bleeds.

Ukraine won't accept the deal though, as well they shouldn't, because Russia can't be trusted to honor agreements long-term (or even short-term). Agreeing to those terms now only postpones the fight a few years. Russia needs to lose this war badly enough to be deterred from coming back for a long time.

At any rate, the damage is done and the Cold War is back, at least while Putin remains in power.

The logical part of me agrees with this 100% (not American but close enough)

I just can't convince my panicky emotional side to agree - that's why I'm up all night and unable to function at work

Yeah you'd have to think that Putin has completely lost his mind to think that he would use nukes. Putin seems to be surrounded by yes men and may well have a distorted view of reality, but there's no information feed that he would be getting that would say "if you use nukes this will turn out well for you."

[LordMortis]

(not American but close enough)

Canadian? Well if I'm "European" you're American, buddy.

Heh, I try not to refer my nationality as American because America is Bi-Continental. However my ignorance abounds. I had no idea Sweden does not consider itself European, again, as I consider that a continental identification. I'm a bit confounded now.

[Lagom Lite]

(not American but close enough)

Canadian? Well if I'm "European" you're American, buddy.

Heh, I try not to refer my nationality as American because America is Bi-Continental. However my ignorance abounds. I had no idea Sweden does not consider itself European, again, as I consider that a continental identification. I'm a bit confounded now.

We consider ourselves European. What are you even on about.

[IceBear]

Yes, American is ambiguous at best, but we tend to refer to ourselves as Canadian and American to mean anyone from the United States, but really American could mean anyone from the New World. So that's my Canadian bias shining through

[El Guapo]

(not American but close enough)

Canadian? Well if I'm "European" you're American, buddy.

Heh, I try not to refer my nationality as American because America is Bi-Continental. However my ignorance abounds. I had no idea Sweden does not consider itself European, again, as I consider that a continental identification. I'm a bit confounded now.

I remember when I was studying abroad in England I met a number of Canadians who insisted that they were "American" because they were in North America. I was like yeah kind of...but not really.

[IceBear]

(not American but close enough)

Canadian? Well if I'm "European" you're American, buddy.

Heh, I try not to refer my nationality as American because America is Bi-Continental. However my ignorance abounds. I had no idea Sweden does not consider itself European, again, as I consider that a continental identification. I'm a bit confounded now.

I remember when I was studying abroad in England I met a number of Canadians who insisted that they were "American" because they were in North America. I was like yeah kind of...but not really.

That seems...odd. I haven't had the pleasure of going to Europe but it's my understanding that Canadians tend to go out of the way (putting Canadian flags on their gear, etc) to show that they are Canadian and not from the United States. Don't think I've heard of any aboard trying to say they were American, other than to be pedantic

[LordMortis]

(not American but close enough)

Canadian? Well if I'm "European" you're American, buddy.

Heh, I try not to refer my nationality as American because America is Bi-Continental. However my ignorance abounds. I had no idea Sweden does not consider itself European, again, as I consider that a continental identification. I'm a bit confounded now.

We consider ourselves European. What are you even on about.

Now I'm really confused.

[LawBeefaroni]

(not American but close enough)

Canadian? Well if I'm "European" you're American, buddy.

Heh, I try not to refer my nationality as American because America is Bi-Continental. However my ignorance abounds. I had no idea Sweden does not consider itself European, again, as I consider that a continental identification. I'm a bit confounded now.

I remember when I was studying abroad in England I met a number of Canadians who insisted that they were "American" because they were in North America. I was like yeah kind of...but not really.

That seems...odd. I haven't had the pleasure of going to Europe but it's my understanding that Canadians tend to go out of the way (putting Canadian flags on their gear, etc) to show that they are Canadian and not from the United States. Don't think I've heard of any abord trying to say they were American, other than to be pedantic

That's my experience abroad. Any Canadian that tells me they consider themselves American would immediately make me think they aren't Canadian. But maybe way back in the day it was a thing? Certainly not since the 90s.

[Lagom Lite]

Yes, American is ambiguous at best, but we tend to refer to ourselves as Canadian and American to mean anyone from the United States, but really American could mean anyone from the New World

You should start referring to yourself at "Texans", "Californias", "Quebecois" and so on. It would really help when encountering Americans abroad over here. I mean I could probably abide by Vermonters, but I'd like to freely exercise my anti-American prejudices on West Virginians.

[Lagom Lite]

(not American but close enough)

Canadian? Well if I'm "European" you're American, buddy.

Heh, I try not to refer my nationality as American because America is Bi-Continental. However my ignorance abounds. I had no idea Sweden does not consider itself European, again, as I consider that a continental identification. I'm a bit confounded now.

We consider ourselves European. What are you even on about.

Now I'm really confused.

Happy to help.

[malchior]

Yes, American is ambiguous at best, but we tend to refer to ourselves as Canadian and American to mean anyone from the United States, but really American could mean anyone from the New World

You should start referring to yourself at "Texans", "Californias", "Quebecois" and so on. It would really help when encountering Americans abroad over here. I mean I could probably abide by Vermonters, but I'd like to freely exercise my anti-American prejudices on West Virginians.

When I was in Europe a lot the people there had oddly specific knowledge about states in the US. I'll never forget when someone was gushing about Bruce Springsteen (since I'm from NJ). They were surprised when I said I was indifferent to him and not a fan. They seemed sad they couldn't share a love of 'The Boss' with a true NJ native.

[LordMortis]

Yes, American is ambiguous at best, but we tend to refer to ourselves as Canadian and American to mean anyone from the United States, but really American could mean anyone from the New World

You should start referring to yourself at "Texans", "Californias", "Quebecois" and so on. It would really help when encountering Americans abroad over here. I mean I could probably abide by Vermonters, but I'd like to freely exercise my anti-American prejudices on West Virginians.

When I was in Europe a lot the people there had oddly specific knowledge about states in the US. I'll never forget when someone was gushing about Bruce Springsteen (since I'm from NJ). They were surprised when I said I was indifferent to him and not a fan. They seemed sad they couldn't share a love of 'The Boss' with a true NJ native.

And here I think your claim to fame is The Misfits.

[malchior]

Yes, American is ambiguous at best, but we tend to refer to ourselves as Canadian and American to mean anyone from the United States, but really American could mean anyone from the New World

You should start referring to yourself at "Texans", "Californias", "Quebecois" and so on. It would really help when encountering Americans abroad over here. I mean I could probably abide by Vermonters, but I'd like to freely exercise my anti-American prejudices on West Virginians.

When I was in Europe a lot the people there had oddly specific knowledge about states in the US. I'll never forget when someone was gushing about Bruce Springsteen (since I'm from NJ). They were surprised when I said I was indifferent to him and not a fan. They seemed sad they couldn't share a love of 'The Boss' with a true NJ native.

And here I think your claim to fame is The Misfits.

Haha. They're probably my pick but I'd rank awareness of folks about NJ bands as Sinatra -> Springsteen -> Bon Jovi -> Lots of other bands -> Misfits.

[Daehawk]

We are this side of the Earth and those people are that side of the Earth.

[Lagom Lite]

(not American but close enough)

Canadian? Well if I'm "European" you're American, buddy.

Heh, I try not to refer my nationality as American because America is Bi-Continental. However my ignorance abounds. I had no idea Sweden does not consider itself European, again, as I consider that a continental identification. I'm a bit confounded now.

I remember when I was studying abroad in England I met a number of Canadians who insisted that they were "American" because they were in North America. I was like yeah kind of...but not really.

That seems...odd. I haven't had the pleasure of going to Europe but it's my understanding that Canadians tend to go out of the way (putting Canadian flags on their gear, etc) to show that they are Canadian and not from the United States. Don't think I've heard of any abord trying to say they were American, other than to be pedantic

That's my experience abroad. Any Canadian that tells me they consider themselves American would immediately make me think they aren't Canadian. But maybe way back in the day it was a thing? Certainly not since the 90s.

I remember meeting a couple of traveling Americans posing as Canadians at a BnB in Stockholm. This was in 2005 and lots of enlightened Americans were embarrassed by Bush and the Iraq war. I recall one of them accidendally outing himself screaming at the television in characteristic American loudmouth style (but really aimed at the rest of us); "NOT ALL AMERICANS SUPPORT BUSH!". We had to reassure him that we knew, and please calm down now. You're scaring the children.

(Actually, he wasn't scaring the children. We just found the sudden expressive, emotional outburst incredibly uncomfortable. We're Swedes, remember.)

[Lagom Lite]

Yes, American is ambiguous at best, but we tend to refer to ourselves as Canadian and American to mean anyone from the United States, but really American could mean anyone from the New World

You should start referring to yourself at "Texans", "Californias", "Quebecois" and so on. It would really help when encountering Americans abroad over here. I mean I could probably abide by Vermonters, but I'd like to freely exercise my anti-American prejudices on West Virginians.

When I was in Europe a lot the people there had oddly specific knowledge about states in the US. I'll never forget when someone was gushing about Bruce Springsteen (since I'm from NJ). They were surprised when I said I was indifferent to him and not a fan. They seemed sad they couldn't share a love of 'The Boss' with a true NJ native.

Oh, I feel your pain. Visiting England as a Swede means constantly asserting that you're not, in fact, a raging ABBA fan.

[El Guapo]

(not American but close enough)

Canadian? Well if I'm "European" you're American, buddy.

Heh, I try not to refer my nationality as American because America is Bi-Continental. However my ignorance abounds. I had no idea Sweden does not consider itself European, again, as I consider that a continental identification. I'm a bit confounded now.

I remember when I was studying abroad in England I met a number of Canadians who insisted that they were "American" because they were in North America. I was like yeah kind of...but not really.

That seems...odd. I haven't had the pleasure of going to Europe but it's my understanding that Canadians tend to go out of the way (putting Canadian flags on their gear, etc) to show that they are Canadian and not from the United States. Don't think I've heard of any abord trying to say they were American, other than to be pedantic

That's my experience abroad. Any Canadian that tells me they consider themselves American would immediately make me think they aren't Canadian. But maybe way back in the day it was a thing? Certainly not since the 90s.

I think they were mainly being "cheeky". I don't think that they really identified as American in any significant way.