The Propaganda War

[AC]

AC, who attacked whom in 1941?

Who started WWII Doll?  That's right, the Soviet Union did when they attacked Finland.  Get over it already.

[Shadow]

Who started WWII Doll?  That's right, the Soviet Union did when they attacked Finland.  Get over it already.

But America started WWI by invading Mexico.

[Muzh]

But America started WWI by invading Mexico.

Gee Shadow, at least keep it in the same century.

[jone]

I thought the invasion of Mexico was 1846.  Under Polk's administration.  (I really liked him as a President.  He said:  "I'm only running for one term" and stuck to his guns.)

[Gator]

But America started WWI by invading Mexico.

But it was your forefathers who started all the Indian wars in America.  The Dutch cheated the local Indians when buying Manhattan, the word got out, and every tribe after that had a grudge to settle with White Man. 

[jone]

Yes, but aside from the Dutch, and New Amsterdam, the initial Indian wars originated when Britain still ruled America (OH, NO! We are brothers with England.  That means we should be one country!)

[Gator]

Yes, but aside from the Dutch, and New Amsterdam, the initial Indian wars originated when Britain still ruled America (OH, NO! We are brothers with England.  That means we should be one country!)

Back when the French knew how to handle the native population of their territories. 

[AC]

Opinion piece in the Moscow Times

excerpt
World War II put an end to European military history. It would seem that Russia, as a country that suffered the full horror of that war, would have no interest in starting another military conflict. Now Moscow has not only begun the forceful repartitioning of another country's territory, but also a large-scale campaign to justify and even glorify those actions.

A European country that nobody intends to attack and yet revels in military adventurism and fosters a culture of violence has no future. I repeat: No territory is worth aggression and death. Under no circumstances should Europe — including Ukraine — attempt to appease Moscow or stoop to its level of behavior.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is correct in not directly opposing Moscow with military force and in essentially giving up the breakaway regions to Russia. Any people that seize territory belonging to another country will never prosper or find any measure of happiness. In fact, such actions rob them of their own status as "a people" and reduce them to a mob united only by a blind belief in their leader.

I am infinitely saddened that Russia chose the path of a rogue state this past year. It will bring neither glory to its leaders nor happiness to its people — not this year or in the years to come.


Vladislav Inozemtsev is the director of the Center for Post-Industrial Studies in Moscow and a newly appointed non-resident Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/russia-must-stop-glorifying-war-in-ukraine/514189.html

[Gator]

AC, an excellent piece.  It is an opinion, not a news article, and is hidden deep in the paper.  Nevertheless, it is a strong position, especially for someone living and working in Moscow.  I do not know anything about Vladislav Inozemtsev, yet the CSIS with whom he is associated is a well respected "think tank."

[AC]

AC, an excellent piece.  It is an opinion, not a news article, and is hidden deep in the paper.  Nevertheless, it is a strong position, especially for someone living and working in Moscow.  I do not know anything about Vladislav Inozemtsev, yet the CSIS with whom he is associated is a well respected "think tank."

Thanks Gator, you are correct about that.  I modified my post accordingly.

[Photo Guy]

Jone is right. Using Putin's logic:

1- The USA is militarily stronger than Great Britain
2- Great Britain speaks English.
3- The USA has its roots in Great Britain.
4- Therefore, the USA should annex Great Britain and protect its english-speakers from imaginary threats. That might serve American interests...
...barbaric.

[ML]

But if USA were to take over Great Britain, then USA taxpayers would be saddled with huge educational costs of teaching proper English language to the folks there.

No thanks.

[Photo Guy]

This makes me think of some hesitancy on the part of Putin to absorb the Donbas. Financial and social ramifications that are not entirely positive. Sometimes I feel like a huge wall should be build at the western edge of Donbas. You(rebels) want your own system and culture and a Soviet way of life? Okay. Let's see how you like it, as the rest of Ukraine prospers over time and follows the steps of Poland. In that scenario, the world would see a huge contrast, a western ideology versus a Soviet ideology. Maybe Donbas can never go 'home' again to Ukraine. It's a tragedy. Maybe they'll discover their Russian 'motherland' isn't so great...

[Anotherkiwi]

But if USA were to take over Great Britain, then USA taxpayers would be saddled with huge educational costs of teaching proper English language to the folks there.

No thanks.

Why teach them English?  I thought that the predominant language in the USA must now be Spanish, going by how many posters constantly bemoan the number of illegal Central and South American immigrants who are pouring over the borders!

P.S.  I would guess that Crimean and Donbas Russian differs slightly from "pure" Russian as well - maybe there will be opportunities for teachers to re-educate the "little brothers and sisters!" 

[fathertime]

Why teach them English?  I thought that the predominant language in the USA must now be Spanish, going by how many posters constantly bemoan the number of illegal Central and South American immigrants who are pouring over the borders!

 




Fathertime!   

[JayH]

This makes me think of some hesitancy on the part of Putin to absorb the Donbas. Financial and social ramifications that are not entirely positive. Sometimes I feel like a huge wall should be build at the western edge of Donbas. You(rebels) want your own system and culture and a Soviet way of life? Okay. Let's see how you like it, as the rest of Ukraine prospers over time and follows the steps of Poland. In that scenario, the world would see a huge contrast, a western ideology versus a Soviet ideology. Maybe Donbas can never go 'home' again to Ukraine. It's a tragedy. Maybe they'll discover their Russian 'motherland' isn't so great...

PG -- the thought that you express here were common in Ukraine about july /august last year where was a widespread view in Ukraine that letting the Donbas go  was a smart thing to do--if it was going to stop the Russians there.From then until November there was a pronounced shift of opinion--to concede nothing and fight to defend Ukraine as hard as possible.
I am against conceding a centimetre -regardless. This has so few people from the Donbas involved it is nothing like a popular uprising--it is Russian imposed occupation that a few misguided locals joined-when they thought they were choosing a winning side.Look at poll results I posted recently--- that paints a clear picture.
Putin will never leave Ukraine alone or stop attempting to destabilise it. The only solution for Ukraine is to remove them-and exclude them.Putin knows( that is if he has a future) that a functioning democracy successful on his doorstep would be the end of his regime in Russia-- so in fact he is fighting that battle already.

[lordtiberius]

Why teach them English?  I thought that the predominant language in the USA must now be Spanish,

What do you got against Spanish?

going by how many posters constantly bemoan the number of illegal Central and South American immigrants who are pouring over the borders!

I would rather deal with those that don't habla than those that Allah akbah . . .  jus' sayin'

[Anotherkiwi]

What do you got against Spanish?

Nothing at all, unlike, apparently, many of your fellow citizens.

I would rather deal with those that don't habla than those that Allah akbah . . .  jus' sayin'

And how many of the latter do you actually know?

[lordtiberius]

Its funny.  Very few Americans on this forum have harsh words for Abbott or Gillard who are unrecognizable in a policy sense.  But when the Yanks come to town we get the odd angry shot.  Why is that?

As to the presence of the Muhammadan,  Come to Houston! 

[Anotherkiwi]

Its funny.  Very few Americans on this forum have harsh words for Abbott or Gillard who are unrecognizable in a policy sense.

Who are they?  Oh, you mean the AUSTRALIAN politicians! 

But when the Yanks come to town we get the odd angry shot.  Why is that?

What on earth are you burbling about now?

As to the presence of the Muhammadan,  Come to Houston!

Too far away.

[lordtiberius]

I made my point Kiwi.

[Anotherkiwi]

I made my point Kiwi.

I'm glad you think so, although I have no idea what that point was.  I'm getting more and more confused, as your posts ramble further and further away from the points that other people are trying to make.

[lordtiberius]

I have no idea what that point was.  I'm getting more and more confused,

No surprise here

[mendeleyev]

But if USA were to take over Great Britain, then USA taxpayers would be saddled with huge educational costs of teaching proper English language to the folks there.

Not to mention they'd need to be taught about real bacon and how to carve a pork chip. LOL

[Photo Guy]

Great Britain would benefit from 'American' food, which is very international. Very few 'British food' restaurants in the states. Hopefully we could absorb more of the Brit's humour...