Economic war

[lordtiberius]

Fathertime represents the majority and the majority doesn't care about Ukraine's fate. They don't identify themselves with Ukrainians as they would Canadians and the Brits. They are more interested in other issues. Once you understand reality, you can deal with reality properly.

This is wrong headed thinking.  Most Americans are as you say unwilling to die in Ukraine where as they might die if the US, Canada or UK was in danger.  Most Americans could less about this, but they understand that Putin is the aggressor.

[mendeleyev]

One of the columnists that I really appreciate, in part because she possess the ability to make readers laugh, is Jennifer Eremeeva. Jennifer is an excellent writer living in Moscow with Russian husband whom she affectionately dubs as "HRH" (Horrible Russian Husband). She has the pulse of Russians fairly well, and she is a mean chef and photographer, too.

She is the author of the very funny audiobook, "Lenin Lives Next Door."

This article was written last June so sanctions had not then yet had much of an impact, but you might find her comments interesting.

Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m a little disappointed in Obama.

(And my one Republican friend is now dancing the Parcheesi dance of victory.)

I’m disappointed in Obama not because of the stalemate in Congress, because, obviously, that’s the Republicans’ fault; no, I’m disappointed in Obama because of his pussy footing around about Russia. Not that I want the US and Russia to go to war, which would totally put a monkey wrench in my plan to redo my guest bedroom in Moscow, but I would like to see the Leader of the Free World let fly with some serious threats. Threats backed up with something tangible like 103rd airborne division, instead of these namby-pamby, hazy, murky, kinda-sorta “consequences” Obama keeps hinting at if Putin continues to muck about with Ukraine’s fumbling attempts to become a sovereign nation.

The rest of the article is here: http://russialite.com/poor-parenting-and-putin/

[lordtiberius]

Most Americans agree with McCain.  Most of Congress also agrees with McCain not Obama and certainly not anarchists like FT.

[jone]

Most Americans agree with McCain.  Most of Congress also agrees with McCain not Obama and certainly not anarchists like FT.

I disagree.  Most Americans do not support John McCain's 'shoot first, ask questions later mentality'.    Americans can not be the source of advanced weaponry in Ukraine.  Now, maybe the Germans, Canadians and Australians can Lend or Lease a hand.

[jone]

One of the columnists that I really appreciate, in part because she possess the ability to make readers laugh, is Jennifer Eremeeva. Jennifer is an excellent writer living in Moscow with Russian husband whom she affectionately dubs as "HRH" (Horrible Russian Husband). She has the pulse of Russians fairly well, and she is a mean chef and photographer, too.

She is the author of the very funny audiobook, "Lenin Lives Next Door."

This article was written last June so sanctions had not then yet had much of an impact, but you might find her comments interesting.

The rest of the article is here: http://russialite.com/poor-parenting-and-putin/

Thanks for the introduction.  Sure beats reading that second hand column on life, arts, culture, etc. by some illiterate hillbilly from the States.

[Gator]

  I’m disappointed in Obama not because of the stalemate in Congress, because, obviously, that’s the Republicans’ fault; no, I’m disappointed in Obama because of his pussy footing around about Russia. Not that I want the US and Russia to go to war, which would totally put a monkey wrench in my plan to redo my guest bedroom in Moscow, but I would like to see the Leader of the Free World let fly with some serious threats. Threats backed up with something tangible like 103rd airborne division, instead of these namby-pamby, hazy, murky, kinda-sorta “consequences” Obama keeps hinting at if Putin continues to muck about with Ukraine’s fumbling attempts to become a sovereign nation.   

I gather Jennifer is an American expat married to a Russian.   For sure she is a liberal if she blames only the Republicans for the stalemate in Washington, DC.   It is surprising to hear a liberal rattling swords and beating warpath drums. 


Jennifer confuses me with the "103rd Airborne Division" comment.  The US has the 82nd and the 101st, but not the 103rd.  My uncle did a combat jump in WWII with the 101st, the Screaming Eagles, and years later in Vietnam my engineering unit gave them construction support.  The 101st no longer jumps from planes (repel from helicopters now).



BTW, is "Lenin Lives Next Door" a good read?  I enjoy expat writing that finds humor in tidbits that most people would question if not criticize.  In 1986 before I went to Moscow to visit some Dutch diplomatic friends, I read such a book.  The title is long forgotten, yet I recall many of anecdotes, etc.  The writer explained when a metro passenger fails to pay,  the Soviets designed the turnstiles to slam shut at genital level to make sure he does not pass his genes to the next generation.  Another:  when you visit the USSR, a KGB is assigned to spy on you, and you will meet a friendly, beautiful dyevushka, who soon will give you the same STDs that your KGB follower has.  The book had page after page of such.
 

[mendeleyev]

Thanks for the introduction.  Sure beats reading that second hand column on life, arts, culture, etc. by some illiterate hillbilly from the States.

 

[Larry1]

Thanks for the introduction.  Sure beats reading that second hand column on life, arts, culture, etc. by some illiterate hillbilly from the States.

Correction: Russophobe hillbilly 

[mendeleyev]

Jennifer confuses me with the "103rd Airborne Division" comment.  The US has the 82nd and the 101st, but not the 103rd.

I think that such is part of her offbeat humour. 

I believe that you would enjoy her writing. Her topics are laced with humour, and often the sort that is confusing to those for whom English is a second language but you would understand her comments on Russian life.

[fathertime]

Most Americans agree with McCain.  Most of Congress also agrees with McCain not Obama and certainly not anarchists like FT.

haha...I seriously doubt many agree with McCain, aside from you...I'm thankful he didn't win when he had his chance....So now this week i'm an 'anarchist'?.. ....in any case, you have no honor!   


Fathertime!

[BillyB]

  It is surprising to hear a liberal rattling swords and beating warpath drums. 

I've seen liberals here complain Obama isn't doing enough. It was liberal Democrat Presidents that led us into WW1 WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and Yugoslavia. I don't disagree with their moves but I disagree with their timing. Wait too long and increased destruction and loss of lives are the result. Obama may get tougher only after Putin disrupt more people's lives. Flexing lots of muscle early may have got Putin to back off but NATO likes to apply the cheapest methods when dealing with aggressors. When we do stop him, we may have to shoot going in.

Jennifer confuses me with the "103rd Airborne Division" comment.  The US has the 82nd and the 101st, but not the 103rd. 

The USSR had a 103rd airborne division but it's disbanded now.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Soviet_divisions_1917%E2%80%9345

[Muzh]

Most Americans agree with McCain.  Most of Congress also agrees with McCain not Obama and certainly not anarchists like FT.

How in the world can you say something like that?


Hint: McCain was badly defeated in the elections.

[lordtiberius]

I have no idea why you keep insulting me.  For the sake of civility and collegiality, I h ave tried to refrain from insulting you.  I have even demonstrated areas where we agree.

In 2008, neoconservativism died.  You would be hard pressed to find one like McCain, Bolton or Bush.  Obama's election and reelection demonstrated the public's assent to Obama's "smart" diplomacy.  This "smart" diplomacy is built on multilateralism and letting other nations take the lead.

This works fine in theory.  But Mr. Obama's critics on the left decried that Obama's smart diplomacy looks a lot like Bush's neoconservative unilateralism.  See the Arab Spring, Libyan war and Syria.  Also President Obama doesn't do Human Intelligence gathering anymore.  He is closing Gitmo and these shadowy POW camps of indefinite detention are problematic to his base.  So he drones people on rumor.

The man pledged to end the Iraq and Afghan wars.  Yet our troops have left Iraq and war has returned.  The ISIS beheadings show us the wisdom of Mr. Obama's policies.

But the most damning statement was Obama's contemptuous response to Romney's belief that Russia is our greatest geopolitical foe.  Turns out Mr. Romney was right and Obama was wrong.

Its not that multilateralism is always wrong and unilateralism is always right.  Clinton and Reagn used multilateralism to resolve threats.  The problem is that Mr. Obama's approach to multilateralism is all wrong.  This is due to flaws in his character.

[Muzh]

I have no idea why you keep insulting me.  For the sake of civility and collegiality, I h ave tried to refrain from insulting you.  I have even demonstrated areas where we agree.

Are you talking to me?


From this?

How in the world can you say something like that?

Hint: McCain was badly defeated in the elections.

In 2008, neoconservativism died.  You would be hard pressed to find one like McCain, Bolton or Bush.  Obama's election and reelection demonstrated the public's assent to Obama's "smart" diplomacy.  This "smart" diplomacy is built on multilateralism and letting other nations take the lead.

Sorry but neoconservativism is alive and kicking. What has happened is that conservatives have moved more to the right so they don't see any neocons. They have been assimilated. Resistance is futile.

This works fine in theory.  But Mr. Obama's critics on the left decried that Obama's smart diplomacy looks a lot like Bush's neoconservative unilateralism.  See the Arab Spring, Libyan war and Syria.  Also President Obama doesn't do Human Intelligence gathering anymore.  He is closing Gitmo and these shadowy POW camps of indefinite detention are problematic to his base.  So he drones people on rumor.

See what I mean? Obama's unilateralism? The man is a joke. He cannot unilaterally ties his own shoes as much as he tries.

The man pledged to end the Iraq and Afghan wars.  Yet our troops have left Iraq and war has returned.  The ISIS beheadings show us the wisdom of Mr. Obama's policies.

But the most damning statement was Obama's contemptuous response to Romney's belief that Russia is our greatest geopolitical foe.  Turns out Mr. Romney was right and Obama was wrong.

Its not that multilateralism is always wrong and unilateralism is always right.  Clinton and Reagn used multilateralism to resolve threats.  The problem is that Mr. Obama's approach to multilateralism is all wrong.  This is due to flaws in his character.

Yep, he's, er,... different.

[lordtiberius]

He is black - half black at that and no slave blood.  So what?

He is as you say not competent.

[lordtiberius]

Sorry FT.

Iran's lobbying efforts fail:$25 Oil? http://ca.news.yahoo.com/iran-oil-minister-says-no-plans-call-emergency-133332881--finance.html via http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brennasoft.drudgeondroids #drudgeondroid

[fathertime]

Sorry FT.

Iran's lobbying efforts fail:$25 Oil? http://ca.news.yahoo.com/iran-oil-minister-says-no-plans-call-emergency-133332881--finance.html via http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brennasoft.drudgeondroids #drudgeondroid

Why are you apologizing to me?  Oil currently is around 48 dollars a barrel....You, and a couple others here have insisted it was going to sink lower than 40 and hit 30....I have a hard time believing that, unless we hit a recession, and even then it would probably be brief....I like cheap gas as much as the next person, I've got 3 cars in the driveway.. 


Fathertime! 

[JayH]

Iran sees no OPEC shift toward a cut, says oil industry could withstand $25 crude

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran sees no sign of a shift within OPEC toward action to support oil prices, its oil minister said, adding its oil industry could ride out a further price slump to $25 a barrel.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/iran-oil-minister-says-no-plans-call-emergency-133332881--finance.html

[lordtiberius]

Why are you apologizing to me?  Oil currently is around 48 dollars a barrel....You, and a couple others here have insisted it was going to sink lower than 40 and hit 30....I have a hard time believing that, unless we hit a recession, and even then it would probably be brief....I like cheap gas as much as the next person, I've got 3 cars in the driveway.. 


Fathertime!

Jay just reposted the article I linked to UT.  Wanna bet it dips below $ 30?  $ 10 to the charity of your choice.

[lordtiberius]

http://www.mid.ru/bdomp/brp_4.nsf/e78a48070f128a7b43256999005bcbb3/827e53999b97ddae43257dd2005c6e43!OpenDocument

Remarks to Chinese media from the Russian ambassador

He lays it on thick

[fathertime]

Jay just reposted the article I linked to UT.  Wanna bet it dips below $ 30?  $ 10 to the charity of your choice.

Ok...lets put a timeframe on it and agree as to which market we use.  I propose 1 year and we use this as our measure:
http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=clg15.nym


Fathertime! 

[lordtiberius]

Agree.

[ML]

Ok...lets put a timeframe on it and agree as to which market we use.  I propose 1 year and we use this as our measure:
http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=clg15.nym


Fathertime!

OK, you both send me the wager money to hold.

You were talking 10 million . . . right ?

[fathertime]

OK, you both send me the wager money to hold.

You were talking 10 million . . . right ?

  hehe...you could have a lot of fun with 10 million 'to hold'[size=78%]....I know I could![/size]



Fathertime!

[TheBullRDR]

my family and I all being deep in the oil business, and some of the family highly placed in some companies, dont think it will get below the high 30's  at its lowest point.  Below 30?  while it is possible,  it is also unlikely.