The Death of the Current Russian Regime.......

[TigerPaws]

Not by any stretch of the imagination...


"Vassal State Law & Legal Definition

A vassal state is a state that is supposed to possess and enjoy only those rights that are granted to it by a more powerful state. The term is seen used in the context of international law. A vassal state is any state that is subordinate to another. Being a vassal most commonly implies providing military assistance to the dominant state when requested to do so."...

http://definitions.uslegal.com/v/vassal-state/

Neither Canada nor Mexico in state or government (ruler) pay tribute in tax or manpower to the U.S.

Neither country are required to lend military assistance to the U.S. other than being signatory to reciprocal treatise NORAD being an example NATO (Canada being a NATO nation) another.

Canada and Mexico both have their own Constitutions and Laws that are independent of, nor rely on, are subordinate or contrived from the U.S. Constitution.

Frankly, I'm a bit taken aback. As a General Officer you should have been educated in political studies at some point in your career at an Army Command/ General Staff College or School.

I'd be interested to read how you arrived at your conclusion that Canada and Mexico meet the criteria to be considered Vassal States to the U.S.(?)

Brass

Both Canada and Mexico are dependent on the U.S. Cut off trade with either country and they wither and die, cut off payments by people residing within the U.S. to Mexico and it would wither and die. When the U.S. tells either country to jump they always ask how high.

For the most part both countries are more or less allowed to do as they please as long as they do not interfere with whatever agenda is in place at the moment.

The economic and political realities are that both countries are significantly weaker than the U.S. is every respect and while their presumed leaders would never openly acknowledge that it is a fact none-the-less. 

[Boethius]

Both Canada and Mexico are dependent on the U.S. Cut off trade with either country and they wither and die,

Canada has a net trade deficit with the US.  Many of the goods exported could be exported elsewhere.  Economics makes the US its best market.

Canada also represents about 24% of US exports.

Trade represents about 35% of Canada's economy.  So, the country would not collapse without US trade, though life would be more difficult.

[TigerPaws]

Canada has a net trade deficit with the US.  Many of the goods exported could be exported elsewhere.  Economics makes the US its best market.

Canada also represents about 24% of US exports.

Trade represents about 35% of Canada's economy.  So, the country would not collapse without US trade, though life would be more difficult.

The reality is that Canada is a small (economically, politically and population) country which is dependent on the good will of the U.S. While native Canadians and those elsewhere who's allegiance remains with Canada may loathe to admit that their country and its people need the U.S. more than the U.S. needs them. The facts speak for themselves, the U.S is the friendly big brother that expects compliance and loyalty in order to remain that way.

[Boethius]

There is no "compliance" vis a vis US policies.  Canada has many policies which are contrary to those of the U.S.  For example, Canada has always had friendly trade relations with Cuba.  Pierre Trudeau and Fidel Castro were personal friends, and Trudeau visited Castro often.  Castro made an unprecedented foreign visit to attend Trudeau's Montreal funeral.

Canada opened diplomatic relations with China in 1961.  It had strong diplomatic relations with the USSR from 1971, and throughout the tense periods of the first Reagan administration.

Until Harper gained a majority government, Canada had good diplomatic relations with Iran, having been restored in 1990.

Canada refused to sent troops to Iraq in 2003, which caused a rift in Canada-US relations.

I'm sure Canada is a conduit of information for the Americans, but then, so are the Brits.  However, those relations were often undertaken contrary to American pressures.

[TigerPaws]

There is no "compliance" vis a vis US policies.  Canada has many policies which are contrary to those of the U.S.  For example, Canada has always had friendly trade relations with Cuba.  Pierre Trudeau and Fidel Castro were personal friends, and Trudeau visited Castro often.  Castro made an unprecedented foreign visit to attend Trudeau's Montreal funeral.

Canada opened diplomatic relations with China in 1961.  It had strong diplomatic relations with the USSR from 1971, and throughout the tense periods of the first Reagan administration.

Until Harper gained a majority government, Canada had good diplomatic relations with Iran, having been restored in 1990.

Canada refused to sent troops to Iraq in 2003, which caused a rift in Canada-US relations.

I'm sure Canada is a conduit of information for the Americans, but then, so are the Brits.  However, those relations were often undertaken contrary to American pressures.

Canada eventually gives into pressure from the U.S. and it would be in the U.S.'s best interests to have back channel communications to unfriendly countries. So your point is correct, Canada is totally in the hip pocket of the U.S. when the U.S. needs them to be.

There is an old saying in the U.S. intelligence community, "No one in North or Central America Takes a dump without us knowing about it". The meaning is crystal clear, when push comes to shove, they do what they are told to.

[Anotherkiwi]

So this English guy travels to Iowa.  He watches the grain harvest there and asks his host what the Iowans do with all that corn.  The farmer says:  "We eat what we can and what we can't, we can."

When he goes back to England and was asked that same question by his countrymen:  What do the Iowans do with their corn?

Somewhat perplexed, he answered:  "They ate what they could, and what they couldn't, they could."

I have actually seen that one before.    While I know it's a joke, you would probably find a lot of English (or British, or even other nationalities) who might be as puzzled as the gent in question because they preserve foodstuffs in bottles, rather than cans.

[Anotherkiwi]

 It doesn't matter. Who cares that average American cannot tell the difference between a Russian or a Ukrainian woman. My wife understands that most will not and is ok with it. Why would it bother us?

Maybe not you personally, Alex, but there have been plenty on here who've foamed at the mouth about how "Americans" couldn't find Ukraine on a map, even if there were only two countries shown.  It's fine by me if your wife doesn't mind losing a little bit of her national identity - others may disagree.  The obvious examples are Canadian tourists always being mistaken for those who live south of the border because they sound so similar, and Australians and New Zealanders being mistaken for the other nationality for just the same reason - even though WE can tell the difference, most others can't.

Seems a bit medieval to force all the other citizens on the American continents to adopt the "American" name in it's current use but if it makes you happy, sure. They may not like it though 

Nobody is forcing anyone to do anything!  It's only current use because nobody in your country could think of an easy alternative for "United Statesians!" 

[JayH]

AK--it is a little like Aussies and Kiwis being wrong attributed.
It can be annoying-- but not life threatening!!While undoubtedly-- we will correct the presumption-we are more bemused than angry.( well- at least Aussies are !!   )

[Anotherkiwi]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynesia#/media/File:Map_OC-Polynesia.PNG

So, you're not a Kiwi or New Zealander any longer, but a Polynesian! 

"Polynesian" in the ethnic sense has always been used to describe those with brown skin - Maori, Tahitians, Cook Islanders, Samoans, Tongans and so on, rather than those descended from European or Asian settlers.  Although I'm of European descent, I'm happy to live in what has always been described as the biggest Polynesian city in the world.

[Brasscasing]

Both Canada and Mexico are dependent on the U.S. Cut off trade with either country and they wither and die, cut off payments by people residing within the U.S. to Mexico and it would wither and die. When the U.S. tells either country to jump they always ask how high.

For the most part both countries are more or less allowed to do as they please as long as they do not interfere with whatever agenda is in place at the moment.

The economic and political realities are that both countries are significantly weaker than the U.S. is every respect and while their presumed leaders would never openly acknowledge that it is a fact none-the-less. 

...Not even close.

Besides being factually wrong in several of your statements (Bo already addressed them up thread) it's somehow slipped your mind that both Canada and Mexico have autonomous foreign relations, policy and agreements/treaties with numerous sovereign nations (including the U.S.) which, as any good intelligence officer would know, is the first thing a vassal state abrogates.

Try looking up 'client' state. Maybe that'll refresh your memory, General. 

Somebody is reading the propaganda on Russia Today.

Lol. Yeah, I shoulda clued in when he used terminology that fell into disuse with the West (except maybe in the Poli Sci 101 syllabus) after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

Brass

[TigerPaws]

...Not even close.

Besides being factually wrong in several of your statements (Bo already addressed them up thread) it's somehow slipped your mind that both Canada and Mexico have autonomous foreign relations, policy and agreements/treaties with numerous sovereign nations (including the U.S.) which, as any good intelligence officer would know, is the first thing a vassal state abrogates.

Try looking up 'client' state. Maybe that'll refresh your memory, General. 

Lol. Yeah, I shoulda clued in when he used terminology that fell into disuse with the West (except maybe in the Poli Sci 101 syllabus) after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

Brass

Like most people Sir you confuse independence with control. There is no need to direct the day to day actions of a vassal state, only those actions which are in the senior states best interests. The U.S. exercises direct and indirect control through many avenues, everything is not direct military intervention or the threat of intervention.

A personal call or an in person meeting from a senior official expressing what the U.S. administration wants the vassal state to say and or do, inducements and threats (economic reprisals) in order to get the vassal state to comply with what the senior administration wants.

There are many ways to control a lesser country. Militarily how long would it take to invade and take over either Mexico or Canada? But why bother to own something when you can control it?

We do not own a car, boat or home, those are owned by an off-shore shell corporation, yet we 100% control those things. You do not have to own/posses something to control it.

[sleepycat]

More likely that miserable excuse of a country known as Russia is a vassal state to China.
What will they do if the Chinese stopped buying that crap they pump out from the ground...

[TigerPaws]

More likely that miserable excuse of a country known as Russia is a vassal state to China.
What will they do if the Chinese stopped buying that crap they pump out from the ground...

And the U.S. is any different What would happen if China dumped the over 1 TRILLION in U.S. Treasure bonds? What would happen if China suspended all trade with the U.S.?

Without the "crap" from China 3/4 of the shelves in most American stores would be empty.

So what is the difference between Russia and the U.S.?

[sleepycat]

So what is the difference between Russia and the U.S.?[/color]

The latter is a first world country with a diversified economy.
The former is neither. 

[TigerPaws]

The latter is a first world country with a diversified economy.
The former is neither. 

China is a 1st world economy with over 350 million in their workforce they supply a large percentage of the world with manufactured goods. They are a growing economic power with their own physical gold exchange (vs the Comex which is all fake paper and over sold by 542 paper oz to 1 physical htthttp://www.businessinsider.com/comex-vault-doesnt-have-enough-gold-2016-5p:// ).

China has it's own industrial base, they manufacture their own weapons for defense. By any measure China is a 1st world country, one which the U.S. is beholden to.
 

[Brasscasing]

Like most people Sir you confuse independence with control. There is no need to direct the day to day actions of a vassal state, only those actions which are in the senior states best interests. The U.S. exercises direct and indirect control through many avenues, everything is not direct military intervention or the threat of intervention.

, inducements and threats (economic reprisals) in order to get the vassal state to comply with what A personal call or an in person meeting from a senior official expressing what the U.S. administration wants the vassal state to say and or dothe senior administration wants.

There are many ways to control a lesser country. Militarily how long would it take to invade and take over either Mexico or Canada? But why bother to own something when you can control it?

We do not own a car, boat or home, those are owned by an off-shore shell corporation, yet we 100% control those things. You do not have to own/posses something to control it.

None of which either addresses or substantiates your original assertion that Canada and Mexico are vassal states of the U.S.

You  have a rather imaginative take on the subject but your premise is factually wrong. Based on your premise Greenland would be a "defacto" vassal state of Canada simply because it happens to be a neighboring country which, of course, it is not (Greenland is actually closer to the definition of a vassal state in that it has an autonomous government but still considers itself part of Denmark). 

Neither Canada nor Mexico come anywhere close to meeting the criteria to be classed as vassal states and I would say it is you who is confused if you believe that Canada (or Mexico for that matter) is internally "controlled" by the U.S.

A look at US/Canada border, trade, fish, lumber, land disputes or foreign policy regarding Ukraine shoots down any such notion that ..."A personal call or an in person meeting from a senior official expressing what the U.S. administration wants the vassal state to say and or do"... If this were the case it would have been exercised long before now and most certainly with the former government and it's stance on the Iran nuclear deal which the conservative government adamantly opposed.

Brass

[sleepycat]

China is a 1st world economy with over 350 million in their workforce they supply a large percentage of the world with manufactured goods. They are a growing economic power with their own physical gold exchange (vs the Comex which is all fake paper and over sold by 542 paper oz to 1 physical htthttp://www.businessinsider.com/comex-vault-doesnt-have-enough-gold-2016-5p:// ).

China has it's own industrial base, they manufacture their own weapons for defense. By any measure China is a 1st world country, one which the U.S. is beholden to.

You must have comprehension issues TP...
In post #62 this is your own words "So what is the difference between Russia and the U.S.?"
So why switch and deflect to talk about China instead?
Is it because you can't come up with anything positive to say about the economy of your beloved putinland? 

[TigerPaws]

You must have comprehension issues TP...
In post #62 this is your own words "So what is the difference between Russia and the U.S.?"
So why switch and deflect to talk about China instead?
Is it because you can't come up with anything positive to say about the economy of your beloved putinland? 

In some respects I prefer Russia to the U.S., they are less politically correct, they do not cater to the LGBT crowd, they keep the muslims in their place. Could things be better there? Without question.

The U.S. is not the end all in the world, it is nice in many respects but so are other places. Having traveled most of the globe I can say from personal experience that it is nice to come back but I no longer call the U.S. home because home is where my wife and daughter happen to be.

Our daughter speaks, reads and writes fairly good Russian and we now have her learning Chinese because those are the
economies of the future, the U.S. if it survives in its current form will at best be a distant 3rd place.

[sleepycat]

Our daughter speaks, reads and writes fairly good Russian and we now have her learning Chinese because those are the
economies of the future, the population of a vassal state is required to learn the language of their master.

There, fixed it for you...

[cc3]

In some respects I prefer Russia to the U.S., they are less politically correct, they do not cater to the LGBT crowd, they keep the muslims in their place. Could things be better there? Without question.

The U.S. is not the end all in the world, it is nice in many respects but so are other places. Having traveled most of the globe I can say from personal experience that it is nice to come back but I no longer call the U.S. home because home is where my wife and daughter happen to be.

Our daughter speaks, reads and writes fairly good Russian and we now have her learning Chinese because those are the
economies of the future, the U.S. if it survives in its current form will at best be a distant 3rd place.

So, troll, you live in Muscovy...St.Petersburg, perhaps? The truth will out. You're so transparent that you are becoming the joke of the forum.

[sleepycat]

So, troll, you live in Muscovy...St.Petersburg, perhaps? The truth will out. You're so transparent that you are becoming the joke of the forum.

You mean he is not a retired US Army high ranking officer as he claimed?
 

[TigerPaws]

So, troll, y
ou live in Muscovy...St.Petersburg, perhaps? The truth will out. You're so transparent that you are becoming the joke of the forum.

I see that you have studied Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals.

“Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions. (Pretty crude, rude and mean, huh? They want to create anger and fear.)

 "If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.”


When a group or person is left with no further intellectual point they resort to insults and attacks. Seems to be true in your case.

[krimster2]

> but I no longer call the U.S. home because home is where my wife and daughter happen to be

that's strange, because your wife happens to be under the impression that she lives in the USA
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Viktoria-The-Russian-Chefina/1538908709661884

"Even though that I do not live in Russia...”

[JayH]

You mean he is not a retired US Army high ranking officer as he claimed?

> but I no longer call the U.S. home because home is where my wife and daughter happen to be

that's strange, because your wife happens to be under the impression that she lives in the USA
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Viktoria-The-Russian-Chefina/1538908709661884

"Even though that I do not live in Russia...”

Surely your not suggesting  Mr TIGER PAWS  is lying?  What are the specific lies that you can see?  Or has he just invented "his" story/s?

[JayH]

Every empire has its beginning and its end. So it was before. So is there now. Gone into oblivion the great Rome. Pala Empire of Alexander the Great. No Genghis Khan states, Charlemagne and Napoleon. I sunk into oblivion Soviet Union. And now, apparently, it's time, and Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation.


Vladimir Putin. End of story

Putin had a chance to make Russia really great. Huge revenues from energy trade could become a factor of economic and social transformation, the development of their own innovative technologies that could say a new word in modern science and technology. Alas, the president of the Russian Federation decided to go another way, blowing finance the army, weapons, intelligence agencies, police and indirectly encouraging corruption among bureaucrats and bureaucracy.

He chose the path of dictators, who, instead of success within the country served their people the myth of the evil enemy, supposedly hungry for the complete destruction of Russia. And cruel joke of destiny lies in the fact that the Russians believe this myth, without going into details, not wanting to know the ins and outs of the situation, which involves their ruler.

http://newsonline24.com.ua/vladimir-putin-konec-istorii