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The EU is supposed to be an economic union. But most of its members don't seem to have a grasp of basic economics. Many were eager to jump into NATO for protection from the big bad bear, and into the EU for handouts. It's almost as if Germany actually was the eventual winner of WWII. It has the controlling hand in the EU. And the outliers have to go along in order to get bailed out of their ineptitude. At the very least, all the member countries could contribute bodies for a united military force--which could easily defend itself against Russia. Yet we still have forces there. And here at home, we are bankrupt and proposing to go even further in debt, are downsizing the military, have "commitments" to other countries in our hemisphere and to Pacific Rim countries. The Caribbean, Central and South Americans have serious economic problems which feed us with millions of illegal immigrants. And continuously have surges of Marxist puppet dictators (with whom Putin threatens to ally). Our Pacific allies are constantly threatened by China and N. Korea (Oh yeah, Russia is making some pact with China). What would we do if China decided to do a Crimea on Taiwan? Our ties to the Middle East drain us and confuse us, and our strongest ally there is daily under siege and in threat of annihilation, and other "allies" there fund those who wish to destroy us. We won't allow Canada to build a pipe line which has been determined not to be a threat to the environment. (And, oh, as a funny aside, the Canadian Government and the State of Michigan agreed on building another bridge to each other to ease the crossing traffic jams due to the security inspections since 9/11. The Obama Administration okayed the deal and promised $200 million, I think, not sure of the figure, to kick in for the U.S. side of the obligations. But Obama's proposed budget left that paltry sum out. So, the upshot, the Democrat candidate running to replace the retiring Senator Carl Levin, and who is behind in the polls is "jumping" in and proposing a bill to put the money back in federal budget. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: The Republican Governor had successfully fought for the bridged to be built, his Republican state congress backed him, and now the Democrat candidate who is behind in the polls is going to be the "savior" of the project!! Wanna bet there was a little "smart" Chicago Style collusion to leave the bill out of the budget so he could be the knight in shining armor?) So we have these monumental problems which we don't seem to have a serious answer for, but somehow we're supposed to be the deciding factor in the Ukraine dispute, even though Russia is a third world militarily second rate and geographically limited runt? And what is it, exactly, that the EU is doing to help us with our problems? It's almost like the Canada/Michigan bridge thing--like we're behind in the polls but put a shining light on our dim situation by coming in to save the day in some off the wall matter that distracts from the bad moment. Just keep the distractions coming till the mid terms. |
I guess you're right, we should just cut the EU off and let Russia strengthen it's economic position in the world. There's not a lot we can do about it anyway with Obama and Kerry running around encouraging this kind of primative behavior. Putin may even put his shirt back on...
Perhaps Russia can use it's strengthened position in Crimea to expand it's navy and start patrolling the Ocean's shipping lanes for us. The savings for the US taxpayer here would be huge and could be returned to the wealthy to increase the supply of goods. Good lord, just imagine if we had another smartphone option to choose from! -spence |
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Ok, so now we should reinvest in Cold War tension to inflame a region already dependent on Russian energy? I'm not against using our natural gas surplus to help the EU become more independent, but balancing strategic weapons against home heating will come at quite a cost.
I think Russia has over-reached with Crimea. They may succeed in keeping it, but I don't think it's going to gain them much. It's a novelty prize for Putin if anything and will only accelerate Ukraine's status in the EU assuming they can get their crap together. I think if Russia tries to annex the east and capture most of Ukraine's industrial output you'll see civil war...they don't want that. The bigger picture is Russian and Chinese influence in the Middle East and Asia. -spence |
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I think the question today is if they're so interwoven so as to be inseparable. Quote:
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Neighbor Poland is the fastest growing economy in the EU and Belarus, Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey even Georgia are all doing impressively well. Perhaps this is why Putin is so interested in Crimea, Russia is on the defensive. Quote:
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-spence |
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But in a republican form (small "r") with limited government and constitutional separation of powers, and wherein that government is limited to specific defined duties, the domains are separate. And the investment in the U.S. armament, no matter how many times it's paid, is the domain of the Federal government. Investment in "the home" is the domain of the private sector. Federal Government "investment" in the private sector responsibility has more often been a debilitating intrusion on the People's ability to grow and self-govern. The Federal Government would perform its duties, including arming the military, far better if it stuck to its domain instead of spreading its, and the Peoples, resources and efforts over every facet of our lives. You seem to be so immersed in progressive status quo that nothing else can creep into your perception of possibility. You seem to have that Dr. Pangloss vision that we're in the best of all possible worlds. |
Many wise and thoughtful posts on this issue. How long does anyone think it will be before Putin moves on the rest of the country? Who would actually stand up to him?
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Apparently not much brain power being used in this thread.
Once again how arrogant and stupid Obama is.Its not our part of the world...stay away moron and let the Russians do the work for you. |
He reset the clock all the way back to the Cold War . This is embarrassing .
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its better to have a huge mystery to distract everyone, like a missing plane. |
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His policies are all over the place. We arm Al Qaeda, but we can't send arms to the Ukrainians. His spoken words make matters worse . I agree stay out of it . Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device |
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-spence |
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Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device |
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actions, laying down red lines without back up, Kerry saying "sanctions would not be personal to Putin", and all the way back to the apology tour. The statement by the President that because we are not in the 19th century and things have changed since, is so naïve. Human nature has never changed from day one. POWER will always be the ultimate goal. Heard a statement the other day, "it's the KGB vs the PTA." |
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It's a great opportunity to make fun of the President though, keep up the good work :btu: -spence |
It's not making fun of the President, It's looking at the Administrations Policy
failures and misjudgments. |
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-spence |
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It would take hours Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device |
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What Obama policy is a failure because of republican obstruction and would have been a success if bipartisan agreement encouraged success? Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device |
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Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device |
Nah.
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Apparently our dumb-#^^^^& president has no issues with posturing.A Eurasian land war.....the US has no chance of winning this by itself and yet dumb-#^^^^& is willing to take us all the way.Challenging the former Soviet Union and and its former Republics to a war,good move moron.
HEY,OBAMA WAKE THE FVCK UP!I am not willing to die for your stupidity.And this includes all soldiers and a few of your former supporters. Spence,Nebe,Rockhound,you guys willing to go die for this fvcking fool?Join the military and show your support for YOUR hero.This is the real challenge for you guys...step up or shut up.Are you willing to die for this fool?Are your children? JohnR,MikeP and TDF...I will not shut my mouth despite the censorship.I've asked to be banned and no one here has the stones to do it and I will continue to tell the truth until forced out. Obama is an idiot and completely Un-American and so are all those that support this ass-hole. |
Posturing is a lot different than solid actions.
Know what was more foolish? Iraq and Afghanistan. ;) Im not happy with what is going on right now either, but it is what it is.. a game of chest thumping. Honestly i am not paying much attention to Obama these days. Ive lost hope in a way. |
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But you are wise to have lost hope in empty rhetoric. Next step is to lose hope in the government being the answer to our economic and social problems. We the People have the power to solve those problems, just as you, personally, solve yours. We must depend on ourselves, not the government. |
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Don't lose hope...use your power and vote against him and his cronies this Fall.People just like you can make a difference. |
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Less than a dozen people have been banned here in the 13 -14 something years we've been around. Are you REALLY that hell bent on getting banned? |
Nobody seems to be able to name specific Obama policy decisions that "caused" the Ukraine crisis...hmmm...
I also wonder how much petty domestic undermining of Obama by Republicans in Congress has emboldened our adversaries. God, it's like some of them get off with the "Putin out maneuvered him" stuff. Ultimately, what's happening in the Ukraine is bigger than any one President. As I said before, we need a unified long-term strategy. -spence |
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