This might be a little tougher than Putin thought...

[Aardvark86]

View embedded media

At the end of the day, to make a war crimes case, the reality is that these are in fact questions that are going to have to be confronted and dealt with.

Now here, it is one thing to simply say that a dead civilian in the street was KIA, but it is quite another to do so if their hands were tied behind their backs. I suspect that modern forensics will have quite a bit to say about that, not to mention testimonial evidence of survivors.

Let there be no doubt -- there is absolutely no question who the good guys are here, and what even a skeptically viewed plurality of the evidence would suggest, particularly to a jury of prevailing parties. But war crimes are a much more technically complicated matter than you might think (and have been criticized as such).

 

[Aardvark86]

The brain drain is starting to hit.

Russia Studying How to Lure Highly-Skilled Workers Back From Abroad - Ministry

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/a...hly-skilled-workers-back-from-abroad-ministry

My first reaction was -- this headline has to be the Babylon Bee.

 

[NorthDSMHawk]

When they are paying you in Rubbles, sounds smart

"Really excited to work in this shithole genocidal dictatorship country. What's the salary range again?"
"We'll start you out at 200-250k"
"Dollars?"
"......."

 

[Aardvark86]

So I took my wife to the ballet on Saturday night at the Kennedy Center -- it was Don Quixote, which ironically enough, I first saw in Moscow in 1985. Principal ballerina dancing the lead role was Ukrainian. Before the show, one of the principal dancers who had the night off came out and asked us all to stand as the orchestra played the Ukrainian national anthem. Quite moving indeed.

Funny how high culture can sometimes provide some extraordinary moments -- first opera I ever saw was Beethoven's Fidelio, an opera about liberation, performed by the Polish National Opera at the Bolshoi, again, in 1985.

 

[seminole97]

of course I do. The national policy wasn’t indiscriminate bombing, mass graves, looting all supported by civilians at home. I know our hands aren’t clean but last I checked our military adheres to a rules of engagement that is to minimize civilian casualties.

And it’s quite one thing to be crass and cavalier on message boards and with your buddies, these are videotaped opinions for the world to see.

We executed a lot of people with drones who were at most guilty of being adult males in the wrong part of the world.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/04/05/obamas-most-dangerous-drone-tactic-is-here-to-stay/

In May 2013, President Barack Obama’s aides indicated that they were prepared to phase out the most controversial element of the administration’s drone war: so-called “signature strikes” against military-age men on battlefields around the world that took place even if American officials didn’t know who the targets were -- or if they were actively plotting against the United States.

The tactic had sparked fierce criticism from human rights groups and some lawmakers, who said it effectively gave the CIA carte blanche to bomb groups of men in countries ranging from Yemen to Pakistan simply because of where they lived and whether they showed any behavior commonly associated with militants. Opponents argued that the strikes were certain to kill innocents given that U.S. officials knew so little about who they were targeting and had no concrete way of identifying the dead afterward.

Nearly three years later, the administration has abandoned any pretense of reining in its use of signature strikes.

 

[lucas80]

Also major talk on the plan to relocate these forces to east / south front has a major problem because the equipment is almost all gone or not working, as are the troops. Going to be a very interesting thing if Putler truly thinks he can capture east and south Ukraine for his land bridge by May 7th, because he may once again blunder into a situation he can't win now that Ukraine is rearming and fighting only two fronts. It is going to be critical that we get them all the weapons and tanks and ship killers we can AND do some sort of no fly or UN Peace Keeping troops in the west 3/4 of Ukraine to keep them from advancing again.

It's time to push back, another defeat in east Ukraine may break the entire army. I will also add, would not surprise me to see coordinated rebellion break out in a lot of Russian holdings and Belarus now that the Military is under massive stress.

Good chatter on MSNBC this morning about this withdrawal, and movement to the East by Russia. There is a consensus that Russia will not fight any better even on a smaller front. They are having massive morale problems.
One person commented about the lack of generals. The Ukrainians have killed a lot of generals, but that doesn't explain the lack of control on the Russian side. There is no face to the battle on Russian TV. Seemingly random commands are coming from Moscow that cannot be implemented.

 

[bhawk24bob]

View embedded media

I'm never going to let the Fox News crowd let this one go

 

[bdcolt45er]

The brain drain is starting to hit.

Russia Studying How to Lure Highly-Skilled Workers Back From Abroad - Ministry

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/a...hly-skilled-workers-back-from-abroad-ministry

I'm picturing the meeting where whoever completes this research tells Putin that the solution is to become a liberal democracy with a mixed market economy.

 

[GOHOX69]

I'm picturing the meeting where whoever completes this research tells Putin that the solution is to become a liberal democracy with a mixed market economy.

The only Russian exports are booze, potash and escorts (aka hookers).

 

[GOHOX69]

Good chatter on MSNBC this morning about this withdrawal, and movement to the East by Russia. There is a consensus that Russia will not fight any better even on a smaller front. They are having massive morale problems.
One person commented about the lack of generals. The Ukrainians have killed a lot of generals, but that doesn't explain the lack of control on the Russian side. There is no face to the battle on Russian TV. Seemingly random commands are coming from Moscow that cannot be implemented.

Only thing is Ukraine cannot let off the pedal. Bring back Crimea as well.

 

[lucas80]

The brain drain is starting to hit.

Russia Studying How to Lure Highly-Skilled Workers Back From Abroad - Ministry

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/a...hly-skilled-workers-back-from-abroad-ministry

If you are young and talented, and have lots of prospects why would you return to an autocracy? These folks have seen the world, and have tasted prosperity and freedom.

 

[Aardvark86]

The only Russian exports are booze, potash and escorts (aka hookers).

What was it that Cal Naughton Jr. said in Talladega Nights -- "those are three pretty good things."

 

[bdcolt45er]

Good chatter on MSNBC this morning about this withdrawal, and movement to the East by Russia. There is a consensus that Russia will not fight any better even on a smaller front. They are having massive morale problems.
One person commented about the lack of generals. The Ukrainians have killed a lot of generals, but that doesn't explain the lack of control on the Russian side. There is no face to the battle on Russian TV. Seemingly random commands are coming from Moscow that cannot be implemented.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Russians make some gains in the east and the south simply by committing numbers. The best strategy for the Ukrainians might be strategical retreat and insuring that the costs remain extremely high for the Russians.

 

[lucas80]

Only thing is Ukraine cannot let off the pedal. Bring back Crimea as well.

Now is the time for the West to push the pedal down a little farther. If the Russians are really pulling back to regroup we need to use this time to cram in every piece of equipment that we can get to the Ukrainians.

 

[bhawk24bob]

If you are young and talented, and have lots of prospects why would you return to an autocracy? These folks have seen the world, and have tasted prosperity and freedom.

tbh, not really. They find their way to places like Bulgaria where they're drawing a shorter stick than Indian contractors draw

 

[flyfishstout_CO]

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Good chatter on MSNBC this morning about this withdrawal, and movement to the East by Russia. There is a consensus that Russia will not fight any better even on a smaller front. They are having massive morale problems.
One person commented about the lack of generals. The Ukrainians have killed a lot of generals, but that doesn't explain the lack of control on the Russian side. There is no face to the battle on Russian TV. Seemingly random commands are coming from Moscow that cannot be implemented.

All that may be true but a smaller front also means greater troop density and more importantly....Artillery density. Since the Russians have found out they suck...I'd expect them to rely on Artillery to obliterate area's and make incremental advances WW1 style....a destructive slog.

 

[Joes Place]

 

[Joes Place]

 

[Aardvark86]

I'm picturing the meeting where whoever completes this research tells Putin that the solution is to become a liberal democracy with a mixed market economy.

...with the findings delivered from the far end of a reeeeeeaaalllly long conference table.

 

[Joes Place]

 

[Joes Place]

 

[Joes Place]

of course I do. The national policy wasn’t indiscriminate bombing, mass graves, looting all supported by civilians at home.

No one made any claim that this was the "national policy".

Only that there's a subset of adults (and their kids) who have been programmed to think like this. Burying your head in the sand and pretending they don't exist and don't pose a threat to America and others is a disturbing take IMO.

 

[Aardvark86]

All that may be true but a smaller front also means greater troop density and more importantly....Artillery density. Since the Russians have found out they suck...I'd expect them to rely on Artillery to obliterate area's and make incremental advances WW1 style....a destructive slog.

Not just that, but my assumption is that the Russians will essentially be playing defense rather than offense. As I've said from the beginning, once they're in someplace, getting them out is going to be very messy. Undoubtedly worth the fight, but it's going to take a lot of patience and, sadly, blood, as you note.

 

[eightno2002]

We executed a lot of people with drones who were at most guilty of being adult males in the wrong part of the world.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/04/05/obamas-most-dangerous-drone-tactic-is-here-to-stay/

In May 2013, President Barack Obama’s aides indicated that they were prepared to phase out the most controversial element of the administration’s drone war: so-called “signature strikes” against military-age men on battlefields around the world that took place even if American officials didn’t know who the targets were -- or if they were actively plotting against the United States.

The tactic had sparked fierce criticism from human rights groups and some lawmakers, who said it effectively gave the CIA carte blanche to bomb groups of men in countries ranging from Yemen to Pakistan simply because of where they lived and whether they showed any behavior commonly associated with militants. Opponents argued that the strikes were certain to kill innocents given that U.S. officials knew so little about who they were targeting and had no concrete way of identifying the dead afterward.

Nearly three years later, the administration has abandoned any pretense of reining in its use of signature strikes.

Different than executing civilians with their hands tied though.

 

[torbee]

We really need to listen to Russia's neighbors and not the soft-as-Charmin Western Europeans:

 

[SI_NYC]

I'm never going to let the Fox News crowd let this one go

Tucker hasn't said that. Walsh is predicting that he will.

 

[Joes Place]

I'm never going to let the Fox News crowd let this one go

He's parodying what he THINKS Carlson will say

I don't think this has happened yet. But the simple fact it is entirely plausible should give anyone who watches Fox or OAN pundits "pause"....

 

[Aardvark86]

We really need to listen to Russia's neighbors and not the soft-as-Charmin Western Europeans:

View embedded media

I have to say, deep down inside me, there are few things I would enjoy more than the Poles getting their long overdue pound of flesh from the Russians.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Not just that, but my assumption is that the Russians will essentially be playing defense rather than offense. As I've said from the beginning, once they're in someplace, getting them out is going to be very messy. Undoubtedly worth the fight, but it's going to take a lot of patience and, sadly, blood, as you note.

Just shocking (thankfully) how inept they are....at everything other than mass destruction (unfortunately).

 

[eightno2002]

No one made any claim that this was the "national policy".

Only that there's a subset of adults (and their kids) who have been programmed to think like this. Burying your head in the sand and pretending they don't exist and don't pose a threat to America and others is a disturbing take IMO.

I see a distinction, that is all. I know there is plenty of hate, evil that exists amongst us. I dont see it as pervasive as you do I guess.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

We really need to listen to Russia's neighbors and not the soft-as-Charmin Western Europeans:

View embedded media

Hitler didn't have Nukes.

Hate to keep bringing that up but it's reality.

 

[Aardvark86]

Just shocking (thankfully) how inept they are....at everything other than mass destruction (unfortunately).

I don't pretend to know a whole lot about the details of tactics or hardware, but there indeed comes a point where the proof is in the pudding, even to a layman.

 

[bhawk24bob]

I have to say, deep down inside me, there are few things I would enjoy more than the Poles getting their long overdue pound of flesh from the Russians.

The Russians haven't shown themselves to be too bright but even they have to know that Poland won't stop at defense

 

[Joes Place]

 

[Joes Place]

After this war is over, the prices for mail-order Russian wives is gonna plummet...

 

[Joes Place]

 

[Joes Place]

 

[Joes Place]

THREAD

 

[BGHAWK]

I'm never going to let the Fox News crowd let this one go

to answer your question Tucker, if you said this, it's because, even if it's true, you are either on the side of the Ukraine or on the side of Russia and the Russian people don't need to hear from you. They get enough propaganda from their own tv outlets.