Current Political News

[Foggy47]

Here's a quick video watch of the same story with maps. It leaves out a bunch of stuff that happened after the 2014 overthrow, but the core concepts are there.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1895751157651251687

May need to look at that tommorow. Watching 1923 now.

There is allot to this situation that has been unsaid. Seems to me that Russia tried to enter NATO under good (??) intentions. Nobody has ever given them much of a chance. Perhaps that is deservedly so....? Long history here. But what other position can they take when all of Europe views them as the enemy? It's like you are forced to be just that. Sometimes that is the choice you are given.

....and that is not to say I am "siding" with Putin.....it's just that there are often reasons things come about as they do. We are in perilous times here.

 

[chucker66]

Jeffery Sachs knows his stuff. I'm not defending Putin or Russia at all but imagine if China wanted to put bases on the US-Mexico border or Russia for that matter. Do you think for one second we would allow that. Or the Canadian border which seems more likely considering the dolt in charge. We would see that as a threat for sure. That's what NATO is trying to do after they had said post WW2 they would not move East. And who benefits if they do build bases there? Hmmm, I'll take Military Industrial Complex for 1000 Alex.

 

[H20fwler]

OK
Ukraine has been around for what 30 years or so?
Before that it was part of the USSR.
During WW2 the Ukraine sent LOTS of soldiers to join the Nazi SS.
The Ukraine is still very antisemite.
It is well known for being one of the most corrupt countries in Europe.
The USA has sent them at least $175B of our tax dollars and over half cannot be accounted for at this time.
Zelenskyy was a comedian before all this.
Zelenskyy’s presidential term ran out and he will not let his people run another election right now.
Zelenskyy met with Adam Schiff, Shcummer and the whole gambit of DC TDS trouble makers right before his interview with president Trump.
Then he goes off the rails in front of the press disrespecting the Oval Office and our top leadership while begging for money.
Then he runs right over to England to beg for money and meets with Trudeau, Macron and a bunch of other limp wristed woke politicians from Europe and cried about getting kicked out of the White House for showing his ass.

Ukraine has used the war as a money laundering Ponzi scheme while politicians in Ukraine, Europe and the USA get rich over it.
Today Z man said “F Trump” to a reporter.
Zelenskyy is a joke, screw Ukraine.

 

[Westwind]

May need to look at that tommorow. Watching 1923 now.

There is allot to this situation that has been unsaid. Seems to me that Russia tried to enter NATO under good (??) intentions. Nobody has ever given them much of a chance. Perhaps that is deservedly so....? Long history here. But what other position can they take when all of Europe views them as the enemy? It's like you are forced to be just that. Sometimes that is the choice you are given.

....and that is not to say I am "siding" with Putin.....it's just that there are often reasons things come about as they do. We are in perilous times here.

Foggy, if you look at the actions Russia takes at the U.N. Security Council, it helps understand why they wanted to be in NATO.

Russia’s biggest export isn’t energy. It’s corruption.

What do I mean by that? Great Britain offered a “Golden Visa” too. It’s why the nickname “Londongrad” came into being. London became a place where Russian kleptocrats landed. One of the negative effects was buying up London real estate with money stolen from the Russian people and pricing Londoners out of real estate. Some of this was done to launder money by the baddest of the bad actors.

This has happened in the U.S. too. Here in Illinois some industrial property was believed to be purchased with stolen Russian money, laundered through real estate…. Now that property sits unused and decaying. It can’t be used by U.S. busnesses and no one can figure out what to do with it. The taxes get paid every year. It sits.

A farm I used to hunt was supposedly owned by a “German” guy. It is 1,000 acres of prime bottomland. It was the first time in my life I ever heard of a foreign national owning U.S. property. (30-35 years ago?) It is waterfowl, deer and upland hunting heaven. My cousin ran it. He basically told me “I can’t let you hunt but the guy is in Germany and no one is hunting it. Send me pictures.” I always wondered who the true owner is. When he bought it, he easily outbid local farmers. No one was even close to bidding against him. So what happens when a Golden Visa recipient starts buying property here? And who we talking about? Russian? Chinese? Are they allowed to buy one?

 

[Westwind]

Here's a quick video watch of the same story with maps. It leaves out a bunch of stuff that happened after the 2014 overthrow, but the core concepts are there.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1895751157651251687

I watched this. The Aegis system defends against ballistic missiles. I get why the Russians don’t want their ballistic missiles shot down… and I don’t.

Also, I personally find it far fetched that Russia is afraid of NATO. I think they are afraid that NATO prevents Putin from re-assembling the USSR. I think those countries remember clearly what it was like to live under Russian rule and don’t want it to happen again.

Jeffrey Sachs is an extremely interesting person who takes some extremely interesting positions. I like him because he is neither right wing or left wing. He’s an economist. I find it refreshing to see him highlighted here.

I do have immediate concern about a twitter account with the handle “concerned citizen”. Not saying its a bot, but it sounds like a bot lol

 

[Brian662]

Sorry I haven't had a chance to watch the video, but what did Russia do when Finland joined NATO?

 

[Westwind]

From ChatGPT…

Is it absurd that Russia wanted to join NATO?

The idea of Russia joining NATO is not absurd in theory but highly unrealistic given the current geopolitical situation. Historically, there were moments when Russian officials, including Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and even Vladimir Putin, expressed interest in NATO membership. However, deep-rooted strategic differences and the deterioration of relations over the years have made such an idea nearly impossible today.

Why It’s Not Completely Absurd


1. Past Interest from Russia


• In the 1990s, Boris Yeltsin suggested that Russia could join NATO under certain conditions.


• Vladimir Putin himself once asked about NATO membership in the early 2000s, but was reportedly told that Russia would have to go through the same process as other countries.


• Russia even participated in NATO-Russia cooperation programs before relations soured.


2. Strategic Benefits (in an Alternate Reality)


• If Russia had aligned with NATO, it could have benefited from security guarantees and economic partnerships with the West.


• NATO, in turn, might have had better control over Russia’s nuclear arsenal and military ambitions.


Why It’s Unrealistic Today


1. Russia’s Authoritarianism & NATO’s Democratic Criteria


• NATO requires members to uphold democratic principles, something that Putin’s government clearly does not align with.


2. Russia’s Expansionist Policies


• Russia’s invasions of Georgia (2008), Ukraine (2014, 2022-present), and interference in other regions make it fundamentally opposed to NATO’s mission of collective security.


• NATO exists, in large part, to contain Russian aggression, making membership contradictory.


3. Mistrust & Hybrid Warfare


• Russia engages in cyberwarfare, disinformation, election interference, and espionage against NATO members, making it an adversary rather than a potential ally.


4. Opposition from NATO Members


• Countries like Poland, the Baltic States, and the U.S. would strongly oppose any Russian bid, given Russia’s hostile actions.


• Ukraine’s war with Russia further cements Russia as NATO’s primary threat.

Conclusion

The concept of Russia joining NATO wasn’t absurd in the 1990s, when relations were better and some Russian leaders saw integration with the West as an option. However, under Putin’s regime and given Russia’s aggressive actions, it is now completely unrealistic. Instead of joining NATO, Russia has chosen to frame it as an enemy, using it as a justification for its militarism and expansionist policies.

 

[Westwind]

what did Russia do when Finland joined NATO?

I asked ChatGPT this too. (I PROMISE I’m not going to keep doing this but I thought it was an interesting exercise!)

When Finland joined NATO on April 4, 2023, Russia reacted with a mix of military, political, and economic measures, though its response was more restrained than some had expected. Here’s what Russia did:

1. Military Actions & Border Reinforcement


• Increased Troop Presence: Russia moved military units closer to the Finnish border, reinforcing its Western Military District.


• Deployment of Missile Systems: Russia positioned Iskander missile systems and air defense units near Finland.


• Planned Military Exercises: Russia announced and conducted military drills in the northwest, near Finland.

2. Political & Diplomatic Retaliation


• Threats & Warnings: The Kremlin called Finland’s NATO accession a direct threat to Russian security and warned of “countermeasures.”


• Expulsion of Diplomats: Russia expelled Finnish diplomats from Moscow in retaliation for Finland expelling Russian diplomats.


• Designation as an ‘Unfriendly Nation’: Finland was officially listed as an “unfriendly country”, meaning it faced trade and diplomatic restrictions.

3. Economic & Border Disruptions


• Border Closures & Hybrid Warfare:


• In late 2023, Russia sent a surge of migrants to Finland’s border, a tactic similar to past Russian hybrid warfare strategies.


• Finland responded by closing major border crossings to prevent the situation from escalating.


• Energy Cutoffs: Russia halted electricity exports to Finland in 2022 (after Finland announced its NATO bid), and further restricted trade relations.

4. Nuclear & Strategic Messaging


• Nuclear Saber-Rattling:


• Russia made veiled threats about deploying nuclear-capable weapons in its northwest regions, including Kaliningrad and the Kola Peninsula.


• Russian officials suggested that Finland’s NATO membership increased the risk of nuclear escalation in Europe.

5. Cyberattacks & Hybrid Threats


• Cyberattacks on Finnish Institutions:


• Russian-linked hacker groups launched cyberattacks on Finnish government and infrastructure websites.


• Disinformation campaigns targeted Finnish public opinion, aiming to create divisions over NATO membership.

Conclusion: A Strong but Measured Response

While Russia’s response included military movements, diplomatic retaliation, and hybrid warfare tactics, it stopped short of direct military action. This was likely because:


• Russia was already heavily engaged in Ukraine and lacked the resources to open another front.


• Finland, with its strong military and NATO backing, was not an easy target.


• A direct conflict with Finland risked triggering NATO’s Article 5, leading to full-scale war.


Current Status (2025)


• Russia continues to escalate tensions along the border through military drills, cyber threats, and disinformation.


• Finland remains on high alert, strengthening its defenses and participating in NATO military operations.


Edited to add: One of my great grandfathers was an immigrant from Finland and according to the census his primary language was Russian.

 

[H20fwler]

I think NATO members probably engage in cyberwarfare, disinformation, election interference, and espionage against other NATO members.

Heck, the USA does it routinely between apposing political parties in our own country.

 

[Westwind]

I think NATO members probably engage in cyberwarfare, disinformation, election interference, and espionage against other NATO members.

I’m sure we engage in those activities to an extent but I would think we would be extremely careful doing it against an ally.

Those hijinks are best saved for those we don’t call friends.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

And just like that…we’ve made Russia not that bad.

Sorry there’s not enough mental gymnastics for me to excuse Russia in damn near anything.

 

[jsasker007]

We've been hearing Russia,RUSSIA,RUSSIA! When we should have been hearing China, CHINA,CHINA! Just my opinion. I think China is much more dangerous to our country than Russia. Both are against us but China is the one we should be MORE worried about. As usual it's just my opinion that doesn't mean anything.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

We've been hearing Russia,RUSSIA,RUSSIA! When we should have been hearing China, CHINA,CHINA! Just my opinion. I think China is much more dangerous to our country than Russia. Both are against us but China is the one we should be MORE worried about. As usual it's just my opinion that doesn't mean anything.

Absolutely. I just think this administration has been too forgiving in the short time on Russia.

 

[Foggy47]

And just like that…we’ve made Russia not that bad.

Sorry there’s not enough mental gymnastics for me to excuse Russia in damn near anything.

Yeah.....I am no fan of Putin and Russia either....and you can throw Ukraine into that statement too. That whole area is suspect and full of kick-backs, bad actors, and back-room shady deals. It's a way of life for them. Get or be gotten.

I do think that NATO (with USA funding) has pushed Russia into a corner by encroaching on them over the past decades. NATO and the USA administrations have had lots of conflicting policies. As I see it now.....If I were in Russia's shoes I would feel threatened too. Desperate people do desperate things.

Everyone talks about a peaceful solution.....but when one is offered up....they turn it down. Makes no sense.

 

[Bill Loser]

Foggy, if you look at the actions Russia takes at the U.N. Security Council, it helps understand why they wanted to be in NATO.

Russia’s biggest export isn’t energy. It’s corruption.

What do I mean by that? Great Britain offered a “Golden Visa” too. It’s why the nickname “Londongrad” came into being. London became a place where Russian kleptocrats landed. One of the negative effects was buying up London real estate with money stolen from the Russian people and pricing Londoners out of real estate. Some of this was done to launder money by the baddest of the bad actors.

This has happened in the U.S. too. Here in Illinois some industrial property was believed to be purchased with stolen Russian money, laundered through real estate…. Now that property sits unused and decaying. It can’t be used by U.S. busnesses and no one can figure out what to do with it. The taxes get paid every year. It sits.

A farm I used to hunt was supposedly owned by a “German” guy. It is 1,000 acres of prime bottomland. It was the first time in my life I ever heard of a foreign national owning U.S. property. (30-35 years ago?) It is waterfowl, deer and upland hunting heaven. My cousin ran it. He basically told me “I can’t let you hunt but the guy is in Germany and no one is hunting it. Send me pictures.” I always wondered who the true owner is. When he bought it, he easily outbid local farmers. No one was even close to bidding against him. So what happens when a Golden Visa recipient starts buying property here? And who we talking about? Russian? Chinese? Are they allowed to buy one?

So you trespassed?

 

[BuckSutherland]

And just like that…we’ve made Russia not that bad.

Sorry there’s not enough mental gymnastics for me to excuse Russia in damn near anything.

Just wondering.... What exactly has Russia done to you?? I will tell you that my local state gov't has done far more to hurt me and my family than Russia ever has and its not even close.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

Just wondering.... What exactly has Russia done to you?? I will tell you that my local state gov't has done far more to hurt me and my family than Russia ever has and its not even close.

Well being separated by thousand of miles and protected by a formidable military, nothing. Outside of paying a ridiculous amount in taxes to help fund that military to protect us against unpredictable bad actors like them. But my local state government hasn’t really done anything me either?

 

[Foggy47]

Below is an email that is circulating between a bunch of veterans down here in AZ. Not sure of how factual it is....but it's interesting to hear this theory of how Zelensky came to be.
______________________________________________________

For three years, Volodymyr Zelensky has been America’s darling, a khaki clad symbol of defiance, pleading for billions in aid and NATO’s embrace amid Ukraine’s self-inflicted war.

To many well-meaning Americans, he’s a hero battling overwhelming odds. But behind the curated image lies a far uglier truth, a stooge comedian turned president, propped up by a criminal oligarch, surrounded by cronies, and presiding over a regime of corruption, repression, and broken promises.

This is the real Zelensky, an actor playing a role he’s woefully unfit for, which was proven yesterday in the Oval Office.

As Ukraine spirals deeper into chaos and its brutally harvested conscript army collapses in retreat, it's important that decent Americans understand who and what this man really represents.

Let's start with Kvartal 95, The Oligarch’s Launchpad, Zelensky’s story starts not in politics but comedy. Born in 1978 in Kryvyi Rih, he co-founded Studio Kvartal 95 in the 1990s with a group of friends that had hit it big by the 2000s, ironically their big breaks were made in Russia, performing in Russian and focusing on Russian and Ukrainian political and cultural life. The key to all this success? Ihor Kolomoisky, a billionaire ukrainian oligarch with a laundry list of crimes, including fraud, money laundering, and brutal violence. Kolomoisky then owned 1+1, the TV network that handed Zelenskys Kvartal 95 a national platform starting in 2012. He didn’t just offer airtime. He bankrolled Zelensky with cash, security, and legal and criminal muscle. This wasn’t mentorship. It was a transaction. Kolomoisky, later sanctioned by the U.S. for “significant corruption,” saw Zelensky as a pawn in his game. By 2019, when Zelensky ran for president, Kolomoisky’s DNA was all over the campaign providing vehicles, lawyers, bodyguards, and a media blitz. Zelensky was never an outsider; he was a "made man"

This is where it gets almost unbelievably bizzare. In 2015, Zelensky starred in "Servant of the People," a hit satire aired on Kolomoisky’s 1+1 channel, where he played a teacher turned president railing against corruption.

Ukrainians, tired of the endemic corruption in the post Soviet state, lapped it up. Then, in 2018, his Kvartal 95 crew decided to turn fiction into reality, registering a political party called, you guessed it, "Servant of the People." It had absolutely no manifesto, no policies, and no plan of action, just a TV title and Zelensky’s face.

Running in 2019, Zelensky promised to end corruption and the Donbas civil war, which had erupted after the CIA backed Maidan Coup, winning in a landslide thanks to Kolomoisky’s media machine. An actor who played a president on TV was now remarkably in the real job.

Zelensky didn’t waste any time handing power to his showbiz pals. Ivan Bakanov, a Kvartal 95 co-founder, became head of the SBU security service with no experience. Serhiy Shefir, another comedy crony, took a top aide role, no experience. And then there’s Andriy Yermak, a film producer turned Zelensky’s right-hand man, now head of the Presidential Office, dubbed Ukraine’s “shadow president.” Yermak, physically and intellectualy towering over Zelensky, controls policy and access, a fixer running the show while the president flounders. These weren’t appointments based on merit. They were loyalty hires, a Kvartal 95 clique utterly unfit for a grossly dysfunctional war-torn nation.

Zelensky’s laughable anti-corruption pledge met reality in 2021 with the Pandora Papers. The leak revealed he and his inner circle,including Bakanov, were funnelling cash to Kolomoisky with Zelensky stashing millions offshore.

Zelensky swore to end corruption and the Donbas war. Instead, he’s delivered more of both, a million lie Dead, the free Media crushed, billions stolen, languages and religion banned. This criminal is no hero. No Churchill. And no friend of America. He should be treated accordingly.

 

[bwoods11]

Just wondering.... What exactly has Russia done to you?? I will tell you that my local state gov't has done far more to hurt me and my family than Russia ever has and its not even close.

We live in Minnesota, if someone asked me to choose between Walz & Putin, I’m not sure I’d pick Walz. In all seriousness I see South Dakota (Noem) & North Dakota (Burgum) ….wow there is major envy for their type of quality leadership in my area of Minnesota!

 

[Mortenson]

I just don't get the Trump Putin puppet crap. Seems like threading a needle to avoid ww3. No one alive right now is better suited than Trump to nip this in the bud. He would totally stone cold stunner both Putin and Z in a heartbeat and everyone who is being honest knows it. He's going to fix this - I'll bet on it. Then the next idiot can come along to screw it up again. It's well documented all the actions to get us where we are. Mostly bad stuff by all involved. That'll never change til the end of time. Peace is temporary.