I don’t even know what to think anymore

[Nick1000]

Day 515 of Putin's 3-Day War.

Nato's fault. Everybody picking on Putin.

Even his former foremost fighting group- Wagner/Prigozhin - says the whole "Nato did it" routine was a ruse and that Russia was in absolutely no danger of being attacked by Ukraine or Nato, and that Putin is a maniacal madman just serving his own interests- not Russia's.

When the war keeps coming to Russia, views will change, just as they did when mobilization came.

If you cannot care about Ukraine, at least start caring more about Russia than Putin. Many are still riding that old tired "Nato made me do it" excuse, per the Putin script. The War of Aggression against Ukraine was a war of choice for Putin and his ambitions- and it is not going well. Stop hiding his bottles for him. Russia is going down the toilet and becoming a pariah and a colony of China. Turn back.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

You forgot to mention Vicky Nuland.

Vicky “FTEU” Nuland…..always classy

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I agree with you, Gurney, the points that slightly diverge being only to note that 1) the Nazism, to my knowledge, has been primarily linked to the Azov Battalion, and there are people sympathetic to Bandera. Mostly it is not out and out Nazism, but the Azov’s choice of symbolism and the government inćorporating them is what gives fuel, the small part of truth to the generally false charge that Ukrainians in general support Nazism. In my opinion, Ukrainization also hurt the Ukrainians, this fed into the exaggerated Russian charges, and
2) The Russian Patriarch/y backing Stalinist imagery, and actively punishing priests who think the war is bad and who pray for peace and an end to bloodshed in their churches, and in general, backing the war, something I don’t think the Church should be doing.

And I completely agree with that!! The Church should always be unfettered to criticize, guide, and admonish leaders. This is the problem with a state Church. It’s a bundle. Like AT&T. There is a real weird sentimental feeling about the old USSR among some in Russia. I even hear it at my parish sometimes…downplaying how the So it’s treated the Church and “It wasn’t really that bad!” Aye yay yay…

When I was in Serbia this summer, I heard some “You know, some of us, heck, plenty of us, miss Tito.” Eesh.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Day 515 of Putin's 3-Day War.

Nato's fault. Everybody picking on Putin.

Even his former foremost fighting group- Wagner/Prigozhin - says the whole "Nato did it" routine was a ruse and that Russia was in absolutely no danger of being attacked by Ukraine or Nato, and that Putin is a maniacal madman just serving his own interests- not Russia's.

When the war keeps coming to Russia, views will change, just as they did when mobilization came.

If you cannot care about Ukraine, at least start caring more about Russia than Putin. Many are still riding that old tired "Nato made me do it" excuse, per the Putin script. The War of Aggression against Ukraine was a war of choice for Putin and his ambitions- and it is not going well. Stop hiding his bottles for him. Russia is going down the toilet and becoming a pariah and a colony of China. Turn back.

Same post. No answering anyone’s points. Just the same rhetoric. Copy—paste.

 

[Dogheaded]

Day 515 of Putin's 3-Day War.

Nato's fault. Everybody picking on Putin.

Even his former foremost fighting group- Wagner/Prigozhin - says the whole "Nato did it" routine was a ruse and that Russia was in absolutely no danger of being attacked by Ukraine or Nato, and that Putin is a maniacal madman just serving his own interests- not Russia's.

When the war keeps coming to Russia, views will change, just as they did when mobilization came.

If you cannot care about Ukraine, at least start caring more about Russia than Putin. Many are still riding that old tired "Nato made me do it" excuse, per the Putin script. The War of Aggression against Ukraine was a war of choice for Putin and his ambitions- and it is not going well. Stop hiding his bottles for him. Russia is going down the toilet and becoming a pariah and a colony of China. Turn back.

Nick, Gurney points out why your side is not credible. If you believe in what you lay down, show it, and engage in conversation with those who dissent with you. If you won't or can't do that, there is no reason for anyone to consider what you say to be credible.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Love it!

Russian president signs legislation marking the final step outlawing gender-affirming procedures

 

[Nick1000]

Many of the Putin apologists are like the doctor who can speak at length about all of the causes and conditions related to circumstances where he purports to have expertise. All of that is fine and dandy if you can overlook the fact that the doctor's patients are all dying. ​

​

Ahh, but it is alleged ad nauseum that if only the Monroe Doctrine, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the problem with Drag Queens in California were properly understood Putin's glory would be restored. OR NOT.

​

Putin Is Running Out of Options in Ukraine​

Russia Edges Closer to a Reckoning​

The problem with losing goes beyond the failure to achieve objectives or even having to explain the expenditures of blood and treasure for little gain: loss casts doubt on the wisdom and competence of the government. Failure in war can cause a government to fall. That is often why governments keep on fighting wars: an admission of defeat could make it harder to hold on to power.

All of these dynamics are evident in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin set as his objectives the “denazification” and “demilitarization” of Ukraine. By the first, he presumably meant regime change, in which case the war has clearly been a failure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s position is as strong as ever. As for demilitarization, Ukraine is on its way to becoming the most militarized country in Europe. Many of the Russian speakers in Ukraine on whose behalf Putin claimed to be acting now prefer to speak Ukrainian, while the Russian-speaking areas of the Donbas have been battered, deindustrialized, and depopulated because of this ruinous war.

Russian forces have failed to take complete control of any of the four oblasts, or administrative regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—that Putin claimed for Russia in September 2022. Much of the ground initially seized after the full-scale invasion has been relinquished, and more is being lost, albeit slowly, during the current Ukrainian offensive. Before February 2022, Russia could be confident that Ukraine would not be able to challenge the illegal annexation of Crimea, but now even Russia's hold of the peninsula is no longer certain. Ukraine still hopes that its war aims—the liberation of all occupied land and the restoration of the borders created in 1991—can be achieved. Even if Ukraine’s current offensive falters, Russia lacks for now the combat power to seize the advantage and take more territory.

Putin is not close to achieving any of his war aims while the price of his gambit grows ever steeper. He may, of course, believe that at least some of his original objectives are still possible, or take some comfort from those analysts in the West who are convinced that the best Ukraine can hope for is a military stalemate. But the Russian leader has never shown himself to be satisfied with a stalemate. He wants a resolution in which he can be shown to be the clear victor. When asked about negotiation, including by sympathetic interlocutors, for example from Africa, he still demands that Ukraine recognize the annexations of the four oblasts, which would require Kyiv to hand over more territory to Moscow. That is clearly not going to happen.

Putin Is Running Out of Options in Ukraine

Russia edges closer to a reckoning.

www.foreignaffairs.com

 

[Dogheaded]

Many of the Putin apologists are like the doctor who can speak at length about all of the causes and conditions related to circumstances where he purports to have expertise. All of that is fine and dandy if you can overlook the fact that the doctor's patients are all dying. ​

​

Ahh, but it is alleged ad nauseum that if only the Monroe Doctrine, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the problem with Drag Queens in California were properly understood Putin's glory would be restored. OR NOT.

​

Putin Is Running Out of Options in Ukraine​

Russia Edges Closer to a Reckoning​

The problem with losing goes beyond the failure to achieve objectives or even having to explain the expenditures of blood and treasure for little gain: loss casts doubt on the wisdom and competence of the government. Failure in war can cause a government to fall. That is often why governments keep on fighting wars: an admission of defeat could make it harder to hold on to power.

All of these dynamics are evident in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin set as his objectives the “denazification” and “demilitarization” of Ukraine. By the first, he presumably meant regime change, in which case the war has clearly been a failure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s position is as strong as ever. As for demilitarization, Ukraine is on its way to becoming the most militarized country in Europe. Many of the Russian speakers in Ukraine on whose behalf Putin claimed to be acting now prefer to speak Ukrainian, while the Russian-speaking areas of the Donbas have been battered, deindustrialized, and depopulated because of this ruinous war.

Russian forces have failed to take complete control of any of the four oblasts, or administrative regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—that Putin claimed for Russia in September 2022. Much of the ground initially seized after the full-scale invasion has been relinquished, and more is being lost, albeit slowly, during the current Ukrainian offensive. Before February 2022, Russia could be confident that Ukraine would not be able to challenge the illegal annexation of Crimea, but now even Russia's hold of the peninsula is no longer certain. Ukraine still hopes that its war aims—the liberation of all occupied land and the restoration of the borders created in 1991—can be achieved. Even if Ukraine’s current offensive falters, Russia lacks for now the combat power to seize the advantage and take more territory.

Putin is not close to achieving any of his war aims while the price of his gambit grows ever steeper. He may, of course, believe that at least some of his original objectives are still possible, or take some comfort from those analysts in the West who are convinced that the best Ukraine can hope for is a military stalemate. But the Russian leader has never shown himself to be satisfied with a stalemate. He wants a resolution in which he can be shown to be the clear victor. When asked about negotiation, including by sympathetic interlocutors, for example from Africa, he still demands that Ukraine recognize the annexations of the four oblasts, which would require Kyiv to hand over more territory to Moscow. That is clearly not going to happen.

Putin Is Running Out of Options in Ukraine

Russia edges closer to a reckoning.

www.foreignaffairs.com

If you are not able to speak on controversial issues like an adult, then you need to stop your snide and childish comments. Full stop.

 

[rusmeister]

I’ll just say to those still thinking in terms of traditional victory, which means the conquest of another nation, the surrender of its government, etc. it doesn’t seem to me that that has been the true Russian goal at all. Has it occurred to anyone that simply making a wasteland of Ukraine, useless to everybody, effectively a no man’s land, might be sufficient for the planners? It would remain a buffer from the West. Just no longer a prosperous buffer. And to the vindictive-minded, it would serve to punish the Ukrainians for choosing the west over Russia in the first place. That seems a better explanation to me than a charge of complete incompetence. Not that I’m advocating any of that. Just looking for the best explanation of why Ukraine was not run over in a month, and the alternative of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people, which I can believe, combined with the utter incompetence and uselessness of the Russian military, which I can’t believe, doesn’t explain it.

And yes, Nick, your radical partisanship comes across as rabid and unreasonable. A reasonable person would desire to convince those who do not agree with him. Engaging in demagoguery, saying what only those who completely agree with you think, is not reasonable. We have agreed with some of your charges and points. I have not seen you agree with a single one of mine, or of anyone who disagrees with you.

 

[Dogheaded]

Love it!

Russian president signs legislation marking the final step outlawing gender-affirming procedures

Remember that president Obama boycotted the Sochi Olympics and placed heavy sanctions on Russia for it's anti-grooming law. This action spurred Russia to decouple much of it's economy such that it could survive the present sanctions.

I remember Rod Dreher praising Viktor Orban of Hungary for his anti-grooming bill (which the EU is persecuting Hungary for), while not being willing to admit to Russia's far earlier anti-grooming bill.

Again, it isn't about some single pride parade, but a whole cultural imperialism which puts grooming at the center of that imperialism. And that emphasis lead to a Russia on a path opposite to the West.

 

[Nick1000]

As we have seen already, views change as the misery level rises.

More misery ahead. For Ukraine and Russia. Particularly as the war progresses into Russia.

Those who have hooked their wagon to Putin, will go where Putin goes to try to achieve his personal goals for his legacy, however botched that attempt may be already.

Try going in a direction that is right for the Russian people, not just Putin.

Of course, there is an election coming up next year in Russia and Putin has already decided what is right for the Russian people and so it shall be.

Meanwhile Putin has state TV - Marguerita with RT, Olga Skabeeva, Soloyov etc blasting away 24/7 about nuking every country in the west. The theme for last couple weeks has been about the need to nuke Poland. But we have gone through "nuke Finland"weeks, "nuke Brussels" weeks, "nuke London, Washington. There was even a "nuke Portugal day" once. Putin cheers all that on. Nutcases all of them. Marguerita even went through a "we need to drown all Ukrainian children" week. All that nuttiness comes from trying to please Putin. It does not get anyone a better Russia.

Stop running a counseling program for the nutcases- including Putin and start building a better Russia.

Putin, Kadyrov, Prigozhin are all people who dwell on the lower rungs of humanity and their purpose is to get all their little ducklings lined up to promote their little agenda and to be apologists or outright cheerleaders for their moves. Yet they are the power players in Russia right now. What a mess.

 

[Dogheaded]

As we have seen already, views change as the misery level rises.

More misery ahead. For Ukraine and Russia. Particularly as the war progresses into Russia.

Progresses into Russia? The spring counter-offensive took less than 50 sq miles... Along the border in some places only dozens of meters of alleged reclaimed territory. At the cost of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers. That Ukraine has done terrorist attacks against civilian targets like Darya During or because of NATO attempting to drone the Kremlin doesn't mean the war has progressed into Russia. Might as well say the war has advanced into America because Rand Paul alleges to be on Ukraine's hit list.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

As we have seen already, views change as the misery level rises.

More misery ahead. For Ukraine and Russia. Particularly as the war progresses into Russia.

Those who have hooked their wagon to Putin, will go where Putin goes to try to achieve his personal goals for his legacy, however botched that attempt may be already.

Try going in a direction that is right for the Russian people, not just Putin.

Of course, there is an election coming up next year in Russia and Putin has already decided what is right for the Russian people and so it shall be.

Meanwhile Putin has state TV - Marguerita with RT, Olga Skabeeva, Soloyov etc blasting away 24/7 about nuking every country in the west. The theme for last couple weeks has been about the need to nuke Poland. But we have gone through "nuke Finland"weeks, "nuke Brussels" weeks, "nuke London, Washington. There was even a "nuke Portugal day" once. Putin cheers all that on. Nutcases all of them. Marguerita even went through a "we need to drown all Ukrainian children" week. All that nuttiness comes from trying to please Putin. It does not get anyone a better Russia.

Stop running a counseling program for the nutcases- including Putin and start building a better Russia.

Putin, Kadyrov, Prigozhin are all people who dwell on the lower rungs of humanity and their purpose is to get all their little ducklings lined up to promote their little agenda and to be apologists or outright cheerleaders for their moves. Yet they are the power players in Russia right now. What a mess.

Hey, nobody here is ok with that such hyperbole. I know I’m not. And Rus left Russia because of the dangerous rhetoric he heard and the nasty trajectory he saw for Russian society during this war. It isn’t pretty. And it isn’t ok.

Regarding the drowning kids sick comment, I believe you got that wrong. It wasn’t Margarita Simonyan who said it, but Anton Krasovsky. Margarita actually suspended him for the comments.


I think it’s important to look at the internet and news media in the West for what they’re NOT showing—-Ukrainian media. Google it. You’ll find next to nothing. I’m fact, Russian media will pop up in a flurry of page after page of how mean Russian anchors and commentators are.

Nick, Russia isn’t saintly here, but do the math—-manufactured war, very managed media, very clear purpose and messaging.

 

[Nick1000]

Let the record show that my comment that Russian State TV had called for the drowning of Ukranian children is corrected to say that it was not Margarita- who is Editor in Chief- but another who reports to Margarita. Not sure that counters my overall assertion that that type of tripe is being cranked out, only that it was not Margarita- just someone who reports to her. Whatever that gets you. Disgusting. Totally disgusting.

In regard to the war causing pain and suffering for some Russians, well, it is not easy for the Ukrainians either. They were offered a choice to either flee- which many did- or to stay and fight to avoid being killed.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Let the record show that my comment that Russian State TV had called for the drowning of Ukranian children is corrected to say that it was not Margarita- who is Editor in Chief- but another who reports to Margarita. Not sure that counters my overall assertion that that type of tripe is being cranked out, only that it was not Margarita- just someone who reports to her. Whatever that gets you. Disgusting. Totally disgusting.

In regard to the war causing pain and suffering for some Russians, well, it is not easy for the Ukrainians either. They were offered a choice to either flee- which many did- or to stay and fight to avoid being killed.

Uh…didn’t I say I’m not ok with that kind of hyperbole? “Let the record show….”

I’d also be interested in your opinion about how Ukrainian TV has regularly called Russia “Mordor,” Russians “orcs,” the Russians “not people, but rabble,” and their media had an ongoing narrative wherein Russians are not Europeans, but “Asiatic others” while glorifying F words aimed at the Russians on public TV. They’re use vulgarity against them and dehumanize them; the whole thing is a mess.

 

[bèlla]

One of the best ways to clear your head is to call things the way God does. We have an uncanny propensity of renaming things to lessen the sting. Once we're clear on the terminology we must align our thoughts with His. If He says it's sinful we don't have the liberties of commas, clauses or silent buts. He knows more about the situation than we ever will and doesn't waver on His word.

Sodomy is wrong because God says so.
Murder is wrong as well.
Promoting sinful behavior is equally wrong and parades are usually attended by children.
Normalizing perversion is wrong and we should stand against it in prayer.

I pray you find peace and rest in the sanctity of the Father's bosom and the truth of His word.

God bless.

~bella

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I saw some online pictures today of billboards across Ukraine. Pictures of Putin with a pistol shoved down his mouth, and “Russia—Go F$@% yourself.” @Nick1000 i agree, Ukraine is a classy place! Only those evil “Orc” Russians could speak so caustically!

 

[Prodigal7]

About the politics, about the hierarchs, about the war in Ukraine. I pray that the war stops peacefully. I read that the some Elders and saints say that Ukraine shouldn’t be talking with the US? Or how if there isn’t a war it’ll be NWO? Or how if there is it’ll be people who want it to stay the same and the Antichrist? And it’s all with the lgbt+? I don’t understand…LGBTQIA are sinful, yes but I don’t think they should be murdered or bullied. Just like adultery or premarital sex etc but no one is talking about that?


I just don’t understand.

And I am not smart when it comes to these things. I don’t know who to trust in modern day. I just go backwards and trust the Saints not the living because everyone living is confusing. And it makes me so confused.

I’m just so tired of being confused. It makes it hard to not despair and give up.

I am new returning to the church. I have noticed I have been worrying less about the politics than I used to.

I am not completely immune of course. My grandparents got the tee shirt from Soviet Oppression before they fled to the United States many years ago. I know bad things can happen when governments go completely corrupt (and/or demonic).

The church seems to be the best vehicle for me increasing my faith, becoming braver, and also finding some peace in this troubled world. I need to learn more about the Saints. Just knowing the modern and ancient Saints exist has been a huge boost for my faith.

 

[rusmeister]

I am new returning to the church. I have noticed I have been worrying less about the politics than I used to.

I am not completely immune of course. My grandparents got the tee shirt from Soviet Oppression before they fled to the United States many years ago. I know bad things can happen when governments go completely corrupt (and/or demonic).

The church seems to be the best vehicle for me increasing my faith, becoming braver, and also finding some peace in this troubled world. I need to learn more about the Saints. Just knowing the modern and ancient Saints exist has been a huge boost for my faith.

I would say that you are doing the right thing, but that you need to be aware that human beings, including priests, Bishops, hierarchs, are going to disappoint you as they do anywhere else. The Church is full of sinners, including myself. Some are truly struggling to repent, others believe things not in line with Tradition, but they think it is, And some want to introduce heresies, and these discoveries will be bitter. But it is still the Church, and the saints and the prayers is still the right track.

 

[Dogheaded]

“The Ukrainians have run out of strength. The only thing keeping Ukraine alive is Western money,” - Viktor Orban