Because Trump 2.0

[Ivanhoe]

Just a teaser;

 

Very early in the story, but an implication may be that it will make Watergate look like a parking ticket. 

[Stuart Galbraith]

6 hours ago, sunday said:

After reading the full post, I stand corrected.

Might have been self evident I should have thought, but appreciated all the same.

[Murph]

22 minutes ago, Ivanhoe said:

Just a teaser;

 

Very early in the story, but an implication may be that it will make Watergate look like a parking ticket. 

But where the ARRESTS?  I WANT PERP WALKS!

[Murph]

The extraordinary steps taken by Biden, his band of criminals and others to GET TRUMP:

 

[glenn239]

14 hours ago, rmgill said:

Anyone who uses FAFO for what Charlie Kirk was doing (talking) and had done to him (murdered without any legal cause) has no moral ground whatsoever. 

It doesn't sound to me that Kirk was doing anything wrong unless old fashioned debating is wrong...

Edited September 16 by glenn239

[rmgill]

52 minutes ago, glenn239 said:

It doesn't sound to me that Kirk was doing anything wrong unless old fashioned debating is wrong...

That is the argument that the left makes. 

Ideas that contradict theirs are harmful speech/ideas. Thus being harm they can be suppressed with violence. Witness again, how many times antifa types have tried to attack media or folks like Andy Ngo. 

[Murph]

You hurt my feelz, so I can murder you.  Leftist logic.  Don't try and make sense of it.  We are NOT the same, they are evil, murdering thugs who need to be stopped.  

[DKTanker]

11 minutes ago, rmgill said:

That is the argument that the left makes. 

Ideas that contradict theirs are harmful speech/ideas. Thus being harm they can be suppressed with violence. Witness again, how many times antifa types have tried to attack media or folks like Andy Ngo. 

Fascist ethos.  "The only truth is power."  There is no greater way to exemplify power, and thus truth, than by murder.

[Ivanhoe]

18 minutes ago, Murph said:

You hurt my feelz, so I can murder you.  Leftist logic.  Don't try and make sense of it.  We are NOT the same, they are evil, murdering thugs who need to be stopped.  

Just this morning I heard the phrase "Feelings Force" used in reference to the left. 

 

[R011]

13 hours ago, X-Files said:

 

When will you be volunteering for Ukraine's Eastern Front?

So your response to being called out for mischaracterizing that post is to deflect.  Interesting.

[glenn239]

1 hour ago, R011 said:

So your response to being called out for mischaracterizing that post is to deflect.  Interesting.

So...no timeframe for the Eastern Front then?

[X-Files]

2 hours ago, R011 said:

So your response to being called out for mischaracterizing that post is to deflect.  Interesting.

You're the one that edited my questions.

 

Sure you don't want to join the brave, darling? It's very easy.

Home - International Legionaries

 

... well, not as easy as being a keyboard hero. 😇

Edited September 16 by X-Files

[X-Files]

4 hours ago, Ivanhoe said:

Just this morning I heard the phrase "Feelings Force" used in reference to the left. 

 

[X-Files]

42 minutes ago, glenn239 said:

So...no timeframe for the Eastern Front then?

Now now. Don't pressure her. That's ungentlemanly.

[Stuart Galbraith]

12 hours ago, R011 said:

So your response to being called out for mischaracterizing that post is to deflect.  Interesting.

Dont waste your time on him. He isnt really that interested in what you are saying, just the ways he can bend it out of shape for his own and others amusement. That mini-me Glenn is wading in as he senses blood in the water tells you all you need to know. And they used to be such a classy bunch once upon a time.

As for Ukraine, some of us are already doing stuff for them.  What is Americadoing other than making 10 percent markup on what they sell NATO to pass onto Ukraine? They used to call that profiteering in WW1, and I see not very much has changed. Just about what I expect out of a money grabbing New York real estate developer. 

 

Edited September 17 by Stuart Galbraith

[nitflegal]

4 hours ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

Dont waste your time on him. He isnt really that interested in what you are saying, just the ways he can bend it out of shape for his own and others amusement. That mini-me Glenn is wading in as he senses blood in the water tells you all you need to know. And they used to be such a classy bunch once upon a time.

As for Ukraine, some of us are already doing stuff for them.  What is Americadoing other than making 10 percent markup on what they sell NATO to pass onto Ukraine? They used to call that profiteering in WW1, and I see not very much has changed. Just about what I expect out of a money grabbing New York real estate developer. 

 

Um, the US has given more financial aid than almost everyone else's military aid come to combined, never mind giving more military aid than also everyone else combined.  https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303432/total-bilateral-aid-to-ukraine/

It is rather entertaining that the political Ukraine s**tstorm in the US revolves around the biliions and billions of dollars we've contributed to Ukraine, far eclipsing any European nation's on the war's doorstep, and the Europeans dismiss it while complaining that the US hasn't done anything.  This is partly why you all got Trump as our president; we fund the European defense to be constantly told how we're not doing enough or are uncouth or demanding or what have you.  And then after we provide half of all the worldwide money that kept Ukraine afloat for the past years we're still hearing it.  Which is much of the reason that the US populace is tired of getting sh*t for sending you all tens of billion of dollars (trillions in aggregate) to do your armies' job. . .

[nitflegal]

And before it comes up, I am completely aware that the US got a lot of very important benefits from the money we've sent to Europe over the last 80 years.  My point is that the perceived ingratitude made it a much easier pivot away from continuing it when the benefits weren't there anymore.  If I give a friend money for years because he's struggling and he is constantly insinuating that I should have given him more, that I'm fat and my wife is ugly, etc I'm going to get tired of it as our friendship dissolves.  

[Stuart Galbraith]

1 hour ago, nitflegal said:

Um, the US has given more financial aid than almost everyone else's military aid come to combined, never mind giving more military aid than also everyone else combined.  https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303432/total-bilateral-aid-to-ukraine/

It is rather entertaining that the political Ukraine s**tstorm in the US revolves around the biliions and billions of dollars we've contributed to Ukraine, far eclipsing any European nation's on the war's doorstep, and the Europeans dismiss it while complaining that the US hasn't done anything.  This is partly why you all got Trump as our president; we fund the European defense to be constantly told how we're not doing enough or are uncouth or demanding or what have you.  And then after we provide half of all the worldwide money that kept Ukraine afloat for the past years we're still hearing it.  Which is much of the reason that the US populace is tired of getting sh*t for sending you all tens of billion of dollars (trillions in aggregate) to do your armies' job. . .

As an individual state, yes. As a collective? No. The '350 Billion' Trump clings to like a security blanket is about by nearly half. Europe collectively appears to be spending more on pure financial aid than you are.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/these-countries-have-committed-the-most-aid-to-ukraine

https://www.rte.ie/news/primetime/2025/0226/1499138-us-vs-europe-who-actually-gives-more-support-to-ukraine/

As far as military aid, from the above report,

'Much of the equipment sent by the US to Ukraine is being replaced or manufactured in the United States. The American Enterprise Institute estimates two thirds of the US spending on Ukraine assistance was spent in the US or on US forces.

According to a report for the US Congress, $46.5b of the $131bn of US spending until mid-2024 "related to Ukraine" was for "increased US military activity in Europe."

Additionally, while it is a process to provide aid, the process is also resulting in economic mini booms in parts of America.

 

Meaning that anything you build for Ukraine, boosts your economy. Anything the Europeans buy for Ukraine, boosts your economy.

 

And what was that military aid? Much of it was life expired equipment that would either have been cut up (M113), sold off when it was facing replacement (Bradley) or was built long ago, even funded during the Cold War arms buildup (Abrams, M109, M777).

The only new things were HIMARS and ATACMS. HIMARS arrived long after it might have been most useful. The ATACMS rounds were going to be decommisioned, so assigning them to Ukraine actually saved the DOD money decommisioning them, and you wouldnt let them fire them at Russia where they might have done the most damage to the RuAF. The initial batch of Javelin rounds were actually bought by Ukraine out of its own pocket.  Patriot is significant, possibly the most significant you sent. But increasingly rounds are coming out of European stockpiles. Several of the batteries were actually bought by Europeans and supplied directly to Ukraine.

 

I submit that much of that military equipment was overvalued in pure economic terms, just to talk it up as if it was all new equipment. The implication was that you all currently are paying for that equipment. You arent, taxpayers as far back as the 1980's were paying for it. Even much of the 155mm artillery shells were taken   from a stockpile put aside years ago for Israel. But its all talked up by this White House as if its brand new, unlike much of the kit that Europeans sent, which in a great many cases is brand new and out of stockpile. We are now contributing thousands of drones. UKraine and Britain have even set up joint companies to build them. The biggest contribution the US made was the Switchblade drone which most sources agreed didnt work. A new version is entering production and might do better. We shall have to see.

None of this is mocking the US contribution. Its appreciated. It would be nice if it was discussed honestly, rather than pretending it was an actual burden. You sent 30 Abrams tanks. Even Australia sent more than that.

 

 

Edited September 17 by Stuart Galbraith

[Stuart Galbraith]

1 hour ago, nitflegal said:

And before it comes up, I am completely aware that the US got a lot of very important benefits from the money we've sent to Europe over the last 80 years.  My point is that the perceived ingratitude made it a much easier pivot away from continuing it when the benefits weren't there anymore.  If I give a friend money for years because he's struggling and he is constantly insinuating that I should have given him more, that I'm fat and my wife is ugly, etc I'm going to get tired of it as our friendship dissolves.  

Ok, so im going to point you towards a video I watched a few days ago. Its about a B17F that crashed in the UK in 1944. 3 of the crew remain missing. The British MOD, Cotswold Archaeology, British military veterans under the Nightingale scheme and the USAF volunteers took part to go and find them.

The key part is the discussion with the US veteran talking over the internet back in the US, where a current US servicemen says 'I think people here appreciate more what you did than the folks back home.'

I can point up to dozens of videos of Europeans doing precisely the same thing. Because they appreciate it.

This narrative 'Europeans dont appreciate our sacrifice' is balls. You honestly believe it, I dont criticise you for it, but its balls.  Its a pure canard erected by American politicians to justify policies they wish to undertake.

Did Europeans suck on the American hind tit for too long? Absolutely. And you know what, and this is going to be a struggle to accept, that is precisely how the US wanted it., it justified keeping such a large Army and Airforce in Europe, and keeping the Armament plants cranking, and also by being the leading player, having the most powerful voice in the alliance. Why precisely do you think they tolerated it for so long?

 

Edited September 17 by Stuart Galbraith

[glenn239]

14 hours ago, X-Files said:

Now now. Don't pressure her. That's ungentlemanly.

I ain't a warrior - neither of the real type nor of the keyboard variety.   As such, the Starbucks warrior ciique around here does make me want to puke in my mouth a bit.  

Edited September 17 by glenn239

[R011]

3 hours ago, nitflegal said:

Um, the US has given more financial aid than almost everyone else's military aid come to combined, never mind giving more military aid than also everyone else combined.  https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303432/total-bilateral-aid-to-ukraine/

It is rather entertaining that the political Ukraine s**tstorm in the US revolves around the biliions and billions of dollars we've contributed to Ukraine, far eclipsing any European nation's on the war's doorstep, and the Europeans dismiss it while complaining that the US hasn't done anything.  This is partly why you all got Trump as our president; we fund the European defense to be constantly told how we're not doing enough or are uncouth or demanding or what have you.  And then after we provide half of all the worldwide money that kept Ukraine afloat for the past years we're still hearing it.  Which is much of the reason that the US populace is tired of getting sh*t for sending you all tens of billion of dollars (trillions in aggregate) to do your armies' job. . .

Given the US is four times larger than the largest EU member, it might be better to check the total of aid given by EU and other European nations.  That turns out to be more than the US has given.  Some European nations have given considerably more per capital than the US.  More importantly, EU aid has mostly been consistent while US aid has been starting and stop with lots of strings attached.

I think the US could easily do better without even spending much more.  I do acknowledge that the rest of the West could also do better and should not have let their defence establishments either so much - the UK and Germany particularly.

[DKTanker]

How much EU aid to Ukraine should be discounted because several EU nations are also subsidizing the Russian war effort through energy purchases?

[Murph]

The king sure is rolling out the red carpet for Donald Trump.  See what happens when an Alpha male is in charge?

[Ivanhoe]

Another example of Trump's crass obsession with gold leaf;

[Ivanhoe]

36 minutes ago, Murph said:

The king sure is rolling out the red carpet for Donald Trump.  See what happens when an Alpha male is in charge?

I think Trump is making an unforced error. The US needs to get some distance from Britain until the rape thing and free speech thing get sorted out.