Digital Detox

[hitest]

My wife is really into American politics. We're both happily retired and she spends a good part of each day doing a deep dive into all aspects of the American political scene. I prefer to check in briefly for a broad overview of what's going on. If I spend too much time with American politics I feel the need for a digital detox. I think the late, great Robin Williams said it best about Canada.

"You are the kindest country in the World. You are like a really nice apartment over a meth lab."
Robin Williams

His quote best sums up the current political climate down in the USA. Do any of you ever feel the need to distance yourself from the craziness?

[Dr Strangelove]

Good suggestion if you are getting burned out is try binge watching a show or just touch grass. I'm a cold war kid myself so I have become immune to the insanity as I have been acclimated to it. I would not want recommend the same path for others and only you know your limits. No shame in crying uncle once in a while, I know I had mine when in the early months of the war in Ukraine the videos of the massacres literally
rewire your brain. As AC/DC would say it was a touch too much.

[hitest]

I also really like watching Beau on Youtube. He has a very down to earth, fresh perspective. I remove myself from the room where my wife is consuming her US news fix. I love and watch Netflix and I talk to her about other things.
I'm hopeful that things will turn out well in the US and abroad.
Thanks for the reply.

[al_keda]

[quote="Dr Strangelove" I'm a cold war kid myself so I have become immune to the insanity as I have been acclimated to it.
[/quote]

So am I, but they are making a new level of insane things just to be sure we don't acclimate to it.
Hitting a children's cancer hospital? What the actual fuck.

I say release the hounds. Russia will not go nuclear, because they still know it will end them. Kick Russia out of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.

[hitest]

Hitting a children's cancer hospital? What the actual fuck.

I say release the hounds. Russia will not go nuclear, because they still know it will end them. Kick Russia out of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.

Putin is all in with this war. He's a cold psychopath who will do anything to win. This war is beyond awful. I'm hopeful that all of the NATO countries will increase their support for Ukraine. I'll be surprised if NATO gets directly involved in the war, but, anything can happen.

[Dr Strangelove]

Putin is trapped by his own imposed limits. A solution will require his removal. Till then no act of brutality is beyond his grasp. Ergo, NATO must reign him in by any conventional means necessary for as long as he persists. The good news is Russia is running out of money and men, the bad news is they still have years worth to squander. Ukraine can hold but that is NOT being helped by countries being laggards in their responsibility to timely send aid to Ukraine in a time of war AND maintain at LEAST 2% GDP and up that to 3.5%. Looking at JT here:



We are cosplaying as a G7 nation. Our military is a facade. Our public has no interest in supporting a real military in peacetime. The dividend is that despots see that as a green light to murder without regard. Till that changes democracy is on the back foot.

[testerone]

Why are trying to tie NATO spending, the G7 and support for Ukraine together when they're 3 different things?
That 2% you speak of is a goal not a Trump Golf Club membership fee. We did spend $20 billion last year as it was.
But promising Ukraine weapons the US hasn't even built yet to send was a bit dumb. Could have sent more stuff made in Canada.

[al_keda]

I'm hopeful that all of the NATO countries will increase their support for Ukraine. I'll be surprised if NATO gets directly involved in the war, but, anything can happen.

I don't understand the hesitation. NATO was created to counter the Russians. Ukraine is fighting the Russians. Send all the guns. They will fight the Russians so we don't have to. And why worry bout Russia when they can't beat Ukraine?

[hitest]

I don't understand the hesitation. NATO was created to counter the Russians. Ukraine is fighting the Russians. Send all the guns. They will fight the Russians so we don't have to. And why worry bout Russia when they can't beat Ukraine?

I think the hesitation comes from the threats from Putin about nuclear retaliation. That is, if NATO countries get involved the war would go nuclear. At this point Ukraine isn't a member of NATO. I hope that Ukraine is fast tracked into NATO.
I think that the threats coming from Putin are bluffs, but, NATO is being cautious.

[al_keda]

Yea, there is a list of how many times he's threatened nuclear something something. Hot air, Radio bla-bla.

That sub surfacing in Cuba was a reminder. If he pulled anything, an hour later every asset Russia has in the sea would be scheduled for a deep dive to the bottom. The Kremlin would melt under the fury of a million hot stars. Russian diplomats would be shown the door everywhere. Putin would no longer be in control, and that's the one thing he wants most.

There might be a slim chance Putin would push the button, but only when he feels there is no other choice. And he is far from that point.