21st February 2022, 6:24 AM
(This post was last modified: 21st February 2022, 6:29 AM by Dark Jaguar.)
Putin's motivations are childish, but here's the thing to remember. If we get involved, it's a world war. That's all there is to it. Russia is NOT some middle eastern country our military can just step on for fun. It's a near peer. So is China. That seems to be where the US has been shifting it's focus for the past couple of years mind you. We're moving away from the middle eastern conflicts and back into "near peer" readiness. The attempt at Ukraine isn't just about Ukraine. This is a power move. This is Putin making a statement to the world. The US doesn't want to risk open war. It CAN'T. There's nukes involved and a "hot" conflict between two nuclear powers is... well there's no precedent but the general consensus is "avoid at all costs". Ukraine is a cost, ultimately. Any move that the rest of the world makes is a political ploy itself. It's grand standing, and the typical stuff that's existed for thousands of years. The US will make a show of not standing for this. Russia will make a show of bravado, and ultimately both sides are going to want to find a way to stand down that looks like they "won". Welcome to the new cold war, this time with China as the third player.
Related to this, Nanci Pelosi is showing her colors now that outlawing congress from buying stocks is on the table and a major talking point. She of course is against it thanks to just how many millions her husband's investments make, but that doesn't matter to the rest of us. Fortunately, support for such a law is growing and, shockingly, on both sides. Yes, even a few republicans are openly calling for this. Biden for his part is just stepping aside, but I'll say this for him. While he took plenty of donations from major corporations, he never traded stocks. I'm glad for that. He at least wouldn't have a motive not to ban such a thing. Now there's even talk of expanding such a proposed law to not just ban for congress, but for all three branches of government. Good! Further, I also support extending this to spouses. Nanci's husband is the one investing after all.
Related to this, Nanci Pelosi is showing her colors now that outlawing congress from buying stocks is on the table and a major talking point. She of course is against it thanks to just how many millions her husband's investments make, but that doesn't matter to the rest of us. Fortunately, support for such a law is growing and, shockingly, on both sides. Yes, even a few republicans are openly calling for this. Biden for his part is just stepping aside, but I'll say this for him. While he took plenty of donations from major corporations, he never traded stocks. I'm glad for that. He at least wouldn't have a motive not to ban such a thing. Now there's even talk of expanding such a proposed law to not just ban for congress, but for all three branches of government. Good! Further, I also support extending this to spouses. Nanci's husband is the one investing after all.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)