Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Some high scored being rung up in this thread. 😁

But whats the "Your Dogs Make Us Look Stupid" about?

It's a nice theory wibbs, but there are plenty of well respected academics who would disagree with you on that. And plenty agree with me. Who is right? We'll probably never know without a time machine.

You're going with a "happiness index" as the foundation of your argument? Really, that's what you're going with? lol

Rome didn't collapse in a day, and neither will western democracies. But because our system of governance is now consistently producing sub-par leadership across the board, just like Rome it's only a matter of time before our societies begin to crumble. And most people with their eyes open can already see the early stages of this process.

You seem to think I'm trying to endorse Putin and Russia. That was not my intention behind these remarks, I was simply pointing out that our own systems here in the west are not as strong or impressive as many people think. But again, just like in Rome, there is this supreme arrogance in our society that seems to blind many people to the reality unfolding in front of them.

We have much bigger problems on the horizon than Putin and Russia. In fact, this war in Ukraine has actually been described by a number of people as a symptom of western decline. You said yourself that Rome engaged in a number of stupid wars near the end, and I don't disagree with you on that particular point... but how many foolish wars have the west now been engaged in within recent memory? (proxy or otherwise)

I'm sure the Romans probably made valid excuses for these conflicts at the time too. But hindsight being 20/20, they were deemed to have contributed to their ultimate demise.

If only.

"As a result of the enemy attack of Odessa by kamikaze drones from the direction of the Black Sea, the administrative building in the port zone was destroyed.

A fire broke out at the site of the hit with a total area of 350 sq.m. The fight against fire continues. The blast wave damaged several surrounding houses. One civilian was killed.

https://t.me/operativnoZSU

"

Seen a video showing one hit an Petrol station today .

Thought this was the same one

And no real military presence here or abroad

Fine, but that does not preclude this, unfortunately, I sincerely wish it were otherwise:

Last I recall the Russians stopped with all of the BS about maintenance issues and just straight up said "We're shutting it down until you remove sanctions".

These drones are insane.

Imagine Al qaeda or isis got there hands on some.

2500km range.

I imagine these are the future of wars, terror groups etc etc

10x richer, but yet can't find or afford a roof over our heads? hmm interesting that. It's interesting how people choose to define a nations status. (and which bits they choose to ignore)

I'm not going to get into a debate with you comparing Russia with Ireland, because like I said, that wasn't the point I was making. I'm not trying to endorse Russia.

It's perfectly possible to admit that both Russia and the west are poorly run places. (I'm not really interested in which is run worse, as it's not a competition to see who can be more screwed up)

You do realise that you can't eat what comes out of a facebook data center, right? And you can't put it in your boiler to heat your house either, to keep you warm over winter!

Anyway, this war in Ukraine has proven, that when it comes down to the crunch, old world industries and resources are still far more important than facebook data centers or google HQs. But again, the arrogance of many westerners blinds them to this - even when the reality of it is literally slapping you right in the face.

If we get prolonged global fuel and food shortages, nobody is going to give a damn if you're an affluent debt ridden western nation with half of your bloated economy depending on google or facebook. We're more concerned with status than substance. (substance keeps your belly full, status just merely feeds your ego)

You would think with decent radar and a machine gunner with a high caliber machine gun in the back of a hind helicopter they could take them out in daylight. They seem to be flying low and slow. Sure beats wasting an AA missile on them.

It is possible though!

What I'm seeing and hearing from Iran is dozens killed, doubtless many more imprisoned and probably followed by new repressions. If that's what you call "nothing happening" I'd hate to see your idea of turbulent events.

Massive respect to the protestors but it's ugly out there.

I of course agree with the basic point about Russia being a kind of failed state and highly dysfunctional society.

Don't worry, I'm sure they know how to survive such things.

It's interesting that Ireland can't feed itself or keep the lights on without outside assistance, but yet you're clearly more impressed by the fact that we have some swanky corporate parks.

There are plenty of people who would consider that to be both supreme arrogance and breathtaking stupidity.

It's worth ruminating on these things, while you're looking down your nose on other nations. (not to say that other nations don't deserve criticism too)