March 13, 2022

New threats and a widening war

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/13/russia-widens-attacks-on-ukraine-with-missile-strike-on-base-close-to-polish-border

CNN is also reporting this. If you want to see how close to Poland this is, put "Yavoriv" in Google and click on maps. Pretty damned close.

Also, Russia is stating that resupply vehicles and paths are now legitimate targets. They have warned us not to arm Ukraine.

My first thoughts are with the refugees at the border. Also, the WCK. I read what I could, and have the impression that they would not turn a hair over following some highway into Poland. Regardless of all our diverse opinions over what is good and what is bad here on DU, this is definitely not good.

They are starting to install their alternate government. I would say, all those that accept such installation are part of Russia, and traitors. It's a bad move for them.

I think we are going to start hearing about more NATO troops moving into the neighborhood. This is a weird war (taking off from Belarus then turning around and firing on Belarus??) but it seems clear that Putin intends to annihilate Ukraine.

March 11, 2022

Did Bob Dylan sign?

The Ukraine Ambassador, at the end of his speech to the UN today, read a letter from 194 Nobel Laureates, against the war in Ukraine.

I am a big fan of Bob Dylan. Do you think that he signed the letter?

March 11, 2022

Give us back the mayor.

Apparently, as noted by the Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN this morning, Russia has captured the mayor of some large city (I am sorry, I am not good with Ukrainian city names), and he demanded the person to be given back.

Sounds like another hostage to me. The rest of the population is just being killed, bombed, or starved to death, and soon to be chemical warfare subjects. I guess those little babies have no leverage to wield. No one is perfect in this world, but what do the Russians have against those little babies and children? They are the closest to perfection that this poor, old Earth has.

And, give back the Ukrainian mayor! He was minding his own business.

March 11, 2022

Let's rename Russia

We'll move forward in time to peace. The war is over, Putin has died, the Duma is gone. We will forget the destruction that occurred (we always do), and now it is time to rebuild Russia. They want a new name to symbolize their country and their status. They want to just have prosperity and fun, and no more war. Ever.

Is "Russia" good enough? After all, "China," "Australia," "Brazil," etc. are all good enough.

How about, "United Russia." (I am from the United States...) Or, "New Russia." I think it's preferable to have "Russia" in there somewhere. What about, "Rossiya." The airline will be gone, of course, so the name will be available.

Nothing too long, although "Never War No More Russia" is kinda attractive. But, if it's too long, it will be hard to fit on new maps and athletic shirts.

March 11, 2022

For those who missed the UN meeting

Here is a link to YouTube:

It went about as you would expect. The Security Council pretty much told Russia off for wasting their time, in the diplomatic verbiage that you would expect. I was quite surprised that IRELAND stated at the very end of her speech that it had gone beyond the time for diplomacy. Or words to that effect. When I rewound for accuracy, the soundtrack discoupled by a second. I have no idea why. I don't recommend that you rewind.

The translator's volume was way down, so almost all of the Russian Federation's complaint was lost to me. I could only follow so much; it's been a long time. But, no matter, the answers in English were pretty definitive. The mildest comment I can remember is, "nonsense."

India tread that line masterfully. They had vanilla comments and carefully refrained from mentioning Russia. I have not a clue as to what China said. Perhaps someone can fill me in.

Albania once again shined with their comments. They don't mince words.

And, all the rest. UK was articulate, forceful, and firmly rejected all of the Russian comments. Most all of the countries at least said that biological and chemical weapons are unacceptable.

Apparently, Ukraine has a medical system with labs that were dedicated to investigating normal pathogens. In particular, they were participating in the Covid-19 research on behalf of, well, the world. They were proud of it and transparent about it. The unit of the UN dedicated to investigating any such programs was satisfied that nothing was going on except pure research (into disease causing entities that any country might dedicate itself to eradicating.)

Thus, you know, if a country was going to be condemned for having such a research program, no one could really have one at all. It is a ridiculous fantasy of Russia, a conspiracy theory, and probably a precursor toward their habit of using chemical warfare on civilian populations. This last is what several countries stated about Russia today.

March 11, 2022

UN Security Council is meeting

this Friday, March 11th, at 11 a.m. EST, in order to discuss Russia's complaint about U.S. bioweapons labs it allegedly has established in Ukraine.

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-nations-jen-psaki-moscow-europe-2bdbc57e596327f2d159993d1107f93b

I can't see where UNWeb TV is going to carry this, so I don't know if we can watch.

This is just part of the false flag operation that Russia is setting up so it can use chemical warfare on Ukraine. I feel like throwing up.

I DO remember Iraq and the fake WMD. That has nothing to do with this, except that a page has been drawn. The question is, what are we going to do about this, if anything. Are they gonna gas a whole city?

I couldn't stomach the thought of little kids getting shelled and killed. Never did in all those other wars. Now there will be the specter of little kids getting gassed in Ukraine. I do hope that some country gives a grave warning to Russia during this meeting. This is a valuable chance to frame it our way.

It's bullshit.

March 10, 2022

Peace talks in Turkey

I'm not saying this is wrong. Peace talks anywhere would be good, as long as the talks are bilateral and not just a demand for Ukraine to surrender, which so far is all they have been.

But, I have an uneasy feeling about talks held in Turkey, a NATO country. I have read that Turkey is considered a "weak" NATO country in that they have ties with Russia and Turkey in the past was pro Russia.

Turkey controls the Dardanelles and Bosporus Straits which would open up the Aegean Sea (where, incidentally, we have a warship stationed at present) to Russia, if they were allowed passage. The Aegean Sea leads into the Mediterranean Sea. So, the straits are of military and commercial importance.

These straits are under control of Turkey. Previously they were asked to close the straits to Russia. First, they considered it. Then they said they couldn't. Then, they said they denied Russian warships passage. Then, they couldn't...I'm dizzy from this. Then, I read that airplane parts might be procured by Russia from Turkey. These would be for passenger jets.

So, I am wondering what is transpiring between Russia and Turkey. And, why is a NATO country being used for talks? What happened to that arms-length declaration of NATO when considering handing over planes to Ukraine? Is this Ukraine talking to Russia, or NATO talking to Russia?

Don't get me wrong. Any country can offer to host a peace talk. Peace is desirable in the extreme, and anyone who wants to help out is welcome to try, in my book. But, I am uneasy over this. I wouldn't be surprised if Turkey comes out with an announcement that they are opening the straits to Russian warships, which they will claim they can't exclude. This would be bad.

March 10, 2022

More than just one hospital was bombed.

Today's report is that the Russians have shelled many hospitals.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/10/sergei-lavrov-russia-foreign-minister-propaganda-in-ukraine-talks

There is a map on this link showing where more hospitals have been attacked on Wednesday.

Then, if you follow this link,

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/ukraine-russia-war-live-updates-top-diplomats-meet-talks-kyiv-n1291419

about half way down it shows news where it states that at least 63 hospitals have been damaged and 5 medical workers have been killed in Ukraine since the start.

This is more than just an "accident." It isn't Ukraine staging an incident. This is Putin killing innocent civilians. It's a war on the civilian population. It is a war crime.

March 10, 2022

Russia admitted to bombing the hospital.

https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-unicef-executive-director-catherine-russell-reported-attack-against

Why did they admit such a thing? It's a puzzle. Was it a bomb, or shelling?

Putin needs to be tried in the Hague. Lifetime imprisonment, or, hanging? Maybe lethal injection. At any rate, he's a murderer. He'll probably say it was an accident, and blame it on his troops.

The troops need to know what they did.

March 10, 2022

Slovakia and Poland

both to receive SAM systems. Slovakia borders both Poland and Ukraine.

Putin is busy destroying his country. And, rather than subdue and intimidate NATO, all he's done is motivate NATO to arm up.

Slovakia never had NATO troops within its borders. Now, it does, and soon to come, pesky SAM systems. But, they are coming from Germany.

Here's a link to an article about German weapons sent to Ukraine:

https://www.dailysabah.com/world/europe/hundreds-of-missiles-germany-might-send-to-ukraine-no-longer-operational-reports

Still, they want them! Send everything you got! And, Ukraine can't afford to kick the tires.

This is like in Aliens 2. Disturb the nest, and the Aliens come crawling out of the walls. Didn't know this would happen, didja Putin?

Now, about the planes...