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Got my 45 on so I can rock on.
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Originally Posted By Chaingun: March 5th 2023, is that a correct date? Nothing much going on in Lebanon, must be an incorrect date View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Chaingun: Originally Posted By Prime:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq4-rx8XgAATfg3?format=jpg&name=large Nothing much going on in Lebanon, must be an incorrect date Probably a burnt out wreck left from 1982 |
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"Anytime a liberal mentions fairness, you can be assured they want something that belongs to someone else." Calgood
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Originally Posted By Easterner: I missed that. Seriously? View Quote @Easterner yes, unfortunately. POTATOUS feels that men make better women than actual women |
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¡Ahora sin chingas!
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Originally Posted By m24shooter: @Easterner yes, unfortunately. POTATOUS feels that men make better women than actual women View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By m24shooter: Originally Posted By Easterner: I missed that. Seriously? @Easterner yes, unfortunately. POTATOUS feels that men make better women than actual women I've been spoiled. I'm in a place where women are women and men are men. Families try to stay together, and kids are the future. Maybe that helps people understand why an American that grew up in the past, can come to a place that is a lot like the America that shaped my views on how things were supposed to be. |
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russian tanks and troops (in rail cars in the Lipetsk area. |
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Originally Posted By Easterner: I've been spoiled. I'm in a place where women are women and men are men. Families try to stay together, and kids are the future. Maybe that helps people understand why an American that grew up in the past, can come to a place that is a lot like the America that shaped my views on how things were supposed to be. View Quote God be with you, and all your compadres in your fight. |
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¡Ahora sin chingas!
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“If by chance you were to ask me which ornaments I would desire above all others in my house, I would reply, without much pause for reflection, arms and books.”
Baldassare Castiglione |
She is doing an incredibly important job.
Nataliya Mykolska - Dattalion is her Chosen Weapon in this War for the Future of her Country Ukraine |
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nothing of value here
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Originally Posted By Auto5guy: This is a fair point. I'm not aligning myself with HC74's position in general. But I've seen Jack and Capta and others I respect take the position that Congress demanded that Trump send javelins to Ukraine and Trump meekly complied. I can't bring myself to agree with that point of view because it flies in the face of how our system of government works. Diplomacy is strictly the domain of the executive branch. Congress can demand or beg or throw itself on the floor and cry but the authority and responsibility for diplomatic actions resides with the executive branch. Specifically the State Department. Any credit (or blame) for weapons sent (or not sent) to a foreign country during the Trump administration lies at the feet of the Trump State Department. I don't say this as a Trump sycophant. I would have the same point of view in response to a Trumpster saying that Trump demanded Congress spend money on X, Y, or Z, and Congress complied so Trump should get the credit. The power of the purse resides with Legislative Branch and Congress gets the credit or blame with how money is spent. View Quote I believe Jack and Capta are correct. This was the issue behind Vindman's allegation that he heard Trump tell Zelensky that military aid wouldn't be arriving unless Zelensky could provide evidence of Biden's corrupt behavior in Ukraine. When Vindman and others went public, military aid THEN started flowing in, as Congress had authorized. |
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Ukraine has a draft dodger problem, but I don't think in the way the pro-Russian side wants to portray it. I suspect there's a very high correlation between draft dodging and not being in Ukraine for the right reason to begin with, hence the heavy SBU involvement.
https://www.jurnal.md/ro/news/5b1e86a409fe7af8/video-ucraina-sapa-un-sant-si-ridica-un-damb-la-hotarul-cu-r-moldova-pentru-a-stopa-migratia-ilegala-in-tara-noastra.html |
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“If by chance you were to ask me which ornaments I would desire above all others in my house, I would reply, without much pause for reflection, arms and books.”
Baldassare Castiglione |
This is about two weeks old, but Deep State just posted it for some reason.
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“If by chance you were to ask me which ornaments I would desire above all others in my house, I would reply, without much pause for reflection, arms and books.”
Baldassare Castiglione |
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Originally Posted By Prime: This is about two weeks old, but Deep State just posted it for some reason.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fp4e8MKXgAEzZDz?format=jpg&name=large View Quote |
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nothing of value here
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Poor fellas.
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“If by chance you were to ask me which ornaments I would desire above all others in my house, I would reply, without much pause for reflection, arms and books.”
Baldassare Castiglione |
Originally Posted By Auto5guy: This will rustle some jimmies. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq4dcd8aQAA4uM4?format=jpg&name=medium I never thought I'd see the day when ANYBODY right of center would want to be associated with russia View Quote |
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nothing of value here
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World ain't what it seems, is it Gunny?
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World ain't what it seems, is it Gunny?
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https://mil.in.ua/en/news/finland-will-consider-the-transfer-of-f-a-18-fighters-to-ukraine/
Finland will consider the transfer of F/A-18 fighters to Ukraine Aviation F/A-18 Hornet Fighter jet Finland Military assistance Ukraine The Finnish government, together with other allies, may consider providing Ukraine with F/A-18 Hornet fighters. The Prime Minister of the country, Sanna Marin, said that such a discussion could be raised in Finland, especially since the country was buying the newest fighter jets to replace the current ones. “I think we could discuss the Hornet fighters – whether it would be possible to offer them to Ukraine, what preparation is needed for this,” the Prime Minister said. |
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“America... just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable.” -Hunter S. Thompson
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Good morning. Fuck Russia.
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Originally Posted By RockNwood: Yes compared to a hilux or lada the 113 is huge upgrade. We got tracks baby! We should really flood UA with 113s as behind the lines taxis, deliveries to front line and medical evacs. Great to see UA going full out in some of those videos. Sometimes speed is safety especially how long it may take Ru arty to adjust. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By RockNwood: Originally Posted By m35ben: Originally Posted By Saltwater-Hillbilly: If you are comparing a -113 to a Brad, Marder, or late-model BMP, it is horribly obsolescent; however, if you are comparing it to most of what what both sides are currently fielding./utilizing on the front lines, which seems to consist of older BMps, BTRs, BRDMs and thin-skins, the -113s begin to look a lot better! From what I have observed of Uke tactics, which seem to be based on speed and maneuverability, and a lot of their defensive mech tactics seem to involve a lot of cover/concealment, this seems to work to the -113s strengths. Also, there are a few interviews where Uke operators praise them for the intuitive controls, relative ease of maintenance, speed, automatic transmission, driver and interior ergonomics, heaters (of course), the crew door/ramp combo, and the fact they have good driver visibility even when buttoned up, which allows them to run near/at WOT even when buttoned up. Considering the other side is dusting off BTR-50s and such, the -113 may actually improve as a front-line vehicle as the war progresses Yes compared to a hilux or lada the 113 is huge upgrade. We got tracks baby! We should really flood UA with 113s as behind the lines taxis, deliveries to front line and medical evacs. Great to see UA going full out in some of those videos. Sometimes speed is safety especially how long it may take Ru arty to adjust. A rubber tracked light APC in the style of the 113 would be useful as a runner. |
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“America... just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable.” -Hunter S. Thompson
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Originally Posted By Auto5guy: This will rustle some jimmies. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq4dcd8aQAA4uM4?format=jpg&name=medium I never thought I'd see the day when ANYBODY right of center would want to be associated with russia View Quote Meh. Don't buy into that shit. Smoothbrains on both sides supporting Russia for different reasons. Watch Russia playing into the divisiveness of the Georgian protests. They are literally "pro-west" protests against ties to Russia and Russia's paid assbags are playing the cops and protestors against each other. There's no reason for violence as 99% of everyone in the crowd (including the cops) hates fucking Russia. All it takes is one paid agitator throwing a molotov and suddenly it's pro-nato cops vs. pro-nato protesters though. |
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Originally Posted By sq40: https://mil.in.ua/en/news/finland-will-consider-the-transfer-of-f-a-18-fighters-to-ukraine/ https://mil.in.ua/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/52489931382_73a1bf7608_o-1.jpg Finland will consider the transfer of F/A-18 fighters to Ukraine Aviation F/A-18 Hornet Fighter jet Finland Military assistance Ukraine The Finnish government, together with other allies, may consider providing Ukraine with F/A-18 Hornet fighters. The Prime Minister of the country, Sanna Marin, said that such a discussion could be raised in Finland, especially since the country was buying the newest fighter jets to replace the current ones. “I think we could discuss the Hornet fighters – whether it would be possible to offer them to Ukraine, what preparation is needed for this,” the Prime Minister said. View Quote You can't post her name without a picture. Attached File |
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DeSantis 2024
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Originally Posted By sq40: https://mil.in.ua/en/news/finland-will-consider-the-transfer-of-f-a-18-fighters-to-ukraine/ https://mil.in.ua/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/52489931382_73a1bf7608_o-1.jpg Finland will consider the transfer of F/A-18 fighters to Ukraine Aviation F/A-18 Hornet Fighter jet Finland Military assistance Ukraine The Finnish government, together with other allies, may consider providing Ukraine with F/A-18 Hornet fighters. The Prime Minister of the country, Sanna Marin, said that such a discussion could be raised in Finland, especially since the country was buying the newest fighter jets to replace the current ones. "I think we could discuss the Hornet fighters whether it would be possible to offer them to Ukraine, what preparation is needed for this," the Prime Minister said. View Quote |
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nothing of value here
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Originally Posted By AlmightyTallest:
View Quote Idk if this is the same video posted earlier, it’s similar. It’s interesting because it seems the drone has landed and waits (and watches) before taking off again and finally deleting the gathered gaggle of orcs. Super smart and great if you can pull it off and scary as hell for a Russian. Even when you don’t hear them-they could be there…and death is near |
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Originally Posted By Ryan_Ruck: You can't post her name without a picture. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/102941/Fq5F_ByWAAQfBMw_jpg-2741655.JPG View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Ryan_Ruck: Originally Posted By sq40: https://mil.in.ua/en/news/finland-will-consider-the-transfer-of-f-a-18-fighters-to-ukraine/ https://mil.in.ua/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/52489931382_73a1bf7608_o-1.jpg Finland will consider the transfer of F/A-18 fighters to Ukraine Aviation F/A-18 Hornet Fighter jet Finland Military assistance Ukraine The Finnish government, together with other allies, may consider providing Ukraine with F/A-18 Hornet fighters. The Prime Minister of the country, Sanna Marin, said that such a discussion could be raised in Finland, especially since the country was buying the newest fighter jets to replace the current ones. “I think we could discuss the Hornet fighters – whether it would be possible to offer them to Ukraine, what preparation is needed for this,” the Prime Minister said. You can't post her name without a picture. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/102941/Fq5F_ByWAAQfBMw_jpg-2741655.JPG |
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Originally Posted By AlmightyTallest:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq7LTYhXoAMY8AK?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq7MV3zX0AETqfI?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq7NeNrXgAAk4fK?format=png&name=small
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq7QE3SXgAIGDUg?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq7TPphXgAAAH8U?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq7UtKyXgAAZU8j?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq7WynbWcAQVjFL?format=jpg&name=medium
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq7ZRQeX0AAWw7F?format=png&name=900x900
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq7aZXvXgAEsqbq?format=jpg&name=large https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq7bl2eXwAEyLJ0?format=jpg&name=900x900 https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq7bxugWcAAXtkl?format=jpg&name=900x900 https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq7clPOWYAAbfL5?format=jpg&name=large View Quote Perfect update. Thank you |
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“America... just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable.” -Hunter S. Thompson
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Well, I got out of the boat again, lol. People commenting on an article served up to them that they didn't bother to read or understand but have strong ignorant opinions on.
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World ain't what it seems, is it Gunny?
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Originally Posted By Auto5guy: This will rustle some jimmies. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq4dcd8aQAA4uM4?format=jpg&name=medium I never thought I'd see the day when ANYBODY right of center would want to be associated with russia View Quote On the one hand all the cringe meme attempts in the last two years are Ukrainian, but on the other hand stirring up division is a classic Russian move. |
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Originally Posted By Auto5guy: This will rustle some jimmies. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq4dcd8aQAA4uM4?format=jpg&name=medium I never thought I'd see the day when ANYBODY right of center would want to be associated with russia View Quote That is fucking awesome. I will Definitely use that on assholes. |
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“America... just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable.” -Hunter S. Thompson
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Originally Posted By Easterner: I've been spoiled. I'm in a place where women are women and men are men. Families try to stay together, and kids are the future. Maybe that helps people understand why an American that grew up in the past, can come to a place that is a lot like the America that shaped my views on how things were supposed to be. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Easterner: Originally Posted By m24shooter: Originally Posted By Easterner: I missed that. Seriously? @Easterner yes, unfortunately. POTATOUS feels that men make better women than actual women I've been spoiled. I'm in a place where women are women and men are men. Families try to stay together, and kids are the future. Maybe that helps people understand why an American that grew up in the past, can come to a place that is a lot like the America that shaped my views on how things were supposed to be. GD you’re speaking our love language… |
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Originally Posted By Auto5guy: This will rustle some jimmies. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq4dcd8aQAA4uM4?format=jpg&name=medium I never thought I'd see the day when ANYBODY right of center would want to be associated with russia View Quote Lol attacking Trump and conservatives isn't going to get them to side with you |
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Do the anti-Ukraine, pro-Russian element of the right not realize the damage they are doing to the republican party? The overwhelming majority of Americans vehemently disagree with them. The left disagrees. The independents disagree. And (hopefully) most on the right disagree. Yet the more extreme (such as MTG) are the squeaky wheels getting all the attention. If these fools manage to convince independent voters that the republican party is the pro-Russia party, then we can expect democrat supermajorities and a democrat president for the next 50 years. If being demoralized is what led these fools to their current twisted views, imagine how demoralized they will feel once independents and even many republicans start voting democrat. That is exactly what is about to happen if they don't drop this foolishness and distance themselves from the morons spouting it.
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I stand with Ukraine. Fuck Putin! And fuck Russia!
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Unrolled thread link |
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Originally Posted By amanbearpig: Lol attacking Trump and conservatives isn't going to get them to side with you View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By amanbearpig: Originally Posted By Auto5guy: This will rustle some jimmies. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq4dcd8aQAA4uM4?format=jpg&name=medium I never thought I'd see the day when ANYBODY right of center would want to be associated with russia Lol attacking Trump and conservatives isn't going to get them to side with you |
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Originally Posted By Auto5guy: This will rustle some jimmies. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq4dcd8aQAA4uM4?format=jpg&name=medium I never thought I'd see the day when ANYBODY right of center would want to be associated with russia View Quote Just goes to show the level of media control russia stronk has in the USA |
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We publish a request from the editorial office of Dixi News and the answer:
Dear Evgeny Viktorovich! The editors of RIA DixiNews would like to clarify the information and receive an answer from you: The other day, a video was published on the Web, where the fighters of the Wagner PMC thank Denis Manturov and Igor Nasenkov for the supply of new ammunition. Can you comment on this? We publish the commentary of E.V. Prigogine: "Yes indeed. I thanked Manturov and Nasenkov for heroically doing what was impossible to do - they increased the production of ammunition by tens or hundreds of times and now produce them in huge quantities, which cover all the necessary needs. Therefore, the shells were fired, the shells were donated, these shells were caught in a small amount, in other volumes. We saw them, we saw the word “2023” and we were blown away by the fact that ammunition went out in 2023. I am worried about ammunition and shell shortages not only for Wagner PMCs, but for all units of the Russian army. Not only my guys are dying, of course. My guys demand ammunition and die more, because they are at the very tip of this pyramid, which bites into the body of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Therefore, we feel a great responsibility. Everyone else shouldn't die either. Each missing shell is a lost comrade. And it doesn’t matter what he is in – in “multicam”, in “figure” or in any other form of militia or partisan.” https://t.me/Prigozhin_hat/2823 We publish a request from the editors of the telegram channel "Moscow Laundry" and the answer: Evgeny Viktorovich, hello. The editors of the telegram channel "Moscow Laundry" write to you. The network is actively discussing a recently published document on the implementation of plans to create paramilitary units on the basis of large Russian companies and state-owned enterprises. The document says that the most effective measures to form such units are carried out on the basis of Gazprom, Rosneft, Rosatom, Rostec and Military Industrial Company LLC. Now in the information space there are discussions on the topic of whether this initiative is the creation of the usual private security companies or is it just about new PMCs. In this regard, we would be very grateful if you could clarify and answer the following questions: 1. Are you aware of the plans to create alternative PMCs on the basis of large Russian companies and state-owned enterprises? How would you rate these processes? 2. How do you assess the likelihood of combining the efforts of these units with PMC "Wagner" to achieve the goals of the SVO? 3. Taking into account the specifics of the companies on the basis of which the above PMCs / paramilitary units are created, is it possible that the area of their responsibility will also be the protection of various facilities and instructor activities in the Middle East and Africa? We publish the commentary of E.V. Prigogine: "1. I don't know anything about the plans. But I don't see anything negative in it. 2. To achieve the goals of the NWO, Wagner PMC is ready to team up with anyone except the SBU, the CIA and the kangaroo - we do not trust them. 3. Of course, it is very much in demand. Africa is waiting for its instructors, especially if they are security instructors.” https://t.me/Prigozhin_hat/2826 We publish a request from the editors of the publication "MIR 24" and the answer: Evgeny Viktorovich, hello! Following the news from the front and information from you that PMC "Wagner" is simply deprived of the opportunity to fight and survive, we see that people have started a real flash mob: thousands of inscriptions in support of Wagner in social networks, dozens of inscriptions on the streets in different parts of the country. At the same time, the Russians are not afraid to express their attitude towards the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense. In your opinion, what needs to be done so that the Ministry of Defense finally pays attention to the mood of society, because it is already difficult not to notice it, Russia should not lose Wagner. We publish the commentary of E.V. Prigogine: “I am very grateful to those who support us. Of course, I have no desire to split the society. I hope that the opinion of millions of Russians will force the near-military bureaucrats to fulfill their duties.” https://t.me/Prigozhin_hat/2830 |
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“If by chance you were to ask me which ornaments I would desire above all others in my house, I would reply, without much pause for reflection, arms and books.”
Baldassare Castiglione |
Originally Posted By ricko1: It's shows exactly how effective divide and conquer propaganda has been at not only at splitting the right from theft but also the right from the right. View Quote Apparently a bunch of people fell victim to the Russia-gate propaganda. Clearly the last few years show if you insult conservatives and call them 'ists' like racist, fascist, now apparently communist, etc and show them cringe lefty memes they will immediately change their mind and side with you. Genius. |
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Originally Posted By Charging_Handle: Do the anti-Ukraine, pro-Russian element of the right not realize the damage they are doing to the republican party? The overwhelming majority of Americans vehemently disagree with them. The left disagrees. The independents disagree. And (hopefully) most on the right disagree. Yet the more extreme (such as MTG) are the squeaky wheels getting all the attention. If these fools manage to convince independent voters that the republican party is the pro-Russia party, then we can expect democrat supermajorities and a democrat president for the next 50 years. If being demoralized is what led these fools to their current twisted views, imagine how demoralized they will feel once independents and even many republicans start voting democrat. That is exactly what is about to happen if they don't drop this foolishness and distance themselves from the morons spouting it. View Quote |
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nothing of value here
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Originally Posted By Auto5guy: This will rustle some jimmies. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq4dcd8aQAA4uM4?format=jpg&name=medium I never thought I'd see the day when ANYBODY right of center would want to be associated with russia View Quote Their excuse is that Russians today “aren’t anything like Godless commies”. They just happen to be lead by all former KGB commies that lamented the fall of the Soviet Union as “the greatest of tragedies” but they aren’t commies anymore since they wear suits instead of uniforms. |
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Attached File |
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Tears for Ukraine's youngest hero dubbed 'Da Vinci':
President Zelensky and Finnish PM Sanna Marin join mourners grieving for commander, 27, who led feared unit called The Wolves in battle for Bakhmut Link Sad. I wonder if Kevin McCarthy regrets his decision. Pictures depict two Leaders honoring a fallen Hero. |
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Originally Posted By Javak: https://i.etsystatic.com/32561838/r/il/351374/4564098570/il_1588xN.4564098570_azh6.jpg View Quote In a similar vein, I received this as a gift today. Fuck…am I getting so old now I can’t figure out why my img link won’t work |
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Pope Francis again stated that he was ready to go to Kyiv only on the condition that he could then go to Moscow
"I will go to both places or neither," the head of the Catholic Church told La Nacion (Saturday) newspaper. In his opinion, the war can be stopped only through dialogue and concrete peace initiatives. Earlier, the pontiff stated that he intends to visit Kyiv as part of the same tour together with Moscow. "This is the Pope's ideal scenario, but so far it has not been discussed. The Ukrainians keep repeating their invitation, but the invitation from Moscow does not come," Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's foreign minister, told American Magazine in a February interview. https://t.me/uniannet/92194 |
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“If by chance you were to ask me which ornaments I would desire above all others in my house, I would reply, without much pause for reflection, arms and books.”
Baldassare Castiglione |
Originally Posted By amanbearpig: Apparently a bunch of people fell victim to the Russia-gate propaganda. Clearly the last few years show if you insult conservatives and call them 'ists' like racist, fascist, now apparently communist, etc and show them cringe lefty memes they will immediately change their mind and side with you. Genius. View Quote |
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nothing of value here
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Originally Posted By amanbearpig: Lol attacking Trump and conservatives isn't going to get them to side with you View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By amanbearpig: Originally Posted By Auto5guy: This will rustle some jimmies. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fq4dcd8aQAA4uM4?format=jpg&name=medium I never thought I'd see the day when ANYBODY right of center would want to be associated with russia Lol attacking Trump and conservatives isn't going to get them to side with you I’m not sure Trump/MAGA is actually conservative anymore. They admit it. MAGA is a values system that is separate from conservatism. It’s its own thing and many will GLADLY tell you that and call you a RINO if your beliefs do t align with MAGA. This isn’t something that people outside of MAGA came up with. |
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Interesting lessons learned article: Lessons From Ukraine Many Don’t Want to Hear
Click To View Spoiler Lessons From Ukraine Many Don’t Want to Hear Link to sauce
U.S. Soldiers, assigned to 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, train with the Integrated Visual Augmentation System and the Enhanced Night Vision Goggles during Project Convergence 2022 (PC22) at Fort Irwin, Calif., Nov. 7, 2022. PC22 brings together members of the All-Service and Multinational force to rigorously test the effectiveness and interoperability of cutting-edge weapons and battle systems. (U.S. Army photo by SGT Thiem Huynh) There is no shortage of commentary on the lessons to be learned from the war in Ukraine. There is an understandable debate unfolding given the tremendous amount of sacrifice, human loss, and suffering. The stakes are high and learning needs to occur. War is, and has always been, the best teacher. It has been nothing short of incredible what David has been doing to Goliath on the Steppes of Ukraine. There are indeed valuable lessons to learn from all sides. Yet, for Western militaries, it is more about the lessons they may not want to hear that will prove to be the most valuable in deterring, preparing, and if necessary, fighting the next war. Much of the West has over invested in other domains (e.g., maritime, air) and niche capabilities, at the expense of combat power on land. The war in Ukraine has validated the need for decisive land combat power to win large-scale wars. These types of wars are far from extinction and finding the right balance of capabilities to wage war in appropriate fashion, remains a fundamental security challenge for Western nations. Historically, military organizations have been known to cling to capabilities long past their ability to offer decisive returns. Put simply, there is a continual sin to fight the way one might wish rather than the way one should, and equally important, one might not know exactly where they might have to fight and in which domains. Conversely, there are continuities in war that do not change, and therefore, an alignment of military concepts and associated capabilities in a dynamic environment remains key. Ukraine is a harbinger of future warfare, and the world is paying close attention. In the face of adversity came extraordinary innovation. The following five lessons bear consideration for changes that need to occur today, not tomorrow, to create advantage in future war. 1. Mass Matters. Attrition warfare is not dead. This mode of warfare emerges when neither side can achieve a clear asymmetric advantage. Standing armies are the only instrument nations can use to prevent, deter, and fight invading aggressors. Mass is required in a war of attrition. Funding and maintaining land power may seem like an expensive insurance policy but doing the opposite is to risk state collapse. Wars can only be won on the ground where nations exist, and people live. Land power is an indispensable capability, even in the Pacific. A lack of appreciation for emerging threats over time has eroded land capabilities in the West. Power withers when it proves frail, and a perceived weakness invites aggression. Key capabilities such as armor, artillery, and engineers cannot be replaced by cyber, space, or any other information-related capabilities. The Ukraine conflict proved they were less decisive than expected. 2. Maritime Operations Are Vulnerable. Expensive naval forces are threatened by inexpensive weaponry. Ukrainian attacks have minimized the impact of the Russian Black Sea fleet and little by little the Russian Navy drifted further back toward the mainland. Naval experts proclaim this is “an unmistakable warning — that today’s run-of-the-mill missiles and commercial data systems can knock even the world’s top warships out of a fight.” China seeks this competitive advantage in the Pacific with “carrier killer” missiles. 3. Deep Attacks by Themselves Are Ineffective. There is a desire to employ rotary attack aircraft – and to some extent, fixed-wing aircraft - deep behind enemy lines for strategic effect. This tactic is practiced routinely in exercises, but it has been proven futile in past wars. In Ukraine, soldiers operating short range anti-aircraft defensive equipment and using small arms fire, have been taking out multi-million-dollar aircraft. Control of the air remains contested and this will be a continual feature of future conflict. Neither side was able to use aviation in a game-changing role. Russian attack regiments had to change their tactics and use aircraft in a combat support role. Likewise, the Ukrainians had to do the same to preserve combat power and support ground maneuver forces. Rather than pursuing deep attacks, the West would benefit more from the development of counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS) tactics and technologies. Additionally, decades of experience from combat and modern gaming finds “the output of an entire joint force is amplified when synergistic integration across components increases.” Joint capabilities must work together, and in an allied context, strategic lethality can be achieved with the improved integration and interoperability of battle networks. 4. Airborne and Amphibious Warfare Has Been Minimized. These modes of warfare have their place in specialized units but the conduct of these methods at a large-scale, using thousands of soldiers and marines, is resource intensive, high risk, and perhaps even anachronistic. The Russian’s hesitance to execute an amphibious operation is for good reason. The potential gain from such operations is not worth the cost. This painful lesson was learned by Russia’s elite airborne forces, the VDV, at Hostomel airport last year. Their forces were decimated. It might not be time to write an obituary for these types of operations but their use on a large-scale in peer warfighting is limited with contested air space and ubiquitous stand-off weaponry. It might be worth Western nations evaluating their efficacy and determining whether it is time to repurpose these types of units for a role that has increased survivability and lethality. This leads to the next lesson. 5. Artificial Intelligence Has Arrived. It has been said that advanced algorithmic warfare systems equate to having a nuclear weapon. Ukrainian forces have compressed their “kill chains,” and used software engineers on the frontlines to calibrate algorithms for devastating effect. A.I. is not tomorrow’s problem. This enabling technology is being used today and will be more and more prevalent tomorrow. Western nations will need to induce a greater rate of digital transformation to make use of their data and build battle-winning algorithms. U.S. Army Futures Command is forward thinking in this space. The commander, General Rainey, proposes “formation-based lethality.” The future is about integration. In a past RCD article on Project Convergence, we proposed this could be accelerated through the use of experimental units. The Army could profit from emulating past examples like the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) which gave birth to air assault operations. Could a present day experimental unit do the same with manned and unmanned systems teaming, leveraging A.I.? And by possibly adding software engineers to unit formations, could this spark greater collaboration, integration, and testing of concepts? These are the questions to ponder when examining lessons from Ukraine. Conclusion The West can ignore these lessons at their own peril or use them to transform existing capabilities into future war-winning advantages. The danger of dominant military organizations is that, short of lessons learned in the unforgiving crucible of combat, they tend to fall back on comfortable assumptions and ignore any signals of change that contradict their most-cherished strategic beliefs. We can do worse than to listen and learn from the incredible innovation happening in the Ukraine. Matthew Van Wagenen is a major general in the U.S. Army currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (DCOS OPS) in the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). Arnel P. David is a colonel in the U.S. Army completing a PhD at King’s College London. He is the cofounder of Fight Club International. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect any entity or organization of the U.S. Government or NATO. |
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Originally Posted By Snerticus: Tears for Ukraine's youngest hero dubbed 'Da Vinci': President Zelensky and Finnish PM Sanna Marin join mourners grieving for commander, 27, who led feared unit called The Wolves in battle for Bakhmut Link https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/11/10/68580591-11847603-image-a-12_1678530984390.jpg https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/11/10/68580835-11847603-image-a-19_1678531342891.jpg Sad. I wonder if Kevin McCarthy regrets his decision. Pictures depict two Leaders honoring a fallen Hero. View Quote From his wife's Twitter |
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“If by chance you were to ask me which ornaments I would desire above all others in my house, I would reply, without much pause for reflection, arms and books.”
Baldassare Castiglione |
All international laws are invalid, meaningless attempts to constrict American power.
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