Off Topic Politics Thread

Doesn't bother me at all, as long as the capacity to realise that one is incorrect when presented with new information, or to realise that you might not actually know as much as you think, is there and functioning.

 

It is inevitable because he runs a country that’s worse than the alternatives.

He should aim to improve Russia, not threaten the rest of the world.

Hes ****ing insane.

 

Reading a report this morning that indicates that racism is rearing it’s ugly head at the Polish borders, with black people, a large number of students, (apparently Ukraine universities offer cheap education) are being sent to the back of the queues.
Also mentioned other ethnic groups as well.
Poland is doing a great job, in letting the refugees in. It would be a shame if this report is accurate.
I have no reason to believe it is false, as it was by a black journalist who covers a lot of these types of incidents, across all spectrums of life.

 

I watched Fergul Keane on the BBC news last night and yes students are being put to the back of the queue in Kiev and elsewhere so that women and children go first. I don't have a problem with understanding that despite it being harsh, in these circumstances really hard decisions have to be taken and not for one moment do I believe it's got anything to do with racism.

 

Oh gee, this is uncomfortable viewing. Those poor people.

 

Can someone help me with why a no fly zone is being requested? I don’t like him but Boris seems right here. We can’t be shooting down Russian planes

 

I agree, I felt a bit sorry for Boris in that clip and it takes a lot for me to say that. We aren't quite at World War 3 yet but the no-fly zone would definitely start it...

 

It's a request from desperate people. It's an awful, awful situation but neither the UK nor any other Nato or EU member can declare a no fly zone over Ukraine.

 

https://notesfrompoland.com/2022/02...urning-away-non-white-people-fleeing-ukraine/

It's difficult to know the truth. If you are black and being sent to the back while others who are white go through you are obviously going to think there is a racial motive. But as Brinkworth has posted they are prioritising women and children and the vast majority of them are going to be white.
Having said that, Eastern Europe is not known for treating black people well so I would guess there is some truth to both accounts.

 

If only we could but we simply cannot take that risk which will put millions under the atomic cloud. Putin will do that, we need to get that point hammered home, no matter how painful it is to individuals at present. Horrible, horrible choice.

 

Exactly this. It would be great if we could do more to defend Ukraine but unfortunately there is nothing we can do.

If we were going to implement a no fly zone we would have to authorise a nuclear strike on Russia and land the first blow in a nuclear war instead. Because as soon as we shoot a Russian plane down its nuclear war.

 

I fully understand and agree with Os' statement, but in this case, who is 'we'? If a Ukrainian Anti-Aircraft position, manned by Ukrainian soldiers, shoots down a Russian airplane that is flying over Kiev, is this solely, and entirely, a Ukrainian - Russian issue?
What if the the people manning the weapons are 'International Brigade' volunteers, who may, incidentally, be British ex-servicemen? What if the weapons and ammunition were supplied by Britain, or any Western European country (or the US)? I may be painting an unnecessarily dark picture here, but it is not a huge leap for Putin to claim that any aggression exhibited towards Russian troops is as a result of 'Western Involvement', which would justify further escalation, possibly leading to nuclear warfare.
I have no solutions for this conflict, and I am not trying to take sides, but it may be that any direct engagement of Russian forces will be enough for Putin to take 'further steps', whatever they may be. I hope not, but hope may not be enough.

 

I assume be “we” it is any other nation enforcing the no-fly zone. Hence why they are asking us. They don’t need our permission to shoot down Russian planes themselves

But what they appear to want is for the EU to declare and enforce a no fly zone meaning they shout down ANY plane in Ukrainian skies. Or perhaps just a no fly zone for Russian planes. Either way it is not something that can be entertained

 

Not the biggest fan of Elon but he does know how to get people on his side!

 

China have stepped forward and said that they'd be good to get involved in some kind of peace talks...

 

I believe Turkey and Erdogan have said they'd be willing to take on a mediation role too in order to broker a ceasefire.

 

Now we just need Bolsanaro , Kim Jong Un, MBS and the “US President” (he still believes it in his own mind) and we have the full slate of perfectly above board characters

 

Blimey, it's almost like my post came completely true (that one was more luck/reasoning than any judgement or info, in fairness!)

 

Another major PR scoop for Putin then.