So the figures were used by you to suit your purpose then ? I will add in this Goldie, although we are batting this back and forth, and obviously don’t agree…..at all times you have been polite, argued your case well and not resorted to petty insults or dramas. Respect to you mate and always a pleasure to debate with you.
Don't disagree with any of this. But Putin was unjustified in invading Ukraine, he's killing innocents ans so most people don't have a difficulty in choosing sides on the specific issue of the invasion.
What should it tell them to do when it's country is invaded by an aggressor? Wave a white flag and ready themselves to be governed by a dictator, while members of their government are liquidated?
Read what I said mate…….made it quite clear that I wasn’t knocking the idea. However the fact of the matter is, by making that statement, the Ukrainian government have made all civilians targets
The Russians will no longer have any doubts when they are shooting/shelling/bombing places (not that I think they had any problems doing this anyway) - in their eyes, their actions have now been legitimised by the Ukranians arming their population. However, it's a slaughter, men against boys, and not a fair fight. Once they have completed the invasion and it becomes an occupation, it will be interesting to see how the Ukranian resistance fighters (who will be well armed, supplied and backed by the West) hold out. The Russians will have no-one to trust, every person they come across could be a potential freedom fighter (or terrorist in Putins eyes). This could drag on for years, a bloody occupation that the Russian people might not have the will to fight and could easily bring about the end of Putin, especially if the Ukranians start bombing Moscow, St Petersburg, Sochi etc (yet more innocent lives lost)
Good shout…..I expect the Russian military to have total victory in a few weeks, maybe a month or so (but I’m no expert) But as you say, will that now mean that it moves to the next phase and becomes a Vietnam/Afghanistan guerrilla war ? As you say, this could drag on for years with the end only coming if and when a new regime takes over in Russia.
Not directly. I know that doesn't answer your point, but NATO intervention would be a really bad escalation of hostilities which will effect each and every one of us. The moment Putin puts one foot on the soil of any nation who is a member of NATO, then it's a totally different matter and it's gloves off. I honestly hoped he wouldn't go ahead with this invasion, but all the signs were there, and it was no surprise to the intelligence agencies. Do I think Putin is crazy enough to take on the West? Maybe... his decisions have been erratic and gung-ho, which must be worrying for his generals as they will be wondering where and what he wants to do next. We need to use every power we have to force him out of power, without landing a direct punch on him. Ousting him has to be at the behest of the Russian people, else he will be replaced by another zealot.
Ruskies been kicked out of Swift by the West, whilst Putin is tryimg to supress Twitter and Facebook over 'censorship issues". That's the problem with the Internet, even if you flood it with fake news from within your own borders, anyone who wants more than the party line just has to widen their search....
I note that, during your character assassination of myself and Goldie, as our resident freedom fighter, you failed to ever mention the person who actually posed the question to Stroller and Cologne: "pick a side". Stan will no doubt speak for himself, but it is odd that you couldn't bring yourself to criticise your shining light and mentor on here. I respect your passionately held views mate, but you step over the line suggesting people don't give a **** about children being murdered etc. All too often, this board and especially this thread, descends into one upmanship and wind ups. I'd like to say you're better than that, but after yesterday, I'm not too sure.
It’s an interesting point. Historically certain leaders have been identified as the aggressor over their country … Hitler, Amin, Lenin, Mao, Stalin, Genghis Khan. Interesting many of those espousing the red star symbolism of communism
Jesús Col, get a grip. I haven’t assassinated your character for god sake. I’ve just had a decent debate with Goldie about the situation over there without insult or petty bickering (something I’ve done before with others I’d admit). Hopefully I’ve also spread a bit of knowledge also about the nature of some of your “heroes” in the right wing militia fighting for “the good guys. My points to Goldie and yourself still stand….In my opinion, one that as an individual I’m allowed to have, no conflict is black and white, no conflict has good guys/bad guys and all sides commit atrocities. Morally and personally I find it difficult to “pick a side” and for you to label people like me and Cologne as some kind of “Putin loving traitors” is unjustified. I fought my corner without, I thought, insult but if the “dead kids” comment upset you then I’m sorry……however why not debate the fact, like Goldie, instead of telling me the “**** off” and flounce off in a huff…..not a good look mate And as for Stans comment, genuinely missed it as you might have noticed I was sleeping after a Night Shift and quickly scrolled through the notifications when I got up…but I’m sure he’ll read my comments and come back to us. If you want a debate I might be about a bit today but can’t promise. Chill out mate
Hitler and Amin were proper Commie bastards, eh mate And as for that Khan bloke…..didn’t go to bed till he had read a chapter of Das Kapital and sung 3 verses of “The Red Flag”