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Posted by Flintlock76 on Monday, March 14, 2022 8:10 AM

charlie hebdo
Democracy does not emerge out of nowhere.

American tend to forget that, probably because there was a certain amount of luck and circumstance involved in the development of American democracy.

By this I mean that while the French, Spanish, and Dutch colonies in the New World were always under the tight control of their home governments the colonists in British North America were essentially dumped on the beach.  Those colonists were forced into developing their own governments, first local then colony-wide.  By the time of the Revolution there were thirteen fuctioning democracies in British North America, not identical or perfect but functioning just the same. But it didn't happen overnight, it took time.  

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Posted by CMStPnP on Monday, March 14, 2022 8:41 AM

charlie hebdo
The historic context is part of the admittance process.

Point out below where it states pre WWII History is even relevant.............     If it was, how did they reconcile offering NATO Membership to Russia of all countries?  

https://1997-2001.state.gov/regions/eur/fs_members.html

 

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Posted by Backshop on Monday, March 14, 2022 9:40 AM

Russia and NATO signed some cooperation agreements but I don't think Russia ever applied for NATO membership.  Putin has recently claimed that he asked Clinton about it in 2000, but I think that's just maskirovka to try to put Russia in the aggrieved party position for their attack on Ukraine.

There's a reason Russia isn't in NATO.  NATO was founded to counter the USSR (Russia).  Yeah, I know they aren't the same thing, but Russia was by far the dominant member.  Couldn't you see what a mess it would be right now if Russia was a member?

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Posted by Euclid on Monday, March 14, 2022 9:41 AM

CMStPnP

 

 
Euclid
US undersecretary of state acknowledges there are biological warfare labs in Ukraine
 

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2022/03/10/nula-m10.html

 

 

 

The exchange between herself and Marco Rubio was clarifying they were regular medical research labs that every country has to research infectious biological agents and have nothing to do with biological warfare

 

 
In your post above, you are distorting what Victoria Nuland actually said when you say:
 
“The exchange between herself and Marco Rubio was clarifying they were regular medical research labs that every country has to research infectious biological agents and have nothing to do with biological warfare."
 
She never said the labs were “were regular medical research labs that every country has to research infectious biological agents and have nothing to do with biological warfare."  I assume you are adding that as your characterization of what you believe she meant.  But we don't know what she meant, and opinions might vary.  
 
She only said, “Ukraine has biological research facilities.”
 
This is what Victoria Nuland said in her testimony:
 
“Ukraine has biological research facilities which in fact we are now quite concerned Russian troops, Russian forces may be seeking to gain control of, so we are working with the Ukrainians on how they can prevent any of those research materials from falling into the hands of Russian forces should they approach.”
 
She only said:  “Ukraine has biological research facilities.”
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Posted by Backshop on Monday, March 14, 2022 9:46 AM

It doesn't really matter.  The first reason for their invasion was to "protect" the breakaway regions.  Then it was to save the Ukrainian people from their leaders.  Then it was to get rid of "Nazis".  Now, they were "concerned" about biolabs.  Yet, they have their fellow travelers who constantly make excuses for them.

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Monday, March 14, 2022 11:04 AM

Backshop
There's a reason Russia isn't in NATO.  NATO was founded to counter the USSR (Russia).

As a British general once said concerning Europe and NATO:

"NATO was founded to keep the Americans in,  the Russians out,  and the Germans down."

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Posted by Shadow the Cats owner on Monday, March 14, 2022 1:48 PM

What people need to remember is this Chencyna fought the Russian Army to a standstill in the 90's.  Afghanistan DEFEATED the entire freaking USSR then the USA fighting us both in the last 40 years.  The USA lost to North Vietnam in the 60's and 70's due to the number of KIA and WIA they sent home.  Russia in not the Soviet Union of the 30's and 40's where Stalin would have killed off half the population to survive the war.  Putin can not risk losing to much for one simple reason way to many people have access to reliable outside information now.  His new draconion laws he has rammed into effect are going to boomerang on him in the worst way.  Why is that people that have tasted freedom will want more of it.  His throwing people in prison for up to 15 years for saying the wrong words is going to cause the people to say NO MORE.  Just watch and wait he is going to lose and lose everything.  

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Posted by charlie hebdo on Monday, March 14, 2022 5:31 PM

Backshop

It doesn't really matter.  The first reason for their invasion was to "protect" the breakaway regions.  Then it was to save the Ukrainian people from their leaders.  Then it was to get rid of "Nazis".  Now, they were "concerned" about biolabs.  Yet, they have their fellow travelers who constantly make excuses for them.

 

One of them is a Fox News host, although some might characterize him as a "useful idiot.'. Another is a current resident of Palm Beach.

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, March 14, 2022 6:29 PM
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Posted by Backshop on Monday, March 14, 2022 7:21 PM

charlie hebdo

 

 
Backshop

It doesn't really matter.  The first reason for their invasion was to "protect" the breakaway regions.  Then it was to save the Ukrainian people from their leaders.  Then it was to get rid of "Nazis".  Now, they were "concerned" about biolabs.  Yet, they have their fellow travelers who constantly make excuses for them.

 

 

 

One of them is a Fox News host, although some might characterize him as a "useful idiot.'. Another is a current resident of Palm Beach.

 

 

Being a firearms enthusiast, I frequent a few "conservative" forums. The love of Putin is widespread among them.  It's scary because they're all "patriots".

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, March 14, 2022 9:27 PM

Backshop
 
charlie hebdo 
Backshop

It doesn't really matter.  The first reason for their invasion was to "protect" the breakaway regions.  Then it was to save the Ukrainian people from their leaders.  Then it was to get rid of "Nazis".  Now, they were "concerned" about biolabs.  Yet, they have their fellow travelers who constantly make excuses for them. 

One of them is a Fox News host, although some might characterize him as a "useful idiot.'. Another is a current resident of Palm Beach. 

Being a firearms enthusiast, I frequent a few "conservative" forums. The love of Putin is widespread among them.  It's scary because they're all "patriots".

ANYONE loving Putin can not be a patriot of the USA.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Monday, March 14, 2022 9:51 PM

The funny thing is that one of the best ways of countering Russian power was keeping oil prices low and for Europe to find alternatives to Russian natural gas.

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Posted by charlie hebdo on Monday, March 14, 2022 9:59 PM

Backshop

 

 
charlie hebdo

 

 
Backshop

It doesn't really matter.  The first reason for their invasion was to "protect" the breakaway regions.  Then it was to save the Ukrainian people from their leaders.  Then it was to get rid of "Nazis".  Now, they were "concerned" about biolabs.  Yet, they have their fellow travelers who constantly make excuses for them.

 

 

 

One of them is a Fox News host, although some might characterize him as a "useful idiot.'. Another is a current resident of Palm Beach.

 

 

 

 

Being a firearms enthusiast, I frequent a few "conservative" forums. The love of Putin is widespread among them.  It's scary because they're all "patriots".

 

 

Right wingers here and elsewhere love white autocrats like Putin. Russia has many fine people who might just overthrow Putin. But Russia is also the home base for a lot of White Power types and neo-Nazi racists.  

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Posted by SD70Dude on Monday, March 14, 2022 10:01 PM

BaltACD
Backshop
charlie hebdo 
Backshop

It doesn't really matter.  The first reason for their invasion was to "protect" the breakaway regions.  Then it was to save the Ukrainian people from their leaders.  Then it was to get rid of "Nazis".  Now, they were "concerned" about biolabs.  Yet, they have their fellow travelers who constantly make excuses for them. 

One of them is a Fox News host, although some might characterize him as a "useful idiot.'. Another is a current resident of Palm Beach. 

Being a firearms enthusiast, I frequent a few "conservative" forums. The love of Putin is widespread among them.  It's scary because they're all "patriots".

ANYONE loving Putin can not be a patriot of the USA.

I'm sure Father Coughlin's listeners and the members of the German-American Bund also considered themselves to be patriots.

Greetings from Alberta

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 6:57 AM

BaltACD
ANYONE loving Putin can not be a patriot of the USA.

Alas, with reports of of US involved bio labs in the Ukraine (following on to China and the "Rona") and stories of corruption involving the Ukraine and certain higher-ups in this country, not to mention corruption in the Ukraine, it's not hard to imagine that people could feel that way.

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 7:56 AM

tree68
 
BaltACD
ANYONE loving Putin can not be a patriot of the USA. 

Alas, with reports of of US involved bio labs in the Ukraine (following on to China and the "Rona") and stories of corruption involving the Ukraine and certain higher-ups in this country, not to mention corruption in the Ukraine, it's not hard to imagine that people could feel that way.

It is equally easy for them to be viewed as traitors to the USA.  The 'Alternative Fact' movement is the home for traitors.  Putin is 'alternative facts' in person - all lies all the time.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Psychot on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 8:07 AM

tree68

 

 
BaltACD
ANYONE loving Putin can not be a patriot of the USA.

 

Alas, with reports of of US involved bio labs in the Ukraine (following on to China and the "Rona") and stories of corruption involving the Ukraine and certain higher-ups in this country, not to mention corruption in the Ukraine, it's not hard to imagine that people could feel that way.

 

 

lol... if nothing else, this post is proof that Russian propaganda does work.

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Posted by Backshop on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 8:22 AM

tree68

 

 
BaltACD
ANYONE loving Putin can not be a patriot of the USA.

 

Alas, with reports of of US involved bio labs in the Ukraine (following on to China and the "Rona") and stories of corruption involving the Ukraine and certain higher-ups in this country, not to mention corruption in the Ukraine, it's not hard to imagine that people could feel that way.

 

Every major government and university has "biolabs".  As far as corruption goes, how do you think all those Russian oligarchs became billionaires? Think of it, 30 years ago, all industries were state owned. How did they come to be owned by one person?  Many were "gifts" to powerful party officials.  Taras--you get the steel mill, Boris--you get the mines, Vlad, you get the oil wells, etc.

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Posted by Euclid on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 8:59 AM

CMStPnP
The exchange between herself [Victoria Nuland] and Marco Rubio was clarifying they were regular medical research labs that every country has to research infectious biological agents and have nothing to do with biological warfare

It seems to me there are three different distinctions within this topic:
 

1)   Biological research having nothing to do with military weapon applications.  In other words, bio labs researching medicines and vaccines for fighting disease.

 

 

 

2)   Biological research into dangerous pathogens and to explore how they may be used in biological weapons of war.  Here, the potential for such research could be to use it for either the creation of biological weapons, the defense against them, or both.

 

 

 

3)   The research and manufacture of biological weapons.

 

 
It seems to me that the actual verified facts are related to item #2.  If so, there may not be any illegality or controversy to this at all.  It would depend on the laws pertaining to such research.  #2 would also explain Victoria Nuland’s concern that the biological materials in the labs might end up in Russian hands, a concern that would be unlikely if the labs are related to item #1.  There is no evidence that these labs were actually manufacturing agent for use in chemical weapons.
 
However, it seems to me that the discovery of these labs in the context of a war would be at least highly significant.
 
Apparently, it was Russia that first broke the news of the labs, and they did so under the, at least, the implied premise that the U.S. was conducting research to develop agents for use in chemical weapons, or even manufacturing them.
 
I perceive a lot of the response to this news to be denial that any of the three items above are true.  And out of this denial has come the allegation that Russia made up the whole story to use as a false flag to cover up their plans to actually use chemical weapons to win the war in Ukraine.  In other words, Russia will attack with chemical weapons and claim that that the Ukrainians did it.  So, under this theory, the Ukrainian labs, allegedly found, will be the source of the weapons Ukraine will use against Russia in Ukraine.  Therefore the allegations for the existence of these labs will set the stage for making it believable that Ukraine used chemical weapons, when it will actually be the Russians who will have used them. 
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Posted by Backshop on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 9:14 AM

I believe that #2 is correct.  I've also read (can't find it now), that the reason the Russians knew about the labs is that they were former Soviet labs.

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Posted by Psychot on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 10:53 AM

BaltACD

 

 
tree68
 
BaltACD
ANYONE loving Putin can not be a patriot of the USA. 

Alas, with reports of of US involved bio labs in the Ukraine (following on to China and the "Rona") and stories of corruption involving the Ukraine and certain higher-ups in this country, not to mention corruption in the Ukraine, it's not hard to imagine that people could feel that way.

 

It is equally easy for them to be viewed as traitors to the USA.  The 'Alternative Fact' movement is the home for traitors.  Putin is 'alternative facts' in person - all lies all the time.

 

One of the more fascinating developments in U.S. politics in recent years is the emergence of Putin sympathizers/apologists on the right. This phenomenon has been prevalent in Europe for some years now, as far-right parties in Austria, Germany, Hungary, France, and other countries have been unabashed in their fawning over Putin. In 2016, these sentiments gained a foothold in the GOP mainstream, led by the Putin-Sympathizer-in-Chief; one of many reasons that Ronald Reagan is undoubtedly rolling over in his grave.

Thankfully, the traditional Reaganites in the GOP have the upper hand -- at least for the moment -- and the Putin fanboys and -girls have been marginalized.

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Posted by Euclid on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 12:02 PM

Psychot
One of the more fascinating developments in U.S. politics in recent years is the emergence of Putin sympathizers/apologists on the right. This phenomenon has been prevalent in Europe for some years now, as far-right parties in Austria, Germany, Hungary, France, and other countries have been unabashed in their fawning over Putin. In 2016, these sentiments gained a foothold in the GOP mainstream, led by the Putin-Sympathizer-in-Chief; one of many reasons that Ronald Reagan is undoubtedly rolling over in his grave. Thankfully, the traditional Reaganites in the GOP have the upper hand -- at least for the moment -- and the Putin fanboys and -girls have been marginalized.

 

Sources, facts, definition of terms??
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Posted by CMStPnP on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 12:21 PM

Psychot
One of the more fascinating developments in U.S. politics in recent years is the emergence of Putin sympathizers/apologists on the right. This phenomenon has been prevalent in Europe for some years now, as far-right parties in Austria, Germany, Hungary, France, and other countries have been unabashed in their fawning over Putin. In 2016, these sentiments gained a foothold in the GOP mainstream, led by the Putin-Sympathizer-in-Chief; one of many reasons that Ronald Reagan is undoubtedly rolling over in his grave. Thankfully, the traditional Reaganites in the GOP have the upper hand -- at least for the moment -- and the Putin fanboys and -girls have been marginalized.

    You can start with the former SPD Chancellor of Germany.

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Posted by CMStPnP on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 12:33 PM

Euclid
It seems to me there are three different distinctions within this topic:   1)   Biological research having nothing to do with military weapon applications.  In other words, bio labs researching medicines and vaccines for fighting disease.       2)   Biological research into dangerous pathogens and to explore how they may be used in biological weapons of war.  Here, the potential for such research could be to use it for either the creation of biological weapons, the defense against them, or both.       3)   The research and manufacture of biological weapons.     It seems to me that the actual verified facts are related to item #2.  If so, there may not be any illegality or controversy to this at all.  It would depend on the laws pertaining to such research.  #2 would also explain Victoria Nuland’s concern that the biological materials in the labs might end up in Russian hands, a concern that would be unlikely if the labs are related to item #1.  There is no evidence that these labs were actually manufacturing agent for use in chemical weapons.   However, it seems to me that the discovery of these labs in the context of a war would be at least highly significant.   Apparently, it was Russia that first broke the news of the labs, and they did so under the, at least, the implied premise that the U.S. was conducting research to develop agents for use in chemical weapons, or even manufacturing them.   I perceive a lot of the response to this news to be denial that any of the three items above are true.  And out of this denial has come the allegation that Russia made up the whole story to use as a false flag to cover up their plans to actually use chemical weapons to win the war in Ukraine.  In other words, Russia will attack with chemical weapons and claim that that the Ukrainians did it.  So, under this theory, the Ukrainian labs, allegedly found, will be the source of the weapons Ukraine will use against Russia in Ukraine.  Therefore the allegations for the existence of these labs will set the stage for making it believable that Ukraine used chemical weapons, when it will actually be the Russians who will have used them. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lUt6DMfrBg

It was crystal clear it was the first instance labs related to civilian pathogens and it was made even clearer if you listened to Senator Warners remarks     How you got this all messed up in your head is anyones guess  no matter because some on FOX News are confused as well recommend you review the CSPAN coverage

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Posted by CMStPnP on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 12:56 PM

Euclid
Sources, facts, definition of terms??

He has problems with balance as he missed the Putin Poster Child in Europe, whom is the Liberal former head of the SPD Gerhard Schroder.    How you could have missed that is bewildering unless your intention is to be partisan here.

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Posted by CMStPnP on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 12:59 PM

Backshop

I believe that #2 is correct.  I've also read (can't find it now), that the reason the Russians knew about the labs is that they were former Soviet labs.

 

No they are innocent civilian labs.   If the Russians stripped the country of Nuclear weapons it is not going to leave the bio-weapons labs behind if there were any.   Further the Soviet Union got rid of most of them I believe prior to dissoloution.   Anyways, watch the youtube clip I posted above.   The United States would not share bio weapons data with Ukraine and then have reservations about giving state of the art weapons to Ukraine due to it's corruption issue.    Think this through, it does not make any sense.

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Posted by Backshop on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 1:50 PM

CMStPnP

 

 
Backshop

I believe that #2 is correct.  I've also read (can't find it now), that the reason the Russians knew about the labs is that they were former Soviet labs.

 

 

 

No they are innocent civilian labs.   If the Russians stripped the country of Nuclear weapons it is not going to leave the bio-weapons labs behind if there were any.   Further the Soviet Union got rid of most of them I believe prior to dissoloution.   Anyways, watch the youtube clip I posted above.   The United States would not share bio weapons data with Ukraine and then have reservations about giving state of the art weapons to Ukraine due to it's corruption issue.    Think this through, it does not make any sense.

 

Rereading the options, you are correct.  I agree with #1.

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Posted by Euclid on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 3:24 PM
I think there is a lot more to this story besides whether Russia is lying about the purpose of the bio labs in Ukraine.  I certainly think it is possible that they are lying.
 
But I am not convinced that their reason for lying is to create a false flag pretext for using chemical weapons and then blaming it on Ukraine.   If a bunch of Ukrainians are suddenly gassed to death by Russia, do you really think Russia believes they can blame that on being done by Ukraine just to make Russians look bad?  How is this alleged false flag pretext supposed to work?  It makes no sense.  Give me a plausible explanation of the exact motive and actions behind this false flag.
 

If anything, the reason Russia is making this charge is probably to justify their attack on Ukraine by saying it is preemptive self-defense against being attacked by Ukraine with chemical weapons.  That would be my guess.  It is just propaganda to shift blame for the war. 

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Posted by SD70Dude on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 3:41 PM

Euclid
But I am not convinced that their reason for lying is to create a false flag pretext for using chemical weapons and then blaming it on Ukraine.   If a bunch of Ukrainians are suddenly gassed to death by Russia, do you really think Russia believes they can blame that on being done by Ukraine just to make Russians look bad?

Yes.

 

Euclid
Give me a plausible explanation of the exact motive and actions behind this false flag.

Claims like this are not supposed to convince us or anyone else outside of Russia.  They only have to convince the Russian population who already gets all their news from RT or other state media.  

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Posted by JayBee on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 3:50 PM

For France, the Putin apologist was Marine Le Pen, for Hungary it is Victor Orban. Both of these have now changed their tune. Ms. Le Pen changed her tune when with the Invasion of Ukraine her approval rating in the polls was cut in half. Mr. Orban also changed his tune at the same time, perhaps because if Russia takes over Ukraine Hungary will be neighbors. But the biggest Putin syncophant is Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson who is BFF with the son of ex-KGB Agent Alexey Lebedev, and even raised the son to the British peerage. There is a reason that the US and most members of NATO limit sensitive intelligence information that they share with Britain. 

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