March 17, 2022

Did you see

News was explaining how the tank column had dispersed into neighborhoods and was using civilian neighborhoods for cover. They showed a video of a tank sitting in some yard. There was a civilian walking along the street on the far side, not threatening in any way, just walking along the street. They blew him away. One single guy, doing nothing.

No wonder the Russians are having logistics problems. Not only is that a war crime, but, excuse me for observing, what a waste of the shell.

This has been a bad day. Putin, we are going to get you for this.

March 14, 2022

The UN is cooking something up

I watched the UN briefings this morning. Mexico and France came out and gave speeches, then took questions.

This is what I heard, but according to interruptions in the flow of the broadcast (my rig). So, I am saying that perhaps I didn't get all of the intent here, but this is what I think happened:

That, because, as you know, they can't go to the Security Council and get anything passed because of veto, they are taking a resolution to the General Assembly, which only requires a two thirds vote to pass. And, this resolution is regarding humanitarian concerns of all the (millions of) refugees caused by the Russian aggression in Ukraine. The whole situation sucks because there will be a cascade effect on food security which adversely affects struggling countries through poverty and the effects of the Covid pandemic.

This seems to be a step forward in terms of action by the UN. They can't simply stand there and say, Oh, we are going to kick Russian ass now, because we are finally fed up...what they can do is help at the borders where civilians are threatened. But, they did say that they are going to do something TODAY, and that was why they were announcing this resolution vote, because they need all the nations in on it for the two thirds vote. I think that was what was meant; something happening today.

They emphasized that the situation on the ground is very fluid and changing by the hour. I think they feel that things have to happen rapidly. Also, that air strike on the military base, IMO, may be motivational as the war is moving toward the borders now.

As you know, all the fighting has been on the Russian border, the Belarus border, and down at the Azov Sea shore areas. Now, the war is moving toward the NATO border areas, and the countries along those borders, some NATO, some not, are at risk. A lot of bombing has occurred very close to borders in other areas. How close will they bomb border towns on the Ukraine side in order to flatten them, and what will happen to refugees sheltering there along those new borders? I just don't know.

Will NATO accept damage to NATO land, as opposed to actual warfare and occupation, if a bomb is errant and inflicts damage on the wrong side of the border? There was that drone that flew over Romania, Hungary and landed in Croatia, who has been a member of NATO since 2009. Boy, was Croatia pissed that NATO had no reaction to that.

I don't know if we can watch the GA meeting for this, but I would very much like to watch it.

Ukraine,

March 13, 2022

Warships out there

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:130462/zoom:8

Off Germany, in the sea between Denmark and Germany, between the two windfarms on the map, you can see that there are German warships out there. They have ships marked "cable guard." I didn't think you'd be able to see the military ships, but there they are. I counted as many as five before some of them dropped off. I think that's a lot of warships. Maybe it's normal, but it's scary.

Didn't we read that the Russian ship marked for research but really was some kind of cable ship had left port and was headed out? Everybody is worried about a land shoot, but what would happen if Russia gave orders to someone to cut cables, and the warships fired on them? Lots of room for error that gets us into trouble.

You can double click on any ship and a box pops up to give you information on the ship.

Added: There's a British warship sailing in that direction, too.

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.