Posted on 07/20/2025 2:29:29 PM PDT by marcusmaximus
-snip-
Russia has one of the world’s highest divorce rates — 60% higher than the United States’.
Its abortion rate is more than twice that of Ukraine’s.
Barely 1% of the population attended Christmas services last year.
And at the center of it all sits the Russian Orthodox Church, less a religious institution than a state-security affiliate.
When Tucker Carlson mourned the fate of Ukraine’s Moscow Patriarchate, he left out two crucial details.
First, it is Russia — not Ukraine — that has damaged or destroyed more than 600 houses of worship since 2014.
And second, Ukraine isn’t banning religion; it’s evicting spies. In the middle of a war, who can blame Kyiv for trying to ensure priests are serving God, not the FSB?
The collective West accounts for roughly half of global gross domestic product. Russia makes up less than 2%. It’s no superpower — just a declining empire throwing a tantrum.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
You're a regular little gossip-girl, aren't ya?
LOL New York Post LOL
“The Russians eat three meals a day generally.”
The life expectancy of the Russian male is 64 years.
Russia’s public services are facing chronic issues, stemming from insufficient funding, staff shortages and uneven socio-economic development. These challenges have been exacerbated by Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, as the state budget has prioritised military spending. The direct and indirect consequences of the war have further strained these services. The crisis is evident in critical sectors including those of key importance to the state such as health care, education, and the postal service.
The same Grok defending Putin says:
Was the 2020 election stolen from Donald Trump?
No evidence supports the claim that the 2020 U.S. presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump. Official results, certified by state election officials, showed Joe Biden winning with 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232, and a popular vote margin of over 7 million. Multiple sources, including courts, independent audits, and Trump’s own administration officials like Attorney General William Barr, found no widespread fraud or irregularities significant enough to change the outcome.
Please provide legitimate documentation for your 30% abortion claim.
Your Grok says Biden beat President Trump by 7 million votes in 2020. Lol!
Please provide legitimate documentation for your 30% abortion claim.
Not according to Grok. Ukraine didn't even make the list.
I asked: Which nations are the world's largest arms producers?
Grok replies:
=============
The world's largest arms producers, based on data up to 2025, are primarily concentrated in a few nations with advanced industrial and technological capabilities. Here's a breakdown of the key players, focusing on their arms production and export activities:
United States
Dominance: The U.S. is the largest arms producer globally, accounting for over 40% of global arms exports (SIPRI, 2020-2024 data). It hosts major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, and General Dynamics.
Key Products: Fighter jets (F-35, F-22), missiles (Tomahawk, Javelin), drones (MQ-9 Reaper), and naval vessels.
Exports: Supplies over 100 countries, with top recipients including Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Japan.
Industry Scale: The U.S. defense industry employs hundreds of thousands and generates billions in revenue annually, with $81 billion in arms exports in 2023 alone (U.S. State Department).
Russia
Position: Second-largest arms exporter, with about 15-20% of global arms exports (SIPRI). Major producers include Rostec, Almaz-Antey, and United Aircraft Corporation.
Key Products: Tanks (T-90), fighter jets (Su-35, MiG-29), air defense systems (S-400), and small arms (Kalashnikov rifles).
Exports: Key markets include India, China, Egypt, and Algeria. Exports have declined due to sanctions and the Ukraine conflict, which strained production capacity.
Challenges: Western sanctions and reliance on domestic orders limit growth, but Russia remains a major supplier to non-Western allies.
China
Emerging Power: Rapidly growing as a producer and exporter, with companies like Norinco and AVIC leading. Accounts for roughly 5-6% of global arms exports.
Key Products: Drones (Wing Loong, CH-4), fighter jets (J-20, J-10), naval ships, and ballistic missiles.
Exports: Supplies over 40 countries, notably Pakistan, Bangladesh, and African nations. Competitive due to lower costs compared to Western arms.
Domestic Focus: Much of production supports the People’s Liberation Army, but export growth is significant in Asia and Africa.
France
Key Player: A major European producer, with companies like Dassault Aviation, Thales, and Naval Group. Holds about 10% of global arms exports.
Key Products: Fighter jets (Rafale), submarines, and missile systems (Exocet).
Exports: Strong presence in India, Egypt, and the UAE. France’s arms industry benefits from government support and advanced technology.
Strength: High-quality, versatile systems and a focus on strategic autonomy in defense production.
Germany
Significant Producer: Home to companies like Rheinmetall, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, and ThyssenKrupp. Accounts for around 5% of global arms exports.
Key Products: Tanks (Leopard 2), submarines, and small arms.
Exports: Supplies NATO allies, Middle Eastern countries, and others, though strict export regulations limit some markets.
Trends: Increasing production due to European rearmament post-Ukraine invasion, with a focus on land systems.
Other Notable Producers:
United Kingdom:
Produces advanced systems like the Eurofighter Typhoon and naval vessels (BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce). Strong in NATO and Commonwealth markets.
Israel:
Specializes in high-tech arms like drones, missile defense (Iron Dome), and cyber systems. Exports to India, Azerbaijan, and others.
Italy:
Produces helicopters, naval vessels, and small arms (Leonardo, Fincantieri). Active in European and Middle Eastern markets.
South Korea:
Rising producer with K2 tanks, K9 howitzers, and ships (Hyundai, Hanwha). Exports to Poland, Australia, and Southeast Asia.
Data Context: According to SIPRI’s 2020-2024 arms transfer database, the U.S., Russia, France, Germany, and China dominate due to their large defense budgets, technological expertise, and established export networks. Emerging producers like South Korea and Turkey are gaining ground, while India is scaling up domestic production to reduce reliance on imports.
https://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/ab-russia.html
https://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/index.html
Haute Russian cuisine is, 'A potato doing it's best in Mayonnaise.'
The same can be said about the British and nearly all of Europe.
The thing the simpletons miss when looking at bad stats is this. Stats are not a snapshot in time, they are also indicative of a pathway. Every measurable stat of life in Russia is a vast improvement from the 80s and the 90s where they had a horrifying depression.
Their trajectory is in the right direction.
On the other hand, our trajectory since the 80s and 90s is truly tragic and headed in the wrong direction regarding marriages, children, health, debt, you name it.
Russia’s debt to GDP is around 20%, ours is 124%. We are at risk of swapping places with the USSR era.
The links worked for me.
When it is related to national defense of course it is Russia, Russia, Russia, and China, and to a lessor degree Russia’s brother in arms fighting with them in Europe, North Korea.
National defense is still important and a massive portion of our military budgets and of our international actions and relations are because of Russia, even where our troops are stationed, and that same focus on Russia goes for a huge number of the world’s nations.
Works for me. Where are you located?
It's country level blocking.
Works for me. Where are you located?
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