[jjsheridan5]

Those spouting “Putinistas” are really just angry old men who miss what we once were, so do I for that matter. But I don’t remain there for long....things have more than changed...they are operating at breakneck speed..and that is on purpose ....so better to retain focus on today.....(and that IS sufficient)...and an eye on the world.

I wish that I could disagree, but I cannot. The flies permeating this board are, at the end of the day, just annoyances. But there is no question that the world is changing rapidly, and not in favor of those of us who remember something better, and know that what is occurring was not inevitable. But I remember, as I suspect you do, that history takes a longer view, and that those who live in "interesting times" are not doomed, but rather forced to examine what it is really important, and given an opportunity to take a stand, no matter how seemingly inconsequential.

This rush to judgement deeply sickens me. But that is not the important thing. We have forgotten how dangerous the world can be. We have forgotten how bad things can get. The cavalier attitude of the holier-than-thou crowd, who refuse to accept that the world does not abide by our wishes, is not comical -- it is a reflection of the ignorance upon which our slide is dependent. And as any student of history should be able to tell you, it is also a necessary precursor to the interesting parts.

You are right, unfortunately. We tried to affect a part of the world that reacts unpredictably to influence, and we are now in the position of a congental dissembler trying to spin another thread. We set this in motion, and are incapable of accepting the consequences. But the rest of the world sees, and will not forever allow us our indulgences. They are moving beyond us.

Your efforts are appreciated (and I feel bad not included several others, including the recently suspended one).

[elhombrelibre]

Are you in love with Putin? Were a fan of his when he was in the KGB?

[caww]

....”The cavalier attitude of the holier-than-thou crowd, who refuse to accept that the world does not abide by our wishes, is not comical — it is a reflection of the ignorance upon which our slide is dependent.... And as any student of history should be able to tell you, it is also a necessary precursor to the interesting parts”.

...” We tried to affect a part of ‘the world that reacts unpredictably to influence’, and we are now in the position of a congental dissembler trying to spin another thread. We set this in motion, and are incapable of accepting the consequences...... But ‘the rest of the world sees’, and will not forever allow us our indulgences”.......

We have affected parts of the world, but not without a cost to the very people we're attempting to influence and they often pay the ultimate costs without a choice in the matter...... Thinking now of the Ukrainians who have seen war and conflict time and again throughout the life they've lived.... The price is too great for the oldsters in East Ukraine.. whose minds race back to the very same situations they have seen before, and the tears fall hard once again...... This while they watch the destruction of their homes and communities.....only this time they wanted to be ‘free’ of ANY influence and go it alone.....reminding me of how we arrived at our individual states and control of our governance within. That is the difference in Eastern Ukraine....the choice to NOT go with Russia nor be under the heavy hand of Kiev. It's been different this time around for those in the East....and an honorable endeavor IMO. I will always support those who desire self-rule, regardless of the culture or the peoples within.

However in every case where communities rise.. there are the outside nation/leaders, and those within, who stand to loose their place of power and dominion.....and they will do far ‘more’ than oppose to protect their investments after years of structuring the systems they operate within. If the corrupt and evil ‘systems’ they're under are not destroyed and replaced, then the same musical chairs continues from one generation to the next.... Ukraine is a prime example....Iraq and Afghanistan and Libya as well....the basic ‘cultures’ cannot be changed, especially when there are more than one within the nation.

But then it's all really not about what the citizens want or desire, as we see play out in all the conflicts, including our own here in the states. Those at the top of the food chain have already anticipated our response long before they implement their ‘next’ move to “change” this nation. Thus we now see an invasion of undesirables coming through our borders which will further create the division in this nation......”divide and conquer comes to mind”.

IMO what's happening now here in the USA...today and the tomorrows to come will not be stopped with an election...slowed down perhaps....because that's the ‘most’ the current system as it operates can do....but nothing is going to put the breaks on..... Congress has the power but not the will, nor the time it would take. It's up to the people and I do see the potential for a revolution right here.....and that with those who are ready and prepared to oppose it...and they surely will.

(Haven't discovered who now's been suspended, but one wonders who's making those decisions with the boss out of town.)