Ukraine (closed; covers till August 2014)

[OUTLAW 09]

mirhond---really did like the cat photo since it was wearing the same colors---red/white/blue as used in the US national flag=== Nice touch------you do have a sense of justice after all.

Did not know that Russia liked our colors so much they incorporated them into their national flag---they do say copying is the greatest form of flattery.

Very patriotic of you to post the US national colors during the new Cold War that Putin somehow managed to restart but hey he was KGB and is still dreaming of the "greater SU" although the new Russian colors do not quite match the old two colors of red and yellow.

[Stan]

This entire region, depending on age and level of naiveté, manages to come up with the same Bravo Sierra as either an excuse to leave their sovereign State, defend against one another, or vote for yet another referendum.

Been there, done that. Doesn't work

The parties from left to right and center segregate themselves as Nazis and Russian despite the fact neither was ever in those camps.

When a 4th of Estonia wanted to join Russia however, the entire government decided that was not going to happen and the public supported that decision.

We all seem to have the right to self-destruction lately. Glad Im retired and freezing to death.

[OUTLAW 09]

Stan---good points---do not freeze too much.

[Stan]

Stan---good points---do not freeze too much.

Well, two weeks of warm weather and we are now being pounded with snow

Nobody in their right mind would invade this country again

Firn,
Gazprom and that huge pipeline is pure German investment thanks to Gerhard Schröder. We are all hoping they will finally clear all the sea mines from the Baltic Sea while they lay pipe

[wm]

Well, two weeks of warm weather and we are now being pounded with snow

Stan,
Are you sure you aren't in New England?

[Firn]

We will see in a couple of years, maybe ten or more who has 'won' for the time being. Earlier in the thread I stated that Putin has got for now the Crimea but he might have lost the rest of Ukraine, and possibly a good part of the Russian economy. That depends largely on the European willpower although American help, especially financial one is highly welcomed.

Interestingly the NYT has a nice article about the 'economic miracle' of South Ossetia, which fits neatly with the papers I found about the great economic success of Abkhazia. Transnistrias economic history does make the economic triumph of Russia's 'frozen occupations' complete. Note the debt level and the link to Gazprom&Co. They certainly put their earnings to good Samaritian use.

Expectations are now too sky-high in the Crimea, pumped up with propaganda and promises, promises and promises. Even with the best policies and vast help from Russia it will difficult to fulfill those dreams...

[jmm99]

..."In times of peace and prosperity cities and individuals alike follow higher standards, because they are not forced into a situation where they have to do what they do not want to do." ... (3.82)
...
"To fit in with the change of events words too had to change their meanings. What used to be described as thoughtless act of aggression was now regarded as the courage one would expect to find in a party member." ... (3.82)

Thucydides, The History of the Peloponnesian War (any Crawley trans. edition).

Words (the lofty rhetoric of politicians), whether written or oral, have no real meaning unless linked to acts. "By their acts, you shall know them."

Regards

Mike