Popular Comments

Discussion: What does Putin want (and whatabout it)

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 27, 2014.

Like  4 Likes

Discussion: What does Putin want (and whatabout it)

nan said:

PVW said:

nan said:

PVW said:

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 27, 2014.

Ok, so you are talking about Crimea, which I'm guessing we have different opinions about, right?  

What is your view on this?

Go back through this thread. You'll see that I've consistently referred to Russia's actions of 2022 as an escalation of the war it began in 2014.

WHAT????  You are so Russophobic that I tend to glaze over your habit of blaming the Russians for everything.   You are saying the Russians began the war in 2014?  How?

By invading and occupying Ukrainian territory. Most people have no problem recognizing that as war.

Like  4 Likes

Discussion: What does Putin want (and whatabout it)

In February of 2014, Crimea was the legitimate territory of Ukraine. And Russia invaded and occupied it. It also sent troops into eastern Ukraine to stoke an insurgency.

You're free to explain why you feel Russia was justified in going to war against Ukraine, but let's be clear that this is what you're doing.

Like  4 Likes

Discussion: What does Putin want (and whatabout it)

I did. He's a liar and those who believe him are dupes. Take, for instance, where he talks about WWII -- he conveniently skips over the fact that the war began, not with Germany attacking the USSR, but with the USSR and Germany allied and jointly attacking Poland. In the context of Ukraine, his talking about millions killed very pointedly skips over the millions killed by the USSR.

His speech is full of similar dishonest omissions and misdirections. It's a speech that relies on his audience's ignorance and credulity.

Like  3 Likes

Discussion: Dining platforms in the Village

Where did everybody park???

-s.

Like  3 Likes

Discussion: What does Putin want (and whatabout it)

Russia is already occupying large parts of Georgia. And note how you claim that the Georgian president is a U.S. puppet. For you, any leader in a former SSR that doesn't toe the Russian line is by definition a U.S. puppet, aren't they? You are quite literally unable to conceive of anyone in the orbit of the former USSR freely choosing to break from Russia.

Like  2 Likes

Discussion: A Deal: Too Good to Go Restaurant App

I recently read about Too Good to Go in The Times and gave it a try the last two Sundays at Roman Gourmet. Thumbs up.

Through the app, participating restaurants offer cut-price “surprise” bags or boxes, for pickup at the end of their day, of food that would otherwise go to waste. You don’t get to choose the selections, which can be an obstacle for anyone with dietary restrictions (although I think some requests can be accommodated), but I doubted that Roman could give my wife and me anything we wouldn’t like.

Roman charges $5. Last Sunday, that got us two large slices of ziti stuffed pizza, two gourmet slices (buffalo chicken, eggplant) and four garlic knots. Tonight, when I wanted to test the variety — like, was it going to be ziti stuffed slices and garlic knots every time? — it was a cheesesteak stuffed slice, three gourmet slices different from last week (one artichoke, two spinach), one sausage slice and one plain slice.

Last Sunday, the app listed Roman as sold out by pickup time (8:45-9). Tonight the guy behind the counter said they had extras.

The nearest participants are heavy on pizza, bread and bagels (Roman, Gian Marco, Master Pizza, NYC Bagels); two others, Baker Street Market and Millburn Deli, seem to sell out their surprise bags quickly. I think I saw Yellow Rose Cafe on there, too, last week.

As a way to reduce waste, Too Good to Go is a good way to go, even if my waist can’t afford to make it too much a habit. Hopefully, more nearby restaurants catch on and sign up.

Like  8 Likes

Discussion: The Rose Garden and White House happenings: Listening to voters’ concerns

Jaytee said:

I’m wondering if trump’s minions are behind the scenes offering money to the families of the jurors. This guy is capable of anything, and right now a hung jury is all he needs. 

I'm thinking that a hung jury might happen. It has to be intimidating for most people to have not only Trump but all of the Republican political figures watching the jury and observing them arrive and leave the courthouse. They must be worried about being photographed or followed. A big responsibility to convict a former President with all of the crazies out there.

Like  2 Likes

Discussion: What does Putin want (and whatabout it)

Some people delight in constructing paths of breadcrumbs leading backwards from historical events and then proclaiming that said historical event was inevitable.  People float the myth that the Treaty of Versailles was the cause of WW 2 and that FDR knew that the Japanese would attack Pearl Harbor.  

These arguments about the cause of war in Ukraine are no different.  The reality is that there were many decision points along the trail from 1994 to the present when different decisions could have been made that would have changed history.  The U.S. could have done some things differently.  Putin could have made different decisions.  I reject the argument that the U.S. is unilaterally responsible for the war.

Like  2 Likes

Discussion: What does Putin want (and whatabout it)

Let me see if I can sum up the Nan doctrine:

- If any former SSR shows signs of U.S. meddling, this represents and existential threat to Russia, and there are no limits on how Russia can respond. Anything -- invasion, occupation, annexation, threatening nuclear strikes -- is justified in response to an existential threat.

-  Any former SSR that acts against Russian interests is acting on behalf of the U.S. No post-Soviet state would ever, of its own volition, act against Russian interests. Any state that does so,and any political leader in such a state that does so, is an agent of or being manipulated by the United States.

- No act by a former SSR to provide for its own defense against current or future Russian aggression is justified, because if Russia is threatening it this means Russia is responding to U.S. meddling. In fact, the very act of taking defensive measures is itself proof of ill intent against Russia, directed by the United States.

Like  2 Likes