War in Ukraine

Aw what a shame...

To avoid capture, this $325 million superyacht of one of Russia's wealthiest oligarchs sailed at full speed for 18 days to cross the Pacific ocean. Now the 347 feet vessel is held in Fiji for docking without customs clearance and the US government is planning to seize it. - Luxurylaunches

 

thoughts and prayers

 

When do we see the first treasury auction for all these seized super yachts?

 

Wow, that's an impressive yacht!

 

A number of folks want to have the properties/funds that have been seized to be put to use defending/rebuilding Ukraine. A few properties in Europe are now used to house refugees.

 

Lawrence Tribe is advocating that we liquidate 100 billion in Russian assets in the US and use that to fund the war effort and for humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

 

Reminder folks!! One of those rare times everyone regardless of party might say "Yes! Let's go!"

Actions - H.R.6869 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): To authorize the President of the United States to issue letters of marque and reprisal for the purpose of seizing the assets of certain Russian citizens, and for other purposes.

 

I like it, but the President will never sign it. This would give select citizens the authority to seize Russian vessels on the high seas. I mean, if we’re balking at giving Ukraine Soviet-era aircraft, ending our association with Russia for the Iran talks, and building up our own military capability in Eastern Europe, then this is an escalation that the President would probably not consider.

 

It could be modified to exclude military items -- imagine some Cajun Navy guys grabbing a nuclear sub, for example. And these are properties of folks on sanctions lists already, not just anything in general.

I like it. Especially when you get into small islands where they can try to hide.

Edit to add: Imagine if Scandinavian countries did this. Bring back Viking raids!

 

All US ports are off limits now

 

Military folks, have you heard of this or is it really new just for Ukraine?

 

Looks like it, based off the Switchblade Platform
Meet 'Phoenix Ghost,' the US Air Force's new drone designed for Ukraine's war with Russia - Breaking Defense

 

As I said previously, if you're NOT being sanctioned it means Russia still finds you friendly. Wonder why Trump, Tucker, etc aren't sanctioned? Cnn live

""Nothing less than an accolade," US State Department spokesperson says of Russian sanction against him

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Thursday “it is nothing less than an accolade to earn the ire” of the Russian government by being sanctioned.

“In addition to the Vice President, today's tranche included journalists and spokespeople for this administration, myself included,” Price said at a State Department briefing. “I have to say it is nothing less than an accolade to earn the ire of a government that lies to its own people, brutalizes its neighbors and seeks to create a world where freedom and liberty are put on the run and, if they had their way, extinguished.”
It is “a great honor to share that enmity with other truth tellers, my colleagues John Kirby and Jen Psaki, as well as a number of journalists who have done incredible work, sharing the jarring, bloody truth of Russia's actions in Ukraine,” he added.

Russia has banned a slew of US figures including US Vice President Kamala Harris from entering the country, Reuters quoted the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying."

 

Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

US fast tracking Phoenix Ghost drones and delivering 120 of them to Ukraine.