For now. I expect Germany and Poland to ante up given the state of things in the White House. Don't blame them either and fully encourage it.
You can't answer a hypothetical question? Here's what you're really saying: If Russia was going to install Oreshnik or nuclear missiles in Mexico you would favor the US invasion of Mexico to stop it. Period. How are you different from Putin? You and virtually every Russia-hating poster on this board would invade Mexico just like Putin invaded Ukraine to stop the installation of missiles that you perceived to be an existential threat.
If Tinkerbell flew into my office and granted me wishes, I'd wish for world peace. This is about as plausible as "Mexico inviting Russia to install Oreshnik missiles". Thus, we will not be entertaining fantasies as some rationale for the Russian (failed) invasion of Ukraine. Stop wasting our time with this nonsense.
You're admitting that you would do what Putin did in Ukraine. Doesn't matter if it is "plausible" that Russia would install missiles in Mexico that would be an existential threat to America. The question is, if Russia was going to put Oreshnik or nuclear missiles on the Mexico-US border, what would you do if you were the US president? Invade?
No. I'm pointing our that you, John and "Alexander's" Mexico theory is bullshit and not worthy of consideration due to a number of rather obvious factors. Primarily that Mexico has ZERO motivation to do any of that and is already far better off than Russia anyway. Are you saying that Tinkerbell can't magically create world peace? Prove it!
It doesn’t matter if the Mexico scenario is plausible. It only matters to the extent that, if it were to materialize, the same people who scream “Unprovoked!” would wake up as Russians every morning.
The false analogy in your incomplete hypothetical is irrelevant to the question of whether Putin followed international law when Russia invaded Ukraine. He didn’t. You just can’t admit it. How I would answer your hypothetical also is irrelevant to the question. The hypothetical is just an attempt to reframe the discussion on terms you think are more favorable. AzCatFan’s analogy is closer, but also irrelevant to the question of Russia’s lawless acts. Russia is not following international law. And who says "pussycat"? Are you getting sweet on me?
You're admitting that, like Putin, you would invade. norcaligator is also reluctant to answer the same question. Maybe Azcat or VA will try to bail you guys out Here's to watching you both twist slowly in the wind
No, I'm not admitting anything, just pointing out how full of shit this argument is. Or are you saying you believe Tinkerbell could deliver world peace?
The Sultan of Swat: duggers_dad: "It doesn’t matter if the Mexico scenario is plausible. It only matters to the extent that, if it were to materialize, the same people who scream “Unprovoked!” would wake up as Russians every morning."
You can squeal all you want about how Russians reasons for the war are illegitimate. The only thing that matters is that Russia has its reasons.
The Mexico hypothetical is sorely lacking because it doesn't answer the question why Mexico might feel the need to place WMDs on the US' doorstep. Were we good neighbors and Mexico is flexing their muscles in a show of force? Or, did the US do several things to provoke Mexico into a feeling of insecurity, and Mexico is acting out of self preservation? Things like history, leadership, and actions countries take matter. And with zero context, asking what the US would do if Mexico would arm itself against the US is 100% useless. Let's go back to Ukraine. They have asked for protection from Russia since gaining independence about 35 years ago. The big Russian Bear next door, Putin, is also on record saying he wants to recreate the USSR, meaning Russia wants Ukraine back as a territory and not as a sovereign nation. Can you blame Ukraine for taking steps to try and protect itself from Russia? Or, are you a Russian agent and believe the Kremlin can do no wrong, and the entire war is Ukraine's fault?
I agree Russia had its reasons - that isn't what we are talking about. The question is whether those reasons were consistent with international law, which is what VF claims. Lots of bad shit happens in the world. But let's call it that and stop pretending its pursuant to international law, however quaint you may think that is, when it isn't. Want to talk about how Russia executes prisoners of war in violation of the Geneva Convention? Can you guys do that without bringing up something another country has done? Nope. You'll just deflect without responding. The fact is you just can't criticize Russia. Your responses, false analogies, hypotheticals, and goal post shifting bear that out. Why is that?
The only real reason for the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been Putin's goal of reconstituting the Soviet Union/Russian Empire. Under both the Soviets and the Czars Ukraine was an integral part of Russia and didn't have anything remotely resembling an independent status.
And they suck, or they would have taken it in 2 weeks. LOL! What a bunch of losers. Can't believe we actually feared these clowns ever. Going to be so fun watching that country fade out of existence. Or, even better, become a Turko-Islamic state. Guess whose birthrates are skyrocketing and whose are plummeting.
