Welcome home, fellow Gator.

The Gator Nation's oldest and most active insider community
Join today!
  1. Gator Country Black Friday special!

    Now's a great time to join or renew and get $20 off your annual VIP subscription! LIMITED QUANTITIES -- for details click here.

Sweden officially joins NATO

Discussion in 'Too Hot for Swamp Gas' started by rivergator, Mar 7, 2024.

  1. wgbgator

    wgbgator Premium Member

    29,932
    1,867
    1,968
    Apr 19, 2007
    Well the first problem with that is that it isnt 'all of Europe,' because I'm pretty sure Russia (and Ukraine) is Europe too. Also I'm not sure I see the "immense" benefits of giving arms and protection to Orban, Erdogan and other European countries simply because they are in a club with us.
     
  2. l_boy

    l_boy 5500

    12,933
    1,730
    3,268
    Jan 6, 2009
    To an extent that question was more relevant before Russia invaded Ukraine. I think the Russia invasion of Ukraine is the answer to your question.

    Also, what some of the detractors of NATO forget is that a requirement for many of these countries to enter NATO was economic and political reform.
     
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
  3. PITBOSS

    PITBOSS GC Hall of Fame

    7,808
    819
    558
    Apr 13, 2007

    It’s understandable considering:


    regarding nato countries and Russia….

    “I said, ‘You didn’t pay. You’re delinquent.’ He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.” Dear Leader 2/10 SC

    …..and never ever, ever push back or question Dear Leader.

    Trump says he would ‘encourage’ Russia to attack NATO allies who don’t pay up – POLITICO
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2024
    • Winner Winner x 2
  4. slayerxing

    slayerxing GC Hall of Fame

    4,982
    851
    2,078
    Aug 14, 2007
    Consider that most of the largest wars in the last 400 years of history have had their beginnings in or around Europe. You just can’t ignore that context. The alliance prevents that from happening, while also promoting collaboration. Finally, if you don’t see the benefit with Russia out there dreaming of the Soviet Union idk what else to say.
     
    • Winner Winner x 2
  5. g8trdoc

    g8trdoc Premium Member

    3,555
    483
    353
    Apr 3, 2007
    Your post is very dishonest. I don't think you care what Biden says or thinks anymore than I care what Trump says or thinks. To lump Republicans into a group that somehow now love Russia is just pure MSNBC propaganda. Republican's by in large just love America and distrust everyone else. They certainly have not suddenly started being Team Russian just because CNN wants you to believe it.
     
    • Winner Winner x 3
    • Like Like x 2
    • Disagree Bacon! Disagree Bacon! x 2
  6. slayerxing

    slayerxing GC Hall of Fame

    4,982
    851
    2,078
    Aug 14, 2007
    go visit the Ukraine war thread…
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
    • Best Post Ever Best Post Ever x 1
  7. wgbgator

    wgbgator Premium Member

    29,932
    1,867
    1,968
    Apr 19, 2007
    Didn’t most of those wars get triggered by multinational alliances? Some of them even involved Russian expansionism like the Crimean war.
     
  8. VAg8r1

    VAg8r1 GC Hall of Fame

    21,023
    1,744
    1,763
    Apr 8, 2007
    Rather than saying that all Republicans love Russia it would be more accurate to say that the segment of the party that loves or at least is willing to appease Russia is responsible for implementing the agenda of the Republican party. The agenda which by the way set by the defeated indicted former president who has made no secret of his love for a certain former KGB colonel whose goal is to restore the Russian/Soviet empire.
     
  9. slayerxing

    slayerxing GC Hall of Fame

    4,982
    851
    2,078
    Aug 14, 2007
    Small alliances. Certainly not 32 countries all together. Nothing close other than when coalition forces United against napoleon. Now all of Western Europe is allied and their chances of fighting each other are as close to zero as you can get. We are witnessing the longest major peace in Europe since the fricken pax romana!!! And still people question natos worth…
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
  10. PITBOSS

    PITBOSS GC Hall of Fame

    7,808
    819
    558
    Apr 13, 2007
    as far as "team cnn", it was a trump quote. But you have a good overall theme- we ALL need to think for ourselves. We shouldn't suddenly be for/against something just because a particular news pundit or leader says so or contrarian just to be against the "other team"
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2024
  11. GatorFanCF

    GatorFanCF Premium Member

    5,178
    999
    1,968
    Apr 14, 2007
    Two pages of Leftists proclaiming what Republicans believe and then lambasting presumed positions. Oh my.

    Personally, I don't have any issue nor concern with Sweden joining NATO (my wife loves ABBA, btw). Another country to the north of Russia and more contributions toward NATO. Nor do I have any issue with Trump baiting Europe to pay their fair share. He's a jerkface New York developer - it's how he rolls; and, he's not going to change. It's not considered "Presidential" but if "Presidential" gets us Obama and Biden I'm okay without it.
     
    • Funny Funny x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
  12. OklahomaGator

    OklahomaGator Jedi Administrator Moderator VIP Member

    123,434
    163,998
    116,973
    Apr 3, 2007
    Why would anyone be mad? A stronger NATO is better for the US. My one question would be, what took them so long?
     
    • Winner Winner x 2
  13. GatorBen

    GatorBen Premium Member

    6,254
    1,011
    2,968
    Apr 9, 2007
    Ikea missiles, launched from Volvo jets!!
     
    • Funny Funny x 2
    • Like Like x 1
  14. BigCypressGator1981

    BigCypressGator1981 GC Hall of Fame

    6,707
    1,374
    3,103
    Oct 11, 2011
    So it’s safe to say you denounce Putin and everything he’s done with regards to Ukraine since the invasion began? I don’t want to lump you in.
     
  15. sierragator

    sierragator GC Hall of Fame

    15,367
    13,233
    1,853
    Apr 8, 2007
    or note the gop's refusal to approve more aid for Ukraine. Doing Vlad a solid. Thanks GOP.
     
    • Winner Winner x 1
  16. BigCypressGator1981

    BigCypressGator1981 GC Hall of Fame

    6,707
    1,374
    3,103
    Oct 11, 2011
    your first question seems rhetorical and it should be. Probably not the case given fat Orange’s love for / jealousy of dictators.
     
  17. l_boy

    l_boy 5500

    12,933
    1,730
    3,268
    Jan 6, 2009
    My uneducated guess would be:

    - in the past they felt they didn’t have to. Being part of NATO means you are committing to a certain amount of defense spending and also potential military entanglements that you may not agree with

    - they perceived a position of neutrality was superior to taking a side

    - it may be that they have a pacifist streak.
     
  18. l_boy

    l_boy 5500

    12,933
    1,730
    3,268
    Jan 6, 2009
    Volvo jets would probably be pretty sturdy. I’d worry about IKEA missiles.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Funny Funny x 1
  19. l_boy

    l_boy 5500

    12,933
    1,730
    3,268
    Jan 6, 2009
    Do you think many MAGA Republicans, including Trump, are either Russia sympathic or at least Russia neutral? If so, why is that?
     
  20. g8trdoc

    g8trdoc Premium Member

    3,555
    483
    353
    Apr 3, 2007
    No if anything anti Russia. Republicans are nationalists. This means anyone that threatens us is our sworn enemy.
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2024
    • Funny Funny x 2