BruceVC

Absolutely, their is a common global view from supporters of Putin that is exactly what you suggest with the whole "we want our cake and eat it " But I have been making a similar point since 9/11 when I started engaging online in these debates. Some citizens living in Western countries have often criticized the " evil, colonial, warmongering, Capitalist West " and its perceived flawed ideology yet their is no better alternative if you dismiss the principles of what Constitutional Democracies stand for because that is basically what Western ideology represents

https://news.yahoo.com/analysis-macron-cements-french-presidential-012015505.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall Yesterday Macron and Le Pen had the normal French presidential debate before the final round of their election process and thankfully Macron came off as the most convincing in the polls afterwards with 59% This is good news for a Macron victory. Why do we want a Macron victory? These are the main reasons to be opposed to Le Penn she has threatened to take France out the EU which would weaken the EU and its sustainability going forward ( she has backtracked on this in this election campaign ) She is anti-Globalization and the free trade agreements of the EU she has a history of extreme anti-immigration views. I support immigration control but not what she suggests But saying all that I am interested in what people think, do you want Macron to lose and if so why? And if you support Le Pen why do you support her?

It makes it worse when respected adults , like teachers, condone and or ignore bigotry like homophobia Almost all bigotry is inculcated in people through their upbringing. So yes kids would normally be homophobic due to how they raised but teachers can play a huge part in changing this view or making it worse

@Malcador Countries often ban other countries from sports events especially if those countries are involved in egregious human rights abuses and unprovoked wars and conflicts. SA was banned from numerous sports events during Apartheid which was understandable And Wimbledon is a private sector event as far as I know so you dont even need to be motivated by official sanctions by your country to decide to ban Russian athletes. Putins War is motivation enough in the same way many Western companies pulled out of Russia like McDonalds. Companies can make business decisions around their own moral compass and value system Why doesnt Russia creates its own " Russian Wimbledon " and invite countries that support Putins War like Belarus, Syrian, Eritrea, NK, Cuba and Venezuela. Russia had its own athletics event when they were banned for state sponsored doping so that would be my suggestion. Create a " Russian Wimbledon ", problem solved ?

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/ I highly recommend everyone reads this link, it criticizes both Republicans and Democrats but its more about the insidious influence of SM I agree with some of it and I can see the damage SM has done but I dont agree with all of it because SM is just a tool. The article makes 3 suggestions that are interesting @Guard Dog @rjshae @Gorth @Amentep @Hurlshot @Gfted1 @alanschu you guys will find it particularly interesting

@ShadySands is saying that sounds like his in-laws because they believe the Russian propaganda, thats my understanding? And we fine with the word madness, its not a stretch at all

I agree, if you want to spend maybe 10 minutes doing your own research or following any international media house most of the stories about Putins War are true @213374U I would recommend you stop streaming RT as your news source around Putins War, its well known to biased and pushes Putins propaganda. The worst lies I have heard from Russia is directly from the Russian ambassador in SA when he use to do interviews in the beginning ( they have stopped interestingly enough ) He stated on a talk show publicly that " civilians and civilian building are not being targeted and its the Ukrainian Neo-Nazis and freed Ukrainian prisoners that are guilty of executing people and bombing hospitals "

Yes, from all media coverage the availability of food and supplies is almost gone and as you said they surrounded But as @xzar_montymentioned would you want to surrender to the likes of the Russian military in Ukraine considering how some civilians and Ukrainian military have been treated ?

Yes the defeat of the valiant defenders in Mariupol is definitely imminent. The city has been basically bombed to the ground and supplies are limited Many of the Ukrainian military in Mariupol are prepared to fight to the end and make a last stand. Its brave and tragic but I think they not surrendering because its a form symbolism and being opposed to Putins War History will remember people like the defenders of Mariupol and when Putins War is over I guarantee you a statue will be erected to honor them. And a movie\movies should be made ..........in fact several movies about Putins War will be made

You not allowed to crack jokes on this topic, its too serious

Its a pity people on the far right in the US want to take legitimate concerns with CRT ,or similar topics like project 1619, and turn that into discrimination against LGBT Never underestimate the propensity or appetite for homophobia from people. Its basically the only form of bigotry that is still legally implemented in countries like Russia, in several counties in Africa and the ME

It really sounds like you defending the Russian media updates as possibly credible and or truthful? And it sounds like you suggesting their is a Russian perspective where Putin didnt lie to the world and didnt invade Ukraine? What exact " version of facts " should we be believing? I realize you never respond to my posts but this week after ignoring me for at least 18-24 months you responded to a post I made to tell me I was wrong about something so I hope you can muster that same herculean effort to answer the question " what truth should we be reading and believing " ?

Yes I had my booster and the rest of my family did as well. It doesn't last very long this variant in SA for most people. Normally 3-4 days of flu symptoms like fatigue and feverish. I think it would be worse if people weren't vaccinated? I think its spreading because we have stopped our lockdowns so its inevitable and this new variant is the most contagious

Thanks, I will go through this link later after work. I would like to read good new stories

No, I am waiting for 7 days because I could be in incubation period and a test would be pointless if Im not showing symptoms

My sister has the virus and her fiancé and so has my brothers wife. This new variant is highly contagious and almost impossible to avoid exposure if you want a semblance of a normal life in the sense you socialize in bars or at friends houses, you see family and friends for meals, you work at different customers, you have social activities like going to gym or being part of sports clubs or you travel

No, its nothing like that. Thanks for the suggestion but Monty is right. Putins war is madness and the media commentary from Russia is pure propaganda from Putin and it is irrational, inconsistent, illogical, spurious and hyperbolic and it must be rejected with the contempt it deserves

No Elerond that sounds very left and very liberal and very worrying....lets not start lowering the level of education for technical subjects like finance or engineering ?

I have the rest of the week off because I cut my Easter extended holiday short so Im planning on playing loads of modded Oblivion. I have only played 12 hours or so due to RL commitments and the game CTD But its much more stable now after I started using Wyre Bash and other mod managers like LOOT So in others words I dont recommend Vortex as your mod manager for Oblivion

But why would any math book have something like SEL in it? Read this is link and tell me how this is relevant to learning math? https://www.nu.edu/resources/social-emotional-learning-sel-why-it-matters-for-educators/ @Hurlshot When Hurlshot mentioned SEL on another post I had never really heard of it, Im sure my brothers who have kids know about it. And I'm glad he raised it because I am a little concerned about it but not in the same way I had and have some concerns with CRT So I am just going to follow how SEL is implemented and hopefully its truly beneficial for children because end of the day that should be the most important objective for all of us " whats should kids be learning at schools " But going back to my question, what has SEL got to do with math? @Guard Dog GD you understand math and how its applied in your field, what has SEL got to do with math and why should it be in any math textbook

Gfted1 good to see being more active in this thread, Im not sure why you have been so quiet with posts around Putins War? But thats in the past, welcome home

More Putins War humor with the absurdity of the reasons for the invasion

Gromnir are you still blocking my posts, I hope not because I miss our debates I promise not to make anymore jokes about guns on sale in bakeries or suggesting that GD has been influenced by moving to a liberal state Normally I dont mind people ignoring me but its different with you, I do mind

GD somehow I knew you were going to say " I dont think I could live their " You comparing it to the beauty and serenity of Cold Creek and the majestic wilderness of Tennessee Or maybe I am wrong, why are you glad you dont live their ?

When Putins War is over this will be one of the most damaging and long term economic consequences. This type of brain drain cant be replaced easily This is actually the perfect time for all those who dislike and mistrust the West and its ideology to immigrate to Russia. Russia will need committed people and I can imagine getting a work visa and citizenship should be easier than anytime before? And you can learn Russia, I wouldnt see that as an obstacle ? Their is absolutely no reason for anyone living in a Western country to be forced to be part of that type of corrupt, Colonial, Imperialist and Capitalist system? Strike while the iron is hot I say