BruceVC

I havent seen anything yet on international news channels thats its true

Wow, your daughter has an interest and inclination in plumbing? Thats a good story to hear, she clearly has her fathers genes around DIY ...maybe she can takeover your DIY tasks in the future

https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/05/06/russian-navy-warship-admiral-makarov-reportedly-sunk-by-ukrainian-missiles/ Another Russian warship may have been hit by Neptune missiles and is damaged\sinking

You should plan a surprise weekend to Vegas? Nothing demonstrates living like Vegas 🥳 I have mentioned this before but I have been fortunate enough to go their 3 times back in the days when American global software companies incentivized their partners by trips to Vegas. Due to cost cutting its not as common I loved Vegas, it was everything I thought it would be but more I wouldnt want to live their but to visit for 5-7 days is worth it

Great reads, especially https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/05/05/a-heart-to-heart-with-russias-elites-a77587 Interesting quote from the link The government's economic section has a special position today. Technocrats are in high demand because they are supposedly saving the economy from the endless stream of new sanctions. In actual fact, their task is hopeless. About 70% of goods manufactured in Russia have imported components, and it is impossible to replace them. There are endless meetings in the government, says a well-known financier and former high-ranking official. The director of a factory that makes Russian aircraft comes in. He’s got a problem: his engines are imported. He promises that he will build his own — if they give him money and lots of it. Then he can make it in two years — if he can make it. A financier tells me, "I haven’t met anyone [in the economic section of the federal government] who supports it [the war in Ukraine]. They all know it’s a catastrophe. But they are all trying to figure out how to comply.” "Where can I go?" says another top-ranking bureaucrat, also horrified by what is happening, and one of the few who is not yet under sanctions. "They won’t let me leave."

I dont know, I have never lived in a Federal system and in SA our Constitution applies to all our provinces. So for example LGBT marriage and the right to choose to have an abortion is national and thats how I prefer it But their are lots of Americans who prefer individual states to decide most laws and regulations so when the point gets made " its up to the states to decide " its not disingenuous but rather exactly the design of the US political system and for me its exactly what American Democracy is about because its up to the citizens of each state to decide what political party they want in charge when they vote and that vote should be based on the political policies\views the party espouses And it goes both ways ideologically, for example in Democrat controlled states you have these "sanctuary cities" which many people see as encouraging illegal immigration. But these cities exist because the Democrats believe in them and people in California, for example, continue to ensure the Dems stay in power So in closing, if the citizens of any state are opposed to any law or regulation then they need to vote for a party that represents their political views. But if the majority of people dont support your views then you have to accept it because that is the will of the people in a particular state

How effective is Patriot, what can it do?

I had to share their these two funny and true stories A man in SA has been sent to jail for 8 years for having sex with a dog, its classified as bestiality and animal abuse. Someone phones in on a talk show and honestly asks " but how do we know it wasnt consensual " My SA family is starting to travel internationally again, I cant wait to go to London again. None of us have travelled internationally for over 2 years because of the lockdowns. My stepmom was at the airport last night and she said all the Chinese people flying back to China are wearing full Hazmat suits Can you imagine having to walk around and fly on a plane in a full Hazmat suit. Only the CCP would demand that kind of virus protection

Its more symbolic and people do give up their troops accused of war crimes, it happens in Africa. Remember Charles Taylor and also war criminals in countries like Croatia and Serbia were sent to the Hague to be prosecuted But part of me wants to agree with you, it would make things much easier when the West is involved in conflicts in places like the ME and Afghanistan to throw the Geneva Convention out the window in some cases But it will set a very bad global precedent for other wars so its probably not a good idea

None of that means we should ignore the Geneva Convention and not charge Russia with numerous examples of war crimes. Do you agree Russia should be charged?

Its to stop and deter illegal immigration, we passing similar new laws in SA about renewal of visas and taking other actions like deporting illegal foreigners (thats what they known as in SA ) but its a little too late in SA

Mamie are you sure the Ukrainians are not using black magic, shouldnt we wait for confirmation before we proceed

No, Im 47

This is a very good and articulate post, well said Monty I hope 2133 responds, I would like to see what he has to say

Its a joke Gorthfuscious, remember when we use to laugh sometimes The reason that doesnt happen anymore has got nothing to do with liberals or the left ( this is not one of those valid things we can blame them for like violent protests being allowed ) Its mainly because the global security situation has changed and I doubt US NAVY would feel safe with dozens of people waiting to high-five them at the docks when they disembark Also geopolitical conflicts like the War on Terror are a serious thing and the arrival of a US Navy ship wont necessarily create happiness and may even make people feel anxious

Monty I originally thought you were from Sweden and you were a little embarrassed to mention that but you said you werent from Sweden So I am going to guess, you from Denmark? Am I right?

Those were definitely the good old days when locals came out happily to greet the US Navy ....another thing liberals and the left has destroyed

https://www.thedailybeast.com/they-deceived-us-at-every-step-south-ossetian-troops-blast-russias-war-in-ukraine?via=twitter_page A good read highlighting some of the failures from a " on the ground " perspective of Putins War from Russian soldiers

Wormie !!! Stop being naughty You breaking our solemn code, you remember the code? You and I never disagree with each other when it comes to games.....we always like the same games I like BG3, you like BG3. I like Elder Scrolls games, you like Elder Scrolls games. You like DS games, I like DS games The code has existed since the dawn of time and we cannot break it. Gamers globally rely on us to adhere to the code. Without it their will only be chaos and we dont want that

@Amentep Please be honest....you also want to know Gfted1 Chile story...you know you do

But Gfted1 dont leave me hanging, surly you know me by now Why are they the kindest, what happened that you remember this so emphatically ...their must be a good story their? Its a women you met right, I dont blame you. South American women are really beautiful 💞

This is my point, its another indictment on the Russian army where you dont want to be taken alive

The Ukrainians have apparently turned the underground bunkers into a militarized area Its going to be very costly for the Russian army especially because the Ukrainians know its likely if they captured alive they will get killed anyway I would think like that if I was one of those Ukrainian soldiers...rather die in battle than be executed or abused as a prisoner. And we know their are several cases of captured Ukraine soldiers being executed so its very likely

Russian soldiers have apparently entered that Steel factory in Mariupol. I imagine the Ukrainian soldiers left will make a final stand, I admire their bravery and sacrifice in the face of tyranny for the freedom of their country

Nice, is that where you had such fond memories of Chile?