rjshae

Yes that is the Occam's Razor response. The lab theory was most likely amplified by the right because it was an election year in the US. Unfortunately that made it difficult to gain the cooperation of the CCP for a more thorough investigation. I still think that more scientific research is needed in that area so we gain a better understanding of this virus. Finding a progenitor host could be invaluable.

Striking new evidence points to Wuhan seafood market as the pandemic's origin point This is not quite 100% conclusive, but I still find it compelling. Are we past the point of heavy political bias on this issue yet? Maybe after 2024 then.

The calculus here is that sanctions are always temporary, but territorial acquisitions are usually permanent. Putin is willing to pay a short-term price for a long-term territorial gain. The only feasible counter is to make Russia pay a high enough price that they back off. That only happens with sanctions in combination of expensive military hardware getting destroyed and Russian civilians dealing with a high casualty rate and a trashed economy. A direct involvement by NATO is out of the question, although we can certainly provide all types of indirect support.

The isolationist behavior of the US Republican party today is starting to resemble their behavior in the interwar period up to World War 2. Essentially they've come full circle, with Eisenhower leading the party away from isolationism and Trump bringing it back. It's not quite the same though, given Trump's preferred alignment with despotic state control and a lack of core principles (other than greed and ego).

Completely quackers 🦆

Confessions of a former fireball: How Earth became habitable

I'm pretty sure that's just propaganda to justify his actions. The West would never agree to a withdrawal from Poland, and Putin knows it. Also, NATO does have partner nations, so the Ukraine could link to NATO that way even if they don't join for expediency reasons.

I think he is acting rationally, from his own perspective. But people in power tend to lose their empathy, and his is all but gone. He doesn't really care that he is pulverizing their former "crown jewel" and killing innocents.

Well that's up to the EU, but it seems reasonable to make them a candidate if they meet the criteria. They are a major grain producer and have a skilled and educated populace.

If a cat is hiding inside a fridge and nobody is there to hear it meow, does it make any noise?

On the face of it, sure. With Western support that might not be as true. The longer this conflict goes on, the weaker the internal support becomes for Putin and the more it is going to cost the Russian economy.

That remains to be seen. You can lose every battle and still win a war.

It's a little early for statements like "winning handily enough". Don't assume we know everything.

Germany to send weapons directly to Ukraine Given Russia's apparent preparations to resist sanctions, I suspect that direct arms shipments to the Ukrainians may prove a more effective measure.

Many Syrians have white flesh tones. Just saying. Sometimes it just boils down to history and culture.

The discussion I've seen is that the final 20% was a bit rushed, and this shows in confusingly cut content and some rough edges. Hopefully they will be able to address that. I did find it a bit short, but that's mostly because it drew me in and I enjoyed the experience. It did last for fifty hours, which is normally plenty.

I find the story is comparable in quality to that of Drakensang: The Dark Eye. It's good enough in my view.

Finished Solasta. It was quite enjoyable for about 50 hours, but I don't feel like having a replay right now. Got my money's worth though. The three dimensional movement was certainly a unique mechanic, and one that had been lacking in games of this style. Perhaps others will try that now? Maybe I'll go back in a few years and give it a go as druid.

Well, if that's illegal then the US obviously went way too far in sending armaments to England prior to entering World War 2. 🙄 Lend-Lease and Military Aid to the Allies in the Early Years of World War II