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Just to get this out of the way first real quick: Whenever someone dares to differ with the common government and TV narrative about Russia and their role in the world, that person is usually instantly condemned as spouting "Russian talking points," or being "paid by Putin." This is probably especially the case this week as Russia is waging an aggressive invasion against their neighbor Ukraine as we speak. But that is still nonsense. Where would a Texan obtain these talking points? Are they true? Back in the days of the Communist Soviet Union, there were some Americans, many fewer than supposed, and no true danger, but still, there were some Americans who shared an ideological affinity and loyalty to Communism and the Soviet government. But there just is nothing whatsoever comparable to that in the United States today. A cult of Putin? Where? Certainly not in either major party, nor within liberalism, progressivism, socialism, conservatism, populism, libertarianism or any other broad-based political movement in America. |
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President Biden on Friday said that a direct conflict between NATO and Russia would mean World War III amid growing calls for the US to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, which would involve direct fighting with Russia. In order to impose a no-fly zone, the US and NATO would need to shoot down Russian planes and take out surface-to-air missiles that are inside Russia. Despite the risk of war with Russia, which could quickly turn nuclear, some members of Congress are warming to the idea. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) was one of the first members of Congress to outright call for the US to impose a no-fly zone. Since then, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has warmed to the idea, and Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) has said she's in favor of the no-fly zone. |
What a tangled web these war-loving fools spin. We are referring, of course, to Washington's belated attempts to ease or remove sanctions against oil producers Venezuela and Iran. That's so it can crank up the sanctions against the new villain of the month, Russia, without monkey-hammering American consumers with $7 gasoline prices. Then again, why is Washington in the Spanker-in-Chief business in the first place? Yes, the Venezuelan people foolishly elected a socialist government which proceeded (predictably) to wreck their economy. But why did Uncle Sam have to administer a spanking, especially since the strapping occurred during a Republican Administration that should know better than to indulge in the folly of nation-building? Yet that's the whole purpose of sanctions to force recalcitrant nations to reshape themselves according to Washington's dictates. Then again, who ever said the Donald was a Republican or rational for that matter? The sanctions on Venezuela that Sleepy Joe is fixing to lift where actually slapped on by the Donald in a bid to consolidate the Cuban/Latin emigre vote in Florida. |
| In a sign that getting the P5+1 nuclear deal with Iran through Congress might by difficult, if not impossible, 49 out of 50 Republican Senators have announced they will not back any deal that doesn't limit Iran's missile program and "confront Iran's support for terrorism."
The deal isn't intended to cover those issues, merely Iran's civilian nuclear program. The terms are not public, but its not expected to touch on either issue. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only senator to not come out opposed.
Sen. Paul said it didnt make sense to condemn an unfinished deal, saying it is "not a very thoughtful position." It is unclear where Senate Democrats will fall on the deal. |
The Pentagon is asking President Biden to sign off on sending hundreds of special operations troops to Somalia, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. Citing unnamed US officials, the report said US military leaders want Biden to reverse President Trump's December 2020 order that withdrew 700 Army Green Berets, Navy SEALs, and Marine Raiders from Somalia. Most of the special operations troops were relocated into neighboring Djibouti and Kenya. The Pentagon wants Biden to put the commandos that are in Djibouti and Kenya back into Somalia to train government troops, and officials told the Journal that they expect Biden will agree to their request. |
As Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its third week, there is still no sign that the Biden administration is attempting high-level diplomacy with Moscow as a way to possibly end the fighting. The Washington Post reported on Thursday that the Biden administration doesnt see the conflict ending anytime soon and that its current strategy is to impose economic pain on Russia and support Ukraine's military "in its effort to inflict as many defeats on Russia as possible." It's clear at this point that the Western sanctions were factored into Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to attack Ukraine as they haven't done anything to deter him. But US officials still say they are in no rush to engage directly with Putin. |
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