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PaperclipPerfector  10mo ago (text post)   26213 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of January 1, 2024

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And why does the US go at length to keep its military purely voluntary? If conscription is cheaper, then the answer can't be just "because it can", it could free up resources by grabbing more near-free manpower.

You must be having an argument with someone else, because I have no idea what half your points have to do with anything I'm saying.

I happen to think, based on data I didn't need a hundred politological books to learn, that there ain't anything the West did that "forced Russia's hand".

Yes, in fact they did, and this is elementary knowledge in geopolitical circles. Why do you think the Minsk Accords receive zero attention in the western press? (It's because western audiences that know about it, know that it completely blows up the western narrative on Russia-Ukraine)

it covers up with figleafs of "denazification"...

You mean like the Azov Battalion that explicitly defined itself as Neo-Nazi? That one?

Why do you think the Minsk Accords receive zero attention in the western press?

Because it works poorly as clickbait.

(It's because western audiences that know about it, know that it completely blows up the western narrative on Russia-Ukraine)

I am aware of it and it does not seem to be significant in this matter.

Because it works poorly as clickbait.

Facts that break the counter-narrative usually do.

I am aware of it and it does not seem to be significant in this matter.

Makes sense if you support western foreign policy. I'm fairly anti-war myself.

I'm fairly anti-war myself.

the same for me, and also against Russian invasions (especially in my country)

the same for me, and also against Russian invasions (especially in my country)

Indeed. It's almost as if the Minsk Accords should've been adhered to.

You must be having an argument with someone else, because I have no idea what half your points have to do with anything I'm saying.

What, then, were you saying when you went on about how the US "barely manages to keep its military voluntary"?

Yes, in fact they did, and this is elementary knowledge in geopolitical circles.

From the link...

In reality, the United States and NATO bear much of the responsibility for the Ukraine crisis. Through a series of misguided policies, Washington and its European allies placed Russia in an untenable situation for which war seemed, to Mr. Putin and his military staff, the only workable solution.

Speculation on what was going on in Putin's brain is "knowledge", let alone "elementary"?

You mean like the Azov Battalion that explicitly defined itself as Neo-Nazi? That one?

See, now you're looking like you're insulting me. Yes, I'm aware that the Azov Battallion exists. That does not, in fact, make "denazification" less of a figleaf. Russian state propaganda routinely uses "western nazis" as snarl words to legitimize its actions vs. the West whether the particular people in question wear the swastikas or not. You're doing the equivalent of pointing out that the stopped clock is right at one of the two moments when it does match real time.

You initially brought up the point about conscription. Look at what it was in response to.

Speculation on what was going on in Putin's brain is "knowledge", let alone "elementary"?

Sounds like you never even read the preview.

... Russian state propaganda routinely uses "western nazis" as snarl words to legitimize its actions vs. the West whether the particular people in question wear the swastikas or not. You're doing the equivalent of pointing out that the stopped clock is right at one of the two moments when it does match real time.

Seems pretty hard to call it "state propaganda" then when they're reporting accurately.

Seems pretty hard to call it "state propaganda" then when they're reporting accurately.

Being right in one specific case that does not mean that they are right in general.

And yes, claiming it is all (or even in part) about nazis is a lie by Russia.

Being right in one specific case that does not mean that they are right in general.

Glad to know RT's got more going for it than CNN does.

And yes, claiming it is all (or even in part) about nazis is a lie by Russia.

Not by your own admission.

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