myata

Putin: post-Soviet region including some NATO states China: Taiwan and the sea areas Iran: Israel and Middle East If Putin is allowed to get away with this now, only one question: why not? Think now.

They would gain a whole new world: where the new Axis of tyrants will rule forever with no limits or boundaries. What laws, limits or lines? Where? "Someone else's battles"? About time to wake up.

It's not only that Canadians are overtaxed, but what those taxes are doing for them. Canadians get a substandard, at best struggling to be on par but that's an exception now service from their federal and other governments than most or all of the developed world. In other, market analogy, we get mediocre product for an outrageous price, with no competition other than taking our custom to another town. The cause of that is easy to see. The country is run by bureaucracies with no competition and about zero incentives to improve and being effective and efficient. The governments can tell them where to spend public cash but that's about it: the quality of the product isn't at all assured, not even its existence. And then they do what what they know best and still: spending the cash on itself. What? You can't get it anywhere else so pay up and no thanks. Unless you do find where you could spend it better.

As commented somewhere, and looks quite plausible these days is that the buffoon and his close ring of associates realized that his admiration for the bloodthirsty thug Vlad that he expressed publicly on several occasions is and will cost him support comes November. And so, he's trying to pedal back on it. Makes sense not that it changes his pathologically lying nature one bit. The party that is turning into a cult right before our eyes is not homogeneous, that is true. It comprises, roughly, 30-40% traditionalist, Reagan conservatives; a smaller but much louder MAGA cult, 20-30%; and the silent majority in between. It's fascinating to watch 1984 unfolding live these days, no need for the book. MAGA throats who just yesterday shouted love to Vlad are now "Reagan republicans" wow; but that's how it works, just another brave new day in 1984. Two things are important here: first, it is interesting to study, live, how the majority of the Republicans converted already after Jan 6 events. In my opinion, what contributed most are 1) the extreme partisanship of the U.S. politics that effectively shut down for a large part of the party the information, part of reality that does not agree with the message promoted by the cult core. It is confirmed by the studies and long practice that drumming propaganda while shutting all alternative channels of information is effective on a great majority of the targeted group. In that case, it's the traditionalists who failed to provide a viable alternative to the cult, or at times sought to gain with and through it, that lead to the spread of the authoritarian messages and the conversion of the silent majority. The second part of the truth is that without the support of the traditionalists Trump cannot win. That explains all serenades and dances from here and to November but: no, you cannot pretend to not know what, and who is behind it. For this, there's no rational explanation; no reconciliation; and nothing good can come out of it. You already know it because you can watch it in the documentaries about the cults past. And then it'll push you down and kick you out because it will remember. It will happen if you help it rise. It already happened. Remember the Republican elections official who refused to follow the unlawful order to not certify the results? Remember what happened to him, only for following his lawful, Constitutional duty? What was the message here: it was delivered by the cult, with the silent majority standing by? Constitution over loyalty to the cult and its Idol, or the other way? You know what it means because there's only one way to read it. There will be no explanations, for this. It will happen. And you have seen it. And you knew.

I know it by observation for example, the frequency of using standard cliches (originating where? right) over reasoning based on facts and logic. I'm not going to repeat, because they were made clearly and not once. Intelligence and integrity are not a universal gift, blessing. They are not given but earned and maintained. Yes one can assign away one's intelligence and freedom to make own decisions and choices. Yes, it happened countless times in history. No there isn't a valid reason: it's only a choice.

A dumb distraction trick and you can't add anything new to it. Who said that it's one or the other? That one cannot take responsibility for the border now, and the security tomorrow? Only your lying buffoon Idol full of stinky hot air lies. And you're either dumb to check it, or already converted and wouldn't see anything. What would be other options? I'm curious, honestly.

Nailed it: there's always a valid reason to sit on the bum, write a report and do nothing. Works like a charm, in Canada. Except if and when there comes a time to show what you have; to compete.

A tunnel for a new road was built under a major highway without diverting traffic in two or three weeks (not Canada) A retaining wall replacement about thirty meters long,, four months initially, completed with six months delay (next door, Canada). The light rail construction project in the national capital delayed yet again (two years past Covid, but because of it) What can we do well, still, as a country? Answer: The next one: what can we do at all?

No: it was on the people, supposedly of reason and integrity, who demonstrated neither. Because their alliance is to the cult of the lying Idol as opposed to their people; the principles and traditions of their nation. So fully within the scope of the OP. To remind, we are talking here about a solemn commitment of the United States and a critical issue of national security, of the United States and the free world. Your playing "oh look a rabbit just went by - the red, fat and lying one, so let's forget everything at once" speaks only for your intelligence and integrity. You can try to fool simple-minded with cheap distraction tricks. But would they fool the dictator thugs of the rising Axis? Will they be convinced by cheap word games? This is the scale of irresponsibility you're playing with. And of course, you know.

WTH? A commitment of this scale and magnitude is "rhetorical"? OK. Maybe you are sure that your position is and will be stable for as long as you can see or care. But if not, if something happens who will take your word after this kind of experience? Who would stand with you? I wouldn't bet. As to why, the facts are the answer and you only choose what you see and understand. They supported it two years back, unanimously. What has changed about the reality, the aggression? Nothing. It's them who have changed.

I can say the same. You are either ignoring very clear and direct points or cannot comprehend them. What can be not clear in "assurances of security given in exchange for voluntarily abandoning the third largest stockpile of nukes at the time"? After Ukraine, if Putin is allowed to prevail, who in their right mind would let go of the nukes as opposed to getting them at the first opportunity? In the world where thuggish banditry runs free and amok, where and with who will the countries seek their security? Supporting Ukraine is a) a matter of long standing principles and b) a commitment and c) a no-brainer, no a must in the current geopolitical layout. Who wouldn't get it? No this is a wrong question: not who but why? Because the cult mentality requires a total and complete abandonment of any reasoning and principles. Only the loyalty to the cult matters. Factual.

But comes the elections time, you want to pretend that they are one and the same?.. wait, which one: if their views and policies are so different? A simple mind trick. Shouldn't fool anyone. The context of this issue is available to a ten-year old within a few clicks. That so many Republicans seems to be unable to grasp it, after years of immediate and direct evidence speaks only for their intelligence. Or personal integrity. Or/and. How can it be anything else?

Are they different Republicans? The logical link between the assistance (see above for completeness of the issue) to Ukraine and the border measures is non existent. Both have direct and strong relevance to the medium and long term security of the United States. The Republican leaders first created this connection by hands then reneged on it. The question in the OP is very clear: in 2022 Republicans supported Ukraine almost unanimously. It's less than a half of the representatives now. What has changed? Has anything changed about Putin, his dictatorship; his war and its consequences if Ukraine does not win? No, the reality has not changed. Its the party, that has.

Because you have no brain? That's just too bad.

Republicans failed to pass the border security bill they agreed to. - Senate Democrats and Republicans agreed on the assistance and border combined bill. - Then the Republicans reneged on the commitment - More than a half of House Republicans voted against the assistance to Ukraine. In fact, it is not just assistance but a commitment to assure security and territorial integrity given in exchange for abandoning the third largest stock of nukes at the time. These are the facts before our eyes. Anyone with eyes and a bit of intelligence will see it for what it is: the party is falling under an authoritarian spell, becoming a cult. It is not about the reality anymore, border or standing up to totalitarian thugs: it's about the loyalty to cult and its Idol. Mostly, and for some, only. So yours has to be a fantasy world or just lies.

Coming back from business trips and assignments, I see it all over again never failing to amaze. Why getting from a place of arrival to the destination is so easy and boring in some (other) places? Why shouldn't it ever fail to surprise and entertain you with some fun new discoveries? Why the thought, even a little bit of intelligence is so expensive here? Even a small bit of it makes projects long, very long, indefinitely long - or outright impossible. Too expensive you see. No need for extravagance: we can do with what we have. No really. Take the transportation. It is designed for the coverage, flexibility and convenience. The question is, whose? In some places you can change a bus or train by moving a few meters, in the same area or platform. Why? Because someone thought how it would work and how it should. Two routes passing through the same area, at the opposite ends of the transit hub. There's no chance of catching whichever comes first either because this is not physically possible - one can't fly. Guess which one is Canada. Why think? Why worry? Trains are there to move people? No, an adventure (every time!) and luxury. Montreal: one of the main urban conglomeration of the country. An express bus route (no rail link yet - G7 country; in the national capital, either) is supposed to take you from one point (not even some distance away as in some/most places, in the same urban area) in a matter of minutes. Dedicated lane most - but not all of the way. The result: fifteen minutes wasted in a traffic stop-and-go. An interactive map of the route a must even in smallest places (OK maybe not in rural Greece - not G7 though). Someone thought: what if you're visiting for the first time? Don't worry! A long - years long discussion, should it be a thing at all - in what official languages and with what pronouns you know the drill. Cutting through the years, the result: no map. The stops are called after as they being passed. A tunnel built under a highway in two weeks without diverting the traffic (at the time of pandemic). Rapid transit construction delayed yet again - two years and counting (excused by the pandemic) "till the notice". Just guess. A condo next door has a ritual of the site cleaning. So if you sleep a bit longer, like around 8am you'll wake up to a friendly sound of not-gently buzzing of a compressed air blower. They're becoming a staple in the industry in the country why? Because they are cheap (that's important) and do their job (do they?) And the buzz who cares, like why think and care at all, we're not paid for it. Here. That doesn't look good for this time and century. Sleepy backwaters mentality can leave the country behind permanently, forever: with little chance of catching up.

First of all, one has to give their due to the reasonable and courageous representatives, on both sides of the political and social now, divide for attending to an important matter thanks to who the freedom and a safe and peaceful future of the world - that includes the United States, will have a chance. Including, in a surprise to me, the Speaker of the House. Respect is due where it belongs. But one cannot ignore this side of reality too: more than a half of the Republicans: 112 versus 101, with 5 standing by voted against the Ukraine assistance bill. Earlier in 2022, just after Putin's brutal invasion was unleashed, the support for Ukraine assistance was unanimous. How can one explain this? What has changed about the nature of Putin's war and its significance, should he and his rising Totalitarian axis be allowed to prevail, for the future of the world, including the U.S.? The answer is obvious: the reality of the world has not changed; what has changed is the (formerly) party. Is there a logical explanation why 90 Republicans: nearly a half of the caucus, voted for the aid to Israel but against that for Ukraine? Is Putin with his totalitarian buddies any less dangerous for the long term interests of the U.S. than Hamas and Iran? There's no logical explanation because it does not lie in the domain of logic but in the psychology and anatomy of emerging authoritarian cults. It is not about reason, logic, integrity and the morals. It's about getting the cue from the Idol and following it blindly. Can overshoot in the zeal a bit but not by too much: only the Idol decides on the next target and strategy. It played out so many times in history that the future can be read like a music sheet. The hundred or so inviduals who made the decision based on their own reasoning and integrity have been recorded and will be pushed out by the cult, quetly or not, with time but certainly. Only the zealots will be allowed to remain, genuine jerks or those who decided to comply and fit in. This is how it happened and the stencil for every new authoritarian cult. The explanation is simple too: to orchestrate the cult, the demands of the Idol will become progressively less sane and more outrageous so even a grain of sane thought and dissent cannot be allowed. The excitement, on different levels all the way to ridiculous bizarrity is the only reaction that is still allowed. Check North Korea - it's coming to your (formerly) party one way or the other. Just as Reagan and Bush's conservatives were ostracised and pushed out, you are the next ones in line. Not heeding the cue of the Master, showing independence and the ability to think for yourself is the most serious transgression in the cult. You knew it. And to the other party, a piece of advice - not from me but only because it happened so many boring times in the history. You cannot stand by and hope to extract little and temporary advantages from these things because they have a tendency to consume: even the entire society. You have to fight them here and now, with all the force and vigor. Don't give the cult even small gains, but face and defeat it at every and each encounter. The job of the Speaker can be one of such skirmishes coming up. Leave partisan plays for better times and remember what's at stake: here and now.

One cannot play the dumb, the dumbest of partisan games in the critical need and pretend that it's just how it should be because it was always this way. This sort of naive-lying trick speaks only for the integrity of the actor: and adds enormously to the mistrust and disillusionment of the public. So now it's not a surprise, a wondrous revelation anymore, right? There you go. Now, you knew.

The responsibility goes both ways. Now that the House Speaker Johnson has found guts in moving forward Freedom assistance package, his position is threatened by the extreme Putin and generally, dictator thug-loving lunatics. They cannot be allowed to prevail. In particular, Democrats cannot sit on their hands pretending it's nothing of their business and keep doing what they did always. Playing politics around these matters at this time will benefit nobody. The history will record and remember everything.

Dead brain buzz goes on and on, endless. Love Him!!! ... no anathema!!... Love and adore no, etc.

How brainless can one be? Is there a lowest bound on human stupidity? The red hot air balloon of lies: Putin is "genius" and his war is "savvy". But no forget it: "This is Biden's war"? Can it drop any lower than that, still?

No, that's an unreasonably positive assessment. A child can learn still under the right conditions and in the right environment. Being stupid enough to ignore all the knowledge accumulated before probably means that one is too dumb to learn at all. Just dumb.

Between senile impotence and outright submission, is there a better option? The pathologically lying balloon of hot air who gave up all, and cowered to every dictator thug in the world "tough"? What would be a more bizarre joke?

What is the "picnic" though? Who can define it? Guess nobody cared to, and has no intent to.

Because from now on, this kind of act and behavior becomes the new normal, and will go with effective impunity as long as the perpetrator has nukes (or a potential to acquire them) and the support of the Authoritarian axis. Ukraine, Isreal: done, check Taiwan, South Korea: in the clear perspective, as there's nothing: only vacuum to prevent it. These are in fact and objectively, the first steps into the new age of humanity: aggressive nukes can do what they like with complete impunity. Nothing like "never again": the exact opposite, in fact. If we can or want/will etc. do nothing about it, at least it's dumb to pretend that nothing much is happening.