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#1301 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Saw this video on reddit, supposedly a Russian shaming clip. I haven't seen any other articles on it so not sure if its real. But if it's real, I'm thinking WTF, is this really being played in Russia?
'Boys have left, men have stayed.' Best russian propagandist cringe of the year, right? : NonCredibleDefense Quote:
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#1302 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Pretty terrifying (but yet fascinating) video clip compilation of HIMARS testing and the results. It's pretty (?) in slo-mo but can't imagine being on the other end of one of these.
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#1303 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Back in Houston!
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Viktor Bout: Freed Russian arms dealer "wholeheartedly" supports Ukraine war | CNN
Just a reminder about the right hand turn CNN has taken. On the front page of their international page is the story "Freed Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout says he ‘wholeheartedly’ supports Ukraine war and would volunteer if he could". It doesn't seem front page newsworthy that arms dealer is in favor or war, that he publicly supports the war led by the man who just did a high profile hostage swap for you, or that he isn't speaking out against a government that likes to publicly suicide people that speak out against them. Where did they get such a hard hitting piece of journalism? Russian state media company RT. So, CNN is parroting Russia state controlled media without context - a tv station that is banned in pretty much all of the western world. And who was asking these difficult questions on state-controlled media? Martina Butina, who the article describes as "a Russian gun-rights enthusiast-turned TV personality" as opposed to a more accurate title like "convicted Russian spy". Just a reminder for the "Remember when people just reported the facts like in the 50s" crowd. Near as I can tell, there's nothing in that article that is factually incorrect. But missing context makes it very misleading. Which facts were selected paints a very particular picture. And the fact that this specific article is still on the front page of the site a few days later is just carrying water for the Russian state and amplifying their message. "See? Rabble, rabble? That arms dealer that was played by Nic Cage and was traded for some /spit/ stoner women's basketball player is going right back (sic) to destroying Ukraine. Even leftist rag CNN is talking about it?!?" SI
__________________
Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!" |
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#1304 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Quote:
Honestly, seems like a normal article to me. What "context" do you believe is missing? BTW, I first saw the interview on Dec 10. Which probably means it was conducted in Russia the evening before. So my guess is it was only 1 day later accounting for time difference. See below for subtitled version Maria Butina interviews Viktor Bout after he was exchanged for Brittney Griner - YouTube |
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#1305 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Back in Houston!
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I like how "context" is in quotes.
SI
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Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!" Last edited by sterlingice : 12-11-2022 at 01:14 PM. |
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#1306 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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You read way too much into things. I could have just as easily bolded it (which I do a lot) and you would say the same thing.
Np, don't need a discussion if you don't want it. Last edited by Edward64 : 12-11-2022 at 01:54 PM. |
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#1307 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Back in Houston!
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We can only read the words on the pages in front of us, how they're presented, and the history of our interactions with those posing the question.
SI
__________________
Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!" |
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#1308 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Yup, I would agree and add ...
We definitely would not want to attack, exaggerate, inaccurately state other people's positions etc. especially when one did not read the prior posts for context. |
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#1309 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Redditors are reporting that Ukraine has attacked Klyntsy, Russia (close by the border but inside Russia). So in addition to the airbases from a week or two ago, it seems Ukraine is starting to attack inside pre-Feb Russia.
Just as long as they are military targets, think its fair game. But am concerned about Russian response. Also additional attacks on Melitopol (taken by Russia this year) which is north of Crimea. So some serious fighting continuing even with Winter now here. |
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#1310 | ||
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I like the idea of Patriots. Don't really know if it'll be a real game changer but guess it can't hurt.
US finalizing plans to send Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine | CNN Politics Quote:
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#1311 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I've seen plenty footage of drones dropping grenades but this is the first time I've seen the kamikaze drones. Pretty scary
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#1312 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Some brinkmanship going on.
Russia Shares Provocative Video of ICBM Being Loaded Into Silo Launcher Quote:
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#1313 |
World Champion Mis-speller
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Covington, Ga.
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#1314 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I saw that and was wondering could it be real (or some sort of photoshopped, deep fake video). You'd think someone in their media/propaganda dept would've noticed.
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#1315 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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There were news reports about Iran sending drones, ammo etc. to Russia. I always assumed it was by plane but apparently there's the Caspian Sea.
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#1316 |
World Champion Mis-speller
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Covington, Ga.
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#1317 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I'm against Russian aggression but feel for the regular Russian people. It's pics/videos like below that really makes you think about the toll on regular people - Ukrainian or Russian.
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Last edited by Edward64 : 12-17-2022 at 08:46 PM. |
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#1318 | ||
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Quote:
Yup, I guess that clip was for real. More examples below. Ever since Vietnam, the US has been a volunteer army. The ads I've seen encourage the macho image, patriotism, and the benefits of the GI bill, learning a new skill, challenging oneself etc. In a way, the Russians are doing the same but strangely (for me at least) different types of carrots -- buy a car with the money, win back a girl friend, make more money (same as US), shaming those leaving the country. Kinda hard to be a volunteer army when already in a war that is seemingly dragging out and, at best, stalemate. Be interesting to see if this really helps Russia ramp up (vs another mobilization/draft). Ukraine war: Moscow seeks army recruits with new propaganda videos | CNN Quote:
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#1319 | |||
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Interesting news tidbit about US asking Kyiv to not take out a Russian general.
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UK Intel Airs Rumor That Putin Fired His Top General Gerasimov Quote:
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#1320 | |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2013
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Quote:
Further rumors also state that the Russian general will be replaced by Jeff Saturday who, despite having no military experience, is a self-proclaimed "Leader of Men".
__________________
"I am God's prophet, and I need an attorney" |
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#1321 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I think there is an argument for the allies to stop (or not support) Ukraine in taking back Crimea. That will definitely be an uptick in escalation and will have dangerous uncertainties. But I personally like the idea.
Quote:
If I was a pro-Russian civilian living in Crimea, I'd make serious plans on leaving or having somewhere else to go to quickly. If I was Zelensky, I'd continue publicly threatening Crimea to cause FUD for the Russians. |
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#1322 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Adding to a list of Russian recruitment ads
Quote:
https://twitter.com/christogrozev/st...20660656644096 |
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#1323 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Merry Christmas Ukraine. Here's $44.9B for being at the front lines and far exceeding expectations.
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#1324 | |
Solecismic Software
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Canton, OH
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Quote:
I am about as far from a war hawk as one gets, but this seems like money well spent. Ukraine's resilience is the only thing that has saved the Baltics and Finland, because that was absolutely Putin's next step. As such, anything that helps Ukraine resist and then rebuild benefits the western world enormously. I don't know if it's enough. Xi could take Taiwan any day, without warning, and no amount of saber-rattling could stop it - it's too small and too easily cut off. Now we have Japan re-arming for the first time in nearly a century and who knows what North Korea would do if Russia or China asked. Scary world right now - we should be thankful we're nowhere near the front lines... yet. |
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#1325 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Approx $50B this year, another $50B next year. Unless there is a nuclear war, I agree the $100B is quite a bargain all things considered.
What I've read is China is not yet able to take Taiwan militarily right now. Transports and all that stuff. And just recently, they'll have their hands full with Covid and, of course, example of countries coming together against aggression. But yeah, if China really wanted to squeeze Taiwan and make it happen over 10-20 years, wouldn't surprise me.(I also read an article that Taiwan is having a hard time with its military). Arguably, the risk/benefits of a military invasion is not that great for Xi. Better play the long game, and squeeze politically & economically. And the western world should lessen its reliance on Taiwan's chips, manufacturing etc. Last edited by Edward64 : 12-20-2022 at 02:01 PM. |
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#1326 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Seven miles up
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The cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars over 20 years amounts to roughly 822M per day, for 20 years. This is dirt cheap and well worth the expense.
__________________
He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops. Like Steam? Join the FOFC Steam group here: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FOFConSteam |
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#1327 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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So the Russians may not have been behind Nordstream sabotage after all. I thought the last paragraph was interesting.
(Don't have a subscription but posted what was in reddit) https://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...am-explosions/ Quote:
Last edited by Edward64 : 12-21-2022 at 06:57 AM. |
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#1328 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA
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$50B here, $50B there, sooner or later it might add up to real money. Basically, your statement is wrong on both counts but hey, that's the beauty of the internet.
__________________
"I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis |
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#1329 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Wesley Clark brings up a good point. Instead of continuing to decline militarily in Ukraine, Russia may stiffen up (?) and get "stronger".
It'd be interesting to know what Clark thinks for "pour in support". The off-limit weaponry that I've read so far are long range missiles and F-16's. Why President Volodymyr Zelensky's surprise US visit is so significant | CNN Politics Quote:
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#1330 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Quote:
I can understand not being "dirt cheap" but don't understand why you don't think its "worth the expense". I think its a bargain and pretty good deal Off the top of my head, for $100B (assuming no nuclear war)
EDIT: also ...
Last edited by Edward64 : 12-21-2022 at 07:33 AM. |
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#1331 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Back in Houston!
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I agree on all of those points and do think that the dollars spent on this seem to be a bargain on the global stage.
I think one negative that may be under-reported is that we've also tipped our hand to China with regards to tactics and equipment. I'm sure they're watching very closely to see what the US would do in case they want to start something. SI
__________________
Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!" |
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#1332 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Maryland
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I mean, you may or may not think that it's sunk cost, but hasn't virtually our entire military layout for the past 75+ years been about pushing back against Russia? We're going to stop now?
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#1333 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Seven miles up
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Quote:
We could have fed hungry families for 60 years for the cost we spent those 20. Furthermore, you can't say the 'cost' of those wars is no longer over. The toll on mental health and the burden they bring to the VA and medical community from injuries will ensure those costs keep going well into the future. If it's not spent now, what will the cost be when we're in a full fledged war in Europe, or if we're still not, what is the expected global cost to rebuild Europe in the aftermath. You're complaining about real problems of tomorrow and equating it to the present day snapshot. War is awesome until you're fucked. Avoiding a larger scale campaign, or keeping Putin from and his ambition at bay are worth it at this price point.
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He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops. Like Steam? Join the FOFC Steam group here: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FOFConSteam Last edited by PilotMan : 12-21-2022 at 09:02 AM. |
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#1334 |
Coordinator
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Concord, MA/UMass
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Russia mobilized a lot of people and will be doing so again soon. They're not training them very well but like many past Russian wars they'll be able to use superior manpower and a willingness to use them as cannon fodder. Longer range missiles help target troop and equipment concentrations further behind the front line, but a lot of this is still hand to hand and localized artillery. Russian equipment and ammo is under stress, but so far it appear they can buy whatever they need from places like North Korea and Iran.
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#1335 | |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
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Quote:
They really don't have the manpower to overwhelm like they used to and this war is likely going to devastate an already aging population. Population of Russian Federation 2020 - PopulationPyramid.net
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Some knots are better left untied. |
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#1336 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Missed this when it happened but Zelenskyy telling David Letterman a joke when Letterman was in Ukraine last Oct. Think it was for a Letterman special.
https://youtu.be/ilJNfILKtLc |
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#1337 | |
Coordinator
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Concord, MA/UMass
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#1338 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Kinda funny in a way. A new anti-drone defense, put netting up above armored vehicles.
Quote:
https://twitter.com/TpyxaNews/status...MV8uuKU5D5fgdg |
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#1339 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Seven miles up
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Hey look, another Putin critic 'fell' out of a window! These guys just can't seem to maintain their balance anymore. Must be a side effect. This was only 2 days after his traveling partner 'died'. So unlucky.
Russian Lawmaker Who Slammed Putin’s War Dies After Falling From a Window
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#1340 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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TBH, I like this idea. No idea how much freezing & storage will cost the government but I can see a lot of voluntary participation if soldiers are shipped off to a conflict. I assume the invitro part is on the family. A nice benefit
Ukraine war: Russian troops can freeze their sperm for free | CNN Quote:
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#1341 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Jan 2001
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But for some reason, all the children that come out of the invitro process end up looking a LOT like Putin.
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#1342 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I was actually thinking the US government should offer the same.
Trying to not visualize all those babies coming out looking like Joe or Trump (2024) now. |
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#1343 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Big strike against Russian forces.
Ukrainian sources reports 760+ killed (but not clear if for whole theatre or just that strike). I read an official sounding Russian report saying 60 or so. Russian military bloggers are saying 200+, so runs the gamut. But there was a strike that caused significant casualties. https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news...d3406432f14192 Quote:
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#1344 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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There are location privacy issues with cell phones.
Russia-Ukraine war: Attack kills dozens of Russian soldiers, Moscow says : NPR Quote:
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#1345 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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The "scud stud" has nothing on this French reporter
Quote:
https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1610126135957782529 |
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#1346 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Redditors are excited about the Bradleys, a new toy that Ukraine hasn't gotten yet. I don't really know how much of significant contributor they'll be.
I like how we are providing new weapon systems "incrementally". Javelins, Drones, Himars, Patriots, Bradleys etc. Do it all at once and potential for a Russian overreaction. Do it in drips and drabs, and it doesn't seem all that bad. American aid to Ukraine ramps up but House GOP drama causes worry over future military help | CNN Politics Quote:
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#1347 |
World Champion Mis-speller
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Covington, Ga.
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Bradley are quick, mobile tank killers. They are quite a step up from what they have been using. Germans also giving them their version of the Bradley.
Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk |
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#1348 |
World Champion Mis-speller
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Covington, Ga.
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Holy Crap-
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#1349 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I've seen pics where the battlefield is just pock marked with craters (not near as many bodies as in your pic).
Pretty brutal. I can't imagine ... |
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#1350 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2005
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New Russian general in charge, and a new offensive after winter rumored. Old general is supposedly more competent than the new political hack. I'm betting same old result.
Ukraine also lost Soledar. Definitely a setback, no idea how really significant it is other than finally a win for the bad guys after a long string of losses & stalemate |
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