As I sit down to write, there are reports that Kiev is surrounded and not surrounded and that Zelenesky has agreed to talk and not agreed to talk. In other words, nobody really knows what is going on. This is the most talked-about but least reported-on war I’ve ever seen. I think this is because we lack any real war correspondents – people who would actually go into the combat zones and see what they could see. Those old reporters would get things wrong from time to time, but not usually: the willingness of people to pay them to risk their lives for a story was dependent upon accurate reporting. These days, the reporters all stay where they can get an easy TV hookup and a drink after their daily 20 minutes of broadcasting the latest rumor they picked up over lunch.
The MSM is filled with stories of glorious Ukrainian victory. Social media has a plethora of accounts putting out alleged video of the fighting. But I’ve literally seen the exact same picture described as Russian and Ukrainian troops surrendering. Part of our problem here is that there’s no physical difference between Russians and Ukrainians and their military equipment is similar. Anything can be anything and none of us can really tell if a particular armored column driving through a non-descript Ukrainian town belongs to either side.
That said, the Russians clearly have advanced, and in some cases pretty deep into Ukrainian territory. The eyes of the world are fixed on Kiev but the real action is the Russian advance out of Crimea towards Mariupol in the east and Odessa in the west. Especially towards Mariupol because if the Russians get there, we might find a significant portion of the Ukrainian army is encircled. And that might be why Zelensky wants to talk (if those reports are correct): work a deal before the Ukrainian army in the east has to capitulate (in the face of Russian air power, a withdrawal is probably not feasible).
Part of the problem the world has in dealing with this is that we don’t know Putin’s intentions. He hasn’t really stated them. My thinking when it started is that he wanted the line of the Dnieper: essentially taking the part of Ukraine where ethnic Russians make up the bulk of the population. That still might be it – with the moves towards Kiev and Odessa merely to obtain bargaining chips to obtain Ukrainian agreement to surrender the Donbas. But there is a chance he wants the whole of the Ukraine. That, I think, would be foolish on Putin’s part as he’d be taking control of a hostile population and pretty much force Poland and Romania into massive military build up and close alliance.
Naturally, the Democrats are trying to pitch this in a manner which forces us to back them politically. We have to rally ’round the flag, right? If recent polling is correct, that isn’t happening: Pudding Brain is cratering to his lowest ratings yet. I know some people who have become emotionally invested in opposing Putin and this has made them turn the Ukrainians into pure heroes. I’m not having any of that. The Ukrainian government has been corrupt to the bone since it was set up after the fall of the USSR. They had 8 years to prepare for this and it doesn’t look like much was done – they should have had layered defensive positions and a plan to mobilize the entire population at need. But I guess giving no-show jobs to Hunter Biden was the best they could do. I am sympathetic to their plight, but only to an extent – the people of Ukraine are ultimately responsible for the sort of government they endure. If they truly loved their country, they would have made sure that no matter what else happened, national defense was carried forward with conviction. They didn’t and now Ivan is knocking at the gates.
On the other hand, I also know people who are making a hero out of Putin and so they cast aspersions on the Ukrainians. Putin’s propaganda is that he’s only going in to rid Ukraine of neo-Nazis. This is based upon the Azov Battalion of the Ukrainian militia and the actions of Ukrainians during WWII.
The Azov Battalion originated in the 2014 conflict – and it clearly has links to white nationalist groups and some of its symbols are obviously based on Waffen-SS symbols. But I doubt they hope to revive a Nazi empire. The symbols they use are more for anti-Russian than pro-Nazi reasons. This is because during WWII quite a lot of Ukrainians did work with the Germans against the Soviet government. They also fought the Germans quite a bit. In the end, the outside observer can only look with a bit of sympathy on people who were caught between Nazis and Bolsheviks. If you were Ukrainian in 1941 you had family members who had been starved to death, murdered or otherwise brutally oppressed by agents of Soviet power. It wasn’t just a portion of the population: all of them had reasons to hate the USSR with a white hot passion. In come the Nazis and the Bolsheviks are gone…the Nazis then proceed to murder, rape and loot to their hearts content. This did cause some Ukrainians to become pro-Soviet partisans…but quite a number let that Nazi brutality roll right off their backs and they became ant-Soviet partisans. If you ever wanted to know how bad Stalin’s rule was, there’s your answer: some people would rather help Nazis if that meant keeping Stalin out.
And they kept up the fight – for ten years after the end of WWII, Ukrainians continued a forlorn struggle against Soviet power. Without any outside support they were eventually crushed…but the memory of them endured and their symbols remained potent to Ukrainians who remember and dislike Russian rule. And, so, there you go: the Azov Battalion. So, I don’t put much stock in pro-Russian claims that Ukraine is a neo-Nazi hotbed.
I think that this is one of those events where we’re just going to have to see how it comes out. It is, though, a war I want no part of. I don’t even want to arm the Ukrainians at this point as I’m concerned that we’ll just end up supplying the Russians as we did the Taliban. The Europeans can provide all the aid Ukraine needs – let them do it. Keep our soldiers home – at most I’m ok with providing humanitarian relief.
Blogs For Victory 
The MSM is filled with stories of glorious Ukrainian victory. Social media has a plethora of accounts putting out alleged video of the fighting. But I’ve literally seen the exact same picture described as Russian and Ukrainian troops surrendering. Part of our problem here is that there’s no physical difference between Russians and Ukrainians and their military equipment is similar. Anything can be anything and none of us can really tell if a particular armored column driving through a non-descript Ukrainian town belongs to either side.
Sounds a lot like a a late 90s movie.
I think a couple of things are not in question.
One is that when the US offered to evacuate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the face of an invading Russian army with tanks and fighter jets, his response was “I need ammunition, not a ride”.
(Back here in the West, fascist dictator wannabe Justin Dildeau ran and hid from peaceful unarmed fellow citizens merely trying to get his attention by driving big noisy trucks.)
It seems to be confirmed that a Ukrainian woman gave sunflower seeds to a Russian soldier telling him to put them in his pocket so flowers would grow there when he dies. (The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine)
The Ukrainians have shown some toughness and it looks like they’ve at least stalled the Russian advance in the Kiev area. Latest I’ve seen indicates they still continue to move towards Mariupol, though.
To me, it is amazing what people don’t learn about war – you have in the German effort 1943-45 and ad-infinitum in Israeli operations examples of how to use fast moving, armored forces to completely foil an invader with superior numbers…and in the German case, superior numbers who have air supremacy. But it does take highly trained troops and officers who have a yard of guts. So far, just haven’t seen that capability in the Ukrainian army…which is too bad because Russia’s initial offensive was so slipshod that it could have been badly wrecked by an active, mobile defense. We’ll see what happens now – the Ukrainians have built up some self confidence, but the Russians are literally bringing up the big guns.
Russian leadership threatened to allow the International Space Station (ISS) to crash into the United States or one of its allies following President Joe Biden’s recently announced sanctions on Russia.
I’ve had it with the word “nationalist” being linked to white supremacy/Nazis. It’s bad enough when the toxic Left does it. We don’t need to do their dirty work for them.
That’s a good point – and I didn’t like typing it. But it has become shorthand, hasn’t it? But it is also a rather absurd description…Ukrainians are white…so, they are either Nationalist or not and skin color is irrelevant (cue some Progressive to point out the six Ukrainian citizens who aren’t white).
Hollywood backs Ukraine: Lady Gaga, Brian Cox, Andrew Garfield and Michael Douglas lead stars speaking out about the Russian invasion and wearing the colors of the Ukrainian flag at the SAG Awards
Someone should tell these Democrats that what they are supporting IS white nationalism, secure borders, and an armed citizenry.
Do you think they will figure that one out?
When all y’all are ready to take up arms against the US Government and the American media, let me know. Because I am there:
Matthew Perna, a non-violent Trump supporter who was arrested after January 6 committed suicide. He was never accused of violence or vandalism. He walked inside the US Capitol.
His government targeted him, made up charges against him, and then destroyed him.
In the end, it was too much.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/02/rest-east-matt-finally-free-heartbreaking-obituary-j-6-prisoner-suicide-victim-matthew-perno/
Here is biggest problem this country faces and there isn’t even a close second. The American Agenda Driven Media. Guess what Morning Joe has just spent the last 30 minute segment on??? The dangers of Trump and his white nationalist supporters. And of course they are defending their lies of Russia collusion – they have no objectivity, no shame and no accountability. A country can not survive a completely dishonest and insidious media.
LMAO
“We’re not Republicans or Democrats, we’re journalists.”
I forgot to add, the lack of self awareness amongst the media morons is also an “existential threat to our democracy”
https://newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/kevin-tober/2022/02/27/lol-nbcs-mitchell-says-were-not-democrats-were-journalists?fbclid=IwAR2xCR7N7XR3zZ5pcI8KgLPMDujUsRaPT5Qku-MSnlmRqr4oR52VhJqOjQM
The Congressional Black Caucus partnered with a Chinese Communist Party influence group flagged for its efforts to malignly influence U.S. government policy on a virtual visit discussing “economic and trade cooperation,” The National Pulse can reveal.
Yes. Members of the Congress of the United States are sending staff members to learn from a group openly acting against United States interests.
The actions of people elected to represent us and legislate for us in working with regimes that oppose us is very concerning. It reminds me of an email I just sent to a friend and it bothered me so much to write it that I copied part of it and am posting it here:
The only thing I am really worried about is our government. It has been purposely not just advocating but trying to use its might and power to FORCE people into taking experimental and sometimes harmful/lethal drugs, while paying billions and billions to pharmaceutical companies, while providing legal cover for them so citizens don’t even have the ability to sue for damages. The blatant use of government power against the best interest of citizens is truly frightening. Then there is the government complicity in allowing thousands of unattached young men to stroll across our border and then flying them in the dead of night to locations all over the country.
It’s like being a mouse in a country run by cats.
When your own government is blatantly acting against its own citizens, and its national security (and how else can you describe spreading hundreds if not thousands of military-age illegals throughout the country without asking or informing anyone) we have to wonder—in whose interest are they really acting?
If the goal is to weaken this nation so much, who will benefit?
I’ve never heard 81 million people be so quiet.
One of the latest Lefty meltdowns—-and how can we keep track of all of them?—-is that Trump said the country is “dumb”. I wonder if he had read this first.
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has issued updated guidance to its “Nuclear Explosion” readiness public awareness website, which includes tips to avoid Covid!
……………………..
FEMA recommends the following steps to prevent ‘significant radiation exposure,’ which include “Try to maintain a distance of at least six feet between yourself and people who are not part of your household,” and “If possible, wear a mask if you’re sheltering with people who are not part of your household.
What’s more, “If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 and let the operator know if you have, or think you might have, Covid-19. If you can, put on a mask before help arrives.”
“Many people already feel fear and anxiety about the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). The threat of nuclear explosion can add additional stress.”
That would explain a lot.
Of course, a paper mask will provide the same protection against radiation as it does against the virus, but on the other hand flash burns and high radiation exposure are nothing compared to the stress of possibly catching a virus with a 99% recovery rate.
The threat of nuclear explosion can add additional stress.” Do ya think? YCMTSU
You beat me to it. The FEMA recommendations belong near the top of the heap in the YCMTSU file. This administration has added more to the YCMTSU file than any administration in my lifetime, and we’re only 13 months in.
Here is our American Media at work. How many of you actually believe this headline??
Black people fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine are suffering racism, being denied entry onto public transport and even threatened at gunpoint by marauding militiamen.
This story was written by an emotionally challenged millennial trying to score virtue points with his employer – guaranteed
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10562031/African-refugees-fleeing-Ukraine-facing-shocking-racism-Nigerians-told-no-blacks-bus.html
Thank God Hunter Biden “distanced” himself from the criminal activity of his business partner Devon Archer.
Hunter Biden’s business partner Devon Archer is sentenced to one year in prison for his role in defrauding Native American tribe – as emails reveal president’s son had close ties to firm involved in the scheme but later distanced himself
Everyone knows Hunter is a stand up guy with strong ethics and morals so it’s good to see him avoid this unwarranted investigation
But but but remember, they’re not Democrats or Republicans, they’re journalists lol
Rumors have circulated that Psaki intends to replace MSNBC host Rachel Maddow after taking a hiatus from the network in late January, Puck News first reported. ABC and CBS News have reportedly expressed interest in hiring the press secretary.
He really is doing a hell of a job
Joe Biden Left $84 Billion in US Arms to Taliban Terrorists in Afghanistan During Surrender — Only a Few Million for Zelensky
Is anyone here able to report on what I missed by not watching the SOTU last night? I figured it was 90 minutes or so that I would never get back, so I spent the time arranging my sock drawer.
And of course I didn’t watch it either … life is just too short but Ben Shapiro watched and here is his take:
Tonight, Joe Biden lied and lied and lied again to you.
For example, Joe Biden told you tonight that his plan to fight inflation will “lower your costs and lower the deficit.” He said he would lower inflation by pouring more cash into the economy – on top of the trillions he has already spent, while we are $30 trillion in debt. That is an insane lie. Build Back Better would, according to the Congressional Budget Office, increase the federal budget deficit by $3 trillion over the next 10 years if all Biden’s proposed temporary programs became permanent, which is what he wants. And pouring the gasoline of government spending onto the raging fire of inflation is a perfect way to increase costs. Only a fool would propose it. Maybe that’s why Joe Biden was telling you until the last five minutes that inflation would be temporary.
And Joe Biden told you that his American Rescue Plan – his massive boondoggle stimulus plan – “created jobs. Lots of jobs.” He said he created 6.5 million jobs. That is another lie. There is no evidence Biden’s spending produced one job. Nonpartisan projections for job growth in 2021, not including that American Rescue Plan, showed higher job growth than Biden produced.
Joe Biden said “we prepared extensively” for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. That was untrue. We were manifestly unprepared. We reacted, as the rest of the world did and should have. But had Joe Biden been prepared, perhaps he could have helped deter Russia’s invasion rather than encouraging Vladimir Putin’s miscalculation.
Joe Biden also told you tonight that “corporations and the wealthiest Americans” aren’t paying their fair share of taxes. That, again, is a lie. The highest-income Americans pay nearly all net income taxes, after government benefits, in the United States. Joe Biden said that inflation could be blamed on “exploitation” by corporations – another lie. Inflation is a monetary phenomenon. Corporations didn’t get more greedy last year. Joe Biden just became president.
And Joe Biden said that “we will never just accept living with COVID-19.” Another lie. Most Americans have been living free since vaccines became available. Only Democratic panic-mongering has prevented more Americans from doing the same, not COVID itself.
Joe Biden said tonight that the right to vote is under assault: another lie. Widespread voter suppression is not an issue in the United States. Joe Biden simply means he wants to rig the voting rules the way he prefers.
As for this amazing surge in jobs—–notice they carefully avoid saying “new jobs”.
When you shut down the economy, closing down businesses and putting people out of work, naturally when the shutdown ends those people are going to go back to work. These news-spinners are making it sound like the economy is booming, so much so that six and a half million new jobs have been created, when people are just desperate to get back to work.
I’d like to see a net gain analysis, if there is any, which I doubt.
I didn’t watch, either. Aside from the fact that watching Joe Biden is an experience closely related to listening to fingernails on a blackboard, no matter what he is trying to say he’s just a more obnoxious version of Tommy Flanagan (as played by Jon Lovitz)
I found some old NCIS reruns. Mark Harmon v Pudding Brain Joe? Not even close.
I’ve been watching Trailer Park Boys and I think you mentioned this show a couple years back. OMG is it funny
I’m glad you discovered it. It is profane and crude and outrageously funny. Pay attention to Ricky’s sly mangling of the language—it flies by very quickly, and is hysterical, like when he referred to his mother’s name before she married as her “mating name”. And the “convenients store”. One layer of the humor is broad and hits you in the face, but another is more subtle and just slips in when you don’t expect it.
I had two kids working for me we referred to as Corey and Trevor. ‘nuf said.
Now you’ve got me remembering Rickyisms, like when he was pointing at different appliances and said “I’m probably smarter than that, I mean. This thing here’s smarter than me, I guess, but it has a battery.” Or “what comes around is all around” or “A link is only as long as your longest strong chain”. Talking about a fire in a trailer house (“another cheeseburger and liquor party gone bad”) he said it was “fully engulfed. It was gulfing her and gulfing there…”
My brother, who was staying with me all summer to help on the ranch, was obsessed with TPB, and then because I am a wonderful sister I bought him the seven-season set of DVDs, so I not only heard the show in the background a lot we used to trade quotes.
In the last 4 days, gas around here has gone from $3.19 to $3.39 to $3.59 to $3.79. Thanks Joe!
This just in – Democrats are now in favor of “funding” the police and if you ever thought they were for “defunding” the police, you’re a racist.
Welcome to the Twilight Zone.
Sounds like the Biden Bingo Card a lady posted on Facebook was pretty accurate.
And did everyone see the quote from the VP of the United States? hahahahahaha
“Ukraine is a country in Europe. It exists next to another country called Russia. Russia is a bigger country. Russia decided to invade a smaller country called Ukraine, so basically that’s wrong.”
We’re in good hands.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/kamala-harris-explanation-ukraine-crisis
The meme creators are already exploiting the Ukraine invasion.
Jeff Childers does an excellent job of recapping the SOTU.
Fla Mom12 hr ago Liked by Jeff Childers
With apologies to John, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man listen to a Joe Biden speech for his friends.”