BRHSBulldog

You’re right. And, what else are you going to do? Do you think UPS or USPS are any better?

Wow, we out bid Michigan’s $5 million

You are correct on all points.

Protecting minority interest groups was a major concern of our founders. See Federalist #10, written by James Madison. LINK Our form of government's protection of minority rights is something to be proud of. As the writer points out,

"AMONG the numerous advantages promised by a wellconstructed Union, none deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and control the violence of faction. The friend of popular governments never finds himself so much alarmed for their character and fate, as when he contemplates their propensity to this dangerous vice. He will not fail, therefore, to set a due value on any plan which, without violating the principles to which he is attached, provides a proper cure for it. The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils, have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished; as they continue to be the favorite and fruitful topics from which the adversaries to liberty derive their most specious declamations."

Seems like a wonderful teammate

If we accept that Russia if Russia succeeds in Ukraine it will likely continue elsewhere, then perhaps elsewhere is a NATO country, like anywhere in the Baltics. Then perhaps the question is where is defeating Russia cheapest?

I would say the answer is in Ukraine, where there are motivated, competent troops.

Waiting for an attack on a NATO country would be foolish because then our sons are fighting.

Better to end the aggression in Ukraine.

Agreed. Ukraine needs to push the orcs out of crimea. It’s too strategically important for it to stay in Russian control. It’s ability to export grain, for example is much more vulnerable with Russian bases so close to Odessa

What is MSM?

Sad to see such a young life end. Also inspiring that he gave so much to help. Many live a long time and never contribute as much as did.

Telenko on Russian Casualties

This is an interesting analysis of Russian casualties by Trent Telenko

Interesting take from Ukraine Volunteer Transcripts in September. Maybe the West has finally gotten the message:

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The thing is, if everything goes right, per conventional forces, the Yooks are on the upside of a capability down curve, and the Russians on the descending side. It seems, in this case, it is about people in this way: the Yooks are building a larger, capable force, the Russians may be building a people-heavy force with less capability.

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What the Russians need to succeed is less people, and more air superiority over the battlefield, and over supply lines providing western equipment. I am a bit surprised they the Russians are not trying harder to interdict western supply chains. They will lose this war conventionally if they cannot deal with that issue.

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Maybe they are more afraid of escalation than Putin’s nuclear sabre-rattling would lead one to think.

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I suspect they are.

A mass of people will have little to no effect, except to possibly divert Yook resources away from destroying capital equipment. But, ultimately, war is about killing enough people until they no longer desire that to happen. Equipment loss is very important, since it is part of the capability equation. But in a foolish adventure, it will likely be people loss that will change the gravity of support in Russia.

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But, make no mistake, the US will have no nuclear response to a Russian tactical nuclear strike in Ukraine. Stated doctrine, even if it did apply here, is bullshite. But, it would solidify world support for Russian isolation, and would mean more direct western involvement.

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I know this because I have spent a large chunk of my life working with people who make these decisions. We will not risk a strategic exchange, even under Article Five obligations.

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Some folks like to think, mainly to support their bias or their intellectual work, that policy and treaties are reality. Well, no. When the balloon goes up, they are totally expendable.

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Well, I am going to bed. I am on a bit of a jag here, and need to shut it down and get some sleep. Maybe cut me some slack on the speculative bullshite. Or not. I am old enough to know better. Later.

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LINK