Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Quid Pro Quo
Date:	2/23/2022 10:58:56 AM

So Germany finally put the kabash on the pipeline with Russia.  You know Biden leaned on them to do it - what do you think the quid pro quo was for Germany to take action.  Nothing happens without the quid pro quo.  

After watching Biden's speech yesterday (yes, it was pathetic and he took no quesions, as usual) he put forth the notion that Americans will see higher gas prices (duh), but if anyone thinks that will be the only thing, I think they are crazy.  Expect the cyber attacks to increase significantly which would very much affect Americans and American institutions.  And there won't be a damn thing Biden can do about it.  

And then in other news, Xi claims that the situation with Russia/Ukraine and China/Taiwan are completely different.... It will not surprise me to see China step up actions against Taiwan, now that the Olympics are over.   It would not suprise me to know that Russia and China are coordinating these moves.  I'd say that the road ahead looks rocky for us.  

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Quid Pro Quo
Date:	2/23/2022 2:40:55 PM

I have to admit I was surprised with Germany's suspension of the Nordstream 2 pipeline as they really need the gas, especially this winter.  The Foreign Minister of Russia was quoted as saying Europeans can now expect a significant increase in natural gas prices, which is exactly the leverage Trump told them Russia would have.  And recall, Dementia Joe greenlighted the project as one of his first actions he was told to take as president by whoever is running him.  What we could possibly give them for this is beyond me but nothing would surprise me.

As for his speech, not sure you watched the end where he ignored questions being asked by the press as they were being ushered out of the room, blankly asked what he was supposed to do next and then started to pick his teeth.  He is a sad, pathetic man in an unstoppable cognitive decline and is POTUS in name only.  He is being run by Susan Rice and Ron Klain, neither of whom are trustworthy.  And yes, Xi will be on the move soon and who can blame him?  This is a historic opportunity when our govt is being run by a drooling senile old fool backed up by an even less competent VP.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Quid Pro Quo
Date:	2/23/2022 7:43:20 PM

I admit, my mind is filled with possible scenerios of how this may go, each one worse than the next.  None of them good for the US.  We need to get this doddering old fool out of office, along with his "foot in my mouth" sidekick, and the rest of his incompetent national security team. I don't see anything good ahead for the US.  WE need competent leadership and we need it now.  And no, it isn't Trump.  That fool was out praising Putin.  And when things really get bad, can we expect the alliance to hold?  What if China calls in our debt?  

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Russia invasion is on
Date:	2/24/2022 9:08:31 AM

Looks like Putin has done the math and has decided controlling Ukraine is worth the cost.  He's probably right.  While Germany suspended the pipeline I have zero doubt after they get used to the new normal they will reinstate it.  While Dementia Joe is going to talk tough about sanctions.....you know, the threat of which didn't stop Putin......he will essentially do nothing.  There is zero chance NATO will intervene militarily.  That is the whole point, Putin gets control of Ukraine before they can join NATO.  

And in the meantime he gets richer and richer as oil and precious metals prices hit the roof.  But the thing is, he has to stay in power to keep his hands on those billions, otherwise whoever takes over for him will arrest him for "corruption" and take all his ill-gotten wealth from him.  And the way he stays in power is to keep the military and oligarchs happy and in control of cash and real estate outside of Russia.  The invasion makes the military happy.  Real financial pain for the oligarchs might do some good....such as it is given the lack of will to respond militarily.  And to be clear, I am not advocating that we get involved.  What we need to do is start to produce our own oil again so we are not at risk...ya know, being energy independent like we were under Trump.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Russia invasion is on
Date:	2/24/2022 9:18:40 PM

You know that Biden sold off the rights to drill in the Gulf?  Just another brilliant move on his part to push his environmental agenda.  

None of us know why Putin picked this moment to attack and take over Ukaine and as long as he stops there, nothing will really be done.  He's already threatened that anyone trying to stop him would likely get the nuclear treatment.  I don't think he gives a damn about sanctions - he is fighting for his legacy and to restore the Soviet Union.  He's going to attack and conquor Kiev and he'll execute Zelensky; and then he will put his own Russia friendly puppets in place.  

We don't know what else he has in mind.  He's a true believer and those are always the most dangerous people.