Am I the only cat who has noticed that we never hear "but we can't afford it!" when it comes to bailing out the billionaires or putting another pointless war on the national credit card?
But healthcare, infrastructure or education or anything else that any semi-first world country manages to provide?
"How are we gonna pay for that?" Well 33 billion for Ukraine is "lend-lease," which means Ukraine will have to pay it back after the war. So nothing to worry about; Ukraine will be good for it! No matter that the country has been bankrupt for decades.
Part of the beauty here is that most of the heavy weapons being sent will be unusable. They're incompatible with the old Soviet weapons they currently have for both training purposes and spare parts, but the West gets them out of its inventory so it can justify restocking with newer weapons.
If I were truly cynical I wouldn't be trying to wake people to the reality of the situation. My belief is that as people get red-pilled (as in Truth, not Republican) they will start taking some sort of action, whether it be waving signs, casting a ballot or simply refusing to "go along to get along." If I were a cynic, I'd simply pursue my other, more personal interest. Sarcastic? Sometimes. Cynical? Not yet.
It's the same in Australia. Always. I noticed this at the time of the Iraqi war. And now again. (Even though this is in no way our war, we are not part of NATO, we don't have treaties with any NATO countries except for the US, and Russia is no threat to us down here.) We have only a tiny and woefully inadequate budget for defence spending. But we have committed $116 million in military aid to Ukraine (compared with $65 million in humanitarian aid).
An excellent comparison, Mara. Identical to the USA in every way as one would expect. I doubt if Morrison and his ilk dares ro choose their breakfast menu before consulting feeble-minded Biden.
Of course, the point being made by Caitlin is that it is the welfare of the American people that is being sacrificed, or in the very least certainly delayed, to satisfy the proxy Ukrainian war. He has to get America's priorities right and the Congress will do what it is told to do to be sure of getting electoral unding next time around
Of course, with your mention of Australia and Iraq, there never needed to be a requirement to be even asked by the US for military assistance (tokenism) by Australia as we get in there, 'boots and all’, even when the US is still contemplating how they will schedule their dirty deeds such as "shock an awe". We almost beg them to allow us to be involved, exercising a move from 70 years of changing direction from a 'lid dipping' groveller to the British Empire's demands, to have become an enthusiastic bag carrier to the hegemonic USA. "Whatever you want, Biden, we're there for you. It's just the way we are. Independence and respect? Who needs it?"
Hardly worth thinking about.
Check on the numbers in Libya (Clinton will be able to provide those) because ‘we came, we saw and Gaddafi died’, along with thousands of others. (Why?. Don’t even ask). The list goes on and on. 70 years of actions such as these.
Currently waiting on our US directed marching orders to the Pacific, South Vietnam or Ukraine of anywhere else they choose.
We saw something similar here (Australia, but I expect every country has a similar story) over the past 2 years: they managed to find an obscene amount of money (with what strings or conditions attached was not disclosed) for vaccines, covid testing, contact tracing, and (in early 2020 when sweeteners were required to keep everyone quiet) pandemic payments. The story was that we needed all these restrictions to "flatten the curve", and prepare our hospital system for the massive demand. (I am sure you can remember how it all went!)
Two years later - and in fact during those 2 years - our emergency services, including the ambulance service have been struggling - before the pandemic was declared, during, and even worse now (with the loss of a good proportion of experienced staff because of mandates). Somehow, there is never money for this stuff...
I have to admit though, the US situation with the current funding approval process brings it all into glaring in-your-face obviousness!
I liked NZ when I visited. That was decades ago. But they seem to be the only ones "down under" that have a clue. I could be very much mistaken though. Perhaps it is only because they're allowing the US Oligarchy the opportunity to dig deep into the mountains on the South Island.
I never met an Aussie or an NZ that I didn't immediately like. Limeys however...
Can't remember the very first campaign designed to make the Australian government and the media do a backflip on China , a relationship which I always thought was doing well, bringing business and trade to both countries with lots of potential.
Perhaps too much potential, eh Biden?
Probably it was one of those very large consulting organisations, (we have a lot of then), full of ex-Generals, tired academics and retired public servants, who besides consulting to the federal government for big money, also spend a lot of time wooing and feeding off the military industrialists, almost all of which have parentage in the USA. (Based on research, change that to ...'all have parentage in the USA or Israel'
Sharing two masters?
You just can't do that these days and of course, the US military / industrial complex won....again. (They seldom lose as we all know while providing an extremely good return for the big shareholders, the BlackRock and Vanguard investment groups, )
War is good for business.
A worthwhile relationship with China is just one more pathetic example of an Australian cave-in. Since then, it has grown into a rightwing political and media hate campaign, like no other, obviously on instructions from the Biden bunch of international operating psychopaths.
PS I have heard that we've been promised a second-in-charge role in the Solomons campaign, when the time is right.
Well, actually no you aren't the only one. The problem is that no one gives a damn about what you and I say. We're reduced to voting Blue no matter Who. And sadly most of us accept that option. Too f...in weak to do anything about it.
The additional money was "needed" because all the representatives had to add on specific funding for the various military contractors in their own districts.
You are a treasure. I recently came accross you and appreciate your words daily so yes I will submit and pay. This is far more useful thinking that the LA Times or NY Times.Keep it up!
I don't really know what is more American (and despicable, btw): coupling COVID relief with proxy war support or decoupling it to get it approved quicker... it's a sad state of things overall
That money would be so helpful to those families who have been injured by the vaccines. This money will be pocketed by Zelenskyy and his buddies which will be added to their millions that they already have in their offshore accounts - the Panama Papers comes to mind.
Well, what did we expect? After all, didn't Biden "magically cure" us all of COVID when he started this proxy war? It sure seemed that way when all of a sudden we no longer hear on the local news of how many deaths/hospitalizations are occurring daily, and instead all we hear is how big ol' mean Putin is doing naughty things to a corrupt country most Americans couldn't find on a globe that has all countries labeled in big, fat letters. That's what we get for putting this particular clown into high office, folks. So, do us all a favor and quit voting and donating to the duopoly in DC or your state capital and get out your pitchforks and demand to be treated like human beings instead of tax-paying, cash-producing cows ready for slaughter. The self-dignity you preserve will be worth it.
Thank you Caitlin, as usual you spotted another seriously perverse and deeply disturbing move by the this administration, it is in fact terrifying that the "democrats" are leading an irreversible and seemingly blind charge into war with Russia, proxy or otherwise and in so doing pivoting so seamlessly from the Covid debacle which has left it's citizens reeling and economy in ruins. I am naturally conservative in my thinking, but the more I see bizarre events like these cascading the more I realise that perhaps I am decidedly not, and am convinced that if appraised of the facts most sensible people would not vote for any of this, that is if they could of course.
Starting to see a pattern? Here's MY hometown. What Democrats pretend to be. Life-long, loyal Democrats, poor mostly Black, 1099 (no insurance, PPE or sick-pay, child care, unemployment or overtime. Her, Nina, Cori, Rashida, Ilhan... HMmmm... Why would Israel dump billions into stomping out Black female candidates who WIN & help us ALL?
Am I the only cat who has noticed that we never hear "but we can't afford it!" when it comes to bailing out the billionaires or putting another pointless war on the national credit card?
But healthcare, infrastructure or education or anything else that any semi-first world country manages to provide?
Those are all too expensive.
"How are we gonna pay for that?" Well 33 billion for Ukraine is "lend-lease," which means Ukraine will have to pay it back after the war. So nothing to worry about; Ukraine will be good for it! No matter that the country has been bankrupt for decades.
Part of the beauty here is that most of the heavy weapons being sent will be unusable. They're incompatible with the old Soviet weapons they currently have for both training purposes and spare parts, but the West gets them out of its inventory so it can justify restocking with newer weapons.
Yeah, you aren't the only one who heard the rhetoric about "lending" and "leasing" assets with a negative ROI to a bankrupt beggar and thought "1984".
You didn't expressly state how cynical you were as you wrote this. But I cannot imagine otherwise.
If I were truly cynical I wouldn't be trying to wake people to the reality of the situation. My belief is that as people get red-pilled (as in Truth, not Republican) they will start taking some sort of action, whether it be waving signs, casting a ballot or simply refusing to "go along to get along." If I were a cynic, I'd simply pursue my other, more personal interest. Sarcastic? Sometimes. Cynical? Not yet.
It's the same in Australia. Always. I noticed this at the time of the Iraqi war. And now again. (Even though this is in no way our war, we are not part of NATO, we don't have treaties with any NATO countries except for the US, and Russia is no threat to us down here.) We have only a tiny and woefully inadequate budget for defence spending. But we have committed $116 million in military aid to Ukraine (compared with $65 million in humanitarian aid).
Plus 4 bushmasters.
(Please don't laugh.)
An excellent comparison, Mara. Identical to the USA in every way as one would expect. I doubt if Morrison and his ilk dares ro choose their breakfast menu before consulting feeble-minded Biden.
Of course, the point being made by Caitlin is that it is the welfare of the American people that is being sacrificed, or in the very least certainly delayed, to satisfy the proxy Ukrainian war. He has to get America's priorities right and the Congress will do what it is told to do to be sure of getting electoral unding next time around
Of course, with your mention of Australia and Iraq, there never needed to be a requirement to be even asked by the US for military assistance (tokenism) by Australia as we get in there, 'boots and all’, even when the US is still contemplating how they will schedule their dirty deeds such as "shock an awe". We almost beg them to allow us to be involved, exercising a move from 70 years of changing direction from a 'lid dipping' groveller to the British Empire's demands, to have become an enthusiastic bag carrier to the hegemonic USA. "Whatever you want, Biden, we're there for you. It's just the way we are. Independence and respect? Who needs it?"
Hardly worth thinking about.
Check on the numbers in Libya (Clinton will be able to provide those) because ‘we came, we saw and Gaddafi died’, along with thousands of others. (Why?. Don’t even ask). The list goes on and on. 70 years of actions such as these.
Currently waiting on our US directed marching orders to the Pacific, South Vietnam or Ukraine of anywhere else they choose.
Just whistle.
We saw something similar here (Australia, but I expect every country has a similar story) over the past 2 years: they managed to find an obscene amount of money (with what strings or conditions attached was not disclosed) for vaccines, covid testing, contact tracing, and (in early 2020 when sweeteners were required to keep everyone quiet) pandemic payments. The story was that we needed all these restrictions to "flatten the curve", and prepare our hospital system for the massive demand. (I am sure you can remember how it all went!)
Two years later - and in fact during those 2 years - our emergency services, including the ambulance service have been struggling - before the pandemic was declared, during, and even worse now (with the loss of a good proportion of experienced staff because of mandates). Somehow, there is never money for this stuff...
I have to admit though, the US situation with the current funding approval process brings it all into glaring in-your-face obviousness!
I liked NZ when I visited. That was decades ago. But they seem to be the only ones "down under" that have a clue. I could be very much mistaken though. Perhaps it is only because they're allowing the US Oligarchy the opportunity to dig deep into the mountains on the South Island.
I never met an Aussie or an NZ that I didn't immediately like. Limeys however...
I know, once NZ was a proud independent nation not afraid to express its sovereignty.
Take a look at NZ now, though, & see how they have managed the past 2 years. You won't recognise the political climate anymore.
I’ve never had much luck with limeys either, arrogant and nasty.
But the Solomons! Surely you are terrified of China. LOL
John,
Can't remember the very first campaign designed to make the Australian government and the media do a backflip on China , a relationship which I always thought was doing well, bringing business and trade to both countries with lots of potential.
Perhaps too much potential, eh Biden?
Probably it was one of those very large consulting organisations, (we have a lot of then), full of ex-Generals, tired academics and retired public servants, who besides consulting to the federal government for big money, also spend a lot of time wooing and feeding off the military industrialists, almost all of which have parentage in the USA. (Based on research, change that to ...'all have parentage in the USA or Israel'
Sharing two masters?
You just can't do that these days and of course, the US military / industrial complex won....again. (They seldom lose as we all know while providing an extremely good return for the big shareholders, the BlackRock and Vanguard investment groups, )
War is good for business.
A worthwhile relationship with China is just one more pathetic example of an Australian cave-in. Since then, it has grown into a rightwing political and media hate campaign, like no other, obviously on instructions from the Biden bunch of international operating psychopaths.
PS I have heard that we've been promised a second-in-charge role in the Solomons campaign, when the time is right.
Treason.
Well, actually no you aren't the only one. The problem is that no one gives a damn about what you and I say. We're reduced to voting Blue no matter Who. And sadly most of us accept that option. Too f...in weak to do anything about it.
Well. I can't decide whether I detest Team R or Team D more. Usually, I detest the one I last heard speak.
The Empire is in its plunge stage. Just a question of how many people it drags down with it.
The priorities of the US can be found by colonoscopy.
For the Western world a starting point for context might be…
1) worst longevity
2) worst maternal and infant mortality
3) most obesity
4) most guns
5) most murders, most mass murders, most racial murders
6) most divorce
7) most incarceration
8) most poverty, most child poverty
9) most nukes
10) biggest per capita pollution
Blah, blah, blah…
But annoying/ embarrassing Russia trumps it all. By proxy.
The additional money was "needed" because all the representatives had to add on specific funding for the various military contractors in their own districts.
You are a treasure. I recently came accross you and appreciate your words daily so yes I will submit and pay. This is far more useful thinking that the LA Times or NY Times.Keep it up!
I don't really know what is more American (and despicable, btw): coupling COVID relief with proxy war support or decoupling it to get it approved quicker... it's a sad state of things overall
That money would be so helpful to those families who have been injured by the vaccines. This money will be pocketed by Zelenskyy and his buddies which will be added to their millions that they already have in their offshore accounts - the Panama Papers comes to mind.
Zelenskii and his offshore wealth were prominently featured in The Panama Papers.
This is assuredly no accident.
And this is not even to fight “Communism” -- it is to fight CAPITALIST Russia and to support Nazi government of Ukraine.
Without any explanation !?
Exactly. Capitalist Russia. Wall Street is envious of Putin. He is what every Hedge Fund Manager aspires to be.
I’m laughing with you. Drinking their unique look. aid is the only thing which will bring an end to their insanity. We will do fine with the truth.
Well, what did we expect? After all, didn't Biden "magically cure" us all of COVID when he started this proxy war? It sure seemed that way when all of a sudden we no longer hear on the local news of how many deaths/hospitalizations are occurring daily, and instead all we hear is how big ol' mean Putin is doing naughty things to a corrupt country most Americans couldn't find on a globe that has all countries labeled in big, fat letters. That's what we get for putting this particular clown into high office, folks. So, do us all a favor and quit voting and donating to the duopoly in DC or your state capital and get out your pitchforks and demand to be treated like human beings instead of tax-paying, cash-producing cows ready for slaughter. The self-dignity you preserve will be worth it.
Another January 6th in otherwords? Yeah, sure, that's the ticket.
We have the power and are failing to utilize it!
Well am no laughin...am ragin. Ragin at the obscene actions of a morally bankrupt administration.
How was the Covid bill going to help Americans, in what ways?
I wasn’t, however, I think you may have missed the point.
Thank you Caitlin, as usual you spotted another seriously perverse and deeply disturbing move by the this administration, it is in fact terrifying that the "democrats" are leading an irreversible and seemingly blind charge into war with Russia, proxy or otherwise and in so doing pivoting so seamlessly from the Covid debacle which has left it's citizens reeling and economy in ruins. I am naturally conservative in my thinking, but the more I see bizarre events like these cascading the more I realise that perhaps I am decidedly not, and am convinced that if appraised of the facts most sensible people would not vote for any of this, that is if they could of course.
Maybe I'm blind but it seems none of the supposed "leftist progressive" sites are even speaking about this!
The sociopathic Uni-Party death cult of war and capitalism devours the mind, then the soul, then existence itself.
Starting to see a pattern? Here's MY hometown. What Democrats pretend to be. Life-long, loyal Democrats, poor mostly Black, 1099 (no insurance, PPE or sick-pay, child care, unemployment or overtime. Her, Nina, Cori, Rashida, Ilhan... HMmmm... Why would Israel dump billions into stomping out Black female candidates who WIN & help us ALL?
https://readsludge.com/2022/05/09/pro-israel-lobby-spends-big-to-defeat-progressive-summer-lee/