The cities are like any in Europe: Prada, Gucci, BMWs in the streets. But the country is literally over 100 years ago with peasants in the fields using scythes and horse carriages to take things to market. These are literal things I saw with my own eyes.

But I really don’t care what happens there as it’s not our problem, in an area with a thousand years of history that few in the US understand.

The closest metaphor that an American can understand is that Ukraine is like the Confederacy. It was once part of a larger nation and broke away and has deep pride, honor and much to admire. But it’s a really weak, poor state that maybe has no business being on its own. If it’s reabsorbed by force, well that is what happens historically.

For the US to sit there and say it’s “vital” is BS. It’s none of our business and a waste of our time, money and lives if we try to get in the way, like every foreign engagement the US has tried over the last 50 years.

The EU has had 30 years to get ’round to capturing the Ukraine. They’ve been taking their time, perhaps because the Ukraine’s gross domestic product in nominal terms is less than that of the Czech Republic.

Russia accounts for 11% of the world’s petroleum exports. Note, trade is mutually beneficial. It’s not equally beneficial for the parties transacting. Still, you have to absorb injuries to yourself if you want to impose an embargo. The majority of Russia’s export revenue is consequent to fuel and mineral exports.

Agricultural products account for just shy of half of the Ukraine’s export revenue or about $23 bn. There are 707 million Europeans outside of the Ukraine. Even if all of their output was bought by Europeans, it would still amount only to $32 per person per year worth of Ukrainian foodstuffs and raw materials.

That’s a Chomskyite claim that’s ridiculous because it’s reversal of cause and effect is bizarre and nonsensical And far beaneath the standards of clear thinking you persistently display.

Why would Putin take Russian Ukraine? To keep the EU away from Ukraine and ensure the survival of his patronage system for decades to come because he’ll control not just Europe’s energy but her breadbasket of auxiliary wheat as well.

Patronage is the Russian oligarch’s grift. A more competitive system like the EU’s lacks the same centralized grift. Rulers enjoy their prerogatives. Thus. They about costly change. And secure Rulers don’t have to.

Putin’s taken Crimea to secure warm water ports for Russia before. So of course, if weather aligns to make victory sure, Putin will grab more again — and in weeks.

Real politik.

Los Angeles County voted for George Gascon. There are those therein who’ve earned their suffering and those who should get out of town before they’re turned into a pillar of salt.

And a summing up by Glenn Greenwald on the TRUE PURVEYORS of “disinformation, misinformation and malinformation”(TM)….
https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1492864130579107843?cxt=HHwWhsC4kY2B3LcpAAAA

So will there be war to save “Biden”‘s ass, and Hillary’s? (And to enrich Putin’s?)
Or “just” an extended litany of histrionics, threats, brinksmanship and headlines?
(Sounds like win-win-win for “Biden”, Putin, Hillary AND the Corrupt media!!)

+ Bonus question:
How much of there is left to loot, burn and trash in LA?

(And further proof that “Biden” is no friend either to America or its currently gobsmacked “allies”—gobsmacked because they no doubt have been believing the Corrupt Media since at least 2009.)