Shreveportolewarskul

You're probably correct. Strategically. But Soviet military doctrine was to use tactical nukes to knock out a path through the Fulda gap.

I am not suggesting we cave in due to Putin's or Lavrov's threats. But they can't be ignored completely. Let's not have to impose article 5.

To deter legit Russian threats however would mean pushing out ACBM fleet into Europe and put everyone else on high gear. The stakes are too high to flinch.

I want to end this madness though. Generally in western history in a stalemate that has been achievable. Not so sure right now.

But no im not suggesting our actions be dictated by threats of nuclear reprisal. On the other hand further escalation on our part must be considered against the risk of a desperate Russian tactical response.

750,000 deaths over letting the south go an slavery (according to most historians) last at most another 20 years.....that's like 15 million in a current Civil War.

He was both the most most brilliant and evil person in our history and it's hard to come to grips with it still today. Lincoln easily was able to eloquently advocate for mutual slaughter on levels seen exceeded only in the East during Barbarossa.

Just let them go. In 20 to 30 years slavery ends on its own (as it did everywhere else at that time) and we might have 50+ million more good people today

Like you I think the risk of a nuclear escalation to be a high risk rn. I do not control American foreign policy and the only possibility of change is minute. If the GOP retakes the House as appears likely, what would change? Nothing, those 50 or so principled house members might increase to 75 or even 100. So what?

Biden and the neolib/neolib group control 2/3 of our likely 2022 electorate.

The war is on. With that in mind, how may we end this as soon as possible?

Suggesting peace is the way is naive. It's started. I don't like it any as much as you do and think the argument for fighting the Russians by proxy to wither away at their power is farcical.

Yet as a realist that's where we are. I agree with you. Taiwan is far more important but we don't control things. Given the reality of the situation and state of affairs how would you proceed?

I'm on your side. But the die has been cast. How can we stop it from rumbling further off the table?

I enjoy 90% of what you say as a libertarian. But Kissenger isn't half the war criminal you suggest. He's a realist and he's on your side right now. It may be by chance, it probably is, but I think you are missing my point.

During the Cold War we negotiated, openly or not through back channels. I don't think the current administration is trying. That concerns me.

And if Kissenger happens to gave placed his shot within yours at the 18th it doesn't mean the "war criminal" is wrong

I hope they do well too but they are hardly the aggrieved party. I would have expected the US to invade Mexico had similar issues been present. And we have done so with Canada and Mexico several times each.

If Russia influenced Canada or Mexico half as we do with the Ukraine we'd be back in veracruz.

If we pull off that stunt again. With today's military 2/3 of our planes don't function correctly and can't fly missions today.

I've checked a couple of the long term models. August and September appear perhaps....perhaps to return to normal. Meaning mid 90s instead of low to mid 100s. For those of us up here in NW LA at least. My grandfather, who was a pilot in WWII and an avid weather watcher always said expect the first noticeable cooldown around the 3rd week of September. That still stands usually from my observation. This summer sucks, started in May. But 2011 and 2000, just to tick off the top my head were worse. 2011 for the entire state of Texas and adjacent areas of western Louisiana, southern Oklahoma and Eastern New Mexico was a 30 to 50 year drought event. I can't recall offhand but I think Sheeveport had 50 to 60 days over 100. Probably lost 10 to 20% of trees.

Farage almost singlehandedly grew the movement to get the UK out of the EU. And he did so with elegant speech and brute force.

Farage was what I had hoped Trump could have been.

He's one of the good guys and I guess I'll pull for Truss. Labour isn't Tony Blair's neocon Bill Clinton party. It's to the left of most mainstream euro center left parties now. Somehow the conservatives have to hold on

Thank. I've been so worried about other things I haven't had a chance to follow British politics recently. I grew up watching prime Minister's questions each Sunday night on Cspan. I have watched each general election since 1991 or whenever major's first was plus the euro referendum live.

It's good to know Nigel has a least worst.

No they aren't. Indians and Pakistanis were but not the latest generation by and large. Just because the British touched over half the world doesn't mean automatic immigration rights

To be anyone or anything unless a Treen geek or some delegate to the national convention, until Roemer's era and really 1994, you were a Southern Democrat. Louisiana has undergone little major change in a generation. More blacks signed up, more whites counter by voting Rep despite registration. If there is a state where Dem Rep registration means so little it is here.

To me right now the swing point or two may be Jefferson parish. Bossier cancels Caddo. Baton Rouge counters EBR. We are a solid red national state. JBE proves we are not invincible however. But our dynamics aren't changing much. I don't see another Dem senator for many a cycle. Breaux and Bennett Johnston are relics of a centrist past that no longer exist. Mary Landrieu and her clan are little better than capable of 45%. We are still vulnerable to RINO's though