Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

GOP senators: Arm Ukraine, hit Russian banks
news.yahoo.com ^ | Olivier Knox

Posted on 04/30/2014 2:10:56 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200 ... 221-236 next last
To: lodi90

We don’t have the military to do anything. We are broken after ten years of failed COIN.

Also, I am in no hurry to defend the coup government. We really don’t know whose side they are on.

And yes, if we decide to play, expect blow back.


161 posted on 05/01/2014 6:19:06 AM PDT by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 121 | View Replies]

To: agere_contra

~When America armed the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan with anti-helicopter missiles the Russian invasion of Afghanistan came to a bloody, grinding halt.~

It is largely a myth. Soviet aircraft losses were minimal comparing to Vietnam, let alone manpads weren’t all that effective against their choppers. No more than 20 helicopter gunships were lost to Stingers.


162 posted on 05/01/2014 6:24:38 AM PDT by wetphoenix
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 158 | View Replies]

To: Berlin_Freeper
a high-powered group of Republican senators

Here is the "high-powered" Republican senators:

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell backed the bill, as did Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, John Cornyn of Texas, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Marco Rubio of Florida, John Hoeven of North Dakota and David Vitter of Louisiana.

That list includes most of our favorite RINOs.

163 posted on 05/01/2014 8:42:38 AM PDT by kidd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wetphoenix
The Russians certainly contested the significance of the Stinger on the outcome of the war.

And I don't want to make it seem as if just one weapon type added to a campaign acted as a silver bullet. Operation Cyclone was based on a broad base of weapons, tactics, and logistics.

But Wilson (the congressman behind Operation Cyclone) described the first Stinger Mi-24 shoot-downs in 1986 as one of the crucial moments of the USSR/Afghan war, saying:

"we never really won a set piece battle before September 26, and then we never lost one afterwards".

He might have had an axe to grind of course. But helicopter mobility was critical to the Soviet battleplan (e.g. for deploying toops and landmines). Anything which increased the range of shootdowns must necessarily have circumscribed Russian strategy.

164 posted on 05/01/2014 8:48:14 AM PDT by agere_contra (I once saw a movie where only the police and military had guns. It was called 'Schindler's List'.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 162 | View Replies]

To: agere_contra

LOL. It is more like Russia was land hungry and used Serbian nationalism as its excuse to land grab. Britain was plain jealous of German naval pursuits and wanted to take them down a notch.


165 posted on 05/01/2014 10:27:44 AM PDT by Sam Gamgee (May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't. - Patton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 156 | View Replies]

To: FreeReign; Berlin_Freeper; familyop

Well then Buttercup, as I told another chest thumping hyperpatriot banging the war drums last week, you have a duty as an American to contact Fedgov and turn me and all those like me in as the foreign agents you believe us to be. At the very least, ping JR and have us zotted as liberal scum.

Of course you could haZ a problem with said Fedgov when that is shown false.

Are you comparing Reagan and the military under Reagan to the collection of directionless lying crapweasles in office today? Really? You think that Bhenghazi Barry and his merry band of Dem/GOP frauds are going to have the guts to mirror Reagan and back up his policies?

Because when your internet bluster is over and shooting starts, that’s what happens in war. When you begin the game of backing one hostile country with food, med supplies ect, that is in and of itself an act of war. Whether justified or not, you are providing aid to the enemy of the other country and you are now SQUARELY on one side of the conflict. And walking away when the shooting starts is NOT an option. Actions incur consequences.

Now if you are Ronald Reagan, that is a beautiful thing because your army, your enemy and the greater world at large know you are resolute in determination and are going to back your play to the hilt. You will finish what you involved yourself in.

When you are Bhenghazi Barry, you have not drawn red lines in the sand and blew the hell out of Lybia when they crossed them as did Reagan. Instead, you have drawn MULTIPLE red lines in the sand and backed away from each and every one time and again. Your army knows that their CIC will jail them for fighting the enemy or strip them of command, the enemy knows that if they wait 5 min your will will crumble and the world at large knows your idea of resolute determination ends at hiding your college records.

No, short of Israel who has been our lightning rod over in that craphole of a mid east, we should stop sending countries money and aid. It does not make the world more dangerous because most of them are using it to fund terror, buy weapons, start wars of their own and general stick it to their idiot benefactors who stand there wondering WTF just happened.

Now all the above is easily researched and provable/proven. As such, take your ‘appeasement’ talking point and shove it firmly yet lovingly, with special attention to social justice, homosexual rights for the military and perhaps a slice of lime for added ‘zing’.


166 posted on 05/01/2014 10:33:35 AM PDT by Norm Lenhart (How's that 'lesser evil' workin' out for ya?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 159 | View Replies]

To: rbmillerjr

You ignore the fact that the CIC is an enemy combatant whose obvious goal is to destroy the US. And you trust him in charge of yet another war, or any aspect of foreign policy? Or the stellar patriots of good character he surrounds himself with?

Are you hired by this administration? Or just a lone nutcase volunteer?


167 posted on 05/01/2014 10:45:38 AM PDT by little jeremiah (Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. CSLewis)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 154 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah

“You ignore the fact that the CIC is an enemy combatant whose obvious goal is to destroy the US.”

I understand your frustration, but that doesn’t mean your statements that slightly exaggerate the situation are true.

Obama has an anti-American belief system and believes in the goodness of big government. His background suggest heavy influence from both real Marxist-Leninists, as well as Islamist and anti British sentiment.

“And you trust him in charge of yet another war, or any aspect of foreign policy?”

And you would suggest that we just shut it all down like a merry-go-round due to your frustrations with Obama. Since this is real life, we go on. We don’t have the luxury of personal fantasies.


168 posted on 05/01/2014 11:14:57 AM PDT by rbmillerjr (Russians to the Left of me, Useful Idiots to the Right...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 167 | View Replies]

To: rbmillerjr

“And you would suggest that we just shut it all down like a merry-go-round due to your frustrations with Obama. Since this is real life, we go on. We don’t have the luxury of personal fantasies.”

Another straight question for you to ignore...

Why do you believe that doing the wrong things are preferable to doing nothing?

What is wrong with ‘shutting it all down’ when the alternative is the communist in Chief screwing things up more by the day? Because that IS what he is doing and ‘shutting it all down’ stops that from happening/things from further deteriorating.

The only reason it has gotten to this point is the cowardace of people to ‘shut it all down’ or even shut ANY OF IT DOWN.


169 posted on 05/01/2014 11:29:44 AM PDT by Norm Lenhart (How's that 'lesser evil' workin' out for ya?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 168 | View Replies]

To: Norm Lenhart

“Why do you believe that doing the wrong things are preferable to doing nothing?”

That is your incorrect assumption. Because Obama is our political enemy, doesn’t mean he can’t do a few things right. His droning of terrorists for one.

“The only reason it has gotten to this point is the cowardace of people to ‘shut it all down’ or even shut ANY OF IT DOWN.”

You can’t hide from reality by sticking your head in the sand. Obama will not send troops to Ukraine. (Correct thing) Obama has applied soft economic sanctions, giving Russia an out (Correct thing)...Russia is persisting and the sanctions will get progressively tougher, entirely dependent on Russia acting responsibly. (Correct thing)


170 posted on 05/01/2014 11:43:09 AM PDT by rbmillerjr (Russians to the Left of me, Useful Idiots to the Right...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 169 | View Replies]

To: rbmillerjr

What has he done right? Lets see it. Show me one solitary success of this admin. Show me a single positive outcome. show me one action that did not reduce America’s standing oe power in the world.

One

Killary couldn’t do it on TV recently. Think you can do better?


171 posted on 05/01/2014 11:47:55 AM PDT by Norm Lenhart (How's that 'lesser evil' workin' out for ya?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 170 | View Replies]

To: rbmillerjr
“So do you think they are going to pussyfoot around when Obama and the GOP start shipping food while Ukraine saves the cash for more weapons/other uses?”

Our foreign policy is based on American national interests, not Russia’s. I don’t give a flying truck what the Russians think.


I don't see many strong sanctions coming, cuz it would boomerang back and hurt American businesses.

They've no doubt let the administration know the realities of the situation.

Below is a small sample of just US businesses operating in Ukraine; there are a lot more operating in Russia.

http://www.adm.com/en-US/worldwide/ukraine/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.deere.ua/wps/dcom/uk_UA/regional_home.page

http://www.caseih.com/ru_int/Pages/home.aspx

http://www.aig.ua/_1025_220751.html

http://www2.dupont.com/Ukraine_Country_Site/uk_UA/

This older article points out some concerns:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/19/us-ukraine-crisis-usa-business-idUSBREA2I1TQ20140319

From the article:

The Chamber of Commerce, another Washington-based business group, said it was closely monitoring the crisis over Crimea and called for close cooperation with Europe given it's annual trade with Russia is about 15 times larger than that of the United States.

"A go-it-alone approach by the United States could be both economically damaging and ineffective in accomplishing its goals," said the Chamber's Vice President Myron Brilliant, who oversees international affairs for the group.

172 posted on 05/01/2014 11:50:18 AM PDT by PieterCasparzen (We have to fix things ourselves)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 118 | View Replies]

To: Norm Lenhart

The drone attacks on Jihadist terrorists. Very successful operations.

Obama will not send troops to Ukraine. (Correct thing) Obama has applied soft economic sanctions, giving Russia an out (Correct thing)...Russia is persisting and the sanctions will get progressively tougher, entirely dependent on Russia acting responsibly. (Correct thing)


173 posted on 05/01/2014 11:53:11 AM PDT by rbmillerjr (Russians to the Left of me, Useful Idiots to the Right...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 171 | View Replies]

To: PieterCasparzen

That was my quote actually.

Businesses can say/ do whatever. But if we ship supplies and Putin decides it is an act of war, his people will quickly pull russian businesses in the ‘correct’ mindframe. Just as Russian leaders have done for centuries.

Let us not forget that the mere threat of sanctions has a massive effect on financial markets and each such threat costs many dollars to all involved. Eventually all involved will tire of perpetual instability...coming from our impotence.


174 posted on 05/01/2014 11:57:16 AM PDT by Norm Lenhart (How's that 'lesser evil' workin' out for ya?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 172 | View Replies]

To: rbmillerjr

The drone attacks that set world opinion further against us? That is a foreign policy success in your book? You have a rather upside down book. Whether they were the correct action here is not the issue. The issue is foreign policy. And his drone strikes have unarguably hurt our standing in other countries.

Try again.


175 posted on 05/01/2014 12:00:02 PM PDT by Norm Lenhart (How's that 'lesser evil' workin' out for ya?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 173 | View Replies]

To: Norm Lenhart

Aww, so you prefer to run foreign policy by opinion poll.

Just like the libbie libs. You are to the left of Obama in your foreign policy.


176 posted on 05/01/2014 12:12:46 PM PDT by rbmillerjr (Russians to the Left of me, Useful Idiots to the Right...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 175 | View Replies]

To: Norm Lenhart; FreeReign; familyop

You’re over compensating, posting as a tough guy, doesn’t hide the distinct lack of spine you have shown here, “Buttercup”.

The Russians are always happy to proxy against us and the one recent chance we have to pay them back - you instead hide behind Obama and grab your ankles because Putin pretends to be a scary guy.

Why are you even bad mouthing Obama? He is nearly being the total wuss you demand America must be, because of... you know, “consequences”. You should be cheering Obama!


177 posted on 05/01/2014 12:14:48 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper (Land of the Free and the home of the Brave!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 166 | View Replies]

To: Norm Lenhart

Dat’s about it.

Trade is fungible.

If we outlaw selling business services, airplane parts, computers, etc., to Russia, the companies will then look for other buyers for all those goods.

Middlemen, in fine Marc Rich style, will trot around the globe, make a few calls, and set up a deal. A company in a third country will buy them, then possibly a company in yet another country will buy them, and then Russia will be able to buy them from that company.

Russia will pay a little extra markup, our company will have to cut its price a little, the middlemen will make a huge profit on their phone calls and transactions.

Like wise, the things we import from Russia - we’ll buy them from a company in another country. But guess where those things will have originated from ?

The only sanction that has an effect that’s actually annoying is when the country is cut out of central banking, i.e., they are not allowed to move any money via the Western international banking system, even to make payments.

But in the case of a country where we’re doing all that legitimate trade, i.e., IBM, Dupont, Goldman Sachs, etc., you put those American companies in a nasty, nasty, hurtful bind. Western central banking won’t cut off Russia. They didn’t even cut off Hitler during WWII ! BIS was essential for German gold transfers, all supervised by an American head of BIS at the time.


178 posted on 05/01/2014 12:15:49 PM PDT by PieterCasparzen (We have to fix things ourselves)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 174 | View Replies]

To: Berlin_Freeper
The bill provides for sharply expanded U.S. and NATO support for the militaries of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, according to a summary provided to Yahoo News.

And how is the U.S. supposed to make NATO do that?

179 posted on 05/01/2014 12:15:51 PM PDT by DoodleDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Berlin_Freeper

Yea about the tough guy thing...

What do you call people impotently sticking their junk out calling for sanctions, calling for ‘action’ calling for trade blocks? What do you call drawing red lines and running away?

I’m not the pseudo tough guy here. Of course that doesn’t fit the agenda. Some of you need to get your heads out of 1963 and into the reality we live in.


180 posted on 05/01/2014 12:24:55 PM PDT by Norm Lenhart (How's that 'lesser evil' workin' out for ya?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 177 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200 ... 221-236 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson