Doug Macgregor did another update on the Ukraine conflict that’s available on Youtube. It’s only about 24 minutes long, total, but it features some insightful discussion. For example, he goes into the role of Polish soldiers in the battles. There have been widespread reports that Polish troops in Ukrainian uniforms have played a significant role in the recent Ukrainian “offensives”. Here’s a possible example—one of many. Russian reports also detail the capture of Poles, although without specifying their unit organization and affiliation—are they true mercenaries or are they Polish soldiers either attached to Ukrainian units or forming their own units (as below):
Great commentary from MacGregor. Napolitano, on the other hand… what a simpleton. After all these interviews with the MacGregor he still comes up with dumbass questions. Case in point: comparing Russian control of the Donbas to Nazi control of Paris. I was surprised this didn’t warrant one of MacGregor’s famous sighs.
Trumpism without Trump: could be the best solution. It's a moot point whether the best option would be for him to return as Potus, or to do what he is doing now: remain a vital figurehead and rallying point for conservatives and patriots.
That article came to mind as I was reading your thoughts on the Poles and Ukraine, Mark. The Poles are in a strange position: on the one hand they seem to be the stormtroopers for the NATO/Deep State war on Russia in Ukraine; on the other hand, they are embroiled in a battle with the EU about national sovereignty, and are suing the EU's most powerful nation for wartime reparations. The Poles seem to be going through a real identity crisis. At this rate, they could end up leaving the EU AND getting it on with Russia!
The Poles are in good company: Hungary, commemorating the ‘56 uprising (66 years ago), has, in the person of its non-mealy-mouthed PM Orban, compared the EU bigwigs to the former Soviet dictators! The EU had already declared Hungary to no longer be a democracy! But truly, history doesn’t repeat itself, but the variations are stunning, and even frightening. Story from Breitbart:
I have long pointed out that this quota drive can be easily upended- on every form when they ask you to pick your racial group, pick one that you don't believe you belong to. In our newly subjective world, it isn't even a lie.
The amusing part of Trump’s Judges, is they are middle of the road, vs the hard ideological judges Democrats nominate of we want this decision, how do we get there.
It's interesting in what it reveals about progs. The Trump judges and most of the federalist recommended judges are, indeed, moderate--they largely want to return power to the people through their elected reps, both at the state and federal levels. This enrages the progs, who want to place power in the hands of the bureaucracies, shielded by the admin state.
False Dmitri--Russian history's poster child for "this is not going to end well." Hacked to pieces, burned and shot out of a cannon toward Poland...classic.
United for now by a common hatred. I sang in a Ukrainian church choir for several years. A lot of the people were fine, but perhaps half of them wouldn't even acknowledge me, let alone speak to me, because I spoke Polish rather than Ukrainian. That's how things are. Not everyone hates, but ...
What's your problem, Darek? I referred to "narratives" and "counter-narratives". Do you deny that such "narratives" and "counter-narratives" exist? I wasn't weighing the relative merit of those "narratives" and "counter-narratives".
My overall point is that Poland and Poles need to come to terms with the reality of an overwhelmingly more powerful neighbor. Allying with the US/UK and actually engaging in warfare against that neighbor is a foolish way of dealing with that situation. It accomplishes nothing but strengthening negative attitudes of Russians toward Poles, does nothing to build up Poland's economy, kills young Polish men pointlessly, swamps Poland with millions of refugees who care nothing for Poland or its history and culture--and in the end Poland will be betrayed by foreign powers that were simply using Poland for their own purposes.
I look forward to your defense of the US/UK when they once again betray Poland, as will inevitably happen.
1. Americans are becoming ever more aware of our own censorship and propaganda problems.
2. The problem you're having with me is that despite my post and my comment you're still trying to discuss the merits of the facts, rather than the fact of dueling narratives. You want to confine the discussion to the last 100 years, but the Russians want to talk about Polish eastward expansion into non-Polish areas. Russians will also point out that that's exactly what the Poles reverted to in 1919--subjugating peoples in the eastern territories who didn't want to be part of Poland, no matter what the Poles thought about it. As things stand now, Poles will never shift from their narrative that they are blameless and always the victim. Russians will never shift from their narrative of their sufferings in the Great Patriotic War.
3. Neither Macgregor nor I deny that Poles came out on the short end of the atrocities during the last hundred years. That doesn't change the fact that Russia is a reality that Poland will need to deal with.
4. Putin--in the face of Russian nationalist opinion--did strive to reconcile Poles to Russia, and Russians to Poland. He tried to shift the narratives. The Kaczyński brothers refused to accept that, and now have doubled down by engaging in warfare against Russia and allying with the Anglosphere that has been trying to subjugate Russia since the 19th century. BTW, one Polish soldier captured by the Russians had posted on social media about going "all the way to Moscow." Not smart.
5. As for the regular (conventional) Russian army, they are only just now getting engaged in a real war.
6. I'm glad to have you reading here, but I have to point out that you say nothing about the Ukro-Nazis who have no use for Poles except against Russians, nor about Ukro-Nazi oppression of Russian speakers in Ukraine and atrocities against civilian populations and soldiers alike.
How does Poland think it serves Polish interests today to fight for Ukraine given the realities of this conflict? What outcome is it fighting for?
Every day combatants on both sides are killed and wounded and Ukraine suffers enormous damage and injuries to civilians and property. The total losses inflicted on Ukraine are nothing short of catastrophic.
Does Poland believe that Russia can be defeated and somehow rendered indefinitely powerless to impact Eastern European security? Does Poland believe it will be safer from feared Russian aggression if Ukraine somehow prevails and joins the West? Does Poland believe it will be a greater risk to Poland if Russia prevails and either accepts a neutral and demilitarized rump Ukraine or succeeds in forcing Ukraine into subservience to or alliance with Russia?
Thanks for your further insights. I don't know much about the history of Russian and Polish military interactions, so I'm going to stay away from that question, although I'll readily concede that long memories might well be influencing current events.
What I will offer, though, is my opinion that there is no good outcome for Ukraine here, or for Poland, if hostilities continue. In my view, Russia will never permit NATO hardware or personnel (uniformed or otherwise) in Ukraine, especially after the events of the last six months. So it seems to me that settlement is a far better course for Ukraine. And practical 'realpolitik' is a far better course for Poland which, as far as I can tell, has fairly good prospects, independently of joining an unwinnable fight with Russia.
Note the way Darek phrases this: **"I believe** that the Russians are responsible for the airplane accident that killed his brother and top leadership of Poland at that time."
IOW, his anti-Russian screed is a creed--It's an article of faith that isn't based in fact. In previous comments, Darek attempted to argue facts. Problem re the Smolensk air tragedy: There is no factual evidence that Russia was responsible for the tragic crash. In fact, the crash thwarted Putin's efforts at reconciliation with Poland. If you're inclined toward conspiracy theories of history, all you have to ask is: In whose interest was it to thwart reconciliation between Poland and Russia? In fact, however, the evidence shows that the crash was an accident caused by bad judgment in attempting a landing in terrible foggy weather, compounded by language problems (the airport was a Russian military airport which, for that reason, used Russian rather than English for air traffic control).
For the rest, Darek repeats his mantra, the stock Neocon narrative: Russians are stupid, evil, and incompetent. Always have been, always will be. That's the kind of thinking--underestimating one's enemies--that gets you into trouble every time.
Before I was ‘awake’, used to lament what Trump was doing to the US judiciary - now I thank God for it!
Great commentary from MacGregor. Napolitano, on the other hand… what a simpleton. After all these interviews with the MacGregor he still comes up with dumbass questions. Case in point: comparing Russian control of the Donbas to Nazi control of Paris. I was surprised this didn’t warrant one of MacGregor’s famous sighs.
Trumpism without Trump: could be the best solution. It's a moot point whether the best option would be for him to return as Potus, or to do what he is doing now: remain a vital figurehead and rallying point for conservatives and patriots.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/eu-driving-polexit
That article came to mind as I was reading your thoughts on the Poles and Ukraine, Mark. The Poles are in a strange position: on the one hand they seem to be the stormtroopers for the NATO/Deep State war on Russia in Ukraine; on the other hand, they are embroiled in a battle with the EU about national sovereignty, and are suing the EU's most powerful nation for wartime reparations. The Poles seem to be going through a real identity crisis. At this rate, they could end up leaving the EU AND getting it on with Russia!
The Poles are in good company: Hungary, commemorating the ‘56 uprising (66 years ago), has, in the person of its non-mealy-mouthed PM Orban, compared the EU bigwigs to the former Soviet dictators! The EU had already declared Hungary to no longer be a democracy! But truly, history doesn’t repeat itself, but the variations are stunning, and even frightening. Story from Breitbart:
Copy button not working, but it’s from Breitbart London.
I have long pointed out that this quota drive can be easily upended- on every form when they ask you to pick your racial group, pick one that you don't believe you belong to. In our newly subjective world, it isn't even a lie.
Usually, I check the "other" box and write in "100 meter dash".
Perhaps a challenge as to the legality of such questions will be forthcoming.
The amusing part of Trump’s Judges, is they are middle of the road, vs the hard ideological judges Democrats nominate of we want this decision, how do we get there.
It's interesting in what it reveals about progs. The Trump judges and most of the federalist recommended judges are, indeed, moderate--they largely want to return power to the people through their elected reps, both at the state and federal levels. This enrages the progs, who want to place power in the hands of the bureaucracies, shielded by the admin state.
Thanks - part of history I did not know.
False Dmitri--Russian history's poster child for "this is not going to end well." Hacked to pieces, burned and shot out of a cannon toward Poland...classic.
United for now by a common hatred. I sang in a Ukrainian church choir for several years. A lot of the people were fine, but perhaps half of them wouldn't even acknowledge me, let alone speak to me, because I spoke Polish rather than Ukrainian. That's how things are. Not everyone hates, but ...
What's your problem, Darek? I referred to "narratives" and "counter-narratives". Do you deny that such "narratives" and "counter-narratives" exist? I wasn't weighing the relative merit of those "narratives" and "counter-narratives".
For examples of Russian counter-narratives:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Soviet_War#Prisoners,_war_crimes_and_other_controversies
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_of_the_Polish%E2%80%93Soviet_War
My overall point is that Poland and Poles need to come to terms with the reality of an overwhelmingly more powerful neighbor. Allying with the US/UK and actually engaging in warfare against that neighbor is a foolish way of dealing with that situation. It accomplishes nothing but strengthening negative attitudes of Russians toward Poles, does nothing to build up Poland's economy, kills young Polish men pointlessly, swamps Poland with millions of refugees who care nothing for Poland or its history and culture--and in the end Poland will be betrayed by foreign powers that were simply using Poland for their own purposes.
I look forward to your defense of the US/UK when they once again betray Poland, as will inevitably happen.
1. Americans are becoming ever more aware of our own censorship and propaganda problems.
2. The problem you're having with me is that despite my post and my comment you're still trying to discuss the merits of the facts, rather than the fact of dueling narratives. You want to confine the discussion to the last 100 years, but the Russians want to talk about Polish eastward expansion into non-Polish areas. Russians will also point out that that's exactly what the Poles reverted to in 1919--subjugating peoples in the eastern territories who didn't want to be part of Poland, no matter what the Poles thought about it. As things stand now, Poles will never shift from their narrative that they are blameless and always the victim. Russians will never shift from their narrative of their sufferings in the Great Patriotic War.
3. Neither Macgregor nor I deny that Poles came out on the short end of the atrocities during the last hundred years. That doesn't change the fact that Russia is a reality that Poland will need to deal with.
4. Putin--in the face of Russian nationalist opinion--did strive to reconcile Poles to Russia, and Russians to Poland. He tried to shift the narratives. The Kaczyński brothers refused to accept that, and now have doubled down by engaging in warfare against Russia and allying with the Anglosphere that has been trying to subjugate Russia since the 19th century. BTW, one Polish soldier captured by the Russians had posted on social media about going "all the way to Moscow." Not smart.
5. As for the regular (conventional) Russian army, they are only just now getting engaged in a real war.
6. I'm glad to have you reading here, but I have to point out that you say nothing about the Ukro-Nazis who have no use for Poles except against Russians, nor about Ukro-Nazi oppression of Russian speakers in Ukraine and atrocities against civilian populations and soldiers alike.
@Darak
Thank you for your insights.
I'm curious:
How does Poland think it serves Polish interests today to fight for Ukraine given the realities of this conflict? What outcome is it fighting for?
Every day combatants on both sides are killed and wounded and Ukraine suffers enormous damage and injuries to civilians and property. The total losses inflicted on Ukraine are nothing short of catastrophic.
Does Poland believe that Russia can be defeated and somehow rendered indefinitely powerless to impact Eastern European security? Does Poland believe it will be safer from feared Russian aggression if Ukraine somehow prevails and joins the West? Does Poland believe it will be a greater risk to Poland if Russia prevails and either accepts a neutral and demilitarized rump Ukraine or succeeds in forcing Ukraine into subservience to or alliance with Russia?
As I say, I'm simply curious. Thanks.
Thanks for your further insights. I don't know much about the history of Russian and Polish military interactions, so I'm going to stay away from that question, although I'll readily concede that long memories might well be influencing current events.
What I will offer, though, is my opinion that there is no good outcome for Ukraine here, or for Poland, if hostilities continue. In my view, Russia will never permit NATO hardware or personnel (uniformed or otherwise) in Ukraine, especially after the events of the last six months. So it seems to me that settlement is a far better course for Ukraine. And practical 'realpolitik' is a far better course for Poland which, as far as I can tell, has fairly good prospects, independently of joining an unwinnable fight with Russia.
Note the way Darek phrases this: **"I believe** that the Russians are responsible for the airplane accident that killed his brother and top leadership of Poland at that time."
IOW, his anti-Russian screed is a creed--It's an article of faith that isn't based in fact. In previous comments, Darek attempted to argue facts. Problem re the Smolensk air tragedy: There is no factual evidence that Russia was responsible for the tragic crash. In fact, the crash thwarted Putin's efforts at reconciliation with Poland. If you're inclined toward conspiracy theories of history, all you have to ask is: In whose interest was it to thwart reconciliation between Poland and Russia? In fact, however, the evidence shows that the crash was an accident caused by bad judgment in attempting a landing in terrible foggy weather, compounded by language problems (the airport was a Russian military airport which, for that reason, used Russian rather than English for air traffic control).
For the rest, Darek repeats his mantra, the stock Neocon narrative: Russians are stupid, evil, and incompetent. Always have been, always will be. That's the kind of thinking--underestimating one's enemies--that gets you into trouble every time.
FWIW: https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/10/conor-kennedy-fights-war-in-ukraine-soldier-deeply-moved-willing-to-die-there-robert-f-kennedy-grandson