Given the recent developments on the battlefield (the Russian victory in Kursk) as well as in negotiations, this seems to be a good time to get some perspective on the war.
I had the impression that Putin was being either sarcastic or outright mocking when he "thanked" Trump for taking the time to get involved--obviously Putin knows this is America's war. But I didn't guess the half of it.
Here’s a novel idea: how about the Ukrainians surrender and put an end to all this ridiculous kabuki theatre, dolsi-do or whatever, if they really want a lasting and legitimate peace and to spare the lives of their men. I have not heard the little green man express any sorrow or regret about that - only Trump. We get it, Donald! And we know the Euros would fall right into line behind Z, quaking in their boots, but still. This truly is a ghastly spectacle, even if there is now communication.
I think this was Donald Rumsfeld's vision. He advocated for a modern military using robots, drones, lasers, etc. He was reacting to the American public's adversion to combat fatalities of our young men. There was a vast Army project called "The Future Combat System." Massive bids went out to all the contractors, awards were made and then an economic hiccup scuttled the entire program before it became a cost burden the public would not go along with. Now my memory on some of the details may not be exact, but it was quite a program and very costly.
George Friedman a well known figure in Geopolitical area wrote several books in the early part of the new century citing the American century (he's beginning to look very wrong) looking out 100 years then the next ten years and Robots and space forces were prominently featured in the two books
You are correct in your assessment that Covid and the mRNA based vaccines were a military bioweapon. There are accounts of the CIA having offices in at least one of the Pharma providers. There people were instructed to let the CIA add their secret sauce to all the vaccine solutions before sending them out to do their worst.
Virginia initially considered mandating Real ID, but, ultimately, relented, if I recall correctly, due to concerns over disenfranchising people by means of the added documentation hassle (largely, proving citizenship/lawful presence...the horrors!) in this voter-ID state.
Commonwealth made a big deal over NOT being facial-recognition based, but all photos have to be TSA facial-recognition compatible, so, no real difference there. I only bothered to get a Real ID to spare myself the risk of forgetting my passport to board a domestic flight, a requirement I misunderstood to be already in effect, having stupidly carried my passport for dozens of flights over the past few years.
"Misunderstandings" is quite an understatement. "REAL ID" or any form of centralized biometric national ID is very bad news. It's the thin end of the wedge that ends up as CCP-style social credit and internal passports. It's also blatantly unconstitutional. Don't do it!
The misunderstandings I referred to have to do with people believing that in IL RealID would be needed for all sorts of things, including a DL. Apparently that is not the case. So far it's limited to getting on flights. Regardless, far fewer people than expected/hoped are actually getting the RealID so far.
My state, IL, doesn't require RealID for a DL. Which is good for me because I don't think I can get a RealID because of my birth certificate. My mother gave the hospital one middle name for me when I was born, but changed her mind when she brought me home. I never knew until I was applying for my job and the FBI checked my Birth Certificate and found out I was "faking" my middle name. I was able to talk them out of that notion, but the smart thing to do would have been to change my name way back then. All my life I was getting docs with a different middle name than was on my birth certificate. I even got a passport with my wrong middle name (assuming that the birth certificate was the "right" middle name). Now, to prove my identity I need to show a birth certificate or a valid passport (mine is expired). Problems.
I sincerely sympathize with these difficulties of having to “prove” - to a machine now, and some aren’t too smart - your identity. I am dreading the day I have to file for SS because living overseas there’s a thing called IDand me (maybe in the US too!) or some such Kafka-esque entanglement you have to get through…
I had problems with an Illinois birth certificate for getting a RealID as well. I was born at Evanston Hospital. My mom kept a birth attestation from the doctor in the safety deposit box. It turns out that this is not the same as a birth certificate! It took me three tries to get a RealID.
Just saw this: a magnanimous and humane gesture from Putin, after Trump telephones him. These two need to keep talking.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-phone-call-asks-putin-spare-lives-ukrainian-troops-surrounded-kursk
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2025/03/echoes-of-the-may-2-2014-odessa-massacre.html#more
https://sonar21.com/regarding-a-ceasefire-putin-says-it-is-about-nuance/
Saw that! Not too nuanced!!
I had the impression that Putin was being either sarcastic or outright mocking when he "thanked" Trump for taking the time to get involved--obviously Putin knows this is America's war. But I didn't guess the half of it.
Here’s a novel idea: how about the Ukrainians surrender and put an end to all this ridiculous kabuki theatre, dolsi-do or whatever, if they really want a lasting and legitimate peace and to spare the lives of their men. I have not heard the little green man express any sorrow or regret about that - only Trump. We get it, Donald! And we know the Euros would fall right into line behind Z, quaking in their boots, but still. This truly is a ghastly spectacle, even if there is now communication.
Z's partners would not be happy with surrender:
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/britain-wants-ukraines-minerals-too
As an old song says: "Money money money money....money!"
Skynet vibes. Dystopian pop culture morphing into reality.
What could go wrong?
I think this was Donald Rumsfeld's vision. He advocated for a modern military using robots, drones, lasers, etc. He was reacting to the American public's adversion to combat fatalities of our young men. There was a vast Army project called "The Future Combat System." Massive bids went out to all the contractors, awards were made and then an economic hiccup scuttled the entire program before it became a cost burden the public would not go along with. Now my memory on some of the details may not be exact, but it was quite a program and very costly.
George Friedman a well known figure in Geopolitical area wrote several books in the early part of the new century citing the American century (he's beginning to look very wrong) looking out 100 years then the next ten years and Robots and space forces were prominently featured in the two books
You are correct in your assessment that Covid and the mRNA based vaccines were a military bioweapon. There are accounts of the CIA having offices in at least one of the Pharma providers. There people were instructed to let the CIA add their secret sauce to all the vaccine solutions before sending them out to do their worst.
That was allegedly Rumsfeld's reasoning.
Virginia initially considered mandating Real ID, but, ultimately, relented, if I recall correctly, due to concerns over disenfranchising people by means of the added documentation hassle (largely, proving citizenship/lawful presence...the horrors!) in this voter-ID state.
Commonwealth made a big deal over NOT being facial-recognition based, but all photos have to be TSA facial-recognition compatible, so, no real difference there. I only bothered to get a Real ID to spare myself the risk of forgetting my passport to board a domestic flight, a requirement I misunderstood to be already in effect, having stupidly carried my passport for dozens of flights over the past few years.
My understanding is that IL is experiencing problems, too. Very low rate of people obtaining, many misunderstandings, etc.
"Misunderstandings" is quite an understatement. "REAL ID" or any form of centralized biometric national ID is very bad news. It's the thin end of the wedge that ends up as CCP-style social credit and internal passports. It's also blatantly unconstitutional. Don't do it!
https://solarireport.substack.com/p/trump-administration-digital-control
https://standforhealthfreedom.com/actions/real-id-2/
The misunderstandings I referred to have to do with people believing that in IL RealID would be needed for all sorts of things, including a DL. Apparently that is not the case. So far it's limited to getting on flights. Regardless, far fewer people than expected/hoped are actually getting the RealID so far.
My state, IL, doesn't require RealID for a DL. Which is good for me because I don't think I can get a RealID because of my birth certificate. My mother gave the hospital one middle name for me when I was born, but changed her mind when she brought me home. I never knew until I was applying for my job and the FBI checked my Birth Certificate and found out I was "faking" my middle name. I was able to talk them out of that notion, but the smart thing to do would have been to change my name way back then. All my life I was getting docs with a different middle name than was on my birth certificate. I even got a passport with my wrong middle name (assuming that the birth certificate was the "right" middle name). Now, to prove my identity I need to show a birth certificate or a valid passport (mine is expired). Problems.
I sincerely sympathize with these difficulties of having to “prove” - to a machine now, and some aren’t too smart - your identity. I am dreading the day I have to file for SS because living overseas there’s a thing called IDand me (maybe in the US too!) or some such Kafka-esque entanglement you have to get through…
That's a drag.
I had problems with an Illinois birth certificate for getting a RealID as well. I was born at Evanston Hospital. My mom kept a birth attestation from the doctor in the safety deposit box. It turns out that this is not the same as a birth certificate! It took me three tries to get a RealID.