Morgan Freeman: “Join the Good Fight”

[The Empire of Pretantia]

I don't but this. The fact they're even supporting the rebels is evidence that they're trying to expand their sphere of influence

There's a slight difference between "expanding one's sphere of influence" and "sending one's army to invade" which, after some time, I'm sure you are going to appreciate.

I don't recall mentioning invasion.

[Shofercia]

There's a slight difference between "expanding one's sphere of influence" and "sending one's army to invade" which, after some time, I'm sure you are going to appreciate.

I don't recall mentioning invasion.

There's also a difference between expanding your sphere of influence, and trying to take over Europe, as you've mistakenly alleged:

As soon as Russia stops trying to take over Europe.

Russia ain't taking over Europe any time soon. Russia isn't even taking over Ukraine, much less Poland the indigestible.

I never said to start a nuclear war, just not to let Russia destabilize the US, destroy democratic institutions, and not let them become the new world policeman.

After a good 70 years of America playing the world policeman, destabilising other countries (Russia included) and destroying the institutions of other countries (Russia included), this is hardly the most persuading argument ever.

Anyway, if Mr.Freeman and you aren't suggesting to start a war, what are you suggesting? More sanctions, which the Kremlin has shown it can just shrug away? More funding for Poroshenko's little band of lapdogs? Making Georgia Great Again? Support the biggest opposition party in Russia? Or just running around the neighbourhood with some friend and some bats and beating up anyone who has a Russian-sounding name in the case he's a Putinist fifth -columnist? Smash imported vodka bottles?

Or just raise the US military budget AGAIN?

Hey Ris

And yeah, the US used the Russia Scare to raise the military budget yet again: https://theintercept.com/2017/09/18/the ... lege-free/

ONE OF THE most controversial proposals put forward by Sen. Bernie Sanders during the 2016 presidential campaign was a pledge to make tuition free at public colleges and universities. Critics from both parties howled that the pie-in-the-sky idea would bankrupt the country. Where, after all, would the money come from? Those concerns were brushed aside Monday night, as the Senate overwhelmingly approved an $80 billion annual increase in military spending, enough to have fully satisfied Sanders’s campaign promise. Instead, the Senate handed President Donald Trump far more than the $54 billion he asked for. The lavish spending package gives Trump a major legislative victory, allowing him to boast about fulfilling his promise of a “great rebuilding of the armed services.”

The bill would set the U.S.’s annual military budget at around $700 billion, putting it within range of matching the spending level at the height of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq... Or with $80 billion a year, you could make public colleges and universities in the U.S. tuition-free. In fact, Sanders’s proposal was only estimated to cost the federal government $47 billion per year. If the additional military spending over the next 10 years instead went to pay off student debt, it could come close to wiping it out entirely. But proposals like that are written off as nonstarters, even by Democrats. In her new book, Hillary Clinton compares Sanders’s idea to him nonsensically saying “America should get a pony.” And while concerns about the cost of ponies abound, few Democrats are raising similar concerns about military spending, even when it is meant for a commander-in-chief they consider reckless and unstable.

To summarize: Trump went to the military, asking them for what they wanted. They got almost everything. Then he added his own stuff. Then he sent it to Congress, who said "is that all?" And added an additional $26 billion, on top of almost everything that the military and Trump asked for. Why not? This again proves that Trump can be, on some occasions, more sane than Congress.

[The Empire of Pretantia]

I don't recall mentioning invasion.

There's also a difference between expanding your sphere of influence, and trying to take over Europe,

Not when the latter is the end result of the former.

Russia ain't taking over Europe any time soon.

Not with me and my boys in Poland it isn't.

I did not think they would take over Europe. I just don't think they're not trying.

[Shofercia]

There's also a difference between expanding your sphere of influence, and trying to take over Europe,

Not when the latter is the end result of the former.

Russia ain't taking over Europe any time soon.

Not with me and my boys in Poland it isn't.

I did not think they would take over Europe. I just don't think they're not trying.

Poland's rather easy to conquer, (you guys were conquered by Austria,) but we're not talking about that. The difference you're missing is one between power projection/sphere of influence extension, and takeover. Much like with US election rigging, Russia has no means to take over Europe. In the early nineteenth century, Russia had the means. However, History tells us that Russia's mistake at the time was not focusing enough on internal development. Today, that's the primary focus:



Putin is a populist. And taking over Europe ain't popular in Russia, contrary to what your media says.

[The East Marches II]

Not when the latter is the end result of the former.

Not with me and my boys in Poland it isn't.

I did not think they would take over Europe. I just don't think they're not trying.

Poland's rather easy to conquer, (you guys were conquered by Austria,) but we're not talking about that. The difference you're missing is one between power projection/sphere of influence extension, and takeover. Much like with US election rigging, Russia has no means to take over Europe. In the early nineteenth century, Russia had the means. However, History tells us that Russia's mistake at the time was not focusing enough on internal development. Today, that's the primary focus:



Putin is a populist. And taking over Europe ain't popular in Russia, contrary to what your media says.

Do I need to post the 4chan edit of that image you keep spamming? It's very telling they don't include post sanctions :^)

[Agritum]

Poland's rather easy to conquer, (you guys were conquered by Austria,) but we're not talking about that. The difference you're missing is one between power projection/sphere of influence extension, and takeover. Much like with US election rigging, Russia has no means to take over Europe. In the early nineteenth century, Russia had the means. However, History tells us that Russia's mistake at the time was not focusing enough on internal development. Today, that's the primary focus:

(Image)

Putin is a populist. And taking over Europe ain't popular in Russia, contrary to what your media says.

Do I need to post the 4chan edit of that image you keep spamming? It's very telling they don't include post sanctions :^)

Also how much is 29k Rubles in USD :3

EDIT: 502$ a year! After taxes?

[Shofercia]

Poland's rather easy to conquer, (you guys were conquered by Austria,) but we're not talking about that. The difference you're missing is one between power projection/sphere of influence extension, and takeover. Much like with US election rigging, Russia has no means to take over Europe. In the early nineteenth century, Russia had the means. However, History tells us that Russia's mistake at the time was not focusing enough on internal development. Today, that's the primary focus:

(Image)

Putin is a populist. And taking over Europe ain't popular in Russia, contrary to what your media says.

Do I need to post the 4chan edit of that image you keep spamming? It's very telling they don't include post sanctions :^)

Apparently conducting basic research is much harder than surfing 4chan, so I can understand why you confuse spamming with informing. Here's some World Bank data for you:



Do you see a big difference? The previous image actually took the wages from the lowest rung of the population, (I guess the equivalent in US terms would be war veterans, who got hurt in Iraq and cannot afford vital healthcare,) but if you want the middle class, the economic driver, there ya go!

Also how much is 29k Rubles in USD :3

EDIT: 502$ a year! After taxes?

In Russia, Rubles are used. The World Bank provided PPP ratio places the 2016 wages at $24,026. After the brutal 13% taxes, you'd still have a good chunk. Meanwhile, here's Ukraine's data:

Oh noes, looks like Putin just hacked the World Bank!

[Agritum]

Oh, my bad. 502 a month, not a year. Nice average wage then! Hopefully that admittedly fair flat tax will spring Russia into the future if inflation doesn't do it first!

[Shofercia]

In fact, since Agritum so kindly asked, let's use World Bank Data to compare US vs Russia.

In Russia it was $24,026. After the 13% tax, $20,903.
In the US, it was $53,273. After the taxes, (and in the US there's a calculated bracket, $8,162 for Federal Taxes, $3,302 for Social Security Tax, $1,491 for State Taxes,) you'd get $40,318. But there's more. There's about $10 trillion in mortgage debt, https://www.federalreserve.gov/data/mor ... urrent.htm, there's health insurance to pay, college ain't free, and so on...

For the first time in a long while, the gap between the Living Standards in Russia and the US is less than a factor of two. Americans still live better than Russians, but the gap is closing. That's the difference between focusing on internal reforms with a few interventions, and trying to run the World.

[Shofercia]

Oh, my bad. 502 a month, not a year. Nice average wage then! Hopefully that admittedly fair flat tax will spring Russia into the future if inflation doesn't do it first!

The point is that Russian Living Standards are either improving, or stagnating and then improving. People tend to view improvement as a positive. Russian Living Standards were much higher at the time of Csar Alexander the I, than at the time of St. Alexander Nevsky. And yet we view Nevsky as a much, much, much better leader. Living Standards improved as a result of Nevsky's Reforms, and deteriorated as a result of the I's reforms.

[The East Marches II]

Do I need to post the 4chan edit of that image you keep spamming? It's very telling they don't include post sanctions :^)

Apparently conducting basic research is much harder than surfing 4chan, so I can understand why you confuse spamming with informing. Here's some World Bank data for you:



Do you see a big difference? The previous image actually took the wages from the lowest rung of the population, (I guess the equivalent in US terms would be war veterans, who got hurt in Iraq and cannot afford vital healthcare,) but if you want the middle class, the economic driver, there ya go!

That was a nice potshot and attempt to deflect

You are getting better Shof, I'm glad you are trying to step your game up but you might want to check the sentence in your quote of me. It spoils the whole feeling. With the ruble being rubble, and Russia having to cut more than a few of their prestige military projects due budget pressure, how do you explain that away :^)

The nice thing is this is the Russian government so it will be hard for you to try your usual game of obfuscation.

[Shofercia]

That was a nice potshot and attempt to deflect

You are getting better Shof, I'm glad you are trying to step your game up but you might want to check the sentence in your quote of me. It spoils the whole feeling. With the ruble being rubble, and Russia having to cut more than a few of their prestige military projects due budget pressure, how do you explain that away :^)

The nice thing is this is the Russian government so it will be hard for you to try your usual game of obfuscation.

That's a beautifully written bait. I didn't see where I baited you, but you whine about obfuscation in a baiting manner, and then proceed to claim that I'm baiting you. Project much? With the Ruble being rubble I mean wow. That's really creative. You took a word, and added a letter. Of course it's complete bullshit, but I have to applaud the effort. It's like the Iraqi Army fighting the US Army; some effort, not much result. Or ISIS fighting the Russians. 300 vs 18 and they got pwnd. Good times. And no Russian was even injured. Anyways, where was going with this... oh yeah, the Ruble not being rubble. China, (big country, lots of people, south of the Asian part of Russia, also south of Mongolia,) is trading with Russia in Rubles. If the Ruble was rubble, why would China do that?

The Ruble is trading at 57.5 Rubles per Dollar. The Japanese Yen is at 111.68. Is the Yen rubble too? If so, why do Toyotas cost more than rubble? (And there are other Toyotas than Priuses.) Actually, the Ruble is doing better than I thought it would; I had it pegged at 60. The World Bank considers the average Russian GDP per capita PPP at $24k. And they're paid in Rubles. That's not rubble. That's $24k.

[The East Marches II]

That was a nice potshot and attempt to deflect

You are getting better Shof, I'm glad you are trying to step your game up but you might want to check the sentence in your quote of me. It spoils the whole feeling. With the ruble being rubble, and Russia having to cut more than a few of their prestige military projects due budget pressure, how do you explain that away :^)

The nice thing is this is the Russian government so it will be hard for you to try your usual game of obfuscation.

That's a beautifully written bait. I didn't see where I baited you, but you whine about obfuscation in a baiting manner, and then proceed to claim that I'm baiting you. Project much? With the Ruble being rubble I mean wow. That's really creative. You took a word, and added a letter. Of course it's complete bullshit, but I have to applaud the effort. It's like the Iraqi Army fighting the US Army; some effort, not much result. Or ISIS fighting the Russians. 300 vs 18 and they got pwnd. Good times. And no Russian was even injured. Anyways, where was going with this... oh yeah, the Ruble not being rubble. China, (big country, lots of people, south of the Asian part of Russia, also south of Mongolia,) is trading with Russia in Rubles. If the Ruble was rubble, why would China do that?

The Ruble is trading at 57.5 Rubles per Dollar. The Japanese Yen is at 111.68. Is the Yen rubble too? If so, why do Toyotas cost more than rubble? Actually, the Ruble is doing better than I thought it would; I had it pegged at 60. The World Bank considers the average Russian GDP per capita PPP at $24k. And they're paid in Rubles. That's not rubble. That's $24k.

And no comment on the cuts! What a pity : /

The Chinese are giving loans and doing all they can to prop up the tottering Russian system to tie us down in Europe. I'm glad Russia has "upgraded" since the end of the Cold War to Chinese patsy. Putin has really saved the situation!

I was referring Ali's comment in the Ukraine and NK thread, your manipulation of the facts to present a particular worldview was masterful, you've earned your reputation my friend.

Get on that sig fix, I'd consider it a personal favor. I like to be associated with quality and I know you are capable of it.

[Sanctissima]

That was a nice potshot and attempt to deflect

You are getting better Shof, I'm glad you are trying to step your game up but you might want to check the sentence in your quote of me. It spoils the whole feeling. With the ruble being rubble, and Russia having to cut more than a few of their prestige military projects due budget pressure, how do you explain that away :^)

The nice thing is this is the Russian government so it will be hard for you to try your usual game of obfuscation.

That's a beautifully written bait. I didn't see where I baited you, but you whine about obfuscation in a baiting manner, and then proceed to claim that I'm baiting you. Project much? With the Ruble being rubble I mean wow. That's really creative. You took a word, and added a letter. Of course it's complete bullshit, but I have to applaud the effort. It's like the Iraqi Army fighting the US Army; some effort, not much result. Or ISIS fighting the Russians. 300 vs 18 and they got pwnd. Good times. And no Russian was even injured. Anyways, where was going with this... oh yeah, the Ruble not being rubble. China, (big country, lots of people, south of the Asian part of Russia, also south of Mongolia,) is trading with Russia in Rubles. If the Ruble was rubble, why would China do that?

The Ruble is trading at 57.5 Rubles per Dollar. The Japanese Yen is at 111.68. Is the Yen rubble too? If so, why do Toyotas cost more than rubble? (And there are other Toyotas than Priuses.) Actually, the Ruble is doing better than I thought it would; I had it pegged at 60. The World Bank considers the average Russian GDP per capita PPP at $24k. And they're paid in Rubles. That's not rubble. That's $24k.

Mate, you cited Russian GDP in PPP. That's... rarely an accurate portrayal of a country's actual economic situation.

Russia's nominal GDP per capita is slightly less than $11,000. It... leaves a lot to be desired, to say the least. Granted, it's not Yeltsin-era shit-tier levels of economic implosion, but it's still pretty bad, and reflects the circumstances of a country that's sanctioned to all hell and relies enormously on its natural gas and oil exports.

The USSR glory days are long gone friend, and Russia is no longer a superpower. Hell, it's struggling to even retain its role as a regional power. You should recognize the situation for what it is, rather than relying on this "Russia stronk" narrative. It isn't, and hasn't been since Gorbachev and Yeltsin collectively gutted the country.

[Shofercia]

That's a beautifully written bait. I didn't see where I baited you, but you whine about obfuscation in a baiting manner, and then proceed to claim that I'm baiting you. Project much? With the Ruble being rubble I mean wow. That's really creative. You took a word, and added a letter. Of course it's complete bullshit, but I have to applaud the effort. It's like the Iraqi Army fighting the US Army; some effort, not much result. Or ISIS fighting the Russians. 300 vs 18 and they got pwnd. Good times. And no Russian was even injured. Anyways, where was going with this... oh yeah, the Ruble not being rubble. China, (big country, lots of people, south of the Asian part of Russia, also south of Mongolia,) is trading with Russia in Rubles. If the Ruble was rubble, why would China do that?

The Ruble is trading at 57.5 Rubles per Dollar. The Japanese Yen is at 111.68. Is the Yen rubble too? If so, why do Toyotas cost more than rubble? Actually, the Ruble is doing better than I thought it would; I had it pegged at 60. The World Bank considers the average Russian GDP per capita PPP at $24k. And they're paid in Rubles. That's not rubble. That's $24k.

And no comment on the cuts! What a pity : /

The Chinese are giving loans and doing all they can to prop up the tottering Russian system to tie us down in Europe. I'm glad Russia has "upgraded" since the end of the Cold War to Chinese patsy. Putin has really saved the situation!

I was referring Ali's comment in the Ukraine and NK thread, your manipulation of the facts to present a particular worldview was masterful, you've earned your reputation my friend.

Get on that sig fix, I'd consider it a personal favor. I like to be associated with quality and I know you are capable of it.

Did you just ask me for a favor after I accused you of baiting me? Did that just happen? Do you think the odds of the favor being granted are more than 0%? I have no idea who Ali is, but I'm guessing his first name isn't Muhammad. Not entirely sure how trading as equals makes a nation, a patsy, but perhaps that's how the US views the EU; the US trades with the EU, so the EU is clearly a patsy, or something like that. As far as the cuts are concerned, personally, I'd rather cut new equipment than veterans' benefits, but perhaps you'd disagree with that as well.

[The East Marches II]

And no comment on the cuts! What a pity : /

The Chinese are giving loans and doing all they can to prop up the tottering Russian system to tie us down in Europe. I'm glad Russia has "upgraded" since the end of the Cold War to Chinese patsy. Putin has really saved the situation!

I was referring Ali's comment in the Ukraine and NK thread, your manipulation of the facts to present a particular worldview was masterful, you've earned your reputation my friend.

Get on that sig fix, I'd consider it a personal favor. I like to be associated with quality and I know you are capable of it.

Did you just ask me for a favor after I accused you of baiting me? Did that just happen? Do you think the odds of the favor being granted are more than 0%? I have no idea who Ali is, but I'm guessing his first name isn't Muhammad. Not entirely sure how trading as equals makes a nation, a patsy, but perhaps that's how the US views the EU; the US trades with the EU, so the EU is clearly a patsy, or something like that. As far as the cuts are concerned, personally, I'd rather cut new equipment than veterans' benefits, but perhaps you'd disagree with that as well.

You didn't mean the baiting comment, you were just reacting emotionally, I get that. I'll ask again after we've all cooled off. As for the China thing, how 'bout dem loans? I know the helped blunt the impact but direct loans from China? Doesn't bode well for Russia's future. Being a Chinese patsy doesn't work so good. I suppose Russia has some historical experience with being used by the Orient but I don't remember it working too good. That was a mediocre reply to the cuts but at least you acknowledge they occured. I wonder what caused them? :thinking:

[Shofercia]

That's a beautifully written bait. I didn't see where I baited you, but you whine about obfuscation in a baiting manner, and then proceed to claim that I'm baiting you. Project much? With the Ruble being rubble I mean wow. That's really creative. You took a word, and added a letter. Of course it's complete bullshit, but I have to applaud the effort. It's like the Iraqi Army fighting the US Army; some effort, not much result. Or ISIS fighting the Russians. 300 vs 18 and they got pwnd. Good times. And no Russian was even injured. Anyways, where was going with this... oh yeah, the Ruble not being rubble. China, (big country, lots of people, south of the Asian part of Russia, also south of Mongolia,) is trading with Russia in Rubles. If the Ruble was rubble, why would China do that?

The Ruble is trading at 57.5 Rubles per Dollar. The Japanese Yen is at 111.68. Is the Yen rubble too? If so, why do Toyotas cost more than rubble? (And there are other Toyotas than Priuses.) Actually, the Ruble is doing better than I thought it would; I had it pegged at 60. The World Bank considers the average Russian GDP per capita PPP at $24k. And they're paid in Rubles. That's not rubble. That's $24k.

Mate, you cited Russian GDP in PPP. That's... rarely an accurate portrayal of a country's actual economic situation.

Russia's nominal GDP per capita is slightly less than $11,000. It... leaves a lot to be desired, to say the least. Granted, it's not Yeltsin-era shit-tier levels of economic implosion, but it's still pretty bad, and reflects the circumstances of a country that's sanctioned to all hell and relies enormously on its natural gas and oil exports.

The USSR glory days are long gone friend, and Russia is no longer a superpower. Hell, it's struggling to even retain its role as a regional power. You should recognize the situation for what it is, rather than relying on this "Russia stronk" narrative. It isn't, and hasn't been since Gorbachev and Yeltsin collectively gutted the country.

I never said that Russia is a Superpower. I think there's quite a bit of room between Superpower and average country. I think that Russia is strong. You don't have to be a Superpower to be strong. The reason I like PPP, is because it's real. Nominal is crap in terms of purchasing power. Can I afford to live comfortably - that's the first question, and PPP takes that into account much better than nominal GDP. Let's say you have two countries. In one country, you make $100,000, pay $50,000 in taxes, $20,000 for Healthcare, $18,000 for rent, $7,000 for food, and so on... you're left with $5,000.

In another country, (and again, these are made up to prove a point,) you make $20,000, but you pay no taxes, Healthcare is free, rent is $3,000 and food is $2,000. You're left with $15,000. In the case of the second country, you are much better off. PPP takes that into account. Nominal doesn't. The sanctions have actually benefited the Putin Administration, by providing a perfect scapegoat for Putin's banking fuck up that few noticed, unlike Lukashenko's 2009 banking fuck up, that everyone noticed. Although Putin and Lukashenko did it once in the time span of roughly two decades, Poroshenko probably does it on a monthly basis.

Nominal GDP equates Russia with Spain. PPP places Russia between Germany and Brazil. I think the latter is more accurate. Is Russia even in the top 5? Of course not. But if Russia can beat Japan in the next two decades, Russia can make the top 5. Granted, struggling to make the top 5 ain't a Superpower Goal, but it ain't crap either.

[Shofercia]

Did you just ask me for a favor after I accused you of baiting me? Did that just happen? Do you think the odds of the favor being granted are more than 0%? I have no idea who Ali is, but I'm guessing his first name isn't Muhammad. Not entirely sure how trading as equals makes a nation, a patsy, but perhaps that's how the US views the EU; the US trades with the EU, so the EU is clearly a patsy, or something like that. As far as the cuts are concerned, personally, I'd rather cut new equipment than veterans' benefits, but perhaps you'd disagree with that as well.

You didn't mean the baiting comment, you were just reacting emotionally, I get that. I'll ask again after we've all cooled off. As for the China thing, how 'bout dem loans? I know the helped blunt the impact but direct loans from China? Doesn't bode well for Russia's future. Being a Chinese patsy doesn't work so good. I suppose Russia has some historical experience with being used by the Orient but I don't remember it working too good. That was a mediocre reply to the cuts but at least you acknowledge they occured. I wonder what caused them? :thinking:

Can you please show me where the bait was in that comment? You speak of baiting, you speak of Ali, you speak of Patsy, but your facts are zilch. As far as debt is concerned:

Russia has less debt today than in 2014. Not seeing a major issue there. As for the cuts, lots of factors caused them. But I'm not going to discuss that with someone who doesn't know that Russia's debt is less in 2017, than it was in 2014. That's basic knowledge when it comes to Russia's economics.

[The East Marches II]

You didn't mean the baiting comment, you were just reacting emotionally, I get that. I'll ask again after we've all cooled off. As for the China thing, how 'bout dem loans? I know the helped blunt the impact but direct loans from China? Doesn't bode well for Russia's future. Being a Chinese patsy doesn't work so good. I suppose Russia has some historical experience with being used by the Orient but I don't remember it working too good. That was a mediocre reply to the cuts but at least you acknowledge they occured. I wonder what caused them? :thinking:

Can you please show me where the bait was in that comment? You speak of baiting, you speak of Ali, you speak of Patsy, but your facts are zilch. As far as debt is concerned:

Russia has less debt today than in 2014. Not seeing a major issue there. As for the cuts, lots of factors caused them. But I'm not going to discuss that with someone who doesn't know that Russia's debt is less in 2017, than it was in 2014. That's basic knowledge when it comes to Russia's economics.

Please don't be so touchy. Unlike yourself I don't cry wolf about baiting. I was referring to your unjust remark being an overeaction which you didn't mean.

As for the debt, I do enjoy how you cut out the time before 2014, again a skillful manipulation. You are talented no doubt. As for the Chinese loans, I hope they work out and are more merciful than Western bankers.

[Sanctissima]

Mate, you cited Russian GDP in PPP. That's... rarely an accurate portrayal of a country's actual economic situation.

Russia's nominal GDP per capita is slightly less than $11,000. It... leaves a lot to be desired, to say the least. Granted, it's not Yeltsin-era shit-tier levels of economic implosion, but it's still pretty bad, and reflects the circumstances of a country that's sanctioned to all hell and relies enormously on its natural gas and oil exports.

The USSR glory days are long gone friend, and Russia is no longer a superpower. Hell, it's struggling to even retain its role as a regional power. You should recognize the situation for what it is, rather than relying on this "Russia stronk" narrative. It isn't, and hasn't been since Gorbachev and Yeltsin collectively gutted the country.

I never said that Russia is a Superpower. I think there's quite a bit of room between Superpower and average country. I think that Russia is strong. You don't have to be a Superpower to be strong. The reason I like PPP, is because it's real. Nominal is crap in terms of purchasing power. Can I afford to live comfortably - that's the first question, and PPP takes that into account much better than nominal GDP. Let's say you have two countries. In one country, you make $100,000, pay $50,000 in taxes, $20,000 for Healthcare, $18,000 for rent, $7,000 for food, and so on... you're left with $5,000.

In another country, (and again, these are made up to prove a point,) you make $20,000, but you pay no taxes, Healthcare is free, rent is $3,000 and food is $2,000. You're left with $15,000. In the case of the second country, you are much better off. PPP takes that into account. Nominal doesn't. The sanctions have actually benefited the Putin Administration, by providing a perfect scapegoat for Putin's banking fuck up that few noticed, unlike Lukashenko's 2009 banking fuck up, that everyone noticed. Although Putin and Lukashenko did it once in the time span of roughly two decades, Poroshenko probably does it on a monthly basis.

Nominal GDP equates Russia with Spain. PPP places Russia between Germany and Brazil. I think the latter is more accurate. Is Russia even in the top 5? Of course not. But if Russia can beat Japan in the next two decades, Russia can make the top 5. Granted, struggling to make the top 5 ain't a Superpower Goal, but it ain't crap either.

Hey now, you're preaching to the choir when it comes to Poroshenko. I recognize he's a corrupt incompetent ass.

On the topic of economics, my problem with PPP is that it doesn't really take into account the effectiveness of how money is being used. Granted, nominal GDP just outright ignores that factor altogether, but when you have a country like Russia where government services are typically, well, complete shit, I do question just how accurate PPP can be in such circumstances. Sure, on paper there's a lot of money being spent on healthcare and other services, but is this reflected in the actual quality of the service being provided? No, not in the slightest.

All Russia really has left is its military strength, economic dominance over nearby nations, and sheer massiveness in terms of size. None of which are as great as they used to be, and the latter has proven to be a double-edged sword on more than one occasion.

Will Russia implode and become an irrelevant shit country comparable to neighbouring Belarus? No, but neither will it become a renewed and revitalized major player on the world stage in the coming decades. Economically it relies too much on oil and natural gas exports, and isn't particularly diversified. Politically its unity is measured in Putin's lifespan. And militarily, while it is large, it's incapable of competing with NATO, and has to pussyfoot around its real objectives in much smaller nations like Georgia and Ukraine just to avoid shaking the proverbial boat too much. 50 years ago, zero fucks would have been given about sending tank columns all the way to Kiev. Nowadays, Russia can't even annex Crimea without being anally raped by sanctions.

[Shofercia]

Can you please show me where the bait was in that comment? You speak of baiting, you speak of Ali, you speak of Patsy, but your facts are zilch. As far as debt is concerned:

Russia has less debt today than in 2014. Not seeing a major issue there. As for the cuts, lots of factors caused them. But I'm not going to discuss that with someone who doesn't know that Russia's debt is less in 2017, than it was in 2014. That's basic knowledge when it comes to Russia's economics.

Please don't be so touchy. Unlike yourself I don't cry wolf about baiting. I was referring to your unjust remark being an overeaction which you didn't mean.

As for the debt, I do enjoy how you cut out the time before 2014, again a skillful manipulation. You are talented no doubt. As for the Chinese loans, I hope they work out and are more merciful than Western bankers.

You accused me of baiting, but you couldn't even point out where I baited...

You spoke of loans, but if you're paying back the loan, why should you worry about the loan officer? That was my point. As for debt before 2014 - how was that a problem? You say random shit, don't back it up, and wonder why I don't take you seriously.

[Fauxia]

I'm not for fraternizing with Russia but we have to be smart about it. We need to outsmart Putin, which is far from easy.

[The East Marches II]

Please don't be so touchy. Unlike yourself I don't cry wolf about baiting. I was referring to your unjust remark being an overeaction which you didn't mean.

As for the debt, I do enjoy how you cut out the time before 2014, again a skillful manipulation. You are talented no doubt. As for the Chinese loans, I hope they work out and are more merciful than Western bankers.

You accused me of baiting, but you couldn't even point out where I baited...

You spoke of loans, but if you're paying back the loan, why should you worry about the loan officer? That was my point. As for debt before 2014 - how was that a problem? You say random shit, don't back it up, and wonder why I don't take you seriously.

Serious enough for a mention in your sig with multipage and week long replies in threads :^)

[Old Varegia]

Morgan Freeman says: "Join the fight against Russia."

"For 241 years, our democracy has been a shining example to the world of what we can all aspire to. And we owe to the brave people who have fought and died this great nation and save democracy. And we owe it to our future generations to continue the fight."

Found it via the Commitee to Investigate Russia.

I've always thought that Morgan Freeman was a great actor. That he had integrity. He IS a great man as well and it shows.

This is not movie script. This is a reality we live in now. Morgan Freeman is not acting. He is talking to us. He tells the truth.

I agree completely. Why should we try to be diplomatic with the nation that just attacked us? So we're supposed to just let them keep putting puppets in charge over here? This was not some isolated incident, these attacks will only escalate from here. So we have to retaliate. We either fight back or accept being a Russian client state. Join a Good Fight.

But sharing awareness about what really happened last year and demanding justice is only one aspect of the Good Fight. So I ask fellow NS members – what can we do besides it? How else can we, the people, retaliate?

"attacked us"?
"over here"?

I don't recall any bombs or guns going off, and Trump being a complete Russian puppet is entirely unrealistic. Perhaps he has somewhat of a bias, but puppetry is pretty much impossible.

Considering the fact that most celebrities know next to nothing about real politics, I'm not inclined to listen to Morgan, although I've always been a fan.

[Fauxia]

Morgan Freeman says: "Join the fight against Russia."



Found it via the Commitee to Investigate Russia.

I've always thought that Morgan Freeman was a great actor. That he had integrity. He IS a great man as well and it shows.

This is not movie script. This is a reality we live in now. Morgan Freeman is not acting. He is talking to us. He tells the truth.

I agree completely. Why should we try to be diplomatic with the nation that just attacked us? So we're supposed to just let them keep putting puppets in charge over here? This was not some isolated incident, these attacks will only escalate from here. So we have to retaliate. We either fight back or accept being a Russian client state. Join a Good Fight.

But sharing awareness about what really happened last year and demanding justice is only one aspect of the Good Fight. So I ask fellow NS members – what can we do besides it? How else can we, the people, retaliate?

"attacked us"?
"over here"?

I don't recall any bombs or guns going off, and Trump being a complete Russian puppet is entirely unrealistic. Perhaps he has somewhat of a bias, but puppetry is pretty much impossible.

Considering the fact that most celebrities know next to nothing about real politics, I'm not inclined to listen to Morgan, although I've always been a fan.

To be fair, Freeman has seemed sensible before, and this seems sensible to a degree