31 minutes ago, Runcible Owl said:

For some measured takes on Ukraine v Russia, two expert pundits I look to in traditional and social media - Tom Nichols and Michael McFaul.

4 hours ago, sportsfan41 said:

I'm sick at this lack of action and I know I'm not the only one. 

What action can be taken?

2 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

What action can be taken?

Have you not listened to the Ukrainian Presidents pleas for help?  There is a lot that can be done.  

15 minutes ago, sportsfan41 said:

Have you not listened to the Ukrainian Presidents pleas for help?  There is a lot that can be done.  

We’re not gonna help until it hurts us directly.  

3 days of training, now headed to the front lines of the Last Bastion.

Watching several videos coming from people all over Europe last night. One guy stated that nearly all of Ukraine's armor and air power has been destroyed by Russian Cruise Missiles. He was quoting someone that supposedly was in country and said to expect news of this to start to leak out in the next week.

If that is true, it would explain why Russia has been moving at a slower pace than expected. 

If cruise missiles are able to completely destroy Ukrainian forces this completely, it would explain why Russian Air power has been more subdued than expected. If Russia was leveling the country with bombing by their air force, there would be an international call for a no fly zone. By holding back with bombing campaigns it keeps No-Fly Zones off the board.  NFZs would be the quickest way for this to explode into a much bigger conflict.

1 hour ago, sportsfan41 said:

Have you not listened to the Ukrainian Presidents pleas for help?  There is a lot that can be done.  

 Sure, let's start with the the no fly zone request. How can we help make that happen? If we do that, how will Russia react? And then what happens as the responses escalate?

8 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

 Sure, let's start with the the no fly zone request. How can we help make that happen? If we do that, how will Russia react? And then what happens as the responses escalate?

I don't think anyone that matters has an appetite for a no fly zone which by extension would put America at war with Russia.

I have been hearing a lot of chatter about some covert operations but that comes with risk too.

I was listening to a retired General speak last night, he wants us to send Ukraine the Switchblade 600:

SWITCHBLADE® 600 LOITERING MISSILE

Switchblade 600 represents the next generation of extended-range loitering missiles, delivering unprecedented RSTA support and featuring high-precision optics, over 40 minutes of loitering endurance, and an anti-armor warhead for engaging larger, hardened targets at greater distances. 

As an all-in-one, man-portable solution, Switchblade 600 includes everything required to successfully plan and execute missions and can be set up and operational in less than 10 minutes.

https://www.avinc.com/tms/switchblade-600

Here is a headline, this one is from nbcnews.com:

International Cat Federation bans Russian felines from competitions.

Fédération Internationale Féline, which hosts over 700 cat shows a year, said it “cannot just witness these atrocities and do nothing.”

=================

When asked for comment the leader of the Russian Overseas Cat Contingent (ROCC) said, "You have CAT to be kitten me right meow!"

1 hour ago, Jumper_Dad said:

Watching several videos coming from people all over Europe last night. One guy stated that nearly all of Ukraine's armor and air power has been destroyed by Russian Cruise Missiles. He was quoting someone that supposedly was in country and said to expect news of this to start to leak out in the next week.

If that is true, it would explain why Russia has been moving at a slower pace than expected. 

If cruise missiles are able to completely destroy Ukrainian forces this completely, it would explain why Russian Air power has been more subdued than expected. If Russia was leveling the country with bombing by their air force, there would be an international call for a no fly zone. By holding back with bombing campaigns it keeps No-Fly Zones off the board.  NFZs would be the quickest way for this to explode into a much bigger conflict.

Yup, once Russia setup their warships, they can send cruise missiles at will.  We’re beginning to hear the desperation calls from Ukraine officials.

 

16 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

Let's be clear everyone. A step into this by NATO or US forces and WW3 is on and nuclear weapons are in play. What can be done?

Except for I do not know who would be on Russia's side. In WWI and WWII there were clear alliances. I'm not sure who would be their Allies, unless they are getting funds from some other country and we know not of it. 

2 minutes ago, PP1 said:

Except for I do not know who would be on Russia's side. In WWI and WWII there were clear alliances. I'm not sure who would be their Allies, unless they are getting funds from some other country and we know not of it. 

China?

Most American companies have quit buying Russian oil but I just listened to a news report claiming Shell offered to buy some Russian oil for a $28 a barrel discount.  

Mental note made not to buy anything from a Shell station. 

34 minutes ago, theguru said:

 

I wish they'd push that mute button more often.