Ukraine

[Gaspar]

Interesting you should post a picture of a train wreck.  That's usually what your posts devolve into Scott...

Just sayin'.

I think Debbie would find your comment offensive.

[Conan71]

I think Debbie would find your comment offensive.

I think I could sell all my bicycles and maintain my weight by simply placing that portrait on the refrigerator door and pantry door.

[Gaspar]

I think I could sell all my bicycles and maintain my weight by simply placing that portrait on the refrigerator door and pantry door.

You know that warning they give on Viagra commercials about having an erection for more than four hours? 

When you "seek medical attention" that is the picture they show you.

[Conan71]

You know that warning they give on Viagra commercials about having an erection for more than four hours? 

When you "seek medical attention" that is the picture they show you.

Yep, no need for ice cube treatments.

[Townsend]

Nope, but the risk is significantly smaller. Significantly.


So the choice is still whether we choose the safest mode of transport, or default to the least safe while we play politics.

Why not run the pipeline East or West through Canada to ship to Asia instead of through the US?

Does it do that much good for you?  Me?  Our kids?  Anyone we know?

[Conan71]

Why not run the pipeline East or West through Canada to ship to Asia instead of through the US?

Does it do that much good for you?  Me?  Our kids?  Anyone we know?

It will provide a temporary boost to the economy from a source other than the Feds.  Other than that long-term job impact is negligible.  The biggest issue I see is I don't recall any other pipeline ever being held hostage for political means.  The State Department has signed off on it and there don't appear to be any objections from the EPA.  The president is simply withholding approval or denial until a time it's more politically expedient to do so.

I'm curious how this man ever managed to have kids since he doesn't appear to have testicles.

[Townsend]

The president is simply withholding approval or denial until a time it's more politically expedient to do so.

A politician is holding a decision on something that many people are passionate about until after an election?  No. Way.

[Gaspar]

A politician is holding a decision on something that many people are passionate about until after an election?  No. Way.

You hit the nail on the head.

Passion over reason.

This is an emotional issue for Democrats.  Even if there was proof that this pipeline would create 100 million jobs, cure cancer, and end all wars, the president would block it, because not to do so, would represent an admission of defeat or error.   This president has a fragile constituency, more invested in emotion than reason or logic.  He is simply doing what is best for himself politically.

It's a pipeline and pipelines are bad because they are owned by evil oil companies and they are bad, and they make people rich and rich people are bad and global warming and stuff.  Easy sell!

Reason is a far more difficult to peddle pedal.

[Townsend]

You hit the nail on the head.

Passion over reason.

This is an emotional issue for Democrats.  Even if there was proof that this pipeline would create 100 million jobs, cure cancer, and end all wars, the president would block it, because not to do so, would represent an admission of defeat or error.   This president has a fragile constituency, more invested in emotion than reason or logic.  He is simply doing what is best for himself politically.

It's a pipeline and pipelines are bad because they are owned by evil oil companies and they are bad, and they make people rich and rich people are bad and global warming and stuff.  Easy sell!

Reason is a far more difficult to peddle pedal.

Your posts make you appear broken.

[Gaspar]

Your posts make you appear broken.

OFA keeps an eye on me. 

[Gaspar]

Back on Subject. . .

We are deploying 600 troops this week.  We have also moved another destroyer into the region.
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/04/american-troops-eastern-europe-ukraine-russia-105910.html

He said the Sky Soldiers of the 173rd would be engaged in bilateral exercises with the militaries of their host countries, as opposed to having been deployed under the auspices of NATO. But he said that more deployments or operations involving NATO could be in the works and urged reporters against concluding that bilateral action by the Defense Department was a sign of some NATO members' unwillingness to make deployments of their own.

The Obama administration appears to have all but concluded that a diplomatic agreement struck last week to try to deescalate the Ukraine crisis isn't working. The White House already has announced more new non-lethal assistance to Kiev, and the next step could be new rounds of sanctions on Russian leaders.

Kirby also said the U.S. Navy's presence in the Black Sea would continue. The destroyer USS Donald Cook, which was buzzed by an unarmed Russian attack jet soon after its arrival, will be replaced by the frigate USS Taylor, he said.

[TheArtist]

I was just thinking about this today.  My thought was that yes, he will likely approve it but will do so during an opportune time before the mid-term elections. As you get closer to the elections the Republicans will work themselves more and more into a frenetic who can go the most far right feeding frenzy and then Obama can approve this showing that he and the Dems are indeed more moderate and inline with the general public in comparison.  He will get some disapproval from the far left (but it's the over all game that counts) and will also throw some bones to the left as well, something likely concerning clean energy initiatives and or protecting the environment.  Is what I would do anyway lol.  

[Conan71]

...and will also throw some bones to the left as well, something likely concerning clean energy initiatives and or protecting the environment.  Is what I would do anyway lol.  

Easy enough, he's got Keystone XL tucked away in a desk drawer.

[Gaspar]

The president will get another chance to sit down with Putin and work on their relationship.  Hopefully this will be his Reagan/Gorbachev moment.


Stay strong Mr. President.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PUTIN_D_DAY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-05-08-17-05-44

[Hoss]

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/06/24/Putin-asks-Federation-Council-to-cancel-use-of-force-resolution-against-Ukraine/1291403607875/#ixzz35fD6sAfZ

Concession?