BREAKING NEWS - Malaysian airliner crashes on Russian-Ukrainian border

[Malthus]

To whoever separated the crap out of this thread, thank you.

Seperatist!

I do live in Texas...

This thread has been liberated by the Langustistan People's Republic. We will hold the referendum tomorrow. All hail Putin!

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

Have you ever actually met a Texanationalist vM?  You used to see the SECEDE bumper stickers around from time to time but I never have actually met one.

Not a serious one.  I have met people who play up Texas' supposed importance to the rest of the country and how much the US would lose if Texas seceded.  No one was seriously calling for it, though.

[Tamas]

Luckily, after working hard to rid of this thread of stereotypical US political BS thrown at each other by US posters, BvS immediately starts off a conversation that has every chance to deteriorate into the exact thing he just removed.

[Valmy]

Luckily, after working hard to rid of this thread of stereotypical US political BS thrown at each other by US posters, BvS immediately starts off a conversation that has every chance to deteriorate into the exact thing he just removed.

Texanationalism is something not even DG or Berkut have strong feelings about.

[Tamas]

Luckily, after working hard to rid of this thread of stereotypical US political BS thrown at each other by US posters, BvS immediately starts off a conversation that has every chance to deteriorate into the exact thing he just removed.

Texanationalism is not something even DG or Berkut have strong feelings about.

Phew

[DGuller]

Mitt warned us of Russia.

Credit to him.  I never criticized him for saying that Russia is our primary geopolitical enemy, and I kind of felt disappointed that Obama's team thought Mitt's assessment was worthy of mockery.  Clearly Obama is going to regret making that clever comment he made during the debate, if he isn't already.

Bully?  Yes.  Nuisance?  Yup.  Pain in the ass?  Definitely.  Obstructionist?  You betcha! *wink*

But they're still a far cry from being #1 on the threat board.  We have more pressing--and real concerns--in the Pacific, and with the occassional appearance of some turbaned idiots on monkey bars in the desert that keep Hansy up at night.

I think it's debatable, but it's not like Obama mocked Romney because he thought China was #1 threat.

[DGuller]

Luckily, after working hard to rid of this thread of stereotypical US political BS thrown at each other by US posters, BvS immediately starts off a conversation that has every chance to deteriorate into the exact thing he just removed.

Texanationalism is something not even DG or Berkut have strong feelings about.

Are you this fucking insane?  I very much have a strong feeling about it.  Not sure what it is yet, though.

[Razgovory]

I respectfully disagree with CdM.  Russia is the main enemy.  They will always be the enemy.

[CountDeMoney]

I think it's debatable, but it's not like Obama mocked Romney because he thought China was #1 threat.

No, he mocked Romney for bitching about the US Navy having shunk to pre-WW1 levels.  In that regard, Obama was correct: greater capability does not require greater numbers.  We don't need to challeng the Soviets on all 7 seas anymore.

[DGuller]

I think it's debatable, but it's not like Obama mocked Romney because he thought China was #1 threat.

No, he mocked Romney for bitching about the US Navy having shunk to pre-WW1 levels.  In that regard, Obama was correct: greater capability does not require greater numbers.  We don't need to challeng the Soviets on all 7 seas anymore.

I think the bayonet thing was a different mocking.  That one was good.  I don't recall the context, but I don't think the Russia thing was connected to the Navy reduction thing.

[Eddie Teach]

The only thing worse than driving through Texas would be driving through Texas and having to go through customs twice.

[CountDeMoney]

Considering Romney's Russia comment wasn't during the debate, but prompted by the moderator, it was still fair game and relevant.

[Berkut]

OK, so back to the Ukraine...

It seems pretty clear what happened:

The Russians gave the separatists a high altitude SAM.
Rebels used it (or Russian techs) to shoot down what they thought was a military plane, but oops, turned out to be a airliner.

What is an appropriate response from the West if the above is what happened? More sanctions against Russia?

I would favor additional support for the Ukraine as well - we should Lend Lease them some drones.

[grumbler]

I would favor additional support for the Ukraine as well - we should Lend Lease them some unarmed drones.

Agree, subject to the bolded change.

[derspiess]

Actually we should order some drones from Israel & have them shipped to Kiev.