I agree with each and every point that you’ve made above, however I disagree with your original statement that Iran is a paper tiger.
A paper tiger would have crumpled already under that level of sustained pressure. For better or worse (and I would definitely argue the latter), Iran is far tougher than we in the West tend to give them credit for.
We can only hope, and to add Putin’s name to that list.
Based AF Symmetry: Poland 🇵🇱 and Indonesia 🇮🇩
Fuck me, that’s somehow creepier than it has any right to be.
Are there any region-free 4K blu-ray drives available? I’m asking for a friend.
That definitely may have been the case post-‘70s oil crisis, but it does feel as though the current Bibi administration has gone feral.
The US is not going to ever admit that it has lost control of the leash, as doing so would probably hurt them more than tacitly endorsing the genocide - but I still would argue that fear is one of the primary driving factors.
I honestly think that the primary reason more Western Governments refrained from speaking out against Israel isn’t tacit support, but rather fear.
Israel is a nuclear armed nation with a notoriously efficient spy network (Mossad), finances, and next to no scruples.
I legitimately wouldn’t put it past them hold blackmail material against a large number of world leaders, or at the very least have credible plans to stage a false-flag dirty bomb explosion anywhere they see fit.
It’s the only cope I have as to why so much of the world remains paralysed while the Palestinian people of Gaza are systematically eradicated.
I’m an Australian, so I feel kinship with Canadians over this entire issue.
I wasn’t being serious in the argument, rather using absurdism to point out that the entire “Canada as the 52st state” is unworkable - and would gloriously blow up in Trump and the republicans face.
It’s honestly a much less stressful thought exercise than the potential balkanisation of the United States - nuclear power experiencing a civil war would not turn out well for anyone.
2 quick points;
I’m not American and I don’t want to see Canadians lose their sovereignty.
I was using argumentum ad absurdism to point out that this entire “proposal” would be self-defeating for Trump and the Republicans. It’s an absolute non-starter.
At least make the offer enticing, give Canada the option to join as 10 states (one per province); giving them an allotment of the 435 house seats and 20 senators.
I’m pretty sure that would be more than enough to swing the house, senate and presidency towards the left for the next few generations at least.
Canada could literally save the US if that were the case.
It’s a Walken comma:
https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/pictrs/image/2da9a8ae-1aaf-4e63-a074-b83a46dcc73c.webp
This mental image popped into my head, after reading your comment. Now you get to enjoy it too, wAaHhh!
My personal use devices are all some variation of Pingu (eg. iPingu, Pingtendo etc.), and my NAS devices are based off Pokémon puns (Storlax and Archivysaur currently).
My wife on the other hand is boring, so her’s are just system default.
…and to think that a significant (but probably not primary) reason why Trump is punishing Ukraine is because he wants to oversee a peace treaty regardless of the circumstances, all so that he can earn a Nobel Peace Prize like Obama.
Yes, the man is that shallow and vain.
Multiple Ceasars are spinning in their graves, at your first sentence. 🤣
That well may be the case, all we can do is hope that the rest of the world can bulwark against the rise of Fascism long enough to watch it fail in the US - at which point, it should hopefully diminish its allure.
MAGA cultists will gladly eat up all the shit that’s served to them, and even gleefully ask for more of they think there’s even a passing chance that a Dem/liberal/leftie would smell their breath.
The US willing descent towards Gilead has been horrific to watch, as an outsider.
The sooner the rest of the civilised world decouples from that insanity, and hopefully bands together around the common ideals that the US used to (at least pretend to) represent - the better.
A long time ago, I had a pair of Puma shoes that had a similar look to F1 driving shoes, and they were awesome due to their light weight and thin soles - ever since then I’ve a convert to that style of shoe.
Maybe consider the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66? It’s a timeless design with plenty of colorways, so you should be able to get one that suits your tastes. They are also available in mid-runner form in case you want more of a boot fit (padded ankle).
I agree that the 600K figure is a mis-read of the article; however:
According to figures from Ukraine's General Staff, Russia has lost 217,440 troops since Jan. 1, 2025. The discrepancy tallies with Western analysis of Russia's staggering losses. "They lose somewhere in the ballpark of 35,000 to 45,000 people per month, and perhaps they recruit a little bit north of that number," George Barros, Russia team lead at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), told the Kyiv Independent earlier this month.I am generally inclined to believe Ukraine’s official figures of over 1 million dead, injured or captured Russian soldiers so far in this “3 day special military operation”.