TenuredVulture wrote:It's important to keep in mind the Russian military is not the Red Army. Lotta corruption and poor leadership, and the troops are not the best. When I was in Moscow, the young men I spoke quite openly spoke about how they bribed doctors to get a medical exemption from military service.

Sure, they could defeat Ukraine, but at a pretty high cost. Also, as we know, occupying hostile territory is no picnic. I'd imagine Ukrainians would get quite proficient at making IEDs pretty quickly.

jerseyhoya wrote:Condemnation Isn't Enough - I do think/hope the administration will get here sooner rather than later

If Mr. Putin does not comply, Western leaders should make clear that Russia will pay a heavy price — not just in “condemnation,” but in economic and diplomatic sanctions.

jerseyhoya wrote:

SK790 wrote:palin saying she could see russia from her house was still one of the dumbest things ever said.

She didn't say that. Tina Fey did. Jesus christ

jerseyhoya wrote:There's the underlying fact that you can see Russia from Alaska, so what she said was true.

jerseyhoya wrote:nt to start WW3 over this. But Obama demonstrating to Putin that he is willing to at least throw a jab or two back would be nice.

swishnicholson wrote:Butch Otter signs bill threatening those who secretly film animal abuse with jail, fines.

"Shocked" gets tossed around too much, but passage of this bill really does shock me. OTOH I really like to type Butch Otter.

drsmooth wrote:

swishnicholson wrote:Butch Otter signs bill threatening those who secretly film animal abuse with jail, fines.

"Shocked" gets tossed around too much, but passage of this bill really does shock me. OTOH I really like to type Butch Otter.

Let's face it - you read "Butch Otter" and your mind just can't help wandering over into realms of animal relationships you seldom examine

The mayor, who advanced in politics by grass-roots organizing, has built a team filled with former activists — figures more accustomed to picketing administrations or taking potshots from the outside than working from within. His administration is heavily populated with appointees best known for the fights they have fought.
...
“We’ve said all along, as we make appointments, our standards are clear,” Mr. de Blasio said in announcing the appointments of Mr. Banks, who once lost to him in a City Council race, and two other officials. “We need people who share our progressive values related to the future of this city.”
...
Aides say Mr. de Blasio works backward in his hiring process, starting by identifying a candidate who shares his political philosophy or views on policy, and then figuring out how the person could fit into his administration.

dajafi wrote:This is gonna work out great!

The mayor, who advanced in politics by grass-roots organizing, has built a team filled with former activists — figures more accustomed to picketing administrations or taking potshots from the outside than working from within. His administration is heavily populated with appointees best known for the fights they have fought.
...
“We’ve said all along, as we make appointments, our standards are clear,” Mr. de Blasio said in announcing the appointments of Mr. Banks, who once lost to him in a City Council race, and two other officials. “We need people who share our progressive values related to the future of this city.”
...
Aides say Mr. de Blasio works backward in his hiring process, starting by identifying a candidate who shares his political philosophy or views on policy, and then figuring out how the person could fit into his administration.

Is this really going to be as awful as it sounds? Read something a couple weeks ago where it was stated by or for De Blasio that his number one priority was and would always remain Income Inequality. I mean, that's something I'd certainly like to be addressed, but I somehow doubt that a Mayor, even a New York Mayor, is going to make much headway. Meanwhile I'm pretty sure most New Yorkers are more concerned with getting their streets plowed as well as kept reasonably safe. He almost seems like a plant to ensure that another Democratic mayor is never elected in New york.

De Blasio has become my real-life Jonathan Papelbon.

dajafi wrote:This is gonna work out great!

The mayor, who advanced in politics by grass-roots organizing, has built a team filled with former activists — figures more accustomed to picketing administrations or taking potshots from the outside than working from within. His administration is heavily populated with appointees best known for the fights they have fought.
...
“We’ve said all along, as we make appointments, our standards are clear,” Mr. de Blasio said in announcing the appointments of Mr. Banks, who once lost to him in a City Council race, and two other officials. “We need people who share our progressive values related to the future of this city.”
...
Aides say Mr. de Blasio works backward in his hiring process, starting by identifying a candidate who shares his political philosophy or views on policy, and then figuring out how the person could fit into his administration.

De Blasio has become my real-life Jonathan Papelbon.

pacino wrote:in any event, Andrew Cuomo is trying to get Republicans in the state to not nominate crazies because it will hurt their down ballot prospects???? Why should a Democrat care about the down ballot prospects of Republicans?