Hikuro93

Thank you for the input. Given the current US admin's way of doing things, I have to wonder if they really see the problem in its entirety, or a crudely simplified version of it.

I mean, these are the same people who started a global trade war to get manufacturing over to the US, as if that would magically happen overnight or even with the high amount of uncertainty for business investments. It really seems to them the simplest solutions are the best ones - flip the tariff switch and done, problem solved, the US is great again after "a brief period of hurt" (whatever that specifically means), as if there weren't a million nuances to the current workings of world global societies.

Anyways, regardless of the how's and why's, we can only guess what goes on on the heads of these people...

Wasn't it always the case, though? Wasn't he always implying that "Ukraine better be ready to lose some land" - aka we don't know how to force Russia out of the lands it already invaded? Or how to balance the clear conflict of interests between aiding Ukraine stop an invasion and Trump's agenda of getting the US closer to Russia as an economic ally?

Funny. The only difference I see is that he is now fully committed to make Ukraine capitulate by any means he can, perhaps in a last ditch effort to get that mineral deal since he needs it more now due to China stopping the mineral supply. Notice how he only began this ultimatum right after China stopped the minerals. Not suspicious timing at all.

In any case, better for incompetents to step away than fumbling the game even worse than they already did since taking office. Some "help" simply isn't worth the cost. Europe and any other allies of freedom will see this through, one way or another.

Just don't come begging for rewards or reparations once Russia's imperialist ambitions are stopped. The US is only owed what it contributed until Biden left (and the real value, not the overinflated one), plus a nice good discount for the Trump admin's interference and undermining Ukraine. And that's being generous.

Trump rant about the EU existing just to screw with the US incoming. As if the fact that we don't even properly tax the US on its digital services exports wasn't enough.

So let's prioritize, Donny. Those with more felonies and broken laws go first, since they're the main thugs society should focus on. Deal?

I think he means "tired of the pushback and profit loss from actively bribing the system into becoming the shadow POTUS running the world behind the scenes".

How else could he attempt to advance to Mars Colonization, his lifelong dream as someone with a God-Iron-Man-Savior complex, during his lifetime?

He knows with the current progress rate he could help pave the way to Mars for humanity, but not live the dream himself, or take full credit for that achievement. And we know just how "selfless" he is.

If anything he was "rescued", or "promoted to headquarters" if you will. Because he was too good a man for these times ahead, and sadly had been getting weaker for a while. And the world is morally poorer for his departure.

I don't view the Vatican as the shining beacon of light it wants to be, but Pope Francis was a great Pope, who more than talking, walked the walk and lead by example. Loved by catholics and even people of other religions, as well as many atheists/agnostics. A unifying force of good.

Yet before he went he made sure his last big act was to admonish Vance and the Trump administration. Good on him.

Sure didn't see this one coming, ironically. Before the pope had passed away I commented this on another post.

Bet the poor Pope couldn't even attend because in addition to his health issues he must have felt the evil pressure oozing from Vance.

Welp, poor Francis. He was a good one, and difficult to replace especially in these uncertain times.

The silver lining is that he really made his last big act in life to admonish Vance, and by extension the Trump admin, about their wrongdoing. He has my gratitude for that.

That's the issue. Too much threatening, too little going forward with it.

No one wants unnecessary conflict. We all want to get along. But when you have people acting in bad faith, who know you're bluffing, they'll take advantage of you everytime.

Because they know you'll complain but that's the extent of it. If they act in bad faith apply consequences, don't hold back. When they complain or throw a pity party don't waver. They knew it was coming, they were warned.

With the US adding fuel to the fire we're at a crossroads in history. Russia wants to buy time, and excessive bureocracy and empty threats only aid them and their cronies.

Decades from now students will learn about this whole period in schools - and they'll call the teachers liars and say there's a shadow government altering history.

Because no one will believe we had this level of stupidity and idiocracy. You literally can't make this shit up if you tried your best.

He's really going "Heh hurr durr, check out these plans I have access to because I'm the mf'ing top dog, I'm so good, let those doubters calling me a drunk eat a fat one." Repeatedly. Micro pp energy all the way.

Even if that's real, which doesn't look like it, what's keeping them from forcing Mr. Garcia onto a chair, hold him down, while they tattoo it?

This administration and their dictator allies have shown to have no constraints, no guardrails, time and time again. Consistently. You can always blindly trust them to bs and lie their way through anything.

You gonna tell me people who try to stage Mr. Garcia sipping some Margaritas by a hotel pool wouldn't stoop so low as to place fake tattoos on him? Yeah, that's the thing with dishonesty - it could even be true, but it won't matter given the circumstances.

Oh no, Vance got Vance'd... Lucky it wasn't televised for the whole world to see.

Anyways, can't wait for the snarky tantrum and projection condemning the Pope once he's far away.

Bet the poor Pope couldn't even attend because in addition to his health issues he must have felt the evil pressure oozing from Vance.