TailingsPond + 1,008 GE March 20, 2022 (edited) 6 hours ago, Ron Wagner said: everything should be out to anyone who wants to admit the truth to themselves or others. Just look above buddy and still defend that shit. Edited March 20, 2022 by TailingsPond 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Wagner + 709 March 20, 2022 1 hour ago, TailingsPond said: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhsSzIS84ks No comment from the "right" side of evil. "But "Hillary" (never president), "but Hunter" (also never president). Of course Trump gets a pass from these people (former POTUS, twice impeached, under multiple criminal investigations). But Hunter!! lol You are clueless, so I will have to say goodbye. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eyes Wide Open + 3,555 March 20, 2022 1 hour ago, TailingsPond said: Just look above buddy and still defend that shit. A note that still reverberates in history...my child Great Presidents have a long history of being "Horn Dogs". Would you like a list perhaps? Trump is authentic as a man, perfection? Please my child it does not exist within humanity. A note here a certain Mr Hawkins was quite literate on such tropics. Frankly only a introvert or a very confused human would deny this conversation. By the way...you will find in most corners of the world...sexual harassment as it known in the US feminists community...Is GRADED...and not judged. Speaking to that issue...feeling a smidge frustrated are you? So carry on my awoken soul, your ascension awaits you! 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TailingsPond + 1,008 GE March 20, 2022 1 hour ago, Ron Wagner said: You are clueless, so I will have to say goodbye. Ignorance is bliss for the trump cult If you think he is the holy option you are not Christian. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TailingsPond + 1,008 GE March 20, 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNxvSxaGeDE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TailingsPond + 1,008 GE March 20, 2022 (edited) Is Russia "the strongest peace force you have ever seen?" Sure looks like war to me. Edited March 20, 2022 by TailingsPond Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boat + 1,324 RG March 20, 2022 On 3/17/2022 at 8:34 PM, Ron Wagner said: Recent German actions seem to be on the right path. They caused Ukraine and all of Europe a lot of pain by trusting the Russians to give them fair prices for natural gas. Merkel always thought she could schmooze Putin, while he was taking advantage of her. She was a member of the Young Communist Cadre (My name for it). She is from East German and fluent in Russian. The Green Party has or had a strong voice in the current party coalition in Germany. Germany is currently greatly increasing its defense budget. Its armed forces today are pitiful. It has been busy making German cars and machinery for export. Any country can get a lone and buy weapons. German money will spend just fine taking out Russians. True Russian supporters will want to end sanctions and buy gas as soon as the shooting stops. How much influence do they have vrs the dead? Time will tell. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nsdp + 449 eh March 21, 2022 On 3/19/2022 at 1:58 PM, Ron Wagner said: I was there 63 to 65 in the Seventh Army. We were prepared to use tactical nukes against the Russian Army at that time. They had overwhelming numbers and were veteran fighters. Far superior to what they have today. The Germans had nothing to compare to the U.S. Army but did have veterans that were ready. Our air force was all over Western Europe too. I will be voting for Trump in the next election. He is not perfect but nobody is. @Ron Wagner , beginning in 31 Dec 1962 according to the National Archives the SACEUR/7 Army had two armored divisions, and 3 inf Div plus 173 airborne in Italy two Cav Regiments and 5 heavy artillery regiments (3 tactical Nukes regt) totaling 177, 000 active Active personnel all units including support troops except those in Berlin. Nothing in the Fulda gap. BOAR had 3 armored div, 2 inf divisions plus 1 Canadian Inf.D in the Fulda Gap, Royal Canadian airborne regt. in Denmark, 1 Br Airborne bgde in Berlin and tactical nuke bgde in Germany for 110,000 British troops plus 25 000 Canadians. 1/2 of USAF was transferred beginning in 1962 to Thailand for the bombing the Pathet Lao. Navy had 1 Carrier group in 6th fleet and 3 carriers in Gulf of Tonkin also flying over Laos most bombed country in the world, . Royal Navy had 3 carries plus RCN St. Bonventure and escorts in theMed. SACEUR lost 7 Special Forces units and kept 1. They went to South Vietnam . You need to remember we went from under 800 advisers in Vietnam ans Laos on 21 Jan 1961 t just under 22,000 troops in country on 30 November 1963. Additionally, 2 Armored regiments and the 9th ID pulled from Europe to reinforce 2 ID in the border skirmishes in South Korea 1963 -1967. Bundeswehr was 230,000 on 21 Jan 1961 and 400,000 by 1 Jan 1964. RAF had a 150,000 troops in 1965 and the Luftwaffe had 14 operational squadrons an 16 training squadrons. German draft was 3 years vs 2 for US. The US gutted Europe to cover problems in Asia in the 60's Trained soldiers do not appear out of thin air as exemplified by the Russian Army in Ukraine now. We did not pull our weight in NATO in the 60's and 70's. We pulled out troops from NATO in the 60's and 70's. So when Trump points his finger a t Germany , the other three point back at the US. One at him personally for the phony bone spurs to avoid the draft. Rich kids did that or went to Canada. I have more respect for the latter than those who used daddy's money to get out of the draft. My draft number was 320 but I went anyway in 1971. I knew what was going on since my uncle was transferred from Heilbronn to Danang in 1963 and I had read Bernie Fall's STREET Without Joy. Commanded a maintenance section in the 108th FA group at the Rockpile on Rt 9 until a hot rod jeep driver flipped the jeep and Navy docs told the Army I was born with one kidney and never should have been in the Army much less comissioned. I knew what was going on and went anyway even if it was just to fix M107's and M110's to be turned over to ARVN. Lasted 7 weeks in country on the DMZ and had surgery in 1974 and 2020 for Agent Orange related non Hodgkins lymphoma and still have recurring squamous cell skin cancer. Trump should have been locked up for falsifying his medical records and sending some poor kid in his place. I voted for John Kaisch in the Republican Primary in 2016 and no one in the general election. I have morals. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TailingsPond + 1,008 GE March 21, 2022 (edited) 6 minutes ago, nsdp said: I voted for John Kaisch in the Republican Primary in 2016 and no one in the general election. I have morals. He is deceived into thinking trump is somehow good, and thinks he will be voting for him. Wrong on both accounts (trump is evil and his name will not be on any ballot). More likely he will be in jail. One-term, double impeached, many crimes. Edited March 21, 2022 by TailingsPond Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TailingsPond + 1,008 GE March 21, 2022 (edited) 22 hours ago, Eyes Wide Open said: Great Presidents have a long history of being "Horn Dogs". Would you like a list perhaps? Trump was not a great president, he would not be on that list. Edited March 21, 2022 by TailingsPond 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
surrept33 + 609 st March 21, 2022 If Trump runs again in 2024, all I hope is that it doesn't turn into the toxicity of the 2020 election. That shit was bad. 1 3 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fozzir + 68 March 24, 2022 On 3/19/2022 at 11:43 AM, Ron Wagner said: That was then, this is now. Trump did shake them up. They knew he was right about them not even living up to their promises to spend a measly 2% on their military. Some German soldiers were training with broomsticks. Trump made a big impression and that paved the way for the turn around after Ukraine was attacked again. Biden has followed the lead of the military industrial complex which I happen to agree with in this case. This is our chance to hogtie Russia's ambitions of conquest. If we can threaten China with the loss of much of the exports that will limit how much they are willing to do for Russia openly. We do have a problem with India, which is used to buying their arms from Russia due to the cheaper prices, and now want their oil and gas. India's biggest enemies are Pakistan and China so we need them as an ally or at least neutral. We need to build allies all around the world. We are losing support in Africa and South America, and the Middle East to China and Russia. re We do have a problem with India Solution. let Texas sell them oil. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fozzir + 68 March 24, 2022 On 3/19/2022 at 9:01 PM, TailingsPond said: Ignorance is bliss for the trump cult If you think he is the holy option you are not Christian. re Ignorance is bliss for the trump cult Spoken like a true Hillary supporter! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TailingsPond + 1,008 GE March 24, 2022 (edited) 4 minutes ago, fozzir said: Spoken like a true Hillary supporter! You are stuck in the past. Good grief that wasn't even the last election. Trump won that election yet you are still mad. Edited March 24, 2022 by TailingsPond Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fozzir + 68 March 24, 2022 (edited) No, I was pointing out that YOU were stuck in the past! Stop echoing what Hillary would say. Edited March 24, 2022 by fozzir Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fozzir + 68 March 24, 2022 On 3/20/2022 at 7:24 PM, nsdp said: @Ron Wagner , beginning in 31 Dec 1962 according to the National Archives the SACEUR/7 Army had two armored divisions, and 3 inf Div plus 173 airborne in Italy two Cav Regiments and 5 heavy artillery regiments (3 tactical Nukes regt) totaling 177, 000 active Active personnel all units including support troops except those in Berlin. Nothing in the Fulda gap. BOAR had 3 armored div, 2 inf divisions plus 1 Canadian Inf.D in the Fulda Gap, Royal Canadian airborne regt. in Denmark, 1 Br Airborne bgde in Berlin and tactical nuke bgde in Germany for 110,000 British troops plus 25 000 Canadians. 1/2 of USAF was transferred beginning in 1962 to Thailand for the bombing the Pathet Lao. Navy had 1 Carrier group in 6th fleet and 3 carriers in Gulf of Tonkin also flying over Laos most bombed country in the world, . Royal Navy had 3 carries plus RCN St. Bonventure and escorts in theMed. SACEUR lost 7 Special Forces units and kept 1. They went to South Vietnam . You need to remember we went from under 800 advisers in Vietnam ans Laos on 21 Jan 1961 t just under 22,000 troops in country on 30 November 1963. Additionally, 2 Armored regiments and the 9th ID pulled from Europe to reinforce 2 ID in the border skirmishes in South Korea 1963 -1967. Bundeswehr was 230,000 on 21 Jan 1961 and 400,000 by 1 Jan 1964. RAF had a 150,000 troops in 1965 and the Luftwaffe had 14 operational squadrons an 16 training squadrons. German draft was 3 years vs 2 for US. The US gutted Europe to cover problems in Asia in the 60's Trained soldiers do not appear out of thin air as exemplified by the Russian Army in Ukraine now. We did not pull our weight in NATO in the 60's and 70's. We pulled out troops from NATO in the 60's and 70's. So when Trump points his finger a t Germany , the other three point back at the US. One at him personally for the phony bone spurs to avoid the draft. Rich kids did that or went to Canada. I have more respect for the latter than those who used daddy's money to get out of the draft. My draft number was 320 but I went anyway in 1971. I knew what was going on since my uncle was transferred from Heilbronn to Danang in 1963 and I had read Bernie Fall's STREET Without Joy. Commanded a maintenance section in the 108th FA group at the Rockpile on Rt 9 until a hot rod jeep driver flipped the jeep and Navy docs told the Army I was born with one kidney and never should have been in the Army much less comissioned. I knew what was going on and went anyway even if it was just to fix M107's and M110's to be turned over to ARVN. Lasted 7 weeks in country on the DMZ and had surgery in 1974 and 2020 for Agent Orange related non Hodgkins lymphoma and still have recurring squamous cell skin cancer. Trump should have been locked up for falsifying his medical records and sending some poor kid in his place. I voted for John Kaisch in the Republican Primary in 2016 and no one in the general election. I have morals. re I have morals. So do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nsdp + 449 eh March 24, 2022 17 hours ago, fozzir said: re I have morals. So do it. I have . I have sent $250/month starting Feb.27 to Doctors Without Borders($500 so far) by automatic bank draft. What are you doing besides defending Putin like Putin's Parrot? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SUZNV + 1,197 March 25, 2022 (edited) I am happy for Trump, Hillary or Hunter are convicted and went to jail for misdeed in the past. Everyone is responsible for their actions. When the law above all else it should apply for both sides. Dodging draft is more justifiable compares to greed for money/power/corruption however as people tend to choose not to risk their life over their responsibility. That is why I am always huge respect anyone risking their lives for duty call/believes, as long as not commiting war crrimes knowingly. I assume I would heed the call but unless I was in that position I would not know for sure. And that's why I hated careered politicians in booming time as they sacrifice nothing and all they do is acting politically to keep their jobs and how to legally make money from stock/campaign donation for their families and friends. Moral can only be proved in conflicts of interest and demand sacrifice/ risk against their interest. Why it is so hard on put regulation on politicians themselves first with minimal ages, limited years in politics and insiders trading to have a healthy political system? Why it was so hard for others to show that they sacrifice something first to prove their moral as a public servant instead of throwing dirt to each others? 1$ salary and risking business losing value, or reputation is a plus as at least it shows some moral (even for fame or the outside). The rest are talk about moral in "for the greater good" themselves without a single action to prove their morale beside talks. And they have ample time to do just that, along with their signature policies. When I vote, I will choose any candidate whose policy aligns with my view what is best for the US in the long term, regardless of their personality or even misdeed in the past, or at least make the least damage which can be easier to repair in the future. Most of careered politicians in NATO countries, especially Germany, France, UK, US are responsible for the suffers Ukraine is having now with their decades of failed delusional policies with political plays and the last one to be blamed is Trump as he is proven right in this issue. Both parties didn't provide any better candidate, which should be easy in a healthy political system. Normally in history it would lead to great pain to reset and hopefully the reset go to the sustainable direction and last long with better living standard for the commoners. I don't have a chance to judge/remorse my first vote ever, but that is how I justify it. I am open to change in the next 3 years because nothing is personal but it seems unlikely for now. I am not that pessimistic as even calculated bad policy may lead to unintended consequences that would correct that failed policy. Edited March 25, 2022 by SUZNV Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Wagner + 709 March 27, 2022 On 3/20/2022 at 9:24 PM, nsdp said: @Ron Wagner , beginning in 31 Dec 1962 according to the National Archives the SACEUR/7 Army had two armored divisions, and 3 inf Div plus 173 airborne in Italy two Cav Regiments and 5 heavy artillery regiments (3 tactical Nukes regt) totaling 177, 000 active Active personnel all units including support troops except those in Berlin. Nothing in the Fulda gap. BOAR had 3 armored div, 2 inf divisions plus 1 Canadian Inf.D in the Fulda Gap, Royal Canadian airborne regt. in Denmark, 1 Br Airborne bgde in Berlin and tactical nuke bgde in Germany for 110,000 British troops plus 25 000 Canadians. 1/2 of USAF was transferred beginning in 1962 to Thailand for the bombing the Pathet Lao. Navy had 1 Carrier group in 6th fleet and 3 carriers in Gulf of Tonkin also flying over Laos most bombed country in the world, . Royal Navy had 3 carries plus RCN St. Bonventure and escorts in theMed. SACEUR lost 7 Special Forces units and kept 1. They went to South Vietnam . You need to remember we went from under 800 advisers in Vietnam ans Laos on 21 Jan 1961 t just under 22,000 troops in country on 30 November 1963. Additionally, 2 Armored regiments and the 9th ID pulled from Europe to reinforce 2 ID in the border skirmishes in South Korea 1963 -1967. Bundeswehr was 230,000 on 21 Jan 1961 and 400,000 by 1 Jan 1964. RAF had a 150,000 troops in 1965 and the Luftwaffe had 14 operational squadrons an 16 training squadrons. German draft was 3 years vs 2 for US. The US gutted Europe to cover problems in Asia in the 60's Trained soldiers do not appear out of thin air as exemplified by the Russian Army in Ukraine now. We did not pull our weight in NATO in the 60's and 70's. We pulled out troops from NATO in the 60's and 70's. So when Trump points his finger a t Germany , the other three point back at the US. One at him personally for the phony bone spurs to avoid the draft. Rich kids did that or went to Canada. I have more respect for the latter than those who used daddy's money to get out of the draft. My draft number was 320 but I went anyway in 1971. I knew what was going on since my uncle was transferred from Heilbronn to Danang in 1963 and I had read Bernie Fall's STREET Without Joy. Commanded a maintenance section in the 108th FA group at the Rockpile on Rt 9 until a hot rod jeep driver flipped the jeep and Navy docs told the Army I was born with one kidney and never should have been in the Army much less comissioned. I knew what was going on and went anyway even if it was just to fix M107's and M110's to be turned over to ARVN. Lasted 7 weeks in country on the DMZ and had surgery in 1974 and 2020 for Agent Orange related non Hodgkins lymphoma and still have recurring squamous cell skin cancer. Trump should have been locked up for falsifying his medical records and sending some poor kid in his place. I voted for John Kaisch in the Republican Primary in 2016 and no one in the general election. I have morals. Thank you for your service, especially since you didn't have to go. You have a lot of information there. To my knowledge the move out of Germany started after I was discharged. They were looking for people to reenlist but everyone knew, by then, that they were most likely ot be transferred to Vietnam. I left Germany 20 years after the end of WW2. I think that was more than enough time for Germany to defend their own country together with the allies. We were trying to clean up the mess the French left in South Vietnam. I never thought that committing land forces was a good idea. I was for Barry Goldwater back then. He was the man who said he would not get us involved in the war and that Goldwater was sure too. He ran nefarious ads showing a hydrogen bomb going off in the distance a s a young girl picks a flower in the foreground. What bullshit, yet the Democrats bought it and Johnson broke his word and got over 58,000 american military killed and many more injured physically and psychologically. Meanwhile the leftists back then spat on soldiers returning to San Francisco while calling them baby killers. Goldwater was an air force reserve general and would have just done bombing runs in Vietnam and called it a victory. Johnson, McNamara, and the generals told all sorts of lies about winning the war. We could have but the leftists at home were able to hamper that idea. In formation my company commander told us that we better not vote for Goldwater or he would lead us to war. I was twenty so still to young to vote and was home during the election. When I went into the army I was 17 and a volunteer in the regular army. not a draftee. I served three years. I had requested Germany and was lucky enough to get it. In basic training they said we would probably be going to Cuba. We all have our own views of the war. Our own memories. Our own conclusions. Thanks for your service! I don't know how the Ukrainian soldiers are trained, but they seem a far site better than the Russians. Most of them have very little training compared to more organized and better equipped army. They are fighting for their homeland just as the Russians did against the Germans. They are a younger, softer generation also. Ukrainians have been living under the threat of the Russian Bear since the last invasion and annexation of Crimea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nsdp + 449 eh March 27, 2022 11 minutes ago, Ron Wagner said: Thank you for your service, especially since you didn't have to go. You have a lot of information there. To my knowledge the move out of Germany started after I was discharged. They were looking for people to reenlist but everyone knew, by then, that they were most likely ot be transferred to Vietnam. I left Germany 20 years after the end of WW2. I think that was more than enough time for Germany to defend their own country together with the allies. We were trying to clean up the mess the French left in South Vietnam. I never thought that committing land forces was a good idea. I was for Barry Goldwater back then. He was the man who said he would not get us involved in the war and that Goldwater was sure too. He ran nefarious ads showing a hydrogen bomb going off in the distance a s a young girl picks a flower in the foreground. What bullshit, yet the Democrats bought it and Johnson broke his word and got over 58,000 american military killed and many more injured physically and psychologically. Meanwhile the leftists back then spat on soldiers returning to San Francisco while calling them baby killers. Goldwater was an air force reserve general and would have just done bombing runs in Vietnam and called it a victory. Johnson, McNamara, and the generals told all sorts of lies about winning the war. We could have but the leftists at home were able to hamper that idea. In formation my company commander told us that we better not vote for Goldwater or he would lead us to war. I was twenty so still to young to vote and was home during the election. When I went into the army I was 17 and a volunteer in the regular army. not a draftee. I served three years. I had requested Germany and was lucky enough to get it. In basic training they said we would probably be going to Cuba. We all have our own views of the war. Our own memories. Our own conclusions. Thanks for your service! I don't know how the Ukrainian soldiers are trained, but they seem a far site better than the Russians. Most of them have very little training compared to more organized and better equipped army. They are fighting for their homeland just as the Russians did against the Germans. They are a younger, softer generation also. Ukrainians have been living under the threat of the Russian the ar since the last invasion and annexation of Crimea. Ron, what every one remembers is what happened while they were there; not before or after. In Vietnam It would not have nattered whether it was Lyndon or Barry. Both were trapped by the decisions made by Kennedy on Laos and South Vietnam 1961-1963 .McCarthy red bating politically and the Domino theory would see to that.. Of the joint chiefs of staff only David Shoup Commandant of the Marines was opposed and he was the only one with battlefield experience(Medal of Honor at Tarawa). The others were staff wallas or REMF's "He was strongly opposed to military intervention in Indochina from the beginning. In 1961, when the Pathet Lao threatened the American-backed government of Laos, he rejected calls for armed intervention. He deployed Task Unit Shufly to Saigon, South Vietnam in 1962 only because he was ordered to, and cautioned against further involvement there. He opposed the Strategic Hamlet program, as well as efforts to train the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. Shoup's staunch opposition to involvement. was he had ground combat experience(Tarawa, Tinian, and Saipan) none of the others had. Walter Johnson Army chief was MacArthur's aide, Wheeler was chief of staff 63rd ID(div HQ) and commanded the Trieste garrison(Italy) during Korea, However, Wheeler was concerned that the American buildup in Vietnam depleted U.S. military capabilities in other parts of the world.(NATO) He campaigned for 205,000 additional ground troops, to be gained by mobilizing reserves," Then there were our two outstanding "three hots and cot" members in Curtis "bomb them back to the stone age" LeMay and George Anderson Navy plans and Navigator on Yorktown II. I got there at the bitter end of Lam Son 719 last week of March. There is a good program that I remember on the History channel 20 years ago and I have seen on You tube Lam Son 719 48th av Blue stars. apparently in their archive they started with 18 slicks an 12 Gunships and finished with 6 slicks. Rest were shot down. . If you see that program you can see the same look in the eyes the Russians have now just like ARVN coming back to Nam from Laos. Same beaten down hang dog look. I think there are some shots of the 5th at Khe Sahn and Bao Lao. 5th ID were in better shape than ARVN but no match for the NVA. You look into the eyes of the NVA/NLF, there was a steely hardness saying "we will do what ever it takes how ever long it takes." I see the same thing in the Ukrainians Ron my service is just like yours , the right thing to do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
surrept33 + 609 st March 27, 2022 3 hours ago, Ron Wagner said: I don't know how the Ukrainian soldiers are trained, but they seem a far site better than the Russians. Most of them have very little training compared to more organized and better equipped army. They are fighting for their homeland just as the Russians did against the Germans. They are a younger, softer generation also. Ukrainians have been living under the threat of the Russian Bear since the last invasion and annexation of Crimea. both the armed forces and the territorial defenses seem to have gotten help from a number of countries, but yeah, they had to completely reform everything, with an expectation that Russia would eventually attack. here is a interesting story about a former IDF commando group training the territorial defenses. The Israelis don't seem too happy with Russia: https://www.timesofisrael.com/no-other-option-israeli-ex-commandos-said-to-secretly-train-ukrainian-civilians/ ‘No other option’: Israeli ex-commandos said to secretly train Ukrainian civilians A group of Israeli ex-commandos has been training Ukrainian civilians at a secret facility in western Ukraine, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported Friday, as the Russian invasion entered its second month. While the program is not Israeli-government sanctioned, one Israeli official told the newspaper that the top political echelon is aware of the training but is choosing to turn a blind eye. The precise location of the facility was not disclosed due to fears it could be located by Russian intelligence. Trainees include both male and female Ukrainian civilians, most of whom have never had any military training. Some have previously served in the military or have a little experience in shooting as a hobby. “The entire country has re-organized itself for war in a very short period of time,” an Israeli instructor identified as R. told the newspaper. “I’ve seen them change,” he said. “After spending a few hours with a group that includes a waiter, a chef and a lawyer, I saw the penny drop.” “Many of them threw up because of the effort and the shock [in the training program]; it wasn’t easy for them, but I saw them go aside, throw up, calm down and come back because there’s just no other option,” he said. The Israeli ex-commando in charge of the program, identified as “Danny,” said the program started as a rescue mission for stranded Jews from war-stricken areas in Ukraine, who quickly began to require armed escorts as the fighting escalated. “We realized they needed something else completely,” he said. Danny first visited Ukraine in 1997 and was also there during the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014. He said it was obvious to him that he needed to go to Ukraine to help from the moment Russian troops invaded on February 24, and highlight his own obligations to Israel as a factor. “When you first arrive in a country facing annihilation, you realize the responsibility you have to your own country, the importance of joining the IDF… of protecting your homeland,” he said. The fact that Israelis are actively training Ukrainians to oppose the Russian army is highly unusual, especially considering the refusal of Israel to provide Ukraine with any military equipment, even defensive gear, despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s repeated appeals. Citing an Israeli official, the Yedioth Ahronoth report indicated that the political echelon is aware of the covert program but has chosen to look away. “We are all united in our support and solidarity toward the Ukrainian nation… which has been exposed to the worst kind of Russian aggression,” the unnamed official said. “That’s why we know and choose to look the other way,” the official added, refusing to say who in the Israeli defense establishment was aware of the secret facility. Russia’s presence in Syria has been seen as a factor in Israel’s lack of strong backing for Ukraine during the war. But the official claimed that the Israeli attitude toward this issue may be shifting. “The truth is, we’re pretty sick of the Russian story in Syria and how they keep screwing us over,” this official said. “Yes, we are fully coordinated with them, but we were never deceived — they are not on our side. They talk to us right after coordinating with the Syrians, Iranians and with Hezbollah in Syria. They are on their side and are making our life extremely difficult. We shouldn’t forget that,” the official added. The Israelis involved in the training program said they don’t believe the Russian invasion will end soon. “Our actions here show why our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will also serve in the military. This place is proof of that,” Danny said, pointing toward the front line. “There’s evil in the world.” Asked by one of the trainees why he’s there, another Israeli instructor said that the battle taking place in Ukraine is indicative of a larger threat. “We’re not only fighting for Ukraine, but for ourselves,” he said. “If Ukraine falls, people who oppose democracy will raise their heads, it will encourage malign forces all over the world and Putin will want to help them.” 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Wagner + 709 March 27, 2022 1 hour ago, surrept33 said: both the armed forces and the territorial defenses seem to have gotten help from a number of countries, but yeah, they had to completely reform everything, with an expectation that Russia would eventually attack. here is a interesting story about a former IDF commando group training the territorial defenses. The Israelis don't seem too happy with Russia: https://www.timesofisrael.com/no-other-option-israeli-ex-commandos-said-to-secretly-train-ukrainian-civilians/ ‘No other option’: Israeli ex-commandos said to secretly train Ukrainian civilians A group of Israeli ex-commandos has been training Ukrainian civilians at a secret facility in western Ukraine, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported Friday, as the Russian invasion entered its second month. While the program is not Israeli-government sanctioned, one Israeli official told the newspaper that the top political echelon is aware of the training but is choosing to turn a blind eye. The precise location of the facility was not disclosed due to fears it could be located by Russian intelligence. Trainees include both male and female Ukrainian civilians, most of whom have never had any military training. Some have previously served in the military or have a little experience in shooting as a hobby. “The entire country has re-organized itself for war in a very short period of time,” an Israeli instructor identified as R. told the newspaper. “I’ve seen them change,” he said. “After spending a few hours with a group that includes a waiter, a chef and a lawyer, I saw the penny drop.” “Many of them threw up because of the effort and the shock [in the training program]; it wasn’t easy for them, but I saw them go aside, throw up, calm down and come back because there’s just no other option,” he said. The Israeli ex-commando in charge of the program, identified as “Danny,” said the program started as a rescue mission for stranded Jews from war-stricken areas in Ukraine, who quickly began to require armed escorts as the fighting escalated. “We realized they needed something else completely,” he said. Danny first visited Ukraine in 1997 and was also there during the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014. He said it was obvious to him that he needed to go to Ukraine to help from the moment Russian troops invaded on February 24, and highlight his own obligations to Israel as a factor. “When you first arrive in a country facing annihilation, you realize the responsibility you have to your own country, the importance of joining the IDF… of protecting your homeland,” he said. The fact that Israelis are actively training Ukrainians to oppose the Russian army is highly unusual, especially considering the refusal of Israel to provide Ukraine with any military equipment, even defensive gear, despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s repeated appeals. Citing an Israeli official, the Yedioth Ahronoth report indicated that the political echelon is aware of the covert program but has chosen to look away. “We are all united in our support and solidarity toward the Ukrainian nation… which has been exposed to the worst kind of Russian aggression,” the unnamed official said. “That’s why we know and choose to look the other way,” the official added, refusing to say who in the Israeli defense establishment was aware of the secret facility. Russia’s presence in Syria has been seen as a factor in Israel’s lack of strong backing for Ukraine during the war. But the official claimed that the Israeli attitude toward this issue may be shifting. “The truth is, we’re pretty sick of the Russian story in Syria and how they keep screwing us over,” this official said. “Yes, we are fully coordinated with them, but we were never deceived — they are not on our side. They talk to us right after coordinating with the Syrians, Iranians and with Hezbollah in Syria. They are on their side and are making our life extremely difficult. We shouldn’t forget that,” the official added. The Israelis involved in the training program said they don’t believe the Russian invasion will end soon. “Our actions here show why our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will also serve in the military. This place is proof of that,” Danny said, pointing toward the front line. “There’s evil in the world.” Asked by one of the trainees why he’s there, another Israeli instructor said that the battle taking place in Ukraine is indicative of a larger threat. “We’re not only fighting for Ukraine, but for ourselves,” he said. “If Ukraine falls, people who oppose democracy will raise their heads, it will encourage malign forces all over the world and Putin will want to help them.” Our CIA has been training all along, as well as other military too. The will to fight and whatever training they already had is vital too. Ukraine also had a lot of armament from their own factories, Small arms though. Without all the support, I don't know how long they would be able to hold out. We must do the best we can to support them and help them keep their country and their freedoms. Israel has a complex situation in the middle east because Russia lets them bomb the Iranians in Syria, and are present near the Golan Heights. Israel may have to take out Iran before they develop their nuclear weapons. That is soon. They are sending medical aid and have a field hospital in Ukraine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Wagner + 709 March 27, 2022 On 3/23/2022 at 11:00 PM, fozzir said: re We do have a problem with India Solution. let Texas sell them oil. Texas won't have enough for Europe. Maybe they can tap more of that natural gas for Europe rather than flare it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nsdp + 449 eh March 28, 2022 19 hours ago, Ron Wagner said: Texas won't have enough for Europe. Maybe they can tap more of that natural gas for Europe rather than flare it. Good point Ron. Last year Texas RRC gave permits to flare 25% of casinghead gas in the Permian and Eagle Ford including producers who already had gathering line hookups. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boat + 1,324 RG March 29, 2022 On 3/27/2022 at 10:40 PM, nsdp said: Good point Ron. Last year Texas RRC gave permits to flare 25% of casinghead gas in the Permian and Eagle Ford including producers who already had gathering line hookups. You have a link for that? Do they have historical charts for flaring and requirement changes in what years. I need to get woke. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites