New England Met Spring Banter 2022

[HIPPYVALLEY]

7 minutes ago, monadnocks said:

So we're not taking a bunch of high schoolers to MGM.   If there is a discount to be had with the hotels, I'm probably interested. We can't book hotels with minibars in the rooms or where you have to travel through a casino to get to the restaurant or entrance, for example. 

Thank you for offering to look!

Oh, sorry I was thinking it was you and other adults looking for a place to crash Lol.  I'll ask my peeps tomorrow what they recommend for your entourage.  

[Typhoon Tip]

So Madelaine Albright has passed, 84.  She was a central figure in the Clinton administration among other accolades and/or infamy - side of the aisle characterizing..

Last week in NYTimes she's cited as having earlier intimated Russian leader Vladimir Putin would be making “a historic error ... Instead of paving Russia’s path to greatness, invading Ukraine would ensure Mr. Putin’s infamy by leaving his country diplomatically isolated, economically crippled and strategically vulnerable in the face of a stronger, more united Western alliance."

Meanwhile, "Poopin" /Kremlin mouthpiece has recently stated that Russia would resort to nuclear weapons if they are under existential threat. 

Who gets to decide if Russia is under existential threat?  HIM!!??  

He's making his own rules.  He's a psychopath redrawing the VIN diagram of righteousness around his own internal monologue of cold war era super ego.   This is still just an intractable situation that requires a unique non military solution -

To say nothing of the fact that the statements of Albright  ... MEAN a destiny at existential dilemma. They can't end any other way really.  So, two different ideologies, from disparate source, projecting a grim cinema when taking both seriously.   

Get your affairs in order, people.

You know ... one almost wonder if Putin's already decided to launch his weapons; he just needed an excuse.   Invading Ukraine was a calculated move to get him to that goal.   Because it's a nice logical explanation that atones for the fact that he's fVcking making an existential dilemma a reality.   There was no such state of dystopia before he became the aggressor.  

 

 

 

[RUNNAWAYICEBERG]

21 minutes ago, Typhoon Tip said:

So Madelaine Albright has passed, 84.  She was a central figure in the Clinton administration among other accolades and/or infamy - side of the aisle characterizing..

Last week in NYTimes she's cited as having earlier intimated Russian leader Vladimir Putin would be making “a historic error ... Instead of paving Russia’s path to greatness, invading Ukraine would ensure Mr. Putin’s infamy by leaving his country diplomatically isolated, economically crippled and strategically vulnerable in the face of a stronger, more united Western alliance."

Meanwhile, "Poopin" /Kremlin mouthpiece has recently stated that Russia would resort to nuclear weapons if they are under existential threat. 

Who gets to decide if Russia is under existential threat?  HIM!!??  

He's making his own rules.  He's a psychopath redrawing the VIN diagram of righteousness around his own internal monologue of cold war era super ego.   This is still just an intractable situation that requires a unique non military solution -

To say nothing of the fact that the statements of Albright  ... MEAN a destiny at existential dilemma. They can't end any other way really.  So, two different ideologies, from disparate source, projecting a grim cinema when taking both seriously.   

Get your affairs in order, people.

You know ... one almost wonder if Putin's already decided to launch his weapons; he just needed an excuse.   Invading Ukraine was a calculated move to get him to that goal.   Because it's a nice logical explanation that atones for the fact that he's fVcking making an existential dilemma a reality.   There was no such state of dystopia before he became the aggressor.  

 

 

 

I’m amazed no one inside of Russia has gotten to him yet. Or maybe they’ve tried and we don’t know it. It’s not like Pootin would ever broadcast it. But…the Oligarchs are losing heaps of money and having their properties seized while everyone else is beginning to feel the pinches of another cold war. The remaining carrot is if/when Europe cuts their energy off from Putin…because until then, Europe is practically funding the invasion themselves. At any rate, there doesn’t seem to be an exit ramp for Pootin. He’s all in…everyone and everything is collateral damage as he uses it to weaponize his propaganda machine. 

[NorEastermass128]

18 hours ago, RUNNAWAYICEBERG said:

I’m not a banker but yes, you can. It is legal.
 

 

17 hours ago, PhineasC said:

Until you sign the final loan documents with the bank of your choice, you can change whenever you want. A pre-approval letter does not lock you into anything. Treat a bank like you'd treat a car dealer. You would have no issue walking out of a car dealership even up to the point they take you into the little room to talk to the sales manager, right? A bank is no different. You can and should shop around between banks. God knows there are a million of them out there now. I give this advice out all the time because it seems people are kinda scared of banks and think they are somehow more powerful than any other business selling a service. The banks like to cultivate this myth by using very official-sounding language and documentation for every little thing. Just watch your own interests and you will be fine.

Moot point for now. Rejected again. 

[Typhoon Tip]

5 hours ago, RUNNAWAYICEBERG said:

I’m amazed no one inside of Russia has gotten to him yet. Or maybe they’ve tried and we don’t know it. It’s not like Pootin would ever broadcast it. But…the Oligarchs are losing heaps of money and having their properties seized while everyone else is beginning to feel the pinches of another cold war. The remaining carrot is if/when Europe cuts their energy off from Putin…because until then, Europe is practically funding the invasion themselves. At any rate, there doesn’t seem to be an exit ramp for Pootin. He’s all in…everyone and everything is collateral damage as he uses it to weaponize his propaganda machine. 

I really fight believing that without the artful unique solution the next best recourse, if perhaps for even avoiding the worst case scenario and saving humanity… would be the quasi or outright coup de etat …

In a rare show, the far more stalwartly stoical mien of Russian general Yevgeny Llyin, broke into an overt emotional display in meetings between his entourage and NATO/U.S. military officials last week.  The personal accounting of those witnesses, they were given the impression that there is a morality conflict in the rank and file of the Russian war machinery. 

They know. 

The question is whether that leads to some sort of internal reckoning/self-guiding exit strategy - to put it diplomatically. 

[mreaves]

37 minutes ago, Typhoon Tip said:

I really fight believing that without the artful unique solution the next best recourse, if perhaps for even avoiding the worst case scenario and saving humanity… would be the quasi or outright coup de etat …

In a rare show, the far more stalwartly stoical mien of Russian general Yevgeny Llyin, broke into an overt emotional display in meetings between his entourage and NATO/U.S. military officials last week.  The personal accounting of those witnesses, they were given the impression that there is a morality conflict in the rank and file of the Russian war machinery. 

They know. 

The question is whether that leads to some sort of internal reckoning/self-guiding exit strategy - to put it diplomatically. 

Where did you get that?

[mreaves]

11 minutes ago, mreaves said:

Where did you get that?

Never mind, I found it. 
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/03/23/politics/us-russia-general-meeting/index.html

[Hoosier]

On 3/21/2022 at 3:11 PM, Cyclone-68 said:

Do severe outbreaks occur anywhere but the Deep South anymore? Seems like it’s been forever since we’ve seen anything in the Plains or upper Midwest?

What about December 15, 2021?

[IowaStorm05]

I was telling people at work that in our world spring begins March 1. The laymen public observance of the seasons starting at solstice and equinox is fooey.

Spring is well underway by the second week of March… even if there is still an occasional snow the overall pattern trends warmer once you hit March.

[IowaStorm05]

26 minutes ago, Hoosier said:

What about December 15, 2021?

Iowa recently had tornado fatalities in the last ten or fifteen days but I agree, you haven’t seen as many major Hoosier or Midwest outbreaks that I can remember lately. Kentucky is the closest. Southern Missouri is a hot spot too.

Obviously Deep South severe is in early to mid spring and is before the Midwest. I never would have expected tornadoes in Iowa in March, we usually would still be snowing!

[Supernovice]

10 hours ago, Typhoon Tip said:

I really fight believing that without the artful unique solution the next best recourse, if perhaps for even avoiding the worst case scenario and saving humanity… would be the quasi or outright coup de etat …

In a rare show, the far more stalwartly stoical mien of Russian general Yevgeny Llyin, broke into an overt emotional display in meetings between his entourage and NATO/U.S. military officials last week.  The personal accounting of those witnesses, they were given the impression that there is a morality conflict in the rank and file of the Russian war machinery. 

They know. 

The question is whether that leads to some sort of internal reckoning/self-guiding exit strategy - to put it diplomatically. 

I do agree that we have almost certainly entered into a more dangerous phase of this than we were a month ago. With Ukraine on the offense militarily (an absolutely shocking development), the Russian economy in tatters ( although I would have thought we would see more cracks than we have until now)…again we talk about narrowing options.
 

A strike on Poland or use of chemical/bio/nuke weapon to turn the tide of the war is something that is very much both on the table and a part of Russian military doctrine- escalate to deescalate. Which is why you are hearing things about the tiger- task force and very public statements about what NATO would do in response to such an escalation.  Very clearly we are attempting to let the decision makers over there know that, a) we know what you’re thinking and b) we will have a response.  Big meetings over the next few days…my spidey senses are tingling.

[STILL N OF PIKE]

Just some actual observations of market levels and historic significance 

 

Bond market and ten year are at a inflection point . Bond market oversold but tagged yesterday against a 20 year trend line ...where previous tags resulted in QE1/QE2 ( 2018 fed reversal of policy went from beginning of  raising rates to abrupt decision to cut rates w low unemployment) . Powell and the gang are instead focused on future aggressive rate hikes . Something is very off.  Almost seems like it would be ideal timing for a big war ramp up that tanks stocks to save bond market and everyone blames Russia instead of the fed and just the inherent frailty of a debt based system where it has been politically unacceptable to let bad debt be cleared from system for over a decade .

Of course I am not saying things *will* play out low that but something has to give .  Unless we are just buying assets clandestinely now for market stability . The US bond market is the biggest deepest asset market in the financial system . It has been in a bull market since the 1980’s . 10 year has been falling in a choppy nature since then and when ever it rose up to tag the top of the bullish trend line the fed cut rates / loosened and it tagged it yesterday and they are talking about rate hikes . Something is off , so heightening war concerns would fit the bill to fix the current problem with rising 10 year rate Soon to be breaking  20 year trend and taking fed off the hook as we would be taught to just blame Russia . Maybe it plays out differently of course , but it’s worth mentioning 

[HIPPYVALLEY]

16 minutes ago, STILL N OF PIKE said:

Just some actual observations of market levels and historic significance 

 

Bond market and ten year are at a inflection point . Bond market oversold but tagged yesterday against a 20 year trend line ...where previous tags resulted in QE1/QE2 ( 2018 fed reversal of policy went from beginning of  raising rates to abrupt decision to cut rates w low unemployment) . Powell and the gang are instead focused on future aggressive rate hikes . Something is very off.  Almost seems like it would be ideal timing for a big war ramp up that tanks stocks to save bond market and everyone blames Russia instead of the fed and just the inherent frailty of a debt based system where it has been politically unacceptable to let bad debt be cleared from system for over a decade .

Of course I am not saying things *will* play out low that but something has to give .  Unless we are just buying assets clandestinely now for market stability . The US bond market is the biggest deepest asset market in the financial system . It has been in a bull market since the 1980’s . 10 year has been falling in a choppy nature since then and when ever it rose up to tag the top of the bullish trend line the fed cut rates / loosened and it tagged it yesterday and they are talking about rate hikes . Something is off , so heightening war concerns would fit the bill to fix the current problem with rising 10 year rate Soon to be breaking  20 year trend and taking fed off the hook as we would be taught to just blame Russia . Maybe it plays out differently of course , but it’s worth mentioning 

Biden directly warned businesses this week about cyber attack risks so there must be some recent Intel with regards to that.  An attack on financial institutions would not surprise me.  

[Typhoon Tip]

1 hour ago, HIPPYVALLEY said:

Biden directly warned businesses this week about cyber attack risks so there must be some recent Intel with regards to that.  An attack on financial institutions would not surprise me.  

I'm just an Internet happen-by like anyone else..but when I come across  'cyber attack' escalation waves, I'm always wondering if these are foreign sovereignty ( state ) sanctioned? Some likely are/have been. I think there is pretty damning evidence of 'cyber cold warring' from China.  And Russia for that matter.  

But just knowing sociology at a menial level of healthy cynicism ... a tech genius misanthrope covert from his/her basement, can do a lot of damage alone. Consder: if they are a part a population  300,000,000, ... pure numbers argue there's a huge number of those types.  Moreover, likely triggered/ picking times of duress like this to scale up their bidding -

Does detection know the difference.  Are there times when it's just a wave of zealots ...en masse, giving the allusion of a orchestrated attack, or is it in fact some "Sector 7" of foreign government.  

Probably both.   F'n humans ... 

[Cold Miser]

20 hours ago, Typhoon Tip said:

So Madelaine Albright has passed, 84.  She was a central figure in the Clinton administration among other accolades and/or infamy - side of the aisle characterizing..

Last week in NYTimes she's cited as having earlier intimated Russian leader Vladimir Putin would be making “a historic error ... Instead of paving Russia’s path to greatness, invading Ukraine would ensure Mr. Putin’s infamy by leaving his country diplomatically isolated, economically crippled and strategically vulnerable in the face of a stronger, more united Western alliance."

Meanwhile, "Poopin" /Kremlin mouthpiece has recently stated that Russia would resort to nuclear weapons if they are under existential threat. 

Who gets to decide if Russia is under existential threat?  HIM!!??  

He's making his own rules.  He's a psychopath redrawing the VIN diagram of righteousness around his own internal monologue of cold war era super ego.   This is still just an intractable situation that requires a unique non military solution -

To say nothing of the fact that the statements of Albright  ... MEAN a destiny at existential dilemma. They can't end any other way really.  So, two different ideologies, from disparate source, projecting a grim cinema when taking both seriously.   

Get your affairs in order, people.

You know ... one almost wonder if Putin's already decided to launch his weapons; he just needed an excuse.   Invading Ukraine was a calculated move to get him to that goal.   Because it's a nice logical explanation that atones for the fact that he's fVcking making an existential dilemma a reality.   There was no such state of dystopia before he became the aggressor.  

 

 

 

...If you mean, affairs as in prepping for nuclear war, nothing will prepare the common man for this. And, all of us are commoners.  You may be able to bug-out in some mountain hide-a-way for a few months, with your iodine tablets, and MRE's, but nuclear winter will over take all of humanity.   At best any preparations will just prolong the time it takes for your visit from the grim reaper. 

[NorEastermass128]

21 minutes ago, Cold Miser said:

...If you mean, affairs as in prepping for nuclear war, nothing will prepare the common man for this. And, all of us are commoners.  You may be able to bug-out in some mountain hide-a-way for a few months, with your iodine tablets, and MRE's, but nuclear winter will over take all of humanity.   At best any preparations will just prolong the time it takes for your visit from the grim reaper. 

The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a timely read. 

[PhineasC]

29 minutes ago, Cold Miser said:

...If you mean, affairs as in prepping for nuclear war, nothing will prepare the common man for this. And, all of us are commoners.  You may be able to bug-out in some mountain hide-a-way for a few months, with your iodine tablets, and MRE's, but nuclear winter will over take all of humanity.   At best any preparations will just prolong the time it takes for your visit from the grim reaper. 

Survival will require support from a small, tight-knit community. A tribe, essentially. People who live in more rural settings and have a strong network of friends and family to rely on will have a better chance.

Cities and dense suburbs will become vast fields of death and violence very quickly. There is no sense of tribe in those places and way, way too many mouths to feed in a scenario like this. It will be total pandemonium.

[NorEastermass128]

Just now, PhineasC said:

Survival will require support from a small, tight-knit community. A tribe, essentially. People who live in more rural settings and have a strong network of friends and family to rely on will have a better chance.

Cities and dense suburbs will become vast fields of death and violence very quickly. There is no sense of tribe in those places and way, way too many mouths to feed in a scenario like this. It will be total pandemonium.

Agree. Just drop right over my head if that’s how it all goes down. 

[Cyclone-68]

Reading the above helps explain why it took me almost three months to get an appointment  to see a psych

[SJonesWX]

1 hour ago, Cold Miser said:

...If you mean, affairs as in prepping for nuclear war, nothing will prepare the common man for this. And, all of us are commoners.  You may be able to bug-out in some mountain hide-a-way for a few months, with your iodine tablets, and MRE's, but nuclear winter will over take all of humanity.   At best any preparations will just prolong the time it takes for your visit from the grim reaper. 

as soon as I hear about a nuclear bomb hitting somewhat nearby, i am going to drive straight towards it and get it overwith as quickly as possible. Or maybe just take a bite of my Smith and Wesson.

[monadnocks]

2 hours ago, Typhoon Tip said:

I'm just an Internet happen-by like anyone else..but when I come across  'cyber attack' escalation waves, I'm always wondering if these are foreign sovereignty ( state ) sanctioned? Some likely are/have been. I think there is pretty damning evidence of 'cyber cold warring' from China.  And Russia for that matter.  

But just knowing sociology at a menial level of healthy cynicism ... a tech genius misanthrope covert from his/her basement, can do a lot of damage alone. Consder: if they are a part a population  300,000,000, ... pure numbers argue there's a huge number of those types.  Moreover, likely triggered/ picking times of duress like this to scale up their bidding -

Does detection know the difference.  Are there times when it's just a wave of zealots ...en masse, giving the allusion of a orchestrated attack, or is it in fact some "Sector 7" of foreign government.  

Probably both.   F'n humans ... 

tl;dr: Yes, it's possible to have likely attribution but it takes time, talent and a lot of work.

There are groups that are part of a nation state. https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/who-is-fancy-bear/ There are groups that are affiliated with nation states. The Conti ransomware gang has been cited as being affiliated with the Russian government, for instance. https://thehackernews.com/2022/03/conti-ransomware-gangs-internal-chats.html And the Ukraine has enlisted a host of individuals to hack on their behalf. https://threatpost.com/russia-leaks-data-thousand-cuts-podcast/178749/

I would not want to work on a blue team at the moment. I can tell you that the people that I know who work in cybersecurity are very busy these days.

[Typhoon Tip]

2 hours ago, Cold Miser said:

...If you mean, affairs as in prepping for nuclear war, nothing will prepare the common man for this. And, all of us are commoners.  You may be able to bug-out in some mountain hide-a-way for a few months, with your iodine tablets, and MRE's, but nuclear winter will over take all of humanity.   At best any preparations will just prolong the time it takes for your visit from the grim reaper. 

Heh.... nah that's a tongue-in-cheek metaphor for that context.  Actually the whole post has some hand throwing frustration like that.

In something more like reality, without full support, both intellectual and moral of the rank and file of both the the Kremlin and the infrastructural military/ arsenal Poopin isn't going to be able to carry out such a finality - not a Global scale. 

Moreover, that business I posted about the Yevgeny Ilyin ( ranking Russian Military figure ) is being reported by multiple independent news sources.  Putting these fact into an intelligentsia manifold, it doesn't add up to Poopin having unilateral internal support.

This is one man and his closest figures simply not accepting the reality that the World has long abandoned the former paradigm, leaving their ideology on wrong side of history  ... The Generals outburst and tamber, surely signals they are aware of the shear lunacy in allowing this thing to escalate to scorching Earth based upon that cause. They know... The gotta. This whole war is really the vestigial super ego, death gasp act of a dying apparatus...

Part of the problem is also courage to go up against the hierarchical command structure, inherent to Russian sociology.  Folks should really watch the recent "Chernobyl" docudrama. They beautifully cinema the crushing culture the Russians have about respecting echelon, and not challenging authority - literally to knee bent fear.  Even in the face of clear and present idiocy.  There's some of that vestigial issue going on here... The General and his comments, together with the mien of the entourage that wasn't distilled any other way during those meetings with Western/NATO brass, signal they are troubled. And probably, quite frustratingly coveting their resolves. It's plausible if not likely he may be more tethered internally ( Poopin') than he may even know. Their watching him and will step in?        

I lean suspiciously toward some form of internal recourse quietly ending this. Quasi, or intimate coup de etat, or some lesser sort of step aside... It doesn't make sense already for Russia to persist with this conflict, and with NATO allied nations supplying now munitions to the Ukrainians forces, ... it cannot end well for Russia. Then (obviously) considering the enormous economic pressures added to all that really... ? It's already over. 

They have to have an exit strategy.  But one that doesn't require everyone is dead, on all sides.   Or else we are truly dealing with mass psychosis involving large numbers and that's already proven to be far less likely. The Generals emotive response and outburst - from a noted character of stoical disconnect behind cerebral glaring back amid other amulet adorned brass, is a pretty powerful suggestion that dissension over this whole war must be present among said rank. 

[Typhoon Tip]

14 minutes ago, monadnocks said:

tl;dr: Yes, it's possible to have likely attribution but it takes time, talent and a lot of work.

There are groups that are part of a nation state. https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/who-is-fancy-bear/ There are groups that are affiliated with nation states. The Conti ransomware gang has been cited as being affiliated with the Russian government, for instance. https://thehackernews.com/2022/03/conti-ransomware-gangs-internal-chats.html And the Ukraine has enlisted a host of individuals to hack on their behalf. https://threatpost.com/russia-leaks-data-thousand-cuts-podcast/178749/

I would not want to work on a blue team at the moment. I can tell you that the people that I know who work in cybersecurity are very busy these days.

I know there are both direct and indirect ties to foreign state ...

I was asking whether detection methods knows where the pings are originating.   They can tunnel/'root' technologies ... but a brilliant hacking agencies, or those operating alone ( either ) have means to conceal their whereabouts.   I'm just curious if part of the wave is more just those latter types hitting all at once, and if the difference can be determined.  

[HIPPYVALLEY]

1 hour ago, PhineasC said:

Survival will require support from a small, tight-knit community. A tribe, essentially. People who live in more rural settings and have a strong network of friends and family to rely on will have a better chance.

Cities and dense suburbs will become vast fields of death and violence very quickly. There is no sense of tribe in those places and way, way too many mouths to feed in a scenario like this. It will be total pandemonium.

NW MA has great, tight knit community and lots of natural resources.  I doubt Armageddon is happening but if it did, there is nowhere else in the Northeast I would rather be.

[Lava Rock]

...If you mean, affairs as in prepping for nuclear war, nothing will prepare the common man for this. And, all of us are commoners.  You may be able to bug-out in some mountain hide-a-way for a few months, with your iodine tablets, and MRE's, but nuclear winter will over take all of humanity.   At best any preparations will just prolong the time it takes for your visit from the grim reaper. 

Lovely. Can we start talking about less evil things like diarrhea on snowmobile trips

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk

[snowman21]

1 hour ago, PhineasC said:

Survival will require support from a small, tight-knit community. A tribe, essentially. People who live in more rural settings and have a strong network of friends and family to rely on will have a better chance.

Cities and dense suburbs will become vast fields of death and violence very quickly. There is no sense of tribe in those places and way, way too many mouths to feed in a scenario like this. It will be total pandemonium.

Yes, I'm sure this will be the biggest problem in cities, and not the fact that they would be the target of a megaton or half megaton nuclear explosion. But other than that Mrs. Lincoln how was the play?

[Cold Miser]

45 minutes ago, Typhoon Tip said:

Putting these fact into an intelligentsia manifold, it doesn't add up to Poopin having unilateral internal support.

Agree. And why would he? The notion of trying to revive, and re-live in a decades old scenario of "Mother Russia" probably seems insane to most who are within earshot of him.

45 minutes ago, Typhoon Tip said:

Folks should really watch the recent "Chernobyl" docudrama.

If you are talking about the HBO limited series, yes, this has been on my radar for a while to watch.

51 minutes ago, Typhoon Tip said:

I lean suspiciously toward some form of internal recourse quietly ending this. Quasi, or intimate coup de etat, or some lesser sort of step aside... It doesn't make sense already for Russia to persist with this conflict, and with NATO allied nations supplying now munitions to the Ukrainians forces, ... it cannot end well for Russia. Then (obviously) considering the enormous economic pressures added to all that really... ? It's already over. 

They have to have an exit strategy.  But one that doesn't require everyone is dead, on all sides.   Or else we are truly dealing with mass psychosis involving large numbers and that's already proven to be far less likely. The Generals emotive response and outburst - from a noted character of stoical disconnect behind cerebral glaring back amid other amulet adorned brass, is a pretty powerful suggestion that dissension over this whole war must be present among said rank. 

This.  There is so much logic (even for a madman) that goes against this thinking of massive casualties, and the win at all costs scenario that even as I sit here with part of me concerned over nuclear war (beyond localized tactical nuclear missiles), I really can't see any of this unfolding. 

[Typhoon Tip]

54 minutes ago, Cold Miser said:

Agree. And why would he? The notion of trying to revive, and re-live in a decades old scenario of "Mother Russia" probably seems insane to most who are within earshot of him.

If you are talking about the HBO limited series, yes, this has been on my radar for a while to watch.

This.  There is so much logic (even for a madman) that goes against this thinking of massive casualties, and the win at all costs scenario that even as I sit here with part of me concerned over nuclear war (beyond localized tactical nuclear missiles), I really can't see any of this unfolding. 

Yeah...definitely see it.   I mean they brilliantly illustrated in the scenes how the hereditary culture of toeing the line ... well, I don't wanna give it way.  Heh, I mean I think we all know where it ended up.    People knowing Z is wrong, or A is dangerous, and not speaking up to an excruciating extent.

Lol... above all else for me, 'how could anyone want to live in a society that crushes life flat by such weighted dogma.  It's not even about communism, either.  It's literally down to the scale of fearing the person's rank standing in front of you, fearing reprisal if they even sniff your dissension.  

If you see that... and understand the cultural vestige - then imagine how a rampart of top Russian brass would handle an inner cadre of unhinged superiors.  

I think it's a fascinating 'stand-off' ... When/if we get through this, there's a fantastic read and/or remake of this history no doubt.   But let's get the world through this first.    

[WhitinsvilleWX]

15 hours ago, IowaStorm05 said:

I was telling people at work that in our world spring begins March 1. The laymen public observance of the seasons starting at solstice and equinox is fooey.

Spring is well underway by the second week of March… even if there is still an occasional snow the overall pattern trends warmer once you hit March.

Tip's spring starts in February when the sun starts to warm his nape through the car window.

(truth be told, mine too)

[WhitinsvilleWX]

1 hour ago, Lava Rock said:

Lovely. Can we start talking about less evil things like diarrhea on snowmobile trips

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk
 

Even covid talk beats this