Maybe I’m being dense and over-simplifying, but I would have thought that Ukraine would only give mineral rights if they’re going to get tangible military aid (that they intend to use) in return. I guess what I’m hearing is that the mineral rights make it defacto US territory, and Russia won’t attack the US. I don’t know enough about the situation to comment on that.

@Jolly said in Enjoy your life after governor...: @Axtremus said in Enjoy your life after governor...: @LuFins-Dad said in Enjoy your life after governor...: "Well, we are the federal law," Trump said. No, President Trump, that is an Executive Order. I’m old enough to remember a time when Republicans said it’s important for elected officials to know and adhere to the Constitution. Tell that to the Democrat governor of Maine. Sure, I have no problem with telling the Democratic Governor of Main that I remember a time when Republicans said it’s important for elected officials to know and adhere to the Constitution. Chances are good that she remembers that too.

@Jolly said in First, stop the bleeding.: @Mik said in First, stop the bleeding.: I don’t think anyone would even raise an eyebrow about that anymore. Pretty good comment on where society stands, isn't it? Very. GHWB warned about it in 92.

@Mik said in No Charge: This doesn't make much sense. Still optimistically waiting for some “5-D chess” “this is just his starting negotiating position” type apologia.

Sure is an interesting situation. I would love to get clarity on COVID origins someday, but that'll probably never happen. Some experts people think they already have clarity, on both sides. More credentialed experts appear to be on the side of natural origin though.

In WW2, Marshall was absolutely ruthless in appointing and sacking division commanders. We were sub-par at the beginning of Torch, but the Army got much better pretty quickly, in both theatres. King also went through the Navy pretty hard. The only service that had their stuff wired was the Marines, but the Marines were hardened veterans of the Banana Wars and China.

Sowell should definitely be there.

Yeah, and what about transgendered critters?

Did you enjoy Sedona as well?

I blame the Joos. Morganthau decided to flatline the European piano manufacturers. Obviously. Be seeing you…

Craig wasn’t even James Bond. He was an entirely different character. Take him off the list altogether and put him on a list for ‘Peter Bond’ or whatever.

@taiwan_girl said in Bad Optics: To play devil advocate, ... Not "devil's advocate" at all. From the perspective of public health, it truly is risky for the nation to leave pockets of populations vulnerable to communicable diseases.

Something that stunning and brave is unforgettable. It was at that moment that I fell in love with her.

Note: He wasn't fired. He will still be working on the arrest side of ICE. In other news, they'll reach 2500 beds at Gitmo by this weekend. And Noem just gave another 500 at people at State arresting powers, to be used in immigration enforcement.

I do not care for the language Trump uses. I had hoped he would have learned to be more presidential.

No question it’s a demonstration to divert US public attention away from Europe and into the Pacific - specifically the area around Australia. You can be certain that Moscow and Beijing cooked it up together.

the DOGE claim in a recent post on X that it succeeded in selling off a historic Washington, D.C., property that has been boarded up for years. The historic Webster School building was actually sold at auction in December for $4 million under the Biden administration. Records show that a company called Webster School LLC with members Katie Dang and Hung Tran were the purchasers. The sale appears to have been finalized on Feb. 5, 2025.