[radon1]

* The fact that there are Russian troops in Ukraine, and the issue about the mothers' groups in Russia saying they know there are troops because their sons died in combat and they have graves in Russia.

What do you mean - troops? There are definitely people from Russia out there. But troops?

Even if they have organized regiments out there, they won't disclose it. And why so much obsession with this? The US definitely have military presence in Ukraine, and if Russia presence is "troops" then the US presence is also "troops".

* And I'd just wonder if the NATO video I posted is right or not, is Russian tv like over the top talk radio / alex jones like over here. Do they outright make things up sometimes and just inflame people with graphic footage of shellings etc

They once posted a fake report about a crucified child, and were widely mocked and condemned for it. It was not their report, they just passed it through unchecked.

Otherwise you can find in youtube whatever they show in their TV programming, and it does not look like they are making stuff up. Biased, putting occasional spin? Certainly. But they don't seem to be making things up.

If Russian news just shows horrible graphic shelling victims all day, then maybe that's how you get thousands of Russians so mad they get in the car to go fight in the Ukraine.

They are definitely keeping the heat up. But they don't have to put much effort in it really, the facts on the ground are helping them.

[Sixstrings]

Merikans on their new trolling tour - don't know how else to characterize it.

Deeply regrettable that the gentleman lost his arm. He now got an award from the dark overseas master for losing his arm and for killing other Ukrainians.

For people that may not know, that's commander us army europe in the video, lt gen Hodges.

Nice to see they took time out to tour the hospitals and get information about the medical situation. I've seen it in the Ukraine news for a long time now, veterans can't afford treatment and the hospitals lack money. A lot of regular people have suffered too since Russia started this war -- some can't get access to chemo, etc.

So in that video, the soldier is saying hist treatment will cost $100,000, but the family doesn't have the money.

Radon -- this Ukraine thing is not something that's big news over here, US gov is getting gradually involved, but at the moment it's one of many, many, many issues. ISIS, Yemen, on and on. There are problems all over the place and there's not enough money even in our budget to fix them all.

If the war gets worse and US more involved, then Ukraine will progressively get more help, but of course nobody wants the war to get worse or wounded soldiers to need treatment in the first place.

Would sure be nice if they could send some field hospitals and equipment over there to help out, though.

That's something that all these "non lethal aid" allies like Canada and Japan could be doing. Help with the medical.

(p.s. they wouldn't be touring those hospitals just to hand out awards. So maybe some help will be forthcoming on that.)

[Withnail]

Merikans on their new trolling tour - don't know how else to characterize it.

Deeply regrettable that the gentleman lost his arm. He now got an award from the dark overseas master for losing his arm and for killing other Ukrainians.

For people that may not know, that's commander us army europe in the video, lt gen Hodges.

I'm sure that former soldier will be very glad of his medal when he is homeless and starving in the future Ukraine.

Nobody gives a fuck about yesterday's heroes. Especially if they lose, which it looks like Ukraine is going to.

[radon1]

US gov is getting gradually involved, but at the moment it's one of many, many, many issues.

This is absolutely appalling. A foreign award for killing Ukrainians and Russians in a civil war. Totally disgusting, and humiliating for the guy.

[Sixstrings]

This is absolutely appalling. Award for killing Ukrainians and Russians. Totally disgusting.

The general thanked the soldier for his service to his country. I didn't notice the veteran yelling back that it was appalling, that he fought to defend his country.

We're back to square one again, you guys on the pro Russia side will not admit that there are millions of Ukrainians that feel their country has been invaded and they are at war with Russia.

And why would you call this appalling, this is what any visiting allied general should be doing, visiting the wounded for goodness sake. It's called taking responsibility, that's a good general. Someone that wants to see the wounded and know what's going on, someone that is factoring in the human costs to whatever gets done.

Who knows what this was about, maybe those hospitals need some help, or maybe this was just an honorable thing to do and visit these wounded.

[Withnail]

This is absolutely appalling. Award for killing Ukrainians and Russians. Totally disgusting.

The general thanked the soldier for his service to his country. I didn't notice the veteran yelling back that it was appalling, that he fought to defend his country.

US generals are not supposed to be handing out medals to soldiers of a foreign country engaged in a so-called 'anti-terrorist' operation on their own soil.

In fact the soldier should have refused the medal.

To accept it makes Ukrainians look like slaves of the US.

[Sixstrings]

I noticed a high ranking us army medical officer in that video. Hopefully they get some darn help, these wounded.

[radon1]

And why would you call this appalling, this is what any visiting allied general should be doing, visiting the wounded for goodness sake. It's called taking responsibility, that's a good general.

You are totally distorting what was said. Visiting hospitals is a good thing, helping the wounded financially is even better.

But handing a medal from the dummy in white house in such a situation is so profoundly disgusting... Among other things, it sends a strong signal. Rephrasing a an old nasty American saying - a good American is an American who is far and away.

[radon1]

I don't watch horrible videos from either side,

Why do you comment then on something that you do not even follow and have no idea about.

[Sixstrings]

More about gen Hodges trip to Ukraine:

The Army's top commander in Europe, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, said Wednesday that Russia has "doubled" its military support for separatists in Ukraine in recent months.

Gen. Hodges: Russia doubles support to Ukraine rebels

Ukraine and Russia reached a ceasefire in December, but Hodges said Russia has continued to send modern materiel to aid the rebels.

"When you look at the amount of Russian equipment that the proxies were using prior to the Minsk agreements, that amount has doubled beginning in December into the hundreds," he told reporters on his first visit to Ukraine as U.S. Army Europe commander.

Hodges said Russia was sending surveillance drones to the rebels to help provide intelligence, as well as artillery.
"Those are not the types of things you would find in a militia. They clearly are coming from a modern military force coming from Russia," he said.
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/230329-gen-hodges-russia-doubles-support-to-ukraine-rebels

I watched Radon's video again. Reading the tea leaves, it sounds like it was a very detailed tour of the hospital's operations. And he left the medical officer there after. So they wanted a lot of information, hopefully for these veterans that means they get some assistance.

It could also indicate that the US Army wants to know about medical facilities in general; first step to any intervention is getting medical lined up. Not that we're going to intervene, but this means something, probably forthcoming training and arms assistance and perhaps some advisors or some kind of US military personnel.

[Sixstrings]

Why do you comment then on something that you do not even follow and have no idea about.

The vids that both sides post on youtube are way too graphic.

It's meant to inflame people. I think both sides try not to hit civilian targets, but they're using soviet era artillery that's inaccurate. Ukrainian army probably does its best to not shell a house, and I assume the separatists did not intend to shell that bus.

The whole thing is horrible and should end; only Putin can end it peacefully.

[Withnail]

I noticed a high ranking us army medical officer in that video. Hopefully they get some darn help, these wounded.

The US military is under orders not to give medical help to non US service members, it's unaffordable.

And why would the USA have any interest in medical facilities in puppet states? It's not their problem.

Not that we're going to intervene, but this means something, probably forthcoming training and arms assistance

Judging by your overall success rate, US training would seem to be the kiss of death, quite frankly.

[Sixstrings]

Press conference:

Lt.Gen. Ben Hodges | Commander U.S. Army Europe | In Ukraine, Press Conference| 21JAN 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0fezE5B6JM

He praises the wounded for service to their country. He's tough about Russia and its use of proxy forces and illegal invasion of Crimea.

He says us army europe is meeting with Ukrainian defense dept to see what training help our army can give them.

He also talks about training the Ukrainian security forces. He says in the spring they're going to start helping the ukrainians with care for the wounded (so that's good) and combat lifesaving medical capability (I assume that means training and getting them some choppers and evac teams like our army has), protection from Russian artillery, and protection from Russian communications jamming.

I like how tough and no-nonsense this guy is.

One journalist asked a question comapring syria to Ukraine, and the general says there's no comparison. Ukraine is a sovereign country and Russia violated its agreements. And the overall security and stability of Europe is the larger part of what's going on in Ukraine, and that no country can come in and start changing borders.

He says anyone that doesn't believe Russia is supplying and training the rebels, just doesn't want to believe it.

And he says the ultimate solution in Ukraine is a political solution, "as all military conflicts end, with a political solution." And he says everyone wants Russia to be a part of the normal international community again, commerce and trade and diplomacy, and right now Russia is isolated.

He says use of military force for Ukraine to regain control over its sovereignty is part of the solution along with diplomacy.

He says the disinformation that comes out of Russia "is something that has to be countered with the truth."

[Sixstrings]

US generals are not supposed to be handing out medals to soldiers of a foreign country engaged in a so-called 'anti-terrorist' operation on their own soil.

EDIT: oh nevermind.. for brevity,

* the general was showing respect to these wounded, it's an honorable thing to do

* Ukrane is an official non-nato major US ally, as passed into law.

[Keith_McClary]

That's something that all these "non lethal aid" allies like Canada and Japan could be doing. Help with the medical.

Blame Harper for the Shameful Mistreatment of Canada's Veterans

Mr. Harper loudly proclaims his affection for the military. He gets his picture taken with lots of people in uniform. He attends many ceremonies, gives speeches and promises monuments and museums. But his actual record on things that matter is a huge contradiction.

As Sir Robert Borden declared a hundred years ago, when he sent young Canadians off to battle in World War One, it is Canada's sacred obligation to fulfill the covenant it makes with its fighting forces when they are put in harm's way to defend our values and our way of life.

They have stood ready to give their all. And when they come home, their country must "stand ready" for them. With gratitude and generosity, Canada has a duty to meet their social, economic, physical and psychological needs.

Mr. Harper has fallen way short. Instead of honouring veterans, he has focused exclusively on claiming a balanced budget for 2015 -- all to allow him to implement his long-promised Income Splitting scheme. He has sacrificed a great many things on that one alter.
...
The Vets Minister meekly does Mr. Harper's bidding with a "bonus" system to reward senior managers in his department, not for better treatment, but for slashing services and staff. Nearly a thousand employees have been fired. That's about a quarter of those previously providing support to veterans. Nine specialized service centres have been closed.

Over a billion dollars in funding for veterans, as promised by the government and approved by Parliament, was never delivered. The families of thousands of deceased veterans were denied support for dignified funerals. Veterans' health insurance premiums were doubled.

Over the past decade, more Canadian military personnel have died by suicide (160) than were lost in Afghanistan. Many more have lingering mental health issues, and wait for months or even years to get the psychological help they need. And the Harper government's response is a pitiful trickle of funding dribbled over the next half century.

To duck a critical Auditor General's report about his manifold failures, Mr. Fantino went AWOL for a week. Then he failed to show up to explain his department's spending plans for the coming year. When veterans came to Parliament Hill to protest their mistreatment, he deliberately insulted them. When the spouse of a PTSD sufferer asked for some help, he ran away.

This government dragged vets through the courts for six years trying to clawback their pensions. Now they're in court again arguing that they don't owe any special duty to any veteran and that Borden's solemn pledge was just political hot air.

[radon1]

US generals are not supposed to be handing out medals to soldiers of a foreign country engaged in a so-called 'anti-terrorist' operation on their own soil.

EDIT: oh nevermind.. for brevity,

* the general was showing respect to these wounded, it's an honorable thing to do

* Ukrane is an official non-nato major US ally, as passed into law.

You know where it takes you? This is basically an official declaration by your general that killing Ukrainians and Russians is a rewarding act from the US perspective. What should it mean, on a reciprocal basis? Have you lost all senses out there at all, or what.

[radon1]

http://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Ru ... under.html

One of the greatest foreign policy blunders of the Obama Administration was the push by the U.S. for economic sanctions against Russia. That led to Russia fleeing into the arms of China for refuge. In response, Russia, Europe’s largest and most populated country, is now intent on moving its vast storehouse of resources eastward, strengthening America’s largest emerging rival.

Over the last two years, the two countries have completed a $700 billion agreement for Russia to deliver energy to China, amounting to about 17% of Chinese annual supply, for a period covering twenty years, with China financing much of the initial costs of pipeline construction.

What Russia has done, in that one move, is to help repair a major hole in China’s military armor, making it invulnerable to a U.S. cut-off of sea bourn energy supplies, which until now was one of the greatest fears of Chinese military strategists.

From the Chinese perspective, this is a gift that fulfills its wildest dreams. It’s also a gift that could severely undermine the West's plans to deliver expensive Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to China and Asia, while already facing competition from Qatar and Australia LNG, will now also run up against Russian pipeline gas through China.

[Sixstrings]

You know where it takes you? This is basically an official declaration by your general that killing Ukrainians and Russians is a rewarding act from the US perspective. What should it mean, on a reciprocal basis? Have you lost all senses out there at all, or what.

Yes radon, that was a not a neutral visit from a neutral party in a conflict that the US is not involved in.

That was a visit to an ally, and US gov (supposedly) supports Ukraine's right to exist as a nation and have sovereignty and *has a right to its industrial east* (Obama used those words).

OTOH.. Americans hand out little nato medals, while the Russians hand out rocket launchers, tanks, guns, ammo, communications jamming, surface to air missiles. And Russian Army backup for when the rebels can't win a fight. (like the airport -- how was that fair, those 400 defenders, they'd fought off every attack for 8 months. Volunteers, mostly, some Ukrainian army. And then Russia side just wipes them all out.

That was a nasty, brutal battle. Are all those cyborg guys we see in these videos just all dead, now? All 400? At the hands of Russian Army?

Well no wonder nobody wants to join the army now -- if we're gonna support these Ukrainians then this is no way to run a war, you can't leave troops stuck out there abandoned on a beachhead just to get rolled over by the Russian Army.

Anyway -- I don't know whose side Obama administration is on lately, all these talks they do in Moscow and concessions to Russia on Assad and following Russia around on middle east policy. Then in Ukraine, all the US can do is hand medals out for soldiers wounded by Russia. (I'm talking about the optics of it, honestly Hodges was just doing something respectful from his perspective -- If we had a real commander in chief then a Hodges could be helping Ukraine to win this war, instead of just Russian generals and Russian paratroopers and Russian Army infantry helping the rebels to win the war)

How about getting them some real HELP, not just medals -- the rebels have RUSSIAN help, so where is the American help for these Ukrainians.

Congress passed a law, $350 million in some lethal aid, but O is waiting out the clock on that -- I guess until the last day, if he enforces the law at all, I guess we'll see.

I don't understand why it's not bigger news the 400 cyborgs were all killed. That's kind of sad there, I watched a lot of videos about those guys, those weren't nazis or anything they were just some good decent brave soldiers. That really sucks, they held that place for 8 months and then to just get wiped out en masse by Russian Army.

Thousands of regular Russian Army troops, rocket launches coming down on them, Donetsk posted there was some trick from the Russian backed rebel side where they collapsed the ceiling down on them.

IF WE'RE GONNA BE HANDING OUT NATO MEDALLIONS AT ALL, then let's start handing out some victory to go along with it.

Give these soldiers a fighting chance, and a little help -- it would be FAIR to do, because the other side has all these weapons coming in from Russia PLUS they've got the backup of the Russian Army. And MAYBE Russian air force strikes soon, too -- will Obama just dither and wait until that happens too, and then we can do a press release about more sanctions and how "outrageous" the new Russian attacks are?

[Withnail]

Then in Ukraine, all the US can do is hand medals out for soldiers wounded by Russia.

They weren't medals.

They were souvenir coins handed out to all US troops just for being posted to Europe.

[radon1]

Give these soldiers a fighting chance,

Why not give "these soldiers" a chance to rid them of the stupidity imposed on them by the likes of you instead?

If you are so obsessed with "the fight for values" why don't you travel to the front line yourself and get what you deserve for all your warmongering, instead of readily disposing of the lives of "these soldiers" who don't give a heck about you? Or is it necessarily to bring the frontline to the place where you reside in order for you to be able appreciate the war experience first hand?