Allies taking a pass and experiencing schadenfreude

Stav, I don't even know where to start...so many assumptions and opinions stated as fact...maybe Zelensky knows more than you think...time will tell.

Do you guys remember me requesting that we don't use AI here?

I still think that.

.so many assumptions and opinions stated as fact...maybe Zelensky knows more than you think...time will tell.

Oh, no, the liberal from Ukraine stated many times his concerns. And the meeting he had with various European leaders and their pledge not to let the Ukrainian conflict fall in the background was made visible.

The key issue is that naval power is not measured by number of ships.

Tonnage and capability matter far more

United States (dominant by a wide margin)

1. ~11 nuclear aircraft carriers
2. ~90+ destroyers/cruisers (Aegis system)
3. ~70+ nuclear submarines
4. Global logistics and carrier strike groups

China (rapidly expanding)

1. World’s largest navy by number of ships (~350+)
2. Building:
3. Aircraft carriers
4. Large destroyers (Type 055)
5. Nuclear submarines

Europe (fragmented)

1. Strong individual navies (UK, France)
2. But:
3. Mostly smaller surface combatants
4. Few carriers (UK, France only)
5. Limited nuclear submarine fleets (UK + France)

?? A single US aircraft carrier (~100,000 tons) outweighs dozens of patrol vessels combined in strategic impact.

The claim about submarines is especially questionable.

Nuclear submarines (most important type)

1. US: ~70+ (world leader)
2. China: ~12+ (growing)
3. Europe:
4. UK: ~10
5. France: ~10
6. Others: mostly diesel-electric

?? Europe is not outbuilding the US in nuclear submarines, which are the most strategically important.

By all mean's carry on rebutting a strawman argument...let me know when your done.

Perhaps if you understood what you read, you wouldn’t be embarrassed again. I’m supposed to be nicer to you, but how about you stop saying things like ‘if you actually followed the war’. That just forces me to school you again. I take no particular pleasure in it, I would far rather have a civil debate,

I can just see you sitting at the end of the dinner table with all your family and friends in attendance typing furiously away on your phone responding to me. Then you suddenly shout out...honey...honey I did it...I schooled that silly Mick Irishman again...aren't I brilliant, before your better half gets up and starts patting you on the head like a seal...oh that's wonderful dear, aren't you're such a smart little man, you're the smartest, your the smartest...yes you are!...and then puts a little gold star on your collar...before turning to the rest of the guests, rolling her eyes and whispering...just play along with it...it makes him happy.

My wife, were she still alive, would more likely have punched me in the nose if I did that, rather than behaving in that simpering fashion.

Sorry to hear about your wife's passing...I can't recall you ever mentioning it before.

She would of punched you...sounds like I would have liked her. Sorry to hear she's no longer with you.

Thanks Stav and Draad. She was showing some unusual symptoms, we thought it might have been a light stroke. When the MRI came back it was an incurable brain tumor. I told the doctor I would tell her myself and when I did she quietly said the bravest thing I ever heard…..’what a pity’.

And that was how she handled this terrible thing, passing after 18 months, leaving us all an example of grace and courage.

When was this Moz?...the things we carry with us without telling a soul...

It started in late 2020. There are many more cool stories I prefer to dwell on, maybe some time I’ll write a little piece on that.

Mozart, sincere condolences. Like the others, I had no idea. I can only imagine your grief.

Cheers mate.

"The dildo of consequence….sorry to hear that, when did you start experiencing these issues?"

epic burn!!!

hahaha

Very sorry to read that, Moz

My condolences. She sounds like a brave and graceful lady.

Exactly the type of woman I'd imagine you with.

One struggles to even imagine a loss like that.

Really very saddened but also, if I'm honest, a little pissed you didn't tell us.

Mozart, sincere condolences

We all keep things private until we get the right moment to share...

Moz, my sincere condolences.

Thank you to all of you for those kind thoughts….we may disagree about many things but not the important human things. I have a granddaughter and 3 college friends arriving tonight for Spring break, it won’t be dull!

I am very Sorry for your loss, Moz.

So sorry to hear that you had to go through that Moz, I had no idea at all, my condolences

I currently have a family member going through a very long and difficult illness, and she is nearing the end of it now..

Knowing what is coming, certainly doesn't make it any easier at all when it finally happens

These are the moments when you realize what really is important in day to day life

Looking forward to those cool moments and funny stories you referred to.....