Russia Invades Ukraine

 

In a speech Wednesday night, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation,” followed immediately by troops entering Ukraine and large explosions throughout the country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the attack and declared martial law. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called it a “full-scale invasion,” adding, “Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”

Putin strenuously warned against international meddling. “To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside: if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history,” he said. “All relevant decisions have been taken.”

President Biden issued a statement: “The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces.” He added that he will consult with the leaders of the G7 on Thursday and promised “severe sanctions.”

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  1. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    The Judge is right. Listen to the Judge.

    • #241
  2. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Dotorimuk (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Django (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

     

    These are all very Trumpian things to suggest, Gary.

    The election is over. The question is what to do now?

    You voted for the opposite of this foreign policy, Gary. This was what we were doing. You voted against it.

    Bryan, you remind me of the person who is grievously injured in a car accident, and instead of getting to the hospital, wants to argue that the accident was someone else’s fault.

    I repeat, what should we do now?

    With you, not let you forget you voted for Biden until you admit, without reservation or demand, that you were wrong to do so. Do that, and I’ll forgive you, but until then, I will hang everything Biden does around your unrepentant neck.

    What is funny here, Gary, is basically, you are making the same argument Clinton did “At this point, what does it matter?”

    It matters Gary. It matters.

    Let me see if I understand this correctly. Regardless of the issue, if I comment on anything, you will yell “But you voted for Biden!” Do I have that correctly?

    Not necessarily anything, but if you claim to believe or support something that you voted against, I’d call that fair game.

    That is your prerogative, but if the question is “what should we do now?” the charge that someone voted for Biden, Trump, or Gary Johnson makes little difference unless you have a magical time machine, and that person controlled some 35 electoral college votes. I doubt that you have such magical powers.

    I suggest that derailing a thread to vent your spleen is not a useful use of your time, and harms the Ricochet Community, especially if a post is on the Main Feed. Do you really think that attracting new members is served by denigrating current members?

    If venting his spleen keeps the … uh … people who voted for Slow Joe from even considering doing it again in 2024 when Trump is again Slow Joe’s opponent, the venting will have served its Noble Purpose.

    I will vote for any Republican (other than Trump or DJTJ) over any Democrat, and I will vote for damn near any Democrat over Trump or DJTJ. You might want to consider that when nominating a Republican in 2024. Most mules learn after being hit over the head with a 2X4.

    Sir, have you ever considered NOT voting, rather than voting, and giving your stamp of approval to an anti-American agenda?

    I don’t like Trump, but voted for him after taking a millisecond look at the history and agenda of the opposition.

    I hear what you are saying.  I voted for McMullin in 2016.  

    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election, and promoted the Big Lie.  Biden is wrong on damn near every policy issue.  But for me, the Rule of Law is supreme.  For that reason I can’t vote for Trump or DJTJ.  Please, please, please nominate anyone but a Trump.

    • #242
  3. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    Stina (View Comment):

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    Let me see if I understand this correctly. Regardless of the issue, if I comment on anything, you will yell “But you voted for Biden!” Do I have that correctly?

    You do, Gary. On a site with a some hundreds of regularly active members, a couple dozen find it absolutely intolerable that even one member apologetically voted against Donald J. Trump. Short of ritual suicide, I don’t believe there is a thing you can do to get them to give up the grudge.

    He’s not apologetic. That’s kind of the problem.

    Oops, my mistake.  I meant to write unapologetically.

    • #243
  4. Judge Mental Member
    Judge Mental
    @JudgeMental

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election,

    I would argue your characterization, but that isn’t really necessary, is it?  The last Democrat to lose a presidential election without claiming the election was rigged and they were the true president would be Michael Dukakis.  That would be 1988.

    • #244
  5. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election,

    I would argue your characterization, but that isn’t really necessary, is it? The last Democrat to lose a presidential election without claiming the election was rigged and they were the true president would be Michael Dukakis. That would be 1988.

    Yeah, I guess Gary isn’t a fan of history.

    • #245
  6. Judge Mental Member
    Judge Mental
    @JudgeMental

    I’m a little disappointed no one has mentioned the “strategic harrumph reserve”.  Thought it was pretty good, myself.

    • #246
  7. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    I’m a little disappointed no one has mentioned the “strategic harrumph reserve”. Thought it was pretty good, myself.

    I liked the whole comment, but “strategic harrumph” was exceptionally good. You may have coined a new phrase.

    • #247
  8. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    I’m a little disappointed no one has mentioned the “strategic harrumph reserve”. Thought it was pretty good, myself.

    Your whole comment could be a post — it would go straight to the main feed on a wave of likes.  I kind of gave up when each paragraph was something I wanted to dig into. 

     

    • #248
  9. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    I’m a little disappointed no one has mentioned the “strategic harrumph reserve”. Thought it was pretty good, myself.

    You nailed it in that comment. All I have to say is that a simple “like” was insufficient praise .

    • #249
  10. Derek Tyburczyk Lincoln
    Derek Tyburczyk
    @Derek Tyburczyk

    Stina (View Comment):

    Derek Tyburczyk (View Comment):

    Does “getting involved”, only include military intervention? Or could it possibly mean something less “involved”? Perhaps capitulating but tiny bit, and addressing some of the concerns that Putin has? Does a allaying some of the Russian leader’s fear, and possibly de-escalating the tensions, seem a bridge too far?

    Why does it seem that every time there is an escalation of tensions, between Russia, and the world community, the only resolution, is threats of War, or restrictive sanctions which only seemed to exacerbate the situation. It seems as though no one ever learns, and because there is no clear-cut good guy, bad guy, we see the same events repeated constantly.

    Is Putin, a bad actor, absolutely. Does the world community share some of the responsibility in this crisis, absolutely. Binary reasoning, leads to misunderstanding, and chaos.

    Ha ha ha! The entire US position on Russia is “blow the to kingdom come!” Diplomatic de-escalation is tantamount to treason and being Russia’s puppet.

    Are you a traitor?

    Hmm… Isn’t that a subjective question? Do I love my country? [REDACTED] yes! Do I sometimes question its decisions? Absolutely! What I was trying to say, is there is more than enough culpability to go around, and around! To call out the world community, and its binary, we’re the good guys, they’re the bad guys, [REDACTED]! In the waning days of freedom of speech, I will voice my displeasure, as I see fit. Traitor? My ass!

    • #250
  11. Stina Member
    Stina
    @CM

    Derek Tyburczyk (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Derek Tyburczyk (View Comment):

    Does “getting involved”, only include military intervention? Or could it possibly mean something less “involved”? Perhaps capitulating but tiny bit, and addressing some of the concerns that Putin has? Does a allaying some of the Russian leader’s fear, and possibly de-escalating the tensions, seem a bridge too far?

    Why does it seem that every time there is an escalation of tensions, between Russia, and the world community, the only resolution, is threats of War, or restrictive sanctions which only seemed to exacerbate the situation. It seems as though no one ever learns, and because there is no clear-cut good guy, bad guy, we see the same events repeated constantly.

    Is Putin, a bad actor, absolutely. Does the world community share some of the responsibility in this crisis, absolutely. Binary reasoning, leads to misunderstanding, and chaos.

    Ha ha ha! The entire US position on Russia is “blow the to kingdom come!” Diplomatic de-escalation is tantamount to treason and being Russia’s puppet.

    Are you a traitor?

    Hmm… Isn’t that a subjective question? Do I love my country? [REDACTED] yes! Do I sometimes question its decisions? Absolutely! What I was trying to say, is there is more than enough culpability to go around, and around! To call out the world community, and its binary, we’re the good guys, they’re the bad guys, [REDACTED]! In the waning days of freedom of speech, I will voice my displeasure, as I see fit. Traitor? My ass!

    You and I agree. I should have included a sarcasm tag.

    • #251
  12. Bishop Wash Member
    Bishop Wash
    @BishopWash

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    I’m a little disappointed no one has mentioned the “strategic harrumph reserve”. Thought it was pretty good, myself.

    “I didn’t get a harrumph from that guy.”

    • #252
  13. Jager Coolidge
    Jager
    @Jager

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election, and promoted the Big Lie. Biden is wrong on damn near every policy issue. But for me, the Rule of Law is supreme. For that reason I can’t vote for Trump or DJTJ. Please, please, please nominate anyone but a Trump.

    Ok, so this is basically a big “whatever”. Trump fought the results of the election. So did Gore, there was no rush to certify Bush as the victor until the legal challenges had been worked out in 2000.

    Obama was so scared that the election would be stolen from him that he had UN observers come into monitor a US election.

    Hillary claims the only reason that she lost was that Trump colluded with Russia. (which the Muller report shows did not happen and the Durham Investigation seems to be showing is a made up issue created by Hillary)

    Claiming unfair elections (the Big Lie) is now basically just standard issue Democratic campaigning. 

    • #253
  14. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election,

    I would argue your characterization, but that isn’t really necessary, is it? The last Democrat to lose a presidential election without claiming the election was rigged and they were the true president would be Michael Dukakis. That would be 1988.

    I think that you are missing the point.  Every party tries to rig the election in their favor.  Every party.  And partisans whine if they lose.

    But until Trump, no incumbent President said the election was stolen, no President assembled a mob and sent them to the Capitol, no President argued The Big Lie, and no President pressured their Vice President to throw the election.

    • #254
  15. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Jager (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election, and promoted the Big Lie. Biden is wrong on damn near every policy issue. But for me, the Rule of Law is supreme. For that reason I can’t vote for Trump or DJTJ. Please, please, please nominate anyone but a Trump.

    Ok, so this is basically a big “whatever”. Trump fought the results of the election. So did Gore, there was no rush to certify Bush as the victor until the legal challenges had been worked out in 2000.

    Obama was so scared that the election would be stolen from him that he had UN observers come into monitor a US election.

    Hillary claims the only reason that she lost was that Trump colluded with Russia. (which the Muller report shows did not happen and the Durham Investigation seems to be showing is a made up issue created by Hillary)

    Claiming unfair elections (the Big Lie) is now basically just standard issue Democratic campaigning.

    Republicans also complain that elections were stolen.  See the 1960 election.

    • #255
  16. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Jager (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election, and promoted the Big Lie. Biden is wrong on damn near every policy issue. But for me, the Rule of Law is supreme. For that reason I can’t vote for Trump or DJTJ. Please, please, please nominate anyone but a Trump.

    Ok, so this is basically a big “whatever”. Trump fought the results of the election. So did Gore, there was no rush to certify Bush as the victor until the legal challenges had been worked out in 2000.

    Obama was so scared that the election would be stolen from him that he had UN observers come into monitor a US election.

    Hillary claims the only reason that she lost was that Trump colluded with Russia. (which the Muller report shows did not happen and the Durham Investigation seems to be showing is a made up issue created by Hillary)

    Claiming unfair elections (the Big Lie) is now basically just standard issue Democratic campaigning.

    Republicans also complain that elections were stolen. See the 1960 election.

    Which was stolen.

    • #256
  17. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    Steven Seward (View Comment):

    Europe is probably longing for Trump right now.

    Can we send him there?

    • #257
  18. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Jager (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election, and promoted the Big Lie. Biden is wrong on damn near every policy issue. But for me, the Rule of Law is supreme. For that reason I can’t vote for Trump or DJTJ. Please, please, please nominate anyone but a Trump.

    Ok, so this is basically a big “whatever”. Trump fought the results of the election. So did Gore, there was no rush to certify Bush as the victor until the legal challenges had been worked out in 2000.

    Obama was so scared that the election would be stolen from him that he had UN observers come into monitor a US election.

    Hillary claims the only reason that she lost was that Trump colluded with Russia. (which the Muller report shows did not happen and the Durham Investigation seems to be showing is a made up issue created by Hillary)

    Claiming unfair elections (the Big Lie) is now basically just standard issue Democratic campaigning.

    Republicans also complain that elections were stolen. See the 1960 election.

    Which was stolen.

    And which led to the assassination of a U.S. president, which led to other problems.

    • #258
  19. Jager Coolidge
    Jager
    @Jager

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Jager (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election, and promoted the Big Lie. Biden is wrong on damn near every policy issue. But for me, the Rule of Law is supreme. For that reason I can’t vote for Trump or DJTJ. Please, please, please nominate anyone but a Trump.

    Ok, so this is basically a big “whatever”. Trump fought the results of the election. So did Gore, there was no rush to certify Bush as the victor until the legal challenges had been worked out in 2000.

    Obama was so scared that the election would be stolen from him that he had UN observers come into monitor a US election.

    Hillary claims the only reason that she lost was that Trump colluded with Russia. (which the Muller report shows did not happen and the Durham Investigation seems to be showing is a made up issue created by Hillary)

    Claiming unfair elections (the Big Lie) is now basically just standard issue Democratic campaigning.

    Republicans also complain that elections were stolen. See the 1960 election.

    Which was stolen.

    Cemeteries full of voters, over 600 indictments, charges for witness tampering. 

    It turns out when Republicans claim elections were stolen there is at least smoke ,if not fire.

    When Democrats do it, they are just afraid they might lose.

    Really I talked about 3 elections in the last 20ish years, not just one from 60 years ago. By todays standards JFK would be viewed as an unhinged right winger for positions of national security and taxes.  

    • #259
  20. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    Thread Death called at 2022 02 25 1350 EST.

    • #260
  21. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Dotorimuk (View Comment):

    Sir, have you ever considered NOT voting, rather than voting, and giving your stamp of approval to an anti-American agenda?

    I don’t like Trump, but voted for him after taking a millisecond look at the history and agenda of the opposition.

    Vote Anti-Communist™

    People need to stop being idealistic and figure out how to make things go to the right. The time for idealism was about 25 years ago.

    • #261
  22. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Judge Mental (View Comment):
    So, what are we doing here?  We’re going to implement “crippling sanctions”.  Again.  We’re going to halt their ability to obtain credit on the international market.  Well, zippedy-doo-dah.  Are you unaware that, unlike us, Russia is not deep in debt?  That they have large cash reserves, and a large and steady income stream from the very people implementing sanctions against them?  An income stream that is currently being inflated by this invasion?  If the sanctions become a problem for them, all they have to do is shut off the energy flow for a couple of days, and Europe will fold like a cheap suit.  You don’t think it’s a coincidence that this is happening in the middle of winter, do you?

    I’ve seen some articles that they had this thought through pretty good. 

    • #262
  23. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Judge Mental (View Comment):
    the danger of unleashing our strategic harrumph reserve. 

    Eminently stealable.

    • #263
  24. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    • #264
  25. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election,

    I would argue your characterization, but that isn’t really necessary, is it? The last Democrat to lose a presidential election without claiming the election was rigged and they were the true president would be Michael Dukakis. That would be 1988.

    Yeah, I guess Gary isn’t a fan of history.

    I also point out again, that Trump claiming the election was rigged, etc, happened AFTER the election itself, so Gary couldn’t possibly have voted on that basis.

    • #265
  26. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election,

    I would argue your characterization, but that isn’t really necessary, is it? The last Democrat to lose a presidential election without claiming the election was rigged and they were the true president would be Michael Dukakis. That would be 1988.

    I think that you are missing the point. Every party tries to rig the election in their favor. Every party. And partisans whine if they lose.

    But until Trump, no incumbent President said the election was stolen, no President assembled a mob and sent them to the Capitol, no President argued The Big Lie, and no President pressured their Vice President to throw the election.

    None of this happened before the election, so you can’t claim that you voted against Trump because of them.

    • #266
  27. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election,

    I would argue your characterization, but that isn’t really necessary, is it? The last Democrat to lose a presidential election without claiming the election was rigged and they were the true president would be Michael Dukakis. That would be 1988.

    Yeah, I guess Gary isn’t a fan of history.

    I also point out again, that Trump claiming the election was rigged, etc, happened AFTER the election itself, so Gary couldn’t possibly have voted on that basis.

    Right, before the election Democrats were claiming it was rigged.  Remember Trumps plot to steal all the mail boxes?

     

    • #267
  28. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):
    Right, before the election Democrats were claiming it was rigged.  Remember Trumps plot to steal all the mail boxes?

    Thanks for the reminder. I had forgotten. 

    • #268
  29. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Judge Mental (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    Trump is the only President who tried to subvert the results on an election,

    I would argue your characterization, but that isn’t really necessary, is it? The last Democrat to lose a presidential election without claiming the election was rigged and they were the true president would be Michael Dukakis. That would be 1988.

    Yeah, I guess Gary isn’t a fan of history.

    I also point out again, that Trump claiming the election was rigged, etc, happened AFTER the election itself, so Gary couldn’t possibly have voted on that basis.

    Right, before the election Democrats were claiming it was rigged. Remember Trumps plot to steal all the mail boxes?

     

    ‘Those Who Make Peaceful Revolution Impossible Will Make Violent Revolution Inevitable’ – American Thinker

    • #269
  30. Derek Tyburczyk Lincoln
    Derek Tyburczyk
    @Derek Tyburczyk

    Stina (View Comment):

    Derek Tyburczyk (View Comment):

    Stina (View Comment):

    Derek Tyburczyk (View Comment):

    Does “getting involved”, only include military intervention? Or could it possibly mean something less “involved”? Perhaps capitulating but tiny bit, and addressing some of the concerns that Putin has? Does a allaying some of the Russian leader’s fear, and possibly de-escalating the tensions, seem a bridge too far?

    Why does it seem that every time there is an escalation of tensions, between Russia, and the world community, the only resolution, is threats of War, or restrictive sanctions which only seemed to exacerbate the situation. It seems as though no one ever learns, and because there is no clear-cut good guy, bad guy, we see the same events repeated constantly.

    Is Putin, a bad actor, absolutely. Does the world community share some of the responsibility in this crisis, absolutely. Binary reasoning, leads to misunderstanding, and chaos.

    Ha ha ha! The entire US position on Russia is “blow the to kingdom come!” Diplomatic de-escalation is tantamount to treason and being Russia’s puppet.

    Are you a traitor?

    Hmm… Isn’t that a subjective question? Do I love my country? [REDACTED] yes! Do I sometimes question its decisions? Absolutely! What I was trying to say, is there is more than enough culpability to go around, and around! To call out the world community, and its binary, we’re the good guys, they’re the bad guys, [REDACTED]! In the waning days of freedom of speech, I will voice my displeasure, as I see fit. Traitor? My ass!

    You and I agree. I should have included a sarcasm tag.

    Sorry, I didn’t see the sarcasm, Stina. My bad.

    • #270
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