AUSTIN | Misc. Discussions - No Politics

[StoOgE]

Originally Posted by masonh2479

Not political I don’t think but prayers out to Ukraine that peace prevails, and if not, that they kick Russian ass. Crazy stuff tonight, China might be watching closely and eyeing Taiwan.

I mean, Ukraine has no chance here.

I have friends that are posting from Kyiv and their social feeds are just horrible right now. I was supposed to see some of them at a trade show soon.

Absolutely tragic and Europe's dependence on Russian energy sealed their fate.

My colleagues in Taipei have been rightly freaked out for years. Hong Kong was a precursor. Scary times ahead. We grew up thinking the spread of totalitarian regimes was something our grandparents put an end to and yet here we are.

[masonh2479]

Originally Posted by StoOgE

I mean, Ukraine has no chance here.

I have friends that are posting from Kyiv and their social feeds are just horrible right now. I was supposed to see some of them at a trade show soon.

Absolutely tragic and Europe's dependence on Russian energy sealed their fate.

My colleagues in Taipei have been rightly freaked out for years. Hong Kong was a precursor. Scary times ahead. We grew up thinking the spread of totalitarian regimes was something our grandparents put an end to and yet here we are.

Ukraine doesn't have a chance but they can make it very bloody for the Russians, and I hope they do. Putin needs to learn that he just can't be the world's bully. NATO sits aside and watches and the useless UN gets vetoed. There have been protests in Moscow where Russians are bravely standing up to the dictator.

[We vs us]

I’ve seen it described as a return to Great Nations geopolitics… essentially casting back to the time prior to WWI when the world was multipolar and had a variety of powerful actors competing against one another for resources, security, prestige, etc.

[masonh2479]

Originally Posted by We vs us

I’ve seen it described as a return to Great Nations geopolitics… essentially casting back to the time prior to WWI when the world was multipolar and had a variety of powerful actors competing against one another for resources, security, prestige, etc.

It's sad to see, all we wanted is some peace and power hungry Putin couldn't let that happen. I'll cheer the day he dies.

[ILUVSAT]

NATO cannot do anything at the moment. Ukraine is not a member. Should this spill over into a NATO nation - welcome WWIII.

With America in its weakest position in more than a generation, Russia and China are not afraid at taking what they want. At this point, it's only a matter of time before China takes Taiwan.

[masonh2479]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

NATO cannot do anything at the moment. Ukraine is not a member. Should this spill over into a NATO nation - welcome WWIII.

With America in its weakest position in more than a generation, Russia and China are not afraid at taking what they want. At this point, it's only a matter of time before China takes Taiwan.

Unfortunately true, if only Ukraine could’ve became a NATO member but everyone was too afraid of what Russia would do. It’s a sad time we live in, peace never seems to come.

[StoOgE]

Originally Posted by masonh2479

Unfortunately true, if only Ukraine could’ve became a NATO member but everyone was too afraid of what Russia would do. It’s a sad time we live in, peace never seems to come.

I think the issue is had we extended NATO privledges to Ukraine after the Crimean invasion it would have forced NATO action which would have escalated.

I think the sad reality is no one was willing to risk war with Russia over Ukraine and Putin new it. It was better for NATO to not look weak by failing to protect Ukraine which would have softened NATO resolve.

For better or worse, Ukraine wound up being the acceptable sacrifice to keep NATO in a position of strength. It looks like Finland and Sweeden may finally want in as a result of this, so in the long-run it may have been the "correct" move, but tell that to the Ukranian's whose very Western democracy is about to not exist.

[ILUVSAT]

Sadly, "peace" is a subjective term. It depends on one's point of view. And in what specific circumstance they find themselves.

Unfortunately, in the vast majority of geopolitical cases, to achieve "peace," it requires violence and the ultimate sacrifice.

I stand in solidarity with, and pray for, the innocent citizens of the Ukraine.

[masonh2479]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

Sadly, "peace" is a subjective term. It depends on one's point of view. And in what specific circumstance they find themselves.

Unfortunately, in the vast majority of geopolitical cases, to achieve "peace," it requires violence and the ultimate sacrifice.

I stand in solidarity with, and pray for, the innocent citizens of the Ukraine.

I stand with Ukraine as well, and will gladly welcome any refugees that wish to settle in the US. I swear Putin is just Stalin 2.0.

[kingkirbythe....]

Originally Posted by masonh2479

I swear Putin is just Stalin 2.0.

I don't think he's going for Stalin 2.0 as much as
he's going for Ivan the Terrible 2.0.

[nixcity]

How is it that the US is in its' weakest position in a generation when we've been faaaaaar outspending other nations on our military during said generation?
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/u-s...ion%20combined.

[lonewolf]

Originally Posted by nixcity

How is it that the US is in its' weakest position in a generation when we've been faaaaaar outspending other nations on our military during said generation?
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/u-s...ion%20combined.

we've been getting our asses kicked in war games for 5-10 years now and that budget is literally spread across the world. half~ of it spent on domestic bases (guessing)

nobody is saying we're not number one from an all encompassing POV but in a focused conflict in EE us having the upper hand is not a given

we are also a democracy so the voting bases appetite/ability to digest conflict is also a factor(not a factor for putin) i don't think our voting base would advocate getting in a war until russia was as far west as warsaw

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by nixcity

How is it that the US is in its' weakest position in a generation when we've been faaaaaar outspending other nations on our military during said generation?
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/u-s...ion%20combined.

That's a dangerously wrong assumption that the American weakness was all about its military.

Additionally, I wouldn't trust some Stockholm Peace Institute's number gathering prowess especially with countries like Russia and China. Are you certain that they are truthful and forthcoming with their expenditures? I think not.

[kingkirbythe....]

Bee Cave's Buzzfest is back, and bigger with dancers and musicians on the lineup

https://www.statesman.com/story/news...ts/6910883001/

Buzzfest is back and bigger than ever for its second year at the Hill Country Galleria this March. The event has expanded to include a full slate of performers each night, including musicians as well as more light installations and other art.

Buzzfest, which is organized by the Bee Cave Arts Foundation, will take place Thursday, March 3, to Saturday, March 5, from 6 to 10 each night, and is free and open to the public.

[nixcity]

Lol, and you think we are?
https://www.yahoo.com/video/pentagon...s9kjfz3tAUwNZm

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by nixcity

Lol, and you think we are?
https://www.yahoo.com/video/pentagon...s9kjfz3tAUwNZm

OK...you still don't get it.

Good luck to you.

[We vs us]

We can't -- and never could -- project non-nuclear power into all corners of the earth. One of the probs with Ukraine is it's so close to the old Soviet sphere of influence. Literally on Russia's doorstep. It would be impossible in so many different ways to support Ukraine militarily. It's not about US weakness -- it's just practical limitations.

[zx14]

Seems like this will really happen. Amazing considering Austin is not a major city but a college town with good night life and a quirky unique personality. However those who have said Austin is in the big leagues now seem to base this on our growing quite impressive skyline. But Austin has no major league sports (soccer is not a major sport just the big 4). We are over shadowed by Dallas and Houston and maybe San Antonio though that one is more of a large tourist town with a basketball team though it does over shadow Austin a bit. We have no major zoo or amusement parks. Austin needs a real sports team to establish its identity among the rest of the country also something for all Austinites to rally around. But until then cities with a smaller population such as Cincinnati near to me seem to be much more professional looking at the stadiums it gives you a felling you are in a major city. A major city can not be dominated by a college such as UT does to Austin. So again we are the least (major) city on Earth with a super tall.

[kingkirbythe....]

Originally Posted by zx14

Seems like this [98 Red River] will really happen. Amazing considering Austin is not a major city but a college town with good night life and a quirky unique personality. However those who have said Austin is in the big leagues now seem to base this on our growing quite impressive skyline. But Austin has no major league sports (soccer is not a major sport just the big 4). We are over shadowed by Dallas and Houston and maybe San Antonio though that one is more of a large tourist town with a basketball team though it does over shadow Austin a bit. We have no major zoo or amusement parks. Austin needs a real sports team to establish its identity among the rest of the country also something for all Austinites to rally around. But until then cities with a smaller population such as Cincinnati near to me seem to be much more professional looking at the stadiums it gives you a felling you are in a major city. A major city can not be dominated by a college such as UT does to Austin. So again we are the least (major) city on Earth with a super tall.

Well, there you go.

[shoreditch]

Originally Posted by zx14

Seems like this will really happen. Amazing considering Austin is not a major city but a college town with good night life and a quirky unique personality. However those who have said Austin is in the big leagues now seem to base this on our growing quite impressive skyline. But Austin has no major league sports (soccer is not a major sport just the big 4). We are over shadowed by Dallas and Houston and maybe San Antonio though that one is more of a large tourist town with a basketball team though it does over shadow Austin a bit. We have no major zoo or amusement parks. Austin needs a real sports team to establish its identity among the rest of the country also something for all Austinites to rally around. But until then cities with a smaller population such as Cincinnati near to me seem to be much more professional looking at the stadiums it gives you a felling you are in a major city. A major city can not be dominated by a college such as UT does to Austin. So again we are the least (major) city on Earth with a super tall.

You sort of fail here to capture Austin's unique essence though, and that is its vibrant economy, which I don't think anyone would argue is better positioned than San Antonio's. Austin also occupies a larger part of the zeitgeist than Houston or Dallas (whether that's deserved is another question), but I certainly think it counts as a 'major' city these days, and it certainly contains all the contours of a city that will have enormous economic importance for a generation.