Lemming

If Russia 'cannot defeat Ukraine,

Does that not imply weakness,

And is not weakness in oneself something to be feared?

Would nationalists 'not want greater strength?

Strength which might be acquired by seizure of Ukraine,

Assets and prevention of other nations influence?

It's prophetic, don't you see,

That even in defeat, Putin would be proved right,

Proven that Russia is in great danger of weakness,

Though perhaps people 'won't see it that way.

I'm not saying that the USA and other countries shouldn't back Ukraine,

I simply disagree with people, that there's only 'one way people might view the situation.

Was Putin not a soldier?

Hm, maybe KGB doesn't count?

Not sarcasm, I just don't know much about Putin.

Assassination and blackmail are not new,

Time might show, how Putin will face defeat, assuming defeat occurs.

True, I 'have heard Caesar was generous,

His generosity was invaluable in gaining the loyalty of his followers.

And jah, Napoleon did much for France, including conquering, raiding other countries,

Until he did 'too much, lost so much gained, ending on the island of Saint Helena.

A conqueror's a conqueror,

Though some perhaps 'more, than others.

You're wrong about Hitler and Stalin though, I think,

That they are remembered fondly by none.

Not saying I fondly remember them,

Hm, I don't see any Hitler propaganda music. . .

Eh, probably some supporters somewhere if I looked, but not going to.

World leaders 'do make an attempt at building an 'appearance of coolness though.

I'm not saying they 'are cool, or not,

But there's a reason they have people make statues of them, ride horses shirtless, shoot guns, make an effort at witty speech.

There's also the fact that many people respond to tropes such as, A Real Man Is a Killer - TV Tropes,

I'm NOT saying a real man 'is a killer, but that I 'do think it a common view in society,

Thus do people often admire gangsters, criminals, hardened individuals,

As well as conquerors in history, Julius Caesar, Napoleon.

Of course many others admire firemen, people who volunteer to help the needy, people who risk their lives protesting corrupt and oppressive regimes.

. . .

Still, one can look at these videos and see how people might perceive the individuals differently based on their pasts, presents, and assumed characters of the future.

Songs 'are catchy, but I think the videos are making criticisms or points of the individuals as well,

I DON'T mean any of the videos as a glorification of anyone, but to make an argument on people's perceptions of leaders.

I think people 'do like and respect,

Power, competence, ability, so on, so forth.

NATO 'was created, for the main purpose of opposing Russia, was it not?

You can say 'just to act defensively,

But I am doubtful that NATO does not take actions designed to supplant Russian influence, power.

I'm not saying that isn't in the interest of NATO members,

But would Russia consider such in 'their interest?

Flipping countries near Russia, to align and vote against Russia,

To spread culture and values at odds with Russia's own,

To encourage Russia to break apart into smaller, weaker, easier to manage states.

I've heard, Wardruna - Lyfjaberg (Healing-mountain), and liked it, but not listened to anything else.

Fair point, though I meant to use the term merger loosely.

(Edit)

Besides, first definition I see in Google is,

I can admit to the small picture morality in allowing people to go their own way,

I 'prefer people letting my community or myself go my own way.

But I don't think it's very 'pragmatic, in the large picture.

What has England become but weaker, as it let more and more people go their own way?

And as influence wanes, what becomes of one's influence, in setting the world right, according to one's values?

What does one risk, but becoming subject to 'others values?

Which one might argue is the big picture morality, ends justifying means.

@Discipulus_Didicit

Hm, well since you decline to elaborate, I suppose I'll just suppose that you're wrong about your claim.

Since I'm pretty sure I've heard of regimes being overthrown in history before,

And removing 'one individual seems easier to me, than removing tens of thousands of individuals.

@valkyrie67

People 'do seem to be responding more negatively to the Ukraine-Russia merger, of Putin,

Than the Austria-Germany merger, of Hitler,

Though maybe there was 'more negativity to Austria-Germany, than I know (I only lightly know of it)

I'm sure there was a fair bit, but that merger went easier than Ukraine is going, I think.

What do you mean, people almost never have that ability?

That the people have the 'ability to overthrow a corrupt establishment, seems to me a positive.

When a Democracy rots. . . Harder to identify, assign blame, remove complete, effect change in legislation.

Maybe.

I'm sure there's advantages and disadvantages to a monarchy, compared with other systems.

Enough that it'd make sense for some people to prefer it as a form of government, and some prefer it not.

I don't think a Dictator. is necessarily the same thing as a King.

Of course I'm sure there's different 'types of Monarchies, Dictatorships.

Can't say I know why Dr.Franklin might call Biden a Dictator, or might look fondly on Monarchies.

There is value in not dehumanizing others.

Sorry, I don't mean to be obtuse,

Crossed a wire in my head, somewhere in the reading and thinking, on your post.

So I'm going to try to start small, more for my understanding, than yours.

What do you mean by morality?

@lady3keys

It isn't moral to 'others, to advance your own people by war,

But one 'could argue it is moral to your 'own people.

As well as sensible, depending on one's value, reasons, risks, benefits.

I think.

America also advances Democracy by propaganda, backdoor dealings, I imagine.

Central Intelligence Agency.

Peace, voluntary acceptance being two of the values, in 'addition to Democracy they are advancing,

It's more difficult to do so, 'bluntly, by force.

Though Democracy 'has been advanced by force in history, many a time, Peace and Uncoerced choice, harder to 'force others to accept by war.

I think.

@SirAnonymous

Every country is a potential threat to its neighbors, yes.

Thieves are ubiquitous in the history of nations,

I'm not saying it's right, but the reason of it, precedent, is clear.

The existence of the inevitable, plague, famine, and natural disaster,

Makes being prepared a virtue,

Makes heading it off, an action lauded at times.

. . .

Nearness, of dis-similar groups, result in conflict.

The tribes of old, have by war, time, mixing, and contrasting themselves to the outside, formed into nations,

But nations have not yet formed into a single people of Earth, I think.

There are differences, still stark enough, that war 'will come, I think,

Both in bloodshed, and without.

One need not agree with 'all of what one says, or even any of it I suppose,

Though I do sometimes agree with some, all, or none of what Yassine says,

But I'm that way with most other people, as well.

Still, even when one does not agree with any of what one says,

It can illustrate a view held by a number of people, sometimes significant number of people.

Buffer States is well known concept, China and North Korea for example,

Hm, not sure what opposite is called, but I'm sure someone has made Cuba, Bay of Pigs example,

When one is concerned with nearby Invasion Springboard States.

It's also a logical thought that if Russia manages easy to seize Ukraine,

It suggests 'other locations, such as Taiwan, might be easy obtainable for China, for example.

And I imagine as time passes, powers 'will shift in the world, as new world powers, come into power.

Though I can't see the shape.

Though myself, I've only a novice understanding of history, politics, and war.

-  The Prince, by Nicolo Machiavelli

@#74

One 'could argue Putin is moving 'now, in order to make Trump and similar position individuals, look stronger?

Conjecture though.

Well, so far I agree with the people saying we ought be taking action for Ukraine, rather than Russia,

But I don't learn much, just by saying that.

Fair point on Crimea, and the bogus sounding claims for invasion.

I'm not sure that Ukraine 'isn't a threat to Russia,

Certainly it's closeness, ties to other nations makes it a potential threat to Russia, I'd figure,

Possible it has strategic resources, that benefit Russia, if claimed.

The ships, planes, trains of the modern era,

Internet, phones, TVs,

The world is so much smaller,

Even back in 1776,

I suppose the world 'seemed larger,

Conflicts easy to avoid, no need worry on the world,

But as I think on it, even that was an illusion back then.

Mongol Empire was 'huge,

British Empire was 'huge,

It's the mere 'existence of others, you see,

Competitors, equal, greater, or potential threats, within arms reach even.

From the view of a 'leader, as I see it,

Conflict is now inevitable,

Even if the nuke makes people leery,

Maybe it's too many games of Civilization,

But the map has a way of sorting out into bigger factions,

I always preferred playing, where I'd only attack if attacked, since the AI 'would eventually attack,

But other times they'd attack late, only after they'd eaten others up.

. . .

. . . Yassine asked me what America 'ought do, and I think I'll still not say,

But a reasonable position, it seems to me, is advance one's own narrative,

Culture, blood, politics, power, position,

,

It's seen before, small tribes uniting into larger ones,

It's what I expect of the future.

Ahh, but I'm rambling, a tad incoherent, up too long, though I'll stay up a while longer.

The point I'm trying to make though, is that from my view, all countries survival 'are in question,

But it's highly likely my view is warped,

So I'm not 'certain on the idea.

Even if one disagrees with the morality of another's actions,

One can acknowledge intelligence, understanding,

I'd think.

Wouldn't this site be more like a benevolent dictatorship?

A site that has an owner, that 'allows feedback and influence by the users,

Though I suppose the individuals being able to leave at will, takes away a fair bit of owner leverage,

Given that they'd want a healthy, honest, active site.

America insisted that the South 'stay in the Union,

Though the Confederacy 'did shoot first, so to speak.

It 'sounds, though I am unsure, that Crimea, wants to be part of Russia,

Though that was in 2014.

Justification. . .

I'm not sure I can call it conventionally good,

But I 'can understand conquest for self survival,

Mastery of one's surroundings, that one's tribe does not falter.

It's a reasonable justification, though it may not match up to one's 'morals.

I've not quite been paying attention,

Something or other about Russia wanting to take over Ukraine against Ukraine's will.

Or is there more nuance?

Well, at a 'guess,

It 'does seem likely to me that 'real violence in youth, encourages 'real violence, in adulthood,

And,

Video 'Game Violence, encourages Video 'Game Violence, in adulthood.

Might be difficult to pin down the 'truth though,

Even if I had access to statistics, studies,

Context, differences in societies, times, make truth hard to pin.

If I believed in God, and had a clear idea of God, I think there is a strong likelihood I would.

But I no longer believe.

No journeys, no.

Military was 'meant to be one, as I'm not a very motivated person myself, figured the military would 'force me to travel, experience a bit more, but I ended up in one place for four years after training.

Saved up a fair bit of money during the military, but lent most of it to my mother, as she was buying a house, bigger down payment, meant she could afford a nicer house.

So I'm saving up money again, perhaps for a year, perhaps for five,

Perhaps rethink my life, options again at that point.

Depending on how my father is doing, I worry I might lend my money again, though I'd rather not, I 'do feel a strong obligation, and likely the money will return someday.

Still. . . Even if the money saved just goes to myself, it'll only go towards a yet seen venture, to gain more money.

That sooner, rather than later, I can 'stop having to work.

. . .

Of an intellectual or spiritual journey,

I know there is still more to learn,

And I haven't stopped 'thinking, quite.

Still read, talk to people,

But. . . I 'think my values have already undergone their journey, X many years since High School.

May change again, but for the moment, they feel rather set.

Do you mean what actions do I take on account of how much I believe of and in?

Well, for myself  I think,

Materialism, has lead to Nihilism, has lead to Atheism, has lead to Existentialism, has lead to Hedonism, Egoism, Limited Altruism, and Nationalism.

American Law/Customs/Ethics, World History, has lead to American Law/Customs/Ethics, and Nationalism.

I suppose my life plans are to save up money and enjoy life in my hobbies and small wealth.

Be a 'very small help to people who cross my path at times.

I 'do have ideals, opinions on politics, social values,

But I'm not much inclined to dedicate myself to it.

No, I think I just try to take a cautious step in what I believe.

Of my beliefs, Atheism, Nihilism, Existentialism, Hedonism, Materialism, American Law/Customs/Ethics, World History, Egoism, Limited Altruism, Nationalism.

Knowledge 3/10.

Strength 7/10.

Personally I'd view a contemporary society that keep slaves, as more evil than a society where individuals of the same sex bang each other, or individuals pretend to be a sex they are not.

Though there is argument to be made, for people being trapped in societal steps, even those with power.

I'm pretty sure opposing or competing factions, often holding different ideals or plans, is common of government and history.

Education 'can be organized or disorganized,

Though it seems to me even if a school existed that told it's teachers to just teach whatever, that'd 'still be a 'tiny bit of organization,

To my thinking, unorganized only exists when there's 'no structure at all.

Though one can still use the words more or 'less organized, when speaking of established structures.

I'm not saying a bowling league is a religion,

But it 'is a group of people,

And I think identifying what makes bowling organized or unorganized 'could be helpful in identifying what makes a religion organized or unorganized.

If someone or a group just bowls by their own rules, it'd be unorganized, even if they came together in a bigger group, anarchy.

Even if you give people the same materials, if they invent their own rules with no common ideas, 'THE game doesn't exist, only many different games.

But bowling Leagues usually have established rules, organizers.

Government isn't a religion,

But government 'or religion, they are groups of people,

That I thought the differences might not matter too much, when referring to organization.

I don't know much about Buddhism,

But I assume it had founder/s teacher/s,

That writings, established ideas/values of it exist/s/ed.

That governments have sponsored it at certain time, locations, that required accreditation of sorts, a following of standards.

That sects/groups/temples of Buddhism have existed, that have exerted power or influence over their surrounding areas.

Though I know little of it,

I've heard that Oda Nobunaga of Japan, considered Buddhism a threat to his power in Japan, due to the political influence groups of Buddhists held.

I assume Paganism 'also has political power of 'sorts, if 'only enough to have themselves recognized, respected by law?

@NoOneInParticular

I suppose that centralized and decentralized governments exist.

If a religion has a 'group identity, or set number of values/beliefs.

. . .

Unorganized Government. . . Organized Government. . .

Organized Religion. . . Unorganized Religion. . .

Do religions take place within governments,

Or do governments take place within religions?

Either or maybe.

I'm rambling.

I'd suppose an unorganized religion would be one without set values, beliefs, said set values can even be a bit malleable.

But if there's 'no organization, can it even be called a religion?

Even folk tales, stories if spoken enough, become set, learned from, followed.

Same as even a tribe has it's own government of a sort, laws, leaders. .

Well, I'm not a lawyer.

From the way it sounds, because you,

Loyalty, Values, Independence, and Game Theory is my bet.

People loyal to their group and values, so they sacrifice some options that would for themselves as 'individuals be better.

After all, their kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, will have to grow up, follow laws of the system.

Lot of people just don't like government butting in to 'help them,

To tell them though the 'state can run a lottery, individuals can't,

Though the state can construct a building there, 'you cant,

Here's some bales of paperwork to fill out to start a restaurant.

As for game theory, health care is good, but a military is vital.

. . .

As for how a person should vote, Selfish or Altruism?

I'd say mixed,

Reasonable limits to both, depending on individual, culture, circumstance, game theory, future impacts.

How would a sphinx cut their own hair?

Or various other human headed creatures, without hands?

I have no current intention of making it a habit of mine, to call Token, Tolkien.

When people grow up under or 'see's someone else's influence, cultures, values,

This can often influence them to prefer said values.

It's not so much other countries 'ruling over them,

As it is countries of their own will choosing to rule 'with.

Same as small countries in older times formed larger countries, due to similarities in values.

. . .

Friends and allies change,

Strategic visions, change.

I can't see the future.

. . .

I've only pieces of thoughts, not worth saying on the subject of how America ought to proceed, not worth saying.

Well, the doctors would 'still be licensed in 'those places,

If they were cheap,

Or willing to do surgeries others would not,

Had a high rate of positive reviews by patients.

If the upcomers choose the UN,

The rules applied by the winners,

By benefit or habit,

If the winners 'keep together,

Situation will last a while, I 'think.

No, I don't think there's anyone in America who'll follow my thoughts through,

And my thoughts on the matter 'are a bit much,

So I'll leave my thoughts to rest, for now.

Even ancient Empires could grow quite large,

If the UN keeps around,

If the USA keeps to it's peacekeeper 'look,

I imagine their influence will keep for a while,

Even when/if other countries gain military/societal parity.

I think I'd prefer not to say what I think the USA 'ought do.

"He [God] wants them to learn to walk and must therefore take away His hand; and if only the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles. Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger, than when a human, no longer desiring, but intending, to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys."
— The Screwtape Letters, letter VIII, C. S. Lewis

@Lunar108

How would you know if God 'had healed an amputee?

@Barnardot

Eh, even if the Bible said Jesus healed an amputee, Atheists would just say it didn't happen, or whine on some different point.

I think it's possible,

America will grow more socialist in the future,

That further individual rights I like such as guns shall be lost,

That the Abrahamic religion in America will lose 'some ground,

'Might be that people will support Democratic Ideology stronger in the future,

I think America will make at least 'small steps towards alternate forms of energy,

I think angry poor people might start up violence against the elite, at some point,

I think that meat substitute products will grow more common,

The existence of nukes, makes me doubtful are large scale 'military wars, instead there may be Cold Wars, Cyber Wars, Culture Wars,

I think America will lose bits of it's projected military power, as some countries look to exert greater autonomy and power.

Just off the hip thoughts though,

Likely many will turn out incorrect.

Hm, also doesn't seem to be anything 'happy in there, ah well.

I'd rather be an evil entity, than a good nonentity.

I think.

The world, politics, statistics, economics, legislation, happenings, importance of events, ramifications, are complicated.

Nevermind 100 years,

Changes occurring in the span of 5 or 10 years, can surprise people.

(Below is Joke video, as my initial thought when I read American Stereotype, was jokes)

Thanks for saying it a different way, somehow my mind just couldn't process the other one very well.

If there's a 'seeming contradiction in the Bible,

One possible answer is the readers imperfect knowledge,

There's been quite a few philosophy books I have 'great difficulty in understanding, due to lack of context,

Though when they've had annotations/footnotes/glossaries, they've been easier to understand.

Additionally, even if there 'was a contradiction in the Bible, it doesn't 'necessarily say anything on God,

Unless one takes the view that God himself wrote the books through people, 'perfectly.

Even if the Church is wrong, that's hardly uncommon,

Whether in history 'of the Bible.

Bible says beware of false prophets,

Common sense says scientists make mistakes.

Some people become Deists, or take the Bible with humility, or a dash of salt.

A small flaw in an axe doesn't stop it from cutting firewood,

And can often be whetted out with a stone,

Though admittedly 'some axes have flaws of such a degree, the axe must be reforged, or a new on found, so on.

But, the flaws in the Bible 'I subjectively through my perception and view see, don't stop me from musing on it from time to time,

Pieces of wisdom, or excerpts that make me think.