Seedorf81

looking for this on tik tok now.  🤣

1. Interesting thread by DavidD SecretSqrl on the Bradley (I'm not an armour grog and DavidD can be hit or miss, but he does seem to have a fair amount of hands on US Army experience with Brads).
 
2.  For what it's worth, comments by a German expert.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3801146-situation-on-front-lines-in-ukraine-not-hopeless-german-expert.html
Nico Lange noted that many forget that 95% of the equipment donated by Ukraine's partners had not been used during the counteroffensive....
Ukrainians continue to bet on exhaustion. "They are no longer trying to hold positions like they did in Bakhmut. Instead, they want to slow down the Russian troops and let them bleed."
"Ukraine is probably gathering resources for a new counteroffensive next year," Lange said. One of their starting points could be the bridgehead in Kherson. With the necessary fighter jets, attack helicopters and drones, Ukraine could adequately support the advance of its troops, especially since there are almost no Russian fortifications in this region. 
I doubt that last remark on fortifications, but I heartily agree that the far left end of the Russian advance is a good place to strike, if only to force them to deplete their mobile forces responding. Not with mech though; mech is pretty much roadbound down here.
btw, there's a lot of hand wringing about the Russian air delivered heavy glide bombs hitting the Krynki bridgehead with 'impunity'. While I'd hate to be under these things, I look at that a little more glass half full; the Russians don't have enough artillery so they're forced to hunt an ant invasion using a sledgehammer.

Update on Wagnercolonel Salikov:
 
He was in Donetsk-region when MH-17was shot down. He says that some form of competition was going on between the Wagner-group and the separatists.
A few weeks before the downing of the MH-17, the Wagnergroup had shot down a Ukrainian army-plane in Luhansk-region and they got a lot of credit for that.
So, according to Salikov, the separatists decided that they had to shoot down a Ukrainian plane too, but through mistakes/stupidity they shot down MH-17.
(I never heard of this competition-story, so could be that he 's a credible source.)
https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/item/voormalig-wagner-officier-in-nederland-om-zich-bij-strafhof-te-melden-bevelen-voor-oorlogsmisdaden-kwamen-rechtstreeks-uit-het-kremlin/

Dutch newsprogramme yesterday: (Link in next "update"-post.) My summary/translation, so mistakes on me.
 
Former Wagnercolonel Igor Salikov arrived in the Netherlands. He wants to testify at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Served in Russian army, later in Wagnergroup. Fought in different African countries as well as in Syria. Also "involved" in Russian actions against Ukraine, 2014 and 2022.
Witnessed many crimes and stated (wrote a deposition for the ICC) where the orders came from. Straight from Russian ministry of defense and sometimes directly from the office of Vladimir Putin. Also testifies that GROe and FSB were heaviliy involved in illegal operations.
Salikov was involved in Ukraine since 2014 and stated that part of his job was to support the separatists. In Donetsk the referendum was "a forgery", that only succeeded because of "bribery, blackmail and fraud". He also mentions the blatant lies that soldiers were told before the 2014 invasion in Ukraine/Crimea.
Furthermore:
- killing/murdering of civilians,
- laying mines on purpose in civilian area's (Many children dead because of that.),
- Torture and killing of prisoners of war,
and, most important I think, he witnessed the abduction of the Ukrainian children in februari 2022. "Convoys of FSB cars and vans, filled with children." (According to Yale-universiy about 6000 children were abducted.)
 
Reason for his defection seems to be that he was ordered to execute civilians, but refused to do that. Was about to be court-marshalled for that, but managed to flee Russia. "Lost faith in Russian cause".
Of course, credibility, and possible own warcrimes, from this former colonel need to be investigated. His account of the FSB abduction of children was corroborated by other witnesses, it seems.
Follow-up: The importance of his testimony lies in him possibly being an "insider witness" (ICC phrase) with knowledge of "The chain of Command".
 

Update on Wagnercolonel Salikov:
 
He was in Donetsk-region when MH-17was shot down. He says that some form of competition was going on between the Wagner-group and the separatists.
A few weeks before the downing of the MH-17, the Wagnergroup had shot down a Ukrainian army-plane in Luhansk-region and they got a lot of credit for that.
So, according to Salikov, the separatists decided that they had to shoot down a Ukrainian plane too, but through mistakes/stupidity they shot down MH-17.
(I never heard of this competition-story, so could be that he 's a credible source.)
https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/item/voormalig-wagner-officier-in-nederland-om-zich-bij-strafhof-te-melden-bevelen-voor-oorlogsmisdaden-kwamen-rechtstreeks-uit-het-kremlin/

Dutch newsprogramme yesterday: (Link in next "update"-post.) My summary/translation, so mistakes on me.
 
Former Wagnercolonel Igor Salikov arrived in the Netherlands. He wants to testify at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Served in Russian army, later in Wagnergroup. Fought in different African countries as well as in Syria. Also "involved" in Russian actions against Ukraine, 2014 and 2022.
Witnessed many crimes and stated (wrote a deposition for the ICC) where the orders came from. Straight from Russian ministry of defense and sometimes directly from the office of Vladimir Putin. Also testifies that GROe and FSB were heaviliy involved in illegal operations.
Salikov was involved in Ukraine since 2014 and stated that part of his job was to support the separatists. In Donetsk the referendum was "a forgery", that only succeeded because of "bribery, blackmail and fraud". He also mentions the blatant lies that soldiers were told before the 2014 invasion in Ukraine/Crimea.
Furthermore:
- killing/murdering of civilians,
- laying mines on purpose in civilian area's (Many children dead because of that.),
- Torture and killing of prisoners of war,
and, most important I think, he witnessed the abduction of the Ukrainian children in februari 2022. "Convoys of FSB cars and vans, filled with children." (According to Yale-universiy about 6000 children were abducted.)
 
Reason for his defection seems to be that he was ordered to execute civilians, but refused to do that. Was about to be court-marshalled for that, but managed to flee Russia. "Lost faith in Russian cause".
Of course, credibility, and possible own warcrimes, from this former colonel need to be investigated. His account of the FSB abduction of children was corroborated by other witnesses, it seems.
Follow-up: The importance of his testimony lies in him possibly being an "insider witness" (ICC phrase) with knowledge of "The chain of Command".
 

Update on Wagnercolonel Salikov:
 
He was in Donetsk-region when MH-17was shot down. He says that some form of competition was going on between the Wagner-group and the separatists.
A few weeks before the downing of the MH-17, the Wagnergroup had shot down a Ukrainian army-plane in Luhansk-region and they got a lot of credit for that.
So, according to Salikov, the separatists decided that they had to shoot down a Ukrainian plane too, but through mistakes/stupidity they shot down MH-17.
(I never heard of this competition-story, so could be that he 's a credible source.)
https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/item/voormalig-wagner-officier-in-nederland-om-zich-bij-strafhof-te-melden-bevelen-voor-oorlogsmisdaden-kwamen-rechtstreeks-uit-het-kremlin/

Dutch newsprogramme yesterday: (Link in next "update"-post.) My summary/translation, so mistakes on me.
 
Former Wagnercolonel Igor Salikov arrived in the Netherlands. He wants to testify at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Served in Russian army, later in Wagnergroup. Fought in different African countries as well as in Syria. Also "involved" in Russian actions against Ukraine, 2014 and 2022.
Witnessed many crimes and stated (wrote a deposition for the ICC) where the orders came from. Straight from Russian ministry of defense and sometimes directly from the office of Vladimir Putin. Also testifies that GROe and FSB were heaviliy involved in illegal operations.
Salikov was involved in Ukraine since 2014 and stated that part of his job was to support the separatists. In Donetsk the referendum was "a forgery", that only succeeded because of "bribery, blackmail and fraud". He also mentions the blatant lies that soldiers were told before the 2014 invasion in Ukraine/Crimea.
Furthermore:
- killing/murdering of civilians,
- laying mines on purpose in civilian area's (Many children dead because of that.),
- Torture and killing of prisoners of war,
and, most important I think, he witnessed the abduction of the Ukrainian children in februari 2022. "Convoys of FSB cars and vans, filled with children." (According to Yale-universiy about 6000 children were abducted.)
 
Reason for his defection seems to be that he was ordered to execute civilians, but refused to do that. Was about to be court-marshalled for that, but managed to flee Russia. "Lost faith in Russian cause".
Of course, credibility, and possible own warcrimes, from this former colonel need to be investigated. His account of the FSB abduction of children was corroborated by other witnesses, it seems.
Follow-up: The importance of his testimony lies in him possibly being an "insider witness" (ICC phrase) with knowledge of "The chain of Command".
 

Dutch newsprogramme yesterday: (Link in next "update"-post.) My summary/translation, so mistakes on me.
 
Former Wagnercolonel Igor Salikov arrived in the Netherlands. He wants to testify at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Served in Russian army, later in Wagnergroup. Fought in different African countries as well as in Syria. Also "involved" in Russian actions against Ukraine, 2014 and 2022.
Witnessed many crimes and stated (wrote a deposition for the ICC) where the orders came from. Straight from Russian ministry of defense and sometimes directly from the office of Vladimir Putin. Also testifies that GROe and FSB were heaviliy involved in illegal operations.
Salikov was involved in Ukraine since 2014 and stated that part of his job was to support the separatists. In Donetsk the referendum was "a forgery", that only succeeded because of "bribery, blackmail and fraud". He also mentions the blatant lies that soldiers were told before the 2014 invasion in Ukraine/Crimea.
Furthermore:
- killing/murdering of civilians,
- laying mines on purpose in civilian area's (Many children dead because of that.),
- Torture and killing of prisoners of war,
and, most important I think, he witnessed the abduction of the Ukrainian children in februari 2022. "Convoys of FSB cars and vans, filled with children." (According to Yale-universiy about 6000 children were abducted.)
 
Reason for his defection seems to be that he was ordered to execute civilians, but refused to do that. Was about to be court-marshalled for that, but managed to flee Russia. "Lost faith in Russian cause".
Of course, credibility, and possible own warcrimes, from this former colonel need to be investigated. His account of the FSB abduction of children was corroborated by other witnesses, it seems.
Follow-up: The importance of his testimony lies in him possibly being an "insider witness" (ICC phrase) with knowledge of "The chain of Command".
 

Update on Wagnercolonel Salikov:
 
He was in Donetsk-region when MH-17was shot down. He says that some form of competition was going on between the Wagner-group and the separatists.
A few weeks before the downing of the MH-17, the Wagnergroup had shot down a Ukrainian army-plane in Luhansk-region and they got a lot of credit for that.
So, according to Salikov, the separatists decided that they had to shoot down a Ukrainian plane too, but through mistakes/stupidity they shot down MH-17.
(I never heard of this competition-story, so could be that he 's a credible source.)
https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/item/voormalig-wagner-officier-in-nederland-om-zich-bij-strafhof-te-melden-bevelen-voor-oorlogsmisdaden-kwamen-rechtstreeks-uit-het-kremlin/

Dutch newsprogramme yesterday: (Link in next "update"-post.) My summary/translation, so mistakes on me.
 
Former Wagnercolonel Igor Salikov arrived in the Netherlands. He wants to testify at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Served in Russian army, later in Wagnergroup. Fought in different African countries as well as in Syria. Also "involved" in Russian actions against Ukraine, 2014 and 2022.
Witnessed many crimes and stated (wrote a deposition for the ICC) where the orders came from. Straight from Russian ministry of defense and sometimes directly from the office of Vladimir Putin. Also testifies that GROe and FSB were heaviliy involved in illegal operations.
Salikov was involved in Ukraine since 2014 and stated that part of his job was to support the separatists. In Donetsk the referendum was "a forgery", that only succeeded because of "bribery, blackmail and fraud". He also mentions the blatant lies that soldiers were told before the 2014 invasion in Ukraine/Crimea.
Furthermore:
- killing/murdering of civilians,
- laying mines on purpose in civilian area's (Many children dead because of that.),
- Torture and killing of prisoners of war,
and, most important I think, he witnessed the abduction of the Ukrainian children in februari 2022. "Convoys of FSB cars and vans, filled with children." (According to Yale-universiy about 6000 children were abducted.)
 
Reason for his defection seems to be that he was ordered to execute civilians, but refused to do that. Was about to be court-marshalled for that, but managed to flee Russia. "Lost faith in Russian cause".
Of course, credibility, and possible own warcrimes, from this former colonel need to be investigated. His account of the FSB abduction of children was corroborated by other witnesses, it seems.
Follow-up: The importance of his testimony lies in him possibly being an "insider witness" (ICC phrase) with knowledge of "The chain of Command".
 

So, again you are advocating taking one-third of the entire USMC Infantry force and basically placing them in “garrison”? What would that do to the U.S. ability to respond to “other world hotspots? Think about it, who are referred to as “The President’s Own” due to the fact that the President can deploy a USMC rapid deployment force at a moment’s notice? While it is an honor that you consider  the USMC to be such an amazing force, we do have human frailties. The USMC this three active Infantry divisions ( MARDIV) and three active air wings (MAW) that support each MARDIV. In addition we have one active reserve MARDIV and one MAW. Marine infantry basically trust only Marine or Navy Air for Close Air Support, so they will have one of them everywhere they are deployed. The concept of deploying a MARDIV and MAW on Taiwan as a deterrent is totally unnecessary and a waste of a deterrent force. Marines are basically able to deploy to any location in the World within 72 hours. Case in point, when I was a Reservist in the 4th MARDIV in 1980, just after the abortive hostage rescue mission in Iran, I received  a phone call at home (just north of Boston) on Wednesday evening ordering me to report for duty in Chicopee, Ma (about 120 miles from home) by 1500 on the next Friday. I reported in and by 1900, we were on Air Force C-141s and on route to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. When we landed a few hours later, we landed with the rest of the ENTIRE Regiment, in clouding Armor, Artillery, and Transport. And that was an Active Reserve Regiment.Think about what an active MARDIV can do today.
Please stop that type of silly “wish” talk.

It seems to me that most people forget how humanly normal it is for the Ukrainians to be war-weary and somber, and to even question a positive outcome. But it is almost certainly TEMPORARY!
It is not only the longevity of the war, and the corresponding fear and stress that goes along with it, that creates this grim atmosphere. In my experience hope that doesn't get materialized tends to weigh heavier on most people's morale, than physical pain, fear, disappointment and other adversities.
And in this war the average hope before the summer offensive was very high, perhaps - in retrospect of course, unrealisticly high. The unexpected defeat of the Russian invasion, the sinking of the Moskva and the further humiliation of the Black Sea Fleet, the Wagner-uprising, the endless amount of video's and reports of exploding Russian vehicles and dead and dying Russian soldiers, and the large number of countries that gave material and/or financial support (Which in hindsight gave a false impression of the usefull amount of support. Ten countries donating 10 -20 tanks each sounds nice, but creates unrealistic hope.), all contributed to an understandable belief in succes.
In my opinion a sudden realisation that thing aren't nearly as rosy as expected, weighs people down. Mostly because rational thinking cannot cope very well with accepting the fact that our expectations were too high.
It just takes time. Whether the situation on the frontline stays as it is, or even when there are going to be more setbacks for the Ukrainians, this current "depression" will subside. The Ukrainian tenacity and unwielding fighting spirit just have a little understandable setback.
And to parafrase Schwarzenegger's famous quote: "They will be back".   

It seems to me that most people forget how humanly normal it is for the Ukrainians to be war-weary and somber, and to even question a positive outcome. But it is almost certainly TEMPORARY!
It is not only the longevity of the war, and the corresponding fear and stress that goes along with it, that creates this grim atmosphere. In my experience hope that doesn't get materialized tends to weigh heavier on most people's morale, than physical pain, fear, disappointment and other adversities.
And in this war the average hope before the summer offensive was very high, perhaps - in retrospect of course, unrealisticly high. The unexpected defeat of the Russian invasion, the sinking of the Moskva and the further humiliation of the Black Sea Fleet, the Wagner-uprising, the endless amount of video's and reports of exploding Russian vehicles and dead and dying Russian soldiers, and the large number of countries that gave material and/or financial support (Which in hindsight gave a false impression of the usefull amount of support. Ten countries donating 10 -20 tanks each sounds nice, but creates unrealistic hope.), all contributed to an understandable belief in succes.
In my opinion a sudden realisation that thing aren't nearly as rosy as expected, weighs people down. Mostly because rational thinking cannot cope very well with accepting the fact that our expectations were too high.
It just takes time. Whether the situation on the frontline stays as it is, or even when there are going to be more setbacks for the Ukrainians, this current "depression" will subside. The Ukrainian tenacity and unwielding fighting spirit just have a little understandable setback.
And to parafrase Schwarzenegger's famous quote: "They will be back".   

It seems to me that most people forget how humanly normal it is for the Ukrainians to be war-weary and somber, and to even question a positive outcome. But it is almost certainly TEMPORARY!
It is not only the longevity of the war, and the corresponding fear and stress that goes along with it, that creates this grim atmosphere. In my experience hope that doesn't get materialized tends to weigh heavier on most people's morale, than physical pain, fear, disappointment and other adversities.
And in this war the average hope before the summer offensive was very high, perhaps - in retrospect of course, unrealisticly high. The unexpected defeat of the Russian invasion, the sinking of the Moskva and the further humiliation of the Black Sea Fleet, the Wagner-uprising, the endless amount of video's and reports of exploding Russian vehicles and dead and dying Russian soldiers, and the large number of countries that gave material and/or financial support (Which in hindsight gave a false impression of the usefull amount of support. Ten countries donating 10 -20 tanks each sounds nice, but creates unrealistic hope.), all contributed to an understandable belief in succes.
In my opinion a sudden realisation that thing aren't nearly as rosy as expected, weighs people down. Mostly because rational thinking cannot cope very well with accepting the fact that our expectations were too high.
It just takes time. Whether the situation on the frontline stays as it is, or even when there are going to be more setbacks for the Ukrainians, this current "depression" will subside. The Ukrainian tenacity and unwielding fighting spirit just have a little understandable setback.
And to parafrase Schwarzenegger's famous quote: "They will be back".   

It seems to me that most people forget how humanly normal it is for the Ukrainians to be war-weary and somber, and to even question a positive outcome. But it is almost certainly TEMPORARY!
It is not only the longevity of the war, and the corresponding fear and stress that goes along with it, that creates this grim atmosphere. In my experience hope that doesn't get materialized tends to weigh heavier on most people's morale, than physical pain, fear, disappointment and other adversities.
And in this war the average hope before the summer offensive was very high, perhaps - in retrospect of course, unrealisticly high. The unexpected defeat of the Russian invasion, the sinking of the Moskva and the further humiliation of the Black Sea Fleet, the Wagner-uprising, the endless amount of video's and reports of exploding Russian vehicles and dead and dying Russian soldiers, and the large number of countries that gave material and/or financial support (Which in hindsight gave a false impression of the usefull amount of support. Ten countries donating 10 -20 tanks each sounds nice, but creates unrealistic hope.), all contributed to an understandable belief in succes.
In my opinion a sudden realisation that thing aren't nearly as rosy as expected, weighs people down. Mostly because rational thinking cannot cope very well with accepting the fact that our expectations were too high.
It just takes time. Whether the situation on the frontline stays as it is, or even when there are going to be more setbacks for the Ukrainians, this current "depression" will subside. The Ukrainian tenacity and unwielding fighting spirit just have a little understandable setback.
And to parafrase Schwarzenegger's famous quote: "They will be back".   

It seems to me that most people forget how humanly normal it is for the Ukrainians to be war-weary and somber, and to even question a positive outcome. But it is almost certainly TEMPORARY!
It is not only the longevity of the war, and the corresponding fear and stress that goes along with it, that creates this grim atmosphere. In my experience hope that doesn't get materialized tends to weigh heavier on most people's morale, than physical pain, fear, disappointment and other adversities.
And in this war the average hope before the summer offensive was very high, perhaps - in retrospect of course, unrealisticly high. The unexpected defeat of the Russian invasion, the sinking of the Moskva and the further humiliation of the Black Sea Fleet, the Wagner-uprising, the endless amount of video's and reports of exploding Russian vehicles and dead and dying Russian soldiers, and the large number of countries that gave material and/or financial support (Which in hindsight gave a false impression of the usefull amount of support. Ten countries donating 10 -20 tanks each sounds nice, but creates unrealistic hope.), all contributed to an understandable belief in succes.
In my opinion a sudden realisation that thing aren't nearly as rosy as expected, weighs people down. Mostly because rational thinking cannot cope very well with accepting the fact that our expectations were too high.
It just takes time. Whether the situation on the frontline stays as it is, or even when there are going to be more setbacks for the Ukrainians, this current "depression" will subside. The Ukrainian tenacity and unwielding fighting spirit just have a little understandable setback.
And to parafrase Schwarzenegger's famous quote: "They will be back".   

Democracy is not perfect, not great. Recent years have shown that even the greatest democracies have difficulties being democratic.
But I believe that the way in which Steve(Battlefront.com) gives room to "antagonistic" and /or "Kettlerian" or very annoying (Me, for instance, when  a few years back I pushed the limit of decency with my whining about the Schwimmwagen) forumposters, may be representive for the real difference between democracy and pretty much any other political system.
Being tolerant (WITHOUT GETTING WOKE, btw) towards people who have different opinions, and/or people who say things we'd rather not hear at all, is one of the best ways to get a "reasonable" society. Not perfect, not great, but still a society with freedom of speech, little to no cruel oppression, equal justice for most, and opportunities for most people.
It is fair to say that Steve is in a position of power, as it were. He can ban everyone he wants, anytime it pleases him.
But he gave Kettlerians, neo-nazi's, dumb-asses and hardcore commies, and the rest, always the benefit of the doubt. He usually tried to reason, to warn and to explain, even when he must have felt annoyance or even anger.
I don't always agree with Steve's views ( Russian collapse seemed always unlikely to me, because these Russians have a survival-tenacity that is like having chewing gum stuck in your hair), but to me he is a real democrat (Not a US-politics democrat) and I appreciate that.
 
Thank you, Steve.
 

Democracy is not perfect, not great. Recent years have shown that even the greatest democracies have difficulties being democratic.
But I believe that the way in which Steve(Battlefront.com) gives room to "antagonistic" and /or "Kettlerian" or very annoying (Me, for instance, when  a few years back I pushed the limit of decency with my whining about the Schwimmwagen) forumposters, may be representive for the real difference between democracy and pretty much any other political system.
Being tolerant (WITHOUT GETTING WOKE, btw) towards people who have different opinions, and/or people who say things we'd rather not hear at all, is one of the best ways to get a "reasonable" society. Not perfect, not great, but still a society with freedom of speech, little to no cruel oppression, equal justice for most, and opportunities for most people.
It is fair to say that Steve is in a position of power, as it were. He can ban everyone he wants, anytime it pleases him.
But he gave Kettlerians, neo-nazi's, dumb-asses and hardcore commies, and the rest, always the benefit of the doubt. He usually tried to reason, to warn and to explain, even when he must have felt annoyance or even anger.
I don't always agree with Steve's views ( Russian collapse seemed always unlikely to me, because these Russians have a survival-tenacity that is like having chewing gum stuck in your hair), but to me he is a real democrat (Not a US-politics democrat) and I appreciate that.
 
Thank you, Steve.
 

Democracy is not perfect, not great. Recent years have shown that even the greatest democracies have difficulties being democratic.
But I believe that the way in which Steve(Battlefront.com) gives room to "antagonistic" and /or "Kettlerian" or very annoying (Me, for instance, when  a few years back I pushed the limit of decency with my whining about the Schwimmwagen) forumposters, may be representive for the real difference between democracy and pretty much any other political system.
Being tolerant (WITHOUT GETTING WOKE, btw) towards people who have different opinions, and/or people who say things we'd rather not hear at all, is one of the best ways to get a "reasonable" society. Not perfect, not great, but still a society with freedom of speech, little to no cruel oppression, equal justice for most, and opportunities for most people.
It is fair to say that Steve is in a position of power, as it were. He can ban everyone he wants, anytime it pleases him.
But he gave Kettlerians, neo-nazi's, dumb-asses and hardcore commies, and the rest, always the benefit of the doubt. He usually tried to reason, to warn and to explain, even when he must have felt annoyance or even anger.
I don't always agree with Steve's views ( Russian collapse seemed always unlikely to me, because these Russians have a survival-tenacity that is like having chewing gum stuck in your hair), but to me he is a real democrat (Not a US-politics democrat) and I appreciate that.
 
Thank you, Steve.
 

Democracy is not perfect, not great. Recent years have shown that even the greatest democracies have difficulties being democratic.
But I believe that the way in which Steve(Battlefront.com) gives room to "antagonistic" and /or "Kettlerian" or very annoying (Me, for instance, when  a few years back I pushed the limit of decency with my whining about the Schwimmwagen) forumposters, may be representive for the real difference between democracy and pretty much any other political system.
Being tolerant (WITHOUT GETTING WOKE, btw) towards people who have different opinions, and/or people who say things we'd rather not hear at all, is one of the best ways to get a "reasonable" society. Not perfect, not great, but still a society with freedom of speech, little to no cruel oppression, equal justice for most, and opportunities for most people.
It is fair to say that Steve is in a position of power, as it were. He can ban everyone he wants, anytime it pleases him.
But he gave Kettlerians, neo-nazi's, dumb-asses and hardcore commies, and the rest, always the benefit of the doubt. He usually tried to reason, to warn and to explain, even when he must have felt annoyance or even anger.
I don't always agree with Steve's views ( Russian collapse seemed always unlikely to me, because these Russians have a survival-tenacity that is like having chewing gum stuck in your hair), but to me he is a real democrat (Not a US-politics democrat) and I appreciate that.
 
Thank you, Steve.
 

Democracy is not perfect, not great. Recent years have shown that even the greatest democracies have difficulties being democratic.
But I believe that the way in which Steve(Battlefront.com) gives room to "antagonistic" and /or "Kettlerian" or very annoying (Me, for instance, when  a few years back I pushed the limit of decency with my whining about the Schwimmwagen) forumposters, may be representive for the real difference between democracy and pretty much any other political system.
Being tolerant (WITHOUT GETTING WOKE, btw) towards people who have different opinions, and/or people who say things we'd rather not hear at all, is one of the best ways to get a "reasonable" society. Not perfect, not great, but still a society with freedom of speech, little to no cruel oppression, equal justice for most, and opportunities for most people.
It is fair to say that Steve is in a position of power, as it were. He can ban everyone he wants, anytime it pleases him.
But he gave Kettlerians, neo-nazi's, dumb-asses and hardcore commies, and the rest, always the benefit of the doubt. He usually tried to reason, to warn and to explain, even when he must have felt annoyance or even anger.
I don't always agree with Steve's views ( Russian collapse seemed always unlikely to me, because these Russians have a survival-tenacity that is like having chewing gum stuck in your hair), but to me he is a real democrat (Not a US-politics democrat) and I appreciate that.
 
Thank you, Steve.
 

Democracy is not perfect, not great. Recent years have shown that even the greatest democracies have difficulties being democratic.
But I believe that the way in which Steve(Battlefront.com) gives room to "antagonistic" and /or "Kettlerian" or very annoying (Me, for instance, when  a few years back I pushed the limit of decency with my whining about the Schwimmwagen) forumposters, may be representive for the real difference between democracy and pretty much any other political system.
Being tolerant (WITHOUT GETTING WOKE, btw) towards people who have different opinions, and/or people who say things we'd rather not hear at all, is one of the best ways to get a "reasonable" society. Not perfect, not great, but still a society with freedom of speech, little to no cruel oppression, equal justice for most, and opportunities for most people.
It is fair to say that Steve is in a position of power, as it were. He can ban everyone he wants, anytime it pleases him.
But he gave Kettlerians, neo-nazi's, dumb-asses and hardcore commies, and the rest, always the benefit of the doubt. He usually tried to reason, to warn and to explain, even when he must have felt annoyance or even anger.
I don't always agree with Steve's views ( Russian collapse seemed always unlikely to me, because these Russians have a survival-tenacity that is like having chewing gum stuck in your hair), but to me he is a real democrat (Not a US-politics democrat) and I appreciate that.
 
Thank you, Steve.
 

And readers can use Splinty's method anytime they want.

The Second World War. 40-year-old Ukrainians conscripted from the streets captured Berlin in 1945