Originally Posted by Lonerider

Merkel made her bed, and as the saying goes...she can now lay in it. Yes I feel a bit sorry for the Germans now but just because she dropped the ball doesn't mean to say we in the rest of Europe should suffer...sometimes I am really pleased we are not joined to the mainland

As for an European Army ...its nearly as funny as been a member of NATO. Putin must laugh himself to sleep on a night when he thinks of NATO, he waltzed into Crimea and now his troops are another area of Ukraine (even though he denies it) and what has NATO or anyone in the EU done to protect our borders? Nothing, they did a bit of shouting and did some sanctions. Even the US was not bothered, maybe because it was in Europe or maybe because there is no oil? I know the Ukraine is not a member of NATO or the EU but it is still part of mainland Europe and not Russia.
I served in HM Forces and it should remain Her Majesties Forces. We do not need to be run by some Spanish or French General being told what to do by people who don't like curved bananas and don't have a back bone. Serving in a Regiment which is the 309th Battalion of the European Army does not appeal to me nor probably to any of the Men and Women who are serving their country now.

I also get fed up of my country paying billions to help support the EU and the lesser countries within it when we can not look after our own elderly, homeless, sick etc. Maybe we should worry about ourselves for a bit before we worry about others?

Wayne

Originally Posted by Shrekonwheels

The US and Nato were supposed to back the Ukraine simply over turning over their Nukes shotly after they became independent. The US with the usual jelly backbone of Obuma did nothing to support, not even a show of strength which in all reality would have been enough. As you said Putin is laughing at how easy all this is. Putin is playing chess while Nato is playing hop scotch.

Originally Posted by Shrekonwheels

As for interests, actually there is a major energy interest in the area which I am surprised the EU did not stand and do more to secure. The Gas Interests for the EU come in a large part though the Ukraine.
Russia, Ukraine Reach Deal on Gas Supplies in EU-Brokered Talks - Bloomberg Business

Russia is owning this, now, and especially in the Future as their oil/gas reserves are absolutely Immense and the world will be wondering what happened in the not so distant future as Russia laughs all the way to the bank.

Originally Posted by Walkabout

This reflects on "real politik" - how the rhetoric rarely matches the reality, especially because the public have short memories.

Originally Posted by Plooking

Do the pupeteers still really control events? Or do they even exist?

There is too much going wrong for one to think about some sort of pupeteers. Maybe several "pupeteers", each trying to defend its interests but which in the end will be bad for almost everybody. Not everybody, though.

Originally Posted by Shrekonwheels

Rarely are our conflicts ever about anything other than industry in some capacity.
I would encourage anyone to read The Pirate Coast: Thomas Jefferson, the First Marines & the Secret Mission of 1805 by Richard Zacks — Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists which covers how Americas policy of installing puppet dictators for commerce got started.

Originally Posted by Shrekonwheels

You never cease to amaze me.

Originally Posted by Walkabout

Thanks!

Your right wing comment is bizarre though: do you know this John Ward?
https://hat4uk.wordpress.com/about/

Originally Posted by Plooking

That is correct. Unfortunatelly that relation is rarely understood by the people. However, you are a creditor to the bank, this being, the bank must pay you back what you borrowed it. The main purpose of this rubish is that, if the bank is in trouble, that contract is severed and you don't receive a part of what you borrowed to the bank.

There are ways around this state of affairs, of course. However, mostly these are not available to the main street by a long shot. Therefore, when worst comes to happen, it will be the middle classes the ones who will end up hurting much. Those who can afford it already took the necessary steps to protect the bulk of their assets.




The world can not afford them... today. Give it time. The return of the interest rates to normal levels, however, is just one of the things that can start a cascade of events. There are others. A new crash which deplects further the value of bank's assets, another example.

Originally Posted by Shrekonwheels

so long as people have their bread, they are happy.

Originally Posted by Shrekonwheels

Oprah, I said Oprah