AntV
9 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
They are, and they've come a long way in accuracy.
These translators are great, aren't they! :)
They are, and they've come a long way in accuracy.
AntV
9 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
@Bratwurst Boy
If I understood the article correctly (translator was needed being I'm a dumb USian and all :) ), it seems Germany is serious about changing course. Seems sensible to me that in order to build up the Bundeswehr, you need to change the culture and way of thinking about and managing within it.
@Bratwurst Boy
If I understood the article correctly (translator was needed being I'm a dumb USian and all :) ), it seems Germany is serious about changing course. Seems sensible to me that in order to build up the Bundeswehr, you need to change the culture and way of thinking about and managing within it.
AntV
9 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
@Bratwurst Boy
@Tacitus
Germany said it would dramatically increase its military spending last year. Is there any reports that it is following through with this or has it stalled?
@Bratwurst Boy
@Tacitus
Germany said it would dramatically increase its military spending last year. Is there any reports that it is following through with this or has it stalled?
AntV
9 Jun 2023
Off-Topic / Pop A Cork - Wine [396]
You got it right. :)
The Vatican one is called "Reclaiming Vatican II - What it (really) said, what it means, and how it calls us to renew the church" written by a young priest Fr Blake Britton. It's basically about how the liberal and conservative reactionaries misunderstand the council. That V2 was neither liberal nor conservative, but an orthodoxy meant to sanctify today's world. IMO, it should be read in every Catholic school and seminary.
The other is Edith Stein's autobiography, Life in a Jewish Family 1891-1916. She couldn't finish it, as she was sent to Auschwitz.
The quality of the wine matched the quality of those books.
If I got it right, that thing about the Vatican and Edith Stein?
You got it right. :)
The Vatican one is called "Reclaiming Vatican II - What it (really) said, what it means, and how it calls us to renew the church" written by a young priest Fr Blake Britton. It's basically about how the liberal and conservative reactionaries misunderstand the council. That V2 was neither liberal nor conservative, but an orthodoxy meant to sanctify today's world. IMO, it should be read in every Catholic school and seminary.
The other is Edith Stein's autobiography, Life in a Jewish Family 1891-1916. She couldn't finish it, as she was sent to Auschwitz.
The quality of the wine matched the quality of those books.
AntV
9 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
I'd hope not. It wouldn't make sense.
*nods
Afterall NATO was created to keep America in, Russians out, and Germany down. Seems there needs to be some kind of re-calibration.
..and tell the US that they don't need NATO and the American military.
I'd hope not. It wouldn't make sense.
Neighbours who like their Germans militarily weak as a kitten quite well!
*nods
Afterall NATO was created to keep America in, Russians out, and Germany down. Seems there needs to be some kind of re-calibration.
AntV
9 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
As a Usian, I don't care if it's some kind of common European military or not, I just want to see a significant increase in the military potency of Euro members.
Poland seems to be serious in increasing its military strength, I hope it's the impetus for other Euros to follow.
common European army is a very long way off
As a Usian, I don't care if it's some kind of common European military or not, I just want to see a significant increase in the military potency of Euro members.
Poland seems to be serious in increasing its military strength, I hope it's the impetus for other Euros to follow.
AntV
9 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
That could work.
One of the biggest problems would be instead of dealing with two military bureaucracies, you'd now have to deal with three. There'd be a lot of things getting ground up and bogged down in the jaws of bureaucrats.
Yeah...it could create an environment of mutual haranguing of each other to pump up military might. As an American, that sounds good to me.
I see you are singing in a very melodious voice tonight, BB. :)
Like you said in one of your post, China is on the horizon (Russia ain't squit compared to it and its modernized military and calculating pooitical and economic strategy).
I mean something like NATO, just for mainland Europe, the EU.....
That could work.
One of the biggest problems would be instead of dealing with two military bureaucracies, you'd now have to deal with three. There'd be a lot of things getting ground up and bogged down in the jaws of bureaucrats.
..and if other countries shouldn't better follow...
Yeah...it could create an environment of mutual haranguing of each other to pump up military might. As an American, that sounds good to me.
It would surely take some of the defense burden off the USian shoulders
I see you are singing in a very melodious voice tonight, BB. :)
Like you said in one of your post, China is on the horizon (Russia ain't squit compared to it and its modernized military and calculating pooitical and economic strategy).
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
@Bratwurst Boy
By common army do you mean an army being under the command of a single entity or do you mean something like a NATO where each country commands its own military but corrdinates under a common entity?
@Bratwurst Boy
By common army do you mean an army being under the command of a single entity or do you mean something like a NATO where each country commands its own military but corrdinates under a common entity?
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
I have no doubts of their capabilities. They could produce a very lethal force.. But, are they willing? I think they better start beefing up-which is pretty much what I've been saying throughout this thread. However, Germany must also be careful in not beefing up too big-there needs remain some sort of parity amongst the other EUians. In other words, Germany isn't the only Euro country that needs to beef up.
@jon357
But, I'm not sure removing US or UK installations out of continental Euro is beneficial to anyone in the West in the ling run. When us Usians, and I guess you UKians also, call for us to bacate, it's more frustration or offense than good strategic sense.
Germany has for far too long shirked it's responsibilites
Germany needs to show what it is capable of
I have no doubts of their capabilities. They could produce a very lethal force.. But, are they willing? I think they better start beefing up-which is pretty much what I've been saying throughout this thread. However, Germany must also be careful in not beefing up too big-there needs remain some sort of parity amongst the other EUians. In other words, Germany isn't the only Euro country that needs to beef up.
@jon357
But, I'm not sure removing US or UK installations out of continental Euro is beneficial to anyone in the West in the ling run. When us Usians, and I guess you UKians also, call for us to bacate, it's more frustration or offense than good strategic sense.
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
@Tacitus
Less doesn't always mean worse. The question is more along the lines of potency and cost effectiveness of military might. What's more potent and cost effective, in general: carpet bombing or precision munitions?
It'd be interest to see where Polish military investment is being allocated.
But, yes, the US is smaller militarily now than during the cold war (at least, I think that's true).
You sound like Joker and JR. :D
@Tacitus
Less doesn't always mean worse. The question is more along the lines of potency and cost effectiveness of military might. What's more potent and cost effective, in general: carpet bombing or precision munitions?
It'd be interest to see where Polish military investment is being allocated.
But, yes, the US is smaller militarily now than during the cold war (at least, I think that's true).
remove our troops completely from your country, suspend military cooperation and together with France, denuclearise and leave NATO. Make sure you take ruzzian lessons first.
You sound like Joker and JR. :D
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
Massively reduced may be an overstatement, nevertheless reducing is one thing, but reducing to aneroxic levels is completely different.
All of that is water under the bridge at this moment. What matters now is Europe beefing itself up so it can be responsible for the lion's share of its own security.
I'd think from the POV of a unified Europe, that'd be much more terrifying than gratifying.
that is a mistake all Western countries except the USA made and even they massively reduced their capabilities.
Massively reduced may be an overstatement, nevertheless reducing is one thing, but reducing to aneroxic levels is completely different.
All of that is water under the bridge at this moment. What matters now is Europe beefing itself up so it can be responsible for the lion's share of its own security.
admittedly rather gratifying to learn that both the French and British army are in no better shape than the Bundeswehr for fighting a huge conventional war.
I'd think from the POV of a unified Europe, that'd be much more terrifying than gratifying.
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
But, the point is for the EU army to become a potent enough military to defend its own interest as well as to become an attractive partner for powerful armies such as GB and its smarter, richer, and stronger younger brother, USia.
That is a very good point. There must remain something of a parity amongst all members
leading European military isn't in an EU country
But, the point is for the EU army to become a potent enough military to defend its own interest as well as to become an attractive partner for powerful armies such as GB and its smarter, richer, and stronger younger brother, USia.
.Poland would be a better one than Germany or France,
That is a very good point. There must remain something of a parity amongst all members
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
Może...that and for the American arms producers to make gobs more money. Oh, and let's not forget the secondary purpose of weakening Russia to a third-rate shell of itself.
Może...that and for the American arms producers to make gobs more money. Oh, and let's not forget the secondary purpose of weakening Russia to a third-rate shell of itself.
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
@Bratwurst Boy
There's a problem, though, if Poland is the only EU nation that beefs up. For an EU army to work, all of Europe must beed up to some degree.
@Bratwurst Boy
There's a problem, though, if Poland is the only EU nation that beefs up. For an EU army to work, all of Europe must beed up to some degree.
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
@Bratwurst Boy
I like the sounds of all that. NATO can still exist under that makeup-just more balanced and no need for nuclear proliferation.
@Bratwurst Boy
I like the sounds of all that. NATO can still exist under that makeup-just more balanced and no need for nuclear proliferation.
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
Not only Brussels!
new EU-army.....now that would gain Poland lotsa influence in Brussels!!!
Not only Brussels!
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
@Bratwurst Boy
I don't know about it looking to the US as its Savior.
The EU has interceded with Poland's domestic governance, so its not totally unreasonable for them to be a bit skeptical of the level of friendliness. I'm not saying its the right or wrong perception, but its not an entirely unreasonable perception.
Regardless, the point at hand is defense. And, Poland is not alone in Europe in that it looks to the US as its main defense support. As I see it, Poland is taking a pro-active stance in building up its military to defend its own interest-it is the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has precipitated this build-up. It seems its just following through with what it, as many other European countries, said it would do a year ago: beef up its military.
@Bratwurst Boy
I don't know about it looking to the US as its Savior.
The EU has interceded with Poland's domestic governance, so its not totally unreasonable for them to be a bit skeptical of the level of friendliness. I'm not saying its the right or wrong perception, but its not an entirely unreasonable perception.
Regardless, the point at hand is defense. And, Poland is not alone in Europe in that it looks to the US as its main defense support. As I see it, Poland is taking a pro-active stance in building up its military to defend its own interest-it is the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has precipitated this build-up. It seems its just following through with what it, as many other European countries, said it would do a year ago: beef up its military.
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
@Bratwurst Boy
Assuming you are correct about the doubtfulness of America's friendship with Poland, it may be that Warsaw might be thinking, " America may be a doubtful friend, but at least they give the impression they arefriends, and they have a potent defense force, whereas our neighbor friends don't always treat us friendly and have an impotent defense force that relies on the doubtful friend's force to secure our territory." A kind of bet hedging.
@Bratwurst Boy
Assuming you are correct about the doubtfulness of America's friendship with Poland, it may be that Warsaw might be thinking, " America may be a doubtful friend, but at least they give the impression they arefriends, and they have a potent defense force, whereas our neighbor friends don't always treat us friendly and have an impotent defense force that relies on the doubtful friend's force to secure our territory." A kind of bet hedging.
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
@Bratwurst Boy
Well, yeah, if it is building muscle simply to be a proxy army then there's some very serious problems attached to that. However, to serve as an effective deterrent, nothing should be withdrawn from the table...except, bullsh!t causes like Iraq-the pros most significantly outweigh the cons.
@Bratwurst Boy
Well, yeah, if it is building muscle simply to be a proxy army then there's some very serious problems attached to that. However, to serve as an effective deterrent, nothing should be withdrawn from the table...except, bullsh!t causes like Iraq-the pros most significantly outweigh the cons.
AntV
8 Jun 2023
News / Poland is the new military power of Europe. [275]
Or, could it simply mean Poland has decided that a more muscular military will serve as a deterrent to any possible foreign encroachment, as well as putting Poland in a better position within the EU-being the muscular rampart on the EU's eastern frontier is a bargaining chip that may reap dividends for Poland in Brussels.
but that buildup means they are preparing for more
It means that Poland don't trust NATO
Or, could it simply mean Poland has decided that a more muscular military will serve as a deterrent to any possible foreign encroachment, as well as putting Poland in a better position within the EU-being the muscular rampart on the EU's eastern frontier is a bargaining chip that may reap dividends for Poland in Brussels.
AntV
5 Jun 2023
Off-Topic / Pop A Cork - Wine [396]
@Alien
Well written. :)
Below is a delicious Portugese wine from the native alicante bouschet grape. Brimming with lush dark fruit and a not subtle spice note. My wife says it has a vanilla whipped cream note. The wine needles the tongue and has a soft tannic presence. It's a worthy bottle.
@Alien
Well written. :)
Below is a delicious Portugese wine from the native alicante bouschet grape. Brimming with lush dark fruit and a not subtle spice note. My wife says it has a vanilla whipped cream note. The wine needles the tongue and has a soft tannic presence. It's a worthy bottle.
IMG_9110.jpeg
AntV
30 May 2023
Off-Topic / Five or more years of Erdogan! [32]
And, that's a major concern for the US. How does the US/NATO deal with a Russian-allied Turkey-who, by the way, houses 50ish US nuclear warheads on its soil?
As mentioned above - he feels alienated. A perfect time to swoop in and cement Russian influence in this important region
And, that's a major concern for the US. How does the US/NATO deal with a Russian-allied Turkey-who, by the way, houses 50ish US nuclear warheads on its soil?
AntV
24 May 2023
Off-Topic / Hollywood Films [62]
I had Different experience. Went to both all-boys and co-ed schools. The all-boys school was less gay-not that co-eds were overly gay.
In my experience, the guys that went to all-boys schools would do a lot of gay sh
I had Different experience. Went to both all-boys and co-ed schools. The all-boys school was less gay-not that co-eds were overly gay.
AntV
22 May 2023
News / Polish Parliamentary Elections 2023 [933]
Oh gawd! I wish they'd just stay out of politics and simply play their proper role of being the arbiter of the moral paradigm. But that's an entirely different argument.
I think he's the Catholic Church's man in case opposition wins the election.
Oh gawd! I wish they'd just stay out of politics and simply play their proper role of being the arbiter of the moral paradigm. But that's an entirely different argument.
AntV
22 May 2023
News / Polish Parliamentary Elections 2023 [933]
Hołownia--I hear this guy's name a lot. What's he about?
It's amazing how often these characteristics lead to a revolt against a ruling party.
I never quite understood PiS's economic platform. It always seemed unsteady and contradictory, although it looked good on paper as the economy continued to grow.
Hołownia--I hear this guy's name a lot. What's he about?
arrogance and nepotism in PiS
It's amazing how often these characteristics lead to a revolt against a ruling party.
PiS in social benefits promises (800+ starting from June, babciowe etc.).
I never quite understood PiS's economic platform. It always seemed unsteady and contradictory, although it looked good on paper as the economy continued to grow.
AntV
22 May 2023
News / Polish Parliamentary Elections 2023 [933]
Thanks for the clarification.
Has KO gone all socially degenerate?
Thanks for the clarification.
Has KO gone all socially degenerate?
AntV
22 May 2023
News / Polish Parliamentary Elections 2023 [933]
Everytime I take a peek at Polish politics there seems to be 3 or 4 new parties formed by offcast members of piS or PO. KO and P2050 are new? What parties are campaigning this cycle?
Everytime I take a peek at Polish politics there seems to be 3 or 4 new parties formed by offcast members of piS or PO. KO and P2050 are new? What parties are campaigning this cycle?
AntV
18 May 2023
Life / Poles - the Nation of Liars? [478]
So you arbitrarily hate to counter-balance the aribitrary love?
So you arbitrarily hate to counter-balance the aribitrary love?
AntV
18 May 2023
Life / Poles - the Nation of Liars? [478]
Just how many entries are in your Book of Things I Hate? :)
I hate idealists.
Just how many entries are in your Book of Things I Hate? :)
AntV
18 May 2023
Life / Poles - the Nation of Liars? [478]
Trump was pretty honest. He pushed for the things he said he would during the campaign.
Plus, what Bobko said.
That's what they all do. Nobody ever got elected by being honest. Never.
Trump was pretty honest. He pushed for the things he said he would during the campaign.
Plus, what Bobko said.