US Foreign Policy 3.0: We're The Mets of International Diplomacy

[Kepler]

Ed also got a pass from being conscripted

He's probably over age now right?

[aparch]

He's probably over age now right?

No. They're yanking up to age 65 from villages.

[Kepler]

No. They're yanking up to age 65 from villages.

Fun fact: that's why all those Russians in the yogurt commercials were so old. When Stalin came to the town it turned out every male was over 65 (even the ones who looked 20).

[Handyman]

We might be about to rescue Brazil.

End the Right
Save the world.

Don't hold your breath. Bolsinaro has said that he will either win or have to be thrown in jail to be removed and it is likely the military will back him. Last Week Tonight did a whole story on it last night.

If he loses its 70-30 Brazil has their own Jan 6th with way more blooodshed and much more likely chance of it working.

[Kepler]

Does Bolsanaro have the military behind him? Sometimes in those countries the military has a split personality towards tyrants. They don't mind demagogues because they keep the funding rolling in, but they sincerely see themselves as the protectors the nation's institutions (such as they are) and they also fear a dictator who becomes so overwhelming powerful he can actually harm them. For that reason the army sometimes actually removes would-be fascists for their radicalism. They want a nice, stable reactionary, not a loon.

[Kepler]

More on Italy, while I was reading about the fascist chick I found these guys. I defy anyone to place them on the political compass of left/right, individualist/authoritarian. They're just off the chart someplace else.

Also, existing for 13 years and already splintering into 7 parties is the most Italy thing ever.

[Jimjamesak]

Does Bolsanaro have the military behind him? Sometimes in those countries the military has a split personality towards tyrants. They don't mind demagogues because they keep the funding rolling in, but they sincerely see themselves as the protectors the nation's institutions (such as they are) and they also fear a dictator who becomes so overwhelming powerful he can actually harm them. For that reason the army sometimes actually removes would-be fascists for their radicalism. They want a nice, stable reactionary, not a loon.

Bolsanaro is a former military man himself so yeah.

[Handyman]

Does Bolsanaro have the military behind him? Sometimes in those countries the military has a split personality towards tyrants. They don't mind demagogues because they keep the funding rolling in, but they sincerely see themselves as the protectors the nation's institutions (such as they are) and they also fear a dictator who becomes so overwhelming powerful he can actually harm them. For that reason the army sometimes actually removes would-be fascists for their radicalism. They want a nice, stable reactionary, not a loon.

Yes. And lets not forget what Brazil also has only been a Republic since the late 80s. The Military wants their power back.

[Kepler]

Yes. And lets not forget what Brazil also has only been a Republic since the late 80s. The Military wants their power back.

My wife and I have two very good Brazilian friends, who are naturalized American citizens and still have property and family in Brazil. They are stone cold 1950s style anti-Communists and Bolsanaro supporters. They are a trip to listen to; it's like "Evita: the Other Side of the Story."

I will say that every side in Brazilian politics is comically corrupt. I think at one point 80% of their national legislature was under indictment, for dozens of different cons and scams and scandals. What if an entire nation had Louisiana politics.

[aparch]

Back in Russia: State TV calls out the latest wave of draftees, tells all military staff conducting the conscriptions to knock the funny games off and follow Dear Vlad's rules or find yourselves on the front lines.

https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/s...91958101393411

[aparch]

In the replies to that tweet was an interesting rough math statistic. If the one host was remotely close in saying there were one million unemployed people in Moscow, that would mean the unemployment rate in Metro Moscow is pushing 15%.

Meaning the unemployment rate in the rest of the country is much, much higher.

[Handyman]

I mean it's that really shocking?

[Slap Shot]

Is Snowden draft eligible?

[aparch]

Is Snowden draft eligible?

I believe I saw that he was given a waiver from being drafted.



Russia has mobilized part of its troops along the Georgian border... to prevent Russians from entering the country.

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Is Snowden draft eligible?

He’s been exempted