Why’s crickets still going ahead but not football? – politicalbetting.com
Comments
-
How constitutional monarchies work: @mrianleslie https://ianleslie.substack.com/p/being-the-queen https://twitter.com/JohnRentoul/status/1568526963249238016/photo/1
The subtext of this is America might be a much happier place if Trump were King...0 -
If there's a change of Russian leadership, and the new people are ruthless enough, then they might realise they still have a chance to hold onto Crimea if they accept the rest of occupied Ukraine is lost.Stuartinromford said:
So what does the Russian state do next?rcs1000 said:
Yeah.Casino_Royale said:
Just as a warning: there's no guarantees that the person who takes over from Putin won't be even more of a nationalist than he is and even worse.rcs1000 said:
And all so extraordinarily unnecessary. Putin was rich beyond belief. There was not functioning opposition to him in Russia. Across Europe, his friends were likely to be elected, and ditto perhaps in the US.Leon said:
Putin can see his end is theoretically in sight. He is said to be obsessed with the awful end of Gadaffi. A perilous moment for the worldpigeon said:
There's no particular reason to suppose that a Russian counter-attack is on the way. Insofar as one can see, most of the Russian armed forces are crap and many of the best units have been sent to shore up Kherson.kle4 said:
I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop, fearing resilient counter counter attack, but for the sake of Ukraine it's nice to believe for a bit.Leon said:
The Russian border might end up as the only option. They know the Ukes won’t crossDavidL said:
I think what they are doing is finding a line that they can reinforce and resupply to the required level and, unfortunately for them, that's a long way back given their loss of railway lines and supply depots around Izyum. Stopping a panicking rout, however, is one of the most difficult things in the military playbook.Foxy said:
There is precedent...williamglenn said:Russia seems to be in full retreat.
@christogrozev
If the Russian army left Svatovo as this guy says on camera - and Svatovo is about 60 km from the nearest town taken over by Ukraine - this would be the first case of retreat long before even attempting to defend a long-held position. Something bigger must be brewing inside if so
https://twitter.com/christogrozev/status/1568561436032483330
https://youtu.be/P4kQvkvGi9M
But what a humiliation for Putin
If the Ukrainians really have seized both Izyum and Kupiansk then that implies the collapse of the Russian positions west of the Oskil river, i.e. the liberation of most of the occupied areas of the Kharkiv oblast. If the bridges across the river are taken intact then they might even be able to strike right through into the north of the Luhansk oblast, where the Russians only recently celebrated the completion of their conquest. These are the kinds of reverses that the Russian state is going to find increasingly hard to hide from, or explain to, its people.
The EU and NATO were both facing existential internal crises. Germany was shutting down its nuclear power plants.
Putin was ascendent.
And now Russia will be humiliated. And Putin may find himself deposed and likely dead.
But the reality is that Russia has been defeated militarily.
Now, sure, whoever follows Putin might be worse. But he'll be a lot poorer worse, and he's going to be focused on keeping Russia together in the medium term.
Russia's capacity for offensive operations has been utterly destroyed.
Best for the country would presumably for Putin to have an accident involving a window, then the state withdraws to its borders and be very very very quiet and not annoy anyone for a long time. Accept the reality that, apart from nukes, they don't have any power to do much else.
Don't see it happpening that way, though.0 -
Jon Craig brings us the stunning news on Sky that 'Labour and the other opposition parties have been just as generous as the Tories who you might think might be the more loyalist'
Cock0 -
I think it's now clear that that story was just invented to cover up a medial issue he's had for a long time and that has become worse recently.DecrepiterJohnL said:
Hasn't it long been speculated that Putin's stiff left arm is due to his KGB training to hide the bulge in his jacket when carrying a gun? At one point in your video he does use it to scratch his ear so it is clearly not paralysed.Leon said:Major *Saddam Hussein casually strolling around the market as he loses the war* vibe in this strange video
https://twitter.com/marcofattorini/status/1568562323761119233?s=21&t=p8s_X0TUkFjpaomgeBRPeg
Also, what is wrong with Putin’s left arm? He rarely uses it, of late0 -
Ooh, I hadn't thought of that. I'd assumed TMS would have been suspended with the rest of the BBC coverage.biggles said:
Three words. Test Match Special.Mexicanpete said:
No but my Bakelite television box only has three channels and they are all wall to wall monarchy, likewise the Home Service on the wireless.Leon said:
SO GO AND WATCH YOUTUBEMexicanpete said:
We have been very reverential and polite at the passing of HMQ. Although the BBC coverage is becoming tiresome now.Casino_Royale said:Why are republicans so angry?
Seriously. What is the problem. Has Prince Andrew superglued you to the TV with the Bakelite switch set to “the BBC from London. London calling”???0 -
The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.0
-
Sitrep. Tolerable. But angular
0 -
I can't imagine they have any regrets.Stark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
3 -
Otoh, new leader to take us into a time of national renewal after mourning. A literal reset is occuringStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
0 -
Well, if he had no actual power and wasn’t in danger of losing his status, the nutcases could revere him and he could tweet mindless shit for all eternity while doing very little actual harm while somebody else ran the country.Scott_xP said:How constitutional monarchies work: @mrianleslie https://ianleslie.substack.com/p/being-the-queen https://twitter.com/JohnRentoul/status/1568526963249238016/photo/1
The subtext of this is America might be a much happier place if Trump were King...
So it’s not impossible America would be better off with him as King.0 -
Just checked in with Girkin.
2 -
The conservative party have elected a leader that is going to give labour a run for their money and may just confound youStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
0 -
OSInt types are saying that Ukraine has at least another brigade equivalent force they’ve held back. If it turns out they don’t need it to support the attack in the north & Kherson remains nicely bottled up (no one wants to make an assault on a defended city if they can avoid it) then cutting the Russian front in half looks like an excellent plan.Leon said:Moreover, Russia’s
Looking at the map one could see the Ukes chopping the Russian force in two by driving to the Black Sea around azovCicero said:Watching town after town being liberated by the Ukrainian armed forces today has been incredibly moving. From the Estonian perspective, the sense of gratitude for the appalling price that Ukrainians have had to pay is immense. The courage and determination of the Ukrainian nation is literally awe inspiring. As the defeat grows into an ever greater and faster rout, the outlook for the Russian army changes faster than ever. We hear of partisans already in Mariupol, and a further crushing defeat in Kherson. The Ukrainian reserve has not yet been released, so unless the Russian front line can be consolidated within a matter of hours, we could see the rout become a collapse.
Our hopes are fixed and even if this is not the end, the achievements of the past few hours are immense. Glory to Ukraine indeed.
Leaving Crimea isolated and only accessible by sea and by that bridge0 -
I think this actually strengthens her position and makes her much likelier to fight the next election. Leaving aside an unwillingness to face further uncertainty they would now be getting rid of the PM who oversaw a change of monarch. Three of the last four who did that were able to leave at a time largely of their choosing even though Churchill was so senile he kept reading the same pages over and over and couldn’t make any decisions.Stark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
The exception was Asquith, after the Somme.0 -
Transport issues not resolved then?Theuniondivvie said:Just checked in with Girkin.
0 -
That would be glorious.CarlottaVance said:It strikes me that by September 26 when Stop the War plans to hold its Labour conference fringe meeting on how to stop the war in Ukraine, the question may be considerably closer to being resolved. It's just that Stop the War might not like the answer.
https://twitter.com/RKWinvisibleman/status/15685661746103418913 -
On watching the video (in the tweet) posted, my first thought was that Putin's arm seemed paralysed, just flopping around, right up until he scratched his left ear. So now I'm back to the KGB theory.williamglenn said:
I think it's now clear that that story was just invented to cover up a medial issue he's had for a long time and that has become worse recently.DecrepiterJohnL said:
Hasn't it long been speculated that Putin's stiff left arm is due to his KGB training to hide the bulge in his jacket when carrying a gun? At one point in your video he does use it to scratch his ear so it is clearly not paralysed.Leon said:Major *Saddam Hussein casually strolling around the market as he loses the war* vibe in this strange video
https://twitter.com/marcofattorini/status/1568562323761119233?s=21&t=p8s_X0TUkFjpaomgeBRPeg
Also, what is wrong with Putin’s left arm? He rarely uses it, of late0 -
4
-
Henceforth, when we see footage of them retreating, to be known as The Rushing Army.BlancheLivermore said:@visegrad24
BREAKING:
The Russian Army…
https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/15685916943916441612 -
Shes almost certainly bulletproof now in the Tory party until at least Coronation for sure. I think people expecting a return to BAU in terms of party infighting after the funeral are in for a rude awakening. Even party politics will not be entirely normalydoethur said:
I think this actually strengthens her position and makes her much likelier to fight the next election. Leaving aside an unwillingness to face further uncertainty they would now be getting rid of the PM who oversaw a change of monarch. Three of the last four who did that were able to leave at a time largely of their choosing even though Churchill was so senile he kept reading the same pages over and over and couldn’t make any decisions.Stark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
The exception was Asquith, after the Somme.2 -
99-81
-
You’re conflicted about it, how do you I think I feel?rcs1000 said:God Damn it, I hate it when Macron says or does something I approve of. Cognitive dissonance spins up, and I really struggle to cope.
So.
Big breath.
Nice tribute, Emmanuel.
Macron is a class act.
Now I’m off to rinse my mouth out with bleach after saying nice things about a French President?
1 -
is that a sheep dip?Leon said:Sitrep. Tolerable. But angular
1 -
With Tuesday and Thursday afternoons set aside for pillow fights....Sean_F said:
Maybe we should use Mar A Largo as a refuge for the world's dictators, rather than have them fight to the bitter end.IshmaelZ said:
Also Ceaușescu and Saddam, Vlad, if you're lurking.Leon said:
Putin can see his end is theoretically in sight. He is said to be obsessed with the awful end of Gadaffi. A perilous moment for the worldpigeon said:
There's no particular reason to suppose that a Russian counter-attack is on the way. Insofar as one can see, most of the Russian armed forces are crap and many of the best units have been sent to shore up Kherson.kle4 said:
I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop, fearing resilient counter counter attack, but for the sake of Ukraine it's nice to believe for a bit.Leon said:
The Russian border might end up as the only option. They know the Ukes won’t crossDavidL said:
I think what they are doing is finding a line that they can reinforce and resupply to the required level and, unfortunately for them, that's a long way back given their loss of railway lines and supply depots around Izyum. Stopping a panicking rout, however, is one of the most difficult things in the military playbook.Foxy said:
There is precedent...williamglenn said:Russia seems to be in full retreat.
@christogrozev
If the Russian army left Svatovo as this guy says on camera - and Svatovo is about 60 km from the nearest town taken over by Ukraine - this would be the first case of retreat long before even attempting to defend a long-held position. Something bigger must be brewing inside if so
https://twitter.com/christogrozev/status/1568561436032483330
https://youtu.be/P4kQvkvGi9M
But what a humiliation for Putin
If the Ukrainians really have seized both Izyum and Kupiansk then that implies the collapse of the Russian positions west of the Oskil river, i.e. the liberation of most of the occupied areas of the Kharkiv oblast. If the bridges across the river are taken intact then they might even be able to strike right through into the north of the Luhansk oblast, where the Russians only recently celebrated the completion of their conquest. These are the kinds of reverses that the Russian state is going to find increasingly hard to hide from, or explain to, its people.0 -
Unfortunately Liz doesn't possess the kind of overarching personality that would require. If she has any talent at all it's for a rather shabby version of 'divide and conquer'. When she finally resurfaces everyone will just think, 'Is she still here?'wooliedyed said:
Otoh, new leader to take us into a time of national renewal after mourning. A literal reset is occuringStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
0 -
Probably held back in case Mad Vlad the Mad decides to have another go at Kyiv through Belarus.Phil said:
OSInt types are saying that Ukraine has at least another brigade equivalent force they’ve held back. If it turns out they don’t need it to support the attack in the north & Kherson remains nicely bottled up (no one wants to make an assault on a defended city if they can avoid it) then cutting the Russian front in half looks like an excellent plan.Leon said:Moreover, Russia’s
Looking at the map one could see the Ukes chopping the Russian force in two by driving to the Black Sea around azovCicero said:Watching town after town being liberated by the Ukrainian armed forces today has been incredibly moving. From the Estonian perspective, the sense of gratitude for the appalling price that Ukrainians have had to pay is immense. The courage and determination of the Ukrainian nation is literally awe inspiring. As the defeat grows into an ever greater and faster rout, the outlook for the Russian army changes faster than ever. We hear of partisans already in Mariupol, and a further crushing defeat in Kherson. The Ukrainian reserve has not yet been released, so unless the Russian front line can be consolidated within a matter of hours, we could see the rout become a collapse.
Our hopes are fixed and even if this is not the end, the achievements of the past few hours are immense. Glory to Ukraine indeed.
Leaving Crimea isolated and only accessible by sea and by that bridge
Ukraine's position would be so much safer if that bastard Lukashenko fell out a window....0 -
A little more on Leon’s Truss BDSM theories: https://twitter.com/LillianaFuture/status/15680524391478108190
-
You know that account isn't him?Theuniondivvie said:Just checked in with Girkin.
0 -
I remember when you were proclaiming Theresa as 'a serious politician for serious times'.Big_G_NorthWales said:
The conservative party have elected a leader that is going to give labour a run for their money and may just confound youStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
1 -
Basically yes. Converted into an infinity poolpaulyork64 said:
is that a sheep dip?Leon said:Sitrep. Tolerable. But angular
0 -
Agree with the header. All sport should be going ahead today.0
-
Im going to wait and see. This monumental period will reset expectations and hope in many and will draw some of the poison that had built up with Johnson at the helm. Different expectations, different hopes and maybe for some different priorities. Dividing line moment, we will see where it all goes.Stark_Dawning said:
Unfortunately Liz doesn't possess the kind of overarching personality that would require. If she has any talent at all it's for a rather shabby version of 'divide and conquer'. When she finally resurfaces everyone will just think, 'Is she still here?'wooliedyed said:
Otoh, new leader to take us into a time of national renewal after mourning. A literal reset is occuringStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
The age of the gawky geeks us upon us0 -
...
Socialist, Remainer, traitor!Andy_JS said:Agree with the header. All sport should be going ahead today.
0 -
110 - 90
-
No, though I thought the first couple of posts I looked at were a bit defeatist even for him.williamglenn said:
You know that account isn't him?Theuniondivvie said:Just checked in with Girkin.
A parody? Quite a high follower count in any case.0 -
Hope the sheep were impressed....Leon said:
Basically yes. Converted into an infinity poolpaulyork64 said:
is that a sheep dip?Leon said:Sitrep. Tolerable. But angular
0 -
I have just been in the Occupation Museum in Riga. Hard to shake off the sense of disgust, and yes it's mostly about the Soviet occupation. Good news from the Kharkiv front tempers it slightly. Now for a bit more sightseeing and the Beer Quarter1
-
Yes, it’s a very high quality account but it’s a Ukrainian using the handle ironically.Theuniondivvie said:
No, though I thought the first couple of posts I looked at were a bit defeatist even for him.williamglenn said:
You know that account isn't him?Theuniondivvie said:Just checked in with Girkin.
A parody? Quite a high follower count in any case.
0 -
That was quite an imposing play on. You don't see them dragged thwack into the base of middle stump from that short and wide very often.Big_G_NorthWales said:110 - 9
2 -
He has acute 'reactionary nativism' syndrome.williamglenn said:
I think it's now clear that that story was just invented to cover up a medial issue he's had for a long time and that has become worse recently.DecrepiterJohnL said:
Hasn't it long been speculated that Putin's stiff left arm is due to his KGB training to hide the bulge in his jacket when carrying a gun? At one point in your video he does use it to scratch his ear so it is clearly not paralysed.Leon said:Major *Saddam Hussein casually strolling around the market as he loses the war* vibe in this strange video
https://twitter.com/marcofattorini/status/1568562323761119233?s=21&t=p8s_X0TUkFjpaomgeBRPeg
Also, what is wrong with Putin’s left arm? He rarely uses it, of late0 -
Heartfelt commiserations to nearly-man Boris Johnson. Thoughts and prayers.wooliedyed said:
Shes almost certainly bulletproof now in the Tory party until at least Coronation for sure. I think people expecting a return to BAU in terms of party infighting after the funeral are in for a rude awakening. Even party politics will not be entirely normalydoethur said:
I think this actually strengthens her position and makes her much likelier to fight the next election. Leaving aside an unwillingness to face further uncertainty they would now be getting rid of the PM who oversaw a change of monarch. Three of the last four who did that were able to leave at a time largely of their choosing even though Churchill was so senile he kept reading the same pages over and over and couldn’t make any decisions.Stark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
The exception was Asquith, after the Somme.0 -
A friend messages
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11199259/Royal-beekeeper-informed-Queens-bees-HM-died-King-Charles-new-boss.html?ito=whatsapp_share_article-top
Royal beekeeper informs the Queen's bees that Her Majesty has died
He adds:
“love our country, love our traditions, love our monarchy - fucking amazing”
🥂0 -
She turned out to be a disappointing politician for disappointing times.Stark_Dawning said:
I remember when you were proclaiming Theresa as 'a serious politician for serious times'.Big_G_NorthWales said:
The conservative party have elected a leader that is going to give labour a run for their money and may just confound youStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
1 -
The Latvian Occupation museum is very powerful. It underlines why the Baltic view the Russians in the way they do, and Russia, unlike Germany, has never apologized for the crimes that were simply barbaric.JohnLilburne said:I have just been in the Occupation Museum in Riga. Hard to shake off the sense of disgust, and yes it's mostly about the Soviet occupation. Good news from the Kharkiv front tempers it slightly. Now for a bit more sightseeing and the Beer Quarter
I can recommend Ala Pagrabs for excellent Latvian beer and live music in the evening.2 -
The one thing I have actively wanted for months is Johnson out of officeStark_Dawning said:
I remember when you were proclaiming Theresa as 'a serious politician for serious times'.Big_G_NorthWales said:
The conservative party have elected a leader that is going to give labour a run for their money and may just confound youStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
I reserved judgement on Truss prior to her appointment but she has performed well in her baptism by fire and she has 2 more years before she has to fight an election and as this week has shown events can change narratives
Certainly labour need to be careful of complacency and taking the next election for granted and yes they will face Truss0 -
Six weeks after PBPhil said:A little more on Leon’s Truss BDSM theories: https://twitter.com/LillianaFuture/status/1568052439147810819
You can all thank me later
0 -
And immediately I put the cricket on, Nortje turns into Bradman.
Edit - I've still got it.2 -
If it should go such a way as we hope, I will be very interested in hearing their admitting that arming defenders is in fact a way for wars to be brought to a quicker end.CarlottaVance said:It strikes me that by September 26 when Stop the War plans to hold its Labour conference fringe meeting on how to stop the war in Ukraine, the question may be considerably closer to being resolved. It's just that Stop the War might not like the answer.
https://twitter.com/RKWinvisibleman/status/15685661746103418910 -
118 all out0
-
118 All out0
-
Not for long.. Very good result but I think that there is plenty in this wicket for the Saffers too. Tempting to go hell for leather on the basis you can get a few before the one with your name on it comes along.ydoethur said:And immediately I put the cricket on, Nortje turns into Bradman.
Edit - I've still got it.0 -
I don't think so. I think it'll just be BAU with a different monarch - who people will soon get used to - and that's that. No big deal.wooliedyed said:
Otoh, new leader to take us into a time of national renewal after mourning. A literal reset is occuringStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
0 -
I see England have avoided the follow on.5
-
Well, no it isn't, not than their method would have been.kle4 said:
If it should go such a way as we hope, I will be very interested in hearing their admitting that arming defenders is in fact a way for wars to be brought to a quicker end.CarlottaVance said:It strikes me that by September 26 when Stop the War plans to hold its Labour conference fringe meeting on how to stop the war in Ukraine, the question may be considerably closer to being resolved. It's just that Stop the War might not like the answer.
https://twitter.com/RKWinvisibleman/status/1568566174610341891
If Ukraine had surrendered as STW thought they should the war would have been over in 24 hours and nobody would have died except a lot of Ukrainian men and women whom STW don't care about.3 -
Do the bees not have their own queen?Leon said:A friend messages
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11199259/Royal-beekeeper-informed-Queens-bees-HM-died-King-Charles-new-boss.html?ito=whatsapp_share_article-top
Royal beekeeper informs the Queen's bees that Her Majesty has died
He adds:
“love our country, love our traditions, love our monarchy - fucking amazing”
🥂9 -
The trouble is that the fans of certain football clubs can't be trusted not be behave like dicks during a minute's silence.Andy_JS said:
Agree with the header. All sport should be going ahead today.1 -
Over 50% of them do, obviously.Sean_F said:
I can't imagine they have any regrets.Stark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
0 -
Sounds like the Russians are already giving up on northern Luhansk Oblast.
https://twitter.com/DefMon3/status/15685959562658938881 -
I'm saving that for later, it might be a bit too busy on a Saturday. Having said that, Riga doesn't seem too busy - it's a bit out of season and I don't think there's any Russian tourists. Have had a lovely sunny day, though.Cicero said:
The Latvian Occupation museum is very powerful. It underlines why the Baltic view the Russians in the way they do, and Russia, unlike Germany, has never apologized for the crimes that were simply barbaric.JohnLilburne said:I have just been in the Occupation Museum in Riga. Hard to shake off the sense of disgust, and yes it's mostly about the Soviet occupation. Good news from the Kharkiv front tempers it slightly. Now for a bit more sightseeing and the Beer Quarter
I can recommend Ala Pagrabs for excellent Latvian beer and live music in the evening.0 -
So, which clubs have fans that *can* be trusted not to be dicks?No_Offence_Alan said:
The trouble is that the fans of certain football clubs can't be trusted not be behave like dicks during a minute's silence.Andy_JS said:
Agree with the header. All sport should be going ahead today.0 -
We will see. I'm of the opinion things will change, and i'm not confident what that means politically. Time will tell allkinabalu said:
I don't think so. I think it'll just be BAU with a different monarch - who people will soon get used to - and that's that. No big deal.wooliedyed said:
Otoh, new leader to take us into a time of national renewal after mourning. A literal reset is occuringStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
1 -
I may not be switched on but what is BAUkinabalu said:
I don't think so. I think it'll just be BAU with a different monarch - who people will soon get used to - and that's that. No big deal.wooliedyed said:
Otoh, new leader to take us into a time of national renewal after mourning. A literal reset is occuringStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
0 -
nice. I had a farmer friend who put his swimming pool through the farm books as a sheep dip. the fact his was a pea farm didnt seem to trouble him.Leon said:
Basically yes. Converted into an infinity poolpaulyork64 said:
is that a sheep dip?Leon said:Sitrep. Tolerable. But angular
1 -
Business as usualBig_G_NorthWales said:
I may not be switched on but what is BAUkinabalu said:
I don't think so. I think it'll just be BAU with a different monarch - who people will soon get used to - and that's that. No big deal.wooliedyed said:
Otoh, new leader to take us into a time of national renewal after mourning. A literal reset is occuringStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
1 -
Business As Usual.Big_G_NorthWales said:
I may not be switched on but what is BAUkinabalu said:
I don't think so. I think it'll just be BAU with a different monarch - who people will soon get used to - and that's that. No big deal.wooliedyed said:
Otoh, new leader to take us into a time of national renewal after mourning. A literal reset is occuringStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
1 -
https://twitter.com/DarthPutinKGB/status/1568598183756038145
Soon I have to stop regular TV & broadcast Swan Lake.3 -
Is it possible that we posting here are in no position to judge either way, since we will have already made up our minds in different circumstances to how the public will?Stark_Dawning said:
Unfortunately Liz doesn't possess the kind of overarching personality that would require. If she has any talent at all it's for a rather shabby version of 'divide and conquer'. When she finally resurfaces everyone will just think, 'Is she still here?'wooliedyed said:
Otoh, new leader to take us into a time of national renewal after mourning. A literal reset is occuringStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
2 -
Thankskinabalu said:
Business As Usual.Big_G_NorthWales said:
I may not be switched on but what is BAUkinabalu said:
I don't think so. I think it'll just be BAU with a different monarch - who people will soon get used to - and that's that. No big deal.wooliedyed said:
Otoh, new leader to take us into a time of national renewal after mourning. A literal reset is occuringStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
0 -
I don't know if anyone has made this point in the preceding 750 comments, but cricket crowds are inherently funereal in tone whereas football crowds are more ... err ... turbulent. There was always a danger of a small minority bringing the game into disrepute with plenty of reporters in attendance desperate for a story. Once upon a time a minute's silence was not uncommon at grounds to mark a sad event but these have been replaced by a minute's applause because of the refusal of a small number of fans to shut up. A minute's applause was presumably deemed even less appropriate than usual.Andy_JS said:Agree with the header. All sport should be going ahead today.
Edit: hat-tip @No_Offence_Alan who made the same point more succinctly.0 -
Fair commentbiggles said:
Is it possible that we posting here are in no position to judge either way, since we will have already made up our minds in different circumstances to how the public will?Stark_Dawning said:
Unfortunately Liz doesn't possess the kind of overarching personality that would require. If she has any talent at all it's for a rather shabby version of 'divide and conquer'. When she finally resurfaces everyone will just think, 'Is she still here?'wooliedyed said:
Otoh, new leader to take us into a time of national renewal after mourning. A literal reset is occuringStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
0 -
Politically Truss has been lucky so far, and a reset moment has arrived.Big_G_NorthWales said:
The one thing I have actively wanted for months is Johnson out of officeStark_Dawning said:
I remember when you were proclaiming Theresa as 'a serious politician for serious times'.Big_G_NorthWales said:
The conservative party have elected a leader that is going to give labour a run for their money and may just confound youStark_Dawning said:The Tory membership must be deeply regretting electing Liz now. Her entire raison d'être was to terrorize the moderates by delivering hard-right libertarian shock and awe from the outset, but that's been completely derailed by events. All they're left with is a rather odd little lady sporting bondage imagery. She surely won't last a year.
I reserved judgement on Truss prior to her appointment but she has performed well in her baptism by fire and she has 2 more years before she has to fight an election and as this week has shown events can change narratives
Certainly labour need to be careful of complacency and taking the next election for granted and yes they will face Truss
However once the national computer has finished being turned off and on again little can be done about the realities of the situation:
Max deficit
Max debt
Max demands for extra spending from non existent money
Max tax levels
Max dissatisfaction with NHS and every other branch of state funded activity
War (I see we are winning this week, but what about next week?)
Energy crisis
Inflation
Increasing interest rates
Winter round the corner.
And £200bn or so being spent (that we have not got) which won't visibly put money in pockets (like furlough did) but will merely prevent energy bills rising even more than they are already.
Psychologically this won't count with people. They aren't getting
huge sums of free money in the bank so there won't be any gratitude.
So Ms Truss will have to be jolly clever after the next couple of weeks has provided cover for her.
0 -
If things are truly collapsing, what will be very interesting will be if the Ukrainians attempt at some point to reverse the 2014 losses, and if the West will stay firm for that.LostPassword said:Sounds like the Russians are already giving up on northern Luhansk Oblast.
https://twitter.com/DefMon3/status/1568595956265893888
They should, it was no less an invasion (Crimea might be difficult though, clearly being a lot more pro-Russian), but it's easy to see some arguing for a return to January 2022 as a first step and then pause.2 -
Yes, that museum made a big impression me, too. One of things that always annoyed me about tim warbling on about "Latvian homophobes."Cicero said:
The Latvian Occupation museum is very powerful. It underlines why the Baltic view the Russians in the way they do, and Russia, unlike Germany, has never apologized for the crimes that were simply barbaric.JohnLilburne said:I have just been in the Occupation Museum in Riga. Hard to shake off the sense of disgust, and yes it's mostly about the Soviet occupation. Good news from the Kharkiv front tempers it slightly. Now for a bit more sightseeing and the Beer Quarter
I can recommend Ala Pagrabs for excellent Latvian beer and live music in the evening.
I got to climb the spire of the Cathedral, which features in The Commodore (Hornblower observes the attacking French forces from it).
The best restaurant I went to was The Black Monks, which did incredible food for an absurdly low price, back in 2000/02. We ended up tipping the waitress about a week's wages.0 -
I can confirm that Chamonix is considerably more scenic than that today (and any other day tbf)paulyork64 said:
is that a sheep dip?Leon said:Sitrep. Tolerable. But angular
3 -
Thanks - that's interesting.ydoethur said:
No, it is still established as the National Church, it’s just the government gave up the right to make appointments or to guide it on matters spiritual (ie overrule the Declaratory Articles). This is separate from that and undertaking that it will remain the National Church without being replaced by any other.Carnyx said:
Come to think of it, the Kirk isn't Established any more - and it hasn't been since the 1920s. So this must be the fourth time they're using an obsolete wording in the Proclamation. How odd.Carnyx said:
Not so much the Protestant but the Presbyterian.Scott_xP said:Nicola Sturgeon becomes the first First Minister in history to sign a proclamation document… the Acts of Union and Scotland’s constitutional tie to England loom large in this moment.
The 'Oath' signed to protect the Protestant Church of Scotland.
By @nicolasturgeon of @thesnp https://twitter.com/truthorbare/status/1568533308476203008/photo/1
Edit: more specifically the [Established] Church of Scotland. That was put into the Treaty of Union to keep the ministers happy, like the retention of Scots Law did the lawyers (and also everyone who owned land, for obvious reasons of stability).
So it does make sense in that context.
It was also, I might add, the only way it could recognise the distinctive status of Scotland within the United Kingdom before the establishment of a Scottish Parliament, as the CoS was about the only truly National body going. And not just a religious one either. When did it lose substantial control of education? I want to say 1944?
1947 is too late, I think.
In terms of the precursors of DeptEd and Ofsted, they were, IIRC, part of the late Victorian/early Edwardian administrative devolution (in part to try and fend off home rule till 1914 messed it all up). The control of course remained with the SoSfS in the UKG Cabinet till 1997 albeit mediated by the county (and then Region and then unitary) councils.
But before that admin devolution, he first state inspection and so on of schools was done from London, I think? If this is the book I have in mind, it was quite a revealing read (the cover is different so I'm slightly unsure if it is the one I have in mind)
https://birlinn.co.uk/product/tales-and-travels-of-a-school-inspector-2/
In fact probably thinking of both it ansd this one
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=hlykCwAAQBAJ&source=gbs_book_other_versions
What I can't remember is exactly how the individual school *operators* evolved - from private, charity and C of S parish, and also non-Established Presbyterians, Episcopalians and RCs both aboriginal and incoming - to incorporate an increased degree of state funding from central sources, or indeed fully state schools like the National schools in England. At some point the county had largely taken over with central inspection and grants. But there was a huge debate about the role of the state in being involved in schooling, 1840s on I think.
1 -
Apparently that was one of the considerations - that there would be plenty of clubs outside England that might have problems, and also one in the Premier League.Alphabet_Soup said:
I don't know if anyone has made this point in the preceding 750 comments, but cricket crowds are inherently funereal in tone whereas football crowds are more ... err ... turbulent. There was always a danger of a small minority bringing the game into disrepute with plenty of reporters in attendance desperate for a story. Once upon a time a minute's silence was not uncommon at grounds to mark a sad event but these have been replaced by a minute's applause because of the refusal of a small number of fans to shut up. A minute's applause was presumably deemed even less appropriate than usual.Andy_JS said:Agree with the header. All sport should be going ahead today.
Edit: hat-tip @No_Offence_Alan who made the same point more succinctly.0 -
I agree you will see the first split. I think our position has been “all territory regained” but I doubt the Germans agree.kle4 said:
If things are truly collapsing, what will be very interesting will be if the Ukrainians attempt at some point to reverse the 2014 losses, and if the West will stay firm for that.LostPassword said:Sounds like the Russians are already giving up on northern Luhansk Oblast.
https://twitter.com/DefMon3/status/1568595956265893888
They should, it was no less an invasion (Crimea might be difficult though, clearly being a lot more pro-Russian), but it's easy to see some arguing for a return to January 2022 as a first step and then pause.
0 -
Lukashenko has to be worried right now.MarqueeMark said:
Probably held back in case Mad Vlad the Mad decides to have another go at Kyiv through Belarus.Phil said:
OSInt types are saying that Ukraine has at least another brigade equivalent force they’ve held back. If it turns out they don’t need it to support the attack in the north & Kherson remains nicely bottled up (no one wants to make an assault on a defended city if they can avoid it) then cutting the Russian front in half looks like an excellent plan.Leon said:Moreover, Russia’s
Looking at the map one could see the Ukes chopping the Russian force in two by driving to the Black Sea around azovCicero said:Watching town after town being liberated by the Ukrainian armed forces today has been incredibly moving. From the Estonian perspective, the sense of gratitude for the appalling price that Ukrainians have had to pay is immense. The courage and determination of the Ukrainian nation is literally awe inspiring. As the defeat grows into an ever greater and faster rout, the outlook for the Russian army changes faster than ever. We hear of partisans already in Mariupol, and a further crushing defeat in Kherson. The Ukrainian reserve has not yet been released, so unless the Russian front line can be consolidated within a matter of hours, we could see the rout become a collapse.
Our hopes are fixed and even if this is not the end, the achievements of the past few hours are immense. Glory to Ukraine indeed.
Leaving Crimea isolated and only accessible by sea and by that bridge
Ukraine's position would be so much safer if that bastard Lukashenko fell out a window....
And if he thinks Putin's defeat is inevitable, then will he jump?3 -
Does anyone still think that the Ukrainians can't kick the Russians out of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts?
@Dura_Ace ?
1 -
Rather depends on when the Russians stop running.kle4 said:
If things are truly collapsing, what will be very interesting will be if the Ukrainians attempt at some point to reverse the 2014 losses, and if the West will stay firm for that.LostPassword said:Sounds like the Russians are already giving up on northern Luhansk Oblast.
https://twitter.com/DefMon3/status/1568595956265893888
They should, it was no less an invasion (Crimea might be difficult though, clearly being a lot more pro-Russian), but it's easy to see some arguing for a return to January 2022 as a first step and then pause.
Ukrainians apparently entering Lysychansk...0 -
Labour Party tweets ‘God Save the King’
The replies on Twitter are what one would expect.
https://twitter.com/uklabour/status/1568527841582538752?s=21&t=9s37TT2pe_wfMs1W-_TtnA0 -
Hive of traitors, every one.kyf_100 said:
Do the bees not have their own queen?Leon said:A friend messages
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11199259/Royal-beekeeper-informed-Queens-bees-HM-died-King-Charles-new-boss.html?ito=whatsapp_share_article-top
Royal beekeeper informs the Queen's bees that Her Majesty has died
He adds:
“love our country, love our traditions, love our monarchy - fucking amazing”
🥂2 -
Out of a window ?rcs1000 said:
Lukashenko has to be worried right now.MarqueeMark said:
Probably held back in case Mad Vlad the Mad decides to have another go at Kyiv through Belarus.Phil said:
OSInt types are saying that Ukraine has at least another brigade equivalent force they’ve held back. If it turns out they don’t need it to support the attack in the north & Kherson remains nicely bottled up (no one wants to make an assault on a defended city if they can avoid it) then cutting the Russian front in half looks like an excellent plan.Leon said:Moreover, Russia’s
Looking at the map one could see the Ukes chopping the Russian force in two by driving to the Black Sea around azovCicero said:Watching town after town being liberated by the Ukrainian armed forces today has been incredibly moving. From the Estonian perspective, the sense of gratitude for the appalling price that Ukrainians have had to pay is immense. The courage and determination of the Ukrainian nation is literally awe inspiring. As the defeat grows into an ever greater and faster rout, the outlook for the Russian army changes faster than ever. We hear of partisans already in Mariupol, and a further crushing defeat in Kherson. The Ukrainian reserve has not yet been released, so unless the Russian front line can be consolidated within a matter of hours, we could see the rout become a collapse.
Our hopes are fixed and even if this is not the end, the achievements of the past few hours are immense. Glory to Ukraine indeed.
Leaving Crimea isolated and only accessible by sea and by that bridge
Ukraine's position would be so much safer if that bastard Lukashenko fell out a window....
And if he thinks Putin's defeat is inevitable, then will he jump?2 -
FWIW I think that Truss has handled things tolerably well, PMQs showed a different tempo with a lot less heat and a little more light and I think post the funeral it will take a while to get back to all the rubbish we had with Boris.
The intray is truly daunting and the details of her plan to fund our heating bills still pretty obscure. There will be bumpy spells but I think she will survive and quite possibly thrive.0 -
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Germany's slow arms deliveries to Ukraine:
"Berlin's hesitation, its inaction, seriously calls into question the value of the alliance with Germany"
Morawiecki also condemned Germany's slow decision to recognize its mistaken dependence on Russian energy
In his words:
"Ukraine drove the enemy back faster than the Germans were able to make decisions"
https://twitter.com/samramani2/status/15685433639256883213 -
The crowd at The Oval was just singing very loudly.Alphabet_Soup said:
I don't know if anyone has made this point in the preceding 750 comments, but cricket crowds are inherently funereal in tone whereas football crowds are more ... err ... turbulent. There was always a danger of a small minority bringing the game into disrepute with plenty of reporters in attendance desperate for a story. Once upon a time a minute's silence was not uncommon at grounds to mark a sad event but these have been replaced by a minute's applause because of the refusal of a small number of fans to shut up. A minute's applause was presumably deemed even less appropriate than usual.Andy_JS said:Agree with the header. All sport should be going ahead today.
Edit: hat-tip @No_Offence_Alan who made the same point more succinctly.0 -
It sounds like the German Gepard flakpanzers have been very useful in the offensive.biggles said:
I agree you will see the first split. I think our position has been “all territory regained” but I doubt the Germans agree.kle4 said:
If things are truly collapsing, what will be very interesting will be if the Ukrainians attempt at some point to reverse the 2014 losses, and if the West will stay firm for that.LostPassword said:Sounds like the Russians are already giving up on northern Luhansk Oblast.
https://twitter.com/DefMon3/status/1568595956265893888
They should, it was no less an invasion (Crimea might be difficult though, clearly being a lot more pro-Russian), but it's easy to see some arguing for a return to January 2022 as a first step and then pause.
https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1568585600046858241?t=S2oMrbmvO6dKRLgam46xDg&s=191 -
Although they also seem to think Liz's Dom is a virulent anti-monarchist and commanded Lizzie to do the Queen in...Leon said:
Six weeks after PBPhil said:A little more on Leon’s Truss BDSM theories: https://twitter.com/LillianaFuture/status/1568052439147810819
You can all thank me later
0 -
SMOO
https://mobile.twitter.com/maryilyushina/status/1568603258586894337
Russian Defense Ministry now acknowledging the retreat, calling it “regrouping.”
“In order to achieve goals of the special military operation…a decision was made to regroup the Russian troops stationed in Balakliya and Izyum to step up efforts in the Donetsk direction.”1 -
What a shame we’re not playing the convicts so we could give ‘em a few rounds of God Save YOUR KingAndy_JS said:
The crowd at The Oval was just singing very loudly.Alphabet_Soup said:
I don't know if anyone has made this point in the preceding 750 comments, but cricket crowds are inherently funereal in tone whereas football crowds are more ... err ... turbulent. There was always a danger of a small minority bringing the game into disrepute with plenty of reporters in attendance desperate for a story. Once upon a time a minute's silence was not uncommon at grounds to mark a sad event but these have been replaced by a minute's applause because of the refusal of a small number of fans to shut up. A minute's applause was presumably deemed even less appropriate than usual.Andy_JS said:Agree with the header. All sport should be going ahead today.
Edit: hat-tip @No_Offence_Alan who made the same point more succinctly.4 -
England 17-10
-
Did he do a little dance to communicate the news ?Leon said:A friend messages
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11199259/Royal-beekeeper-informed-Queens-bees-HM-died-King-Charles-new-boss.html?ito=whatsapp_share_article-top
Royal beekeeper informs the Queen's bees that Her Majesty has died
He adds:
“love our country, love our traditions, love our monarchy - fucking amazing”
🥂
7 -
There's a claim on twitter that Ukraine have retaken Donetsk airport, which was occupied by Russia in 2015. Ukraine have mostly held the pre-Feb 24th frontline between occupied Horlivka and Donetsk City, so there's potential for Ukrainian advances into territory held by Russia for years, before all the territory occupied since February is recovered.kle4 said:
If things are truly collapsing, what will be very interesting will be if the Ukrainians attempt at some point to reverse the 2014 losses, and if the West will stay firm for that.LostPassword said:Sounds like the Russians are already giving up on northern Luhansk Oblast.
https://twitter.com/DefMon3/status/1568595956265893888
They should, it was no less an invasion (Crimea might be difficult though, clearly being a lot more pro-Russian), but it's easy to see some arguing for a return to January 2022 as a first step and then pause.
Crimea is a bit different, because it's south of Kherson Oblast, and the routes onto the peninsula are relatively narrow, and so easier to defend.1 -
Still, some decent banter. Or 'banter'.No_Offence_Alan said:
The trouble is that the fans of certain football clubs can't be trusted not be behave like dicks during a minute's silence.Andy_JS said:
Agree with the header. All sport should be going ahead today.
3 -
So they're heading East?Nigelb said:SMOO
https://mobile.twitter.com/maryilyushina/status/1568603258586894337
Russian Defense Ministry now acknowledging the retreat, calling it “regrouping.”
“In order to achieve goals of the special military operation…a decision was made to regroup the Russian troops stationed in Balakliya and Izyum to step up efforts in the Donetsk direction.”0 -
We have redeployed our soldiers to a more strategic point further west.Nigelb said:SMOO
https://mobile.twitter.com/maryilyushina/status/1568603258586894337
Russian Defense Ministry now acknowledging the retreat, calling it “regrouping.”
“In order to achieve goals of the special military operation…a decision was made to regroup the Russian troops stationed in Balakliya and Izyum to step up efforts in the Donetsk direction.”
US Army spokesman, Lebanese invasion. The redeployment was from their land base to a carrier two miles off shore.3 -
Obvious, yes, but still amusing.
Day 199 of my 3 day war. No Russian units have been surrounded. However, several have the chance to fight a "360 degree war".
I remain a master strategist.
https://twitter.com/DarthPutinKGB/status/1568477929092308992?cxt=HHwWgICzmbmXrcQrAAAA5 -
Was thinking that just now. His grip on power looks very tenuous.rcs1000 said:
Lukashenko has to be worried right now.MarqueeMark said:
Probably held back in case Mad Vlad the Mad decides to have another go at Kyiv through Belarus.Phil said:
OSInt types are saying that Ukraine has at least another brigade equivalent force they’ve heldLeon said:Moreover, Russia’s
Looking at the map one could see the Ukes chopping the Russian force in two by driving to the Black Sea around azovCicero said:Watching town after town being liberated by the Ukrainian armed forces today has been incredibly moving. From the Estonian perspective, the sense of gratitude for the appalling price that Ukrainians have had to pay is immense. The courage and determination of the Ukrainian nation is literally awe inspiring. As the defeat grows into an ever greater and faster rout, the outlook for the Russian army changes faster than ever. We hear of partisans already in Mariupol, and a further crushing defeat in Kherson. The Ukrainian reserve has not yet been released, so unless the Russian front line can be consolidated within a matter of hours, we could see the rout become a collapse.
Our hopes are fixed and even if this is not the end, the achievements of the past few hours are immense. Glory to Ukraine indeed.
Leaving Crimea isolated and only accessible by sea and by that bridge
back. If it turns out they don’t need it to support the attack in the north & Kherson remains nicely bottled up (no one wants to make an assault on a defended city if they can avoid it) then cutting the Russian front in half looks like an excellent plan.
Ukraine's position would be so much safer if that bastard Lukashenko fell out a window....
And if he thinks Putin's defeat is inevitable, then
will he jump?
One other point. A lot of the Russian internal security types have been lost in the Ukraine. That surely reduces the ability of Putin to crack down on internal dissent.
2 -
And this week's Hirohito award goes to...Nigelb said:SMOO
https://mobile.twitter.com/maryilyushina/status/1568603258586894337
Russian Defense Ministry now acknowledging the retreat, calling it “regrouping.”
“In order to achieve goals of the special military operation…a decision was made to regroup the Russian troops stationed in Balakliya and Izyum to step up efforts in the Donetsk direction.”0