Splitear

I don't know, from what I understand, he is no Stalin. The big guys in Russia (and those in the former USSR states) aren't scared of him. He's dependent on them, not the other way around. Again, this is purely my understanding, and I'm often wrong.

I agree with all of this, there were definitely things that could have been done. Who knows the reasons why, but hindsight is 20/20. I don't know that anything would have kept Putin from going in other than a credible threat of all out war from NATO, but even then, I think everyone was rightfully worried that he'd call the bluff and we'd be in WW3 with nuclear powers. I believe Putin's motivations are power and some weird sense of rebuilding the "Motherland". I hope the latter is true, otherwise, the guy is just truly evil. It's just so hard to watch a gritty country battling for it's own existence all alone. However, the thought of engaging in all our war with Russia and likely China and NK is too awful even comprehend. I'm praying that Ukraine can hold out and make Putin pay by dissolving the Russian support for him and his war.

I was listening to a program yesterday that stated that these sanctions are less designed to hurt the average Russian and target the oligarchy. Pretty smart, as they are trying to keep morale for the war low with Russians, as many of them don't want it to begin with. Since Putin is framing the West as the enemy, hurting the average Russian will only add ammo to that point. However, the oligarchy is a central pillar to Putin's wealth and power. If you get the rich oligarchs to turn on Putin, he'll be out of power pretty quickly. Another program was predicting that this could be the beginning of the end for Putin. We can only hope, and then hope he's not followed by someone who is equal or worse of a thug and bully.

I saw this this morning, what a cool story, and this will probably embolden the Ukrainians and hopefully worry the Russians. Even if it's not the same person, I hope they let it ride as such. If Ukraine needs anything right now, it's a hero.

Same here, I only got one letter on my first 2 attempts. I thought this one was tough. Glad I'm not the only one who struggled, misery loves company and all that

I was referring to the NYT one....https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html

Got today's in 4, totally lucky to get that.

4 for me today. Just curious, what is everyone's "start" word? Do you use the same every time? Mine is "Steam".

It's plenty fast. It's happiest at 50-55.

When I sold my last motorcycle, a 1500 Kawasaki, my wife basically said “no more”. When we were in Italy in 2017 we rented a Vespa to cruise around Tuscany and she loved it. She told me that she would be okay with a Vespa. 1 week after we got back, mine was sitting for sale about a mile from our house. I haven’t second guessed getting it once, it is a blast.

I had a Suzuki DR250 in college, it was great. It sat high, which was great for me being tall. Not super comfortable on long rides, but it was great for short trips and some off-road riding.

I’ve done a ride with the “Albany Rumblers”. It’s a different group, but fun. I prefer to ride solo or with a buddy whose got a Ryker. I’ve read about the “Mod Culture” in England back in the 60’s and 70’s. They were the Hells Angels of the British isles, all on scooters

Haha, I tell that joke all the time Seriously though, people love the thing, I get compliments everywhere. Even a guy at Plaza W&S yesterday stopped me to talk about it. It's also fun to pass folks on a Vespa.

Done in 3 today.

Thanks, it’s a cool bike. Gets great mileage, is super comfortable and will run 80 on the highway, though I’m convinced the Speedo is off, and it’s more like 75 Im hoping the battery is okay on mine, was more weak than dead. Not the end of the world if it needs replacing though.

Couldn’t resist moving the snowblower out of the way and pulling out the Vespa today. The battery was dead, so I let it charge and took it up to the gas station and liquor store for another bottle of Teeling. I’m not quite ready to wash it yet, I’m not convinced this weather is going to last all that long with snow in the forecast later in the week. The dust doesn’t hurt the way it rides.

Nike Air Monarchs are my go to gym shoe, and when they start to break down, they make dandy lawn mowing shoes.

Should have known….

Finally tried it today. Pretty fun, got it in 3.

“You Die When You Die” by Angus Watson. It’s a historical fiction/fantasy based around a group of Norse that were stranded in North America. I’m half through. Really entertaining with a few funny quips like that scattered throughout.

All this talk of idiots makes me think of a line from the book I’m currently reading. “We’re all idiots. Show me someone who disagrees with that and I’ll show you the biggest idiot of all.” Sorry, unrelated, but it seemed fitting

Absolutely. Our whole system is tribalistic, and it makes it almost impossible for anyone outside of the 2 teams to even get on the ballot. Add that into the fact that a lot of people root for and vote for their team regardless of the players, and it's pretty easy for those in power to stay there. "I may not like him, but I'll be damned if I'm voting for a democrat/republican" is a pretty lousy way to have to make a decision, but most of the time that's all we have.

Could you imagine how much better things would be if folks did what they believed to be the right thing rather than what gets them re-elected or keeps the fundraising dollars flowing? I think we are well past any chance of that at this point, there are very few in either party that are people of integrity. At this point, all you have to do is pander to the electorate and fundraisers and you are all but guaranteed a lifetime appointment. I always find it funny how men of principle tend to bend their principles to whichever way the political winds are blowing.

Awesome! Is the top one a head shot or just lying on the arrow. Regardless, impressive!

We got ours on Monday.