biggish data

It's been a little while, an update.

Thanks for that input guys.
After trying to call the local department at Homeland and just getting a "Leave your message at the beep... we will get back to you" sorta recording, I decided to run over there (actually 25 minutes).
I see they close up shop at 2:00 everyday so that was a waste.

Even though I was married before, I don't recall how the wife got her name changed.

Can anyone tell me what is the proceedure. I thought when your got married the certificate would indicate the new legal name for the lady but mine does not say anything more than Danny X marries Natalia X.

I thought it might be a good idea to move her last name to a middle name... as she has no middle name chosen when we did the paperwork for the visa.

Since these days there is a wide range (into the absurd) about how or if a lady changes her name after marriage, where does one normally go to do this official Name change?

PS: slim, where does one find a civil surgeon?

Male

Russia

2008-04-25 19:55:00

It's been a little while, an update.

Forgive me for not being back in a while (although I do pop in and read from time to time).

Natalia and I got married on the 12 and things are going even better between us than I could have hoped for in all this time we have only bumped heads on one day (not sure what was wrong with *her*

I truly must give her 90% of the credit for our harmony because she asks for so little and gives so much.
We spend plenty of time together (maybe too much) because most days she insists she would rather go to work with me than sit home without me.

Her English is coming along but not quite as fast as I had expected.
She loves almost every food except Mexican.. jury still out on that.

It's natural to stereotype groups of people and usually there is some truth to it... Russian woman are no exception, however is some ways she is very true to stereo types and in someways not at all, maybe I will go more into that later.

Anyway, the only difficulty I have had is moving her along towards getting her drivers license.
Of course we need proof of residency which we don;t have so I plan to add her name to some utility bills and already got her a checking acc. I kinda wanted to wait until after the wedding to do her name change so we would not have to "redo" everything.
Yesterday we went to SSecurity to get her card changed into her married name and as it turned out the 24th was the expiration date of her k-1 o they said she need to adjust status first, and infact they would not have changed her SSN card within 10 days of expiration.

I have been so busy with every thing lately I have not even read-up on what I need to do next, I guess file for green card? The lady at SSN made it sound like I needed to go to the local Homeland security office... err call them and make an appoint to come in and do that.

So anyone know the 1-2-3 steps from here (or the link at VJ) to educate myself on?

I will post some pics... I just need to erase others posted so as not to exceed the alloted bandwith allowed here at VJ.

Male

Russia

2008-04-25 14:02:00

Dental insurance

I find it hard to believe there is not a decent dentist doing good work "back-home".

Why not wait until you go for a visit and get at least some of the work done with him at a fraction of the price?

Male

Russia

2008-04-25 13:35:00

Great pics PeeJay, the colors in the wall rug were kinda unique, those blues.

Anyone know the history of hanging Rugs on the wall?

Male

Russia

2008-01-26 22:01:00

I think the main reason guys don't carry anything here is the fact we all use cars.
When I am "over there" I do have a small canvas back-pack type thing I use to put ####### in.
Not to be confused with the semi-gay, one shoulder strap version

In USA I am never all that far from my van or car so I can get what I need from it.

I do notice a lot of collage age guys that carry a small backpack as well with anything from skate boards to laptops inside, as well as crack-pipe and other needed items.

Just think how much cool ####### you could haul on your back!

Male

Russia

2008-01-22 12:04:00

QUOTE (Neonred @ Jan 20 2008, 07:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Love the purse Slim, but I think it's a little too much for your outfit!

You beat me to the comment

Male

Russia

2008-01-20 08:23:00

QUOTE (mox @ Jan 18 2008, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Danno @ Jan 18 2008, 05:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know why but... I am having trouble posting a pic now, every time it shows

<<Select a file
Attachment space used 942.48k of 1000k>>>

says I only have room for 57.54k

it has been like this for a day or two, how do I clear away the 942.48k?
I don't even see any attachment... attached to the browse-upload thing.

At the top of the page click on "My controls" then on the left hand Menu you'll see an "Options" heading. Under that is a link for managing your attachments. You'll have to remove some pics there.

The amount of space they give you on these boards is ridiculously small, which is why I usually use Flickr and then just link to here.

Wow, that was a big help Mox, I was under the impression that once a pic was posted...it was out there for ever but it appears one can delete them when you want, on the downside, like you said 1000k is nothing.
thanks

Male

Russia

2008-01-19 10:28:00

Male

Russia

2008-01-18 08:27:00

while on the subject

Attached Files

Rockin_D_Ukrain.jpg 62.87KB 29 downloads

Edited by Danno, 16 January 2008 - 06:27 PM.

Male

Russia

2008-01-16 18:23:00

Here are a few sent to me.

Male

Russia

2008-01-14 08:46:00

Thanks for adding those pics, quite professional looking, you must know more about how to use the settings on a camera than I do.

Male

Russia

2008-01-14 08:04:00

Here is a Shot as evening was coming on.

Attached Files

Eveningwater2resize_copy.JPG 64.18KB 27 downloads

Male

Russia

2007-11-27 20:48:00

While Natasha waits in the never ending line to get tickets, I wandered out to the platform area and took a pic.
It came out too dark but with "light adjustment" feature on my computer it took a worthless shot and salvaged it a little.

Edited by Danno, 24 November 2007 - 11:36 AM.

Male

Russia

2007-11-24 11:34:00

QUOTE (Igor&Elina @ Nov 23 2007, 09:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here's one from near Moscow:

I take it you were in a boat or maybe using a zoom?

Male

Russia

2007-11-24 11:26:00

For me, "everyday scenes" are more interesting, after you've been to 20 or more cities the sites don't get old but the photos do, so I try to find usual or unusual things to capture, Russians in general, (strangers) do not like to be photographed so this makes it a little more difficult as I don't like to be an intrusive person.

For those who have not been to the FSU, here is a picture of the center-building found in many outdoor markets, (this one in Kazan) they all seem to resemble the same no matter where you go, Although I did see one in a village made of a quansan hut (spelling)... like the military uses.

Of course Meat and dairy products are mainly sold in this inside building and if room produce as well.
Some have a balcony (which I am standing on) with small shops selling anything from flowers to furniture.

Edited by Danno, 22 November 2007 - 11:13 AM.

Male

Russia

2007-11-22 11:11:00

QUOTE (mox @ Nov 21 2007, 11:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This was taken on the grounds of the Kremlin in Kazan. The interior of the mosque is even more amazing than the exterior, but photography was prohibited.

I have been inside the Krimlin at Kazan and some how I failed to get a closeup look at that place, there was a lot of construction going on (2005) it's possible it was roped off, it's been a while.

Here is a pic I took of the Krimlin from the top of a ride at that Amusement Park across the River and you can see that same mosque from a distance.

Edited by Danno, 22 November 2007 - 10:49 AM.

Male

Russia

2007-11-22 10:47:00

I have a ton of pics,

This was in Novgrod

Male

Russia

2007-11-21 22:45:00

My fiance Veronika got approval

Congrats on the approval!

I'm sure her arrival city will be fine, do you have any reason to suspect difficulty?

Male

Russia

2008-06-25 10:48:00

RIP Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Yeah it was a little Ironic I heard about him not so long ago and was 80% the way through one of his books when I found out he died.

I read a column by the famed Atheist Hitchens (linked on the DrudgeReport) about Aleksander. He refers to a speech that He (aleksander) made back in the seventies which When I followed the link, I found it interesting to read.

For those that don't know he was exiled (is that the right word) from Russian for some 20 yrs.
He ended up living in the New england area and drew both good and bad impressions of our style of Democracy.

Somewhere along the way, Him and Putin saw eye to eye on the concept that Russia is a unique country with it's own path to follow.
Aleksander was a devout Orthodox follower and felt Russian needed to mix Govt and the faith to
prevent her from following the downward moral spiral the rest of the west is on.

Any way I like people who have a "real-life-story" to tell and come away with a unique perspective, thanks Mox for starting the thread.

Male

Russia

2008-08-31 22:17:00

How can we bring expensive treasures to USA

There was a few news stories not long ago on this subject, one about a woman busted with a WW2 medal which was bought in a market. She was locked up for some time as I recall and ended up paying a pretty good size fine (as well as attorny fees)

I have brought WW2 medals out in my pocket and got by, but knowing what I know now, I would not chance it, I would send it postal or something.

I also brought a Nazi Panzor Badge and a USSR Order of the red star, out of Kiev with no problem but I don't think they have any such laws.

I may be wrong but I was under the impression, if it was from your family, you can bring stuff out by filing the paperwork mentioned above.

*shruggs*

Male

Russia

2008-08-31 22:27:00

Freebies

QUOTE (Kotenochek @ Aug 1 2008, 04:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

all relatives of my husband think i am crazy for ironing everything..From beddings to undershirts for my husband...I just dont like to sleep in wrinkled sheets or give my hubby wrinkled shirt to wear..thats what wives are for right?to make home a better place to be..and I know my hubby loves to wake up and use after a shower new brand new ironed towel,wear brand new ironed underwear and clothes..Hey who does not like that?

Sounds to me like your husband has a VERY SWEET WIFE.

My wife irons every little thing too and every time I see her ironing my old t-shirt I try to think up a new way to show her how much I value her.

This week we have a Greek Festival going on and I want to take her ... she loves that kinda stuff.

Male

Russia

2008-09-01 21:04:00

Russian city you would most like to visit?

Since my wife hails from Peter, I guess you could say "I am all petered out"

Actually it is a beautiful place to see mainly I would think because it is literally Street after street of
beautiful historic buildings. Codes restrict style and building hight, I only recall seeing one Glass front building.

The truth is, the Weather in St. Pet sucks which is one reason I doubt I would ever live there.

I have never been in the south of Russia like Sochi or Stavropol but I hear it is nice and would like to
make this trip if it were possible.

When I go back to St pet, I always have plans to head out to another place such as the Goldenring cites.
I still say I like Ukraine more.

Male

Russia

2008-09-10 22:25:00

QUOTE (mox @ Sep 15 2008, 02:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE

Well anyway my wife is waiting for me to give her Bass lessons so I gotta run.

Electric or the giant violin bass?

My daughter plays both, actually. She hasn't picked up the electric bass in a few months, I sure love to hear it when she does play. Have fun!!

She is learning Electric bass.
It is interesting how she has never even heard some of the most popular songs yet knows oddball songs like "500 miles away from home".

When I find a song she knows and likes, I go to the trusty internet, find out the chords for it, make up a bass-line and teach it to her.

Male

Russia

2008-09-18 23:47:00

Mox thanks for posting the links to the interview on the FACTOR.

I watched all four and what you see there is two guys yakin it up, almost like they are
talking sports over lunch. THe one exception is clip 3 when they get into the Rev. Wright Bill Ayers stuff, then the friendly smile was gone.

Don't know if I mentioned this before but the first time I hear Obama speak (at the Dem Nat Convention 4 years ago) I said to my self "why doesn't the Dems run guys like this for national office" .
Obama is a Natural born Orator, No doubt about that.
To compare Barak who has been working over, all these topics and subjects for months and months on the campaign trail to a Palin who just got in the race is not really a fair comparison.

Speaking of Joe Biden, I heard about his gaff this week where he was introducing a local Political type and he told the guy to "stand up"... except the guy is in a wheelchair.
It was a little funny to hear of the story but when I actually heard the tape of it....Now that was funny.
It was just an honest mistake but the way Joe recovered was pretty darn good.

Figures, theres a clip on Youtube about it.

Male

Russia

2008-09-14 21:31:00

QUOTE (mox @ Sep 13 2008, 12:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Danno @ Sep 12 2008, 09:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, it is Charlie Gibson who might benefit from learning a little bit more about the "Bush Doctrine" as well.

The point isn't that there are differing views on what the Bush Doctrine is. The point is that she had NO idea what Gibson even meant by the phrase. Anyone pretending to have any foreign policy credentials will have at least heard the phrase and be able to speak about it in general terms. She didn't even know what it meant.

QUOTE

the impatient school teacher Charlie implied as he looked over his glasses and down his nose.

If you've ever seen Charlie Gibson, he looks over his glasses at everyone. And actually I think he did her a great favor. He could have let the question hang and let her flounder. He didn't. He threw her a rescue line, which is a lot more than many reporters would have done. In fact, if you've seen other snippets from this interview you'll see that Gibson was pretty easy on her. In fact he's taken a lot of flak for that. I doubt Hillary Clinton would have been treated with such kid gloves.

QUOTE (Brad and Vika @ Sep 13 2008, 04:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My personal favorite was Putin's recent comment that "Georgia deserved to be punched in the face" in response to a question about the amount of force used there. Imagine the hysterics if an American President (or candidate) were to make that comment about another country, anywhere.

"Bring 'em on." GWB, 2003.

Perhaps in Charlie's mind, there is only one definition of "Bush doctrine" but as we can plainly see (wilkapedia) there is not just one "bush Doctrine".
when he pitched the questions, she asked him to be specific, he didn't.

I doubt any honest person could say "that was a great Palin interview".
But many people are glad "real questions" are starting to be asked in this election even if it is only on the VP level.
When are these kinds of questions to be asked of Mr. Obama?
I had to chuckle when Palin was busted-on for not even having a passport until a year or two ago, yet Barak's gets by with using his childhood time overseas as "international experience" relevant to seeking Office. He is in the Senate for about a year and announces his intention to Run for President..... where were the serious questions about HIS experience?

How long was Barak a candidate before, his racist leaning church was even a news story?

The media knew someone currently running for president (John Edwards) was having an affair but decided not to report it because it was *not relevant* yet they jumped all over Palins daughter when they learned she was knocked-up.

Sure, hard left women are never gonna vote for McCain/ Palin but a lot of women in the middle see how this candidate is treated and it only draws more women to her, not away from her.

I recall when Hillary had her "teary-eyed" moment running against Barak, I think it was in Pa. or Ohio. I got a scoff out of it and thought , it would hurt her but, she actually Beat Obama in the next run... because women came to the defense of a woman being Picked-on.

It's now gotten so crazy, that Democrats on the campaign trail have forgot to talk about Bush.... you know something has them shaken when they miss hitting that softball at every chance.

Male

Russia

2008-09-14 15:09:00

Actually, it is Charlie Gibson who might benefit from learning a little bit more about the "Bush Doctrine" as well.

Here is a column by the first person to use or coin the term "Bush doctrine" (which was before 911)
As time has passed, the Bush doctrine has come to mean a number of things, not just one... as
the impatient school teacher Charlie implied as he looked over his glasses and down his nose.

Here in part, is Kruthhamers piece about the subject.
---------------------
http://www.washingto...1202457_pf.html

"Sensing his "gotcha" moment, Gibson refused to tell her. After making her fish for the answer, Gibson grudgingly explained to the moose-hunting rube that the Bush doctrine "is that we have the right of anticipatory self-defense."

Wrong.

I know something about the subject because, as the Wikipedia entry on the Bush doctrine notes, I was the first to use the term. In the cover essay of the June 4, 2001, issue of the Weekly Standard entitled, "The Bush Doctrine: ABM, Kyoto, and the New American Unilateralism," I suggested that the Bush administration policies of unilaterally withdrawing from the ABM treaty and rejecting the Kyoto protocol, together with others, amounted to a radical change in foreign policy that should be called the Bush doctrine.

Then came 9/11, and that notion was immediately superseded by the advent of the war on terror. In his address to the joint session of Congress nine days after 9/11, President Bush declared: "Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime." This "with us or against us" policy regarding terror -- first deployed against Pakistan when Secretary of State Colin Powell gave President Musharraf that seven-point ultimatum to end support for the Taliban and support our attack on Afghanistan -- became the essence of the Bush doctrine.

Until Iraq. A year later, when the Iraq war was looming, Bush offered his major justification by enunciating a doctrine of preemptive war. This is the one Charlie Gibson thinks is the Bush doctrine.

It's not. It's the third in a series and was superseded by the fourth and current definition of the Bush doctrine, the most sweeping formulation of the Bush approach to foreign policy and the one that most clearly and distinctively defines the Bush years: the idea that the fundamental mission of American foreign policy is to spread democracy throughout the world. It was most dramatically enunciated in Bush's second inaugural address: "The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world."

Male

Russia

2008-09-12 23:19:00

ON a side note err observation.

It is interesting that McCain and Obama are somewhere around neck-N-neck in the polls yet I have not seen one McCain bumpersticker or yard sign.

I have seen loads of Obama ones and have for quite a while.
I used to think the "yard sign" thing indicated the popularity of a candidate until this year and I will tell you what changed my mind.

Way back i n the primaries, I saw more bumper-stickers, more Yard signs and even run of the mill home made advertisements about Ron Paul. They were in yards, along roadways hanging from bridges and painted on cars.
in fact, no matter what you put in a Youtube search engine you were sure to get some Ron Paul vids to turn up. Ron Paul supporters OWNED the internet! (or so it seemed)

I have never been a big Ron Paul guy but I thought for sure... this was going to be the "big surprise" story at the polls.
Guess what, Ron paul wasn't even a contender.

what's up with that?

Male

Russia

2008-09-11 11:04:00

QUOTE (mox @ Sep 11 2008, 12:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Danno @ Sep 10 2008, 07:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wonder if my friend Mox would like to up-date his assessment?
:-)

Heh.

I have to admit, Palin's more popular than I gave her credit for, although I did form the quoted opinion before it was really known just how much of a fundamentalist wingnut she is. I still think she's a horrible pick, but I think what's happened here is that, incredibly, McCain (well...Palin) has managed to energize the base. This may be temporary, but I won't hold my breath. But I still stand by what I've said before: it's the swing vote that counts. They are not going to be impressed by Palin, and they're definitely not going to be swayed by McCain's "I represent change except for the 90% I agree with Bush on" stance.

The closeness of this race at so late a date was actually worrying me until I saw the electoral map: http://pollster.com/ .
Consider that even if McCain wins the popular vote, there's no way Obama doesn't pull 27 more electoral votes. Ohio and Colorado would put him over the top by 2. The only way he loses this election now is if they get photographic evidence of him snorting coke off Araina Huffington's ?ss.

After seeing this, I feel a lot better. Nothing's 100%, but it's nowhere near as close as I had thought, and certainly not as close as the polls are showing.

I think you need to instill some of that "It's a done deal" optimism to the Obama Campaign, they seem really worried and it might be because they are not reading polls but rather polling TRENDS.
Would you buy stock in a company whose number have dropped so far, so fast?

While Obama's numbers have eroded significantly... Palins numbers (McCain now seems to be along for the ride) have surged.

If she is a far-right "fundamentalist wingnut" (as you say) and in a matter of days she has gained so much support (despite the smear-job), what does that say about the "far-right" in this
Country? Must be a lot more of them that the left likes to suggest.

Now of course anything is possible and with an army of Democratic "dirt diggers" and the press looking under every Rock in Alaska, ..one would expect something would be found to take the sparkle off of Palins star. But until that happens... God it's fun to watch the Obama club go from slam-dunk winners to a team trying to play without a clue as what to do.

I think she is a very likable person and will attract a number of people in the center.

I don't mind saying "I like her"... (and not just those legs) but is it enough to get me to vote for
McCain? I don't know.

Ironically, I re-registered (I have a new address)

to vote yesterday at the library, some guy had a table set up complete with registration forms and Obama stickers

Male

Russia

2008-09-11 09:36:00

<<<Agreed. Although if the latest polls are right (and I know they are often wrong) the people are not impressed with McCain's pick. For the first time Obama is polling at 50%, a full 8 points ahead of McCain. Even if McCain can close that gap with a convention bump, convention bumps aren't typically sustainable. If that gap widens it would not surprise me to see Palen drop out of the race "to spend more time with her family."
>>>
-Mox

Wonder if my friend Mox would like to up-date his assessment?
:-)

Male

Russia

2008-09-10 21:52:00

QUOTE (1HappyGuy @ Sep 4 2008, 03:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you don't vote, then why do you even care who's running for what office and what they will do to you, your country or the rest of the world for that matter. I take my citizenship serious and have never failed to vote, since I was 18.

Not sure if you were referring to me or not but:
Sometimes when your party looses (and badly) it can come back in the next election with all new people and a fresh vision. Some times 4 years of "the other party" can make a big change in voter outlook too.

Without 4 years of Carter, there would have been no platform for Reagan.

Bush has given a Golden opportunity for the Democrats, if they can not get someone elected this time, God help them.

Male

Russia

2008-09-04 23:55:00

I too caught the Palin speech last night and could only find one hole, it was a little lite on policy but her being the VP and it being her first major "showing", one would not expect a big policy dissertation.

She is obviously at home making a speech .... so good in fact that I never noticed the Teleprompter was malfunctioning. She was confident and relaxed and talked to the crowd, not at them.

Still in all, the best speech maker alive today (that I can think of) is non other then; Bill Clinton he proved that again at the DNC the other night.

I haven't had the time to read the Left-wing bloggers but their response will be both predictable and full of talking points but it is obvious they are *after* this lady with everything they have and after last nights speech where she went ofter BO with both a knife and a smile.... the price on her head will be even higher.

They will claim her speech was aimed at *the base* but... she hardly mentioned any of the red-meat issues at all. No rattling on about alternative marriage, abortion, Hollywood, guns,
or any other typical far-right issues which the base hold dear.

The bottom line will come down to (as Mox said) if she appealed to enough of the center.
True, Palin has brought the base alive in ways no one could have imagined but I have to imagine there are still lots of people like me who were going to sit this election out... and still might.

=============

As for the 2-Party system; I still think it's the best way to get at least a majority of the people pulling for one candidate.
Just imagine if we had a "three ring circus" going on in this election (rather than a 2 ring)
we could end up voting in a guy (or gal) with just 35% of the vote.
Talk about a divided country!

Male

Russia

2008-09-04 11:49:00

Since Obama has no foreign policy experience either......... (and he is at the head of his ticket)
I don't see this as the issue to sink the McCain ship with.

Male

Russia

2008-09-01 21:16:00

So.... how are the driving lessons going?

Well, I have started the driving lessons.
First thing you must realize is; it is possible your FSU student might have never even driven so much as a go-cart or bumper car before.
The use of gas and brake pedals mean nothing from experience, only from watching a taxi or relative drive.

After realizing this I limited the first few days instruction to simply putting the car in gear and practice working the brake pedal as the car idled forward behind wal-mart.
Don't confuse things by adding the gas pedal until the concept of stepping on the brake is a reflex to stop.

Allow the use of just one (right) foot for both brake and gas, the left foot should do nothing (unless there is a clutch).

After four or five sessions, We are now up to driving around schools (after hours) and business parks and attempts at parking.

Male

Russia

2008-02-29 20:29:00

House prices in Russia

It's seems a little crazy that with thousands of everyday run-of-the-mill flats for sale, there are no
places to list them collectively.

This would seem like a business waiting to happen if it's the case.

At any rate, I am not looking to buy, I just like to look.

Don't hold me to it but... I would never want to live in St. Pet due to the weather.
I like Russia (Ukraine even more so) and could imagine "one day" relocating there but it would have to be a area with reasonable climate, not rain every other day and a month and a half of summer.

It's possible a search engine might turn up a site with flats for sale.

Male

Russia

2008-10-15 11:35:00

House prices in Russia

Speaking of housing prices in Russia, anyone have a link to real estate site over there.
The few I have seen seem to be very upscale type properties.
I had one or two sites in Ukraine in english but I have never seen a good one in Russia.

Male

Russia

2008-10-14 20:58:00

Where Are They Now?

QUOTE (slim @ Oct 15 2008, 03:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Danno @ Oct 14 2008, 08:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For literally years now I have heard this charge about the US arming Bin Ladin back in the days when they were fighting off a soviet invasion.
I never have followed the logic of this point.

I'll throw another illogical point at you..... bin Ladin wasn't even mad at us until the early '90s and it had nothing to do with Afghanistan and only very little to do with Iraq.

Yeah I think he claims what pissed him off was the US setting up shop in his Holy land.

Thing is; we can't run foreign policy with a goal to, never piss off anyone.

Which leads to another point which gets repeated so often... therefor it must be logical. (because it's repeated so often)
*Iraq a sovereign country*

Don't you kinda tear-up your "I'm a sovereign country" card after you start a war by invading your neighbor then, after you get your ### kicked. (with the help of many other countries)

You retreat back to your country yet get to stay in power "under certain conditions".

when you don't abide by those conditions in the most gross way, are you really still a sovereign country?
I suppose a room full of Lawyers can kick the legal angle around endlessly, but was Iraq a sovereign country?.... like say Denmark?

Whether is was a "good idea" to take him out is a whole other issue but is anyone denying he diminished his *sovereign country* status when he lost the war?

Male

Russia

2008-10-15 15:25:00

Where Are They Now?

QUOTE (NavarreMan @ Oct 8 2008, 01:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK dufflebag - try this on for size

Last night during the Presidential debate, John McCain, in an effort to justify continuing the war in Iraq, compared it to the Russian war with Afghanistan by stating that when the Afghans pushed the Russians out of Afghanistan, the US failed by not staying with the Afghans and thereby allowing the Taliban to move in. What the old geezer has forgotten is that we armed and aided the Taliban in their fight against the Russians. They were there during the war and they were there after the war. We knew it and we gave them support. Please reference the following Wiki:

Although there is no evidence that the CIA directly supported the Taliban or Al Qaeda, some basis for military support of the Taliban was provided when, in the early 1980s, the CIA and the ISI (Pakistan's Interservices Intelligence Agency) provided arms to Afghans resisting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the ISI assisted the process of gathering radical Muslims from around the world to fight against the Soviets. Osama Bin Laden was one of the key players in organizing training camps for the foreign Muslim volunteers. The U.S. poured funds and arms into Afghanistan, and "by 1987, 65,000 tons of U.S.-made weapons and ammunition a year were entering the war." Link

Guess who was in charge during this? Reagan! [/b] Link

For literally years now I have heard this charge about the US arming Bin Ladin back in the days when they were fighting off a soviet invasion.
I never have followed the logic of this point.

Of course we used (and supported) the Taliban to accomplish what we wanted carried out and as far as I know... it worked pretty good for us (and them).

Soviets were defeated and depleted

Of course any time we use a foreign
entity to carry out these actions there is always a chance at some point in the future, we might
not have the same common interest but that is the reality of life and war.

I for one would call arming the taliban (at that time) a great move, better that than send in our
advisers like we did in Nam' only to see that escalate. Any time we can arm another to accomplish his goals when they mirror ours, I am all for it.
In fact our military history is FULL of it, starting with the arming of Indians in a number our conflicts.

Lets suppose there were some tribes or groups running around in the Mountains of Pakistan who if armed would really cut into the Talibans ###. Is there anyone who would not agree to this?

Perhaps in 25 years this same group might be in our cross-hairs but we can't let this possiblity handcuff up today.

Anyway... Just my humble.

Male

Russia

2008-10-14 19:30:00

Need Cheap lodging in St Petersburg?

QUOTE (mox @ Oct 30 2008, 02:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Danno @ Oct 29 2008, 02:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (mox @ Oct 27 2008, 03:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can't even begin to tell you how poor your timing is on this particular post.

If you do make it available for short-term rentals in the future, please keep us updated!

Anytime you or anyone is going to St Pet and might want to rent a room, let me know.

The only drag is my MIL lives there so while she might not care if you walk around in your "Whitey-tighties" you might

It's possible in the warmer months she might even rent it with her not there as she goes to Dacha but that has not been discussed yet.

Mind pm'ing me the address?

Done.

It's on babushkin street, house 60 for those who have a way to mapquest it.

Male

Russia

2008-10-30 12:30:00

Need Cheap lodging in St Petersburg?

QUOTE (mox @ Oct 27 2008, 03:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can't even begin to tell you how poor your timing is on this particular post.

If you do make it available for short-term rentals in the future, please keep us updated!

It's possible in the warmer months she might even rent it with her not there as she goes to Dacha but that has not been discussed yet.

Male

Russia

2008-10-29 16:41:00