rickc rickc:
bootlegga bootlegga:
Thanos Thanos:
Keep every single penny of Russian money that's been frozen, both the funds of the oligarchs and of the Russian state itself. Never return that money, ever, after the fighting's over. Tell them it's permanently lost to them and will be used for rebuilding and infrastructure projects all over the fucking planet, especially in Ukraine. That should put a chill into whatever dark disgusting voids those Russian bastards have inside them that pass for souls.
Agreed - every single cent should be used to rebuild the Ukraine and help its citizens. If there's anything left after rebuilding all those destroyed schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, roads, bridges, homes, shopping centres, etc., it can then be used as reparations to Ukrainian citizens for Russian war crimes and genocide.
We can even start right now by selling every oligarch's seized yacht, apartment, villa, vehicle, etc.
I do not recall any American billionaires having their property confiscated when the U.S. invaded Iraq. I do not recall any foreign businesses leaving the U.S. I do not recall any major boycotts of American products. I heard a little bitching here, and a little whining there......and that was it. As an American living in the U.S. I can state that there was ZERO repercussions to me on a day to day basis. My stock portfolio did not tank. I did not get laid off, my hours did not get cut. The only minor inconvenience that I can recall was cancelling a planned trip to Ireland. It was an awesome trip that included airfare, rental car, and a map of included bed and breakfasts. No reservations required, just show up at any of the bed and breakfasts on the list. This was at the very beginning of the war. I seen people in Ireland protesting the war on tv. It was supposed to be a vacation. I did not want to be arguing or talking politics with everyone on vacation. So I booked the cheapest all inclusive vacation to Aruba that I have ever had. I had already moved on to the Dominican Republic for winter Carribean trips as the winter prices in Aruba were climbing to high. People were afraid to fly. Thousands of flights were canceled when the war started. The island was deserted, and the prices were the lowest that I had ever seen in my travels there, ever. Absolutely NO ONE working on the island was talking politics as the island was starving for tourists. There had to be a standing order from the Aruba ministry of tourism to shut the fuck up as there was no mention of the war any where. Papers, tv, radio, nothing. Only foreign feeds were covering the war. Unlike Ireland, Aruba is heavily dependent on tourism. It is their number one industry. So my "punishment" as an American was to vacation in paradise for the lowest price that I had ever paid to go there. It actually got me going back to the island again although I have started going in the summer as its their low season.
Apples and oranges - US billionaires don't control the country, nor are is the US President beholden to all of them for their support. Yes, the wealthy in the US do donate to politicians and lobby the hell out of them for things they want, but in the US, some billionaires support Republican candidates (Waltons, Koch brothers, etc.), while others support Democratic candidates (Gates, Soros, etc.).
In Russia, if you're an oligarch, you either back Putin 100% or you're put in a prison cell and never heard from again.
The US did face economic repercussions from its invasion - it was left holding the bag after it crushed Saddam's regime, and therefore was on the hook to spend trillions to police it, rebuild it, etc.
It also faced political ramifications from a number of allies (remember 'old Europe' and 'Freedom Fries'?) that made several of them less than willing to help the US on other initiatives. It took until well after Dubya left office to repair those relations.
As Zip noted, there was plenty of opposition to the US going into Iraq in 2003 from lots of western countries, Canada included, which is why Canada did not participate. While I never agreed with the US invading in 2003, there are a number of key differences. These include:
- The US went to the United Nations and tried to deal with Iraq multi-laterally instead of unilaterally.
- The US developed a coalition of like-minded countries that were worried about Saddam Hussein and how he ran Iraq.
- When the invasion occurred, the coalition, though dominated by US forces, also participated.
- The US never said that Iraq is a fake country and shouldn't exist.
- The US motive was to remove Saddam Hussein and prevent the acquisition of WMDs, not the occupation and absorption of Iraq into the US as a new state.
So while the invasion was wrong for so many reasons, the US at least tried to deal with Saddam through international organizations, not unilaterally as Putin has with Ukraine.
CKA Uber 
CKA Moderator 
