I think a couple things should be considered in the above conversation on “the German people/regular army” and knowing completely Hitler’s atrocities. First accounts from many of the Officers from American and British forces spoke on the German people in surrounding towns being pretty oblivious to the acts being committed around them. Everything was controlled by the government, people had no real information besides what was given to them and no way to “fact check” said information like we do now. Imagine censorship we see now, but on a massive level. I’m not saying all Germans were oblivious or indifferent, but a large portion really had no true grasp of what was going on behind the scenes. As for the German army and it’s actions, again a large portion of the regular forces were unawares of the atrocities being committed by SS battalions and when given an order from a loyal officer, they didn’t think to disobey (otherwise they were shot or put into a camp) but not all complied willingly. Accounts of bravery from German soldiers helping escaping Jews do exist, also let’s not forget the many attempts made from within the regular army and officers to commit coups and take control. The most famous of which is codenamed Valkyrie, closest to succeeding. I believe there’s many aspects to look at and consider here. Definitely not clear cut for either side of the aisle, plenty to analyze to this day.

Also @Clemens very nice job on those images, very interesting!

Constantly on a footing for war in the Middle East, that’s a given. Also gearing up for possible conflict in the South China Sea. The current administration is the real question though......be sure and give a good look to the Marine Corps too. Love my Corps, good for your soul. I wouldn’t have had it any other way haha

Oorah!

I don’t blame him, I would have done the same if able. Who wouldn’t want to go somewhere warmer? He flew commercial, wasn’t trying to hide it in the least. Never expected people to lose their minds over something so trivial.

It’s sad, people glue themselves to the MSM and that’s that, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. People all think they are entitled to their own facts too much. No one wants to mention the cutbacks on production the White House was asking of our grid here to align with their green new deal idea. It’s just throw the blame, not be the solution. It’s always easier to claim to be outside the problem than part of it of course.

The White House is loving it though, watching the media flame the fire of the blame being thrown at everyone but who it needs to be directed at... the Biden Admin.. I seem to remember a campaign lie he spewed on about electing him or face hellish wildfires and other climate change disaster... crock of shit.. point is we are 2months in and have the same exact issues they preached about still happening. It’s a charade

Agreed, such a trivial problem to have with him.. a vacation.

Let it roll off the shoulder, I do think he is just picking at you. We all do it, lighthearted fun. I could be wrong, but I really don’t think he meant offense haha

What about my crayons for snacks?

Oh the large even, how could I be so lucky

I tend to notice that too in my daily dealings and hearing people chat about it, the double standard is definitely out and about. Very little, if any, news was circulated about the various dems who left to vacation during lockdowns. Some MSM talked about it a day or two, but turn the tables and it becomes the equivalent of treason.

USMC, or Army.. I tend to be biased towards the Marines so go there haha. Are you sure you want infantry? There’s other choices, I chose the same but think about it.

Guess that heroine doesn’t coincide well with simple personal hygiene.

Ex-Clinton adviser Naomi Wolf warns US becoming 'totalitarian state before our eyes' under Biden

https://flip.it/cbgOjW

That’s what happens when you vote for who you are told to vote for, instead of making an informed decision drawing upon your own research.

Made a loaf of homemade classic pound cake, a simple glaze to put on top. Something simple and sweet for after dinner.

Don’t think of it being not normal to join, perfectly normal to join for security. Definitely consider it, my service is something i would never give up or take back. Lots to learn and apply to life and choosing the correct MOS opens lots of job opportunities when out. Not to mention the college.

I really don’t think it’s that simple to just say the parties switched, 3 switches is also a first for me.. most teachers or professors may teach on one or two “switches” the first being the ideological shift of democrats and republicans after the civil war sometime between 1965 and 1936 (this is what you find, no actual dates just a time frame) the idea that the two parties switched their beliefs is misconstrued, there were key differences to the parties that took affect but no switch. The dems started changing to wanting bigger central government and the Republicans started changing to wanting a not so powerful central government but this is the one component that “switched” or became a new focus for these parties. People see the one change of ideas and call this a switch in political affiliation. The next period everyone who believes a switch happened is in 1964 “the new deal coalition” would definitely suggest reading up about it. This again wasn’t a switch at all even on party beliefs but a campaign to realign who supported the parties.. the democrats started the push on bringing in minorities to vote for them and the south was solidified into republicans hands for a while due to both parties attempts to sway voters. This is all my opinion, don’t have to take me at my word... very interesting subject.. lots to study and read or analyze.

Number of ships yes they do but class of ships they do not. A large portion of the ships numbered in the Chinese navy are small patrol ships

Pork loin I smoked all day today, sat in a wet bbq and mustard rub last night and then I took it out of the wet and rubbed it in dry spices... slathered the sauce I kept right before coming off the smoker.

Just finished my BB8 pound cake, with buttercream decorations.

Haha thanks, I’m sure after eating there will be a half second of regret from destroying it... before quickly being replaced by guilt for eating all that sweetness 😂

Politicians main goal, even during civil wars as we can see from our own and others, is to remain in power. Can’t remain in power if you commit war crimes and wipe out the entire southern population (which you seem convinced there’s even a chance of which is dreaming). Enslave, they’d try. Censor, currently trying. Beat, mock, imprison... sure, but not wipe out.

How is that? And I don’t think anyone is denying that genocides happen.. not sure who said that

Where?

Yep, where does it say what you think it says? Lol

Wiping entire ethnicities, or populations you don’t agree with. One I never said that doesn’t happen, still waiting on you to point that out. Two. Still waiting on how this means China shouldn’t exist by my logic.

Incorrect

The idea they wouldn’t agree with, every person there.. hard to see that

As in they wouldn’t agree with what the south did (secede) but that doesn’t mean they instantly hate and disagree with every single southerner

No that’s what you are doing by comparing every country and politician in every country to the exact same standard

Wiping the entire southern population, no I don’t think they would.

Why would you? You are the one who is making the assumption everyone follows every order no matter if it defies your oath or not.. so it’s up to you to provide that evidence. I don’t have to defend logic or reason. There’s an oath for a reason in this country... the civil war and our debate applies to US logic and reasoning correct?

Because we have systems in place and measures in place to help prevent or fight them, not saying it can’t happen. But it has the least chance to happen or succeed.

But systems that are in fact in place, but let’s go back. What makes you even think in a civil war here if it was to happen, that the North would even go for a general wipe of the south? With what hardware, with what resources? Per capita most military personal are in fact southerners, so where is the evidence to begin supporting that opinion? Or let’s even go bigger and further, what if the politicians split and the south has crooked leaders just as the north? How would a scenario like you were thinking play out when all the bad people aren’t all on one side?

No worries

Yes, in general let’s say that is the main reason for civil war number 2

I’m not disagreeing but let’s think, what is a corrupt politician? Because we both know both parties have their faults, there’s corrupt in both. So what if the southern leadership has those same politicians?

I can agree to simplify though, let’s go ahead and make all corrupt go to north and the south is then fighting the corruption or seceding for that reason. Is that right?

Ok so you then think that the north’s first and foremost goal is then to wipe the southern population?

But we agreed the north has the corruption and politics that go with it which means they don’t want just land they want full control. Which is enslaving the population not destroying it, but let’s dive in. With what resources do you think the north has to do this? As stated before, per capita there’s more southern military personnel than northern. Most of the infrastructure that supports the military industrial complex also sits in the south ( not saying there is none in the north or what is there wouldn’t be formidable)

Lol Undead

But I think you are getting closer, I think a Cold War or a general idea that neither would get anywhere in an outright war is more along the lines. I think a nasty start is very true, I think a lot of deaths.. but I think we diverge when you start along the lines of either side starting to wipe the other for any reason. No matter what we fight over the other side just wants domination and full control

I think we can also agree at some point other nations would offer their hands or try their hands is more likely the case, but what countries and for what reasons? And who supports who... if the north has the corruption wouldn’t logic dictate that the corrupt nations would try to align with them? And Vice Versa

That’s what I’m asking why countries and for what reasons haha. There’s lots to debate here, let’s say China throws with the north and the more conservative allies of the “traditional US” throw with the South (Australia, Britain)

If the world is trying to cleanse any shining beacons of purity then yes I agree, but I don’t see it.

I still see dominance and control

Because of trade, the south automatically has more to offer

Also values, Western European nations would align more with traditional southern values

Land, oil (and infrastructure to support it) food, and the higher possibility of a stable economy for the south because of those.

Yes agreed, but still values that are holding on

We can agree to disagree, I think evidence shows the south has more to offer when it comes to agriculture and economic support, unlike during the first civil war where all industrial complexes were up north.

I think in this scenario it’s a strong possibility Alaska would secede on it’s own, if I’m completely honest I also think if the US was to split again it wouldn’t be just a split into two parts.

Ok so they rebuild, how do they accomplish or push back while rebuilding or catching up to the south

That’s getting pretty far into hypothetical but yes, I agree corruption will always fall into major population centers, and if in this scenario that is the main reason for the fight to begin with, then yes it will go deep. For arguments sake we are keeping that the corruption was in the north though? But let’s say it does deep into the south and people get unhappy.. I think we would get situations like Texas splitting into 3-4 separate states.. and regions of the south separating into separately governed zones but all under a general flag united against the north (because even if the south keeps breaking into smaller sections they all still believe corruption is the biggest enemy right? It’s the reason they seceded)

I’m anti secession as well, I agree with you on most points.. main one I didn’t was the wiping of the south, which I think you said you now think a bit differently haha. Live in Texas (a state currently trying to get a vote on the floor for secession) and think it’s a bad idea, love the US, fought for the US. Love a good debate.

Exactly, not such clear cut lines this go around

It’s going to (and already is) cause hatred, and mistrust to skyrocket. The end goal is to get everyone to agree with them, and to do as they say when it’s said.

Yes but in the US a genocide would only cause the government way more issues than solve, unlike other countries that can currently murder large portions of their population and get away with it. That would cause the push for secession to gain momentum for sure which is what they want to avoid. In comparison to let’s say China, who doesn’t have to worry about secession because of the control and systems in place to stop it.

China is an envy to the corrupt politicians of the world. The level of control over the population, such a large population is mind numbing. If you want control and dominance over your population, then that’s the place to mimic. Everything is monitored, everything is censored which is starting to be pushed here

Don’t you know political backstabbing is number ONE in the political playbook? Lol

It didn’t change with Xi, Xi mastered it.

Putin wishes he knew how to navigate the political world like Xi

I disagree, I think we’ve seen enough of him politically to know he wants whoever is best at the job to also like him. Which let’s be honest, everyone mostly does there. We see China as messed up and corrupt but the leaders their do not. Makes China terrifying in a whole new way, it’s terrifying because that level of control isn’t supposed to be ok and possible. Almost brainwashing

The fact he can be so corrupt and yet be so loved by other officials in his government and a majority of his population is scary

Also while committing genocide and WW2 style war crimes

I’m not denying that lol I’m saying it’s scary they all love him for these things all while he is also committing crimes and being so obviously corrupt. The efficiency of this corrupt machine... was reading some articles just today about ship production in China. In one year China has produced more ships than the US did the entirety of WW2. That’s unheard of for a peacetime nation. It’s crazy

I read it as reasons for the original comment, apologies. And agreed on what you said, I think Stalin is slapping himself for missing that. I know this isn’t the politics channel but hell if I didn’t think that’s what the dems are trying now.. for all the wrong reasons. How else do you get utter total compliance and control which is what they want

Clarify, leftists. I mean tactics like re-education, censorship, compliance or penalty, total servitude, and no self reliance.. all tactics also employed by the CCP

Oh for sure, agreed there too, hence why I said they were “trying” said tactics and just starting to implement. No where near a Chinese state of control, but I definitely think they are giving it a go.

I’ll have to find the article but like you said on traditional values, China is wanting to implement education programs to make sure males stay masculine and keep those values because they believe too many males in China have become “feminized”.

Where 3 year olds are allowed to make a choice on gender but not allowed to smoke or drink or vote. The logic in a lot of the “issues” the mainstream loves to say we face is non-existent. No common sense

Meanwhile enemies of the US laugh and build while we internally argue, China and Russia are loving watching our Media lately.

We need more of this in today’s time, actual discussions and debates. It was a lot of fun and I appreciate it as well, hope you have a great writing session. Hope to speak again sometime

German chocolate truffles, and red velvet cake topped with ganache and chocolate buttercream.

Much appreciated!

Homemade/from scratch is the way to go... box mixes just do not taste the same

Practice makes perfect, and family recipes.. but mainly lots of practice. You learn all of that in the process haha

Oh I can only imagine, I’m sure really tough.

They can now, that was revisited not too terribly long ago I believe... before they could have “security forces” anyway

The threat of communist China was and is still too much to just rely solely on all our resources.. I’m actually pretty glad they have some freedom to expand. More assets in the region to our advantage

They are

Through NATO as well

If you are to compare the two, then Japan is by far a closer and more vital ally.. Germany’s armed forces in total are only 64k thereabouts.. besides air defense capabilities they have nothing really to offer.. but the bigger connection to the European Union=NATO means they are important. Germany also houses a lot of US military personnel and assets

With that said, their equipment and personnel are more than capable of being great offensive weapons if the need arose..each year their budget grows and discussions on less restrictions and wider “applications” for their equipment are brought up constantly. With the worlds 5th largest military budget, it’s on the way to becoming a great deterrent in the region

That whole line of Eastern European nations are a staging point to keep Russia in check... some years back around the Ukraine incident and the buildup of Russian troops on eastern Europe’s border, brought a similar show of force from the US and some NATO nations. Both sides using military drills to posture

The colonial era, followed closely by ww2. Hard to choose between the two, so much info to take in. Hard to choose any particular period in history haha