Thank you Robert for explaining the “no fly zone” so well. There is no logistical way we could do that
I hope we can help get those Russian fighter jets across the border into Ukraine for their pilots to fly away from the border. I hope that we supply them with armed drones so that they can take out the Russian artillery and tanks.
I pray for the Ukrainian people every day and for the safety of President Zelenskyy, his family, and all of his cabinet and their families.
I hope that they can trade the Russian POWs for the two mayors if they are still alive.
The Russians are bombing extremely close to Poland’s border. If they bomb across the border, does that mean NATO forces will have to go to war?
I am still praying that someone in Putin’s inner circle will kill him. It would be a patriotic thing to do.
As for Tucker Carlson and anyone who praises Russia, they should be tried as traitors, because that is what they are.
I know that President Biden is doing his best and the right thing for our country while doing as much as he can for Ukraine. History will show that he is one of the greatest presidents.
It can't happen soon enough: Tucker Carlson becomes radioactive in the GOP. Voters and reporters should always be asking the key actors like Tom Cotton, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, RonJohn, etc when they next plan to appear on Carlson's show.
Wow! Thank you, Robert, for giving us the information you got from the retired Air Force Colonel - if only this info could be published in a way that people (all of us, and all who insist that that the US and NATO do more!!!) would understand what a "no-fly zone" means - and that continuing to support Biden's refusal to do so.
Mar 14, 2022·edited Mar 14, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
A couple of important points. First, you are absolutely correct in your assessment of the logistics and wisdom of declaring a no-fly zone over Ukraine in any form. It is neither wise, practical, nor logistically possible. Those in the know, analysts, and media figures need to cease using only the excuse of the possibility of a nuclear war to speak against it and discuss instead the impossible to overcome logistical challenges of such a move. It is far better to make every effort to continue to supply Ukraine with anti-aircraft and anti-missile defensive weaponry and help them continue to inflict significant costs on Russia’s offensive air weaponry and aircraft. That cost to Russian forces has been and continues to be significant.
On Texas voting by mail. Yes, if you live and vote in Texas and are eligible to vote by mail follow Robert’s suggestions carefully. I live and vote in the very red Hill Country portion of Texas. In our recent primary elections I applied for a vote by mail ballot and voted by mail carefully and legally. I followed up on the local elections board and Texas Secretary of State website to make sure my application to vote by mail and later my ballot was accepted. They were and it was easy to do so. The election officials are there to help, though the processes are cumbersome and foolish both by mail and in-person, if you follow the instructions carefully you are able to vote successfully. We should not be making it so difficult to vote. But if I have to crawl on bare hands and knees over a mile of ground glass to vote, I will find a way to make sure I fulfill my civic responsibility to vote. The best way to make your voice heard and help to overcome this foolishness is to vote. Well, also get out in the street and participate in civil protests as well and also be sure to VOTE!
Thank you, Robert. A choice between direct confrontation with Russia and nuclear winter on one hand and economic embargo and diplomacy on the other is no choice at all. I am so proud of Biden. I also believe that Abbott and DeSantis’s methods are abhorrent, and it is tellingly ironic that fans of toxic masculinity can’t see the correlation between Putin’s bullying and their own. Thank God I got rid of the television in 2000!
This is a terrific explanation of the perils of a no fly zone. I, too, have watched all the arm chair generals deriding “weakness” of the US and NATO and it sends me through the roof. These very same people who refused to hold Trump accountable are now feigning outrage at Biden. I’m losing my ability to speak rationally here and glad Robert can do it for me.
Thank you for your superb "no fly zone" clarity. Could you or the retired Colonel write it up for an Op-Ed in the NYT or WaPo? The media is for the third week repeating the advice that we "must do what is needed" without bothering to get the facts.
Yes, Robert, this is a time for clarity and thought, for following our heads instead of our hearts. True about Ukraine and also here at home—and as I write that I realize that I have not always been so disciplined about facing the threat we face domestically. Thank [insert deity of choice] that Joe Biden is at the helm, and let us pray (or your preferred alternative) for his health and safety.
Thank you for writing what needs to be heard. It’s this way or the highway (to hell, really). People who are armchair faux generals have zero clue about the devastation nuclear war would bring. I guess they missed the film footage of what Hiroshima wrought to humans (although it stopped WWII). Or they’re too young to know about it. Which is a shame. History rates a big zero in education and it should be a subject of way more importance than it currently is in schools. Again thank you for the time, energy you put into your thought-filled words.
"...every Biden critic will fancy themselves a military expert."
The majority of the American people all know what we'd like to see happen regarding the war upon the people of Ukraine. We'd like to see Putin and his forces not only stopped but outright defeated. No small number of us would be more than gratified to see Putin not only removed from power, but removed from existence in this world. And I believe we're more than justified in feeling that way. But as Mick J famously sang...You can't always get what you want. No. But if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.
So, I try to remind myself that when I feel the urge to scream at the TV or the computer screen Why the hell don't you (pick one, or several, or all) create a no fly zone...put NATO forces on Ukraine's western border en masse and threaten to use them...bomb the bastards back into the stone age...just go ahead and nuke the s.o.b.'s...I try to remember I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.
I'm not a military or geo-political expert. I know nothing meaningful about military tactics or diplomacy. Nor do many of the rest of us, truth be told. But I do know this: A hot war requires cool heads to do the decision making if any kind of desirable result is to be achieved. Actions taken based on emotion rather than cold hard logic based on all the facts available are a recipe for defeat. A shot fired in anger is not as well aimed or as likely to hit its target as one squeezed off with the cold-blooded resolve of logic, skill and determination.
We can argue 'till the cows come home about whose fault it is that we find ourselves in such an undesirable position in relation to what we can do to stop this terrible and unconscionable violence and destruction. It may make us feel better, but it will change nothing. Likewise, we can criticize our government for not doing enough, not doing the right thing, not not not!! That too will make us momentarily feel better. But it won't save any lives. It won't stay a single bullet from being fired or stop one bomb from falling.
What will do that is our resolve to let our government do its job and to do it with our clear support. The more it becomes obvious to our enemy - and make no mistake, Vladimir Putin and his supporters and enablers are our enemy, not an adversary - that the political will in this country to oppose him and to bear the cost for that opposition is not only strong but resolute, the less his advantage over us in thwarting our measures to preserve not only Ukraine's' freedom but our own.
I'm not advocating for the absence of criticism. I'm advocating for the presence of common sense, patience and a small bit of faith in the people I believe are doing their very best in a very complicated and dangerous situation. At least with the administration currently in place, there is a chance that that faith will be rewarded. And if we give them our support, we just may find that although we don't end up getting what we really want, we just may get what we really need.
I find that it helps maintain some equanimity if I don't watch the horrific scenes on TV constantly and get the facts at one remove. Mr. Biden is doing a quite capable job in a very difficult situation and, for most of us, the best thing to do is support him and pray for the most positive outcome in a situation where the "good" options are already off the table.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for today's information - especially about "no fly zones".
I still hold out hope for two things:
Putin will in the near term realize he needs to negotiate and will accept some sort of "symbolic victory" from Ukraine - about future NATO membership, etc. He is creating great devastation, but he is losing the war. And he will search for an off ramp he can lie about.
Russians will learn the truth about this conflict. Despite the best efforts to lock down his country from outside information, it is ultimately impossible. Combine the shame with economic chaos and pain and Russians will ultimately remove this madman.
Excellent info regarding issue of no-fly zone and well organized for subscribers. Thank you for promoting VoteRiders . Crucial organization for voter info and also very well organized on Today's Edition. Thanks to Robert, Managing Editor and all involved.
Thank you again for the patient labor of clear thinking.
It is not easy work.
Please take care of yourself.
Thank you Robert for explaining the “no fly zone” so well. There is no logistical way we could do that
I hope we can help get those Russian fighter jets across the border into Ukraine for their pilots to fly away from the border. I hope that we supply them with armed drones so that they can take out the Russian artillery and tanks.
I pray for the Ukrainian people every day and for the safety of President Zelenskyy, his family, and all of his cabinet and their families.
I hope that they can trade the Russian POWs for the two mayors if they are still alive.
The Russians are bombing extremely close to Poland’s border. If they bomb across the border, does that mean NATO forces will have to go to war?
I am still praying that someone in Putin’s inner circle will kill him. It would be a patriotic thing to do.
As for Tucker Carlson and anyone who praises Russia, they should be tried as traitors, because that is what they are.
I know that President Biden is doing his best and the right thing for our country while doing as much as he can for Ukraine. History will show that he is one of the greatest presidents.
It can't happen soon enough: Tucker Carlson becomes radioactive in the GOP. Voters and reporters should always be asking the key actors like Tom Cotton, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, RonJohn, etc when they next plan to appear on Carlson's show.
Wow! Thank you, Robert, for giving us the information you got from the retired Air Force Colonel - if only this info could be published in a way that people (all of us, and all who insist that that the US and NATO do more!!!) would understand what a "no-fly zone" means - and that continuing to support Biden's refusal to do so.
How anyone could accuse you of not caring about Ukrainians is beyond me.
A couple of important points. First, you are absolutely correct in your assessment of the logistics and wisdom of declaring a no-fly zone over Ukraine in any form. It is neither wise, practical, nor logistically possible. Those in the know, analysts, and media figures need to cease using only the excuse of the possibility of a nuclear war to speak against it and discuss instead the impossible to overcome logistical challenges of such a move. It is far better to make every effort to continue to supply Ukraine with anti-aircraft and anti-missile defensive weaponry and help them continue to inflict significant costs on Russia’s offensive air weaponry and aircraft. That cost to Russian forces has been and continues to be significant.
On Texas voting by mail. Yes, if you live and vote in Texas and are eligible to vote by mail follow Robert’s suggestions carefully. I live and vote in the very red Hill Country portion of Texas. In our recent primary elections I applied for a vote by mail ballot and voted by mail carefully and legally. I followed up on the local elections board and Texas Secretary of State website to make sure my application to vote by mail and later my ballot was accepted. They were and it was easy to do so. The election officials are there to help, though the processes are cumbersome and foolish both by mail and in-person, if you follow the instructions carefully you are able to vote successfully. We should not be making it so difficult to vote. But if I have to crawl on bare hands and knees over a mile of ground glass to vote, I will find a way to make sure I fulfill my civic responsibility to vote. The best way to make your voice heard and help to overcome this foolishness is to vote. Well, also get out in the street and participate in civil protests as well and also be sure to VOTE!
Thank you, Robert. A choice between direct confrontation with Russia and nuclear winter on one hand and economic embargo and diplomacy on the other is no choice at all. I am so proud of Biden. I also believe that Abbott and DeSantis’s methods are abhorrent, and it is tellingly ironic that fans of toxic masculinity can’t see the correlation between Putin’s bullying and their own. Thank God I got rid of the television in 2000!
This is a terrific explanation of the perils of a no fly zone. I, too, have watched all the arm chair generals deriding “weakness” of the US and NATO and it sends me through the roof. These very same people who refused to hold Trump accountable are now feigning outrage at Biden. I’m losing my ability to speak rationally here and glad Robert can do it for me.
Thank you for your superb "no fly zone" clarity. Could you or the retired Colonel write it up for an Op-Ed in the NYT or WaPo? The media is for the third week repeating the advice that we "must do what is needed" without bothering to get the facts.
Yes, Robert, this is a time for clarity and thought, for following our heads instead of our hearts. True about Ukraine and also here at home—and as I write that I realize that I have not always been so disciplined about facing the threat we face domestically. Thank [insert deity of choice] that Joe Biden is at the helm, and let us pray (or your preferred alternative) for his health and safety.
Thank you for writing what needs to be heard. It’s this way or the highway (to hell, really). People who are armchair faux generals have zero clue about the devastation nuclear war would bring. I guess they missed the film footage of what Hiroshima wrought to humans (although it stopped WWII). Or they’re too young to know about it. Which is a shame. History rates a big zero in education and it should be a subject of way more importance than it currently is in schools. Again thank you for the time, energy you put into your thought-filled words.
"...every Biden critic will fancy themselves a military expert."
The majority of the American people all know what we'd like to see happen regarding the war upon the people of Ukraine. We'd like to see Putin and his forces not only stopped but outright defeated. No small number of us would be more than gratified to see Putin not only removed from power, but removed from existence in this world. And I believe we're more than justified in feeling that way. But as Mick J famously sang...You can't always get what you want. No. But if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.
So, I try to remind myself that when I feel the urge to scream at the TV or the computer screen Why the hell don't you (pick one, or several, or all) create a no fly zone...put NATO forces on Ukraine's western border en masse and threaten to use them...bomb the bastards back into the stone age...just go ahead and nuke the s.o.b.'s...I try to remember I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.
I'm not a military or geo-political expert. I know nothing meaningful about military tactics or diplomacy. Nor do many of the rest of us, truth be told. But I do know this: A hot war requires cool heads to do the decision making if any kind of desirable result is to be achieved. Actions taken based on emotion rather than cold hard logic based on all the facts available are a recipe for defeat. A shot fired in anger is not as well aimed or as likely to hit its target as one squeezed off with the cold-blooded resolve of logic, skill and determination.
We can argue 'till the cows come home about whose fault it is that we find ourselves in such an undesirable position in relation to what we can do to stop this terrible and unconscionable violence and destruction. It may make us feel better, but it will change nothing. Likewise, we can criticize our government for not doing enough, not doing the right thing, not not not!! That too will make us momentarily feel better. But it won't save any lives. It won't stay a single bullet from being fired or stop one bomb from falling.
What will do that is our resolve to let our government do its job and to do it with our clear support. The more it becomes obvious to our enemy - and make no mistake, Vladimir Putin and his supporters and enablers are our enemy, not an adversary - that the political will in this country to oppose him and to bear the cost for that opposition is not only strong but resolute, the less his advantage over us in thwarting our measures to preserve not only Ukraine's' freedom but our own.
I'm not advocating for the absence of criticism. I'm advocating for the presence of common sense, patience and a small bit of faith in the people I believe are doing their very best in a very complicated and dangerous situation. At least with the administration currently in place, there is a chance that that faith will be rewarded. And if we give them our support, we just may find that although we don't end up getting what we really want, we just may get what we really need.
I find that it helps maintain some equanimity if I don't watch the horrific scenes on TV constantly and get the facts at one remove. Mr. Biden is doing a quite capable job in a very difficult situation and, for most of us, the best thing to do is support him and pray for the most positive outcome in a situation where the "good" options are already off the table.
Good article this morning Robert, thanks.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for today's information - especially about "no fly zones".
I still hold out hope for two things:
Putin will in the near term realize he needs to negotiate and will accept some sort of "symbolic victory" from Ukraine - about future NATO membership, etc. He is creating great devastation, but he is losing the war. And he will search for an off ramp he can lie about.
Russians will learn the truth about this conflict. Despite the best efforts to lock down his country from outside information, it is ultimately impossible. Combine the shame with economic chaos and pain and Russians will ultimately remove this madman.
Excellent info regarding issue of no-fly zone and well organized for subscribers. Thank you for promoting VoteRiders . Crucial organization for voter info and also very well organized on Today's Edition. Thanks to Robert, Managing Editor and all involved.
Again ~ this is why I love you . . . a voice of reason in the cacophony. (FM)