Do you think the invasion of Poland by Hitler and Stalin was legitimate too?
A 'yes' or 'no' should suffice. — Olivier5
The Germans were encircled on all sides by France, Russia, and the British Empire. Stalin had started war preparations against Germany back in 1926, long before Hitler came to power. Stalin's Communist International (COMINTERN) aimed to create a Soviet-controlled United States of Europe. Invading Poland was the logical step toward invading Russia in a defensive war. — Apollodorus
What's clearly needed is the much more firm, down-to-earth explanation that he's been possessed by the ghost of a long dead dictator. Much more reasonable. — Isaac
To cover up their crimes, some Australians have apparently converted to Buddhism and are calling Putin a “malevolent spirit” to deflect attention from themselves. — Apollodorus
It's narcissistic to unilaterally declare someone one's enemy. It's an act of bad faith. Someone isn't your enemy just because you call them that.
"Peacefully coexisting with your enemies" is narcissistic, patronizing, Western Christian nonsense.
— baker
You seem to think making shit up and acting as if someone else has said it counts as an appropriate reply, and that name calling counts.
You're arguing with your own imaginary opponent. I've got better things to do. Have fun. — creativesoul
I don't think I've declared myself a Buddhist on this forum, — Wayfarer
although I have a strong interest in Buddhism, and would appreciate not being stereotyped.
Anyway - Putin himself invoked the spirit of the tsar Peter to rationalise his invasion. His actions and murderous disregard for human life are in keeping with the spirit of Josef Stalin also.
Already when I was little, the Christians around me considered me their enemy. Because I was not one of them. They unilaterally declared me their enemy. I felt no hostility toward them, I didn't consider them my enemies, but they didn't care about that. I also know they took a measure of pride in "peacefully coexisting with their enemy, ie. me". To this day, I don't consider myself their enemy, but they still insist that I am. They don't care about what I think. In their eyes, I am whatever they say that I am. Beyond that I don't exist for them.
The West has been doing the same thing to so many peoples and countries. Whether it was the native Americans, the Aboriginals, or the Russians: the Westerners unilaterally declared them to be their enemies. Regardless if the others initially felt any hostility against the Westerners or not. The perspective of the Westerners was all that matters.
People who can in fact "peacefully coexist" are not enemies to begin with. — baker
Australia belonged to its indigenous Aboriginal inhabitants for 60,000 years. Then the Brits invaded in the 1700’s, massacred most of the natives and stole their land. — Apollodorus
The West has been doing the same thing to so many peoples and countries. Whether it was the native Americans, the Aboriginals, or the Russians: the Westerners unilaterally declared them to be their enemies. Regardless if the others initially felt any hostility against the Westerners or not. The perspective of the Westerners was all that matters. — baker
I am most certainly not a Christian — creativesoul
It's just fine if Putin does the same... — creativesoul
'A joke explained is a joke lost' — Wayfarer
Fact is, Russia’s demands were absolutely clear and IMO legitimate: — Apollodorus
There's no enforcement of any of that, though. — Tate
No resemblance whatsoever — Apollodorus
we'd be forced to give the land back to the first settlers. — creativesoul
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