All purpose news and politics thread part VI: This Is Not The Time For Posing

[Username taken]

Got an alert that Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter is on hold because of a problem with fake accounts. Make of that what you will.

Many financial analysts don't think the Twitter deal will go through at all.

The financing and economics of the deal aren't really adding up.

And interestingly, it seems like Dorsey (and some right-wing financiers) are working with Musk on this deal. It's far from a solo effort on Musk's part.

[Gray Lensman]

Finland won't do this, but isn't this the exact same excuse that Russia used to take Crimea?

Well, that's what I was referring to when I brought it up, even though earlier in my post I said that only a radical or two would actually want it. All groups seem to have a radical or two.

[Catlady in training]

Even if they are interested in regaining lost territory, joining NATO won't be of any help in that quest. NATO has a mutual defense pact, not a mutual pact for assistance in incursion into other countries.

This has been repeated few times already, but still seems to be lost on some people.

[Catlady in training]

It feels also far-fetched to me: why would the NATO (or even Finland) engage in such adventure?

Unless the territory has some huge cultural or historical significance, why would they even want it? If russia had it for decades, it is now most likely a backwards hellhole, which would only impair Finnish economy if they integrated it. And even if they wanted it, Finland is a civilized country unlike russia, they wouldn't invade, they would use diplomatic path.

[Gray Lensman]

Unless the territory has some huge cultural or historical significance, why would they even want it? If russia had it for decades, it is now most likely a backwards hellhole, which would only impair Finnish economy if they integrated it. And even if they wanted it, Finland is a civilized country unlike russia, they wouldn't invade, they would use diplomatic path.

The most Finland is ready to do is bury any invaders alongside the last set. But they have been prepping for that since the 1940s.

[Tendrin]

The most Finland is ready to do is bury any invaders alongside the last set. But they have been prepping for that since the 1940s.

I have a bunch of friends in Finland and the one thing you learn real fast is 'Don't $#$% With Finns'. Russia has it bad enough going into Ukraine. Going into Finland would be about x10000 worse for them.

[Zauriel]

Unless the territory has some huge cultural or historical significance, why would they even want it? If russia had it for decades, it is now most likely a backwards hellhole, which would only impair Finnish economy if they integrated it. And even if they wanted it, Finland is a civilized country unlike russia, they wouldn't invade, they would use diplomatic path.

the territory of Karelia does have some huge cultural and historical significance to Finland. Finns had lived in Karelia for centuries.

Stalin invaded Finland, because he felt that the Finnish-Russian border was too close to the city of St. Petersburg. He told the Finnish diplomats "You can't change geography. Neither can we." The Soviets were content to that the annexation of Karelia would further the border away from St. Petersburg. But actually, the Soviets wanted to seize ALL of Finland. However the Finns fought back bravely, successfully defending their country beyond Karelia. So Stalin had to settle for a piece of Finnish land rather than continuing a lengthy and costly war with the stubborn Finns.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karelia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kareli...ce_of_Finland)

[Zauriel]

The most Finland is ready to do is bury any invaders alongside the last set. But they have been prepping for that since the 1940s.

Finns are brave and stubborn fighters. But so are the Russians. The Russians lost more soldiers and civilians fighting the Nazis than any other allied country. They also inflicted the most German casualties. They captured Berlin.

[Gray Lensman]

I have a bunch of friends in Finland and the one thing you learn real fast is 'Don't $#$% With Finns'. Russia has it bad enough going into Ukraine. Going into Finland would be about x10000 worse for them.

Helsinki sits on top of a giant bomb shelter that can hold the entire city population. When it comes to the possibility of being invaded, the whole population puts American doomsday preppers to shame.

[Catlady in training]

Finns are brave and stubborn fighters. But so are the Russians. The Russians lost more soldiers and civilians fighting the Nazis than any other allied country. They also inflicted the most German casualties. They captured Berlin.

They lost so many of them because the leadership does not value their lives at all. Their motto after all was "There are many of us" (or something like that, I'm translating).

[Zauriel]

They lost so many of them because the leadership does not value their lives at all. Their motto after all was "There are many of us" (or something like that, I'm translating).

Yes, the Russian soldiers in the rear were ordered to shoot their own comrades who were retreating rather than facing the enemy gunfire. Joseph Stalin said, "it requires more courage to retreat than to advance." See what he meant by that?

[Zauriel]

If russia had it for decades, it is now most likely a backwards hellhole, which would only impair Finnish economy if they integrated it. .

Yes, you are correct. Wikipedia supports your argument.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karelian_question

Wikipedia quotes:

One of the main reasons for opposing the return is the fear of the costs it would bring. According to another poll conducted by Helsingin Sanomat, 42% of Finns opposing the return list that as the most important single reason. The standard of living on the Russian side of the border is much lower than on the Finnish side. The GDP (PPP) per capita in Finland is about double that of Russia.

The costs of bringing Karelia to the same level with the rest of Finland have been researched only by supporters of the idea. According to a survey conducted by ProKarelia, the area has natural advantages that, under Finnish rule, would make it a centre of trade with Russia and industry and thus bring economic growth fast enough to solve the entire problem. According to both ProKarelian research and Arto Lahti's estimate, the price of return would be about 30 billion euro

[Zelena]

Unless the territory has some huge cultural or historical significance, why would they even want it? If russia had it for decades, it is now most likely a backwards hellhole, which would only impair Finnish economy if they integrated it. And even if they wanted it, Finland is a civilized country unlike russia, they wouldn't invade, they would use diplomatic path.

True. Reintegrating East Germany has been felt for many years in West Germany…

[Gray Lensman]

They lost so many of them because the leadership does not value their lives at all. Their motto after all was "There are many of us" (or something like that, I'm translating).

It took 1 Russian soldier per 8 people in Finland for Stalin to eventually win that war. And that's counting everyone from newborns to the elderly, both men and women.

[Catlady in training]

It took 1 Russian soldier per 8 people in Finland for Stalin to eventually win that war. And that's counting everyone from newborns to the elderly, both men and women.

Well, it is different to fight defending your own country than to invade a foreign country for no good reason. As they are learning again now in Ukraine.