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Russia is looking weak. A downed airline, a downed fighter jet by an "ally".

ISIS is laughing at them. The rest of the world is seeing the same old broken down Soviet Union.

Vlad needs to act fast.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VmSkm8NrZ2k

It's a thankless job....I definitely wouldn't want to do it

The police did a great job there I thought. Very calm and professional. The idiots wanted to provoke a reaction and the cops were above that.

But you must realise there are many jobs that people have to confront whack-jobs from the general public on a regular basis. Go to A&E in any city on a Saturday night/Sunday morning in any city in Ireland and you will meet d**kheads like those in the video above. Go to certain football games in the UK or Europe. Tag along with the fire brigade in Dublin when they are called to one of the really bad areas.

Tough jobs, but they don't have these instant executions by rogue cops.

In fairness, I don't think those comparisons are fair. US cops, for better or worse, have to deal with all the ugly history of the US...race, gun laws etc. They  are the front line in a cultural war. I'm not sure any police force has had to deal with so many issues at one time.

to be honest, I have not made my mind up on Russia. one minute I think they will start WWIII the next minute I think they could be a force for good. I have no idea which they will go.

I have not read bloodlands. I will check it out.

No, but going by the name I'd imagine he does not share my views 

wrt Ukraine. I never bought the whole "Orange revolution" thing. Anyone that knows their history should  know it was always Ukrainian fascists versus Russian ethnics . I prefer the fascists in this case since looking toward Europe offers a better prospect toward moderation. The Russians will lead us all to damnation imo.

That's tempe. Reasonably decent area. Downtown is great craic. Its primarily a university area... however it borders Phoenix so if he lived in the border area then I can see his point.

Anyway, Sedona is nice. Good luck to him.

Are you sure about Mosul ? I'm sure if you ask the simple question "do you desire/accept ISIS rule" many will say no. That does not mean that a significant section of the population do not desire "Sunni" majority rule. The question is to what extent are they willing to accept/participate in any military action/atrocities to achieve this ?

All society is a spectrum. These stupid debates about "only a few" are pointless. It is where the center lies that is important,

caveat: I didn't live in Phoenix itself and I understand the issues with gangbanging/kidnappings/cartels etc so If he lives in Phoenix proper then he is dead right to get out ! phoenix metro area is grand though.

He lived in the city-zip 85021

I usually attend work conferences in Scottsdale and he would always come out and meet me there rather than me coming into see him

Sounds southeast. That area is grand. .....for example Intel are based there. Lots of Irish connections.

I was in Idaho when the OJ Simpson trial judgement came in. I have vague memories of being hammered drunk and saying "well lads maybe he really was innocent" just for the craic. Not sure how I survived that one   

[Santa Clara county]

On a side note surprised to see Santa Clara county in there, maybe Eammon could shed some light on this?

Santa Clara is close to San Jose.  I remember years ago coming out of the bar at closing time in San Jose and it was like entering a warzone.I had never seen anything like it.  There were cops everywhere. Generally speaking the bay area is safe as houses but (at least back then..mid 90's) certain areas still had a wild west feel to them.

Yeah San Jose is in Santa Clara county. Its Silicone valley and Ive been around there a few times recently, massive amount of money there and comes across as boring and docile. Certainly didn't get the impression there is a crime problem that a stat like that would suggest.

Its fine and it was fine when I was there as well...but the US is like that. When the sun sets a whole new country emerges.   

caveat: I didn't live in Phoenix itself and I understand the issues with gangbanging/kidnappings/cartels etc so If he lives in Phoenix proper then he is dead right to get out ! phoenix metro area is grand though.

I haven't lived there for a while but know the area fairly well. Since Phoenix is an acknowledged "white flight" area and snowbird central I would say that if your cousin thinks Phoenix has gone to the dogs then he must be very right wing indeed     

The Hybrid warfare of the kind theorized by the Financial times is not possible without the complicity of a significant portion of the population. Russia could not achieve its aims in Crimea or Ukraine without the aid of ethnic Russians. It is not, and never has been, about "only a few".

[Santa Clara county]

On a side note surprised to see Santa Clara county in there, maybe Eammon could shed some light on this?

Santa Clara is close to San Jose.  I remember years ago coming out of the bar at closing time in San Jose and it was like entering a warzone.I had never seen anything like it.  There were cops everywhere. Generally speaking the bay area is safe as houses but (at least back then..mid 90's) certain areas still had a wild west feel to them.