Boris Johnson to address nation as he describes Russian invasion as 'catastrophe for our continent

[Ponyclubkick]

Anyone finding the tone of this really quite terrifying...

I’m not one to get myself in a tizz over sensationalised news but this is starting to feel very different!

There would be mass civil disobedience if he tried it.

I don’t know why you think that. Wishful thinking, I suspect.

Mass civil disobedience apparently means nothing to governments post-covid. See: Canada.

@AledsiPad

And what would be their alternative? As I said, I don't believe it's even remotely likely, but if it were to be implemented, you can't just refuse. That's sort of the point.

People did refuse in Vietnam. Conscientious objectors refused in WWI. There were consequences of course (except for the rich kids) but I struggle to imagine they'd have enough prison space to hold all the people who'd refuse to fight in 2022.

People did refuse in Vietnam. Conscientious objectors refused in WWI. There were consequences of course (except for the rich kids) but I struggle to imagine they'd have enough prison space to hold all the people who'd refuse to fight in 2022.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

@Lubeyboobyalt

NATO have let Ukraine down badly. Nations in conflict cannot join. Putin has purposefully kept them in conflict to stop them from joining. I think NATO should have made an exception for this poor country clearly being bullied. Make it clear they see through his bullshit and let them join.

Agreed, NATO did for West Germany but its all too late now.

@jgw1

Well frankly I am quite disappointed that Jesus is not thus.

Me too. Thinking that I was corresponding with Jesus on here had quite restored my faith.

Dang! I wanted to ask him for next weeks lottery numbers off his Dad.

@Horological

it is a catastrophe for the Ukrainian people and very worrying for the rest of Europe. I can't help thinking that for Johnson it's a giant opportunity to distract attention from his sleazy leadership and potentially a Churchillian moment (in his dreams).

I was thinking about Johnson wanking himself off over his 'Churchill moment', too, and rubbing his hands with glee that it distracts from the fact he's patently fucking useless at anything other than thinking about himself and how he can personally benefit from any given situation.

I don’t know why you think that. Wishful thinking, I suspect

Because we have young people who can think for themselves.
Because it’s 2022 and people can make a choice
Because they don’t feel that passionately about it. They aren’t defending Britain. They are being shipped off to a foreign war. Why would they even do that?
Because basically they don’t want to. In the last war people were more jingoistic and that had some influence. But the young generation aren’t those people.

Agreed, NATO did for West Germany but its all too late now

Oh I don't think its too late, once this is all over Ukraine can join any security alliance they like. Putin isn't going to live for much longer with his ill health and old age and his perchance for alcohol. I am sure his successor will have more sense. I am pretty sure Ukraine will be welcome with open arms soon enough

@Lubeyboobyalt

NATO have let Ukraine down badly. Nations in conflict cannot join. Putin has purposefully kept them in conflict to stop them from joining. I think NATO should have made an exception for this poor country clearly being bullied. Make it clear they see through his bullshit and let them join.

At the same time you get criticism re NATO offering the prospect of joining

This is just horrifying reality, I mean 21st century and there are still men who solve problems with slaughter

This thread has got decidedly weird.

British conscripts to fight a 21st century war with a few weeks of training against grizzled professional soldiers? Lambs to the slaughter.

We had one frigate set to sail into the area, but it hasn’t set off due to engine trouble. We have neglected our military for years and Russia has upgraded and modernised hers.

And that is assuming we had some kind of gentleman’s agreement to not use chemicals or nukes.

Russia will take Ukraine. And unless you think Putin would accept loss gracefully, that is probably the least bad option for all.

Our politicians are the worst kind of idiots, making provocative statements with nothing behind them. Thank god that Biden at least understands something of the reality.

We let Ukraine go and make it abundantly clear that 1cm into NATO territory and we fight back-and hope Putin is not stupid enough to test our resolve.

At the same time, we try to bring Russia gradually back into the fold.

I always thought we were wise enough to get to the point of interstellar travel rather than nuking ourselves to smithereens. But, judging by Putin, and some of our responses, species self annihilation is now firm favourite in my mind.

I think it's far too simplistic to say 'there isn't enough room in prison' and 'young people today can think for themselves.' It's not particularly pleasant to suggest those who did fight in WWII couldn't 'think for themselves' and if you think the only punishment would/could be prison you are indeed thinking incredibly wishfully.

In any case, it is more than likely a moot point. They aren't going to conscript 18-25 year olds from Britain to go and fight in Ukraine. Ever.

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

Agreed, NATO did for West Germany but its all too late now

Oh I don't think its too late, once this is all over Ukraine can join any security alliance they like. Putin isn't going to live for much longer with his ill health and old age and his perchance for alcohol. I am sure his successor will have more sense. I am pretty sure Ukraine will be welcome with open arms soon enough

Ukraine will soon have a pro Russian govt installed, true Putin will eventually die but his successor will not give up any territory.

@TheReluctantPhoenix

This thread has got decidedly weird.

British conscripts to fight a 21st century war with a few weeks of training against grizzled professional soldiers? Lambs to the slaughter.

We had one frigate set to sail into the area, but it hasn’t set off due to engine trouble. We have neglected our military for years and Russia has upgraded and modernised hers.

And that is assuming we had some kind of gentleman’s agreement to not use chemicals or nukes.

Russia will take Ukraine. And unless you think Putin would accept loss gracefully, that is probably the least bad option for all.

Our politicians are the worst kind of idiots, making provocative statements with nothing behind them. Thank god that Biden at least understands something of the reality.

We let Ukraine go and make it abundantly clear that 1cm into NATO territory and we fight back-and hope Putin is not stupid enough to test our resolve.

At the same time, we try to bring Russia gradually back into the fold.

I always thought we were wise enough to get to the point of interstellar travel rather than nuking ourselves to smithereens. But, judging by Putin, and some of our responses, species self annihilation is now firm favourite in my mind.

There ha been some depressing posts with lots of bluster.

I agree with this as what is likely

It's not particularly pleasant to suggest those who did fight in WWII couldn't 'think for themselves'

The men and boys of WWI were sold a jingoistic lie. 'It'll be a great adventure' 'It'll be over by Christmas'. Surely we all recognise that by now? Nothing unpleasant in saying that these are different times.

So would you shoot the ones that you couldn’t fit in prison? Aledsipad?

Because my family were conscripted in WW2. One never recovered from killing someone and later committed suicide. That was my father

My uncles suffered severe repercussions from fighting at Monte Cassino. My mum spent her young years working nights in a munitions factory.

They could all think for themselves. But they were forced into it.

Yay for conscription

@maplemom

This is just horrifying reality, I mean 21st century and there are still men who solve problems with slaughter

Sanely I think there will always be rich men who send poor(er) men to die for them.

@TheReluctantPhoenix Good post.

I might be crazy, tell me that I'm not the only one who can hear that "flying" noises (East London)? Did UK military started some trainings,etc????

@Meklk

I might be crazy, tell me that I'm not the only one who can hear that "flying" noises (East London)? Did UK military started some trainings,etc????

It's not at all unusual for planes to be over East London. You can even track them online if you wish to.

At the same time, we try to bring Russia gradually back into the fold

There is zero chance of that!!

What is happening now is so serious, so dangerous. Russia will never be trusted again. They will be a poverty stricken pariah wasteland after this trust me.

They're more likely to 'conscript' people into training courses for cyber security and supporting roles rather than to engage in active warfare as it were, that's the largest threat to us. Im sure the military don't really want a lot of reluctant people now, not from this country anyway fuck me can you imagine the excuses, complaining and incompetence.

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

I feel like I am actually watching Churchill as Boris speaks.....

Shit, it is giving me the chills. We are here again. My grandmother would be horrified, having survived one world war - so little time until we are here again.

@keepyourheadscrewedon

As far as I know, Churchill wasn't funded by Germans. Boris has his arse packed out with roubles and Russian money won the brexit referendum for him.

They said leaving the EU would allow us to take a stand in situations like these, actually we're barely a flea on an elephant's back.

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

At the same time, we try to bring Russia gradually back into the fold

There is zero chance of that!!

What is happening now is so serious, so dangerous. Russia will never be trusted again. They will be a poverty stricken pariah wasteland after this trust me.

Dont be ridiculous, you do come out with some very dramatic stuff.

20 years after the Cuban missile crisis, we were talking with the Soviets & negotiating arms reduction treaties.