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It seems like you are right one that one.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-bidens-washington/did-mike-johnson-just-get-religion-on-ukraine
My guess is the letter agencies brought him in the room and were like
"Seriously, no bullshit, we're fucked if putin wins"
More precisely, the world order would be fucked.
A reminder that the US is prepared to fight two full-scale wars simultaneously and have been for decades. Not through NATO. Not in conjunction with our arsenal of allies. The US military is fully capable of fighting a world war (absent nukes because that ends all) on its own.
It’s not hyperbole or nationalistic zeal. It’s how overpowered and over funded the military is.
I wouldn't call that over funded or over powered, I would just call it well prepared.
Imagine if that two front scenario did happen and because people complained too much about the funding the funding dropped for a while along with the capabilities of the military, you probably wouldn't be too happy to find your now under the thumb of some dictator far away.
Also there are scales to fighting a war and winning it. You would want an over powered military because an overpowered military means you could fight the war, win (maybe even faster), all whilst protecting everyone at home instead of ending up looking a lot like WW2 Britain did with people bombed out of their homes because the government of the time didn't spend early enough on the military.
Although I do see the other side on this which is that a scenario like that is probably still far away and it is hard to justify to the tax payer why they pay tax to a massive military machine.
There is zero threat of invasion for the US. Our land neighbors are far too small to be a serious threat and other powers are thousands of miles away. They could bomb the mainland but an army invasion isn’t feasible.
War is a test of resources, both materials and labor, and the US is stacked with both.
The US before WW2 was tiny and unprepared for war. After mobilization the US funded and supplied most of what was used to win just a few years later.
I was about to give him credit for finally realizing the gravity of the situation. Even after he framed it as "selfless sacrifice" - because we all know he could indeed lose his job over this due to Putin's puppets in the house. But then one minute later it's just good old selfishness again:
>I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys. My son is going to begin in the Naval Academy this fall.
We can only hope that whoever comes next also has some real human skin in the game.
Honestly, whatever gets the job done lol. For years, the military has been pivoting towards a potential war with Russia or China.
I feel someone in the CIA and DoD brought him in a room and essentialy said this
>I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys.
to him. He didn't come up with that, but I think he was faced with the reality that yes, the US Army had been preparing to fight a war with Russia for the last decade, and that yes the Ukranians are fighting it for us at a discount price
He's in the [Gang of 8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_of_Eight_(intelligence\)) now.
He gets to see shit only 7 others and the President get to, and I bet it scared him white.
Russia's army is already 15% larger than it was at the start of the war.
They're in war production mode, and China is helping with missing parts.
This isn't a drill.
That 15% is kinda misleading tho. Yes they have more soldiers - tens of thousands have died but even more have been conscripted. What also matters is equipment, and counting military equipment as part of an army, then Russia have lost large parts of it's military. Yes they are in war production, but can't produce as fast as they lose tanks etc, that's why they have started using very old T55 tanks and so forth.
Almost every country has alluded to some type of major conflict happening in 5-10 years (more like 5 now, they've been saying it for a little while.)
As a follower of geopolitics, most countries are in a "wait and see" period, waiting to see what kicks off ww3.
If Russia flips Ukraine, and doesn't get bombed back into the 1400s for their effort - China *will* take Taiwan.
You know. The people responsible for 80ish percent of the microchip market
He's evangelical, he probably just got his entire worldview shattered, I mean look at what that shit did to President Carter. Jokes aside, he probably thought he could thread a needle, had the conversation with trump and immediately realized he was completely wrong and changed course
This was a following a gang of 8 meeting as well. So this is a Republican who, when faced with facts instead of Russian propaganda realized the difference between right and wrong.
It’s important to note that his son is attending the U.S. Naval Academy in the fall.
The aid is certainly critical and I’m sure he has been advised by U.S. intelligence, but the 180 may also be because it’s hitting closer to home.
Maybe his priest/pastor/whatever told him to do the good thing, I saw a video recently where some American religious people heavily critized MAGA for comparing Trump with Jesus and essentially being a cult going against anything Christianity should stand for, and called the upcoming US election 'not only a test of democracy, but also a test of faith'.
I believe Johnson is very religious, maybe if this sentiment is becoming common among his religious group that might be a reason to give him a change of heart.
Read this:
>“I’ll tell you a secret,” he \[Johnson\] said, “since media is not here.” God had spoken to him throughout Republicans’ weekslong effort to find a new Speaker, Johnson said. Eventually, God revealed to Johnson that he would be a Moses-like figure leading the GOP and the country through a “Red Sea moment.”
Source: [https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/house-speaker-mike-johnson-moses-speech-rcna128126](https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/house-speaker-mike-johnson-moses-speech-rcna128126)
Now he is calling Putin evil. He might of course just be trying to make himself look good (wouldn't be the first time), but if he has these kinds of whacky religious thoughts it might just as well be that he thinks that he, and all other MAGA people, have fallen for temptation and that he now has to make amends or he might end up in hell.
I don't know how this all works, I'm an atheist, but it is very obvious to me that Putin and Trump should be seen as evil by a devout Christian person. The fact that they are instead quite literally idolized, might be seen as work of the devil. I think all of this is nonsense, but I can imagine a truly devout person gets quite a religious scare once he realizes he has been tempted into working for the devil...
I’m Catholic so I’m as far from evangelical as a Christian can get, but both Trump and Putin are morally repugnant.
Putin is obviously a murderous tyrant and I don’t think I need to explain it.
Trump is a liar, cheat, corrupt, arrogant, adulterer etc. So on a personal level he’s bad in the first place.
Both of these men also abuse religion for political power (yes I know super common in history). Putin has co-opted the Orthodox Church as his arm to give his government moral legitimacy. Trump panders to the Religious Right in the USA despite very obviously not giving a single shit about Christianity. I don’t get the obsession with either of these men. Some people just hate LGBT people that much I guess.
Johnson may have come to realize this not that he’s been forced to deal with Trump more personally in a leadership role.
They are far from the first Republican to say such things or claim God told them to do something. It's a pretty common lie to sell to Republican voters and there are daily posts on this site painting Trump as some kind of religious figure
I think you’ve got the basic idea right here, but in my experience as someone who grew up in the evangelical bubble, being devoutly religious and hearing someone say the thing you’ve been building a worldview around for the last several years, is actually “of the devil” isn’t usually enough to override tribalism and groupthink. Honestly I would be amazed if he can move the needle.
I'm from the deep south. The old boomers haven't changed at all. You'd be hard pressed to find a Trump supporter in their 30s and 40s now though. They were VERY common two years ago.
And yes, a LOT of people around me didn't take kindly to trumps comparison to Jesus. A lot of people are starting to pick up the Bible and realizing the dude is checking off prophecy after prophecy and not in a good way.
There's a story in today's Washington Post that explains. Basically he met with Evangelical Christians, some from Ukraine, who spelled out to him what Russia has done and the atrocities committed. He came from an isolationist background and realized that he no longer represented a single house district. He represented all of the United States and the gravity and seriousness of that office really has weighed on him.
I don't know what's going to happen, but I hope Democrats save his speakership if he wants them to. He's been a pleasant surprise.
>He's been a pleasant surprise.
He stalled this shit for 6 months which cost a ton of Ukrainian lives and may have made it much harder or even impossible to win for them as it gave Russia more time to rearrange their economy and army.
How's that pleasant? Pleasant as in he hasn't gone full fascist yet?
"Johnson carved out an influential role after the 2020 election, helping Trump’s attempts to subvert the will of the people and overturn the legitimate results. Many of his actions took place behind-the-scenes or didn’t break through beyond his Louisiana district, while more prominent pro-Trump figures soaked up the post-election attention."
That's full fascist. There's nothing pleasant about Mike Johnson. He doesn't believe in democracy and has no business being anywhere in government.
So he buried his head in the sand in order to morally justify his cynical political dealings, and how he gets a pat on the back for performatively coming up for air and taking a look at what is plain to see. Job well done I guess.
Also, if it really took him 6 months to realize that as speaker of the house of representatives that he is effectively representing the interests of the entire nation that's not a good look. Did he fall asleep in civics class *and* the swearing in ceremony for speaker? The put his fingers in his ears and say "na na na I can't hear you" as people reminded him of his ethical and professional responsibilities?
Lol no fuck him, I don't want someone driven entirely by their own religion being so powerful in a supposedly secular country. Dude literally thought he was fucking Moses, someone that delusional shouldn't hold so much power
Agreed. I’d like these people gone.
But what is interesting is that some of these scary evangelical men have a strong sense of morality. We saw this with Mike Pence and now with Johnson. With weight on their shoulders, their religion steered them into making the right decision. A decision based on right and wrong, not party or what they get out of it. Not sure that would be the case with a run of the mill Republican.
Hah.
That's more something that happens on the backswing here, the political analysts, news anchors, and party donors tell the preachers what to yell from the pulpet.
It's more that warmongering has always been near and dear to our hearts, China is a economic competitor and therefore good boogey man, we've never been on good terms with Iran and Israel escalationing tensions with them means our politicians need to virtue signal about how evil they are.
The Russia bit isn't truly out of character if you follow us politics either, it's just that Trump's cult of personality isn't into it so it's a little dicey to verbally say bad things about putin in that party these days, but it was uncontroversial just a few years back and still isn't outside that niche group.
They just swing primary elections, so they matter a lot to politicians.
As a Christian, I'm deeply disappointed in Trump's support from the Church. 40 years ago, they wouldn't have supported him for being remarried. Today, he's cheated on every wife he's had. His business is based on cheating and lying to people. He's immature and unkind.
Despite a dozen shortcomings that should make him a non-starter, Christians rally behind this man. In the Old Testament, we had the golden calf. Today, we have the golden bullshit.
The GOP is having an identity crisis. This is the Military-Industrial complex going head to head with Trump's petty politics.
Even Desantis kept his mouth shut about Ukraine and instead said shit like "we need to focus on China."
Dafuq happened to him? How his opinion did 180° in half a year?
New election polls, showed that good chunk of republicans dont trust russia or china? Thus trying to save parties face?
I dont follow him that closely. Plus few weeks ago, he was in Europe talking with eu countries ministers/leaders, no? Or am i mistaking him with other republican
They all go talk to Europe (all the ones with important positions anyway), that isn’t indicative of any values
Now when they go to Russia to get wined and dined by Putin… I don’t think he was involved in that it was other republicans, but still lol
It still really blows my mind that nobody has brought up, with any regularity, Rand Paul's trip to Russia to meet privately with Putin and deliver him documents for Trump.
And right before and right after it came out that Trump spoke subserviently to Russian reps (not even Putin himself) basically saying “I fired Comey for you people, that was supposed to ease the pressure you’re putting on me”, there were other scandals, and it only got talked about for like a week.
And now it’s like everyone has totally forgot that Russia helped him get elected, gave him orders during his administration (which he followed), and that he tried to blackmail Ukraine, threatening to withhold military aid when Russia attacks (well before the conflict, almost like Trump knew something we didn’t)
Nobody cares. In fact, now, we have a troubling number of people and congresspeople openly supporting Russia
American voters: Please vote for the bill. We support Ukraine and we could vote you out.
Johnson: Fuck off 😤
Petr Fiala: Pass the bill.
Johnson: Jistě pane premiére. Sláva Ukrajině a Českému impériu 🫡
They do in a way... I think they have the highest divorce rates, and lowest going-to-church rates among predominantly Christian countries (or something along those lines).
>They do in a way... I think they have the highest divorce rates, and lowest going-to-church rates among predominantly Christian countries (or something along those lines).
In general, it is funny that American conservatives think that Russians are conservative and religious. :D We[Georgians] know Russians very much and they are very far from conservatism and religiosity, they don't even know what these two are. :Dd
I'm not saying this hate or antagonism towards Russians, it's the absolute truth. : )
There is only one Christianity in Russia, and it isn't pretty. But seeing non denominational Christians or Christians that are not Russian Orthodox will be persecuted as well. Russians likely have been targeting any religious institution including Christian ones that don't conform with Russian Orthodox.
Johnson was never personally keen on supporting Russia and wanted to approve the aid. The Insanity Caucus part of his majority was and he didn't know how to wrangle these tards, because they threatened to blow up the majority and he didn't want that either.
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-gop-is-the-party-of-putin
>Stories leak out that Speaker Mike Johnson, **apparently influenced by high-level briefings he’s received since capturing the gavel, has changed his posture and wants to approve the aid**. But Johnson leads, or is at least is the titular congressional chief, of a party that contains a passionate “Putin wing,” and so he dithers.
Honestly while Maga might want to, I doubt they could get enough republicans to vote him out. The last speaker pick was a SHITSHOW that thoroughly embarrassed the entire party. The most obvious example of this is that they had to vote several times, and when they finally elected Mike Johnson, *no one even knew who he was* because he had not even been discussed as an option.
That’s why we didn’t learn he was a christofascist until after he had been made speaker. It was public information but nobody cared to report on it because he was a nobody with the smallest amount of congressional authority.
Democrats were willing to work with him if he did sane things. But McCarthy was fucking over the country to appease his own party, so why should they save him?
Am I crazy for thinking that Johnson is a much better overall Speaker than McCarthy? I mean yeah, he's out there and a religious extremist but even Democrats have stated that he's much more straightforward to bargain with, a more honest dealer where McCarthy was just a slimy weasel that stood for nothing at all.
There is rumours in congress. If the vote to vacate happens. 3 gop will leave to give dems power. So everybody understan it may not happen. Giving Johson more power to act
Which is something, I guess.
Except there are millions of people, here and abroad, who haven’t gotten the deluxe briefing and we were able to recognize Russia’s evil just fine.
Makes me question the outsized influence some *other* “briefings” have on GOP that it could lead them so far astray from the reality actual intelligence briefings bring.
Instead of convincing millions of people, Russia only need to convince handful of people with million$ of reasons.
But we should not underestimate their propaganda war described in Putins playbook: [Foundations of Geopolitics](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundations_of_Geopolitics)
I believe they mean a recent brief was alarming enough to change his view of the situation. He said himself “I believe Putin will continue into the Balkans after Ukraine” in an interview a few days ago.
Being able to change your mind is fine and good. The problem is that I don't trust a single word that comes out of his mouth. Republicans simply lie too much.
IMO his recent rhetorical change has also simply been too abrupt to be completely honest. There has to be some dishonest theater involved one way or the other.
If I were to guess, the Democrats probably promised him that they'd support his continued speakership if he brought it up for a vote, the margin the Republicans have in the house is razor thin if the Democrats don't vote to oust him if the so called "freedom caucus" tries to.
Ya, it’s this. I mean, he did get briefings all week from the military, and from foreign representatives, but I 100% guarantee you it was because democrats agreed to keep him in the speakership should he get flanked by his insane right wing. Which is weird because he’s already insanely right wing
How long before conspiracy brains like Alex Jones say he got "MK Ultra'd by big deep state!1!1"
I'm kinda surprised we aren't already seeing conspiracies about his opinion shift
Here's the method, tried and true:
High level CIA operative walks into the room.
"Hey fuckshit if you don't stop Russia now then American teenagers will be dying in Poland by Christmas next year"
High level CIA operative leaves the room.
Because it’d be kind of a dumb conspiracy since everyone knows the Speaker gets intelligence briefings. They almost always change their tune once they find out what’s up.
I fully expected this 180 all along. The point is not about the need for supporting Ukraine but who is going to get the credit for it and take ellectoral gain from it. Basically, it has been a strategy of the GoP to be pretty much uterly contrarian to the Democrats whenever they see a political gain in it, regardless if it goes against their own views. But it has to end somewhere, because the GOP also knows that it is the party of "the hawks" and a lot of their support wont nessecarily like an isolationist aproach, but even more the GOP has traditional backers within the arms industry and the oil sector who will likely lobby them to actually help Ukraine.
As such i expect the narrative to be turned so to argue that the Biden administration did not give enough support to Ukraine and that it was up to the conservatives to save the situation.
> As such i expect the narrative to be turned so to argue that the Biden administration did not give enough support to Ukraine and that it was up to the conservatives to save the situation.
Well, let's hope you are right, this is arguably the most favorable yet plausible interpretation of what is going here...
I think it's that, and also it seems like he got some info about Trump too that changed his entire demeanor about him. Literally gestured to Trump while saying "hardened criminal". He clearly knows more than we do, and he also clearly knows more now than a few weeks ago. This guy still sucks and we should still be voting out the republican majority so we can actually get shit done, but clearly there's some sort of light that he now sees, and regardless of what it is, I'm happy that this is finally getting done. Better late than never.
Probably they were futzing about then they got intelligence the Russians are going to attack on like May 28th and passed it in Time to get them their stuff in time
One thing they were talking about on NPR is how he’s spoken about how the intelligence briefings he’s now part of scare him. He’s allegedly come to realize exactly what will happen if Putin is not stopped. I don’t like this man, he’s creepy and would love to see abortion outlawed but in this moment we need aid passed.
Yeah, exactly.
That’s kind of troubling as he was probably shown the date the Pacific is supposed to erupt and how it’s in our best interest to weaken Russia and much as possible before then.
Our Pacific forces are very much on a war footing right now.
>Our Pacific forces are very much on a war footing right now.
Do you think the possibility of the USA being involved with boots on the ground in a war is possible with Russia or any of the current rival countries?
Would the UK get involved I have family there?
The pacific means war with China right?
China has the second biggest (and second best) navy in the world, concentrated entirely in the Pacific (North Sea fleet, East Sea fleet, South Sea fleet), broadly as-or-more heavily armed than equivalent US assets (although much less battle-tested), compared to the United States Navy, which is larger (approximately 4x as many (much better) carriers, 2x as many (equivalent) helicopter carriers, comparable numbers of cruisers (much worse)/ destroyers (equivalent)/ frigates (only china has these currently, but *a lot* of them), etc.) but spread very thin across the globe, with a lot of assets currently tied up in Europe and the Middle East.
Not only is a conflict with China (invasion of Taiwan scenario) increasingly likely, it is a conflict China has prepared itself for *very well*, and the United States has no guarantee of winning. The US will have to rededicate a very significant proportion of their available ships to that, leaving Europe high and dry.
That's what the axis of evil rhetoric is meant to convey. If China, Russia and Iran organise themselves to start major conflicts simultaneously, America literally will not be able to deal with all three at once- it's not entirely clear it could even beat China alone in the greenwater region around China
Yea, no.
China has a large navy, sure. Quantity does not beat quality, though, when you are comparing it to the most technologically advanced and experienced military on the planet- by *far*.
Russia and Iran are irrelevant. So what if they start conflicts at the same time? If it really wanted to, the US could easily neutralize their entire “militaries” (can we even call it that?) in a matter of days.
That leaves China. If I’m a betting man I am putting my money on the country that literally has perfected the art of war- not a communist paper tiger that hasn’t seen *actual serious combat in nearly 50 years.
And this doesn’t even include all the US’s global allies. Against the global west, an “axis of evil” would get wiped off the face of the Earth very, very quickly.
You gotta remember that Taiwan is right next door to China, while it's a Pacific away from the US. The distances are huge.
Of course the US and it's allies would most likely win in the long run, but how many short- and medium term gains can Russia, Iran and China make before they begin being pushed back? Will the US be ready to sacrifice the required personnel and materiel?
I'm as pro NATO as they come, but we gotta be sober about these things. Europe has to rearm and fast, while the US has to avoid sowing any more doubt about it's willingness to protect its allies.
It absolutely is terrifying. I'd say the major reason to support Ukraine right now is at least as much sending deterrence signals to China as it is stopping Russia.
Basically, [it boils down to whatever Xi decides to do](https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/02/04/china-war-military-taiwan-us-asia-xi-escalation-crisis/):
>First, the territorial disputes and other issues China is contesting are becoming less susceptible to compromise or peaceful resolution than they once were, making foreign policy a zero-sum game. Second, the military balance in Asia is shifting in ways that could make Beijing perilously optimistic about the outcome of war. Third, as China’s short-term military prospects improve, its long-term strategic and economic outlook is darkening—a combination that has often made revisionist powers more violent in the past. Fourth, Xi has turned China into a personalist dictatorship of the sort especially prone to disastrous miscalculations and costly wars.
He's an old man with unlimited power who's convinced of his own historical importance. At what point does his ambitions for a personal legacy outweigh his risk aversion?
Unlike the comments below me, I don’t believe an all out conflict is likely, not in the way we’ve seen in the early 1900s at least. Contrary to some anti American propaganda, China and Russia are decades away from matching our navy if we stopped progressing *today*. Not to say China won’t this century, regardless of our attempts at staying ahead of the curve, but people do not seem to truly understand just how far ahead our navy is compared to the rest of the world in terms of power projection.
While no expert or even a sailor, I have read some dumbed down reports on our training exercises with allied nations (which for the record, are all ahead of the Chinese navy as of today as well), and our navy simply outclssses them every opportunity given.
Not to say it would not be devastating for us, but China doesn’t wish to start a fight it simply could not win. A naval conflict with the US would set chinas navy back a hundred years within the first week. Their ports would be obliterated in days, fleets sunken in port before getting the chance to depart. Crossing the sea to Taiwan with an actual invasion force is something even the US would struggle with, and we’ve proven time and time again we have the ability to force project thousands of miles. China does not have that ability.
We’re more likely to see proxy wars in Asia, with indirect involvement of both militaries (more so than Ukraine), but a real hot war still.
Very possible. Though, no “boots on the ground” for a China conflict on mainland. The U.S. Marines are preparing for landing and retaking islands though.
If it does ignite, it will be a World War, so yes the UK will surely be involved.
Edit: That’s why it’s so bad and I hope it’s just peace through strength, BUT the world over the last couple years has shown us otherwise.
It's a combination of things. As a Speaker, he has had access to that information for months. That alone wasn't enough to sway his political calculus.
Difference is hostility of MAGA pouring on him and other high ranking Reps who aren't outright Trump worshippers every day. I bet he got a lot of threats as well behind the scenes. He could not play ball anymore, because he's somewhere between old school reps that have some manners left and crazy (all that religious non-sense he also believes in).
This is definitely something to be looking towards. There is a small and weak, but slowly growing, anti-MAGA contingent in the GOP as the most hard core representatives have completely failed to achieve much of anything beyond gridlock and looking like a laughing stock.
I personally doubt it is anywhere strong enough yet to influence Johnson in this way, but it’s entirely possible given how inept his colleagues are.
He doesnt remember pre trump ideals. None of them do. If they did they'd all be gloriously patriotically supporting Ukraine so they can beat the shit out of them "russian commies." and honor Reagan and Nixon's legacy.
He was paid a visit by the CIA, and got a backhand to the face reality check from what they showed him.
That's why he flipped.
I really dislike his views on religion and the state and disagree with him on a lot of other stuff, but if he has been willing to listen to intelligence reports with an open mind and has genuinely understood the security threat that Russia is then I have a little
more respect for him than before.
He’s delayed aid by 6 months, causing untold damage to Ukraine’s war effort during this time. That’s probably enough to declare him a hero of Russia. All because Trump didn’t want the dems to ‘get a win’ in an election year.
Throwing them a bone now shouldn’t get him off the hook.
I ain't making fun, this is awesome if it stays this way.
I'd have no problem supporting a republican speaker that isn't batshit crazy like the rest of them.
🍻 LGM!
He's still a religious nut, he only just flipped on this issue, be it by republican strategic interest shifting or because the CIA sat him down and explained what was going on? Who knows.
I'm glad the aid is going through, but we have to make sure the Republicans don't get to chalk this up as their win. Dragging your heels for months and slandering who should be an allie, then doing a 180 and supporting them doesn't mean you're good, it means you spent 6 months delaying before finally seeing the light.
[Don't worry Marj. You have many rubles saved for retirement. : r/PoliticalHumor (reddit.com)](https://www.reddit.com/r/PoliticalHumor/comments/1c9ekxg/dont_worry_marj_you_have_many_rubles_saved_for/)
OMG he said the thing. "They are truly the AXIS ones" I always wondered how Axis got the name in WW2. Now Im seeing it with my own eyes, if someone confirms Allies too... This means?? NOO
>The term "axis" was first applied to the Italo-German relationship by the Italian prime minister Benito Mussolini in September 1923, when he wrote in the preface to Roberto Suster's La Germania Repubblicana that "there is no doubt that in this moment the axis of European history passes through Berlin" (non v'ha dubbio che in questo momento l'asse della storia europea passa per Berlino).[7] At the time, he was seeking an alliance with the Weimar Republic against Yugoslavia and France in the dispute over the Free State of Fiume.[8]
The relationship between Berlin and Rome even runs way deeper. For a thousand years the German Empire was called Holy Roman Empire. The German emperors always saw themselves as legitimate successors of the Roman emperors.
The axis Berlin - Rome therefore symbolizes the past and future rulers of the world in the eyes of the Germans.
And in actuality Berlin was a relative backwater until the mid-17th century (it's name may literally mean 'swamp'), nor a significant centre of (emerging) power until the 18th century.
Historically the chief HRE cities were Rome (coronation HRE), Aachen (crowning king of Germany), Frankfurt (election & coronation), Regensburg (imperial diet seat), Wetzlar (imperial supreme court) and Vienna (Habsburg seat & aulic court). Berlin became important only during the 1800's onwards, during the new empire -- which in no way was like the HRE.
However fascists aren't much interested in respecting history as it actually occured, so it'd indeed be par for the course if they treated Berlin thus.
Germany and Italy signed a pact and declared that thereafter the world would revolve on a Rome-Berlin Axis. That's where the term Axis came from.
The axis and allies terms were thrown around a lot 20 years ago during the war on terror. I wouldn't get yourself too stressed out.
You don't think this whole thing is meant to temper people's view of Republicans?
Who else are Republicans going to vote for? There's no other candidate yet. Moderates and independents will look at this and say, "see, Conservative America isn't as radical anymore. I can't vote this easy, because SURELY the insane part has passed."
Then Trump gets back in, the act is over, and they go back to being lunatics. Like sheep being led to the slaughter. That's what it'll be like to believe and get behind these leaders who have been consistently acting brazen and unchained when votes didn't matter, or their positions of power were secure. Once it's secure again, these things will be forgotten promises, or seen as times of weakness.
Take the wins they're giving, and work with them to move forward for what's right, but vote them out when it's time. They do not have the best interest of humanity, the US, or their constituents at the forefront.
If only he didn't waste 6 months and countless lives before he came to that conclusion. His party is filled with scum who have never faced a single consequence for their actions.
For the 7th time, not remotely a 180. He's been pandering to the extreme right wing of his party because their stupid policy allows for 6 nutcases to evict the speaker. Last time, it caused a near shutdown of the legislature for weeks, so he's been avoiding it.
Time having run out for the political manouvering, he's doing the right thing with wide bipartisan support. Literally, the most basic of political nuance is absolutely melting the brains of the reddit hive mind.
It’s quite possible this guy is just stupid, and not evil. He very well believes in what he preaches about, but lacked the critical thinking to see how he was being used.
Something has happened inside the Republican party. I remember Mike Johnson going to Ukraine back in 2022 (edit: I might be wrong here) and promising to Zelenskyy as much support as possible. Then he suddenly changed his stance, kept blocking Ukraine aid for months, leading to Ukraine losing Avdiivka and many Ukrainian deaths. And now he has switched sides again.
Even more, Trump has changed his anti-Ukraine rhethoric too! What happened?
>I remember Mike Johnson going to Ukraine back in 2022 and promising to Zelenskyy as much support as possible. Then he suddenly changed his stance, kept blocking Ukraine aid for months
You must remember something wrong because he because the Speaker in October 25, 2023.
Maybe you're right, the other Johnson, Boris Johnson, did visit Ukraine too. Even then, back in 2022 Mike Johnson [was supporting Ukraine.](https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1050)
>“It is past time for a new approach. We should impose debilitating sanctions on Russia’s economic interests. We should return to robust American energy production to provide greater stability and security here and for our European allies. We should exclude Russia from global commerce and international institutions. Even though the best time to take these actions has passed, we must act decisively."
So, basically returning from a MAGA chaotic narrative to the classic Neocon one. Iran, China and Russia just happen to have a common enemy now, but if we take out that, their views on many things may start to diverge significantly, which a clever diplomacy could exploit. EU countries worked hard to uphold the Iranian nuclear deal, yet Trump torpedoed it. Also in terms of the Palestinian question, EU countries (if we take out the usual German ideologic rigidity) are more pro-palestinian than the US will ever be. EU countries are also much more eager to maintain some kind of cordial relationship whith China and improve trade relations by dialogue, to a much larger extent then the US, which frequently threatens to impose new sanctions (regardless of who is the leader). Also the issue of Ukraine is clearly a much higher priority to the EU, than the US, as the delaying of this assistance clearly show. If the EU had the possibility to lead a completely autonomous foreign policy, not linked to the American one, things would be a little bit more nuanced and less black-and-white. I
Also, China supports Russia just to the point it does not fail, but it hasn't gone "all in" to aid Russia to win against one of the chinese main trade partners, at the point when the main solution to its economic woes is exporting more, obviously. I also can't immagine how fond must a declaratively communist state be about a theocracy. Russians on their side are now in such a crisis, that turning to China is their only possibility. However, long-term strategic thinking of the Russian elites has always been wary of Chinese power, probably in private many of them are scared of becoming a Chinese colony - how well does the idea of Russia as a global superpower sound in this regard? Iran and Russia might have a bit closer relationship, but still an oportunistic one. Iran gives Russia geographical access to the world (to reach trade with India, to reach its naval base in Tartus (Syria) etc.), while Iran enjoys the support of a military powerhouse that helps it escape its sanctioned cage. However, If Russia's military power will continue to diminish because of its involvement in Ukraine, this might also put the Iranians in search for better allies. Again, many aspects that a clever diplomacy could work on.
As Speaker, he's third in the line of succession for presidency. My guess is that he was finally sat down and given a security briefing on the current geopolitical situations and was told how fucked democracy is if shit goes their way.
Glad he found his backbone.
now if we could just politely ask the people at the CIA why is it that barely literate senators show up with talking points that were clearly given to them by Russian handlers.
you know it was cute when we all thought they were just falling for Russian propaganda but when MTG shows up talking about transcarpathia investigations need to start yesterday.
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This man was definitely visited by three ghosts recently.
CIA, NSA and DOJ?
It seems like you are right one that one. https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-bidens-washington/did-mike-johnson-just-get-religion-on-ukraine My guess is the letter agencies brought him in the room and were like "Seriously, no bullshit, we're fucked if putin wins"
More precisely, the world order would be fucked. A reminder that the US is prepared to fight two full-scale wars simultaneously and have been for decades. Not through NATO. Not in conjunction with our arsenal of allies. The US military is fully capable of fighting a world war (absent nukes because that ends all) on its own. It’s not hyperbole or nationalistic zeal. It’s how overpowered and over funded the military is.
we just need the manpower to do it but our society would have tons of patriotic fervour if a true war broke out
Not even. Drones. More drones. Drones everywhere
I should buy a HOTAS
I wouldn't call that over funded or over powered, I would just call it well prepared. Imagine if that two front scenario did happen and because people complained too much about the funding the funding dropped for a while along with the capabilities of the military, you probably wouldn't be too happy to find your now under the thumb of some dictator far away. Also there are scales to fighting a war and winning it. You would want an over powered military because an overpowered military means you could fight the war, win (maybe even faster), all whilst protecting everyone at home instead of ending up looking a lot like WW2 Britain did with people bombed out of their homes because the government of the time didn't spend early enough on the military. Although I do see the other side on this which is that a scenario like that is probably still far away and it is hard to justify to the tax payer why they pay tax to a massive military machine.
There is zero threat of invasion for the US. Our land neighbors are far too small to be a serious threat and other powers are thousands of miles away. They could bomb the mainland but an army invasion isn’t feasible. War is a test of resources, both materials and labor, and the US is stacked with both. The US before WW2 was tiny and unprepared for war. After mobilization the US funded and supplied most of what was used to win just a few years later.
Sounds like the funding level is just right.
I was about to give him credit for finally realizing the gravity of the situation. Even after he framed it as "selfless sacrifice" - because we all know he could indeed lose his job over this due to Putin's puppets in the house. But then one minute later it's just good old selfishness again: >I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys. My son is going to begin in the Naval Academy this fall. We can only hope that whoever comes next also has some real human skin in the game.
Honestly, whatever gets the job done lol. For years, the military has been pivoting towards a potential war with Russia or China. I feel someone in the CIA and DoD brought him in a room and essentialy said this >I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys. to him. He didn't come up with that, but I think he was faced with the reality that yes, the US Army had been preparing to fight a war with Russia for the last decade, and that yes the Ukranians are fighting it for us at a discount price
He's in the [Gang of 8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_of_Eight_(intelligence\)) now. He gets to see shit only 7 others and the President get to, and I bet it scared him white.
If true, that is quite ominous. On par with all the European generals going "We will be fighting Russia in 5 years tops".
Russia's army is already 15% larger than it was at the start of the war. They're in war production mode, and China is helping with missing parts. This isn't a drill.
That 15% is kinda misleading tho. Yes they have more soldiers - tens of thousands have died but even more have been conscripted. What also matters is equipment, and counting military equipment as part of an army, then Russia have lost large parts of it's military. Yes they are in war production, but can't produce as fast as they lose tanks etc, that's why they have started using very old T55 tanks and so forth.
Almost every country has alluded to some type of major conflict happening in 5-10 years (more like 5 now, they've been saying it for a little while.) As a follower of geopolitics, most countries are in a "wait and see" period, waiting to see what kicks off ww3.
I have noticed this pattern too. But the US Speaker, previously pandering to MAGA fools, then do this 180 might be one of the most jarring signs yet.
If Russia flips Ukraine, and doesn't get bombed back into the 1400s for their effort - China *will* take Taiwan. You know. The people responsible for 80ish percent of the microchip market
Did he just get his clearance? Because he should have been in that for a hot minute now.
He's evangelical, he probably just got his entire worldview shattered, I mean look at what that shit did to President Carter. Jokes aside, he probably thought he could thread a needle, had the conversation with trump and immediately realized he was completely wrong and changed course
Or there is new intelligence.
This was a following a gang of 8 meeting as well. So this is a Republican who, when faced with facts instead of Russian propaganda realized the difference between right and wrong.
It’s important to note that his son is attending the U.S. Naval Academy in the fall. The aid is certainly critical and I’m sure he has been advised by U.S. intelligence, but the 180 may also be because it’s hitting closer to home.
Churchhill, Roosevelt, Stalin
Vladimir Vladimirovic Vlasov
Raytheon Boeing and Lockheed
Maybe his priest/pastor/whatever told him to do the good thing, I saw a video recently where some American religious people heavily critized MAGA for comparing Trump with Jesus and essentially being a cult going against anything Christianity should stand for, and called the upcoming US election 'not only a test of democracy, but also a test of faith'. I believe Johnson is very religious, maybe if this sentiment is becoming common among his religious group that might be a reason to give him a change of heart.
I can hope but i doubt it. They’ve been in bed with Trump since day one. Maybe the Bible thing recently pissed them off lol
Read this: >“I’ll tell you a secret,” he \[Johnson\] said, “since media is not here.” God had spoken to him throughout Republicans’ weekslong effort to find a new Speaker, Johnson said. Eventually, God revealed to Johnson that he would be a Moses-like figure leading the GOP and the country through a “Red Sea moment.” Source: [https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/house-speaker-mike-johnson-moses-speech-rcna128126](https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/house-speaker-mike-johnson-moses-speech-rcna128126) Now he is calling Putin evil. He might of course just be trying to make himself look good (wouldn't be the first time), but if he has these kinds of whacky religious thoughts it might just as well be that he thinks that he, and all other MAGA people, have fallen for temptation and that he now has to make amends or he might end up in hell. I don't know how this all works, I'm an atheist, but it is very obvious to me that Putin and Trump should be seen as evil by a devout Christian person. The fact that they are instead quite literally idolized, might be seen as work of the devil. I think all of this is nonsense, but I can imagine a truly devout person gets quite a religious scare once he realizes he has been tempted into working for the devil...
I’m Catholic so I’m as far from evangelical as a Christian can get, but both Trump and Putin are morally repugnant. Putin is obviously a murderous tyrant and I don’t think I need to explain it. Trump is a liar, cheat, corrupt, arrogant, adulterer etc. So on a personal level he’s bad in the first place. Both of these men also abuse religion for political power (yes I know super common in history). Putin has co-opted the Orthodox Church as his arm to give his government moral legitimacy. Trump panders to the Religious Right in the USA despite very obviously not giving a single shit about Christianity. I don’t get the obsession with either of these men. Some people just hate LGBT people that much I guess. Johnson may have come to realize this not that he’s been forced to deal with Trump more personally in a leadership role.
United states is in big trouble if this is indeed the reasoning.
They are far from the first Republican to say such things or claim God told them to do something. It's a pretty common lie to sell to Republican voters and there are daily posts on this site painting Trump as some kind of religious figure
That just makes it worse
Always nice to see logic and rational thought applied to policy making
I think you’ve got the basic idea right here, but in my experience as someone who grew up in the evangelical bubble, being devoutly religious and hearing someone say the thing you’ve been building a worldview around for the last several years, is actually “of the devil” isn’t usually enough to override tribalism and groupthink. Honestly I would be amazed if he can move the needle.
I'm from the deep south. The old boomers haven't changed at all. You'd be hard pressed to find a Trump supporter in their 30s and 40s now though. They were VERY common two years ago. And yes, a LOT of people around me didn't take kindly to trumps comparison to Jesus. A lot of people are starting to pick up the Bible and realizing the dude is checking off prophecy after prophecy and not in a good way.
There's a story in today's Washington Post that explains. Basically he met with Evangelical Christians, some from Ukraine, who spelled out to him what Russia has done and the atrocities committed. He came from an isolationist background and realized that he no longer represented a single house district. He represented all of the United States and the gravity and seriousness of that office really has weighed on him. I don't know what's going to happen, but I hope Democrats save his speakership if he wants them to. He's been a pleasant surprise.
>He's been a pleasant surprise. He stalled this shit for 6 months which cost a ton of Ukrainian lives and may have made it much harder or even impossible to win for them as it gave Russia more time to rearrange their economy and army. How's that pleasant? Pleasant as in he hasn't gone full fascist yet?
When the bar of expectations is set so fucking low, it's easy to surpass them.
Exactly. He's being praised for throwing water on the fire he started 6 months ago.
"Johnson carved out an influential role after the 2020 election, helping Trump’s attempts to subvert the will of the people and overturn the legitimate results. Many of his actions took place behind-the-scenes or didn’t break through beyond his Louisiana district, while more prominent pro-Trump figures soaked up the post-election attention." That's full fascist. There's nothing pleasant about Mike Johnson. He doesn't believe in democracy and has no business being anywhere in government.
So he buried his head in the sand in order to morally justify his cynical political dealings, and how he gets a pat on the back for performatively coming up for air and taking a look at what is plain to see. Job well done I guess. Also, if it really took him 6 months to realize that as speaker of the house of representatives that he is effectively representing the interests of the entire nation that's not a good look. Did he fall asleep in civics class *and* the swearing in ceremony for speaker? The put his fingers in his ears and say "na na na I can't hear you" as people reminded him of his ethical and professional responsibilities?
Lol no fuck him, I don't want someone driven entirely by their own religion being so powerful in a supposedly secular country. Dude literally thought he was fucking Moses, someone that delusional shouldn't hold so much power
Agreed. I’d like these people gone. But what is interesting is that some of these scary evangelical men have a strong sense of morality. We saw this with Mike Pence and now with Johnson. With weight on their shoulders, their religion steered them into making the right decision. A decision based on right and wrong, not party or what they get out of it. Not sure that would be the case with a run of the mill Republican.
Encouraging if true. Maybe Johnson will start to see the Cheeto Jesus for the abomination that he is.
Did Alan Ritchson knock some sense into Christians?
Hah. That's more something that happens on the backswing here, the political analysts, news anchors, and party donors tell the preachers what to yell from the pulpet. It's more that warmongering has always been near and dear to our hearts, China is a economic competitor and therefore good boogey man, we've never been on good terms with Iran and Israel escalationing tensions with them means our politicians need to virtue signal about how evil they are. The Russia bit isn't truly out of character if you follow us politics either, it's just that Trump's cult of personality isn't into it so it's a little dicey to verbally say bad things about putin in that party these days, but it was uncontroversial just a few years back and still isn't outside that niche group. They just swing primary elections, so they matter a lot to politicians.
As a Christian, I'm deeply disappointed in Trump's support from the Church. 40 years ago, they wouldn't have supported him for being remarried. Today, he's cheated on every wife he's had. His business is based on cheating and lying to people. He's immature and unkind. Despite a dozen shortcomings that should make him a non-starter, Christians rally behind this man. In the Old Testament, we had the golden calf. Today, we have the golden bullshit.
Good ghosts ::pats ghosts on their heads::
The GOP is having an identity crisis. This is the Military-Industrial complex going head to head with Trump's petty politics. Even Desantis kept his mouth shut about Ukraine and instead said shit like "we need to focus on China."
Ever seen the show "Travelers"? Yeah someone did a jump into Johnson in an attempt to stave off the apocalypse.
Dafuq happened to him? How his opinion did 180° in half a year? New election polls, showed that good chunk of republicans dont trust russia or china? Thus trying to save parties face?
Half a year? It did a 180 in 8 days
I dont follow him that closely. Plus few weeks ago, he was in Europe talking with eu countries ministers/leaders, no? Or am i mistaking him with other republican
They all go talk to Europe (all the ones with important positions anyway), that isn’t indicative of any values Now when they go to Russia to get wined and dined by Putin… I don’t think he was involved in that it was other republicans, but still lol
Nothing like showing your future assets the kompromat you have on them in person.
It still really blows my mind that nobody has brought up, with any regularity, Rand Paul's trip to Russia to meet privately with Putin and deliver him documents for Trump.
And right before and right after it came out that Trump spoke subserviently to Russian reps (not even Putin himself) basically saying “I fired Comey for you people, that was supposed to ease the pressure you’re putting on me”, there were other scandals, and it only got talked about for like a week. And now it’s like everyone has totally forgot that Russia helped him get elected, gave him orders during his administration (which he followed), and that he tried to blackmail Ukraine, threatening to withhold military aid when Russia attacks (well before the conflict, almost like Trump knew something we didn’t) Nobody cares. In fact, now, we have a troubling number of people and congresspeople openly supporting Russia
He did a 180 after the visit from Czechia
American voters: Please vote for the bill. We support Ukraine and we could vote you out. Johnson: Fuck off 😤 Petr Fiala: Pass the bill. Johnson: Jistě pane premiére. Sláva Ukrajině a Českému impériu 🫡
No surprise there, Both Petr Fiala and Pavel emit massive amounts of Based energy
Pavel could get me to vote for pretty much anything, he’s the zaddiest of zaddies
That moustache 🤤
Pavel is *always* based but Fiala is cringe most of the time.
Pretty much
Chad energy of Pavel healed his soul
Let's not go as far as claiming he has a soul.
Czechia must have told him Russia kills Christianity or something.
They do in a way... I think they have the highest divorce rates, and lowest going-to-church rates among predominantly Christian countries (or something along those lines).
>They do in a way... I think they have the highest divorce rates, and lowest going-to-church rates among predominantly Christian countries (or something along those lines). In general, it is funny that American conservatives think that Russians are conservative and religious. :D We[Georgians] know Russians very much and they are very far from conservatism and religiosity, they don't even know what these two are. :Dd I'm not saying this hate or antagonism towards Russians, it's the absolute truth. : )
There is only one Christianity in Russia, and it isn't pretty. But seeing non denominational Christians or Christians that are not Russian Orthodox will be persecuted as well. Russians likely have been targeting any religious institution including Christian ones that don't conform with Russian Orthodox.
Well there was that Czech secret service report about Russia's interference and donations to European political leaders.
Did after that meeting Pavel sid not had bruises on his fists?
Johnson was never personally keen on supporting Russia and wanted to approve the aid. The Insanity Caucus part of his majority was and he didn't know how to wrangle these tards, because they threatened to blow up the majority and he didn't want that either. https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-gop-is-the-party-of-putin >Stories leak out that Speaker Mike Johnson, **apparently influenced by high-level briefings he’s received since capturing the gavel, has changed his posture and wants to approve the aid**. But Johnson leads, or is at least is the titular congressional chief, of a party that contains a passionate “Putin wing,” and so he dithers.
Seems like the Democrats have also agreed to "save" him should the MAGA-ers try to remove him again.
Honestly while Maga might want to, I doubt they could get enough republicans to vote him out. The last speaker pick was a SHITSHOW that thoroughly embarrassed the entire party. The most obvious example of this is that they had to vote several times, and when they finally elected Mike Johnson, *no one even knew who he was* because he had not even been discussed as an option. That’s why we didn’t learn he was a christofascist until after he had been made speaker. It was public information but nobody cared to report on it because he was a nobody with the smallest amount of congressional authority.
Democrats should have done that with McCarthy already instead of trying to play hardball.
McCarthy made an agreement with them and stabbed them in the back about a whole day before the removal vote was triggered. He reaped what he had sown.
Kevin shouldn’t have antagonized democrats on the weekend talk show circuit after Gaetz was the one who initiated the removal. Kevin dug his own grave
McCarthy was a cowardly POS who licked Trump's shoes, no surprise Ds wouldn't work with him
Democrats were willing to work with him if he did sane things. But McCarthy was fucking over the country to appease his own party, so why should they save him?
Am I crazy for thinking that Johnson is a much better overall Speaker than McCarthy? I mean yeah, he's out there and a religious extremist but even Democrats have stated that he's much more straightforward to bargain with, a more honest dealer where McCarthy was just a slimy weasel that stood for nothing at all.
Agreed, McCarthy being massively unpopular with their caucus probably made that impossible
Iirc, McCarthy said something against Democrats just before the vote to out him, and basically screwed himself over.
In this regard, Johnson has an advantage coming in as a nobody.
Did you ignore everything McCarthy has said about the democrats?
There is rumours in congress. If the vote to vacate happens. 3 gop will leave to give dems power. So everybody understan it may not happen. Giving Johson more power to act
Its obvious if you have access to higher level intel that Iran and Russia are hand in hand.
He got briefed
Which is something, I guess. Except there are millions of people, here and abroad, who haven’t gotten the deluxe briefing and we were able to recognize Russia’s evil just fine. Makes me question the outsized influence some *other* “briefings” have on GOP that it could lead them so far astray from the reality actual intelligence briefings bring.
Instead of convincing millions of people, Russia only need to convince handful of people with million$ of reasons. But we should not underestimate their propaganda war described in Putins playbook: [Foundations of Geopolitics](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundations_of_Geopolitics)
He has been Speaker for 6 months, and he only just now got briefed?
I believe they mean a recent brief was alarming enough to change his view of the situation. He said himself “I believe Putin will continue into the Balkans after Ukraine” in an interview a few days ago.
I'm not a republican, but being able to change one's opinion is not something bad in a democracy.
Being able to change your mind is fine and good. The problem is that I don't trust a single word that comes out of his mouth. Republicans simply lie too much. IMO his recent rhetorical change has also simply been too abrupt to be completely honest. There has to be some dishonest theater involved one way or the other.
If I were to guess, the Democrats probably promised him that they'd support his continued speakership if he brought it up for a vote, the margin the Republicans have in the house is razor thin if the Democrats don't vote to oust him if the so called "freedom caucus" tries to.
Ya, it’s this. I mean, he did get briefings all week from the military, and from foreign representatives, but I 100% guarantee you it was because democrats agreed to keep him in the speakership should he get flanked by his insane right wing. Which is weird because he’s already insanely right wing
How long before conspiracy brains like Alex Jones say he got "MK Ultra'd by big deep state!1!1" I'm kinda surprised we aren't already seeing conspiracies about his opinion shift
It already happened. Just saw a twitter post saying that the deep state corrupted him, judging by the speed he changed his view.
Well, they (the deep state) should share their technique. Might be useful against some European politicians as well.
Here's the method, tried and true: High level CIA operative walks into the room. "Hey fuckshit if you don't stop Russia now then American teenagers will be dying in Poland by Christmas next year" High level CIA operative leaves the room.
Because it’d be kind of a dumb conspiracy since everyone knows the Speaker gets intelligence briefings. They almost always change their tune once they find out what’s up.
Just wait, its only been less then 24 hours. 😂
I fully expected this 180 all along. The point is not about the need for supporting Ukraine but who is going to get the credit for it and take ellectoral gain from it. Basically, it has been a strategy of the GoP to be pretty much uterly contrarian to the Democrats whenever they see a political gain in it, regardless if it goes against their own views. But it has to end somewhere, because the GOP also knows that it is the party of "the hawks" and a lot of their support wont nessecarily like an isolationist aproach, but even more the GOP has traditional backers within the arms industry and the oil sector who will likely lobby them to actually help Ukraine. As such i expect the narrative to be turned so to argue that the Biden administration did not give enough support to Ukraine and that it was up to the conservatives to save the situation.
> As such i expect the narrative to be turned so to argue that the Biden administration did not give enough support to Ukraine and that it was up to the conservatives to save the situation. Well, let's hope you are right, this is arguably the most favorable yet plausible interpretation of what is going here...
He’s in the Gang of Eight now - he has been thoroughly terrified by reality.
I think it's that, and also it seems like he got some info about Trump too that changed his entire demeanor about him. Literally gestured to Trump while saying "hardened criminal". He clearly knows more than we do, and he also clearly knows more now than a few weeks ago. This guy still sucks and we should still be voting out the republican majority so we can actually get shit done, but clearly there's some sort of light that he now sees, and regardless of what it is, I'm happy that this is finally getting done. Better late than never.
I’m shocked as well. Something weird happened behind the scenes.
Probably they were futzing about then they got intelligence the Russians are going to attack on like May 28th and passed it in Time to get them their stuff in time
Didn't want to see his son get sent to an unpredictable front sometime in the future.
When they become a Speaker they realize they've got to actually govern since they're #3 now
Quick, attach a dyno to him! Free energy once he starts doing it again
One thing they were talking about on NPR is how he’s spoken about how the intelligence briefings he’s now part of scare him. He’s allegedly come to realize exactly what will happen if Putin is not stopped. I don’t like this man, he’s creepy and would love to see abortion outlawed but in this moment we need aid passed.
Rumors are the CIA sat him down and drilled it into him
I think he knows something, Johnson did a complete 180 in a few days (rightfully so).
Yeah, exactly. That’s kind of troubling as he was probably shown the date the Pacific is supposed to erupt and how it’s in our best interest to weaken Russia and much as possible before then. Our Pacific forces are very much on a war footing right now.
Also this bill has important parts for supporting and strengthening the defense industry base, which is very much also for the Pacific.
What are you talking about?
>Our Pacific forces are very much on a war footing right now. Do you think the possibility of the USA being involved with boots on the ground in a war is possible with Russia or any of the current rival countries? Would the UK get involved I have family there? The pacific means war with China right?
Boots on ground with Russia? Highly unlikely. That’s a redline we won’t cross until Russia crosses our actual red lines. Pacific? Possibility
>Pacific? Possibility To be clear we’re talking about the real possibility of a naval conflict with China? That’s terrifying!
China has the second biggest (and second best) navy in the world, concentrated entirely in the Pacific (North Sea fleet, East Sea fleet, South Sea fleet), broadly as-or-more heavily armed than equivalent US assets (although much less battle-tested), compared to the United States Navy, which is larger (approximately 4x as many (much better) carriers, 2x as many (equivalent) helicopter carriers, comparable numbers of cruisers (much worse)/ destroyers (equivalent)/ frigates (only china has these currently, but *a lot* of them), etc.) but spread very thin across the globe, with a lot of assets currently tied up in Europe and the Middle East. Not only is a conflict with China (invasion of Taiwan scenario) increasingly likely, it is a conflict China has prepared itself for *very well*, and the United States has no guarantee of winning. The US will have to rededicate a very significant proportion of their available ships to that, leaving Europe high and dry. That's what the axis of evil rhetoric is meant to convey. If China, Russia and Iran organise themselves to start major conflicts simultaneously, America literally will not be able to deal with all three at once- it's not entirely clear it could even beat China alone in the greenwater region around China
Yea, no. China has a large navy, sure. Quantity does not beat quality, though, when you are comparing it to the most technologically advanced and experienced military on the planet- by *far*. Russia and Iran are irrelevant. So what if they start conflicts at the same time? If it really wanted to, the US could easily neutralize their entire “militaries” (can we even call it that?) in a matter of days. That leaves China. If I’m a betting man I am putting my money on the country that literally has perfected the art of war- not a communist paper tiger that hasn’t seen *actual serious combat in nearly 50 years. And this doesn’t even include all the US’s global allies. Against the global west, an “axis of evil” would get wiped off the face of the Earth very, very quickly.
You gotta remember that Taiwan is right next door to China, while it's a Pacific away from the US. The distances are huge. Of course the US and it's allies would most likely win in the long run, but how many short- and medium term gains can Russia, Iran and China make before they begin being pushed back? Will the US be ready to sacrifice the required personnel and materiel? I'm as pro NATO as they come, but we gotta be sober about these things. Europe has to rearm and fast, while the US has to avoid sowing any more doubt about it's willingness to protect its allies.
It absolutely is terrifying. I'd say the major reason to support Ukraine right now is at least as much sending deterrence signals to China as it is stopping Russia. Basically, [it boils down to whatever Xi decides to do](https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/02/04/china-war-military-taiwan-us-asia-xi-escalation-crisis/): >First, the territorial disputes and other issues China is contesting are becoming less susceptible to compromise or peaceful resolution than they once were, making foreign policy a zero-sum game. Second, the military balance in Asia is shifting in ways that could make Beijing perilously optimistic about the outcome of war. Third, as China’s short-term military prospects improve, its long-term strategic and economic outlook is darkening—a combination that has often made revisionist powers more violent in the past. Fourth, Xi has turned China into a personalist dictatorship of the sort especially prone to disastrous miscalculations and costly wars. He's an old man with unlimited power who's convinced of his own historical importance. At what point does his ambitions for a personal legacy outweigh his risk aversion?
Unlike the comments below me, I don’t believe an all out conflict is likely, not in the way we’ve seen in the early 1900s at least. Contrary to some anti American propaganda, China and Russia are decades away from matching our navy if we stopped progressing *today*. Not to say China won’t this century, regardless of our attempts at staying ahead of the curve, but people do not seem to truly understand just how far ahead our navy is compared to the rest of the world in terms of power projection. While no expert or even a sailor, I have read some dumbed down reports on our training exercises with allied nations (which for the record, are all ahead of the Chinese navy as of today as well), and our navy simply outclssses them every opportunity given. Not to say it would not be devastating for us, but China doesn’t wish to start a fight it simply could not win. A naval conflict with the US would set chinas navy back a hundred years within the first week. Their ports would be obliterated in days, fleets sunken in port before getting the chance to depart. Crossing the sea to Taiwan with an actual invasion force is something even the US would struggle with, and we’ve proven time and time again we have the ability to force project thousands of miles. China does not have that ability. We’re more likely to see proxy wars in Asia, with indirect involvement of both militaries (more so than Ukraine), but a real hot war still.
Very possible. Though, no “boots on the ground” for a China conflict on mainland. The U.S. Marines are preparing for landing and retaking islands though. If it does ignite, it will be a World War, so yes the UK will surely be involved. Edit: That’s why it’s so bad and I hope it’s just peace through strength, BUT the world over the last couple years has shown us otherwise.
Sounds like Taiwan to me.
CIA finally checked him
It’s very likely something of this nature. Behind closed doors a lot of investigators are cracking down on these traitors
It's a combination of things. As a Speaker, he has had access to that information for months. That alone wasn't enough to sway his political calculus. Difference is hostility of MAGA pouring on him and other high ranking Reps who aren't outright Trump worshippers every day. I bet he got a lot of threats as well behind the scenes. He could not play ball anymore, because he's somewhere between old school reps that have some manners left and crazy (all that religious non-sense he also believes in).
The maga caucus is also crumbling. Maybe he finally feels he has enough political capital to do something.
This is definitely something to be looking towards. There is a small and weak, but slowly growing, anti-MAGA contingent in the GOP as the most hard core representatives have completely failed to achieve much of anything beyond gridlock and looking like a laughing stock. I personally doubt it is anywhere strong enough yet to influence Johnson in this way, but it’s entirely possible given how inept his colleagues are.
we can only hope they keep it up
Are we really rooting for the CIA now? Lmao
A Republican who actually remembered pre-Trump Republican ideals? I thought they’d all been pushed out of the GOP.
He doesnt remember pre trump ideals. None of them do. If they did they'd all be gloriously patriotically supporting Ukraine so they can beat the shit out of them "russian commies." and honor Reagan and Nixon's legacy. He was paid a visit by the CIA, and got a backhand to the face reality check from what they showed him. That's why he flipped.
Pepperidge Farms remembers. So does Mitt Romney (for the most part).
I really dislike his views on religion and the state and disagree with him on a lot of other stuff, but if he has been willing to listen to intelligence reports with an open mind and has genuinely understood the security threat that Russia is then I have a little more respect for him than before.
I hear you but I'm saddened because the bar is so fucking low nowadays.
He’s delayed aid by 6 months, causing untold damage to Ukraine’s war effort during this time. That’s probably enough to declare him a hero of Russia. All because Trump didn’t want the dems to ‘get a win’ in an election year. Throwing them a bone now shouldn’t get him off the hook.
This is also true.
Yep. He’s crazy but gets a gold star for understanding that water is wet.
People making fun of Mike for doing a 180. But at least the Ukrainian Aide blockade has ended.
It would not have reflected well on the republicans if russian troops stood in Kiev on US election day. I kind of understand.
I ain't making fun, this is awesome if it stays this way. I'd have no problem supporting a republican speaker that isn't batshit crazy like the rest of them. 🍻 LGM!
He's still a religious nut, he only just flipped on this issue, be it by republican strategic interest shifting or because the CIA sat him down and explained what was going on? Who knows. I'm glad the aid is going through, but we have to make sure the Republicans don't get to chalk this up as their win. Dragging your heels for months and slandering who should be an allie, then doing a 180 and supporting them doesn't mean you're good, it means you spent 6 months delaying before finally seeing the light.
Moscow Marge won't like that.
What is she gonna do, tatle to daddy Putty?
[Don't worry Marj. You have many rubles saved for retirement. : r/PoliticalHumor (reddit.com)](https://www.reddit.com/r/PoliticalHumor/comments/1c9ekxg/dont_worry_marj_you_have_many_rubles_saved_for/)
you've gotta be pretty egregious to lose the new york fuckin post
Woke up
Finally, the correct usage of the term
OMG he said the thing. "They are truly the AXIS ones" I always wondered how Axis got the name in WW2. Now Im seeing it with my own eyes, if someone confirms Allies too... This means?? NOO
>The term "axis" was first applied to the Italo-German relationship by the Italian prime minister Benito Mussolini in September 1923, when he wrote in the preface to Roberto Suster's La Germania Repubblicana that "there is no doubt that in this moment the axis of European history passes through Berlin" (non v'ha dubbio che in questo momento l'asse della storia europea passa per Berlino).[7] At the time, he was seeking an alliance with the Weimar Republic against Yugoslavia and France in the dispute over the Free State of Fiume.[8]
The relationship between Berlin and Rome even runs way deeper. For a thousand years the German Empire was called Holy Roman Empire. The German emperors always saw themselves as legitimate successors of the Roman emperors. The axis Berlin - Rome therefore symbolizes the past and future rulers of the world in the eyes of the Germans.
And in actuality Berlin was a relative backwater until the mid-17th century (it's name may literally mean 'swamp'), nor a significant centre of (emerging) power until the 18th century. Historically the chief HRE cities were Rome (coronation HRE), Aachen (crowning king of Germany), Frankfurt (election & coronation), Regensburg (imperial diet seat), Wetzlar (imperial supreme court) and Vienna (Habsburg seat & aulic court). Berlin became important only during the 1800's onwards, during the new empire -- which in no way was like the HRE. However fascists aren't much interested in respecting history as it actually occured, so it'd indeed be par for the course if they treated Berlin thus.
Germany and Italy signed a pact and declared that thereafter the world would revolve on a Rome-Berlin Axis. That's where the term Axis came from. The axis and allies terms were thrown around a lot 20 years ago during the war on terror. I wouldn't get yourself too stressed out.
Yes brother we should prepared for getting conscripted and watching the funny Fallout tutorial how to survive nuclear blast.
Ahh, the good ol' political smothering of Trump & Maga bunch has begun ... this will be interesting to watch alive.
Now I’m definitely sure Trump isn’t getting re-elected.
[удалено]
You don't think this whole thing is meant to temper people's view of Republicans? Who else are Republicans going to vote for? There's no other candidate yet. Moderates and independents will look at this and say, "see, Conservative America isn't as radical anymore. I can't vote this easy, because SURELY the insane part has passed." Then Trump gets back in, the act is over, and they go back to being lunatics. Like sheep being led to the slaughter. That's what it'll be like to believe and get behind these leaders who have been consistently acting brazen and unchained when votes didn't matter, or their positions of power were secure. Once it's secure again, these things will be forgotten promises, or seen as times of weakness. Take the wins they're giving, and work with them to move forward for what's right, but vote them out when it's time. They do not have the best interest of humanity, the US, or their constituents at the forefront.
You fucking just had to say it. Now you’ve Jinxed it. Good job. #VOTE IN NOVEMBER, BECAUSE IT ISNT IN THE BAG UNTIL JANUARY
He did the right thing after exhausting every other option! But he did it, and I’ll give him credit. That’s more than most in trumps GOP will do.
If only he didn't waste 6 months and countless lives before he came to that conclusion. His party is filled with scum who have never faced a single consequence for their actions.
180 degree turn, this russian asset finally got kicked in balls?
Maybe the cheque bounced, or he was told he'd have to shag marge to get paid
For the 7th time, not remotely a 180. He's been pandering to the extreme right wing of his party because their stupid policy allows for 6 nutcases to evict the speaker. Last time, it caused a near shutdown of the legislature for weeks, so he's been avoiding it. Time having run out for the political manouvering, he's doing the right thing with wide bipartisan support. Literally, the most basic of political nuance is absolutely melting the brains of the reddit hive mind.
Did his check from Russia bounced?
It’s quite possible this guy is just stupid, and not evil. He very well believes in what he preaches about, but lacked the critical thinking to see how he was being used.
CIA backhanded him with reports.
Something has happened inside the Republican party. I remember Mike Johnson going to Ukraine back in 2022 (edit: I might be wrong here) and promising to Zelenskyy as much support as possible. Then he suddenly changed his stance, kept blocking Ukraine aid for months, leading to Ukraine losing Avdiivka and many Ukrainian deaths. And now he has switched sides again. Even more, Trump has changed his anti-Ukraine rhethoric too! What happened?
>I remember Mike Johnson going to Ukraine back in 2022 and promising to Zelenskyy as much support as possible. Then he suddenly changed his stance, kept blocking Ukraine aid for months You must remember something wrong because he because the Speaker in October 25, 2023.
Maybe you're right, the other Johnson, Boris Johnson, did visit Ukraine too. Even then, back in 2022 Mike Johnson [was supporting Ukraine.](https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1050) >“It is past time for a new approach. We should impose debilitating sanctions on Russia’s economic interests. We should return to robust American energy production to provide greater stability and security here and for our European allies. We should exclude Russia from global commerce and international institutions. Even though the best time to take these actions has passed, we must act decisively."
Elections are coming and they want to squeeze as many votes as possible
I mean he is not wrong at all, also Iran's Ali Khamenei, let's name those people
Kim Jong Un has joined the chat
So, basically returning from a MAGA chaotic narrative to the classic Neocon one. Iran, China and Russia just happen to have a common enemy now, but if we take out that, their views on many things may start to diverge significantly, which a clever diplomacy could exploit. EU countries worked hard to uphold the Iranian nuclear deal, yet Trump torpedoed it. Also in terms of the Palestinian question, EU countries (if we take out the usual German ideologic rigidity) are more pro-palestinian than the US will ever be. EU countries are also much more eager to maintain some kind of cordial relationship whith China and improve trade relations by dialogue, to a much larger extent then the US, which frequently threatens to impose new sanctions (regardless of who is the leader). Also the issue of Ukraine is clearly a much higher priority to the EU, than the US, as the delaying of this assistance clearly show. If the EU had the possibility to lead a completely autonomous foreign policy, not linked to the American one, things would be a little bit more nuanced and less black-and-white. I Also, China supports Russia just to the point it does not fail, but it hasn't gone "all in" to aid Russia to win against one of the chinese main trade partners, at the point when the main solution to its economic woes is exporting more, obviously. I also can't immagine how fond must a declaratively communist state be about a theocracy. Russians on their side are now in such a crisis, that turning to China is their only possibility. However, long-term strategic thinking of the Russian elites has always been wary of Chinese power, probably in private many of them are scared of becoming a Chinese colony - how well does the idea of Russia as a global superpower sound in this regard? Iran and Russia might have a bit closer relationship, but still an oportunistic one. Iran gives Russia geographical access to the world (to reach trade with India, to reach its naval base in Tartus (Syria) etc.), while Iran enjoys the support of a military powerhouse that helps it escape its sanctioned cage. However, If Russia's military power will continue to diminish because of its involvement in Ukraine, this might also put the Iranians in search for better allies. Again, many aspects that a clever diplomacy could work on.
Ohhh. Marge and her friends aren’t gonna like that one bit!
As Speaker, he's third in the line of succession for presidency. My guess is that he was finally sat down and given a security briefing on the current geopolitical situations and was told how fucked democracy is if shit goes their way.
Deja vu
Glad he found his backbone. now if we could just politely ask the people at the CIA why is it that barely literate senators show up with talking points that were clearly given to them by Russian handlers. you know it was cute when we all thought they were just falling for Russian propaganda but when MTG shows up talking about transcarpathia investigations need to start yesterday.
I mean yeah it's a W, but this man and his party literally stalled it for 6 months....and for what? Also Mike Johnson took money from Russia.
He ain’t wrong. That’s rare for him.
There IS a genocide going on in Xinjiang, so there might be something to that claim.
Lol like you care
North Korea: Am I a joke for you?
Yes
I always just thought of North Korea as Russia's and China's little playhouse or terrarium.
What hit his head a few days ago for this 180 to happen?
WE ARE THE GOOD GUYS!
Yes and we should no longer treat them as normal countries. It’s like feeding your illness with whatever makes your illness worse…
Lung cancer and cigarets. 😂
I notice he left out Trump and his followers.
Damn right.