So much has happened during this last month- I have been disappearing into the desert alone for long periods, necessary for my sanity.
As of today some 35,600 Russian soldiers have been murdered by the Russian madman that claims to be the leader of that country. Way to go Putin, digging your own grave.
This week’s news alone holds so much positive information. The Ukrainians continue to defend, hold out, regain, and defeat the Russian army. The Russians continue to act in desperation, using soviet-era stock to try and win an unwinnable war, and preparing more of their young people to die, even as their financial reserves dwindle and so much of the world stands against them. The US is sending more money and weapons to Ukraine, as are other countries. Support for the defenders of Ukraine grows, as more and more people realise that this is not a war between Russia and Ukraine, but a war between Russia and Europe, if not between Russia and the entire free world.
Turkey has agreed to NATO membership of Finland and Sweden- this is huge. Turkey is certainly a country to watch, a wild card in the mix if you will. But this ups their status tremendously. We will see how Erdogan’s posturing over the last month or so pays off for his image. So far it looks like he played his hand well.
Ukrainian military Bayraktar TB2 drones
I have noticed a lot of references to the Cold War, and our return to the Cold War. I think it should be very clear at this point that what we face will be nothing like the Cold War. We are so far removed from those days, and we will never return there. The current situation is much worse for many more countries and parts of the world. Globalisation has made us all far more dependent on each other than we were even 30 years ago when the Cold War ended. Resources and products can come from the other side of the world, and any disruption is felt like never before. That combined with population increases, climate change, world fiscal instability, the pandemic exacerbating all of it, and most important of all is the fact that nuclear weapons abound with many of them held by less than responsible nations- especially Russia. All of this puts us in a place we have never been, in a completely new paradigm.
A reminder too, that Ukraine and Russia should not be our primary focus. We must not forget about other eastern European countries that are ripe for the picking so to speak. Keep a close eye on Hungary, Serbia (as well as Bosnia and Republika Srbska), Belarus, and the other non-NATO or non-EU countries that Russia or their satellites have had an eye on. These countries, if Putin had his way, would be the next to fall. They are in no way out of danger.
The Best Advice For Life Today
24 December 2020
Louis Pasteur famously said “fortune favors the prepared mind.” The quote can be found in a few different forms, such as “chance favors the prepared mind,” and “luck favors the prepared.” Pasteur certainly seems to be referring to the work of science, and being able to see what chance presents you with.
In the year 2020, “luck favors the prepared” seems the most appropriate, and is applicable to nearly everything we do. Not just science. No matter what your level of preparedness, it WILL put you ahead in the long run. The more prepared you are, the more “luck will favor” you- this goes for stores of toilet paper, canned foods, defensive driving, motion lights around your house, and… anything else you might think of. The list is endless. You get the picture.
Pandemics happen. Civil unrest happens. Disruptive weather happens. War happens. Economic collapse happens. It has all happened before and will all happen again. Just do some reading if you don’t believe this.
And take advantage of “luck” and prepare now- 2021 is likely to be a wild ride.
At Five AM 