Prime Minister Mia Mottley shows off a Kensington Oval ready for T20 World Cup
Submitted by Grenville Phillips II

Last week (18 March 2022), the US President reportedly told the Chinese President that he needed to pick a side in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Chinese President was reportedly told that there would be severe consequences for the Chinese people, if he chose the wrong side. This is the world in which we live, and it shows how leaders make decisions that can harm their citizens.

Last week, the New York Times reported that the abandoned computer laptop did, in fact, belong to US President Biden’s son – who is currently under Federal investigation. A federal grand jury is currently examining evidence that implicates the President’s son in corruption in Ukraine. We should remember that Transparency International ranks Ukraine as the most corrupt country in Europe – by far. For context, Russia is ranked as slightly more corrupt than Ukraine.

THE END JUSTIFIES DISHONEST MEANS.

In 2020, before the US presidential election, there was credible evidence to prove that the laptop’s files were authentic. However, CNN and other major US news agencies claimed, without evidence, that it was “Russian disinformation”. Twitter and other social media sites actively suppressed information about the laptop. Many media houses worldwide repeated the “Russian disinformation” mantra – because they believed, without question, the US news media.

The laptop story is relevant, not only because of the reported damming evidence of corruption in Ukraine. But because major news and social media companies were willing to sacrifice their journalistic integrity, and intentionally deceive the public, with their end-justifies-the-means philosophy to pursue an agenda – in that case, to get Mr Biden elected President at any and all costs.

MUTUAL DESTRUCTION.

Last week, Russia finally used their new hypersonic missile in Ukraine. It reportedly travels at 10 times the speed of sound and cannot be stopped with current technology. We also learnt that NATO was able to track the weapon in real time – the first step in designing a weapon to intercept it.

All of this new evidence represents additional pieces of the puzzle, that continues to support the previous explanation of this conflict. The NATO military alliance exists to deter Russian aggression. If Russia attacks a member of the alliance, all countries are obligated to attack Russia – which will start World War 3, and ensure mutual destruction of all but neutral countries.

AVOIDING THE CONFLICT.

Ukraine was publicly insisting on joining NATO, which would likely have placed NATO missiles at the Russian border. Such missiles could strike Russia’s capital city, Moscow, with insufficient warning for Russia to intercept. Russia attacked Ukraine before it joined NATO, which avoided the risk of fighting NATO, and starting World War 3 at this time.

NATO could have prevented the current conflict, by agreeing not to admit Ukraine as a member for the next decade. Ukraine could have avoided the conflict by declaring itself a neutral country. Instead, Russia’s concerns were dismissed by both Ukraine and NATO – they were badly advised to figuratively ‘poke the bear’.

CIVILIAN MILITARY.

Unlike in Afghanistan, where the leaders of cities surrendered to the Taliban to save their buildings and people from being destroyed, leaders of Ukraine’s cities have vowed to fight until the last civilian. The Ukrainian Government armed its civilians with conventional weapons and taught them warfare. Most men are not allowed to leave Ukraine, and are expected to actively support the war. Therefore, this war will be unnecessarily messy for civilians.

NATO members have armed Ukrainians with advanced weapons, which are working remarkably well against Russia’s conventional weapons. The reported Russian military deaths are astonishing – approximately 14,000 to Ukraine’s 2,000. Russia has now resorted to using its advanced weapons, and NATO finally got what it wanted – the opportunity to study them in a theatre of war before they were used against NATO.

MOVIE STAR.

There are two wars being fought. One on the ground, and one by the news media. Depending on where one lives: one side is telling the truth and the other is spreading disinformation, one side is good and the other is evil, one side is doing righteous killing and the other is doing war crimes. The truth is that this is an unnecessary conflict, that just needed an independent and honest mediator.

Where were the blessed peacemakers? Why were only warmongers, who arrogantly and insultingly dismissed Russia’s security concerns, allowed on the US media? Every action seemed too perfectly aligned – like a movie script where Barbados was chosen to play the lead role. Barbados was being promoted positively internationally. We just had to take our place on the world’s stage and play the role written for us.

THE BARBADOS MISSILE.

Russia has thousands of nuclear missiles that are maintained to be launched at perceived enemy nations. As an indirect member of NATO, we attracted at least one of those missiles. The only public benefit of cancelling our military alliance with the UK, is that we had the rare opportunity to avoid attracting a nuclear missile – from either side.

To protect all Barbadian residents from a nuclear attack, and be a credible and trusted mediator, we simply had to declare Barbados to be a neutral country. That would have forced us to actively demonstrate that we were indeed friends of all and satellites of none. The Russia-Ukraine conflict presented an opportunity for us to do just that. Instead, we picked a side – perhaps we got a call.

Grenville Phillips II is a Chartered Structural Engineer. He can be reached at NextParty246@gmail.com

93 responses to “Pick a Side”


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  2. Some people on Bu have recommended that Grenville is made an opposition senator for get 0 seats and doing even worse than DLP, I say we should nip this nonsense in the bud from the get go and say no way José.
    This may come as a surprise to pundits.
    Talking crap is no qualification for office.

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  4. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @Mr Blogmaster, as the editor of your opinion blog I direct queries of facts and reason to you re commentators as you are the final arbiter of what is factual, reasonable, objective analysis …. So re the piece above, a few such queries which you may be able to have your guest commentator CLARIFY!

    1.Is there any reality where the aftereffects of an exchange of nuclear war-heads between Russia and the US can EVER ”ensure mutual destruction’ of all but neutral countries”.

    Practically we are aware of the effects of Nagasaki and Hiroshima … but let’s conflate that by 10 where there are DIRECT assaults on the major western cities (Washington DC, London, NY, LA, Paris, Berlin etc) and Russian cities (Moscow, Leningrad et al) and extrapolate on the greater megaton capacity of current bombs and then factor the radioactive clouds rising into the atmosphere and spreading around the globe (based on weather patterns) … AFTER all that can we STILL perceive that places in Finland or Sweden or even in Africa will be spared a devastating nuclear ‘freeze’ on years of crops devastation, birth defects and more!

    Thus, in this ‘miasma’ of the stupidity of a nuclear war can any of us really feel safe in a supposed ‘neutral country’??

    2.The US, Russia, China, France and the UK all have nuclear arsenals they would describe as their nuclear triad … meaning an arsenal comprised of nuclear armed submarines, aircraft and aircraft cruisers with nuclear missiles and the land-based missiles. At this very moment one or two or three of the US nuclear class subs is patrolling in the North Sea, the Artic or environs with ALL of their 20 nuclear tipped missiles ready for a payload delivery to Russia; so too would be aircraft on the carriers be ready. And then the multiple land based weapons coming in from across Europe and the US.

    Thus, the argument that missiles on the Ukraine border posed an existential treat to Russia which Putin refused to accept may be factual but it completely belies the reality that his posturing is ALL about perceived power and control and really has VERY little to do with the true impact of this game of chicken which could lead to a nuclear waste-land.


  5. “Some people on Bu have recommended that Grenville is made an opposition senator for get 0 seats and doing even worse than DLP, I say we should nip this nonsense in the bud from the get go and say no way José.’

    I was in support of that call. I think he would be honest and would fight against corruption, but he brings along a lot of extra baggage.

    Looks as if he was getting into his insurance spiel but somehow managed to slam on the brakes.


  6. “I was in support of that call. I think he would be honest and would fight against corruption, but he brings along a lot of extra baggage.”

    Grenville has traveled so far up the white mans anal passage he reached the oesophagus for his dwellings

    He must be a CIA agent to bring down the dreaded black powers


  7. GP V2.0 is so anal he will soon start calling anyone who dares disagrees with his nonsense “activists” for being slightly left of the hard extremist far right side

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  8. Russia has thousands of nuclear missiles that are maintained to be launched at perceived enemy nations. As an indirect member of NATO, we attracted at least one of those missiles.
    ++++++++++
    Yuh learn something everyday, today I learned that Bim is an “indirect member of NATO”- the military alliance not the “NO Action Talk Only” group. Why would the Russians target us with one of their nukes? Did anyone tell them that the HARP gun is no longer here? Or that the site of the US Naval facility is now a hospital for COVID patients? In any event why waste a nuke when a well-placed shell would wreak havoc on the island?

    If we are going to be neutral, could we be the Swiss of the Caribbean?


  9. More like swiss cheese holes in your economy etc . Better figure out what country is going to share their food or thyroid medicine if the world goes nuclear. Pull up the rope I am okay lol . It will be like crabs in a barrel

  10. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @Sargeant, they say ‘joke, joke .. isn’t always fun, fun’ or some basterdization such. But here I would presume it is indeed all ‘fun, fun’ of this rather peculiar essay.

    Yes, we will supposedly get a nuke although we have cut ties from England because we are still an indirect member of NATO – whatever that means.

    But remember Vlad the Bomber ordered his forces to take out a maternity hospital (they thought it was a military site of pregnant soldiers surely!) so I would be duly concerned that under Russian rules of engagement the St. Lucy site is a suitable target – whether for it’s previous use as a naval base or in its current one!

    So like @Lawson not sure about that Swiss (cheese) reference … too many puncture holes being suggested. An association with Greek -types sentiments may be quite troubling to many of us but one may be able to grin and bear that puncture, not so!

    Joke …joke!😎


  11. Note to Vlad from a St Lucy guy
    1) The US Naval base was decommissioned ages ago. No tanks can be found anywhere in St. Lucy.

    2) The big gun is not in St Lucy. It is up South. I am doubtful it can hit Russia.


  12. @Dee Word

    Your queries seem reasonable. The blogmaster would add given Venezuela‘a support of Russia a war may bring exchanges to our doorstep. Do we know? Why can guarantee?


  13. tanks=yanks

  14. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “the military alliance not the “NO Action Talk Only” group. ”

    AKA the BU EXPERTS…..🤣🤣🤣🤣

    “If we are going to be neutral, could we be the Swiss of the Caribbean?”

    ya PM jumped out FIRST and already grabbed a side…there was NO COERCION WHATSOEVER…we were right there and witnessed it…….so if ya get turned into Lawson’s Swiss cheese, ya done know who to blame…


  15. In response.

    The UK is a member of NATO. Therefore, anyone who attacked the UK in its defense of Barbados, would have also attacked NATO. Therefore, that Barbados could have been considered an indirect member of NATO.

    Since we no longer have a military alliance with the UK, the best route for us appears to have been to be a neutral country. Neutral countries are not targeted, since those with means want somewhere to live if their country becomes a radioactive wasteland.

    Ideally, every Caribbean republic should have declared itself neutral in this conflict, which could have led to the Caribbean region becoming a zone of peace. Persons could then have chosen between the Caribbean and Switzerland. But we no longer have that option, because we picked a side. It is wise to have options.


  16. @Grenville

    Your definition of what IS NATO and had Barbados continue to nestle under the Union Jack does not square with the blogmaster’s understanding. That said the blogmaster always willing to learn.

    ——

    What is NATO?

    https://www.nato.int/nato-welcome/index.html


  17. @ nextparty246March 23, 2022 4:30 PM
    (Quote):
    Ideally, every Caribbean republic should have declared itself neutral in this conflict, which could have led to the Caribbean region becoming a zone of peace. Persons could then have chosen between the Caribbean and Switzerland. But we no longer have that option, because we picked a side. It is wise to have options.
    (Unquote).
    +++++++++++++++++++++++

    How can the Caribbean declare itself “neutral” when the same small islands (except Cuba) are considered as mere sandcastles in America’s backyard?

    Doesn’t Barbados rely totally on Britain and North America for putting daily bread on its tourism-dependent table?

    If the same NATO is incapable of risking a war with the same Russia and will soon be selling the economically rich but militarily poor Ukraine down the river to ensure a flow of oil(s) and wheat to the same NATO countries why do you think they would use military might to protect insignificant Barbados?

    Is Barbadoes No longer little England which the vast majority of people making up the same NATO countries have never heard about or can identify on the World atlas except for a few who take a special Instagram interest in its Queen called Ri Ri?

    What you ought to be ‘more’ concerned about is what will Barbados ‘say’ when the People’s Republic of China invades Taiwan and makes good of the threats it has been making for decades.


  18. maduro eyeing you up now Biden letting him back into the fold?

  19. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    “Instead of paving Russia’s path to greatness, invading Ukraine would ensure Mr. Putin’s infamy by leaving his country diplomatically isolated, economically crippled and strategically vulnerable in the face of a stronger, more united Western alliance,” Albright wrote. [pre-invasion in an Op-ed]

    Alas, it can be said without pun or morbid humor that the now deceased former US Sect of State was absolutely right!

    And the more one reflects on his actions it becomes increasingly difficult to understand what he perceived as upsides and benefits from this invasion!


  20. Folly of isolating Russia
    IF WE CAST our minds back to the mid-1990s, we will recall the euphoria of the defenders of capitalism after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of communism, celebrating expectantly the re-integration of Russia and former socialist states into the global capitalist economy.
    Then, the benchmark of “democracy” was very low and once an election was held, the West was eager to welcome erstwhile authoritarian states into the “family of democratic nations”. Similarly, the possibilities of re-integrating Russia into “our common European home”, expressed in Mikhail Gorbachev’s Perestroika and Glasnost thinking, was a compelling factor shaping Western attitudes to Russia.
    Most important to the West, however, were the new markets, business and investment opportunities, and the new sources of cheap labour and raw materials which would be opened to western investors, further legitimising the hegemony of capitalism. Those sentiments were encapsulated in the famous, triumphant “end of history” boast, by Francis Fukuyama, (a claim he later rescinded). But that was then.
    What is fascinating about the vindictive and unthinking flood of sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, is the extent to which the earlier objective of integrating Russia into the world economy is now being sacrificed on the altar of pretending to act. The West’s inability to respond militarily is being compensated for by a vindictive economic overreaction, ranging between the serious, the vindictive and the ridiculous.
    The serious actions include denying Russian banks access to the swift code system, and the threats to end reliance on Russian oil. The more vindictive actions pertain to the delegitimising and seizure of assets of Russian businessmen and denying them the rights to invest in Western economies.
    The ridiculous is seen in denying Russian sportspersons participation in competition and the withdrawal of McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Coca-Cola from Russia.
    Several negative implications spring from these reactive embargos, but two may be addressed here. First, so confident is the West in its economic supremacy that it is blind to how these Russian embargos may undermine the global economy. Already the West is reeling from domino inflation stemming from oil price increases, and further instability looms on the horizon. Relatedly, the cumulative impact of embargos and sovereign wealth seizures may undermine confidence in the global financial system forcing affected countries to pursue alternative arrangements.
    Secondly, the West has forgotten that between 1917 and 1990 Russia had effectively delinked from the capitalist world economy, yet remained a world power. By deliberately isolating Russia from the western capitalist system, the West may activate historical muscle memory and force Russia to pursue alternative economic arrangements.
    Just as NATO appeared to have under-estimated Russia’s military-security concerns and pushed Russia into invading Ukraine, then similarly the West’s underestimation of Russia’s economicsecurity concerns may inadvertently push Russia into exploring alternative global economic arrangements to the western-capitalist architecture.

    Tennyson Joseph is a political scientist at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, specialising in regional affairs. Email tjoe2008 @live.com


  21. Smart!

    Putin wants ‘unfriendly’ countries to pay for Russian gas in roubles

    Article by Kobie Broomes
    Published on
    March 23, 2022

    SOURCE: REUTERS- Russia will seek payment in roubles for gas sales from “unfriendly” countries, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday, sending European gas prices soaring on concerns the move would exacerbate the region’s energy crunch.

    European countries’ dependence on Russian gas to heat their homes and power their economies has been thrown into the spotlight since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 and the subsequent imposition of Western sanctions aimed at isolating Russia economically.

    With the financial noose tightening and the European Union split on whether to sanction Russia’s energy sector, Putin hit back with a clear message – if you want our gas, buy our currency.

    “Russia will continue, of course, to supply natural gas in accordance with volumes and prices … fixed in previously concluded contracts,” Putin said at a televised meeting with top government ministers.

    “The changes will only affect the currency of payment, which will be changed to Russian roubles,” he said.

    Russian gas accounts for some 40% of Europe’s total consumption and EU gas imports from Russia have fluctuated between 200 million to 800 million euros ($880 million) a day so far this year. The possibility that a change of currency could throw that trade into disarray sent some European wholesale gas prices up to 30% higher on Wednesday. British and Dutch wholesale gas prices had jumped by Wednesday’s close.

    The Russian rouble briefly leapt to a three-week high past 95 against the dollar and, despite paring some gains, stayed well below 100 after the shock announcement. The currency is down around 20% since Feb. 24.

    “At face value this appears to be an attempt to prop up the Ruble by compelling gas buyers to buy the previously free-falling currency in order to pay,” Vinicius Romano, senior analyst at consultancy Rystad Energy, said.

    Putin said the government and central bank had one week to come up with a solution on how to move these operations into the Russian currency and that gas giant Gazprom (GAZP.MM) would be ordered to make the corresponding changes to gas contracts.

    With major banks reluctant to trade in Russian assets, some Russian gas buyers in the European Union were not immediately able to clarify how they might pay for gas going forward.

    Several firms, including oil and gas majors Eni, Shell and BP, RWE and Uniper – Germany’s biggest importer of Russian gas – declined to comment.

    Moscow calls its actions in Ukraine a “special military operation” to disarm and “denazify” its neighbour. Ukraine and Western allies call this a baseless pretext that has raised fears of wider conflict in Europe.

    According to Gazprom, 58% of its sales of natural gas to Europe and other countries as of Jan. 27 were settled in euros. U.S. dollars accounted for about 39% of gross sales and sterling around 3%.

    The European Commission has said it plans to cut EU dependency on Russian gas by two-thirds this year and end its reliance on Russian supplies of the fuel “well before 2030.”

    But unlike the United States and Britain, EU states have not agreed to sanction Russia’s energy sector, given their dependency.

    The Commission, the 27-country EU’s executive, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Wednesday that he would discuss with European partners a possible answer to Moscow’s announcement about the gas payments.

    “It is unclear how easy it would be for European clients to switch their payments to roubles given the scale of these purchases,” said Leon Izbicki, associate at consultancy Energy Aspects.

    “However, there are no sanctions in place that would prohibit payments of Russian gas in roubles,” he said, adding that Russia’s central bank could provide additional liquidity to foreign exchange markets that would enable European clients and banks to source the needed amount of roubles on the market.

    However, there are questions over whether Russia’s decision would breach contract rules which were agreed in euros.

    “This would constitute a breach to payment rules included in the current contracts,” said a senior Polish government source, adding that Poland has no intention of signing new contracts with Gazprom after their current long-term agreement expires at the end of this year.

    Germany’s Habeck also said Putin’s demand was a breach of delivery contracts.

    A spokesperson for Dutch gas supplier Eneco, which buys 15% of its gas from Gazprom’s German subsidiary Wingas GmbH, said it had a long-term contract that was denominated in euros.

    “I can’t imagine we will agree to change the terms of that.”

    The Dutch Economic Affairs Ministry said it was too soon to comment.

    Russia has drawn up a list of “unfriendly” countries corresponding to those that have imposed sanctions. Among other things, deals with companies and individuals from those countries have to be approved by a government commission.

    The list of countries includes the United States, European Union member states, Britain, Japan, Canada, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and Ukraine.

    Some of these countries, including the United States and Norway, do not purchase Russian gas.

    ($1 = 0.9097 euros)


  22. Looks like we got another purge coming in Russia.

    Failure is not an option.


  23. Writing on the wall?

  24. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @David, what a continued mess…. As a simple ‘lay-reader’ (secular) of the essays and news report of the Russian oil economic issues I am always struck by the simple fact that EVERYONE clearly expects life to continue as NORMAL … this is a NONSENSE… there is a WAR ongoing!

    Dr. Joseph’s piece makes solid points but clearly the theme running through it suggests that ‘life is merely temporarily disrupted and Russia will claw it’s way back to its former power base soon enough – as it did years ago after similarly very testing times’. That type narrative must cease.

    There are over 25% of the Ukraine population of 44 million who fled across the border from the Russian bombs, mortar shells and supersonic missiles; there are over 15,000 deaths of soldiers and civilians; Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and the capital Kviv particularly have been totally destroyed to rubble in part.

    This is like a massive magnitude 10 Richter scale earthquake with the country in total destruction when this act of war has ceased to rumble … how can the rest of the world NOT suffer from the outer shocks… or continue to act as if it’s will be life as normal.

    On the second report, Putin is either crazy foolish or absurdly mad… how on earth (bad pun maybe) can he -in the short term – expect to benefit from changing long terms oil contracts on such a fundamental as ‘currency of payment’… that’s amazing! …

    “This would constitute a breach to payment rules included in the current contracts,” said a senior Polish government source, adding that Poland has no intention of signing new contracts with Gazprom after their current long-term agreement expires at the end of this year.”“Germany’s Habeck also said Putin’s demand was a breach of delivery contracts.”

    One can surmise ENDLESSLY the end game being played but it simply comes down to @Bushie’s (and all others) perspectives that the US$ as the core reserve currency for oil and most world trade is being assaulted. So yes Putin is about to confirm a rubles for Indian rupess trade moves, and one with China’s Yuan is reportedly well in the works too … and there is the new eastern block ‘swift’ financial payment system with Russia, in play as well … but a possible nuclear war just to get to all THAT!!!

    I must truly be missing the basic element of our existential purpose if we are focused on solidifying balance sheets and improved GDPs with new trade deals when there is a real threat of a nuclear holocaust just one mad-hat Putin decision away.

    What a thing!


  25. @Dee Word

    Do you think Western countries with its capitalist system and hooked on consumption expenditure will have the patience to smoke Putin out? One has to guess he has been planning for months even years.


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  27. DavidMarch 24, 2022 9:34 AM

    @Dee Word

    Do you think Western countries with its capitalist system and hooked on consumption expenditure will have the patience to smoke Putin out? One has to guess he has been planning for months even years.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Putin will smoke himself out in this last gasp attempt to re-export the revolution.

    Communism does not work as has been repeatedly shown.

    Like China, Russia relies on the capitalist system hooked on consumption.

    Trade in Oil, energy etc. is what it is all about and no one is going to be buying Russian energy very soon from now.


  28. … except perhaps China and it will have to have alot of roubles!!


  29. @ David on March 23, 2022 4:39 PM

    “Your definition of what IS NATO and had Barbados continue to nestle under the Union Jack does not square with the blogmaster’s understanding. That said the blogmaster always willing to learn.”

    Please note that we stopped being under the Union Jack in 1966. Since 1966, our only benefit was trade and military alliances. Last year, we cancelled our military alliance with the UK.

    When we still had that military alliance, what do you think would happen if an aggressor nation attacked Barbados, then the British Military arrived to defend Barbados, and then the aggressor nation attacked the British military? Specifically, what do you think NATO’s response would be?


  30. ” what do you think would happen if an aggressor nation attacked Barbados”

    why would anyone attack Barbados
    the mind boggles


  31. “why would anyone attack Barbados”

    … I guess armies need a little R&R

    I’m still waiting for Grenville to say something enlightening of insightful etc
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  32. Some serious changes in the “Game”

    “Thus, the argument that missiles on the Ukraine border posed an existential treat to Russia which Putin refused to accept may be factual but it completely belies the reality that his posturing is ALL about perceived power and control and really has VERY little to do with the true impact of this game of chicken which could lead to a nuclear waste-land.”

    Xxxx

    A serious game changer:

    Russia says it used its newest Kinzhal hypersonic missiles for the first time in Ukraine to destroy a weapons storage site with anti-missile missile (patriot ) batteries and possible land base ballistic missiles in the country’s west.

    That kind of hardware does not come with schematic. It’s called advisers/Instructors along with the phantom solders that are fighting alongside the Ukrainian military and patriotic citizens.

    Our boys are kicking the “rossiyane’s” A….

    World War 3) started. I say abort abort abort…The inner chambers of Harrison’s Cave/Ark a place of survival. If the earth don’t burn 🔥 .

    Can the Supreme leader of Queen Maud land’s disarm all nuclear tipped capable Missiles.

    Admiral Byrd, said they can most definitely achieved that task. (The Phantom of the Poles).

    Abort now before it’s too late.

    Tomorrow. I say yes 🙌🏿


  33. “Hypersonic”

    A hypersonic missile travels at speeds of Mach 5 and higher – five times faster than the speed of sound (3836 mph), which is around 1 mile per second.  Some missiles, such as Russia’s upcoming Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile, are allegedly capable of reaching Mach 10 speeds (7672 mph) and distances up to 1200 miles. 
    For comparison, the US Tomahawk cruise missile – the United States Navy and Royal Navy’s go-to long range missile-system – is subsonic, travelling around 550 mph and travelling a maximum distance around 1500 miles.

    What is a hypersonic cruise missile?

    This type of missile reaches its target with the help of a high-speed jet engine (beneath the belly) that allows it to travel at extreme speeds, in excess of Mach-5. It is non-ballistic – the opposite of traditional Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) which utilises gravitational forces to reach its target.

    The North American X-15 is a hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft. It was operated by the United States Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as part of the X-plane series of experimental aircraft. The X-15 set speed and altitude records in the 1960s, reaching the edge of outer space and returning with valuable data used in aircraft and spacecraft design. The X-15’s highest speed, 4,520 miles per hour (7,274 km/h; 2,021 m/s), was achieved on 3 October 1967, when William J. Knight flew at Mach 6.7 at an altitude of 102,100 feet (31,120 m), or 19.34 miles. This set the official world record for the highest speed ever recorded by a crewed, powered aircraft, which remains unbroken. A Rocket with a Seat.

    Nothing can shoot-down the
    hypersonic missile, it can be programmed to travel @ Mark 10. However, the bird carrying the egg can be stopped before delivery.


  34. CARICOM should do more
    By Peter Laurie
    CARICOM has already made two statements on the Russian violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty. They have also unanimously sponsored and voted for the UN General Assembly resolution condemning the Russian action.
    They should be commended for their unequivocal support for the people of Ukraine.
    I suggest it’s time, however, to go a step further and make a positive proposal for ending the conflict and restoring the peace.
    Why? Because the war in Ukraine is escalating to dangerous levels and threatening to engulf the whole continent; is causing horrific death, destruction, and human suffering including an estimated ten million displaced people; and is leading, inexorably, if it is not stopped, to worldwide disruption of trade and food security.
    It has the potential to be the greatest global calamity since the Second World War.
    Right now, Russia is bogged down militarily in the face of stiff resistance from the Ukrainians. Putin’s only option is to reduce to rubble all the cities of Ukraine along with the people in them. If this happens, Putin and Russia would become and remain an international pariah. In such a situation, both parties would like to see a face-saving end to the war. So would the rest of the world, especially China.
    One possible solution would be for Russia to cease waging war on Ukraine and withdraw its forces. In return the international community, upon the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of occupying forces, would agree to convene a special conference under the auspices of the UN to arrive at a comprehensive settlement of peace and security in Europe, taking into account the concerns of all countries, including Russia.
    The small states of CARICOM depend essentially on international law and a rules-based system of organised cooperation for their peace and security. Moreover, having designated the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, they have an obligation to use every opportunity, however unpromising it may seem, to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes.
    To help them along, I offer my poorly drafted statement below: We, the Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community, Recalling the CARICOM statement of 24th February 2022 condemning the military attacks and invasion of the sovereign, democratic republic of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, and urging the immediate and complete withdrawal of the military presence and cessation of any further actions that may intensify the perilous situation in that country; Taking note of the UNGA Resolution of March 2, 2022, that reaffirmed the paramount importance of the Charter of the United Nations in the promotion of the rule of law among nations and recognised that the military operations of the Russian Federation inside the sovereign territory of Ukraine were on a scale that the international community had not seen in Europe in decades and that urgent action was needed to save this generation from the scourge of war, and deplored in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of Article 2 (4) of the Charter; Reaffirming the statement we made on 3 March 2022, reiterating our condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, and calling on all parties involved to urgently intensify diplomatic dialogue and to immediately de-escalate hostilities and work towards sustainable peace.
    Now, in view of the immense loss of life and suffering caused by the war, along with the severe disruption to trade and food security across the world; Concerned about the escalation of this European conflict to an unprecedented threat to global well-being and security; Reiterate our affirmation of the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace; Call upon the Russian Federation to cease its hostile activities and withdraw all of its forces from Ukraine; Request that the United Nations, immediately after the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of the forces of the Russian Federation from Ukraine, urgently convene a conference for a comprehensive settlement of peace and security in Europe that addresses, without any other preconditions, the concerns of all countries.
    Peter Laurie is a former head of the Barbados Foreign Service and author of several books.

    Source: Nation

  35. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    Laurie is way over his head on this one.

    No one wants war, but it’s right there and continuing, Caricom don’t have what it takes to stop anything, they can’t even decolonize the region as a unified front., it’s a war in Eastern Europe they can stop…steupppsss….

    .yall need to stay in ya corner, a simplistic view solves nothing, this is more complicated than just a disruption of trade and food supply….if that was all this was, the war would have stopped already..


  36. @African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved,
    As we speak there are huge numbers of Haitians camped out in Mexico, Central America and other far sprung countries. Caricom is unwilling to assist Haiti and its African diaspora in its development. Yet, it has time to waste words on Ukraine, a population of white Eastern Europeans. Ukraine is being ably assisted by all and sundry, particularly her white neighbours. Is there any reason why black majority Caribbean countries cannot do the same for Haiti.


  37. The title of this thread is, ‘Pick A Side.’

    Although innocent adults and children are unfortunately being killed in this Russia versus Ukraine war, I’m not supporting either side.
    Simply because those countries such as USA, UK, Canada and those in Europe, for example, are seeking ‘international sympathy” for Ukrainians,……..

    ……….. when apartheid, the institutionalized system of racial segregation, existed in South Africa between 1948 and 1994, all of those countries remained silent.

    I’ve also heard news reporters from CNN and the other mainstream media houses referring to white people being killed in Ukraine, and making racist comparisons between Iranians, Iraqis and Afghans killed during US invasions of those countries.

    For example, CBS senior correspondent, Charlie D’Agata, said in Kyiv that “this isn’t a place, with all due respect, like Iraq or Afghanistan that has seen conflict raging for decades.”
    “This is a relatively civilised, relatively European – I have to choose those words carefully, too – city where you wouldn’t expect that, or hope that it’s going to happen.”

    NBC News correspondent Kelly Cobiella said the Ukrainian refugees were not “refugees from Syria, these are refugees from Ukraine… They’re Christian, they’re white, they’re very similar.”

    While being interviewed by the BBC, Ukraine’s former deputy general prosecutor, David Sakvarelidze, said, “It’s very emotional for me because I see European people with blue eyes and blonde hair being killed….. children being killed everyday with Putin’s missiles, and his helicopters, and his rockets.”

    “I understand and of course respect the emotion,” was the BBC’s white interviewer’s response.

    Then, we come to BU every week, ‘talking’ shiite about “losing insurance” as a result of Barbados becoming a republic, perhaps believing we are on some special list of priorities for the British.


  38. @Artax et al

    Have we figured why Biden and his handlers have stepped back from his statement which suggested regime change is required in Russia?

  39. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “Is there any reason why black majority Caribbean countries cannot do the same for Haiti.”

    am taking offense to these clowns….who see nothing wrong with Blacks in the Caribbean being disenfranchised for decades generationally, won’t lift a finger to END THE RACISM, APARTHEID DISCRIMINATION, OPPRESSION right in Barbados etc….won’t even write an article about it, but are articulate in writing about something that small islands should not be involved in period..

    .. and want to see Caricom misleaders who MOSTLY DO NOT REPRESENT their own people, don’t have the nerve or testicular fortitude as a collective to dismantle colonization …but being prompted to jump into the fray of a war which has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CARIBBEAN outside of the external shocks it will cause, as it will to EVERY COUNTRY around the world….

    most countries are staying out of the mess, because they are CLUED IN to what’s really happening and know to KEEP A FAR DISTANCE, it will make no difference to get involved and will eventually DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD anyway…….

    TLSN…there are over 30 Haitiasn camped out right in Barbados as i type, some fraud took their money to get them visas to Guyana and they are stuck on the island….hope to hear they get help from the pretend pan africanists.. and caricom integrationists…

    that’s why i post my opinions, who don’t like it tough, i post articles to my websites….so they have something more to not like and can do nothing about it…

  40. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    TLSN…there are over 30 HAITIANS…camped out right in Barbados as i type,

  41. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @David, re “Have we figured why Biden and his handlers have stepped back from his statement which suggested regime change is required in Russia?”

    LOL … it doesn’t take much diplomatic nous to understand the deep concerns re Biden’s BADLY phrased ad lib … in simple words: heads of state CANNOT preach regime change like that!

    So absolutely they need to ‘parse’ his remarks more adoitly.

    For all practical purposes that is EXACTLY what is desired but Biden nor Macron nor Johnson nor Xi, no leader has the right to openly call for that in THAT way because then it gets messy and crosses UN legalities and all that type of thing …

    That’s the beauty (or incongruity) of the realities of a fair and balanced world … even in the face of an unlawful military action it’s still VITALLY necessary to treat the warmonger with deference and lawful sanctions.

    Otherwise everything devolves into anarchy and mayhem !

    Not to mention that if Putin were deposed it would be LINKED to the US president and that good sir could be grounds for full scale retaliation… loose lips have started lots of war… we don’t want his to bring the world to a waste land!


  42. @Dee Word

    Some call it geopolitics, others a pappyshow.


  43. You can’t label Putin a war criminal and then pull punches designed to take him out.

    Biden is a complete disaster.


  44. Who picked this side?

    This side (almost unchanged) was beaten 8-1 previously. Get some courage and field a completely new team.

    https://barbados.loopnews.com/content/soca-warriors-defeat-tridents-9-0-courts-caribbean-classic


  45. The honorable thing would be for a member of this team to give his place to a new player.

    But that isn’t going to happen.
    Fired de coach
    Fire de old team


  46. This is like getting beaten 30-0 and then getting beaten 30-0 again and then changing nothing.

    Wait a minute? Have I identified a national trait? Ability to take a whipping and act as if nothing happened?

    Fire de coach
    Fire dat team


  47. If I was to copy the picture in loopsnews and asked you the game being played, you would never guess it was soccer. I have never seen players looking so unnatural.

    Suggestion: Instead of calling them the Barbados National Team let’s call them the Barbados Junior team or just the Junior team.

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