The New Russia

[FunkyTown]

For all those who hate a bunch of reading, just skip to the bottom portion. There're a lot of news articles and things from different bodies I'm using as proof. If you aren't interested, just skip to the bottom:

So, I have often counseled conservative reactions to things(Not conservativism, which is something different). I have often pointed out that where people see conspiracies. However, I want to point out that the US has steadily been losing international allies for a long time and am somewhat surprised by recent move by Vladimir Putin:

AFP: Putin praises 'atmosphere of trust' with Japan

Japan, a notoriously energy reliant nation and the only strong ally in Asia the US has(With Taiwan under the constant threat of Chinese invasion), has recently signed agreements making it energy reliant upon Russian electricity. This is the same Russia that has strong-armed Ukraine with energy:

BBC NEWS | Business | Q&A: Ukraine gas row

and contemptuously invaded a US ally with absolutely no repercussions for it:

Russia 'invades' Georgia as South Ossetia descends towards war - Telegraph

along with alliances with every anti-US nation with a decent military in the world:

Shanghai Five: An Attempt to Counter U.S. Influence in Asia? - Brookings Institution

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

Seriously... As someone who watches International Politics, I have to point out: You are being soundly beaten on the political stage by someone who is allied with a nation that wants to invade a US ally(Taiwan) in 2010 - And said so.

Taiwan opposition protests Ma's China policies

Russia, who has a strong history of invading its neighbours, has undergone unprecedented military buildup for the past 7 years. Because of its naval developments, the US has refused to engage it and its actions in Georgia have given its soldiers courage to engage the Americans(Indeed, they were yelling out 'Did the Americans teach you Georgians how to run away, too?').

China is allied with Russia and are making overtures to 'provide energy' to the strongest ally you have in the area: Japan. Combine that with the stick that North Korea has made in proving that they can launch missiles, all your allies have been checkmated. Considering that absolutely nobody is talking about this on US networks, do people seriously think that a few people hiding in the desert are bigger threats than China and Russia - Nations which have been ramping up for war for a DECADE and have shown themselves to be belligerent and desperate for war? Does ANYBODY think that worries of economic sanctions will work on nations where the welfare of their people isn't even close to the primary concern?

And if you think your economy is in the dumps now, look at what China threatened back in 2007:

China threatens 'nuclear option' of dollar sales - Telegraph

**************************************************

I know this has been a lot of reading. For those still reading, I want to thank you for finishing this. The long and the short: Russia is playing a political game with the US right now. It is winning this political game. The stakes are far beyond what anyone should be willing to risk. If they got their way, the blood spilled in the next few years could theoretically be more than has ever been spilled in the whole history of man. I urge people to look in to international politics and make their own decisions on what's happening.

[Hemidakota]

It really doesn't matter when in the end, except for two nations, all others will crumble and will be destroyed.

[Robert_Mason]

It really doesn't matter when in the end, except for two nations, all others will crumble and will be destroyed.

Excuse me?

Please explain further. I'm really hoping you don't mean what I think you do.

[Hemidakota]

America and Israel will be the last of the surviving nations of the earth. For Israel, it will be the Lord Himself will save what is left after the trampling of other nations. The America will be saved by those who are considered righteous in the land...all other governments will fail. What will be left around the globe are people who already live the terrestrial laws.

[Robert_Mason]

America and Israel will be the last of the surviving nations of the earth. For Israel, it will be the Lord Himself will save what is left after the trampling of other nations. The America will be saved by those who are considered righteous in the land...all other governments will fail. What will be left around the globe are people who already live the terrestrial laws.

Yes, yes. I'm more concerned about this bit.

It really doesn't matter when in the end...

[Hemidakota]

Again, it doesn't matter what the Russia and Chinese do or say, in the end, there is but one sustaining government that will be ruled by the Savior and those who are assigned by Him. Even John saw it in his days as the government seat will be in the Americas and the laws will given from the older Jerusalem. Yes?

[Robert_Mason]

True, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be concerned by it. Jesus is going to come back again, yada yada yada, but that doesn't really mean much when it comes to the question "X has happened, or will happen, or might happen. What are you going to do about it?"

This world would be a lot better off if people didn't factor in the End at all, and tried to decide what to do based on the assumption that the wrong choice could screw everybody up forever, as opposed to just until Jesus comes, etc etc.

[Hemidakota]

Tell me, can you stop the future?

[the Ogre]

Hemi:

I agree with Rob here. We are supposed to live our lives, recognizing the end of days, but acting normally. The innocents of both nations do not deserve to die. I think the American public is vastly ignorant as to the goings on in the rest of the world. Russia is looking to expand its influence throughout Asia. Even if their governments have changed, it has always been a Russian goal to dominate both Asia and Europe. They still need a warm water port in the pacific. They also want to regain their international prestige after humiliation at the hands of the United States.

Remaining religiously ignorant and/or uncaring is wrong.

[Robert_Mason]

Ha.

No.

But if I had a penny for every time the world right now got worse, just because somebody decided to wait until Jesus came and fixed it all for us, I'd be the richest man on Earth.

Yeah, Jesus is going to come. But forget about that, people. If there's a problem, fix it! If you think Russia and China are teaming up to take on the US, do something about it! Don't lie down and do nothing just because "Jesus is going to come one day and then it won't matter anymore."

I do hope I don't get banned for saying this, because I mean it with the utmost respect, but if God made any mistakes (and I'm not saying He has, I'm just indulging a bit here...), the big one would be "Telling people that Jesus is going to come back one day, and eventually everything is going to be sunshines and rainbows and happy puppies, and Satan is going to be bound, etc yada yada."

Too many problems come from either waiting on Jesus to fix things for us, or letting people get away with stuff because "God will give them what they deserve, once they die."*

*Afterthought: A lot of other problems, I suppose, come from people picking apart the Bible so much that you can't walk from your house to the driveway without them finding a dozen ways that you've just sinned again God, and consigned your soul to everlasting Hellfire.

Again, the preceding was all said with respect towards those mentioned. I do hope that I don't need to speak in a completely formal tone all the time on these forums. XD

[Hemidakota]

Rob jump and assumed. If Rob knew me personally, like Joseph Smith, I don't give up until dead. I can relate some stuff that will occur here in California in the coming short time span. Now, am I moving away, knowing what shall be? No! However, I am looking down that long corridor of time that I found most Saints do not bother with in asking through prayer.

[Hemidakota]

Ha.

No.

But if I had a penny for every time the world right now got worse, just because somebody decided to wait until Jesus came and fixed it all for us, I'd be the richest man on Earth.

Yeah, Jesus is going to come. But forget about that, people. If there's a problem, fix it! If you think Russia and China are teaming up to take on the US, do something about it! Don't lie down and do nothing just because "Jesus is going to come one day and then it won't matter anymore."

I do hope I don't get banned for saying this, because I mean it with the utmost respect, but if God made any mistakes (and I'm not saying He has, I'm just indulging a bit here...), the big one would be "Telling people that Jesus is going to come back one day, and eventually everything is going to be sunshines and rainbows and happy puppies, and Satan is going to be bound, etc yada yada."

Too many problems come from either waiting on Jesus to fix things for us, or letting people get away with stuff because "God will give them what they deserve, once they die."*

*Afterthought: A lot of other problems, I suppose, come from people picking apart the Bible so much that you can't walk from your house to the driveway without them finding a dozen ways that you've just sinned again God, and consigned your soul to everlasting Hellfire.

Again, the preceding was all said with respect towards those mentioned. I do hope that I don't need to speak in a completely formal tone all the time on these forums. XD

It is not Christ who be alone in fixing those problems Rob....never assume unless you truly know.

[Robert_Mason]

Rob jump and assumed. If Rob knew me personally, like Joseph Smith, I don't give up until dead. I can relate some stuff that will occur here in California in the coming short time span. Now, am I moving away, knowing what shall be? No! However, I am looking down that long corridor of time that I found most Saints do not bother with in asking through prayer.

My apologies, Mr Hemi.

I've been dealing with Fundies and RaptureReadies for so long that I suppose I've begin to snap at the slightest hint of that sort of thought process.

Again, my apologies.

[Hemidakota]

No problem...we have our own problems in the church.

[the Ogre]

I've been dealing with Fundies and RaptureReadies for so long that I suppose I've begin to snap at the slightest hint of that sort of thought process.

Oooo . . . you too. I get on them over here all the time. I've been booted from three EV forums (one for mentioning I was LDS). They are a pretty funny bunch.

[Robert_Mason]

Oooo . . . you too. I get on them over here all the time. I've been booted from three EV forums (one for mentioning I was LDS). They are a pretty funny bunch.

Yeah. I've just recently been kicked off of RaptureReady again...

On the one hand, I'm entertained by their antics, but I have a nasty habit of remembering that these people vote, and then they make me want to describe the lot of them with language that would get me banned from this forum forever.

[the Ogre]

Yeah. I've just recently been kicked off of RaptureReady again...

On the one hand, I'm entertained by their antics, but I have a nasty habit of remembering that these people vote, and then they make me want to describe the lot of them with language that would get me banned from this forum forever.

Hilarious. We're pretty laid back over here, just don't directly attack a person directly, spend all your time on their posts and how goofy the posts are.

BTW: welcome to LDS.net.

[Robert_Mason]

Hilarious. We're pretty laid back over here, just don't directly attack a person directly, spend all your time on their posts and how goofy the posts are.

BTW: welcome to LDS.net.

Ah, that's nice.

Thank you, Mr Ogre.

[the Ogre]

Ah, that's nice.

Thank you, Mr Ogre.

Yeah, watch that Mister crap there, buddy. I'll tattle to a mod.

[Robert_Mason]

Yeah, watch that Mister crap there, buddy. I'll tattle to a mod.

Excuse me?

[beefche]

Rob, Ogre is using humor. As in a joke. He's an ogre, why be polite and call him Mister? Just plain Ogre is good enough for an ogre.