Russia and Ukraine

[The Architect Of Fate]

Right, and whether a country is democratic or autocratic, a leader ignores public opinion at his own risk.

True Tsar Nicholas, Benito Mussolini, King Louis all show that no Autocrat can escape the publics wrath and if Putin thinks he's an exception he's deluded 

I just think that the focus here should be on the people, and how we prevent this from widening, because a Russian victory here would be disastrous for democracies everywhere. We can discuss the flaws and strengths of systems another time, because while it's germane to the inception of this war, it's not pertinent to how we contain it.

Fair point 

It's the equivalent of Pee-Wee Herman's "Yeah, I meant to do that." No, you didn't, you meant to seize the country, you failed, and you're backing up and regrouping. Couple that with the Russians also stealing Herman's "I know you are, but what am I?" schtick and we've got the makings of a shitty 80s movie, except that people are dying because of this twat in Moscow.

I wonder how many ways they will reword failure?

Sorry for getting preachy, and I'll take my mod-hat off.

Oops, there isn't one! I'll STFU then 

No problem I have done a fair bit of preaching on this thread myself