Quote Originally Posted by JamesWales View Post
hmmmm...lets see.

I posted the below in response to someone elses post when discussing the build up to the invasion, in respect of misinformation, and people taking Putins position etc. Diane Abbot is the former home secretary and represents a slice of public opinion (that crosses the political spectrum) which frequently dances to Putins tune. Note that in that response, I recognise things not being black and white, recognise the west wanting regime change and defend Abbots right to say what she likes - balance!

"In fairness, nothing ever is entirely black or white. There is no doubt the west would like regime change in Russia for example, but that doesn't change who the aggressor is, which is plainly Russia which cannot get over an independent Ukraine looking towards the west
Nonetheless, here are the troops;
https://order-order.com/2022/02/11/s...kraine-crisis/
I should add, I entirely support Corbyn and Abbott's right to say whatever the hell they like."
https://www.ccmb.co.uk/showthread.ph...ighlight=guido

In this thread, on the day after Russia invades a sovereign country, breaking numerous moral and legal laws, we have the usual crowd instantly turning it into a situation to blame...guess who...Putin? nope. Boris Johnson - why of course!

The people of the Ukraine will be glad to know people are using this situation as an oppotunity to make cheap comments about the decorating of the Prime Ministers flat.

And you have ZERO idea that the sanctions we have imposed are not just and correct. You have no idea whatsoever. The point is to strike a balance between sanctions whilst also trying to de-escalate the situation.

That the day after the invasion the usual lot are instantly moaning about Boris Johnson says a lot

Personally, I think we could go further, but we are not privy to all the information. Irrespective, to start insinuating we are doing what we are doing due to corruption is, frankly, and ironically, dancing to Putins tune more than anything else, and there is not a shread of evidence for it.
Are 'the usual lot' the posters who consistently have a different opinion to you? Posters who don't use 'balance' as an excuse to let corruption and incompetence off the hook? Posters who don't think an ideal world is formed by a 50:50 mix of good and bad?

The subject of discussion today is sanctions. That is the subject everywhere - in assemblies, on social media, on TV, across mainstream media platforms. You seem very reluctant to engage with that, apart from championing the spin put forward by Boris Johnson's spokesperson (presumably Guto Hari).

With the exception of hardcore Johnson loyalists and the Daily Express (and you) most opinion is that the package announced by Johnson (in his best Churchillian mode) was thin, tepid, barely catching up with what other 'allies' have had in place for years. A significant part of the reaction to this pathetic gesture is that the Tory party are unwilling to go further - at least for now - because of their long-term relationship with Russian and London based oligarchs and actors allied to Putin.

The jibe about funding flat decorations was just a short-hand for that twisted relationship. The appearance is certainly there - and I suspect it is also a factor in the political calculation.

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/dar...-tory-funding/