cubsfan

Quite the article @Luca - I'd encourage those interested in Ukraine to read it. Soldiers need rest & recuperation to be effective. Definitely not happening.

You are a funny guy @Luca!

Don't forget - those 800+ bases are largely to the benefit of our many, many allies - much to the unhappiness of aggressor nations such as Russia, N Korea, China and Iran. Without those bases - you can count on the whole world nuking up to defend themselves.

Well that is an excellent and important point. Ukraine itself will have to judge what price they wish to pay in lives. Our view shouldn't matter in that regard. As an outside observer, I do not think Ukraine can afford to lose a generation of young men and survive as a nation. In that regard, Putin has them over a barrell with an extended campaign. I do hope that Zelenksky is acting in the majority interest, but I have my doubts with all the corruption and thievery in Ukraine. When you've suspended civil liberties, imposed martial law, canceled elections, outlawed the opposition party - one has to wonder about the current leadership.

You have absolutely no idea what is going on in Putin's head. None. Same mistake President Obama made with his "reset button". "Hey Vlad, give me a little space on this next election, and I'll kill the missile projects" After his very generous concession, Putin took Crimea and then the rest. Fools trust Putin.

Of course Europe or the US do not want a war with Russia. Do you think the Russians want a war with them? A war certainly, that Russia can not win? You are seeing the red line being drawn by the Europeans - which should comfort Poland, and the Baltic States. Europe knows exactly what they are doing. Diplomacy is wise - unfortunately for Ukraine, it will cost them the eastern half of their country, but save millions of lives they can not afford to lose. But the cost must be high for Russia as well. A united Europe will see to that.

We need to be real this. This is what, the 4th war with Palestinians now?? IF you think there will not be a 5th or 6th, you're dreaming. The only chance the Israelis have to stop another war is to completely destroy Hamas. The fools are still launching missiles into Israel. A much weaker military power decides to attack a much stronger military believing their will be no consequences AND has the gall to take hostages. Hamas has assured it's utter destruction. It's very humane to feel for the people of Gaza - but this is their duly elected government.

^^^ Those are really great links @james22 The back is far more resilent than most people think, especially if you make it strong. Strengthening the muscles that surround the spine does amazing things for your back. A weak back just invites problems. Strong back muscles SUPPORT the back and protect the spine. It blows my mind that people think deadlifts and squats are dangerous. It's often the same people that played football when they were young - and landed on their backs 100 times with no issues. And being blocked/tackled or taken down on a basketball court is a totally UNCONTROLLED movement. Deadlifts/Squats are CONTROLLED movements - where, if done with proper form - you are golden. Everyone over 30 has a bad back - and will show some level of spinal degeneration. But when you make your back strong - posture improves, back pain is eliminated, balance is improved.

^^^ Well , you have the fake news and the whole Muslim world against the Israelis. The anti-semitism being demonstrated by the left is no different than being members of the KKK. Pure racial hatred.

Watch some Starting Strength videos - I posted some in the other thread. I had back pain for 30 years - too much time on planes, rental cars and desks... 30 days after learning to deadlift several years ago - no more back pain, none. I have injured myself a few times - but to me it's like spraining your ankle playing basketball - it heals just fine. The deadlift is the easiest major lift to learn and it is important to learn how to do it correctly. Feel free to pm me - and I'll send you any. Physios recommend not to deadlift because they have no idea how to do it. It's a fantastic excercise for everyone.

@Charlie I only do 3 full body exercises for strength - squats, deadlifts, press (or bench press) Done correctly, those 3 lifts cover everything really. @james22 and a few others are very familiar with the program Starting Strength - which was disucssed in this thread: https://thecobf.com/forum/topic/19734-which-activities-in-life-brings-you-the-most-fun/ When I want cardio - I do the prowler, which is brutal and fast and intense. 3-5 rounds does the trick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9eV7B_-d00 I'm 70, so running doesn't work anymore - too hard on the joints.

A little more JOE

Thanks Greg! The strength training helps turn back the clock.

^^^ Good for you.. "Man is too soon old, too late smart" Charlie Munger

55+ can be great if you’re healthy. Less all around responsibilities. If you are financially ok - then you realize you got maybe 25-30 years left - so you better live it up! It’s back to being a kid again.

^^^ Agree - you'll be just fine, although you may not set any 10K records!

Actually - it was the Brookings Institute - from 2013: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/three-simple-rules-poor-teens-should-follow-to-join-the-middle-class/ -least finish high school, -get a full-time job -wait until age 21 to get married and have children. Our research shows that of American adults who followed these three simple rules, only about 2 percent are in poverty and nearly 75 percent have joined the middle class (defined as earning around $55,000 or more per year).

I believe it was the Manhattan Institute that published their study of poverty, just a few years ago. Want to stay out of poverty OR rise out of poverty? Do these 3 things: 1- Finish High School 2- Don't have children out of wedlock 3- Start working right away Your success is pretty much assured. None of this is hard at all. But it does take discipline and losing the "victimhood" complex.

I think that's true, because this board is populated by passionate committed individuals who have figured out how to get ahead. In most cases, the average worker would never consider working a second job or going to night school. In the "average" corporation, if you work 10% more hours - you likely make 40% more than the your "average". You see it all the time, especially in America. It's certainly true in sales, where I grew up. In general, the guys that sacrificed the most (in terms of time & effort) blew away their colleagues. It's going to be the same in many careers - if the company you work for doesn't recognize it - there are 10 other companies that would want you. I always worked weekends early in my career - some guys thought I was crazy, some were jealous - I just didn't care as I was out to make a lot of money. My father never came to any of my sports activities when i was young, only a few games in college. Dad was always working. He wasn't any genius - he always said you could outwork people. I didn't really get it until I graduated from college. The opportunities in the US are tremendous, even today - especially in the tech business, those opportunities are off the charts. I'd encourage any young "naysayer" to read a book like Outliers. No shortcuts, no easy way, only commitment.

@Whensthepaintdry? It definitely makes you think - good for you for picking it up!

The Carnegie book is timeless and great. A book somewhat along those lines that was revealing to me was Givers and Takers by Adam Grant. It changes your view of social interactions and who you surround yourself with..and how you look at certain individuals. Outliers by Gladwell is also a wonderful book about success & commitment. Every young person with any ambition should read it.

Yeah, lots of conspiracy theories going around. We all know what Mossad is capable of...or the USA for that matter. The best I've seen is the pilot was a Mossad agent named Eli Copter. Certainly to be expected from Israel haters. Sure to stir up the Arab world against Israel. But, the world is rid of one more rat - President Raisi was responsible for the executions of thousands of political prisoners - estimates range from 3000 to 30000 - and they went on for months. Who can forget the sights of hundreds of bodies hanging from cranes all over Iran in the 1980's. So whether it was Mossad or the incompetence of Iranian pilots/mechanics - who cares.

Yeah, nothing to see here - as the UN is totally off the hook - but Netanyahu is a war criminal... https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/artc-idf-uncovers-hamas-weaponry-in-unrwa-facility-in-central-gaza One of many discoveries of UNRWA involvement.

Interesting that Netanyahu is a war crimes candidate. Especially now that the Israelis have discovered 700 tunnels under Rafah and 50 smuggling tunnels to Egypt. The ICC is a joke, of course, as they don't realize Israel's right to self defense - and a right to free their Israeli hostages. Like the UN, these international organizations are corrupt - have they indicted UNRWA for storing weapons/rockets for Hamas, while Hamas lobs 7000 rockets into Israel from Palestinian homes? Of course not! War is ugly and should be a last resort - unfortunately , this is how you have to deal with a terrorist nation where both the population and every institution in Gaza is involved with terrorism and holding hostages. The Palestinians will be forced to learn the hard way.

That's a very good question @Xerxes A decent nation and neighbor would release the hostages and overthrow their terrorist government if they wish to live in peace. If the Palestinians will not do it - then the Israelis will - regardless of who the Israeli leader is.. The ONLY long term solution is: Hamas gone and destroyed. You have a much weaker nation (Gaza) picking a fight with a much more powerful nation (Israel), that can completely destroy them - and should. I doubt they expected this reaction - but they earned it. A terrorist nation is NOT to be trusted. You might say, this was the last straw. No negotiation until an unconditional surrender. Japan/Germany learned the hard way. No different here. Then you can talk about a "Marshal Plan" - if there is to be one.