Article

2022-10-08 Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Kerch Bridge connecting Crimea to Russia on fire after possible fuel tank explosion: Ukraine media

See Peter Zeihan’s analysis here.

[FoxNews] An explosion and a fire were reported Saturday in the middle of the Kerch bridge, which connects Crimea with Russia, according to multiple reports.

Authorities suspended travel on the bridge after a fuel tank caught on fire, according to Russia’s RIA state news agency. Ukrainian media outlets reported an explosion was heard in the surrounding area at about 6 a.m. local time, Reuters reported.

"A fuel tank is on fire on one of the sections of the Crimean bridge," RIA state news agency said without further details.

Photos of the road-and-rail bridge on social media show part of the bridge was destroyed and plunged into the water below. Some videos show a large blaze and a column of black smoke.

The agency added: "The shipping arches are not damaged."

The reports of the fire occurred hours after Russia shelled the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, destroying several buildings and sending towering plumes of smoke into the sky.

Authorities did not indicate any casualties.

The Kerch Bridge was built after Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. It was officially opened
(By Putin, heh)
in 2018 to connect Crimea to Russia.

The explosion took place around 6 a.m. local time while a train was crossing the bridge, although it was not immediately clear what caused it. pic.twitter.com/Ah7BMKLiej
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) October 8, 2022

Posted by Skidmark 2022-10-08 03:25|| || Front Page|| [11148 views ] Top

#1 Pipelines, bridges - I’m sure it’s just a coincidence. Snark out of the way, the damage appears to be on the railway structure. That’s actually more critical for logistics than the motorway.

Posted by Slenter Panda4300 2022-10-08 06:47|| 2022-10-08 06:47|| Front Page Top

#2 It was a Himars oclock hammer time. Basically Crimea is cut off and by next year Crimea will fall.
So the mobilization is basically neutralized
The Russians can't move in and out of Crimea

Posted by Percy Flotle3938 2022-10-08 07:20|| 2022-10-08 07:20|| Front Page Top

#3 Correction - video surveillance indicates a truck in motion on the carriage way exploded (knocking an adjacent car into the drink). Railroad damage was secondary effect - probably operational quickly following structural inspection. The continuous string of cameras on the bridge should help identify the origin of the truck and expedite the investigation.

Press release on the event from the counter-terrorism authorities here: https://ria.ru/20221008/most-1822415086.html

Posted by Slenter Panda4300 2022-10-08 07:27|| 2022-10-08 07:27|| Front Page Top

#4 Take the gloves off. When the Ukes bomb Crimea, the Russians should bomb the hell out of all the Ukes’ bridges, railways, power grid.

About time the Russians got serious and do to the Ukes what the US did to the Iraqis in Shock and Awe. Fire it up, boys

Posted by Markus 2022-10-08 08:53|| 2022-10-08 08:53|| Front Page Top

#5 About time the Russians got serious and do to the Ukes what the US did to the Iraqis in Shock and Awe. Fire it up, boys

They have already tried. Turned into WTF.

Posted by DarthVader 2022-10-08 09:29|| 2022-10-08 09:29|| Front Page Top

#6 probably operational quickly following structural inspection

The reinforced concrete structure was exposed to very high heat. Not so fast on reopening, Ivan

Posted by Frank G 2022-10-08 10:36|| 2022-10-08 10:36|| Front Page Top

#7 "Fire can't melt concrete!"

Another graduate of Florida International University. Rub some rock salt on it, it'll be fine.

Posted by swksvolFF 2022-10-08 10:47|| 2022-10-08 10:47|| Front Page Top

#8 Correction - video surveillance indicates a truck in motion on the carriage way exploded (knocking an adjacent car into the drink).

I'm not convinced the truck is the source of the blast. If the truck was the source, the blast would have been directed downward and tore huge chunks from the bridge. Instead it looks like one or two segments of the bridge was lifted off its support pier and then came crashing down. I would go with a remote controlled explosive filled boat detonating under the bridge. That the explosion also caught a fuel tanker train and damaged the train bridge is either great planning or a remarkable stroke of luck.

Posted by Snash Shairt9621 2022-10-08 11:32|| 2022-10-08 11:32|| Front Page Top

#9 Add to my #6 - that train structure is probably toast (literally) but in the video, they also dropped a vehicular span into the drink - 3-4 months likely for replacement...while under artillery range.
Good times. Good. Times.

Posted by Frank G 2022-10-08 11:36|| 2022-10-08 11:36|| Front Page Top

#10 Video shows mystery ‘wave’ under Crimea bridge just before it was blown to smithereens: Speculation grows that Ukraine used a boat or explosive-laden drone – despite Russian claims of truck bomb - as attack threatens Putin's supply lines

Posted by Skidmark 2022-10-08 11:38|| 2022-10-08 11:38|| Front Page Top

#11 Thanks Skid!

Posted by Snash Shairt9621 2022-10-08 11:40|| 2022-10-08 11:40|| Front Page Top

#12 The blast doesn't originate from the truck.

Posted by Snash Shairt9621 2022-10-08 12:26|| 2022-10-08 12:26|| Front Page Top

#13 Lanes to the Crimea ?

Oh, probably a coincidence.

Posted by Besoeker 2022-10-08 12:54|| 2022-10-08 12:54|| Front Page Top

#14 #4 do to the Ukes what the US did to the Iraqis in Shock and Awe. Fire it up, boys

Yup. Get busy

Posted by Nate B Forrest 2022-10-08 14:54|| 2022-10-08 14:54|| Front Page Top

#15 #4 Take the gloves off. When the Ukes bomb Crimea, the Russians should bomb the hell out of all the Ukes’ bridges, railways, power grid.

About time the Russians got serious and do to the Ukes what the US did to the Iraqis in Shock and Awe. Fire it up, boys

Gee, you (and Mr. Forrest) seem to be suddenly emotionally involved in this thing regarding something so many people were insisting isn't our business. And you say that as if Russia hasn't been attacking civilian targets and infrastructure.

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2022-10-08 15:49|| 2022-10-08 15:49|| Front Page Top

#16 State terrorists need to be bitch-slapped. Otherwise they get too uppity. The Ukes are leading Biden down the garden path and need a good bitch-slapping.

More and more Republicans are calling for us to cut them loose after the elections. Doesn’t mean we like Putin or give a shit one way or the other who wins; we need to stop the grift and cut Ukraine loose. Enough bullshit already.

American Spectator writers agree:
Republicans Should Slowly Back Away From Ukraine
Following John Bolton toward nuclear armageddon seems like ... a bad idea.
by SCOTT MCKAY
October 6, 2022, 11:25 PM

Posted by Nate B Forrest 2022-10-08 16:19|| 2022-10-08 16:19|| Front Page Top

#17 John Bolton - blech!

What’s Yosemite Sam up to now? Who’s he whoring for these days?

Posted by Markus 2022-10-08 16:24|| 2022-10-08 16:24|| Front Page Top

#18 This is wise:

“What’s worse is that of late, Putin is not as bellicose as our own government. (READ MORE from Scott McKay: Consequences, Consequences Everywhere)

When Elon Musk tweeted a few days ago the outline of a peace settlement, the Russians responded favorably. Ukraine’s leaders reacted with vituperation. And Zelenskyy is now saying he won’t sit at the peace table until Putin is removed.

Nobody really believes Zelenskyy speaks alone. He says what he’s told to say by our government. And that means Vladimir Putin must believe that it’s American policy not to end this war until he is deposed or dead.

Ask yourself this: is the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which is not a member of NATO, worth the loss of an American city to a nuclear strike? If you’re a Republican member of Congress, would you support such a price to be paid?

Posted by Markus 2022-10-08 16:35|| 2022-10-08 16:35|| Front Page Top

#19 "The Russians are less bellicose than we are. Now shut up and run away before 'they' nuke 'us'."

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2022-10-08 16:54|| 2022-10-08 16:54|| Front Page Top

#20 Keep dreaming atomic dreams Boris. One nuke on the Siberian railway cuts gas, oil and economic links to the east that provide Moscow with nearly all its wealth. We don't even need a nuke. A dozen cruise missiles will do the same thing and Russia can't repair the damage because the expensive machinery is made in the west. Moscow knows it.

Better cut your losses Boris before the provinces realize they don't need or want Moscow.

Posted by Snash Shairt9621 2022-10-08 17:51|| 2022-10-08 17:51|| Front Page Top

#21 A few weeks ago a radio controlled boat washed ashore near Sevastopol. Everyone assumed the target was the naval base. We now know what was the likely real target.

Posted by Snash Shairt9621 2022-10-08 18:11|| 2022-10-08 18:11|| Front Page Top

#22

Posted by Spike the Great2727 2022-10-08 18:28|| 2022-10-08 18:28|| Front Page Top

#23

Posted by Spike the Great2727 2022-10-08 18:31|| 2022-10-08 18:31|| Front Page Top

#24 It appears that one lane of the auto bridge is open. The rail bridge was supposed to reopen local Saturday. The ferry service that was in operation before the bridge was built is back in operation. Ukraine's media victory is still intact.

Posted by SteveS 2022-10-08 18:34|| 2022-10-08 18:34|| Front Page Top

#25 Critique the content Spike old boy, not the poster or messenger. If that concept is too difficult for you, please take it elsewhere.

Posted by Besoeker 2022-10-08 18:34|| 2022-10-08 18:34|| Front Page Top

#26 if its shown the Ukraine/Zelenskyy sanctioned this, then they have massively overstepped. My bet is on the militias, who have been out of control in that region for years on both sides.

From what is available, the other lane is intact and operational., and the rail line which is much more singly built, will likely be back in service quickly.

The question is what will Putin do?

The Ukrainians are using the strategy the Finns used against Russia, Motitus. Look it up.plus they have the advantage of interior lines in the current battle space, as well as Clausewitz’s Iron Calculus of War in their favor.

If one is not limited by political blindness, or a serious lack of military history, you can easily see that Putin does not have a lot of effective tools other than nukes unless he fully commits what is left of his regular forces, and the strategic forces (like the TU22M) as well. And doing that will strip bare a lot of areas Russia needs. If he wants to go in, he needs to risk a lot and go in big. The piecemeal and spread efforts they have been using for months are a recipe for bleeding his army and country dry for very little gain. And embolden a coup.

Posted by Spike the Great2727 2022-10-08 18:43|| 2022-10-08 18:43|| Front Page Top

#27 A nice pic of the damage from liveuamap.com

Posted by SteveS 2022-10-08 18:43|| 2022-10-08 18:43|| Front Page Top

#28 Speaking as a native born white Southerner, most of us learned a long time ago to not listen to people named "Nate B Forrest." And to make certain to use our sheets exclusively our beds!

Posted by Secret Master 2022-10-08 18:59|| 2022-10-08 18:59|| Front Page Top

#29 The bridge definitely has a reduced capacity now. The railway should be fixed pretty quickly and the other span in a matter of weeks. Ukraine may/will hit it again so the capacity may fluctuate as the situation progresses.

One thing the Ukrainians got in spades is a punch in Putie-pie's nose. Hit his crowning achievement, on his birthday and let the world see it. The propaganda value is through the roof on this one.

Posted by DarthVader 2022-10-08 19:21|| 2022-10-08 19:21|| Front Page Top

#30 Speaking as a native born white Southerner, most of us learned a long time ago to not listen to people named "Nate B Forrest." And to make certain to use our sheets exclusively our beds!

Well, any _educated_ person should know that Nathan B. Forrest disavowed the Klan befoe his death because he thought they had gone too far. But a troll who's been assigned the task of pissing people off and 'proving' he's more Glowy than Thou might be stupid enough to use it as if it makes some sort of point.

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2022-10-08 19:28|| 2022-10-08 19:28|| Front Page Top

#31 The bridge definitely has a reduced capacity now. The railway should be fixed pretty quickly and the other span in a matter of weeks. Ukraine may/will hit it again so the capacity may fluctuate as the situation progresses.

Well, see what the resident Pontifex, Frank, has said about the concrete and fires.

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2022-10-08 19:29|| 2022-10-08 19:29|| Front Page Top

#32 Certainly less bellicose than the American mercenaries who just got caught a head short. Cassad reports on the Go-Pro of the No Mo ex-pro:

Представленные фото – скрины видео с камеры «гоу-про» одного из погибших наёмников, который в буквальном смысле потерял голову. Само видео возможно опубликую завтра.

^ says he “will publish the actual video tomorrow,” but Cassad shows photos before and after of the “slain mercenary who literally lost his head.”

@NeoficialniyBeZsonoV

Posted by Markus 2022-10-08 19:36|| 2022-10-08 19:36|| Front Page Top

#33 Pontifex, had to look it up, thanks Thing!

Posted by NoMoreBS 2022-10-08 19:41|| 2022-10-08 19:41|| Front Page Top

#34 Maybe it is just me, but I find wanking over war pr0n in public to be uncultured.

Posted by SteveS 2022-10-08 19:54|| 2022-10-08 19:54|| Front Page Top

#35 Those beheaded American fighters weren’t mercs. They’re (we’re) Special Forces. Several frontal head shots can easily identify them.

Anyone know these blokes?

Posted by Squaddie Laddie 2022-10-08 20:10|| 2022-10-08 20:10|| Front Page Top

#36 well, I only worked on new/retrofit/repair (including fire damages) for bridges for our local Metropolis for 36 yrs. Retiring as Senior Bridge Engineer/Deputy City engineer. But what the f*ck do I know? My ex-wife says "not much"

Posted by Frank G 2022-10-08 20:19|| 2022-10-08 20:19|| Front Page Top

#37 What does your boyfriend say?

Posted by Wood Row 2022-10-08 20:24|| 2022-10-08 20:24|| Front Page Top

#38 ^ That's some good intelligent shit

Posted by Frank G 2022-10-08 20:29|| 2022-10-08 20:29|| Front Page Top

#39

Posted by Wood Row 2022-10-08 20:31|| 2022-10-08 20:31|| Front Page Top

#40 Frank, check out pic 4 of 10 in this article:
Blast hits Crimea bridge crucial to Russia's war

The remaining span looks seriously damaged. Think it can hold a loaded commercial truck?

Posted by Snash Shairt9621 2022-10-08 20:42|| 2022-10-08 20:42|| Front Page Top

#41 Man up and withdraw!

Hee hee, nice.

Back on topic, the fact that Russia are now targeting and killing the US Special Forces and CIA operatives in Ukraine is really scary. This is Vietnam all over again. You had the Gulf of Tonkin there, plus Green Berets and CIA all over the ARVN, and that was the pretext for massive US escalation — which destroyed the country and ended up with the VC winning anyway.

Biden is another LBJ, escalating when he should be de-escalating and sleepwalking into another U.S. foreign policy disaster.

Only this time, the adversary has superior firepower (hypersonic missiles) and is not afraid to use it in direct attacks on NATO allies and/or the US.

Extremely dangerous situation.

Posted by Squaddie Laddie 2022-10-08 20:48|| 2022-10-08 20:48|| Front Page Top

#42 I like #1 - with the scorch marks and "apparent" collapse. The train doesn't look like the detonation point, but it may have been an opportune second target from disabling trucking access. That will take months on the vehicular lane structures (post-tensioned reinf-concrete box girders). The rail bridge is likely f*cked due to cracked/baked concrete & steel - note they were using saltwater to put out the fire - Not recommended.

Somebody did their homework

Posted by Frank G 2022-10-08 20:51|| 2022-10-08 20:51|| Front Page Top

#43 Extremely dangerous situation

Yes, quite. People in Germany and Czech Republic are on the point of rebellion. They’re sick of this war, disgusted with the US and NATO and want the U.S. to stop shitting all over us.

Everyone talks about a deliberate plot by the Americans to destroy our economies and “deindustrialise” Europe.

Me, I think the Americans are just being incredibly stupid, but people here are extremely angry. Very very dangerous situation, yes.

Posted by Markus 2022-10-08 20:54|| 2022-10-08 20:54|| Front Page Top

#44 The remaining span looks seriously damaged. Think it can hold a loaded commercial truck?

Sorry I missed that part. It is, and not if they want it to cross.

Posted by Frank G 2022-10-08 20:55|| 2022-10-08 20:55|| Front Page Top

#45 And to make certain to use our sheets exclusively our beds!

Well, they do make nice window treatments.
And/or corpse wraps.

Biden is another LBJ

Biden is a Howdy Doody string puppet.

Posted by Skidmark 2022-10-08 20:58|| 2022-10-08 20:58|| Front Page Top

#46 Frank is our resident expert on anything made of fly ash and rebar. Also the F-150.

Given that the Russians rely on railroads for supply and have military units whose sole job is to build and maintain rail lines in combat, it will be interesting to see how long it takes to get the bridge back in service.

Posted by SteveS 2022-10-08 21:07|| 2022-10-08 21:07|| Front Page Top

#47 Jeffrey Sachs was my advisor when I worked at the EBRD helping east European economies to transition away from communism during the 1990s. A splendid individual, great guy.

Jeffrey Sachs: ‘We Are On A Path Of Escalation To Nuclear War, Nothing Less’

Posted by Markus 2022-10-08 21:11|| 2022-10-08 21:11|| Front Page Top

#48 The rail bridge is likely f*cked due to cracked/baked concrete & steel

The rail bridge looks even more damaged from the other side. Directly overhead sat photos show the far side so coated with soot that it gives the illusion the rail bridge is missing a big section.

Posted by Snash Shairt9621 2022-10-08 21:13|| 2022-10-08 21:13|| Front Page Top

#49

Posted by Squaddie Laddie 2022-10-08 21:15|| 2022-10-08 21:15|| Front Page Top

#50 The Russkies maintaining rails are one thing. The actual bridge construction was likely done by a firm in a country now imposing sanctions. An interesting week upcoming for many

Posted by Frank G 2022-10-08 21:19|| 2022-10-08 21:19|| Front Page Top

#51

Posted by Squaddie Laddie 2022-10-08 21:19|| 2022-10-08 21:19|| Front Page Top

#52 This is Vietnam all over again. You had the Gulf of Tonkin there, plus Green Berets and CIA all over the ARVN, and that was the pretext for massive US escalation — which destroyed the country and ended up with the VC winning anyway.

The CIA / Polish op to blow up NordStream was another Gulf of Tonkin incident. A pretext for escalation, seized on by a corrupt and desiccated old fool of a president.

This is an incredibly dangerous situation, agreed.

Thank heavens the Republicans are going to take back Congress in four weeks and halt this nonsense in its tracks.

Posted by Chaim 2022-10-08 21:25|| 2022-10-08 21:25|| Front Page Top

#53 BTW, soot, in my albeit limited experience in fire damage doesn't represent the worst damaged areas as much as you'd think. It's the intense contained heat that doesn't smoke as much that caused the most damage

Posted by Frank G 2022-10-08 21:26|| 2022-10-08 21:26|| Front Page Top

#54 Ok. Wind was blowing to the far side. Figured that's where the flames were doing the damage.

Posted by Snash Shairt9621 2022-10-08 21:28|| 2022-10-08 21:28|| Front Page Top

#55 Great comment from another site:

“The USA could end the war by leaving it as well. Our disloyal Fake Elites are getting tens of thousands of people killed by pouring equipment and manpower into a war with Russia.

“I have no reason to want our tax dollars and manpower going to harass Russia.

“No Russian ever called me a racist or forced me to open the borders or suffer forced integration.”

Posted by Thath Bourbon6368 2022-10-08 21:45|| 2022-10-08 21:45|| Front Page Top

#56

Posted by Squaddie Laddie 2022-10-08 21:49|| 2022-10-08 21:49|| Front Page Top

#57 The CIA / Polish op to blow up NordStream was another Gulf of Tonkin incident. A pretext for escalation, seized on by a corrupt and desiccated old fool of a president.

Re. “old fool”: they say that the Lennon-McCartney song, “The Fool On The Hill,” was a thinly veiled attack on Lyndon Johnson.

Posted by Markus 2022-10-08 21:52|| 2022-10-08 21:52|| Front Page Top

#58 #56 “No Russian ever called me a racist or forced me to open the borders or suffer forced integration.”

So true. We are aiming our guns at the wrong enemy.

Our elites are trying to destroy us. This war is the Mother of all Re-Directs

Posted by Chaim 2022-10-08 21:55|| 2022-10-08 21:55|| Front Page Top

#59 Terrorism and sabotage will not end well for the Ukes.

PS: the American Special Forces guys that got fried evince all the hallmarks of Russian thermobaric weapons strikes. Ouch.

Posted by Thiting Snore1059 2022-10-08 22:03|| 2022-10-08 22:03|| Front Page Top

#60 hallmarks of Russian thermobaric weapons strikes. Ouch.

Yup. 21st century version of fustest with the mostest. Dig it!

Btw I hear tell the Special Forces dudes came from Ft Lejeune (or Fort Barack or Fort Oprah or whatever it’s called now)

Posted by Nate B Forrest 2022-10-08 22:14|| 2022-10-08 22:14|| Front Page Top

#61 Camp Lejeune

Too much bourbon … g’night

Posted by Nate B Forrest 2022-10-08 22:16|| 2022-10-08 22:16|| Front Page Top

#62 Frank is our resident expert on anything made of fly ash and rebar. Also the F-150.

It's fucked.

Posted by swksvolFF 2022-10-08 22:23|| 2022-10-08 22:23|| Front Page Top

#63 when I worked at the EBRD helping east European economies to transition away from communism during the 1990s.

Happy memories! I wonder if you and Mr. Wife crossed paths, Markus? He spent 1991-1996 as part of the team bringing modern household products to Eastern Europe — first Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia, then continuing east all the way to Siberia. And if we’re going to drop names... after Mr. Wife fell into conversation in the hotel bar with Vaclav Havel, who was then president of Czechoslovakia (or perhaps it had already split — I no longer recall the exact timing), Mr. Havel had the company paint a giant advert on the side of his apartment building — a sign for all to see of how much things were changing. I’m sure you know the one I’m talking about, and can imagine that wonderful man happily talking to an American stranger about anything and everything.

Posted by trailing wife 2022-10-08 22:24|| 2022-10-08 22:24|| Front Page Top

#64 ;-) Man's gotta know his limitations

Posted by Frank G 2022-10-08 22:27|| 2022-10-08 22:27|| Front Page Top

#65 Golcids Every Damn Where.

Posted by swksvolFF 2022-10-08 22:35|| 2022-10-08 22:35|| Front Page Top

#66 Haha… good times, trailing wife. Quite possibly we crossed paths. I guess your husband worked for Procter & Gamble, the company famous for not proctoring enough and too much gambling with shareholder capital? (Sorry, an old banker joke.)

We got a good laugh out of the Russian detergent manufacturer that outwitted P&G’s marketing people, who came up with lame tc ads that pitted Tide (?) against ordinary detergent, aka “Obychnyi Poroshok” — “ordinary detergent.”

So some clever entrepreneurs created a brand called Obychnyi Poroshok, which cane out of the gates with massive brand awareness. Obychnyi Poroshok undercut the P&G brand and basically destroyed it. A wonderful marketing story that taught a great lesson in humility to my colleagues…

Posted by Markus 2022-10-08 22:37|| 2022-10-08 22:37|| Front Page Top

#67 the American Special Forces guys that got fried evince all the hallmarks of Russian thermobaric weapons strikes. Ouch.

Yep.. Those corpses are blackened from ~~head~~ torso to toe. Scary stuff.

Posted by Chaim 2022-10-08 22:44|| 2022-10-08 22:44|| Front Page Top

#68 A hearty to thank you to Frank G, Snash Shairt9621, and the rest in this thread for a through technical education on heat damage. Rantburg U rulez!!

(Frank G, your ex-wife was all kinds of fool, in my opinion. Please don’t introduce us.)

Those beheaded American fighters weren’t mercs. They’re (we’re) Special Forces. Several frontal head shots can easily identify them.

Anyone know these blokes?

OPSEC, Squaddie Laddie. If anyone knows, please do not name them here. Remember that Rantburg is not that kind of secure space.

I do have to say that those who behead their enemies are barbarians who by their actions have lost their forces the protections of the Geneva Conventions. Those who wear uniforms know what that means. And beheaders are childish, besides. Desecrating corpses is not actually more horrible than killing people in the first place, though torture of course is, and both take time more usefully spent on all the normal activities of soldiering on the battlefield to advance the objective. (No, of course I don’t know what those things are, except liberally dusting the feet with Gold Bond powder before putting on a dry pair of socks, but enough here do.)

Posted by trailing wife 2022-10-08 22:47|| 2022-10-08 22:47|| Front Page Top

#69 They aren’t “beheaded” in typical (Picayune-)Scimitar fashion. A Russian missile likely took the American Special Forces’ heads off. Thermobarics would have burned the Americans’ lungs out.

I too would like to know who these Americans are. Why do we have troops on the ground in Ukraine?

Fir what reason are we involved in that miserable hell home? What business is it of ours?

Is it really worth risking nuclear war with Russia over? How is this possibly connected to our security or freedom?

Posted by Don Vito Henbane2440 2022-10-08 22:59|| 2022-10-08 22:59|| Front Page Top

#70 * For what reason are we involved in that miserable hell hole?

Posted by Don Vito Henbane2440 2022-10-08 23:00|| 2022-10-08 23:00|| Front Page Top

#71 I guess your husband worked for Procter & Gamble, the company famous for not proctoring enough and too much gambling with shareholder capital? (Sorry, an old banker joke.)

Clever man. I have to admit to greatly enjoying the various bankers and finance types of my acquaintance. :-) I don’t know if it was Tide or Ariel — the company uses both names around the world; as for the lame advertising, P&G never names real competitors in ads — let them pay their own money for name recognition. The Obychnyi Poroshok team was clever to leap on that principle, but in the end cleverness is only gets consumer trials, not brand loyalty.

Mr. Wife never mentioned Obychnyi Poroshok — when did that happen? As for why — there are always those who plump for a lower cost per use instead of looking at net effectiveness, and if it was better than Soviet products but not as good as Tide/Ariel, that would be enough to create a solid customer base at a lower price point. I wasn’t privy to any of those discussions, but I imagine after Mr. Wife’s team developed optimized detergents for local conditions and use patterns, the sales price was set based on production cost, not with an upcharge merely because it was an American product. What you describe is the development of a normal, competitive market, not the kind of monopolies P&G had in Saudi Arabia or Unilever in India. This is a good thing, the kind of virtual cycle that leads to more prosperous economies and profits, even if an individual product/company’s share of the expanded market drops.

Posted by trailing wife 2022-10-08 23:39|| 2022-10-08 23:39|| Front Page Top

11:11 HeavyG
11:10 Angstrom
11:07 HeavyG
11:07 Angstrom
11:06 DarthVader
11:05 HeavyG
10:58 alanc
09:43 Mullah Richard
09:27 Warthog
09:11 Mercutio
09:07 AlmostAnonymous5839
08:52 Matt
08:24 Matt
08:20 SteveS
07:43 Procopius2k
07:42 BrerRabbit
07:42 Procopius2k
07:39 Procopius2k
07:36 Procopius2k
07:35 Procopius2k
07:34 trailing wife
07:31 Procopius2k
07:30 NN2N1
07:22 NN2N1