Russia's downing of an American drone

[Captain Kirk!]

Exactly what is the (implied) antecedent to "they"?

[Oceander]

It is Russia that has escalated.

And when an adversary escalates, I do not ever--ever!--wish to back down.

No matter the circumstances.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.

One of the principal benefits of using drones is, precisely, that we can "overlook" the downing of one in a way that we could not "overlook" the downing of a manned fighter craft.

The value of the latter is greater than the value of the former. Thus, going after manned Russian fighter aircraft in a tit-for-tat over the downing of one unmanned drone is a senseless escalation. Ignoring it is not backing down, it's realizing that this was precisely one of the "virtues" of using unmanned drones.

[East of the Beast]

I get the feeling some of you fools would throw a party when the first nuclear warhead is launched.

[Call_me_Ishmael]

It is Russia that has escalated.

And when an adversary escalates, I do not ever--ever!--wish to back down.

No matter the circumstances.

Whose lives will you hide behind when you don't back down?

[Mr. Claws]

Russia has been running out 0of ammunition for a year now.

Yeah, how 'bout that!

[pjohns]

One of the principal benefits of using drones is, precisely, that we can "overlook" the downing of one in a way that we could not "overlook" the downing of a manned fighter craft.

But just why should we wish to "overlook" it?

We need to show Russia that it cannot--at least, it had better not!--do anything provocative.

Because if it does, it will surely regret the consequences!

[Call_me_Ishmael]

But just why should we wish to "overlook" it?

We need to show Russia that it cannot--at least, it had better not!--do anything provocative.

Because if it does, it will surely regret the consequences!

Tough guy. I'm half expecting you to say they will surely "rue the day"




Flying a surveillance platform in a zone where it can and will identify and geolocate targets for the Ukrainians to attack is the provocative act.

No ifs ands or buts.

Did you ever serve in the military? No war has ever been won without surveillance of the enemy. The Ukrainians aren't capable of doing it themselves so we do it for them.

[MisterVeritis]

I get the feeling some of you fools would throw a party when the first nuclear warhead is launched.

I plan to wait at least a week.

[East of the Beast]

I plan to wait at least a week.

To make sure you aren’t vaporized?

[East of the Beast]

But just why should we wish to "overlook" it?

We need to show Russia that it cannot--at least, it had better not!--do anything provocative.

Because if it does, it will surely regret the consequences!

Nobody wins in a nuclear war….nobody.This ain’t a pissin’ match. Finding a way to peace is the way. Not escalation. You blame Putin for the escalation,that only happens when somebody is fanning the flames of war….and we all know who is doing that.