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Inside the Soviet Army (1982)

militera.lib.ru

51–60 of 116 posts

Re: Inside the Soviet Army (1982)

#51

As someone very interested in Soviet Union, it's system, this is a great resource. I'd love it if this was available on kindle or a paperback. Even Russians will say Soviet Union is shit or people will react like, 'why are you learning russian and so obsessed with Soviet Union', I think it's because I think it could've been a great system, it's a noble ideology that men and women of all races are integrated and all r…

The philosophies were a ruse, no-one at the top tier lived accordingly.

"To everyone according to their needs" sounds noble in theory but I'm not sure it would ever be workable in practice, without externalities (like labor camps, authoritarian force) subsidizing it.

Re: Inside the Soviet Army (1982)

#52

"It is, in fact, impossible to reach the speeds of which the MIG-25 is capable using titanium: yet the Soviet designers had managed to build this, the fastest combat aircraft in the world, from ordinary steel. " Right... MiG-25, Mach-2.8. All steel. SR-71, Mach-3.5. Uses titanium for 85% of its structure.

I think this was an area for which the writer simply wasn't as well informed. Titanium and steel are both capable of fulfilling the requirements, but titanium is very difficult to work with. (Lockheed had particular trouble with it as well.) It's more ideal to use because its so much lighter, and increasing weight is the bane of any aircraft's existence. The Soviets would have preferred this, but they couldn't overco…

Speaking of titanium, the Soviets also had a class of attack submarines with titanium hulls:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa-class_submarine

Re: Inside the Soviet Army (1982)

#53
post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pretty sure the SR-71 is not a combat aircraft.

And that matters because?

That matters because you're comparing apples to oranges, the part you quoted specifically mentioned combat aircraft. Giving the SR-71 as a counter example makes no sense.

Re: Inside the Soviet Army (1982)

#54
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is why it is happening. NATO was set-up to counter the Soviets (dominated by Russia) and it is a slap in the face for Russia to allow NATO right on their border when they are trying to become a real world power again. NATO might have gotten away with limited defence/economic pacts with former Soviet satellites, but full NATO and EU membership was bound to provoke a reaction from Russia. Apparently the US State D…

Why should people in states bordering Russia care what Russia thinks of their independence and alliances?

Because that is political reality.

Do you see any armies marching to protect Ukraine's territorial integrity? Russia isn't a small state that can be easily threatened, and nobody in the West has the stomach for a real war. I bet Russia could take all of Ukraine with no response beyond a boycott and some air-strikes.

P.S. The US has done far worse things than what Russia is currently doing in order to keep South America and the Caribbean within their sphere of influence. Small neighbours of great powers seldom get to exercise real independence.

Re: Inside the Soviet Army (1982)

#55
post #49

Quote From Part VIII: Soviet Communists are frequently reproached for having attempted to build a socialist society but having produced something which closely resembles a prison. Such a charge is entirely unjustified. In the Soviet Union some of the inmates have larger cells than others, some eat well, others badly. There is complete confusion-a lot remains to be done to tidy up the situation. True socialism, in whi…

I wish more people understood and accepted this. It seems like every other day I read something which is wistful for a bit more 'enforced equality'. Ther can be no such thing, nor is it desirable. People have different talents and different levels of motivation. As such they produce Inequal results - and that is just life. Trying to prevent inequal results can only be done through force in the end, so a prison is the…

It's not equality, or inequal results. It's basic needs and inequal rewards.

Re: Inside the Soviet Army (1982)

#57
post #4

Thanks to the OP for this link. I just found out why USSR didn't invade Romania (a long time subject of speculation in Romania). We were poor, communists enough, defenseless and not much of a threat. This is so funny when I remember how many naive Romanians thought our army had some "secret weapon " :D (actually we had, it was based on the beans served regularly to the soldiers :D).

For westerners, "actually we had, it was based on the beans served regularly to the soldiers :D)" I think this means the secret weapon was heavy farts?

Re: Inside the Soviet Army (1982)

#58
post #50

As someone very interested in Soviet Union, it's system, this is a great resource. I'd love it if this was available on kindle or a paperback. Even Russians will say Soviet Union is shit or people will react like, 'why are you learning russian and so obsessed with Soviet Union', I think it's because I think it could've been a great system, it's a noble ideology that men and women of all races are integrated and all r…

I hope your research leads to the correct conclusion that trying to force people into equality leads to the use of force to stop dissent, and leads people to flee or campaign against it. Socialism ends in death and misery, every single time . At this point death and misery is a feature, not a bug that can be fixed.

i'd like to hear more about this, exactly how horribly miserable would you end up if you have trillions and you would be forced to give up 99% of your wealth?

Re: Inside the Soviet Army (1982)

#60

As someone very interested in Soviet Union, it's system, this is a great resource. I'd love it if this was available on kindle or a paperback. Even Russians will say Soviet Union is shit or people will react like, 'why are you learning russian and so obsessed with Soviet Union', I think it's because I think it could've been a great system, it's a noble ideology that men and women of all races are integrated and all r…

>I'd love it if this was available on kindle or a paperback.

I can mail you a copy in Russian (: If there is one in a local book store, not sure Rezun is popular currently.

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