yeah, I used to find it weird how socialists would always blame capitalism for issues in society (crime, healthcare, mental issues, prisons, etc), but as I learned more about socialism, I realized that capitalism is unironically the cause of all that shit. I'm still learning more about socialism. I've never read theory like a nerd :)

Yeah, let's get rid of the jobs of creatives/people who work for themselves and get an even larger pool of laborers for our corporations... insidious

This was a pretty fantastic write-up, and I agree with it for the most part upon initial reading. I'm happy I found this because I was wondering why many here support Russia in this conflict.

That being said, I understand that Russia feels it was forced to be in this position, and I definitely realize the increasingly aggressive moves that NATO has been making over the decades, but at the end of the day Russia is the aggressor against Ukraine, isn't it? Like I don't want to see Ukranian and Russian citizens to go through the destruction and devastation that war brings. You feel me?

Shouldn't any communist party that works within a capitalist system be looked upon with a side-eye? Like I can't expect much from them tbh.

I appreciate that you mentioned that vice news series, it's always nice to see something new. But, you're absolutely wrong about the EuroMaidan protests, neo-nazis played a huge role in it. Check out this article that also includes photo and video evidence regarding it: https://www.salon.com/2014/02/25/is_the_us_backing_neo_nazis_in_ukraine_partner/

I deffo see how it could be more valuable, especially when trying to explain certain concepts to others. I'm not totally deprived of theory. I've started listening to The Deprogram and have watched a couple of Hakim's videos (I'll slowly go through all of them). My main intro to socialism/communism was HasanAbi on Twitch and Bernie Sanders.

Already on episode 2 of Red Menace (podcast) that, in addition to elucidating theory, makes an effort to show how to translate that theory into action. It's pretty great, but ironically it also feels like listening to this podcast has been showing me how to be a better capitalist (astaghfirullah)

Thank you so much for this write-up, I'm learning way more about this conflict than I ever have before. I never truly recognized to what extent neo-nazi's have hijacked Ukraine.

There’s a video, if I can find it, floating around the Internet of Zelensky meeting with his troops at the frontline in 2019 or 2020 and telling them to stop attacking the Donbass and the soldier he’s talking to just doesn’t give a shit.

BTW: I found the video you mentioned https://thegrayzone.com/2022/03/04/nazis-ukrainian-war-russia/

There's a podcast that was recommended to me by someone here called Red Menace. I just started listening to the first episode, but it's not bro-y at all. The two cohosts go through popular communist texts from people like Lenin, Engels, Marx and explain it all. They go really in-depth too.

Only thing is the podcast doesn't seem to be funny per-se. It's kind of dense and serious (at least judging by the first episode)

holy shit, fantastic response. I wrote mine before I saw this, but I think you delivered your point beautifully. Man, i'm new to this instance, but you guys are all pretty eloquent around here.

Thanks for this suggestion. I've already started listening to the first episode while running some errands. This is perfect for me :)

Is there a particular reason why many of y'all here seem to support Russia in this conflict? It seems to me that Russia are the aggressors, and I kind of understand why Russia invaded Ukraine (strategic location and reduce their border with NATO), but isn't it still the case that Ukrainian and Russian citizens shouldn't have to suffer and be annexed to Russia? I'm asking this question in good faith, I'm still a baby socialist.

Yep. I was definitely ignorant. I thank you and everyone else who responded to me.

Thank you for the sources, i'll be sure to check them out. I'm still new to reading theory and all that.

Amazing post. Scrolled through first couple paragraphs. Had to save for later

I hope they're back up soon, I need access to that treasure trove of knowledge.

I must be gullible, because I thought that person's comment meant that we should read Lenin's work regarding imperialism. Like how we should want both imperialist countries to weaken as much as possible so that the workers can find a chance to take power. Only issues is that the true imperialist nations that have an interest in this war, NATO/US, don't have much to lose if Ukraine fails.

Any chance you could write out a deeper analysis on how this situation deviates from Lenin's writings on wars between imperial powers? Or at least point me to a source that talks about it more? The only things that really jump out to me are what I wrote about in the first paragraph.