Opinion of Big Abraham

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Tankies = HP

[PSOL]

Oh come on, he just got here and he hasn’t posted enough to be distinguished to warrant a thread.

Entered FF just to rattle your bones.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Oh come on, he just got here and he hasn’t posted enough to be distinguished to warrant a thread.

Entered FF just to rattle your bones.

He hasn't posted a lot but his anti-Ukraine (including defending ethnic slurs) and pro-Putin apologism has made an impact.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

FF Newbie

[PSOL]

Oh come on, he just got here and he hasn’t posted enough to be distinguished to warrant a thread.

Entered FF just to rattle your bones.

He hasn't posted a lot but his anti-Ukraine (including defending ethnic slurs) and pro-Putin apologism has made an impact.

After a bit of digging, I can conclude that he did in fact do that. Such usage of “The Ukraine” in English, in which it seems like he well damn knows the English connotations, really doesn’t help him in that manner in prove that he isn’t a Putin shill. I will recant my earlier statement of saying he is a FF until he defends himself and ages a bit on this forum, as the diminishing of Ukraine in that context is an ethnic attack on the people itself.

Still, with so few posts and very little time here, it is still far too early to judge him with a poll. Such attempts make it more likely to seem like you’re ganging up on him, weakening your argument at this stage in time, just the same effect that made me ultimately vote FF on FrenchRepublican.

[Big Abraham]

Damn, wasn’t expecting this thread.

Okay, so obviously I’ve rubbed people the wrong way with my statements re: Ukraine, but BRTD isn’t even trying to present my views fairly. In the Ukraine Support Act thread I unambiguously called Putin’s annexation of the Crimea an act of imperialism and a crime under international law, so calling me a “pro-Putin apologist” or a “tankie” is a bit silly. I also strongly disagree with the notion that referring to the country as “the Ukraine” constitutes an ethnic slur, especially considering the fact that inhabitants of the nation are formally referred to as “Ukrainians”, which is the only term I used. It’s not like I called them “Little Russians”.

[PSOL]

Damn, wasn’t expecting this thread.

Okay, so obviously I’ve rubbed people the wrong way with my statements re: Ukraine, but BRTD isn’t even trying to present my views fairly. In the Ukraine Support Act thread I unambiguously called Putin’s annexation of the Crimea an act of imperialism and a crime under international law, so calling me a “pro-Putin apologist” or a “tankie” is a bit silly. I also strongly disagree with the notion that referring to the country as “the Ukraine” constitutes an ethnic slur, especially considering the fact that inhabitants of the nation are formally referred to as “Ukrainians”, which is the only term I used. It’s not like I called them “Little Russians”.

In the English language, using The Ukraine is unambiguously and widely viewed as diminishing the status of Ukraine to mean “the borderland”, being offensive to the people of that land and making it seem like you are politicized against it like a dogwhistle. I advise you to refrain from that offensive terminology.

Such an act makes BRTD credible in light of your posts. Without that one word, it removes such credibility to regular BRTD exaggerations.

[Big Abraham]

Damn, wasn’t expecting this thread.

Okay, so obviously I’ve rubbed people the wrong way with my statements re: Ukraine, but BRTD isn’t even trying to present my views fairly. In the Ukraine Support Act thread I unambiguously called Putin’s annexation of the Crimea an act of imperialism and a crime under international law, so calling me a “pro-Putin apologist” or a “tankie” is a bit silly. I also strongly disagree with the notion that referring to the country as “the Ukraine” constitutes an ethnic slur, especially considering the fact that inhabitants of the nation are formally referred to as “Ukrainians”, which is the only term I used. It’s not like I called them “Little Russians”.

In the English language, using The Ukraine is unambiguously and widely viewed as diminishing the status of Ukraine to mean “the borderland”, being offensive to the people of that land and making it seem like you are politicized against it like a dogwhistle. I advise you to refrain from that offensive terminology.

Such an act makes BRTD credible in light of your posts. Without that one word, it removes such credibility to regular BRTD exaggerations.

I meant no such connotations in my original (or any of my subsequent) posts. However, I'm not a fan of language policing, especially when the "offensive" terminology isn't being applied with malice to anyone in particular. If you have legitimate disagreements with my stances on the Ukrainian crisis that's fine, but trying to paint me as a Putin shill based on semantic disagreements is just intellectually dishonest

[Peanut]

He literally has less than 200 posts. FF until proved otherwise, and people have said worse stuff than that. Let's see how he develops as a poster.

[PSOL]

Damn, wasn’t expecting this thread.

Okay, so obviously I’ve rubbed people the wrong way with my statements re: Ukraine, but BRTD isn’t even trying to present my views fairly. In the Ukraine Support Act thread I unambiguously called Putin’s annexation of the Crimea an act of imperialism and a crime under international law, so calling me a “pro-Putin apologist” or a “tankie” is a bit silly. I also strongly disagree with the notion that referring to the country as “the Ukraine” constitutes an ethnic slur, especially considering the fact that inhabitants of the nation are formally referred to as “Ukrainians”, which is the only term I used. It’s not like I called them “Little Russians”.

In the English language, using The Ukraine is unambiguously and widely viewed as diminishing the status of Ukraine to mean “the borderland”, being offensive to the people of that land and making it seem like you are politicized against it like a dogwhistle. I advise you to refrain from that offensive terminology.

Such an act makes BRTD credible in light of your posts. Without that one word, it removes such credibility to regular BRTD exaggerations.

I meant no such connotations in my original (or any of my subsequent) posts. However, I'm not a fan of language policing, especially when the "offensive" terminology isn't being applied with malice to anyone in particular. If you have legitimate disagreements with my stances on the Ukrainian crisis that's fine, but trying to paint me as a Putin shill based on semantic disagreements is just intellectually dishonest

The phrase is widely viewed as a politicized phrase in the same line as dogwhistles, making its use in English unambiguously and widely known to be offensive to Ukrainians, making your credibility’s status in a bad position. Just ask Karpatsky or AndryValerovich about their feelings on the matter and they’ll give you a less civil answer. I suggest you recant from referring to Ukraine that connotation.

Really, I mean this in no offensive matter. I’m just looking out for your credibility to address this matter in a higher standing, or for me to adjust such views in accordance with your decision.

[Big Abraham]

Damn, wasn’t expecting this thread.

Okay, so obviously I’ve rubbed people the wrong way with my statements re: Ukraine, but BRTD isn’t even trying to present my views fairly. In the Ukraine Support Act thread I unambiguously called Putin’s annexation of the Crimea an act of imperialism and a crime under international law, so calling me a “pro-Putin apologist” or a “tankie” is a bit silly. I also strongly disagree with the notion that referring to the country as “the Ukraine” constitutes an ethnic slur, especially considering the fact that inhabitants of the nation are formally referred to as “Ukrainians”, which is the only term I used. It’s not like I called them “Little Russians”.

In the English language, using The Ukraine is unambiguously and widely viewed as diminishing the status of Ukraine to mean “the borderland”, being offensive to the people of that land and making it seem like you are politicized against it like a dogwhistle. I advise you to refrain from that offensive terminology.

Such an act makes BRTD credible in light of your posts. Without that one word, it removes such credibility to regular BRTD exaggerations.

I meant no such connotations in my original (or any of my subsequent) posts. However, I'm not a fan of language policing, especially when the "offensive" terminology isn't being applied with malice to anyone in particular. If you have legitimate disagreements with my stances on the Ukrainian crisis that's fine, but trying to paint me as a Putin shill based on semantic disagreements is just intellectually dishonest

The phrase is widely viewed as a politicized phrase in the same line as dogwhistles, making its use in English unambiguously and widely known to be offensive to Ukrainians, making your credibility’s status in a bad position. Just ask Karpatsky or AndryValerovich about their feelings on the matter and they’ll give you a less civil answer. I suggest you recant from referring to Ukraine that connotation.

Really, I mean this in no offensive matter. I’m just looking out for your credibility to address this matter in a higher standing, or for me to adjust such views in accordance with your decision.

Oh, I already know Karpatsky's position on the matter. I had a longish discussion with him in the Ukraine Support Act thread. And at any rate, I mean no offense either, I just hope that those hoping to understand my views will take them for what they are and look past nomenclature.

[KoopaDaQuick 🇵🇸]

Needs to get a shorter sig. But other than that, I don't have enough info to make a vote warranted, and I assume most others agree with me.

But hey, what can I expect from a poster as toxic as BRTD?

[Cokeland Saxton]

He's been around no longer than I have, no opinion.

[SWE]

"FF until proven otherwise" is the opposite reaction of what new members of this forum should receive, given this place's track record. I don't know who this is. If he is a tankie that's pretty bad but I don't have faith in BRTD's ability to correctly identify a tankie so who knows. HP until proven otherwise just like everybody else.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Damn, wasn’t expecting this thread.

Okay, so obviously I’ve rubbed people the wrong way with my statements re: Ukraine, but BRTD isn’t even trying to present my views fairly. In the Ukraine Support Act thread I unambiguously called Putin’s annexation of the Crimea an act of imperialism and a crime under international law, so calling me a “pro-Putin apologist” or a “tankie” is a bit silly. I also strongly disagree with the notion that referring to the country as “the Ukraine” constitutes an ethnic slur, especially considering the fact that inhabitants of the nation are formally referred to as “Ukrainians”, which is the only term I used. It’s not like I called them “Little Russians”.

In the English language, using The Ukraine is unambiguously and widely viewed as diminishing the status of Ukraine to mean “the borderland”, being offensive to the people of that land and making it seem like you are politicized against it like a dogwhistle. I advise you to refrain from that offensive terminology.

Such an act makes BRTD credible in light of your posts. Without that one word, it removes such credibility to regular BRTD exaggerations.

Should "die" be removed from the German language wikipedia site for Ukraine?

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine

[Big Abraham]

Damn, wasn’t expecting this thread.

Okay, so obviously I’ve rubbed people the wrong way with my statements re: Ukraine, but BRTD isn’t even trying to present my views fairly. In the Ukraine Support Act thread I unambiguously called Putin’s annexation of the Crimea an act of imperialism and a crime under international law, so calling me a “pro-Putin apologist” or a “tankie” is a bit silly. I also strongly disagree with the notion that referring to the country as “the Ukraine” constitutes an ethnic slur, especially considering the fact that inhabitants of the nation are formally referred to as “Ukrainians”, which is the only term I used. It’s not like I called them “Little Russians”.

In the English language, using The Ukraine is unambiguously and widely viewed as diminishing the status of Ukraine to mean “the borderland”, being offensive to the people of that land and making it seem like you are politicized against it like a dogwhistle. I advise you to refrain from that offensive terminology.

Such an act makes BRTD credible in light of your posts. Without that one word, it removes such credibility to regular BRTD exaggerations.

Should "die" be removed from the German language wikipedia site for Ukraine?

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine

Funny enough, I actually made that exact same point to Karpatsky in another thread. I guess he didn't find it too convincing

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Damn, wasn’t expecting this thread.

Okay, so obviously I’ve rubbed people the wrong way with my statements re: Ukraine, but BRTD isn’t even trying to present my views fairly. In the Ukraine Support Act thread I unambiguously called Putin’s annexation of the Crimea an act of imperialism and a crime under international law, so calling me a “pro-Putin apologist” or a “tankie” is a bit silly. I also strongly disagree with the notion that referring to the country as “the Ukraine” constitutes an ethnic slur, especially considering the fact that inhabitants of the nation are formally referred to as “Ukrainians”, which is the only term I used. It’s not like I called them “Little Russians”.

In the English language, using The Ukraine is unambiguously and widely viewed as diminishing the status of Ukraine to mean “the borderland”, being offensive to the people of that land and making it seem like you are politicized against it like a dogwhistle. I advise you to refrain from that offensive terminology.

Such an act makes BRTD credible in light of your posts. Without that one word, it removes such credibility to regular BRTD exaggerations.

Should "die" be removed from the German language wikipedia site for Ukraine?

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine

Wow, you mean German has different grammar rules than English? Shocking!

Yes German uses an indefinite article before all proper nouns. English does not. German also capitalizes all nouns, even if not proper nouns. Should English also well?

Which of these sentences is gramatically correct?

"Today I went to a Batteries Plus in Bloomington at a strip mall and got my car battery replaced."

"Today I went to the Batteries Plus in the Bloomington at a strip Mall and got my car Battery replaced."

[Arturo Belano]

He's a good poster. FF.

[Badger]

When you first started posting here, I did not take you as a serious individual.

Not sure if that impression's changed, but when it comes to policy I'm not halfhearted

Oh, it hasn't.

However, after that "sic burn" (I think I was channeling some anger at the Atlas "White Power!/lol libz1" alliance when I typed that), I read some more and now think he seems like a good chap.

[Big Abraham]

Damn, wasn’t expecting this thread.

Okay, so obviously I’ve rubbed people the wrong way with my statements re: Ukraine, but BRTD isn’t even trying to present my views fairly. In the Ukraine Support Act thread I unambiguously called Putin’s annexation of the Crimea an act of imperialism and a crime under international law, so calling me a “pro-Putin apologist” or a “tankie” is a bit silly. I also strongly disagree with the notion that referring to the country as “the Ukraine” constitutes an ethnic slur, especially considering the fact that inhabitants of the nation are formally referred to as “Ukrainians”, which is the only term I used. It’s not like I called them “Little Russians”.

In the English language, using The Ukraine is unambiguously and widely viewed as diminishing the status of Ukraine to mean “the borderland”, being offensive to the people of that land and making it seem like you are politicized against it like a dogwhistle. I advise you to refrain from that offensive terminology.

Such an act makes BRTD credible in light of your posts. Without that one word, it removes such credibility to regular BRTD exaggerations.

Should "die" be removed from the German language wikipedia site for Ukraine?

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine

Wow, you mean German has different grammar rules than English? Shocking!

Yes German uses an indefinite article before all proper nouns. English does not. German also capitalizes all nouns, even if not proper nouns. Should English also well?

Which of these sentences is gramatically correct?

"Today I went to a Batteries Plus in Bloomington at a strip mall and got my car battery replaced."

"Today I went to the Batteries Plus in the Bloomington at a strip Mall and got my car Battery replaced."

I can tell you that they always use the definite article for the Ukraine in the sentence, even when it would not ordinarily be used. Compare the following sentences, taken straight from the first lines of German Wikipedia:

Die Ukraine ist ein Staat in Osteuropa. (Translates literally to “The Ukraine is a state in Eastern Europe.”)
Deutschland ist ein Bundesstaat in Mitteleuropa. (Translates literally to “Germany is a federal state in Central Europe.”)

Notice how it does not say “die Deutschland” (“the Germany”). Not sure where you got the claim that German uses an indefinite article before all nouns, but I read German and I can tell you that isn’t even remotely true. Die isn’t even an indefinite article, it’s a definite article, and German would not use either an indefinite or definite article before a proper noun unless otherwise specified. (Hence Deutschland and not die Deutschland).

[Karpatsky]

I can tell you that they always use the definite article for the Ukraine in the sentence, even when it would not ordinarily be used. Compare the following sentences, taken straight from the first lines of German Wikipedia:

Die Ukraine ist ein Staat in Osteuropa. (Translates literally to “The Ukraine is a state in Eastern Europe.”)
Deutschland ist ein Bundesstaat in Mitteleuropa. (Translates literally to “Germany is a federal state in Central Europe.”)

Notice how it does not say “die Deutschland” (“the Germany”). Not sure where you got the claim that German uses an indefinite article before all nouns, but I read German and I can tell you that isn’t even remotely true. Die isn’t even an indefinite article, it’s a definite article, and German would not use either an indefinite or definite article before a proper noun unless otherwise specified. (Hence Deutschland and not die Deutschland).

As I explained at length in the other thread, in English, this construction is the result of direct translation of the Russian-language syntax. I don't speak German, but the explanation given by my German-student friend is that in German, using the article is standard in front of all female-inclined country names, ie 'in der Türkei, in der Mongolei'. This is not comparable to English, where it has no grammatical basis and is purely an archaism (aside from political usage by Russian state TV and other sympathizers of Russian neo-imperialism, of course) which is extremely rapidly disappearing as English-speakers become more aware of the pejorative context. (as it is in Russian as well, by the way)

[Big Abraham]

I can tell you that they always use the definite article for the Ukraine in the sentence, even when it would not ordinarily be used. Compare the following sentences, taken straight from the first lines of German Wikipedia:

Die Ukraine ist ein Staat in Osteuropa. (Translates literally to “The Ukraine is a state in Eastern Europe.”)
Deutschland ist ein Bundesstaat in Mitteleuropa. (Translates literally to “Germany is a federal state in Central Europe.”)

Notice how it does not say “die Deutschland” (“the Germany”). Not sure where you got the claim that German uses an indefinite article before all nouns, but I read German and I can tell you that isn’t even remotely true. Die isn’t even an indefinite article, it’s a definite article, and German would not use either an indefinite or definite article before a proper noun unless otherwise specified. (Hence Deutschland and not die Deutschland).

As I explained at length in the other thread, in English, this construction is the result of direct translation of the Russian-language syntax. I don't speak German, but the explanation given by my German-student friend is that in German, using the article is standard in front of all female-inclined country names, ie 'in der Türkei, in der Mongolei'. This is not comparable to English, where it has no grammatical basis and is purely an archaism (aside from political usage by Russian state TV and other sympathizers of Russian neo-imperialism, of course) which is extremely rapidly disappearing as English-speakers become more aware of the pejorative context.

It is true that many other countries are given definite articles in German that would not otherwise be the case in English. (It's not just for feminine gender either. Some, like Lebanon, use der even ignoring the in preposition, some use das, and some use the plural die, usually when it's obvious, like the Netherlands or the United States). And of course you're also correct in saying that this practice is not comparable to English. I'm by no means a philologist, and I haven't studied the history of the German language, so I do not know the rhyme or reason to why some nations in German have the feminine, masculine, or plural gender and others don't. I merely took issue with BRTD's contention that it is a common practice for all nations, which is certainly not the case. Obviously it doesn't say anything about how it ought to be used in English, which has long since dispelled with grammatical gender.

[_]

Massive ing HP, purely for his sig.