why would a store exist if you didn’t have to pay for stuff in it?

Not the point of my argument

"Some shoplifting shouldn't be a crime" != "You don't have to pay for things at a store"

So what do you think should happen if someone takes stuff without paying?

Well, wage theft is technically a crime in some jurisdictions, but almost never prosecuted even where it is, leaving only civil compensatory remedies. Treating far more minor (both in absolute value and relative to the wealth of the victim) cases of tangible personal property theft in the form of shoplifting, which has basically mirror-image class dynamics, the same way way doesn’t seem unfair.

That's like saying it's OK to pour your used oil down the storm drain because Exxon-Mobil pollutes in the Gulf of Mexico.

So what do you think should happen about exploitative-by-default corporate practices?

I have no idea what you're talking about or how that relates to the problem of people stealing from stores.

probably finland and other countries near russia

Traditionally western aligned non nato countries are probably safe from Russian aggression. Finland and Sweden are 2 votes away from joining NATO as it is. America just has to park troops and equipment in any threatened country and they are essentially immune from invasion. Their military is also a good deal better equipped that Ukraine's was. Finland has the largest artillery capability in western Europe and a strong anti - air capability. Short of nukes, I'm relatively certain Finland would chew up any invading Russian force, especially as depleted and exposed as they are from the war in Ukraine.

Yeah, high-up Russian politicians have been talking about invading Finland or Poland or both.

And if the GP says that they don't have the military strength to pull that off, well, they don't. But they don't have the military strength to defeat Ukraine, and yet the fighting goes on, in complete defiance of sanity. No, Russia can't (successfully) invade either place. That doesn't mean he won't try. If I were Finland or Poland, I'd be preparing hard right now.

The reason the war in Ukraine goes on is that Putin was misled. The original plan was to conquer Kiyv in a few days, kill Zelensky and others and install a puppet government. The whole "military operation" was just that. They had no plan B. I mean, they are trying to do their plan B now, with no hope of getting anywhere. But from Putin's POV in February it all made sense, and the fact that Ukraine repelled the initial attack surprised everybody, including the allies - and Ukrainians themselves.

On the other hand, in Finland and Poland there is no similar plan A, only total war with NATO. It is not impossible, but from the geopolitical POV it makes no sense at all.

OK, but it's not February anymore. If they really have "no hope of getting anywhere", then why continue? Just as they have no hope in Finland, they have no hope in Ukraine. They once thought they did, but that was 10 months ago.

you ever catch a flight from LAX to NEW?

You can rename them to 'GAH!' and ':)' in the Settings! Happy flying!