The Serious Discussion Thread.

[Richie]

I heard about that Thomas and other freezes of Russian monies held abroad, and using that money to aid Ukraine I think? Something like that.

Yes Terry the West froze all Russian monetary assets in western banks when it invaded Ukraine. In the interum the value of the funds have grown with added interest, some Euro35b of which is to be handed to Ukraine or has already been. Not sure if it is a gift or a loan. This will ensure Ukraine can continue its war with Russia. Also there has been some 'Trump proofing' behind the scenes by the EU in the eventuality Trump won and cut Ukraine funding, which appears inevitable.

 

[Richie]

The prospect of Trump unchecked is not merely an offense to abstract notions of democracy. It poses multiple dangers, all of them clear and present. To take just one, there is nothing to stop the old-new president making good on his promise (has now done) to put the anti-vax fanatic and conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jr in charge of public health. . If that happens, there are already warnings that polio or measles could return to afflict America’s children.

Or consider the climate. In Salem, Virginia, last weekend, I heard Trump hail the glories of “liquid gold”, meaning oil, leading the crowd in a chant of “Drill, baby, drill”. He promised to extract oil from the last pristine wilderness in North America, Alaska’s Arctic national wildlife refuge. Joe Biden had moved to preserve it; Trump will send in the rigs. That will accelerate yet further the climate breakdown, a crisis that was unmistakable that day in Salem, where the temperature reached a weird 26C in November.

Trump is now free to abandon Ukraine to Vladimir Putin’s wolves, free to make Nato a dead letter – which it will be the day Trump is sworn in on 20 January. We know that Trump has contempt for Nato’s core principle of mutual defence. Without that, the alliance falls apart. Yet there is no one to stop him.

We know how Trump wants to rule because he has said so, telling a Fox News interviewer he would be a dictator “on day one”. We know which leaders he admires because of the way he gushes over Putin, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un. The assumption had always been that these fantasies of his would remain just that, because of the institutional checks and balances that fetter an American president. But when Trump renews his oath on 20 January, those restraints will look either badly frayed or entirely absent. He will be Trump unbound, free to do his worst. (The Guardian)

 

[looker-on]

Trump is now free to abandon Ukraine to Vladimir Putin’s wolves, free to make Nato a dead letter – which it will be the day Trump is sworn in on 20 January. We know that Trump has contempt for Nato’s core principle of mutual defence. Without that, the alliance falls apart. Yet there is no one to stop him.

That's part of the grim-looking reality despite the big manoeuvre you mentioned.

 

[Richie]

Bit of an eye opener.

 

[Grier]

Bit of an eye opener.

That's a great clip Craig, except the brief sales pitch at the end on cyber security. Very informative nevertheless and confirmed many of my own perceptions on global affairs.
What might Trump do?
No one knows including Trump!
Looney tunes trumpets any which way... 🎙

I think Trump actually does worry China and Russia a bit.
Notice how XI XI has been saying nice things about our PM Elbow Easy lately.

I reckon as a last fling Biden has sanctioned those long range precise missiles to be sent to Ukraine as a to Putin using the excuse it was in retaliation to the 15,000 North Koreans entering the fray. Fair enough but it is escalatory. Go slow Joe, Go!
Trump will have to somehow smooth that over with his manfriend Vlad Puthebootin.

 

[Richie]

PM Elbow Easy

Now that is a worry. One Chinese communist praising an Australian socialist. Hearing it is because of Albo having a bit each way with both the US and China. rather than taking side for the West like most other world leaders. Albo is just a chicken to do otherwise.

Nutty Little Rocket Man has threatened to send 100,000 of his troops now. Next will be South Korea following sending same for Ukraine. And the two Koreas will be having a proxy war with each other. What a crazy place the world has become.

 

[Grier]

I am still amazed at some of Trump's Cabinet picks.
Meta AI churned this out for me:

Donald Trump's latest cabinet picks include:

- *Secretary of State*: Marco Rubio, who will become the first Latino to serve in this position. Rubio is known for his hawkish views on foreign policy, particularly regarding China, Iran, and Cuba, although he has softened some of his stances to align with Trump's less interventionist approach ¹.

- *Attorney General*: Matt Gaetz, who will work closely with Trump on initiatives such as mass deportations and pardoning January 6 rioters ¹.

- *Director of National Intelligence*: Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic representative who left the party in 2022 to become an independent. Despite having little direct experience with intelligence work, Gabbard will become the top official in the U.S. intelligence community ¹.

- *Health and Human Services Secretary*: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., an environmental activist who has spread misinformation about vaccine dangers. Kennedy plans to overhaul the Food and Drug Administration and replace hundreds of employees at the National Institutes of Health ¹.

- *Defense Secretary*: Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and veteran who opposes the "woke" policies of Pentagon leaders ¹.

- *EPA Administrator*: Lee Zeldin, a former congressman from New York who lost the governor's race to Kathy Hochul in 2022. Zeldin will help Trump maximize U.S. oil and gas production by rolling back regulations ¹.

- *National Security Adviser*: Mike Waltz, a Republican representative and retired Army Green Beret who has criticized Chinese activity in the Asia-Pacific region ¹.

- *Chief of Staff*: Susie Wiles, one of Trump's campaign managers, who will bring order and discipline to the White House ¹.
- *Border Czar*: Tom Homan, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trump's first administration, who will prioritize deporting immigrants who pose safety and security threats ¹.

- *UN Ambassador*: Elise Stefanik, a Republican congresswoman who replaced Liz Cheney as House Republican conference chair in 2021 ¹.

- *Department of Government Efficiency*: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead this newly created department, aiming to reduce bureaucracy and slash regulations ¹.

- *Homeland Security Secretary*: Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota, who refused to impose a statewide mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic ¹.

- *Interior Secretary and Energy Czar*: Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, who will manage public lands and minerals, national parks, and wildlife refuges ¹.

- *CIA Director*: John Ratcliffe, the former director of national intelligence, who is seen as a hardcore Trump loyalist ¹.

- *Department of Education*: Linda McMahon, WWE co-founder and former CEO, who has been a strong supporter of Trump since his 2016 campaign ².

 

[looker-on]

I am still amazed at some of Trump's Cabinet picks.
Meta AI churned this out for me:

Donald Trump's latest cabinet picks include:

- *Secretary of State*: Marco Rubio, who will become the first Latino to serve in this position. Rubio is known for his hawkish views on foreign policy, particularly regarding China, Iran, and Cuba, although he has softened some of his stances to align with Trump's less interventionist approach ¹.

- *Attorney General*: Matt Gaetz, who will work closely with Trump on initiatives such as mass deportations and pardoning January 6 rioters ¹.

- *Director of National Intelligence*: Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic representative who left the party in 2022 to become an independent. Despite having little direct experience with intelligence work, Gabbard will become the top official in the U.S. intelligence community ¹.

- *Health and Human Services Secretary*: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., an environmental activist who has spread misinformation about vaccine dangers. Kennedy plans to overhaul the Food and Drug Administration and replace hundreds of employees at the National Institutes of Health ¹.

- *Defense Secretary*: Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and veteran who opposes the "woke" policies of Pentagon leaders ¹.

- *EPA Administrator*: Lee Zeldin, a former congressman from New York who lost the governor's race to Kathy Hochul in 2022. Zeldin will help Trump maximize U.S. oil and gas production by rolling back regulations ¹.

- *National Security Adviser*: Mike Waltz, a Republican representative and retired Army Green Beret who has criticized Chinese activity in the Asia-Pacific region ¹.

- *Chief of Staff*: Susie Wiles, one of Trump's campaign managers, who will bring order and discipline to the White House ¹.
- *Border Czar*: Tom Homan, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trump's first administration, who will prioritize deporting immigrants who pose safety and security threats ¹.

- *UN Ambassador*: Elise Stefanik, a Republican congresswoman who replaced Liz Cheney as House Republican conference chair in 2021 ¹.

- *Department of Government Efficiency*: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead this newly created department, aiming to reduce bureaucracy and slash regulations ¹.

- *Homeland Security Secretary*: Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota, who refused to impose a statewide mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic ¹.

- *Interior Secretary and Energy Czar*: Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, who will manage public lands and minerals, national parks, and wildlife refuges ¹.

- *CIA Director*: John Ratcliffe, the former director of national intelligence, who is seen as a hardcore Trump loyalist ¹.

- *Department of Education*: Linda McMahon, WWE co-founder and former CEO, who has been a strong supporter of Trump since his 2016 campaign ².

View attachment 3084

View attachment 3085

Thanks Terry, all in a nutshell.
- *Homeland Security Secretary*: Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota, who refused to impose a statewide mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic ¹.
Just adding that she's the one who shot her 1-year old dog since it wouldn't want to be trained as a hunter dog.

 

[Richie]

Entire Regiment of 1,000 Soldiers Desert Russian Army.​

It lists 1,010 soldiers—equivalent to an entire regiment. The group includes 858 contract soldiers, 150 mobilized troops, two conscripts, 26 junior officers, a major, and two lieutenant colonels. North Koreans are also deserting.