The Serious Discussion Thread.

[looker-on]

What's the next circus act?
How about a Measles plague? Hyper inflation, poverty, depression, invasion of Canada, acquisition of the Panama Canal by any means,..it goes on more horrific than expected with regret from many. It can only get worse.

In short, Trump wants to cause chaos in the world to ...what do you think? ...try and devalue the USD which is being seen as the major problem for the US economy. The logic is that if the underlying currency becomes less valuable, so does the amount of money owed. The national debts get reduced and the trade deficit balanced out. He keeps quiet about the negative effects for the consumers.

 

[Richie]

Latest is Trump wants a half of all Ukraines minerals, oil and gas for nothing in return!!! LITTLE VLOD HAS TO SAY NO, KNOWING THE EU HAS HIS BACK. Otherwise power hungry Trump will only squeeze him for more later. Macron has said he and UK troops and any other EU willing nations are going into Ukraine next week as 'a encouragement force' for Little Vlod, thus snubbing noses at mad Vlads threats.

 

[Richie]

Poland is strong too and no friend of Russia, especially Putin.

Yes they are, steadily building their military over the past several decades, building her strength to third behind only US and Turkiye to 216,000 active personnel. The only thing that bothers me is not one Euro NATO member has bombers, whereas Putin does and they have done a lot of damage to Ukraine, as they hide well above clouds to drop their payload.

2025 Poland Military Strength

Detailing the current military strength of Poland including air force, army, navy, financials and manpower.

www.globalfirepower.com

 

[Grier]

In short, Trump wants to cause chaos in the world to ...what do you think? ...try and devalue the USD which is being seen as the major problem for the US economy. The logic is that if the underlying currency becomes less valuable, so does the amount of money owed. The national debts get reduced and the trade deficit balanced out. He keeps quiet about the negative effects for the consumers.

I didn't think about the affects on debt if a nation devalues its currency Thomas.
Google concurred.
Devaluing a currency can make a nation's debt more manageable, especially if it's denominated in the local currency, because the cost of servicing that debt becomes effectively cheaper in terms of the devalued currency.

I tried to find how big the US's national debt recently and one answer was about. $US 72 TRILLION or $US 72,000,000,000,000.

 

[looker-on]

Latest is Trump wants a half of all Ukraines minerals, oil and gas for nothing in return!!!

Not for nothing but a) for indirect safety guarantees arising from the fact that as long as the US mine these minerals, Putin won't dare to attack the wider territory around those sites. And b) Trump argues that the mineral would be a repayment for the weapons received from the US. During and after WWII , America did the same with its Lend-Lease Act.

 

[Grier]

Latest is Trump wants a half of all Ukraines minerals, oil and gas for nothing in return!!! LITTLE VLOD HAS TO SAY NO, KNOWING THE EU HAS HIS BACK. Otherwise power hungry Trump will only squeeze him for more later. Macron has said he and UK troops and any other EU willing nations are going into Ukraine next week as 'a encouragement force' for Little Vlod, thus snubbing noses at mad Vlads threats.

Half! He's dreaming!!!

Trump hovers over distressed nations to see what he can peck at like a Vulture.
The way he treats once Allies is also reprehensible.

Good on Europe standing up for Ukraine. The US is a liability.

 

[looker-on]

I didn't think about the affects on debt if a nation devalues its currency Thomas.
Google concurred.
Devaluing a currency can make a nation's debt more manageable, especially if it's denominated in the local currency, because the cost of servicing that debt becomes effectively cheaper in terms of the devalued currency.

I tried to find how big the US's national debt recently and one answer was about. $US 72 TRILLION or $US 72,000,000,000,000.

It's inflation in the form of dwindling puchasing power and higher prices. Whenever there's hyperinflation, it's a tried and tested way for governments to get rid of their debt. Germany did that after WW I when it waited for three years before it curbed rampant inflation since it wanted to repay its debt with valueless fiat money.

 

[looker-on]

He's dreaming!!!

I wish he were. Unfortunately, his power seems to be unlimited. Germany is in a funk now that he has announced a 25% tax on German cars. The retaliatory measures taken by the EU are just symbolic by comparison. A tax on peanut butter? Who eats that in Europe? Bourbon to be taxed? People will switch to Scotch. Harleys are just a niche product, too.

 

[Grier]

Not for nothing but a) for indirect safety guarantees arising from the fact that as long as the US mine these minerals, Putin won't dare to attack the wider territory around those sites. And b) Trump argues that the mineral would be a repayment for the weapons received from the US. During and after WWII , America did the same with its Lend-Lease Act.

That's an excellent point Thomas. Lots of US assets in Ukraine would help keep Putin in check. Fair enough but what a sad world we're becoming.
Like a crowded population of Rats in a maze.

Let Trump and Putin go face to face, and Trump's not happy with Putin now giving him a cold shoulder, like Trump's grandiose plans for Greenland. Poor Donald, he's very sensitive about not getting it all his way.

Maybe he'll take a page out of Putin's play book and have "Special Military Exercises" around Greenland. NOT in Winter though.
I saw JD Vance went there for a look around. "It's all so White!"
As for his lame excuse of doing it for international security, the Yanks already have a giant Military base in Northern Greenland with many decades of cooperation in a friendly agreementfrom WWII . A Noble USA did defend Greenland through WWII and on til just recently.
That Security thing is just a smoke screen to obscure his real motives I believe licking his chops about the great mining opportunities in Greenland, and it's warming up a bit too. Nice real estate .
I heard Trump also wants the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant too, which is currently held by Russian forces. ️

I know with Global Warming Artic shipping is easier, like the NW passage. The realms of China and Russia too look to the Wealth the Artic contains.
If in Trump's view taking Greenland by hook or crook is an important international security safe guard, then why not just expand the military bases they already have there. Even put in more in the frozen north of the big island. That'd probably be acceptable to the Greenlanders I think, but it's really not what Trump wants.
I doubt Trump understands that Greenland looks huge on a Mercator map that amplifies global areas the further they are from the equator. Duh!

 

[looker-on]

That's an excellent point Thomas. Lots of US assets in Ukraine would help keep Putin in check. Fair enough but what a sad world we're becoming.
Like a crowded population of Rats in a maze.

Let Trump and Putin go face to face, and Trump's not happy with Putin now giving him a cold shoulder, like Trump's grandiose plans for Greenland. Poor Donald, he's very sensitive about not getting it all his way.

Maybe he'll take a page out of Putin's play book and have "Special Military Exercises" around Greenland. NOT in Winter though.
I saw JD Vance went there for a look around. "It's all so White!"
As for his lame excuse of doing it for international security, the Yanks already have a giant Military base in Northern Greenland with many decades of cooperation in a friendly agreementfrom WWII . A Noble USA did defend Greenland through WWII and on til just recently.
That Security thing is just a smoke screen to obscure his real motives I believe licking his chops about the great mining opportunities in Greenland, and it's warming up a bit too. Nice real estate .
I heard Trump also wants the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant too, which is currently held by Russian forces. ️

I know with Global Warming Artic shipping is easier, like the NW passage. The realms of China and Russia too look to the Wealth the Artic contains.
If in Trump's view taking Greenland by hook or crook is an important international security safe guard, then why not just expand the military bases they already have there. Even put in more in the frozen north of the big island. That'd probably be acceptable to the Greenlanders I think, but it's really not what Trump wants.
I doubt Trump understands that Greenland looks huge on a Mercator map that amplifies global areas the further they are from the equator. Duh!

I saw JD Vance went there for a look around. "It's all so White!"

Adding the most embarrassing sentence: "It's as cold as s..t. Nobody told me!" Would you believe that? How can a man in his position make such a fool of himself?
Trump wants these plants for the same reason I had mentioned: as part of those indirect security guarantees.
The reason for the Greenland military base was an understandable one if you like: The US needed it as a part of its nuke defence strategy since Russian ICBMs would come this way.

 

[Zman]

Trump’s proposed tariff hikes could trigger a recession for several key reasons:

1. Increased Costs for Consumers – Higher tariffs on imports mean businesses pay more for goods, passing those costs to consumers. This leads to inflation, reducing purchasing power and slowing economic growth.
2. Retaliation from Other Countries – Major trade partners like China and the EU will likely impose counter-tariffs, making it harder for American companies to sell goods overseas, harming industries like agriculture and manufacturing.
3. Supply Chain Disruptions – Many U.S. companies rely on global supply chains. Tariffs force them to either absorb higher costs (cutting profits) or find alternatives (which takes time and money). This uncertainty discourages investment.
4. Stock Market Volatility – Businesses hate uncertainty. A tariff war increases market instability, potentially leading to sharp declines in investment, corporate profits, and stock values.
5. Job Losses in Affected Sectors – While tariffs aim to protect American jobs, history shows they often backfire. Industries relying on imports (e.g., auto manufacturing, retail) face higher costs, leading to layoffs or outsourcing.
6. Recessionary Spiral – Reduced consumer spending, business cutbacks, and trade war escalation create a vicious cycle, slowing economic activity and increasing recession risks.

These economic risks are why many experts warn that a large-scale tariff increase could push the U.S. economy into a downturn.

​

 

[Richie]

Let Trump and Putin go face to face

Yes on the battlefield. Ukraine has done a sterling job holding off the Russian Bear for three years , lets see how he goes against a guy who hates losing and has the muscle behind him to take down the the tyrant his hawkes and the Kremlin once and for all and return Russia to the peace her people crave.

 

[looker-on]

Wonder what that is?

Over here, too, small signs of hope and encouragement are to be seen which show that Musk's policy is not accepted by everyone. Similar incidents occurred in many countries. The Tesla share has been taking a nose dive. It does not mean, though, that I'd approve of vandalism and a disregard of private property. The resistance against the policy of Trump and his cronies will have to be channelled into non-violent forms of protest. The pics, I took last week, show the door of a Tesla showroom having been smashed (and provisionally replaced by a plywood board) and another, presumably initial, attempt to smash another window which failed.

What is the reaction in your country?

 

[Richie]

 

[Richie]

MSN

How concerning is this. Time for the EU or at the very least, all NATO members, to set up its own defensive military platform.

 

[Kram81]

So since last time I was here Trump has decided to crash marketsfor some reason..

 

[Grier]

So since last time I was here Trump has decided to crash marketsfor some reason..

Kram,

I think the reason is Trump's utter stupidity re Economics and his narristic arrogance. All he had to do was to google "tariffs". Or "Inflation."
Heads much wisher than mine see Trump's unpredictable actions and flip/flop nature having severe economic global impacts. Even another global recession ? Tariff made US wars will hit the Yanks themselves the hardest, as expected by many. Trump'll probably find a scapegoat, as he always does when the bs hits the fan. "It was all Bill Clinton's fault .... !"
The US seems crawling back to an isolationist state with an anti Science mentality for a start.
Chatter I read and listen to seem to be giving Thump the finger, even chatting about alliances without the US, especially without Trump.
Tesla stocks are sinking too now seeing Musk as Trump's hatcett man.
The "Chief Twit" as he very appropriately described himself after buying Twitter.

Trump's tariffs will affect the cost of things, especially to the folk who voted for him in the USofA. Silly Buggers. "I love uneducated people ..." he once chanted. I know why .
Now he's hinting at a third term riding as an elder Vice President to a puppet PoTuS to JD Dance,.. ? A not unheard of thing in some scurrilous countries.

I had a laugh hearing McDonalds use a lot of our juicy Aussie prime beef in their patties. Seems the cost of a big Mac will go up in the US as the Trump tariffs go on our quality beef. Billions os $$$$
So who pays for the cost of the tariffs? Oh, isn't that the buyer? Duh.
No worries Donalt, we'll find new markets, maybe more with China.

I heard this walking with an eldery mate today who said:
"Trump is a reverse Robin Hood who steals from the Poor to give to the Rich."
I laughed.

 

[Kram81]

The guy is an idiot but markets have also been very expensive after a long good run, really been looking for an excuse to sell off.

 

[Richie]

we'll find new markets, maybe more with China.

No thanks we already export 32% there. Lets find more secure and friendly markets, Japan, Sth Korea? Only 6% of our exports goes to the US of A btw.

 

[Richie]

German poll: Majority for return to nuclear energy​

Thomas Australia is currently debating whether we stick with the current policy of renewable energy favored by the current Labor govt. or choose nukes instead as favored by the Liberal/National opposition. In fact this is pretty much the focal point of the upcoming election. Personally I am for a combination of both as it'd be a huge waste of our enormous stocks of renewable raw materials. Talk now of Australia going big on critical minerals too, to counter China's domination.