The Serious Discussion Thread.

[looker-on]

Live Putin Conference!!

I watched it all the way through with some jumping but did not find the point at which he exploded over what precisely? Where is it in the video? Who is he talking to? Journalists from various countries?

Apart from that, my comment is this:
Germany is not sovereign? True, gas is supplied to East European countries like Hungary and Slovakia. The one still operational pipeline has never been used for them: that's the logic, Mr Putin. He's right about the cost of LNG but it shows how furious he inwardly is about the fact that Western Europe does not take his gas any longer.
True, the Russian economy is resilient but he failed to say why: because it's a war economy only and will collapse once the war is over.

 

[Grier]

Harry Potter fan?

A little bit. Poor Peter has a hair issue that made him look like Voldermorte.

How do they get in at airports with all their security checks?

We do ok and tonight I'm watching our "Border Force" tv series. All fairly current stuff and the numbers of violators is a strong and ongoing strem. Bio security for our fragile eco system, drugs, drugs, drugs, illegal wannabe migrants, student and tourist overstayers, hate preachers, ... it goes on no doubt.

 

[Richie]

True, the Russian economy is resilient but he failed to say why: because it's a war economy only and will collapse once the war is over.

Spot on Thomas. He must've been dreading Ukraine cutting off his gas pipeline. Surprised Zelensky waited this long. Has Germany found an alternate gas source yet and who else is no longer taking Russian gas?

 

[Richie]

I watched it all the way through with some jumping but did not find the point at which he exploded over what precisely?

Me either. Evidently it was live. Could that journo have asked mad Vlad ,''why didnt Russia join NATO when it was offered it in 1954''. The journo should've known the reason being that America opposed it.

The situation is volatile now but relations were hunky dory between Russia and NATO in the 1990s. That I believe was around the time when Gorby came on the scene. A rare peacemaker compared to the usual war mongers.

Relations between the NATO military alliance and the Russian Federation were established in 1991 within the framework of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. In 1994, Russia joined the Partnership for Peace program, and on 27 May 1997, the NATO–Russia Founding Act (NRFA) was signed at the 1997 Paris NATO Summit in France, enabling the creation of the NATO–Russia Permanent Joint Council.

 

[Richie]

Lord Voldamorte Dutton

I've always called him Uncle Fester. But he is a better pollie than Albo and prob Sco Mo too imo.

 

[Grier]

I've always called him Uncle Fester. But he is a better pollie than Albo and prob Sco Mo too imo.

A Drover's dog would have done a better job than Scomo. Worst ever PM imo. Labor's Mark Lathan was dreadful too. I thought Liberal's Turnbull was great. And I'll always be gratefull to Howard for getting rid of the guns. Keating is still my favourite ex PM.

 

[Grier]

Me either. Evidently it was live. Could that journo have asked mad Vlad ,''why didnt Russia join NATO when it was offered it in 1954''. The journo should've known the reason being that America opposed it.

The situation is volatile now but relations were hunky dory between Russia and NATO in the 1990s. That I believe was around the time when Gorby came on the scene. A rare peacemaker compared to the usual war mongers.

Relations between the NATO military alliance and the Russian Federation were established in 1991 within the framework of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. In 1994, Russia joined the Partnership for Peace program, and on 27 May 1997, the NATO–Russia Founding Act (NRFA) was signed at the 1997 Paris NATO Summit in France, enabling the creation of the NATO–Russia Permanent Joint Council.

I hope Putin does bankrupt Russia. What a horrible legacy he's made for himself. It's Great that Europe has found alternate ways to get its fuels. Put that in your pipe and smoke it up your nose Mr nasty Putin!
Similarly our Australia did the same in finding new markets when China put huge tariffs on our trade to them. That nicely upset the Chinese.

I believe it has been a proxy war for both sides in Eastern Ukraine, but China is busy as is the US of those northern angry Americans, not the nice Canadians. Ultimately the cost of Putin's illegal war of aggression has been borne by many, especially by the Ukranians and Putin's poor cannon fodder.
Memories of Mussolini's end come to mind.

 

[looker-on]

Has Germany found an alternate gas source yet and who else is no longer taking Russian gas?

No one is. Russian gas supplies to Europe have ceased completely, which makes him so furious. Germany has been buying LNG from the US and normal gas from other countries instead.

 

[Richie]

Germany has been buying LNG from the US and normal gas from other countries instead.

Good on Deutchlande Thomas and the other nations. To my knowledge Aust is third largest LNG producer/exporter. I hope your country bears that in mind. I digress, this will be a huge hit to the tyrants war chest, while the good Russian people will further struggle to live as the Kremlin will prob order the Duma to double their tax to cover the gas revenue loss, resulting in an uproar. Dare we see a revolution in modern Russia driven by the power of the people.

 

[looker-on]

Good on Deutchlande Thomas and the other nations.

...but bad for the environment since it's fracking gas plus it's liquefied - a double ecological whammy caused by Putin's war. Ironically, the Greens of all parties had to resort to that so as to keep the economy afloat. LNG terminals were built in record time at the Baltic Sea leading to subsequent damage to local ecosystems. From a purely management POView it was a feat, though, as it showed how red tape could be done away with if there's a political will.
Changes for the better in Russia would only be too good. Remember, though, that it's not Putin alone but a whole clique pursuing that policy of aggression and down to ordinary citizens. It makes me cringe on my couch when I hear how brainwashed interviewees in the street are.

 

[Richie]

Similarly our Australia did the same in finding new markets when China put huge tariffs on our trade to them. That nicely upset the Chinese.

David and Goliath battle, again with the underdog coming out on top. Our sling shot between their eyes was us finding alternate markets. That'll teach China not to mess with a popular nation like Australia..

 

[Grier]

Trump just set his tariff taxes of 25% on Canadian and Mexican imports to the US. Only 10% on Chinese imports. A big U turn there with China, but there's lots of fluidity where Trump's actions are concerned. Turbulent rapids would be a better metaphor.
Strait away Canada, Mexico and China said they would retaliate in kind. That brought out Trump's Press secretary saying how silly retaliatory tariffs were!
Duh! I confess a belly laugh at that. Such hubris and stupidity with all losing!
US tariffs will affect itself mostly pushing up prices and inflation, which in turn will hurt the blue collar workers who mainly voted Trump in with promises of a Utopia. Trump will no doubt point the finger elsewhere. Maybe the at 'gender diverse' again like he did about the horrific plane crash. God save us.

I get all this from listening to reliable media sources like ABC, BBC, DW, Reuters, our Guardian in Oz,.. having real experts talk, who I mostly concur with. Then there's a quick draw man-child shooting from the hip again. He's no leader of the free world. In fact, one economic expert said he might undo the fragile global economic recovery after Covid. One man. One man. That's NOT a "great deal".

Then there's Greenland for sale .... and so much more ... more comic stuff.*
Might the next 4 years herald a legacy of more hardship lasting decades.
If so, might we see the demise of the US American Empire. One pundit suggested that and it is a feasible prediction, if from a foggy crystal ball. Mine's foggier.

I liked what Caroline Kennedy said about her loony cousin becoming chief of the whole US health system. Basically a predator, antivaxer, alcoholic, ... she was scathing...
She was our Australia Ambassador until recently and was someone to listen to as I did. She served her proud lineage well being a true and decent Kennedy. Sad to see her go.

I reckon Trump trying to escape the constraints put on him in his first term, from many directions, made him want just loyal jolly good "Yes" peoples this time around, the 'bestest' ever with only two genders. ... ... but dubious pasts, lack of experience, strange ideas or being a convicted felon .. seems all OK. .
More revolving doors and Musky dramas included in a binge worthy tv series.

Craig, think of all the cheap EV cars that could've come to Oz had Trump put his ~50% promised tariffs on China. Our lovely biggest trade partner China would love to sell us their EVs. In fact, It seems they're getting much better like the Japanese and Korean cars did in the past.
My country cousin just bought one for his German wife who loves it. It runs on solar power charged every two days at home. Tempting .... ?

 

[Richie]

China would love to sell us their EVs.

Australia is making our own EVs. Buy Aussie I say.

ACE EV Group Electric Vehicles

CHARGE + GOACE Cargo – electrify your whole fleetMAKE THE SWITCHACE Yewt – Even charges your power toolsPLUG & PLAYACE Urban – charge it like your pho

ace-ev.com.au

 

[Richie]

H2X Warrego - Zero Emissions, Hydrogen Powered

Designed to take on tough terrains, the H2X Warrego can be used in construction sites, mining locations and many other extreme scenarios. It harnesses Hydrogen power, shattering the myth that ‘green’ can’t compete with diesel.

h2xglobal.com

 

[Grier]

I hope our Australia can do well in the EV Car market Craig. With global markets in turmoil we do need to be self sufficient. Likewise taking advantage of more downstream manufacturing productions, like Lithium batteries.