Stupid World

[mashman]

Its always the homeless, lazy & unsuccessful that are rooting for the collapse of the financial system.
That's perfectly understandable.

Not it isn't. (They simply want/need more money, well, those who don't realise just how detrimental current human activity is... but you'd only know that f you took the time to be human about these things.)
So no, it clearly isn't.

[Viking01]

Ha ha, I meant kids not kind.

What China is doing around the Spratly Islands is simply bullying knowing that nobody will stand up to them. Yes, perhaps they will invade Taiwan one day. They certainly won't be able to deal with them the way they have taken Hong Kong back under the PRC wing.

Afternoon.

Thanks for the reply (and for clarifying the "kind / kids" sentence ... 8-)

Bullying
To me, "bullying" is just another of those "loaded" words used in the media to put some spin on the actions of one party involved in a dispute. And that is what the Spratly Islands affair is - a territorial dispute.

If I just use the first two diagrams shown in the following Wiki article:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spratly_Islands_dispute

you can see that the Spratly Islands are many, and some are currently occupied (not just claimed by a number of neighbouring nations). And for any of a number of different reasons (e.g. claims upon minerals / petroleum reserves / fishing stock under Economic Zone boundary; monitoring of marine activity; security over trading and oil supply routes).

Is China (PRC) deemed to be in breach of an international ruling regarding several of the Spratly Islands ? Yes. I don't dispute it.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/16/duterte-urged-to-confront-chinese-bullying-in-south-china-sea

But in the scheme of things, this is a regional territorial dispute. I'm quite confident that the various regional players - if they were left alone to their own devices - would be able to resolve the situation over time and come to satisfactory outcomes.

But that will not be permitted to happen - not by the US nor by the other ex-colonial powers that have operated within China and the surrounding region over the past 150+ years (e.g. the UK, France, Japan, Germany). At least, not in the immediate future. [ This still begs the question as to what justifies their involvement. ]

If one was really concerned about "bullying" (or illegal occupation and worse) by external parties, then perhaps we should concentrate on far more important instances around the world.

If we looked back over just the past 25-30 years, the following come to mind (e.g. Yugoslavia in the 1990's; Afghanistan starting 2001; Venezuela starting in the early 2000's; Iraq starting 2003; Libya starting 2011; Syria starting 2011).

And if you wound the clock back just on 100 years (to the time of the Versailles Treaty settlements), you would find the nexus of some of the major conflicts that have afflicted this Asian region (i.e. the start of the socialist / nationalist movements that sought colonial independence for their nation, and which led to political change in China, Korea and Vietnam - but culminated in their associated wars). But that's a separate discussion.

Conflict
China has risen to be a significant economic power in the Asian region. And now poses a challenge to the US primarily on an economic front (in the region and beyond).

While the US has traditionally been able to maintain control over many of the Asian countries via (i) threat of military force (ii) threat of revoking access to US banking systems and the USD, that power is slowly weakening.

Brought about by (i) Chinese trade and integration of regional countries in global supply chains (ii) rise of non-US banking groups (iii) slow de-dollarisation and introduction of alternative payment settlement systems, and (iv) increase in China's own military strength and weapon capabilities.

It has also been compounded by Chinese refusal to (i) adopt a purely capitalist economic structure - as dictated by the US - instead choosing to adopt a mixed capitalist / socialist model (ii) allow US financial entities to "reform" its banking system and to gain control of its major financial entities.

[Edit]
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/56670.htm

Taiwan
Taiwan (previously Formosa) has been regarded as a Chinese entity since the 17th century:

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/07/09/taiwan-war-must-never-be-fought

Following the end of WW2 (and the expulsion of the Japanese), socialist Chinese forces then expelled right-wing KMT forces (along with their US military support) from the Chinese mainland in 1949 (just prior to the formation of the PRC).

The KMT in turn forcibly (brutally) took control of what was then Formosa (now Taiwan), with the intention of returning and forcibly removing the PRC from power.

[ Just as an aside, it should also be noted that had the mainland Chinese not decided to fight alongside the North Koreans in 1950 (just as US-dominated forces were threatening the Chinese border near the Yalu river during the Korean War), the KMT may well have had their wish granted. US General Douglas MacArthur and the US Pentagon were both quite focused on not just "liberating" North Korea, but also continuing on across the Chinese border, occupying Manchuria (the industrial heartland of mainland China) and then forcing regime change. This was while the US enjoyed nuclear and air force advantages over both NK and China.]

It is possible that mainland China could invade Taiwan one day, but I doubt very much that it will occur (and certainly not by choice). Not only because there are several alternative options available to the PRC, but that invasion would be seen by the PRC as an action of "last resort".

There has been a high degree of economic integration between businesses on Taiwan and mainland China, so war would be seen as being highly counter-productive to Chinese business on both sides of the Taiwan strait.

With the increase in industrial and economic development of mainland China since 2000, there is a small degree of humour in the situation that many supporters of the "KMT of old" have now effectively aligned themselves with the CCP. And that it is now the DPP (currently in power) that is shouting out for independence.

I leave it up to you to decide whether you think recent US actions regarding (i) the supply of enhanced weaponry to Taiwan (ii) a possible US military presence in Taiwan (in breach of earlier agreement on a "one China, two Party" policy) actually enhances regional security - or whether it simply advances US interests.

[Edit]
https://journal-neo.org/2021/07/26/washington-relocating-from-the-middle-east-to-southeast-asia/
https://thegrayzone.com/2021/07/27/washingtons-taiwan-separatist-taiwan-crisis/
https://ggc-mauldin-images.s3.amazonaws.com/newsletters/images/Map_1_20170206_TWIG_Enlarge.jpg?

Hong Kong
It is well known that the Chinese emperor (Qing dynasty) was forced by the UK to cede control over Hong Kong at the end of the First Opium War (1842). The war arose from British merchants forcibly introducing opium into China, using the proceeds from opium sale to then fund the purchase of silver, porcelain, tea and various luxury goods. [ I have seen figures of 1.3 million Chinese opium addicts quoted.]

As a result of a Second Opium War (1860), the Chinese emperor was then forced to enter into a more extensive treaty (with a further HK treaty extension granted in 1898 for a 99 year duration, ending 1997).

So the “return” of Hong Kong simply marked the return of a portion of its sovereign territory previously forcibly taken. [The Chinese opium trade was finally forcibly ended by the CCP when the PRC was established in 1949.]

While the PRC could have simply left the treaty to expire (without any conditions), they chose in 1984 to retain HK as a special administrative region, and to enter into a 50 year agreement (Sino-British Joint Declaration) which would retain a “high degree” of the legislative structure then used by the British. Both parties (China and the UK) obviously saw trading advantages accruing from such an agreement.

[Berries]

Is China (PRC) deemed to be in breach of an international ruling regarding several of the Spratly Islands ? Yes. I don't dispute it.
We agree. Sweet.

[Viking01]

We agree. Sweet.

Morning.

I'm not sure whether we agree. But on that one point, I'll concede that we have come to a common understanding of the situation. :msn-wink:

You have a good day.

Cheers, Viking

[pritch]

On the radio just now: there is a medical practice in Sydney administering COVID jabs. The jab is free but they are charging $370 for the "consultation".
It seems there must be people silly enough to pay $370 for something that should be free.

[FJRider]

Is China (PRC) deemed to be in breach of an international ruling regarding several of the Spratly Islands ? Yes. I don't dispute it.



Wars have been started over such issues of claimed ownership of islands. Do people still remember the Falklands war.

[mashman]

Wars have been started over such issues of claimed ownership of islands. Do people still remember the Falklands war.

"Oi, get your filthy hands off my desert!"
"What 'e say?"

Brezhnev took Afghanistan.
Begin took Beirut.
Galtieri took the Union Jack.
And Maggie, over lunch one day,
Took a cruiser with all hands.
Apparently, to make him give it back

Pink Floyd.

[pritch]

Wars have been started over such issues of claimed ownership of islands. Do people still remember the Falklands war.

True. The Spratleys have the potential to be a serious problem. China is furthest away of any of the countries claiming them but they have dumped loads of fill to convert a rock into an island base. I was saddened to see reports their base is actally sinking. :whistle:

[FJRider]

True. The Spratleys have the potential to be a serious problem. China is furthest away of any of the countries claiming them but they have dumped loads of fill to convert a rock into an island base. I was saddened to see reports their base is actally sinking. :whistle:

And England is furthest away from the Malvina's as a claimant to the islands. Your point is ... ??

[Viking01]

Possibly another instance that is worthwhile examining is the forcible removal of the natives from the Chago Islands in the Indian Ocean by Harold Wilson's UK government starting in the late 1960's.

They were forcibly repatriated to Mauritius and the Seychelles Island, so that the island could then be handed over to the USA for use as an air base (and possibly more recently for extraordinary rendition purposes).

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54598084
https://prruk.org/no-one-is-above-the-law-says-theresa-may-she-just-has-to-be-kidding/
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2019/03/chagos-and-the-dark-soul-of-the-british-labour-party/

[Berries]

Harold Wilson is in the past. Lots of things in the past were terrible, and the UK was behind quite a bit of it. Can't change history though.

This is today - Oh look, it's the Chinese again says the BBC. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-58022068)

[Viking01]

Harold Wilson is in the past. Lots of things in the past were terrible, and the UK was behind quite a bit of it. Can't change history though.

This is today - Oh look, it's the Chinese again says the BBC. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-58022068)

Afternoon,

Thanks for the reply. Though I'm not quite sure what message(s) that I should take from your first line.

Is it:

1. That because a crime is in the past, they should just ignore it (and just get on with life). Well, those of them fortunate enough to survive.

[ I'm sure that the inhabitants of Vietnam (Agent Orange and minefields) plus Yugoslavia and Iraq (depleted uranium) - who are still living with the consequences of those actions - will bear that in mind. Not to mention Libya and Syria, which has suffered major bombing damage, loss of civilian lives, as well as facing a large future reconstruction bill. ]

or:

2. There is a time limit on crimes being prosecuted, and if that time limit has now been exceeded, well, it's now deemed too late to be prosecuted.

or :

3. There are some selected western countries (or western politicians) that are just "too important to be prosecuted", so they automatically get a "free pass, do not get prosecuted" card from the ICJ.

[In which case, I'm sure that GWH Bush and Tony Blair will heave a large sigh of relief. As well might a number of other past European leaders, such as Sarkozy.]

or :

4. There are some countries currently "out of political favour" with the West - because of their economic system or the fact their administrations just will not obey orders from the West, so they deserve whatever comes their way.

And let's not overlook the fact that some western countries (like the US) are willing to bear political grudges long term and apply all manner of sanctions (as well as continue to try and invoke regime change).

[You'd have thought that North Korea, Cuba, Iran and Venezuela would have succumbed by now.]

BBC

Good to see that the BBC is continuing to provide global coverage. While not today, something from the past month thereabouts:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-57623110

Suspect that the BBC might have been distracted this past month covering Euro 2020 and the lead-up to the Olympics.

[pritch]

And England is furthest away from the Malvina's as a claimant to the islands. Your point is ... ??

That is not a direct comparison. Apples and peaches. There were British people living on the Falklands/Malvinas and had been there some time.

If I understand the situation, there were no civilians on any of the Spratleys, various militaries had put boots on some rocks. China travelled much further and built an Island. That their Island appears to be sinking is just a bonus.

[FJRider]

That is not a direct comparison. Apples and peaches. There were British people living on the Falklands/Malvinas and had been there some time.

If I understand the situation, there were no civilians on any of the Spratleys, various militaries had put boots on some rocks. China travelled much further and built an Island. That their Island appears to be sinking is just a bonus.


It is just as a direct comparison as yours was ... :killingme

Actually (and it seems you do not understand the situation) ... the French were the first to have boots on the ground there. France established a colony on the islands in 1764. The British "Discovered" it a year or so later ... and the Ships Captain (not realizing it was already claimed) ... claimed it for the King/Queen (I can't recall which was on the throne at the time). The French actually later sold the Islands to a Spanish owned area that is now known as Argentina.

The British later did have a Colony on their "Discovered" islands. But ... in early 1770 a Spanish commander arrived from Buenos Aires with five ships and 1,400 soldiers forcing the British to leave Port Egmont (as it was known then) ... and Britain and Spain then almost went to war over the islands. But the British government (in it's infinite wisdom) decided that it should withdraw its presence from there (as well as many other overseas settlements) in 1774. And so they did ... Lock stock and citizen.

Later ... when the significance of having an outpost (with military presence) at the entrance/exit from Cape Horn ... the British citizens returned.

You may recall after the Falklands was ... British Government declared it would continue to defend (with military force if required) British citizens ... wherever they may be ... (Not British Territory ... after this particular (Military) fracas.

Argentina then adopted a new Constitution which declared the Falkland Islands by (their) law ... as an Argentine province.

The British then declared (By act of Parliament) that it was British Territory.

[pritch]

It is just as a direct comparison as yours was ... :killingme

Actually (and it seems you do not understand the situation) ... the French were the first to have boots on the ground there. France established a colony on the islands in 1764. The British "Discovered" it a year or so later ... and the Ships Captain (not realizing it was already claimed) ... claimed it for the King/Queen (I can't recall which was on the throne at the time). The French actually later sold the Islands to a Spanish owned area that is now known as Argentina.

The British later did have a Colony on their "Discovered" islands. But ... in early 1770 a Spanish commander arrived from Buenos Aires with five ships and 1,400 soldiers forcing the British to leave Port Egmont (as it was known then) ... and Britain and Spain then almost went to war over the islands. But the British government (in it's infinite wisdom) decided that it should withdraw its presence from there (as well as many other overseas settlements) in 1774. And so they did ... Lock stock and citizen.

Later ... when the significance of having an outpost (with military presence) at the entrance/exit from Cape Horn ... the British citizens returned.

You may recall after the Falklands was ... British Government declared it would continue to defend (with military force if required) British citizens ... wherever they may be ... (Not British Territory ... after this particular (Military) fracas.

Argentina then adopted a new Constitution which declared the Falkland Islands by (their) law ... as an Argentine province.

The British then declared (By act of Parliament) that it was British Territory.

Fuck that was confusing. We’re talking about the Spratleys.

[Berries]

Thanks for the reply. Though I'm not quite sure what message(s) that I should take from your first line.
That the past is done and dusted and the books have been written.

[Viking01]

That the past is done and dusted and the books have been written.

I'd beg to disagree. History is always being rewritten, especially as new information (previously hidden) comes to light. Only a few would dare to say "Mission Accomplished".

[R650R]

I'd beg to disagree. History is always being rewritten, especially as new information (previously hidden) comes to light. Only a few would dare to say "Mission Accomplished".

History is always being misrepresented is prob more correct. We have to remember that books were the ‘ultimate’ fact checkers. Given physical demands and costs and how ultimately important publishers reputations were I’d say 99% would be accurate truthful material.
And then we have the ever popular modern day “ book burnings” where libraries run out of space for old books...

[R650R]

Wars have been started over such issues of claimed ownership of islands. Do people still remember the Falklands war.

Yes was very real and strong impact at the time...

Many wars are also started by treaties.... just look at ww2 ....

[george formby]

Looks like someone is making an effort to prove their claims about military ship incursions.

We live in interesting times.<_<

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58027363

[mashman]

After decades in woods, New Hampshire man forced from cabin (https://www.yahoo.com/news/decades-woods-hampshire-man-forced-112145837.html)... what a pack of cunts.

[pritch]

There is considerable evidence that many people just don't like other people being happy. He wasn't hurting anybody or the environment, nor it seems was he spoiling anybody's view.

[mashman]

Ditchin' yer oil refinery :niceone:...

[Viking01]

No, not the world .... the Olympics.

It has been an interesting two weeks (quite a few late nights spent in front of the TV), and the NZ team has done very well for itself. Some prospects for medals within future games.

Sadly, I had to concede to my English friend in Tokyo that the GB team had managed to narrowly squeak in ahead of the NZ team in the medal count, and I had to concede bragging rights on this occasion.

https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/all-sports/medal-standings.htm

Though I did see one event which seemed to cast some doubt on impartiality:

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/pentathlete-horse-jump-medal-olympics-b1898551.html

A politically aware horse! My first thought was that it was an English horse, given that it decided not to perform for both the German and Russian athletes. ��

But then I realised the truth behind the matter. It was just waking us up to the fact that horses (who do all the work) don't get the medals. It's their oppressive riders who get all the medals.

I fully expect to see more horses taking a knee (hopefully just before a jump) to make us all aware of this problem in sport.

[pritch]

Ditchin' yer oil refinery :niceone:...

That pissed me off. And not just because I worked on the construction of the original refinery, or that several people died on the job while it was being built. Over time we have gone from having a refinery and a synthetic petrol plant, to simply storing three weeks worth of gas. Far sighted that ain't.

The anticipated battery powered car bonanza has not arrived as yet. I was reading yesterday that manufacturers in the US recommend not charging a car overnight, nor do they recommend parking a fully charged car in a garage. The things have been bursting into flames. They also recommend not parking two cars together or they could both turn into a big ball of flame.

Chevrolet have recalled 60,000 electric vehicles. The technology seems immature?

[Grumph]

Chevrolet have recalled 60,000 electric vehicles. The technology seems immature?

There's a quote somewhere from Laurence Pomeroy i was reminded of :

to the effect - The first versions of the new will always be beaten by the developed versions of the old.

He was referring to Grand Prix cars but the principle applies.

[george formby]

That pissed me off. And not just because I worked on the construction of the original refinery, or that several people died on the job while it was being built. Over time we have gone from having a refinery and a synthetic petrol plant, to simply storing three weeks worth of gas. Far sighted that ain't.

The anticipated battery powered car bonanza has not arrived as yet. I was reading yesterday that manufacturers in the US recommend not charging a car overnight, nor do they recommend parking a fully charged car in a garage. The things have been bursting into flames. They also recommend not parking two cars together or they could both turn into a big ball of flame.

Chevrolet have recalled 60,000 electric vehicles. The technology seems immature?

The car fire was 2 Tesla's in a garage, one went up and took the other one with it + most of the house. At time of print Tesla had not inspected the vehicles nor contacted the owner. He now drives an Audi with petrol... I larfed at the owners response to the Tesla claim that more ICE vehicles go up in flames compared to electric. Pretty sure he said summit like "not in the garage they don't". Most of the ICE car fires I've been privy to were started by an electrical fault or while the battery was being charged.

As for Marsden point:facepalm:

FFS, what kind of future proofing is that? Should keep it operational for production of none fossilised fuels at least. If everything goes to the green plan, we could be refining whale oil in 50 years. :innocent:

And another thing. It's not just the plant, it's all the skills, equipment, tooling, workers, education opportunities and independence going down the shitter. Oof. We will be left with Homer Simpson watching the fuel tank levels:angry:

Sorry, I feel better now, might have a crumpet and a wee nap.

[pete376403]

more re marsden point: when the shareholders say it is "loosing money" is that just corporate speak for "not making enough money"? Are the oil company owners really on the bones of their arse, so to speak? Government should nationalise the whole energy industry - oil, gas and electricity. Gove them something to whine about

[george formby]

more re marsden point: when the shareholders say it is "loosing money" is that just corporate speak for "not making enough money"? Are the oil company owners really on the bones of their arse, so to speak? Government should nationalise the whole energy industry - oil, gas and electricity. Gove them something to whine about

Corporately speaking I do believe losing money is the same as less profit.

Pretty sure most, if not all, of the shareholders and decision makers are not worried about paying their mortgage.

Nor worried about NZ.

[Viking01]

Think that between the three following articles, you can probably determine the main points governing the latest decision.

https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/bp-to-shut-australian-oil-refinery-leaving-just-three-in-the-country-20201030-p56a5f.html

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/marsden-point-refinery-closure-to-save-100mt-co2

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/125877292/energy-minister-offers-sympathies-to-refinery-workers-after-closure-vote

My guesses are:

Differing Shareholder Objectives
That the 3 major oil companies will have differing objectives to the NZ Government, despite being joint shareholders of the Marsden Point refinery. NZ Government would be far more concerned about continuity of supply of finished product (especially a wide product mix ranging from avgas down to heavy tar).

Older Refining Plant
That the refinery (opened 1964) is just over 55 years old, and might have only another 10-15 years operational life. Note that BP Australia plans to close a comparable plant (Kwinana refinery in Perth), especially in light of reduced product demand during the global Covid pandemic. Refer to the first link above.

I had not seen any recent photos of the Marsden refinery until just over a year ago, but I was amazed at the number of new storage tanks present on the site, so the decision just announced was really no surprise. A transition to just an Import Terminal seemed an obvious conclusion.

Cheaper Refined Product from Overseas
Much larger (and newer) refineries based in Asia will make production and acquisition of refined product cheaper, as well as make longer term retention of the existing Marsden Point refinery plant less attractive. Purchase of an old plant by the NZ Government would not seem at all attractive, and nationalisation would be even worse (a political death wish).

Ongoing Operational Costs
Continued operation of the Marsden Point refinery for the remainder of its operational life will not only incur increasing operational costs (e.g. electricity), but it would expose all shareholders to increasing NZ carbon costs per tonne. Refer to the second link above.

Conversion to an Import Terminal and Ongoing Profitability
Though the change from a mixed refinery and tank storage to an import terminal would incur a conversion cost, this cost would be partially recovered over the next 10 years. And the tax credit from asset write-down of the existing refining plant should recover the balance of the conversion cost, as well as return a reasonable net profit to shareholders. Refer to the third link above.

The new import terminal would be operated by Channel Infrastructure, and I imagine it would have some control over transfer pricing for finished product acquired overseas (attractive for the oil company shareholders).

[mashman]

That pissed me off. And not just because I worked on the construction of the original refinery, or that several people died on the job while it was being built. Over time we have gone from having a refinery and a synthetic petrol plant, to simply storing three weeks worth of gas. Far sighted that ain't.


The story I saw on the tellybox mentioned that the refinery couldn't process much of the oil produced around NZ. If that's the case, was the design shit or was the plant, over time as part of various trade deals (UK killed a coal industry and imported the stuff cheaper = trade deal maths), converted to process overseas oil? So long as what the tellybox said was true like...



The anticipated battery powered car bonanza has not arrived as yet. I was reading yesterday that manufacturers in the US recommend not charging a car overnight, nor do they recommend parking a fully charged car in a garage. The things have been bursting into flames. They also recommend not parking two cars together or they could both turn into a big ball of flame.

Chevrolet have recalled 60,000 electric vehicles. The technology seems immature?

Remote detonation by competing car firm.

[mashman]

“We should do away with the absolutely specious notion that everybody has to earn a living. It is a fact today that one in ten thousand of us can make a technological breakthrough capable of supporting all the rest. The youth of today are absolutely right in recognizing this nonsense of earning a living. We keep inventing jobs because of this false idea that everybody has to be employed at some kind of drudgery because, according to Malthusian Darwinian theory he must justify his right to exist. So we have inspectors of inspectors and people making instruments for inspectors to inspect inspectors. The true business of people should be to go back to school and think about whatever it was they were thinking about before somebody came along and told them they had to earn a living.” - Buckminster Fuller, approximately 50 years ago.

"Contribute or you deserve to suffer!" - Society today.

Stupid is as stupid does.

[pete376403]

The story I saw on the tellybox mentioned that the refinery couldn't process much of the oil produced around NZ. If that's the case, was the design shit or was the plant, over time as part of various trade deals (UK killed a coal industry and imported the stuff cheaper = trade deal maths), converted to process overseas oil? So long as what the tellybox said was true like...

The version I heard many years ago was that the NZ produced (Taranaki) crude oil was of such high quality it was better to be sold overseas (for more profit, what else?) and cheap'n'nasty stuff imported for refining here. It's also likely that Taranaki alone could not support all of NZ demands.

[Viking01]

The story I saw on the tellybox mentioned that the refinery couldn't process much of the oil produced around NZ. If that's the case, was the design shit or was the plant, over time as part of various trade deals (UK killed a coal industry and imported the stuff cheaper = trade deal maths), converted to process overseas oil? So long as what the tellybox said was true like...


Afternoon.

As I put in my original post, those were my guesses. It's been over 25 years since I last worked for one of the remaining oil companies operating in NZ.

When I look at the change in amount of economic development that has occurred since (e.g. China - Asia in general), then any picture that I had of the oil processing industry at that time has long since changed. The same applies to how locally extracted product (sourced from NZ waters) has also been processed and consumed. And how their reserves have reduced over the same time.

To try and answer your question, a good starting point might be:

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/building-and-energy/energy-and-natural-resources/energy-statistics-and-modelling/energy-statistics/oil-statistics/

which provides links to a number of resources:

1. Data Tables for Oil, which outlines the product supply-side picture (see "Monthly Oil Suppply Statistics")
2. Trade, which indicates from where in the world we get our source products (for refining or for direct consumption)
3. Refinery, which indicates the range of finished product types we produce. Look at this link in conjunction with the next link (4. Oil).
4. Oil : An Introduction for New Zealanders

With respect to the last link:

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/77e0694e33/oil-an-introduction-for-new-zealanders.pdf

-See page 25 of the linked PDF, which provides a schematic of a distillation column, and the types of products typically produced.
-See also pages 66-67, which provides a snapshot of the NZ Product Mix from the Marsden Point Refinery. [ Obviously some numbers will have changed since this document was written (2008), but it should still provide a good enough overview.]

The basic points to take away from all of the above is that while we can source a range of crude oils to process in the refinery - and produce a wide range of product types in turn:

1. The refinery output mix (proportions of light to heavy fractions) can be varied, but the refinery columns will tend to be operated so as to produce those fractions most needed on an ongoing basis (e.g. transport fuels).

The refining schedule at the Marsden refinery used to be varied (on a roster basis) in response to the needs of individual shareholder companies. This was to allow them to be able to meet their local NZ product supply contracts (i.e. those of their own retail distribution network, as well as the needs of major commercial customers). [ Product volume needs of the other shareholder oil companies were also bundled into the final operational mix / schedule for that period, of course.]

New Zealand will also have certain seasonal demand patterns (e.g. higher demand for domestic vehicle petrol - and heavy grades used for asphalt production - during the NZ Summer months).

2. Some crudes are better for processing (and for use in post processing) in a refinery, so obtaining various crudes will vary with factors such as (i) purchase price on global markets (ii) availability - ability to be landed in NZ when needed (iii) light / heavy component split (as well as presence of contaminants).

To expand a little further:

a. Crude prices could vary due to offshore events (e.g. OPEC pricing; overseas wars). Hence the presence of oil futures markets - in order to try and smooth out price and supply volatility.

b. Variation in global tanker shipping availability, which could be affected by factors such as (i) tanker shortage (ii) tanker crew shortage. [ It's not the tankers or their crew members that are short - just the number of them available at a point in time. :msn-wink: ]

c. Crude oils are also rated by terms such as (i) sweetness (ii) density:

https://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/glossary/sweet-vs-sour-crude-oil

The net result is that "sweet" oils tend to require less energy during refining, and need less cleaning up.

The lighter fractions they produce also tend to be in demand (as "cutters" in refineries processing heavier "sour" crudes) and so command a price premium. [ Hence why NZ extracted crude oils have been exported overseas - to Australian and Asian refineries - in the past.]

"Sweet" oils have a lower sulphur content. The propensity of sulphur to "poison" catalytic converters in cars explains the desirability of low sulphur crudes for use in production of domestic vehicle petrol.

[ Hence the preference for lower sulphur crudes, and the recent introduction of a new sulphur unit at NZRC : https://www.refiningnz.com/keyproject/sulphur-solidification/ ]

Ultimately, getting sufficient volumes of finished products into the local NZ market is a big balancing act [ i.e. crude pricing and purchase --> shipping --> allocation to available and appropriately tuned refining plant --> local storage and distribution costs]. While keeping a focus on overall profitability.

TV Programme
I did not see the news clip on the TV to which you referred in your post, so I can't comment on what specific story was being told.

But you can see that even if the Marsden Point refinery was physically able to process the local feedstock (without any plant upgrade), other factors will have come into play when deciding whether to further continue its operation long term. [ My guess is that refinery upgrade or wholesale replacement was financially unattractive to the oil company shareholders in NZRC, and that the NZ Government would have faced a large cost to not march in step.]

Others will know the true answer to your question, but they will not necessarily be telling. :msn-wink:

[R650R]

The car fire was 2 Tesla's in a garage, one went up and took the other one with it + most of the house. At time of print Tesla had not inspected the vehicles nor contacted the owner. He now drives an Audi with petrol... I larfed at the owners response to the Tesla claim that more ICE vehicles go up in flames compared to electric. Pretty sure he said summit like "not in the garage they don't". Most of the ICE car fires I've been privy to were started by an electrical fault or while the battery was being charged.

As for Marsden point:facepalm:

FFS, what kind of future proofing is that? Should keep it operational for production of none fossilised fuels at least. If everything goes to the green plan, we could be refining whale oil in 50 years. :innocent:

And another thing. It's not just the plant, it's all the skills, equipment, tooling, workers, education opportunities and independence going down the shitter. Oof. We will be left with Homer Simpson watching the fuel tank levels:angry:

Sorry, I feel better now, might have a crumpet and a wee nap.

Yep all that’s lost on the fools in Wellington with regards to heavy infrastructure. They have no idea of the spin offs from having all that heavy engineering know how and gear, big cranes etc. same with the yrucks vs trains argument. If we had their green utopia of everything on rail we would have no back up distribution infrastructure in a disaster.

[mashman]

The version I heard many years ago was that the NZ produced (Taranaki) crude oil was of such high quality it was better to be sold overseas (for more profit, what else?) and cheap'n'nasty stuff imported for refining here. It's also likely that Taranaki alone could not support all of NZ demands.

I do so miss common sense. Wonder if it could fill demand if we stopped the bullshit activity :blip:............


Afternoon.

As I put in my original post, those were my guesses. It's been over 25 years since I last worked for one of the remaining oil companies operating in NZ.

When I look at the change in amount of economic development that has occurred since (e.g. China - Asia in general), then any picture that I had of the oil processing industry at that time has long since changed. The same applies to how locally extracted product (sourced from NZ waters) has also been processed and consumed. And how their reserves have reduced over the same time.

To try and answer your question, a good starting point might be:........

lots of good info........


And you call them guesses? ;)... chur for the detail.

[pritch]

While speaking to an oilfield geologist I was told that New Zealand is a relative lost cause as far as oil exploration goes. The problem is that earthquakes have broken up the geological structure below the surface and the oil has moved away so that there are no big oil fields as such. At one site ten holes were drilled, two had oil, the rest were dry. They use directional drilling, the tool goes down at various angles. In a normal 'oil field' all ten holes should have struck oil.

On the other hand we once struck oil with a spade.

[R650R]

https://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300382721/police-ten-7-producers-promised-police-the-show-wasnt-racist-but-concerns-remain

Seems some people are under the illusion they are watching news or a documentary instead of reality tv.... Same with highway patrol if they didn’t edit out all the “easy” tickets it would be boring as hell.

[husaberg]

https://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300382721/police-ten-7-producers-promised-police-the-show-wasnt-racist-but-concerns-remain

Seems some people are under the illusion they are watching news or a documentary instead of reality tv.... Same with highway patrol if they didn’t edit out all the “easy” tickets it would be boring as hell.

Go on then R650R exactly what issues do you have with the show or the way its made then? Or is it just another troll?
I find it rather funny you would have an issue with this and yet consider most of Wellington paranormal to be proof of your conspiracies....

[pritch]

So the August 13 reinstatement turned out to be a bust. It didn't take long, we have a new date. There is to be a "Justice for J6" rally in Washington DC on the 18th of September.

There are multiple claims that the people arrested since January 6th are political prisoners and that they are being ill treated ot tortured in prison. There is no evidence to suggest these idiots are treated worse than anybody else, although nobody is suggesting US prisons resemble a fun park.

Recently a woman was so proud of her son's part in Trump's failed coup that she boasted of it on social media. With photographs. Her son has now joined the others already in prison.

[mashman]

Hundreds of thousands of Americans have signed a petition calling for $2,000 monthly stimulus checks in the wake of the Delta variant (https://www.yahoo.com/news/hundreds-thousands-americans-signed-petition-155744874.html)... coz communism :killingme

[R650R]

Terrible tragic accident... and the cotton wool society’s first response is why are trains running at this time of day... small town nimbyism at its best.
Wonder if when the inevitable protest march goes to Wellington they’ll notice all commuter trains running at same time of day.
The Australians do have a truck curfew at rush hour on certain major routes but that works as it doesn’t really Impact overall capacity as the samectrucks would have just been in the jam anyway....

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/opinion-what-has-kiwirail-learned-from-rail-safety-week-after-hawkes-bay-accident/KBG4A45BNBYPD2WIZE3RPYGOM4/

[pritch]

I got two laughs out of this. First her comment then the response.

[Berries]

Terrible tragic accident... and the cotton wool societyÂ’s first response is why are trains running at this time of day... small town nimbyism at its best.
Wonder if when the inevitable protest march goes to Wellington theyÂ’ll notice all commuter trains running at same time of day.
The Australians do have a truck curfew at rush hour on certain major routes but that works as it doesnÂ’t really Impact overall capacity as the samectrucks would have just been in the jam anyway....

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/opinion-what-has-kiwirail-learned-from-rail-safety-week-after-hawkes-bay-accident/KBG4A45BNBYPD2WIZE3RPYGOM4/
Due to the third world level crossings over main roads the freight trains in and south of Dunedin cause chaos when they travel between 5 and 6pm, which they do. Can't see what harm would be done having a one hour no access period.

Biggest problem here though is northbound trucks on Saddle Hill and Lookout Point in the morning peak. God knows how many crashes have been caused by the sudden lane changing when some car driver realises too late there is a 60km/h speed differential with the truck in front and a solid line of traffic to the right. Or one truck doing 40 overtaking another at 30. They should be forced to wait until after 9am to avoid all this. At the same time, any car driver who is shown to be unobservant by failing to change lanes in a timely manner before causing a cascade of brake lights should have an eye gouged out. Then every year we could roll all the eyes down the hill like the Jaffa race on Baldwin Street and the winner can be publicly executed and their gizzards nailed to the fucking Titan crane that goes up Lookout Point at 10km/h at 7:45am on a weekday. Complete cunt.

Oh sorry, this isn't the rant and rave thread.

[FJRider]

Terrible tragic accident... and the cotton wool society’s first response is why are trains running at this time of day... small town nimbyism at its best.


One thing is certain ... they (Trains) can't/wont stop for pedestrians/cyclists or motor vehicles that try to cross the railway line when the alarms are sounding.


A KiwiRail spokesperson told Hawke's Bay Today its monitoring system and testing ... after the incident confirmed the crossing alarms were functioning correctly and activated at the time of the collision.

[jim.cox]

One thing is certain ... they (Trains) can't/wont stop for pedestrians/cyclists or motor vehicles that try to cross the railway line when the alarms are sounding.

They don't have to stop.

Thanks to the original Railways Act of 1887, the railways have absolute control of the rail corridor as if they own it.

Where are road crosses a railway line, the road legally stops and restarts on the other side.

While the 2005 act imposes some health and safety provisions, it doesnt alter that fundamental provision.

[FJRider]

Due to the third world level crossings over main roads the freight trains in and south of Dunedin cause chaos when they travel between 5 and 6pm, which they do. Can't see what harm would be done having a one hour no access period.

Timing is the issue ... and there isn't enough crossing points for trains traveling in each direction to pass each other ... an hour or so delay means major delays further up/down the line. A few Mosgielite's inconvenienced doesn't feature in the big picture. I don't live in Mosgiel, so there isn't a real issue ... <_<


Biggest problem here though is northbound trucks on Saddle Hill and Lookout Point in the morning peak. God knows how many crashes have been caused by the sudden lane changing when some car driver realises too late there is a 60km/h speed differential with the truck in front and a solid line of traffic to the right. Or one truck doing 40 overtaking another at 30. They should be forced to wait until after 9am to avoid all this.

It's not only a Public road ... it's State Highway One. Banning heavy traffic on that road (at that time) isn't going to happen ... There must be alternate routes they could use to do that ... and there isn't ... <_<




At the same time, any car driver who is shown to be unobservant by failing to change lanes in a timely manner before causing a cascade of brake lights should have an eye gouged out. Then every year we could roll all the eyes down the hill like the Jaffa race on Baldwin Street and the winner can be publicly executed and their gizzards nailed to the fucking Titan crane that goes up Lookout Point at 10km/h at 7:45am on a weekday. Complete cunt.

I drive all manner of vehicles over that piece of road ... it is fun to watch all that from the drivers seat of a truck ... :killingme



Oh sorry, this isn't the rant and rave thread.

It is now ... <_<

[FJRider]

They don't have to stop.

Thanks to the original Railways Act of 1887, the railways have absolute control of the rail corridor as if they own it.

Where are road crosses a railway line, the road legally stops and restarts on the other side.

While the 2005 act imposes some health and safety provisions, it doesnt alter that fundamental provision.

I know. Those that take their chances with thousands of Tonnes of rolling stock ... good luck. They may count themselves lucky if they get a second chance to do it again.

Many didn't.

[Berries]

it is fun to watch all that from the drivers seat of a truck ... :killingme
You are on ze list.

[FJRider]

You are on ze list.

Four cars have already driven into my rear (box steel) bumper. They "Didn't see me" ... apparently.

Three have ripped panels off their car trying to overtake. One trying to cut in front of me (I sped up [apparently] going up Saddle Hill from Mosgiel with a full load). No damage to the truck.

[Viking01]

It's been only a matter of days since the Taliban managed to cruise into Kabul (without any significant fighting) and seize it. And since that point in time, western nations have been busy trying to fly into Kabul and repatriate their citizens.

It's way too early to predict how much of the future is going to unfold, especially the nature of future political governance of Afghanistan.

But if the past (e.g. Vietnam post 1975; Iran post 1979; Venezuela post 1999) is anything to go by, then the Afghani people can expect tough times ahead.

https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/did-ny-fed-confiscate-13-billion-afghan-gold-striking-revalations-afghanistans-central

[Edit]

https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-afghanistan-taliban-69108292b8c543403064b0fc6eda02ef

[george formby]

It's been only a matter of days since the Taliban managed to cruise into Kabul (without any significant fighting) and seize it. And since that point in time, western nations have been busy trying to fly into Kabul and repatriate their citizens.

It's way too early to predict how much of the future is going to unfold, especially the nature of future political governance of Afghanistan.

But if the past (e.g. Vietnam post 1975; Iran post 1979; Venezuela post 1999) is anything to go by, then the Afghani people can expect tough times ahead.

https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/did-ny-fed-confiscate-13-billion-afghan-gold-striking-revalations-afghanistans-central

I expect the Taliban will be exporting as much misery as they can quick sharp.

[Viking01]

I expect the Taliban will be exporting as much misery as they can quick sharp.

Evening.

Not sure how quite to interpret your comment. But I could guess any (all) of the following could qualify (in terms of related misery):

-Terrorists
-Refugees
-Opium

1. Terrorists
Think that both Russia and China have been pro-active the past year, engaging with Taliban representatives and discussing their separate regional security concerns.

Neither Russia nor China want Islamic militants being directed into their western reaches and destabilising matters. China, of course, has its OBOR interest to consider, which could be a positive card (regarding trade and development) for both Pakistan and Afghanistan).

2. Refugees
Think that the current Taliban are more politically aware than those of 20 years ago, and better recognise some of the impacts of ongoing war to the country (people and economy).

Hence their initial words regarding (i) retention of citizens with "important skills" and avoidance of a refugee exodus to Europe (ii) better treatment of women (within the bounds of their Islamic religion).

https://www.rt.com/news/532319-taliban-promises-peace-rights-afghanistan/

3. Opium
The one major item that the western media has largely avoided discussing in the past has been mention of the opium trade (which the Taliban of 2001 promptly shut down, but which was quickly resurrected - and expanded - after US and allied NATO forces had forced the Taliban from power).

https://www.globalresearch.ca/the-spoils-of-war-afghanistan-s-multibillion-dollar-heroin-trade/91

One can be sure that while the US will not take "losing control of Afghanistan" graciously, it will be strongly focused on not losing the income stream from opium. I watch for announcements in this space with particular interest.

[pete376403]

If you saw the movie "Charlie Wilsons War" you would have seen a feel-good romp about the Afghans, with US supplied materiel, whacking the shit out of the Russians. If you read the book, "Charlie Wilsons War" you would have read something a bit different, but both suggesting the Afghans are the good guys.

This is the background, which is quite a bit diffferent again: https://consortiumnews.com/2021/08/16/hollywoods-dangerous-afghan-illusion-2/?fbclid=IwAR3N6WZ3Czz0LZNFtulgszCXuCD-VF52UjozwWvr1UDfGHZ1nIqAnUUX2q0

[george formby]

My wee post comes from the perspective that the Taliban are driven by devout religion and will use almost any means to achieve Sharia goals within and beyond Afghanistan. I would be surprised if the country does not become, at least, a safe haven for terrorist organisations which have broadly the same aims.

Their seems to be a lot of tacit support for them in Muslim countries. Pakistan immediately springs to mind because of the widespread public support. Other Middle East countries who are wealthier may support them more covertly to avoid damaging cash flow. The female Kiwi reporter at yesterdays press conference works for Al Jazeera, not especially harsh critics of Taliban history. It feels like cyclical history.

Russia and China are both ostensibly anti Muslim but will do a deal regardless.

Opium production is interesting, it's been a cash crop for a very long time but is not acceptable under Sharia law, like alcohol.
If funds come in from other means then no doubt the Taliban will curtail poppy farmers and try to get good publicity from it.

But they are mercurial.

The Taliban may have become more media savvy in the last twenty years but reports on social media from outside the main cities indicate it's situation normal. Murder, abduction, sex slaves, brutality, torture.

One thing is for sure. The Taliban have no interest in freedom or democracy.

[jim.cox]

One thing is for sure. The Taliban have no interest in freedom or democracy.

True that:

Taliban official rules out democracy in Afghanistan (https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/aug/19/afghanistan-live-news-taliban-kabul-us-troops-joe-biden-afghan-crisis-latest-updates?page=with:block-611d90d18f0865f6db860f98#block-611d90d18f0865f6db860f98)

[pritch]

There wouldn't seem to be much point in negotiating with the Taliban now. Their God has granted them victory, so they don't owe nobody nothin'.

The RNZAF C130 flying to Kabul seems like a lost cause but I guess they had to try. As for their bringing Afghan nationals who worked for us here, that'll be difficult. The ones in Bamiyan are surrounded by Taliban and have been for days - if they are still alive. The Taliban now have checkpoints around the airport at Kabul and are only permitting foreigners to pass.

[pete376403]

Nuke the place and let god (which ever one ) sort it out

[Viking01]

My wee post comes from the perspective that the Taliban are driven by devout religion and will use almost any means to achieve Sharia goals within and beyond Afghanistan. I would be surprised if the country does not become, at least, a safe haven for terrorist organisations which have broadly the same aims.

Their seems to be a lot of tacit support for them in Muslim countries. Pakistan immediately springs to mind because of the widespread public support. Other Middle East countries who are wealthier may support them more covertly to avoid damaging cash flow. The female Kiwi reporter at yesterdays press conference works for Al Jazeera, not especially harsh critics of Taliban history. It feels like cyclical history.

Russia and China are both ostensibly anti Muslim but will do a deal regardless.

Opium production is interesting, it's been a cash crop for a very long time but is not acceptable under Sharia law, like alcohol.
If funds come in from other means then no doubt the Taliban will curtail poppy farmers and try to get good publicity from it.

But they are mercurial.

The Taliban may have become more media savvy in the last twenty years but reports on social media from outside the main cities indicate it's situation normal. Murder, abduction, sex slaves, brutality, torture.

One thing is for sure. The Taliban have no interest in freedom or democracy.

Afternoon.

Thanks for the reply.

Think that it's very early days yet. All that has happened is that a US controlled "government" has been ousted.

US armed forces and its paid mercenaries have not even been displaced from the country yet. And the US and its supporting western nations are still being permitted to fly aircraft into Kabul to retrieve their citizens.

The Taliban has yet to declare its credentials, and to try and establish some governing body .

1. Driven by Devout Religion: As for using "warriors of Islam" to help bring down political administrations (in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere), shouldn't we instead be looking more at the parties that fund and use them for geo-political purpose ? Al Qaeda and ISIS ?

2. Haven for Terrorist Organisations: Not sure who gets to decide which organisations are "terrorist" in this modern world. ["One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter"].

If I received a US dollar (preferably some more valuable currency) for the number of times that I've read about the US choosing to re-classify various political organisations (because it suited their then-current geo-political objectives), I'd be a wealthy man.

And if I was going by past track record (e.g. number of country invasions since WW2), I'd be inclined to say the world's "most significant terrorist" (and its NATO side kicks) have just been given their "marching orders" from Afghanistan.

Let's not mistake this "pending exit" from Afghanistan as being anything other than a recognition by the US that the effort and cost of occupation has become prohibitive, and that re-deployment of some of their chess pieces to the Asia-Pacific is now deemed to be of higher priority. [ You didn't think they were going home? ]

[Edit] Forgot to also add that should the US be contemplating a strike on Iran, removal of US armed forces from western Afghan provinces (Helmand, Herat) removes obvious targets for Iranian missile strikes.

3. External Support: Pakistan - yes. A strong supporter (especially its intelligence service, ISI). For a number of reasons.

4. Russia and China: Agreed, that they will seek to "do a deal" with the new (yet to be determined) government of Afghanistan. On security as a minimum, and trading / incorporation into OBOR longer term.

Anti-Muslim ? Only if you read and believe what the western media tells you.

5. Opium Production: Yes, that is a conundrum for the Taliban. Trying to identify and establish suitable replacement crops for the Afghan rural population.

6. Social Media: Well, given its use and abuse by western powers (and their intelligence services), I'm in no doubt that there are stories about each of which you have mentioned.

That's not to give the Taliban a "free pass", but simply to recognise that the West has far from "clean hands" in many of those same respects (e.g. Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, extra-ordinary rendition).

7. Freedom and Democracy: In the absence of some agreed definitions, this would be a long and difficult discussion. So I'll ignore "freedom" for the time being, just focus on "democracy" and try to keep it to just a few points.

If you mean "democracy" as dictated by the West and according to its rules, then it's quite easy to see that the Taliban will choose to reject it. [This also assumes that Afghanistan has operated some measure of democracy in its past.]

And if we look around the world, it's also clear to see that many other countries reject "democracy" as well (either the concept itself, or the particular implementation of "democracy" forced upon them). Start with Saudi Arabia and many of the other ME emirates, and then work your way around the globe.

You could even make a case that the US rejects "democracy" (based on its own internal political behaviour the last 5 years).

[george formby]

Thank you for putting the time into this post, Viking. I always find your perspectives thought provoking.

Broadly, I agree with most, if not all, that you have posted. I'm pretty cynical about what we see and read happening in the world. No one has clean hands in modern history, the greater the resources, the dirtier the hands. But less obvious.

I read a snippet today as quoted by Royal Marines at Kabul airport. Afghan mothers were throwing their babies at the soldiers over a barbed wire fence in the hope that they would take them out of the country. I'm struggling to comprehend that level of desperation from my cosy seat.

50'000 years and we are still trying to kick the shit out of each other. :facepalm:

[Viking01]

A long read (15 pages) that a few might appreciate.

https://annebonnypirate.org/2021/08/17/afghanistan-the-end-of-the-occupation/

[pritch]

Reportedly there are an increasing number of empty shelves in supermarkets in the UK. Now Maccas have taken milkshakes off the menu. Little of this is COVID related, this is self inflicted, directly attributable to Brexit. Apparently even Tory MPs have been wearing firghtened looks of late as the realisation penetrates that they have fucked up majorly.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/24/business/mcdonalds-milkshake-shortage-uk/index.html

[pete376403]

A long read (15 pages) that a few might appreciate.

https://annebonnypirate.org/2021/08/17/afghanistan-the-end-of-the-occupation/

That was a good read,a comment included this link:


https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/08/03/afghanistans-lies-myths-and-legends/

[Viking01]

That was a good read,a comment included this link:


https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/08/03/afghanistans-lies-myths-and-legends/

Evening,

As it happens, I have only just finished re-reading Andre's article on Afghanistan. Gives a quite different perspective on affairs, both on the Russian occupation in the 1980's , and on the current players (and perhaps their motivations).

On a personal note, it is sad that Andre died in September last year. Only 57.

[mashman]

Man Photographed as Baby on ‘Nevermind’ Cover Sues Nirvana, Alleging Child Pornography (https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/man-photographed-baby-nevermind-cover-025606515.html)... so much irony it's almost a satiric read.

[pritch]

Man Photographed as Baby on ‘Nevermind’ Cover Sues Nirvana, Alleging Child Pornography (https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/man-photographed-baby-nevermind-cover-025606515.html)... so much irony it's almost a satiric read.

I just came here to post that. Another doozy of a US legal case.

[Scuba_Steve]

"When asked by the interviewer when his stance on the artwork had changed, having previously been "cool" with it, Elden replied: "Just a few months ago, when I was reaching out to Nirvana to see if they wanted to be part of my art show"

[Hoonicorn]

"When asked by the interviewer when his stance on the artwork had changed, having previously been "cool" with it, Elden replied: "Just a few months ago, when I was reaching out to Nirvana to see if they wanted to be part of my art show"

Wow, so he's still a child, but in a man's body. That's petty and sad.

[pete376403]

Evening,

As it happens, I have only just finished re-reading Andre's article on Afghanistan. Gives a quite different perspective on affairs, both on the Russian occupation in the 1980's , and on the current players (and perhaps their motivations).

On a personal note, it is sad that Andre died in September last year. Only 57.

John Pilger has this to say: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2108/S00074/catastrophe-in-afghanistan.htm

[mashman]

I justcame here to post that. Another doozy of a US legal case.

Aye, persons and money = stupidity... they even built an entire, highly expensive to run, set of systems around perpetuating that stupidity. The irony that someone is at fault in a system that welcomes/encourages such stupidity should not go unnoticed... coz it happens this way by design :killingme

[mashman]

Wow, so he's still a child, but in a man's body. That's petty and sad.

Nah, he's trying to get/keep his business growing and is doing what he can legally do to generate funds without debt. Dude is CEO material man :shifty:

[pritch]

Another from the "Sunny uplands of Brexit" department. Honda UK car plant to close with the loss of over 3,000 jobs. It would seem tptb are keeping this one fairly quiet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aw3omZOZs0

[Viking01]

Another from the "Sunny uplands of Brexit" department. Honda UK car plant to close with the loss of over 3,000 jobs. It would seem tptb are keeping this one fairly quiet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aw3omZOZs0

This action was telegraphed earlier (back in 2019, mentioning July 2021 as planned exit date):

https://www.dw.com/en/honda-confirms-uk-car-factory-closure-in-2021/a-48722842

Now that Brexit is in effect - and global shipping (containers of product parts) is experiencing logjams at various places around the world, then it can be no surprise that Honda has decided to proceed with their original plan and "pull the plug" on the Swindon plant.

[husaberg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LXk60tIhLo

[Viking01]

An old engineering friend was discussing the proposed $3.5 trillion infrastructure plan proposed for the US, and some of the underlying "engineering initiatives". Happened to include one of the latest Australien Government video clips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSZgoFyuHC8&ab_channel=thejuicemedia

[pritch]

Mike Hosking just announced that tomorrow is the anniversary of 9/11. I think not. It was 9/11 US time. It was 12/9 NZ time.

[mashman]

Tennessee teen talking about grandma who died of Covid heckled by adults at school board meeting (https://us.yahoo.com/lifestyle/tennessee-teen-talking-grandma-died-225700746.html)... the Dave's of the world know no shame.

[R650R]

Mike Hosking just announced that tomorrow is the anniversary of 9/11. I think not. It was 9/11 US time. It was 12/9 NZ time.

Xmas is celebrated here on December 25, it’s also celebrated in America on December 25......

Splitting hairs really just because Hosking is a more right leaning entertainment host. Don’t really like the guy though there’s much better stuff you could have argued.

New York is only 16 hours behind us, technically if you account the time they would’ve have gotten out of bed and dressed forvride to airport that could be counted as the start time. The planes hit at 8am so they would have been up at sparrow fart to get to airport for flight, amazingly none of them were late.

I remember fellowctrucker calling me up and telling mevtune wireless in radio... LIVE eyewitness reports were coming in of the attack including the shoot down of flight 93.... i was at Karapiro so would have been 1.30 to 2am nz time based on schedule at time.

[husaberg]

Splitting hairs really just because Hosking is a more right leaning entertainment host. Don’t really like the guy though there’s much better stuff you could have argued.

.

right leaning thats funny, he MC'd the national party state of the nation while gushing about how are only hope is if our party wins
he said on the radio he will move to Aussie if labour wins.

he slightly more right leaning than Benito Mussolini

Yet he claims to be politically neutural

[pritch]

right leaning thats funny, he MC'd the national party state of the nation while gushing about how are only hope is if our party wins
he said on the radio he will move to Aussie if labour wins.

he slightly more right leaning than Benito Mussolini

Yet he claims to be politically neutural

Hosking used to talk about how his programme was the place to hear positive news. That was when National was the government though. Now he's an unremitting purveyor of misery and gloom.

[mashman]

"This is a nation of inconsistencies. The Puritans fleeing from oppression became oppressors. We fought England for our liberty and put chains on four million of blacks. We wiped out slavery and our tariff laws and national banks began a system of white wage slavery worse than the first. Wall Street owns the country. It is no longer a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, but a government of Wall Street, by Wall Street, and for Wall Street. The great common people of this country are slaves, and monopoly is the master. The West and South are bound and prostrate before the manufacturing East. Money rules, and our Vice-President is a London banker. Our laws are the output of a system which clothes rascals in robes and honesty in rags. The [political] parties lie to us and the political speakers mislead us. We were told two years ago to go to work and raise a big crop, that was all we needed. We went to work and plowed and planted; the rains fell, the sun shone, nature smiled, and we raised the big crop that they told us to; and what came of it? Eight-cent corn, ten-cent oats, two-cent beef and no price at all for butter and eggs-that’s what came of it. The politicians said we suffered from overproduction. Overproduction, when 10,000 little children, so statistics tell us, starve to death every year in the United States, and over 100,000 shopgirls in New York are forced to sell their virtue for the bread their niggardly wages deny them... We want money, land and transportation. We want the abolition of the National Banks, and we want the power to make loans direct from the government. We want the foreclosure system wiped out... We will stand by our homes and stay by our fireside by force if necessary, and we will not pay our debts to the loan-shark companies until the government pays its debts to us. The people are at bay; let the bloodhounds of money who dogged us thus far beware." - A Speech by Mary Elizabeth Lease (circa 1890)

18 fucking 90. 130 years ago. And in that 130 years, what have we achieved that plagued people back then? That's right, 5 fifths of fuck all... but it's ok, coz Crypto :killingme.........

[pete376403]

Hosking used to talk about how his programme was the place to hear positive news. That was when National was the government though. Now he's an unremitting purveyor of misery and gloom.
Him and Kate Hawkesby - seems like sometimes each is trying to top the others previous whining output. A marriage made in hell

[pritch]

Don't know where to park this so...

Kawasaki posted this on Twitter. It's an old photo, but now she's famous. The rider is Emma Raducanu recent winner of the US tennis Open in New York.

[Viking01]

https://www.bitchute.com/video/Xf9LiFutS35C/

[pritch]

Or perhaps not?

[husaberg]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSL51ut0Fvs4nciVXdsp6h9dzp_MBoT8 u59NQ&usqp=CAU
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/29/conservative-radio-host-anti-vaxxer-dies-covid-marc-bernier

[R650R]

Several Red Flags in one... “California.... Startup venture capital company.... ex Tesla/spacex employees”

I thought this was some kind of April fools joke but seems legit.

Basically an explosive ejector seat mechanism for your truck trailer in event of a roll over that supposedly “saves “ the tractor unit and driver.
Only been tested with scale models so far.
I’m not so sure that if the current vehicle dynamics speed/corner force/ road camber/ driver and weather inputs are so close to rollover that a sudden change in the tractor units weight distribution wouldn’t cause issues either.
They think they are worth 6 Billion dollars if it takes off... think a few pension funds will be fleeced investing in this....
https://www.axicleengineering.com/tars

[pritch]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSL51ut0Fvs4nciVXdsp6h9dzp_MBoT8 u59NQ&usqp=CAU
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/29/conservative-radio-host-anti-vaxxer-dies-covid-marc-bernier

There's been a run of these, RWNJ "freedumb" radio hosts, five or more just lately. There's also been a run of pastors and preachers dying, they didn't need a vaccination because they had Jesus. Apparently Jesus didn't have them.

[pritch]

More from Brexits sunny uplands. Britain is experiencing a petrol shortage. It was a minor problem until it was reported on the news and everybody rushed the pumps. Now it's a major problem. Of such signoficance that the BBC sent a reporter...

[R650R]

More from Brexits sunny uplands. Britain is experiencing a petrol shortage. It was a minor problem until it was reported on the news and everybody rushed the pumps. Now it's a major problem. Of such signoficance that the BBC sent a reporter...

ThatÂ’s been brewing for a long time although Brexit definitely not helping. ThereÂ’s a few other factors in play. In NZ good petrol tanker operators command a higher pay for the obvious ramifications if they hire cabbage drivers.
In UK tanker drivers get paid about same as rest.
Most other driving jobs you get premium high rise luxury cab due to nights away often and can basically live in truck.
DoesnÂ’t help that poms seem real adverse to working weekends and they like their trucks sitting in daytime traffic jams instead of pro night work. I Got paid nearly 50% higher salary when working weekends over there.
Their driver licence test even for cars is tough and they hold trucks to high standard as well.
The two practical tests are 45-60mins long, if you fail itÂ’s three week wait to get retest prob even worse now.

[pritch]

ThatÂ’s been brewing for a long time although Brexit definitely not helping.

You have experience I don't, but I respectfully disagree. You seem to have it arse backward. Ten thousand foreign HGV drivers went home following Brexit. Over the weekend, our time, The British Cabinet decided to allow 5,000 immigrant HGV drivers into the country until Christmas Eve.

Be interesting to see how that works. That's all directly related to Brexit. The other fctors you mention aren't helping.

[husaberg]

You have experience I don't, but I respectfully disagree. You seem to have it arse backward. Ten thousand foreign HGV drivers went home following Brexit. Over the weekend, our time, The British Cabinet decided to allow 5,000 immigrant HGV drivers into the country until Christmas Eve.

Be interesting to see how that works. That's all directly related to Brexit. The other fctors you mention aren't helping.

The government is introducing temporary visas for 5,000 fuel tanker and food lorry drivers to work in the UK in the run-up to Christmas.
It has faced calls to do so for several weeks, but has resisted them until now, with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps previously saying: "We do have to stand on our own two feet as the United Kingdom".

Funny enough this was pointed out a long time ago
Tjhere is a large backlog in HGV driver tests, so it's been impossible to get enough new drivers up and running.
The industry said in a letter to the prime minister in June that there were 25,000 fewer candidates passing their test in 2020 than in 2019.
There is evidence of HGV driver shortages across Europe, but the UK has been among the hardest hit by the problem.
This was because many European drivers went back to their home countries, or decided to work elsewhere.
When the UK was part of the single market, they used to be able to come and go as they pleased.
But the additional border bureaucracy after Brexit meant it was too much hassle for many of them to drive into and out of the UK.
Many drivers are paid by the mile or kilometer rather than by the hour, so delays cost them money.
Also, the decline in the value of the pound against the euro since the Brexit vote has meant that being paid in pounds has been less attractive for EU nationals.
Tax and conditions
There have also been tax changes making it more expensive for drivers from elsewhere in Europe to work or be employed in the UK.
The reform of the IR35 rules - on how people working off the payroll pay tax - are designed to prevent workers from setting up limited companies through which they pay less tax and National Insurance while working, in effect, as an employee.
But it means there's less incentive for them to come and work in the UK because they make less money.

[pritch]

Y'all will recall the Republicans endlessly banging on about the Democrats wanting to "defund the police." The Democrats are crap at messaging, so although defunding the police doesn't mean what the Republicans think it means, it's still a stupid talking point.

So last night our time apparently the Republicans blocked raising the US government's spending limit. The government will run out of money. Parks and museums will close to the public, all federal government operatons will close. The federal police officers will be sent home, some 700,000 of them. After all their crocodile tears, the Republicans are actually defunding the police.

Listening to the news today the drop in the US stock market was mentioned. A variety of reasons for this were given. All bollocks. If the Republicans keep refusing to increase the debt limit, the US will default on its international loans. That's serious, and that's what made the markets jittery.

Although stupid it's all interesting. You'll recall that the Republicans had no problem raising the debt limit so that Trump could hand out trillions in tax cuts though.

[husaberg]

Y'all will recall the Republicans endlessly banging on about the Democrats wanting to "defund the police." The Democrats are crap at messaging, so although defunding the police doesn't mean what the Republicans think it means, it's still a stupid talking point.

So last night our time apparently the Republicans blocked raising the US government's spending limit. The government will run out of money. Parks and museums will close to the public, all federal government operatons will close. The federal police officers will be sent home, some 700,000 of them. After all their crocodile tears, the Republicans are actually defunding the police.

Listening to the news today the drop in the US stock market was mentioned. A variety of reasons for this were given. All bollocks. If the Republicans keep refusing to increase the debt limit, the US will default on its international loans. That's serious, and that's what made the markets jittery.

Although stupid it's all interesting. You'll recall that the Republicans had no problem raising the debt limit so that Trump could hand out trillions in tax cuts though.

Didn't trump want to sell the mineral rights to the national parks
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2020/oct/26/revealed-trump-public-lands-oil-drilling
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/06/trump-utah-national-parks-energy-development-drilling
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/trump-fossil-fuel-coronavirus-oil-price-fall-us-public-lands-a9493101.html
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2020/05/21/485260/anti-nature-president-u-s-history/
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2019/03/20/467548/13-5-million-acre-lie/

John Keys plan was smarter to sell of the NZ owned companies that had the mineral rights to overseas companies at 10c in the dollar and then also sell of the land to overseas owned companies
But before you do make sure you are also not taxing them whilst giving them taxpayer supported benefits. As that is how the free market really works of ourse.

Maybe that's what trump supporters like Mashman means when he says he wants a resource-based economy. ECConMONEY

[Viking01]

Y'all will recall the Republicans endlessly banging on about the Democrats wanting to "defund the police." The Democrats are crap at messaging, so although defunding the police doesn't mean what the Republicans think it means, it's still a stupid talking point.

So last night our time apparently the Republicans blocked raising the US government's spending limit. The government will run out of money. Parks and museums will close to the public, all federal government operatons will close. The federal police officers will be sent home, some 700,000 of them. After all their crocodile tears, the Republicans are actually defunding the police.

Listening to the news today the drop in the US stock market was mentioned. A variety of reasons for this were given. All bollocks. If the Republicans keep refusing to increase the debt limit, the US will default on its international loans. That's serious, and that's what made the markets jittery.

Although stupid it's all interesting. You'll recall that the Republicans had no problem raising the debt limit so that Trump could hand out trillions in tax cuts though.

Evening.

Mind you, it's not as if this is the first time that this game has been played.

Predicting the Future back in 2019
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/07/23/its-bad-it-looks-pelosi-under-fire-debt-ceiling-deal-hands-gop-power-kneecap

Forward to the Future in 2021
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/pelosi-vows-avert-shutdown-dems-reportedly-cave-republican-blockade

Past Government Shutdowns
https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/02/kerns-obama-clinton/

[pritch]

ThatÂ’s been brewing for a long time although Brexit definitely not helping. ThereÂ’s a few other factors in play. In NZ good petrol tanker operators command a higher pay for the obvious ramifications if they hire cabbage drivers.
In UK tanker drivers get paid about same as rest.
Most other driving jobs you get premium high rise luxury cab due to nights away often and can basically live in truck.
DoesnÂ’t help that poms seem real adverse to working weekends and they like their trucks sitting in daytime traffic jams instead of pro night work. I Got paid nearly 50% higher salary when working weekends over there.
Their driver licence test even for cars is tough and they hold trucks to high standard as well.
The two practical tests are 45-60mins long, if you fail itÂ’s three week wait to get retest prob even worse now.

Looking back through this in a few moments of mental down time. Can't help but wonder, did you actually notice the funny/whimsical bit?

[mashman]

COVID-19 pill developers aim to top Merck, Pfizer efforts (https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/covid-19-pill-developers-aim-top-merck-pfizer-efforts-2021-09-28/)... :killingme :crybaby: :killingme

[Viking01]

Who needs Netflix when you have real life drama being played out :

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/mcconnell-signals-gop-support-avoid-government-shutdown

[pritch]

We talked about this sort of thing previously but them as don't want to know...
https://www.mediaite.com/news/far-right-boogaloo-member-admits-to-yelling-justice-for-george-floyd-after-shooting-at-minneapolis-police-station/

Merck have announced an oral antiviral pill to fight Covid. It's not instead of the vaccine it's as well as...
Merck make Ivermectin. Coincidence? I think not.








Just joking.

[R650R]

1973 vintage fear porn.... think they got there graphs wrong... good ol computer modeling


https://youtu.be/cCxPOqwCr1I

[mashman]

Oh noes, too much stuff has broken the world. Capitalism works :killingme

Inside America's broken supply chain (https://www.yahoo.com/news/inside-americas-broken-supply-chain-204628616.html)

Covid-19: USPS stops NZ mail service due to 'unavailability of transportation' (https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/126562992/covid19-usps-stops-nz-mail-service-due-to-unavailability-of-transportation)

[pritch]

The Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp dramas are interesting. If it can be described as 'interesting' when the technical details are over my head. People who do understand are saying they haven't seen this before. The conspiracy theorists think Zuckerberg has organised this himself. They are assisted in formulating this theory by the presence of a whistleblower in the frame.

Below is one explanation for the uninitiated.

[mashman]

Evergrande: Company set to update market on 'major transaction' (https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58784316)... that's a lot of debt for one small country, I mean company.

[pritch]

A '60 Minutes' segment on the Facebook whistleblower.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lx5VmAdZSI

[TheDemonLord]

The Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp dramas are interesting. If it can be described as 'interesting' when the technical details are over my head. People who do understand are saying they haven't seen this before. The conspiracy theorists think Zuckerberg has organised this himself. They are assisted in formulating this theory by the presence of a whistleblower in the frame.

Below is one explanation for the uninitiated.

If that's what they are going with, sounds like BGP routing (that's the method by which you announce to the world which router are authoratative for a Block of IPs).

Dropping BGP routes is great fun.

Ask me how I know....

[R650R]

Dark Winter is coming.... I told you all so

Or maybe a bit of truth got past the fact checkers and went viral so they had to flick the off switch....

The Elite always do trial runs first to gauge reactions....

When Dark Winter comes they will take EVERYTHING. It will be blamed on left/right/white/black/Asian hackers and the only way to stop it again (like as if your worried about being robbed twice when you’ll never own anything again) will be to accept a digital passport.
The old internet will be deleted and you’ll need a govt approved digital key to surf the new web. So they can stop the hackers from stealing the nothing that is leftover it will record every singkecwebpage you visit.
If you try any work around, peer to peer or mini wifi networks you will be a digital terrorist targeted for a real world drone strike.

[pritch]

Dark Winter is coming.... I told you all so

Or maybe a bit of truth got past the fact checkers and went viral so they had to flick the off switch....

The Elite always do trial runs first to gauge reactions....

When Dark Winter comes they will take EVERYTHING. It will be blamed on left/right/white/black/Asian hackers and the only way to stop it again (like as if your worried about being robbed twice when you’ll never own anything again) will be to accept a digital passport.
The old internet will be deleted and you’ll need a govt approved digital key to surf the new web. So they can stop the hackers from stealing the nothing that is leftover it will record every singkecwebpage you visit.
If you try any work around, peer to peer or mini wifi networks you will be a digital terrorist targeted for a real world drone strike.

That's powerful stuff you're smoking there dude. :doobey:

[husaberg]

That's powerful stuff you're smoking there dude. :doobey:
.................
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padded walls
</marquee>
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[pritch]

Brexit is causing huge problems in the UK. Of course the Govt denies Brexit is the problem and points at Europe. Europe isn't having those problems though. Neither is Northern Ireland.

So they needed several thousand tanker drivers...

[TheDemonLord]

Brexit is causing huge problems in the UK. Of course the Govt denies Brexit is the problem and points at Europe. Europe isn't having those problems though. Neither is Northern Ireland.

So they needed several thousand tanker drivers...

Yep, so what will happen next - in order to attract more local labour, instead of importing cheap overseas labour - they will have to make being a Tanker driver a more attractive option. Either a Higher Wage or better working conditions.

Short term disruption, long term benefit.

[pete376403]

Yep, so what will happen next - in order to attract more local labour, instead of importing cheap overseas labour - they will have to make being a Tanker driver a more attractive option. Either a Higher Wage or better working conditions.

Short term disruption, long term benefit.

Or use the army drivers. When has a Tory government ever made a change to benefit workers? Recall the three day week at huge cost to Britain, all to destroy the miners union

[Dadpole]

Yep, so what will happen next - in order to attract more local labour, instead of importing cheap overseas labour - they will have to make being a Tanker driver a more attractive option. Either a Higher Wage or better working conditions.

Short term disruption, long term benefit.

That may be the sensible path, but I bet they take the other option - as in NZ - of moaning that the locals are too lazy/stupid/drugged and want to offer special visas to drivers from India and other nations where a handful of currency gets a HGV license.

[pritch]

Yep, so what will happen next - in order to attract more local labour, instead of importing cheap overseas labour - they will have to make being a Tanker driver a more attractive option. Either a Higher Wage or better working conditions.

Short term disruption, long term benefit.

I'm aware there are short term unemployed in Britain, as there are here. The thought of the average long term unemployed person behind the wheel of a gas tanker is the stuff of nightmares.

Perhaps some of those financial whiz kids doing "something in the City", who no longer have access to Europe might seek a career change to tanker diver

Meanwhile Britain is running on empty 'cause nobody saw this coming. Nobody in the government anyway. Elect a clown, iive in a circus.

[TheDemonLord]

I'm aware there are short term unemployed in Britain, as there are here. The thought of the average long term unemployed person behind the wheel of a gas tanker is the stuff of nightmares.

Perhaps some of those financial whiz kids doing "something in the City", who no longer have access to Europe might seek a career change to tanker diver

Meanwhile Britain is running on empty 'cause nobody saw this coming. Nobody in the government anyway. Elect a clown, iive in a circus.

"You're bleeding to death, we need to get this IV Line into you so we can give you a Transfusion"
"But the needle will hurt!"

Now, I do have to ask - are you inferring something about the average long term unemployed person?

I mean, if I was to make the same inference, some might be all up in arms about it...

[TheDemonLord]

Or use the army drivers. When has a Tory government ever made a change to benefit workers? Recall the three day week at huge cost to Britain, all to destroy the miners union

See, that's a really interesting one.

As some of you know, I grew up in essentially Post-Thatcher Britain. It was quite good, actually.

The stranglehold that the Labour (and especially at that time) Communist Unions had on the country needed to be dealt with. It, too, had it's consequences - such as decimating certain parts of the North (AKA Labour's Red Wall).

However, in doing so, it helped other workers - a Lot of people did quite well aka 'Maggie's Millionaires' the problems of the catastrophic Labour policies of the 1970s had been dealt with and the Economy Flourished....

Until Tony Blair came in and fucked it all up, but that's a different story.

[TheDemonLord]

That may be the sensible path, but I bet they take the other option - as in NZ - of moaning that the locals are too lazy/stupid/drugged and want to offer special visas to drivers from India and other nations where a handful of currency gets a HGV license.

Then if you add in that if people have alternatives (like staying at home, on the dole, getting high) then they won't work - if you remove that as an option....

[Dadpole]

When I become Supreme Overlord, TheDemonLord will be in charge of rounding up the "like staying at home, on the dole, getting high" types and putting them to work at minimum wage. Of course, he will be on minimum wage too...

[pritch]

Or use the army drivers. When has a Tory government ever made a change to benefit workers? Recall the three day week at huge cost to Britain, all to destroy the miners union

That was mentioned. I can't be certain of the exact number of tanker drivers the British army had, but seem to recall it was 90. That still leaves them thousands short.

In other Brexit news, Spain is kicking the Brit expats out of the Costa Del Sol etc. There was a Brit cabinet member saying a while back that while foreigners in Brtain would have to go home, Brits in Europe would be able to stay. The stupidity is astounding.

[pritch]

Now, I do have to ask - are you inferring something about the average long term unemployed person?


I think you mean "implying" but yes, you could say that. I used to work in a building that housed the local WINZ office so have seen many WINZ customers, and I have been one myself. Not all are in the same category, many are there due to circumstances beyond their control. Then there are those who are rarely ever sober or straight. Putting them behind the wheel of a tanker would be exceedingly unwise.

[R650R]

Yep, so what will happen next - in order to attract more local labour, instead of importing cheap overseas labour - they will have to make being a Tanker driver a more attractive option. Either a Higher Wage or better working conditions.

Short term disruption, long term benefit.

The real problem is parking in UK. That’s what makes the job such a grind, everything else is not so bad in trucking terms.
Poms lovevtheir tea breaks and if there’s no where to stop for a cuppa they fall apart.
Stop at a services more than two hours and you have to pay.
Also it’s a running jokevover there to call a trucker a serial killer after a few unfortunate high profile cases.

[george formby]

Also it’s a running jokevover there to call a trucker a serial killer after a few unfortunate high profile cases.

Nothing is sacred in the UK, except tea breaks. And Greggs.


https://youtu.be/imhBoE56OEs

[pritch]

Alabama has decided to use some of the grant received from the federal government to fight COVID to build new prisons.

[husaberg]

I think you mean "implying" but yes, you could say that. I used to work in a building that housed the local WINZ office so have seen many WINZ customers, and I have been one myself. Not all are in the same category, many are there due to circumstances beyond their control. Then there are those who are rarely ever sober or straight. Putting them behind the wheel of a tanker would be exceedingly unwise.

isnt it funny when a right wing free market type wants to be a closed market protectionist "commie"



What Is a Free Market Economy?
Government highly control some economies. In planned economies, or command economies, the government controls the means of production and the distribution of wealth, dictating the prices of goods and services and the wages workers receive. In a free market economy, the law of supply and demand, rather than a central government, regulates production and labor. Companies sell goods and services at the highest price consumers are willing to pay while workers earn the highest wages companies are willing to pay for their services. A purely capitalist economy is a free market economy; the profit motive drives all commerce and forces businesses to operate as efficiently as possible to avoid losing market share to competitors.


KEY TAKEAWAYS:
A free market economy is one where supply and demand regulate production and labor as opposed to the government.
Most countries' economies contain elements of both free market and command economies.
Hong Kong's economy is considered the most free, followed by New Zealand while Algeria and Timor-Leste were the least free in 2019, according to the 2019 Index of Economic Freedom.

[TheDemonLord]

When I become Supreme Overlord, TheDemonLord will be in charge of rounding up the "like staying at home, on the dole, getting high" types and putting them to work at minimum wage. Of course, he will be on minimum wage too...

Don't worry, Like all good party functionaries forced to be on Minimum Wage, I'll ensure that an appropriate number of Bribes are paid to me to continue my preferred lifestyle :laugh::laugh:

[TheDemonLord]

I think you mean "implying" but yes, you could say that. I used to work in a building that housed the local WINZ office so have seen many WINZ customers, and I have been one myself. Not all are in the same category, many are there due to circumstances beyond their control. Then there are those who are rarely ever sober or straight. Putting them behind the wheel of a tanker would be exceedingly unwise.

Now, I don't disagree at all - The follow-up question though is the interesting one:

For those that find themselves on the Dole due to bad luck, I genuinely wish that we could do more for them.

For those however that as you say "are rarely ever sober or straight." - how is it that they are able to afford to be that way? Why is it that we, the taxpayer is funding someone's lifestyle choice to sit around and get drunk and high? To those people, I would have little, to no sympathy in cutting off the Purse strings entirely and saying 'Fend for yourself or Die'

Perhaps we could redirect the money saved to the people who got their through no fault of their own and provide them with better tools to get back into the productive workforce.

I will add one small Caveat to that, which is the rate at which mental illness is undiagnosed and more specifically, the rate at which some people try and self-medicate with Drugs or alcohol is very high - and so if they did have mental issues, then the correct approach would be to take them into a mental care facillitiy where they can get the appropriate assistance.

Additional caveat to the caveat - that would require a functional Mental Health system...

[TheDemonLord]

isnt it funny when a right wing free market type wants to be a closed market protectionist "commie"

Nice attempt at the Bait and switch.

I'm generally for Free Trade - but not Free Movement.

One is goods and services, the other is people.

And unless you are going to advance a return to considering some people as a Good or Service (Aka Slavery) then you'll not be conflating the two.

[Viking01]

https://www.mintpressnews.com/prison-industrial-complex-report-growth-of-incarceration-prison-exploitation/273673/

https://www.globalresearch.ca/pentagon-corporations-slave-labor-us-prisons/5734397

[pritch]

For those however that as you say "are rarely ever sober or straight." - how is it that they are able to afford to be that way? \

Selling drugs, organising dog fights, get a grant from WINZ to buy clothes for a job interview then sell the clothes and buy dope, you name it, but it probably won't be legal. To be able to survive long term on the benefit you need to be able to hustle. The prime life skill is knowledge of every benefit assistance that's available. WINZ (or whatever it's called now) don't offer that information, you have to ask. If you don't ask, they don't offer, and you don't know to ask so... Knowledge of the system is paramount and all long termers have that in fine detail.

As for the dog fight thing, I did see one WINZ client wearing a Michael Vick football jersey. Michael Vick was a talented NFL quarter back, his career was interrupted by a conviction for dog fighting and a subsequent stretch in prison . At that time bull terriers or other big dogs were going missing hereabout.

[TheDemonLord]

Selling drugs, organising dog fights, get a grant from WINZ to buy clothes for a job interview then sell the clothes and buy dope, you name it, but it probably won't be legal. To be able to survive long term on the benefit you need to be able to hustle. The prime life skill is knowledge of every benefit assistance that's available. WINZ (or whatever it's called now) don't offer that information, you have to ask. If you don't ask, they don't offer, and you don't know to ask so... Knowledge of the system is paramount and all long termers have that in fine detail.

Firstly - fuck I hate Dog Fighting. Makes my Blood Boil.

You certainly raise some valid issues - like many things in life, you only get it, if you know what to ask for - and the average front-line worker at WINZ may not even know all the possibilities.

[mashman]

Lebanon left without power as grid shuts down (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58856914)... Surrounded by nations who make their $ from fuel. Yes, as a way of looking after people in general, Capitalism is that stupid.

[R650R]

Lebanon left without power as grid shuts down (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58856914)... Surrounded by nations who make their $ from fuel. Yes, as a way of looking after people in general, Capitalism is that stupid.

Nothing to do of course with their uncharitable neighbours or international sanctions on neighbours some of whom are still war zones....oh and the mini nuke that blew up their port....
So did you wire them some money to help them out?

[R650R]

https://joannenova.com.au/2021/10/south-pole-has-coldest-winter-ever-but-its-just-a-blip/

[pete376403]

https://joannenova.com.au/2021/10/south-pole-has-coldest-winter-ever-but-its-just-a-blip/


Meanwhile, at the other end...
derived from actual satellite photos of the ice, rather than opinions)

https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/arctic-sea-ice/

[george formby]

I stopped checking Nova's credentials when I got to her partnership with Shell.

Ironically she claims that the science demonstrating climate change is being published purely for profit. :facepalm:

She doesn't stack up well in a quick fact check, either.

[R650R]

Meanwhile, at the other end...
derived from actual satellite photos of the ice, rather than opinions)

https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/arctic-sea-ice/

Please RE read the article.... it’s about Antartica, aka the South Pole....
On a side note the seasonal variations of arctic North Pole are well known

[R650R]

You’d think embassies would have sensitive equipment to monitor such possible attacks....

Meanwhile it’s still just a wild conspiracy that 5/6G towers could be used for same style attacks....

https://i.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/300427013/havana-syndrome-germany-investigates-possible-sonic-attack-on-us-embassy-staff

[george formby]

You’d think embassies would have sensitive equipment to monitor such possible attacks....

Meanwhile it’s still just a wild conspiracy that 5/6G towers could be used for same style attacks....

https://i.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/300427013/havana-syndrome-germany-investigates-possible-sonic-attack-on-us-embassy-staff

Nah, they've already figured it out. It's crickets. No, seriously, it is.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/havana-syndrome-cause-crickets-cia-b1930390.html

[mashman]

Nothing to do of course with their uncharitable neighbours or international sanctions on neighbours some of whom are still war zones....oh and the mini nuke that blew up their port....

Of course the neighbours are uncharitable. You don't fill up your neighbours tank for free if it costs you something for your family do ya?... unless you have a fucktonne of money and see that it helps the neighbour out.

Sanctions are meant to bring about financial hardship. In other words, Capitalism is used to empoverish and murder large numbers of people who have nothing to do with anything other than they live in a country that the world has chosen to send to coventry. Scumbag move. Bit like me holding your family to ransom until you've filled my tank.


So did you wire them some money to help them out?

:killingme irony, hypocrisy, satire, I dunno, but that little statement overloaded my brain cell something fierce given the role that capitalism plays in how resources are meant to be distributed, but aren't.

[pete376403]

Please RE read the article.... it’s about Antartica, aka the South Pole....
On a side note the seasonal variations of arctic North Pole are well known


Yes but its all part of the same planet, which will live or die as one. Do you imagine the top half will boil off while we will be fine down in the cooler bottom half? Looking forward to the northern hemisphere population moving onto your patch?

[TheDemonLord]

A Lot of people here have ridiculed the ideological link between Marx and Fascism - this is an excellent and concise explanation of the link between the two.

And before anyone asks "Yeah, well why did the Red shirts and the Brown shirts fight each other?"

I will answer "The same reason why the Catholics and Protestants fight each other. Or the same reason the Jews and the Muslims fight each other. Because they all believe in the same God"


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3FiBPxGxyk

[R650R]

Yes but its all part of the same planet, which will live or die as one. Do you imagine the top half will boil off while we will be fine down in the cooler bottom half? Looking forward to the northern hemisphere population moving onto your patch?

We’ve been getting told all this stuff for about 30 years and nothing of significance has come to pass. If you understand the physics law of the Latent Heat of Evaporation you’ll understand that the earth will self regulate itself.
Our actions in trying to influence a trace element of 400 parts per million in upper atmosphere are futile. Funny thing is water vapour is much more powerful greenhouse effect and we will be making more of that via hydrogen fuel cells lol

[R650R]

The end or trusted information forever????

I’m sure we’re all familiar here with this stuff but we’ll worth a watch, the technology is progressing at astonishing pace...


https://youtu.be/Yb1GCjmw8_8

[R650R]

One for mashman.... cause capitalism????

Apparently living more than 1.6km from a supermarket is a problem...one of the interviewees is surprisingly obese for someone with poor access to food?


https://youtu.be/Rd8J-9uUnfc

[mashman]

One for mashman.... cause capitalism????

Yes. Even business decisions are constrained by capitalism.


Apparently living more than 1.6km from a supermarket is a problem...one of the interviewees is surprisingly obese for someone with poor access to food?

It is a problem. Not everyone has the time to walk to the supermarket in between their 2 jobs, let alone carry food for a family home. Shame they're tarred with the same brush that the lazy arse is tarred with, coz they are a part of that demographic... and the employment stats would likely support that there are more doing the hard yards than aren't, and that they could benefit better food being more local in an already jammed day, and yet............... Sounds like you've a little white privilege in you son.

[pete376403]

We’ve been getting told all this stuff for about 30 years and nothing of significance has come to pass. If you understand the physics law of the Latent Heat of Evaporation you’ll understand that the earth will self regulate itself.
Our actions in trying to influence a trace element of 400 parts per million in upper atmosphere are futile. Funny thing is water vapour is much more powerful greenhouse effect and we will be making more of that via hydrogen fuel cells lol

30 years is less than a heartbeat in the life of a planet.The earth may well self-regulate, but it will not necessarily regulate to the very narrow band of temperature and other criteria that humans and other life require for survival.

With regard to your "400 parts per million" - it's not the number, its the rate of change. And it is changing quite a lot - The concentration of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere is currently at nearly 412 parts per million (ppm) and rising. This represents a 47 percent increase since the beginning of the Industrial Age, when the concentration was near 280 ppm, and an 11 percent increase since 2000, when it was near 370 ppm. Crisp points out that scientists know the increases in carbon dioxide are caused primarily by human activities because carbon produced by burning fossil fuels has a different ratio of heavy-to-light carbon atoms, so it leaves a distinct “fingerprint” that instruments can measure. A relative decline in the amount of heavy carbon-13 isotopes in the atmosphere points to fossil fuel sources. Burning fossil fuels also depletes oxygen and lowers the ratio of oxygen to nitrogen in the atmosphere. https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2915/the-atmosphere-getting-a-handle-on-carbon-dioxide/

[pritch]

We’ve been getting told all this stuff for about 30 years and nothing of significance has come to pass.


Only if you have taken extreme measures to avoid watchng or reading any news. That's clearly nonsense. Almost as nonsensical as the Trumpist politician in the US that thinks rising sea levels will be solved simply by lifting all of the boats out of the water.

:brick:

[R650R]

30 years is less than a heartbeat in the life of a planet.The earth may well self-regulate, but it will not necessarily regulate to the very narrow band of temperature and other criteria that humans and other life require for survival.

With regard to your "400 parts per million" - it's not the number, its the rate of change. And it is changing quite a lot - The concentration of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere is currently at nearly 412 parts per million (ppm) and rising. This represents a 47 percent increase since the beginning of the Industrial Age, when the concentration was near 280 ppm, and an 11 percent increase since 2000, when it was near 370 ppm. Crisp points out that scientists know the increases in carbon dioxide are caused primarily by human activities because carbon produced by burning fossil fuels has a different ratio of heavy-to-light carbon atoms, so it leaves a distinct “fingerprint” that instruments can measure. A relative decline in the amount of heavy carbon-13 isotopes in the atmosphere points to fossil fuel sources. Burning fossil fuels also depletes oxygen and lowers the ratio of oxygen to nitrogen in the atmosphere. https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2915/the-atmosphere-getting-a-handle-on-carbon-dioxide/

Go to the library and read news articles from 30 years ago, full of lies about 1m to 1.5m sea level rises that should be happening now but are not.

[R650R]

Only if you have taken extreme measures to avoid watchng or reading any news. That's clearly nonsense. Almost as nonsensical as the Trumpist politician in the US that thinks rising sea levels will be solved simply by lifting all of the boats out of the water.

:brick:

Nice irrelevant paraphrased quote from yet another unnamed source about an unnamed politician.

That doesn’t remind me about the hysteria of melting icebergs. It seems many people weren’t o aging attention in school c science classes.
You see most of an iceberg is under water. Ice is an expansion of its form in volume compared to water, so when they melt the sea level actually lowers. What’s really sexy about this whole process is it removes heat from the atmosphere protecting the rest of ice caps.

Only if you’ve taken extreme measures to only watch mainstream news would you not be aware that the rolling average of significant weather events has not changed either.
Tony Heller does some great breakdowns on how Australia’s significant drought and flooding cycles have been occurring for hundreds of years. The only change is social media and cellphones means you get yo witness these 100 year storm events more easily.

[pete376403]

You can deny all you like, just as I can believe all I like. It doesn't matter to either of us because we will be dead before much longer and will never experience the results of what happens. Our children may see some minor discomfort, but it is their children and those coming after who will get to suffer the conditions we and those before us have created.

[mashman]

Go to the library and read news articles from 30 years ago, full of lies about 1m to 1.5m sea level rises that should be happening now but are not.

Evidences of the expanding Earth from space-geodetic data over solid land and sea level rise in recent two decades (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674984715000518)... What happens to sea levels as the Earth expands? Hot liquid ball encased in scarred as fuck rock from other expansions floating in a vacuum. Would explain earthquakes too. Tectonic plates that are constantly being pushed apart by magma (see the afore mentioned scarring on google earth and use your brain, not current accepted tectonic plate theory) as happens on land in Iceland without anything on the other side of the world contracting to counter the shift in shape across the entire length of a plate boundary............... School was a waste of good education time.

[R650R]

Evidences of the expanding Earth from space-geodetic data over solid land and sea level rise in recent two decades (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674984715000518)... What happens to sea levels as the Earth expands? Hot liquid ball encased in scarred as fuck rock from other expansions floating in a vacuum. Would explain earthquakes too. Tectonic plates that are constantly being pushed apart by magma (see the afore mentioned scarring on google earth and use your brain, not current accepted tectonic plate theory) as happens on land in Iceland without anything on the other side of the world contracting to counter the shift in shape across the entire length of a plate boundary............... School was a waste of good education time.

Yes definitely a factor. Ken Ring talks about Land Tides in his moon book too.
And there is even a mainstream documentary with Richard Hammond I think talking about some spot in Spain or France where this is observable. Think there was some pesky hard evidence there of a lighthouse and rocky outcrop where the truth can be physically seen. Think it is a one foot movement daily.

[R650R]

You can deny all you like, just as I can believe all I like. It doesn't matter to either of us because we will be dead before much longer and will never experience the results of what happens. Our children may see some minor discomfort, but it is their children and those coming after who will get to suffer the conditions we and those before us have created.

I don’t deny anything.

I accept that 30 years ago people were running around like headless chickens saying sea will rise 1-1.5m in 30 years time.
I accept the sea level at the beach I played at as a child has not risen any measureable amount.

[husaberg]

I don’t deny anything.

I accept that 30 years ago people were running around like headless chickens saying sea will rise 1-1.5m in 30 years time.
I accept the sea level at the beach I played at as a child has not risen any measureable amount.

Really? you make a lot of predictions yourself that are clearly wrong for 5 minutes in the future. Are you going to deny these are wrong false or just made up?
like the alleged deaths or COvid in NZ or the fact covid delta hasn't delivered or how masks are some sort of communist plot or how people are altering your posts ,Covid being cured by malaria drugs.



The noun Pandemic is not mentioned in that post, does one not understand grammar.
Every disease is a Pandemic in the modern world as they all spread “across the country or roundvthe world”.
1600 people sick in a country of 5 million is no crisis worth destroying jobs and lives for.


Well well well, our journey into communist hell continues.

There has only been 1650 alleged cases (out of 700,000 tests!!!!) of the virus, but what has spread faster has been submission to communist control.
Nearly 2 million have downloaded the Covid app so you can be sent to a govt “ health” camp to catch the virus if you didnt already have it.

But yay 3 million kiwis have said no to turning their phone into govt spy device.

Tommorow is D-day, public transport will be the barometer of how many of us have rolled belly up to mask wearing.
Hopefully most will say screw this shit and drive their cars to work.

You don’t have to wear a mask if it affects your physical or mental health and you do NOT need to present documents to prove this.

Out and about it’s refreshing to see nearly No one scanning the qr code thingy.

It’s quite clear now as the mountain of contradictions grow that it’s not about stopping the “virus”..


Masks are for destroying social interaction and communication with strangers. You know those moments in life when some shitbag is bashing his missus and enough of you make visual contact to know you’ve got each other back and intervene.
But with masks there will never be any Flight 93 “lets roll” moments of bravery, you’ll never know if your fellow citizen is a Karen or Stasi as you reluctantly board the blacked out train carriage...
A cop will never see your friendly smile, never know you like them and not let you off that minor stop sign indescretion...


Spare a thought for the unfortunate households this Xmas....

The households where Karen’s live.....

Instead of milk and cookies they will leave hand sanitiser and toilet paper out for Santa....

But he won’t be here Xmas nite Jonny, he has to stay in quarantine for two weeks first...

I can’t belueve comrade afdrn has t used this.... kids are very observant, how come Santa has freedom of travel?


The media are tripping over themselves trying to solve the mystery of why Africans aren't dying from covid as badly as the west.
Africans routinely take a cheap safe anti malaria drug invented in n 1960's called hydroxychloroquine....
Scooby Doo would solve that puzzle faster



So many vids about the Biden regime now investigating the “ outrageous” wuhan lab conspiracy its hard to choose which one to post ����������


Your odds of dying from Covid in NZ is about the same as winning Powerball....
People dream of winning powerball, actively visit known powerball superspreader hot zones twice a week in hope of winning...

Meanwhile about 6 times as many people die in drink drive car crashes.
We even have mass random surveillance testing for that too, typically about 1.5-2% are ‘ infected’ with the influence of alcohol.....
Would we tolerate say a 24hr lockdown every time you bought a beer at bar?
Or after your night at the bar you don’t leave through the front door, a govt agent escorts you to a ‘quarantine ‘ facility which you can’t leave for 24 hrs.
Just imagine that, we would ABSOLUTELY save 150 lives a year
The govt will NEVER do that so why all this crap with the virus where the potential victim has a 93% chance of not even needing hospital treatment...


As of Dec 4 2020

1,298,455 Total tests

2219 positive test results

139 (estimated based on 6.3% in previous data of 1600/80 approx) Hospitalised

25 dead

WHY is it SO HARD to find the data on how many people in NZ NEEDED hospital treatment for this.
This number has to be actively suppressed as ALL the other data comes up very EASY in searches.
The answer is so people don’t ask WHY are we scared.
Can you imagine a Pandemic being declared of the PM said oh by the way 93% of you that actually manage to contract the virus won’t need to go to hospital just stay home and rest.
Nothing else matters the maths tells the story, especially post lockdown any new cases should have spread massively as everyone suddenly enjoyed a watered down form of freedom.
And just think of all those Asymptomatic cases in the 3,800,000 people that have NOT been tested...
There should be another 6600 odd positive cases, another 400 extra in hospital and another 75 people dead, where are they????


Well it seems the MORE deadly and MORE contagious delta variant failed to deliver... just think about that, the infected person came on a flight where people would have taken masks off at times to eat and drink and all shared the same inflight tier facilities. THEN they sauntered all over a MAJOR metropolitan area and thefe was no outbreak.
Guess that’s why an ever nastier version lambda? Starts with L has just been “ discovered”....

Oh but we’ve locked down so quick, yes but not before the exposure events and not before all those exposed on weekends away returned to provincial centres.

One has to wonder if the new respiratory infection in young kids is a result of the sterility of lockdown life not letting there immune systems learn properly in early development months as the age band is very low.

[Kickaha]

Yes definitely a factor. Ken Ring talks about Land Tides in his moon book too.

Ken Ring is a fraud, that was proved by the Christchurch earthquake and all his predictions around it

[mashman]

Yes definitely a factor. Ken Ring talks about Land Tides in his moon book too.
And there is even a mainstream documentary with Richard Hammond I think talking about some spot in Spain or France where this is observable. Think there was some pesky hard evidence there of a lighthouse and rocky outcrop where the truth can be physically seen. Think it is a one foot movement daily.

I've read about the moon tide being noticeable on the great lakes of murca too. So many theories that are a part of a whole that none know for sure. Hardly surprising people get caught up in their knickers when there's more than 2 competing theories. Yarp, I've seen the lighthouse pic and read about the place you're talking about. Parts of Kaikoura are slightly higher than they used to be. Photo caption years later: Sea levels are falling.

There is no hard evidence on a planet that billions of years old and still a mystery to man... just bullshit for us plebs to fight over.

[pritch]

Just as well there's none of that bloody global warming nonsense, otherwise we'd be having tropical species moving into our waters. Some species might even be potentially harmful to the health. So it's just as well there's no chance of that happening.


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/14/case-of-the-mystery-sea-snakes-why-are-reptiles-washing-up-on-new-zealands-shores

[R650R]

Just as well there's none of that bloody global warming nonsense, otherwise we'd be having tropical species moving into our waters. Some species might even be potentially harmful to the health. So it's just as well there's no chance of that happening.


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/14/case-of-the-mystery-sea-snakes-why-are-reptiles-washing-up-on-new-zealands-shores

You really need to fact check your supporting evidence before posting.

The article itself says they have been visiting nz since before people were here so we’re bedorecthe alleged era of “climate change”. There was a more recent news article of same ilk and it much less click bait material and said yep these things are out there and get washed up by storms sometimes.

What’s really happening is age of digital cameras and internet is we have more evidence and reporting of events that would other wise be dismissed as fishing tales....

[pete376403]

You really need to fact check your supporting evidence before posting.

The article itself says they have been visiting nz since before people were here so we’re bedorecthe alleged era of “climate change”. ....
Be interesting to know how they know that, given no-one was here to observe and record. But it also goes on to say “The historic data we have shows they have been coming to New Zealand occasionally, and it seems that those sightings are happening more and more frequently every year,” Udyawer says. “Whether it’s changing temperatures or it’s more likely to be the increasing numbers of storms, or rough weather that might be bringing them – we still need to collect more information to resolve that.” And the increasing storms are bought on by the warming of the oceans. https://climate.nasa.gov/blog/2956/how-climate-change-may-be-impacting-storms-over-earths-tropical-oceans/

[TheDemonLord]

Just as well there's none of that bloody global warming nonsense, otherwise we'd be having tropical species moving into our waters. Some species might even be potentially harmful to the health. So it's just as well there's no chance of that happening.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/14/case-of-the-mystery-sea-snakes-why-are-reptiles-washing-up-on-new-zealands-shores

Ecological disasters have been bandied about since the 1950s.

Global Cooling
Global Warming
Ozone Layer
Ice Caps melting
Sea levels rising
Climate Change

And yet, none of the dire predictions, in the time-frames given have ever come to pass.

Is the Climate Changing? Probably
Is it Influenced by Human activity? Almost certainly to a degree
Should we try to find ways to minimize waste and be more efficient with Energy and resources? Absolutely!
Should we completely undo hundreds of years of Human Progress to appease a psychotic teenager (and her sycophants) who is being put in front of the world stage by people with a particular agenda? No.

[R650R]

I see FLUFF news is launching a new climate vomit session now the more deadly but less deadly delta scare is dying off faster than its own victims.
Playing the species extinction card..... 90% of all species that ever lived have become extinct, largely without mans help. It’s called evolution, the dumb ones didn’t survive....
Surely in the new age of animal to humans transmussion of deadly virueses we should be encouragingly a cull of the other species.

[husaberg]

You really need to fact check your supporting evidence before posting.

...

Here is an inconvenient fact
Vinay Udyawer
Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Australian Institute of Marine Science.

Vinay completed a Bachelor of Science degree in New Zealand, majoring in Zoology and Ecology. He then moved to Townsville (QLD) to further explore the ecology of marine animals and completed an honours degree at James Cook University, looking at the spatial ecology of coastal sharks during extreme weather conditions. For his Ph.D., he explored the movement ecology and dive physiology of marine snakes in North Queensland.

Vinay is currently a postdoctoral researcher based at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Darwin, NT. His current research uses biotelemetry and other forms of spatial observations to examine the movement ecology and distribution patterns of threatened species. He is particularly interested in understanding how sea snake populations are affected by environmental changes and their vulnerability to anthropogenic threats (e.g. trawl and trap fishing, coastal development). His research aims to develop robust quantitative techniques to understand how animals interact with their environment, respond to anthropogenic threats, and produce outcomes relevant to management and conservation.
vs
R650R
is a conspiracy theorist truck driver who is also found to be completely wrong about almost everything he posts on a daily basis.

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a type of cognitive bias in which people believe that they are smarter and more capable than they really are.
Essentially, low ability people do not possess the skills needed to recognize their own incompetence.
The combination of poor self-awareness and low cognitive ability leads them to overestimate their own capabilities......
Incompetent people, the researchers found, are not only poor performers, they are also unable to accurately assess and recognize the quality of their own work.
Incompetent people tend to:
Overestimate their own skill levels
Fail to recognize the genuine skill and expertise of other people
Fail to recognize their own mistakes and lack of skill
Dunning has pointed out that the very knowledge and skills necessary to be good at a task are the exact same qualities that a person needs to recognize that they are not good at that task. So if a person lacks those abilities, they remain not only bad at that task but ignorant to their own inability.
:niceone:

[pritch]

You really need to fact check your supporting evidence before posting.

The article itself says they have been visiting nz since before people were here so we’re bedorecthe alleged era of “climate change”. There was a more recent news article of same ilk and it much less click bait material and said yep these things are out there and get washed up by storms sometimes.

What’s really happening is age of digital cameras and internet is we have more evidence and reporting of events that would other wise be dismissed as fishing tales....

That's one take. Although you are having to work at it. I can read, it has happened but it was rare. Seemingly it's less rare now and may soon become common. There are a number of things from tropical waters, both animal and vegetable, that we don't want here.

[Berries]

Surely in the new age of animal to humans transmussion of deadly virueses we should be encouragingly a cull of the other species.
I fully support this approach. Let's start with cats then move on to the Americans.

[pete376403]

I fully support this approach. Let's start with cats then move on to the Americans.

Maybe not the cats, unless you can deal with the rats as well

[Berries]

Maybe not the cats, unless you can deal with the rats as well
Cats, rats, and baseball caps then.

Sorted.

[pritch]

Employers in the US are given to ranting that nobody wants to work. They often attribute this to the US$1200 dollar government cheque that was paid out months ago. Laura ingraham, FOX News, was theorising that assistance should be cut off, "Hunger is a powerful motivator."

More serious commentators have suggested that following the pandemic, people in low wage, high risk, positions may be rethinking their future employment. The national minimum wage has remained unchanged at S7.25 per hour since 2009. Some states have their own minimum wage which will be higher but sometimes not much higher.

Joey Holz of Florida thought he'd conduct an experiment. During September he applied for sixty jobs, particularly jobs with employers who had been commenting on how it was impossible to recruit staff because nobody wanted to work.

The results of his experiment are here:

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/worker-applied-to-60-jobs-got-one-interview-labor-shortage-2021-10?op=1&r=US&IR=T

[mashman]

People vaccinated against COVID-19 less likely to die of other causes - study (https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/coronavirus/people-vaccinated-against-covid-19-less-likely-to-die-of-other-causes-study-682908)... :killingme :crybaby: :killingme

[pritch]

Millions have left the workforce in the US and it could be said some just didn't want to work. Yesterday I was listening to a professor discuss this. Waitresses may be paid as low as two or three dolllars an hour plus tips. With fewer customers around the tips were down, it just wasn't worth the sexual harassment and the risk of catching COVID. Some customers asked the waitresses to remove their mask so they could see how pretty she was before they decided how much to tip.

A problem for those quitting was that in some cases the hourly rate was so low they did not qualify for unemployment payments.

Some employers are wailing nobody wants to work, others have decided to pay decent money and have staff.

In other cases the tax payer subsidises the employers' wage bill. Most people working at Walmart are on wages so low that they qualify for food stamps. It's not just Walmart either, junior ranks in the US Military qualify for food stamps too.

I guess they're lucky living in "the greatest nation on earth".

[pritch]

A tramper was lost in the Colorado mountains. Rescuers tried repeatedly to call his phone to no avail. When he was found he was asked why he hadn’t answered his phone. His explanation? He wouldn’t answer because it was an unknown number.

[pritch]

To deal with the labour shortage, without increasing the minimum wage, the Wisconsin state legislature has changed the law to permit 14 year olds to work until 11.00PM.

Parents will be thrilled. :whistle:

[mashman]

To deal with the labour shortage, without increasing the minimum wage, the Wisconsin state legislature has changed the law to permit 14 year olds to work until 11.00PM.

Parents will be thrilled. :whistle:

Tis the stupidity of capitalism that so much needs doing when so much of that so much that needs doing is completely fucking pointless outwith making money.

[mashman]

Join the movement to stop the Health Bill and renationalise the NHS! (https://www.yournhsneedsyou.com)... Capitalism.

[R650R]

A new level of dumb is infecting our roads. First time I saw one on way to work in dark wasn’t so bad.... semi urban area 50k....

But today as I crest rise before dropping into a set of narrow twisty “fun” 100kmh bit of road I catch sight of a black open face helmet. Straight away visual clues about its movement suggest something g odd, not flowing like a motorbike type movement.
Well F$&k me here’s a hipster doofus on one of those sedgewsy type things without a handle bar, just two wheels and a platform they stand on. Speed control must be through wifi remote or something. He was wearing black clothing and will shortly be roadkill under some farmers Hilux or a stock truck if traffic catches him in bad spot .

[mashman]

G20: World leaders agree to historic corporate tax deal (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-59101218) :killingme... ahhhh, ye olde, "we just need more money to fix the problems" line. The blind leading the blind.

[pritch]

A largish crowd has gathered at Dealey Plaza in Dallas for the return of JFK Jr. And people in the crowd are calling reporters "fake news"!

In the real world JFK Jr died in a 'plane crash in 1999. Also the Kennedy clan were Democrats not Republicans but..

That may seem crazy to you, as it should, but we are not immune. There is a woman in this country, a doctor no less, who wants Jacinda Ardern tried for crimes against humanity. The appropriate sentence for which she says would be death. Or possibly cracking rocks for life? This is to come to pass at Nuremberg 2.

There would seem to be ample evidence that the various national mental health systems have failed.

The message below may seem like howling into the void, but the sender and forwarder have over 350 thousand Telegram subscribers between them. Assuming JFK Jr didn't appear a couple of hours ago as scheduled, all the Q adherents have to adjust to yet another failed prophesy. No problem there'll be another, just as crazy, along shortly.

[TheDemonLord]

That may seem crazy to you, as it should, but we are not immune. There is a woman in this country, a doctor no less, who wants Jacinda Ardern tried for crimes against humanity. The appropriate sentence for which she says would be death. Or possibly cracking rocks for life?.

I mean, Death seems a bit harsh, but apart from that...

[avgas]

There is a woman in this country, a doctor no less, who wants Jacinda Ardern tried for crimes against humanity. The appropriate sentence for which she says would be death. Or possibly cracking rocks for life?
TBH I think all J'Ardern needs to do is get an actual job an experience life as an actual kiwi. She could crack rocks, would probably be good for her.....is Waihi Gold still hiring?
But once she starts working, she might change her idea about the world. She might find out its a bit different than the metaverse....

Family violence, unemployment benefits and "government work" are all cyclic and all self-fulfilling prophecies. Unfortunately, the venn diagram doesn't show a correlation to the dregs of society otherwise there might be some real change in the world. Only country that seems to have figured this out right now is Afghanistan.

[roogazza]

TBH I think all J'Ardern needs to do is get an actual job an experience life as an actual kiwi. She could crack rocks, would probably be good for her.....is Waihi Gold still hiring?
But once she starts working, she might change her idea about the world. She might find out its a bit different than the metaverse....

The worms are turning, I feel it in me bones !!!! we'll find out in 18 mths ?

Back to the fish shop for Cinderella, how someone could cruise round at Uni after working a fish shop then pop into the PM role continues to amaze.

[R650R]

TBH I think all J'Ardern needs to do is get an actual job an experience life as an actual kiwi. She could crack rocks, would probably be good for her.....is Waihi Gold still hiring?
But once she starts working, she might change her idea about the world. She might find out its a bit different than the metaverse....

Family violence, unemployment benefits and "government work" are all cyclic and all self-fulfilling prophecies. Unfortunately, the venn diagram doesn't show a correlation to the dregs of society otherwise there might be some real change in the world. Only country that seems to have figured this out right now is Afghanistan.

Was quite surprised on her recent “surprise” vax tour that she grew up (for some years st least) in murupara, quite u rugged little forestry based village. You’d think she’d have much more drive towards policies that made a real difference to those people.
I do love how she’s practically doubled house prices in my area, Keys would never envious of that method of ending a hlusing crisis.

[R650R]

The worms are turning, I feel it in me bones !!!! we'll find out in 18 mths ?

Back to the fish shop for Cinderella, how someone could cruise round at Uni after working a fish shop then pop into the PM role continues to amaze.

Even one of our mainstream news papers operating on govt welfare penned an article about how labour needs to be grooming her successor now lest the labrats end up in dogtucker form like the bats. Talked of burnout from all the covid response, terror attacks etc blah blah blah.
We want more houses built so she laid a 5k$ tax on tradie utes pushing up building costs....
Gang violence out of control along with taking over public facilities for funerals and patch events
American style drive by shootings are now normal on six o clock news
Normal person on holiday can’t get room because motels full of Winx clients.
We have an aging population, those in areas not affected by virus ain’t forgetting in s hurry about be denied access to grandkids or friends funerals.
Let’s NOT do this again

[R650R]

https://youtu.be/1lAx2nhAjO0

[pritch]

"Positionality"? What language was she speaking?

[pritch]

What someone with time and imagination can get up to. Amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7809WfwD4fE

[pete376403]

Keys would never envious of that method of ending a hlusing crisis.

Key was never interested in ending a housing crisis (or even a hlusing crisis). Key was focused on growing income for the already wealthy. Indeed, reducing the amount of state housing available by selling it off or demolishing under the pretext of "earthquake prone" was more about driving up demand for housing, coupled with an immigration policy bring more people into the country than there were houses for.

[husaberg]

Key was never interested in ending a housing crisis (or even a hlusing crisis). Key was focused on growing income for the already wealthy. Indeed, reducing the amount of state housing available by selling it off or demolishing under the pretext of "earthquake prone" was more about driving up demand for housing, coupled with an immigration policy bring more people into the country than there were houses for.

One of nationals biggest donors was Earl hagaman who just so happened to own the hotel chain that the key government used as emergency housing.

[pritch]

In the US news this morning, one of the January 6th "tourist" visitors to the US Capitol has sought political asylum in Belarus. Wow! Is he ever going to be on a steep learning curve.

[R650R]

It was never going to end well, making private businesses have to act as police but without power...
But really I think this is mostly the anti smacking generation coming home to roost.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/126926187/customer-service-staff-being-abused-on-nearly-daily-basis-as-covid-frustrations-rise

This will prob kill retail faster than online shopping. I doubt the police unit will make much difference except agitate the marginalised feral element to a higher level. Seems some store owners aren’t affected so maybe it’s all in the delivery.
Yesterday I was at a major store, I scanned the label at door which took a few go’s glass and all only to have a very rude store lady barking at me from behind “ have you scanned in” repeatedly. I don’t answer people who can’t afford basic manners. Funny thing though they saw me putting my phone away... “ oh he must have scanned he’s putting his phone away” like as if I was some cowboy holstering a pistol at the saloon... she all went back to normal.

As a side note I have family living near a busy t junction that’s always been an effort to get safe gap in traffic. About once every three months used to be a nutter tooting or shouting because they thought car in front could have gone. Apparently now it’s several times a day, a certain element of society thinks the normal rules and respect don’t apply to them... perhaps the new police unit could sit there and get them before they get to a retail store....

[husaberg]

Apparently now it’s several times a day, a certain element of society thinks the normal rules and respect don’t apply to them... perhaps the new police unit could sit there and get them before they get to a retail store....
You mean like you when you try and get people not to obey the covid rules.......


Well well well, our journey into communist hell continues.

There has only been 1650 alleged cases (out of 700,000 tests!!!!) of the virus, but what has spread faster has been submission to communist control.
Nearly 2 million have downloaded the Covid app so you can be sent to a govt “ health” camp to catch the virus if you didnt already have it.

But yay 3 million kiwis have said no to turning their phone into govt spy device.

Tommorow is D-day, public transport will be the barometer of how many of us have rolled belly up to mask wearing.
Hopefully most will say screw this shit and drive their cars to work.

You don’t have to wear a mask if it affects your physical or mental health and you do NOT need to present documents to prove this.

Out and about it’s refreshing to see nearly No one scanning the qr code thingy.

It’s quite clear now as the mountain of contradictions grow that it’s not about stopping the “virus”..


Masks are for destroying social interaction and communication with strangers. You know those moments in life when some shitbag is bashing his missus and enough of you make visual contact to know you’ve got each other back and intervene.
But with masks there will never be any Flight 93 “lets roll” moments of bravery, you’ll never know if your fellow citizen is a Karen or Stasi as you reluctantly board the blacked out train carriage...
A cop will never see your friendly smile, never know you like them and not let you off that minor stop sign indescretion...

[mashman]

Oil giant Shell says it needs oil to pay for green shift (https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59154930) ... stupid is as stupid needs to do to try not to be so stupid despite the evidence showing that you can't afford to be sensible by doing what needs to be done. Heh, but shhhh, no one really grasps the stupidity of that sort of shit... nor can they afford to grasp it.

[R650R]

Oil giant Shell says it needs oil to pay for green shift (https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59154930) ... stupid is as stupid needs to do to try not to be so stupid despite the evidence showing that you can't afford to be sensible by doing what needs to be done. Heh, but shhhh, no one really grasps the stupidity of that sort of shit... nor can they afford to grasp it.

Well none of current green enerygy projects are economically viable without govt subsidies so their decision is quite smart.

Oil is still going to be needed.
Power density of lead acid batteries was 25Wh/kg in 1900, today’s best lithium batteries are 300Wh/kg. Even a generous logistic curve of assumption in technology improvements only takes that to 500Wh/kg by 2050.
Diesel fuel kicks the angry pixies out of the park with a whopping 13,750 Wh/kg, orders of magnitude better.

Take for example a 5 ton farm tractor that carries 40 gallons diesel providing 2,186,250 Wh of energy for the day’s work. The same weight battery would only provide 47,700Wh. You can’t be stopping every five mins to change batteries in middle of farm. To compete with diesel onnsame tractor it would need about a five ton battery which would be impractical

[Scuba_Steve]

Well none of current green enerygy projects are economically viable without govt subsidies so their decision is quite smart.


Subsidizes like the 10's of billions in subsidizes oil/gas get propped up with? you talking that kinda subsidies?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sitPeRlTdNs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSZgoFyuHC8

[mashman]

Well none of current green enerygy projects are economically viable without govt subsidies so their decision is quite smart.

Oil is still going to be needed.
Power density of lead acid batteries was 25Wh/kg in 1900, today’s best lithium batteries are 300Wh/kg. Even a generous logistic curve of assumption in technology improvements only takes that to 500Wh/kg by 2050.
Diesel fuel kicks the angry pixies out of the park with a whopping 13,750 Wh/kg, orders of magnitude better.

Take for example a 5 ton farm tractor that carries 40 gallons diesel providing 2,186,250 Wh of energy for the day’s work. The same weight battery would only provide 47,700Wh. You can’t be stopping every five mins to change batteries in middle of farm. To compete with diesel onnsame tractor it would need about a five ton battery which would be impractical

"economically viable without govt subsidies". That's FINANCIAL viability, not ECONOMIC viability. You might wanna look into the distinction between the two coz it's important... unless you're ok with destroying the planet so long as we can financially afford it, coz it ain't an economic approach. Closer to a stupid approach by pretty any measure that exists mind, but hey, one would have to understand the distinction before stupidity comes into place ;)

Yes, oil will still be required, so will trees n gas n animals n all sorts of other shit that we say we shouldn't be using. Horses for courses should be the mantra, not, "how much does it cost?"... almost as if the purpose of doing the thing is financial and not economic............. "almost as if", pfffffft I gave a little chortle typing that.

[pete376403]

Oil company board presentation

[george formby]

I posted this St Elsewhere but it is interesting enough to post here.


https://youtu.be/y6iQlkUXUsE

[R650R]

The faux listening station is being dismantled....

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/waihopai-valley-spy-domes-iconic-yet-obsolete-will-come-down-as-gcsb-moves-to-new-technology/

Everyone knows they have direct access now to all your devices via manufacturer built in back doors but in the article they try to maintain some mystic of intel collected via other means.
That high speed fibre internet wasn’t just so you could watch Netflix or work front home in The upcoming pandemic....

It’s a wonder Jacinda isn’t spinning it as a sign of peace in our world.

Maybe we got our access cut over the Aussie submarine deal?????

[husaberg]

The faux listening station is being dismantled....

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/waihopai-valley-spy-domes-iconic-yet-obsolete-will-come-down-as-gcsb-moves-to-new-technology/



Odd the person i knew that worked there thought it was real, its odd you know more about it then they did......
Tell me how you are so clued up on the system you never worked at and more than likely never knew anyone that actually did.
Do you get the voices directly in your head.?:nya:

[F5 Dave]

Yes, it's his mother Satan on the CB radio.

[mashman]

Prison officers 'voting with their feet' amid jobs surge (https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59251982)...

[R650R]

What a legend, love this guy.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/environment/126998828/man-was-reclaiming-part-of-tauranga-harbour-coast-to-make-a-park-for-his-family

[pritch]

Police in the USA think they have a dangerous job. They should try being a rapper.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59328402

[pritch]

I liked this. He may have trouble getting his special dietary requirements in the big house. I hope he likes Bologna.

[mashman]

Where da fuel price protest at... too busy with covid lol.

[avgas]

Subsidizes like the 10's of billions in subsidizes oil/gas get propped up with? you talking that kinda subsidies?
In their defense. They can't see electricity so how would they sell it overseas? Nah easier to sell coal and steel.

But don't worry. Give it a year or 2. China will figure it out. Put a gazillion panels in the middle of Aus with a massive power cable up through their "reclaimed territorial waters" and just steal it from them.

[R650R]

I’m still chuckling at this hilarity several hours later

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10263757/Black-Lives-Matter-calls-month-long-boycott-white-companies-support-BlackXmas.html

The Black Lives Matter movement is calling for supporters to boycott 'white' companies, organizations, and banks for the holiday shopping season
'We're dreaming of a #BlackXmas. That means no spending with white companies,' the official Black Xmas website states
BLM claims that 'white-supremacist-capitalism is complicit in the murder of Black people by police'

[pritch]

I’m still chuckling at this hilarity several hours later


Actually I've often wondered why black people didn't do something like that. As a bloc they must be able to exert considerable economic muscle. Black people have so much electoral power that half the states are trying to stop them voting. Well, they always did make it difficult but now they are trying to make it impossible.

[R650R]

Actually I've often wondered why black people didn't do something like that. As a bloc they must be able to exert considerable economic muscle. Black people have so much electoral power that half the states are trying to stop them voting. Well, they always did make it difficult but now they are trying to make it impossible.

Prob because just like here you have tribal/political sub factions and no one can agree on best course of action. Just look at some of the prime real estate and big money Maori tribes here have from treaty settlements. Aside from a few highly priced tourist ve tired in Rotorua region much of these assets are completely under-utilised.
Just look at Urewera you could have high value fly in fly out elite foreign adventure/fishing/hunting guided trips going on that dine right could pay to fund education/housing programs....

Given their appetite for bling (thanks to the whitemans funded gangster rapper programming) I don’t think this boycott will last terribly long 😂😂😂

[R650R]

Unbelievable... thankfully in NZ I think we have local production due to our fertiliser industry.

Looks like the whole piss off/boycott China thing ain’t working out to well. It was funny all the people posting that in season one of sarscoughsyrup....

AdBlue is basically just liquid Urea injected into truck exhaust to help burn nasty emissions. A half decent auto electrician could circumvent thectank level wiring and truck will run fine...


https://youtu.be/rjXPJH_SLj0

[R650R]

Great vid about how the colonialists got colonised. I guess the romans didn’t care much for “white privilege”.....
Seriously though a good history lesson how an invading superior culture eventually lifted the living standards of those it invaded and set stage for one of most remarkable periods of progress in human history....


https://youtu.be/6xx8k4A4Nqw

[TheDemonLord]

Great vid about how the colonialists got colonised. I guess the romans didn’t care much for “white privilege”.....
Seriously though a good history lesson how an invading superior culture eventually lifted the living standards of those it invaded and set stage for one of most remarkable periods of progress in human history....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc7HmhrgTuQ

[TheDemonLord]

BLM claims that 'white-supremacist-capitalism is complicit in the murder of Black people by police'

And there's a daily reminder that BLM are just a bunch of Racist Marxists.

[husaberg]

When you said you worked in IT were you meaning the stephen king novel?

[TheDemonLord]

When you said you worked in IT were you meaning the stephen king novel?

Select top(1) from witty_response
where sarcasm = 'True'
and derision = 'True';

[FJRider]

When you said you worked in IT were you meaning the stephen king novel?

Apparently ... I must spread some rep around ... :shifty:

[F5 Dave]

Maybe ET?


.

.

[mashman]

George Soros And Bill Gates’ Backed Consortium To Buy U.K. Maker Of Covid Tests For $41 Million (https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddawkins/2021/07/19/george-soros-and-bill-gates-backed-consortium-to-buy-uk-maker-of-covid-lateral-flow-tests-for-41-million/). Bit monopolistic being the least of the lolz that came with this little beaut.

[husaberg]

George Soros And Bill Gates’ Backed Consortium To Buy U.K. Maker Of Covid Tests For $41 Million (https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddawkins/2021/07/19/george-soros-and-bill-gates-backed-consortium-to-buy-uk-maker-of-covid-lateral-flow-tests-for-41-million/). Bit monopolistic being the least of the lolz that came with this little beaut.
Did you even read the article spud before you posted it ? its clearly an effort to lower the cost for people.
If you devoted 1/2 as much time to campaigning for the mana seat at the last election as you do to spreading half assed conspiracies you might have doubled your votres to more then the neighborhood dog got.

[R650R]

George Soros And Bill Gates’ Backed Consortium To Buy U.K. Maker Of Covid Tests For $41 Million (https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddawkins/2021/07/19/george-soros-and-bill-gates-backed-consortium-to-buy-uk-maker-of-covid-lateral-flow-tests-for-41-million/). Bit monopolistic being the least of the lolz that came with this little beaut.

I saw that other day and did a bit of rummaging to check facts.... what’s really interesting is WHY do those two need to be involved together on such a small change investment relative to their finances. Their both billionaire son their own and through their “independant” distribution NGO/charities/influencers.....

[husaberg]

I saw that other day and did a bit of rummaging to check facts.... what’s really interesting is WHY do those two need to be involved together on such a small change investment relative to their finances. Their both billionaire son their own and through their “independant” distribution NGO/charities/influencers.....
Do you know the difference between facts and your own conjecture? *Hint from this post its apparent you do not.

[pete376403]

I saw that other day and did a bit of rummaging to check facts.... what’s really interesting is WHY do those two need to be involved together on such a small change investment relative to their finances. Their both billionaire son their own and through their “independant” distribution NGO/charities/influencers.....

Where is it written that independently wealthy people cannot use some of their wealth to help others less fortunate? Maybe Gates feels bad about inflicting Windows ME on the world and is trying to atone

[F5 Dave]

And maybe he wants to appear to be trying to help in a way that it's hard to question his motives as hes sick of being blamed for being the bogeyman. But some tits will still pan him. You know, because of the injecting microchip thing. I'm not saying it's TRUE, but I've been doing some interesting research in the bible. Just sayin.

[TheDemonLord]

Maybe Gates feels bad about inflicting Windows ME on the world and is trying to atone

I don't think even Bill has enough Wealth for that...

[mashman]

I saw that other day and did a bit of rummaging to check facts.... what’s really interesting is WHY do those two need to be involved together on such a small change investment relative to their finances. Their both billionaire son their own and through their “independant” distribution NGO/charities/influencers.....

The LFT market must need funding. Glad they've got wads of cash to invest in such a future loss leader for the good of humanity.

[mashman]

I saw that other day and did a bit of rummaging to check facts.... what’s really interesting is WHY do those two need to be involved together on such a small change investment relative to their finances. Their both billionaire son their own and through their “independant” distribution NGO/charities/influencers.....

Well the question has been answered. Das neu pill requires early detection for it to be effective i.e. home test kits. Pills and kits for every home on a constant basis....... thank fuck we stopped producing plastic bags or we'd have no oil for the covid bits makers to make shit loads of cash from on by privatising a pandemic. Business is business though, eh guys. Otherwise it's communism :killingme......

[R650R]

https://joannenova.com.au/2022/01/deaths-from-1-degree-of-warming-nothing-compared-to-an-electricity-grid-collapse-for-a-year/

One would suspect the same situation exists in NZ, we rely on electric so much now this should be a matter of national security especially as we will prob be first country to go full electric vehicle only...
Couple that with full vegan where the food can’t trsnsport itself....


If you were an evil communist dictator you’d be drooling at the prospect of being able to unplug societies life support so easy

[R650R]

https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/127450971/moribacked-third-supermarket-group-would-benefit-pkeh-too

How do you lower food prices by creating a third storage and distribution network? The current system is already at capacity. Suppliers and transport operators would need to make extra trips...

[george formby]

https://joannenova.com.au/2022/01/deaths-from-1-degree-of-warming-nothing-compared-to-an-electricity-grid-collapse-for-a-year/

One would suspect the same situation exists in NZ, we rely on electric so much now this should be a matter of national security especially as we will prob be first country to go full electric vehicle only...
Couple that with full vegan where the food can’t trsnsport itself....


If you were an evil communist dictator you’d be drooling at the prospect of being able to unplug societies life support so easy

Bunky Mortimer III, TakiMag?

From Wiki..:facepalm:

"Taki's Magazine, called Takimag for short, is an online magazine of politics and culture published by the Greek paleoconservative[1] journalist and socialite Taki Theodoracopulos and edited by his daughter Mandolyna Theodoracopulos. Initially called Taki's Top Drawer, the site was redesigned and relaunched under its current title in March 2008 with a subsequent redesign in 2010.[2] The website is sympathetic to the far-right.[3] It received criticism in 2013 after it published articles in support of the Greek neo-Nazi political party Golden Dawn"

[husaberg]

Bunky Mortimer III, TakiMag?

From Wiki..:facepalm:

"Taki's Magazine, called Takimag for short, is an online magazine of politics and culture published by the Greek paleoconservative[1] journalist and socialite Taki Theodoracopulos and edited by his daughter Mandolyna Theodoracopulos. Initially called Taki's Top Drawer, the site was redesigned and relaunched under its current title in March 2008 with a subsequent redesign in 2010.[2] The website is sympathetic to the far-right.[3] It received criticism in 2013 after it published articles in support of the Greek neo-Nazi political party Golden Dawn"

baaaaahaaaaaahaaaa.

[R650R]

Bunky Mortimer III, TakiMag?

From Wiki..:facepalm:

"Taki's Magazine, called Takimag for short, is an online magazine of politics and culture published by the Greek paleoconservative[1] journalist and socialite Taki Theodoracopulos and edited by his daughter Mandolyna Theodoracopulos. Initially called Taki's Top Drawer, the site was redesigned and relaunched under its current title in March 2008 with a subsequent redesign in 2010.[2] The website is sympathetic to the far-right.[3] It received criticism in 2013 after it published articles in support of the Greek neo-Nazi political party Golden Dawn"

Nice that you have no problem with the content of the article, just who wrote it...

Sympathetic... sounds a lot like free speech....

Substitute right for left and nazi for BLM and you could say same for majority of nz media...

[pritch]

Bunky Mortimer III, TakiMag?

From Wiki..:facepalm:

"Taki's Magazine, called Takimag for short, is an online magazine of politics and culture published by the Greek paleoconservative[1] journalist and socialite Taki Theodoracopulos and edited by his daughter Mandolyna Theodoracopulos. Initially called Taki's Top Drawer, the site was redesigned and relaunched under its current title in March 2008 with a subsequent redesign in 2010.[2] The website is sympathetic to the far-right.[3] It received criticism in 2013 after it published articles in support of the Greek neo-Nazi political party Golden Dawn"

I used to read Taki's column in The Spectator. He was amusing even if you didn't agree with his politics. He tends to go where the in crowd goes, and he's the meanest name dropper ever.

[R650R]

The Sherriff at his finest again.... this women would prob get home d in nz


https://youtu.be/BGBw69LTJOg

[R650R]

Obviously someone whose never had a real job has tried to reinvent the wheel again....


https://youtu.be/nJNvpG5gktM

[Viking01]

Must be getting hot at home, given that Boris is heading off to somewhere cooler (like Ukraine). Suppose that he will be out of range of the local UK media for a while, and not have to answer media questions (or PMQ's - or the Met Police - for that matter) .

https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/eight-ways-sue-gray-s-partygate-report-makes-things-worse-for-boris-johnson-20220202-p59t2t.html

Maybe he is covering his bets (throwing his hat in the ring as a potential leader) in the event that Zelensky gets ousted, and he (Boris) has to step down from leadership of the Conservative Party.

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220201-blinken-lavrov-to-hold-fresh-talks-on-ukraine-crisis-as-uk-s-johnson-heads-to-kyiv

[Edit]

Having safely arrived there, Boris rang Putin to give him a piece of his mind. No doubt that was a short conversation. But it appears that Boris is not the only one confused by the whole affair. His Foreign Secretary seems (at a minimum) geographically challenged:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/putin-johnson-call-ukraine-diplomacy-b2005929.html

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Jen Psaki has been offering her interpretation of the situation.

https://www.rt.com/russia/548078-russia-bear-fox-henhouse/

It's probably just as well that Russian bears don't climb chicken houses, at the risk of harm to any western chicken hawks taking shelter inside.

[Edit 2]

It just keeps getting better and better.

First, an accusation about Keir Starmer (which had to be retracted) plus the loss of four of the PM's staff:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sue-gray-report-boris-johnson-latest-news-b2006536.html

Then another flare-up over the Brexit Irish - UK border dispute:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/northern-ireland-first-minister-quits-over-post-brexit-trade-rules-2477381

Just as well the tailback of lorries at Felixstowe and other UK ports have not reached London (yet).

[mashman]

Freedom Convoy: Ottawa declares emergency over trucker Covid rules protests (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60281088)... In a world that's slowly taking a foot off the gas, including the poking out of one of the five eyes, the other 4 keep watch over the people and try to keep them away from the logic, reason and common sense approaches that seem to be taking place in other places around the world. Political stupidity being that the mandate is taken from the number of vaccinations that are claimed to have been given and not from the people themselves.

[pritch]

I was just reading the Twitter timeline of a Q adherent. Amazing stuff. They are currently concerned about giant nuclear powered tunneling machines that can create tunnels at 60mph and are busy creating underground military bases. "Deep Underground Military Bases." And that acronym doesn't even strike them as odd?

:weird:

[pritch]

It shouldn't come as a shock I guess but some of these anti-vaxxers aren't playing with a full deck. In the US there are people, predominantly Trump supporters, who wish to cross into Canada in support of the demo in Ottawa. Unfortunately the unvaxxed are not permitted to cross into Canada. So we have mainly Trump supporting, wanna be demonstrators, complaining about tough border controls. I did not have that on my batshit bingo card.

Following the concept of "monkey see, monkey do" a few Kiwis sought to have a mobile demo. One advantage of a mobile demo is that it looks big. 200 cars looks big but 200 fuckwits is a tiny demo. The South Island inbreds reportedly made it as far as the ferry. A vaccine pass is required to board. Nobody mistook them for smart so I guess we won't be shocked.

Then to show that higher levels of insanity are attainable we have people wanting to effect a citizens arrest of politicians. Last time I looked, and it was a while ago, there were detailed circumstances where a citizens arrest could be made. None are appropriate in these instances.

[onearmedbandit]

The South Island inbreds reportedly made it as far as the ferry. A vaccine pass is required to board. Nobody mistook them for smart so I guess we won't be shocked.



Except that's not true, just a fake story circulating social media.

https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/covid-19-travel-information/
https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/interislander/plan/service-alerts/

[pritch]

Britain is sending its Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, to Moscow to sort the Russians out. Her opposite number, Sergei Lavrov, has been a top diplomat for thirty years. Liz Truss? Five months.
It's not as if she's exceptionally bright. her primary qualification for her job is her loyalty to Boris Johnson.

[TheDemonLord]

Except that's not true, just a fake story circulating social media.

https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/covid-19-travel-information/
https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/interislander/plan/service-alerts/

Now, if the positions were reversed and I'd been making the Claim that Pritch did - multiple users would have jumped on me for 'Spreading misinformation'.

Again, it is curious that the blade only ever cuts in one direction.

[TheDemonLord]

Britain is sending its Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, to Moscow to sort the Russians out. Her opposite number, Sergei Lavrov, has been a top diplomat for thirty years. Liz Truss? Five months.
It's not as if she's exceptionally bright. her primary qualification for her job is her loyalty to Boris Johnson.

Bollucks.

She was the International Trade Secretary since 2019. But I guess doing trade negotiations doesn't qualify has being a diplomat...

And Liz is a smart cookie - she despises all the current crop of postmodern BS, she got rid of unconscious bias indoctrination and has called out the ever pernicious Wokeism.

So, we'll see how she does.

[onearmedbandit]

Now, if the positions were reversed and I'd been making the Claim that Pritch did - multiple users would have jumped on me for 'Spreading misinformation'.

Again, it is curious that the blade only ever cuts in one direction.

And you probably would have acknowledged that you got it wrong too.

[Viking01]

It's been a busy fortnight on overseas political fronts, particularly so on both the Russian and Chinese fronts.

Mr Putin issued a number of documents earlier, essentially telling NATO that it was time to take their toys (missiles) and retreat back to 1997 frontiers. The US replied, indicating that they had no intention of doing so. But that they were willing to discuss some secondary security considerations of interest to Russia.

NATO, via Stoltenberg, decided to reply as well (separately). But Russia decided that it would rather talk with the organ grinder - instead of the monkey. If things do happen to heat up too much, Mr Stoltenberg has hedged his bets by applying for the role of head of the Norwegian central bank (upon the pending expiry of his role as NATO Secretary General).

Ukraine
The western media - on behalf of its political masters - have continued to parrot the message that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is "imminent" ("tomorrow", "next week", "sometime soon"). To the point where even the Ukrainian President Zelensky earlier told the US to "dial down the Russian invasion rhetoric" , and more recently to provide some actual proof. If only because of the adverse effect upon the tanking Ukrainian economy.

https://sputniknews.com/20220212/what-a-twist-ukraines-president-demands-proof-that-russia-is-planning-to-invade-1092970024.html

Meanwhile, some of the major western powers continue to repeatedly threaten Russia with all manner of reactions (e.g. financial sanctions; expulsion from SWIFT). But they'd much prefer to do so after Russia has invaded Ukraine - which has still yet to happen.

What's taking Russia so long ? Maybe Putin was correct in his statement that Russia had no interest in invading Ukraine. For a variety of reasons.

Maybe - after recently armed Ukraine with surface-to-air Stingers and Javelin anti-tank missiles, all that is now needed is a false flag ? In which case, both Russia and the US have thought it prudent to remove some of their staff from Ukraine:

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/biden-tells-americans-ukraine-leave-now-things-could-go-crazy-quickly

The following US crowd will probably return after Super Bowl next week:

https://sputniknews.com/20220212/pentagon-us-temporarily-relocating-160-us-military-advisers-from-ukraine-1092968919.html

Russia
The major European powers (France, UK, Germany) have each sent their representatives to Moscow in turn these past 7 - 10 days. First it was France (Macron), then the UK (Truss) and next week, it will be Germany (Scholz).

Mr Macron obviously needed some "positive press" in light of upcoming French elections (a self-appointed role as "peace maker") , but all his hard work may come to naught with French trucker protesters descending upon Paris.

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/russia-denies-macron-claims-about-deals-with-putin-on-ukraine-2022-2
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/thousands-paris-police-brace-freedom-convoy

Boris was busy visiting Zelensky in Kiev, advising them that having delivered some more weapons, the UK "stood in solidarity" and would help fight off any invading Russians ("down to the last Ukrainian") - but would choose to do so from the safety of Poland.

And to make sure that Mr Putin got "the message", he sent the UK Foreign Minister Liz Truss to deliver it in person. If Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov wasn't a chain smoker beforehand, having to host Liz Truss was probably sufficient to push him over the edge (in more ways than one):

https://www.rt.com/russia/548904-uk-moscow-talks-lavrov/
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2022/02/the-mediocracy-of-global-britain.html#more

Mr Scholz was recently in Washington meeting Joe Biden, and Scholz was informed in a post meeting media session that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline would not be commissioned if Russia invaded Ukraine (Joe said "we can, and we will stop NS2"). Which was probably news to Scholz.

Scholz is due to meet with Putin this coming week.

Germany had avoided supplying weapons (and other EU allies) to Ukraine to date, but it remains to be seen whether it will (i) focus on its own interests and promptly bring Nord Stream 2 into operation (ii) bend to western political influence and impose sanctions upon Russia (iii) increase future German %GDP payment to NATO :

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2022/01/31/dumping-on-germany-do-us-pundits-ever-consider-the-cost/

While Scholz is new on the job as German Chancellor, he will be aware that the continued health of German industry is dependent not only upon continued cheap gas supply (US is physically unable to meaningfully bridge any loss of Russian gas), but also upon access to markets such as China and Russia.

He will also be aware that reduced EU growth (whether due to sanctions or military conflict) will reduce the importance of the EU as a major economic node in any future multi-polar world, and that the US would still benefit from that outcome.

Which all rather helps obscure the points :

1. That Mr Putin's demands of NATO were (i) stopping NATO's further eastward expansion (ii) refusing to allow strike weapons systems near Russian borders, and (iii) returning the NATO bloc's military infrastructure in Europe to how it was in 1997.

And perhaps, in the process, seek to show how ineffectual and unnecessary NATO has become since 1990 (end of the Cold War) as a means of preserving peace within Europe.

2. That prior to the start of the Beijing Winter Olympcs, Putin and Xi inked an agreement relating to the integration and inter-operation of their two countries:

https://consortiumnews.com/2022/02/09/china-russia-declare-new-era-of-multipolarity/

Perhaps China does not wish to see NATO involving itself outside of the EU, just as it did in the Balkans (Yugoslavia) and the Middle East (Libya). And being used as a US enforcer.

Interesting times ahead.

[R650R]

A few pertinent things you may have missed Viking....

Russia has NATO member Germany by the balls.... thanks to Fukushima and the Germans shutting dow a lot of nuke power stations they are scarily dependant on Russian gas, with some saying their may even be a split to east and west Germany again such is the threat of living in a dark winter very cold.

In the last conflict Russian forces did very little apart from some special forces inside Georgia borders. Most of battleship were done by separatist rebels sponsored by Russia with the visual backdrop of all that military backup helping them to a swift victory.... the same scenario is be replayed....

We’ve already seen the refugee crisis from Syria, any proper conflict with America or nato poking its nose in will result in a catastrophic refugee influx into Western Europe crippling their economies and security forces.

Putin is a pretty smart guy the real worry here is basement Biden doing something silly...

[husaberg]

A few pertinent things you may have missed Viking....

Russia has NATO member Germany by the balls.... thanks to Fukushima and the Germans shutting dow a lot of nuke power stations they are scarily dependant on Russian gas, with some saying their may even be a split to east and west Germany again such is the threat of living in a dark winter very cold.

In the last conflict Russian forces did very little apart from some special forces inside Georgia borders. Most of battleship were done by separatist rebels sponsored by Russia with the visual backdrop of all that military backup helping them to a swift victory.... the same scenario is be replayed....

We’ve already seen the refugee crisis from Syria, any proper conflict with America or nato poking its nose in will result in a catastrophic refugee influx into Western Europe crippling their economies and security forces.

Putin is a pretty smart guy the real worry here is basement Biden doing something silly...
isn't odd you have issues with the validity of US elections yet never mentioned the Russian elections

[Viking01]

A few pertinent things you may have missed Viking....

Russia has NATO member Germany by the balls.... thanks to Fukushima and the Germans shutting dow a lot of nuke power stations they are scarily dependant on Russian gas, with some saying their may even be a split to east and west Germany again such is the threat of living in a dark winter very cold.

In the last conflict Russian forces did very little apart from some special forces inside Georgia borders. Most of battleship were done by separatist rebels sponsored by Russia with the visual backdrop of all that military backup helping them to a swift victory.... the same scenario is be replayed....

We’ve already seen the refugee crisis from Syria, any proper conflict with America or nato poking its nose in will result in a catastrophic refugee influx into Western Europe crippling their economies and security forces.

Putin is a pretty smart guy the real worry here is basement Biden doing something silly...


Morning.
Thanks for the reply. I was choosing to focus on recent events relating to NATO. And just chose not to include two of the points you raised (i.e. Germany – nuclear energy; NATO nations involvement in Syria). Indeed, they are quite relevant to the current situation.

Germany
Yes, German rejection of nuclear power - as a clean (?) source of cheap energy - is partially responsible for its current predicament re continuity of its energy supply.

It is interesting to watch the actions of its next-door neighbour France, which is taking the opposite tack re deployment of nuclear energy (even if the “nuclear waste disposal problem” has yet to be adequately resolved at a global level).

It is not just happenstance that the German Greens are both involved with both the rejection of nuclear power within Germany, and the Russo-phobic response to the certification and activation of NS2. It may be that German FM Baerbock (Greens) might have been temporarily reined in, but I watch the weeks following Scholz’s visit to Moscow with interest (i.e. what actions that the Germans choose to embrace).

Syria
Yes, the Syrian war (starting back in 2011) has been portrayed by the West as just a civil war, arising from dissatisfaction with al-Assad. But that would be to turn reality on its head, and ignore much of the other political machinations that were going on in the background at the time, in relation to:

1-Western desire to kill off Ba’athism and any vestiges of Arab nationalism within the Middle East;
2-Israeli desire to isolate Iran, as well as to cripple Hezbollah in Lebanon (which had dealt it a military setback in 2006);
3-Western desire to remove both Iran and Russia as suppliers of energy (gas) to Europe;
4-Western desire to isolate both Iran and North Korea as “supporting acts” to both ME countries such as Syria, as well as Russia and China;
5-Possibly the use of Syria as a launch-pad (or conduit) for the further delivery of more “political and economic refugees” into Europe (primarily Western Europe), and (jihadis) into the soft under-belly of Russia and China (via Afghanistan).

One of Al-Qaeda subsequent incarnations, ISIS, did not just come into existence without both heavy Arab and western support and funding. But that’s a separate story.

With reference to the following image, following al-Assad’s refusal in 2009 to accept a Qatari request (and instead accept the Iranian path), it was simply a matter of time before Syria – and al-Assad – were slated for a colour revolution (which duly started in late 2011).

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tEUnM-8L2zU/VlKYNqMLNzI/AAAAAAAADE8/mPbWE7N331UoJ2i1zgF6yc0oHaV0Ezx3gCPcB/s1600/iran-iraq-syria-pipeline.jpg

And now, 10 years later, we can look back on the results of the Syrian war, with (as you mentioned) one outcome having been the flood of refugees into western Europe (via Turkey and Greece). And the consequent effects upon their economies and their social fabric.

While NATO (as an organisation per se) may not have seen as a major flag-bearer in Syria, its major European countries (e.g. France, Germany) and the UK were all heavily involved in Syria in some shape or form (especially during the period 2014-2017). And while France and Germany may have decided to since head home, the US – and its ever obedient junior partner (the UK) - still continue to do “sterling work” (not just in Syria but also in Yemen). What humanitarian crises, you ask?

I have only to see what has happened within Denmark (and even wider, the other major Scandinavian social democracies) within the past 10 years to see that NATO – as a purely military organisation – has not been acting in (European) long term (economic and social) interests.

How much those various EU countries mentioned earlier have been willing partners in the wider "NATO crusade" - and precisely which parties have gained financially as a result, well, you be your own judge.

But in the context of what Putin and Russia has achieved the past 10 years – especially in frustrating western achievement of many of the 5 points listed earlier, it should be no surprise that US neo-cons must very much look forward to Mr Putin’s future passing. ;)

[TheDemonLord]

And you probably would have acknowledged that you got it wrong too.

Woah, I wouldn't go that far.....


I might admit that I've changed my mind based on new evidence....



:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

[mashman]

"I have a healthy mistrust for government and I still got vaccinated. Yes the vaccine didn't do what the testing said it was going to do. I still have a healthy trust for government and I will still get my booster... and expect all of you to do the same because the government said so... and hey, I don't trust the government so what does that say to you?".......

[R650R]

Appears John Minto has been bought out by the elite....

https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/127777534/the-government-must-engage-the-protesters-and-help-to-regulate-social-media

The last couple of paragraphs he’s basically proposing a Chinese style social credit score system where the state allows users controlled access to selected media sites....
Now that wouldn’t cause any problems at all....

Funny how there was nothing wrong with social media when it came to trump/climate/BLM/occupywallst......

[Viking01]

https://dissidentvoice.org/2022/02/the-bulletin-of-the-atomic-scientists-calls-for-escalating-us-aggression-against-russia/

[R650R]

This is comedy but you know somewhere in mericastan a real cop prob had a real traffic stop like this


https://youtu.be/dEaRnAR0dlw

[pritch]

Y'all will be aware by now that Eminem took a knee during the Super Bowl half time show and managed to trigger the redneck population in the US.

Rudy Giuliani, playing to his audience, suggested that Eminem should leave the country. It ended badly for Rudy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1a_DBZKJOQ