Trump - 4 more years of this at least...

[nerrrd]

If you move the cursor up there should be a little speaker icon top left above his head? I usually have to click that, it seems the default is sound off.

Got it, thanks!

There’s plenty of reassurance coming from the government, and you can track fuel stocks here, and forward orders (up to 2 weeks ahead): MBIE Fuel stocks update (https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/fuel-stocks-update). The fact that they’ve got 10 ships coming in the first week and only 1 in the second might be a sign?

Anyway, now that President Trump has given the Iranians 48 hours to open the strait or he starts bombing their power stations, it’ll all be over in a couple of days, right?

[pete376403]

... it’ll all be over in a couple of days, right?

A bit like putin saying the "special operation in Ukraine would only take three days"

[jim.cox]

How are they going to ration it I wonder. It should be somehow related to actual need. IE essential workers before others. Will boaters be able to fill their boats.Will motorcycles be able to fill up on the weeknds? Or will all transactions be limited to a number of litres? Will we need an app on our phones?

Over the weekend, I found Springfield are rationing a max of 40 litres per customer over all of their pumps

[BMWST?]

From the number of large SUVs towing horsefloats and caravans over the hill today, not everyone is taking the fuel issue seriously
Yes I dont think many people realise what may happen. They all fixated on price only. Without being silly about it I may change my normal practise of full empty full empty to full half full half. I am not going to bother with jerry cans etc. However I dont need to use the car or bike every day

[pritch]

About right. :rolleyes:


https://www.facebook.com/reel/1514419933381019

[pritch]

The US press still treats Trump as normal even when it's painfully obvious to most that he is anything but. Hegseth too is taken seriously when he is a deeply unserious person. Australians are somewhat more forthright as in this instance. Sadly Hegseth probably won't read it. You should. :killingme


https://ifloz.substack.com/p/the-art-of-a-wanker?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%2Bviewer&fbclid=IwY2xjawQv3XxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZ BAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeH1Jvf-FbG4G9DK2BQyWacAgVZsHETvRbDKjkRmrU2uz3bLZiFCB0r9E2 loM_aem_P46xwyImUsSuSPctYYTt8A&triedRedirect=true

[nerrrd]

You know, I'm not entirely sure President Trump tells the truth all the time. Thank goodness the Iranians want a deal so badly. Also can't wait till he's in charge of the Strait of Hormuz, that's really going to help.

Meanwhile the war drags on. The numbers are sobering, an average of 130ish ships through the strait daily before the war, now maybe 20 on a good day via the Iranian side, and those tend to be headed to India or China. And we're a month behind now on the usual levels.

Hard to know for sure what's in store for us, the MBIE fuel update (https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/fuel-stocks-update) site only gives you 2 weeks in advance, the numbers are not going up but the blurb says that's not unusual. Maybe Singapore and Korea are finding alternative supplies, maybe we can get the refined stuff elsewhere.

Hopefully the government know what's coming for sure much further in advance than that, and will act appropriately in the country's best interests.

[F5 Dave]

I've read the 2 more boats on the way story. Hooray, problem over.

. . . Um. How long does it take to get a boat though the straight to South Korea? How long does it take to refine a tanker worth of crude? And then to this side of the world?;

I'm thinking these are not "two weeks" sort of issues.

[pritch]

I've read the 2 more boats on the way story. Hooray, problem over.

. . . Um. How long does it take to get a boat though the straight to South Korea? How long does it take to refine a tanker worth of crude? And then to this side of the world?;

I'm thinking these are not "two weeks" sort of issues.

On the 22nd of this month it was reported that the last tankers through the gulf were arriving in Singapore and Korea. The Operation Epic Fuckup bombing started 28 Feb. So it seems three weeks at least for a ship to make the trip. As for how long the rest takes who knows? As you say two weeks doesn't cover it.

[F5 Dave]

Anyone have a truck and some spare 220l fuel drums they can lend us?
Fill them up at 3am so don't get picture in stuff. :devil2:

[neels]

Anyone have a truck and some spare 220l fuel drums they can lend us?
Fill them up at 3am so don't get picture in stuff. :devil2:
Can't even fill the car with the $150 maximum at the Waitomo, let alone extra drums.....

Usually fill the thing on a Thursday when they discount, just worked out it's now 38% more than the last 'normal' discount price a month ago.

Thanks for that you orange idiot.

[nerrrd]

This f*cking guy.

No surprise, if you look at the actual numbers through the strait of Hormuz over the last couple of days, President Trump’s present from the Iranians is bullshit. Four ships, one Chinese, two Indian (LPG not oil), one unknown, all of them went via Iranian coastal waters (therefore likely paying a toll) and not through the normal shipping channel.

I’m finding this less and less amusing. Details here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybU29t7rkc8) if interested.

[pritch]

In a recent interview Trump said he had bombed Kharg Island but he hadn't bombed "the pipes." He went on to say that he might bomb the pipes. If he did that the oil shortage could be extended by months. Trump's current mental state is a concern, as is the belief that he is surrounded by people with an agenda who actually prevent people with an opposing view getting to talk to him.

Meanwhile Iranian hackers have been having success. And on a different note, yet another Republican gathering has reportedly crashed the Grindr servers. Funny that.

[nerrrd]

Here’s an alternative source for fuel stocks from the taxpayers’ union. It’s a bit less optimistic compared to the MBIE one, since it only includes shipments that can be tracked via AIS as in country or on the way (22 days for petrol currently).

Fuelclock.nz (https://www.fuelclock.nz)

Meanwhile we’re starting week 5 of this 4-6 week war that has already been won, given the Iranian leadership are all dead and also want to make a deal so badly, all while still firing off missiles and drones even though their military has been completely obliterated.

[pritch]

At first I was suspicious of this item it being April 1st and all but it is being widely reported.

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms say that the bullet removed from Charlie Kirk's neck does not match the 30.06 rifle alleged to have been used by Tyler Robinson. No details appear to have been provided.

This is problematic because parallel investigations by the CIA and DHS were shut down at the time because the FBI were adamant they had their man. It was an open and shut case, after all he was said to have confessed to family.

And now for a new wave of conspiracy theories...

[Katman]

And now for a new wave of conspiracy theories...

And what's the betting they'll be right......

......again.

[F5 Dave]

JD is a cool and stable guy.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/30/jd-vance-alien-ufo-are-demons

[peewee]

usa doing the heavy lifting while everyone else stands back in the shadows crying about oil. step up and send help

[Kickaha]

usa doing the heavy lifting while everyone else stands back in the shadows crying about oil. step up and send help

Fuck off ya knob, the USA aren't doing shit, they created the whole mess now they're having a cry about it, how many times has Trump said they've won and Iran has no military capability left ? How many times has he said they don't need anyone else ? how's that orange cock taste it must be so far down your throat it's coming out your arse?

[F5 Dave]

Send help? To do what exactly?

No really. What do you actually think can be achieved here?

It's Afghanistan and Iraq all over again.

It's Korea and Vietnam all over again.

It's Cuba and Iran all over again. Oh wait. This is where we came in and screwed it up the last time which created the current Regime.

America world police fucks up again and again.

This orange turkey has even admitted his favourite thing would be to take thier oil. He means Steal.
Invitation. Let's all be thieves. Cmon why aren't you helping to beat these guys up?

[nerrrd]

The big, beautiful US Navy, with all the best ships, and the best sailors, some say the best Navy there’s ever been…

Even they won’t go anywhere near the Strait of Hormuz at the moment. The chance of anyone else going near it in a warship anytime soon is somewhere between diddly and squat.

Meanwhile more and more commercial shipping companies are likely to be negotiating with the Iranians and deciding to pay the toll…so much winning.

[caseye]

usa doing the heavy lifting while everyone else stands back in the shadows crying about oil. step up and send help

Yeah right, Rump is reaping what he's sewn, please go fight for him and learn what he's done , not only to the US people, but every other country in the world who is now locked into an economic decline thanks to the wim of a russian puppet.

[pete376403]

Yeah right, Rump is reaping what he's sewn, please go fight for him and learn what he's done , not only to the US people, but every other country in the world who is now locked into an economic decline thanks to the wim of a russian puppet.

Russian and israeli puppet. putin and netanyahu take turns pulling the strings

[F5 Dave]

I like him because he's not one of the corrupt politicians. Drain the swamp.
Also he's a successful businessman and knows how to negotiate the art of the deal.

Hmm, my lying and bullying don't seem to be working.

Rest of the world. Come clean up my mess.

Yeah thanks for that you fat fuck.

[peewee]

Send help? To do what exactly?

No really. What do you actually think can be achieved here?




i dont know. check for mines. escort some tanker ships. surely theres something you could do without getting your hands dirty. the weak europeans (france and UK ?) wont even let usa use their airstrips from what the news is saying

[nerrrd]

i dont know. check for mines. escort some tanker ships. surely theres something you could do without getting your hands dirty. the weak europeans (france and UK ?) wont even let usa use their airstrips from what the news is saying

I think that’s coming, but not in cooperation with the US, maybe under a UN resolution (remember them?) By keeping an appearance of neutrality, the UK, europeans and others (maybe us, although we’ve already pre-sunk our limited mine-sweeping capability in Samoa) will be hoping what’s left of the Iranian regime won’t target them deliberately.

Because the analysis I’ve seen is that geographically the strait is a shooting gallery, even with up to date defence systems, the reaction time for any attack is just too short. Which is not to say an attack is guaranteed, but if a warship was attacked and sunk (like the Ukranians have unconventionally managed to do to the Russians) that would make things even worse.

[pritch]

Send help? To do what exactly?



Sweep the strait for mines? Any ship can be a mine sweeper. Once.

[husaberg]

Sweep the strait for mines? Any ship can be a mine sweeper. Once.

An aside but traditional minesweepers were wooden or fibreglass composite I believe the US retired them a few years ago also they need to operate in a safe area from attack as they tend to move slowly and methodically in the straight they would be a sitting duck.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/why-us-navy-decommissioning-minesweepers-ps-092725

[husaberg]

i dont know. check for mines. escort some tanker ships. surely theres something you could do without getting your hands dirty. the weak europeans (france and UK ?) wont even let usa use their airstrips from what the news is saying


Can you see what the nato members might think trump is overstepping here trying to involve NATO?


Collective Defense (Article 5): Establishes that an armed attack against one or more members in Europe or North America is considered an attack against all, requiring members to assist with necessary action, including armed force.
Establishment of Council (Article 9): Creates a Council representing all members to oversee implementation and establish necessary subsidiary bodies.
Self-Help and Mutual Aid (Article 3): Members pledge to build individual and collective capacity to resist attack.
Consultation (Article 4): Parties agree to consult if the security, territorial integrity, or political independence of a member is threatened.
Scope and Purpose (Articles 1 & 6): Defines the geographic area for collective defense and requires the peaceful resolution of international disputes in accordance with the UN Charter

[pritch]

Can you see what the nato members might think trump is overstepping here?


That and the fact that Trump's attack on Iran was unlawful in the US as well as internatioanally. Having failed miserably he now wants somebody - anybody to bail him out. Unsurprisingly there is a shortage of volunteers.

If peewee is so convinced military action is a good idea he should join up.

[Kickaha]

An aside but traditional minesweepers were wooden or fibreglass composite I believe the US retired them a few years ago also they need to operate in a safe area from attack as they tend to move slowly and methodically in the straight they would be a sitting duck.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/why-us-navy-decommissioning-minesweepers-ps-092725

The US only took those minesweepers out of the middle east last year, they'd been around for 30 years or so, their new ships have "mine countermeasures" but have not been tested in combat zones and are designed to be operated outside of the mined zones

[pritch]

And in more recent news Trump has sacked his Attorney General, Pam Bondi. She famously had the Epstein files on her desk but that was before she said they didn't exist.

[husaberg]

And in more recent news Trump has sacked his Attorney General, Pam Bondi. She famously had the Epstein files on her desk but that was before she said they didn't exist.
Hot on the heels (hoofs )of firing Kristi Noem.
Blondie was previously subpoenaed by the Republican-led House Oversight Committee she was set to testify on April 14....
I see the story going around is bondi was fired for tipping off a Democrat friend that the FBI was investigating them.
Tulsi is apparently next on the hit list...

[F5 Dave]

i dont know. check for mines. escort some tanker ships. surely theres something you could do without getting your hands dirty. the weak europeans (france and UK ?) wont even let usa use their airstrips from what the news is saying
That would be fine if trying to fend off naval attacks, or The Black Pearl. But otherwise and escort boat would be just as much a target as a super tanker.

There has never been a regime change from air attacks alone. Look at the Battle of Britain. It just made them more determined. You might argue Hiroshima if desperate. But nix on the regime change. That stayed.

So they killed an 88 yr old who had one foot in the grave and replaced him with a 58yr old hell bent on revenge.
It's slowly sinking in that this is a fuck up and he's looking for an UNDO button or someone else to hang this on.

None of this is an improvement.

Unless of course you are an Israeli or Russian. Then you are giggling.

[pritch]

Poor Pam Bondi. There had been an ethics complaint against Pam Bondi with the Florida Bar Association. The Florida group though has a rule that forbids action against anybody holding government office. Yesterday as Attorney General Bondi was protected. Today she is not. The ethics complaint is currently being revised and extended.
Disbarrment is a real possibility.

[pete376403]

Hot on the heels (hoofs )of firing Kristi Noem.
Blondie was previously subpoenaed by the Republican-led House Oversight Committee she was set to testify on April 14....
I see the story going around is bondi was fired for tipping off a Democrat friend that the FBI was investigating them.
Tulsi is apparently next on the hit list...

Not to be outdone, kegbreath has fired US Army Chief of Staff. His replacement is "completely trusted by Secretary Hegseth to carry out the vision of this administration without fault". (ie a yes man)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn8d63v058zo

[pritch]

Totally sane.

[nerrrd]

So sane. I don't think the Iranians will be all that impressed (regime or population.) Isn't there a TACO in there as well, an extension to the deadline? Stand by for another in short order.

Meanwhile 91 has hit $3.50 locally which is bad enough, but diesel at $3.70??? That's got to be causing major damage to the local economy already.

[nerrrd]

…and sure enough, now there’s talk of a 45 day cease fire. Basically might as well ignore anything the president says until something actually happens.

As an aside, very impressed with the rescue of the downed pilot. Maybe the cost of that will give the US some second thoughts.

[pritch]

It should be obvious that Trump had no strategy. He was surprised by the Hormuz Strait closing but that should not have surprised anyone. He may not have foreseen this eventuality though which is much more serious. It's even more serious than this clip suggests because Iran wants to sell to Asia in Chinese Yuan. These moves could eventuate in the collapse of the US dollar.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2120846315378726

[pete376403]

It should be obvious that Trump had no strategy. He was surprised by the Hormuz Strait closing but that should not have surprised anyone. He may not have foreseen this eventuality though which is much more serious. It's even more serious than this clip suggests because Iran wants to sell to Asia in Chinese Yuan. These moves could eventuate in the collapse of the US dollar.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2120846315378726

There are some who say the driver behind the invasion of Iraq was that Saddam wanted to sell oil in Euros. US - "we can't allow that, dave". Similarly Gaddafi in Libya and Maduro in Venezuela.
https://www.independent.org/article/2026/02/27/petrodollar-war-theory/#:~:text=Several%20high%2Dprofile%20cases%20are,Ir aq%20and%20removed%20his%20regime.

[pritch]

When Trump threatens to withdraw from NATO most Americans probably don't even know what he's talking about. The New York Times, formerly a newspaper of record, now a billionaire's plaything, doesn't have a clue.

[nerrrd]

When Trump threatens to withdraw from NATO most Americans probably don't even know what he's talking about. The New York Times, formerly a newspaper of record, now a billionaire's plaything, doesn't have a clue.

Might be an AI sub editing hallucination? Times are tough in the newspaper business...also Google reckons their ownership hasn't changed, you might be thinking of the Washington Post.

Meanwhile we await the end of civilisation in Iran today at around midday.

[Kickaha]

When Trump threatens to withdraw from NATO most Americans probably don't even know what he's talking about. The New York Times, formerly a newspaper of record, now a billionaire's plaything, doesn't have a clue.

Canada is North America, they can still keep the name NATO

[pete376403]

https://scontent-akl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/663260101_10173942837315273_1518738404484918426_n. jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=13d280&_nc_ohc=Tyz38tCOjRoQ7kNvwERG8Hi&_nc_oc=AdrlSUvgNCfewOnY9BZ-8AxtB9qaQh7YCeWotY76ExtNSJzyS1IHFa8MqVHkMjqXhObyoK D7MTZivctaAGDzSXy7&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-akl1-1.xx&_nc_gid=y6w_OuBM58lc9dcFeusq9A&_nc_ss=7a3a8&oh=00_Af3JGWfvBloILCzVoPA0WpNNibDyH__jCqGDFCvO4_tG fA&oe=69DB23F0

[nerrrd]

Maybe, but even as a rescue it doubles as a way to find out just how capable the Iranian military are on the ground at the moment and how feasible a nuclear snatch could be.

Lesson learned?

[pritch]

155 aircraft? There is a more detailed account of what likely happened on the Valhalla VFT YouTube site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hFdDoSXupw

Briefly: Two Hercules, each carrying two helicopters, went in planning to land on a road near the city. Isfahan? The road surface was soft and both aircraft immediately bogged down. The helicopters were unloaded, the rescue troops got on and got their man. All six aircraft were then blown up. Two smaller short take off and landing aircraft arrived and flew all and sundry to safety.

[nerrrd]

And hey presto, a two week ceasefire. It's an Easter miracle.

[F5 Dave]

Hey, you're really good at this.

Can you tell me where uncle Jeff left those share certificates the family fortune was invested in? Couldn't find them in his den, just a bunch of TAB literature. . .

[nerrrd]

I'll get back to you in a couple of weeks.

[F5 Dave]

Hey What's the deal with the Israelis? Are they not on our side?
Um, well Mr Trump. When we do something for them, yes. But. . .

[neels]

357962
..........

[F5 Dave]

Internet awash with how it's time to 25th impeachment the senile crazy guy.

But that's just wishful thinking. No one will have the guts and any revolution will fold with perpetrator spitefully attacked. It's just inevitable when there's only yes men that surround him.