Stupid World

[husaberg]

20/20 foresight.

the it for tat isn't really cricket old chap, the Iranian one was detained over it being suspected in breaching an EU embargo
the Pommy one was allegedly taken in international waters. and or non Iranian waters (oman) just to make a point.

[Viking01]

20/20 foresight.

Yes, I rather liked the UK stance that they took their action in
response to a breach of EU sanctions - even though Iran is not a
member of the EU, and the tanker destination (of Syria) has been
disputed.

But it appears Iran decided that if the Brits can highjack a tanker,
then so can it.

https://www.rt.com/uk/464693-uk-war-iran-tankers/

And the UK responded with Jeremy Hunt sticking his fingers in his ears
(doing his best "la-la-la, I can't hear you" imitation) and Boris doing
his "what the f#$k just happened" impression. [ Edit: Sadly, RT has
since replaced the original photographs ]

Well, that didn't quite go to plan, did it?. What a pair of tankers !

Meanwhile, the UK press - diligent as always - has managed to find
the "obligatory" Russian involvement.

https://southfront.org/uk-media-foun...izure-by-iran/

Though it is still unclear whether they will finally go for "the UK tanker
was in Omani waters" story, or "the Russians spoofed the tanker GPS,
so it drifted into Iranian waters" story.

Meanwhile, this week, the UK gets ready for the election of Boris the
Great.

I have to admit I thought it strange at first to see a photo of Boris
holding up a piece of hair-wear ("Is that a Kipper I See before Me?")
before I re-read the photo title and realised it was a shrink-wrapped
fish. You have to read the article ....

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/euro...son-cusp-power

And in anticipation of this great event, some of his fellow Conservative
members ("members", that is the right word, isn't it?) have been beating
upon a path to his door - to offer their resignation notice.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-a9014181.html

It just gets better and better.

[pritch]

the it for tat isn't really cricket old chap, the Iranian one was detained over it being suspected in breaching an EU embargo
the Pommy one was allegedly taken in international waters. and or non Iranian waters (oman) just to make a point.

You're overthinking it. The Brits took one of theirs so they'll take a Brit one. Or several.

My sympathies are currently with Iran. They are sitting at home minding their own business. They are not sailing up and down the US coast, nor have they surrounded the US with military bases.

Trump really doesn't want to get involved in Iran, or any other new war. He wants to get out of the ones the US is in, but he has manic hawks like Bolton and Pompeo in his ear all day, and they have both wanted to bomb Iran for decades.

[husaberg]

You're overthinking it. The Brits took one of theirs so they'll take a Brit one. Or several.

My sympathies are currently with Iran. They are sitting at home minding their own business. They are not sailing up and down the US coast, nor have they surrounded the US with military bases.

Trump really doesn't want to get involved in Iran, or any other new war. He wants to get out of the ones the US is in, but he has manic hawks like Bolton and Pompeo in his ear all day, and they have both wanted to bomb Iran for decades.

I have sympathies with the Iranians but as like the USA what the majority of the people want and belive may not be what their government suggests.
Both are playing a dangerous game of brinkmanship with eath other just as.
Trumps a buffoon i doubt he has any long term strategy other than trying to get reelected and feather his nest and his mates nests.

[Viking01]

Some weeks it's all quiet on the news front. But not this week.

Where do you start ? Well, with a good news story, of course.

Conservative Leader Elected
Yes, you guessed it. Boris got the job. And from the left to the
right, everyone (well, almost everyone) was overjoyed.

A quick survey of a few websites this morning:

Ivanka showed her time spent at the G20 hadn't been wasted,
and sent Daddy's best wishes:

https://www.rt.com/news/464849-ivank...on-johnson-pm/

There were one or two naysayers, of course. All to be expected:

https://www.rt.com/op-ed/464839-bori...tish-problems/
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...ry-london-dude

But if you wanted just a "quick summary", well, this is for you.

https://www.vox.com/2019/7/23/207070...eader-election

I'd completely forgotten all about the zipline incident. Zipline,
I said, not zipper.

You know, the one where Boris ended up suspended in mid-air,
not knowing where to turn or how to get down.

But after celebrating the anniversary of the moon landing, I do
hope that Boris is not going to put himself in charge of the UK
"moon attempt". Though he probably has the cheeks for it.


Moving on to international news now.

Afghanistan

Yes, Don, I know that I said "use big numbers" when you're making
threats, but they have to be credible. I mean, 10 million. Out of
a population of 35 million.

https://sputniknews.com/world/201907...-10mln-people/

How did you expect to accomplish that? Use nuclear weapons?

Oh !

Does that mean "leveling the playing field" for peace involves
levelling all the other players as well ?

Or is this what "winning a war" now means in "neocon speak" ?

Well, I've read the same approach worked with the Japanese
back in 1945. And they've been pretty quiet on the Asian front
for the past 70 years.

Or were you just subtly trying to imply "We can leave in peace"
or "we can leave it in pieces".

Twitter diplomacy is so hard to decipher, with only 140 characters.

Pakistan

Imran Kahn even went to the White House to join in the discussions
on Afghanistan.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/...193747363.html

Finally the US has realised that Pakistan is an important factor in the
"quest for peace". All those "nasty words" exchanged last year seem
to have been forgotten (or sent to the media archives, at least).

And if the US plans to remove not only all its troops but its weapons
and equipment as well, then a land route out of Afghanistan would be
quite handy.

This is, if you assume the US actually has an intention of leaving
Afghanistan.

Somehow, leaving Afghanistan after 19 years would still sound like
defeat to me. Just like Vietnam.

And look what it did for Gerald Ford's re-election prospects in 1976.
Look how that turned out. The US ended up with a Democrat (Jimmy
Carter).

Maybe the US will leave just a "small task force" (say 3 to 4 thousand
"peace keepers") behind in Afghanistan.

Just like in Iraq. We all know how well that has worked out.

Mind you, if I was Imran, I wouldn't be overly happy about the idea of
having large numbers of US troops and weapons "transiting my country".

I mean, they might just decide to stay - and bring "peace and democracy"
to Pakistan as well.

Yes, the "peace doves" might say "coo, coo", but the US might instead
hear "coup, coup".

I'm sure that Modi would be all for it.

Yes, I know Modi said that "he wasn't interested" in the US becoming
involved in India - Pakistan discussions over Kashmir, but I'm sure that
was all just for "public consumption". He didn't really mean it.

He'd warm up to the idea once it was a fait d'accompli. Imagine how it
would look to his voters if he could say "I've solved the Pakistan problem".

And it would help put an end to that silly Chinese CPEC idea, once and
for all.

https://eurasiafuture.com/2019/03/18...lobal-village/

Not to mention "putting the wind" up the Iranians next door. Teach them
to meddle in our Gulf. Heh, heh, heh.

I can't see a downside to it myself. I'm surprised that John Boy hasn't
mentioned it already.

Venezuela

Yes, I said that it's been a busy week.

Well, we threatened them yet again that we would "turn their lights
out" as well, and indeed we did. Just as promised.

https://www.rt.com/news/464803-venez...-power-outage/


And it's only Wednesday.

[Viking01]

Can't keep a good man down:

https://www.rt.com/uk/465076-gavin-w...ris-education/

Obviously didn't bury him deep enough.

Maybe Boris thinks that Gazza will be an inspirational message
to England's youth. "Energising" is the word I think he used
in his acceptance speech.

[Viking01]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...p-before-talks

Boris, I know you're seeking to do your best Churchill impression,
but somehow, I don't think you'll be making a two-finger "V for
Victory" sign anytime soon.

Think you're more likely to be shown a different two-finger sign.

[Viking01]

[ Overheard in the White House ]

Well, Don, that was a short bromance. Just as well that you
still have Kim.

But I guess that the signs were there.

First, that French oak tree we planted in the White House
grounds. It turned up its toes back in June.

https://www.newsweek.com/white-house...macron-1443077

Yes, I know that you did your best and regularly "showered
it with praise" from the balcony.

But now that uppity little Frenchman dares to levy taxes on
our technology companies.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-...after-election

Who does he think that he is ? How dare they meddle with our
companies ?

Next, the Germans will pick up on the idea. And then, where
will we be ?

Time to meddle with some of their data. Whose data did they
think it was, anyway ?

And their elections. Meddle with their elections !

Say it was the Russians, doing a trial run for 2020.

Yes, I know the Europeans have just had their elections, but
no-one is going to fact check. Trust me.

Oh, and tell them to ramp up their Russian sanctions, while
they are at it.

Buzzards !

Speaking of which, I see that Chinese is on the menu again this
coming week, with trade talks due to resume again on Tuesday.

Don, that wee comment you made, "the US and China might not
sign a trade deal before the 2020 election". That worries me.

What ?

But Don, you said that "trade wars were easy", and that you
had them by the .... , and all you had to do was to squeeze
their pips some more.

Don, you're not going soft on me, are you ? You know that our
donors wouldn't like to hear that message.

Throw in a few more tariffs, man. Yes, the other $300 billion.

And lock out a few more Chinese technology companies, just
for good measure.

What are you waiting for ?

Oh, and threaten them with being "currency manipulators".

Look, it's not currency manipulation when we do it, because
it's our dollar. Besides, we call it "stabilisation".

https://eurasiafuture.com/2019/07/05...on-is-suicide/

Look, we both know it's BS, but the "home team" only listens
to CNN. What do they know ?

They all think the Chinese are wearing the cost of the higher
tariff rates as it is. Who said you can't fool them all the time ?

You could always threaten to "take them to the WTO", and tell
the WTO to "get tough" on them.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/arti...n-stop-lenient

Yes, we both know the WTO is backlogged and can't adjudicate
its current case load (because we won't approve any new judges
in order to make a quorum).

And that they might end up throwing out our cases because our
claims are tenuous at best.

A bit like Bob Mueller's Russiagate report. Poor old buzzard -
you almost feel sorry for him.

I know. Threaten to remove their "developing nation" status.

Yes, I know we can't do that, but threaten to do it anyway.
The "home team" will lap it up.

Yes, I know most of our "friends" have "developing nation"
status as well. Just get Mike to have a quiet word with them
beforehand.

And lastly, while I remember, please get them to take down
that fake Presidential seal:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49116539

Yes, you have a good week-end too. Another busy week
coming up. You can't play golf all the time.

[Viking01]

Back in March, Trump sent Congress on Monday a record $4.75 trillion budget plan
that called for increased military spending - coupled with sharp cuts to domestic
programs like education and environmental protection - for the 2020 fiscal year.

And just this last week, the Democrats agreed to an increase in the debt ceiling.
Subject of course to both main parties getting some "wins". Have to look after
those "special interests".

https://truthout.org/articles/trump-...yde-amendment/

But I don't see any actual progress on one of the items that will slowly make
itself felt over the coming years : Internal Infrastructure.

It's not that it's a surprise, having been flagged for at least the past 20 years.

https://www.infrastructurereportcard...-card-history/

Don even made it a goal of his first "100 Days" to develop and to produce an
infrastructure plan. He even came up with a budget number ($1.5 trillion).

But something happened, in that federal funding was only going to provide $200
billion of that $1.5 trillion amount - and the rest was to be funded by state and
local governments, foreign borrowing and (you guessed it) private capital.

Needless to say (but I will), various state and local governments were upset,
as they would have to provide their contribution from funds already allocated
to other activities.

Then Don turned around to criticise his own plan:

https://www.alternet.org/2019/04/tha...hetic-failure/

and then the Democrats (because they were harassing him):

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2019...n-nothing.html

Amazingly enough, the exact same amount ($1.5 trillion) had been budgetted
and approved earlier - but allocated between reduction in corporate taxes and
increased military spending.

Guess it just shows that the US voter needs a better lobby group.

[oldrider]

Guess it just shows that the US voter needs a better lobby group.

True enough but:-

The US has got any amount of excellent "extremely well financed" effective lobby groups! - Problem is they are virtually "all" plugging for Israel! -

Time to genuinely re-evaluate value for money that the US taxpayers (unknowingly?) spend on "Israel". -

[Viking01]

Another beautiful day in the Capital today.

Breakfast (tick)
Shower and shave (tick)
Washed the dishes (tick)
Made the bed (tick)
Done the washing (tick)
A quick read of the world news (tick)

All by 10:30am. Almost a PB.

The US
-Don's talking about the urgent need for improved rat catchers.
or maybe I misread that article.
-Pelosi and Nadler pretending to talk about impeachment (again).
While "racing" to beat the "recess break" deadline (think we call
it "school holidays" over here).

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/...chment-1437530
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-...idence-impeach

The UK
-Boris pretending to threaten the EU with withdrawal, while
quietly preparing to call a snap election. You crafty devil.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...-say-ministers
https://moneymaven.io/mishtalk/econo...kWAAy0MA6UVeQ/
https://www.apnews.com/db77a1d5827a47fe8b99210db64a744a

-Boris sent another ship to the Persian Gulf (to make sure
they don't misplace any more tankers). France and Germany
have each offered a dinghy, while Mike Pompeo effectively
said "that while you're special, you're on your own" .

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49144717
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-...y-mission-gulf
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...lf-says-pompeo

China

-Trade talks (and fireworks) do not restart until tomorrow.

Middle East

-Jared has rarked up the neighbours again, while Bibi might
face some more pushback.

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/midd...-bells-ringing
https://www.rt.com/newsline/465241-a...ael-elections/

BRICS

-Just some old news (with the lights back on in Caracas, and a
US spy plane feeling "threatened" by a Venezuelan fighter jet).
Gosh, those US spy planes are so "sensitive". Must be all those
electronics.

https://off-guardian.org/2019/07/25/...tage-in-hours/

http://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/m...-of-the-brics/


Well, it seems like everything is under control for the time being.

Think that I'll go out and wash the car. And the Honda as well.

And since it's such a lovely day, I might even take the Honda for
a blast up over the Rimutakas.

Could even wind up a motorist or two with a "fast overtaking
manoeuvre" (just to keep my eye in). It's important to keep
practicing those riding skills. Might even throw in a yellow
line or two, if the fancy takes me.

[Viking01]

You lucky devils. Who knew that reclaimed swampland could have
so much economic value ?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/114...-to-the-people

And you get to pay approx $25 mil a year for the next 30 years
for the privilege as well.

[Viking01]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...nion-2021.html

Boris, you old fox.

Tell them that you're going to "do Brexit" by October 31 - and then "hint"
that the UK will actually remain in the Customs Union and the EU for up to
another two years.

Out of the EU in word, but not in deed. And leaving you time to deal with
Labour and win an election, er, "negotiate a more favourable EU deal".

And, of course, the EU will play along with that plan.

Brilliant ! A master stroke. No wonder that they put you in charge of the
hen house.

[oldrider]

Boris - the British Trump? - - like all "go forward" western politicians, completely compromised and totally controllable. - (He who pays the piper calls the tune!) -

[Viking01]

There's just no respect (or fear) being shown these days.

First, the US-China trade talks collapse within a day:

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-...y-negotiations

Guess that Don's recent tweets (just prior to the resumption
of talks) didn't have the desired effect.

And now the Iranians have started to mock her Madge:

https://www.rt.com/news/465485-iran-...een-pirate-uk/

She will not be pleased. Mock the UK politicians by all means.

And Don, just to show that they haven't forgotten you:

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/...pping-universe