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If you're not in the U.S., what's up in your part of the world?
message 851:
by
Ian
(new)
Aug 08, 2021 11:39AM
The problem with the Representative Republic (I refuse to call what we have democracy) is that it only works if the losers accept the vote result. Recently, even in the US that was in danger. In China it would be far worse because there is no tradition of doing so. You might wish they would, but wishing does not make it so. As for Hong Kong, it now belongs to Beijing, and guess what - Beijing cannot afford for it to subvert the overall stability of China. As for the South China Sea, I assume that is economic, BUT China would not be the first country to use its military to protect its economic interests. Further, the US has had military interventions in many countries. Name one country that ended up better off after said intervention. In principle, Africa is benefiting from Chinese help. Nobody is perfect, but China is hardly like the Assyrians.
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I’m far from idealizing Chinese communists, but gotta give them credit for a few things. They’ve successfully managed “perestroika” of opening up to the world and building their economy, where Gorbi, for example, completely failed. Now, it seems they start the second faze - reigning in their own mega biz, eclipsing the ego of their Nuevo riches and reminding that they are for the “people”/party and not the other way. May fail - may prove like a right thing.
They might get to more freedom eventually. Imposing democratic values on unprepared society may result in lawlessness and anarchy - like it pretty much happened after the Big Bang of the USSR.
It’s not that I believe there are some superior motives, but I get an impression they play a long game and do it right not rushing things.
Of course, it’s not a “free” place where an individual can enjoy freedoms to the max, however Philip might be right - mentioning that Chinese people have a better living than that of previous generations.
I’m not sure the same applies to the former USSR, where the majority may be worse off in comparison
From what I have heard, the average Russian is certainly better off now than under Yeltsin, which is an example of what happens when countries that do not have a tradition of being law-abiding adopt the Chicago school of economics' thoughts.
Did the Kiwis sell a Brit an alpaca which is infected with TB?Geronimo the alpaca: Who is he and why has he hit the headlines?
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-g...
Ian wrote: "From what I have heard, the average Russian is certainly better off now than under Yeltsin, which is an example of what happens when countries that do not have a tradition of being law-abiding adop..."You're totally right. 'Perestroika' as well as the subsequent free for all were a horrible time to live in. Russia is loads better than when it was in so called 'democratic' shambles. Anyway, what was so democratic about the US backing up Yeltsin's elections? Just how democratic was that?
J. wrote: "Did the Kiwis sell a Brit an alpaca which is infected with TB?Geronimo the alpaca: Who is he and why has he hit the headlines?
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-g..."
You don't want to get involved in that one. Brits, animals, TB in farm animals, badgers, vaccination, cull
☘Misericordia☘ wrote: "...Anyway, what was so democratic about the US backing up Yeltsin's elections? Just how democratic was that?..."Countries act primarily from self-interest. Wishing your adversary well is less prioritized
Philip wrote: "You don't want to get involved in that one. Brits, animals, TB in farm animals, badgers, vaccination, cull"That was a badger hole.
I'll eat the badgers! Roadkill chef, 73, vows to make casseroles out of the culled animals to avoid them going to waste
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...
Ian wrote: "In principle, Africa is benefiting from Chinese help. Nobody is perfect, but China is hardly like the Assyrians...."Sure,
Just ask the Tibetans and Uighurs.
Ian wrote: "As for the South China Sea, I assume that is economic, BUT China would not be the first country to use its military to protect its economic interests...."The South China sea is an interesting dilemma for China. it is certainly economic and they are trying to use their military on the annexation of the "islands". The problem is much more simple than one would assume. The rest of the world and the United States does not acknowledge China as having sovereignty over that area. The problem is not really about the islands, but control of the water in the area because if the United States so chose to, they could blockade off the entire Chinese shipping. That is a nightmare scenario for China. Think of the Cuban missile standoff with Russia. It is a bone in the throat. There is no direct threat, but it is there non-the-less at least in the Chinese minds.
Now, as for Chinese military, it is not the stuff of legends. Their army is mostly an internal police force. Their last naval engagement was in the 1800's. They are unable to project power, so they sabre rattle. Hong Kong is lost, but there will be fall out as time passes.
As for Taiwan, I would not ever bet on China invading. Here is the problem, Taiwan would not be an easy target and if they did they would have to take on the United States. It is not about direct power, but the idea they could lose. That cannot be allowed to happen due to internal pressures. So it will not happen, but the sabre rattling will happen.
Papaphilly wrote: "Ian wrote: "In principle, Africa is benefiting from Chinese help. Nobody is perfect, but China is hardly like the Assyrians...."Sure,
Just ask the Tibetans and Uighurs."
From which I gather you have little idea of what the Assyrians were like. They made Timur look mild and beneficial, and Timur put down Afghanistani resistance without breaking a sweat, and without technology.
Papaphilly wrote: "Ian wrote: "As for the South China Sea, I assume that is economic, BUT China would not be the first country to use its military to protect its economic interests...."The South China sea is an int..."
The problem of the blockade is real from China's point of view. One could argue it was the blockade on Japan that led to Japan going to war in WW2. Previously, the blockade on Germany was a major contributor to Germany losing WW1.
As for the bone in the throat, China may have to live with it, but still take what action it can. The US got rid of the Cuban problem (although came hideously close to triggering a nuclear war - at least one Russian sub came very close to carrying out provisional orders when it could not communicate home since it was underwater) and since then has proceeded to impose the same sort of threat on Russia. The question then is eventually will China adopt the Russian response of more or less accepting it? China should know it cannot defeat the US, but it is coming to the point where it can impose the lose-lose scenario, which is not pleasant for anyone.
Playing for a double loss against the only nation that has ever nuked a foreign population center is not smart.
No, it is not, but neither is playing for a single loss when you are the loser. Also, most major wars do not start with someone being smart. They usually start with a gross miscalculation of what will happen after that.
UK NewsPlymouth mass shooting (for UK - 6 dead) aftermath
Double vaccinated no longer need to self-isolate if test clear if in close contact
Olympic gala and para-Olympic build up
Afghan situation
Haiti earthquake
Reports that Biden is blamed for Afghan failures
Return of Premier League football
COVID numbers - no longer headlines
Ian wrote: "Papaphilly wrote: "Ian wrote: "In principle, Africa is benefiting from Chinese help. Nobody is perfect, but China is hardly like the Assyrians...."Sure,
Just ask the Tibetans and Uighurs."
From..."
Sure a historical perspective changes what happens to the Tibetans and Uighurs....
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...https://www.foxnews.com/sports/china-...
When I saw this yesterday, I originally thought it was an Onion piece. I am not sure whether I should laugh or cry. it does say something about the Chnese governments mentality.
Hope you had a lovely holiday, Papaphilly.
As I was saying to a friend earlier, the British Empire won more medals than the lot of you :)
As I was saying to a friend earlier, the British Empire won more medals than the lot of you :)
Beau wrote: "Hope you had a lovely holiday, Papaphilly.As I was saying to a friend earlier, the British Empire won more medals than the lot of you :)"
I had a great time and no the British empire is not coming back anytime soon....8^)
Papaphilly wrote: "Beau wrote: "Hope you had a lovely holiday, Papaphilly.As I was saying to a friend earlier, the British Empire won more medals than the lot of you :)"
I had a great time and no the British empir..."
We are struggling to maintain a union let alone an empire.
Scotland knows which side its bread is buttered on :)
I know Brexit and the Union is push button issues. Yet, how much is it really likely to happen for a dissolution? Does Scotland really get the short end of the stick? BTW, how is Brexit coming along? I have not heard much lately.
Papaphilly wrote: "I know Brexit and the Union is push button issues. Yet, how much is it really likely to happen for a dissolution? Does Scotland really get the short end of the stick? BTW, how is Brexit coming alon..."Brexit - fine - hidden behind COVID issues and flares up with bureaucratic stupidity eveery now and then. I ignore complaints from companies complaining about export paperwork whilst exporting to rest of the world.
As for Scotland - SNP pushing for another once in a lifetime referendum - mind you with COVID some lifetimes are over...
A fraction of the numbers for our anti-lockdown protests – which got almost zero news coverage, but the UK’s leading news story today:
https://www.theguardian.com/environme...
Couldn’t be a worthier cause but I wonder how many of the posh boys who have been interviewed on television have frequent flier cards in their wallets?
Prince Harry and Stephen Fry, 2 of the leading campaigners, both use private jets like the rest of us use taxis.
Time for those in the public eye to lead by example and practise what they preach.
https://www.theguardian.com/environme...
Couldn’t be a worthier cause but I wonder how many of the posh boys who have been interviewed on television have frequent flier cards in their wallets?
Prince Harry and Stephen Fry, 2 of the leading campaigners, both use private jets like the rest of us use taxis.
Time for those in the public eye to lead by example and practise what they preach.
Beau wrote: "...Prince Harry and Stephen Fry, 2 of the leading campaigners, both use private jets like the rest of us use taxis.Time for those in the public eye to lead by example and practise what they preach..."
Yeah, they can switch to solar zeppelins instead
New Zealanders must be clearly racist to call their squad "All whites": https://www.theguardian.com/football/... . Deservedly incarcerated for house arrest :)
Nik wrote: "New Zealanders must be clearly racist to call their squad "All whites": https://www.theguardian.com/football/......"Yeah, and so the rugby team are "All Blacks", from the colour of their kit. The football team are liars. First, the goalie isn't, and second once they fall over those whites get tinged with brown, or even the dreaded green :-( So the team should be called "The tending Browns"!
As a Steelers fan, I have to say that calling any team "the Browns" is low.
Yeah, cheering for the Cowboys is the same as cheering for the Yankees. But they're the Browns. They're everything one would expect from Cleveland.https://youtu.be/oZzgAjjuqZM
J. wrote: "Yeah, cheering for the Cowboys is the same as cheering for the Yankees. But they're the Browns. They're everything one would expect from Cleveland.https://youtu.be/oZzgAjjuqZM"
You just had to go there, the Yankees have class and the Cowboys have Jerry Jones. need I say more.
2021 is an election year in Canada, so Justin Trudeau is on the campaign trail.https://youtu.be/8JxSiu8iQNI
To me, Justin Trudeau is a light weight compared to his father, Pierre Trudeau. I disagree with Justin's policies, and him. But while I disagreed with Pierre Trudeau's policies, I respected the man.
That said, I have to grant that Justin is way stronger in a stump speech than the last four US Presidents.
How's Biden looking in your part of the world? He says things are better than ever, no criticism from other world leaders.
Scout wrote: "How's Biden looking in your part of the world? ...."Kinda ..... sleepy :) After Trump's "hands on" management, the difference is evident. Bennett is supposed to meet him today. Not the best timing, but let's see what the outcome is
Scout wrote: "How's Biden looking in your part of the world? He says things are better than ever, no criticism from other world leaders."
Massive criticism of him in UK media and from many UK politicians. In stark contrast to before the election, when they all loved him.
As Philip noted in another thread, Tony Blair (one of our most pro-US PMs) called Biden an imbecile. General feeling is he's not really in charge and certainly not up to the job.
Massive criticism of him in UK media and from many UK politicians. In stark contrast to before the election, when they all loved him.
As Philip noted in another thread, Tony Blair (one of our most pro-US PMs) called Biden an imbecile. General feeling is he's not really in charge and certainly not up to the job.
J. wrote: "As a Steelers fan, I have to say that calling any team "the Browns" is low."
The Cleveland Browns' former owner, Randy Lerner, ran my football club, Aston Villa, into the ground and then sold to a Chinese businessman who almost bankrputed us. Fortunately, we've now got new billionaire owners and are on the up. Still, it was a close-run thing.
Pittsburgh all the way for me :)
The Cleveland Browns' former owner, Randy Lerner, ran my football club, Aston Villa, into the ground and then sold to a Chinese businessman who almost bankrputed us. Fortunately, we've now got new billionaire owners and are on the up. Still, it was a close-run thing.
Pittsburgh all the way for me :)
In NZ the major news is the virus outbreak, and the fact our guys in Afghanistan are not going to have time to get the people that helped us out, mainly because these people are in Bamyan province and have no way to get to Kabul in time. When the dust settles, Biden will not be popular.
As Beau said - Biden's not Trump popularity has dropped like a stone. He was given quite a 'honeymoon' period in comments. That was already declining due to travel restrictions not being lifted. Merkel even raised it with him then the fiasco of cancelling a NATO mission without consulting any of NATO.EU is debating imposing travel restriction on all US citizens because US has not reciprocated.
UK news dominated by Afghanistan especially yesterday's horror, although Paralympics and cricket still mentioned. COVID news always in background. Vaccination 1st doses almost up to 90% again but with 16+ included and 2nd dose almost 80%. Boosters still being discussed but looking more likely.
Labour shortages and economy also creeping into general coverage. Changes to travel Red List more Greens including Canada, but Thailand notable as going Red - masks disappearing in England.
Vaccinations finally getting into gear - probably more vaccinated yesterday than in the entire first half of the yearInflation, especially in building materials
Travel to Australia likely to be restricted until next year
Are you seeing inflation in food and gas prices, Ian? Any shortages there? At the grocery store yesterday, the trucks hadn't come in to stock beef and chicken, and the milk shelves were bare. Toilet paper still available, but diminishing.
Scout, gas prices are holding but food is up. Some of this is caused by vege prices, which always peak at this time of year (late winter). The big villains are building supplies, which are soaring. Given we need a lot more houses, the demand and limited supply can't help, but neither the high price for logs in China. We have another problem - we are now into the third week of a fairly deep lockdown, and supply of many things are disrupted.Compared with your list, Scout, even in the lockdown we may be doing better. No shortage of beef or milk or TP but I noticed in my last grocery purchase I had to get a larger chicken than usual, and that was a brand I hadn't noticed before. But it is still a chicken. Yet to eat it -it sits in my freezer - but I guess I shall soon see.
After going up for 8 consecutive months, in September gas went slightly down...
J. wrote: "The CCP is preparing to cross the Rubicon.https://youtu.be/6xcvDMDg8TY"
Unsurprisingly, I guess. If the US marks China as the prime adversary, expectedly they'd do the same. Hope we are not looking at anything more than propaganda for internal consumption.
J. wrote: "The CCP is preparing to cross the Rubicon.https://youtu.be/6xcvDMDg8TY"
My guess is this is Xi cementing in his position. This is aimed at bringing out potential opposition and dealing with them while they are weak. Later, they can't disagree if they agreed now, so i take this as an internal "cementing in power" move.
UK news this a.mVaccinations for 12-15s
COVID cases in Scotland
Shortages of drivers for HGVs (trucks) initially blamed on Brexit and Europeans going home due to COVID now fact that no tests for best part of 12 months may have limited supply!
Shortage of other labour in supply chains in food production- apparently Brexit to blame but we still have millions unemployed. Comment from reporter about low wages (from European workers) side stepped by industry spokesperson
Paralympics success
Racism in football
In NZ, Vaccinations going well finally,
Auckland lockdown has generated even worse limit on building supplies. Things like aluminium extrusions for windows, etc almost impossible to get. It is not that there aren't any - they can't move.
Islamic terrorist attack in Auckland supermarket. Maybe a record short attack - terrorist shot dead within 60 seconds, but now the question is, if they knew this turkey wanted to attack, why was he on the loose. The reason was he had not done anything that was sufficient until then. (It was a knife attack, the knife being picked up in the supermarked.)
Nothing sublime here, but we have the ridiculous. Remote controlled, or some have suggested AI, locomotive is despatched to drag carriages off ferry in Picton. Automation at work - what could possibly go wrong? Actually, the ferry was still in Wellington and had not sailed (no idea why not) so fifty tonne locomotive ended up in harbour.
Hope someone took a video of the train 🚊 🚂 making it into the water.Not a successful 🚀, but an interesting video
Nik wrote: "Hope someone took a video of the train 🚊 🚂 making it into the water.Not a successful 🚀, but an interesting video"
It looks like a CCTV camera caught it.
https://youtu.be/9pJClkXsdCg
There is also good footage of the recovery.
https://youtu.be/-UB5v15STc8
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