If you're not in the U.S., what's up in your part of the world? Showing 1,451-1,500 of 3,266

[Ian]

The NZ Reserve Bank is going the opposite way - increasing interest and increasing the proportion of equity the purchaser has to put into the house. This is making it very difficult for new house-buyers given there is a housing shortage, but there is a lot of construction going on, so maybe this problem will be solved.

[☘Misericordia☘]

Nik wrote: "probably you still think I'll be taking your tests to prove myself "בונים בניינים, close enough. An old אולפן joke.

Nope, I've long since realised you got no grasp of Ukrainian culture, so you wouldn't be able to.

Okay with me, whatever, I suspected as much from your other ideas about the region.

[☘Misericordia☘]

Nik wrote: "How can my personal opinion be any kind of propaganda?" Let's review some of the issues that could happen when you've got irrational opinions.

1. You can't just wake up and decide that you think there are, say, 50 Russian batallions in Ukraine. If you read it in a propaganda-laced article by an author who woke up and decided there must be Russian army in Ukraine or was paid to start having this opinion, you would still be parroting either a stupid guy's article or a piece of propaganda. You must have some really good and reliable sources to start entertaining this opinion.

Bottomline: Sources matter.

2. You could have a lovely dinner and decide that you think that Crimea is Ukrainian.

Facts don't agree with that: there is history of both countries and Crimea to learn, there is Ukrainian literature that shows fairly well that this hasn't been the case for 99% of their history, there is Russian-speaking population out there... There is plenty of stuff to analyse. Yet you prefer to have an opinion that is largely based on your personal preferences and feelings of misguided loyalty to Ukraine and hatred to Russia and some international treaties focus on nuclear peace... which is not really rational.

Alternatively, you might feel like having a personal Crimea and start being of opinion that it's yours. This would be about as rational as the notion that Crimea is Ukrainian or maybe Martian.

Bottomline: Facts trump opinions.

3. You could go out and start guarding a trash pile fromn neigbours trying to take out trash, because you think they should take it somewhere else (though the last one seemed to work just fine when I saw exactly this antics in one lovely place in Ukraine, LOL!)

Bottomline: try understanding that there could be as many opinions are there are people here. All their opinions matter per se (even crazy ones). The only way to reach consensus and maybe try to see which ones are more important (and preferably less crazy) is to try and think stuff through, use facts, check them and try to be rational.

Otherwise, Crimea could belong to Texas or maybe Norway. And Ukraine could belong to the OGC (Orion Galaxy Confederation), 'cause aliens could be of these opinions. And good luck to you proving they don't.

[☘Misericordia☘]

Papaphilly wrote: "Before I can imagine Petrov, I have to know what his views are about. Can you please explain which one or provide me a link?."We're talking about a hypothetical Russian author. LOL. Have you ever heard of mental modeling?

Anyway, this is not about what exactly these hypothetical views could be. This is about whose these views would be and which country would be considered the sourse of those.

PS, if you can't think in abstract (I realise some people do have trouble with that), you can think Petrov was of the opinion that everyone who doesn't have violet skin is the 2nd rate citizen and only people who either are naturally violet or use the MAKE-YOUSELF-VIOLET-INSTANTLY-WONDERFUL-PASTE made of green leaves, bear shit and his super-secret ingredient can vote. This wonderful product makes your skin lovely shimmering violet, is cancerogenic for 34% of population, allows you to eat nothing but sunlight and is teratogenic for 89% of population. Your fellow citizens decided that this is a great idea but your old government for some reason was opposed to both allowing this wonderful product to be used in your country at all and changing the voting system.

So your fellow citizens in a fit of Petrov-induced inspiration staged a revolution and now you've got a different government, one that allows vote only to staunch users of this PASTE (while they still are alive and violet, of course). This government also requires every citizen to make daily public proclamations of their undying love of Petrov and his inventions, his teachings are a required reading in schools, unis, etc and every educated citizen has to learn at least 10% of them by heart by the age of 25 or get a public whipping. Criticising Petrov or the government is a criminal offence in your brave new country.

Petrov invented both the PASTE and this new society regime while never leaving Russia, is published and widely discussed in Russia, his ideas are popular in Russia (even though it never got to be the new state doctrine or even practiced widely) but considered very niche (and even madcap). Now he's horrified that your country implemented all of it and is vocal about it saying he was writing innovative sci-fi and you all misunderstood him.

Petrov is considered to be a Russian ecologist, inventor, sci-fi writer. editor of several influential newspapers and science websites, philosopher, critic of political ecology, economist, historian, sociologist, political theorist, journalist, and ecological and popitical revolutionary. Due to all the controvercy, Petrov was exiled from Moscow to Dagestan where he resides now continuing publishing other works on his new inventions and ideas.

Would you consider that this set of ideas stemmed from Russia? If not, from where?

[Nik]

☘Misericordia☘ wrote: "Nope, I've long since realised you got no grasp of Ukrainian culture, so you wouldn't be able to...."

Sure, you would know something about me, Ukraine, etc... :)

[Nik]

☘Misericordia☘ wrote: "You can't just wake up and decide that you think there are, say, 50 Russian batallions in Ukraine...."

I think we've covered that part fairly well. I brought you enough reference, which you failed to give any reasonable explanation to. People ken the score. Bottom-line indeed. What a perfect timing:
Russian court, while trying a corruption case about food supplies to Russian army, has now juridically recognized stationing of Russian troops in Eastern Ukraine, which Russia's establishment denied hitherto: https://dumskaya.net/news/rostovskiy-...
Developing story: Peskov says it must be a mistake: https://tass.com/politics/1376449
https://abcnews.go.com/International/...
Just pathetic. Everyone knows they are there, Russian court says they are there, but they will keep denying it and instead claim being NATO's victim :)

☘Misericordia☘ wrote: "You could have a lovely dinner and decide that you think that Crimea is Ukrainian....."

Luckily (but more - lawfully), 99% of the world thinks the same and no one, except a few fringe countries, recognized the grab. What you need to understand that you can think whatever - that Russia is entitled to another half of Europe and not only - why stop there?, that maybe Kaliningrad belongs to Germany, Uzhgorod - to Hungary, Eastern Ukraine to Poland, Moldova to Romania, whatever - the main idea in the consensus after ww2 was to put these thoughts to rest and to avoid military grabs. Obviously, Russia is out of this consensus. All the rest is pretexts and propaganda - no one attacked Russia, threatened it or endangered

[☘Misericordia☘]

Nik wrote: "Sure, you would know something about me, Ukraine, etc... :)"Ukraine? Definitely. It's not some unknowable place in another galaxy or anything.

You? Just that you don't know much about Ukraine. That much you've made abundantly clear.

[☘Misericordia☘]

Nik wrote: "Luckily (but more - lawfully), 99% of the world thinks the same and no one" I don't think it's very lucky at all, for democracy, Ukraine and Crimea, that many people know jack shit about history.

What IS lucky is that Russia is 1.85% of the world's population. Add to that Crimea that knows the truth and the people of Ukraine, the one who didn't skip school or Ukraine altogether to laalot. 100% - 1,85% <<<< 99%. LOL. I just love how you keep skipping facts, even the obvious ones, like this one.


Nik wrote: "I think we've covered that part fairly well. I brought you enough reference, which you failed to give any reasonable explanation to. People ken the score." No, you didn't. Lemme remind you that you provided exactly 1 link, by a popular Ukraine propaganda protal which basically states they think there are Russians out there. I wouldn't be surprised if they thought same about aliens or sandworms.

Anyway, what IS surprising is why Ukraine believes it's okay to attack a civilian office building in plain sight in the middle of workday and never to get any kind of backlash, from either Russia or LDNR. I've asked you this question about 50 times, it feels like, yet you keep ignoring it. You believe it's ok for a state to just murder its citizens?

Nik wrote: "that Russia is entitled to another half of Europe and not only - why stop there?, that maybe Kaliningrad belongs to Germany, Uzhgorod - to Hungary, Eastern Ukraine to Poland, Moldova to Romania," Ukraine definitely belongs to Poland by a large margin, that much's true. Rzecz Pospolita and all. Not sure what you're trying to prove by this.

Kaliningrad is by 75% populated by Russians. Good luck to Germany with that population. Next they will say Russia occupied Germany via sending half a million of its citizen spies in there. I can imagine that. LOL. Same with Urzgorod and all. Let them have their referendums, I don't see why not.

[Nik]

☘Misericordia☘ wrote: "Nik wrote: "Sure, you would know something about me, Ukraine, etc... :)"Ukraine? Definitely. It's not some unknowable place in another galaxy or anything.

You? Just that you don't know much about..."

Yeah, yeah, although you probably have never been there yourself - a bit far to travel from Senegal, or would it be some Saratov or Irkutsk, where you hailing from? :)

[Nik]

☘Misericordia☘ wrote: "...100% - 1,85% <<<< 99%..."

Good, you've made that calculation, Mis. Wow, you've gained 0.85%, congrats! :) Don't forget N. Korea & Syria recognized the grab too

☘Misericordia☘ wrote: ".,,why Ukraine believes it's okay to attack a civilian office building..."

Because it was occupied by Russian army? Come on, Mis, how many Russian citizens were killed in Chechnya? How many Ukrainians, Georgians perished? What happen to opposition and journalists in Russia? Portraying Russia as an advocate and protector of human rights is just laughable...

☘Misericordia☘ wrote: ".,,Let them have their referendums, I don't see why not..."

I'm sure Russia will lead by example - holding those for subjects of the Federation aspiring independence :)

[Scout]

Any news from NZ or UK?

[Ian]

News from NZ is soggy. Where I live, by Dec 15 we had over twice December average rain and rain continued. No water shortage here.

Covid restrictions being removed for Christmas, double vaccinations have hit 90% in most places, and vaccine passports are required for sports events, concerts, restaurants and bars. Apparently there is a black market for such passports, rather severe punishment is offered if caught, but the chances of being caught are pretty minimal.

We have a new leader of the opposition

Inflation is running at 4.9% (not counting house prices) and unemployment is at record lows (I heard figures < 4%).

Petrol prices have never been higher.

[Scout]

Unemployment is low there. Does this mean that you guys aren't having the same problems we're having here with businesses not being able to find people willing to work?

Why are your petrol prices higher?

[Ian]

Scout, i don't know about the problems businesses are having, but I gather unemployment is actually pretty low n the US too, which may be why they are having trouble finding workers. We are having trouble finding bus drivers, etc, but that is because there has been an exit by drivers because companies have been trying tom minimise wages.

As to why our petrol prices are so high, I don't know. I can'[t help thinking it is because the companies are price gouging, but that is my opinion. There has been "rationalisation" i.e. takeovers, and what little competition there is acts more like a cartel.

[J.]

Ian wrote: "Scout, i don't know about the problems businesses are having, but I gather unemployment is actually pretty low n the US too, which may be why they are having trouble finding workers. We are having ..."

Those numbers are not what they seem. Unemployment is the percentage of people who are in the labor force and actively looking for work. If you are neither employed nor looking for work, then you are not counted as part of the labor force.

When the "Essential Worker" BS started c. 2 million Americans left the labor force. As the workplace restrictions have eased, jobs have opened back up for people who are actively looking for them. But those two million people who left the labor force aren't counted. Therefore unemployment dropped.

So Uncle Joe is cheering an easement of government imposed economic restrictions as growth. And he is celebrating how he is the greatest ever because he's using a ruler that's too short by a third.

[Ian]

Would that be through the "boomer" generation finally deciding to retire rather than return to looking for work? If so, the truth may be a little closer to low unemployment, since if you are not looking for work, but you are not taking any benefit either and you are at an age where you would be traditionally retired, that may not be bad.

[J.]

Ian wrote: "Would that be through the "boomer" generation finally deciding to retire rather than return to looking for work? If so, the truth may be a little closer to low unemployment, since if you are not lo..."

Let's say that all two million were boomers retiring. That would mean a government hooked on deficit spending suddenly adding two million pensioners to the Social Insecurity rolls and millions of IRAs converting into pensions. That would be an economic stressor under normal conditions.

[Ian]

J. wrote: "Ian wrote: "Would that be through the "boomer" generation finally deciding to retire rather than return to looking for work? If so, the truth may be a little closer to low unemployment, since if yo..."

Yes, it would. The economies seem to be stressed anyway, though. If they are not looking for work, what are they doing? In one way, the low unemployment here is real because it is difficult to find new workers, but again if they are not looking for work i guess that would give the same result.

[J.]

You want to give him credit for making people give up on working?

[Ian]

Not at all. I am just trying to work out what is going on. If 2 million people have given up working and have not simply retired, propelled into making the decision by the pandemic, then what are they doing? And why?

As for Biden, I think he has done his best to cook the US economy with his massive deficit spending, and I rather think eventually everything else will seem unimportant. Of course, now the deficit is reduced by some enormous number thanks to Manchin, so it is not clear to me what will happen next.

[Nik]

Papaphilly wrote: "....Another interesting fact, Trans have been allowed to compete since 2004 in the Olympics...."

"New women" seem incredibly fast: https://nypost.com/2021/12/24/usa-swi...

[J.]

Us pro-2A American gun nuts love the Brits. Every time that the antis say that we're strawmanning or exaggerating, the Brits prove us correct.

Priti Patel orders review of crossbow laws after Windsor Castle incident
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...

A crossbow is a bow on a stick. The Royal Guard are armed with SA-80s. This dimwit thought that he was going to go full Assassin's Creed against elite troops armed with actual assault rifles. I would be wondering how the mental health system failed this mental defective. Ms. Patel is terrified by these silent offensive bows on sticks. 🤦‍♂️

[Scout]

Info about retirees and unemployment statistics:
"Not in the labor force
Persons who are neither employed nor unemployed are not in the labor force. This category includes retired persons, students, those taking care of children or other family members, and others who are neither working nor seeking work."

So they're not counted in unemployment rates.

[Scout]

And if you've been wondering how people in the US are able to afford not to work (as I have), I've finally figured out how: the Child Tax Credit.

"What is the Child Tax Credit (CTC)?
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) helps offset the costs of raising kids. Nearly every family is eligible to receive the 2021 CTC this year, including families that haven’t filed a tax return and families that don’t have recent income. Each qualifying household is eligible to receive up to $3,600 for each child under 6, and $3,000 for each child between 6 and 17. The credit is not a loan. Families can receive half of their new credit between July and December 2021 and the remaining half in 2022 when they file a tax return."

So, for the last 6 months, people with children have been receiving $300 a month for EACH CHILD. More children = more money. And then when they file their taxes, they get $300 more for each child for the last 6 months - $1800. Mystery solved. Why work? I don't know how long this has been going on, and I'm too tired to do the research right now. Maybe one of you guys has the energy:-)

https://www.taxoutreach.org/tax-credi...

I know everyone doesn't have children, but I'd say this accounts in large part for why so many people don't feel the need to return to the work force. What do you guys think?

[Ian]

I suppose it works while the money printing goes on. My gut feeling is there will be an accounting time, in which those working will continue to pay.

[Ian]

J. wrote: "Us pro-2A American gun nuts love the Brits. Every time that the antis say that we're strawmanning or exaggerating, the Brits prove us correct.

Priti Patel orders review of crossbow laws after Wind..."

Notwithstanding the dimness of this character, you might also argue it shows the Brits have a point. If you need a licence to own a gun, and if signs of mental instability lead to the removal of such a gun, then said dimwits are forced to use something less threatening. What do you want - such dimwirts using a bow on a stick, or an AR 15? Maybe this is an example that gun licencing has a point.

[J.]

When I was twelve, I used some scrap lumber, old rope, and a few metal bits to build a ballista. I used to use old croquet balls as ammo. Crossbows are far simpler, so why would a license stop someone from attaining one?

How many instruments of horrific death can be made from the stockpile of household chemicals which most people keep unlocked under their sinks? And how many incredibly dangerous organic molecules can be derived from most people's gardens? Castor beans, poppies, and morning glory seeds come to mind. The measure of access is literacy, not legality.

[Ian]

Disagree, J. As a chemist, and thinking about your comment on chemicals, it is not that simple. I recall reading a book by Tom Clancy where he had an agent creep up and immobilise someone with a chemical that is labelled "highly dangerous" by some. Well, what would have happened is the guy would have turned around and asked "what do you think you're doing, ass-hole" before shooting him. Then go away and wash it off, more for comfort than necessity.

Yes, you need literacy, but you also need to be able to sort out the "fake news", so you need a bit of skill.

I am not saying a licence will stop everyone - it won't because we have gun violence here too with illegally obtained guns, but licensing does have the merit of making it a bit more difficult for the idiot, and more straightforward for the police, since having an unlicensed one is a crime in itself, and allows an arrest and detainment, and, of course, an interrogation.

[[deleted user]]

Crossbows, SA80s, gun laws and Priti Patel (a very attractive woman) talking tough all miss THE key point...

If anybody attempted to shoot The Queen, with a bullet, bolt, arrow or anything else, they would be struck down by lightning (or another act of God) before they could possibly succeed.

Politicians might occasionally get assassinated, but not British queens.

[J.]

Ian wrote: "Disagree, J. As a chemist, and thinking about your comment on chemicals, it is not that simple. I recall reading a book by Tom Clancy where he had an agent creep up and immobilise someone with a ch..."

I can't remember the exact formula, but isn't there a rather interesting gas released when you add sulfuric acid to Clorox?

I'm also kinda impressed by the number of people who have been indicted for producing ricin.

I've spent an unfortunate amount of time around the criminal element. Trust me, laws only slow down the law abiding.

[J.]

Beau wrote: "Crossbows, SA80s, gun laws and Priti Patel (a very attractive woman) talking tough all miss THE key point...

If anybody attempted to shoot The Queen, with a bullet, bolt, arrow or anything else, t..."

Any monarch who believes that God will protect her because of her sex should read up on Henry VIII's daughter, Queen Mary.

[J.]

Beau wrote: "Crossbows, SA80s, gun laws and Priti Patel (a very attractive woman) talking tough all miss THE key point...

If anybody attempted to shoot The Queen, with a bullet, bolt, arrow or anything else, t..."

Re: The problems of the Windsors
https://youtu.be/U2L-gscYxtc

[Ian]

J. wrote: "Ian wrote: "Disagree, J. As a chemist, and thinking about your comment on chemicals, it is not that simple. I recall reading a book by Tom Clancy where he had an agent creep up and immobilise someo..."

As for the gas, anyone who did this in the usual course of what they could lay their hands on would generate chlorine, but not in industrial amounts. You would get a choking gas, and hanging around would lead to symptoms similar to an exceedingly bad cold, but unless you were locked in a small room with it, or unless you were trying to commit suicide (and you would still probably fail) that is about as bad as it gets.

Stll, J. with that sort of interest you should write crime stuff or thrillers. You have the inherent interest

[J.]

Ian wrote: "J. wrote: "Ian wrote: "Disagree, J. As a chemist, and thinking about your comment on chemicals, it is not that simple. I recall reading a book by Tom Clancy where he had an agent creep up and immob..."

I notice that you haven't touched the ricin. And you're assuming that our amateur chemist wouldn't save up his/her products for a specific purpose.

Hard core criminals aren't interesting. They're just scary. Forgot all of the storybook stuff about honor among thieves. That sort of thinking is for street punks. Those that rise to the top simply view human beings as resources to be exploited.

The only interesting part is the number of clean cut businessmen and politicians who have the same perspective.

[Ian]

No, i didn't mention ricin, not a number of other possibilities. Actually, I have never seen a caster oil plant, not heard of anyone around here with one, so that would make it a little difficult, and worse, if anyone used it, people with access to the plants would be immediately suspected. i suspect you would be promptly caught.

In my opinion, criminals fall into three classes: stupid but greedy (quickly caught), thuggish (quickly suspected but sometimes evidence is difficult to obtain) and some who actually put in effort, and while they usually end up caught, had they put the same effort into legitimate things might have been really successful.

[Nik]

Beau wrote: "If anybody attempted to shoot The Queen, with a bullet, bolt, arrow or anything else, they would be struck down by lightning (or another act of God) before they could possibly succeed.

Politicians might occasionally get assassinated, but not British queens...."

Can be a trial by ordeal to tell royal from commoners...

[Nik]

Relatively complex solutions require premeditation, while having a gun handy enables doing things on a spur of the moment.
Bow and arrow are still quite deadly: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe...

[☘Misericordia☘]

Nik wrote: "Because it was occupied by Russian army? Come on, Mis, how many Russian citizens were killed in Chechnya? How many Ukrainians, Georgians perished? What happen to opposition and journalists in Russia? " Georgians? Where and which time? If you are about that Georgian military excursion into the Osetias, I asked you about a couple of months before - what was Georgia even doing there? Maybe Georgians shouldn't have started a war or smth? Or who do you think attacked who and why was Russia supposed to let people wage war on territories right on its doorstep? Can you pls elabourate? Right now you're just emotioning w/o any factuality. You don't like Russia? Okay, but what was it supposed to do, per your views?

And what was the trigger for the 1st Chechen war? Maybe Russia didn't fancy to have an outcropping of fanatics on 5% of its territory? Fanatics of the kind that would later become ISIS elsewhere?

Russians in Chechnya? Yeah, how many were killed by Islamic radicals BEFORE the war even started?

[☘Misericordia☘]

Nik wrote: "Good, you've made that calculation, Mis. Wow, you've gained 0.85%, congrats! :) Don't forget N. Korea & Syria recognized the grab too" Maybe you should've done it, since whichever fact of yours I fact-check, it doesn't check out.

You don't do facts, right? Emotions are your go-to arguments, right?

Nik wrote: "Portraying Russia as an advocate and protector of human rights is just laughable..." What I was getting at is there are no countries that are advocates of any kinds of rights at the moment.

As for Russia, it got some success stories to show and tell. South Russia's lot safer to travel today than it was before the Chechen wars. Artsakh is not in an outright state of war. Osetias aren't either... ISIS is not spreading its tentacles (or whatever else it's got to spread, lol).

And, yeah, Russia's got lots to learn and way to go and loads of stuff to do before it can set a claim to being a paragon of anything but the thing is, Ukraine never even started getting better at any stuff. It's like, stuck in the 90s forevermore. As for the US, they should really stop harassing journalists way before they start cleaning up their act.

[☘Misericordia☘]

Ian wrote: "No, i didn't mention ricin, not a number of other possibilities. Actually, I have never seen a caster oil plant, not heard of anyone around here with one, so that would make it a little difficult, ..."Ricin? Plant? Isn't castor / ricinus oil an over-the-counter popular digestion and hair treatment? Actually, it works miracles for hair as a part of some concoctions :)

[Nik]

☘Misericordia☘ wrote: "....As for Russia, it got some success stories to show and tell. South Russia's lot safer to travel today than it was before the Chechen wars. Artsakh is not in an outright state of war. Osetias aren't either... ISIS is not spreading its tentacles (or whatever else it's got to spread, lol). ..."

Very good, just keep this Russian paradise for yourself and maybe - Syria, where you've been invited :)

[Ian]

☘Misericordia☘ wrote: "Ian wrote: "No, i didn't mention ricin, not a number of other possibilities. Actually, I have never seen a caster oil plant, not heard of anyone around here with one, so that would make it a little..."

Ricin is a lectin that is also in the castor oil bean, but being a solid it shouldn't be in the oil and if you purchase the oil the supplier will have ensured no ricin present. I gather it is a hair treatment, but I have no idea whether it works. However, ricin is extremely unlikely to be absorbed through the skin so in the event there were traces there (and lectins are not very soluble in that oil) you would still be safe.

[Scout]

Misery, the topic is "What's up in your part of the world?" So, what's up where you are?

[Ian]

In NZ, not much. This is holiday season and we are having heat waves. Reporters are on holiday, so who knows?

[Papaphilly]

☘Misericordia☘ wrote: "Papaphilly wrote: "Before I can imagine Petrov, I have to know what his views are about. Can you please explain which one or provide me a link?."We're talking about a hypothetical Russian author. L..."

Ok, so this Petrov does not exist? I have zero problem with a mental exercise, but I still need to now what the hypothetical is about. According to your argument, Petrov came up with an idea. He pushed his idea and was exiled. The idea was his. His "Russian" identity probably would have influenced his thoughts, but it does not make it Russian in of itself. Even if the government accepts his ideas, it does not make them "Russian". Only a widely accepted belief system can make it a national identity. Just because he is Russian, does not make his ideas Russian any more than Marx's ideas were Prussian even though he was one.

[[deleted user]]

Don't know how many of you have been following what's going on in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan unrest: Dozens killed in crackdown

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia...

I saw footage of this on ITN's News at 10 last night and it was incredible. Large numbers of civilians charged police lines, a gang of trainer-clad young men forced the surrender of army troops, and protesters destroyed government buildings seemingly at will, as well as toppling a statue of the president.

The BBC article suggests that the protesters have been on the receiving end, while the ITN footage appeared to show the boot firmly on the other foot.

Global politicians - take note.

[Nik]

Unfortunately, there will be more bloodbath, unless some army/police switch sides. They have little problem killing as many protesters as needed.
Our friend Mis will, of course, point to NATO's plot to raise the fuel prices and unrests enthused from abroad :)
More wild, but not an impossible scenario: Russian "peacemaking" forces (already on the way in) won't leave after suppressing the uprising. Kazakhstan is a mineral rich country, with small population, but the size three times of France. A very coveted piece of pie! Sleight of hand - make in appearance you go for Ukraine, and then make a real move

[Nik]

In Djokovic vs Australia, can't figure out who's making a djoke of whom: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-austra...

[[deleted user]]

On Kazakhstan, I'm not taking sides but the West is as weak as I've ever known it at the moment so I'm not surprised that the Russian bear is on the prowl. I was genuinely taken aback by the level of protestor violence. They were ultra hardcore and didn't seem to give 2 hoots that the police/ army were armed.

I see you re Novak, Nik - moving the debate to a safe thread lol :) Sticking with the tennis, I love the guy. He's one of the best of all time and comes across as an incredibly intelligent, likeable man too (a bit like Ian :)). Oh, what the heck...the Aussies really are embarrassing themselves, aren't they?

[Ian]

Nik wrote: "In Djokovic vs Australia, can't figure out who's making a djoke of whom: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-austra..."

If I follow ScoMo's handling of this properly, his point is the law has to be applied evenly irrespective of the prominence of the person. Djokovic has the same ability to comply with legal requirements as anybody else so why should an exception be made?