Jerry_Atrick

Surely you're not serious? Just look at the latest headlines; threat of nuclear war with Iran; still wanting to take Greenland which way he can; harassing allies and cosying to the enemy that, wait, bombed the shit out of Ukraine when just given the opportunity and had for the first time since the war started, caused a coordinated Eurpean counties planes to scrambl, and a China becoming even more emboldened and their navy lapping Australia.. Need I mention him firing experience military leaders and replacing them with conspiracy theorists? I recall you saying the safety and security of your grandchildren is of paramount importance. A month in, how is their future safety and security looking? I have made it clear that Albo is no leader, but he is also no destroyer, and given his ability and runs on the board for a more balanced role wresting back China's growing reach in our region making it safer for your grandchildren, while steering the economy well through choppy waters, I'd take him over Chump any day... for the sake of the safety and security of your grandchildren

Very clever... from a Musk perspective, of course.. Do you work for DOGE? 😉

Yes.. (sort of more like 33%, but that's splitting hairs).. but that alone can't be used to say the election results would have been changed had those who hadn't vote were required to vote (or at least get their name marked off a voters' roll). It would be interesting to see the stats of which party they have (if any) registered with to get a guage... Of course, just being registered with a party (or whatever the process is in the US) does not mean one will vote for them, either. What are the reasons why people don't vote in an optional system? According to this, https://post.parliament.uk/election-turnout-why-do-some-people-not-vote/, here are the main reasons: Demographic factors: Younger people, lower socio-economic class (but I would lump this in piolitical disengagement - they are the ones least looked after by pollies, so why bother?), health, ethnicity Logistics - accessibility, voter id (newly introduced by the conservatives to dissuade younger voters - getting a licence or passport isn't important for these folks) With the probably exception of younger people, it would be hard to generalise which way they would vote. Ihave rarely voted in UK elections since the conservatives got in because all sides were populated with chaff, not wheat; and I didn't want my vote to endorse anyone. It was probably under the political disengagement heading, which is not accurate - it was an intentional decision not to endorse anyone. I long for the day when the whole electorate reject the lot of the pollies to send a signla they need to do better on all sides. Given the reasons though, let's assume many are disengaged; i.e. they don't care enought to cast their vote (without numbers, it is only a hypothesis). But lets face it, if people were engaged, they would do their best to overcome the other barriers. Then let's assume, in order to improve voter turnout in the US, they introduced compulsory voting.. How would those that didn't vote, vote? Well, it's hard to say of course, but intuitively, the evidence would suggest it would probably make no difference to their normal voting behaviour. For example, evidence suggests that when an election is contentious in optional voting jurisdictions, voter turnout is higher because there is effectively a call to arms. For example, the Brexit referendum turnout was 72.2%, the last election turnout was 69.7%, but the average since 2001 is about 65%, Given Trump has already had a term and the damage done in that term was known, one would expect if the non-voters were enegrised enough not to have a repeat, they would have come out in force. However, the turnout appears to be 63.9%, which is below the 2020 turnout of 66.6%, Therefore,despite Harris, not as many could be bothered to vote as last time. I would contend if forced to vote, they would vote along their normal lines, or with their hip pocket, which probbaly means the voter results would probably more or less align with the vote of the 63.9% who voted in the absence of specific demographics. Note, that younger people today are veering right, and ethnic groups who are humaitarian or economic refugees are unlikely to vote for a "socialst" government, because they often flee countries purporting to be socialist countries, but are nothing more than autocratic communist countries (remind me what the USSR stands for?). All that to say, it was still the brainless voters we have to thank for instilling the brainless republicans.

I have been meaning to write.. suely there is some waste in the $22bn annual contracts to SpaceX?

And thanks to the hordes of brainless US voters that voted and continue to support them

I was a bit young to know what was going on, but when I later heard, I could not understand why people threw paint (and other abuse) at vets not not the pollies who sent them there. To me, it is the real issue with humanity. A purported gravy train rolls past and people just jump on it and join in without thinkking about it. It is the same thing with Chump... the right wing media are whipping things up, and people just jump in. Some people are now learning about the negative consequences to them, but they still support Chump. I read in an article on the FT that in the burbs, people still supported him as what he has sone hasn't impacted them (yet).. they even conceded it was selfish; but it was an "I'm alright, jack" mentality without caring for their fellow human beings (https://www.ft.com/content/cea4cb0c-95b0-48b7-bcc3-e219f3714196); quoting from it: However, this is not unexpected in the US. The culture is "me.. me.. me.." and of course, it has to be im-me-diate gratification; Chump is actively reducing oil prices and reached a deal with OPEC to flood the markets; I am guessing there was a threat of flooding the market with US Oil, or, in his trade war with Canada, he has to seek supplies from elsewhere that he won't tarrif (oh how ironic would that be if it were from Saudi or another Arab state, yet he wants to slap immigration bans on there). Noticed that Russia and Ukraine meet US envoys in Saudi? Neither country are a threat to Chump. Bugger the fact that a few cents a gallon will cost them huge in the future when their country goes up in smoke or floods or dries out. They obviously don't love their children enough.

Ther eis NOTHING WRONG with Wolfie. He is the sale of the earth blue collar of the wine industry - basic, but reliable and dependable. Well, there have been the occasiona, I will admit. I am not sure about Spacey's tipple.. It is definitely not wine.. I was initially thinking a cocktail of meths and kero, but worked out.. is it Brandivino 😉 (Don't laugh.. My stepfather was hooked on that stuff). Nah.. it is a fine wine for Spacey.. His mate has a fancy name.. Grange H.

I am aghast at this: (From the Financial Times). Trump was quoted by the CIA honcho as saying Kyiv is not committed to the peace process and they are pausing. FFS., If this is not a clarion call to walk away from very long term strategic military partnerships with the US, then I don't know what is!

What's your definition of political mileage? If they (regardless of who was in) competently assessed the needs of the victims and delivered the necessary aid , then, as a voter and taxpayer I wouldwant to know as much as if the stuffed it up because it helps me assess ithe competency of the government in dealing with things. The oppo can also criticise and if they had a credible plan that was say 1/2 the price and delivered twice as fast, or pointed out any pork barelling then I would be also gauging that as a voter, too. Everything the government do is an opportunity for "political mileage", as does the opposition and other MPs. I wish they all realised it and did the best

So, are you saying the government shouldn't help any victims of the cyclone?

Your arguments or position doesn't make sense.. Wars of the Putin type are, let's face it, forced immigration. Yet you are dead against immigration (way back you mentione about needing a far right minister to quash immigration). So, on the one hand you don't want legal immigration, or as is often incorrectly assertted illegal immigration of refugees, but on the other hand you will roll over for forced immigration. Work that out, because I can't And then, the liogic would be if those Chinese ships that ammassed in the Tasman sea decided to invade, you would just hand your land over without a fight.. And then you say OME's assertion that you are OK to do away with democracy [and the rule of law] meaning you are happy for people to take whatthey want from you is wrong? I am totally confused.. what do you actually stand for?

When are you moving to the US now your orange saviour will be delivering milk and honey to the land of what apparently was the dark ages?

Yep.. truly one who has beaten it.. Congrats to you

Chump acts like this funny AI vid:

The question is what? Chump has suspended military aid to Ukraine: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-halts-all-us-military-aid-ukraine-white-house-official-says-2025-03-04/ Folks, if pollies aren't seriously questioning their alliance to the USA, then we are in for very disturbing times

It has words.. orangutans won't get it with words

Nah.. turmeric is supposed to be good for you

Given AP and Reuters are barred, yes, it was organised.. not anyone can walk into the Oval Oraface.. or maybe they can

Let's not forget, a TASS news crew, normally banned from press conferences and the oval office managed to attend and live stream the whole thing to Russia. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/02/28/media/tass-russian-state-media-oval-office

She is very articulate and keps to script well. She also performs in coordinated press sessions where there is a lot of control over what can be asked. FOX is hardly going to really challenge her, and it would be interesting to see how she fairs in a golves off CNN or similar segment. If course, to get access, CNN have to abide by the rules stated by the press office, so often they are not able to go hell for leather. The 2016 - 2020 press secretary was equally blonde, equally young, equally eloquent, and equally on script. However, even FOX, during the attempted election steal, cut her off for babbling too much BS and keeping to script.

I've had both cats and dogs - but much prefer the latter.. They are, after all, man's best friend.

It is more the west's tepid initial response to the situation that was the issue. However, the is domestic politics, fuelling a continent, and no doubt there was a dimension of Chinese and to a lesser extent, diplomacy to deal with. Are you saying cosying up to Putin would have saved lives - someone who has consistently broken their own ceasefires? One of the issues for Ukraine, and the world now, is that the same type of tyrant is now in the Whitehouse - what security guarantees provided by Chump while he is still in power would it be worth? The bloke is a pathalogical liar, hates Zelensky with a passion as he knows Zelensky is viewed as a real president and with bravery, and of course, Zelensky wouldn't doshonestly dig up dirt on Hunter or Joe Biden from Hunter Biden's business dealings in Ukraine. Frankly, as soon as Trump was elected, the whole game changed for Zelensky and Ukraine. There are only really three options now (apart from the removal of Chump). First, Europe step in, but they are so dependent on the USA, it is a big risk for them. in terms of munitions and weapons; 2, Zelensky finds a successor that can work with Chump, but Chump's word is no bond; 4th, Ukraine keel over.. that would be more harmful for world peace than people realise. For one, with NATO in disarray, Europe will have a touigh time against any Russian offensive; secondly, with the west cowering, other actors may be more emboldened - Nt Korea, China v Taiwan/India/Japan/Phillipines, or indeed, Australia, anyone?

Here is an interesting, passionate, and detailed reaction to voters saying when they voted for Chump, they didn't vote for Chump:

Without tariffs, pls ;-)

Yeah - I do remember someone saying somthing like "just wait - good things will come from Trump".. or words to that effect. Not meaning to rub your nose in it, but I still struggle to fathom why intelligent people were so sucked in by him. Is it just bias against the others, or is it something more? So, you would rather have the new world order of Trump than a parade celebrating al alternate, but largely harmless segment of the population? Yeah - like every segment of the population, they have their evil bastards.. but are they more likely than others to commit? For the record, I was molested by a "straight" bloke who was an assistant coach of the footy team, and continuously beaten to a pulp by another (not any of my blood relations). It happens with all walks of life, unfortunately. I can't post a direct link to the vid, so here it is: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-01/albanese-reiterates-support-for-ukraine-without-mentioning-trump/104998818 Hardly convincing, and a bit of waffle, to be honest. I did say he was unequivocal, but if I were in trenches and heard that, I may be hoisting the white flag. I didn't say Dutton was any better, but equally unequivocal. I never thought I would quote Sky News, but here ya go: https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/dutton-commends-ukraines-bravery-in-fight-against-murderous-dictator/video/0e5f7754467694c1b5b3d8990572eafa Although small fry compared to Canada and the EU, Australia imports a touch north of twice as much in value than we export to the USA: https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/southeast-asia-pacific/australia Although this would not be huge in terms of the US economy, we can do a Canada and tell the to FO.. Here is a map of the products we import from and export to the US: https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-country/usa/partner/aus Let's look at some of those items that we import that we can slap tariffs on (https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-country/usa/partner/aus😞 Gold (5% of the imports from the US). Surely we can make or process our own? Cars (4.5%): According to the RACV, the only segment in which US brands, let alone US made cars was in the top sellers, was in the EV market, where Tesla reigned supreme. However, beofre Musk took a torch to the Tesla brand with his antics, sales were already tanking (pardon the pun) with the Chinese catching up. Chucking retaliatory tariffs on the already taxed to the hilt car consumers isn't going to make that muck of a difference to the average Aussie car buyer. Delivery Trucks - 4.2%.. I imagine these are the bigger trucks like Kenworth, Mac, Ford, Western Star. These could be replaced wit Volvo, Scania, and DAF (although there would be no long nosed trucks in that list). Volvo Trucks is now Chinese owned. Again, there are alternatives, and very good ones at that if YT is to be believed. Planes, Helicopters and Spacecraft: Not sure what spacecraft we import, but from Boeing down to Vans, there are more than capable European substitutes. I am guessing it is the same with many other of the things we import - we can either make them ourselves or we can import from Europe. OK.. the question then becomes, is Europe a strong enough ally to piss the USA off? I don't know, to be honest.. But if they are, or we feel that the USA is no longer a strong enough security ally, then should Chump put tariffs on us, we should retaliate back.. they have more to lose than us, and he has so far shown himself to back down from a fight. Although, in our case, we may not be big enough to worry him, in which case, fine.. let's look elsewhere, and maybe putting tariffs on will spur us to be more self sufficeint econcomically. I would suggest the "political point scoring" by the Chinese navy was much more. They were testing our responses, and well, they were found pretty well wanting. I haven't read or seem too much about it, bui the fact the ADF didn't know they were there is quite alarming. They are not that hard to find and track. I see a real urgency to shake the ADF up quite a bit, from procurement to delivery to operational readiness. It should be a clarion call to bolster our defence efficiently. We should dump AUKUS immediately.. we have shown with Collins class subs we can beat the yanks with their nule submarines at war games (I have posted a RAN released vid on these forums some time ago). We need to invest in modern warefare and surveillance; where were our signals guys? This means aircraft, ships, subs, land vehicles, the weapons (including drones of and unamanned delivery of wapeons of varuous types), advanced use of AI, etc. Dare I say, we need to also have deterrents? We can't rely on the US and we can't rely on Europe. We can only rely on ourselves. We have the resources; we have the know how of all of the above; we need the political will.