Jerry_Atrick

I have said this before, in terms of policy, there are quite a few things I agree with, but I haven't said them all: NATO contributions (from his previous reign): Absolutely right to demand all members pay their membership dues (increase spending to the committed level). Undocumented migrants. These are illegal migrants. Refugees are not illegal, but a refugee has to register in the host country and state their case, and then be assessed. These are not registered and haven't been for a long time. Therefore, a we would expect at home, they should be deported or processed as refugees. The problem has been that previouos administrations have allowed the economy to become to depend on them. Tariffs - There is nothing wrong with tariff equalisation. The US had largely tariff free trade, but have had tariffs on their goods into their trading countries. The US us not required to subsidise other countries' manufacturing at a cost to theirs. Even if, with automation, it would not be a return to previous job levels, intellectual property, employment, indirect positive effects to the economy, etc., are lost. And,m tariffs can be used to convince other countries to fix their human rights abuses, for example. Seeking an end to the middle east and Ukraine wars. Deporting criminal gang members Of course, there are things I disagree with: Political favours such as pardoning criminals who go on to kill or be killed Removal of DEI Destruction of education Tax custs to the wealthy Climate (or lack thereof) policy And a few others I can't think of right now. In fact, on the things I agree with, in some areas, such as immigration and NATO, Biden was actively working on.. his approach was a little soft. What I disagree with, though, is his methods. and some of his motives, which is more about consolidation of authortive power than improving America. But, He has shown other weaknesses in the current global order. For example, the operation of equities markets is banal - it is literally sheep herding. Algos aren't helping but if I were a fundamentals investor, I would be treading very cautiously. It also makes abundantly clear the corporate workd has no morals (as if we didn't know this). Since Chump's election, Apple and a few others have colelctively agreed to spend $1.3tn to move manufacturing back to the USA and thris is driven purely on protecting profit... Also, just how reliant the western world has become on the USA.. it is like it is the heart pumping the blood around the wetern world's body; or maybe it is a siamese sibling to every western country. I found it inconceivable not one other country has its own aerial refuelling tanker, for example. And there is an, albeit late, positive. The west has realised that it can't take for granted absolute reliance on the USA. This means countries (and hopefully Australia) are starting to put in place plans and actions to wean themselves off the USA. This will also mean that the USA's benefits from that reliance is watered down and will give the rest of us and adult's seat at the table rather than the high chairs, if any, we currently have. Of course, it will require a lot of will power and staying power of our governments. Something which may be lacking

Yeah, it's repairabvle. £25 is not worth claiming; it is more finding the time to drop off at the tyre place.

Yeah... wasnt picked up at home. .Was picked up in London, given the speed the tyre deflates and when it was first showing up. I was driving home laast night, and about half way home the warnign came on. Pulled into the next services and topped up the tyre and by the time I got home, it was on again. Could be it moved and opened the hole a bit, but it is wedged in almost sideways; Either way, It has made me very grumpy..

Bought new tyres last week and have already got a leak - ran over a bloomin' screw and it lidged well into the tyre. Bloody thing!

Well, ol' Molly looks like the novelty has worn off

My ride on is in the shop getting its service, a new alternator and a microswitch.. just out of warranty, too

Nope.. The worlds press has lost interest as theres a war in the Middle East and Trump has gone batpoop crazy... Oh, and the Republicans, who when I was a kid swore they would rather be dead than red, are now rather liking the idea of being red. I guess that is, after all, the colour of the republicans.

Ill be right, jack.. we have oil.. no gas.. but we are entering spring.. so since poms allegedly don't have showers, don't need gas for 6 months..

My son loves diving and is coming back to Aus with us,. I have explained ot him that he needs to make sure he doesnt turn into shark ship.

While the press focus on equities in terms of how the economy is going, the real bellweather is the bond markets. These were surprisingly robust over the last couple of days. As most algorithms will head to US Treausry bonds (USTs) as a safe haven, as the stock market came crashing down, the USTs yields came down, which means the prices went up. This is because USTs are considered risk free. However, the credit bond markets, which are bonds made to companies, also was suprisingly robust on Thursday after the announcements. There are three classifications of creit bonds - financial institutions, investment grade corporates and non-investment grade corporates - or junk bonds. The difference between investment grade and "junk" is that investment grade are usually BBB- and up in the Moodys ratings. Junk can have ratings or be non-rated. It is important to note it is normally the credit quality of the bond itself, and not the issuer, that is important. Anyway, the junk bond market sell off started in the US yesterday, and this is because there are fears of recessions. Some of these are fairly string companies, such as US Steel and Dole Foods. The spreads (between the offer and bid price that market markers provide) is the highest in 17 months. At the moment, the markets are saying to Trump, "this dont look too good" If a US Treasury inversion comes, where the 2 year yield curve is higher than the 10 year yield curve, then its run for the hills time.

Theres no shortage of crooks in most games. These days you get jailed for it: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/stuart-bayes-sentenced-insider-dealing (if you get caught).

Be careful posting that stuff, @Marty_d, son likes diving and snorkelling and he has already suggested us move there.

In general, yes.. The trick is what is the right level? Just remember this adage from Warren Buffet: "When the markets get greedy, I get fearful; when the markets get fearful, I get greedy."

This preoccupation with poms not taking a shower (or bathing) is a bit of a furphy. They want you to think that so they can skimp on providing you bathroom facilities in hotels.

It wasn't when I posted it am I am buggered if I can remember what it was

Blimey! What has happened to yhe Dingo Dollar? It's howling, certainly not growling. Last time I looked, it was $1.92 to the £.. now $2.07! I don't mind it going lower when I move out, but would want a reverse very quickly

Or a knighthood.. Lady Spacey does have a ring to it

Looks like Elons days at Doge are numbered. Despite pouring $25m into campaigning for a Republican judge, every County in Wisconsin swung to the Democrats and against the polls, a democratic judge won. Small win, but a signal was sent the midterms can't be counted on. Trump has apparently signalled Musk may fa e an early exit Elon Musk’s role in Trump administration under pressure after Wisconsin loss - https://on.ft.com/3FTdCL4 via @FT

Congrats, Spacey.. you've both achieved something very few even live to, let alone enjoy that long with the right one

For the UK, Hunan Rights Act 1994 and European Convention of Human Rights For Australia, it is not de nada, but it is what the courts are willing to interpret from the federal and state constitutions, and one such case is Dietrich v The Queen 1992, where the court found the constitution does confer the right to a fair trial (in that case, the Victorian government withheld legal aid where Dietrich was charged with a serious crime unless he pleaded guilty). In the Australian Capital Television case, the High Court held there was an implied right to be informed of policy due to the legal requirement to vote. And of course, the high court's creation of the doctrine of native title is if effect a recognition of first nations qualified rights in the case of disposession. But yes, Australia should have had a bill of Rights years ago.. I fear framing one these days would be rigged like the NACC.. And a bill of rights is only as good as the enforcement mechanisms is place and we can see at the moment when they are very much needed, they are fragile

Surely you were able to get it back?

It's not unique to the Englis at the moment.. Look st what happens in Australia to whistle-blowers or YouTubers who mount constant challenges to givernments or big corporates, while alleged war criminals walk free without trial despite the damning evidence. It may be a reason the lurch to the right is happening all over. The fact Dutton even has a look in speaks volumes