Politics

[Longdrive]

 

[Longdrive]

 

[fourfive8]

Thought of the day, again. Where in the world is Bootygig? Not working at his job obviously. But I did see he (it) has been jetting around pressing the flesh of low hanging fruit like photo ops fluff with Native American tribes. Still testing the water for ‘24 run perhaps?? And Samuela, under-czar of nuclear waste, was canned - no double entendre intended.

 

[fourfive8]

Oh and I also caught the big headlines about the “magic” breakthrough regarding fusion power. Beware of this smoke, IMO. Smells of a desperate attempt to “fuel” the move to EV. Of course it will necessitate a huge budget item for research and development… have mercy. A lot of work and research has been done on fusion power since about the time of the original Star Trek series mid 60s. And of course don’t forget the last OMG! flash in the pan breaking news about “cold” fusion

Developing a practical power source based on H fusion would be absolutely super, but beware of false prophets and golden calves. Just saying. The word/phrase of ‘22 comes to mind- gas lighting

 

[Doug3006]

The breakthrough in fusion at the Livermore lab could be a game changer for our great great grandchildren…..optimistically.

 

[Brent in Az]

Not really a political thing, but Im glad they found one of those responsible for this horrific act.
I remember that day, and have watched the documentary of this air disaster investigation.

 

[Wheels]

Not really a political thing, but Im glad they found one of those responsible for this horrific act.
I remember that day, and have watched the documentary of this air disaster investigation.

As I recall, if the plane had landed in the ocean as the bombers expected, then none of this may have ever been solved. Tough for the people of Lockerbie however.

 

[Brent in Az]

As I recall, if the plane had landed in the ocean as the bombers expected, then none of this may have ever been solved. Tough for the people of Lockerbie however.

Pan Am was indirectly responsible for this disaster, as they allowed an unaccompanied piece of luggage(the bomb) onto the plane.
The delayed departure of the airplane was due to a missing passenger search, who was actually on the plane.

 

[Wheels]

Pan Am was indirectly responsible for this disaster, as they allowed an unaccompanied piece of luggage(the bomb) onto the plane.
The delayed departure of the airplane was due to a missing passenger search, who was actually on the plane.

Interesting. I didn't remember all that.

America's international haulers never were able to handle deregulation either. The interstate haulers, along with airlines from other countries ran them into the ground.

Also amazing how times have changed. I remember a friend of my fathers showing up in Tanzania with a pistol and ammo in his carry on. I don't know what the rules were 50+ years ago but doubt that was kosher.

 

[Red Leg]

Pan Am was indirectly responsible for this disaster, as they allowed an unaccompanied piece of luggage(the bomb) onto the plane.
The delayed departure of the airplane was due to a missing passenger search, who was actually on the plane.

The FAA findings and fines for security lapses also set them up for a lawsuit totaling $300 mil (eventually reaching half a billion) which, along with the company's on going poor response to deregulation, destroyed its balance sheet forcing it into bankruptcy in '91.

Congress took action in 2001 to limit United and American exposure following 911.

 

[Ray B]

View attachment 505341

Reminds me of a few signs back in the day in rural mountains of Washington State: the outhouses were for POINTERS and SETTERS. The one with plumbing was for FLUSHERS.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

 

[Wheels]

Interesting macro article. I would agree with most of it. One of the biggest keys is China's demographic problem. There is no getting around it. Not sure when things start falling apart but it may be as fast as the iron curtain came down. That being said, China is still a major player in our lifetimes.

 

[cpr0312]

 

[Red Leg]

He could be correct. But I have participated in lectures and discussions with economists and business leaders and intel analysts off and on for the last thirty years where the imminent collapse of the Chinese system was predicted. China certainly seems to have misjudged both COVID and the value of their strategic relationship with Russia. I agree with @Wheels that the demographics are hard to debate. We'll see.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Zeihan has an interesting take on Mexico actually being a bigger threat to the US.

 

[Red Leg]

Little surprised we are finally doing this. It is one of those efforts that could have been accomplished six months ago far more effectively than doing so after so much damage has been done to the Ukrainian power infrastructure.

Patriot is extraordinarily effective at dealing with everything from fixed-wing aircraft to battlefield ballistic missiles, including cruise missiles. It is a point defense system unlike what the CNN's Pentagon reporter says with a range of only a bit over 20 Km. In other words, batteries will need to be deployed to protect specific potential target areas such as Kyiv, Odessa, etc. They should also marry it with a point defense system like Gepard (radar directed gun system) to deal with Iranian drones and the like rather than waste a Patriot missile on such a target.

Unlike the air defense missiles fired in the new Top Gun movie, Patriot can't be spoofed by flares or other means. Whatever it locks onto dies.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Not really a political thing, but Im glad they found one of those responsible for this horrific act.
I remember that day, and have watched the documentary of this air disaster investigation.

The brother of a guy I worked with in the late '80s was on that plane. A real tragedy.

 

[steve white]

Interesting. I didn't remember all that.

America's international haulers never were able to handle deregulation either. The interstate haulers, along with airlines from other countries ran them into the ground.

Also amazing how times have changed. I remember a friend of my fathers showing up in Tanzania with a pistol and ammo in his carry on. I don't know what the rules were 50+ years ago but doubt that was kosher.

I got on board a flight from Dar to Arusha with my Swiss army knife. I was moaning about not putting it in my checked luggage, but as there was no one standing around the attendant told me I could keep it in my pocket in exchange for the 17$ in one dollar bills I had in my hand for tips and such. Still have the knife!