AndreasHG

We all wish Trump succeeds. At the very least, doing better than he did in his first term shouldn't be difficult at all. What keeps me awake at night is how China will respond. Last time China pulled the Chinese virus out of the hat, and only God knows what China may have in store this time.

It is the cyclical history of Russia. Between delusions of grandeur and immense tragedies. Tragedies that drag Russia's neighbors into the maelstrom, sparing no one.: Holodomor - Wikipedia Remember the Holodomor - Sweary History with James Fell

You simply misunderstood Heryford's sentence. The meaning of the sentence is this: "Russia could have been a great country with its resources and a high level of education." But communism threw away this opportunity due to the failed management of the economy. There are also other reasons why in 1991 the Soviet Union crashed down: the Afghan people and low oil prices made a significant contribution to the demise of the Soviet Union. But the economic missmanagement and the endemic corruption of the apparatchik (Rus: аппара́тчик) were the root causes of the Soviet Union collapse.

Blasphemy and blasphemous libel were formally abolished from the common law only in 2008 (England and Wales) and 2024 (Scotland), effectively bringing these nations at par with France, where the blasphemy laws were abolished in 1871 AD. As of today, in the United Kingdom, blasphemy and blasphemous libel continue to be offences under the common law of Northern Ireland, arguably the most conservative and socially retarded nation among the four making up the United Kingdom. Below a map of blasphemy and blasphemous libel laws in the world. Blasphemy may result in a death sentence in some muslim countries (Mauritania, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan) and in Nigeria. And it may result in jail sentences in some European countries (Germany, Denmark, Poland, Slovakia, and San Marino). In Thailand too, blasphemy may result in jail time. According to Wikipedia violations range from 1 to 7 years imprisonment, to a fine of 2,000 to 14,000 baht.

Any idea of what Russia wants? Because, let me remind you, that it is Russia that invaded Ukraine, first in 2014 and then again in 2022 (and not the US). And Sen. Lindsey made it clear that rare earths are the reason why Russia invaded Ukraine. Ukrainian resources shall belong to Ukrainians and to no one else. By the way, you didn't even get your number right: Sen. Lindsey clearly stated that the value of rare earths is estimated (by the Ukrainian government) in 2 to 7 trillion dollars, not 12.

Cut me off from where? Who T.F. do you think you are? I am sure that when you watch in the mirror you are disgusted by what you see. That's the reason why some people despise humanity. And given who they are, they have every right to be pissed off.

Japan is very different from the UK. Japan is the world's second largest exporter of vehicles (the first in dollar terms) and the Japanese industry is still highly competitive. The UK ranked low both in terms of manufactured volume and in terms of export. When the consolidation of the British automotive industry was accomplished, the UK had not yet joined the European Economic Community (it did so only in 1973) and had a sketchy access to the European market, which limited both its capability to implement the most advanced automotive technologies developed overseas and to penetrate effectively the nearest, largest and most lucrative market. By 1968 when the consolidation was fully accomplished, the UK automotive market was shared between four manufacturers, three of which were foreign owned and had massive economies of scale, with their cars manufactured, almost identical, on both side of the British channel (Ford, General Motors/Vauxhall and Chrysler, the last two now part of Stellantis). The British Leyland MC, given its insularity, low volume, fragmented and outdated product lineup stood no chance. Japanese owned automakers, on the other end, still command an almost complete control of their domestic market, and a high market share in all major international markets.

These are sold by Villa Market in Bangkok. I guess the same should be true in Pattaya...

Once they are stripped of their citizenship, and in an ideal world the should, they are on the same level.

I agree. And the same applies for the adepts of the Trump cult. In an ideal world, they should all be disqualified from voting and deprived of their citizenship and civil rights. With regards to civil rights, they have no use for them anyway. But we live in the real world and, as the saying goes, 'the idiots' mothers are pregnant all the time'.

One possibility is that the German thugs heard the young Israeli speaking, even in the event he was speaking in English. The Israeli accent is easily recognizable, albeit I prefer not to elaborate out of safety concerns.

Justice is served.

I find interesting how (some) people confuse politics with sports cheering. Supporting someone's favorite team, elevating its players to the status of pure heroes, hoping that they always win against everyone, feeling joy in seeing their opponents defeated and humiliated, is a childish but harmless activity. Maintaining the same attitude in politics is simply stupid. There are no pure and invincible heroes among politicians. Politicians are just like managers, and as manager they should be treated. They should be judged by the tangible results they bring, and they shall be periodically replaced because bringing in a new management, from time to time, has a positive value on its own. There are free people, who think with their own heads, grasp the complexity of reality, and wish to follow their own path in life. And the path chosen changes depending on the circumstances. And then there are people with limited intellect and low self-esteem, who long for a simplified black and white reality, who need a hero to adore and to identify with, a team to cheer for, and a flag to follow with fellow worshippers, so to not feel lonely and marginalized, and as not to get lost along the way. They are the followers of 'sporting', religious or political cults, a form of addiction with causes similar to what causes addiction to alcohol or drugs. But, if we think about it, it is certainly better for our society at large if these individuals fall prey to a cult or sect that disciplines them and gives them a sense of accomplishment, than seeing them homeless, pulling themselves along the streets of Bangkok, after having fallen prey to drugs or alcohol or sexual addiction. To each his own.

That one person who said that Russia is number one in the world [...], was answering to my statement that Russia is first and foremost an exporter of 'oil' or, if you prefer, of hydrocarbons (oil, gas, coal and derivatives). Replying by claiming that my statement is not true, because Russia is the number one exporter of something that is worthless on the scale of global trade (0.0011% of Russia total exports which, by the way, is by far the largest exporter of this nothingness in the world) is more than factually irrelevant. It is plainly laughable. But... I know, I can be sympathetic too, but I can't fix stupid. Move to an easier subject... ...you'll see that, the easier the subject is, the better it gets.

Please, stop embarrassing yourself. I did not take 2021 data ($12.8 million). I just replied @VBer. But you're right. In 2022 Russia exported an impressive $545 million in nuclear reactors. Do you know what was their incidence on Russia's total export? No idea, genius? I help you: 0.11% only. Approximately 1/10 of Russian exports of wheat, or 1/200 of Russia export of oil and 1/100 of gas. Nuclear Reactors in Russia | The Observatory of Economic Complexity

LOL First, BRICS' aim to replace the US dollar is at present just wishful thinking, and not yet reality. And then, before becoming reality, the wishful thinking has to overcome some obstacles 555 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/wave-goodbye-to-america-trump-threatens-100-tariffs-on-brics-nations-over-plans-to-replace-us-dollar/articleshow/115850920.cms

LOL The one looking foolish is you: Russia is no 1 of nothingness. 1. Wheat: 1.6% of Russian exports. Not even enough to pay for the boots of Putin's soldiers. 2. Fertilizers: produced from petroleum 'coke', which is a by-product of oil refining. Fertilizers account for 2.30% of Russian exports and, yes, you're right, these do pay for the boots Putin's soldiers. But only for the boots... 3. Nuclear reactors: laughable, only $12.8 million in 2021, or 0.0025% of Russian exports. Do you even know what a nuclear reactor is? This doesn't even pay for the boots of Putin's personal guards (Служба безопасности президента).

As I stated before, you must be a deeply disturbed psychiatric subject. Ukraine did not pick a fight with Russia. Ukraine was attacked by Russia. And it was attached after that in the Budapest Memorandum, signed among the other by Russia, Ukraine was promised independence and sovereignty in the existing borders.

Your understanding of economics is equal to zero. Russia imports most of the goods consumer needs, with the exception of oil and gas and few other commodities. One example? Butter (Butter Prices Spike in Russia. Dairy Producers Blame Ice Cream - The Moscow Times). The central bank has raised interest rates to a record high of 21% to try to tame prices. However, inflation is still rising and many economists doubt the official inflation estimate (8.5% in October) because it would mean that the inflation adjusted rate is as high as 12.5%, an absurdity.

Thank you. Interesting video indeed...

No I don't. But I am sure you do. Either this or you are deeply disturbed psychiatric subject. Because nobody in his right mind would defend the indefensible: Putin's criminal regime. A man whose only merit is to have caused the death of the greatest number of Russians in the 21st century so far. He killed Russians with Polonium, with Novichok, in the darkness of jail cells, and now in mass massacres on the fields of Ukraine. He will be remembered because of the carnage he caused. Like so many Russians tyrants before him, the many great czars, Lenin, Stalin, whose greatness is measured by the size of the mountain of Russian corpses they left behind. That's, in a nutshell, the core of the millenary story of Russia, and the reason why your neighbors run away from you.

Thank you for the comment posted from Saint Petersburg. Here some data on the Russian "Rubble" from an objective source: -16.64% in 12 months on the US$. No more sales of 'Rubbles' by the Russian Central Bank till the end of the year and key interest rate at 21% to support an otherwise plunging currency.

Wheat: $5.88 billion and 1,21% of Russian 2022 Exports (source: Russia (RUS) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners | The Observatory of Economic Complexity) Nuclear reactors: laughable, only $12.8 million in 2021, the value is so small to be included in an "others" category (source: Russia (RUS) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners | The Observatory of Economic Complexity). Nitrogen fertilizers and Potassium fertilizers: $11.20 billion and 2.30% of Russian 2022 Exports (source: Russia (RUS) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners | The Observatory of Economic Complexity) Below is the treemap of Russia's exports. Energy raw materials dominate the map, followed by refined and semi-refined metals (light brown area) and by precious metals (purple area). The interactive tremap is accessible at the links posted above. Let's be honest: Russia is a Petrostate. And the push towards renewable energy will take it back to the Stone Age. That's why Putin is so agitated...

A tumbling Ruble and a galloping inflation signal the state of difficulty in which the Russian 'war economy' finds itself. An article published on the New Statesman describes the difficulties that Putin is facing and the reasons why Trump himself could give him the final blow. But the real reason for the current difficulties lies in choices made well before the invasion of Ukraine. 'Putin’s presidency has been little different from the Soviet era, in that he has made Russia a military giant but an economic dwarf. His gangster state has never been able to diversify; while the world buys Chinese cars and American software, the only thing we buy from Russia is oil, and the gradual turning away from hydrocarbons will eventually expose this as an appalling waste of a country’s potential.' 'Russia’s formidable levels of education and scientific prowess have been wasted, because under the Putin regime a lack of property rights and the rule of law drive its innovators and entrepreneurs abroad.' Russia’s economy is doomed - New Statesman

Actually, when prohibition in the U.S. ended the mob was left with gambling (and extorsion, and protecting rackets, and loansharking, and labor racketeering, and prostitution, and fencing stolen goods, etc.). During prohibitionism, the mob never paused other illicit activities to focus solely on bootleging moonshine or other alcoholic beverages.