It is my guess that is going to be the least of Moscow's problems. The question is what will hold the federation together. The "autonomous" Republics all have their own governmental structures. In the far eastern region, the orientation is to Japan. Moscow exploiting natural resources to benefit the oligarchs is of questionable continuance.
Their railways are hardened to resist bombing and sabotage, but if their rolling stock is dependent on US-made bearings they will gradually break down. If transport both by air and by rail are severely curtailed, disintegration of the federation seems inevitable. On top of that, the productivity of their oil and gas fields, as well as the integrity of their pipeline systems, was evidently reliant on western oilfield services companies that have withdrawn. Their technical education system collapsed decades ago, and their population of working age people is beginning to collapse. I think that disintegration is inevitable. If the right-wingers in the US don't wake up to the fact that their Social Security and Medeicare are dependent on immigration, we have a big problem too; it isn't yet too late, but could be on the horizon. IMO.
Well, in between his gureilla years and now, he was in the legislature. The U.S. media seem to specialize in leaving stuff out, especially if does not fit with their format. Predicting what comes next is important as a hook for the next installment. If the prediction proved wrong, the story is hardly worth telling. Journalism schools teach that the mission of the journalist is to explain events to the reader/listener.
That is so cool. I would love to have been in NZ and seen that. In fact, I would love to be in NZ any time. My dearest friend in all the world is in flight to NZ even as I type, to visit her daughter and 4 grandchildren. Daughter is an Anglican priest there. These days I could wish to go to NZ and just stay there. Y'know?
I have always considered it a big mistake to eliminate the Glass-Steagall Act. Ditto enabling monopolies instead of competition. But I grew up surrounded and influenced by people who learned their economic lessons before WWII. People who remembered the 1920's as hard times, not as "the Roaring Twenties." People still told stories of the "Panic of 1893," although first-hand memories of it were fading, and it was generally referred to as a depression, the term "financial panic" having fallen out of general use.
The party seems to have a death wish and the big spenders are throwing bundles into wishing wells. If the major parties crash, then the managers, consultants, advisers and pollsters are not far behind. In Utah, Independents and democrats are consolidating to oust Mike Lee. Oz in PA and Walker in GA are throw-away candidacies. Republicans are 25% of the electorate. Trumpists are 30% of Republicans. Again, Biden was chosen by a majority in Georgia because 58,000 voters either did not make a presidential selection or picked the Libertarian woman. And then, Perdue, who had gotten many more votes than Ossoff, but not a majority, entered the run-off by attacking Kamala Harris. Oh, and by the way, before he became a Trump advisor, John Eastman was a candidate for California Attorney General in an election that gave Kamala Harris the job.
Oh dear, I feel so conflicted. I have some Neanderthal in me, but I also like archery...and I'm not a big fan of dogs (they're all right; I just don't need to be worshipped. LOL).
RUSSIA Faces 10 YEAR RECESSION due to SANCTIONS Warns CEO of Russia's Largest Bank Sberbank. [Click] Nice little discussion of how a stronger ruble decreases income from oil sales, among other things.
ReplyDeleteIt is my guess that is going to be the least of Moscow's problems. The question is what will hold the federation together. The "autonomous" Republics all have their own governmental structures. In the far eastern region, the orientation is to Japan. Moscow exploiting natural resources to benefit the oligarchs is of questionable continuance.
DeleteTheir railways are hardened to resist bombing and sabotage, but if their rolling stock is dependent on US-made bearings they will gradually break down. If transport both by air and by rail are severely curtailed, disintegration of the federation seems inevitable. On top of that, the productivity of their oil and gas fields, as well as the integrity of their pipeline systems, was evidently reliant on western oilfield services companies that have withdrawn. Their technical education system collapsed decades ago, and their population of working age people is beginning to collapse. I think that disintegration is inevitable. If the right-wingers in the US don't wake up to the fact that their Social Security and Medeicare are dependent on immigration, we have a big problem too; it isn't yet too late, but could be on the horizon. IMO.
DeleteFormer guerrilla Gustavo Petro wins Colombian election to become first leftist president [Click] I sure didn’t see that coming.
ReplyDeleteWell, in between his gureilla years and now, he was in the legislature. The U.S. media seem to specialize in leaving stuff out, especially if does not fit with their
Deleteformat. Predicting what comes next is important as a hook for the next installment. If the prediction proved wrong, the story is hardly worth telling. Journalism schools teach that the mission of the journalist is to explain events to the reader/listener.
Spirals of blue light in New Zealand night sky leave stargazers ‘kind of freaking out’ [Click]
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool. I would love to have been in NZ and seen that. In fact, I would love to be in NZ any time. My dearest friend in all the world is in flight to NZ even as I type, to visit her daughter and 4 grandchildren. Daughter is an Anglican priest there. These days I could wish to go to NZ and just stay there. Y'know?
DeleteRobert Reich on the crypto crash: All Ponzi schemes topple eventually. [Click] “We’re back to the wild west finances of the 1920s as the crypto industry pours huge money into political campaigns.”
ReplyDeleteI have always considered it a big mistake to eliminate the Glass-Steagall Act. Ditto enabling monopolies instead of competition. But I grew up surrounded and influenced by people who learned their economic lessons before WWII. People who remembered the 1920's as hard times, not as "the Roaring Twenties." People still told stories of the "Panic of 1893," although first-hand memories of it were fading, and it was generally referred to as a depression, the term "financial panic" having fallen out of general use.
Crypto is a electronic reincarnation of green stamps.
DeleteThe resurgence of Venice's prized dorona grape [Click]
ReplyDeleteTexas Republican Convention: insanity run amok
ReplyDelete~ listener
DeleteThanks, listener--I saw that last night and was looking for it this morning to post.
DeleteThe party seems to have a death wish and the big spenders are throwing bundles into wishing wells. If the major parties crash, then the managers, consultants, advisers and pollsters are not far behind. In Utah, Independents and democrats are consolidating to oust Mike Lee. Oz in PA and Walker in GA are throw-away candidacies. Republicans are 25% of the electorate. Trumpists are 30% of Republicans. Again, Biden was chosen by a majority in Georgia because 58,000 voters either did not make a presidential selection or picked the Libertarian woman. And then, Perdue, who had gotten many more votes than Ossoff, but not a majority, entered the run-off by attacking Kamala Harris. Oh, and by the way, before he became a Trump advisor, John Eastman was a candidate for California Attorney General in an election that gave Kamala Harris the job.
DeleteShipping DISASTER for Russian OIL & GAS. Insurers Veto Cover for All Russian Ships & Cargo [Click] There will not be enough insurance for shipping oil and gas which has been going to Europe to India and China instead— and that doesn’t even consider the probable lack of oil tankers and crews.
ReplyDeleteSergej Sumlenny: "Get ready for the break up of Russia" [Click]
Interesting theory: Modern humans may have displaced Neanderthals because of the use of the bow and arrow combined with hunting dogs. [Click] The problem is that genetic divergence of dogs from wolves seems to have been a little after Neanderthals disappeared.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I feel so conflicted. I have some Neanderthal in me, but I also like archery...and I'm not a big fan of dogs (they're all right; I just don't need to be worshipped. LOL).
DeleteThe Coin That Could Wreck Crypto [Click] The goldbugs are probably gloating.
ReplyDeleteAll about (well, all we know so far) about fingers and toes wrinkling in the bath. [Click]
ReplyDelete