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https://www.trtworld.com/article/35eac28b7995

I never visited the English countryside when I was in the UK in 1985, but I did get to see some rural life near Belfast and that was a bit like Dibley in a lot of ways. When I was in London, I went out with a local girl for a while and she took me down to her local pub in Chelsea. I walked in and it was a dead spit of the one in the TV show Coronation Street. Old men with Andy Capp hats on drinking big glasses of warm, flat beer. It was a bit surreal as I thought that sort of stuff was only on television.

It sometiomes gets like that.

Jerry, Dibley kept flashing through my mind reading that post.

Wars anywhere, have to be run on a legal framework, otherwise leaders can be listed and charged and tried as war criminals. 196 countries have signed the Geneva Convention, which outlines what combatants must not do. However, there are plenty of countries and armed groups in the world who have never signed the GC, and who fail to observe any of the Geneva Conventions. https://www.icrc.org/en/document/what-are-rules-of-war-Geneva-Conventions

South Korea actually appealed directly to the U.N., when NK troops invaded on June 25, 1950. The U.N. passed a resolution two days later (Resolution 83), recommending that Allied nations come to SK's aid with military forces to repel the NK troops. U.N. Resolution on July 7, 1950, saw a unified U.N. Command structure formed from 16 nations. The U.S. took operational command of Allied troops in the action and they provided 90% of the troops in the Korean War, all under the command of Gen Douglas MacArthur. The war ended at a stalemate because Douglas MacArthur pushed into Nth Korea, and NK and China overwhelmed the Allied troops with sheer numbers, and MacArthur was forced to retreat. He reportedly requested military leaders for 30 to 50 nuclear weapons to use against the Chinese and Nth Koreans - and he also petitioned Congress directly, complaining about the Administrations war policies. Truman found out MacArthur had "gone over his head", and dismissed MacArthur, and the war ended with a truce - and the demarcation line at the 38th parallel, was then set in stone. After the Viet Minh defeated the French soundly at the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ in mid-1954, the Geneva Accord produced a Vietnam divided into two - the Communist North and the non-Communist South. The Americans supported the South, and provided 700 "military advisors" from 1955. The South was ruled by the totally corrupt and totally decadent, President Ngo Dinh Diem. Diem was a Catholic and repressed the Buddhists like Hitler did with the Jews. The situation got so bad, the Buddhist monks started regular self-immolation, and after Diem refused to step down, he was assassinated in a CIA-led coup on 2nd Nov 1963, just 20 days before Kennedys assassination. Meantimes, President Kennedy, himself a Catholic, had increased the American "advisor" presence in Vietnam from 700 in the mid 1950's to 16,000 by the time Kennedy was assassinated. As the Communist troops from the North made ever-increasing territorial gains on the South, the fluffed-up "Gulf of Tonkin" incident was enough reason for Lyndon B Johnson to escalate the war, with a huge level of bombings of the North, and ever-increasing U.S. troops on the ground. The requests from the South for military help were continuous, from the time the Communists aggressively invaded South Vietnam, in Jan 1959. The Gulf War began after Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded and occupied Kuwait on August 2, 1990, following disputes over debt and oil. In response to the invasion, the U. N. Security Council passed resolutions condemning the act, and demanding immediate withdrawal. A US-led international coalition of 35 nations was formed to liberate Kuwait. Following the failure of diplomatic efforts, and the passing of a UN-authorised deadline, the coalition launched Operation Desert Storm on January 17, 1991, successfully driving Iraqi forces out of Kuwait by February 28, 1991. Iraq initially requested assistance in the first place to beat back ISIS. The result was Operation Inherent Resolve. It was a military coalition operation, involving 80 countries, put together by the U.S. to defeat ISIS. But it became messy, because the Syrian Assad regime did not request military assistance to defeat ISIS, and ISIS had large number of fighters in Syria. The U.S. decided to move into Syria, regardless, supporting local military groups that looked useful to them. The U.S. nearly always declines to accept "requests for military assistance" from foreign countries, because that then makes the U.S. actions dependent on those requests - and if the country decides to revoke its request, the U.S must withdraw.

I think only Noddy and Big Ears would believe the world could happily tick along without major power dominance. Back to what I said earlier, the three choices to be dominated by are Russia, China and the U.S. Every power has it's pros and cons, but I'd still prefer to be under the domination of the U.S. than the other two. The Americans have their faults, but Putin and Xi don't really demonstrate any sort of society I'd like to live under. The Europeans will never get their act together to compete with the top three for power, not in your dreams.

You mean banks are lawless rogues. I'm shocked!

Jerry, That would be the same Ukraine that the USA promised protection from Russia, if it gave Russia it's nukes back. The same USA that has ensured Europe pays inflated prices with restrictions on its military. The same that uses its bases in foreign countries to use military and economic power to force countries into unfavourable trade deals. The same country that has forced coups, overthrown elected governments and destroyed countries to suit their particular whim. The USA is a militaristic predator not a benevolent friend.

Yes we can. RAAF KC-30A Multi Role Transport Based on the Airbus A330 Doubles as Albo's Air Force One

At the trough only

I get the feeling this person is not a fan.

WTF am I talking about? Well, yeah, I got the Airbus thing wrong as before them, Europe relied on the US (and lately, I see US tankers refuelling European aircraft.. so not sure why). But the rest? Are you saying that is all BS? Yeah, Biden, who did live up to his nickname of sleeepy Joe when it came to Ukraine vetoed jets and other equipment. But Ukraine. a European country, still did ask for help - and still got over $20Bn of direct support from the USA. And finally, but too late, did get some old jets allowed to be transferred to them. Or did that minor fact - and the rest of the post get missed?

We're lucky here, too. Our first foray into regional life was not the best. We took 12.75 acres between a hamlet and a village. I don't think I ever saw anyone from the hamlet in the 3 years we were there. Through the kids school, we knew and got on well with the patriarchal farming family in the village, but somehow never felt welcome or fit in. So we sold uo to a large farmer from West Sussex who was looking to downgrade in retirement. They lasted the same amount of time and despite putting a lot into the community (they were retired, after all), also felt they were not welcome. As it turns out these small inter-generational farming villages are social fortresses and newbies take a very long time before the are welcomed. Our next move to rural village life was between the village my partner mostly grew up in - a tight knit intergenerational farming village, and where we are now. We visited the village occasionally after we moved here and SWMBO caught up with old friends. We looked at a property there ready made (i.e. not a bit of work needed) and this one, which we are still finishing. I noticed that while those that were left in the village (a lot moved out and visited for festivals and gatherings) were friendly enough, they weren't warm in ther welcomes. They were more interested in catching up to compare lives than rekindling any serious friendships. We selected this village, which although about the same size, is not an intergenerational farming village, and has a good mix of local and newbies. We also knew two families from the kids schools and we got on with them well. The day we moved the furniture in, we were stuffed and had dinner at the village pub. The villagers were warm. welcoming and basically said they are very happy for us to be there and intergrate with the village or live our own lives. We chose the former and it has been an excellent experience. Yep, there is the village politics, which can be downright entertaining, and despite there being some grudges between people, it is generally an excellent vibe. It is also a good mix of young families and retirees. I am in a real quandry. We are getting closer to selling and moving on.. I am not sure I want to sell, as it owuld be good to have a long distance bolt hole. Or, if for some reason, Australia doesn't pan out.

Jerry, WTF are you talking about? Yes , we can refuel as we have the highly effective Airbus refueling aircraft, as do European countries who are getting from under the USA for equipment. The same USA that effectively vetoes any use of equipment countries buy off them to help neighbours in trouble, Ukraine been a perfect example. The USA refused to allow the transfer of jets, tanks,missiles etc to Ukraine.

I didn't say European, I said northern hemisphere. And the support of America does not necessarily mean boots on teh ground, does it? Haven't seen US boots on the ground in Iran yet. But since you ask, European, none. But no European nation can air to air refuel without the USA. Most of the weapons systems.. provided by the USA (though that is now changing). Where would NATO be, and the defence against the cold war without the USA? You could argue with the USA bases through Europe, there were boots on the ground to prevent a real war. No? And here are a few that may be unpalatable, but were at the bequest of the respective government, as I understand. Happy to be proven wrong: Korean war - at the request of the South Korea Vietnam War - at the request of the South Vietnam Gulf War - at the request of the Kuwaitis. Syrian civil war - not by Syria of course, but by those that were part of Operation Inherent Resolve Although no boots on the ground, Ukraine - which is part of Europe (and now being criticsed for saying its a European thing to solve - and of course, appeasing if not siding with Pootin) Outside the northern hemisphere, Taiwan relies heavily on USA for its sovereignty. Australia relies heavily on US miltirary equipment (can we air to air refuel??). And AUKUS is payback, I guess.

Paddy O’Malley, an elderly Irish farmer, received a letter from the Department for Work & Pensions stating they suspected he wasn’t paying his employees the statutory minimum wage. They informed him an inspector would be coming to interview his staff. On the appointed day, the inspector arrived. “Tell me about your staff,” he asked Paddy. “Well,” said Paddy, “there’s the farmhand. I pay him £240 a week, and he gets a free cottage. Then there’s the housekeeper. She earns £190 a week, along with free board and lodging. There’s also the half-wit. He works a 16-hour day, does 90% of the work, earns about £25 a week, gets a bottle of whisky, and, as a special treat, occasionally gets to sleep with my wife.” “That’s disgraceful!” said the inspector. “I need to interview the half-wit immediately.” “You’re talking to him now,” said Paddy.

Hang on a minute. Since WW2 have the Yanks put boots on the ground on the request of any European country?

Definitely agree with the good neighbours thing. We're lucky enough to live on 5 acres, 20 minutes from Hobart, and can't see any neighbours from our place. Mind you, we get on really well with our neighbours - about 5 other families we've known over 10 years, our kids caught the same bus to school together, and we still get together a few times a year for parties. If someone needs something they put it on the group chat and usually within 5 minutes someone is offering to help.

Sadly, a good old fashioned shoot=em-up war will grab the headlines. The Epstein files saga is a disgrace and shows just how much the swamp will go to protect itself - regardless of political colour. Of course, in their position, I doubt there are many of us that would go to war for it, but we would use whatever other means at our disposal (short of violence, I hope) to protect ourselves, too. # But, I guess you have to be of certain character to even be entertained by the likes of Epstein, let alone need to worry about defending oneself after the fact. The saga reminds of when I entered banking. I took a job with a bank that was embroiled in various misconduc scandals (before I joined, I hasten to add); and even when succumbing to billion dollar + fines from the Fed, still engaged in one last hurrah of misconduct (which kept me gainfully employed for some time at other banks who did the same). When public pressure was impressed on them (as they had taken loans from the Bank of England), the executive team came up with 5 golden question of conduct, which if followed, and largely were to be fair, meant they would be a much better bank for it. I can't remember the first 4, but they were largely around would you do this to your loved ones type questions. The last though always resonated with me, and it was something like, "If what you are doing went public, would you be able to hold your head high in good conscience in 5 years time?".. It was better worded. If people lived thir lives trying to answer yes, the world would be a better place - but only based on the individuals moral and values compass. For example, stoning gays and I believe is some cases, women who are raped, to death in some countries is perfectly acceptable and respectable. And to be honest, if that is the case, then they will have lived their lives according to their cultural and societal values, regardless of what other societies think. I should point out, I condemn such action myself, but I am making an observation. Sadly, I haven't always passed the test, but jeepers, there are a lot worse than me, by the looks. And they will do anything to cover it up.

Pretty hard to do, when the rest of their(at least northern hemipshere) allies rely on and come running to the US to dig them out of their "shit"

From who's pont of view, exactly?

The simple, over-riding feature of getting older is that the old body starts playing up, and needs regular repair and maintenance. And if you're 50 or 100 kms from medical care, docs, specialists, even ambulances - life gets a lot harder than it need be. I lived all through the wheatbelt of W.A. and the W.A. Goldfields all my working life, living in everything from rented farmhouses to dongas to caravans, and even old railway fettlers huts. I've never actually owned a house in my own name, I didn't place enough importance on that feature of life - much to my regret. I have no ability to purchase a house today. I part-owned various industrial properties, a mining lease, a farm, and a couple of houses, that I never ever lived in much, because they were largely occupied by my brother and his wife, while I was out in the boonies, working. But when I got together with SWMBO in my early 40's, she owned a house! - and she lets me live in it, and shares it with me - because she loves me, she likes looking after me - and because I fix anything to do with the house, or the car, or whatever else requires attention. We live in the city only about 5 kays from the CBD in a nice leafy, sought-after, quiet suburb - and we're close to 3 shopping centres, a number of major arterial roads, heaps of docs, dentists, medical centres and medical facilities, all within a few kays - and we've been here since 1990, and we don't look like moving until we get really fragile with age, or the bikies move in next door (highly unlikely). I could easily live anywhere in the country again, but SWMBO is a city girl and likes shops and theatres, and being close to where her daughter lives. Generally, most people select their living location according to how far away, or how close, they want to live to relatives (including children). Most parents want to live within a reasonable distance of children, but some don't want them close at all. Not having any children myself, and getting on O.K. with SWMBO's girl and boy from her previous marriage, makes any living area decision, easier. Of course, if we won lotto, we'd move to a nice mansion by the coast, but that's only a dream. I don't think I'd ever move into a high-rise apartment, even though that's the result for people many today - simply because I don't like living above other people, and not knowing what they're getting up to - by way of drugs, starting fires, and other aggravating risks. Good neighbours generally make people stay where they live. No neighbours often suits a lot of people.

Laura Tingle of the ABC has a pretty good outline of where this war is going. Iran is attacking Middle-Eastern neighbours, intending to cause maximum global economic disruption effects, and to get those neighbours to use up mega-dollar U.S.-provided armaments, trying to stop low-dollar-value Iranian missiles from wreaking havoc on their cities and industries. The classic guerilla war methods. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-04/iran-hitting-trump-via-gulf-states-after-us-israel-strikes/106412880