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Did his lips move?

Even if the Yanks pull out by the and of April, it is going to take years and years to get things back to where they were at the beginning of March. The Iranian threat of nuclear capability might have been squashed, but the damage done in doing so will take years to recover. Even if the oil started to flow today, the World is still missing the deliveries it expected over the past six weeks. While we have concentrated on the fuel component of crude oil, do not forget that we have develped so many othe products from that stuff that we seem to find essential for modern life.

Evangelicals LOVE wealth. That Religion was Invented to Justify GREED. Nev

So much for the United Nations. I haven't heard a peep out of it condemning Trump's actions.

Well. This thread has drifed away from its original concept. Let's forget about electricity and start looking at things the fuel crisis will cause in teh next month of so. There is talk of rationing. Indonesia has already introduced a 50 litre per day limit.This uncertainty about fuel availability stikes hard. I am about to cancel some work I have been asked to do in Sydney because I am not certain of getting the fuel there to get back home. Farmers are wondering if there will be fuel to put in this year's crop. All the rain in the world is of no use if you can't operate your machinery. Add to that is uncertainty about fertilizer availability.

The last panel clearly sums up the Ameican attitude.

They make all that bs wayyyyy over kill in Aus. All a house needs here is it's own independent roof top solar, that's all mine is. Yeah l could juice it up a touch more for wintery days , sometimes l need a bit more but l only put a very small system on mine. l don't care though people are spoilt rotten babies these days. lt does you good to think about your power sometimes and balance out your usage if you have to. They could be running every school most offices, a lot of small industry and businesses and many many other things on roof top solar we've got plenty of sun even through winter mostly. The way mine works is it'll get me by with 3 or 4 days of solid cloud and if it's sunny of the 4th or 5th day boom- she'll be full power again by 2 or 3 in the arvo. But it's only gone 3 or 4 days with zero sun once or twice anyway.

Sad but true. Inequality destroys civilisations. Many ultra rich people are known to be litigious - why? Because to them, win or lose, the cost of going to court is chump change. To the person they're suing, it may be everything they own. Why I shudder when I see comments like "Good on Gina".

And the stupidity and legal jeopardy of getting involved in an undeclared war that Trump is totally responsible for.

Other than at elections, public opinion can (but not always) direct a government. There are many examples of public opinion swaying the government. Here are just a few examples: Major examples where public opinion shifted government decisions 1. Same-Sex Marriage Postal Survey → legalisation The government initially resisted a parliamentary vote and instead held a national survey. Public support came in strongly (~61.6% “Yes”). Result: Parliament quickly legalised same-sex marriage. Why it matters: Shows public opinion directly triggered legislative change. 2. Medicare Co-payment Proposal → scrapped The Tony Abbott government proposed a $7 GP co-payment. Massive public backlash + concern about healthcare access. Doctors, patients, and states pushed back hard. Result: Policy abandoned. 3. WorkChoices Industrial Relations Reforms → repealed after election Introduced by John Howard. Widely unpopular—big union campaigns and public protests. Became a central issue in the 2007 election. Result: Government lost power; reforms were dismantled. 4. Live Cattle Export Ban to Indonesia → reversed Ban introduced after animal cruelty footage aired. Farmers and rural communities pushed back strongly. Public opinion split: animal welfare vs livelihoods. Result: Ban lifted and replaced with stricter regulations. 5. Australia Day Date Debate → policy shifts at local level Growing public debate about January 26. Many local councils moved citizenship ceremonies or stopped celebrations. Federal government pushed back at times, but later softened enforcement. Still evolving, but clearly driven by changing public attitudes. 6. Adani Carmichael Coal Mine Debate → approval despite opposition (but heavily modified) Massive public protests (especially environmental groups). Also strong support in regional Queensland for jobs. Result: Project approved, but with stricter conditions and scaled-down scope. Interesting case: public opinion didn’t stop it—but forced changes. 7. Robodebt Scheme Backlash → scrapped Automated debt recovery system caused widespread distress. Public outrage grew through media, legal challenges, and advocacy. Result: Scheme abandoned Government issued refunds and apology 8. Climate Policy and Emissions Targets Debate → gradual shifts Years of public pressure (especially younger voters + urban areas). Contributed to stronger emissions targets and rise of independents in 2022. Not one single reversal—but clear long-term influence.

Then Kick them out next election, IF they don't live up to your expectations. That's what keeps them on their toes. Nev

The only solution I can see that might work for you is living alone on an island somewhere. That way you are in charge of everything and have nobody telling you what you can and can't do. No need to vote and no national service to worry about. Should be perfect if you pick a place with nice weather as well.

So what exactly are you proposing? Some countries, such as Switzerland, have citizen-initiated referenda. I am not sure if this would help you, though, because it would involve voting, and you are unable or unwilling to do that.

Show me any "-cracy" where those at the bottom of the heap have any say at all in what goes on. The only difference from a feudal serf of the Middle Ages and the rank and file in countries similar to ours is that we have the freedom to make decisions that only affect ourselves personally. We can choose where we live and what we do for a job. We are still ruled by the wealthy. It used to be Kings, Barons and Lords. Now its Capitalists and Corporations with politicians doing the theatrics of democracy.

He created this mess and is going to walk away and leave it to the rest of the world to solve.

I should have said terrorist acts against Israel.

Oh, don't forget todays Presidential BS media release - "We'll be out of Iran in two or three weeks!" Just like, "When elected, I will end the Ukraine War in ONE DAY!!" Or - "I'm not going to start wars, I'm going to stop wars" (a major Trump campaign platform in 2024).

The simple consequences of our addiction to fossil fuels is that there is going to be; a major recession, high inflation, high interest rates, increased unemployment, increased poverty levels, and many business bankruptcies. It happened between 1980 and 1984 as a result of the oil price going ballistic after the Fundamentalists takeover of Iran, and nothing has been learned in the intervening 40 years. I am already seeing many "gas-guzzler" cars for sale on the streets, and I'm seeing numerous "luxury 4WD" models being transported on dealer plates from the city to the country, where the wealthier farming clientele are obviously picking up trade-in bargains, as city owners downsize or trade in on EV's.

Don't post willy - nilly on any old subject in a dedicated thread. It's easy enough to start another thread.

Israel has passed laws that anyone caught carrying out terrorist acts will automatically get the death penalty. And they will not hand back any territory they have grabbed in Lebanon.

They do it constantly, But the Media chooses to not cover it. Israel and Trump ignore the UN Completely. Nev

Cost of transmission is high in SA Large area , storm damage. Not a lot of people. Large scale BATTERIES by Musk on the Basis of Not work No Pay for. Each battery installed Helps everyone. Nev

The wholesale price in SA is 30% cheaper in last quarter of 2025 compared to 2024 thanks to renewables. It's theater structural factors that are keeping the price high: https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/17/electricity-prices-decreased-in-south-australia-because-of-clean-renewables/ This is consistent with other reports. And guess what? With fossil, electricity prices are likely to be higher.. Oh, and the regulator is getting SA a nominal price reduction: https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/costs/power-prices-to-all-for-millions-in-nsw-qld-and-sa-as-new-default-electricity-offer-revealed/news-story/52dd8a808108d63e36ca6859a6117898

He's given England and France a big serve for not letting him use their facilities to move military supplies. Good on them! Both countries are under constant threat of jihadist attacks from wothin their own populations. Why stir the possum?

Trump's latest this morning: For those with fuel shortages, you're on your own. Sort it out yourselves. Pete Hogsbreath said "You didn't send ships when we asked for them to clear the Strait of Hormuz, don't expect us to do it for you."

That was yesterday. He's moved on since then.

The bestest goldest world leader has got it covered. Already, the *resident of the United States now states that the reason for this war (which isn't a WAR) is to destroy the nuclear weapons program that he claims to have already destroyed last year, while simultaneously claiming that the objective of the war is to open the strait of Hormuz that was already open before he started the war, but he is not going to open it. He doesn't need anyone's help to win the war. He already won the war on the first day anyway, and is currently winning the war, but demands help to win the war, and needs no help to win the war. I hope this clears up any confusion, which was all caused by corrupt Democrat fake news outlets.

Depends on your viewpoint. From where I see it, the ALP is already spanning centre left to centre right. They can't go any further left without bumping into the Greens, but they've broadened a bit to take up some slack left by the Liberals. Liberal and ALP always did overlap somewhat. Regarding the opinion polls, the SA election showed them to be fairly accurate this time.

Yeah last l was paying a bill, about 3yrs ago , mine was bugger all anyway, Vic, and l got my free hw system. l dunno, back then everyone was moaning about their bills and telling me crazy numbers but mine was nothin. Mind you l only had one 50yr old window AC that still did a great job and seemed to cost nothing to to run, they prob had Reverse cycles in every room monster washing machines running every 5 mins and every light in the house on , dk. Mine was with Origan - think that's how you spell it was with them 8yrs my bill hardly changed in 8yrs.

But wouldn't everyone be on Roof top solar ? l am in Vic and n a much cooler spot than Adelaide and haven't paid a bill in yrs, never will again . Mind you, l built mine myself, no tie in rubbish wouldn't trust them far as l could kickem. But just heard today actually the govs put out fully paid for solar now well, didn't catch it all but from what l heard. Don't need it or l would've checked t out for sure. l got a free HW of the vic gov few yrs back, nice score.

He should have stuck with drinking and philandering. Now he's God's Minister for War.

So most of their government has earned the death penalty then? And their West Bank settlers?

When I was young I thought love made my world go around, but.... It's wealth that does it!