nomadpete

The saddest thing is that the world needs some good stuff more than ever. Statesmen to lead countries Leadership that shows honour Honesty from leaders (integrety flows down from the top) Real Diplomacy - not asslicking. Alas. I see none.

I had been grasping at a faint hope that once HIS ego was satisfied by winning the contest - maybe he could be less extreme. However, judging by day one, he is shaping up to be worse than my worst fears. If/when musky one steps over him, it will be as Nev said. "an unmitigated disaster"

My ungripe of the week.... The last 48hrs was spent on sparkling clear ocean. The night spent anchored in a secluded cove where the only sound was the splash of fish. No doomscrolling. No news. Just the beauty of nature.

I meant no offense to those government workers who are diligent and ethical. However there are others not so worth their pay. I spent a year in close company of a state Housing Department employee. During that time I mixed with the department members. Listening to their 'shop talk' enlightened me - what a mob of bigoted wankers. Can you believe they all went on bus tours of the lowest socioeconomic suburbs in order to understand the needs of their most needy customers? And their discussion revolved around disgust and bias about those dregs of society. Note that they were not permitted to talk to anybody - it was purely a tour of messy homes and uncared for kids. Their contempt was obvious. Of course there are parts of the government bureaucracy that are great value. I do not believe in sending in the toe cutters. I do believe all sections should periodically prove their worth. And I believe every minister should go through the processes that the public use in their portfolio, so they understand how things really work. And Trump will probably throw a lot of babies out with the bathwater.

If that's not the biggest red flag among many, what is? Please don't think I am supporting little donny. But I do sympathise with his supporters. Bureaucracies always grow like cancer. I don't doubt that a lot of agencies/departments need a big shakeup/downsizing, or even deletion. Governments have stopped acting in the interests of the majority. That is what won the voters over. However I have little hope for the next four years. Further, it will probably retard the politics of our own country.

Totally agree, Octave. And apply that sentiment to all his rewards programme....(appointments).

Yes, but with one big difference. Unlike Russia, there is more transparency. We all know the faces of the oligarcs! My fear is that the new order is so brazen, it is unafraid to let the public see who these vested interests are!

Empire. As yet, he is not an unmitigated disaster. Don't jump the gun with doomy worries. So far, He has done little more than recite some more words. Save your criticisms until he actually does stuff. And try not to be too upset if he does something that turns out to be good.

Ok. A big schooner....

Something like this?

I have seen dieing towns and dieing pubs.... and a few unexpectedly successful pubs in towns that should have been too small to support a corner store. The biggest single element in a successful pub, is the social capability of the bloke/gal behind the bar. Eg, we had a local pub which was known as 'The Toilet Block' - it was an uninspiring bland concrete block rectangle. There were usually the same 4 'customers' leaning quietly against the bar. Then the ex Mayor of Toowoomba bought the pub. She spent a bit putting up a nice enclosed deck facing a river view, and a kitchen. With better staff, better ambiance and good pub food, the place became the place to be and it prospered. Then she sold it. It still has the view, but the staff are disinterested, the food is below average, and the place is now a shadow of its old self. They are going broke. Jerry, do you have the ability to make even the most dullwitted customer feel special? Always welcome, like an old friend? Few people do. But I think that is the most important ingredient in making money from a socially oriented business. I know I couldn't do it.

Jerry, I'm not worried by ChatGPT (etc). Sure the series of youtoobs are probably largely Hennypenny (sky is falling), but in the past our fantastic tech advances have not realised their potential for good. Seems that nefarious warmongers are better motivated than our educators.

Spacey, A.I. uses a camera to identify what a smart missile has been sent to hit. Then it guides the bomb to hit what it thinks it should. In comparison, what Russia is presently using is very old, out of date bombs that were left over after the cold war. The A.I. guided thing does not need internet, nor gps, nor any connection to the sender. It is told what it's target looks like and goes looking for it.

What has Donald Trump promised to do on day one of his second term? Well we have been bombarded with what he will do on 'day one'. What will Donald J Trump do on day two? Probably golf. Because he did everyting important on day one!

Fresh air!

True, but my brake pads/rotors generally last 200,000km. In that time my ute requires 20 general services @ over $150 per service. Not to mention a twice yearly inconvenience to do them. Yes tyre costs are the same. Now, what was your point about ongoing service costs, compared to an electric motor?

Didn't you watch that YouTube link I posted? The next stage of A.I. permits A.I. to do it's own research and also to 'adjust' it's own programming. To the extreme of priotorising it's own survival above that of humans?

OME, don't you remember back when we were taught that Television will lead to great innovations to learning? And will usher in a new age of awareness and knowledge? Now you are repeating that about a media that has all the same risks of misuse and misinformation?

I think the car would look great with the top down. Not so sure about the doll's though. And why would Nev want a terrorist doll in the car with him?

Ongoing service costs and inconvenience will send more people to buy an EV.

Tis curious how hard it is to get a car serviced in recent years. I have to book 3 months ahead for ours. As noted above, the only actual work is usually oil filter and engine oil change. And hopefully a look at brake pads etc. Last time, I did my own oil change and filter - cost me about $85. Nowadays I'm not agile enough to crawl under cars.

Probably the only way to go. Any woman who has been out for a Sunday drive in an open car - will know to never do that again. Windburn, sunburn, and messed hair! BTW, I did see a long suffering lady grimly tolerating a ride in a red MG TC today! All I can say is, hubby must have been very good to her this morning!

Morris Garages produced a MG Magnette, but I don't think it attracted any better than BMW's attempt.

The following youtube vid was not so funny. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6D4rsqxqSIc

Well, Nev, the afterlife must be really great because nobody has ever come back to complain about it, or to ask for their money back. Except Spacey, of course.