rgmwa

I think China see us as something of a blot on their landscape given our geographical position and the fact that we have a lot of what they want but we lack the respect they feel we should give them. A group of us spent five weeks travelling in China in 2010. It was a great trip and we all liked the Chinese people but I remember our guide in Chengdu was a bit of a bombastic type. The conversation got onto how he viewed Australia. He said, ‘Well, there’s only 25 million of you’. Chengdu’s population is about 21 million. I think the Chinese leadership sees us in much the same way.

The Americans would take a dim view of Ukraine dealing with the Taliban to get their abandoned equipment, most of which has probably been trashed by now.

Looks like the Ukrainians may finally get some F16’s, although who knows when.

Well if Uganda doesn’t go first, which seems like a pretty safe bet, I guess Russia has just ruled itself out of the game too. Provided you trust the Russians of course.

What made you think it was a good idea to get on a skateboard?

I hit an emu a few years ago at 100kph. It bounded out of the bush just in time to hit the left front side of the car, tore the wing mirror off and smashed the passenger side window resulting in a cloud of glass flying around my brother-in-law's head. As I slowed down I saw him heading back into the bush apparently none the worse apart from ruffled feathers and a few bruises. $3,000 worth of damage to the car according to the insurance company.

Now I’ll have to watch it again to see if you’re right, Nev.

Pity. Basically saying Putin can’t win because his plan A has failed, he has no plan B, but can’t afford to lose because Russia doesn’t like losers, and so has to keep going with plan A because he has no other options. Can’t win, can’t lose, can’t stop.

My mother only learned to drive in her early forties. Got her licence but never had a lot of confidence and only drove a few times. She died at 94 with a current licence and flawless driving record.

Interesting article: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/09/opinion/putin-ukraine-war.html

Liz Chaney has just released an ad criticising Trump and saying again that he's unfit to be president. I wonder if she's thinking about running next year. She's shown that she is level headed and has principles that she's prepared to stand behind. That would probably get her a good deal of support from a lot of moderate Republicans who don't like Trump, swing voters, and even from a sizeable number of Democrats who think Joe Biden is too old. Maybe even Mitch McConnell would get behind her - at least if he thought she could win, because that's his only yardstick for deciding who to support.

During the war, Churchill had the Bank of England’s gold reserves secretly sent to Canada (Operation Fish) because he was worried the Germans would get it.

Apparently they've taken out about 60 million ounces of gold from the Superpit. If my calculations are right, that's a cube of gold measuring about 4.45m on each side. I wonder how much dirt they dug out in the process.

Just to be clear, I don’t have dementia nor would I want to make light of it in any way, although I realise on re-reading it that my comment may have given that impression. It’s a terrible affliction. My mother had it in her last years and I know how distressing it is.

Sadly, I don't think I'm eligible for early onset anymore.

There’s a Ukrainian Association in WA and one Vic. Probably more in other States. Maybe contact them. No doubt they will be involved in sending aid to Ukraine.

It was the A-10 training I'd heard about.

It will be interesting to see whether Biden and NATO eventually decide to give the Ukrainians F16's if Russia escalates their war in the country. Aren't some Ukrainian pilots already being trained on them, or did I imagine hearing that a while ago?

And so, on such consequential matters as the NRL hangs the colonial future of 1,000 years of British history .

I landed at Coober Pedy a few years ago and after securing the plane walked over to the deserted terminal, and phoned for a taxi after looking up the number on my phone. After waiting a very long time with no sign of any taxi, I rang again and got through to the driver. He said he was at the airport but I said I couldn’t see him, so I asked ‘which airport?’. He said ‘Ceduna’. Turns out there is no taxi service in Coober Pedy.

They're probably looking for Ukrainians. Would make more sense to look for Russians.

Bit hard on the charities when the donors are using them to dispose of their rubbish.

Churchill was probably quite pleased when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour.

He's the smart one. The others are working.

I've been to Coober Pedy and seen pictures of Mars. They won't have to spend much on the set.