Jerry_Atrick

Well, Chump renamed the Department of Defense (sp!) to the Department of War. He is now asking tor the Department of War budget to be increased from ISD $906bn to $1.5tn - of which tariffs will fund a lot of it apparently. His making life easy for the tech bros to make more money, so they will use their social media platforms to control the narrative in Chump's favour. He has debts he has to pay and he has debts owed to him. He may come across as stoopid, but I would say more erratically psycopathic or stabler sociopath who has a plan and is willing to do what it takes to execute it. Voters or the plebs - they are a mere inconvenince (like they are to most political leaders on both sides these days - Chump is just more open about it). He realises that most of the peope - especially in the US pay scant attention to the local and national news, let alone international news - except where the US is involved (such as a war). Unlike the democrats, who got caught up in virtue politics and ignored the majority, he knows that we are more interested in making sure our pay packet goes further more than wehether or not our neighbour is doing it tough these days - and he plays up to it. The same menatality that allowed Puytin to flouris and take more and more control. He doesn't want to be king because of some delusions of grandeur - he only wants to have absolute power - or as absolute as it can be - and primarily to enrich himself, his family and his supporters - or his creditors as I like to call them. FFS, his family crypto business is applying for a banking licence. What sitting political head of a country allows that in normal deomcratic circumstances, when that sitting head directs finanical policy? The absolute majority in both houses of congress has made it a rubber stamp - more or less - of Chump. Although more true conservative republicans sided with the democrats to block appropriations last year leading to the longest government lock down. But for he republicans, didn't this have more to do with the release of the Epstein files than actual prudence? Chump and the republicans have managed to stack the Supreme Court of the US nd many other jurisdictions with Republican puppets, er judges (a flaw in the constitution if ever there was one), which means the other two organs of power are no longer a real check and balance. The mid-terms may, with any luck, address congress, but the democrats are so far uo their own arses and squabbling like chooks over the remaining scaps, that people are not looking at them as a real alternative at the moment - that can keep food on the table. And of course, the bulk of the popular press are supportive of their advertisers who, guess what, are supportive of Chump. Bezos taking over the Chicago Post is evidence of how they went from a vocal critic and check on the government to meek complicity by initially refusing to comment. This has been a long time coming. There will be moves a foot to change the constituion no doubt to allow power to be retained in all but probably official presidency. As long as people think it is the best for keeping a roof over their head, food in their guts, and fuel in their oversised compenation for phallic deficiencies, they will continue to allow it to happen. We have seen it before, and will see it again. Buckle up, it is going to be an interesting ride.

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water

Brute force is the Chump way. In this presidency, he used the brute force of America's dominant domestic market to try and force other countries to kow-tow to his will. He is using brute foce with the ICE; now he is using brute military force. He doesn't care if it is allies, nuetrals, or foes he uses that force against as long as it is for what he wants. The the previous presidency, he used brute force to try and overthrow an election. He uses brute force of money to intimidate people through legal proceedings and the like. Ehther it is uncivilised or not; whether it wrong or not, it is sort of true. Most of the outcomes he has acheived have been through threats that he would carry out. Want to get Nato to spend more on defence. Threatend withdrawal. Want to get an oil producer - go and invade. The western world didn't stand upo to Putin because they were scared of a failing military power - they sure as hell aren't going to stand up to Chump because they have a lot more to lose. The vomit induing performance put on by Starmer was playing to what he wanted and there was no guarantee of him doing what Starmer wanted in return - in fact, he didn't do anything he did for Aus with a leader who provided a more measured approach. The reality, unless people are willing to stand up to bullies, which they won't if they feel they are powerless in comparison, then the mightier one will get the choccies.

Sadly, in jest. It would improve the lives of the vast majority of Americans if it happened

Sorry.. that should have read last sent to Australia.. I believe the last of the convicts sent was to Fremantle or some such place 🙂

It's futile to argue which is better. Convicts were sent to Australia in 1868 and I dare say both countries have changed a lot since then. There is good and bad in both places, and each have their cultural, material, sociological, natural, and dog knows what other differences. When I arrived, it was a breath of fresh air, very practical in many ways and more liberal and forward thinking. I also liked totally free at use health care, good pay and lower cost of living except for housing in London hotspots. The weather was similar to Melbourne, just colder. The long lazy summer eves on a local green sitting outside a pub watching and participating in a genuinely friendly and sociable game of cricket - everyone seemed chilled and enjoying life. The natural splendour isn't quite that of Australia, and of course the beaches are nowhere near as good. But, I am not a beach person - never have been. Free education while Australia was charging people. And what shocked me was the food, except seafood, was generally better for the average person. Although there were some traditional items that seemed a little off putting. But, it is totally subjective. One thing though - the conservatives ruined the place. When I arrived, I may as well not have left Australia there were so many of us. Slowly, as the advantages to living here declined more and more went back. Post Brexit, I feel I am the only one left

It was

Oi! I am from Melbourne.. Go easy... 😉

Don't remind me! 😉

It was about 43 years ago, but we were paying, as I recall, about $1,200 year or thereabouts to the body corporate.

Yes.. it would be great.. Although, without some of the ECUs and electronic gubbins, emmissions would be worse than today. But keep the tech to where it is needed...

Yeah - been holed up in the UK for the last 29 years (minus two and a half where my partner and I were in Aus). Was hoping to be back about 7 years ago, but between one thing and another, not sure where the time went. If you're not happy where you are, moving is probably the best thing. I lived in a 3br unit with my father for the last three years of high school. It worked OK; very low maintenance, body corporate was uite well run (only 6 units on the block). That is probably the issue with units and flats - if youhave a crap body corporate it could cost you and you get nothing for it.

I am not in a unit or "renting", but to get this house over the line, I have borrowed and am paying it back - so akin to paying rent. As someone who seems to have have more than one property on the go, it seems you would have a better insight than most. When I was a young lad in Australia, my idea of building wealth was to rent a unit to live in abd buy rental houses. Renting would mean that any improvements or repairs would be tax deductible, negative gearing means you have better cash flow, and capital gains allowances have always been sweet from a tax perspective (except for a short period). Although the newspapers are reporting a property market hiuccup in Sydney and Melbourne, the poroperty market has been quite robust for a long time and offers both good yields and captial gains. Alas, first flying, and then women scuppered my plans. Froma pure lifestyle perspective, I, too, am over big properties, renos, and lots of maintenance. I may not be so over it under different circumstances, but unless you are flipping for profit and making good money out of it, it is either a passion/hobby, or it saps a lot of other things, like flying. When I have sold this beast, it will be back to Aus, and a 3 - 4 br, max 1/4 acre block - maybe two acres in a rural setting for self-sufficiency. But it has to be low maintenance. As @onetrack says, renting is less secure and, well, the rental market has gone ballistic lately, so you are competing with a lot of people - less so in rural and regional areas. From your post, it sounds like it is the maintenance and effort that is the issue - not the renting v owning thing.

The last car I bought new in Melbourne was a VS Commodore way back in 1995. I initially walked into the nearest dealer and in response to the approaching salesman, I said I wanted to buy a commodore. While he was rubbing his hands at the prospect of another commission, I said there was one catch - I wanted a manual. His mouth dropped open for a second as he collected his thoughts and claimed he had never seen a manual one in the flesh (except HSVs), let alone sold one. He suggested I call GMH, which I did. They said it would be a special order and would take months but suggested trying country dealers as they get demand for manuals from the country. As it turned out, Dandenong Holden had two sitting on their forecourt they were desperate to unload. I was only after a base (Executive) model as it was going to do a lot of kms (did something like 80K in its first year - after which I took off the the UK). They loaded it with options for me and gave me a good price, so I bought it. They seriously asked if I wanted the second.. I said only if they could do a buy one, get one free deal. They couldn't, but the salesman in all sincerity said he wished he could have. When I first moved here, there was nary an automatic, which suited me fine as I prefer manuals - even now. Although automatics back then were a bit clunky compared to todays transmissons, and I am guessing an automatic would be far better than a person these days at correctly gearing for economy and power. I am sure the more luxury cars here are automatic than manual, but people here like their manuals. I think it is because they are still a few £ cheaper - literally a few £.

02/02, 03/03, etc are the same... I often hear January the first and similar for other dates

Laughing on the assumption it is a photoshop or similar, and just a joke.

Should read doing democracy a favour? Hmmm.. A war about oil? I am getting a sense of dejavu

With the advances in battery technology, especially, I think CATL's advances in sodium battery technology, today's batteries will be so "yesterday" compared to the newer ones coming on stream. I predict the EV market will be a bit like the personal technology market - consistent advances will make not too old technology obsolete and cheap in comparison. Of course, getting the next wave of batteries into existing vehicle platforms isn't just putting a new motherboard into an existing case, so that may slow obsolescence up a bit.. But, I wonder if the battery makers are thinking about backward compatibility with existing vehicle platforms, in terms of physical fit. That may then make it a simple case of adding a battery and changing the motherboard - and possibly a display or two. Exciting times to come and I think for the consumer, used EVs will still be a viable but well priced alternative.

Nothign to be sad about, @nomadpete - these bikes are known for stator issues and I am looking forwad to getting my hands dirty again...

This reminds me of the days when Farcebook was young and people would post pictures and details of a great day they had doing something fancy - and then they would be fired as they took a sickie to do whatever it was they did because their boss found out by... looking at their Facebook page., Though, I have to say, the young muppet seems to be a pretty good rider (Those speeds are mph, not kph)

OK.. back to the Bike... The model/series (both Mk I and Mk II version) are know as "Biffers" over here. I understand this to be slang for unattractive woman. Well, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, because most people remark how good they look.. Anyway, with the Mini immobilised, the Volvo crapped its pants yesterday - only slightly. It sounds as if the rear brakes are in dire need of replacement - with the grooved discs all but confirming it (booked tomorrow). But, I know there is some drivetrain issues at the rear and hoping it isn't the driveshaft about to fall off. So, I decided yesterday to look harder for the second car (read the EV thread). As the weather was nice, I got geared up, even with this persistent lurgy and headed about 30 miles to a car yard that had a petrol car that fit our bill advertised. It was one of a three-showroom company. Guess what.. they haven't got it yet - they are expecting it within 10 days. However, he did point out to me another example - later model with less miles, but better appointed for only £500 more - which is £500 more than my budget. These dealers rarely move on price because they make their money on finance, of which I am not availing to myself. Google maps told me it was about an hour a way my A roads or I could go back about 15 minutes to the nearest motorway junction, and it will still be an hour away. Unf, I don't have a phone mount on the bike, so I memorised the way as much as possible, and headed off. About 2.5 hours later, I finally found it. Bristol is a big city and has some wonderful spots. But, it is an old city and that patchwork of road infrastructure is nothing short of a labryinth which is impossible to navigate without real time sat nav capability. Every few blocks, I had to find a legal place to stop, pull out the phone, and inevitabley retrace some of my steps. Finally, I found the dealer, but they had a queue a mile long so I visually inspected the car - it looks good... may just buy it. Got on the bike and rode back using as much oif the M5 motorway as possible. But I struggled to feel a smidge of heat on the heated grips on the hands, and they were quite cold all the way. That didn't impress me much, to say the least. The I noticed at below 2,500rpm, the heated grips status light would flash green. What the hell did that mean? Would have to wait to get home and look it up. I had worked out though, that it was cutting off the heat and learned that if it thinks the bike doesn't have the engine on by reading the voltage coming out of the regulator/rectifier. This was backed up with the bike virutally shutting down when I stopped to pick up some groceries. While turning the key lit everything up (it was dark now), pressing the start button was met with a resounding silence. F!. So, did the trick that older European cars needed, switched the ignition right off and right on again, prayed a bit, and it fired up. I rode it the rest of the way home and was thinking oh my, how big will that bill be? From my research so far, it could be the stator, the reg/rectifier, just loose and corroded connections or a combination of all three. The stators are a known issue with that model (2006 - 2010) and an upgraded electroset stator will set me back about £140. However, the stator flywheel was modified to allow more oil to flow through, and they are around £500. Sheep! The weather is pants this week, at a forecast of -3 degrees c when I would normally take off for work. The weather has been dry until today, so there is a possibility of black ice - which means, if I can manage to score a car, I will be driving in, otherwise an expensive train ride in this week unless I delay my London commute by a day in which the weather is forecast to get materially warmer. The plan is to empty our my dilapiidated garage this week, which I have to do to make space for the son's bike anyway. Then, after picking up his bike, I will first inspect the connections and run voltage and ohms tests (I forget what they call ohms tests these days) to try and isolate the issue. I am hoping it is just the connectors, but if not, it will probably mean a new electoset stator (about £150), but apparently second hand reg/rectifiers off Yamahas from about 2009 are the bees knees.. though will find the actual part it is and get new. The battery is a Yuasa installed new about a year ago, so if it is gone, it is likely because of something else causing it. Glad I bought a new multi-meter about 6 months ago.

Yes.. maybe I should have said unintended consueuence rtaher than [over] olptimistally wishful thinking.

Sometimes I do wonder about people's ability to think logically. We have yet to buy a replacement for the written off mini. It is really my partner's car and she flatly refuses to drive a manual. Which is a pain in the UK, because most cars - even luxury ones - that are sold are manual. So, after fruitlessly searching for a replacement for her that was in budget and auto, I took a look at some EV cars - as they are all "autos". Used car sellers here work a bit dfifferently to Aus (at least when I last purchased a used car in Aus, which was admittedly about 20 years ago). If you know what you want, you can buy online unseen from a reputable seller and if you're not entirely happy with it whtin 2 weeks or something like 1000 miles, they will refund you in full and take the car back. In addition, most offer 12 month warranties under similar terms to new car warranties. And of course, if the car they sell you has a balance of a new car warranty, that transfers to you (as long as the previous owner/s have kept to the terms of the warranty) and they will make up the difference if the balance of the new car warranty is less than the 12 months. There is also statutory protections as well that the larger used car dealers adhere to without resistance because they work on a model to stack them high and kiss them good bye. They don't make much on the sale of a car, but on the finance. They don't much like cash buyers, but to ensure they get the volume, they do a lot to preserve their reputation. Some of these are not venturing into making the used EV purchase a virtually risk free proces as they see a big market of better value cars and better demand. So I was looking at autotrader.co.uk for cars with bettter than 250 mile range. I selected a few, of which the MG ZS 72.x KW was one, and checked out the ads. The reputable dealers have RAC or AA battery tests performed. Fore about £9K, I was looking at 2021 - 2023 models of varying mileage, but averaging arount 30k miles (50k kms). So much for 10% degradation per year of the battery - most were showing 98 - 99% of life left in them, and the lowest was about 96%. I did some research and, ironically, apart from the mini, the real world ranges were not far off the claimed range - probably on average 10% less than claimed range. The batter checks also stated claimed range and provided estimated real world ranges at 0 degrees c ambient temperature and 25 degrees C ambient temperatures. At zero degrees, it was about 25% less range than at 25 degrees. OK, for the cars I was looking at, and taking into account the decreased range at motorway speeds, I should still be able to get to London without needing a charge and have some in reserve. Sticking it on a charger overnight would have me right tor the trip home and assuming it would be 0 - 100% charge. cost me about £35 - half that of the Volvo and about 2/3 that of the now dead mini. Not to mention the generally lower servicing costs, less to go wrong and therfore more reliability, etc. it sounds like a no-brainer - especialliy when you consider partner's driving - glorified shopping trolley and occasional run to pick up the daughter - on A roads as she doesn't do motorways/highways. So, even then, her range will normally be longer than the average. So, I decided to broach with her the subject of getting an EV. I was met with a resounding "no" at every turn. But no logical argument to say why not. Just "I want a petrol car..." I was flabbergasted.. Why? Eve3rything she read was about EV fires and lack of infrastructure. Also, when we sell this house, she may end up in a mid-terrace house with no guarantee she can park outside to connect the car to charge. OK.. the infrastrcutre down here is not what it is in London. But there is good infrastructure. First the chances she won'[t have a driveway are pretty low. But even on that assumption, I explained the area she was looking at has a public charging point and there is no petrol station for about 10 miles or so heading towards Exeter. So, it would be easier for her if she was low on fuel to get the battery topped up than petrol in her car. Then she said she would use it only hopefully once evry couple of weeks and the battery woudl discharge.. I could have put any number of stats in front of her to say that it would take anything from 6 months to a year to discharge a 72kw/h battery not in use.. and that she could expect the lead acid battery to discharge enough to make the car unuseable loing before that. Still she wasn't having a bar of it. Oh well, she will have to live with it and the costs. But the research I did made EVs even more compelling to me than they were beforehand. [Edit] I forgot to mention, most of the batteries still have 5 years of warranty left and a lot of the cars still had 2 - 3 years of warranty left, too.. Don't get that with the petrol cars of the same age.

I have to admit, I haven't been following this closely so really can't comment too much. But I did note a headline on The Age's website yesterday that the Aussie Vebeuelan population were cheering Chump on. I haven't read the article so going by the headline, Chump may be doming demoicracy a favour? Optimistically wishful thinking, I know.

Disgusting perverse right wing propaganda shit, fella