it’s authoritarian vs libertarian

While that’s an important distinction in 21st century politics rhetoric is more powerful than ideas. Now the tension is populist policy vs rationalist policy. We now are confronted with the irrationality of 3% mortgage cap policy, nuclear submarines at some distant time point, and an opposition promising to subsidize the wages of private company employees. Before we become too preoccupied about authoritarian vs libertarianism perhaps we need to think about how we can increase the quality of rational debate in politics. I’m done. Seriously, I just can’t see how we are going to get out of this jungle of jingoism and absurd policy proposals.

Hope the bunny visited, wherever you are.

Not me Delta, she took off with her sister and hid them.

The nearly 1,400 Senate ballot slips that disappeared in Western Australia during the last federal election may have literally fallen off the back of a truck, says a federal parliamentary committee.

Did they fall, or were they pushed?

No Woodstock can stamps (sorry bespoke).

No need. Most of them drink wine, KD.

Prepare yourselves. St. Ruth at 8.33 on indig weddings:

Nothing like that existed. Nothing. Ever.

Correct. Hanson-Young’s Uncle Moogy would have got a fat stack of cash for appearance’s sake.

The reasoning they use the bullshit term”Aunty” is because in a language group you get to quite simply knock off anything with the right name group. Nakamarras can only knock off Jundamarras for example, within the one tribe.

Yep. It’s all about skin group, particularly in central NT and the SA Pitlands. This is also one of the reasons ‘families’ are extended way more than those of other ethnicities. Everyone becomes ‘my little cousin’, ‘my nephew’, ‘my auntie’ and so on.

The wrong name will see you killed.

Yes it will, and this is one of the reasons tribal groups from around the same patch are going at each other with bicycle frames, burning mattresses, crossbows and star pickets. A ‘marriage’ from generations ago.

That’s why there were so many raids on their enemy camps to get women. One male could have numerous women he could knock off, while the rest of the language group had none.
Then you have the young girls going to the elders first, like the best bits of food also did, because what is held up as the purest socialist society wasn’t fair and never progressed like all socialist societies.

Which is a huge disappointment to ponytailed hipsters floating around universities. Or will be, when they find out.

There has never been a documented wedding ceremony anywhere, ever, it’s pure fabrication.

In my experience, it consists of a fullblood indig parking himself next to a comparatively attractive chick from the right skin group (and who ideally will also have a relative with a job, and who is therefore an additional income source to be sponged off) and declaring in front of all and sundry: ‘You are my wife now’ in the mould of the pirate in the Tom Hanks film. No cake, no speeches, no rings, no nothing.

The term aunty comes from the fact that women from the same name all acted like mothers to the kids born into the same name……in other words the kids just were just tribally brought up and not the sole responsibility of just one parent which may help you understand the lack of overall individual parental responsibility they still exhibit for their children.

If you are a woman and you give someone else’s kid a biscuit, you are ‘Aunty’ forevermore.

Photoshopping the Moskva out of the picture was worth the entire WIP, by the way.

That, and Musk conducting the orchestra of screaming lefty chicks.

Thank you Tom.

People aren’t going to do it. I’m just coming out of a chemist with masked staff when there are no restrictions or any mask mandate.

That is there choice.

That is there choice.

Not strictly true though as masks in SA chemist is still mandatory.

God i hated bronski beat..

Im also not saying this film clip is on the same level as the Top Gun volleyball scene… but it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-szBDby1Zg

Still don’t get irony of me correcting your grammar, struts.
Lol

Depositors will lose their money next time the banks fail.
Peter Schiff and Megyn Kelly discuss #Elon Musk buying #Twitter, and what will happen to the economy when we can’t raise interest rates and inflation skyrockets.

Are you also claiming to be a poor spellu , Bespoke?
I only read you occayshonally, so I wouldn’t know.

Twatter red pilling; going to issue lots of shares for reduced price, below Elon’s offer.

Any competently drawn takeover offer will contain provisos allowing the offer to be adjusted to take account of poison pill tactics like that.
However it could still be inconvenient because if they pump up the value of Twitter by many billions of cash Musk will have to fund that extra value in his takeover price before he can get his hands on that extra cash himself. So it may hamper him if they can get the shareholders to stump up.

Apropos the loss of the Moskva, I had a look at a list (WikiMili) of currently active Russian Navy surface ships.

Pretty much anything destroyer size and above dates back in design to the 1970s/1980s, and was commissioned before 1995. The Kirovs, Slavas, Udaloys and Sovremennys were causing great excitement in NATO circles in the 1980s, but were not produced in large numbers. They are now well into the twilight of their service lives. The sole aircraft carrier was commissioned in 1990, and is in extended refit.

The trend in frigates, as in the west, is for larger size, and they are the most modern surface combatants. However, only eight have been commissioned since 2000. Most of the corvettes commissioned since 2000 are small, as are most of the older ones. Only two landing ships have been commissioned after 1991.

There are ships under construction, but their number does not suggest any increase in overall fleet size as older ships are de-commissioned.

The picture is of a relatively small surface fleet, likely to decline in numbers. Add in the notorious corruption in the Russian system, which damages attempts to improve, and it seems that the Russian Army will remain the principal service, with the Navy at the end of the priority list, and likely to remain there.

Consider that the Ukraine is just that, the Ukraine of a region. It is not simply a unified sovereign entity. Not many places are, yet the Ukraine is markedly diverse, as in its linguistic plurality, for one.

China’s growing power like tentacles of an octopus, enveloping the world: James Fanell
China in Focus – NTD

A decade to cool his heels in Siberia apparently not enough to get him to kiss the ring

Alexei Navalny faces 15 more years in prison as new trial starts
This article is more than 1 month old
Russian opposition leader in fresh trial at penal colony far from support base on charge of embezzlement

bespokesays:
April 17, 2022 at 12:22 pm
Yes it does. Did a short course in missiles once, and was horrified to learn some “sweat” explosive stuff onto their casings.

Think of the worst hangover you’ve ever had times that by ten. I learnt this the hard way helping the chargup crew.

Nitroglycerin? Expands the blood vessels, headache when it wears off and they contract.

Yes, BJ. You learn quickly not to toutch ya face.

Boambee John
Yes, as with Canada, yet with several further layers of linguistic complexities (and what the languages signify) in the Ukraine, these complexities being further indications of the inherent geopolitical complexities.

Kneel, if that’s fighting I’d hate to see your surrendering.

“everyone else was doing it” doesn’t cut it.

Why?
Because as I was getting to earlier this morning, living by political conviction and understanding freedom as the right wing man does, means he understands personal responsibility.
To himself and to his fellow man.
Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
So let me put it to you another way.
If you and millions of others held out against this tyranny (which it unarguably is) and I said, look Kneel, I know it’s going to empower what you’re standing against and hurt you, but I need to comply because 70 percent of people have, sorry……I’m on your side but I don’t want to lose my job….wouldn’t you say hey, struth, there’s personal responsibility to consider here sunshine.
Bloody hell struth, you know what the right thing to do is!

Yes, you stayed in the front trenches, unlike many who ran off at the first gun shot, until you were ordered over the top and you and many like you refused to go, and therefore those that did, died, and the enemy are now standing over your trench bayonets fixed.

YOU LOSE ANYWAY Kneel, and you lose worse by complying.
You failed yourself, and yes you were better than most, but not when it counted and my god are you going to pay for it.
Those that keep failing and getting boosters will die quicker.
Your job is irrelevent if you can’t go to it because you are six feet under.

If you were a lefty I wouldn’t mention this as they have no concept of personal responsibility to oneself and to others…….but we here on this blog do.
Or are supposed to.

After the election they are going to really hit us hard, and I speak plainly to you as I often seem to have to repeat myself.
There will be boosters.
Fight (by not submitting) or die.
There is no other choice.

You made the wrong decision for your own welfare and future.
That is my belief, so sue me for saying so.
Forget people like me and the millions like me, I believe you made things a thousand times worse for yourself, and if you’d like me to list the ways I will.
The hurt in the long run you will suffer will make the temporary relief you bought yourself in a trade with the devil, completely insignificant.

so Ukraine should never have tried to join because it would get the bully next door upset.

The bullies here are NATO/EU/US and the useful idiots are in the Ukraine Govt. And the way I interpret the last 8 years or so is that the useful idiots in Ukr have been murdering their own citizens (of Russian ethnicity) while being cheered on (and paid by) by the globalists. No surprise you don’t see it that way. If Putin allowed that situation to prevail and not prevent the complete wiping out of the ethnic Russian population in Ukr, his standing in Russia would be immensely diminished. So he acted.

Abe Simpson Metric System

They Want You To Be Poor (Here’s Why)
George Gammon

they will warn you a couple of times to pull your head in and if you still don’t behave they will crush you.

Exclusive footage of Russian negotiations…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9k6__UFF18

Nothing else he’s done has any moral justification though.

Similarly, there is no moral justification in supporting the behavior of such an odious regime as in Ukraine. Unless of course it suits your rotten ends. When the globalists control the narrative through blanket media propaganda you are really up against it. As Trump found out.

I took a RAT and tested positive.

I blame brusle sprouts.

It is ironic to see so many conservatives condemning the West. Historically the Left played that game but is now defending the West. Come on admit it, behind closed doors you’ve all been reading Chomsky.

It is ironic to see so many conservatives condemning the West.

Well John, the “west” ain’t what it used to be.

Chomsky made sense for a while.

Makkasays:
April 17, 2022 at 1:45 pm
It is ironic to see so many conservatives condemning the West.

Well John, the “west” ain’t what it used to be.

I’m not sure Makka. The criticisms being levelled at the West today are no different from what Chomsky was stating decades ago. Perhaps he was prescient because Manufacturing Consent very much anticipates modern social media but was an examination of media and PR at that time. For most of the 20th century the West was been sticking its nose into many geopolitical issues and often making mattes worse. The difference now might be that a larger percentage of the population are now aware that their governments are often tyrannical while claiming to be democratic and peaceful. Governments have always been about power and controlling the narrative. I read Chomsky decades ago so none of the complaints I hear now is news to me. Of course back then referring to Chomsky increased the risk you would be labelled a traitor.

You all, have no idea how widespread “white guilt” is in this society.Rotary Club everyone falling over themselves to introduce an “acknowledgement of country”.
White aboriginal speaker , everyone almost in tears at his “tragic” family history.
The self loathing was rampant.
All in a till now safe Liberal seat.

There will be a flood of propaganda supporting constitutional recognition of the indigenous. If Albo gets in it will be endless and if Scommo does it will be merely ceaseless.

The idea that there are no votes in black fella matters was true once. But that was then.

John H sounds like Justine Troodo. After the events of the last 2 years, I find it very hard to defend ‘the West’ particularly the US.

Try the Presbyterians. You’ll get the Gospel. It doesn’t embarrass them.

What brand of commo is silly old Noam (who’s now in his 90s)? I lose track of all the factions and feuds, but I bet he’s a Trotskyist as you could always rely on the Trots in the ’70s and ’80s to be the most unhinged, marinating as they were in the love of mass murder

the critique clique, actually he is an anarchist. maybe he has grown up… maybe not

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-responds-over-maori-self-determination-report-he-puapua/XHHT3AD77XYT2JV2MJPWLES7PQ/

correct linkie

Similarly, there is no moral justification in supporting the behavior of such an odious regime as in Ukraine.

How many Russian speakers in E.Ukraine sought asylum in Russia during the “genocide” that supposedly happened there over the past 8 years, compared to say the 4 million Ukrainians who have had to flee their homes thanks to Putin’s criminal invasion now?

As I always enjoyed pointing out to Cold War Leftists, if a million people flee from NVN in 1954-6 and only 50,000 or so flee SVN, that in itself tells you which regime is the more odious.

Zipstersays:
April 17, 2022 at 2:29 pm
What brand of commo is silly old Noam (who’s now in his 90s)? I lose track of all the factions and feuds, but I bet he’s a Trotskyist as you could always rely on the Trots in the ’70s and ’80s to be the most unhinged, marinating as they were in the love of mass murder

the critique clique, actually he is an anarchist. maybe he has grown up… maybe not

An anarchist, the idea that Chomsky was a communist arises from complete ignorance about his views. Chomsky’s big problem is the same that so frustrates me with all these political analysts. They can articulate the failings but provide no solutions. Chomsky had no solutions and I’ve never encountered anyone with solutions. Anarchism and libertarianism are refusals to accept some unfortunate truths about human behavior.

Chomsky was an overrated pseudo-intellectual assisted by the ‘right’ looking for a boogy man.

Ukraine has a moral obligation to surrender to Russian invasion because of its internal character,

just as you have no moral obligation to surrender if I hold a gun to your head. what a goose.

Ukraine has a moral right to defend itself.

But no moral right to use it’s military to slaughter it’s own citizens.

It even finishes with the precise words given by KD.

Told you.

Sorry, sorry. Hang on.

Told youse.

Indolent:
From your Shanghai post:

Can someone help us? This (conditions) are going to cause more spread.

Yes Comrade. That’s what the quarantine is for.
Unbelievable. Why aren’t they rioting? Why aren’t they throwing those ‘health workers’ out the windows?

Zipstersays:
April 17, 2022 at 2:52 pm
libertarianism are refusals to accept some unfortunate truths about human behavior.

I always see the role of libertarianism to offset the pull from the far left. pity the center right caved.

It has failed. Many libertarians do not share your opinion because they wanted it to be a potent political force not an offset.

even accepting that Ukraine has a bad government,

You do know you are talking up a regime that officially idolizes “heroes” responsible for the murder of tens of thousands of Jews during WW2? So yeah, you might say they are bad. I’d say they are genocidal maniacs.

You do know you are talking up a regime that officially idolizes “heroes” responsible for the murder of tens of thousands of Jews during WW2? So yeah, you might say they are bad. I’d say they are genocidal maniacs.

OK, but the majority of people who are ranting on social media about Ukrainian Nazis actually want to ban all non-white immigration into their own countries, so nix on that.

I’m finding it bizarre that so many self-styled “nationalists” are unable to simply say they support a nation-state’s right to defend itself. This is kind of the most basic, first principle of nationalism, and most “national conservatives” have failed! Sad.

OK, but the majority of people who are ranting on social media about Ukrainian Nazis actually want to ban all non-white immigration into their own countries, so nix on that.

you so woke! STFU

Ukes suffered terribly at the hands of Stalin and his killing machine, so maybe, just maybe the Ukes don’t like the fuckers all that much.

Stalin was Georgian. What the Ukrainians call the Holodomor wasn’t specifically targeted at Ukraine – it was a program to collectivise the agricultural areas of the USSR, grab all of the grain and flog it to raise capital to industrialise. Millions of Russian and Kazakh peasants also starved. It hit Ukraine disproportionately hard because a disproportionate amount of Soviet agricultural produce was grown in Ukraine.

Russia =/= USSR, as Ukrainians ought to know well – they’re no less Soviet than Russians are. In fact, the Soviet leaders (almost all of whom were not Russian) were particularly concerned about the threat of Russian nationalism* and went out of their way to keep Russia’s wings clipped within the Union. One way of doing this was to build up Ukraine as a counterbalance, which is why they were happy to lop bits off Russia and add them to Ukraine (ie. Crimea) and why so much heavy industry was concentrated in Ukraine. It also explains why the Soviets went out of their way to confect a Ukrainian cultural identity.

A lot of Westerners say ‘Russia’ when talking about the USSR. They were not the same thing at all. If anything, Russia got a bum deal out of being in the Union. It had to subsidise most of the other Republics in the Union.

*they were correct about this, given it was ultimately Russian nationalism that brought down the USSR

I’m finding it bizarre that so many self-styled “nationalists” are unable to simply say they support a nation-state’s right to defend itself.

What’s bizarre? The Govt is the product of coup , put in place by western corruptocrats. POTUS and family currently deeply involved monetarily in that regime’s success.Ukr openly admire nazism, oppress and brutalise their own citizens of the wrong ethnicity, murdering many innocents using organs of the state. Support that pile of shit? You can’t find a better motive than “da right to defend itself”? You really are buying all that MSM propaganda.

OK, I think we’ve established to our satisfaction that you do in fact support the Putinist invasion of Ukraine, which is what I was really interested in discovering at the outset. Nice to know, and thanks for playing.

I find it odd that so many here will impute the most nefarious of motives to our politicians whilst arguing that Putin is on some righteous crusade to free the oppressed. I think Putin doesn’t give a rat’s arse about the moral imperatives people here are imputing to him. He is another politician playing power games as ours did in the Middle East and elsewhere.

I’m not convinced Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine was correct. But incessant US meddling in Ukraine caused this war. Ukraine’s leadership class believed US/EU promises that they could join the EU, join NATO, do everything Russia warned them it wouldn’t accept. Now you can say it’s not Russia’s place to make such demands of Ukraine; okay, fine. But that was the reality of the situation. The US should never have promised the Ukrainian leadership something it was not prepared to follow through on. And frankly, the Ukrainian leaders were stupid to trust the Americans.

It also explains why the Soviets went out of their way to confect a Ukrainian cultural identity.
Okay.
Kruschev was born in Ukraine, he suppressed details of the monstrous atrocities the Banderaites had committed in Ukraine, then he released them.
Sure, Bandera himself was assassinated in Berlin in 1959, KGB claimed credit, but neither Israel nor the U.S. [nor West Germany] showed any interest in bringing Bandera to justice, so perhaps things are/were a little murky?

I find it odd that so many here will impute the most nefarious of motives to our politicians whilst arguing that Putin is on some righteous crusade to free the oppressed.

There’s a few different motivations in the “national conservative” movement, starting from a belief that Putin is the only thing standing between us and Drag Queen Story Hour, and embodies all kinds of virtues that are now lost in the western elite (I presume this includes erasing your own fallen soldiers from history and banning commemorations of them on social media).

Then there’s all this frankly laughable rubbish that a country run by a couple of Jews is actually a neo-nazi regime – the only useful information that I get from this hearing claim is knowing which Russian state propaganda channels someone has been reading.

And frankly, the Ukrainian leaders were stupid to trust the Americans.
I’m not seeing that.
The Americans have been pumping colossal amounts of Arms into Ukraine, plus the Uke Leadership isn’t doing the fighting and dying anyway.

I would love to see him in Moscow, soundly defeated and with his tail between his legs.

I would settle for him simply realising he’s made the worst strategic error of any major country in 30 years, and just pull back to his pre-February 23rd position. Which is probably a deal that Ukraine itself might take.

Basically, it would be better for everyone if the US sat the hell down. Better even for the US. Especially for the US, actually.

Australia needs to get over its need to cling to the apron strings of superpowers. The thing about relying on the security guarantee of a superpower is that when you’re most likely to need it, it’s not going to be there. Why? Because the reason it’s not available is very likely directly related to the reason you need it.