O/T:- Trump Presidency 2.0 [hic sunt dracones]

[Jampie]

It?s about as worth discussing as the topic of aliens invading from outer space because they are upset that Jerry Seinfeld?s show got cancelled.

As for Jampie?s comment about going to war over Taiwan. The Chinese want a peaceful reunification with Taiwan and are patient enough to wait for it, with the exception of some major provocation from the west. But even then, Australia and the rest of us will wait for the US?s lead, and so far all their war gaming over the scenario has indicated a heavy US defeat when they don?t put their thumbs on the scale. It just ain?t going to happen. The military spending hoopla is all about the graft.

Oh thank god! The Chinese have said they want a peaceful reunification with Taiwan. That settles that. Everyone should stop worrying. The US can cut its defence budget in half. Twice. Phew!

Just like when they said they would support "One Country Two Systems" with Hong Kong. Hong Kong democracy and self governance is going strong today so we've nothing to worry about!!!1

All their military posturing in the south China sea is just show everyone how peaceful their intentions are!

They might want a "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, but it's very unlikely now. Taiwanese saw what happened to Hong Kong, which is now firmly under authoritarian rule, and they will know that any similar assurances for them are lies. Remember, China has also stated that they intend to use force to reunify if necessary. I personally think they absolutely will - when the calculus is that the benefits outweigh the risks.

Right now they don't. China is behind on a series of military technologies that are critical to an operation like seizing Taiwan. But they're catching up slowly. That's why I think 2030's, 2040s, later is the timeframe of higher risk.

[ForeignLegion]

As I say, I don't see them making a move for a decade or three.

I don't know if it's worth asking... but how are the "pathetic left" running the country into the ground? What've they done that's so drastically different to what the last guys did?

Well that's the issue...they're both as bad as each other; Dutton will probably get in but probably more so because people want Albo out. He will scramble for the Green/Teal and Independent Muslim Gaza votes and Tony Burke has just fast tracked 6000 citizenships through in Labour seats. I've been here a long time and seen some dross in Gillard, Rudd, Turnbull etc etc. Hold my beer, enter Albo; open the immigration flood gates, housing shortage crisis, homelessness through the roof, threw millions at the Voice that the people clearly didn't want, 12 plus interest rate rises, net zero blah blah; yes, we know it's happening all over the world. He's without a doubt the worst PM I've seen, and that takes some doing given the names I've listed above.

One thing I don't do one here is get into political debates, my views apparently border on the right wing. I am sick and tired of there lot of them......Vote #1 Pauline.

[ForeignLegion]

As I say, I don't see them making a move for a decade or three.

I don't know if it's worth asking... but how are the "pathetic left" running the country into the ground? What've they done that's so drastically different to what the last guys did?

Well that's the issue...they're both as bad as each other; Dutton will probably get in but probably more so because people want Albo out. He will scramble for the Green/Teal and Independent Muslim Gaza votes and Tony Burke has just fast tracked 6000 citizenships through in Labour seats. I've been here a long time and seen some dross in Gillard, Rudd, Turnbull etc etc. Hold my beer, enter Albo; open the immigration flood gates, housing shortage crisis, homelessness through the roof, threw millions at the Voice that the people clearly didn't want, 12 plus interest rate rises, net zero blah blah; yes, we know it's happening all over the world. He's without a doubt the worst PM and that take some doing given the names I've listed above.

One thing I don't do one here is get into political debates, my views apparently border on the right wing. I am sick and tired of there lot of them......Vote #1 Pauline.

[BigFatPie]

Well that's the issue...they're both as bad as each other; Dutton will probably get in but probably more so because people want Albo out. He will scramble for the Green/Teal and Independent Muslim Gaza votes and Tony Burke has just fast tracked 6000 citizenships through in Labour seats. I've been here a long time and seen some dross in Gillard, Rudd, Turnbull etc etc. Hold my beer, enter Albo; open the immigration flood gates, housing shortage crisis, homelessness through the roof, threw millions at the Voice that the people clearly didn't want, 12 plus interest rate rises, net zero blah blah; yes, we know it's happening all over the world. He's without a doubt the worst PM and that take some doing given the names I've listed above.

One thing I don't do one here is get into political debates, my views apparently border on the right wing. I am sick and tired of there lot of them......Vote #1 Pauline.

Immigrants complaining about immigrants is becoming quite the feature of this board.

[Jampie]

Well that's the issue...they're both as bad as each other; Dutton will probably get in but probably more so because people want Albo out. He will scramble for the Green/Teal and Independent Muslim Gaza votes and Tony Burke has just fast tracked 6000 citizenships through in Labour seats. I've been here a long time and seen some dross in Gillard, Rudd, Turnbull etc etc. Hold my beer, enter Albo; open the immigration flood gates, housing shortage crisis, homelessness through the roof, threw millions at the Voice that the people clearly didn't want, 12 plus interest rate rises, net zero blah blah; yes, we know it's happening all over the world. He's without a doubt the worst PM and that take some doing given the names I've listed above.

One thing I don't do one here is get into political debates, my views apparently border on the right wing. I am sick and tired of there lot of them......Vote #1 Pauline.

They basically can't cut immigration without pitching the country into recession. Of course, for ordinary citizens it's BEEN in recession for a year or three, but not according to the politican numbersTM they publish. I.e. inflation has outstripped real wage growth and housing (which they don't count) is a big reason.

I too am frustrated and annoyed with Albo and have absolutely zero faith the "coalition" will fix it. The coalition's last competent leader was Turnbull (for all his flaws). I think Albo's heart might be in the right place (but dunno for sure) but he sure has taken way too god damned long to get anything done. I won't be surprised if he loses the next election outright.

Of the other stuff you mention, the only point I might disagree on is net zero - we will need to aim for that (and hit it) in the coming decades. There's really no way around it. As usual though, action has been so slow and so poorly planned it's going to be far more painful than it should have been. Dutton's nuclear plan is idiotic; literally the soviet union's communist electricity plan, but at least it IS a plan, I suppose. If labor had started work on 3-5 new pumped hydro dams I would find myself in alignment with them. Instead, they've done [checks notes] nothing whatsoever about grid scale storage. Bravo.

[ForeignLegion]

They basically can't cut immigration without pitching the country into recession. Of course, for ordinary citizens it's BEEN in recession for a year or three, but not according to the politican numbersTM they publish. I.e. inflation has outstripped real wage growth and housing (which they don't count) is a big reason.

I too am frustrated and annoyed with Albo and have absolutely zero faith the "coalition" will fix it. The coalition's last competent leader was Turnbull (for all his flaws). I think Albo's heart might be in the right place (but dunno for sure) but he sure has taken way too god damned long to get anything done. I won't be surprised if he loses the next election outright.

Of the other stuff you mention, the only point I might disagree on is net zero - we will need to aim for that (and hit it) in the coming decades. There's really no way around it. As usual though, action has been so slow and so poorly planned it's going to be far more painful than it should have been. Dutton's nuclear plan is idiotic; literally the soviet union's communist electricity plan, but at least it IS a plan, I suppose. If labor had started work on 3-5 new pumped hydro dams I would find myself in alignment with them. Instead, they've done [checks notes] nothing whatsoever about grid scale storage. Bravo.

Yep, anyway we'll see what happens at the polls...I think he's a goner though. That's my political contribution for the year....and many people might say "bravo" too.

[andy6025]

Oh thank god! The Chinese have said they want a peaceful reunification with Taiwan.

No, I was the one that said it.

Anyways, I shall leave you to decide if you want to worry about it or not.

[BigFatPie]

Oh thank god! The Chinese have said they want a peaceful reunification with Taiwan. That settles that. Everyone should stop worrying. The US can cut its defence budget in half. Twice. Phew!

And Putin said yesterday he has no intention of invading anyone else in Europe, so no more worries there either. Just give him the quarter of Ukraine he wants and all will be well.

[Mud Pie]

Alright Mud Pie, lets play your imaginary scenario out

it's not my imaginary scenario is it? POTUS has repeatedly suggested this is what he wants to do

its logical (and logistical) conclusion

well, one version of. You're assuming Trump's endgame is the whole of Canada, my question was are you ok with Trump and Putin deciding what bits of Canada the US can take (as you seem to be with Ukraine)?

[andy6025]

it's not my imaginary scenario is it? POTUS has repeatedly suggested this is what he wants to do



well, one version of. You're assuming Trump's endgame is the whole of Canada, my question was are you ok with Trump and Putin deciding what bits of Canada the US can take (as you seem to be with Ukraine)?

If the majority of the people in those regions wanted to be annexed by America, then would it not be a threat to democracy if we didn?t allow it?