egg

Don't bring me into this depravity.

Agreed. I'm harsher than you. Anyone capable of exercise, can and should look after themselves and move around more. Anyone incapable of exercise can and should address their nutrition and not become obese. I'm horrified that we've got to the point where the message people are hearing is they don't have to worry about looking themselves as a jab will sort it. Eat less shite, move more. It's not complicated.

Yep, think it through, reality check it, announce it. It's not difficult. I'm not sure I can remember so much flip flopping from any previous government. Farcical.

It is, in part, but the extent to which China actually needs the oil is just one factor. It's also about Chinese influence and where it's money to buy the oil goes. The US have explicitly said to China that they are to stay away from the America's. They also don't want China controlling the oil or the Venezuelan oil industry. They also don't want Venezuelan debt to China being offset by oil exports which breach the US unilateral sanctions. I'm surprised that some people think this is mostly about the US wanting Venezuelan oil for their own purposes. Sure, that's a factor, ditto imperialism and a wish to have a puppet state in it's border, but It's far more geopolitical than the US wanting to nick oil.

It was a great, democratic nation. The CIA then orchestrated a coup for western gain. The locals didn't like the involvement of the West, and revolted. We've now got what we've got, and what the Iranians get next won't be what the Iranians choose. In reality, sadly, Iran couldn't be any of the things you say it could be.

Reprieve

Decent article on CNN about Trump's selective view on the sanctity of protests. I hadn't appreciated that he'd floated the idea of shooting protesters in the US. https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/12/politics/protests-iran-trump-rescue

People

Ha! That reminds me of my old boy telling me that I'd get a bottle of pop if I could tell him what a green house is made of. I never got the pop, and still don't know if it's glass or green bricks.

The bit you quoted from Ralph is correct though, and pretty much the core of this strategy. China can no longer get it's hands on cheap Venezuelan oil, and soon Iranian. India are similarly impacted. Major manufacturing countries not getting cheap oil, and countries in need of cash not being able to sell their oil, weakens all of them countries. It's a crude (no pun intended) strategy, but it's working.

Donny says Cuba must make a deal. Anyone got a clue what a deal is supposed to relate to? Oil? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2kv2gn62vo

Billy Bob Thornton is immense in everything he does. Even the pissed up thieving Bad Santa.

I'm not persuaded by distraction, although it's a cherry on top for Donny I suppose. It's more complex than that. This is - Venezuela and next Iran - about controlling who does and doesn't get oil (China), who gets oil money and impacting on their stability, and - Venezuela, Greenland - imperialism.

Yep. Even their plain classic shirts have splashes of colour and/or smarty coloured buttons. All a bit Tyson Fury for me.

Amen to those, particularly Oldman. Utterly believable. I'll add Christopher Waltz in Inglorious Basterds. Absolutely nailed the Hans Lander role.