leicsmac

WRT population and age demographic crisis incoming, it's a discussion that's popped up on here before, and IMO it remains an issue for which there is no good option, it's just a matter of choosing the least damaging one.

... this doesn't stop Vance being a total douchebag and the ideas he's representing here being likewise though, right?

Ain't that the damn truth.

In terms of territorial emissions (that is to say, emissions on the soil of a country and not those that are serving the purpose of another country, eg. exports), this is correct. But also as you say, they are going greener at a much faster rate than the other big nations, so they are on the right track. I'd certainly agree that the UK are doing better than most on this matter, and they should be looking to ally with nations working to the same aim - as China are, and as the US and Russia (currently) are not. It's likely that the moves in the EV market are mostly about the financial gain and prestige, but tbh on this one for me it's not about how the thing gets done, it's that it gets done, because not doing it is more costly than any other outcome.

As much as their political system is disagreeable to our own ideas, they are the only major power taking the long game anywhere close to as seriously as needed, so collaboration with them on at least some things is a matter of necessity.

Those are the only motivations required for people like them. Abuse of power and self interest are their own motivators.

The unwavering belief in social Darwinism at a nation state level would be utterly farcical if it didn't have such tremendously dire consequences for the rest of our species.

Vance with the usual Might Makes Right spiel regarding Greenland, then.

7.7 on the magnitude scale with a 6.4 aftershock not long afterwards, apparently. Heard from a friend there that he's safe, but there's understandably a lot of confusion over there right now.

Astute. The only problem is that if it fails, that failure may not only be costly for the population of the US, but the entire world.

Appalled, aggravated, but still scrabbling for a solution that doesn't involve a lot of blood on the floor.

It's certainly the direction they want it to go in, but I'm really hoping that it's not inevitable, because if it is that's going to be a whole bunch of no fun.

https://www.politico.eu/article/marjorie-taylor-greene-uk-reporter-journalist-british-sky-news-donald-trump/ U.S. Republican House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene clashed with a British journalist during a press conference on Wednesday, telling her to “go back” to the United Kingdom. The confrontation occurred when Sky News reporter Martha Kelner attempted to ask Greene, a vociferous ally of President Donald Trump, about the so-called Signalgate scandal, in which senior officials from the Trump administration used the encrypted messaging app to discuss a planned military strike in Yemen. How very proud the people of Georgia must be.

... you're such a bloody WUM sometimes Tommy

Thus far, yes. I hope that they're ready for the campaign of smears, intimidation and likely outright violence that is coming their way from Trump and his supporters, though. They need to be - they're about the only one of the "checks and balances" acting as such right now. Agreed, but we should remember Grey's Law and not underestimate them.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4g9nzg9nppt Firefighters are racing to save people and ancient artefacts from the largest wildfires in South Korea's history, which have killed at least 26 people so far Tens of thousands have also been displaced in the blazes, which started in the south-east on 21 March. That's grim. Unusually hot and dry there for the time of year, too, which really doesn't help.

The power of Social Darwinism in action over there, mate.

Possibly not. Unfortunately decisions like this will divide and cause more conflict right up to the point where there is serious civil unrest. Which is exactly what Convict#47 and his followers want, because a. They have less compunction to use and are therefore better at violent repression than the side they want to repress, and b. It leads to a situation where enough people will accept such a repressive state for anyone outside a particular demographic simply to stop the aforementioned violence (or the risk of it).

What was it that someone said about evil containing the seeds of its own destruction?

Worth it tbh.

Kessler Syndrome. It is a real potential threat.

That's a key part of it all too, yes. I know I keep saying it, but anyone really aware of the pathway we're going down as a species outside the most ardent nihilist really should be terrified.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxq37nxl55o US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that aims to overhaul US federal elections, including by requiring voters to show proof of citizenship and limiting when states can receive mail-in ballots. Experts warn the move could disenfranchise millions of Americans who do not have easy access to a passport or other legal documents proving they have the right to vote. It is unclear how enforceable the order is, given US states have wide legal leeway to determine how they run their elections. It is expected to be challenged in court. The logical next step, I suppose. Why risk rigging an election when you can suppress the vote to win it instead? And the following one, and the one after that...

I'll happily confess to being surprised by the speed and the vehemence of the change. Since then, it would appear that the ideological conflict has only intensified, and the stakes continue to rise (in fact, they may end up being absolute.)

I still maintain that the year 2016 broke something in the space-time continuum.