leicsmac

Yeah, that's about the size of it. The US isn't the only power to have enough Might to Make Right. Which is yet another reason why that entire ethos doesn't end well for anyone.

Satire? Poe's Law makes it so difficult to tell these days. At least Farage has the nous to admit the flagrant violation of international law.

Also, I take no pleasure whatsoever in having my own opinion of both Trump and his administration confirmed by their actions more and more. Perhaps though, as the mask continues to slip, there will be less and less defending of what he and they are up to.

That quote could have been lifted directly from IngSoc in 1984. Stop this timeline, I want to get off

Another possibility is that someone in Maduro's government with enough access to him sold him out.

Yeah, it's too "clean", so it's entirely possible that there's been some kind of agreement reached in the background. Still reprehensible that the US thinks it can still apply the Monroe Doctrine like it did to Allende in Chile in the year 2026, though.

You'd think Littler will have too much given the occasion, but GVV will likely make it close, at least at the start.

China are doing a lot of questionable things. Opposing green energy is not one of them. In fact, they're the only big power taking that problem even vaguely seriously, given the speed and capacity that they're building renewable infrastructure.

Not sure it's moral grandstanding to point out that the Might Makes Right bullshit that the US and other parties are currently engaged in ends terribly for everyone. Or if it is, it's also accurate. Act like animals, fall like animals.

"This place ain't no such thing as civilized. It's man so in love with greed that he has forgotten himself and found only appetites.”

This administration doing its usual abuse of power but without any kind of pretence anymore. The UK diplomats have some serious work to do.

I wonder whether any national football authority might actually decide to boycott the World Cup next year and encourage others to do likewise? Probably not given FIFA would likely hand out a ridiculous sanction for it, but...

From what it looks like, they wanted him alive. When this comes up at the UN, will the UK actually show some courage and vote for any resolution denouncing it? The only good thing that might come from this is even the most sheltered and naive person can see the current US administration for what they really are now, and it's going to be difficult, even for them, to lie about "peace" when they've done this.

He's so good when the format gets longer. As per above, so consistent at scoring.

I think once he's that much into a tournament that he has time in the match to overcome any temporary dip in standard, there's no one who can really stop him.

Littler stepping on the accelerator again.

I'm going to be honest, I'm pretty sure that was apparent around five or more years ago.

He's such a bloody hypocrite. Definitely agree with the second sentence. "The world is not divided between East and West. You are American, I am Iranian, we don’t know each other, but we talk together and we understand each other perfectly. The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you. And our governments are very much the same." - Marjane Satrapi

When he's on form he's utterly brutal.

Anyhow, I'm having that whisky I was talking about earlier. This discussion can continue another time. Once more, going into another new year: That last part is as important as it has ever been.

As much as that is a point to be made, it was also made above, and the reply to it still stands imo:

It could be so. The Great Filter may have claimed all others. So let's get out there before it claims us, too.

Remember, guys. In a universe at least 150 billion light years across, you are here:

And yes, peace and goodwill everywhere. "...let us not be blind to our differences--but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."

Beer first, wine next, whisky just in time for the clock striking twelve. I might regret this decision in the morning.