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In that case if his actions are supposedly 'mad', then what does that make practically every US intervention in the Middle East since WW2. Take Iraq and Libya, two dictatorships, but the US turned them into failed states.Quote:
Originally Posted by guy
Being "mad" doesn't exclude one from pursuing a "career in extortion, corruption and self aggrandisement" neither does being a politician exclude madmen/women".Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikeandvan
I would tend to agree with your point about any intervention in another country since WW2 (by any other country/countries) - it doesn't stop with the Middle East, just think Afghanistan, Tibet etc. Only one that I can think of as being justified, off the top of my head, would be the former Yugoslavia.
I think that what makes Putin different and therefore being referred to as "mad" is his willingness to make veiled threats about the use of nuclear weapons.
I don't know, the US rains shit upon the middle east for decades, getting rid of dictators with the promise of democracy, which never comes, only chaos and destruction, Iraq, Libya, even the 20 yr occupation of Afghanistan couldn't establish democracy or any sort of functioning state, as soon as they depart, the Taliban just steps in. It seems once this chaos comes close to home, we take more notice. Russia of course also occupied Afghanistan, in an even more bonkers project, to turn the natives into communists, but they just ended up torching entire villages! How either country think they have right to do this is beyond me. Putin is no 'madder' than Kissinger, Bush, the Clintons, whoever. Was there ever a point in post war US history that the US weren't involved in the Middle east? What does Ukraine for Putin, partly the same thing the Middle East held for the US, mineral reserves, and a strategic defence position against encroaching Nato membership.Quote:
Originally Posted by guy
there were major differences tho. no matter the russians upset at nato too close for their comfort, their attack on a no military country just because they fancy it back isnt on, especially with their indiscriminate shellings.
West gets involved in the Middle East because of the oil, not because they're crazy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikeandvan
Don't buy the idea that Putin/Russians are worried about NATO. As if NATO would ever invade Russia. It's strictly a defensive alliance. Plus Russia has nuclear weapons in any case so they're untouchable.
If they were in the slightest bit worried about NATO attacking them they wouldn't have gone into Ukraine would they?
Not really possible to equate threats of nuclear weapons use to being "closer to home", ballistic missiles make everyone an interested party/potential victim.
I want to be clear though, "western" interventions in the Middle East have been ridiculous and solve nothing. As for treatment of Palestinians by Israel and backed by US, well that is atrocious.
well 1990 was about liberating Kuwait (well their oil anyway) and 2004 was about taking control of the world's second largest oil reserve away from a loose cannon.Quote:
Originally Posted by guy
Given oil is absolutely fundamental to our civilisation that's not a crazy thing to do. Whether it's 'right' or not is a whole different argument.
Nobody would give a toss what they were doing in the middle east if it wasn't for the oil. They'd be left to their own devices. A Kurdish bloke said to me 'We will never have peace as long as there is oil.'
I think you are right - very interesting program on "Yesterday" earlier this evening. Covered the Caucus oil fields from time of WW2, effectively for many years Rusia/controlled the distribution of oil to satellite States at prices way below worldwide rates. Once satellite states became dependant on the oil supplies they were effectively "over a barrel" and had to toe the party line.
TBH Macca, I'd say the death of over 100,000 civilians in the first Iraq/US war was pretty crazy, getting rid of Saddam and Gadaffi was pretty crazy, seeing as the result of that was to create chaos, into which stepped extremists. Almost every US military intervention creates instability, but they keep on doing it, again and again! With Vietnam being the reference, they just bombed the shit out of that country, people need to get a perspective on the US, they are war mongering bastards, the only country to ever use that disgusting weapon, the h bomb.Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
As far as I can understand, Russia views Nato on its doorstep as a humiliation, but also I believe a direct threat. Ukraine has large reserves of oil and gas as well, and is a strategic defence position.
Can't go out to get dinner as expecting a delivery and of course the second I leave the house and disappear around the corner they will attempt to deliver.
So forced to ransack the emergency rations and have a pot noodle. Desperate stuff.
im sure they wait around corner for me to go out then quickly stick a card through door;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
same with my phone.. i can sit for hrs and nothing; moment i go to toilet, the damn thing rings:doh:
Yes. If I'm working and nip to the bathroom I can pretty much guarantee that the phone will ring even though it hasn't rung once for the previous 4 hours while I have been sat there and can pick it up right away.Quote:
Originally Posted by struth
And if you rush back it is absolutely guaranteed they will ring off in the split second before you pick up.
You should have had a can of sardines. Live in style! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
Forgot I had them but don't have any bread in so I'd still have to go out.Quote:
Originally Posted by walpurgis
Fancy a bar of chocolate now but I just daren't leave the house.
interesting thing. watching star trek insurrection and picard started singing gilbert and sullivan's hms pinifore to data. just after the boy phoned and out of blue i said, thats good eatin'.. now i found out that that was said by grandpa simpson in cape feare episode, in which sideshow bob sang hms pinifore to bart..
aint it amazing how the brain connects things without you realising.:eek:
And if you ring them straight back, they don't answer. It's like they just put the phone down when you didn't answer and then ran away.Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
anytime I see Gilbert and Sullivan mentioned I think of that Simpson's episode.Quote:
Originally Posted by struth
'It's lucky for you that you drifted past this brothel.'
yes exactly that. I've had people call me, leave a message asking me to call them back, and when I call back, even just minutes later, I'm told that they've left the office and are now on holiday for two weeks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beobloke
it was an episode the writers thought would end the run of the simpsons as well. they didnt like it at time and the classic extended rake stepping was done as long as a filler as they had run out of ideas. i think it was one of the top 10 eps..Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
clessic simpsons of the early mid series'. not seen many for years as i dont have telly
I still have loads of the old ones on video cassette. My old man had cable installed the first day it became available so he used to tape them and post the tapes to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by struth
They still show them sometimes on Channel 4 and Sky. Any episodes made after about 1999 aren't worth watching though.
ive the first 10 series on dvd somewhere but not seen them for years. an awful lot of work putting discs in tho lol,. might if i find them someday see if they will go onto a hdd. have my doubts tho.Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
'catch up' on Channel 4 website https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-simpsons
No old ones on there right now but they'll start showing them again, I'll let you know when they do.
Managed to fix the hoover and now it works fine. Major achievement for me that is.
What did you do - renew or empty the bag? ;)
No suction, thought it might be the filters, pulled them out and then could see the whole tube was blocked.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barry
I don't know what it was I must have hoovered up, some plastic/metal thing which had jammed at the top just before the filter. Got that out and all the crud that had built up behind it and it works fine again now.
I have nothing but admiration for those who have a grasp of technology, especially when it is self-taught :respect: Just think, when you retire you could start up a small business, coming to the rescue of folk who never thought to check for a blockage :ner::ner: Possibly including us, Mrs P has amassed an impressive collection of hoovers none of which "work right".Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
I trust the plastic/metal thing was nothing important.
about 85% of hoover issues are blockages of some sort. older ones especially were fairly easy to work with too. you could pick up 'broken' hoovers all time for pennies and fix up, quick paint, new outer bag, cable, brushes and make a good living on the side.
I don't know what it was, if it was something important I'll just have to wait for it to go bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pigmy Pony
I know for a man who fixes stuff it's nothing much, any fool can clear a blocked hoover. Which is why I was able to accomplish it I suppose.
Must be true, I've done it a few times! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Macca
Not bad at clearing blocked drains either.
I make frequent trips to our 'reclamation centre' to dispense of stuff I no longer need (you know the sort of thing: LPs; reel-to-reel recorders, etc. - nah only kidding!).
It always surprises me just how many Dyson vacuum cleaners there are there.
They sold a lot of them, that's why. I've got two of them plus an Electrolux and a Shark. Did have a VAX too but gave that to the tat man.
dyson yellows blocked up worse than most due to design at base. used to pick up loads for free as folk obviously thought they were goosed. not really any different tho to most hoovers. just a lot of press bull about being great etc.
And a great price too (i.e. expensive). And what is so great about not having a bag?
bags are a pain in the arse, that's why. You need to hoover, bag is full, you used the last one, now you've got to search out some place that sells the exact type of bag, go there, pay money for them...Quote:
Originally Posted by Barry
Yeah no different performance to my nan's hoover - that was a long metal cylinder which weighed half a metric tonne and was made in about 1950, but it would suck the paint off the skirting board if you let it.Quote:
Originally Posted by struth
Henrys are good too. I had to use the one at work once when the shredder went skitz on me.
I always wanted the one that will suck up builder's rubble.
Bagless vacuum cleaners are also a pain in the arse You have to empty them outside, unless you want the dust everywhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
For work I have a budget Henry-type hoover, made by Titan and sells at Screwfix for forty quid. Works a treat, but does use bags (about a tenner for 5, also sold at Screwfix). The bags do last a long time though.
If you stick the hose in t'other hole it blows like a good 'un, which may be handy for something.
Hey I'm not a man who fixes stuff, I'm shit at it. I just fit windows and doors, everything else I'm just winging it :doh: And did I mention our collection of hoovers? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
That Aviva advert where they're struggling to cross a little stream that is about an inch deep and the old girl looks so scared you'd think she was transversing Niagara Falls on a tightrope.
'Arc light. B52 strike. Charlie don't see 'em or hear 'em.'
a couple crashed into each other once. bet that was a big bang in the sky.Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
Funny how birds don't collide, even in flocks.Quote:
Originally Posted by struth
They do fly into windows though, and wind turbines. They don't look so smart then.Quote:
Originally Posted by walpurgis
Why do I keep on thinking about Dr Strangelove :eek:
Think I might watch my DVD copy. :eyebrows:Quote:
Originally Posted by guy
I had thought of watching it again on Netflix. Doesn't seem to be available in UK though:(
'Secret Army' just starting on Talking Pictures. Not seen that since it was originally broadcast, can't forget the theme tune.
Never watched it, thought it was dead boring. I remember it because it was always on Wednesday nights in the winter, back when there was only three channels and there would be nothing worth watching on the other two either. One of those scheduling dead zones. That theme tune was the signal that I had to go and do my homework. I always tried to fit it in around the telly.