Cold war 2.0

[Virtual ghost]

'Argentina has non-negotiable sovereignty over the Falklands', country's new right-wing president Javier Milei declares



It seems far short of war in this case, but doesn't it seem like tensions and conflicts are ramping up everywhere? With an upsurge in the nationalistic right globally, I wonder how much more of that we will see.

Status quo that ruled the world before the pandemic is over. What means that the world now has to find some kind of a new balance between all of the elements on the map. What will probably take a while, especially if we add into the mix that climate change is starting to show it's concrete impacts and global population is still expanding. What then results with plenty of displaced people and that results with instability, because that creates various domino effects. Therefore we probably haven't seen the peak of mess. As a matter of fact it is possible that the main show didn't even start yet. I know that I am no being comforting but all of this is exactly why I said a few days back that it would be wise to actually start thinking what to to do if things go much more south. Because the odds of that happening are pretty decent if we consider how things are going in the big picture.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Netherlands — 2023 general election


The country is voting tomorrow. However over the last few days there is a far right surge at the last moment (the gray line). What is probably because the centrist establishment choose woman of color as a leader and top candidate. While progressive left also has a shot to come out first. What when summed it seems that it is creating a backlash. The odds are that no one will want to make a coalition government with the far right. However if they manage to come on top that will surely change some debates down the road. I mean they lag just 3% to come on top, what is well withing striking distance. Especially in combination with the late last minute surge.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Dutch far-right leader Thierry Baudet attacked again, party says


Speaking of Netherlands and their elections, here is something fresh.
In other words this is exactly what far right needs, a major incident just a day before election day. Since this could indeed push the main far right party at the top tomorrow. As I said they need just 3% more if the polls are correct.

 

[The Cat]

Remember Kids, Your fears and anxieties are some of your nations most valuable exploitable resources.
Many people are paid much monies to find the most horrifying ways to keep you invested in being exploited by your own sense of inevitable mortality, and inherent fear of the unknown. Remember to take a healthy grain of salt from any "serious person" who is trying to scare you. If they're not a fan of existential comedy, they might just be trying to manipulate you into not thinking critically, rather than trying to inspire you to do so.

And remember kids, brush and floss after every meal because life is a cosmic nightmare, you only get two sets of teeth your entire life and every institution in existence likes to punch you right in the teeth any chance they get. So maybe wear a mouth guard, but dont let them scare you.
​

 

[Virtual ghost]

Dutch election: Far-right surge gives Geert Wilders late boost


It seems that the country is going directly for the shock.
What was the game between 3 mainstream blocks for months has suddenly turned into something else, due to strong last minute surge from the far right (gray line). Just 2% more and they are on top.

This is exactly why I have certain doubts that the polls for EU parliament elections are correct. Paranoia on the internet can turn this around in a blink.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Ukraine commemorates 10 years since 'Euromaidan' protests

German defense minister announces €1.3B weapons package during visit to Kyiv

Myanmar's rebel offensive: How worried should India be?

North Korea launches spy satellite

Poland’s President Duda signals Tusk will have bumpy ride as PM

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

Status quo that ruled the world before the pandemic is over. What means that the world now has to find some kind of a new balance between all of the elements on the map. What will probably take a while, especially if we add into the mix that climate change is starting to show it's concrete impacts and global population is still expanding. What then results with plenty of displaced people and that results with instability, because that creates various domino effects. Therefore we probably haven't seen the peak of mess. As a matter of fact it is possible that the main show didn't even start yet. I know that I am no being comforting but all of this is exactly why I said a few days back that it would be wise to actually start thinking what to to do if things go much more south. Because the odds of that happening are pretty decent if we consider how things are going in the big picture.

Well, in my 20s, I sort of tried to learn how to become an outdoorsman in preparation for these eventualities, in part. I don't know that I picked up that much, but I got to see a lot of cool things and meet some people I really liked (they were all about ecology). I'm dependent on modern medicine, so the lack of that would be troubling. What would you plan on doing?

To me, it looks like borders are being strengthened and they aren't going away. I think they'll be the last thing to disappear when everything else is rubble, really.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

The guy is not just nationalistic and an ultra-libertarian in fiscal and economic matters, he is also against abortion even in the case of raped minors, and against sex education (but strangely for same sex marriage and "free love") and wants to shut down the ministry for women and the national institute against discrimination, xenophobia and racism. And of course he's a climate change denier. This does not bode well at all.

And, yes, as predicted by many, I think the Russian invasion of Ukraine has sort of given lots of people ideas. Suddenly things that seemed so last century (in the "civilized world") are thinkable and possibly doable again.

Under no circumstances would I vote for a "libertarian economist." To me it's a code word for "more of the same garbage we've been getting." They've had their chance and we can see what the result is.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Well, in my 20s, I sort of tried to learn how to become an outdoorsman in preparation for these eventualities, in part. I don't know that I picked up that much, but I got to see a lot of cool things and meet some people I really liked (they were all about ecology). I'm dependent on modern medicine, so the lack of that would be troubling. What would you plan on doing?

To me, it looks like borders are being strengthened and they aren't going away. I think they'll be the last thing to disappear when everything else is rubble, really.

Well, I don't suggest that you go into "crazy prophet"mood about how the end is near. However keeping an eye on where things are going is generally a smart idea when considered how things are going. On the other hand I am in reality much more practical person then I sounds here. I invest in generally healthy lifestyle, I grow some of my own food (currently I am expanding my orchard). Also I know how to fix certain things on my own and I have pretty detailed picture of my wider area ... etc. I mean if there is a complete social collapse in your area then pretty much nothing will matter. However that probably wouldn't happen in most areas. Instead there will probably be a half collapse if the trends continue. Therefore having certain practical skills is what could really make a big difference. Because locally people will need to cover some of the holes by themselves. Since supply and demand game will surely change if the trends continue.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Under no circumstances would I vote for a "libertarian economist." To me it's a code word for "more of the same garbage we've been getting." They've had their chance and we can see what the result is.

This also kinda depends, libertarians often vary from culture to culture. Since different history can totally change what is actually the concept of freedom. In other words mine are generally ok with welfare system due to dark local history with many wars and dictatorships. What basically means that you can't expect that the market will solve just about everything. You simply have to prepare for certain alternatives, because otherwise you are basically putting all apples into one basket. What is generally a bad idea even if that basket is the market itself.

 

[Virtual ghost]

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

This also kinda depends, libertarians often vary from culture to culture. Since different history can totally change what is actually the concept of freedom. In other words mine are generally ok with welfare system due to dark local history with many wars and dictatorships. What basically means that you can't expect that the market will solve just about everything. You simply have to prepare for certain alternatives, because otherwise you are basically putting all apples into one basket. What is generally a bad idea even if that basket is the market itself.

In South America, I am inclined to assume libertarian probably means "admirer of Pinochet".

 

[Virtual ghost]

In South America, I am inclined to assume libertarian probably means "admirer of Pinochet".

I am not sure. He was probably a little bit too autocratic for typical libertarians.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I am not sure. He was probably a little bit too autocratic for typical libertarians.

Argentina’s far-right frontrunner reopens wounds of dictatorship

The far-right frontrunner, Javier Milei, has made questioning the decades-long consensus over the nature of Argentina’s dictatorship and the number of victims a key plank of his campaign, to the outrage of those who suffered under the regime.

“We value the idea of memory, truth and justice – so let’s start with the truth. There weren’t 30,000 [victims], there were 8,753,” Milei claimed during a recent debate, infuriating victims’ families and survivors.

Coquet voiced disgust that an anti-establishment backlash over inflation and Argentina’s atrophying economy meant Milei was close to becoming president. “It’s a tremendous blow,” Coquet said, denouncing how the populist Milei painted the systematic murder of dissenters as the result of a justifiable war against leftist terrorists.

Villarruel, who is expected to become defense, security and justice minister if Milei wins Sunday’s election, found fame defending military officials accused of human rights abuses during the dictatorship. Her father participated in anti-guerrilla operations during the dictatorship and her intelligence officer uncle worked in a clandestine prison. Villarruel has publicly attacked groups such as the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Argentina’s far-right frontrunner reopens wounds of dictatorship

Ok, but in that case he isn't really a libertarian. In my book libertarians are anarcho-capitalists and that can't really co-exist with a open dictatorship.

 

[The Cat]

An anarcho capitalist sounds like a made up distracting name for something else has the word despot truly lost its timeless sheen? Has warlord become to crass?

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

Meanwhile stuff like this has been going on constantly in Iraq and I had no idea.

US fires on and kills hostile forces after attack in Iraq, US official says

As of Tuesday there have been at least 66 attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria since October 17, including several on forces at Al-Asad. Earlier in the day on Monday before the ballistic missile attack, a US official said a one-way drone attack was also launched against forces at Al-Asad, which resulted in no casualties or infrastructure damage.

“Taking us back — is deterrence working? We feel that it is,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters last week. “We have not seen this war spread into a wider regional conflict. We have … conducted three different strikes. We responded most recently this weekend. And again, we will always reserve the right to respond at a time and place of our choosing in the future.”

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I thought this was pretty good. Very informative.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Israel-Hamas war: World leaders welcome hostage deal

South Korea suspends military agreement with North

 

[The Cat]