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I was talking to two Romanian immigrant women members of my church (Orthodox) today. They told me that that there is a wealthy hotel and restaurant owner in their area of Romania bordering Ukraine, that has opened his hotels and restaurants to refugees free of charge.
I don't play it.up.but my.blood is 1/2 Russian from my Father's side. I don't feel much kinship with Russia BUT I believe the average Russian citizen does not want war or the fallout war generates. I feel everyday Russians here are victims, too. What's going to happen now I don't know. I think now might be a great time to stock up on canned goods. And pray if that's your thing. Rob
Thank You! I'm feeling down today and your post made me feel some hope. RobQuote:
Originally Posted by Tradd
He’s also having food sent to the border for people immediately as they cross.
Glad it gave you some hope.
I saw a meme today - 4 things on earth you can see from space: the Grand Canyon, The Great Pyramids of Giza, The Amazon River and the balls of Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ha, that's a good one. I've been very impressed with Mr Zelensky. I've grown accustomed to politicians such as Mr Trudeau going into hiding in the US when truckers peacefully protest so it was refreshing to see Mr Zelensky's response to our offer to get him out of the country. He said "I don't need a ride, I need ammunition." That's a real leader!Quote:
Originally Posted by beckyliz
Yeah, DH pointed out that one to me this morning. Funny. This Ukraine President is getting lots of love from Americans.Quote:
Originally Posted by beckyliz
Doing a little work recalibrating some old instruments today in the lab.
https://i.imgur.com/c4DmuVB.jpg
He’s certainly held out longer than the “experts” initially thought. He’s basically shamed and shocked the Germans out of their Merkel-era defense parasitism. Sweden and Finland are openly talking about NATO membership. It’s only a matter of time until Hollywood gets out their version of the story. Not bad for a comedian.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan
I heard this morning that the Snake Island troops got out alive. I hope that’s true.
I heard that too, but currently being held captive by the Russians.Quote:
Originally Posted by LDAHL
Are you really feeling that this is an Archduke Ferdinand / 1939 Invasion of Poland event?Quote:
Originally Posted by bae
I don’t like Trudeau, but I just heard on the BBC that Canada is the first country banning all Russian oil and gas imports.
Don't drop dead of shock here, Alan. On this one I could not agree with you more. RobQuote:
Originally Posted by Alan
The thing about that is that because oil is an international commodity Canada will just buy from somewhere else (assuming they were even importing russian oil in the first place) and the oil that Canada was buying from Russia will get bought by someone else like China. In the big picture it won't actually make any difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tradd
Unable to organize a successful lightning shock and awe campaign, they appear to be defaulting to the brutal tactics they used against hostile cities in Chechnya and Syria.
This does not appear to be a high quality military, which doesn’t mean they won’t eventually win.
I just read that Ukrainians who sell captured military equipment for scrap don’t have to report it on their taxes.
Among the "economic sanctions" against Russia, some states, and the management of various bars and liquor stores have banned the sale of Russian-made vodka.
Liquor Control Boards in Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Ohio, Utah, and the Province of Ontario have made the news with their actions.
For example, Oregon ordered 5,000 bottles of Russian-made vodka to be pulled from the shelves in 281 stores. Other brands of vodka with Russian names, but not supplied by distilleries located in Russia, continue to be sold. "Stolichnaya", a brand of the Stoli Group, is a product of Latvia. The founder of Stoli Group was born in Russia, but was exiled. The website of Stoli Group opens with a blue and yellow graphic of a dove, and states: Stoli Group stands for peace in Europe and in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown stated: "The actions of the Russian Government are not the actions of the Russian People. We value our Russian community here in Oregon, and many Russian families are being impacted by this conflict."
Stupid, as it was bought and paid for.Quote:
Originally Posted by dado potato
If they are to ban the sale of it, they should be reimbursing the companies selling it for the cost of it, so that money isn't tied up in non usable product and can still generate sales tax revenue.
I would estimate that the Vodka issue has very little economic detriment or impact in the big scheme of things, but it does make a statement. I wonder how the oligarchs have distributed their wealth and if they are invested in the vodka companies. It's probably big business based on Russian vodka thirst.
Not as stupid as the boycott of French fries after the start of the Iraq War when France said they would not participate in any invasion.Quote:
Originally Posted by ToomuchStuff
And I do feel bad for Stoli getting caught in the crossfire. I agree with Ezra Klein in the NYT today that if we are going to put our money where are mouth is, we should forget about the vodka and think about boycotting Russian energy.
Pshaw..as though vodka ISN’T energy.Quote:
Originally Posted by catherine
ha
I agree, although that would create an international supply problem which would put our current administrations forced cutback on domestic oil drilling and transport under an uncomfortable spotlight, and midterms are coming up.Quote:
Originally Posted by catherine
Hmmm. My grandfather spent his time in WWII on a small boat in the Pacific hiding from the Japanese forces during the day, and sneaking out at night to resupply submarines. He had such a bad time during the war that he basically never left his home county after his return. Only a short time before his death did he tell me some of the horrors he experienced.
I think I am not gonna whine about paying a bit more at the pump for gas.
They will just store it since it does not go bad and bring it out when this is over. More of an issue is that Russia provides something around 40% of the energy for Europe.
It might be a fortuitous time for the big car makers to be rolling out all their new electric models.
My father was very close-lipped about the horrors he saw during WWII, too. We just knew there were plenty.Quote:
Originally Posted by bae
Don’t you have an electric car?Quote:
Originally Posted by bae
The gas station on my corner was $3.88 this morning. Been that for a few days. Was $4.19 when I got home. Down the road a bit another station was $4.29. Far NW Chicago burbs. Good thing my Escape gets 27 mpg.
Indy has $3.79 with quite a few variations in the suburbs.
That’s about was it was in Michigan this weekend when I was attending a shipwreck event in the Detroit area.Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetana3
One good thing about when I go away diving - I have access to cheaper gas than at home.
It's interesting how people weigh the price of gas at the pump as an important metric of the state of the nation. If not the world.
https://scontent.fluk1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...3A&oe=62453BB9Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogar
This was taken during a fillup for my truck 18 months ago. I'd gotten a dollar per gallon off with my Kroger Rewards so the cost per gallon was actually $1.98. Filled up last week at the same spot for $3.99 per gallon, that's a 100% increase in less than two years. I wouldn't call that indicative of the state of the nation but I would say that the worst inflationary trend in 40 years, with no end in sight, might be.
Feb 19, 2022 here. Diesel was $4.99. This is pre-Ukraine-market-disruption:
https://i.imgur.com/G8G0WEV.jpg
How much has the US actually cut back production since Biden entered the white house?Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan
My $3.99 price was pre-Ukraine-market disruption too. I'm guessing the next time I pull in I'll be paying west coast prices too.
Not fast enough to keep the planet from cooking and condemning our offspring to a really hard time.Quote:
Originally Posted by jp1
I was filling up my Toyota pickup, which (discounting a road trip) I've only put a couple of tanks in during the entire pandemic, as I had luckily purchased a small electric vehicle right before the pandemic hits. The wee EV can handle most of my errands here most of the year in most weather, so I use very little gas or diesel anymore.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan
I'm not sure, I've seen estimates ranging from 14% to 20%.Quote:
Originally Posted by jp1
+1Quote:
Not fast enough to keep the planet from cooking and condemning our offspring to a really hard time.
Yea, Biden's policies there are terrible. But then most voters might want terrible policies given who they elect. The good news is that they will get them, the bad news is that they will get them and unfortunately the rest of us too.
I agree. We are so entrenched in our way of life and expectations about the value of things we consume, and have very little imagination about the alternatives to those long-held assumptions. I remember when my best friend and I were making our senior-year back-to-school lists, and she said, "..and I need a white sweater." So I half-jokingly challenged her: "You NEED a white sweater? Like you'll die if you don't get one??" And she said, very seriously, "Yes, I NEED a white sweater."Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogar
In a way gas is a white sweater. I'm not trivializing people who have to use gas-fueled transportation to get to work and who may not have the disposable income to be able to absorb the rise in prices, but the ones who are going to complain the most will most likely be the ones who have gas guzzling cars and who CAN afford to pay a little more.
There are a lot of "white sweaters" that are going to keep us from saving the planet.