villakram

Ya, it's truly mad how big America is. The Detroit metro are is huge and the plot sizes accessible to average people is so far removed from what anyone in England/Ireland and probably most of the continent experience. Modern development is going to lead to interesting things though as the build quality these days is so so poor. I imagine many of these properties will be in awful condition in 30-50yrs time and will make things like the rustbelt decay appear quaint.

Yes, in its explicit construction. I would argue that the geographic scale makes the problems very similar. While in Europe you do have the more distinct language/culture changes that denote clearer boundaries between regions, it is nonetheless clear that the circumstances in southern Italy are far removed from the homelessness crisis in Ireland and I find it hard to see how an EU body could help. Distribute money to the states to deal with this issue, perhaps. The EU does provide a fantastic example of how central funds can be used to build infrastructure that raises the economic status of regions and that does massively help with a significant portion of the homelessness issue.. Unfortunately, that other portion is far trickier problem with no real solution as genetics and life circumstances chew us up all too readily.

Hold tight folks, you never know! and you lot think I don't care... a little helping hand during these tough times, stay safe! https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Popcorn-Fresh "Fortunately, you can make a few little changes to end up with popcorn that stays fluffy and crisp, even days after you popped it. "

Sort of... downtown has bounced back, but the fundamental population (tax base) and blight issue (you don't have to wander too far from the sports district to start seeing it either) remains (with its accompanying social problems) and there is no quick fix for any of that on the horizon.

I really don't think another national agency would be the way to go. I shudder at the thought of an EU homelessness agency for example. Local level works much better, so this is something the states should take on, e.g., MI/IL/OH etc could then partner for their local geographical area specific problems.

Local high locked down today due to being swatted (hoax). Word is that this was a multi-county thing in Ohio today. Fooked up.

You are half projecting and half arguing with yourself. Paint anything I say as Russian, so it can be easily dismissed as they are an "other" and by implication different from us and evil. Going back to where all this started. The not an inch, and keep fighting until every inch is returned position, is a naive and comfortable thing to say when one lies very far away. Hence the bizarre world we live in where the possibility for a cease fire during a horrible war is objectionable for those on the "good" side.

Further positive developments in the middle east, with fresh diplomatic ties between Syria and Saudi Arabia on the cards. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230320-report-saudi-to-reopen-consulate-in-syria/ "Saudi Arabia plans to reopen its consulate in the Syrian capital, Damascus, nearly 12 years after it was closed due to the outbreak of the civil war, Russia's Sputnik news agency reported. The agency quoted sources as saying that the kingdom may reopen the consulate in Damascus after the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, which follows the holy month of Ramadan. According to the agency, mediation efforts led by Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have culminated in overcoming obstacles facing the two Arab countries, pointing out that the step comes after the deal reached between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic relations."

I'm happy that projecting like that makes you feel better about your opinions. Meanwhile. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/17/iraq-invasion-ukraine-history-shadow/ “No one in the Biden administration today cares that [the Iraq War] ruined what credibility America had as a pillar of international order in the global south and gave Putin cover for his own atrocity,” wrote Juan Cole, a historian of the Middle East at the University of Michigan. “Who remembers anymore that, in 2003, we were Vladimir Putin?”"" or perhaps some of this might help. https://consortiumnews.com/2023/03/20/iraq-20-years-chris-hedges-the-lords-of-chaos/ "The cheerleaders in the media for war — Thomas Friedman, David Remnick, Richard Cohen, George Packer, William Kristol, Peter Beinart, Bill Keller, Robert Kaplan, Anne Applebaum, Nicholas Kristof, Jonathan Chait, Fareed Zakaria, David Frum, Jeffrey Goldberg, David Brooks and Michael Ignatieff — were used to amplify the lies and discredit the handful of us, including Michael Moore, Robert Scheer and Phil Donahue, who opposed the war. These courtiers were often motivated more by careerism than idealism. They did not lose their megaphones or lucrative speaking fees and book contracts once the lies were exposed, as if their crazed diatribes did not matter. They served the centers of power and were rewarded for it. Many of these same pundits are pushing further escalation of the war in Ukraine, although most know as little about Ukraine or NATO’s provocative and unnecessary expansion to the borders of Russia as they did about Iraq." The world is much more complicated than the good vs evil narrative.

The joys of the internet. Meanwhile Washington continues to find money to bail out the financial system and the Ukraine war with a DoD budget approaching $1T while inflation runs rampant and real wages continue to fall. Trump, Trump, Trump... bwah bwah, answer our questions. Look, a frog!

an unimportant randomer called John Kirby.

Expecting clarity in an instant is a sad indictment of our times. Headlines, headlines, headlines... long live the sub!

Meanwhile the US comes out hard against any possible idea of a ceasefire, if Xi dares to come up with the idea while talking with Putin and Zelenskyy over the coming days. Strange times.

A lack of communication between people of differing political viewpoints is one of the contributing factors to our current political times.

A second pump for the water tank is an option, but some elec backup will aways be necessary, e.g., there's a this old house episode where they add a portable heat pump to a big old US style water tank. 2nd vid is an all in one unit.

Good Sir, might I kindly suggest that you read my posts rather than "read" them.

I never stated that. I simply provided it as an example of the places that the UK "found" that also just happen to be incredibly important geo-strategic places. Coincidence of course. I am fully aware of the appalling behavior related to Diego Garcia. Pilger has done trojan work about this.

I hope you take a day off to take in the coronation pageantry. Empires acting empire like all through history, you don't say.

They gave (leaseed or fully, unsure) it to the US when the Brit empire was running out of steam.

Missing out on Europe, but with a good finish to the season would set us up for a real run at things next year. Imho, we are miles away from having the strength to play a European schedule and domestic comps.

King Charles is the head of state for Canada and Australia. They make more sense than an Island thousands of miles away. But, you know democracy and freedom. What do the Falklands, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Hong Kong and Diego Garcia have in common. Yay, the royal navy, freedom for all.

... regarding Kings and Queens trading this and that for honor, riches, sons or daughters and other thoroughly egalitarian principles. Yup, all above board Guv!

Hmmm... His Alaska approval has really pissed in the left/green lobby punchbowl.

and 81yr old GOP senate leader Mitch has just been released from hospital due to a concussion and rib fracture from falling over.

The point I was making was related to various "not an inch" talk and directly to @bickster comment about how only the Ukrainian people had the say on the land (fullstop). I could have similarly replied anywhere else, but that was the most recent comment at the time. I was simply responding quite sharply, that while this is indeed a wonderful principle, the world does not work on principles. I could have used the US occupation of Syria too or blockade on Cuba or the legal status of Puerto Rico, but given the Brit audience, I thought a more local example would be appropriate. Apparently, I hit a sore spot.