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walllaw · 05/03/2026 10:50

PerkingFaintly · 05/03/2026 10:40

The breadth of knowledge on these threads is extraordinary.

I've always been in awe of it, but the way our very different bits of experience suddenly bob to the surface as they become relevant overnight still takes my breath away!

Who knew that living in Cyprus or working in racing would become this week's key expertise?

Brew to the amazing team here.

Hard agree!

Adding that I almost always check this thread before I look at the news. It's a slightly more gentle entry into the day's new horrors than plunging straight in. 😅

PerkingFaintly · 05/03/2026 10:50

Oh top, I should say, of the regular and obviously relevant expertise from our wonderful military contributors.

Igotjelly · 05/03/2026 11:09

walllaw · 05/03/2026 10:50

Hard agree!

Adding that I almost always check this thread before I look at the news. It's a slightly more gentle entry into the day's new horrors than plunging straight in. 😅

Edited

I’m finding the news totally overwhelming. Those who know me from the Ukraine threads might remember that I suffer from OCD and news checking is one of my compulsive behaviours. 😭 yesterday’s screen time was something like 11 hours, it’s fucking exhausting.

PerkingFaintly · 05/03/2026 11:23

Oh @Igotjelly , I'm sorry, I'd never picked up on you saying that on the Ukraine threads.

Hope you can find a way to spin down a little. Flowers

RedTagAlan · 05/03/2026 12:25

Well a couple of days ago I dismissed the Ukraine drone help as pointless/ a PR exercise. But how wrong I was.

Trump has a major problem in the numbers battle. Iran is forcing the US and gulf States to use up their Patriots real fast, as we have all figured out. But I don't think it is just stockpiles in Iran that is the problem, as a PP pointed out, it is Russia too.

Russia are making these Iranian drones by the thousands in Russia. And I remembered, the Caspian sea. Iran and Russia both have ship trade on the Caspian. And more to the point, they have Caspian navies. Russia can feed tens of thousands of drones into Iran with impunity on their Caspian Navy, Because what happens if the USA start sinking Russian naval vessels ?

The only way I think the US could counter this would be with bombing Iranian infrastructure. Destroy the roads leading from the Caspian to the Gulf.

And that would go right back to the Ho Chi Minh trail.

And the US can't do much about bombing infrastructure if their planes are flying about the gulf trying to machine gun drones out the sky ? Modern cannon on modern jets would likely be useless against slow low drones anyway ?

A line of Ukrainian troops on the beach with their trusty AKs on the other hand...

It really is similar to the urban myth that the US spent millions on the Fischer space pen, the Russians used a pencil.

boatyardblues · 05/03/2026 12:27

I also appreciate the breadth and restraint of these threads. You can always be relied on to have your fingers on the pulse of the day’s events coupled with an appropriate level of scepticism and source triangulation. It is also my first port of call to get a quick overview of the day’s news. Thank you all.

Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 05/03/2026 12:37

Gosh, you must really be suffering worse than usual these days, @Igotjelly, I’m so sorry. I imagine this must have been suggested numerous times before, would trying some the “good news only” sites be of any help to you (no, I don’t mean links to Evangelical churches!)?

Anyone seeing me walking along the almost deserted shore this morning must have thought I was demented, I was listening to James O’Brien on LBC discussing WHY Trump started this war now and shouting out “the Epstein Files, you fool, you!” at regular intervals. (It transpired that’s the answer we all know is the correct one, along with oil money, but we’re not allowed to say that because Trump.)

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 13:04

It really is similar to the urban myth that the US spent millions on the Fischer space pen, the Russians used a pencil.

Er - scienceflash. Using a "pencil" in zero gravity is best left to the terminally dim who view long division as black magic.

NASA were immediately aware that using graphite - a well known electrical conductor - would risk tiny particles just "being there" in the cabin atmosphere, waiting to short circuit something vital.

I suspect Russia really used a chinagraph anyway.

If you like stories like this, maybe the Skylab/Soyuz comparison is better. From memory NASA blew a few million on a sophisticated camera system to help visually perform docking. Meanwhile the USSR put a mirror on a stick.

Back to the thread !

RedTagAlan · 05/03/2026 13:06

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 13:04

It really is similar to the urban myth that the US spent millions on the Fischer space pen, the Russians used a pencil.

Er - scienceflash. Using a "pencil" in zero gravity is best left to the terminally dim who view long division as black magic.

NASA were immediately aware that using graphite - a well known electrical conductor - would risk tiny particles just "being there" in the cabin atmosphere, waiting to short circuit something vital.

I suspect Russia really used a chinagraph anyway.

If you like stories like this, maybe the Skylab/Soyuz comparison is better. From memory NASA blew a few million on a sophisticated camera system to help visually perform docking. Meanwhile the USSR put a mirror on a stick.

Back to the thread !

That's why I said urban myth :-)

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 13:14

RedTagAlan · 05/03/2026 13:06

That's why I said urban myth :-)

It rankles thought as it's often cited as "fact", and one that is often used as a subtle "you can't trust scientists" mic drop. Invariably by people who have an agenda.

Now I would quite happily have a debate about trusting scientists because I don't trust them. But this wouldn't be the reason.

RedTagAlan · 05/03/2026 13:32

CNN again in last half hour.

"Gas prices shot higher by another 5 cents a gallon in the latest reading from AAA, taking the average price in the US to $3.25 a gallon, the highest average price in 11 months.
This 26-cent-a-gallon increase since Friday is a reaction to the war in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial channel through which 20% of the world’s oil passes. Gas prices have also risen after Iran launched retaliatory attacks on the oil facilities of its oil-rich neighbors, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter.
Most of the increase has come in the last three days, although today’s 5-cent jump in prices is less than the 9-cent increase in Wednesday’s reading and the 11-cent spike in prices on Tuesday, which had been the biggest one-day increase since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Still, the 25-cent gain in gas prices in the last few days is the largest three-day rise since March 2022, shortly after sanctions were imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine."

The stable genius strikes again.

No matter I suppose. As the MAGA are at the pumps looking at the price board saying $3.50, they will hear dear leader on their pickup radios, " Gas is record low, $1.99. Anything else is fake news"

Now, I know nowt about economics. At what point do dictators start to do the money printing thing ? You know, a wheelbarrow of cash for a loaf of bread. Is that how it works ?

Because the Military Industrial complex invoices for all this overtime missile making will soon arrive surely. Or is that another scam to add to the list ? Don Jr and co buying up MIC shares 2 weeks ago ?

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 13:35

RedTagAlan · 05/03/2026 13:32

CNN again in last half hour.

"Gas prices shot higher by another 5 cents a gallon in the latest reading from AAA, taking the average price in the US to $3.25 a gallon, the highest average price in 11 months.
This 26-cent-a-gallon increase since Friday is a reaction to the war in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial channel through which 20% of the world’s oil passes. Gas prices have also risen after Iran launched retaliatory attacks on the oil facilities of its oil-rich neighbors, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter.
Most of the increase has come in the last three days, although today’s 5-cent jump in prices is less than the 9-cent increase in Wednesday’s reading and the 11-cent spike in prices on Tuesday, which had been the biggest one-day increase since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Still, the 25-cent gain in gas prices in the last few days is the largest three-day rise since March 2022, shortly after sanctions were imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine."

The stable genius strikes again.

No matter I suppose. As the MAGA are at the pumps looking at the price board saying $3.50, they will hear dear leader on their pickup radios, " Gas is record low, $1.99. Anything else is fake news"

Now, I know nowt about economics. At what point do dictators start to do the money printing thing ? You know, a wheelbarrow of cash for a loaf of bread. Is that how it works ?

Because the Military Industrial complex invoices for all this overtime missile making will soon arrive surely. Or is that another scam to add to the list ? Don Jr and co buying up MIC shares 2 weeks ago ?

I wonder what the cost of living message from MAGA will be. I am guessing that it will become deeply unAmerican to complain about prices. Maybe even treason.

Spandauer · 05/03/2026 13:43

.

Beware the Ides of March - Trump Thread #156
OP posts:
RedTagAlan · 05/03/2026 14:00

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 13:35

I wonder what the cost of living message from MAGA will be. I am guessing that it will become deeply unAmerican to complain about prices. Maybe even treason.

Exactly what I was thinking. They have already said it is anti-Trump to report soldiers deaths.

We already see it on other threads. If some posters get any inkling of "anti Trump"', the label of " pro Iranian Regime" is instantly stuck on.

And the thing is, from what I see Trump and co are really crap at real propaganda. If I were in his team, I would suggest along the lines of " Fellow citizens. We have all seen the price of gas. I am sorry, but this is a short term cost that we need to bear as we fight for our freedom. blah blah".

But nah. He will yell "Fake news. Sleepy Joe".

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 05/03/2026 14:16

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 13:14

It rankles thought as it's often cited as "fact", and one that is often used as a subtle "you can't trust scientists" mic drop. Invariably by people who have an agenda.

Now I would quite happily have a debate about trusting scientists because I don't trust them. But this wouldn't be the reason.

Shouldn't trust depend a great deal on the scientist? They are not all the same by any means, and some are a great deal more competent (or simply more honest) than others. Just like any other group of people really.

AcrossthePond55 · 05/03/2026 14:26

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 13:35

I wonder what the cost of living message from MAGA will be. I am guessing that it will become deeply unAmerican to complain about prices. Maybe even treason.

You know, I'm reminded of Henry VIII's various edicts on treason ending with 'it is treason to even think about the King's death'.

Scrotus must be losing speed. I'd think we'd be up to 'it is treason to speak of the POTUS's death or the size of his mushroom.

RedTagAlan · 05/03/2026 14:36

Goodness me. Their propaganda gets worse. I would put an expletives here, but this is beyond fecking words.

Photo attached, need to wait a bit. CNN has the vid on it's feed.

Beware the Ides of March - Trump Thread #156
SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 14:39

AcrossthePond55 · 05/03/2026 14:26

You know, I'm reminded of Henry VIII's various edicts on treason ending with 'it is treason to even think about the King's death'.

Scrotus must be losing speed. I'd think we'd be up to 'it is treason to speak of the POTUS's death or the size of his mushroom.

.

Beware the Ides of March - Trump Thread #156
SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 14:41

RedTagAlan · 05/03/2026 14:36

Goodness me. Their propaganda gets worse. I would put an expletives here, but this is beyond fecking words.

Photo attached, need to wait a bit. CNN has the vid on it's feed.

I am picturing a queue line of MAGAnauts around the block wanting to sign up.

CaveMum · 05/03/2026 14:43

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 13:04

It really is similar to the urban myth that the US spent millions on the Fischer space pen, the Russians used a pencil.

Er - scienceflash. Using a "pencil" in zero gravity is best left to the terminally dim who view long division as black magic.

NASA were immediately aware that using graphite - a well known electrical conductor - would risk tiny particles just "being there" in the cabin atmosphere, waiting to short circuit something vital.

I suspect Russia really used a chinagraph anyway.

If you like stories like this, maybe the Skylab/Soyuz comparison is better. From memory NASA blew a few million on a sophisticated camera system to help visually perform docking. Meanwhile the USSR put a mirror on a stick.

Back to the thread !

Time for a West Wing reference Klaxon!

Reminds me if the episode where Christian Slater, playing a Naval officer, smashes an expensive ashtray from the submarine he is serving on with a hammer to point out the reason it costs several thousand $$$ is because you don’t want something onboard a submarine that might shatter into thousands of tiny pieces.

RedTagAlan · 05/03/2026 14:51

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 14:41

I am picturing a queue line of MAGAnauts around the block wanting to sign up.

Barron ?

RedTagAlan · 05/03/2026 15:10

@Jaichangecentfoisdenom

You probably know this by now. 2 hours ago from Sky

"European nations step in to protect Cyprus as UK warship delay criticised

By Siobhan Robbins, Europe correspondent and Simon Baglivo, Europe producer

European nations are stepping in to help protect Cyprus as a British warship is delayed.
Spain, Italy and the Netherlands have confirmed they'll provide assistance in collaboration with France, which has already ordered its flagship nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean after the British RAF base Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by a drone on Monday.
The announcements by European nations come as the British warship being readied to protect the base, HMS Dragon, is not expected to set sail until next week."

I could make a Brexit comment...

AcrossthePond55 · 05/03/2026 15:17

SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 14:41

I am picturing a queue line of MAGAnauts around the block wanting to sign up.

I wish!! I have a feeling they've all developed a sudden case of bone spurs to explain why "Uncle Sam doesn't want them"

AcrossthePond55 · 05/03/2026 15:20

RedTagAlan · 05/03/2026 14:51

Barron ?

Edited

Once again reminded of Steppenwolf's 'Fortunate Son'.

Beware the Ides of March - Trump Thread #156
SerendipityJane · 05/03/2026 15:26

AcrossthePond55 · 05/03/2026 15:20

Once again reminded of Steppenwolf's 'Fortunate Son'.

Er, Creedence Clearwater Revival, surely.

Come on. we've all belted out "Bad Mood Rising" on a tipsy walk home with mates ?

"Hope you got your things together,
Hope you are quite prepared to die"

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