International Relations

Meanwhile, I wonder if Donny will extend his reach to Nicaragua. Government there will be considered undesirable by the USA and aligned to Cuba. If they do something there, it could lead to a coffee shortage. - @fluffy2560

A greater concern would be if he thinks he has the rocks to take Iran.

I get my coffee from Aceh and Papua (an excellent 70/30 blend), so I'm safe for the moment on that one.

So far the world's reaction goes something like, Naughty boy, blah blah blah ... nothing much else.

I've been listening to Chinese, North Korean, and various other Asian short wave broadcasts. They are a little more vocal, but yapping is about as far as they will get on the surface.

It's what will happen in back rooms that will make the difference.

Meanwhile, I wonder if Donny will extend his reach to Nicaragua. Government there will be considered undesirable by the USA and aligned to Cuba. If they do something there, it could lead to a coffee shortage.  - @fluffy2560A greater concern would be if he thinks he has the rocks to take Iran. I get my coffee from Aceh and Papua (an excellent 70/30 blend), so I'm safe for the moment on that one. - @Fred

We had coffee blend from Colombia and Kenya.  It wasn't so good.  The best one we've had recently is an Italian blend called Illy but we don't know where the beans are produced - other than it being Arabica beans.  Ethiopia has been pushing its coffee as a premium brand.  I've been to Ethiopia multiple times but never heard about their coffee when I was there. Arabica coffee is native to Ethiopia I believe.

Iran is a lot closer to here than Venezuela.  I cannot see them capitulating at any time. Venezuela would be a walk over no doubt but Iran is an entirely different enemy.

Machado is putting out statements. Presumably President in waiting.   We'll have to see what Trump says in the news conference at 17h CET.  No doubt we'll see a beaten up Maduro lashed to a chair and in the brig on the USS Iwo Jima.   It kind of reminds me of Ceaușescu and wife's arrest and Bin Laden and we know what happened to them.

My colleague is in South America.  I'm asking him for a grass roots opinion from the region.

World reactions

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/3 … -venezuela

A lot of gas, and a few "I wasn't me" statements

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/03/maduro- … zuela.html

It seems Maduro is to be tried under US laws in New York for a bunch of made up crimes that are outside US jurisdiction.

I'm guessing the US will drag the case through the courts until they get hold of Venezuela's oil, then let him go to be tried by whatever puppet government the US places in Venezuela.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/03/maduro- … zuela.htmlIt seems Maduro is to be tried under US laws in New York for a bunch of made up crimes that are outside US jurisdiction. I'm guessing the US will drag the case through the courts until they get hold of Venezuela's oil, then let him go to be tried by whatever puppet government the US places in Venezuela. - @Fred

Trump has said in his press conference that the USA is going to run the country.   Rubio and Hegseth will apparently be running it.  Trump said the VP (now President) of Venezuela as capitulated to the US but I cannot see that being true.  She's a committed Maduro-ite.

Incredible statement plus the usual BS riffing on everyone else's faults as though he's the 2nd coming.  STFU Donny while you're on a winner.  It remains to be seen why he pardoned a convicted drug baron, the former President of Honduras.  WTF was that about?

I cannot see it being possible to run the country without considerable resistance from Maduro followers.  Possibly this could lead to civil war.  They must have been organising for civil war and guerrilla tactics. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see attacks on US soil from Maduro 5th columnists.

It seems to me any US persons in the country are at serious risk from kidnapping and use as human shields.

Trump is now threatening a 2nd wave of strikes.  We've seen a picture of Maduro with sunglasses, headphones and possibly handcuffs seated on an aircraft, presumably a helicopter.

We've seen comments from Russia, Iran and China.  Clearly this is going to put a cat amongst their pigeons. From a local perspective, what does it mean for Putin and Ukraine?   Putin I think doesn't really care because he already owns Trump and he knows Trump wants the Americas and doesn't care about anywhere else except maybe the US territories in AP region.

I'm monitoring plane arrivals are New York Stewart Airport (SWF).  I cannot see any US military planes listed as arrivals but it's not compulsory to provide that information publicly.   

BTW, usually the vehicle for running a country invaded by the USA would be USAID but that's dead now.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmlz7r0zrxo

The US intends to take over Venezuela,  put a puppet government in place, but steal the oil  whilst the rest is in progress.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmlz7r0zrxoThe US intends to take over Venezuela, put a puppet government in place, but steal the oil whilst the rest is in progress. - @Fred

Yeah, I said that in my previous post but not quite so colourfully. 

While I agree with the sentiment, it's better presented as analytical, reasoned and strategic viewpoints.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmlz7r0zrxoThe US intends to take over Venezuela, put a puppet government in place, but steal the oil whilst the rest is in progress. - @FredYeah, I said that in my previous post but not quite so colourfully. While I agree with the sentiment, it's better presented as analytical, reasoned and strategic viewpoints. - @fluffy2560

Se Iran 1953

https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resour … ro-report/

Puppet government - Years of misery - murders - Destruction - extremist government comes to power - region destabilised - lots of oil money - lots of cash for the armements industry - lots of cash for corrupt US politicians

Graceful is lovely, but the US has attacked yet another country that was absolutely no threat to it.

Sanctions against Trump, the US military, US armements manufacurers, and the US oil industry are required, but they'll get away with it again.

The US doesn't commit war crimes, it simply sanctions the people who expose them.

https://www.state.gov/releases/office-o … -of-israel

Today, I am designating two International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, Gocha Lordkipanidze of Georgia and Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia, pursuant to Executive Order 14203, “Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court.” These individuals have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute Israeli nationals, without Israel’s consent, including voting with the majority in favor of the ICC’s ruling against Israel’s appeal on December 15.

Then the same fat sex pest and convicted criminal kidnaps a foreign leader.

That's pretty clear and reasoned.

That's pretty clear and reasoned. - @Fred

OK, I write a lot. If I was writing a report, I wouldn't be using a style that borders on ranting.  That would be thrown back at me.  I usually have to follow style guides.  It makes more sense to do that as I try to write for the audience.  Best to keep it report style and factual in this thread.  BTW, no-one looks at the links. Best to summarise in the text.  If you want references, put them at the end.  Just add [1] to the point and then list them at the end, similarly numbered [1], [2] etc. Otherwise it just looks messy.  An alternative is to reference the sentence by making it a hyperlink.

In a worryingly weird way, one has to wonder if US aggressive actions against Venezuela will embolden Trump to attack other countries.

There are obvious historical 'enemies' but Trump is about short term profit,  not ideologies, so it might be fair to look at possible victims by what Trump can steal.

Venezuela was an obvious oil grab, especially as its oil is the type used in US refineries.

Cuba has Nickel and Cobalt,  so that puts them firmly onthe list.

The Lithium triangle countries are probably safe, especially Bolivia since their recent political changes.

Greenland may be a step too far, but don't dismiss the possibility.  Trump's pals are pushing for a takeover,  and the US government has been deemed a threat by the Danish government.

For the unaware, Greenland has significant REE resources that China had, and the US wants.

In Greenland's favour, a US invasion would destroy NATO and very likely isolate the US from European trade. That would likely cascade over the whole world and almost totally isolate the US. A US fall after a land grab in Greenland would likely see Israel destroyed as well, so they will probably try to hold Trump back.

That's pretty clear and reasoned. - @Fred
OK, I write a lot. If I was writing a report, I wouldn't be using a style that borders on ranting. - @fluffy2560

I'm not writing a report

That's pretty clear and reasoned. - @Fred
OK, I write a lot. If I was writing a report, I wouldn't be using a style that borders on ranting.  - @fluffy2560
I'm not writing a report
- @Fred

You should be seeing it as writing a paper or an article.  It'll keep up standards in the thread.  Going off on one turns people off.

In a worryingly weird way, one has to wonder if US aggressive actions against Venezuela will embolden Trump to attack other countries. There are obvious historical 'enemies' but Trump is about short term profit, not ideologies, so it might be fair to look at possible victims by what Trump can steal.Venezuela was an obvious oil grab, especially as its oil is the type used in US refineries. Cuba has Nickel and Cobalt, so that puts them firmly onthe list.The Lithium triangle countries are probably safe, especially Bolivia since their recent political changes.Greenland may be a step too far, but don't dismiss the possibility. Trump's pals are pushing for a takeover, and the US government has been deemed a threat by the Danish government. For the unaware, Greenland has significant REE resources that China had, and the US wants. In Greenland's favour, a US invasion would destroy NATO and very likely isolate the US from European trade. That would likely cascade over the whole world and almost totally isolate the US. A US fall after a land grab in Greenland would likely see Israel destroyed as well, so they will probably try to hold Trump back. - @Fred

Apparently Rubio is reversing on Trump's adlibbing. There's an interview on CBS in which he talks about not being at war with Venezuela.  I am not sure Caracas sees it that way.  The Maduro-ites will be organising to resist on a large scale.   Venezuela has substantial military assets and many people (~300K under arms).  And a lot of Russian gear so the ramifications are very wide.

I'm thinking right now, who is vulnerable in the Monroe region (I'm not falling for calling it Donroe)?   I'm thinking both Cuba and Nicaragua are the most vulnerable.  Both of those should be a pushover. 

Colombia would not be easy to take at all.  They have a long history of fighting guerrilla wars and are well equipped.  And according to reports, the centre of drug production trafficking.

But can the USA occupy these countries?  It's unclear.  The USA has supposedly the ability to wage major wars on two fronts.  But it doesn't have the manpower to fight insurgencies on multiple fronts with boots on the ground.  It would take millions of troops to occupy these countries.

Listening to various pundits, it looks like Trump never had a plan post-Maduro.  Having been involved in a small way in state building, it takes absolutely forever.  It'll drag out for years and years.

On another front, Guyana is probably happy.   Their border dispute (Guayana Esequiba) is likely to fade away for the moment.  Caracas has other priorities.

Update:

I saw an Economist discussion on Venezuela and other threats from Trump.  Plenty of speculation and analysis.

The commentators think Colombia is next.  I am still thinking Nicaragua or Cuba.  And both would be more of a pushover as I remarked.   Trump is clearly on a high for what he's done and thinks quite probably he can replicate his success.  Not clear that would be able to do that as Venezuela is likely to resist more than it's doing now.   USA says the blockade remains in place.

It occurred to me that Venezuela might ask Russia to send some tankers - with escort. What will Trump do then?  And why would Putin want that confrontation? Putin owns Trump already. TACO man might just back down for his best friend Vlad.  There's a glut of oil now so Putin doesn't want the price to drop more.  And it'll take 10+ years before Venezuelan oil makes any difference in the market.

On Greenland, the worst case scenario (for now) is that the US base is declared sovereign territory by Trump and the Danish flag is lowered on the Pituffik air base.  NATO and Europe wouldn't be able to do a thing about it apart from blockade it themselves.  If they did send up some ships along with allies like Canada to show solidarity, Mango Man will probably be persuaded/forced to reverse.

And it should get hot there at the WH - tariffs at SCOTUS and Epstein.  Real hot potatoes soon enough.  Just a week ago or so,  he already lost on the National Guard deployment at SCOTUS.  They've finally grown a pair or one anyway.

BTW, ChatGPT says Maduro has a 60% chance of being found not guilty.  If that happened, or some technicality means he goes free, where does that leave Donny?

HU:

Hungary will not leave the EU, it will fall apart on its own, Orbán said

In his international press conference on Monday, the Hungarian PM also praised Trump's Venezuela operation, and said Hungary will not fund Ukraine or accept migrants.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán predicted the European Union would "fall apart on its own" due to "leadership chaos" and said Brussels aimed to cut Hungary off from Russian energy supplies during a press conference on Monday.

In the current state of play, the EU gives many forms of guarantees to smaller countries and is a bulwark against the rise of fascism (again).   Orban is deluding himself if anyone cares what Hungary - as an independent country outside the EU - thinks.  Come April 2026, there's a good chance Orban will be history. Magyar Peter will integrate more with the EU - for example,  I expect it would join the Euro fairly quickly.

The level of stupidity is off the charts

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/7 … ts-threats

The United States has raised the prospect of using military force to take control of Greenland as leaders in Europe and Canada rallied behind the Arctic territory, saying it belongs to its people.

In a statement on Tuesday, the White House said that US President Donald Trump sees acquiring Greenland, which is part of Denmark, as a national security priority, necessary to “deter our adversaries in the Arctic region”.

“The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the ​US military is always an option at the commander-in-chief’s disposal,” it said.

In case an Arabic outlet doesn't fit your politics, the BBC have it. They tend to be white and not Muslims, so bigots can believe it.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyg1jg8xkmo

In case you're a TRump supporter, Fox can spin it as well

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white- … -greenland

Apart from the obvious isolation the US would suffer in Europe if Trump took Greenland by force, NATO would be destroyed. China would take full advantage, as would Russia.

However, what seems like bad news migh actually have a silver lining. Regardless of your political bent, most of the trouble we have in today's world is a result of US actions. North Korea, Cuba, and Iran would have long since returned to stability and reasonable normality without US interference, and the middle east would, after a couple of localised wars, become peaceful.

I have to say, I'm hoping to see US meddling disappear in a flurry of Trump stupidity. That will allow the world to settle down and improve life for most - Sadly for US citizens, their lifestyle will be destroyed by their government's silliness.

Even the UK PM, a snappy little lapdog, has added his name to a statement

https://x.com/Statsmin/status/200849861 … -greenland

Perhaps this mini parade of leaders can put their money where they mouth is by sending a regiment each to Greenland, all under the command Denmark's military.

To attack greenland would be to attack every participating country.

As of this morning, it's being reported Russia is sending war ships to guard its tanker which is reportedly off the coast of Iceland and Scotland.

Russia sends navy ships to guard oil tanker being pursued by US forces

The US - if it wanted to seize the ship - would probably have to launch itself from the UK, dragging the UK into the affair.  It puts the UK in a tough position.

My view is that TACO man will back down rather than have a confrontation with the Russians. 

Looking forward, perhaps Russia will simply send more tankers to Venezuela in defiance of the US.   

I cannot see Trump doing anything about it.

Even the UK PM, a snappy little lapdog, has added his name to a statement
https://x.com/Statsmin/status/200849861 … -greenland

Perhaps this mini parade of leaders can put their money where they mouth is by sending a regiment each to Greenland, all under the command Denmark's military.
To attack Greenland would be to attack every participating country. - @Fred

Looks like it could be the end of NATO.   The US has lost the plot.

Give me your lunch money or I will beat you up

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/u … ns-5827896

Venezuela to export US$2 billion worth of oil to US in deal with Washington

US President Donald Trump said the oil would be sold at market price and the proceeds would be controlled by him.

Controlled by Trump??????

I wonder if he will divert anythng to his own pockets. Of course not, I'm sure he's as honest as the day is long.

I should note, the day I have in mind is a winter's day in Svalbard.

As of this morning, it's being reported Russia is sending war ships to guard its tanker which is reportedly off the coast of Iceland and Scotland.
Russia sends navy ships to guard oil tanker being pursued by US forces

The US - if it wanted to seize the ship - would probably have to launch itself from the UK, dragging the UK into the affair. It puts the UK in a tough position.

My view is that TACO man will back down rather than have a confrontation with the Russians.

Looking forward, perhaps Russia will simply send more tankers to Venezuela in defiance of the US.

I cannot see Trump doing anything about it. - @fluffy2560

This is something I suggested might happen earlier in this thread. The big problem is if one side opens fire, even if it's in error. Too many guns too close together might well lead to that unfortunate situation, or Trump might be stupid enough to order it boarded after Russian warships are on station to protect it.

This is something I suggested might happen earlier in this thread. The big problem is if one side opens fire, even if it's in error. Too many guns too close together might well lead to that unfortunate situation, or Trump might be stupid enough to order it boarded after Russian warships are on station to protect it. - @Fred

I cannot see the US doing anything at all.   News media might be hyping it up.  Fundamentally Trump talks big but when it comes to Vlad, he rolls over every time. 

If he's playing the Monroe Doctrine card - as they have been doing - the tanker is now in Putin's sphere.  Possibly Trump will tell Putin to lay off Venezuela and that region and the US will do nothing in Europe.

Stephen Miller is woefully wrong if he thinks Europe will not defend Greenland. May be Miller was goading Europe.    One way or another, it's not going to be occupied by the USA long term - not without the collapse of NATO.  In the larger game, Putin will just love it.  Possibly even taking it as an invitation to occupy the Baltics. 

I wonder how many countries secret services are plotting for a world without Trump - one way or another.

Stephen Miller is woefully wrong if he thinks Europe will not defend Greenland. May be Miller was goading Europe. . - @fluffy2560

A common Trump tactic is to say he will do the worst,  scare opponents,  then do less or nothing.

Meanwhile,  he extorts whatever he can.

That's what he did in Ukraine.

Stephen Miller is woefully wrong if he thinks Europe will not defend Greenland. May be Miller was goading Europe. .  - @fluffy2560 A common Trump tactic is to say he will do the worst, scare opponents, then do less or nothing.Meanwhile, he extorts whatever he can.That's what he did in Ukraine. - @Fred

Yes, he does do that.  He does it to throw people off kilter.   It's a pretty foolish way to behave and predictable in its uncertainty.  Diplomacy has nuances which he blatantly ignores.     I get that many people/countries are just trying to weather the storm but the damage he's incurring is disastrous.   If he burns bridges, it will take many years to come back from that. It's squandering goodwill.  One can only hope for a drubbing in the mid-terms and he then gets reigned in by Congress.   Makes you wonder if the voters in the USA really voted for what he is doing. I don't think they anticipated it going this way.

But it's like here, everyone is waiting for Orban to die or be kicked out of power.  Same for Trump.  I reckon Orban will be gone or reduced by April.   But at least Trump is not looking too healthy.  Maybe Shady Vance takes over but he'll be stuffed as he'll only serve out the final days of Trump's term. 

If he burns bridges, it will take many years to come back from that. It's squandering goodwill. One can only hope for a drubbing in the mid-terms and he then gets reigned in by Congress. Makes you wonder if the voters in the USA really voted for what he is doing. I don't think they anticipated it going this way. - @fluffy2560

I want him in office until the end of his term, perhaps even an illegal third term as a dictator.

Biden started the new era of people moving away from US influence when he stole Russia's cash (weaponised the Dollar), and Trump is doing a great job of making lots of countries want nothing to do with the States.

If this carries on, and I really hope it will, the US will drop to nothing and that will be the end of the forever wars caused by them since 1947.

Try to find a year since 1947 that the US wasn't at war with at least one country (Many were undeclared terrorist attacks such as Operation Menu) - You can't because there hasn't been one.

The downfall of the US under Biden and Trump is a great thing for the world.

I want him in office until the end of his term, perhaps even an illegal third term as a dictator.Biden started the new era of people moving away from US influence when he stole Russia's cash (weaponised the Dollar), and Trump is doing a great job of making lots of countries want nothing to do with the States.If this carries on, and I really hope it will, the US will drop to nothing and that will be the end of the forever wars caused by them since 1947.Try to find a year since 1947 that the US wasn't at war with at least one country (Many were undeclared terrorist attacks such as Operation Menu) - You can't because there hasn't been one. The downfall of the US under Biden and Trump is a great thing for the world. - @Fred

I agree with your sentiments to some degree but not the way it's presented. 

I'd like to be back closer to the status quo as no-one wants to live in uncertainty. I don't want my kids to have to live in such times. No-one needs the aggro.

I do agree the US has never made a good job of its interventions and it should lay off.  It thinks everyone should be the same as them and stating the bleeding obvious, we (the rest of the world) are not at all the same.   

I've worked extensively with Americans at work and they are a diverse bunch but you occasionally get real extremists in amongst them.  But I guess you can find them everywhere and in any country if one looks hard enough.  They aren't very good at receiving/giving mickey taking and only some can effectively engage in office banter. 

Some Hungarians views would not be out of place small talk at a dinner party for Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Pol Pot and so on.  Numbers of people here who want a dictatorship and want all the Jews dead is just astounding.  I don't know why they believe these things.  Hard to fathom.

BTW. the tariffs are the next big thing. I keep saying that.  If they are deemed illegal, Trump's agenda is a dead duck.  The ruling is expected this Friday but might be delayed. It's going to be a massively significant event if tariffs are struck down.    They've already been struck down by lower courts.  Half the tariffs would have to be refunded.  This is going to be a huge schadenfreude meter nudge.

Meanwhile,  related to that, most US people I read about are most worried about the cost of living and don't care much for spending on foreign adventures.

And elsewhere, there are betting odds on Trump being out - here.   Also someone bet on Maduro being out and made a packet.  Must have been an insider.

I had no idea Hungarians still are against Jewish people so much.

I can not get my mind around that, just not cool.

I have in my own personal experiences had Jewish people come through in an emergency without even having to ask for their aid.

They were really strangers too.

My Catholic raised husband,s old friends were at least 75 percent Jewish out of the close knit group of about 12 guys. He lived in the 5th district very close to the old 6th district ghetto. His school mates were mostly Jewish boys.

Still know several of them now, after 60 plus years.

One Jewish friend came through for my husband in his darkest hour of need.

Alone in a run down hospital in Italy just hours away from a major surgery on his badly broken arm. It had gone untreated for 8 months, was wearing a sort of half cast all those months waiting for surgery.

One of his friends who lived in Sweden at the time heard about it. Took a train to the village in Italy too see for himself how my husband,s situation was. He was not happy, dirty hospital with patients relations sleeping on the ground next to them and bringing food in.

He right then and there got my husband dressed, put back his cast with tape, they had removed it before surgery and just thrown it in a waste basket!

Gave my husband all the money he had with him and even his documents to Sweden!

The guy said he would figure out how to get back but first my husband had to care for his arm and Sweden was the best place for surgery.Took my husband to the station and saw him off.

Amazing for anyone to do that for even a family member let alone a friend from years ago.

I'd like to be back closer to the status quo as no-one wants to live in uncertainty. I don't want my kids to have to live in such times. No-one needs the aggro. - @fluffy2560

The only uncertainty at the moment, and since 1947, is which country the US will attack next. The only difference at the moment is the US is losing credibility and support amongst its traditional allies, as well as with governments it bullies into sunmission.

If you think of a conflict that the UK didn't cause (Thinking especially of India/Pakistan, but with a notable share in Iran), pretty much every other big one has been down to the US.

Now add the massive terrorist attacks the US has committed over the years.The mass (attempted secret) bombardment of Loas, Cambodia, and the smaller but still mass murder by CIA bombers in Indonesia. Thats before any mention of many democracies overthrown because they were the 'wrong' democracies.

The many thousands of dead would have been happy at a little less certainty.

The people who lost their families would probably agree.

Those who saw their homes and livelihoods destroyed are likely to go with the same idea.

At the end of the day, the US as world leader has always been about mass murder and destruction. I will be happy to see it flushed down history's toilet.

I had no idea Hungarians still are against Jewish people so much.I can not get my mind around that, just not cool.I have in my own personal experiences had Jewish people come through in an emergency without even having to ask for their aid.- @Marilyn Tassy

Jews are a group of people who follow a religion but, like any other section of society, they are all individuals.

I don't know many Jews but the majority of that small number were just people like anyone else. I had a rather pleasent meal in a London Chinatown restaurant with an Israeli Jewish family. We were a couple at a big table in a busy restaurant so the manager ask if we minded sharing. My positive reply turned out to make what was already a pleasent meal with an even more pleasent lady even better. Of a number of other encounters,  only one was bad news. However, they were all moderate, normal people - Extremist Jews are another story. London has such an extremist population and I can fully understand why people hate the racist pigs.

They refuse to talk to anyone that doesn't have ringlets in their hair and their special style of dress. I asked directions from a few of them, but was met by a look they might give to a steaming pile of dog poo and silence.

I wandered into a pizza shop that had a smell that made me float in nose first ln the style you see in cartoons, but the evil gits refused to speak to me or take my order.

That nasty bigotry is why I find it hard to argue with anyone who dislikes EXTREMIST Jews, but they are a tiny minority, not Jews in general. There's no reason to hate all of any group because their extremist nutter end give them a duff reputation.

I had no idea Hungarians still are against Jewish people so much.I can not get my mind around that, just not cool.I have in my own personal experiences had Jewish people come through in an emergency without even having to ask for their aid.They were really strangers too.My Catholic raised husband,s old friends were at least 75 percent Jewish out of the close knit group of about 12 guys. He lived in the 5th district very close to the old 6th district ghetto. His school mates were mostly Jewish boys.Still know several of them now, after 60 plus years.One Jewish friend came through for my husband in his darkest hour of need.Alone in a run down hospital in Italy just hours away from a major surgery on his badly broken arm. It had gone untreated for 8 months, was wearing a sort of half cast all those months waiting for surgery.One of his friends who lived in Sweden at the time heard about it. Took a train to the village in Italy too see for himself how my husband,s situation was. He was not happy, dirty hospital with patients relations sleeping on the ground next to them and bringing food in.He right then and there got my husband dressed, put back his cast with tape, they had removed it before surgery and just thrown it in a waste basket!Gave my husband all the money he had with him and even his documents to Sweden!The guy said he would figure out how to get back but first my husband had to care for his arm and Sweden was the best place for surgery.Took my husband to the station and saw him off.Amazing for anyone to do that for even a family member let alone a friend from years ago. - @Marilyn Tassy

This Jewish thing comes up quite a lot.  People repeat to me that things are a Jewish plot or everyone getting on must be a gypsy.  It's appalling to hear.  Mrs F has a relative who is absolutely on the right.  It's shocking to me.  Even "moderate" ones are not that moderate.  Mrs F is like me,  liberal.  It's really quite weird to have parents down the rabbit hole.  Both Mrs F's parents were all conspiracy theorists about Jewish people and Gypsies.  But they've gone so it's all over with their bonkers views.

I was watching a newsreel yesterday of US forces entering Dachau.  Mrs F and I went there to see it and it's heart breaking.  The newsreel is worse.  Apparently US troops executed 50 of the guards on the spot.

At the end of the day, most people of whatever religion of views will help someone else in an emergency.  It makes sense that human beings will help other humans without even asking their views.  That's just basic survival and dynamics of team work.   

There's no doubt Hungarians have history of cooperation with the Nazis. 500,000 were sent to their deaths.  Hard to believe how enthusiastically they cooperated with Adolf.

Update:

I'm observing planes  between Iceland and Scotland and there's a procession of US military planes arriving in Keflavik.  They flew out of US bases in the UK. There's also a US Navy Poseidon radar plane on the ground there.   There's also an RAF transport plane en-route. 

Routine movements or something to do with the Russian tanker?

Update of my update:

Being reported on LBC and Reuters that the US is indeed trying to board the ship despite a Russian submarine guarding it.  And surface ships for Russia are on the way.  This could end up with shooting. Maybe this is the beginning of the end.

Update:
I'm observing planes between Iceland and Scotland and there's a procession of US military planes arriving in Keflavik. They flew out of US bases in the UK. There's also a US Navy Poseidon radar plane on the ground there. There's also an RAF transport plane en-route.

Routine movements or something to do with the Russian tanker?

Update of my update:

Being reported on LBC and Reuters that the US is indeed trying to board the ship despite a Russian submarine guarding it. And surface ships for Russia are on the way. This could end up with shooting. Maybe this is the beginning of the end. - @fluffy2560

The US attack is unwise at best.

The US say they have successfully attacked, boarded the tanker, and kidnapped the crew.

The US say they have successfully attacked, boarded the tanker, and kidnapped the crew. - @Fred

This is going to be very weird in the coming hours.

Maybe Putin is cahoots with Trump more than we know.

Trump will say this is why we need Greenland and Putin is helping.

But it seems US bases in the UK were used.  We're not quite at the point where the US leaves NATO and they can take all their junk home with them. There's no way Starmer wasn't aware of the goings-on.  Yet in PMQs he never said a thing.

We'll have to wait and see how this one comes out in the wash. 

Where will they take this tanker?  I think to Iceland or UK where they'll offload the crew and a US team will sail it back to the USA and impound it.  Looks like a rust bucket so possibly will get scrapped.

Trump will say this is why we need Greenland and Putin is helping.
- @fluffy2560

The one thing we all have to know about politics is that there is a lot more going on than the press ever report - that and a lot of politicians lie.

In a move that won't be the slightest surprise to anyone, Trump has pulled out of a lot of major climate groups.

It would seem that climate change, along with the very ligh likelihood that US coatal cities such as New York may sink, isn't good for the US.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 … -groups-un

In a move that won't be the slightest surprise to anyone, Trump has pulled out of a lot of major climate groups.
It would seem that climate change, along with the very ligh likelihood that US coatal cities such as New York may sink, isn't good for the US.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 … -groups-un - @Fred

Heard he is pulling out of 66 organizations.

Why not just say 666?

The writing is on the wall, he wants to isolate the US before he starts a war.

Heard he is pulling out of 66 organizations.Why not just say 666?The writing is on the wall, he wants to isolate the US before he starts a war. - @Marilyn Tassy

I saw a car in Tesco car park. It was a Tesla.  And it had a number plate something like TSLA 666.   I don't know if it was Musk's personal number but it matches!

I don't think leaving those UN organisations will make any difference as it's all distraction politics.  It'll all be reversed when Trump leaves the building.

The Minnesota shooting is possibly a turning point.  I watched the clips and there was no reason to shoot the woman leaving the area.  The spin by the ICE Trumpists is absolute nonsense.  If they'd let her leave, there would be nothing to talk about.  I wonder now if the Feds will give up the shooter for trial. I doubt it. 

In other news, I saw a mention on CNN about the mid-terms and Trump said in one off his adlibbing moments that if there was a loss of control in Congress, he'd be impeached.  Yup, you got it Donny, you're going down!  And so are your disciples but they don't  have the protection the President has (thank you SCOTUS, you idiots).  Those sycophants should think carefully what they do in Donny's name.