Gorth

Ah, election day getting closer in Australia (sadly, I wont manage to get my citizenship in time). An interesting little video from the BBC on why voting is mandatory in Australia (you get fined if you don't vote) https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-australia-61186402 The rationale being it leads to less extremism and populism, because it's not required in order to get people off their couches (i.e. the results reflects the opinions of the majority of Australians, not just the majority of those who could be bothered to show up)

I suspect a combination of lockdowns, mask/distancing measures and vaccinations in particular put the brakes on the original and the delta variants (which appears much deadlier than the current mutation). Maybe the Omicron helps keeping peoples immune systems on their toes, offering the nebulous "herd immunity" because of the genetic similarities between the variants? (I take my booster shots just in case, every 4 months and I do wear mask on public transport/taxi/uber etc. because it's required by the companies operating the services)

I wish. Those things were horribly expensive, but I got a decent deal on a Black Friday sale last year (33% off). The brand name is just sneaky advertising, as I don't really want to remove the protective cover (yet). The parts underneath foot rests. The sofas have built in recliners for when feeling particularly lazy and you just want to kick back and relax.

I didn't take new photos, but I took one when I had just moved in and my furniture had arrived. Kitchen counter is completely covered in stuff coming out of boxes (I did find it hard to find any good angles, because of the stair well at my side and piles of boxes behind me, but this is the living room with a view to the balcony)

Four bedrooms (1 master bedroom, 1 guest bedroom, 1 computer/work from home room and 1 hobby room for painting and modelling Warhammer stuff). It's a townhouse https://www.iqiglobal.com/blog/6-housing-types-and-what-are-the-differences-in-australia/ Because townhouse may not be the same in other countries. I like having garden and open spaces, lots of green areas and forest around me. Something I also missed sorely the previous place... I'll get around to take a picture or two in the near future Edit: as for the layout of the place, the upper floor is mostly a large area with kitchen (separated by a counter), living and dining room areas. Lots full sized windows (i.e. from floor to ceiling) and a large balcony where I put all my outdoor furniture and the BBQ. One bathroom accessible from the common area and then the master bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Downstairs is a hallway with access to a laundry room, bathroom and the three bedrooms as well as access to the garage.

I don't know how differently (if at all) men and women are treated in the Israeli army, but I know my colleague served two years in the army (men serve three years). Her son (who is a dual Israeli/Australian citizen) went back to Israel to serve his 3 years, otherwise he would never be able to return to Israel.

Got settled into my new place. Ordered some additional furniture, as I now have more space. But the real kicker is, unlike my previous place, this place has lots of windows. Large windows everywhere. Even the 3 bathrooms have windows it was something I sorely missed, watching myself in the mirror in daylight. Not because I'm too much of a narcissist, but because some grooming tasks are just so much easier when you can actually see something. I noticed a long, wayward eyebrow hair in immediate need of removal and... my razor was charging. So, grabbing a small scissor (the tiny ones, used for clipping nails) and proceeded promptly to poke myself int he eye with it Yeah. It was as stupid as it sounds My poor right eye was red, burning and water just kept running from it for two days. That should teach me to wait for my razor to finish charging and use it's hair trimmer. Nice round plastic edges and no sharp or pointy bits Otherwise, busy flattening empty removal boxes and making room in the garage for a bunch of metal shelves for tools and hobby stuff (part of the above mentioned additional furniture, besides drawers and wall units/book shelves)

58%... a recipe for a politically stable future...

That was sarcasm, right? (if not, look up the honest government ads for timor leste or west papua on youtube) As for the Solomon Islands, nothing a special military operation couldn't fix. Like putting a western friendly government in power (supported by Australian troops peacekeepers). It's not like corruption would be a novelty for the politicians in Honiara

Based on precedent, the latter is the most likely outcome. Using Ukraine as a proxy to whittle down Russia's military strength while being busy taking notes from the first non-asymmetrical war in a life time (and check how well their expensive hardware and works in a real war situation). Then drop it faster than the Kurds, when the war is over and of no practical use. Edit: Talking about government, not the people of those countries...

True... I do tend to think of anyone younger than mid thirties as "girls". Not sure I thought in those terms when I met them back in time (and there was less or no age gap). I probably just thought of them as xyz (insert name here)

To be fair, it wasn't the anchor who thought that (I watched the video), but whatever producer was responsible for what gets shown on the screen in the background behind her. True, the location is sort of in the name

Which is weird really. But those are very male dominated professions. It used to be the same with software developers. When I did Computer Science at university, there were like 5% female participation (like 7 out of a class of 140, I know, my math sucks, but a decent approximation). Which is quite depressing considering that 2 out of the 3 best, sharpest and most competent developers I've ever worked together with were girls.

It’s Florida… those math books probably contained commie blasphemy. Statements like x=y implying equality or similar socialist propaganda

Can I indict Ukraine for crimes against humanity?... at least crimes against good taste!!!

So much potential for Zombie memes though

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. Right now the conservatives are coming for the LGBT community...

Going to watch A Silent Voice next...

I sense a market opportunity for jars of leeches...

It's probably safer for those people to burn those books on large pyres... you know, just to be sure?

In the twenty first century, there is only special military operations... continued from previous thread

In the twenty first century, there is only war...

Those Saab NLAW's works differently from traditional armour piercing ammunition as far as I understand it. It's not the missile that hits the armour, it flies above the tank and explodes in the air above the tank. There's less reactive armour on top of the tank compared to the front and sides (and probably even less so on top of the turret). Not sure how effective reactive armour is anyway when it's the air burst explosion hitting the armour, rather then a projectile/missile?

I don't think it's fair to compare anything to Kurosawa

"Glass Cannon"? Mind you, I don't know much about Soviet ship design other than their subs tend to either implode and sink without outside interference or get stuck on Swedish coastal reefs (Whisky on the Rocks) or that aircraft carrier that got sold to China as "floating casino"