Calculating
Calculating's JournalIs there some particular reason why China has gone full asshole mode lately?
Just saying, seems like they're threatening Taiwan, the US and other nations daily. They've threatened to nuke Japan, they prop up all kinds of oppressive and nasty regimes, concentration camps for their ethnic muslims, etc. They pretty much REFUSE to do anything about climate change and demanded that WE pay them money if we want them to stop building coal plants. Like, wtf China? The world has enough problems lately without insecure Xi trying to start WW3 because of his lust for power. FFs, they've even been banning video games and Kpop lately. I just feel bad for the Chinese people honestly, they deserve better than such an evil government.
Inflation and the shortages are going to KILL us in the midterms unless solved
Starting to get worried here, at work it's getting harder and harder to get anything done due to parts shortages. Even though many of our components are made in the USA they require foreign made parts which are all stuck at the port not getting unloaded from the container ships. Even shipping is getting harder, with huge fedex delays, prices on shipping going way up, now we have shortages of basic shipping supplies like packing foam and such.
Gas prices are sky high, food costs are up, things like laundry detergent cost 20% more than a year ago, housing has become completely unobtainable unless you're some kind of millionaire, etc.
Things are just not going well in our country right now, and while it's not directly the Dem's fault there are many people who will just blame the current party in power. Like, come on! When are things going to start working again in this country? There shouldn't be shortages of every damn thing, it's starting to feel like the soviet union before collapse.
Xi demands US money and delivers a dud at COP26
China are sure trying to be the great global villain lately, aren't they? How are we supposed to accomplish anything on climate when China refuses to get with the program and stop building NEW coal plants?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/xi-demands-us-money-and-delivers-a-dud-at-cop26/ar-AAQck0W?ocid=msedgntp#comments
Failing to attend the summit, the Chinese leader was expected to extend an olive branch with new pledges to cut carbon emissions. Instead, Xi offered no new commitments beyond pre-stated pledges to peak China's carbon emissions by 2030 and reach neutrality by 2060. The lack of new action will greatly disappoint COP26 delegates. It will particularly frustrate the European Union, which regards China's cooperation on climate change as a keystone of its diplomatic partnership with Beijing.
Instead, Xi sent a letter to COP26 host and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
According to Chinese state media, the letter warned against U.S. efforts to organize global democracies in greater challenge of China's destabilizing activities. Xi explained that "forming exclusive blocs or even drawing ideological lines will only cause division." He also appeared to demand U.S. decarbonization funding, explaining that "the developed countries should honor their funding commitments to developing countries to help them cope with climate change." (China regards itself as a developing country).
This attempt at distraction and linking of unrelated geopolitical issues to climate change will aggravate many governments. Yet, Xi's dud letter does reflect how carbon emissions have become a secondary concern for Beijing. Even Xi's 2030 and 2060 timetables must now be judged with caution.
After all, China is currently afflicted with a mass power shortage. This is disrupting China's export-dependent economy and the provision of heating amid the approaching cold winter. Having already constructed hundreds of new dirty coal-powered plants over the past few years, the Communist Party will be reluctant to risk further damaging the economy and public approval with further carbon emission controls. It's crucial to recognize that Xi's regime is increasingly paranoid amid escalating external pressures against its foreign policy and rising domestic pressures over consumer choices, political identity, and a reverberating coronavirus pandemic. Those, such as U.S. climate czar John Kerry, who believe that China can be appeased into acting much more boldly on carbon emissions, are deluding themselves.
Xi isn't interested in saving the planet. As one of the BBC's more astute journalists observed on Monday, he's interested in securing the party.
So what is the actual end goal with COVID?
Seems like some people are in a rage about the new CDC guidelines and lifting mask policies. What is the actual goal? That we should mask and social distance until COVID is completely gone and everyone is vaccinated? That will never happen, we have nearly half of our population simply refusing to get vaccinated because they believe in junk science. Covid is endemic now just like the seasonal cold and flu viruses, it will be with humanity until the end most likely and those who are vulnerable to it will gradually be removed from the gene pool in areas where there's no vaccination against it.
IMO I fully agree with the CDC and our president. We're at the point where vaccination rates are dropping due to lack of demand, and almost everyone who wants it can have one. It's time to open the country back up in full, and if the anti-vaxxers want to play the genetic "will I get super sick or die from covid?" lottery that's on them.
We can't keep doing this forever. We gotta get people back to work, start enjoying restaurants/movies/concerts/events with friends again, and go back to what 'life' was only a few years ago.
Instagram star cat Ponzu dies in huge brawl in NYC park
Is it just me, or do people seem to be getting 'trashier' in our society? I mean wtf??? I read stories like this and I don't even know where to begin....
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9497217/Instagram-star-cat-Ponzu-dies-injuries-getting-yanked-young-boy.html
An Instagram star cat has died from injuries suffered during an altercation in a New York City park, which sparked a huge brawl which left his owners battered and bruised.
Ponzu, who has 23,000 followers on the social media site, died of a heart attack following the incident in McCarren park earlier this month.
The famous cat was being walked in the park by owner Chanan Aksornnan, 34, and her boyfriend along with her other pets - a dog, another cat and a bird - on April 4.
At some point, a boy aged around 12 is understood to have tripped over Ponzu's leash.
Aksornnan claims the boy intentionally pulled on the leash, dragging the cat along the ground and ripping out its claws before flinging him into the air.
Ponzu, who had a heart condition, suffered a heart attack and died at the scene.
That led to an altercation between Ponzu's owner and the boy's large family, which soon turned violent.
Cellphone footage from the incident shows Aksornnan being punched and kicked on the ground by a crowd of people.
One man in the video also appears to pull her dog's tail.
Police have confirmed they are hunting for one suspect, described as 'a white female Hispanic, 5’7”, 200 lbs., with red hair and a pony tail'. No arrests have been made.
The cat owner's boyfriend - who has not been named - is also said to have been injured during the assault.
Aksornnan said the suspect told her: 'This is what you [get] when you walk you f*****g cat b***h.'
Aksornnan told Greenpointers: 'The family not only did not offer any apology nor remorse.
'They immediately began a verbal abuse which escalated into a physical assault.'
6-year-old girl fatally shot by relative over spilled water, police say
What in the actual hell is wrong with these wastes of oxygen? At least it's texas so they'll hopefully give the POS the death penalty.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/6-year-old-girl-fatally-shot-by-relative-over-spilled-water-police-say/ar-BB1eMOV1?ocid=msedgdhp
A 6-year-old Texas girl was fatally shot by a relative following an argument over spilled water, according to the NBC affiliate in Houston.
Police in Pasadena, a city southeast of Houston, said officers responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment complex around 11:30 a.m. Friday, KPRC-TV reported. A male family member of Laurionne Walker, 6, shot the girl multiple times, police said.
"I'm at a loss for words right now," Earline House, Laurionne's grandmother told the news station. "My granddaughter was still a baby. She got shot twice in the chest this morning."
Laurionne was taken to a hospital, where she later died of her injuries, KPRC reported.
On Saturday, Pasadena police charged Raymeon Means, 35, with capital murder in connection with the girl's death. Police said he remains in custody with no bond, KPRC reported.
Mom of three working side job as Uber Eats driver killed by 14-year-old boys, say police
Horrible...Why, just why? Personally I'd say those 14 year olds should be locked away for life, but sadly they'll probably get out earlier because they're 'juveniles'. Anyone doing this kind of stuff at 14 is someone I don't want out there in society.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/mom-of-three-working-side-job-as-uber-eats-driver-killed-by-14-year-old-boys-say-police/ar-BB1daY8X?ocid=msedgntp
Two 14-year-old boys have been charged with capital murder in the stabbing death of a 31-year-old mother of three who was working as an Uber Eats driver.
Caption: Mom of three working side job as Uber Eats driver killed by 14-year-old boys, say police (SBG San Antonio)
According to investigators, the victim, identified as 31-year-old Ryan Munsie, was delivering meals on Saturnday night in Haltom City when she was attacked and stabbed in the neck while walking through an apartment breezeway.
Munsie died at the scene. Media outlet KXAS reported Munsie was working a side job to support her three children.
On Thursday, investigators said two 14-year-old boys had been arrested in connection with Munsie's murder. They are charged with capital murder.
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