Recent content by TommiR

  1. TommiR

    Gas Bandit's Political Thread V: The Vampire Likes Bats

    I'm sorry if I made you feel that way. At any rate, it seems my commentary is not considered particularly constructive. I'll take this elsewhere.
  2. TommiR

    Gas Bandit's Political Thread V: The Vampire Likes Bats

    I don't understand. I might not be very familiar with the US system, but if you take out a loan, why should you not be obligated to pay it back?
  3. TommiR

    Rant VIII: The Reckoning

    Certainly, if the hotel owners run afoul of any laws in increasing prices during high season, then they should be penalised for it, according to applicable laws. But I think one should first demonstrate that what has happened in this instance constitutes 'price gouging' in terms of the law as is...
  4. TommiR

    Rant VIII: The Reckoning

    Sounds to me like normal. If the communities wish to subsidise occupancy for displaced people, then all well and good. If they do not, then I think the rule of supply and demand comes into effect. It is not the duty of the hotel owners to provide for emergency housing, is it?
  5. TommiR

    Gas Bandit's Political Thread V: The Vampire Likes Bats

    Why so? You have served in the armed forces, meaning you did your part. They have not. Maybe I'm missing something, but why should you feel as the lesser man in this encounter?
  6. TommiR

    Gas Bandit's Political Thread V: The Vampire Likes Bats

    Hello, fellow NATO members!
  7. TommiR

    Is income inequality unjust, and if so, where is the injustice?

    I think the common theory holds that the price of a good or service is determined by the law of supply and demand. I guess if you believe the suppliers should accept a price below the market rate, or if you think there exists a cartel or monopoly fixing the prices across the board, then the...
  8. TommiR

    Is income inequality unjust, and if so, where is the injustice?

    Charity is a worthwhile cause, to be sure. However, I'm not entirely convinced this run on the food banks is due to income inequality, and/or the depredations of the rich against the poor. As I see it, it might be more due to inflation ie the rise in food prices, which may be more of a...
  9. TommiR

    2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

    Another aspect some might find troubling is the general impact on the collective security mechanisms currently in operation for peace and order in the world. Link. This is why stricter sanctions on their supply chains are important. So far it seems that Russian arms deliveries to their...
  10. TommiR

    2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

    If one takes stock of the areas where it is easiest to establish relative strength in conventional warfare, then Russia is superior in manpower (as you mentioned), in the size of their defence budget, and in their possession of a formidable full-spectrum arms industry. In terms of equipment...
  11. TommiR

    2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

    I've been based in South East Asia for some years now. I'm off to work, but I'll clarify my points in my previous post. It can be summarised in two assertions: 1. Russia is militarily superior to Ukraine. 2. The militarily superior side does not always win armed conflicts. That's it. If anyone...
  12. TommiR

    2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

    Okay. Perhaps it may be constructive for me to expand a bit more on the issue. But first, please let me clear something. If you take a look at my posts here, I believe you will find that I have not made any claim as to the relative superiority of Russian vis a vis Ukrainian forces in theater...
  13. TommiR

    2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

    It is f*cking stupid, as you put it, if one believes continued resistance will get them a better deal. Otherwise it is just dozens or hundreds or thousands of lives lost for nothing gained. Now, nobody knows about the future, and some may well feel the chance is worth the risk. And, let's face...
  14. TommiR

    2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

    Time may tell if you are confusing 'dirt on someone' with 'military-strategic-political realities on the ground'. We will see.
  15. TommiR

    2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

    It seems Ukraine is not very willing to take advice from billionaires. Perhaps they feel they are in a position to win a war of attrition against Russia, or maybe they feel things will sort themselves out before they have to. Or, you know, it is simply bluster in an effort to maintain such a...
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