Politics

[Scott CWO]

Strange how things evolve. I may have figured out a, possibly the only, truly positive outcome of the blind push to AI. First overt clue was idiot Bill Gates suddenly bailing out of support for wind/solar green energy. It was a decision where greed won out over false virtue signaling. He finally figured out that solar and wind couldn’t power his data centers and AI has become the new religion for the 21st century. Maybe we have broken through the “green energy virtue” barrier in an indirect way. It’s not necessarily full speed in reverse back in time for fossil fuel, although at least in the mid term yes, large production fossil power is still extremely important. The breakout from the green virtue psych, may be AI needing onsite or near onsite power generation!! Enter small, portable nuke plants. The tech is not new, the Navy has been using it for years. The need to power the new religion of AI may remove both the memory and habit of worshipping the current tech of green energy nonsense and the stigma of nuke power, both at the same time! Win-win I hope… time will tell.

Also will be interesting to watch fusion power. Fusion power generation is a tough nut to crack but has nearly unlimited potential. Many are caught up in the wishful thinking, maybe delusion on fusion power generation. Again… time will tell.

It’s a misnomer and propaganda that fossil fuels are going by the wayside. Wind and solar never more than 8% is what I’ve heard.

 

[Tanks]

That doesn’t mean they won’t come back.

I tend to take a pragmatic approach to things and have quit worrying about "what if" scenarios that have a miniscule chance of happening.

I also believe in personal responsibility. If those menial workers that you advocate for can't figure out how to better themselves, then it is on them. For example, my cleaning lady and her helper make $37.50/hr each, well above CA minimum wage. There are many jobs like that for people taking the time to figure it out.

 

[Newboomer]

On a different note, Here is an article.

Kamala Harris gets boost on potential presidential bid

Polling and a new survey suggest Democrats favor a more centrist approach, boosting Kamala Harris as a possible 2028 contender.

www.newsweek.com

It says something about Dems if Kamala is seen as a center leaning figure.

Now there's a minimum wage candidate for you. Doubt she's worth even that.

 

[Scott CWO]

That doesn’t mean they won’t come back.

We are past it.

 

[Aaron N]

I tend to take a pragmatic approach to things and have quit worrying about "what if" scenarios that have a miniscule chance of happening.

I don’t really worry about much, but I don’t trust the government or corporations to act with the interest of workers in mind. So it’s nice to have someone pushing back to help maintain an equilibrium.

 

[Aaron N]

We are past it.

Past it, or it was just offshored?

 

[WAB]

A bold option now open to the administration that would be unthinkable just a year ago due to Iranian defensive and retaliatory capabilities is the seizure of Kharg Island. I am not sure the exact totals, but believe about 90% of Iranian export leaves from Kharg. Unlike a mainland incursion, Kharg, which is 15 miles from the mainland, could be relatively easily defended from Iranian counter attack. I would have to assume they would also want to be careful of destroying those critical facilities. Should the regime survive in some form, it would represent a significant bargaining chip in exchange for something like their enriched uranium stockpile.

Curious the thoughts of the petroleum industry experts in our discussion. Assuming the terminal is not severely damaged, what does that do to the price of crude?

Fascinating idea. You would know better than I if the US could protect a soft target like Kharg. I believe that it was moving a couple million BPD prior to the war. Control would not bring that back online as Iran would not pump oil to it if the US held it. However, post war control would probably lead to faster return to market and ensure that oil did not bypass sanctions.

 

[Betterinthebush]

I love this guy. lol! (Warning spittle and f-bombs both fly liberally)

https://twitter.com/x/status/2030306775346368789

 

[Tundra Tiger]

This. 110%.

Tillis calls on Miller to depart White House: ‘Out of his depth’

While Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem will soon depart her Cabinet-level post, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) also wants White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller to l…

thehill.com

 

[skydiver386]

I love this guy. lol! (Warning spittle and f-bombs both fly liberally)

https://twitter.com/x/status/2030306775346368789

Boy ain't never been right in the head.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

A bold option now open to the administration that would be unthinkable just a year ago due to Iranian defensive and retaliatory capabilities is the seizure of Kharg Island. I am not sure the exact totals, but believe about 90% of Iranian export leaves from Kharg. Unlike a mainland incursion, Kharg, which is 15 miles from the mainland, could be relatively easily defended from Iranian counter attack. I would have to assume they would also want to be careful of destroying those critical facilities. Should the regime survive in some form, it would represent a significant bargaining chip in exchange for something like their enriched uranium stockpile.

Curious the thoughts of the petroleum industry experts in our discussion. Assuming the terminal is not severely damaged, what does that do to the price of crude?

World oil consumption is around 100 million barrels per day. About 20 million barrels per day normally travels through the Strait. Kharg Island handles about two million barrels per day, which is one VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) or commonly called, Supertanker, per day. It might be easier to control Kharg Island by sinking any vessel that goes there to pick up crude. Control doesn’t require having a hand on the valve.

Another similar type control point is the South Pars gas field (on the Iranian side) and the North Field on the Qatari side. It is the largest gas field in the world and supplies Iran’s domestic gas supply. Shut it down and you probably shut down the entire country. That might lead to a humanitarian crisis, so might not happen.

 

[Tanks]

A gas station in LA.

 

[Tanks]

I don’t really worry about much, but I don’t trust the government or corporations to act with the interest of workers in mind. So it’s nice to have someone pushing back to help maintain an equilibrium.

You know it is not "us vs them" in regard to corporations and workers in most corporations. I had interactions with a multitude of Fortune 100 corporations in my career and employees' and contractors' safety came first at all times. Heck, one time I was asked to shave a two-day stubble so the gas masks would make a good seal in case of an emergency at a refinery.

Now, unions that is a different story, but the main thing a union cares about is themselves as an institution to the detriment of workers most times than not.

 

[skydiver386]

I don’t really worry about much, but I don’t trust the government or unions to act with the interest of workers in mind. So I push back to help maintain an equilibrium. If I want a raise, I'll ask for it or do what is required to get a promotion.

There, had to fix another one for ya.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

A gas station in LA.

View attachment 751564

Those are killer high prices. The good news though is premium isn’t much more than regular.

I was in OKC the past few days and gas was just below $3 and diesel just above $4.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Repel yes, secure no.

Next week’s lesson will be on the pros and cons of keel hauling.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

https://www.chevron.com/newsroom/2024/q4/new-california-legislation-misleading-chevron-exec-says

 

[Scott CWO]

Past it, or it was just offshored?

Or did unions go too far and push the offshoring?

 

[Sideshow]

Next week’s lesson will be on the pros and cons of keel hauling.

Wait there’s a con???

 

[steve white]

A bold option now open to the administration that would be unthinkable just a year ago due to Iranian defensive and retaliatory capabilities is the seizure of Kharg Island. I am not sure the exact totals, but believe about 90% of Iranian export leaves from Kharg. Unlike a mainland incursion, Kharg, which is 15 miles from the mainland, could be relatively easily defended from Iranian counter attack. I would have to assume they would also want to be careful of destroying those critical facilities. Should the regime survive in some form, it would represent a significant bargaining chip in exchange for something like their enriched uranium stockpile.

Curious the thoughts of the petroleum industry experts in our discussion. Assuming the terminal is not severely damaged, what does that do to the price of crude?

Could Kharg island be used to make Iran pay for the war's expenses? Trumpadelic!