02-17-2025, 10:03 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-17-2025, 10:09 PM by Potato.)
Absolutely no surprises here
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-18/civic-education-curriculum-assessment-students/104946138
Quote:"At a national level, the 2024 assessment found a substantial drop in the level of achievement. At both Years 6 and 10, the percentage of students achieving the proficient standard has declined significantly compared to the previous cycle," ACARA Chairman Derek Scott said.
"In addition, this is the lowest percentage of students achieving the proficient standard at either year level since the assessment began."
Just 28 per cent of Year 10 students met the proficiency standards compared to 38 per cent when the last test was taken in 2019.
Students in Year 6 were also tested. Forty-three per cent rated proficient in 2024 compared to 53 per cent in 2019.
Experts have warned this means students have failed to grasp basic concepts about Australian democracy and institutions, leaving them vulnerable to foreign interference when they become voters.
"[It's] a population susceptible to manipulation whether that's by social media or international hackers who want to kind of get in and cause trouble," Professor Stewart Riddle, from the University of Southern Queensland said.
When you have a whole generation running around thinking communism is actually rational and workable and thinking "defund the police" is a valid policy platform for any political party to hold, them shit had really got out of hand.
Quote:Professor Riddle said the results reflected long- standing inequities in Australian education. Indigenous, regional and remote students and those from less advantaged backgrounds performed worse than their peers.
Sometimes I think mandatory voting was a mistake and we should go back to when land ownership was required in order to vote, but then I look at the state of the US...
Quote:Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said the country needed more young people to understand how democracy worked.
"This is why I've boosted funding for school students to get out of the classroom and visit Parliament House and the War Memorial. To understand what generations of Australians have fought and died for," he said.
"That's what the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate Program does. It allows school students to visit the War Memorial, Parliament House and Old Parliament House in Canberra."
Now test the politicians and the teachers!!
I think it's just poor maintenance.
Talked to a guy in that line of work and he is surprised there aren't more crashes. Budget cuts, retirements, gen Z can't tell a wrench from a hammer that kind of thing.
Who was sitting around in America going 'oh well you know, the number one priority is changing this air traffic control system'
Historic times, Trump send two hawks and his top real estate guy who strong armed Bibi.
Zelensky went to Turkey for support and Erdogan backs him up.
Poll: Is Nintex in denial about how these negotiations will go?
02-18-2025, 10:08 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-18-2025, 10:09 PM by Potato.)
Edit: wrong thread. Fuck Putin.
Eight FPV drone operators lost their sight because of trapped FPV googgles riggged with C4 which was sent by Ukraine.
top comment:
Quote:Note to self,
years after the war - never buy "surplus wartime FPV goggles" from Russia!
Surplus pagers and FPV goggles on ebay 
02-19-2025, 07:57 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-19-2025, 07:58 PM by Potato.)
At this point I'm guessing the "peace plan" will entail that if Ukraine doesn't abide, the US will join in on bombing Kiev?
Surely the tankies will be up in arms considering the US president is actually fomenting a "colour revolution", or worse, in a country outside their "sphere of influence"...
If elections were held in Ukraine the former military leader Zaluzhnyi would probably win and he's more hawkish than Zelensky.
The question is if replacing Zelensky is really such a big trade-off if it helps end the war. There have certainly been concerns about Zelensky and many other Ukrainian officials in the past. Not to mention that because he is the public face of the war he might not be the best leader to end it. Overall Europe has to step up. They've signed all sorts of security agreements with Ukraine. The reality of the situation is that the window for Ukraine to push the Russian out has closed. Stopping the war ASAP is the best course of action right now.
And as I said, Europe is starting to lean more towards China than the United States. China doesn't like the war. In Europe there are rumors that talks between Germany, France and China have already started. China is the key here, the US wants to contain China the EU wants to ally with China.
(02-19-2025, 07:57 PM)Potato wrote: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-20/donald-trump-describes-zelenskyy-as-dictator-in-social-post/104958360
...and there it is. Trump goes full Putin's bitch.
So is Zelensky the bad guy now? The heck is going on.
The US sees this as a larger realignment in security and geo-politics.
They want to reduce the size of the military of US, China, Russia by 50% and they want to break-up the alliance between Iran, North Korea, China and Russia.
Spoiler: how we got here (click to show)(click to hide) The current policy was to deliver a strategic defeat to Russia in Ukraine but that's just not happening and the cost/benefit ratio in that war for all sides has long gone out the window. In fact, the Russians are pretty desperate and China is squeezing them hard. In Ukraine Zelensky is calling the shots full stop. He has purged his government many times of critics.
Two key points in the war were the rejections of the first deal, which was all things considered not a bad outcome. Ukraine would not join NATO, it would join the EU, both sides would withdraw forces, the Russians would get the 2 rebel provinces etc. . It happened at the time of the big Russian retreat. But seeing the Russians had failed NATO believed that they could beat the Russians if Zelensky continued the war, the US liked the idea of punishing Russia. So Boris Johnson was send to tell Zelensky to scuttle the deal and instead offer Ukraine increased military support. But what they didn't expect was that Russia would also be able to expand the scope and scale of the war and the Russians weren't out of modern missiles and shells. They quickly turned to China and North Korea as well as black markets.
That turning point was supposed to have been the Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2023. The big planned Ukrainian breakthrough using their best tanks and fresh troops. It didn't work because Ukraine didn't want to commit too many forces into one spearhead fearing huge losses, instead sending them in smaller batches. They had also underestimated Russian defenses. the Germans told them to drive around the minefields but there was no way to do that. Plus, the plans leaked. The Russian lines held. While there was some public dissent in Russia and the Wagner group, the regime held on and at that point the European leaders realized that they didn't want Russia to fall apart in chaos either. So the Ukrainians were told not to take advantage of the Wagner operation.
After that the Ukrainians have mostly done attacks to boost morale or western support, showing that they are still in this fight by moving into Kursk. Yet again however, the attack stalled, not enough troops no clear strategic objectives. And often when the US or EU finds out about their objectives, they tell them not to attack Russian ICBM sites, officials, bridges, nuclear power plants or they don't get the weapon systems they need (German Taurus) to attack Russian formations preparing for counter attacks.
Trump and his real estate guys look at all this through a different lens than 'Russia bad - Ukraine good' for them it really boils down to 'Killing bad - Loot good'. And they're just putting offers out to both sides to essentially get their investment back.
To Ukraine: you mobilize more troops, we'll give you $500 billion so you can buy weapons from us and in exchange you'll give us 50% of what you make
To Russia: we'll help you to end this where it stands, in exhange you'll cut ties with your other partners (China, Iran, North Korea etc.) and do what we say
Ukraine said: no, we're not doing that let's negotiate a better deal.
Russia said, well let's talk about it and they showed the US that US companies lost $300 billion by not doing business with Russia but for the US $30.337 trillion GPD, that's a rounding error. They also offered up some cooperative projects in the Artic. Trumps guys realized, ok these guys are really desperate there is potential here and what they're asking (Zelensky out, no Ukraine in NATO etc.) is something we can live with. Maybe we can take over some business from China too and prevent a nuclear Iran.
And now the EU panics as they realize there is new management in the US that might cut a deal with the Russians and they're shocked at the 'cost' of increased US military support. If Ukraine has to pay it all back, those would be worse terms than Germany got after WWI. And Zelensky argues he never got all that money and Ukraine already sold most of what it owned.
China panics too because they realize that if Russia and the US work together, their goal of dominating Asia and taking over Russia is at risk plus all their interests in Europe.
The US wants to get the best deal out of 'either' side. So while they play hardball with Ukraine, they also send Kellogg to see how they can hurt the Russians more.
The EU just sees a massive bill. A massive bill to pay for their own security, restoring the damage in Ukraine, peacekeeping and another massive wave of refugees. Not to mention the write down on all the costs of the war.
02-20-2025, 03:33 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-20-2025, 03:35 PM by Ethan.)
Or, you know, Trump might just be mad that Zelinsky made him a cuck a few years back and that he's relatively well respected by other world leaders, who Trump knows laugh at him behind his back.
There's not a single scenario in which dumping all your long-term allies to align with Russia makes sense. For a century, aligning with Russia has brought nations nothing but misery and backstabbing (and most were coerced anyway). Russia offers nothing but land and vague threats of nuking London.
Oh, the US and Russia will collaborate on developing the Arctic? You know who has a lot of the Arctic? Canada. And it's probably docile enough to renounce exclusive control of the Northwest passage if it can strike a good partnership with the US. Well, it was until now.
Y'know we could fix this whole thing if we remind Trump that the last president to try and normalize relations with Russia was Obama.
He'd switch gears to talking about making Russia the 55th state immediately.
It’s actually really simple. Trump is just doing what the Russians want him to do. Anything deeper than this is wishful thinking. The US has sold its own future down the river and the rest is history.
02-20-2025, 06:42 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-20-2025, 06:43 PM by Nintex.)
Nah Europe needs to wake up and stop thinking it's weak. It can be very strong and if it is Putin can't do shit.
Be like the Poles
and make a good deal with China, Japan, India, Turkey and other countries.
The US wasn't going to continue swiping the credit card for European defense and what the US wants is often not beneficial for Europe.
We don't sell certain stuff to China because the US doesn't want it but then they buy it through India or some other place anyway.
Everyone hates the US now, we can benefit greatly from this if we play our cards right.
I get the strategy they're trying to bring Russia back in line but they're overplaying their hand.
It’s not about the us spending on the credit card. Now it is how do we stop the US invading Europe with their new ally
I don't see that happening anytime soon. Russia doesn't have the capacity to invade Europe, not by a long shot. It may in the future but not now.
The US won't help. They might indirectly fund like Germany indirectly funded the Ukraine war, that's the risk. But if the Russia and US become allies than the US calls the shots not Russia.
But that means Russia would have to break with China.
The best path is to strengthen Europe and end the war ASAP.
I've worked it out with Grok, fire’s still favored—but it’s not the 70% “we’re toast” either.
Manageable chaos over certain doom
Mike Johnson Hype
Quote:Head-to-Head Odds
Egg Prices Drop: 25% - Trump’s deal-making could luck into trade relief (U.S. exports, deregulation), but cluelessness keeps it slim. Up 5%—Johnson’s hype isn’t nothing.
Dumpster Fire Widens: 60% - Even with deal-making, Ukraine meddling and AfD noise outweigh strategy—fire’s likelier than not. Down 10%—Trump’s not all clown.
Overlap: 10% - Eggs drop and fire widens (trade win, EU chaos). Pure egg drop (no fire): 20%; fire widens (no egg drop): 55%.
Gut Take
Johnson’s “Trump knows what he’s doing” gives him a bit more rope—egg prices get a 5% boost to 25%, fire drops 10% to 60%. He’s not a total mess (Art of the Deal ain’t fiction), but 2025’s Ukraine mess and Musk’s X fuel suggest clueless chaos still rules. Your EU egg prices (€2.50-3) might nudge down if Trump nails a deal, but the dumpster fire’s got better odds—Putin’s grinning either way.
You buying Johnson’s spin, or still bracing for pricey eggs and a hotter mess? What’s your worry meter at now?
Macron visit
Quote:Head-to-Head Odds (With Macron)
Egg Prices Drop: 30% - Up 5% from 25%. Macron’s trade nudge and Ukraine steadiness boost the slim shot—€2/dozen if Trump plays ball.
Dumpster Fire Widens: 50% - Down 10% from 60%. Macron’s reason cuts the odds—EU/NATO hold tighter, but chaos still rules.
Overlap: 10% - Eggs drop and fire widens (trade luck, EU mess). Pure egg drop (no fire): 25%; fire widens (no egg drop): 45%.
Gut Take
Macron’s visit—Monday, Feb 24—tilts it your way a bit. Egg prices get a 30% shot (was 25%)—he might talk Trump into trade sanity, keep Ukraine’s grain flowing. Dumpster fire drops to 50% (was 60%)—his “don’t be weak” could stall the Putin-far-right spiral. Johnson’s deal-maker Trump plus Macron’s respect (Dec 2024 vibes) make it plausible, but clueless chaos (Musk’s X, Trump’s gut) still outweighs. Your €2.50-3 eggs might ease, but the fire’s got the edge.
You feeling a bit less worried with Macron in the room, or still betting on the mess? What’s your next stress point?
Quote:Revised Gut Take
That 50% fire (down from 60%) with Macron’s visit is a breather—manageable chaos over certain doom. Egg prices at 30% (up from 25%) give your wallet a sliver of hope—Trump’s Art of the Deal plus Macron’s nudge could surprise you. It’s not a rosy 50/50 split—fire’s still favored—but it’s not the 70% “we’re toast” either. EU’s got tools (Macron, trade blocs) to weather Trump and Musk’s clueless flailing.
Feeling like 50%’s a livable gamble now? Or still got that “manageable but meh” itch? What’s your next worry—eggs holding at €3 or something bigger?
Soooo, he's holding them to ransom for their own mineral resources?
Just a bully boy cunt.
02-22-2025, 01:11 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-22-2025, 01:15 AM by Nintex.)
MI6 guy sums it up well.
US can no longer dictate world affairs because they are no longer a much larger economy than China.
Wouldn't read too much in Trumps statements, the actual work still continues.
Fundamental difference that US might underestimate is that Putin may not trade land for peace.
Europe is not in immediate danger but should wake up and take action to increase its security.
Best case outcome, split of Ukraine on the battle line with a free state on our side.
Becomes much more complicated if Russia gets all of Ukraine, but sees that as highly unlikely because Trump doesn't want a fiasco like Afghanistan.
We're slowly but surely rolling in the trojan circus clown horse.
We're in the end game now. Zelensky says he is willing to step down to secure peace or Ukraine joining NATO
Also says he believes the US aid was a grant not a debt.
He says that to pay back $50 billion Ukraine has to pay $100 billion.
I guess he didn't realize the later aid packages were very high risk loans.
Nintex, I think you might be underestimating how much animus for Ukraine and Zelensky exists in the conservative base.
02-23-2025, 10:30 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-23-2025, 10:31 PM by Nintex.)
(02-23-2025, 07:11 PM)Ribosome wrote: Nintex, I think you might be underestimating how much animus for Ukraine and Zelensky exists in the conservative base.
I think that's mostly the animus against this war and of course the history with Hunter Biden and all.
From what I understand, the main goal of this deal to ensure Russia never launches another war again and security in Europe is guaranteed.
That's going to 'cost' something.
Merz won the elections, which is a very good outcome for Germany and pretty much what I predicted.
Afd wasn't going to win.
If Merz can restore German steel, strength and honor, we'll have a strong deterrent against ze Russians 
Just Fly the nuclear bombers around 
|
3 users liked this post:
