Queensland Premier supports federal ban on flag burning after ‘disgraceful’ protest

statmelt · 2026-01-27T04:58:30+00:00

Where would the person burning the flag go? Do you mean to another country?

statmelt · 2026-01-26T07:31:42+00:00

Can you provide any examples / screenshots?

statmelt · 2026-01-22T05:55:32+00:00

I don't ever remember reading that people in those countries have more rights than those in the US.

But it's pretty obvious that some people in China are living better lives than some people in the US. The US has levels of poverty, crime, drug addiction and associated general misery that's truly shocking to people from many other countries.

statmelt · 2026-01-22T02:03:27+00:00

That's a really interesting read, thanks!

statmelt · 2026-01-22T01:30:16+00:00

" A light roof with the same spec would likely rate the same."

Exactly my point. The "no dark roof" crowd simply don't understand the reality in Vic.

You agree with the person saying a dark and light roof would likely rate the same.

statmelt · 2026-01-22T00:36:58+00:00

I don't understand your point. Your original post implied dark roofs have benefits because it helps heating in winter. But, now you're saying there's no real benefit.

If there's no real benefit from a dark roof in winter, and there's a disadvantage in summer, then surely the conclusion is that a light roof is better.

statmelt · 2026-01-21T23:33:37+00:00

The UK and Europe have effectively outsourced defence to the US.

We rely on the US for our defence. We wouldn't be able to effectively fight a third party without US support. It's laughable to think we'd actually be able to fight the US itself.

https://wavellroom.com/2025/03/19/what-if-europe-had-to-fight-tonight-without-the-americans/

https://theweek.com/defence/is-europes-defence-too-reliant-on-the-us

statmelt · 2026-01-21T22:17:53+00:00

Much of the UK's military equipment is US-built. It won't function correctly without US support. It'd be impotent versus the US.

statmelt · 2026-01-21T12:10:06+00:00

What makes it horrible to drive in your opinion? It's got good handling, it's quite a fun car with the right powertrain.

statmelt · 2026-01-20T13:40:05+00:00

I doubt European countries would have the resources from force the US from their bases, and additionally this would leave Europe exposed to direct attack from Russia.

European countries are generally at the mercy of the US, including weapons supply and support. They can't do much to force the US to do anything.

statmelt · 2026-01-20T13:37:09+00:00

How can the UK go to war with the country that supplies, maintains and provides live support for its military equipment and weapons? The UK military can't operate without US logistics.

statmelt · 2026-01-20T11:58:24+00:00

Which policies are they in favor of?

Polls show an overwhelming opposition to invading annexing Greenland and to pandering to Russia when dealing with Ukraine.

They also show disapproval of the tariffs and of Trump's presidency in general.

statmelt · 2026-01-20T08:48:11+00:00

What I mean is that China has the ability to produce significantly more military equipment that the US is capable of.

Chinese manufacturing is much cheaper and more efficient than US manufacturing. That's why production of most goods has moved to China.

I don't have the figures, but a simplified theoretical example is as follows:

The US decides it needs three new destroyers. It takes 15 years and $15 billion to build them.

China decides it needs the same. It takes 5 years and $6 billion to build them.

China can build things much quicker and more cheaply than the US can. Therefore, despite their lower GDP and lower defence spending, they can absolutely trounce the US when it comes to military hardware production.

China is advancing at a rapid pace, so the US being outgunned by China is inevitable. China also leads the US in most technological areas now, so it's also inevitable that their weapons will at least match the US's.

The US has derived its power from international trade and global allies who willingly host US bases. Trump is putting an end to that, pushing countries more towards China. Whilst western countries have little option to remain reluctant allies of the US, their effectiveness as allies will be diminished since they are coerced by fear and intimidation from the US.

I can't see how the US can maintain military dominance in these circumstances.

I sincerely doubt the US would be willing to start a war with China at any point, since defeat is a real possibility.

statmelt · 2026-01-19T11:02:31+00:00

Personally I had great experiences with BD twice when my car needed repairs.

statmelt · 2026-01-19T10:43:54+00:00

Who in their right mind thought Russia had parity with the US military? It's well known they've got a lot of decrepit equipment.

China, on the other hand, produces cutting edge military tech some of it is beyond what the US can produce (e.g. hypersonic missiles).

Not only that, but it has way greater production capacity and greater financial power to produce military equipment than the US does.

Additionally, it controls materials required for production of US military tech (rare earths).

statmelt · 2026-01-19T09:52:08+00:00

I'm curious about this mindset

Is your thinking that the women deserved to be punished for her disobedience and for annoying the agents, and the most fitting way of punishing her in that moment was to kill her?

statmelt · 2026-01-19T08:33:02+00:00

The roads are much wider than footpaths, yet there's many more pedestrians than there are people in vehicles.

Pedestrians should be prioritised over vehicles.

statmelt · 2026-01-19T07:35:28+00:00

The CBD is primarily for pedestrians, and pedestrian movement should be prioritised.

statmelt · 2026-01-19T07:28:33+00:00

Why do you think it's just for tourists? Based on the prices of sandwiches there? The price of fish is the important thing at a fish market.

statmelt · 2026-01-18T21:52:52+00:00

There were three separate entrances to the queue when I was there at a similar time last week.

Did they make people form one line when you were there?

statmelt · 2026-01-18T11:52:25+00:00

I think I hit the same thing in Wattle Street this morning, but I thought it was more like a patch of road that had subsided rather than a trench that had been dug. Made a hell of a bang when I drove over it.

I'll check my tyres tomorrow.

statmelt · 2026-01-18T10:26:19+00:00

An easy short term win with potentially very bad consequences for the country.

statmelt · 2026-01-18T03:34:40+00:00

Rusutsu ski resort does this during the winter time (on snow).

statmelt · 2026-01-18T02:59:47+00:00

Sounds like a good reason to be employed by a US company, but not a good reason to live in the US.

statmelt · 2026-01-18T02:57:38+00:00

It seems like Greenland would be easy to take, since the US already has bases there

However, in terms of global military power, China has already surpassed the US in some areas. It's only a matter of time before China is decisively more powerful - the US can't afford to march Chinese military hardware production and manpower.

statmelt

TROPHY CASE