Recent posts

#1

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Josquius - Today at 05:51:35 PM

It makes sense not to publicise extra patriots in Ukraine I'd think.
If Russia knows there's only 4 systems and all their attacks on 4 places get shot down then they'll think that's where the systems are so the way is clear to attack somewhere else.
Best they don't know how many systems there are.

My understanding is that a push is expected after mud season ends, which is coming up.

Isn't the push already happening? The Russians are keen to do all they can before the US aid arrives on the front line.

#2

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by viper37 - Today at 05:45:08 PM

So as I understand it (and dammit Jim!  I'm a lawyer, not a soldier) Patriot has proven to be extremely effective against even Russia's hypersonic missiles.  It is however a fairly expensive system, with each patriot missile running in the millions of dollars.

As we are now seeing in both Ukraine, and Israel, is the use of mass numbers of UAVs or drones with are quite inexpensive to produce, and also in Gaza the use of cheap and dumb rockets.  Iron Dome is (I think) more cost effective as a result, plus (as Josquis points out) it's a more local technology (although developed with US assistance) which means fewer restrictions on its use.

The timing definitely does make one think these Patriots might be showing up in Ukraine sooner or later, but just Israel doesn't want to publicize that fact because for some reason it still values its relations with Russia.

Ok, if they're good, they're good.

I'm a little worried about the ammo required though, as Jos is pointing out.

#3

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by HVC - Today at 03:54:22 PM

Weighted average elections seem weird to me.

#4

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 03:48:58 PM

Changed the system for metro mayors from instant run-off to FPTP. Instant run off is better, in my view, for a directly elected executive role.

#5

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Barrister - Today at 03:46:32 PM

I use gerrymandering non literally.
Is there a better term for fiddling elections to up your chances that doesn't touch boundaries?

Without a doubt it is what they've done here. Mayors for a long time were elected under a fairer system... But this damaged their chances.

What did they do?

Because there's a difference between "cheating" and "trying to win".

#6

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Josquius - Today at 03:38:34 PM

I use gerrymandering non literally.
Is there a better term for fiddling elections to up your chances that doesn't touch boundaries?

Without a doubt it is what they've done here. Mayors for a long time were elected under a fairer system... But this damaged their chances.

#7

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Barrister - Today at 03:19:07 PM

When they come to power Labour really need to fix this transparent tory gerrymandering fptp crap in local elections at least.

I don't agree with it being FTTP but it's not gerrymandering. No boundaries have changed

So I do agree with FPTP, but that's for another time.

Gerrymandering can definitely be a thing, but not necessarily.  FPTP can bring odd results even without deliberately playing with riding boundaries.  In Canada the Conservative Party has a lot of "wasted" votes because we run up massive majorities in a lot of ridings in Alberta and Saskatchewan of 70+% - but this isn't because of gerrymandering.  As a result the Conservatives have to win by a few percentage points in order to make sure we get more votes than the Liberals.

#8

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Gups - Today at 03:13:52 PM

When they come to power Labour really need to fix this transparent tory gerrymandering fptp crap in local elections at least.

I don't agree with it being FTTP but it's not gerrymandering. No boundaries have changed

#9

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by Barrister - Today at 02:57:26 PM

Are assumed identities totally out of the possibility?

Who knows?  It's a breaking story.

I do wonder if they're trying to bury the story by having it announced on a Friday afternoon, but maybe such ideas are old fashioned in the world of social media.

#10

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by HVC - Today at 02:50:35 PM

Are assumed identities totally out of the possibility?