Recent posts

#21

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

Last post by Zoupa - Today at 12:56:56 AM

Apparently the US placed restrictions on ANY western-provided weapons strike in russia proper. As in, if you use this SCALP or Storm Shadow to hit Belgorod, we will stop providing aid.

I'm not sure what the Biden administration is thinking here. In 20 or 100 years nobody will remember or care about your build back better or inflation reduction act. They will remember how you fumbled your way to "realpolitk" cynicism, using Ukrainian lives.

11 civilians were murdered in Kharkiv yesterday. Ukraine knows where those launchers are but is not "allowed" to hit them. What the actual fuck.

#22

Gaming HQ / Re: New Paradox Tinto Game - "...

Last post by Richard Hakluyt - Today at 12:37:58 AM

The Act of Union between England and Wales was passed in 1536 https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/periods/tudors_04.shtml

Which, in paradox terms, makes it a vassal of England in the 14th century.

England was a highly centralised state by 14th century standards. It had one system of weights and measures for the whole country, law was enforced and courts held by the justices of the peace and was the King's law, when parliament imposed taxes they were for the entire country. This is an important reason why the 4m English of the time were able to war succesfully with the 20m French.

#23

Gaming HQ / Re: New Paradox Tinto Game - "...

Last post by Valmy - Today at 12:12:41 AM

Kind of interesting to see Wales as separate from England in 1337. What is the story behind that?

Technically it was separate until the the Tudors.

Was it? Interesting. I thought Edward I's incorporation was thorough. Also: it had been divided between Welsh nobles and Norman/English Marcher Lords for awhile and at no point were those marcher lords considered to be part of some other Kingdom or Principality called "Wales" were they?

Huh. Well Medieval stuff was always weird.

#24

Gaming HQ / Re: New Paradox Tinto Game - "...

Last post by crazy canuck - May 20, 2024, 11:56:33 PM

Kind of interesting to see Wales as separate from England in 1337. What is the story behind that?

Technically it was separate until the the Tudors.

#25

Off the Record / Re: Reported Coup Attempt in D...

Last post by viper37 - May 20, 2024, 11:41:33 PM

Rumours swirling about both CIA and Mossad involvement (because that's what people go to immediately, of course).

Well that's unlikely. It wasn't successful.

Budget cuts have hurt them too.

#26

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by viper37 - May 20, 2024, 11:38:34 PM

What have Israeli courts done against Bibi's grab for power?

Is this a serious question? The Israeli courts resistance to Bibi's over-reaching and the government's abortive efforts against the courts is what precipitated the Israeli political crisis.

I think it would be difficult to argue that Israeli courts are incapable of fair adjudication.  A more serious question is whether there is a viable mechanism for such a case to be brought to the courts. I'm not familiar enough with the Israeli legal system to opine on that last question.

It is a serious question: what did change?  Did they prevent Netanyahu from doing what he wanted to do?

It seems they were just as effective as the courts were against Andrew Jackson.

So I ask the question again: Assuming Lindsey Graham does not distort the fact (it's a big if, and I doubt that's the case, but let's play), what could the courts do?  He's already been accused 3 times of corruption and managed to get away with it, once by naming a prosecutor favorable to him who would reduce the charges.  What do you think would happen if he there were any serious accusations of war crimes being leveled against him?

However, it seems to me the more immediate question re the ICC is their creative theory of jurisdiction, i.e. that Gaza is a "state party" to the Rome Treaty, by virtue of: (a) the UN General Assembly vote to recognize "Palestine" as a state, and (b) the 2015 declaration of the Mahmud Abbas on behalf of the PA, an organization with zero authority in Gaza, of intention to submit to ICC jurisdiction.

That's a technicality.  It's akin to saying the US courts can't judge a President for his crimes.  It's an interesting legal debates for those inclined on this subject, but it's irrelevant to the facts debated: is there a crime that was committed.

#27

Off the Record / Re: NHL Hockey thread

Last post by Barrister - May 20, 2024, 11:12:46 PM

So mid way through the third I was like "hey don't anyone say anything, but Skinner has an "s-word" going on".  I never said the word, that was an exact quote.

Canucks promptly score two gals, 3-2 final.

Am I in the wrong?

#28

Off the Record / Re: NHL Hockey thread

Last post by Valmy - May 20, 2024, 11:00:49 PM

Down with the Panthers and the Stars.

#29

Off the Record / Re: NHL Hockey thread

Last post by Barrister - May 20, 2024, 10:59:32 PM

I think I've said this before: I'm a neutral but not a disinterested observer of this series.

Oilers beat Vancouver, advance to meet Dallas in the Western Conference Final.

#30

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by Admiral Yi - May 20, 2024, 10:31:04 PM

Translation: your gibberish-to English translator worked no better than mine, so you decided to pretend that it was your choice to leave it gibberish. 

Your theory, not being susceptible to proof or disproof, does not interest me.