On 2024-03-19, D <nospam@example.net> wrote:
>
> Yep. Same in Singapore, I think they have a system where the government
> basically more or less bans you from owning a car with the "fig leaf" of
> choice despite the ridiculous taxes. Classic socialism. The government
> dictates and the servant obeys.

Socialism: a political and economic theory of social organization which
advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange
should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

What does that have to do with taxes on automobile purchases?

> The government dictates and the servant obeys.

Ah, you mean totalitarianism.

Well, we all forgive you for not being a native speaker of English.

--
Cindy Hamilton

On 19 Mar 2024 17:59:20 GMT, Cindy Hamilton <hamilton@invalid.com>
wrote:

>On 2024-03-19, D <nospam@example.net> wrote:
>>
>> Yep. Same in Singapore, I think they have a system where the government
>> basically more or less bans you from owning a car with the "fig leaf" of
>> choice despite the ridiculous taxes. Classic socialism. The government
>> dictates and the servant obeys.
>
>Socialism: a political and economic theory of social organization which
>advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange
>should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.
>
>What does that have to do with taxes on automobile purchases?
>
>> The government dictates and the servant obeys.
>
>Ah, you mean totalitarianism.
>
>Well, we all forgive you for not being a native speaker of English.

:)

On 2024-03-19 12:28 p.m., D wrote:
>
>
> On Tue, 19 Mar 2024, Dave Smith wrote:
>
>>
>> That is a thought, but it was not my land. The owner has given us
>> permission to walk back there and to keep the trails clear. It would
>> be an abuse of his courtesy to be selling his trees. Besides, I don't
>> have the equipment I would need to drag it out of there.
>
> Ah, makes perfect sense.
>
>> I have a friend who has a substantial woodlot. He came home for lunch
>> one day and heard chainsaws in this bush. He went back to check it out
>> and found a couple guys felling oak trees. They claimed that it was
>> their grandfather's property and he had given them permission to cut
>> some oaks to get boards for a winery tasting room they were building.
>> They were confused about the property line but it is uncertain whether
>> or not they genuinely misunderstood or if they figured they could get
>> away with it. If my friend had not gone home for lunch when he did he
>> would have been unaware.
>
> Jesus! How did they repay the damage?

There was an agreement that allowed him the guy to take some of the
trees they had cut and nothing would be said about the large stash of
home grown pot that they found when they checked out his little party
shack back there.

>That reminds me... many years ago
> they planted new trees along the water line on a street in Stockholm and
> apparently someone didn't like what it did to his view, so he poisoned
> the trees at night.
>
> Don't remember if they caught the guy or not.

When I moved out here I had an asshole farmer neighbour. He had a number
of properties along this road and had conflicts with every one of his
neighbours. He had a habit of planting up to or over the property line
and then claiming the land on the basis of squatter's rights. He had a
couple trees so close to the property line he had to cross over on to my
property to work the land around them. Those trees died and he accused
me of breaking them. He must have thought he was a detective or
something because he said he saw my footprints on the ground. I called
BS on that. There is no way he saw my footprints on the ground near
those trees. I was at least 10 feet away and on my property when I
sprayed them with 2 4D.

On Tue, 19 Mar 2024, Cindy Hamilton wrote:

> On 2024-03-19, D <nospam@example.net> wrote:
>>
>> Yep. Same in Singapore, I think they have a system where the government
>> basically more or less bans you from owning a car with the "fig leaf" of
>> choice despite the ridiculous taxes. Classic socialism. The government
>> dictates and the servant obeys.
>
> Socialism: a political and economic theory of social organization which
> advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange
> should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.
>
> What does that have to do with taxes on automobile purchases?
>

It means the government takes your property without your permission. When
it has taken all you have, you are reduced to a slave.

>> The government dictates and the servant obeys.
>
> Ah, you mean totalitarianism.
>
> Well, we all forgive you for not being a native speaker of English.

Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.

On Tue, 19 Mar 2024, Dave Smith wrote:

> On 2024-03-19 12:28 p.m., D wrote:
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 19 Mar 2024, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> That is a thought, but it was not my land. The owner has given us
>>> permission to walk back there and to keep the trails clear. It would be an
>>> abuse of his courtesy to be selling his trees. Besides, I don't have the
>>> equipment I would need to drag it out of there.
>>
>> Ah, makes perfect sense.
>>
>>> I have a friend who has a substantial woodlot. He came home for lunch one
>>> day and heard chainsaws in this bush. He went back to check it out and
>>> found a couple guys felling oak trees. They claimed that it was their
>>> grandfather's property and he had given them permission to cut some oaks
>>> to get boards for a winery tasting room they were building. They were
>>> confused about the property line but it is uncertain whether or not they
>>> genuinely misunderstood or if they figured they could get away with it. If
>>> my friend had not gone home for lunch when he did he would have been
>>> unaware.
>>
>> Jesus! How did they repay the damage?
>
> There was an agreement that allowed him the guy to take some of the trees
> they had cut and nothing would be said about the large stash of home grown
> pot that they found when they checked out his little party shack back there.

Ah, very pragmatic. I like that form of justice without the government
being involved! =)

>> That reminds me... many years ago they planted new trees along the water
>> line on a street in Stockholm and apparently someone didn't like what it
>> did to his view, so he poisoned the trees at night.
>>
>> Don't remember if they caught the guy or not.
>
> When I moved out here I had an asshole farmer neighbour. He had a number of
> properties along this road and had conflicts with every one of his
> neighbours. He had a habit of planting up to or over the property line and
> then claiming the land on the basis of squatter's rights. He had a couple
> trees so close to the property line he had to cross over on to my property to
> work the land around them. Those trees died and he accused me of breaking
> them. He must have thought he was a detective or something because he said he
> saw my footprints on the ground. I called BS on that. There is no way he saw
> my footprints on the ground near those trees. I was at least 10 feet away
> and on my property when I sprayed them with 2 4D.

Haha... human beings, they are the worst! ;) Sometimes you do get crazy
neighbours. In the country side the neighbour was a nazi (yes Bruce...
that's national _socialist_) and he used to threaten people and torture
his german shepherd. After numerous complaints and after way too long,
finally the animal protection people came and took the dog away, and
fortunately for the rest, he commited some crime and ended up in prison
for a long time.

On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
..
>
> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.

You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
would agree with that balderdash.

Graham wrote:

> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
> ..
>>
>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.

> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
> would agree with that balderdash.

Yes, of course...!!!

Older Chileans will speak fondly of General Pinochet, as will Spaniards of General Franco - in both cases these brave leaders saved their respective nations from the horrors of socialism, or even full - blown Soviet - style communism...

These nations were, thankfully, spared the disgrace of becoming another backwards version of castro - ite Cuba, or East Germany...

And Graham, it's lovely to see that you know some history... *do* carry on, my good friend...!!!

:-)

--
GM

On Tue, 19 Mar 2024, GM wrote:

> Graham wrote:
>
>> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
>> ..
>>>
>>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>
>> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they would
>> agree with that balderdash.
>
> Yes, of course...!!!
>
> Older Chileans will speak fondly of General Pinochet, as will Spaniards of
> General Franco - in both cases these brave leaders saved their respective
> nations from the horrors of socialism, or even full - blown Soviet - style
> communism...
>
> These nations were, thankfully, spared the disgrace of becoming another
> backwards version of castro - ite Cuba, or East Germany...
>
> And Graham, it's lovely to see that you know some history... *do* carry on,
> my good friend...!!!
>
> :-)
>

This is very interesting, because I have many spanish friends and it is
not uncommon for them to comment on the times of Franco with "in those
days, at least you could walk safe on the street".

Also many of them, like you say, see Franco as the one who saved them from
the fate of Cuba.

Best regards,
Daniel

D wrote:

> On Tue, 19 Mar 2024, GM wrote:

>> Graham wrote:
>>
>>> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
>>> ..
>>>>
>>>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>>
>>> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they would
>>> agree with that balderdash.
>>
>> Yes, of course...!!!
>>
>> Older Chileans will speak fondly of General Pinochet, as will Spaniards of
>> General Franco - in both cases these brave leaders saved their respective
>> nations from the horrors of socialism, or even full - blown Soviet - style
>> communism...
>>
>> These nations were, thankfully, spared the disgrace of becoming another
>> backwards version of castro - ite Cuba, or East Germany...
>>
>> And Graham, it's lovely to see that you know some history... *do* carry on,
>> my good friend...!!!
>>
>> :-)
>>

> This is very interesting, because I have many spanish friends and it is
> not uncommon for them to comment on the times of Franco with "in those
> days, at least you could walk safe on the street".

> Also many of them, like you say, see Franco as the one who saved them from
> the fate of Cuba.

Just wait, some here may jump in and taunt us yanks about the glories of the Cuban health care and educational "systems", lol...

They will also blame the below problems on the US "embargo" - despite the fact that US companies *legally* export millions of dollars of foodstuffs to Cuba every month:

www.dw.com/en/cuba-seeks-un-food-aid-as-economic-crisis-deepens/a-68443716

Cuba seeks UN food aid as economic crisis deepens

Andreas Knobloch

March 6, 2024 - DEUTSCHE WELLE

"Scarcity strikes Cuba with milk and bread being in short supply amid a deepening hard currency crisis. The government has now turned to the World Food Programme for assistance in an unprecedented move...

UN World Food Programme asked to intervene

Havana's unprecedented appeal for food relief was already made at the end of 2023, the WFP said, and it has already begun delivering skimmed milk powder to Cuba. Spanish news agency EFE reported last week that 144 tons of it were dispatched — approximately 7% of the country's overall monthly requirement of 2,000 tons...

The Cuban minister for the food industry, Alberto Lopez Diaz, assured Cubans last week that, milk supply would be secured by March, thanks to fresh deliveries from Brazil...

Shortages beyond milk

The milk powder shortage is not the only concern for Cubans. The supply of wheat flour for bread is also problematic, prompting the government to announce cuts in the supply of subsidized bread until the end of March. Some provinces have reportedly limited bread distribution already...

Economist Perez noted that power outages have increased recently due to fuel shortages..."

--
GM

On Wed, 20 Mar 2024, GM wrote:

> D wrote:
>
>
>
>> On Tue, 19 Mar 2024, GM wrote:
>
>>> Graham wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
>>>> ..
>>>>>
>>>>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>>>
>>>> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
>>>> would agree with that balderdash.
>>>
>>> Yes, of course...!!!
>>>
>>> Older Chileans will speak fondly of General Pinochet, as will Spaniards of
>>> General Franco - in both cases these brave leaders saved their respective
>>> nations from the horrors of socialism, or even full - blown Soviet - style
>>> communism...
>>>
>>> These nations were, thankfully, spared the disgrace of becoming another
>>> backwards version of castro - ite Cuba, or East Germany...
>>>
>>> And Graham, it's lovely to see that you know some history... *do* carry
>>> on, my good friend...!!!
>>>
>>> :-)
>
>> This is very interesting, because I have many spanish friends and it is not
>> uncommon for them to comment on the times of Franco with "in those days, at
>> least you could walk safe on the street".
>
>> Also many of them, like you say, see Franco as the one who saved them from
>> the fate of Cuba.
>
>
> Just wait, some here may jump in and taunt us yanks about the glories of the
> Cuban health care and educational "systems", lol...
>
> They will also blame the below problems on the US "embargo" - despite the
> fact that US companies *legally* export millions of dollars of foodstuffs to
> Cuba every month:
>
>
> www.dw.com/en/cuba-seeks-un-food-aid-as-economic-crisis-deepens/a-68443716
>
> Cuba seeks UN food aid as economic crisis deepens
>
> Andreas Knobloch
>
> March 6, 2024 - DEUTSCHE WELLE
>
> "Scarcity strikes Cuba with milk and bread being in short supply amid a
> deepening hard currency crisis. The government has now turned to the World
> Food Programme for assistance in an unprecedented move...
>
> UN World Food Programme asked to intervene
>
> Havana's unprecedented appeal for food relief was already made at the end of
> 2023, the WFP said, and it has already begun delivering skimmed milk powder
> to Cuba. Spanish news agency EFE reported last week that 144 tons of it were
> dispatched — approximately 7% of the country's overall monthly requirement of
> 2,000 tons...
>
> The Cuban minister for the food industry, Alberto Lopez Diaz, assured Cubans
> last week that, milk supply would be secured by March, thanks to fresh
> deliveries from Brazil...
>
> Shortages beyond milk
>
> The milk powder shortage is not the only concern for Cubans. The supply of
> wheat flour for bread is also problematic, prompting the government to
> announce cuts in the supply of subsidized bread until the end of March. Some
> provinces have reportedly limited bread distribution already...
>
> Economist Perez noted that power outages have increased recently due to fuel
> shortages..."

Wouldn't surprise me at all! After all, socialism can do no wrong, and if
it doesn't work, it wasn't socialism to begin with. ;)

Jokes aside, wasn't there some brief talk about Raul Castro opening cuba
up a tiny bit?

On 2024-03-20, D <nospam@example.net> wrote:

Ah, well. I see this subthread is diverging from cooking pretty hard.

I've always been fond of this recipe:

Lois's Cheese Log

1 C canned tomatoes, drained and chopped
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 C butter
8 oz cheddar, grated
1/2 C minced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 t salt
1/4 t cayenne or more to taste
8 oz chopped walnuts for garnish

Blend everything except walnuts using a mixer. Form into logs by rolling in waxed paper. Chill in freezer 1 hour. Cover with walnuts.

I rarely make this in log form. I skip the walnuts and plop the dip
into a bowl.

--
Cindy Hamilton

D wrote:

> On Wed, 20 Mar 2024, GM wrote:

>> D wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Tue, 19 Mar 2024, GM wrote:
>>
>>>> Graham wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
>>>>> ..
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>>>>
>>>>> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
>>>>> would agree with that balderdash.
>>>>
>>>> Yes, of course...!!!
>>>>
>>>> Older Chileans will speak fondly of General Pinochet, as will Spaniards of
>>>> General Franco - in both cases these brave leaders saved their respective
>>>> nations from the horrors of socialism, or even full - blown Soviet - style
>>>> communism...
>>>>
>>>> These nations were, thankfully, spared the disgrace of becoming another
>>>> backwards version of castro - ite Cuba, or East Germany...
>>>>
>>>> And Graham, it's lovely to see that you know some history... *do* carry
>>>> on, my good friend...!!!
>>>>
>>>> :-)
>>
>>> This is very interesting, because I have many spanish friends and it is not
>>> uncommon for them to comment on the times of Franco with "in those days, at
>>> least you could walk safe on the street".
>>
>>> Also many of them, like you say, see Franco as the one who saved them from
>>> the fate of Cuba.
>>
>>
>> Just wait, some here may jump in and taunt us yanks about the glories of the
>> Cuban health care and educational "systems", lol...
>>
>> They will also blame the below problems on the US "embargo" - despite the
>> fact that US companies *legally* export millions of dollars of foodstuffs to
>> Cuba every month:
>>
>>
>> www.dw.com/en/cuba-seeks-un-food-aid-as-economic-crisis-deepens/a-68443716
>>
>> Cuba seeks UN food aid as economic crisis deepens
>>
>> Andreas Knobloch
>>
>> March 6, 2024 - DEUTSCHE WELLE
>>
>> "Scarcity strikes Cuba with milk and bread being in short supply amid a
>> deepening hard currency crisis. The government has now turned to the World
>> Food Programme for assistance in an unprecedented move...
>>
>> UN World Food Programme asked to intervene
>>
>> Havana's unprecedented appeal for food relief was already made at the end of
>> 2023, the WFP said, and it has already begun delivering skimmed milk powder
>> to Cuba. Spanish news agency EFE reported last week that 144 tons of it were
>> dispatched — approximately 7% of the country's overall monthly requirement of
>> 2,000 tons...
>>
>> The Cuban minister for the food industry, Alberto Lopez Diaz, assured Cubans
>> last week that, milk supply would be secured by March, thanks to fresh
>> deliveries from Brazil...
>>
>> Shortages beyond milk
>>
>> The milk powder shortage is not the only concern for Cubans. The supply of
>> wheat flour for bread is also problematic, prompting the government to
>> announce cuts in the supply of subsidized bread until the end of March. Some
>> provinces have reportedly limited bread distribution already...
>>
>> Economist Perez noted that power outages have increased recently due to fuel
>> shortages..."

> Wouldn't surprise me at all! After all, socialism can do no wrong, and if
> it doesn't work, it wasn't socialism to begin with. ;)

> Jokes aside, wasn't there some brief talk about Raul Castro opening cuba
> up a tiny bit?

They've had periods when the Cuban government allowed people to open small private businesses, especially in the tourist sector, e.g. restaurants and even Air BNB accomodations... (below a recent article). But the government highly taxes these businesses, and makes it difficult to purchase wupplies; also the government will allow these businesses, and then crack down on them. See the list of US food and other exports below, I imagine most of them go to supply the state - run tourist sector, are also sold for US dollars in the Cuban "dollar stores" (Cuban pesos worthless there!), and distributed to high - ranking communist party members; the amount for January 2024 is US $45,168,873.00 - including umbrellas and even coffee (!):

https://news.miami.edu/stories/2023/10/independent-businessesknown-as-pymesare-growing-in-cuba.html

Independent businesses—known as ‘pymes’—are growing in Cuba

Experts on Cuba at the University of Miami say the trend for these private enterprises represents needed reform, but it is also a desperate attempt for the Cuban government to help the dire Cuban economy.

"Faced with a dire economy—which includes food and medicine scarcity, high inflation, and frequent electrical blackouts—the Cuban government is allowing independent businesses, called “pymes,” to expand on the island.

Pymes, which is an acronym for pequeña y mediana empresa—small and medium enterprises in Spanish—are regulated by the Cuban government. Some sell beauty products; others sell fruit juices, decorations, and furniture, as well as other merchandise. Some operate restaurants or privately run bed-and-breakfasts and guesthouses. Larger pymes import containers of goods including food and clothes for resale to the Cuban public, operate in the construction business, or even provide offshore software development solutions to foreign clients...."

An excellent source of US - Cuba commercial information:

https://www.cubatrade.org/

"Conceived in 1993 and established in 1994, the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council provides an efficient and sustainable educational structure in which the United States business community may access accurate, consistent, and timely information and analysis on matters and issues of interest regarding United States-Republic of Cuba commercial, economic, and political relations..."

https://www.cubatrade.org/blog/2024/3/9/cdfodp1504xpm2vvqblpjt3sx9k1es

January 2024 exports included:

JANUARY 2024 FOOD/AG EXPORTS TO CUBA INCREASE 39.4% - Exports of food products and agricultural commodities from the United States to the Republic of Cuba in January 2024 were US$45,168,873.00 compared to US$32,394,196.00 in January 2023 and US$21,783,159.00 in January 2022.

Chicken Leg Quarters (Frozen)- US$11,150,925.00
Chicken Meat (Frozen)- US$10,649,852.00
Chicken (Offal)- US$7,605,353.00
Chicken Legs (Frozen)- US$3,288,831.00
Soybeans- US$2,853,680.00
Meat of Swine (Frozen)- US$802,746.00
Bovine Meat (Offal)- US$608,106.00
Meat of Swine (Fresh)- US$481,107.00
Whole Young Chickens (Frozen)- US$317,407.00
Coffee (Roasted)- US$302,612.00

Chicken Wings, Turkey, Bacon, Eggs, Onions, Olives, Apples, Rice, Sausages, Pasta, Potato Chips, Peanut Butter, Ice Cream, Water, Paints, Perfumes, Shampoos, Floor Coverings, Elevator, Excavator, New Vehicles (US$27,400.00), Used Vehicles (US$3,071,032.00), New Vehicles (electric) US$34,000.00, Trucks (US$52,592.00), Umbrellas (US$4,887.00..."

--
GM

On 2024-03-19, Graham <g.stereo@shaw.ca> wrote:
> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
> .
>>
>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>
> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
> would agree with that balderdash.

There is totalitarianism at the top of any human organization, whether a
town, an organization or a country. There are rulers and the ruled.
That's just the way we roll as a species.
Now, if we were bears, things would be different.

On Wed, 20 Mar 2024, GM wrote:

> D wrote:
>
>
>
>> On Wed, 20 Mar 2024, GM wrote:
>
>>> D wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Tue, 19 Mar 2024, GM wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Graham wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
>>>>>> ..
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>>>>>
>>>>>> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
>>>>>> would agree with that balderdash.
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes, of course...!!!
>>>>>
>>>>> Older Chileans will speak fondly of General Pinochet, as will Spaniards
>>>>> of General Franco - in both cases these brave leaders saved their
>>>>> respective nations from the horrors of socialism, or even full - blown
>>>>> Soviet - style communism...
>>>>>
>>>>> These nations were, thankfully, spared the disgrace of becoming another
>>>>> backwards version of castro - ite Cuba, or East Germany...
>>>>>
>>>>> And Graham, it's lovely to see that you know some history... *do* carry
>>>>> on, my good friend...!!!
>>>>>
>>>>> :-)
>>>
>>>> This is very interesting, because I have many spanish friends and it is
>>>> not uncommon for them to comment on the times of Franco with "in those
>>>> days, at least you could walk safe on the street".
>>>
>>>> Also many of them, like you say, see Franco as the one who saved them
>>>> from the fate of Cuba.
>>>
>>>
>>> Just wait, some here may jump in and taunt us yanks about the glories of
>>> the Cuban health care and educational "systems", lol...
>>>
>>> They will also blame the below problems on the US "embargo" - despite the
>>> fact that US companies *legally* export millions of dollars of foodstuffs
>>> to Cuba every month:
>>>
>>>
>>> www.dw.com/en/cuba-seeks-un-food-aid-as-economic-crisis-deepens/a-68443716
>>>
>>> Cuba seeks UN food aid as economic crisis deepens
>>>
>>> Andreas Knobloch
>>>
>>> March 6, 2024 - DEUTSCHE WELLE
>>>
>>> "Scarcity strikes Cuba with milk and bread being in short supply amid a
>>> deepening hard currency crisis. The government has now turned to the World
>>> Food Programme for assistance in an unprecedented move...
>>>
>>> UN World Food Programme asked to intervene
>>>
>>> Havana's unprecedented appeal for food relief was already made at the end
>>> of 2023, the WFP said, and it has already begun delivering skimmed milk
>>> powder to Cuba. Spanish news agency EFE reported last week that 144 tons
>>> of it were dispatched — approximately 7% of the country's overall monthly
>>> requirement of 2,000 tons...
>>>
>>> The Cuban minister for the food industry, Alberto Lopez Diaz, assured
>>> Cubans last week that, milk supply would be secured by March, thanks to
>>> fresh deliveries from Brazil...
>>>
>>> Shortages beyond milk
>>>
>>> The milk powder shortage is not the only concern for Cubans. The supply of
>>> wheat flour for bread is also problematic, prompting the government to
>>> announce cuts in the supply of subsidized bread until the end of March.
>>> Some provinces have reportedly limited bread distribution already...
>>>
>>> Economist Perez noted that power outages have increased recently due to
>>> fuel shortages..."
>
>> Wouldn't surprise me at all! After all, socialism can do no wrong, and if
>> it doesn't work, it wasn't socialism to begin with. ;)
>
>> Jokes aside, wasn't there some brief talk about Raul Castro opening cuba up
>> a tiny bit?
>
> They've had periods when the Cuban government allowed people to open small
> private businesses, especially in the tourist sector, e.g. restaurants and
> even Air BNB accomodations... (below a recent article). But the government
> highly taxes these businesses, and makes it difficult to purchase wupplies;
> also the government will allow these businesses, and then crack down on them.
> See the list of US food and other exports below, I imagine most of them go to
> supply the state - run tourist sector, are also sold for US dollars in the
> Cuban "dollar stores" (Cuban pesos worthless there!), and distributed to high
> - ranking communist party members; the amount for January 2024 is US
> $45,168,873.00 - including umbrellas and even coffee (!):
>
> https://news.miami.edu/stories/2023/10/independent-businessesknown-as-pymesare-growing-in-cuba.html

Great information! Thank you very much. Well, nothing new under the sun.
China does the same when the entrepreneurs become too successful. I also
heard a rumour that the chinese parliament has as many billionaires as the
US parliament has millionaires.

Also read the other day that the chinese debt as % of GDP is at around
285% or so, and since they would never allow the truth to escape I'm
pretty certain it is higher than that.

D wrote:

> On Wed, 20 Mar 2024, GM wrote:

>> D wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Wed, 20 Mar 2024, GM wrote:
>>
>>>> D wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, 19 Mar 2024, GM wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> Graham wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
>>>>>>> ..
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
>>>>>>> would agree with that balderdash.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yes, of course...!!!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Older Chileans will speak fondly of General Pinochet, as will Spaniards
>>>>>> of General Franco - in both cases these brave leaders saved their
>>>>>> respective nations from the horrors of socialism, or even full - blown
>>>>>> Soviet - style communism...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> These nations were, thankfully, spared the disgrace of becoming another
>>>>>> backwards version of castro - ite Cuba, or East Germany...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> And Graham, it's lovely to see that you know some history... *do* carry
>>>>>> on, my good friend...!!!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> :-)
>>>>
>>>>> This is very interesting, because I have many spanish friends and it is
>>>>> not uncommon for them to comment on the times of Franco with "in those
>>>>> days, at least you could walk safe on the street".
>>>>
>>>>> Also many of them, like you say, see Franco as the one who saved them
>>>>> from the fate of Cuba.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Just wait, some here may jump in and taunt us yanks about the glories of
>>>> the Cuban health care and educational "systems", lol...
>>>>
>>>> They will also blame the below problems on the US "embargo" - despite the
>>>> fact that US companies *legally* export millions of dollars of foodstuffs
>>>> to Cuba every month:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> www.dw.com/en/cuba-seeks-un-food-aid-as-economic-crisis-deepens/a-68443716
>>>>
>>>> Cuba seeks UN food aid as economic crisis deepens
>>>>
>>>> Andreas Knobloch
>>>>
>>>> March 6, 2024 - DEUTSCHE WELLE
>>>>
>>>> "Scarcity strikes Cuba with milk and bread being in short supply amid a
>>>> deepening hard currency crisis. The government has now turned to the World
>>>> Food Programme for assistance in an unprecedented move...
>>>>
>>>> UN World Food Programme asked to intervene
>>>>
>>>> Havana's unprecedented appeal for food relief was already made at the end
>>>> of 2023, the WFP said, and it has already begun delivering skimmed milk
>>>> powder to Cuba. Spanish news agency EFE reported last week that 144 tons
>>>> of it were dispatched — approximately 7% of the country's overall monthly
>>>> requirement of 2,000 tons...
>>>>
>>>> The Cuban minister for the food industry, Alberto Lopez Diaz, assured
>>>> Cubans last week that, milk supply would be secured by March, thanks to
>>>> fresh deliveries from Brazil...
>>>>
>>>> Shortages beyond milk
>>>>
>>>> The milk powder shortage is not the only concern for Cubans. The supply of
>>>> wheat flour for bread is also problematic, prompting the government to
>>>> announce cuts in the supply of subsidized bread until the end of March.
>>>> Some provinces have reportedly limited bread distribution already...
>>>>
>>>> Economist Perez noted that power outages have increased recently due to
>>>> fuel shortages..."
>>
>>> Wouldn't surprise me at all! After all, socialism can do no wrong, and if
>>> it doesn't work, it wasn't socialism to begin with. ;)
>>
>>> Jokes aside, wasn't there some brief talk about Raul Castro opening cuba up
>>> a tiny bit?
>>
>> They've had periods when the Cuban government allowed people to open small
>> private businesses, especially in the tourist sector, e.g. restaurants and
>> even Air BNB accomodations... (below a recent article). But the government
>> highly taxes these businesses, and makes it difficult to purchase wupplies;
>> also the government will allow these businesses, and then crack down on them.
>> See the list of US food and other exports below, I imagine most of them go to
>> supply the state - run tourist sector, are also sold for US dollars in the
>> Cuban "dollar stores" (Cuban pesos worthless there!), and distributed to high
>> - ranking communist party members; the amount for January 2024 is US
>> $45,168,873.00 - including umbrellas and even coffee (!):
>>
>> https://news.miami.edu/stories/2023/10/independent-businessesknown-as-pymesare-growing-in-cuba.html

> Great information! Thank you very much. Well, nothing new under the sun.
> China does the same when the entrepreneurs become too successful. I also
> heard a rumour that the chinese parliament has as many billionaires as the
> US parliament has millionaires.

> Also read the other day that the chinese debt as % of GDP is at around
> 285% or so, and since they would never allow the truth to escape I'm
> pretty certain it is higher than that.

I doubt that China will ever become "#1", surpassing the US...

They've got mountains of debt, a vast real estate debacle, and worst of all, a looming demographic disaster... the popluation will be rapidly aging, with many fewer being born to support the older people...

You can say about South Korea and Japan, "Those countries got rich before they got old"...

In China's case it's "China will grow old before it gets rich - if it *ever* 'gets rich'..."

The Chinese Communist Party is also becoming ever more repressive and centralised, which makes China not a real attractive place...

You can ask all the Canadians posting here about how wealthy Chinese have bought large amounts of housing in Vancouver, etc....

--
GM

Leonard Blaisdell wrote:
> On 2024-03-19, Graham <g.stereo@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
>> .
>>>
>>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>>
>> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
>> would agree with that balderdash.
>
>
> There is totalitarianism at the top of any human organization, whether a
> town, an organization or a country. There are rulers and the ruled.

Exactly! That's why we must elect only republicans, preferably those
endorsed by the ruler of the party, trump.

They KNOW all about totalitarianism.

Hank Rogers wrote:

> Leonard Blaisdell wrote:
>> On 2024-03-19, Graham <g.stereo@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
>>> .
>>>>
>>>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>>>
>>> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
>>> would agree with that balderdash.
>>
>>
>> There is totalitarianism at the top of any human organization, whether a
>> town, an organization or a country. There are rulers and the ruled.

> Exactly! That's why we must elect only republicans, preferably those
> endorsed by the ruler of the party, trump.

> They KNOW all about totalitarianism.

Thus Far, Trump Has Huge Coattails. The Best Coattails.
Trump’s chosen candidates are winning from top to bottom of the ballot.

President Donald Trump’s victories in last night’s primaries in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Ohio were foregone conclusions. All of Trump’s challengers have already exited the race and, for the third straight presidential cycle, Trump has secured the Republican nomination. This alone suggests Trump’s takeover of the GOP is near total, but there’s even more evidence down ballot...

Trump is still king and, for smaller realms all around the country, kingmaker. Trump has made 88 endorsements in the primaries thus far. Not a single candidate for federal office has lost their primary with Trump’s backing. Only three Trump-endorsed state legislative candidates have lost of the 61 who have faced their primaries so far. When November rolls around, the 58 winners will have the added benefit of Trump on the top of the ticket once again....

:-P

--
GM

On Wed, 20 Mar 2024, GM wrote:

> D wrote:
>
>
>
>> On Wed, 20 Mar 2024, GM wrote:
>
>>> D wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Wed, 20 Mar 2024, GM wrote:
>>>
>>>>> D wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Tue, 19 Mar 2024, GM wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>> Graham wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
>>>>>>>> ..
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
>>>>>>>> would agree with that balderdash.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Yes, of course...!!!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Older Chileans will speak fondly of General Pinochet, as will
>>>>>>> Spaniards of General Franco - in both cases these brave leaders saved
>>>>>>> their respective nations from the horrors of socialism, or even full -
>>>>>>> blown Soviet - style communism...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> These nations were, thankfully, spared the disgrace of becoming
>>>>>>> another backwards version of castro - ite Cuba, or East Germany...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> And Graham, it's lovely to see that you know some history... *do*
>>>>>>> carry on, my good friend...!!!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> :-)
>>>>>
>>>>>> This is very interesting, because I have many spanish friends and it is
>>>>>> not uncommon for them to comment on the times of Franco with "in those
>>>>>> days, at least you could walk safe on the street".
>>>>>
>>>>>> Also many of them, like you say, see Franco as the one who saved them
>>>>>> from the fate of Cuba.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Just wait, some here may jump in and taunt us yanks about the glories of
>>>>> the Cuban health care and educational "systems", lol...
>>>>>
>>>>> They will also blame the below problems on the US "embargo" - despite
>>>>> the fact that US companies *legally* export millions of dollars of
>>>>> foodstuffs to Cuba every month:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> www.dw.com/en/cuba-seeks-un-food-aid-as-economic-crisis-deepens/a-68443716
>>>>>
>>>>> Cuba seeks UN food aid as economic crisis deepens
>>>>>
>>>>> Andreas Knobloch
>>>>>
>>>>> March 6, 2024 - DEUTSCHE WELLE
>>>>>
>>>>> "Scarcity strikes Cuba with milk and bread being in short supply amid a
>>>>> deepening hard currency crisis. The government has now turned to the
>>>>> World Food Programme for assistance in an unprecedented move...
>>>>>
>>>>> UN World Food Programme asked to intervene
>>>>>
>>>>> Havana's unprecedented appeal for food relief was already made at the
>>>>> end of 2023, the WFP said, and it has already begun delivering skimmed
>>>>> milk powder to Cuba. Spanish news agency EFE reported last week that 144
>>>>> tons of it were dispatched — approximately 7% of the country's overall
>>>>> monthly requirement of 2,000 tons...
>>>>>
>>>>> The Cuban minister for the food industry, Alberto Lopez Diaz, assured
>>>>> Cubans last week that, milk supply would be secured by March, thanks to
>>>>> fresh deliveries from Brazil...
>>>>>
>>>>> Shortages beyond milk
>>>>>
>>>>> The milk powder shortage is not the only concern for Cubans. The supply
>>>>> of wheat flour for bread is also problematic, prompting the government
>>>>> to announce cuts in the supply of subsidized bread until the end of
>>>>> March. Some provinces have reportedly limited bread distribution
>>>>> already...
>>>>>
>>>>> Economist Perez noted that power outages have increased recently due to
>>>>> fuel shortages..."
>>>
>>>> Wouldn't surprise me at all! After all, socialism can do no wrong, and if
>>>> it doesn't work, it wasn't socialism to begin with. ;)
>>>
>>>> Jokes aside, wasn't there some brief talk about Raul Castro opening cuba
>>>> up a tiny bit?
>>>
>>> They've had periods when the Cuban government allowed people to open small
>>> private businesses, especially in the tourist sector, e.g. restaurants and
>>> even Air BNB accomodations... (below a recent article). But the
>>> government highly taxes these businesses, and makes it difficult to
>>> purchase wupplies; also the government will allow these businesses, and
>>> then crack down on them. See the list of US food and other exports below,
>>> I imagine most of them go to supply the state - run tourist sector, are
>>> also sold for US dollars in the Cuban "dollar stores" (Cuban pesos
>>> worthless there!), and distributed to high - ranking communist party
>>> members; the amount for January 2024 is US $45,168,873.00 - including
>>> umbrellas and even coffee (!):
>>>
>>> https://news.miami.edu/stories/2023/10/independent-businessesknown-as-pymesare-growing-in-cuba.html
>
>> Great information! Thank you very much. Well, nothing new under the sun.
>> China does the same when the entrepreneurs become too successful. I also
>> heard a rumour that the chinese parliament has as many billionaires as the
>> US parliament has millionaires.
>
>> Also read the other day that the chinese debt as % of GDP is at around 285%
>> or so, and since they would never allow the truth to escape I'm pretty
>> certain it is higher than that.
>
> I doubt that China will ever become "#1", surpassing the US...
>
> They've got mountains of debt, a vast real estate debacle, and worst of all,
> a looming demographic disaster... the popluation will be rapidly aging, with
> many fewer being born to support the older people...
>
> You can say about South Korea and Japan, "Those countries got rich before
> they got old"...
>
> In China's case it's "China will grow old before it gets rich - if it *ever*
> 'gets rich'..."
>
> The Chinese Communist Party is also becoming ever more repressive and
> centralised, which makes China not a real attractive place...
>
> You can ask all the Canadians posting here about how wealthy Chinese have
> bought large amounts of housing in Vancouver, etc....

Yes, I would imagine that the more they tighten their social credit score
app, the more young brains will evetually emigrate to the west to our
benefit! =)

Yes, China does seem less and less of a threat, the more you think about
it. Granted, they are still a dangerous enemy, especially for Taiwan, but
hopefully, if they can be controlled for 20 years or so, demographics
and debt will have done the job for us! =)

On Thu, 21 Mar 2024, GM wrote:

> Hank Rogers wrote:
>
>> Leonard Blaisdell wrote:
>>> On 2024-03-19, Graham <g.stereo@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>>> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
>>>> .
>>>>>
>>>>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>>>>
>>>> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
>>>> would agree with that balderdash.
>>>
>>>
>>> There is totalitarianism at the top of any human organization, whether a
>>> town, an organization or a country. There are rulers and the ruled.
>
>
>> Exactly! That's why we must elect only republicans, preferably those
>> endorsed by the ruler of the party, trump.
>
>> They KNOW all about totalitarianism.
>
>
> Thus Far, Trump Has Huge Coattails. The Best Coattails.
> Trump’s chosen candidates are winning from top to bottom of the ballot.
>
>
> President Donald Trump’s victories in last night’s primaries in Arizona,
> Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Ohio were foregone conclusions. All of Trump’s
> challengers have already exited the race and, for the third straight
> presidential cycle, Trump has secured the Republican nomination. This alone
> suggests Trump’s takeover of the GOP is near total, but there’s even more
> evidence down ballot...
>
>
> Trump is still king and, for smaller realms all around the country,
> kingmaker. Trump has made 88 endorsements in the primaries thus far. Not a
> single candidate for federal office has lost their primary with Trump’s
> backing. Only three Trump-endorsed state legislative candidates have lost of
> the 61 who have faced their primaries so far. When November rolls around, the
> 58 winners will have the added benefit of Trump on the top of the ticket once
> again....
>
> :-P
>

Can't wait to celebrate his victory with you all here in november! =)

D wrote:

> On Thu, 21 Mar 2024, GM wrote:

>> Hank Rogers wrote:
>>
>>> Leonard Blaisdell wrote:
>>>> On 2024-03-19, Graham <g.stereo@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>>>> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
>>>>> .
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>>>>>
>>>>> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
>>>>> would agree with that balderdash.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> There is totalitarianism at the top of any human organization, whether a
>>>> town, an organization or a country. There are rulers and the ruled.
>>
>>
>>> Exactly! That's why we must elect only republicans, preferably those
>>> endorsed by the ruler of the party, trump.
>>
>>> They KNOW all about totalitarianism.
>>
>>
>> Thus Far, Trump Has Huge Coattails. The Best Coattails.
>> Trump’s chosen candidates are winning from top to bottom of the ballot.
>>
>>
>> President Donald Trump’s victories in last night’s primaries in Arizona,
>> Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Ohio were foregone conclusions. All of Trump’s
>> challengers have already exited the race and, for the third straight
>> presidential cycle, Trump has secured the Republican nomination. This alone
>> suggests Trump’s takeover of the GOP is near total, but there’s even more
>> evidence down ballot...
>>
>>
>> Trump is still king and, for smaller realms all around the country,
>> kingmaker. Trump has made 88 endorsements in the primaries thus far. Not a
>> single candidate for federal office has lost their primary with Trump’s
>> backing. Only three Trump-endorsed state legislative candidates have lost of
>> the 61 who have faced their primaries so far. When November rolls around, the
>> 58 winners will have the added benefit of Trump on the top of the ticket once
>> again....
>>
>> :-P
>>

> Can't wait to celebrate his victory with you all here in november! =)

As long as we can invite Hank Rogers and Ed P. to the festivities... wouldn't want them to miss out on all the good cheer...!!!

:-D

--
GM

On 2024-03-21, D <nospam@example.net> wrote:

<snipped>

This is one of my husband's favorites.

Beef Tenderloin with Garlic and Brandy

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

four 6- to 7-ounce beef tenderloin steaks (each about 1 inch thick)
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
2/3 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons brandy

Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steaks; cook to desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer steaks to platter. Add 2 tablespoons parsley and garlic to skillet; stir 30 seconds. Add broth, then brandy. Boil until juices are reduced to glaze, about 6 minutes. Spoon glaze over steaks. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.

--
Cindy Hamilton

On 3/21/2024 12:36 AM, GM wrote:

>
>
> President Donald Trump’s victories in last night’s primaries in Arizona,
> Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Ohio were foregone conclusions. All of
> Trump’s challengers have already exited the race and, for the third
> straight presidential cycle, Trump has secured the Republican
> nomination. This alone suggests Trump’s takeover of the GOP is near
> total, but there’s even more evidence down ballot...

His challengers are gone, but in Florida, 17% of Republican voters still
voted for Haley and DeSantis. See, there are some smart Republicans.

In article <6a5a992c-aff8-18d3-b2db-4d903c41acb9
@example.net>, nospam@example.net says...

> Can't wait to celebrate his victory with you all here in november! =)

I doubt your career in rfc will last that long.

Janet UK

On Thu, 21 Mar 2024, GM wrote:

> D wrote:
>
>
>
>> On Thu, 21 Mar 2024, GM wrote:
>
>>> Hank Rogers wrote:
>>>
>>>> Leonard Blaisdell wrote:
>>>>> On 2024-03-19, Graham <g.stereo@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>>>>> On 2024-03-19 3:03 p.m., D wrote:
>>>>>> .
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Socialism is a form of totalitarianism.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You should ask older Spaniards, Portuguese and Chileans whether they
>>>>>> would agree with that balderdash.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> There is totalitarianism at the top of any human organization, whether a
>>>>> town, an organization or a country. There are rulers and the ruled.
>>>
>>>
>>>> Exactly! That's why we must elect only republicans, preferably those
>>>> endorsed by the ruler of the party, trump.
>>>
>>>> They KNOW all about totalitarianism.
>>>
>>>
>>> Thus Far, Trump Has Huge Coattails. The Best Coattails.
>>> Trump’s chosen candidates are winning from top to bottom of the ballot.
>>>
>>>
>>> President Donald Trump’s victories in last night’s primaries in Arizona,
>>> Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Ohio were foregone conclusions. All of
>>> Trump’s challengers have already exited the race and, for the third
>>> straight presidential cycle, Trump has secured the Republican nomination.
>>> This alone suggests Trump’s takeover of the GOP is near total, but there’s
>>> even more evidence down ballot...
>>>
>>>
>>> Trump is still king and, for smaller realms all around the country,
>>> kingmaker. Trump has made 88 endorsements in the primaries thus far. Not a
>>> single candidate for federal office has lost their primary with Trump’s
>>> backing. Only three Trump-endorsed state legislative candidates have lost
>>> of the 61 who have faced their primaries so far. When November rolls
>>> around, the 58 winners will have the added benefit of Trump on the top of
>>> the ticket once again....
>>>
>>> :-P
>
>> Can't wait to celebrate his victory with you all here in november! =)
>
> As long as we can invite Hank Rogers and Ed P. to the festivities...
> wouldn't want them to miss out on all the good cheer...!!!
>
> :-D
>

And Bruce as well! Don't forget Bruce! ;)

Ed P wrote:

> On 3/21/2024 12:36 AM, GM wrote:

>>
>>
>> President Donald Trump’s victories in last night’s primaries in Arizona,
>> Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Ohio were foregone conclusions. All of
>> Trump’s challengers have already exited the race and, for the third
>> straight presidential cycle, Trump has secured the Republican
>> nomination. This alone suggests Trump’s takeover of the GOP is near
>> total, but there’s even more evidence down ballot...

> His challengers are gone, but in Florida, 17% of Republican voters still
> voted for Haley and DeSantis. See, there are some smart Republicans.

We're "sorry", Ed... but you are "on the wrong side of history"...

;-D

--
GM