RE: Russian Invasion of Ukraine
My concern is the economic impact. Was also looking into the Russian Far-East for this summer, as of today that's probably over as travel sanctions are coming. A puppet regime is coming for Ukraine which could be odd. Belarus is already on-board with Putin, once he has Ukraine I'm not sure what that will mean for Estonia and other nations in the region. Really I just don't like Putin, but I'm not sure how Russians are going to get rid of him.
One thing which i've found strange is the far-right rhetoric from within the US about support for Putin. There have already been a lot of "if Trump were in office, this would not have happened". Perhaps, but who is really to know for sure? He met with Kim Jong-Un and ultimately that went nowhere, just as his advisors had told him. But it doesn't matter, cos he ain't in the White House. I just find it odd that the the political divide has spilled-over into potential support for a Russian dictator
[QUOTE=WalterWhite99;5795476]I'm wondering what folks think about the war in Ukraine, and how concerned you are? Myself, I have the following concerns:
1. The nuclear disaster that happened in Chernobyl back in the 80's could rear its ugly head. For an excellent perspective about that disaster, watch the excellent TV series Chernobyl:
[URL]https://www.hbo.com/chernobyl[/URL]
I have watched it twice, and is definitely revealing. Plus with all the covering up, and burying of nuclear waste, it could lead to a disaster.
Another excellent movie to watch on this same subject is The China Syndrome:
[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIGH1AfIS18[/URL]
2. War could break out in Europe. As it is, countries (including the US) are already imposing sanctions on Russia, and maybe some of them will piss Putin off.
3. Hopefully, Putin will not push a button for launching tactical nuclear weapons. From what I understand the SALT treaty only dealt with "larger" such nuclear arsenals. But he seems possibly crazy enough.
4. Prices on things like gasoline, electricity, etc. Will go up even more. It's bad enough we have to deal with these ridiculous rates providers are charging, and with more increases in other things, they might increase rates even more!
Would like to hear other thoughts, opinions, etc. About this situation.[/QUOTE]
The real reason Putin played a pussycat during the Trump presidency
Excellent article, read it when you have some time.
[URL]https://theweek.com/world/1010562/when-doing-something-isnt-an-option[/URL]
You need to read up on the law, I think
[QUOTE=WalterWhite99;5798662]...
So, legally that bicyclist was breaking the law (I think), ...[/QUOTE]Are you so sure of that? I quote from.
[URL]https://wabikes.org/index.php/growing-bicycling/washington-bike-laws/bicycle-laws-safety-revised-code-of-washington-state-bicycle-related/[/URL]#text=Ride%20 as%20 far%20 to%20 the, except%20 when%20 turning%20 or%20 passing. &text=Bicycles%20 are%20 not%20 required%20 to%20 use%20 a%20 bike%20 lane%20 or%20 shoulder.
[QUOTE]
Ride as far to the right as is safe and practical except when turning or passing. Bicycles are not required to use a bike lane or shoulder.
[/QUOTE]And as for sidewalks, in many jurisdictions you cannot legally ride a bike on a sidewalk (in Seattle you can, mostly). But if I am confronted with a choice of riding on a busy, shoulderless road with 40 mph traffic and riding illegally on a sidewalk, it is a no-brainer and fuck the law.
I agree that some cyclists can be obnoxious jerks. But there are a lot of motorists who are obnoxious jerks as well, the difference being that one group of obnoxious jerks are operating tons of metal and machinery that can easily kill people, while the other group dresses in odd clothing. And that's why I think motorists need to be held to a higher standard: simply because they can kill and injure others so easily.
You also need to keep in mind that motorists invade bicycle lanes all the time, for any reason and no reason at all.