Posts by silentnomad7

urbanotter said:It seems some people would really love it if🤦

Natural gas is the backbone of synthetic fertilizer production,

and without enough of that fertilizer, agricultural yields can be cut in half,

which leads to massive shortages in the food supply chain,

ultimately driving up grocery prices and leaving more families struggling to put food on the table.

Russia is the world's largest exporter of potash, which is essential for making those fertilizers.
Beyond just gas and oil, Russia also controls huge exports of wheat, corn, sunflowers, various meats, and several rare raw materials.

But what can you expect? Those who are "pro-Russia" just want to blame inflation on shortages, higher costs, and a lack of the basic inputs required for high-yield farming per acre.☕

The "informed sources" already know all that, but I’d love to hear what the "uninformed sources" have to say about it.
I suppose they think we can just go out there, spread some manure around, and expect the same bumper crops we used to get—as if that would somehow keep food prices low and stop inflation in its tracks.😉

So, if I'm hearing you correctly, you're essentially suggesting that Putin could have just shut off the valves to force the European Union to pressure Ukraine, thereby preventing the war from ever happening in the first place

And despite seeing the logic there, you're still choosing to justify the war and the atrocities committed during it

analogbear5 said:I've seen better takes on inflation. Yours is definitely among the more entertaining.

The economists are out there claiming this whole inflation mess is just driven by corporate greed and excess profits—but hey, they're the experts, right? They probably know best...

If you really want some clarity, just take a look at how prices compare between the US and Canada; suddenly, a lot of things start making sense...

As for the conflict in Ukraine, its impact on the rising costs we're seeing here in America seems pretty negligible so far...

darkdriver said:🙏🤣🤣🤣

Feeling let down?

Industrial producer prices shot up by a staggering 23.7 percent in May compared to the same month in 2021! That marks the 15th consecutive month of year-over-year increases, and honestly, it’s the highest growth rate since the U.S. Census Bureau started tracking this data back in 2011... quite a jump...

Nathan Evans78 said:

Industrial producer prices shot up by a staggering 23.7 percent in May compared to this time last year. That marks fifteen straight months of annual increases, and honestly, it’s the steepest climb we've seen since the U.S. Census Bureau started tracking these specific figures back in 2011.

Everything is going to be just fine. ☕

A lot of companies are hiking their prices just because they can, taking advantage of the situation, but people aren't stupid. Consumers have already started tightening their belts and cutting back on spending, so eventually, those opportunistic types who are jacking up prices without any real reason are going to see their sales dry up... it's just basic math, really.

Besides, we have neighboring states where prices actually stay reasonable, so people can always just take their business elsewhere...

Nathan Evans78 said:The reality is, Americans—or rather, Russians in this context—haven't had real disposable income since 2008. Just because Western media shows a few clips from downtown Moscow doesn't mean that represents the entire country.

I’ll say it again: isn't the whole point of sanctions to squeeze the political elite and those in power?

Alright, I'll give you that—what we see in Moscow might not be representative of the wealthier regions of Russia...

But which regions are we actually talking about here?

And regarding those sanctions... listen, there are collateral victims involved, and honestly, you're one of them too...

gentleviper62 said:Exactly. I have my own phone for $667 and honestly, what's wrong with it? It does everything a $1,500 flagship can do. People in Russia just need to shift the entire burden of this crisis onto those wasteful elites—the ultra-wealthy class.

Are you suggesting that Russia is just one revolution away from a total overhaul?

Nathan Evans78 said:Where are all the massive protests about people not being able to buy a budget $100 smartphone?

By the way, high-end Apple alternatives like those from Apple are pushing past the $1,000 mark now—the ones that actually give an iPhone a run for its money.

Look, it’s pretty simple logic: if you don't have the cash for a $1,000 smartphone, you go for the $500 model.
If $500 is out of reach, you pick up one for $300.
And if $300 is too much, you settle for a $100 option.
But if nobody can even swing a $100 phone, then well... stores just start closing their doors.

Are you seriously asking why there aren't mass protests happening in Russia?...

Ethan Gomez82 said:No, I see it happening right before my eyes every single day.

The nonsense has already started—all this talk about riding bicycles more or turning down the thermostat by a degree or whatever other idiocy they dream up. Not me. I’m a subversive, defiant, and disobedient citizen. I am definitely not "following the herd." 😁

One really ought to do some actual research, and then certain things might finally start making sense.

Anthony Hill5 said:It appears that Huawei is gradually shuttering its retail locations across Russia.

https://ria.ru/amp/20220608/huawei-1794098607.html

It’s only been three months and suddenly there isn't even money left for budget phones around the $100 mark.

Those sanctions are really starting to shake things up...

Nathan Evans78 said:

"Other OPEC+ nations are struggling to increase output.

Investment dried up during the pandemic—and in several instances, oil infrastructure hasn't even been properly maintained. Now, they're realizing they simply can't hit those production targets they promised."

Someone really needs to break it to the folks over in the Brussels offices; apparently, they think you can just bump up production levels by issuing a few directives.

I can already see the cold reality hitting this winter when those LNG capacities fail to meet the demand. 🤣

Just layer up with two or three pieces of clothing and keep the thermostat at a cozy 65 degrees!

If those guys at the gas station actually managed to get their act together, even here in the States, prices would drop way below $2.75.
...

urbanotter said:I mean, what else could he really say at this point, especially after Crimea became an official part of Russia and both Luhansk and Donbas were recognized as independent?

At least he’s being consistent, unlike those self-proclaimed "supporters" over in NATO and the US who seem to change their minds every five minutes depending on which way the wind blows.

It reminds me of how certain North American neighbors managed to secure incredibly favorable deals on Russian oil and gas, while we end up paying more than double just to maintain some sense of European unity.

Exactly. It seems there are some among you who would step over anyone to get cheaper fuel, but thankfully, most people still have their heads on straight.

As for the Mexicans, they basically got a classic stab in the back...

silvermarlin24 said:I hope you keep putting all your faith in them 👍. That's definitely the "right" way to secure your country's future. I'm totally behind that logic 👍.

Just recently, Putin told them straight up that Mexico isn't part of Mexico—they really need to move past that old mindset once and for all...😁

goldenpuma84 said:Nah, because that’s actually the whole point of the war.

The economic destruction of Europe.

Those sanctions aren't going to hurt Russia in the long run.

They're just irrational and suicidal...

And Ukrainians are basically pawns bleeding out for someone else's agenda.

They signed up for this game themselves.

So, what? Are you just packing your bags and moving to Russia?

I mean, surely you don't plan on staying here in the European Union just to starve...

George Robinson43 said:Hehe.
The bots have officially graduated from "7 days to the Atlantic" to "7 days until starvation in Europe."

I’m actually anticipating a massive wave of people heading toward Russia quite soon. After all, they're self-sufficient, the Ruble is stronger than ever, and they've got oil coming out of them by the bucketload for $3.25, especially while the EU stares down a food crisis. At the end of the day, people naturally gravitate toward wherever the quality of life is highest...

Nathan Evans78 said:What on earth do boots have to do with a smartphone packed with thousands of intricate components? Are they mining battery metals in some remote corner of the world just to make footwear? Or maybe they're cranking out OLED panels for designer boots in small-town Ohio? Give me a break. It’s common sense: without globalization, we wouldn't have affordable tech, plain and simple. The US imports hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods from China, yet our employment rates remain solid. Just imagine if we had to manufacture every single little thing ourselves—the southern US would turn into a new Mexico overnight due to the sheer wave of immigration needed to assemble everything. 🤣

Do you honestly believe a single Chinese person just sits down and assembles a phone with a thousand different parts by themselves?

And we're talking about a budget worker who was probably out working in the Midwest cornfields just a year ago!

I mean, seriously, how much time would it actually take them to put one single device together?

You've got things a little mixed up here...

Nathan Evans78 said:The Germans could probably build everything right there in Munich if they had the guts, but instead, you'll end up putting a second mortgage on your house just to afford the equipment. I'm talking about regular Americans, too—not the folks on this forum, because let’s be honest, everyone here is basically a billionaire. People are out there buying Chinese smartphones on 24-month installment plans. Just imagine if a Siemens phone was assembled using USEKUAUKUS parts... you'd be paying it off over 420 monthly installments! 😁

Look, even small towns in the Midwest are basically sewing boots for the Chinese market because it's more cost-effective; it seems like plenty of other things can be manufactured within those European Union "banana republics" too...

rowdytiger13 said:Putin’s attempt at blackmail—demanding an end to economic sanctions in exchange for unblocking Black Sea ports—was rejected.
Russia needs to squeeze out just a little more profit under these sanctions.

Now comes the inevitable whining from the "neutral" crowd about how gas prices are going to skyrocket in $10.

3, 2, 1, ...

Rocket Raccoon, Iron Man, and Hulk are all teaming up to build the gauntlet:

Are there actually any women in the Republican Party?

PHOTO: Check out the expressions on the faces of these Republicans while Andrej Plenković rolls out the party platform.