Miscellaneous Discussion Thread II

Quote: AZDuffman

Quote: billryan

Amazon just announced a 3.5% surcharge on all third-party sellers, due to rising fuel costs. The Post Office recently announced an 8% fuel surcharge through the end of 2026.
The rooster is coming home to roost.
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Fuel cost more 4 years ago than it did today. It cost more in 2007-8 than it does today not even accounting for inflation.
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No. 2007 was lower.

But yuh you win coz in 2022 AFTER A GIANT GLOBAL PANDEMIC oil prices were briefly higher. So that's alright then!!!!

Quote: Onewhocounts

Quote: AZDuffman

Quote: billryan

Amazon just announced a 3.5% surcharge on all third-party sellers, due to rising fuel costs. The Post Office recently announced an 8% fuel surcharge through the end of 2026.
The rooster is coming home to roost.
link to original post

Fuel cost more 4 years ago than it did today. It cost more in 2007-8 than it does today not even accounting for inflation.
link to original post

No. 2007 was lower.

But yuh you win coz in 2022 AFTER A GIANT GLOBAL PANDEMIC oil prices were briefly higher. So that's alright then!!!!
link to original post

2008 was the peak. Oil was $30 or so bbl higher then.

Oil crashed when the virus hit. This increase after was energy policy not a virus overhang. Peaked $4.999 by me same station $4.199 as I came to work today.

Oil shocks happen. 73. 79. 90. 08. I remember all but 73. Back then prices were controlled but stations closed. Same in 79. Facts of life.

Two Iranian-flagged freighters have left Chinese ports. It is thought that they contain chemicals and parts that Iran needs to rebuild its missile program.
They must pass through the same waters in which a US Navy submarine torpedoed an Iranian ship last month.

Quote: billryan

Two Iranian-flagged freighters have left Chinese ports. It is thought that they contain chemicals and parts that Iran needs to rebuild its missile program.
They must pass through the same waters in which a US Navy submarine torpedoed an Iranian ship last month.
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Seems unlikely; what's left of the Iranians knows they cannot defend anything in the water.

What's going on now appears to be more of a civil war, with Pezeshkian and the secular forces in their parliament, who look like they have been working with us all along, against the mullahs and their IRGC, which is kind of a combination of the SS and Gestapo, getting blasted by US and Israel. Artesh (theoretically the regular army, but in reality more of a glorified border patrol) seems to be sitting it out and are probably protecting Pezeshkian from the theocrats.

Quote: AutomaticMonkey

Quote: billryan

Two Iranian-flagged freighters have left Chinese ports. It is thought that they contain chemicals and parts that Iran needs to rebuild its missile program.
They must pass through the same waters in which a US Navy submarine torpedoed an Iranian ship last month.
link to original post

Seems unlikely; what's left of the Iranians knows they cannot defend anything in the water.

What's going on now appears to be more of a civil war, with Pezeshkian and the secular forces in their parliament, who look like they have been working with us all along, against the mullahs and their IRGC, which is kind of a combination of the SS and Gestapo, getting blasted by US and Israel. Artesh (theoretically the regular army, but in reality more of a glorified border patrol) seems to be sitting it out and are probably protecting Pezeshkian from the theocrats.
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They don't have to defend the ships. In fact, they are most likely hoping the US attacks them, and China responds to the US Navy interfering with its trade. It's a provocation . If the ships get through, China will be the nation that helped Iran in its hour of need, and if they don't, the US will have to deal with a pissed-off China.
It's the sort of stuff that happens when you go about things in a slap-hazard manner.

Quote: billryan

Quote: AutomaticMonkey

Quote: billryan

Two Iranian-flagged freighters have left Chinese ports. It is thought that they contain chemicals and parts that Iran needs to rebuild its missile program.
They must pass through the same waters in which a US Navy submarine torpedoed an Iranian ship last month.
link to original post

Seems unlikely; what's left of the Iranians knows they cannot defend anything in the water.

What's going on now appears to be more of a civil war, with Pezeshkian and the secular forces in their parliament, who look like they have been working with us all along, against the mullahs and their IRGC, which is kind of a combination of the SS and Gestapo, getting blasted by US and Israel. Artesh (theoretically the regular army, but in reality more of a glorified border patrol) seems to be sitting it out and are probably protecting Pezeshkian from the theocrats.
link to original post

They don't have to defend the ships. In fact, they are most likely hoping the US attacks them, and China responds to the US Navy interfering with its trade. It's a provocation . If the ships get through, China will be the nation that helped Iran in its hour of need, and if they don't, the US will have to deal with a pissed-off China.
It's the sort of stuff that happens when you go about things in a slap-hazard manner.
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Oh, no way. First of all China is fully aware that shipments of military equipment to a party at war is not considered "trade" but "munitions" and they would be a legitimate target with any flag on it. If there are Iranian flags on them they have nothing to do with China and China has already been paid, and whatever happens to them after they leave Chinese waters is not their problem.

I also don't think they want to admit they are selling supplies for missile attacks to the whole world, especially to all the countries that are being hit by Iranian missiles, both directly from Iran and from their terrorist proxies. That would put China and their exports on a list they don't want to be on.

I think the report is just a rumor anyway, with so much AI-slop BS being posted out there any place they can get away with it. If system sellers have the resources to bombard this site with spam like they do, imagine what a foreign government could do.