I don't know if Musk and co. see the irony in starting a department to rid departments.
I just hope they are trolling with these cabinet nominations. Surely there must be some bureaucrats guiding these clowns?
Re: Politics
3442Before the city was destroyed by Russian forces, Bhakmut was known for a particular type of orange sparkling wine, as well as a renowned music school.OrthodoxEaster wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2024 7:09 am The Republic of Georgia and its struggle to export better, less industrial wines that reflect its own culture and aesthetics. As opposed to the sweet plonk that goes to the Russian market. A quality vs. quantity discussion and quite similar to sentiments stirring in Ukraine well before Russia invaded Crimea in retaliation:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/20/worl ... tions.html
"The situation in Kakheti and other wine-producing regions of Georgia reflects a country long torn between great power interests. Many people, particularly younger ones and those living in big cities, want to forge closer ties with Europe, where they see their political future. Others believe it is important to maintain economic stability and therefore stay close to Russia.
The fortunes of Georgia’s winemakers have long been tied to Russia, their biggest market, and one that has grown since sanctions linked to the war in Ukraine cut off a flow of Italian and French wines.
Now many winemakers say it’s time to break that dependence, which comes with considerable political risk, and focus more on European and American markets.... When Georgia was part of the Soviet Union, individual winemaking was prohibited, though many Georgians still produced wine in their cellars, mainly for personal use. Wine manufactured at Soviet factories was typically of low quality and usually sweet....
Over the past two decades, Mr. Joseph said he witnessed a major transformation of the Georgian wine industry. While the industrial production of cheap wines surged, enthusiasts using traditional methods began making smaller quantities of higher quality wine mostly sold in the West.... “The Russian market is an easy market because our wines are well-known and winemakers don’t need to invest money to increase awareness,” Mr. Dakishvili said. “At the same time it is very unstable for political reasons.”
In 2006, following a deterioration in relations between the Kremlin and a new pro-Western government in Tbilisi, Russia banned imports of Georgian wine. The ban lasted seven years, forcing many wineries in Kakheti into bankruptcy. But others were motivated to innovate and seek out other markets....
For the most part, the wines sold to Russia are sweeter and cheaper varieties sold in bulk that might go for a few dollars per bottle in a supermarket, a fraction of prices in boutique wine shops in the West.
“A good direction is getting away from the Russian market” and looking for more profitable outlets, said Tina Kezeli, the head of Georgia’s wine association.
That is partly because, she said, the Russian market “has always been very political,” including a ban on Georgian wines by Moscow after a dispute between the two countries in the 2000s. In Russia, she said, “everything is used as a tool: Either you behave or we close the market.”"
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65812846
Re: Politics
3443It's not even an actual department. At most they'll be an advisory board of sorts. Most federal employees are unionized, not sure how they can just be "deleted". The two most irritating assclowns in Trump's orbit (which is an accomplishment) will have a busy work assignment to feel important I guess. There are already signs that Trump and his team can't stand Musk.Shananiganz wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 3:03 am I don't know if Musk and co. see the irony in starting a department to rid departments.
That said, Trump's threats to the DOE should be worrying.
Re: Politics
3444Wild. I never knew. I drank the so-called Crimean Champagne several times when I was in Odesa (variable quality, but some was totally ok), but I don't remember this particular producer.turnbullac wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 3:44 am Before the city was destroyed by Russian forces, Bhakmut was known for a particular type of orange sparkling wine, as well as a renowned music school.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65812846
Looks like I missed a chance to try some by a month or so. The plot thickens! You sent me down a rabbit hole:
https://foreignpress.org/journalism-res ... or-himself
https://www.artwine.com/story
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2024/08 ... Wtcfe0cKEE
The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the United States tells a complicated tale of some of the wines being saved (although a guy on Reddit claims that the winery was actually run by a Putin-friendly Ukrainian oligarch) , and I guess there was a tasting of them in NYC recently.
When or if everything settles down, I'd love for Ukraine to follow the Georgian example of bottling old-school, artisanal stuff that tastes more trad and homemade. A few Ukrainian wines have been trickling into the U.S. market lately, but none have blown me away.
I've bought really cool skin-contact Armenian wine (made in clay jars similar to Georgian qvevri) that was yanked before Azerbaijan retook land in the disputed Nagorno Karabakh/Artsakh region in 2023. Khme's Rkatsiteli Karabakh, which I can't find anymore. (Just look for the scribbled label.) That was delicious. Some importer in Connecticut, I think, had it.
Never knew Bakhmut even had a wine industry, but I did know about its salt caves. Quite a few vast, underground cellars in that part of the world (not to mention salt facilities). Had the pleasure of visiting one called Mileștii Mici in Moldova, which you have to tour by car b/c it's so damn big. I hope it will never meet the same fate as the one in Bakhmut.
Re: Politics
3445Musk and Vivek are set to be Trump's royal ass clowns.
We're headed for social anarchy when people start pissing on bookstores.
Re: Politics
3446one of the best pieces of advice I've seen around this pro-fascism 2024 kakistocracy is: work to exploit the divisions within the party. It's always good advice, but highly relevant now.penningtron wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 7:02 amThere are already signs that Trump and his team can't stand Musk.Shananiganz wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 3:03 am I don't know if Musk and co. see the irony in starting a department to rid departments.
"I got to tell you, if I went to a show and an opening band I never heard of lugged a Super Six on stage, I am paying attention." - Owen
Re: Politics
3447Amplifying stories or posts on X (if you can stomach it) about how Trump made Musk look like his little bitch boy in front of congress seems like a good place to start..jirbling rake wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 10:15 am one of the best pieces of advice I've seen around this pro-fascism 2024 kakistocracy is: work to exploit the divisions within the party. It's always good advice, but highly relevant now.
Re: Politics
3448Gaetz has withdrawn from AG candidate.
OTOH, MTG is leading the efficiency thing with Musk and Vivek.
Strange times.
OTOH, MTG is leading the efficiency thing with Musk and Vivek.
Strange times.
Re: Politics
3449Well if it seemed like a clown coalition before..enframed wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 11:58 am OTOH, MTG is leading the efficiency thing with Musk and Vivek.
Also, Gaetz' "withdrawal" is another hint to Elon that he has no actual power or influence.
Re: Politics
3450Holy shit. So, he's no longer going to be in Congress either? That's a big win, oddly. I wish he'd just go to prison, but we don't hold these types of people accountable anymore.penningtron wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 12:00 pmWell if it seemed like a clown coalition before..enframed wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2024 11:58 am OTOH, MTG is leading the efficiency thing with Musk and Vivek.
Also, Gaetz' "withdrawal" is another hint to Elon that he has no actual power or influence.
Last edited by cakes on Thu Nov 21, 2024 12:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.