[Flanderian]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/01/science/sonic-attack-cuba-microwave.html

 

[Dhaller]

I would say "we live in interesting times" - per the Chamberlain curse - but, truthfully, there have never been times which weren't "interesting".

Well, let me amend that - we perhaps only take notice of the interesting times. Hegel said it well: "World history is not the ground of happiness. The periods of happiness are empty pages in her."

DH

 

[derum]

Her indoors often threatens me with the microwave, but I talk her out of it with a glass of wine and a take away.

 

[Flanderian]

Her indoors often threatens me with the microwave, but I talk her out of it with a glass of wine and a take away.

"Her indoors" That's a new term for me. :icon_scratch:

 

[derum]

"Her indoors" That's a new term for me. :icon_scratch:

Her indoors: the other half, ball and chain, trouble and strife, missus.... all terms of endearment for wife.

 

[Flanderian]

Her indoors: the other half, ball and chain, trouble and strife, missus.... all terms of endearment for wife.

Ahh . . . ! :idea:

I'm too accustomed to The Boss.

 

[drlivingston]

Ahh . . . ! :idea:

I'm too accustomed to The Boss.

You married Bruce Springsteen? :happy:

 

[eagle2250]

^^
SWMBO works. Talk about the potential for sonic attacks! LOL...it's a classic.

 

[SG_67]

Yes, this whole Cuba experiment is working out smashingly!

 

[Mr. B. Scott Robinson]

I have been following the situation in Cuba closely.

“Something” has happened to our diplomats in Cuba but without a solid medical baseline prior to their posting it is extremely difficult to determine what conditions were pre existing and what might have been caused by some malicious actor in Cuba.

It is scary stuff.

Cheers,

BSR

 

[Flanderian]

I have been following the situation in Cuba closely.

"Something" has happened to our diplomats in Cuba but without a solid medical baseline prior to their posting it is extremely difficult to determine what conditions were pre existing and what might have been caused by some malicious actor in Cuba.

It is scary stuff.

Cheers,

BSR

Very!

This isn't the first time that Microwave was believed to have injured U.S. personnel, it was happening in Moscow, and elsewhere, in the Eastern block around 30 years ago. As I recall, it was actually technology intended to eavesdrop inside buildings from afar. Would be surprised if it wasn't a similar screw-up that inadvertently caused injury. What's to be gained by injuring diplomatic personnel in Havana and China? Both host countries need them there! Sounds like a good way to P.O. both countries courtesy of Russia. I see no gain.

Sorry for your colleagues. We are all fortunate to have their service.

Sounds like the U.S. has sigint nailing the Ruskies.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latin-...-mystery-attacks-diplomats-cuba-china-n908141

 

[Mr. B. Scott Robinson]

Very!

This isn't the first time that Microwave was believed to have injured U.S. personnel, it was happening in Moscow, and elsewhere, in the Eastern block around 30 years ago. As I recall, it was actually technology intended to eavesdrop inside buildings from afar. Would be surprised if it wasn't a similar screw-up that inadvertently caused injury. What's to be gained by injuring diplomatic personnel in Havana and China? Both host countries need them there! Sounds like a good way to P.O. both countries courtesy of Russia. I see no gain.

Sorry for your colleagues. We are all fortunate to have their service.

Sounds like the U.S. has sigint nailing the Ruskies.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latin-...-mystery-attacks-diplomats-cuba-china-n908141

Havana was a post on my next tour bid list. It has been a long held dream of mine to live and work there, but the current cost/benefit analysis makes it a "no" for now.

Cheers,

BSR

 

[jeffreyc]

Her indoors: the other half, ball and chain, trouble and strife, missus.... all terms of endearment for wife.

You were obviously born within the sound of Bow Bells !!!

 

[SG_67]

The whole rapprochement with Havana made no sense from the beginning. What exactly was our interest in this and how have we benefited?

 

[derum]

The whole rapprochement with Havana made no sense from the beginning. What exactly was our interest in this and how have we benefited?

I think the long game is financial. If you consider that prior to the revolution Cuba was the 3rd richest country in Latin America, if friendly relations can open up the country to US developers the sky is the limit.
I have been to Havana a few times and from my experience the natives generally want change, better lives, so it's only a matter of time before Cuba is once more a destination for vacations, golf, casino's etc. etc.

 

[SG_67]

I think the long game is financial. If you consider that prior to the revolution Cuba was the 3rd richest country in Latin America, if friendly relations can open up the country to US developers the sky is the limit.
I have been to Havana a few times and from my experience the natives generally want change, better lives, so it's only a matter of time before Cuba is once more a destination for vacations, golf, casino's etc. etc.

Except that that ruling party has zero interest in doing anything but keeping itself in power.

We're making that mistake with China now. Remember when the argument was that by gaining an economic foothold in China eventually they would become a democracy because they could see how much better life can be? I don't think many people are able to make the same argument with a straight face.

At least with China there's an economic interest for us; they have tons of cheap labor and can make tons and tons of cheap crap for us to buy. What does Cuba have? Anyone who had 1/2 a brain or money fled and you're basically left with a peasant population.

 

[derum]

Except that that ruling party has zero interest in doing anything but keeping itself in power.

We're making that mistake with China now. Remember when the argument was that by gaining an economic foothold in China eventually they would become a democracy because they could see how much better life can be? I don't think many people are able to make the same argument with a straight face.

At least with China there's an economic interest for us; they have tons of cheap labor and can make tons and tons of cheap crap for us to buy. What does Cuba have? Anyone who had 1/2 a brain or money fled and you're basically left with a peasant population.

Agreed, it is a long game.
Revolutions don't always work out well for the ordinary man.

 

[Mr. B. Scott Robinson]

I believe that the capitalist idea is to turn Cuba into a Vegas with better weather and virtually limitless beaches. Rum, cigars, women...that kind of thing. A Florida without all the requirements of US law. Eventually an off shore banking haven where American retirees can buy cheap property and park their money tax free. Edge of the wave capitalism.

Sounds like a workers paradise.

Cheers,

BSR

 

[SG_67]

I recall someone else having a similar idea.