Pelosi's visit to Taiwan confirmed for Wednesday; China threatening military response; US & UK factory output slows; German retail sales crater; Oil price slumps; Grain shipment leaves Ukraine
Talking of Germany, that country that seems to embark on self destruction on regular intervals, here is a report on the effects of going green energy, shutting down perfectly good nuclear and coal generation in favor of buying gas from their closest enemy, Russia. Darkness and cold awaits the poor souls that thought that their political leadership were intelligent and working in their best interests. Lets just shut down parts of the economy for a while.
And coal seems to be at its highest demand - EVER. Just cant beat it for good reliable energy and life giving CO2. Always buy against the political wisdom.
You just couldn't make this stuff up. Remind me again, exactly what skills did our current leader bring to the political table, did we forget to ask and just relied on popularity. A good friend is traveling the country via caravan, talking to as many locals as possible, not one has said a good word about our leader. Have a wonderful day.
"Elsewhere, German retail sales fell in the first half of 2022 by the most in nearly 30 years . Real retail sales were down 8.8% in June from a year ago, which was also worse than economists’ expectations for a fall of about 8%."
Bernard, I know this is from Reuters, but it illustrates an unfortunate way of writing about forecast outcomes. It says that the 8.8% outcome for the half year was "also worse than economists' expectations".
I'd like to think you could buck the nonsense of saying 8.8% is worse than 8% of an economists' forecast. First, was it a median or average of lots of economists? But more importantly, in what meaningful way in the real world was 8.8% 'worse'? It's rather unusual that out-turns are that close to forecast. We both know that there is a wide range of probability of inaccuracy around any forecast like 8.8% and all economists know this. It is editorialising for Reuters to write that the 8.8% was 'also worse'. If the result had been 7.8%, would their writing 'slightly better than' the 8% forecast really have made any sense in the scale of things? All they have to do is write a short sentenced, cutting the quote above in half, saying "Economists' median forecast was 8%" and leave the editorialising to the reader.
You write a refreshingly straight language and help non-economists with the technicals. Picking this sort of stuff up and amending it slightly would help a lot.
Any bad reactions on the basis that a representative of another country makes a diplomatic trip are intensely childish and unnecessary. It’s just an excuse for a fight when one woman is no threat to them. Except to fragile and controlling egos belonging in a different colonial empire era. Ridiculous. If Leaders are so unevolved they still behave in such a childish fashion using dangerous toys and threats what hope is there? Disappointing.
This looks like it’s going to be an interesting week!!
Geopolitically that is.
Talking of Germany, that country that seems to embark on self destruction on regular intervals, here is a report on the effects of going green energy, shutting down perfectly good nuclear and coal generation in favor of buying gas from their closest enemy, Russia. Darkness and cold awaits the poor souls that thought that their political leadership were intelligent and working in their best interests. Lets just shut down parts of the economy for a while.
https://joannenova.com.au/2022/07/german-cities-start-to-turn-off-public-hot-water-lights-fountains-and-may-cancel-beer-too/
And coal seems to be at its highest demand - EVER. Just cant beat it for good reliable energy and life giving CO2. Always buy against the political wisdom.
https://joannenova.com.au/2022/08/might-be-more-coal-burned-in-2022-than-any-other-time-in-human-existence/
You just couldn't make this stuff up. Remind me again, exactly what skills did our current leader bring to the political table, did we forget to ask and just relied on popularity. A good friend is traveling the country via caravan, talking to as many locals as possible, not one has said a good word about our leader. Have a wonderful day.
Typical, finally book an EV test drive, fuel prices start to ease
Hopefully this doesnt break the business case submitted to SWMBO lol
Edit: A little off piste from todays subjects but a fascinating korero from my 2nd and 3rd favorite economists https://youtu.be/MWjKvehIumg
"Elsewhere, German retail sales fell in the first half of 2022 by the most in nearly 30 years . Real retail sales were down 8.8% in June from a year ago, which was also worse than economists’ expectations for a fall of about 8%."
Bernard, I know this is from Reuters, but it illustrates an unfortunate way of writing about forecast outcomes. It says that the 8.8% outcome for the half year was "also worse than economists' expectations".
I'd like to think you could buck the nonsense of saying 8.8% is worse than 8% of an economists' forecast. First, was it a median or average of lots of economists? But more importantly, in what meaningful way in the real world was 8.8% 'worse'? It's rather unusual that out-turns are that close to forecast. We both know that there is a wide range of probability of inaccuracy around any forecast like 8.8% and all economists know this. It is editorialising for Reuters to write that the 8.8% was 'also worse'. If the result had been 7.8%, would their writing 'slightly better than' the 8% forecast really have made any sense in the scale of things? All they have to do is write a short sentenced, cutting the quote above in half, saying "Economists' median forecast was 8%" and leave the editorialising to the reader.
You write a refreshingly straight language and help non-economists with the technicals. Picking this sort of stuff up and amending it slightly would help a lot.
cheers
Isn't all that reduced factory output good for climate change?
Any bad reactions on the basis that a representative of another country makes a diplomatic trip are intensely childish and unnecessary. It’s just an excuse for a fight when one woman is no threat to them. Except to fragile and controlling egos belonging in a different colonial empire era. Ridiculous. If Leaders are so unevolved they still behave in such a childish fashion using dangerous toys and threats what hope is there? Disappointing.