On The Prowl On Our "Virtual Route 99": On the War in the Caribbean (Courtesy The Coop Scoop)

 

Trump and Rubio's Splendid Little War by The Coop Scoop

The Caribbean is the new Gulf of Tonkin

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On Our "Virtual Route 99" This Week Around the World and in America

As November is before us, We present a sampling of the discourse over the Social Grid. This week, while on our "Virtual Route 99" in America, this week features Donald Trump, Barack Obama, with thoughts on the War in Russia, the US Government shutdown, delay in SNAP Benefits and other thoughts:

Marr: I thought Labour would fix everything. I was wrong. | UK Politics | New Statesman (Europe's Decline and the problem on how right wingers will take over Britain; Italy and Germany)

Trump getting a third term (Steve Bannon/Economist); On the War between Russia and Ukraine (Economist))

How to get ahead in wartime Russia The old elite are fretting as a new cast of characters soars to the top

During the first two decades of this millennium, the party scene in Russia was spectacular. Glossy magazines documented lavish events at which ministers and oligarchs rubbed shoulders, revellers downed vintage champagne on the dance floor, and Western pop stars, specially flown in, gave exclusive performances. During the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum, once dubbed the Russian Davos, politicians and technocrats would walk around the exhibition centre gladhanding guests before retreating to the city’s imperial palaces to eat black caviar with foreign business leaders. Today, nearly four years into a war that Russia is still failing to win, society editors are struggling to fill their pages. The elite have become reclusive and fearful. At this year’s St Petersburg forum they were scarcely visible, venturing out of the VIP zone only for Vladimir Putin’s panel. Some have relocated to the countryside.  Part of the reason for their inward turn is the state of the economy; war spending is no longer enough to sustain growth in the face of tough sanctions and painfully high interest rates. But they also scent changes in the air. Until they know who’s in, who’s out and who might be informing on them, they limit contact to trusted associates. “Members of the elite are not talking to each other about important topics, or networking without the president,” said Mikhail Komin, a political scientist. “This is too dangerous.”

 

 

#OutsiderVibes (Month-End Edition): Remembering Diane Keaton

As our team remains offline across our properties until November 5, 2025, we wanted to present this tribute from the team at YouTube Movies, honoring the late, great Diane Keaton in her Oscar-winning role as Annie Hall.