Been robbed

[pagheca]

It's a nightmare, guys...

Those 77,302,580 who voted for that horrible individual should be deeply ashamed of what they have done and seriously reflect on the consequences of their choice. And no excuses: he is doing exactly what he promised.

The impact will last forever and globally, and its effects will continue to spread and deepen over time. I really wonder about what will happen in the remaining years of this term: ... and is pretty obvious to me that he and his horde of sicophants will never leave the office peacefully, because of the risks involved after so many crimes and violations of the constitution and of the international and US laws.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Normally in France you pay a premium for the total fuel, but you get slightly better range. The excellinm version is normally even more expensive. At the moment total is the cheapest and the excellinm is the same price as their normal diesel.

There were queues down the road for one total garage this morning, but the new one round the corner had no queues... Another place down the road was in full robbery mode wanting 2.73 a litre ..

 

[RustyMTB]

Since you showed Intermarché Pontivy, thought I'd look it up on Google Maps. July 2025. Hoo boy

 

[irie]

It's a nightmare, guys...

Those 77,302,580 who voted for that horrible individual should be deeply ashamed of what they have done and seriously reflect on the consequences of their choice. And no excuses: he is doing exactly what he promised.

The impact will last forever and globally, and its effects will continue to spread and deepen over time. I really wonder about what will happen in the remaining years of this term: ... and is pretty obvious to me that he and his horde of sicophants will never leave the office peacefully, because of the risks involved after so many crimes and violations of the constitution and of the international and US laws.

It can also be argued that Iran was on the brink of obtaining nuclear weapons with which it could threaten Israel and all the Gulf States, hence the support of Israel and the near universal support of the Gulf States for US actions.

There are two sides to this argument as there are also to the debate over the causes of climate change. Perhaps everything is not simply black and white.

 

[Joecrow]

There are two sides to this argument as also there are to the debate over the causes of climate change. Perhaps everything is not simply black and white.

Yep, Trump may be a crazy idiot but I can't fault his strategy on Iran. Having imposed a more friendly regime, to the USA, in Venezuela, doing the same with Iran would/will be of great benefit to the Middle East and the West in general and mostly bad news for Russia and China! At the moment though it looks like Trump has bitten off more than he can chew. Iran has not folded and is still firing missiles and drones around at all and sundry and also has the economic stranglehold of blocking shipping in the Straights of Hormuz.

 

[mooby77]

Yes, both bought used at screaming deals, but the floor turns out to be zero

Anyway, once Rivian comes to Europe I'll have another opportunity to lose a ton of money on depreciation, as I typically only learn from my mistakes after repeating them 3-4 times.

Y
ou didn't buy an Fisker Ocean did you

 

[irie]

Yep, Trump may be a crazy idiot but I can't fault his strategy on Iran. Having imposed a more friendly regime, to the USA, in Venezuela, doing the same with Iran would/will be of great benefit to the Middle East and the West in general and mostly bad news for Russia and China! At the moment though it looks like Trump has bitten off more than he can chew. Iran has not folded and is still firing missiles and drones around at all and sundry and also has the economic stranglehold of blocking shipping in the Straights of Hormuz.

Reckon that there's an ongoing power struggle in Iran. Trump is talking with a moderate group but the military group want to fight to the end - hardly surprising when the military have already killed tens of thousands.

 

[pagheca]

Yep, Trump may be a crazy idiot but I can't fault his strategy on Iran. Having imposed a more friendly regime, to the USA, in Venezuela, doing the same with Iran would/will be of great benefit to the Middle East and the West in general and mostly bad news for Russia and China! At the moment though it looks like Trump has bitten off more than he can chew. Iran has not folded and is still firing missiles and drones around at all and sundry and still has the economic stranglehold of blocking shipping in the Straights of Hormuz.

Well, it’s not exactly like that.

In June 2025, Trump already had Iranian nuclear facilities bombed. After that, he said the Iranian nuclear facilities "had been completely obliterated". And trust me, you don't rebuilt it in a year.

So why start a war now? And who gives the U.S. the right to launch these totally illegal wars, the consequences of which are then paid by others (Asia, Europe), precisely those he has been insulting for months with various excuses?

There’s only one reason for this war, and it starts with an E. Like Epstein… And we pay too the bill for those 77 milion f******* US citizens (I don't even call them "american", having lived in South America and learned that the rest of the continent is really upset about the misuse of that term) that voted it, and for a second time, like the first wasn't enough!

 

[irie]

Well, it’s not exactly like that.

In June 2025, Trump already had Iranian nuclear facilities bombed. After that, he said the Iranian nuclear facilities "had been completely obliterated". And trust me, you don't rebuilt it in a year.

So why start a war now? And who gives the U.S. the right to launch these totally illegal wars, the consequences of which are then paid by others (Asia, Europe), precisely those he has been insulting for months with various excuses?

There’s only one reason for this war, and it starts with an E. Like Epstein… And we pay too the bill for those 77 milion f******* US citizens (I don't even call them "american", having lived in South America and learned that the rest of the continent is really upset about the misuse of that term) that voted it, and for a second time, like the first wasn't enough!

If one of Iran's recently developed long range ballistic missiles landed on Bologna, where you have said you live, I'll bet you would change your tune. Two sides to this, there is no black and white.

 

[pagheca]

If one of Iran's recently developed long range ballistic missiles landed on Bologna, where you have said you live, I'll bet you would change your tune. Two sides to this, there is no black and white.

I don't think so, Irie, because if this happens is just because of the multiple aggressions of US to Iran, that has - unlike the US - no reasons or intention or ever tried to occupy other countries.

And by the way, I am much more concerned about Russia attitudes toward us, a country protected by the very same horrible individual.

And you should be too...

You are right: in general there is no black and white, but Trump is really the evil, is throwing the world to hell.

 

[Stihldog]

… but the military group want to fight to the end - hardly surprising when the military have already killed tens of thousands.

Several years ago I befriended an Iranian gentleman who was my auto mechanic. After a few years I questioned the scars on his body that were visible. Then he shared his story. Holy Crap! I had no idea.

Turns out he was a 16 year old medic in the Iran Iraq war. There was a book, a documentary, and a movie about his journey and story. The stories he shared with me were horrific and his eventual journey to Vancouver, where he lives now, was amazing.

I could eventually sense the ptsd in his behaviour as it slowly showed. He cannot return to Iran and has lost contact with his family.

Edit; He and the Iraqi soldier that he saved are both Canadian citizens now.

 

[pagheca]

Several years ago I befriended an Iranian gentleman who was my auto mechanic. After a few years I questioned the scars on his body that were visible. Then he shared his story. Holy Crap! I had no idea.

Turns out he was a 16 year old medic in the Iran Iraq war. There was a book, a documentary, and a movie about his journey and story. The stories he shared with me were horrific and his eventual journey to Vancouver, where he lives now, was amazing.

I could eventually sense the ptsd in his behaviour as it slowly showed. He cannot return to Iran and has lost contact with his family.

I had several friends of iranian origin, when I was a teenager. Their families moved to Italy after Reza Phalevi took power. And who put him in power, against the wish of the population? the British Government.

Wars and coup d'etat rarely sort out international situations. They just make things more complicated, and the impact may last forever. See Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Iran, etc. We, Westerns, fail very often to understand the complexity of the world.

 

[Stihldog]

Canada; a nice little apartment above a Meth Lab.

 

[Joecrow]

I had several friends of iranian origin, when I was a teenager. Their families moved to Italy after Reza Phalevi took power. And who put him in power, against the wish of the population? the British Government.

Before my time, the Iranians I know fled the current regime! My grandfather who worked in Persia for the Anglo Persian oil company many years agoalways said the Shah saved the people from the mullahs, who sadly have returned. Iran is currently ruled by religious fanatics who have committed countless acts of terrorism and supported others to do the same, they have invested huge amounts in their military and built a ballistic missile arsenal and have attempted to enrich uranium for atomic weapons. The recent protests suggests the people have had enough of shortages, religious bullshit and an ever worsening economy . Iran is not an innocent peace loving democracy.
Can Trump change that? I hope so!

 

[Stihldog]

Trump change that? I hope so!

I doubt it. The change needs to happen from the inside.…and that could take decades. Or several generations.

 

[irie]

I doubt it. The change needs to happen from the inside.…and that could take decades. Or several generations.

Unless changed by force of arms, will probably take decades before those who have had their children slaughtered to rise up and defeat the mullah controlled military regime.

I personally know Persians btw.

And as for violations of so-called "International Law", the fact is that more than 50% of the world's population do NOT live in remotely democratic societies, thus "International Law" is therefore essentially meaningless.

 

[pagheca]

Before my time, the Iranians I know fled the current regime! My grandfather who worked in Persia for the Anglo Persian oil company many years agoalways said the Shah saved the people from the mullahs, who sadly have returned.

Really? Human rights in Pahlavi Iran - Wikipedia.

Iran is currently ruled by religious fanatics who have committed countless acts of terrorism and supported others to do the same, they have invested huge amounts in their military and built a ballistic missile arsenal and have attempted to enrich uranium for atomic weapons. The recent protests suggests the people have had enough of shortages, religious bullshit and an ever worsening economy . Iran is not an innocent peace loving democracy.
Can Trump change that? I hope so!

I’m an atheist, so you can imagine how distant I feel from regimes like that. But Reza Pahlavi is a clear reminder that democracy cannot simply be “exported” by force. There were other options, like genuinely supporting the people pushing for change from within. Instead, a coup d'etat was chosen. Good luck with that approach. I’m afraid it will “work” just as it did in Afghanistan...

Trump and his circle of sycophants behave in ways that undermine democratic values. Their actions suggest a focus on power and self-interest rather than any real concern for others or for democracy itself. Never trust authoritarians.

 

[irie]

There were other options, like genuinely supporting the people pushing for change from within.

Ignoring the death toll in previous uprisings, this^^^ has resulted in (tens of) thousands of killings by the ruling regime in the latest uprising alone.

2026 Iran massacres - Wikipedia 2026 Iran massacres - Wikipedia

As of 25 January 2026, the total death toll estimates ranged from 7,007 people to upwards of ~36,500 people.

Now what, more of the same?

As Einstein didn't say "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

 

[Joecrow]

Really? Human rights in Pahlavi Iran - Wikipedia.

In comparison to Human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran -Wikipedia. it would appear to be quite mild! I also suspect this entry was made prior to the recent clamp down on protest which, like others before, reportedly resulted in the death and execution of thousands!

 

[Moderator]

OK guys, can we wind up the political side of this thread please. I know everyone has their views/opinions/frustrations but it's still an EMTB forum, even if the thread is in the lounge, not to mention that we have a no politics rule

 

[pagheca]

As Einstein didn't say "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

Exactly. See Afganistan. And again: Trump intention are anything about democracy. They messed up all the world repeatedly, installing authoritarian government everywhere. The examples are everywhere.

I lived in Chile, I know what I mean.

 

[pagheca]

OK guys, can we wind up the political side of this thread please. I know everyone has their views/opinions/frustrations but it's still an EMTB forum, even if the thread is in the lounge, not to mention that we have a no politics rule

You are right, sorry! I will stop here, whatever answers I will get. Feel free to remove any of my posts.

p.s. I read your post after posting the previous one.

 

[RustyMTB]

Exactly. See Afganistan. And again: Trump intention are anything about democracy. They messed up all the world repeatedly, installing authoritarian government everywhere. The examples are everywhere.

I lived in Chile, I know what I mean.

You need to take the hint.

 

[Doomanic]

So to get away from all the political bullshit posted above; I fell onto the eCar blandwagon a couple of months ago after working out that my Merc CLS was going to cost me significantly more than its value in the next 12 months so I took out a lease on an MG4. I chose the MG4 because it was the cheapest option with a real 200 mile winter range.

 

[irie]

Exactly. See Afganistan. And again: Trump intention are anything about democracy. They messed up all the world repeatedly, installing authoritarian government everywhere. The examples are everywhere.

I lived in Chile, I know what I mean.

More politics, give it a break ...

OK guys, can we wind up the political side of this thread please. I know everyone has their views/opinions/frustrations but it's still an EMTB forum, even if the thread is in the lounge, not to mention that we have a no politics rule

 

[Hobo Mikey]

When I started this thread my local garage was £174.9 it’s now £183.9. I will never use Shell fuel again.

 

[Zimmerframe]

When I started this thread my local garage was £174.9 it’s now £183.9. I will never use Shell fuel again.

That's pretty cheap to buy a garage. You should go for it, settle down, become a petrochemical billionaire.

OK, you're present quality of life is better than that life, but quality of life isn't everything, greed, control, power ! That's where it's at at the moment - jump on the wrecking ball whilst you still can

Sold that camper yet ? I showed it to some friends, she almost wet herself over it, then he poo poo'd it because he wanted less than 3.5 tonnes for lots of their euro destinations.

 

[Gila Man]

So to get away from all the political bullshit posted above; I fell onto the eCar blandwagon a couple of months ago after working out that my Merc CLS was going to cost me significantly more than its value in the next 12 months so I took out a lease on an MG4. I chose the MG4 because it was the cheapest option with a real 200 mile winter range.

The thought of an electric car is appealing however, since we only have one car, it wouldn’t be practical for us. You can get gas just about anywhere but charging stations aren’t guaranteed in rural areas. Plus, I prefer being able to fill up in 5 minutes as opposed to waiting for the time it takes to charge.

 

[Doomanic]

Plus, I prefer being able to fill up in 5 minutes as opposed to waiting for the time it takes to charge.

An oft used argument against eCars. In December I have a planned 500 mile trip up to Scotland. In the UK, that's an 8-9 hour drive (I know it's probably just to next door for you... ) and I'll have the dog in the car. 3 planned stops of 17 minutes, 29 minutes and 29 minutes give me time to stretch my legs, grab a coffee and walk the dog at the first and last stops and have lunch at the middle stop. I've done the drive several times in the past in an ICE car and had the same number of stops, albeit of slightly shorter duration because I wasn't travelling with a dog.. I could shorten the charge times by planning to arrive at my destination with less charge remaining, but none of us are strangers to range anxiety, right?

 

[Doomanic]

I'm not an eeeeC evangelist BTW, but careful where I spend my money and the decision was made before the Mango Mussolini decided to play silly buggers. It now makes even more sense; My old Merc would do about 35mpg on a run meaning that trip would have cost me about £90 each way, now it's £105. Charging at current rates will cost me £60 each way.

If my Dream Car Giveaway tickets come up tomorrow night I'll be having to decide between taking the RS6 and £600K or taking the full £660k and buying something really silly with a big V8...

Oh, and @Hobo Mikey's Pikey Palace for weekend trips away.