javiwhite

'Could' specifies a possibility of an event occurring, as opposed to no possibility.

For example, I could have rice for dinner, however there is no way I could jump to the moon.

When applied to the context of this conversation:

A person born in the 90s could have had their childhood affected by the recession in the 80s. A person born in the 50s could not have had their childhood affected by the recession in the 80s.

Could is only vague in the scope of probability; this is because it's a confirmation of the possibility, rather than a defined probability.

Acting like they can't do anything without the US?

The continent is prepping for a US & Russian led invasion if anything (none of which are to be purchased from the US either)

EU to tax US digital services in response to trump's tariffs

EU push for an alternative to US operating systems

Whilst it was true that the EU relied on the US for many things, (the primary being digital services), they've proven themselves to be a dangerous partner who has shown active disdain for us, the movement to exile American tech has begun, and will likely end in a similar vein to how Chinese tech is viewed here.

What part of the UK are they called doughballs? ive never heard them called that.

Only reference I can think of is Pizza express' dough balls, but they're a savoury dough ball rather than sweet like a doughnut.

One without a hole is a doughnut. One with is a doughnut ring.

I can't speak for every country, but I know that the UK (where I'm based) is looking at a GDP shrink of around 1%; though given our 'special relationship' with the US, and our FAFO era with Brexit, we're probably more dependant on American trade than your average long distance ally (or should I say former ally?), so I could definitely see other countries breaking even or even profiting from it.

Oh I understand that. I was just being facetious; my point was more to do with the definition of a hole, and how it's used here to describe something that definitely is not a hole.

If we're pedantic, then the doughnut hole is the middle bit of the original doughnut, now that this part has been punched out.

In the UK these are called doughnuts.

The presence of a hole isnt a pre-requisite to being deemed a doughnut here.

Calling something that has zero holes a 'donut hole', will absolutely have a local refer to you as a doughnut tho...

It will still cause other countries economies to shrink, as most economies are interlinked in the modern age; but even with the loss in GDP, removing US trade/tech/military reliance is definitely for the better imo. The USA positioning themselves alongside Russia has woke up the rest of the world to the fact that America isn't simply arrogant... It's also dangerous.

I don't see a way back for the US in all honesty. The problem isn't the rogue state behaviour, it's the virile support for such actions seen from many of their citizens. In the coming years we'll no doubt see American military bases being shutdown across the globe, in retaliation to their animosity, and it will only continue further until the US is a pariah state.

I suppose it's some solace that the democrats are able to somewhat slow the implosion of the US through the senate, but that won't be enough to stop them falling out of favour with the rest of the world, and thus losing a huge part of their power. And I have to wonder, is this the exact outcome Putin wanted (America surviving, but struggling... Allowing them to exist as the bad guy, Rather than complete desolation), or just a happy accident after getting Krasnov elected?.

Most of the kit that is made in US uses parts distributed by other countries... So even domestic sales of US created products are likely to be impacted. Gotta give it to Krasnov, he's doing a bloody good job at the task he's been set.

Id like to think that me pointing out this entire scenario was caused by the UK & US due to their support of Israel made it obvious where I stand on this debate. But apparently not.

As for the pedantry; the language used was not a personal opinion; but rather utilising their own language to draw the subsequent metaphor.

The irony being that Houthi were attacking predominantly US & UK ships due to their ongoing support of Israel. The US created this problem, and then moan when they have to clean it up. At this point, the US is the world stage equivalent of a petulant child spilling milk on their shirt and then throwing a tantrum.