A Post About Nothing

A post about nothing Starting to zone out staring at a stream of mesmerising updates on the 'puter.  So I'm probably part-sleeping as I read.  It's oddly soothing to be between wakefulness and sleep, staring at this inanimate thing as it turns over information.  A ticking, prolific information-clock that is both time and clock -- sometimes throwing up the most surprising (or shocking) and random things. Moving on ... Politics -- even if confined in one region -- is tricky to watch well. For example, when looking at the Novorossiya conflict, I'd completely forgotten about the national big business interests in the region that also have a stake in what's going on. It's unclear to me who all the local business players are and what parts they play, or what connections (national & foreign) they may have. Right now, I'm like a juggler that's focused on this ball, or that ball, as the reason for whatever conclusion I happen to draw at the time of meeting some piece of information, rather than drawing conclusions that take into account the many elements simultaneously in operation. Perspective needs adjustment.  I'm near-sighted.  Putin & Poroshenko have already discussed steps towards negotiating a ceasefire between the independence supporters and Kiev.  The talks were to continue and presumably they're still on the agenda, but there's been no further word. What's happened in the meantime is that the fake ceasefire the Ukrainians sought (and broke) has given them an opportunity to regroup, resupply and so on.  Furthermore, the Novorossiya side released 1,000 captured personnel.  So that's 1,000 released men Novorossiya will have to overcome again, when these men join their own ranks to resume fighting. The NATO forces are doing the Black Sea thing.  Russia's hooking up with China and others for a summit, which is seen by some as a counter-balance to NATO. Talk of Russia intending to negotiate trading grain for oil from Iran.  Doesn't mean much to me.  It's just a snippet of information that came to mind. The French have been pressured into blocking the Mistral delivery due to Russia at the end of this year, and they're making out like they're deferring decision-making until October, I think it was.  So they're just stringing it out.  The guess is they're not delivering.  Hope Russians sue the culottes off them in due course, and I hope their arms trade drops because they're clearly dishonourable and unreliable if they do bow to pressure and dishonour the agreement.  French arms trade has been doing well this past year.  Particulars are:  sales up 43 % 2013 @$8.84 billion.  Economy's not doing so well.  Hollande is also reportedly in danger of losing office, in due course.  Popularity score is something like 13% and right wingers are gaining ground.   It stands to reason Hollande's government would be unpopular, when he's slashing and selling, and cutting back services, while giving companies tax breaks.   By the time I'm over sifting through information that catches my attention during the course of my online travels, I'm 'over' information and couldn't be bothered regurgitating.  So this won't grow into a riveting political blog.  Turning into more of a boring, personal comment about nothing -- the Seinfeld of political blogging (minus the laughs).