Marpole Matters

@officejjsmart Don't really know if this is all true or not but "wages are stagnant, and layoffs are widespread" is not true, Russia is experiencing a labour shortage due to the war.

Russia’s Economic Collapse: The Looming End of Putin’s Regime The Russian economy is imploding, threatening Vladimir Putin’s grip on power. His Keynesian strategy to counter Western sanctions—based on subsidized spending and artificially low interest rates—has backfired catastrophically, plunging the country into a boom-and-bust cycle now entering its most devastating phase. The housing market, propped up by state-subsidized mortgages at rates as low as 7% (despite real inflation estimated at 27% by Dr. Steve Hanke), is collapsing. Mortgage debt has surged to over 40% of bank lending portfolios, while household debt is at a record 22% of GDP. Once dominating housing transactions, mortgages now make up only 20% of sales, with 80% being cash purchases. Sellers are slashing prices by up to 50%, and non-performing loans are soaring, threatening to sink regional banks, which hold 40% of the market. Developers, crippled by overbuilding during the boom, are defaulting on bonds, leading to widespread losses across the construction sector. The ripple effects are devastating. The Russian stock market has seen all sectors decline sharply, with Gazprom down 16.7%, Ozon 23.7%, and RUSAL 23.8% in just one month. Inflation has spiraled out of control, forcing the cost of potatoes to rise by 80% this year alone, with car prices expected to jump 20% after New Year’s. The ruble has lost over 10% of its value three times in a single month, reflecting deep structural weaknesses. Russia’s national budget, calculated on oil prices of $72 per barrel, faces severe strain as global production rises and prices fall. Experts predict the ruble may require a devaluation of 22-35% to sustain government spending. International support is absent. China, dealing with its own economic woes—including an 18% youth unemployment rate and a real estate debt crisis—has limited capacity to assist Russia. Furthermore, China conducts > 60% of its trade with the U.S. and Europe versus around 2% with Russia and is unlikely to risk sanctions for a marginal ally. Public dissatisfaction is growing as the economy crumbles. Living costs are skyrocketing, wages are stagnant, and layoffs are widespread. In 2024, over 130,000 jobs were cut in 457 companies, including global tech giants like Tesla, Amazon, and Google. The regime’s promise of economic stability is collapsing, and so is Putin’s political contract with his people. Historically, economic collapse has toppled autocrats, and Russia’s current trajectory mirrors these patterns. Putin’s inability to stabilize the economy or shield ordinary Russians from hardship is eroding his legitimacy among both the public and the elites. With rising discontent, fractured loyalty from oligarchs, and economic freefall, Russia is on the brink of political upheaval. The collapse of Putin’s regime may no longer be a distant prospect—it is rapidly becoming an imminent reality.

@IrishRainforest There's a third option for eliminating the bird kill: keep you cats on retractable leashes. Eyelets distributed around the yard with large caribiners to clip in. It works, I know.

Bell collars on cats help, reducing the killing by 41% (birds) and 34% (voles, etc). But most wildlife deaths aren't prevented: many cats figure out how to move silently despite the collars. The only fully effective solutions are: a) Don't have a cat or b) Keep it inside

Killer kitties: a reminder that cats play a major role in wiping out wildlife. How? By killing literally *billions* of native animals every year, driving numerous extinctions. 🌍 Cats are NOT 'part of nature'. If you must have one, keep it indoors. theguardian.com/environment/20…

@GeorgeMonbiot Leaving Twitter for Bluesky, what if Elon buys Bluesky? I'm on Mastodon because nobody can buy that, its Elon proof.

5. In conclusion, I'm staying for now, using the #Xdissenter hashtag in my profile. I also have accounts on Threads and BlueSky. But if we're going to leave, let's do it together, and decide which platform to migrate to. Your views are welcome, as ever.

1. Here are my thoughts on the pros and cons of staying on this platform. Pro: We were here long before Musk took it over. We built this. Con: He has used our creation to help elect a far-right autocrat, and build his own grim political career. 🧵

@GeorgeMonbiot I don't see you on Mastodon, not with a verified account anyway.

Twitter was just a practice run. If Trump wins, global democracy could suffer the same fate: #emuskulation. Here's how. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

@jhwfung I hope that the person across the street with the sign for the Climate Denialist Party has their basement flood.

Hm, vote for the party lead by the climate denialist today or…? #bcpoli

NEW: It’s happened again at Oakridge. A crane has dropped its load—narrowly missing traffic. Fortunately, this time no one was killed. 1 day after new crane safety regulations came into effect in BC. Details tonight on @GlobalBC News at 11.

Did you know? Langara Golf Course, a 46-hectare park in the heart of the city, offers a sanctuary for various species. Surrounded by a 2.3-kilometre public perimeter trail, the course is a haven for birds, bees, and wildlife—like this deer that graced us with its presence. 🦌

Warning ⚠️Scam Alert: We have been notified of a scam targeting people through text messages requesting they pay an overdue parking ticket. This is not the City, we do not notify the public of fines through texting, emailing or social media. More info ➡️ ow.ly/Q1fR50M9Mtv

@SenSanders Canada is just now in the middle of implementing universal basic dental care, starting with seniors first. I'm not sure that permanent replacements of broken teeth are covered though.

Someone recently told me that she has had caps on her teeth after breaking them as a child. For 15 years, she hasn’t been able to afford permanent replacements. Her caps flake off into her food every time she eats. We have a dental care crisis in America. foxnews.com/opinion/us-den…

@cspotweet Yes. March 1, the same day that the boycott started, Loblaws announced record profits. So arrogant! ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/loblaw-hi…

Are you boycotting Loblaw brands? globalnews.ca/news/10459526/…

@ErinnAlexander @CBCEarlyEdition @cbcradio Why was he away?

So nice to wake up and hear my guy Stephen Quinn again. Welcome back! @CBCEarlyEdition @cbcradio

@ParkBoard do you have any info about the thickness of the ice on Trout Lake? Asking for a friend's daughter.

Not so difficult to support turning the Langara Golf course in #Marpole into housing, including a large student housing component for @langaracollege which is next door. Currently so few people are able to take advantage of the space.

@jessyroos No, just increase carbon taxes, way more efficient.

@michaelgeller Accessory buildings designed to not need a permit (<100ft²) are $30k without the foundation or interior finishing.

"Securing a permit will be hastened for projects under $50,000". There's no such thing as a project under $50,000! mpamag.com/ca/news/genera…

@barbjustason Put the bowl in front of the fan.

@InsulateLove ... or we need them to get the message out to their fans so that the fans are more likely to don the silly vest.

Yes, we already know. We don’t need you to tell us that. What we need you to do is put on a silly hi vis vest and sit in the road repeatedly.

Don't blame the oil companies for their high profits. It is not price gouging, just how markets work. But there is nothing wrong with taxing those exceptional profits.

@RobHodkinson I won't go unless masks are mandatory. I'm guessing there's a sizeable contingent that agrees.

This is the fewest fans I have ever seen in the seats several minutes into a match. Shocking attendance. #VWFC

@garymasonglobe @TuckerCarlson Paywall.

This is my column that has @TuckerCarlson so upset: theglobeandmail.com/opinion/articl…