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Originally posted by notyoueither
I think the Russian people would be the best judges of the state of democracy in their country.
To dismiss Russia from this group because they don't appear to come up to Western standards of democracy misses the point, imo. It's a massive country with huge energy & mineral wealth, and their words are backed by (lots of) nuclear weapons.
They just need to discover Code of Laws and build a few Courthouses to get their economy really rocking.Comment
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I was going to make Washington the top seed, but I don't think Randle-El is going to be a significant enough signing. I don't think the Redskin's defense is going to be strong enough, plus, that division is too competetive for them to be the number one seed. Seattle could repeat as the top seed again, but it's unlikely. I think the Bears have the best chance because of the amount of starters coming back, the cohesiveness on defense (what with one more year of experience playing together), and the experience of losing in the playoffs (knowing what they have to do to improve to win in the NFC... adjustments, etc). Plus, the Bears addressed the backup QB position, they have depth at WR, and with Cedric Benson coming into the season prepared, I think the competition at the RB position is going to create a controversy at that position which will be good because whichever guy starts is going to have the potential to put up big numbers (1200-1400 yards).Originally posted by notyoueither
I would owe my bookie if I placed a bet on you saying that and I won.
The only areas I'm concerned about are the TE position and the DB's. It remains to be seen whether Ricky Manning will step in and plug the hole in that defense, and whether Chris Harris and Mike Brown will stay healthy for the whole season.
But looking at the NFC, I think the Bears are definitely in the best position to do some damage. They are built for playoff success.
To us, it is the BEAST.Comment
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[SIZE=1]
1. DA BEARS
The Vikings will PWN your ass!
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Does russia sell something which isnt natural resources or weapons?
Their economy may be doing well because they have such vast resources, but it aint really a lot more developed than saudi arabia or most oil/gas exporting countries.I need a foot massageComment
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Yeah, Saudis surelly produce their own spaceships or nuclear submarines.
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Russia IS democracy and it has a stable economy.Originally posted by DinoDoc
On what basis?
Russia ended 2005 with its seventh straight year of growth, averaging 6.4% annually since the financial crisis of 1998.
Go ahead, prove the opposite.
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No sh!t?Originally posted by Brachy-Pride
Russia isnt democratic
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GDP:Originally posted by LordShiva
They aren't rich either. The G8 = G7 + Russia, because nobody wants to tell them that they aren't a superpower anymore
Actually Russian GDP in 2005 was 1.7 trillion (currently it's World's 9th largest GDP). It's pretty comparable to British 1.8, French 1.8, Italian 1.7 and bigger than Canadian 1.1 trillion.
Russia has the lowest external debt among all G8 members.
As well as the lowest public debt:
At the same time:
Obsolete info:
Updated info:
Russia to Have World’s Third Largest Gold and Forex Reserves in 2006
Created: 07.06.2006 10:49 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 10:49 MSK
In 2006 Russia will have the world’s third largest gold and foreign exchange reserves, said on Tuesday, June 6, deputy chairman of Russian Central Bank Alexei Ulyukaev. Speaking at the meeting in the State Duma of Russian Federation, Ulyukaev said: “We will surpass Taiwan in 2006 and will become the third largest in the world in terms of gold and forex reserves.”
The Central Bank official said that at present time Russia’s gold and foreign exchange reserve amount to about $244 billion. According to Ulyukaev, the volume of reserves will increase by another $5-6 billion by the end of first half of the year. “We can suppose that in the second half of the year we will add $5-6 billion monthly if the prices for our export remain the same,” Ulyukaev said, quoted by RIA Novosti. If the calculations are correct, by the end of 2006 Russia’s gold and foreign exchange reserves will amount to $279-286 billion.
More:
Russia’s gold and currency reserves hit a record high Russia's gold and currency reserves soar for the second week in a row. According to a statement issued by the Central Bank on Thursday, the reserves hit a new record high of $225.7 billion as at April 28, up by $8.6 billion on the previous week's figures. It is the highest one-week rise in the Central Bank’s gold and foreign exchange reserves since January 28, 2005, or for 15 months. The new rise has enabled Russia to outdo South Korea with its $217.3 billion in terms of gold and currency reserves. Russia now ranks fourth for the reserves after Taiwan (third place with $275 billion). Most analysts indicate Russia could catch up with Taiwan and surpass it should the reserves continue growing at a current rate. Taiwan’s reserves also grow but not at such a high rate.
So, yeah, we are poor as hell.
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Some more choice quotes about the Russian economy from the CIA world factbook:
Nevertheless, serious problems persist. Economic growth slowed to 5.9% for 2005 while inflation remains high. Oil, natural gas, metals, and timber account for more than 80% of exports, leaving the country vulnerable to swings in world prices. Russia's manufacturing base is dilapidated and must be replaced or modernized if the country is to achieve broad-based economic growth. Other problems include a weak banking system, a poor business climate that discourages both domestic and foreign investors, corruption, and widespread lack of trust in institutions."The French caused the war [Persian Gulf war, 1991]" - Ned
"you people who bash Bush have no appreciation for one of the great presidents in our history." - Ned
"I wish I had gay sex in the boy scouts" - DissidentComment
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Brazil would be a better choice. At least they can deploy their carrier on occasion, instead of keeping it in port for 6 years straight.Today, you are the waves of the Pacific, pushing ever eastward. You are the sequoias rising from the Sierra Nevada, defiant and enduring.Comment
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Sure, it's CIA after all.Originally posted by Kontiki
Some more choice quotes about the Russian economy from the CIA world factbook:
Nevertheless, serious problems persist. Economic growth slowed to 5.9% for 2005 while inflation remains high. Oil, natural gas, metals, and timber account for more than 80% of exports, leaving the country vulnerable to swings in world prices. Russia's manufacturing base is dilapidated and must be replaced or modernized if the country is to achieve broad-based economic growth. Other problems include a weak banking system, a poor business climate that discourages both domestic and foreign investors, corruption, and widespread lack of trust in institutions.
Besides, many countries would be pleased to have such slow economic growth as 5.9%.
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The only reason why the carrier has stayed at port it's because sailors captured an enemy spy and had to interrogate her.Originally posted by Lonestar
Brazil would be a better choice. At least they can deploy their carrier on occasion, instead of keeping it in port for 6 years straight.
Attached FilesComment
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Those numbers you just threw out don't mean squat. Russia's GDP may be comparable to those other countries you listed, but GDP per head is much smaller. If we just went by GDP, we could list India and China as rich countries, which obviously they aren't.Originally posted by Serb
GDP:
Actually Russian GDP in 2005 was 1.7 trillion (currently it's World's 9th largest GDP). It's pretty comparable to British 1.8, French 1.8, Italian 1.7 and bigger than Canadian 1.1 trillion.
Russia has the lowest external debt among all G8 members.
As well as the lowest public debt:
At the same time:
Obsolete info:
Updated info:
Russia to Have World’s Third Largest Gold and Forex Reserves in 2006
Created: 07.06.2006 10:49 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 10:49 MSK
In 2006 Russia will have the world’s third largest gold and foreign exchange reserves, said on Tuesday, June 6, deputy chairman of Russian Central Bank Alexei Ulyukaev. Speaking at the meeting in the State Duma of Russian Federation, Ulyukaev said: “We will surpass Taiwan in 2006 and will become the third largest in the world in terms of gold and forex reserves.”
The Central Bank official said that at present time Russia’s gold and foreign exchange reserve amount to about $244 billion. According to Ulyukaev, the volume of reserves will increase by another $5-6 billion by the end of first half of the year. “We can suppose that in the second half of the year we will add $5-6 billion monthly if the prices for our export remain the same,” Ulyukaev said, quoted by RIA Novosti. If the calculations are correct, by the end of 2006 Russia’s gold and foreign exchange reserves will amount to $279-286 billion.
More:
Russia’s gold and currency reserves hit a record high Russia's gold and currency reserves soar for the second week in a row. According to a statement issued by the Central Bank on Thursday, the reserves hit a new record high of $225.7 billion as at April 28, up by $8.6 billion on the previous week's figures. It is the highest one-week rise in the Central Bank’s gold and foreign exchange reserves since January 28, 2005, or for 15 months. The new rise has enabled Russia to outdo South Korea with its $217.3 billion in terms of gold and currency reserves. Russia now ranks fourth for the reserves after Taiwan (third place with $275 billion). Most analysts indicate Russia could catch up with Taiwan and surpass it should the reserves continue growing at a current rate. Taiwan’s reserves also grow but not at such a high rate.
So, yeah, we are poor as hell.
Forex and gold reserves don't mean squat either. China has huge forex reserves. It's not rich.THEY!!111 OMG WTF LOL LET DA NOMADS AND TEH S3D3NTARY PEOPLA BOTH MAEK BITER AXP3REINCES
AND TEH GRAAT SINS OF THERE [DOCTRINAL] INOVATIONS BQU3ATH3D SMAL
AND!!1!11!!! LOL JUST IN CAES A DISPUTANT CALS U 2 DISPUT3 ABOUT THEYRE CLAMES
DO NOT THAN DISPUT3 ON THEM 3XCAPT BY WAY OF AN 3XTARNAL DISPUTA!!!!11!! WTFComment
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Not so bad for only 35 000 000 people.Originally posted by Qilue
From the CIA world fact book.
United States...$ 12,360,000,000,000
China............$ 8,859,000,000,000
Japan............$ 4,018,000,000,000
India............$ 3,611,000,000,000
Germany..........$ 2,504,000,000,000
United Kingdom...$ 1,830,000,000,000
France...........$ 1,816,000,000,000
Italy............$ 1,698,000,000,000
Russia...........$ 1,589,000,000,000
Brazil...........$ 1,556,000,000,000
Canada...........$ 1,114,000,000,000
China, India and Brazil all have GDPs higher than Canada with Brazil and India being democracies. Thus G8 seems more like a WASP club with Japan being the token ****** (I apologise to anyone offended by my use of this term).
Spec.-Never argue with an idiot; He will bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.Comment
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