A.J. Yes to making steel again. And for us that actually means MSR thorium and or, MSR nuclear waste burners. Given the latter would allow us to earn mucho plenty as a suppository for the world's nuclear waste. As annual billions we'd earn for providing the service.

And use this new money, annual billions, to do/pay for, the required modest R+D, given we do not have to junk any previous R+D. And would mean we could have a few research reactors up and running in just a few months! What stands in the way? A few hopelessly incompetent politicians with conflicting interests?

This sane approach would enable commercial power prices of below a cent PKWH! As soon as we'd solved a few minor issues.

And enough waste heat to crack the water molecule to make copious and cheap, cheap hydrogen. Hydrogen we could use as transport fuel and as the basis for green steel! That given a serious level of automation,also the cheapest steel made by anyone, including the Chinese. And shouldn't stop there given this cheapest possible power, would underpin a huge manufacturing capacity and renaissance.

Moreover, MSR thorium would enable the production bismuth 213 and with that production, the quite massive regeneration of the rural and regional economy! Via massive medical tourism! And make the joint drought-proof!

And I don't need to tell you what power as cheap as envisaged would allow as pertaining to water security/desalination and pumping capacity/moving water/affordable, cost-effective/broad-scale irrigation. And the recycling industry!

As for Trump? Well given he has trashed just about every conservative tradition and convention? Can't say I'm too excited about his winning by any means, a likely outcome?

That said you're free to vote any way you choose! It's a free country! God bless these "united states"of America.

You'll have a nice day now y'hear.
Alan B.

Canem Malum,

Nicely said.

But I don't agree with you that the US wouldn't be drawn into a war over Taiwan.

Xi probably thinks you're right on this which might explain why he has no qualms about getting the PLA armed and ready - I assume to invade Taiwan.

Problem I see is that if China takes control of Taiwan without resistance from the US it will move on to take control of SE Asia, the Western Pacific, Australia and New Zealand.

If you think I'm talking nonsense then keep in mind that Japan took control of Formosa (Taiwan) prior to trying to extend its empire to SE Asia, Australia and the Western Pacific.

Is it a case of history repeating itself?

Mr Opinion, The world has moved on since 1930s Firstly, Social media which makes sudden changes almost instantly apparent world wide. Second, US ( particularly Under Trump) won't want to go into a War. Biden, the Clintons, Kennedys... The left will willingly be too happy to start a war, its a Democrat right of passage as far as History goes!. Third, war technology is very different. The real worry for the West and initially SE Asia is hacking, finance ( eg Belt'n'Road and economic leverage.

Institutions like UN, WHO, ICCP, NNESCO, IMF are just 'gravy-cruiseships' for the elites and often corrupt members of the world global elite "bluffocrats".

As for Trump mania, I have to smile at you haters' f the mans work. As a person, he is indeed not someone I would chose to befriend, but then I would have wanted to share the same breathing space with the Kennedy Clan ( particularly the Irish old gun runner Joe). Having said that he is getting US troops out of the Middle east, has moved Israel/Arab peace more than any democrat of Republican, he has taken on China, he has shaken up European funding in NATO. He has wiped out ISIS ( as best anyone could at least), nailed the Iran deal, left the WHO, snubbed the gravy boaters in the ICCP and until Covid-19 had rebuilt the US Economy and attitudes. He has even got more blacks and Hispanic in Jobs. Finally he has sorted out the dept of Vet affaires which was a disgrace that know democrat cared about. There is more in education, infrastructure Oil, Shale......

So Alan B anda all you would be Democrats (and I assume Green/Labour here in Oz), stop being so "STOOPEDE" as the Don would say. now that they realize he is playing the media nd you and your own game and winning. Maybe he will loose with the help of CNN et al and Facebook/MSN/Twitter global moguls backing. I have a bet with others and hope to win a god bottle of Red on 3rd Novem(US time)

Alison Jane,

Your arguments do not make sense in the light of what history teaches us about the nature and predictability of war.

I think you want to downplay the chance of China invading countries and expanding its territories is simply because you are sticking your head in the sand and do not want to face the reality of an invasion from the Chinese.

You are like the British followers of Neville Chamberlain who allowed Hitler to have his own way as long as Hitler guaranteed them peace in Europe. They could have prevented WW2 but like you they chose to ignore the writing on the wall.

Come On Mr Opinion, where is you fact checking from Melbourne Unis and the ABC... you must be an American democrat, cos' they would respond to the Supreme Court Packing.... happy weekend

Alison Jane,

Are you alright?