Russia itself claim the cutbacks are due to repairs. Some of that is probably true because the facility is ran by Siemens and they can no longer import the necessary parts due to the US sanctions. It is of course also possible that Russia is using it as leverage.

And that is the thing, with an intact pipeline that you have the ability to shut off, you do have leverage. If you blow up the pipeline you lose the leverage because your target no longer has any choice but to oppose you.

The US invaded Iraq to stop them selling oil in Euros. The petrodollar is the single most important possession of the US. It gives them the ability to print unlimited money and push the inflation on the rest of the world, because they have to hold an ever increasing amount of dollars to meet their energy needs. Gaddafi started doing the same, look how fast he went down. Now Putin is selling oil and gas in rubles.

I think the US clearly benefits the most from this incident. They make it impossible for Germany and Russia coming to a reproachment, which would end US influence in Eurasia, and the sale of oil in rubles between Europe and Russia would unravel the petrodollar, and with that, the entire US Empire. They don't hold land, but they control land. As long as they have 200 military bases in these countries they have all that they need without the cost of maintaining a territory.

This is why the US can just leave Afghanistan and Iraq after 2 decades of occupation and trillions spent. The real goals had already been met and the US no longer had any use for direct possession. The cost? Taxpayer foots that bill.

Russia hasn't shut off Nord Stream 2. That pipeline was finished this year and has yet to be used. If Russia wants to shut off gas they could simply do it on their end by shutting the valves. But of course they don't want that. They would like nothing better than to prosecute their war without sanctions. It is the US that demand Germany not buy gas from Russia. That line might hold if supply is met, but there is no guarantee the German Government will not open the pipeline when shit hits the fan, no matter the US threats. The USA clearly benefits here.

False flags aren't exactly a new thing to the US, going back all the way to the Lusitania in 1917. Has anyone forgot the shameless lies peddled by the Bush administration before going into Iraq? I'm sure you haven't. If anything you could call it a standard prelude to US military action. Poland has their own reasons for shutting down NS2, and they have always been pliable allies.

I still have my cd collection but I never use it except for special occasions. Spotify is just so much more convenient.

Movies are different. With an album you might listen to a few songs before changing to something else, or use a playlist. If you are going to watch a movie you watch the whole thing, so I much prefer to pop in a blue ray or a dvd. Maybe I want to watch with directors commentary or a special version of the film. You don't get that on the streaming services.

I also suspect that with cancel culture the available library of movies will shrink on streaming sites. Or they will start editing the films somehow, if they even include them.

Did Gertrude Stein write this show? Every scene be like "I don't want to get married!", "Childbirth is the worst thing in the world!", "I wanna be a boy and fight!".

Not a single character is likeable.

Daemon - He's a bad guy you see, that's why we call him demon in case you forget it. He's also impotent and a fool.
Viserys - A weak fool
Rhaenrya - A total bitch. I will fuck my uncle because that's what all the men do! 
Valeryon - You must marry my 10 year old daughter or I will make an alliance with the enemy!
Crispin Cole - A boy toy
Alice - I'm married to the King and I have a beautiful son, my life sucks!
Otto - Your Grace!