Politics

[LivingTheDream]

I can't think of a plausible scenario where China is a credible threat to Canada.
It took the US, with the military spending of the next twenty-something odd countries and the most powerful navy several times over more than six months to stage two hundred thousand personnel in the middle east in preparation for the little adventure into Iraq.

China has recently surpassed the US in pure numbers of vessels, but still doesn't have any kind of a real blue water navy. I'm not sure what a scenario looks like where they are able to successfully invade Canada.

And in any case, their interests are far more Pacific-oriented, as you might reasonably expect.

There is about as much risk of China invading as there is South Africa.

I can't think of a truly plausible scenario at least in the next decade. However, I can't think of a truly plausible scenario where the US would ever invade Canada. However, some have voice the US as more of a concern than China.

I would also say that China is much more of a risk than South Africa as least in our lifetimes and our children's lifetimes.

Honestly, if I was a Canadian I would be more worried about how the government had eroded the rights of its citizens, rather than being worried about external or international threats.

 

[LivingTheDream]

It is based on what Trump did with F16s. I posted an article before that pointed out without US technical support and firmware updates the F-35s are basically bricks. Trump has proven to be an unreliable ally and if I was a European depending on US military technology for defense I would look at other options.

Thats a fair assessment, but governments move much slower than business. I just find it short sighted and reactionary given Trump's short time in office. I think there is something to be said about doing it within the EU, but I also feel there is a lot of posturing going on.

 

[SaintPanzer]

I would say comparing Canadian dairy to u.s. aluminum is comparing apples to Oldsmobiles. I’ll gladly discuss diary on a country by country basis if you which to discuss aluminum I’ll wade into that as well if you allow me a little lead time to freshen up on the numbers. What I will not do is compare a small predominantly family owned industry limited in a capped regional market with a multinational industry that has a 300 million more customer domestic market before it even begins to trade internationally. Not to mention the aluminum industry trades with no volume restrictions other than market demand.

The U.S. dairy industry is heavily subsidized buy the American tax payer and as such has outpaced demand and is looking to offshore its production over run instead of dumping or reducing production to meet demand. If it makes you feel better have the U.S. put counter tariffs on Canadian milk products of 215%.

Yes, it is an apples to oranges comparison, but the direct comparison is not the point. It's not logical to say one side "needs to protect things" but the other side does not. Goose and gander and all that.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Yes, it is an apples to oranges comparison, but the direct comparison is not the point. It's not logical to say one side "needs to protect things" but the other side does not. Goose and gander and all that.

I’m confused on how it is a goose and gander issue? Is there an example you can give where an American industry is in danger of being swallowed by their Canadian competitors? I find it hard to believe there could be given that domestically American companies have access to 300 million more potential customers before needing to seek out offshore markets.

This afternoon you said Americans can’t match Canadians in cross boarder spending because Canada simply doesn’t make enough products. If we can’t make enough products for you to match us in cross boarder spending how can we make enough products to harm your economy?

Edit I guess yesterday afternoon now it’s after 1am here.

 

[SaintPanzer]

At this point, I think we are just speaking past each other.

My previous point was that it's logical that a country of 30 million would purchase more from a country of 300 million, that can't be a surprising conclusion.

A further point is there seems to be a logical fallacy in saying one country should be allowed to charge tariffs because it needs to protect its people, but another should not because it shouldn't need protection. We can talk all day long on what/which/whatever, but it sounds like you'd like it both ways. I don't have to think the tariffs are a good idea to see the contradictions inherent in the system.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

At this point, I think we are just speaking past each other.

My previous point was that it's logical that a country of 30 million would purchase more from a country of 300 million, that can't be a surprising conclusion.

A further point is there seems to be a logical fallacy in saying one country should be allowed to charge tariffs because it needs to protect its people, but another should not because it shouldn't need protection. We can talk all day long on what/which/whatever, but it sounds like you'd like it both ways. I don't have to think the tariffs are a good idea to see the contradictions inherent in the system.

You make it sound as if the U.S. wasn’t charging tariffs before and Canada is that is hardly the case. I’ve never said the U.S. shouldn’t be allowed to charge tariffs while the Canadians should , I don’t however think the U.S. should be wielding tariffs as economic weapon because a president wants to break a trade deal that he signed and said publicly was the greatest an fairest trade deal ever a year early. I honestly don’t know how as a country we move forward from this anyway if we do sign another trade deal is it worth the paper it is written on?

 

[spike.t]

Military invasion I would agree with you but the financial invasion has been underway for quite some time.

Look at the cost of housing in Canadas major cities, Chinese are sucking up properties even at the inflated prices.

Yeah here too....Indian guy I know put an offer in on a house near his here in lusaka...wanted as rental/ investment....Chinese came along and offered 4 times his figure....house we rent has been sold ....2 different Chinese looked at it couple months ago....2nd one arrived in maybach Mercedes with hilux double cab in escort....had a high ranking police officer with him....the agent as we walked around the garden asked if it was for development..Chinese guy said yes....I said so you going to rip out all the trees and garden and build...I said I hate what you lot are doing...he gave me a bit of a startled look....houses in this area are on big plots with beautiful gardens..big trees etc....the house was built in 1970s...but the plots are being bought up and converted to office blocks....apartments/ housing crammed on top of each other.....fuel station....Real shame ...the one in the maybach bought it....

 

[spike.t]

Not even a slope anymore...just a vertical drop for UK....

 

[Altitude sickness]

the EU needs to be as concerned about this overtaking of their culture as they are worried about Russia and China. They should consider revoking all refugee status for anyone not assimilating. Send them back to Libya, Iraq, Syria if they don’t like Easter. This isn’t racist. it’s cultural survival. In 50 years they could be the largest voting block.

Not even a slope anymore...just a vertical drop for UK....

 

[Foxi]

the EU needs to be as concerned about this overtaking of their culture as they are worried about Russia and China. They should consider revoking all refugee status for anyone not assimilating. Send them back to Libya, Iraq, Syria if they don’t like Easter. This isn’t racist. it’s cultural survival. In 50 years they could be the largest voting block.

so it will come.
the only- small- consolation is, that they will ruin our country just as they have ruined their original homeland.

 

[CJW]

the EU needs to be as concerned about this overtaking of their culture as they are worried about Russia and China. They should consider revoking all refugee status for anyone not assimilating. Send them back to Libya, Iraq, Syria if they don’t like Easter. This isn’t racist. it’s cultural survival. In 50 years they could be the largest voting block.

The ones in charge DO NOT care or are so overly concerned with everyone's feelings that they are a danger to themselves and society.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I just saw a funny, sad and true quote.

Remember old Telephone Party lines. Where you, your neighbors and the operator could be on the same call.

We still have it. It’s now called the NSA

 

[Brent in Az]

Well. looking up facts is always a sound idea before spouting off numbers as if they are a fact. Something our President might want to do as well.

He's such a horrible man for misrepresenting those numbers.

I think we better impeach him for it.

 

[Brent in Az]

I just saw a funny, sad and true quote.

Remember old Telephone Party lines. Where you, your neighbors and the operator could be on the same call.

We still have it. It’s now called the NSA

And big tech.....they are always spying.

 

[spike.t]

He's such a horrible man for misrepresenting those numbers.

I think we better impeach him for it.

Brent the problem is when people know the numbers and other correct facts , and he comes out with numbers so far off...or says things that are so inaccurate on certain subjects it makes a lot of people wonder what the hell he is on about....as I said in our pm message I like a lot of what he is doing...but some of internal usa stuff could have been handled a lot better ....maybe using 2lb hammer instead of a sledgehammer....but his international policies....well I am kinda worried....his bromance with putin is especially worrying....as that specimen and his circle can't be trusted one bit at all.....

 

[spike.t]

And this witkoff seems to have been brainwashed by the fsb/kgb.....and putin which is same thing...head of the peace talks but can't even name the regions of Ukraine occupied by Russia....and other incorrect facts.....

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff dismisses Starmer plan for Ukraine

Steve Witkoff says the UK plans for an international force to support a ceasefire are a "posture".

www.bbc.com

 

[Red Leg]

And this witkoff seems to have been brainwashed by the fsb/kgb.....and putin which is same thing...head of the peace talks but can't even name the regions of Ukraine occupied by Russia....and other incorrect facts.....

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff dismisses Starmer plan for Ukraine

Steve Witkoff says the UK plans for an international force to support a ceasefire are a "posture".

www.bbc.com

This is so pathetic. To paraphrase, "The trained KGB thug and murderous dictator made me feel good." Have to feel great knowing that his one and only foray into international relations was the Israeli Hamas ceasefire. How is that going? And what about the one remaining American hostage, Eden Alexander, still being held who has suddenly disappeared from Trump's rhetoric on the subject? Asking for his family.

The highly experienced and clearly at the helm of recent history foreign policy pro appeared on Tucker Carlson's pod cast two days ago, naturally those Putin Bros need to stick together, and stated, "the biggest problem in this conflict is the so-called four regions: Donbas, Crimea, Luhansk and two others." He claimed that "there were referendums where the vast majority of people indicated that they wanted to be under Russian rule." He saw this as "the key issue in the conflict" and "the first thing that needs to be resolved."

The tiny little issue he did not bring up was that those referendums were held at the muzzle of Russian guns after the invasion. Not surprisingly, they reflected the same sort of results one sees in Putin's "elections" in Moscow. These referendums were not even valid under settled international law. The only free internationally recognized referendums were in December of 1991 when the referendum asked, "Do you support the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine?" Over 84% of eligible voters (31,891,742 people) participated, and an overwhelming 92.3% (28,804,071) voted "Yes," with support spanning all regions, including Crimea and the Donbas. International observers noted that the process adhered to democratic standards, marking it as a genuine expression of the Ukrainian people's will.

Of course actual history seems of little interest to this administration. Every single day makes me wonder ever more seriously whether Washington or Moscow is in charge of our foreign policy.

 

[bowjijohn]

Unless and until Trump finds, waves, and is prepared to use, a seriously big stick

Putin will continue to take the piss out of him

 

[Brent in Az]

Brent the problem is when people know the numbers and other correct facts , and he comes out with numbers so far off...or says things that are so inaccurate on certain subjects it makes a lot of people wonder what the hell he is on about....as I said in our pm message I like a lot of what he is doing...but some of internal usa stuff could have been handled a lot better ....maybe using 2lb hammer instead of a sledgehammer....but his international policies....well I am kinda worried....his bromance with putin is especially worrying....as that specimen and his circle can't be trusted one bit at all.....

Unfortunately, the Trump doubters and haters like to pounce on the questionable things Trump does and says, Never giving him any credit for the positive.
There is a long way to go to get everything sorted out.
As far as the so called "Bromance" with Putin, do you remember Muhammad Ali's " Rope - a - dope" tactic? Let your enemy think you are weak and vulnerable, when you are not. Keep him off balance and guessing.
I could most likely be wrong, but i think Trump is playing Putin carefully, knowing full well that Putin is a ,clever, deceptive, and evil little man. Someone who has his fingers on just as many Nuclear weapons as we have, or more?

 

[spike.t]

Unfortunately, the Trump doubters and haters like to pounce on the questionable things Trump does and says, Never giving him any credit for the positive.
There is a long way to go to get everything sorted out.
As far as the so called "Bromance" with Putin, do you remember Muhammad Ali's " Rope - a - dope" tactic? Let your enemy think you are weak and vulnerable, when you are not. Keep him off balance and guessing.
I could most likely be wrong, but i think Trump is playing Putin carefully, knowing full well that Putin is a ,clever, deceptive, and evil little man. Someone who has his fingers on just as many Nuclear weapons as we have, or more?

Brent I never said I am a hater...I have said in my post I like a lot of what he is doing....but sorry when he comes out with frankly ludicrous figures so inflated my mouth drops open....and parroting what putin says about stuff in Ukraine...sorry I call bullshit....