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Agreed...this is the dichotomy. The Canadian identity is largely informed as being NOT American, then they are surprised that Americans are not "communitarians". Canada is for Canadians...try to enjoy it without worrying so much about what Americans should be in the USA.

They just don't get it. We are not communitarians we could care less of what others think of us. The true american spirit.

Nope what Trump did to Nato is whipped them into shape like a good drill instructor. They needed to be chewed out for their hypocrisy and short comings. But as long as they get the message and make concession to improve then its all for the better. There's really nobody in the world that can do this except for the US. Sometimes you just got to give them some tough love. The problem with the EU is that they're too busy bickering amongst themselves to resolve real conflict. They need US parental guidance i er mean leadership.

It was President Jimmy Carter who pardoned the draft dodgers....in 1977...his first full day in office after inauguration. It was a campaign promise. My brother went to Sweden in 1972, but he hadn't been drafted yet...just had a low lottery number. He came back to the USA in 1974 after Nixon resigned from office, but was never arrested. Here is how the U.S. selective service draft worked during the Vietnam War...draftees could also be sent to other nations, like Germany or South Korea. https://www.sss.gov/About/History-And-Records/lotter1 All civilian males in the USA still have to register for selective service (draft) within 30 days of their 18th birthday...this includes legal and illegal immigrants. Females are not required to do so, but there are efforts to change this. I didn't have to register for the draft because I was already in the U.S. armed forces before my 18th birthday.

I agree with everything you said here except that in Iran women have no choice but to wear this piece of garment or face punishment by those who set the rules. I don’t want to get into semantics of defining this as a cult vs. Islam that adheres such doctrines. I don’t want to offend anyone either. However, can only rationalise such behaviour by these women as being “brainwashed” to punish Iranian women who do not agree to such strict dress codes. Resentment of such doctrines is what an imported religion has achieved over the last 40 years. I do not think the comparison to Canada is justified since in Canada and other western countries women have a choice on what to wear. Sadly, In Iran under this barbaric regime that won’t be the case...

Hardly anyone expected Brazil, Germany, Spain and Argentina to be out at this stage. Well look we all know that the England were romanticising a dream of winning the WC beating France but for what it’s worth they got the mileage coming this far. Croats were simply a better team with more resilience.

The work he has done is going to make NATO stronger, not weaker. Allies have agreed to meet the commitments they signed onto. Don't forget 2% of the GDP can be either a small amount or a large amount depending on the GDP, and the USA has the largest GDP of the group AND contributes the highest percentage. I heard some of the points Donald Trump made to the NATO allies, he exposed the hypocrisy of an alliance that is outwardly highly critical of Russia, yet at the same time is making them rich. The most serious problem is they are compromising their energy security, and there is a lot more focus on energy security these days. The criticism that Germany has foolishly and rapidly shut down its thermal and nuclear power generators in lieu of buying Russian gas is bang-on. Russia has used their gas pipelines in the past as a weapon, shut down the lines feeding European countries in a form of punishment a number of times already. These Europeans leaders are either extremely naive, or liars. I'll go with the latter. Russia Cuts Gas, and Europe Shivers Russia–Ukraine gas disputes Britain ‘four meals from anarchy’ if Russia cuts off fuel and power over spy poisoning row, experts warn The point is, now that he has a renewed commitment he can meet with Putin on stronger ground. This news is a message to the Russians. It would have been better to get an even greater commitment up to 4%, that would then present a threat to Putin/ Russia, and we need to do this. Russia has to be kept under pressure economically and militarily as much as possible, which appears to be what Trump wants to do here. Next he's going to Russia to have a meeting with his "friend" Putin. Keep friends close, keep enemies closer...

So.....since you claim you don't support Assad, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. But you focused only on Trump/America. Nothing negative was said about Assad. You gave him a pass - by trying to make Trump admin to be the culprit. If you're now saying you don't support him, it's only because I held your feet on the fire. You can't deny those videos. That leaves me to believe that you're exploiting these Thai children as a platform for your agenda. I'm right. It's you and Hudson, who are the real hypocrites. Riding on the tragic Thai story that saw one volunteer dead. Like I've said: have some decency.

Yes China and many countries have been individually more dependent on trade with the U.S. than the reverse. Collectively however, countries impact the U.S. economy as combined total U.S. exports. Also keep in mind that soon China will have a large domestic market for the goods it produces. This market will grow and become more significant to the Chinese economy than the U.S. In fact, these emerging large markets can become export markets for U.S. goods, but not if these countries set up trade barriers or boycott U.S. goods. That’s why Trump has to be careful not to alienate allies. He’s playing a short, dangerous game. In the end, the post-war alliances that placed the U.S at the centre, such as NATO, may be the last bastions of U.S. hegemony.

Actually the Chinese are pretty cornered in this trade fight. Their economy is slowing, ours is as strong as ever. We're not dependent on export, they are. The rest of Europe and the free world are waking up to their predatory economic policies and are less apt to trade with them then what trump proposed which is free trade. They're more or less cornering them selves. Trump is simply raising the stake whilst offering a way out. Typical Trump tactics.

Sure, but most Americans don't care about such perceptions. Remember, the "please love us" gene is found in Canada, not the USA.

No, don’t slash taxes that pay for important Canadian priorities. Driving up deficits isn’t the answer. The U.S. is behaving irresponsibly by driving up it’s debt, but it’s buffered by the dependence of China (which holds much U.S. debt) on the U.S. as a market for Chinese made goods. If things got really ugly in a trade war between the U.S. and China, China could simply dump U.S. debt, a nightmare scenario for the U.S. Another protection the U.S. has that Canada does not is that commodities are priced in U.S. dollars, a great hedge for the U.S., as commodities would still be affordable for Americans if there was a modest depreciation in their currency. Canada cannot risk having massive deficits, nor should it dismantle the institutions and safety net which give Canada a high ranking on the U.N.’s Human Development Index (higher than the U.S.). No, the best policy for Canada is to moderately and strategically increase its military spending in support of NATO, which is obliged to defend its members if they are attacked. Canada makes other important non-military contributions that create security and stability and are larger contributions than those made by the U.S. and some of its other NATO partners, such as to the acceptance and resettlement of refugees. These contributions must be taken into account.

This was totally expected.... Thailand cave rescue to be turned into Hollywood movie For the thread jijackers, let us know when Hollywood makes the Syrian revolution movie...should be a big hit in Syria.

This bulletin has measured per-person federal debt that Canadian prime ministers have accumulated from 1870 to the end of Justin Trudeau’s first term in 2019. By the end of his term, Justin Trudeau is expected to be the largest debt accumulator among prime ministers who did not experience a world war or at least one economic downturn during their tenure. The only other two prime ministers to increase federal debt without fighting a world war or experiencing an economic downturn are Sir Mackenzie Bowell and Sir John Abbott who both served in the late 19th century. https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/analysis-of-federal-debt-in-canada-by-prime-ministers-since-confederation.pdf And while I agree with you Harper did rack up an impressive debt, but as I remember it it was mostly spent on economic growth, and at both the liberals and NDP request.....now if we are going to point fingers maybe we should have a look at those liberals, guys like Justins father , Mulroney adjust them to todays dollars and we will see who is really responsible for debt.... https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/analysis-of-federal-debt-in-canada-by-prime-ministers-since-confederation.pdf you don't like the source I can get another if you like.....

Today, the story of Sweden is rapidly changing , from a neutral country to one that is pressing to become a NATO member, a country that is already allowing NATO forces to exercise with in Sweden's own borders, and it has also taken part in NATO lead missions such as Afghanistan, Bosnia, etc...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_neutrality Canada has played an important role in most British lead expeditions, Boar war, WWI, WWII, along with the occupation forces of Europe assisting in the rebuilding of Germany, but also as a low tier contributor to NATO including NAVAL, AIR, and Ground forces up until the 1990's....lets not forget about our contributions to a full Brigade group to NORWAY, still ongoing although on a smaller scale. I'd say it is a little unfair to say Canada our role was confined to WWII. Canada does have forces in Latvia, still part of Europe I think....although it is a small role we are still there, Canada could have a much larger role if it had the forces to man it. Lets remember we disbanded an entire brigade group once we left Germany in the 90's . Canada has made up it's own mind on all it's mission it has undertaken, IE we did not take part in the Iraq invasion, although we do have combat forces there now. for the most part our interests foreign and domestic are linked...yes Canadians have made it part of our Canadian identity to be anything but American, but we are more alike than what separates us....and that pisses Canadians off. The last thing we need is big brother telling us what to do....right, or maybe we have reached that point were we need someone telling us ….get you shit together.... Canada has more than one enemy or threat to our nation , I spent 34 years in the military listening to thousands of intel briefs, not one of them listed the USA as a enemy...most if not all listed the US as being an allied, it also listed close allies as being the UK, Australia, New Zealand, all one has to do is look at the defensive treaties we have signed on to and these names will come up over and over....as will our nations threats.... What does a Civil defense force look like, how is it equipped, and what job does it have, how is it funded....Lots of questions...neutrality and a defense force to ensure it stays neutral is not cheap ask the SWISS.

With all the big teams already out it makes it easier for weaker teams like England to have a chance and revive their 1966 WC dreams. Although have to be said said that some of their fans act like a complete jack a$$ and bunch of to$$ers... So far all my predictions turned out wrong...Germany, Spain, Brazil are all out. Croatia is definitely one of those teams to watch out. To me Belgium Vs. France already looks like a final even though it is semi final. The WC title is still up for grab by any of the 6 nations including the minnows Russia and England.

1) They're both pro rules based order for the world, both want to provide some form of affordable universal health care, both are pro worker and want to see job return (albeit one blames it on big business the other blames it on china and allies who adopt predatory trading tactics all of which could be argue are two side to the same coin) 2) Constitutionalism not in the sense of that the ideas coming of the the enlighten period shouldn't be upheld and protected. Original intent is somewhat of a misleading subject because the Constitution can be interpreted and re-written to suit the time.