Aristides

What about them?

Switzerland is a neutral which by definition has no allies. They are on their own.

The problem is we have gotten used to relying on the US. We don't feel threatened by anyone and that is the main difference between us and a place like Australia.

I'm not trying to defend Canada's procurement process, I'm just sick of effing politicians who compare the total cost of buying and operating equipment with the delivered costs used by other countries. It is politics of the worst kind and does nothing but damage to our armed forces. We will be operating our ships longer than anyone, getting F-18 replacements later than anyone. It took almost 30 years to replace our navy helicopters and we got fewer less capable machines that cost more. Our army's air defence capability which was retired in 2012 and was supposed to be replaced by 2017 now won't be replaced until 2027. That's 15 years our army will be going without an air defence system. All because of effing politics.

The US commitment to Canada's defence could end a mile north of the 49th parallel if it so chooses.

You have to be pretty naive to think Canada is the only country that uses its military to buy votes.

So why shouldn't every other NATO country leave their defence to the US? Why should American servicemen put their lives on the line for Canada if Canadians can't be bothered?

Just like us and the 26's

Of course, the US will only defend Canada's interests if it is in US interests. The idea that a country that has coasts on three oceans doesn't need a navy is ludicrous.

They are also building them for Poland and Indonesia. Greece is also a potential customer for the 31.

So who with build the 31's, they are also being built for the RN and Poland.

So are you making a case for new destroyers as well as new frigates?

Why not Type 26's built in the UK or in Australia. BAE has an Australia division, Canada doesn't. If you are going to use it for 65 years, buy the right goddamn equipment in the first place.

The Hobarts cost over 3 billion each and that is just for the ships. How much do you think they will cost to operate and dispose of after 65 years? I'm really sick of Canadian politicians who use numbers that include operating costs for decades and compare them to the cost on the day of delivery. It's just political bullshit that does nothing positive.

Typical BS. Does the price of those carriers included operating and disposal costs to operate them for 65 years. This is the typical apples and oranges comparisons Canadian politicians keep trying to pedal. The air wing a carrier operates will cost more to buy and operate than the ship itself. This is what happens when you have to buy jack of all trades equipment like frigates and fighters instead of more than one type. Yes the Type 31 is cheaper but the RN will be operating Type 31 and Type 26 frigates plus Type 45 destroyers. We want to use a single ship to do the job of all three. Australia which is also using a single all purpose ship is also going with the Type 26.

Again, who made you God?

So what, it was his dust collector and why should he need any permission from you?

You don't think people target shoot with hand guns? It's an Olympic sport. Once the current crop of Canadian shooters retire, there will be no more Canadians competing in that discipline. No one "needs" golf clubs or skis either. No one "needs" high powered cars and they kill a lot more people than legal hand guns. God help us when people like you get to decide what others can use based on what you "need".

Yes, because made in Canada is so limited, I do tend to look for anywhere but China but even that can be difficult.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to avoid buying made in China even when you are trying. It's kind of depressing when I look at how much stuff I own from the sixties, seventies an eighties that was made in Canada, before China and NAFTA.

A dirty bomb is not a nuke, it is a conventional bomb that contains radioactive material.

Exactly, they aren't thought out.

Since when are Republican websites a source for his platform?

Except that isn't what happened. All those people Fetterman voted to free had been in jail for at least 30 years.

I'm not a fan of letting people serving first degree murder sentences out of jail so we leave them in. I don't believe in killing people just because it is convenient or cost effective.