Venandi

And that's the point of all this for a lot of people (myself included). Trivializing covid specific concerns, especially with uninformed biologically ignorant rhetoric like "are you a horse?" ended up creating more hesitation, not less. This was poorly rolled out, questions were not answered they were ridiculed, that actually caused people (dare I say) like me who have had just about every vaccine known to man to look deeper... and the deeper I looked, the more inflamed and ill informed the rhetoric became. This was why so many military people took releases rather than the vaccine... while the numbers weren't huge, it was absolutely unprecedented in my experience. These folks were then lumped in with the lunatic anti-vax crowd when they very clearly and most definitely were not anti-vaxers. There really should have been a lesson in that... but there wasn't. And don't be fooled by the official numbers either, the list of voluntary releases far exceeded the disciplinary ones usually cited; it was one manipulation too many IMO. In the end I think it affected people at both ends of the spectrum by providing ammunition to full blown conspiracy zealots and by simultaneously horrifying thoughtful people who simply questioned the safety of mRNA specific vaccines. It also forever changed some relationships and attitudes. I never thought I'd see people cheer when their neighbours got fired. For me, it was the dawn of a new Canada and for the first time, I was glad I retired.

Let me get this for ya, I'm currently looking for a "nujob" anyway: Yes, and making it more transmissible is exactly what gain of function is all about. It's done to better predict the effect of infectious diseases... if it gets away from you though just say it was squirrels or racoon dogs that spread it. Repeat that often enough and "people will totally believe it," according to climate Barbie anyway, and I think she was right. Yes, in the ate fall of 2019 four lab workers were hospitalized with covid symptoms. Maybe they were eating squirrels but I'm a little suspicious. If I recall the dates right it was briefly included in open source reporting early in 2020 but it fizzled out pretty quickly... I looked for more information on it at the time but found little. The idea was ridiculed and people were de-platformed for even suggesting it. Apparently the squirrels ate all the evidence. Sure he did, if he didn't it would have been better to replace him with one of the squirrels. At least they were paying attention.

With an Asian baby...

Ivermectin was never billed as a miracle cure and suggesting otherwise is just false. The "miracle cure" label was a construct of those trying to discredit it. Fact is, it's safe, cheap, widely available and was considered to be of some value during the viral loading phase of the disease. Banning it was a bit like banning Aspirin and that's where those WTF questions came from. You can easily research how it works and its inherent limitations for yourself. Was it actually effective? I don't know... round about then I stopped following the madness as closely as I did before that happened. As an aside, I actually went looking for some of the nasty / hateful comments directed to vaccine hesitant people, especially during the mandate and passport era. I was hoping for a video collage but alas... Pretty hard to find them now... maybe it's just my limited search skills eh? The ones that are still front and centre aged pretty badly though and I think there might be a lesson in that. In the fullness of time I think they will be resurrected though and our grandchildren will be writing essays about it for history class. It's hard to find people who support the idea of residential schools, eugenics or Japanese internment anymore.,, but there was a time. Maybe this era will end up in the same file folder with "Previous Mistakes" on the header.

Yes indeed, they sure did. The way it struck me was that the messaging was developed and tweaked prior to (and during) the mainstream vaccine release. They stuck with that initial messaging even after it became obvious that some of the assertions were incorrect. The messaging itself was clearly part of an information management effort and it had all the hallmarks of manipulated, pressure tested I/O from the get go. Down Herb... nothing wrong with that necessarily, it's how the world works. But (BUT), a bit of subtly is required here and it was totally absent. The cautionary note about not snowing the Snow Queen was ignored in spades. That perception was made worse by the ridicule and outrageous nastiness that accompanied it, if not for that I would likely have gotten the shot out of hand, instead it set off a red flashing MASTER WARNING light. The kicker for me was that basic questions about things like S protein toxicity and distribution in the presence of lipid nanoparticles not only weren't answered, they were ridiculed out of hand and some of those asking were de-platformed (or worse) in a very public way... clearly designed to influence others. It's a technique... it wasn't an accident . People became wary of that, it just didn't ring true. Their questions went unanswered and they were labeled anti-vaxers. POOF... then came Ivermectin. I think anyone who spent time in Africa was taken a back by that blow up... the frenzy around it sealed the deal, at least for me. I didn't trust a bloody word they said after that. I've very likely had more vaccines than most non military people on this board... and probably more than they have too, including a couple that were (somehow) expunged from my records. The bottom line here is that my hesitancy was well earned, you had to work damn hard to get it too.

If that was directed at me it's certainly not a revelation... He was a test pilot on the F35 (retired now) and is also ex RCAF... I deliberately sought out his website. Anyway, here's his bio for those who are interested: https://billieflynn.com/about/ If you think his integrity is tarnished by his occupation and background then ignore what he has to say and proceed on course. Personally, I think people who have one foot in each generation of fighters are worth listening to. If you really want a mixed fleet then go for it but most people steeped in the standards and training realm are urging caution. I'm being kind there, virtually all of them are fundamentally opposed to the idea, and with good reason IMO. If you are set on doing this I'd compare the cost of the F35 cancelation fees with the projected cost of a mixed fleet and see what comes of it. If price is the issue, maybe it's cheeper to dump the F35s altogether assuming you are ready to commit fully to the Gripen. Got nothing else for ya sir, I'll leave you to it and watch the show now Best wishes.

Sounds great... but in case it doesn't resonate with everyone maybe we should consider all the options:

Ya, knew I'd regret that attempt... I tried (and perhaps failed) to point out that deliberately accepting proprietary barriers to information sharing based solely on saving 20 bucks or disliking a salesman might be worthy of a rethink. In the fullness of time, I think "real world" costs and data sharing/fusing limitations may come as something of a surprise to those who now advocate for a mixed fleet. There are proprietary limitations that go beyond link 16 that should be scrutinized a bit closer than what seems to be happening IMO. Even referring to the F35 as "the Trump F35" seems to be part of the sort of I/O effort discussed on another thread. I won't pursue this further other than to recommend a deeper dive into available information before commiting to a mixed fleet with long term implications. As I said before, I'm not a fighter guy, it's not my stovepipe and I have no depth of experience other than a minor supporting role in the kinetic end product... Billie is though, and since I know that I don't know I tend to consider the opinions of those who actually do before yielding to whispers from the good idea fairy. I'm not defending his opinion here, simply offering it for what it may be worth. You do you though and as always... I'm rooting for ya: https://billieflynn.com/the-gripen-illusion-why-canada-shouldnt-buy-yesterdays-fighter/ "Beyond cost and obsolescence lies a more fundamental problem: interoperability. The F-35’s greatest strength isn’t just stealth or sensors—it’s seamless integration with NORAD and NATO partners. We all fly the same aircraft, share the same classified sensor-fused data, and operate across the same Low Probability of Intercept (stealthy) networks that tie into F-35-linked battlespace systems. For allies, that means instant compatibility with US operations; every F-35 is a networked node in a shared digital battlespace; the platform serves as a force multiplier, creating a vast network of sensors and communications that acts as a deterrent. The United States will never grant Sweden access to these sacred classified networks, regardless of Canadian purchases. This means Gripen and F-35 fleets couldn’t even share data within Canada. We’d operate an orphan fleet at over €90 million per aircraft (approximately $104 million USD)—more expensive than the F-35—that cannot communicate wartime data with our frontline fighters. The Gripen relies on legacy Link 16 networks that broadcast basic information but cannot access the vital intelligence F-35 sensors collect about adversaries. The implications are staggering: non-stealthy aircraft, more expensive than F-35s, unable to integrate with NORAD or the rest of the RCAF, requiring duplicate infrastructure since they cannot be housed with uber-classified F-35s, and demanding separate recruitment and training for pilots, technicians, and logisticians. Nobody seriously believes this is realistic or possible."

No but It's clever, it works and it strikes me as being a bit circular once deployed. I've completely changed my opinion on the usefulness of it and the NS wolf hoax was the turning point. It illustrated what could be accomplished... even though it was accomplished by accident. Here's a recap of it for those interested: The Big Bad Wolf It seems that the magic lies in inducing an opinion that's strong enough to last. Once formed, people have a hard time walking it back even when faced with proof that runs contrary to the foundational position they were nudged into accepting. The funny part (for me anyway) is that even if someone points it out and sarcastically says "ya know, there are courses in such things," the people who the courses are designed to influence become the very ones who ridicule the idea that deliberate influencing is even afoot. Maybe that's why it works and maybe that's why there really are courses in such things.

Cool, I currently self identify as 21. Blondie says it better than I do.... "call me."

Considering it... and unless you have an inside scoop to share it actually isn't that obvious. Manning the new UAV/UAS arrivals, 16 P8s, AWACS, AAR resources and a mixed fighter fleet might prove a bit taxing "if it's not obvious to anyone yet." Growing the capability and depth of experience that goes along with these things is thirsty work. If you need help with it (and I think you will), my flying suit is still hanging in the closet... it has all the shiny badges intact and fits just as well as the day I walked out the main gate (for what I thought would be the last time). If you have a course date I can be there in 45 minutes.... Blondie not included but the rest of the crew has agreed to pitch up with me.

.... and the people/organizations that support them (either directly or indirectly). I hope no one is surprised by this: https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/kinsella-new-report-reveals-more-funding-of-protesters-involved-in-anti-israel-agitation Even if only a quarter of it is true it makes me wonder how much is enough for Canadians. Watching this develop is something I never thought I'd get to do, in a weird way I appreciate the efforts of liberal voters and I'm impressed with how much damage they've managed to do in a short period of time. I can only applaud and stand in awe of the strong opinions voters hold in the total absence of experience. Who'd a thunk... Twenty years ago I would actually have taken bets against what's happening in Canada right now... and lost my shirt.

I hesitate to do this and have a feeling I'm going to regret it but I'll make one last effort to illustrate the point I (and a few others here) are trying to make. Perhaps a grossly simplified analogy that everyone can relate to might help Consider a family of four. Everyone has busy schedules, the kids go to university and everyone is actively involved in running the family business. It gets to the point that connectivity, file sharing, schedule syncing, air dropping selected files etc etc is exactly what they're looking for. The idea of syncing their devices really appeals to them because they want to streamline their collective efforts and enhance the situational awareness of all players. Initially they all decide to get iPhones and MacBooks, they lay down a deposit and await the hardware. But there's a sale on and they're looking to save a few bucks so they deliberately decide to switch it up... the kids get PCs and iPhones while the parents get MacBooks and android phones. Now. The question isn't so much "can they make it work" or "are there APPS for that," It's more about the fact that even though they knew exactly what they wanted (and needed) they accepted a mixed fleet of devices because they didn't like one of the salesmen and were able tp save 20 bucks on the purchase price. Now multiply the complexity of their business a thousand fold and think way (WAY) beyond the compatibility of Mac Pages and MS Word. Personally, If they were to ask for my advice (they wouldn't BTW because I'm a total dolt with computers), I'd probably recommend sticking with one or the other instead of deliberately mixing things up. How about you? Does my cautionary argument in favour of the interoperability between proprietary devices still sound like complete BS to you? If so, proceed on course with my blessings but please understand that interoperability is only one aspect of opting for a mixed fleet in a small force that only consists of 55 combat ready fighter pilots. Coordinating and paying for all of the supply, logistics, spare parts and remote overhaul requirements will probably be enough to make you want to cry and so far we've only considered interoperability. Personally, I would really enjoy watching you sort out the training and facility requirements, but that's just me. Don't worry about that now though, we'll just figure it out as we go along.... along with a few other loose ends. If your only reason for doing this is because you don't like Trump (I'm partial to his wife BTW) then please lock yourself in the basement for the next three years, it will be over before you know it.

I wonder what response the Roboduh brigade would have if Trump enacted a similar law (as an EO) to silence dissenting voices on anonymous political forums that met his definition of disinformation? I'm reminded of the people who argued for (and justified) draconian restrictions on smokers under the guise of smoking's ill effect on THIER right to clean air. They never thought beyond the present moment nor did they consider what the precedent might have on the ambiance provided by their newly restored fireplace. They were actually warned about the possibility of this happening in some jurisdictions where a ban on wood burning fireplaces was being contemplated but proceeded at flank speed anyway. Just desserts IMO.

Fair enough... my position on it is simply cautionary: I fear the cost of your toolbox will actually exceed the price you paid for the tools, that none of the tradesmen you work closely with will be able to unlock it and if even if they do they'll find the contents too big for small jobs and too small for big ones. If money and personnel weren't an issue for us I'd be onboard with it. The fact remains that (among other things) fighters protect airspace, airspace is the domain of the rest of your Air Force, and it takes far less F35s to do that (and do it more effectively) than Gripens. That isn't dissing the Gripen either... it's a just a choice that we will have to live with for a long time. On the plus side, I have a shopping list of other needful things if voters ever decide to extend "new math" thinking beyond the fighter stovepipe.

Well, I'm rooting for ya but (coward that I am), I would be dumping one or the other. I think both will prove challenging especially given other pending acquisitions. I'm not an HR wiz or a fighter guy either but based on previous training and standards experience in other roles, I think you will be parking airplanes... maybe more of them than you might think. That's based only on manning BTW, we've barely scratched the surface of interoperability... I think deliberately creating challenges in that regard is worthy of sober reflection (see the video below). It's great to be optimistic and inclusive but pilots in general and fighter pilots in particular are a pretty small slice of the recruitable demographic in Canada. Keeping recruitment and training ahead of attrition is likely going to be a bigger challenge than I think you think it will. I'm looking forward to watching this, someone has their work cut out for them and I'm sure glad it's not me. Here's an F35 cockpit demo for those interested... if you watch it think shared data fusion (from multiple sources), interoperability and stealth.

I don't see how a mixed fleet could reasonably be considered "the way to go" for Canada. There are a lot of pretty swept up senior officers who have struggled to align the recruitment, retention, attrition and operational tempo equation with limited success to date IMO. They seem to be aligned with a "don't go mixed philosophy" as well. Then again, I'm not a fighter guy and have no depth in that stovepipe. But... if we were talking about roles that I am familiar with, I would offer the same cautionary advice on mixing aircraft types. Are you opposed to an all Gripen fleet?

I've been struggling to understand all this. Is your position based on the fact that you don't like Trump and/or want to keep the US at arms length or is it that you sincerely believe a mixed fleet is the best option for Canada? I get the concerns about US control of parts, logistics, software, access and the like... even though I don't like it, it's not a deal breaker for me though. Instead of a hybrid fleet, how would you feel about Gripens across the board, ie no F35s at all? The reason I ask is that the decision to maintain a mixed fleet should come with significant advantages that clearly offset the costs associated with doing so... especially in such a small force. We currently have about 55 active (combat ready) fighter pilots in Canada and pilot recruiting, training and retention is a huge (not to mention expensive) challenge already. I was going to include a different analogy but I like your's better...

A mixed fleet is probably the worst option possible. I think manning the new UAV/UAS and P8 will present enough challenges without spinning up two separate fighter streams. How people don't see and acknowledge some of this stuff is one of life's little mysteries. I don't think they realize how difficult it is to out-train an existing personnel deficit whilst introducing new equipment without so much as a body of corporate knowledge on it. It's taken years but we've arrived at a point where balancing the recruiting, attrition and operational tempo equation (whilst out-training deficits) is really problematic. Managing this requires a five year look ahead horizon and tweaking anticipated requirements as circumstances change. Hard to do that when you're treading water, border line hypothermic and sharks are nibbling at your toes. From what I hear recruiting is barely keeping up with attrition... throw in a combination of intake delays, extended OJT periods, and OTU backlogs and the time to produce a combat ready pilot is now to the point that if I could do it again.... I wouldn't. That's pretty huge BTW so It's worth reading that last sentence twice. At 24 I was an aircraft captain and mission commander, fast forward to now and I'd be finished university with basic training completed and doing a year long french course whilst awaiting a slot at PFS. It can be done... but I sure wouldn't want to be in charge of fixing this.

Not only that, the much less also not as writy ind theresents of the way. That's just incase the ethnic many breaches thatever of pers a world the potentirelatime purposes on of it's future. And that wouldn't be funny...

Agreed and I don't see a simple solution to it especially since they also want autonomy in addition to treaty (type) settlements. IMO, there are a number of practical limitations to what whitey can even do about it. I'm of the mind that if you want autonomy then cool... here ya go get er done What do you think of the idea of simply turning over the entire proceeds of the departments budget to status holding natives in the form of personal income and allowing individual bands the autonomy to tax their own people at a rate consistent with their own (individual and unique) objectives. That's pretty broad brush but I would see it as being a taxable income for those living off a reserve (in the previous tax year) and a tax free payment to those living on a reserve with the caveat that the band would tax any (or even claw back all) the payment in support of their own needs. In other words, instead of government spending vast sums and getting it wrong, give them the money directly and let em dance.

I know I'm way off topic here but there are a number of interesting examples of bible passages that were once considered metaphorical (contextual or whatever) that have now taken on more of a "verbatim" flavour as time passes. I sometimes wonder if it might represent a trend in the form of events that only reveal the possibility of literal interpretation within the context of a time frame that logically would have never otherwise been anticipated at the time of writing. From that perspective, it's the apocalyptic style of writing I find most interesting... things like unexpected geopolitical alignments with a previous (and quite rational) "that would never happen so it must be metaphorical" flavour. The developing and future demographic concentration of Muslims in Germany and Germany's future relationship with Israel is a for instance. In another generation or two, Muslims may be the ethnic majority... who'd have thought that would happen even 50 years ago. Another is the push toward digital IDs and the idea of fusing all elements of personal data into a unique APP with biometric markers and an individualized (unique) ID number for everyone. If / when that happens, security breaches will take on an entirely new dimension and the potential harm of any breach will be magnified significantly. That might just pave the way for imbedded (personal) ID chips as the only solution to fraud. Imagine it now in the context of a series of Revelations passages that could never have been taken literally at any other moment in time but ours. Things like the number of the beast and that "no one could buy or sell." We are quickly nearing that for travel purposes right now and that seems like a logical first implementation step to me... essentially limiting mobility in a world that is increasingly a global village. The unique ID number concept feeds into it too, it would have to be about 18 digits to cover everyone which could easily be seen as a grouping of three six figure alpha numerics... "the number of a man and that number is 666." Anyway, just a few thoughts on the subject... it's likely to happen so slowly (but progressively) that unless someone were specifically looking for individual elements of metaphor morphing into modern day reality (especially from the point of view of someone from 2000 years ago) you would completely miss it. Now...how's all that for a conspiracy theory eh?

Well, we'll find out now and I'm looking forward to it. I was initially opposed to the release as it would name innocent people and victims alike without much context and I doubt those who are quick to judge would read through thousands of pages to separate the wheat from chaff. In the end it was people of Herb and Roboduh ilk that convinced me to throw innocents under the bus in the name of transparency. I'm thinking it won't look good on democrats though and if I were Trump I would have wanted Congress to demand the release too... then cheerfully given them what they wanted. I wouldn't have done it voluntarily. Now the great axe can fall with impunity and I wonder if the end result will have Herb and Roboduh screaming foul as high level democratic names get sullied in the process... especially if Trump comes out of it clean as a whistle and I predict that he will. I say because I'm just cynical enough to believe that the Biden DOJ would have been all over it if Trump was implicated. Now you get your wish... the bad guys probably will be "old whitey" but what if it's not "the right wing type" that's found to be decades behind. I think we may be see "left wing types" in the reticle under full magnification soon. As to residential schools, there are actually some native business types who have spoken in support of it as having changed the course of their lives and set them on a road to success that would never have happened without it. GASP.... should they be muzzled for improper thinking too or should they be the first ones rounded up and charged? Watcha think Herb, jail time maybe?

You were expecting a different result eh? There... I fixed it for you. Notice Democrats didn't even try to pretend that their abuses of power were legitimate, they just lie/exaggerate about Republican abuses and then say “now it’s our turn to be corrupt”. No, that's literally saying you were warned repeatedly not to embark on your own flirtation with a "corrupt authoritarian regime" lest the see-saw catapult you out of the playground. Not should be, likely will be though. Your turns coming and I don't believe for one second that Democrats will take the high road when it happens. Not only won't the high road have progressive footie prints on it, the Flybabies and Roboduhs of the world will be saying things like: HA HA HA... LMAO, you lost loser... HA HA HA. Losers always lose and you're a loser LMAO. It would be nice to be wrong about that so If you believe it's not going to happen I'd love to hear why.

I think we've heard this exact line before... It seems like only yesterday that moderates urging caution said things like " won't be long before Democrats are saying the same thing Republicans are now." Remember those days? Some here told you up front that in a couple of years we would be asking you "WTF did you think was going to happen?" The only answer was don't be silly. What say ye now sir? In a few more years I think you'll be doing the exact same thing all over again... and when you do, you'll offer and defend the same responses you find frustrating and antidemocratic right now.