Venandi

Ya, but your logic only makes sense if you also assert that because Black Mambas drink water and men drink water that Black Mambas must be men as a result of it. These are scary brutes that kill some 20,000 people every year in Africa. Personally, I'd say these hideous, aggressive, and toxic critters act more like dogmatic progressives than snakes... but that might just be me.

Who's resignation Harper personally demanded after 4 months on the job. Now tell us why he did that...

I find the whole SNC thing pretty interesting, mostly from the standpoint of it being about bribes in the "land of bribes." By all accounts, CBC reporters (and others BTW) carried suitcases full of cash to bribe their way into areas they wanted access to. That's how it works there, it's just how things get done... a simple fact of life if you will. Now, In the interests of full disclosure, I know nothing of the details and wouldn't be commenting on it if I did... BUT. During OUP Libya, when CF elements were involved in combat operations and the Gaddafi family were under UN imposed travel restrictions, there were SNC security operators known (through open source reporting) to be in Libya. What were they doing there? Some might opine that they were coordinating the evacuation of Gaddafi family members to third party countries. You and I will probably never know, but offering bribes in the land of bribes, which is an SOP by any definition of the term, became an under inflated political football and the outrage about it, propagated by other organizations that were equally culpable in paying bribes, always struck me as a bit over the top and lacking the ring of truth. Perhaps we don't even know what we don't know, and maybe I'm totally wrong...in either case though I'm willing to bet we never find out. I have a list of basic security questions about the NS shooting, the Danforth shooting and the "assault on the US capital"that remain unanswered to this day and I'm just cynical enough to believe that those answers are in the same file folder as the SNC debacle.

OK, In an effort to understand this I went back a couple of pages and now see that you're simply looking for argument and insult... I'll leave you to it. Sorry I deflected your efforts, please carry on.

There is a difference whether you like it or not though and there are plenty of other examples... you may have earned your pension but your pension isn't earned income, investment income is a different critter too even though all of it goes into your pocket. If you want to make the case that pension, investment and earned income are all the same (simply income without any other considerations attached), then the tax man will love you for it. Apart from the financial implications, this is how sensible people communicate with each other without confusion. If strait line logic is your thing then because mice breathe air and people breathe air then mice should be considered people. John Stienbeck (Of Mice and Men fame) might agree with you but I don't.

Here ya go: Understanding the differences between tariffs and taxes helps clarify their roles in economic policy and the broader implications for trade and public finance. Tariffs and taxes are both forms of revenue generation for governments, but they differ significantly in their purpose and application. Tariffs are specific fees imposed on imported or exported goods to regulate trade and make foreign products more expensive, while taxes are broader financial charges on individuals and businesses to fund government activities. Essentially, tariffs target international trade, whereas taxes apply to various transactions and income within a country.

I think so too, it can't be by accident. Sometimes looking at dramatic fail points speaks to the motivation (or possible motivation) behind what appears (at first glance) to be madness. Policing is an example of what I mean. No sensible person defunds police, increases felony theft amounts and legislates easy bail conditions without realizing the consequence of doing so... especially when all of those things are done at the same time. It was deliberate (especially in the US) and the question is why? IMO again, it's an effort to make things so bad that federalizing municipal police (and intelligence services) under one umbrella with loyalty and tasking priorities under the purview of a centralized federal authority becomes seen as something to applaud. A victory of sorts for the common man who would never (and I mean N E V E R) have supported the idea otherwise. You had to scare him into it. The fun part is that this particular strategy requires a concerted effort to control short term election outcomes for a period that's long enough to reap the benefits that comes with it. We certainly saw that in spades with the democrats... I think Trump came as an unwelcome surprise and I laugh every time I see him capitalizing on what the democrats worked hard at inventing. In any case, the end state is the amalgamation of government, media and security forces (which includes intelligence) under one cohesive umbrella. I call it the unholy trinity. Legitimate refugees should be extensively interviewed in a public forum for all to see, they know the pattern... that's why they're here. Ironically, liberals and democrats expect them to be on their side and support what (and how) they're doing things. That's usually not the case though, same thing with veterans who served in the locations where legitimate refugees typically hail from. It's kind of fun to watch and overall it speaks to the notion that knowing what you don't want is every bit as important as thinking you know what you might maybe want. Dictators for life have the benefit of time and political parties don't. The mighty see-saw can easily get out of phase with what either party initially planned... Trump was unplanned and progressives should have known better than to risk it. Conservatives are celebrating now and progressives are screaming Hitler. In the fullness of time the see-saw will have its way with both groups in turn and the reversal of fortunes (at least in my household) will be measured in popcorn consumption.

That's all ya got eh? Since you've defended Hamas in their actions against Israel, I'd love to hear your argument in favour of their current efforts in torturing, executing, and oppressing their own people. As to the beans, Robo suggests that if you shove them up your a$$ they grow and produce abundantly, apparently sleeping on your tummy for the next 60-90 days will help with the harvest. Let us know how that works out for you.

Here... I fixed it for ya: Gays for Palestine are recruiting former Cov1diots like you to deceive people and spread disinformation on discussion forums to make them look better.

And..... POOF: https://nationalpost.com/news/world/hamas-reasserts-control-on-streets-of-gaza-turning-guns-on-its-rivals?itm_source=news&tbref=hp Any delay in establishing an international transition force now will come with a huge cost later (assuming that's the direction the peace plan is envisioned to go that is). Allowing Hamas to regroup as the IDF withdraws will hurt Palestinians now... and the peace process later. There is no negotiating with them and wishing won't make it so. Here's another prediction, "white chick" pro-Hamas supporters (here and at large) who have never set foot in the region will soon become strangely silent and disappear from the streets... just like those obnoxious elbows up T-shirts at the gym did once liberals pulled their pants down. With time these white chicks may even start to see the depth of complexities they previously ignored with slogans about Hitler and genocide. Then again, there will always be the cov1diot types who got it sooooo wrong they'll never be able to admit it... you'll be able to recognize them by new slogans and memes that are even more ridiculous than their Hitler efforts: "U.S. government agencies are recruiting former soldiers like you to deceive people and spread disinformation on discussion forums to make them look better."

Somewhere between your two private islands in The Gulf of Madness is the Kingdom of Middle Ground. Unfortunately, the two of you are going to need high-powered spotting scopes to see it. If nothing else though, anyone reading your posts is now more committed to maintaining a secular society than they were before their eyes started bleeding.

Well, they sure as hell aren't paying me enough to discuss it with you anymore.

No it's not and the fact that you think it is bespeaks a problem with discretion and common sense. Until I trust you to fill the damn potholes you can expect no delegation of authority for any measure with life and death consequences that demands discretion, integrity and common sense. In other words, you don't get the keys to the airplane until I trust you. That said, I think you would make a fine Library Officer.

Maybe you could quote the section where I said that... Well, ya got that part right. Show me that quote too. And that... Starting to get the idea? We have laws about this stuff already. If you were advocating for stricter enforcement and a return to common sense bail conditions I'd be all for it. But, if you're looking to repair a system that has been deliberately rendered pi$$ weak by the very government you now trust to exercise judgement with capital punishment then forget it.

And also irrelevant in a secular society. We might already have a few of them. And like those potholes in the road, start with enforcing the laws we already have before escalating to extremes in order to compensate for abject failure at a level that could only be defined as routine.

Oh my goodness... what a trusting soul you are. While I admire your faith in government, nothing in my experience (including 32 years in the military) gives me the slightest reason to share it. I don't trust the government to fill potholes in front of the house much less refine a demonstrably failed justice system to the point where it could be trusted with a tool like capital punishment. After reinforcing my point, you then suggest that more people should die because of a failed justice system that is already killing people unnecessarily. Oh no... I find myself in full agreement with Chrissy. Do you really like what you currently see within the justice system enough to trust it as the arbiter of life and death? Do you think the police are on your side when they knock at the door and ask to come in? Would you submit to a voluntary search because you have nothing to hide? That's what you're actually doing by letting them in. Personally, I would only talk to them on the deck. During a traffic stop, do you think the question "do you know why I pulled you over?" is an invitation to have a friendly chat about moving violations? Next time turn the question around and when they say "I saw you cross the yellow line twice between here and Macdonal's offer to play the last dash cam segment back for them and watch for micro expressions as you do it. Everyday stuff like this could fill a 50 page thread. If you think I'm over reacting I'd urge you to take a look at the plight of some people who actually defended themselves against home invaders or thugs on the street. Lot's of stuff online about it and it invariably takes me back to the pothole analogy. Can you name one justice policy initiative in the last 10 years that qualifies as a demonstrable success for the government and Canadian justice at large? I'm not saying there isn't one... only that I can't think of it.

Hamas actually is violating the agreement... and it may be a good thing over the long run. So far, less than half of the bodies they promised to return actually have been. In terms of the genocide you so often refer to, consider the actual UN definition and then reflect on how those bodies actually became bodies. In addition, not only have they failed to begin the disarmament process (they agreed to implement), they are now filling the void left by withdrawing IDF elements with Hamas fighters, clashing with other armed Palestinian groups, and executing civilians they deem to be collaborators and/or politically opposed to their rule. If this continues much further (and I think it will) Hamas brutality toward their own people will become spotlighted in a way that it previously wasn't and you will find it increasingly difficult to justify it. I think there's a sense of weariness now in the the Palestinian population that doesn't bode well for Hamas, they sense it too and the only tool they currently wield is violence directed internally at their own population to force obedience to the cause through fear. It will become increasingly clear (IMO) that the Hamas "cause" is religiously motivated as opposed to one with political objectives aimed at improving the lives of Palestinians. All IMO of course but if your opinion holds, I think you will soon find yourself defending the actions of an organization that the people of Gaza come to reject and despise. Anticipating that eventuality may be the reason for IDF restraint... turning the population against Hamas is a wise move and I think they will continue with it as long as possible. Who knows what will happen here (I sure don't) but I do think you have the entire situation backwards... only time will tell though and that renders further discussion (in the present) guess work at best It won't be long before we see the direction this will likely take and if Israel is wise, they will let Hamas self destruct on its own.

Apparently he had a history of violent crime including assault with a weapon, battery and break and enter. At the time of his arrest he was in possession of a firearm and knife. His initial arrest was the result of an altercation with local police... they didn't grab him out of his bedroom doing homework. It was that arrest which led to ICE taking custody of him.

I ANSWERED it FOR you DUH... but only because the monkey seems to think: "You DON'T KNOW JACK, just his shit."

The worst of those released were actually deported to other countries as part of the agreement (not returned to Gaza) and included folks like Iyad Abu al-Rub, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander responsible for orchestrating three suicide bombings in Shadmot Mechola, Tel Aviv and Hadera between 2003-2005.... 13 people were killed in those attacks. Also deported was Muhammad Zakarneh, a Fatah operative who planned a 2009 attack in which taxi driver Grigory Raginovich was murdered, and Muhammad Abu al-Rub, who in 2017 carried out a stabbing attack that killed Reuven Shmerling. The final list of prisoners was disputed by Hamas negotiators up until the last minute and was altered several times as the group fought to free several key terror chiefs, including popular Fatah figure Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences. Lots of links to that sort of information, and lots of mixed emotions in Israel about the cost of the deal... here's one from the daily mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15182487/Fury-Hamas-bomb-victim-Israel-Palestinians-hostage-deal.html The Monkey says: You walked right into that one, so I hope you don't get a black eye OR WORSE a RED ONE BEFITTING your CLOWN MAKEUP.

What about nations (and by extension voters) who ignore the situation in Nigeria? Couldn't their silence be interpreted as a form of diplomatic denial on the world stage... and if so, doesn't that make them complicit in a true (by UN definition) genocide. This has been all but ignored by western MSM... are they equally complicit because of it?

Well, I don't know what the actual numbers are and frankly neither do you. It sounds like you want to see them higher to prove some sort of point though. Given the vacuum forming there, I suspect you will see higher numbers come to pass in the short term (which ever count you currently favour). What's needed now is a policing and stability force to prevent bad actors getting a toe hold. I never subscribed to the notion of that being a great idea but it now comes down to do it or don't.

Well, looks like it is being reported. Hamas has conducted public executions in Gaza after the ceasefire. They've also mobilized members of their own security force to fill the vacuum left by IDF forces as they withdraw. This doesn't bode well for those individuals (and their families) who stand opposed to Hamas rule. In the near future I think you'll see an increase in abuses including killings, torture and detainments as the transition continues to unfold. I'll even go so far as to suggest the possibility of intense civil unrest and conflict as various armed splinter groups struggle for power in anticipation of a vacuum being left by Hamas.

Between Jan and July of 2025 7,085 Christians were exterminated by Jihadists in Nigeria... not a peep. From 2009 that's over 50,000... and not a peep. If you go back to 2000, the total murdered is over 62,000 and upwards of 3 million have been displaced because of the violence... and not a peep. In total, over 2000 schools and 18,000 churches have been destroyed... not a peep. So far in 2025 an average of 32 Christians have been murdered daily... not a peep. I'm not saying this out of any attempt to deflect or to minimize losses of life anywhere else, just wondering about some peoples definition of genocide. According to the UN convention, genocide occurs when specific acts are committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. That isn't what happened in Gaza, in-fact IDF efforts to limit civilian casualties will (in future) serve as a model for high density operations against population entrenched opposing forces like Hamas. Most credible statistics put the casualty numbers around 67,000 deaths... 20% of that total are generally considered to be Hamas fighters. Hamas was culpable in many of those civilian deaths BTW and their ongoing brutality against the civilian population is likely to become increasingly covered by the media in the absence of combat operations as the peace accord takes hold. Not sure if that is being widely reported yet but I'm willing to bet it will become more apparent as time goes on... I'll also bet that those currently screaming genocide will have as little say about it as they did about the situation in Nigeria... which by intent and execution clearly qualifies as an ongoing genocide.

And hopefully they'll be less clumsy about it. The Hunter laptop letter and media assistance that accompanied it still makes me laugh. When compared with the unintended (and completely accidental) brilliance of the NS wolf hoax, it stands as amateurish and easily recognizable for what it was. They needed (and lacked) a companion event... something tangible but at arms length from the creators, an "accidentally discovered" trace that tended to support the original premise but they stopped short of manufacturing it. I was waiting for that shoe to fall and it never did. By way of example, in support of the wolf hoax I would have trucked in some refrigerated (road kill) wolf caucuses from Ontario, placed them on a couple of rural thoroughfares in the target area and then leaked a fake memo about unexpected mortality rates threatening the success of the project and the possible need for introducing an additional group. That's the truly fascinating part for me... the warnings stressed the fact that they wouldn't like what comes next and those predictions seem to have come true. No need to look further than this forum and extrapolate a bit. Fun to watch though and in like manner to what's on display here, people still swear they saw wolf packs. People LIKE Robo WILL never ADMIT that THEY got IT wrong AND they WILL always EXIST in SUFFICIENT numbers TO be CONSIDERED part OF the TOOL box.