Venandi

Actually that would be me, or was me during my forestry days. Hard to set things on fire with spit. I hadn't thought of the irony until just now but my chew of choice at the time was Red Man.... I think they call it "America's Best Chew" now and I'm guessing they changed the name to keep all of the Herbies off their back. Here's another bit of fun to spin the Herbies, I drive a 2016 Indian Springfield motorcycle. How do ya like me now Herb?

Well, one of them often wears a cowboy hat; smaller version of a Stetson and it's full grain leather. That counts... right?

Half of my extended family is native, some of us got together for supper on Monday night. Your breathtaking inability to connect the dots here is (IMO of course) what actually perpetuates the morally repugnant mistakes your government has become adept at apologizing for…. mutilating minor children will be on that apology list in due course. The point is, some of us see parallels in terms of harm done... even if (or when) the number of those harmed is numerically less but systemic in nature. I'd call that compassion... funny how it often seems that those most grievously harmed have the greatest capacity for it. So ironically, your post actually supports the point I was (perhaps clumsily) trying to make, that all too often ignorant people with good intentions serve as a catalyst for pi$$ poor ideas that result future apologies. What you consider gibberish was actually the topic of conversation over supper, believe it or not, you would have been an army of one at the table... thanks for playing.

The most dangerous critters on the planet are people who can't mind their own damn business... be afraid, these creatures are breeding in record numbers and most (I say all) of them self identify as progressive. Where are the people who previously defended residential schools... POOF, pretty quiet now eh? Was it ever not so? You'd almost think that nobody ever (ever ever) thought residential schools were a good idea or the right thing to do. And for sure, for absolute sure, back in the day, none of those folks would ever ridicule anyone who deemed the very idea of it morally repugnant... right? Let's wait a bit and see, stick around, take some notes. How many current defenders of radical transgender surgeries for minors will be defending their current views 30 years from now? Damn few say's I. That means NOBODY. In future, when the horrors they now defend become painfully obvious even to the dullest of the dull, the authors of the tragedy will assert that they were always opposed to such things. Compare the critters of the past: https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/the-many-canadians-who-thought-residential-schools-were-a-good-idea With the critters of the future: https://nationalpost.com/news/young-destransitioners-abandoned It makes identifying the critters of the present a whole lot easier. “Look among the nations and watch — Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.”

That casts an interesting light on things when you consider that New Hampshire passed a bill in 2017 that defines a fetus at 20 weeks of development (and beyond) as a person for the criminal prosecution of murder. Sadly, it was prosecuted here for the first time in the spring of 2024... I'm not sure what became of it but the concept of legal standing as a person strikes me as interesting. If the woman in question had survived the attack but was actually on her way to an abortion clinic at the time, would (or should) the fetus still have standing and the law still apply? If the answer becomes a function of "whether she wanted the baby or not" and a decision to prosecute is based solely on her choice, then IMO we have truly embarked on a dark path where personhood is a function of simply being wanted.

Hence... some masks are harmful. And most people didn't know one from the other or which was which. In general, other masks (that weren't harmful) were little more than fashion accessories, they provided the same filtration efficiency as a link fence does when used to keep mosquitoes out.

It becomes even more interesting when applied across the board. I'm heartened by the fact people are beginning to see it in their political enemies. But the problem is actually twice as bad as most of these folks think... the other half of the issue is in the mirror.

Context matters. And spinning two assassination attempts against Trump as MAGA hatred is a tough sell. Here's a bit more balance IMO and it comes with a warning that should be heeded: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/having-made-the-case-for-political-violence-american-moral-crusaders-deliver-it S

Where has context gone? As I recall, this press conference was about infrastructure renewal. I see little in what he said to disagree with. As always, the fist casualty is the truth... people who quote Trump as saying "Neo-Nazis are very fine people" are either deliberately lying or they're parroting propaganda they heard in the media, and they're doing it for partisan reasons. They don't care if it's true or not, it's not about truth for them it's about scoring points. I'm not sure which is worse..

In the sentence you quoted I was actually referring to the ridiculous rhetoric on this (and other) threads on the subject. Granted, I may have worded it poorly but that's what I was thinking as I typed it...the effect that inflamed rhetoric can have on the undisciplined mind (for lack of a better word) especially in those who are easily lead and easily goaded into violence in defence of a cause they believe in. They see themselves as protectors, they can be manipulated and there are deployable techniques to do it... there are even courses in such things Stay the course if you wish but acknowledge the destination. Turn back prior to PNR or don't, the choice is a simple one but it comes with predictable consequences. Someone mentioned the need for a collective scare to jolt people back to their senses, I agree... hopefully it occurs prior to PNR If not.... here's some light reading for the upcoming journey to Crazy Island: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/having-made-the-case-for-political-violence-american-moral-crusaders-deliver-it And here's a quote from the link that's worthy of reflection IMO. In truth, the Manichean language of modern American politics almost seems crafted to drive mentally unbalanced people to find meaning in pursuing the violent defeat of forces they’ve been told will destroy everything they value. Such individuals take up righteous missions in the sordid business of politics. When people have, or are given cause to fear election outcomes (meaning that they fear being hurt by an election that doesn't go their way) it's a recipe for political violence. What the founding fathers might have called "an inducement to war."

I wish refugees and maybe soldiers who've worn blue hats in warm places were a bit more vocal about the path we're on. Based on the rhetoric (from all sides BTW), It strikes me that people seem gleeful about joining the fray (eager might be a better word) and I'd observe that this sort of eagerness usually prevails right up to the point that it evaporates, usually with astounding rapidity, in the face of unintended consequences. By that I mean people who delight in poking bears into a seething fury usually act surprised at the predictable result of their efforts... especially if that result is random, infrequent, or unexpected. Intellectually they know it could happen, they just don't think that it actually will. The lower end of this spectrum (in a similar and equally predictable format) plays out at closing time every Friday night for bouncers all across the country. As you watch the inevitable train wreck develop, you wonder if the people bent on causing it really want what they seem to be asking for. When all is said and done the inevitable question becomes "what do you suppose they thought was going to happen?" Maybe the lesson here is in the number of college aged jocks (the bear pokers) who cry when the handcuffs come out. It suddenly becomes very real for them at a very personal and visceral level, only after it's too late do they begin to consider how easily it could all have been avoided. How did a generation of people who smugly asserted that "words matter" become so detached from their own mantra?

Beauty... I just experienced this the other day, that being the concept of "FB true." It always surprises me that the opinion of sun tanned people who are routinely "out on the land" (so to speak) is so often dismissed as conspiracy by those with calloused thumbs. Just for fun, here's the summery: I live on a lake and it's built up a lot over the years. I was talking to a lady walking her dog on the road recently who commented on the lack of loons and then attributed it to global warming and a shortage of fish. But here's the thing, she doesn't fish, doesn't have a fish finder, not a diver, doesn't paddle a canoe around the lake etc. I told her that I do all those things pretty regularly and never buy my own fishing tackle as a result. Then I suggested that loons are clumsy brutes on land, their lags are pretty far back on their bodies and because of that they nest close to the water and the nests are subject to wash out from boat wakes. Even in the shallower areas jet skies abound now and nest losses are significant as a result. In addition, eagle predation is a problem too because we are in an outlaying area near small farming communities. Nope.... it was global warming and it turns out her grand kids have jet skies. Apparently I'm a conspiracy theorist now. As to eating cats and dogs, well, I don't know the facts here but I'm a bit surprised that people are surprised at the possibility.. Consider the effect of an influx of 20,000 migrants on a town of 50 thousand. Is it a surprise that hungry people would grab ducks/geese from parks, chickens from your back yard and the occasional fluffy kitty? Some old school trappers favoured cougar / bob cat / lynx meat. My grandfather and great grandfather fed beaver and fish to the dogs they used on the line but some of those folks liked beaver loins as well, each to his own i guess... most people now use skidoos and eat pork chops. The point is, I'm just a generation away from those things now billed as ridiculous being considered routine. The fire in Jasper is another example... when a 6 year old asks "mommy why are the trees red?" the answer is usually "global warming dear". But sometimes taking a look at a map, noting the direction of prevailing winds and hiking / riding the logging roads on a horse results in simple questions like WTF did you think was going to happen? So, I'm not saying it's true, just curious as to why some folks here see it as manifestly ridiculous... BTW, I drop in here very seldom, please don't expect a quick or witty response in the near term. I just thought that the ridicule, surrounding the possibility of it was misplaced. Cheers

Here's the quote I was responding to and the response was one of caution with regard to the over reliance on technology and how sometimes low tech solutions can save the day... even in a high tech environment. I simply suggest that it applies across the board and that nothing is as simple as it seems... especially in warfare. It's no wonder the discussions here go no where.

You'd suggest eh? We weren't' even talking about EMP... WTF is wrong with you?

HTF did you go from drones and the possible vulnerabilities associated with over reliance on technology directly to the nuclear triad EMP bursts and tempest hardened infrastructure? Actually, never mind... carry on, I'll ignore you.

Good Lord, we've leaped from the vulnerabilities inherent with over reliance on technology to the nuclear triad and EMP blasts in a single bound. But realistically, it's the little stuff that eats your lunch and gets sporty with your best efforts. There's a world of daily conundrums that exist below the outer limits of the nuclear triad, it's a place where pretty is as pretty does and simple isn't the same as easy. A wise man once said: In war, while everything is simple, even the simplest thing is difficult. Difficulties accumulate and produce frictions which no one can comprehend who has not seen war.

It's the little things, like fuelling to 60K lbs with a wobble pump, plowing the runway, starting the deicing truck, or even getting the deicing fluid for that matter. Recalling a crew (who no longer have phone service) and driving to the airport now becomes a challenge, and just imagine sourcing/delivering IOR parts to remote venues in a timely manner. It all sounds pretty easy with your feet up and everybody has a gold plated plan until that roundhouse kick lands. What I'm suggesting here is that daily stretching and working the heavy bag has its place if/when ballistic solutions are elusive... and they tend to be most elusive when most needed.

The outer limits of catastrophic possibilities are often cited but rarely the problem... it's the little things. They happen when they're least welcome, least expected, and judging by your response, with a frequency that might surprise you. For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse the rider was lost. For want of a rider the battle was lost. For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

I've flown UAVs while deployed, very capable, enjoyed the experience, the technology is cool and there's no doubt that having them saved Canadian lives in Afghanistan. Even so, I have this ingrained and lingering "old guy" fear that over reliance on technology creates vulnerabilities and the more you rely on the technology the more you have to account for those vulnerabilities. I've seen the effect of not doing that over and over again. It even applies to everyday life, cut a fibre optic cable by accident and the fallout can be significant. No internet, no 911, no cell service, no banking, no scanning items at the grocery store, no flights other than self dispatch (and airlines don't do that), no gas, etc etc. Huge regional impact right down to traffic lights during rush hour. If the mission computer fails during a critical ASW event now what? Old timers practice this stuff regularly and when they do, young guys on the crew usually roll their eyes. Things like plotting boards and using smoke markers as a visual references sometimes saves the day. If you drop an electrical bus and all you have is INS an immediate switch to maps and lat/ long is easy if you've practiced it. Not so easy if you haven't. The scenarios are endless, I could write a book on degraded ops and ruin your whole day on a check ride... so, while it needs to be practiced, there's no need to be crazy about it. That said, defence in depth is more than just words. The HUD's a great thing, HUD cripples aren't. Sometimes a hand on the stick, one on the throttle, feet on the rudder pedals, lining the target up between your legs and putting grease pencil marks on the canopy wins the day... some here might be surprised at how often it proves true. One thing seems to be a constant though, it's only guys with grey hair that carry grease pencils. Watch for them, if nothing else, the reason they do is sure to be entertaining.

Maybe I don't get out enough eh? For the purposes of the discussion on this thread though, I suspect none of those venues are deliberately sexualized to the extent the pride parade is. If I'm not mistaken, that is what the objection is here and of the examples you give, I think the same level of objection (for the same reasons) would apply if they did the same thing the same way.

Other than pride parades (the very thing being debated as inappropriate here) what events and where? Is there even one other event that allows a similar sexualized version of nudity on public streets? Making a movie is a bit different I think. What public athletic events feature nudity as a matter of course and where is nude sunbathing on city streets allowed? Other than protests, I have never seen this on city streets in Canada or at any athletic event I've ever attended or competed in... streakers are usually arrested on the first orbit of the field and streaking is not nearly as common now as it once was. I did a search for nude 3d archery competitions... so far no luck.

Small town boy I guess... I've never seen that. What events and which cities allow public nudity on the streets as part of a city sanctioned "event?" I'm not talking about protests and the like here.

Which provides the opportunity for progressives to continually be shocked by the dynamics of mass immigration. How do simple unintended consequences entirely escape their notice? Never mind cultural differences or any of the challenges that entails for the moment, if you are going to import enough people to fill 4 cities the size of Thunder Bay without considering infrastructure (like housing, medical access, policing etc) then I would suggest that "shock" is inevitable and I'd also ask "what did you think was going to happen?" And in terms of cultural differences, progressives seem truly "shocked" that Muslims don't share their values when it comes to having things like gay pride, drag queen story time, pornographic material in class rooms etc thrust upon them. If expats working in wealthy Islamic states live in (i'll call it) segregated communities and refuse to adapt to local customs why would we expect that people coming here would react differently than we do under (essentially) the same circumstances in reverse? That's not to say it can't be done, only that it can't be done by pretending that radically different values coupled with demographic concentrations isn't a source of friction or an issue worthy of consideration. The title of the thread (itself) speaks to the issue and any brief perusal of threads on this very forum stands as a testament to the lack of compromise that any successful integration effort needs to overcome. It's breathtaking to me that those (right here) who are most resistant to compromise and the simple idea of "live your life and mind your own damn business" seem to think that everyone other than them has a duty to yield to their values in support of a progressive narrative that borders on religious dogma. I confidently predict more shocked disappointment on the horizon... The notion that touchdown in Canada combined with the briefest sniff of Canadian air results in profound cultural epiphanies provides limitless opportunity for the implosion of progressive heads. .

OK, I'll leave that idea with ya... best of luck with it.

Especially if you're Canada IMO. Nothing says lurking naval deterrence like a sub does. It may actually be the best value force multiplier there is. How many times have I heard "Canada doesn't need" In the space of one career. - Canada doesn't need heavy lift helicopters... - Canada doesn't need tanks... - Canada doesn't need shore bombardment, we'll use TASMO in lieu of it... - Immediately on the heels of that comes Canada doesn't need fighters... - Canada doesn't need ASW, now there's a perishable skill for ya... - In the same vein, Canada doesn't need shipborne (HS) ASW helicopters: remember "I will write zero helicopters, Chretien?" - Canada doesn't need a heavy airlift capability... - Canada doesn't need special forces... - Canada doesn't need an airborne capability... - Canada doesn't need CAS - Canada doesn't need TAR - Canada doesn't need A/A refueling - Canada doesn't need UAV/UAS - In some circles Canada doesn't need an offensive capability at all, we should concentrate on aid to civil power operations and SAR... This could be a whole separate thread, and it would be a long one.