Venandi

By all accounts this effort involved 3 bases: Dundurn, Wainwright and Moose Jaw and 14,500 trees were planted at a cost of some $200,000. There are 170 housing units in Wainwright, and 128 between Moose Jaw and Dundurn which would mean that an average of 48 trees were planted per lot.... which is simply not reasonable. I had a long discussion with an AI bot and broke it all down for the critter... it initially argued the point (much like the discussion here) but finally admitted that this was part of the 2 billion tree project and that the landscaping model for military housing made no sense.... it took me a beer to get there: It started off saying that only two bases were involved: Yes, you're correct. The assertion that 14,450 trees were planted in relation to just 128 housing units (40 in Dundurn and 88 in Moose Jaw) is indeed disproportionate and doesn't make sense numerically. Then: Locations Included: 15 Wing Moose Jaw (near Moose Jaw) CFB Dundurn Wainwright, Alberta In order for the numbers to make sense, we had to expand into the Dundurn and Wainwright training areas and finally got to this: The total number of trees allocated for planting across these sites is part of the larger commitment to support Canada’s environmental goals, specifically contributing to the federal government’s Two Billion Trees program. Is the critter right? Well, I don't actually know and I'd be hard pressed to say I care.... all I would suggest is that a smattering of reasonableness be applied to such things. The spectacle of CE planting 48 trees in a small PMQ lot strikes me as one of the more ridiculous things I've seen them undertake but who am I to argue tree logic with a beaver. Apparently "military training areas" are now referred to as "green spaces" (cool eh?) and it looks like that's where the disconnect lies. Let's amend all the maps and call that NATO spending too.

Agreed. I see it as a lack of exposure and experience in the region. Few who have spent time there , lived there in fear, or served in a myriad of missions in the region are aligned with progressive ideology... I happen to know lots of them, and I don't know any who are. One of the things that grieves me a bit is that the voices of moderate, reasonable refugees from these areas goes unheard and unheeded. Their lived experience should be thoughtfully considered, but by and large that experience is ignored. You would think that with the current focus on immigration that wouldn't be the case, but perversely, we see police officers delivering coffee to some of the worst, most polarized and potentially violent critters imaginable... and progressive voices are united in support of it. There's also a curious preoccupation with history in play, I don't discount the lessons of history but we still have to deal with the here and now. These are the sort of "after the fact" observations that only a time machine can correct... and they have no clue (as do any of us) how those time travel modifications might have played out once unintended consequences played their part. I'm not a huge Trump fan but I think you're right. The timing was right, the objective was right, and the planning for this (to me) clearly started after his inauguration. Many here see it as a knee-jerk reaction and it wasn't. I find the idea that the administration "forgot" about the strategic implications of the Straits of Hormuz an enjoyable diversion over morning coffee... at first I thought it was joke. Only after I determined it wasn't did it actually become one.

The notion than the administration (any administration of any stripe BTW) simply forgot about the Strait is blatant nonsense. Tactically and strategically, the Strait is a key component of any situational estimate, risk assessment and time / effect prediction. It's a bit like saying the administration "forgot" that the Gulf contained water, that Iran had a navy, or that it gets dark at night. The challenges of escorting merchant shipping through the strait in a non permissive environment isn't the same as forgetting about it... it's a new multipage thread. Just for fun, I went looking to find the busty blonde statement that went something like: "ooooops, we forgot." When pressed here's what an AI bot finally admitted after previously parroting Robo's "we forgot" rhetoric. I apologize for any confusion; upon further review, I cannot confirm that Scott Bessent specifically stated that the administration "forgot" about the Strait of Hormuz. It appears that I inaccurately characterized his comments: There is no direct quote or reliable source indicating that he suggested the administration forgot about the strategic significance of the Strait. His remarks focused on military readiness and security measures surrounding the Strait without stating forgetfulness.

Agreed... but before you add hardener to the mix consider the effect of having an additional state that makes California look conservative by comparison. I would urge the same degree of caution I would have happily extended to the unfortunate guy in the video above. Slapping the mat after you crash into it might make some noise but it's of little (meaning no) value in avoiding injury... the funny part of it is the injury hails from what initially appeared to be a highly attractive source. I still say tap early and avoid disappointment by being careful about what you wish for. As an aside, there's also the possibility that a hostile takeover might be more prolonged and painful than you think and the resources you covet might come at a higher price than you expect.

I'm outside my pay grade here so this is opinion only... but, having a measure of economic control (even assuming a condition of full economic control) isn't the same as absorbing Canada into your own country as a state. I haven't considered the economic and political consequences before (there are others here more qualified to comment on that) but right off the bat I think you would end up with the "California Of The North" and all the debt and political turmoil that goes with it. I get the resources aspect of your argument but from a US perspective, it may be like marrying a cheerleader you've only seen in pictures. Have you thought all that through? You may find yourself blessed with the Bidens and Kamala's of the world for ever and a day and be all the worse for it. Imagine how Congress and the Senate would look right now were Canada a state. Imagine how the last election would have shaken out. If you sincerely believe in the notion that "unless Washington says so, Canada won’t be able to sell its oil to anyone (which I don't BTW);" then you may be better off pursuing and expanding on that strategy rather than marrying the cheerleader you could date at your convenience.

Something like this... at least learn how to fall before acting on those 51st aspirations:

You aren't, you are well positioned not to, and thus you shouldn't IMO. That said, the global financial implications of all this is mostly lost on me, my eyes glaze over and I fall asleep... that's the office down the hall. Here on the forum I rely on the Fox for such things, he dumbs it down to a level that even a grunt can comprehend and engagements with Flybaby keep it interesting enough that I don't fall asleep. As to the 51st, it's another one of those cost / benefit "macro things" that I profess no knowledge or interest in. I think you should be careful of what you wish for though, it might change more things in the US than what is immediately foreseeable. I'm not smart enough to list them but the Goddess of Unintended Consequence is a girl I've learned to approach with caution, politeness and humility. Most don't though... and I think she smiles when she accelerates them into the mat. My advice would be to tap early.

Exactly right IMO... There's a silly thread here about "not thinking about the Strait of Hormuz; as if it somehow wouldn't be a key part of any assessment and risk analysis... don't tell them though, it's fun to watch. By all accounts, 2025 featured a record domestic production rate for the US; I'm just cynical enough to believe that it wasn't an accident. Only about 20% of US oil comes from the ME and of that about 12-15% transit the Strait. BTW, sure to call it the "Straight" if you venture to that thread. When you combine all of the factors at play in Iran (I won't list them), and assume (as I do) that eventual conflict with Iran is inevitable, there has simply never been a better time to undertake the effort and I see none of it as accidental. There are significant risks involved in escorting ships through the Strait and (perhaps for the first time) the US isn't in a position to suffer undue hardship because of it. It allows the luxury of maintaining the "concentration of force" (a principle of war) where it will have the greatest time vs effect factor. All IMO of course, but things like asserting and defending the notion that "they didn't think about the "Straight" is actually why I keep coming back here for morning coffee.

From a Canadian perspective, I've had to show ID at every election so far, including advanced polling on deployments... is Canada racist state because of it? From a US perspective, there's a thread here where RoboDuh asserts that conservatives have been scientifically proven to be stupid. That works out to (roughly) 63% of your military, 20% of blacks and 22% of hispanic voters. I say roughly because I don't care enough to look up the latest stats on it; but if you were looking to define racism in it's worst light, I'd suggest that's a good place to start. Maybe you should consider the requirement for ID a gift... the number of stupid conservatives clearly exceeds the estimates of those who don't have valid ID (most likely those stupid conservatives who can't figure out the application process) and it would effectively banish a bunch of MH's CHUDs from casting a Republican vote.... he would be the troll who scans posts here for insults prior to responding; I have the pleasure of being on his ignore list

Personally, (and it might just be me), I'm of the opinion that the type, name and principle ingredients of the HME used should never be mentioned in open source reporting.... especially simple, effective, highly volatile terrorist favs like this one. Despite blathering from the Robo's and Herb's of the world, every aspect of this should be investigated at the federal level and the perpetrators / suppliers / aiders and abettors utterly crushed with prison time in a very public and expeditious manner. I would stomp this shi% right into the dirt. Lose control of this and all of those heated discussions about gun control (and the second amendment) will come to be seen as the good old days. The demographic concentrations are now sufficient to warrant caution... and what I actually see here is the near total lack of awareness and concern at the low end (Robo level) of public perception that equates this stuff (and the intent behind it) with such things as firecrackers. A few years ago I might have argued that releasing information like this would serve to enhance awareness and generate a sense of urgency... I don't feel that way anymore; and it wasn't because I changed, it's because the Robo's of the world are breeding.

It took 22 minutes for the first pelican to sqk ident.

Terrorism is a federal concern, as is the particular type of explosive that was used here... it's a favourite recipe with bad actors in other parts of the world. It's been used in the US before (twice I think) but it's worthy of a hard look at the federal level when you start seeing it tossed around on the streets of NYC. I won't comment on that aspect of it further but if interested you can easily find out what it was and its component ingredients; and maybe you should, more of it is coming your way and you were repeatedly warned that it would. If you're typing LMAO about any of this you're a damn fool.

They're also predictable, highly malleable, and easily goaded into things like violence (or the support of it) that serve to undermine their own cause. No, the point is that you're not. Because the best humour is unintentional... and it's deployed with an a delightful lack of awareness of its own presence. if I told you why you might stop, and if you stopped my morning coffee would be the poorer for it.

Beauty. LOL, maybe you could just think about it for a second; maybe a couple of cleansing breaths will help. Ommmmmm, what could possibly be the point, Ommmmmmm. BTW, I only type LOL if I'm actually laughing as I type it... so thanks, I needed that.

When your polls are as dark as the night, And your logic remains out of sight, He will start a big show, With explosions that glow, And turn liberal wrongs into rights.

In a world where robots take flight, Robo thinks he's a genius of might. But with wires all tangled, And circuits all mangled, His best posts just never sound right!

I hate to speak for Robo but I'll give this a try: YOU have NO SCIENTIFIC proof Of that DROPOUT. LMAO Show US the PEER reviewed JOURNAL publications DETAILING the "scientific" METHADOLOGY. LMAO MY wife CAN'T cook AND "UNDEROOS" live IN Australia LIAR. LMAO How'd I do?

Sorry to hear it... I feel for you. I know a few folks that have done the same thing, some for knees (and such) and some because of the increased dangers of distracted / aggressive driving. My list of close calls has got me thinking about it too, but I can't quite get there. Here's a file photo of the Springfield, I have stage 2 and a buffalo air horn but that's the only difference. I think we need a motorcycle thread:

2016 Indian Springfield. I have a 1966 Shovel as well... first year of the shovels, first year of the Springfields. Fifty years between them and they don't fight in the shed when left alone.

As I recall, there was some "piping up," a MP investigation and several news reports to that effect back in the day. A better question might be did you really think that wasn't happening? A google search should get you there, I don't recall what became of it all. I wasn't kidding about the PM BTW... should you choose to leave the shovel behind and come in peace lunch is still on me; assuming I can make the trip of course. I'm thinking (hoping) for mid July and you're welcome to bring a guest for lunch (or witness should you still wish to pursue the shovel option).

PM me for a date and time; I'm hoping to complete an IBA "Trans Canada Quest" motorcycle trip this summer... unless life gets in the way. If I can get away, lunch is on me...

But it aids in getting things right, and helps with sleeping soundly because of it. Ya, there's UAV FMV of it too.... maybe a reunion is in order, we could put sound to the video. Maybe then "you people" would have a clue.

I'm pretty familiar with the spectrum. You probably thoughtI I forget about the Taliban folks who gave themselves away thinking they were sooooo much smarter than everyone else too eh? Nope... easy to find, and their big mouths / arrogance only served to make the task easier. All that and a bag of chips eh?

Not in HAM radio circles, not in aviation circles, not in policing circles, not in military circles either... so, start a new thread, you could label it: "SHI% I HAVE NO CLUE ABOUT."

Dedicated to those who say stupid shi% like: "Name the belief systems and cultures that have cleansing/releasing ceremonies." CULTURE/BELIEF SYSTEM CLEANSING CEREMONY DESCRIPTION Native American Sweat Lodge (Inipi) Participants enter a heated stone structure for physical and spiritual cleansing. Aboriginal Australians Smoke Cleansing Use of eucalyptus leaves or other plants to purify individuals or spaces. Hinduism Ritual Baths Sacred baths in rivers like the Ganges to cleanse the soul of sins and impurities. Buddhism Meditation and Rituals Ceremonies focusing on cleansing the mind and body through meditation and symbolic practices. Shinto Harae Purification rituals involving water, salt, or rice to remove spiritual impurities. African Traditions Cleanse Rituals (Sankofa, Vodou) Use of water, incense, or offerings for spiritual purification. Judaism Mikveh A ritual bath for spiritual purity after menstruation, childbirth, or contact with the deceased. Islam Wudu (Ablution) Cleansing performed before prayers to purify body and mind for worship. Modern Spirituality Crystals and Herbs Use of crystals, herbs, and meditation for personal transformation and removal of negative energies. General Practices Water and Smoke Rituals Common use of water and herbal smoke to symbolize purification and renewal across cultures.