John Stone

The global economy is a constant search for new markets - export / import. Just ask China ................ A country needs consistent strategic expertise in playing the game. To rest on laurels is the ki$$ of death. (bit dramatic)

........... in the Persian masses favor is that immediately following 9/11 the chant changed from 'Death to America' to 'Down with America' the reason was that the regime didn't want to be seen supporting Terrorism. Suicide was also p/o the calculus. Arguably, it's likely more favorable in terms of regional / western stability to keep the country in a state of flux ... makes it easier to bomb .............. Iran's nuclear program has been deterred .......... not destroyed. If there is one thing Trump did correctly is deter the Iranian nuclear bombing thru precision bombing - nod to Israel taking out the air-defenses. Iran cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

Carney's Plains of Abraham remarks last week - closely following his Churchillian address in Davos definitely indicates this guy is no Justin Trudeau. Controversy erupted when Carney said the 1759 battle in Quebec City — during which the British defeated the French, symbolized the beginning of a partnership between two peoples. Carney said the battle became a symbol of collaboration rather than domination. Durham report notwithstanding, he was correct. This guy is a player and definitely not concerned calling a spade a spade.

Not a currency ........... The U.S. was on the gold standard for a great part of its history, which meant that the value of the dollar was directly linked to a specific amount of gold (reserve). It worked but also limited the governments ability to respond to economic crisis........... enter the Fed and the petro-dollar. The u.s. dollar went off the gold standard in the 70's. The U.S. dollar is (now) not based on physical commodities but on the STABILITY and STRENGTH of the U.S. economy. To say the U.S. doesn't need the global economy is a rhetorical stretch.

One of the primary criticisms of democratic socialism is the potential for gross inefficiency in large public programs The argument is always, can government run a business efficiently using tax payer dollars. .Democratic socialism stifles cost effective innovation in business. Who does it benefit - or is it all political rhetoric? We shall see.

The U.S. is the World largest economy - no question about that. That said there is a lot of rhetoric that seems to discount what made it such a powerhouse. Most have heard the expression, 'it it ain't broke, don't fix it'. The collapse of the petro dollar, although not devastating economically to the U.S. will have an impact. The petro dollar basically paid American debt, BRICS is an interesting development. The necessity for the international market to have USD in reserve will likely(??) decline. (Bonds, TBills) China as an example carries trillions in U.S. debt. The international market is not only important it is crucial.

.......... always strange to me why Separatists are allowed to sit and vote on federal legislation in Ottawa. Any close vote affecting the entire country could be decided by a separatist party? Asinine. IMO

Birth replacement is a threat to Western western countries. To sustain a population without immigration requires a 3-4 birth rate. ............ it's a hard job but I'm sure men are up to the task ........... get after it.

This is true but the calculus changed last year with S.A. going off Petro Dollars. No question the Petro Dollar scheme was a huge benefit for the U.S. - literally had the World paying U.S. bills - wars and such. The U.S. had a milk cow in the Global economy. Western countries needed a U.S. Reserve to buy the commodity. They bought Bonds (T Bills) ...... Fed just printed more when they needed it. SA is feeling their oats - The World might be going off the U.S. dollar and back on to the Gold standard........... stand by tor the YUAN to challenge the U.S. dollar. China retains trillions $$ in U.S. Bonds - some consider it a threat to U.S. security, (ya think??) It was good (great) while it lasted -

Indeed. A great example is the so called, 'Two Michael's' debacle with China If not for U.S. leverage they'd likely still be languishing in an 8x10 Chinese cell. That said I'd give Trump full marks for punking Justin - and by extension having both M's detained with prejudice in China

FWIW - the U.S. and China are the two largest contributors to the UN. The GA gets it's wealth by shaking ($$$) down major players for Resolution Support .... usually SC initiatives.

Where there is smoke there is fire. ANYONE mentioned in relation to the Epstein Porn Cite is guilty to a more or less degree in terms of acts. They likely all got their 'ends' wet or got it wet witnessing or performing some depraved act. Epstein coerced their support - the guy was a genius at protecting his six. Epstein was murdered - should have died screaming - all concerned breathed a sigh at the news (ya think) He had the goods to coerce protection - and get rich? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Ghislaine Maxwell learned from a master - fk'n miracle she is still breathing - for now dear. There will be no closure on this - way too political.

............ Israel destroyed Iran (Hamas, Hezbollah). We should be grateful - the phrase, 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating', applies. Granted, the Abraham Accords are on the rocks - so a nod to Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah - they did meet their objective. ............. laughable to believe they give a tinker's dam about the so-called Palestinians. And Israel would do it all again - with an even greater response - notwithstanding Iran's nuclear program. The nuclear program is desired by Iran to enable them to have a nuc umbrella while CONTINUING their terrorist agenda. NK and Iran have some similarities in terms of defense strategy - NK has 'it' and Iran 'desires' it.

PP's turnout in his recent leader review set a record with 88 percent of eligible delegates voting in favor of his continuing tenure. The previous record set by Harper was 85 percent in 2005.

Winston Churchill In terms of Leadership is considered by those that study these things to have been the greatest leader of the 20th century. Churchill was most def not a ‘manager’ or political hack – he was in every sense a leader and confirmed this on many occasions throughout his life. His extraordinary leadership during WWII, eloquent oratory, indomitable spirit, and opposition to defeatism, not only inspired Great Britain and the Dominions but the World as well – at a time when the World needed inspiration. What other leader, even today, is quoted so often as defining ‘Leadership’ in the face of adversity with the stakes so high and the scale so great? It is no exaggeration to say that the Nazi objective was to dominate the Globe – they came close.

Quebec residents must file both a fed and prov. tax return due to the province desire for fiscal autonomy from Canada. Quebec collects the tax and pays a portion to the Feds using some byzantine formula Quebec received $14 Billion in equalization payments in 2023 - 2024. Quebec received the Lion's portion of transfer payments - call it the China argument - developing country? This transfer of $$ can be rounded up to almost 30 billion if Health Transfer, Social Transfer and the the Equalization $$. is included. A Quebec referendum re: Separation is anticipated in 2026. Alberta receives no equalization $$ - too rich - contributes about 20 percent of GDP

'no one wants the United Nations to suffer the fate of the League of Nations, which collapsed because it lacked real leverage. This is possible if influential countries bypass the United Nations and take military action without Security Council authorization' / Putin hubris indeed ............. new world order!

........... in the Persian masses favor is that immediately following 9/11 the chant changed from 'Death to America' to 'Down with America' the reason was that the regime didn't want to be seen supporting Terrorism. Suicide was also p/o the calculus. Arguably, it's likely more favorable in terms of regional / western stability to keep the country in a state of flux ... makes it easier to bomb .............. Iran's nuclear program has been deterred .......... not destroyed. If there is one thing Trump did correctly is deter the Iranian nuclear program thru precision bombing - nod to Israel taking out the air-defenses. Iran cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

The so-called Palestinians want peace fer fk's sake ................... they just want peace without Israel. Israel is now, has been historically and will be going forward, be fighting an existential threat. Consider this, if Israel bordered Afghanistan there would have been no 9/11. How arrogant to criticize their methods ...... they're the experts, the rest of the world are the armchair quarterbacks. Criticizing the Jews for their actions is a bit hypocritical wouldn't you say. My reference would the Bomber Command, 8th Air Force, DRESDEN, introduction of nucs??? Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why the Abraham Accords failed?

In Turkey (example) they would think u were a U.S. citizen............... arguably Turks aren't too sure what a Canadian is. North Americans (notwithstanding Mexicans) in Europe are distinctive in size, deportment, swag, dress, diet, ignorance, talk.

Board of Peace will take up the slack, be as effective and at a saving.$$

balanced budgets, deficits, partisan politics??? Akin to Nero playing his violin while Rome is burning. .............. rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Ur house is being burned down ..... that is the strategy ..... 'If ur not at the table, ur on the menu' / Governor Carney, Davos. Ur on the menu. Tasty.

...........lol ............ so u think 67 Senate votes to remove / convict the President is being overly optimistic? Providing he's impeached by the House first, of course. Plan B (25th Amendment) is a better reach .......

.......... technically u are correct ........... but my god, man ......... so many 'ifs' and 'might's' and 'could be'. Arguably if charges went forward Trump would be looooong gone (literally) before anything came of it.

When ur house is on fire you don't dicker for a reduction in ur insurance.... Canada is facing an existential economic threat from an ally that is bent on a new World order. Being objective I'd say Canada needs a leader that has an international footprint........... not the Country - the Leader. The last time Kanada had a balanced budget was just after the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup.