Gregmal Posted March 18 Posted March 18 23 minutes ago, Spekulatius said: FWIW, I think the EU will get involved in some capacity after we have a truce of some sort. Would totally be on brand
Parsad Posted March 18 Posted March 18 1 hour ago, John Hjorth said: Sanjeev [ @Parsad ], I suspect most of the people here on CofB&F below perhaps circa 40 years of age may think you have run temporarily short of alcoholic beaverages, in desparation grabbing the night pot! But eventually, they will get it! - When they eventually get it, we'll be long gone, and they then think like us! No, I'm not even a social drinker...lots of alcohol at my house...but rarely gets consumed. I might have a glass of wine if I cook something nice or order something from a restaurant. A nice G&T or Mojito on nice summer days. That's about it! I enjoy cigars, but stopped that about 8 years ago. No real vices other than two cups of coffee every day. You know, for most of my young life I was like the young people...a social progressive against excess wealth and power...but as I aged, I'm still that, but more of a pragmatist. Self-interest and greed will never go away...it's actually what propels mankind forward...both good and bad! Cheers!
Parsad Posted March 18 Posted March 18 25 minutes ago, Xerxes said: You know, when I saw that video, what immediately popped into my mind looking at the title and what was happening...The Straight Homos...instead of the Strait of Hormuz. LOL! Wouldn't that make for one hell of a name for a band?! If it's not taken, I'm trademarking it! Cheers!
changegonnacome Posted March 18 Posted March 18 53 minutes ago, Spekulatius said: I think it’s getting clearer that Israel is the tail who wags the dog ( USA). I couldn't think of a world leader more persuasive than Bibi in setting out an argument or a position and I couldn't think of a world leader more susceptible to a carefully crafted influence & flattery campaign than Trump. Its just not a fair fight. Bibi has built a strategic masterpiece to get us here IMO - just think about his journey to where we are and how he shaped it: By pushing to scrap the JCPOA years ago in Trump's first term, Bibi eliminated IAEA oversight, turning Iran's nuclear program into a "black box" that allowed Israel to completely control the nuclear threat narrative. Threat inflation only works with black boxes. When Trump returned to office this paved the way for the Fordow strike - no doubt pitched as a surgical, one-and-done win by Israel, but strategically designed as a tripwire to lock the US but really Trump into the construct that Bibi had created for him - which is Iran is racing towards nuclear liftoff and it can't be allowed to happen. Of course once Trump had accepted that reality and committed to the Fordow strike Bibi knew he was only months away from what we have now - a full scale assault on Iran, the US ironically chasing somebody elses WMD stories this time. Bibi’s final, critical hurdle for total regime change is now engineering US domestic support for boots on the ground. This IMO is the final hurdle for Bibi. I have no idea how he does it but you can be assured he's thinking about it. I do think he knew that the Strait issue we're having now is an impossible rubix cube to solve and that it on its own has the potential to force Donald up the escalation ladder in ways he couldn't have ever imagined......even still the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle is US domestic support and that has a long way to go from here to there. I'm not sure how that changes but you can imagine a terrorist attack or the like is probably the most obvious catalyst - maybe Iran really is that dumb/genocidal to try it.
Charlie Posted March 18 Posted March 18 The judges seem to be smarter than the politicians (same with the tariffs): US judge upends Kennedy's overhaul of childhood vaccine policies https://www.reuters.com/world/us-judge-blocks-efforts-reshape-childhood-vaccine-policy-2026-03-16/
Xerxes Posted March 18 Posted March 18 On 3/15/2026 at 10:56 AM, ourkid8 said: Wow, now you are threatening death on individuals? - a new low. However in non-CNN/Fox news, the Iranian government were all walking the streets talking selfies with the millions of people of the country on Friday. I wonder who would you choose to take a selfie with? - the president? Foreign minister? How about the secretary of the supreme national council? Maybe the chief justice? - they were all available! (I’ll attach the whole gang so you can save as your favourites) Another day passes and he is still MIA - where is he? - Germany? Which hole, oops I mean bunker? it is no longer possible to take a selfie with the minister of intelligence as of this morning
John Hjorth Posted March 18 Posted March 18 16 minutes ago, Xerxes said: it is no longer possible to take a selfie with the minister of intelligence as of this morning @Xerxes, Is that morbid, laconic and dry stuff a Canadian thing, or is it from Iranian culture? I have heard the air is dry during Canadian winthers! Reminds me a bit about @Spekulatius' sense of humor from time to time.
Xerxes Posted March 18 Posted March 18 33 minutes ago, John Hjorth said: @Xerxes, Is that morbid, laconic and dry stuff a Canadian thing, or is it from Iranian culture? I have heard the air is dry during Canadian winthers! Reminds me a bit about @Spekulatius' sense of humor from time to time. Neither. it is a reply to the statement right above on how one can take a selfie.
Parsad Posted March 18 Posted March 18 Trump's latest Hormuz News debacle: India food stall vendors cutting back on samosas and chai! No spiced tea...no fluffy potato filling bundle of joy. This is a disaster! Modi will be pissed. Sell your Fairfax India stock...Indian market will collapse! https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/18/india/india-lpg-gas-impacts-restaurants-cooking-intl-hnk Cheers!
Parsad Posted March 18 Posted March 18 How come DOGE isn't fixing this? Cheers! https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/18/us/us-postal-service-financial-crisis-hnk
John Hjorth Posted March 18 Posted March 18 5 minutes ago, Parsad said: Trump's latest Hormuz News debacle: India food stall vendors cutting back on samosas and chai! No spiced tea...no fluffy potato filling bundle of joy. This is a disaster! Modi will be pissed. Sell your Fairfax India stock...Indian market will collapse! https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/18/india/india-lpg-gas-impacts-restaurants-cooking-intl-hnk Cheers! Sanjeev [ @Parsad ] panicking! HaHa!
Parsad Posted March 18 Posted March 18 Trump's PR team could use a lesson on how to promote a President! One who actually could win the golf tournament for real at Mar-a-Lago! Cheers! https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25408043-anthony-edwards-barack-obama-have-1-vs-1-contest-trending-video-after-viral-olympics-exchange?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial
Parsad Posted March 18 Posted March 18 Just now, John Hjorth said: Sanjeev [ @Parsad ] panicking! HaHa! Every celebration...we have samosas at the event...doesn't matter if it's a birthday, wedding, Christmas or Thanksgiving. You will find samosas with the appetizers! Luckily we don't have a shortage here in Canada. Cheers!
Xerxes Posted March 18 Posted March 18 What was astonishingly new to me was that 20% of global supply of fertilizer passes through the Humus straight Gemini: 1. The Powerhouse Nations (Persian Gulf) These countries dominate the market because they have the world's lowest production costs for nitrogen-based fertilizers, thanks to their massive natural gas feedstock. • Saudi Arabia: A global leader in both nitrogen (urea/ammonia) and phosphate. It accounts for roughly 19% of global phosphate exports (DAP/MAP). The state-owned company Ma'aden is a primary player here. • Qatar: Operates the world's largest single-site urea plant. Qatar is a top supplier to the U.S. and India; however, recent reports indicate production halts at some facilities due to regional instability. • Oman: A critical exporter of granular urea and ammonia. It is currently one of the few regional players still managing to maintain some near-term shipments despite the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. • Iran: While often under sanctions, Iran is a massive producer of urea and sulfur. It typically supplies large volumes to India, Brazil, and parts of Southeast Asia. • United Arab Emirates (UAE): A significant producer of nitrogen fertilizers and sulfur, which is a necessary byproduct of their oil refining used to make phosphate fertilizers.
SharperDingaan Posted March 18 Posted March 18 10 minutes ago, Xerxes said: What was astonishingly new to me was that 20% of global supply of fertilizer passes through the Humus straight Gemini: 1. The Powerhouse Nations (Persian Gulf) These countries dominate the market because they have the world's lowest production costs for nitrogen-based fertilizers, thanks to their massive natural gas feedstock. • Saudi Arabia: A global leader in both nitrogen (urea/ammonia) and phosphate. It accounts for roughly 19% of global phosphate exports (DAP/MAP). The state-owned company Ma'aden is a primary player here. • Qatar: Operates the world's largest single-site urea plant. Qatar is a top supplier to the U.S. and India; however, recent reports indicate production halts at some facilities due to regional instability. • Oman: A critical exporter of granular urea and ammonia. It is currently one of the few regional players still managing to maintain some near-term shipments despite the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. • Iran: While often under sanctions, Iran is a massive producer of urea and sulfur. It typically supplies large volumes to India, Brazil, and parts of Southeast Asia. • United Arab Emirates (UAE): A significant producer of nitrogen fertilizers and sulfur, which is a necessary byproduct of their oil refining used to make phosphate fertilizers. US farmers being made to pay a lot more for fertiliser ... as well as tariffs on the now inflated prices The other input is migrant labour to tend/pick/package the crops .... now ICED (deported)! It doesn't end well. SD
Parsad Posted March 18 Posted March 18 35 minutes ago, Xerxes said: What was astonishingly new to me was that 20% of global supply of fertilizer passes through the Humus straight Gemini: 1. The Powerhouse Nations (Persian Gulf) These countries dominate the market because they have the world's lowest production costs for nitrogen-based fertilizers, thanks to their massive natural gas feedstock. • Saudi Arabia: A global leader in both nitrogen (urea/ammonia) and phosphate. It accounts for roughly 19% of global phosphate exports (DAP/MAP). The state-owned company Ma'aden is a primary player here. • Qatar: Operates the world's largest single-site urea plant. Qatar is a top supplier to the U.S. and India; however, recent reports indicate production halts at some facilities due to regional instability. • Oman: A critical exporter of granular urea and ammonia. It is currently one of the few regional players still managing to maintain some near-term shipments despite the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. • Iran: While often under sanctions, Iran is a massive producer of urea and sulfur. It typically supplies large volumes to India, Brazil, and parts of Southeast Asia. • United Arab Emirates (UAE): A significant producer of nitrogen fertilizers and sulfur, which is a necessary byproduct of their oil refining used to make phosphate fertilizers. 18 minutes ago, SharperDingaan said: US farmers being made to pay a lot more for fertiliser ... as well as tariffs on the now inflated prices The other input is migrant labour to tend/pick/package the crops .... now ICED (deported)! It doesn't end well. SD It's ok guys! The U.S. Cuban cigar embargo will be lifted soon once Trump takes over Cuba. You can smoke your stress away with a real Cohiba or Monte Cristo! Also, U.S. should be able to get more oil and fertilizer from newly acquired Venezuela. Won't cause prices to drop, but will help to keep supply running. Lastly, there is one country that produces a lot of oil and fertilizer and it's readily accessible by the U.S. But the U.S. is going to have to sign a new CUSMA agreement to get it! Suck it up Orange Man and do the right thing instead of threatening your neighbor and the people you do ACTUALLY NEED! Cheers!
changegonnacome Posted March 18 Posted March 18 (edited) 48 minutes ago, SharperDingaan said: US farmers being made to pay a lot more for fertiliser ... as well as tariffs on the now inflated prices The other input is migrant labour to tend/pick/package the crops .... now ICED (deported)! It doesn't end well. SD So are you trying to tell me affordability might be become a midterm election issue? Imagine being the leader of a political party (Trump) with elections six months away that are key to carrying out your mandate and you get yourself into this mess - utter insanity. But imagine doing this at the urging of another countrys leader (Bibi) who also has key elections coming up even sooner - an election on which that leader either wins or his personal corruption trial effectively restarts. For one the Iran war (excursion ) is a political disaster. For the other the Iran conflict is a political & personal gift. One leader is playing tiddlywinks, the other chess. Edited March 18 by changegonnacome
SharperDingaan Posted March 18 Posted March 18 Hey bud .. we made the fertiliser available to you, we helped on the crude thing by upping output of heavy crude; but the price thing .... that was all on you . SD
cubsfan Posted March 18 Posted March 18 12 minutes ago, Gregmal said: Ah, the walls are closing in! Greg - I think they definitely got him this time with that bombshell!
Buckeye Posted March 18 Posted March 18 https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/us-military-drops-5-000-121129392.html US military drops 5,000-pound deep-penetrator bombs near Strait of Hormuz Hopefully these “deep-penetrator”bombs will be more successful than the “is it in yet?” bombs that we have been using thus far.
changegonnacome Posted March 18 Posted March 18 (edited) 22 minutes ago, Gregmal said: Ah, the walls are closing in! No walls....just exceedingly dumb execution by Captain Chaos. As I've said before he's got great problem diagnosis (Iran excepted), market based solutions to those problems that I tend to agree with and that appear to work on paper.....then at execution stage Captain Chaos takes over and gets in the way of his own people.....he's done it so many times now. I imagine working in the Trump admin is like looking out your kitchen window watching a bizarre yellow haired, spray tanned mole digging up the beautiful flower bed you just spent months thinking about and planting and the funniest thing is the mole is your boss and he asked you to plant the flowers! Edited March 18 by changegonnacome
cwericb Posted March 18 Posted March 18 1 hour ago, Parsad said: It's ok guys! The U.S. Cuban cigar embargo will be lifted soon once Trump takes over Cuba. You can smoke your stress away with a real Cohiba or Monte Cristo! Also, U.S. should be able to get more oil and fertilizer from newly acquired Venezuela. Won't cause prices to drop, but will help to keep supply running. Lastly, there is one country that produces a lot of oil and fertilizer and it's readily accessible by the U.S. But the U.S. is going to have to sign a new CUSMA agreement to get it! Suck it up Orange Man and do the right thing instead of threatening your neighbor and the people you do ACTUALLY NEED! Cheers! The CUSMA negotiations are shaping up to be more interesting every day. Canada is by far the largest exporter of both oil and fertilizer to the US. We are close and dependable. DJT may find out that the US depends on Canada more than he thought. The price for both products is running up rapidly - ironically because of his own actions. Unfortunately those increases are going to hurt both Canadian and American farmers, and will also add to the price of gas and groceries. What goes around, comes around, I guess.
Parsad Posted March 18 Posted March 18 7 minutes ago, Buckeye said: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/us-military-drops-5-000-121129392.html US military drops 5,000-pound deep-penetrator bombs near Strait of Hormuz Hopefully these “deep-penetrator”bombs will be more successful than the “is it in yet?” bombs that we have been using thus far. LOL! Cheers!
73 Reds Posted March 18 Posted March 18 (edited) 1 hour ago, changegonnacome said: So are you trying to tell me affordability might be become a midterm election issue? Imagine being the leader of a political party (Trump) with elections six months away that are key to carrying out your mandate and you get yourself into this mess - utter insanity. But imagine doing this at the urging of another countrys leader (Bibi) who also has key elections coming up even sooner - an election on which that leader either wins or his personal corruption trial effectively restarts. For one the Iran war (excursion ) is a political disaster. For the other the Iran conflict is a political & personal gift. One leader is playing tiddlywinks, the other chess. <<One leader is playing tiddlywinks, the other chess.>> You're right about that. Imagine people on an anonymous investment board giving a guy who won two Presidential elections against all odds political advice. Or imagine them calling the most powerful guy in the Free World who didn't ascend there by inheriting a throne or a palace stupid. Or imagine that the same guy legally defeated an entire corrupt government trying to take him down multiple times. And further imagine that this guy is worth billions while his critics are worth ??? Oh wait, we don't have to imagine here, LOL. Edited March 18 by 73 Reds spelling
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