US franchises at risk ?

[Ulti]

7 minutes ago, hardcorevalue said:

Literally undoing decades of goodwill

Super sad I agree … it only takes a minute to destroy a reputation .. however with a decade of Trudeau and things like the podcast I posted earlier with Sam Cooper on the severe fentanyl crisis with organized crime in western Canada …. This is a wake-up call for all Canadian s to get their shit together… As well as us …

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2025/02/25/sba-7a-8a-loan-collections-dei-offices-eidl.html
 

SBA approach to DOGE

[cwericb]

5 minutes ago, hardcorevalue said:

It's so frustrating watching Americans joke about what as their closet ally being annexed.

It's hard to explain how much Canadians view of the US has changed in the past two months. 

 

Literally undoing decades of goodwill. 

It's kind of depressing really. 

Then talking about invading foreign countries, Nato members and selling out Ukraine. It's just so bizarre. 

 

Interesting times to say the least. 

 

 

This is very sad but true and I do not think the threats made against Canada will easily be forgotten. I am personally somewhat surprised how deep the disappointment/disgust with our neighbours is running, and seems to be the prime topic of conversation everywhere you look right now. Perhaps though, this may be a good thing to a certain extent. Trust perhaps should not be blind and these threats are somewhat of an overdue wake up call..

[DooDiligence]

53 minutes ago, KFRCanuk said:

OMG! I never knew we could do that. Thanks!

 

You're very welcome. I hope you're a good hearted person and I wish you all the success in the world. Blocking the right (or rather wrong users) users helps immensely.

 

edit: there are a lot of great people on here that you can learn a crapton from. There are a few who put out decent analysis and have actually made other users money, but I'm perfectly capable of managing (and occasionally mismanaging) my own money. Life is too short to listen to assholes.

Edited Wednesday at 08:12 PM by DooDiligence

[Ulti]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/02/26/electric-vehicles-zero-emissions-policies/
 

 The EV hoax … column by George Will.. couldn’t agreee more

[DooDiligence]

The government really does need to go after these opioid manufacturers and distributors, like Purdue Pharma, Teva / Cephalon, Cardinal, McKesson, Mallinkrodt (who am I missing?) I say send 'em all a strongly worded letter and then give 'em a firm slap on the wrist. Then start blaming it all on China and Mexico. This is the way.

 

I bet this gives Chinese standup comics a ton of material.

[hardcorevalue]

45 minutes ago, Ulti said:

Super sad I agree … it only takes a minute to destroy a reputation .. however with a decade of Trudeau and things like the podcast I posted earlier with Sam Cooper on the severe fentanyl crisis with organized crime in western Canada …. This is a wake-up call for all Canadian s to get their shit together… As well as us …

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2025/02/25/sba-7a-8a-loan-collections-dei-offices-eidl.html
 

SBA approach to DOGE

 

Obviously Canadians are dieing to this as well though but more fentanyl is coming from the US to Canada instead of what Trump says.

 

The fentanyl to the US is coming via China and Mexico.

This is just a way for him to get out of the free trade agreement. 

[Ulti]

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/06/29/nx-s1-5021798/supreme-court-overturns-opioid-settlement-with-purdue-pharma-that-shielded-sacklerssupreme-court-overturns-sackler-settlement-delaying-funds-meant-for-communities-battling-opioids

8 minutes ago, DooDiligence said:

Purdue Pharma, 

Money talks and BS walks

[KFRCanuk]

1 hour ago, DooDiligence said:

 

You're very welcome. I hope you're a good hearted person and I wish you all the success in the world. Blocking the right (or rather wrong users) users helps immensely.

 

edit: there are a lot of great people on here that you can learn a crapton from. There are a few who put out decent analysis and have actually made other users money, but I'm perfectly capable of managing (and occasionally mismanaging) my own money. Life is too short to listen to assholes.

 

I tried hard to bear with them BUT it just got too much.  I could not handle their pollution of discussions. Thanks again!

[kab60]

On 2/25/2025 at 10:52 PM, 73 Reds said:

Yeah, people who are predisposed to dislike or not trust Trump hear things differently than those who support him, or at least understand why he got elected.  Anyone looking for pure diplomacy to accomplish anything in this World should probably resign themselves to very low expectations.  The very notion that "America First" could win the day reflects a World that became accustomed to and dependent on far too many US concessions at the expense of its own populace, all while the World became an increasingly more dangerous and non-appreciative place.  If we can't take care of our own citizens here in this country, how can we help anyone else?  Though I often cringe at some of the words that come out of Trump's mouth, his overall message and priorities are the same as most other Americans - even those who didn't vote for him.  Who doesn't want safety, prosperity, equal opportunity, ending of wars and a better country for their children and grandchildren?  

 

I can understand why Trump got elected. People want change. Look at the recent election in Germany, the political situation in France etc. etc.

 

What I can't figure out is how any of his policies, or whatever we call this, accomplishes any of this. I find it fascinating how Trump supporters think that Trump and Musk are fighting for the little man. Or ignore what happened during his first term, where the US deficit grew significantly as he cut taxes.

 

"The federal budget deficit increased by almost 50%, reaching nearly $1 trillion in 2019. This growth occurred despite campaign promises to eliminate the national debt in eight years."

 

That was just a massive one-time-win for corporations and shareholders.

 

It's debatable whether or not Trumps' 'threats' towards Canada and Greenland are actually real threats, or just tactics, but I think a lot of Americans would be surprised as to how these things are received in Europe (and Canada). It actually makes me more bullish Canada and Europe, as this might be exactly what's needed to wake them up.

 

Edited 23 hours ago by kab60

[cwericb]

52 minutes ago, kab60 said:

 

It's debatable whether or not Trumps' 'threats' towards Canada and Greenland are actually real threats, or just tactics, but I think a lot of Americans would be surprised as to how these things are received in Europe (and Canada). It actually makes me more bullish Canada and Europe, as this might be exactly what's needed to wake them up.

 

 

Yes. Many Americans have no idea of what goes on beyond their borders and hence are susceptible to the lies and misinformation being spread.

 

I live in a tourist area in Canada and we have a number of American neighbours at our cottage who  are some of our closest friends. I am quite concerned as to how they will be received when they come to their cottages this summer as the level of anti-americianism today in Canada is unprecedented. 

 

But when the head of a country constantly makes threats and insults towards another country a certain animosity to be expected.

 

[Charlie]

11 minutes ago, cwericb said:

Yes. Many Americans have no idea of what goes on beyond their borders and hence are susceptible to the lies and misinformation being spread.

 

I live in a tourist area in Canada and we have a number of American neighbours at our cottage who  are some of our closest friends. I am quite concerned as to how they will be received when they come to their cottages this summer as the level of anti-americianism today in Canada is unprecedented. 

 

But when the head of a country constantly makes threats and insults towards another country a certain animosity to be expected.

+1

 

Imagine the most richest European billionaire trying to manipulate the U.S. election.

And then one of his friends, let´s name him Van is accusing the U.S. that there is no free speech, when the European administration is the inventor of 

so-called "Fake-News". They are just inverting everything and accusing it to other countries.

 

It doesn´t get more ridiculous than that....

 

to be continued...

 

The E.T. show will go on!!!

 

Edited 22 hours ago by Charlie

[Hektor]

6 minutes ago, Charlie said:

 

Imagine the most richest European billionaire trying to manipulate the U.S. election.

Rupert Murdoch comes to my mind. He has done this across 3 continents for a long time, if I am not wrong.

[cubsfan]

1 hour ago, cwericb said:

 

But when the head of a country constantly makes threats and insults towards another country a certain animosity to be expected.

 

You seem to forget the years of Canada's leader doing exactly that to the US President.

Justin's big mouth couldn't stay shut for a moment about MAGA and Trump.

 

Unfortuantely for him - he now has to try and work with him after years of insults to American leadership. 

[Gamecock-YT]

1 hour ago, cwericb said:

 

Yes. Many Americans have no idea of what goes on beyond their borders and hence are susceptible to the lies and misinformation being spread.

 

I live in a tourist area in Canada and we have a number of American neighbours at our cottage who  are some of our closest friends. I am quite concerned as to how they will be received when they come to their cottages this summer as the level of anti-americianism today in Canada is unprecedented. 

 

But when the head of a country constantly makes threats and insults towards another country a certain animosity to be expected.

 

 

 

Lie down with dogs and you'll wake up with fleas. 

 

No different than how the rest of the world treats Russian citizens. Personae non grata. 

 

I'd suggest doing what they do, keep your head down and don't draw attention to yourself.

Edited 21 hours ago by Gamecock-YT

[RichardGibbons]

1 hour ago, cubsfan said:

 

You seem to forget the years of Canada's leader doing exactly that to the US President.

Justin's big mouth couldn't stay shut for a moment about MAGA and Trump.

 

Unfortuantely for him - he now has to try and work with him after years of insults to American leadership. 

 

I've certainly forgotten this--I loathe Trudeau, but don't remember him making insults and threats the the USA.

 

Could you give me a reference, please? Thanks!

[Gregmal]

1 hour ago, Gamecock-YT said:

live in a tourist area in Canada and we have a number of American neighbours at our cottage who  are some of our closest friends. I am quite concerned as to how they will be received when they come to their cottages this summer

Tribal bigots now? I’d think any American coming to Canada should be viewed favorably given they clearly aren’t hostile to Canada. 

[cubsfan]

11 minutes ago, RichardGibbons said:

 

I've certainly forgotten this--I loathe Trudeau, but don't remember him making insults and threats the the USA.

 

Could you give me a reference, please? Thanks!

 

Sure -- @RichardGibbons - I never paid much attention to Justin, for no other reason then I was not too interested in Canada's politics, but more my own. However, what brought him to my attention over and over - was the constant insults and virtue signaling. 

 

This one really got my attention - wow - Justin really thinks he's something.

— 

After President Donald Trump called him “two-faced,” Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, admitted Wednesday that he and other world leaders were talking about the US President

 

https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/04/politics/world-leaders-joke-about-donald-trump-nato/index.html

 

But It's been a pattern forever:

 

https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/trudeau-insulted-trump-for-years-now-places-are-reversed

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/new-york-canadas-trudeau-takes-veiled-swipe-trump-2023-04-28/

 

 

Every insult from Justin about the MAGA movement and Trump, pretty much assured that

Trump would return the favor.

 

[RichardGibbons]

Ah, okay, that makes sense.  This is pretty standard Trudeau virtue signalling, and it seems reasonable to me that you're interpreting it the way you are.

 

Thanks!

[cwericb]

Reading a few of the comments above, it is rather weird how little some posters have no real clue about Canada and Canadians. The majority of Canadians are absolutely pissed off at the US leadership constant insults towards us. The vast majority have always been respectful towards the USA. Can you pick out a few isolated incidents, of course. But absolutely NOTHING like lies, threats and insults we have been seeing from your government. But anyway I will admit that we have been far too trusting and naive and we will see where things go from here.

 

Cubs... "You seem to forget the years of Canada's leader doing exactly that to the US President.

Justin's big mouth couldn't stay shut for a moment about MAGA and Trump."

Cubs where on earth did you get this idea? You are out of touch.

[flesh]

Regarding what trump said about Canadians/ didn’t say about Canadians I can’t be positive. He talks a lot. I’m assuming the Canadians here who feel this way are saying this in response to “ they don’t treat us fairly” and stuff that sounds like that? Or maybe “they are ripping us off”? 
 

if this is the case, this would be in the context of tariffs, tariff like stuff like value added taxes, subsidized industries, outright bans of certain products, the size scope and magnitude thereof, or anything else not listed already that has a distorting effect on free and fair competition. 
 

I have not done nor have I seen a credible analysis that takes into consideration all distorting effects that are a part of determining free and fair competition. If it exists I’d be happy to see it. Also, I’m not sure how one could take this personally as an American or a Canadian? It is either fair or it’s not or I suppose it’s close enough? Show me the evidence is what I’d say to trump or a Canadian here. I will get around to this personally but haven’t had the time as so much is happening. It’s possible trump is right and vice versa afaik. 
 

I haven’t heard him say anything specific to the quality of the people or culture of Canadians. If he has obviously that’s pathetic and simply untrue. 
 

That said, the usa and maybe Canada(?) need some industries to stay alive and relevant moving forward while maintaining a diversified supply base of all essential items. We need steel, ammo, cutting edge tech, energy, etc. how does one maintain this without tariffs? Ideally you would find ways to reduce the input costs of such essentials, sometimes you can’t. 
 

By definition, you cannot grow an industry in the USA without shrinking your imports of those items elsewhere. Which means anyone elsewhere will be unhappy about it. I guess you could try to maintain current x import and grow x internally but that’s splitting hairs and not possible in political practice and not expedient enough practically in many cases. 
 

Another reason is that usa middle class is being hollowed out, if capitalism continues to create growing inequalities you may need to maintain some industries despite their higher costs for now (distorting free and fair competition). 

 

I know of no better source for smart Canadians that I can access which is why I’m posting this here. 
 

If you consider China clearly there’s far different reasons. 
 

the video debate regarding tariffs I posted in this thread is food for thought. 
 

 

 

 

[cubsfan]

1 hour ago, cwericb said:

Reading a few of the comments above, it is rather weird how little some posters have no real clue about Canada and Canadians. The majority of Canadians are absolutely pissed off at the US leadership constant insults towards us. The vast majority have always been respectful towards the USA. Can you pick out a few isolated incidents, of course. But absolutely NOTHING like lies, threats and insults we have been seeing from your government. But anyway I will admit that we have been far too trusting and naive and we will see where things go from here.

 

Cubs... "You seem to forget the years of Canada's leader doing exactly that to the US President.

Justin's big mouth couldn't stay shut for a moment about MAGA and Trump."

Cubs where on earth did you get this idea? You are out of touch.

 

Obviously you failed to read the direct quotes I provided for Mr Gibbons question regarding 

Justin's constant stream of insults to undermine the President.

It really doesn't matter to me that you want to be totally disingenuous.

 

That's just how you roll @cwericb

[cwericb]

5 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

 

Obviously you failed to read the direct quotes I provided for Mr Gibbons question regarding 

Justin's constant stream of insults to undermine the President.

It really doesn't matter to me that you want to be totally disingenuous.

 

That's just how you roll @cwericb

 

I read the quotes. But Cubs there is an old saying, "consider the source". But I guess you believe everything Trump says and everything you see on FOX. Perhaps you shouldn't give the right leaning Sun all that much credibility. 

And...

"After President Donald Trump called him “two-faced,” Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, admitted Wednesday that he and other world leaders were talking about the US President."  

 

Really? They were ALL talking about the US President? What a surprise, how dare they. Has trump ever talked about the Canadian Prime Minister?

 

 

[cwericb]

6 hours ago, Gregmal said:

Tribal bigots now? I’d think any American coming to Canada should be viewed favorably given they clearly aren’t hostile to Canada. 

 

Personally I agree with this and are embarrassed because of it but unfortunately we also have our share of bigoted assholes. Our summer neighbours are from Maine, the Carolinas, Alabama, Arkansas, etc and are all close friends. 

 

But I thought you had moved to Newfoundland buy now?

[cubsfan]

14 minutes ago, cwericb said:

 

I read the quotes. But Cubs there is an old saying, "consider the source". But I guess you believe everything Trump says and everything you see on FOX. Perhaps you shouldn't give the right leaning Sun all that much credibility. 

And...

"After President Donald Trump called him “two-faced,” Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, admitted Wednesday that he and other world leaders were talking about the US President."  

 

Really? They were ALL talking about the US President? What a surprise, how dare they. Has trump ever talked about the Canadian Prime Minister?

 

 

 

Like I said - you are totally disingenuous @cwericb  

 

All this was so easy to find, it took me about 3 minutes - mainly because it happened over and over. But keep pretending it never happened.

 

Anyway - I am moving this conversation to other threads, to obey Parsad's ban on politics.

 

But keep playing the perpetual victim and hating the United States. It's not a good look.

 

 

Edited 13 hours ago by cubsfan

[John Hjorth]

41 minutes ago, cwericb said:

I read the quotes. But Cubs there is an old saying, "consider the source". But I guess you believe everything Trump says and everything you see on FOX. Perhaps you shouldn't give the right leaning Sun all that much credibility. 

And...

"After President Donald Trump called him “two-faced,” Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, admitted Wednesday that he and other world leaders were talking about the US President."  

 

Really? They were ALL talking about the US President? What a surprise, how dare they. Has trump ever talked about the Canadian Prime Minister?

 

At least interesting to us, if one does the naked - heads down - analysis, Eric [ @cwericb ],

 

Extremely hard to discuss anything if one apriori is met by insults, name calling,  deragoratory, foul and condescending language from a - the major - reprsenentative - of the United States of America.

 

- - - o 0 o - - - 

 

There exist so many forms for opening discussions about things and for change in a construtuctive way.

Edited 12 hours ago by John Hjorth