Recent posts

#1

Gaming HQ / Re: Hearts of Iron IV

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 05:16:02 PM

Oh okay - I withdraw my factless righteous outrage

#2

Gaming HQ / Re: Hearts of Iron IV

Last post by Baron von Schtinkenbutt - Today at 05:13:54 PM

10 years, and this is the second DLC that has addressed China and Japan.  The first was one of the first DLCs released, and is so old now it's part of the base game.

#3

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 05:11:24 PM

Right you are, I was thinking deaths.  But even then I am off.  The death toll of the Russians is closer to that of the Central Powers on the Western Front.

#4

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 05:03:57 PM

I don't understand what she is threatening. The Provinces pay for the courthouses and court house staff, not the judicial salaries of federally appointed judges.

#5

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 04:59:24 PM

Something was done.  There was an extensive investigation, a criminal prosecution, witnesses were identified and made ready to testify.  Then a ridiculously favorable deal was made, pulling the rug out from under the line agents and prosecutors and the victims.

That is why I said, "with the exception of...". But what the damning thing that becomes apparent is there were so many other potential prosecutions that could have occurred.

#6

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by Jacob - Today at 04:49:59 PM

She's got the note that to properly undermine the rule of law and democracy, you need to first suborn the judiciary.

[Danielle Smith says Alberta will withhold funding for judges without more input on selection]

#7

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by PRC - Today at 04:43:55 PM

Danielle Smith weighs in on judicial appointments...

I don't think Beeb comes around anymore but Beeb, if you're lurking, would love to see your input on this!

https://globalnews.ca/news/11650810/danielle-smith-alberta-judges/

Danielle Smith says Alberta will withhold funding for judges without more input on selection
By Lisa Johnson  The Canadian Press
Posted February 3, 2026 12:39 pm

Premier Danielle Smith says her government will withhold funding to support new judicial appointments in Alberta if the federal government doesn't give the province a say on who is picked.

In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney made public Tuesday, Smith says the appointment process for judges needs reform.

Her letter comes a week after Alberta's judges called on Smith to respect each other's role and independence, after the premier said on her weekly radio show she wishes she could "direct" them.

Smith told Carney she wants the province to be consulted on future appointments to Alberta's Court of King's Bench, the Alberta Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Smith proposes a committee that includes Alberta appointees to help assess and recommend King's Bench and Court of Appeal candidates to justice ministers and recommend candidates for the Supreme Court of Canada to be agreed on by ministers and submitted to the prime minister.

Smith says the collaboration would help ensure the appointments "appropriately reflect Alberta's distinct legal traditions," and strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice.

"Alberta's government will not agree to provide the necessary funding to support any new judicial positions in the province until such engagement and collaboration are provided," Smith wrote in the letter, dated Jan. 23.

"Providing Alberta with a formal and meaningful role in the appointment process would strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice, promote national unity within Alberta and help ensure judicial decision-making reflects the values and expectations of Albertans."

She also calls on Carney to relax bilingualism requirements for federal appointees, saying imposing bilingualism on Supreme Court of Canada judges further entrenches both barriers and Western alienation.

She points to the United States and Australia, where states can appoint state-level superior court judges.

"In this respect, Canada remains an outlier, and a discussion on reform is long overdue."

Shawn King, president of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association, which speaks for defence lawyers across the province, said if Smith follows through on her ultimatum to withhold funding from courts, the already-stressed justice system will "implode."

"At least in criminal cases, it means that matters are going to be stayed hand over fist, and who's going to be blamed for that?"

King said courts will see more Jordan applications, which are legal motions to dismiss criminal charges due to unreasonable trial delays.

"This is potentially catastrophic," he said.

He added it's currently not unusual to see matters adjourned or rescheduled due to a shortage of judges.

Smith's letter comes after Alberta's three chief justices, in a rare public statement last week, urged respect for the independence of the judicial branch, saying democracy only functions when all three branches of government operate independently.

Smith has recently said she wished she could "direct" judges in regards to bail rules and decisions. In recent months, the premier has repeated criticized what she calls "activist" courts and "unelected" judges.

Smith has said she believes in parliamentary supremacy, and in the fall sitting of the legislature, invoked the Charter's notwithstanding clause four times to shield her government's laws from court challenges.

#8

Gaming HQ / Re: Hearts of Iron IV

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 04:39:34 PM

Slightly mad that it's like 20 years and innumerable DLCs in before they do one for China/Japan

#9

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by Syt - Today at 04:36:30 PM

1.1 open beta is out: https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/threads/open-beta-1-1-0-is-live-now.1898771/

#10

Off the Record / Re: The EU thread

Last post by Crazy_Ivan80 - Today at 04:31:23 PM

Europe needs to 1) massively expand its armed forces, and 2) display a willingness to use them. Whether it's Bully Blue or Bully Red, Europe needs to slap bullies who get too frisky.

indeed, and I don't think we're there yet mentally. In general