Recent posts

#1

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

Last post by HVC - Today at 06:26:10 PM

Which begs the question, are all the GOP cowards, idiots, or in on it?

#2

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

Last post by viper37 - Today at 06:21:10 PM

It's logical to say some cars gotta be made here to import at preferred tariffs.  But also don't think it's logical for all at makers to do so.  And if they are tariffed that just means less competition.  So many moving variables...

It's going to depend in which segment they target.

For general consumers, it will matter.  A Hyunday or a Toyota will directly compete with Ford or a GM.

The dude who buys a Lamborghini doesn't really care if it's 25% more or less, so I don't expect to see these cars assembled in Canada anytime soon.   Only the Ford GT is assembled in Canada, if that counts.

Moderate luxury brand cars like Acura, Lexus are assembled in Ontario.  Don't know if BMW, Mercedes or Audi has any auto plant here (we have a resident expert, but not in this thread...).

Now, let's say they don't.  You slap them with a 20-25% tariff, or a mix of import quotas and tariffs, and Acura and Lexus don't.  So you have an Acura and Lexus Sedan retailing for 65-70k$ that now costs 80k$ due to the various restrictions.  Market will shift toward the manufacturers who offer assembly in Canada.  Or the others will have to eat on their profit margins to offer competitive pricing.  Which will push them toward eventually investing in Canada, if the market size is sufficient.

It will also have a chilling effect for auto manufacturers who may be tempted to move their plants to the US or Asia and export their cars over here, knowing they will have to face steep tariffs compared to their competitors who kept their plants active.  They gain from rationalization, they lose from tariffs.

#3

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

Last post by The Minsky Moment - Today at 06:11:41 PM

Bessent, Rubio, Senate Republicans are all going in front of cameras and treating this Greenland insanity like an ordinary exercise of foreign policy and not the genuine 25th Amendment moment it is. 

Clear proof that God does not exist: John McCain is dead and Lindsay Graham lives.

#4

Off the Record / Re: Facebook Follies of Friend...

Last post by viper37 - Today at 06:10:24 PM

We got the joke.  We're not that illeterate, you know 

#5

Off the Record / Re: It Was Nice Knowing You Al...

Last post by viper37 - Today at 06:06:33 PM

I'll survive the first nuclear blasts.  I won't escape the fallout, it'll float down the St-Lawrence valley.  I expect Montreal to be vaped in the first strike along with Toronto.

During the Cold War, I'm sure they planned strikes against Washington D.C., New York, L.A. etc.

Now, I think they'll target Washington and major Red States.

Anyway.  In my physical state, without the modern supply chain, I won't survive long.

So, unless there's a coup in Washington D.C., t'was nice knowing y'all.

#6

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by Duque de Bragança - Today at 06:06:29 PM

The reason is more likely to be that the  « anthology » format is much better suited to guest starring, unlike soap operas or serialised shows.

True, see also e.g. shows like Columbo and its eclectic list of guest stars.

Precisely.

Columbo has quite the list.

Worst and best series for that has to be the Love Boat, the cemetary of stars.

#7

Off the Record / Re: It Was Nice Knowing You Al...

Last post by Duque de Bragança - Today at 06:04:13 PM

I screwed up, I was just in Portugal a few days ago, where I would have better chances in the countryside near Bragança than in Paris.

I had pinpointed a hamlet, somewhat isolated, where I had some family.
Too late?

Duque, no it's not too late, but hang around any longer and you'll get increasing numbers of European languishite wanting to tag along, if you'll only meet them at the Gare du Nord. 

If the tunnel survives (key infrastructure likely to be targeted), no need for boats.

I would not recommend a bike however; might have to do it on foot.

#8

Off the Record / Re: The China Thread

Last post by DGuller - Today at 05:48:25 PM

Those dystopian religious cults cannot sustain our modern societies though. By themselves, they would eventually degenerate into a much more primitive society.

It's possible that societies can only get so advanced before that very advanced nature makes them unsustainable.

#9

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by Syt - Today at 05:45:00 PM

The reason is more likely to be that the  « anthology » format is much better suited to guest starring, unlike soap operas or serialised shows.

True, see also e.g. shows like Columbo and its eclectic list of guest stars.

#10

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

Last post by PJL - Today at 05:38:10 PM

Also... it is tragicomical beyond measure that the post-War order and the West as a geopolitical entity is coming crashing down because the world is unable to satisfy the emotional needs of the "very special boy" that is Donald Trump.

... who was voted for by tens of millions. As bad as he is, keep in mind that there was a huge chunk of people who looked at him and said, "Yeah, give me a couple more years of that!"

Yes, I think there is a lot more to it than emotional needs of one special person.  Society that elects Trump to be a president, especially in 2024, has to already start off very unwell.  I think it was very damning that political analysts judged, probably correctly, that the "threat to democracy" message doesn't sell.  It indicates some kind of basic bankruptcy on a social level.

Indeed, Trump is the symptom and not the cause. And it's not just an American thing either; people like authoritarian leaders.