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#1

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

Last post by Josephus - Today at 10:10:49 AM

If he has a majority in 2026, he won't need an election until 2029. That's a solid from a government perspective.

Floor crossings will continue. If he undermines the cons further, forcing PP's resignation, the conservatives  will choose another mediocrity, so Carney will be PM until 2038. That's a long haul.

And if an election was cold today, he would have a massive majority.  So again, why focus on a narrow majority?

Bird in the hand I suppose.

Absolutely.  Elections are, despite poll numbers, hard to predict. Anything can happen during a campaign. Why risk it, when courting floor crossers is so much less messy

#2

Off the Record / Re: Iran War

Last post by Syt - Today at 10:04:47 AM

During the first Trump presidency, there were reports of the US state department being very understaffed. I suppose this trend has continued?

There were several articles on the topic when Iran started, like this one:

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-03-19/state-department-cut-jobs-with-deep-expertise-in-middle-east-as-iran-crisis-escalates

[...]

• State Department has cut more than 80 staffers in Near Eastern Affairs and eliminated a dedicated Iran office as the region faces escalating conflict with Tehran.
• Over 3,800 department employees departed since President Trump took office, including veteran diplomats and speakers of critical languages like Arabic and Farsi.
• Evacuation messaging to Americans in the region came late and initially confused, with some embassies unprepared for the crisis.

[...]

#3

Off the Record / Re: Iran War

Last post by grumbler - Today at 09:53:49 AM

Yeah.  Else why would the Pentagon summon a Vatican diplomat for a meeting? Foreign policy is conducted by the State department, not DoD.

Normatively yes, but in the Trump admin, anything goes.  No one is really conducting anything, and to the extent something resembling policy exists, it can be driven by anyone that has Trump's ear and attention in the moment, or at least his acquiescence.  Thus, such things like an "advisor" with no official position of any kind acting like a super Prime Minister and destroying entire departments and agencies; the vast expansion of ICE over areas far outside its authority, competence, or jurisdiction; the combination of graft and pseudo-diplomacy carried out by the unaccredited negotiation team of Kushner+Witkoff; the takeover of the US justice system by Trump's criminal defense lawyer; many other examples.  In that context, a takeover of Vatican diplomacy by DoD is no great innovation.

My point was that the fact that the envoy was summoned to the Pentagon is evidence that the story of him being hectored and threatened is true. There would be no obvious other purpose to summon him to the Pentagon except to do exactly that.

#4

Off the Record / Re: Iran War

Last post by HisMajestyBOB - Today at 09:40:25 AM

During the first Trump presidency, there were reports of the US state department being very understaffed. I suppose this trend has continued?

The State Department is too woke.

#5

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

Last post by Savonarola - Today at 07:54:02 AM

Trouble in MAGA paradise, from Trump's Truth Social:

I know why Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones have all been fighting me for years, especially by the fact that they think it is wonderful for Iran, the Number One State Sponsor of Terror, to have a Nuclear Weapon — Because they have one thing in common, Low IQs. They're stupid people, they know it, their families know it, and everyone else knows it, too! Look at their past, look at their record. They don't have what it takes, and they never did! They've all been thrown off Television, lost their Shows, and aren't even invited on TV because nobody cares about them, they're NUT JOBS, TROUBLEMAKERS, and will say anything necessary for some "free" and cheap publicity. Now they think they get some "clicks" because they have Third Rate Podcasts, but nobody's talking about them, and their views are the opposite of MAGA — Or I wouldn't have won the Presidential Election in a LANDSLIDE. MAGA agrees with me, and just gave CNN a 100% Approval Rating of "TRUMP," not Hand Flailing Fools like Tucker Carlson, who couldn't even finish College, he was a broken man when he got fired from Fox, and he's never been the same — Perhaps he should see a good psychiatrist! Or Megyn Kelly, who nastily asked me the now famous, "Only Rosie O'Donnell," question, or "Crazy" Candace Owens, who accuses the Highly Respected First Lady of France of being a man, when she is not, and will hopefully win lots of money in the ongoing lawsuit. Actually, to me, the First Lady of France is a far more beautiful woman than Candace, in fact, it's not even close! Or Bankrupt Alex Jones, who says some of the dumbest things, and lost his entire fortune, as he should have, for his horrendous attack on the families of the Sandy Hook shooting victims, ridiculously claiming it was a hoax. These so-called "pundits" are LOSERS, and they always will be! Now Fake News CNN, The Failing New York Times, and all of the other Radical Left "News" Organizations, are "hailing" them, and giving them "positive" press for the first time in their lives. They're not "MAGA," they're losers, just trying to latch on to MAGA. As President, I could get them on my side anytime I want to, but when they call, I don't return their calls because I'm too busy on World and Country Affairs and, after a few times, they go "nasty," just like Marjorie "Traitor" Brown, but I no longer care about that stuff, I only care about doing right for our Country. MAGA is about WINNING and STRENGTH in not allowing Iran to have Nuclear Weapons. MAGA is about MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and these people have no idea how to do that, BUT I DO, because THE UNITED STATES IS NOW THE "HOTTEST" COUNTRY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! President DONALD J. TRUMP

It doesn't really sound like he no longer cares about that stuff...

CNN has run some "Split in MAGA" type stories, concerning Carlson and Co.'s opposition to the Iran War (although I don't think that qualifies as positive press.)  I don't think that there really is, though, the overwhelming majority of Republicans have supported Trump's war effort.

#6

Off the Record / Re: Iran War

Last post by frunk - Today at 06:13:19 AM

During the first Trump presidency, there were reports of the US state department being very understaffed. I suppose this trend has continued?

This time around everything is understaffed or unstaffed, except ICE which is staffed in the worst way.

#7

Off the Record / Re: The EU thread

Last post by Norgy - Today at 03:06:55 AM

I think foreign correspondents really should learn more languages. If I can, they can.

As far as I know, Farage is more likely to win a Silk Cut smoking contest. The man doesn't even have good taste in baccy.

#8

Off the Record / Re: Iran War

Last post by Norgy - Today at 02:29:00 AM

During the first Trump presidency, there were reports of the US state department being very understaffed. I suppose this trend has continued?

#9

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

Last post by Zanza - Today at 01:09:40 AM

What exactly was our triumph?

"Liberty and justice for all"

#10

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

Last post by Sophie Scholl - Today at 12:40:26 AM

It worked for getting Trump's pal elected in Argentina. Hopefully, Hungary has enough sense and is tired enough of Orban to not let it work there.