Recent posts

#1

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by HVC - Today at 09:33:48 AM

For Doque

https://www.instagram.com/p/DW56BKSjKYx

#2

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

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 09:33:46 AM

We have six wild fires in BC. Historically low snow pack in the interior and the coast means this is going to be a bad wild fire year.

#3

Off the Record / Re: US Exit from NATO?

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 08:38:59 AM

Why would someone reasonable replace the orange blob? And even if it happens, you can't be allied to a country that is on and off constantly.

The US is a write-off as an ally.

Yes, for the foreseeable future

#4

Off the Record / Re: Iran War

Last post by Tamas - Today at 08:25:16 AM

So, definitely true.

Foreign policy is used to be conducted by the State department, not DoD.

Fixed that for you.

#5

Off the Record / Re: Dead Pool 2026

Last post by Savonarola - Today at 07:59:50 AM

RIP Afrika Bambaataa

I saw him perform once at the Movement Electronic Music Festival about 20 years ago.  Even then he was one of the few acts there who still used turntables; everyone else was rocking their Mac computer.

#6

Off the Record / Re: Iran War

Last post by HVC - Today at 07:49:17 AM

You're forgetting the possibility that they requested the pope call a crusade

#7

Off the Record / Re: Iran War

Last post by grumbler - Today at 07:47:19 AM

So, definitely true.

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

#8

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

Last post by Maladict - Today at 07:26:15 AM

Trump did say "Maybe I should be Pope?", although jokingly at one press conference.

Can you imagine Reagan or Carter saying that? No? Thought so.

Nixon said that he would have made a good pope.  (If you consider Julius II a good pope, then I guess I could see that.)

Nixon certainly would not have been the worst pope.

#9

Off the Record / Re: US Exit from NATO?

Last post by Maladict - Today at 07:24:28 AM

Rutte has to go. And maybe next time don't put a MAGA guy in that role.

Afaik, with Rutte one has to remember his words mean nothing. They're just wind and he'll pivot into whatever direction is required.

So in that regard he may be perfect to keep the thing on lifesupport until someone reasonable replaces the orange blob.

But that only works if the euros stop dawdling and build up that army. Ideally even reworking and streamlining the things so that they also get the benefits of scale.

That means some red lines will have to be crossed and 'holy houses' torn down.

In the mean time the optics of Rutte suck.

The optics suck, but he doesn't care about that. He's a human-shaped lubricant, which can be very effective in holding a coalition together. Just don't expect any kind of vision or long-term strategy.

#10

Off the Record / Re: US Exit from NATO?

Last post by The Brain - Today at 05:51:11 AM

Why would someone reasonable replace the orange blob? And even if it happens, you can't be allied to a country that is on and off constantly.

The US is a write-off as an ally.