China makes its play for Canada

[WyattEarp]

There is no expenses that NATO countries are required to pay.
It is merely a commitment to spend on defence.
But what is fair is relative and the US's criticisms are not valid.
The US is the primary beneficiary of NATO activities.
They chose to create a military that was bigger than what they need for their national defence.
They chose to create over 750 military bases the world over.
It was their choice to do so because they wanted the military, political and economic clout.
So they have to pay for it by carrying NATO on their shoulders.
But I do agree that Canada has to spend on its defence chiefly to defend itself from threats the US poses.

I wouldn't blow whatever credibility on TERB you might have on some fanciful revisionism.

There have been times when even Americans have questioned the size of our military. It certainly needs a a major rationalization. However, we have seen in recent years why American military might is necessary. Where are most of the Ukraine's most advanced weapons sourced? Who is protecting global shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea? Who is trying to keep the Iranians in check?

We can go on about how Europe was and is defended to this day against Russian aggression. How Eastern Europe was wrested from Soviet control. The South Koreans and the Japanese might also have something to say.

You can question some of the U.S.' military decisions but you can't support broad statements that the U.S. chose to create a military that was bigger than they need for their national defense. The truth is more complicated and you just dream some natural global peace and security would have manifested itself in a world without the U.S military.

PS- You've become quite the storyteller since your emergence on TERB. I insist you sound like a reincarnation of some other members. Anyway, most of us had progressive and Marxist professors who tried to sell us their stories of the failures of American and Western dominance. The healthy thing is not to regurgitate all of this but formulate dynamic views to deal with a far more complicated and changing world.

 

[richaceg]

When the neighbour says he's going to take your land make you the 51st state you don't think that's a threat?
You used the american spelling, you're not Canadia, are you?

Oh boohoo...democrats / liberals are getting distracted by Trumps rhetoric...he knew you guys will bite on it and bite hard you did...now he's deporting as many illegals as he can smoothly, DOGE is at the end of cost cutting...SC just approved he can cut federal funding on those who oppose his executive orders...the democrats are demoralized after a bunch of protests that went nowhere...you're left with stockmarket crash and China...

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

The evolution of Fentanyl in Canada over the past 11 years - Canada.ca

Trends in the identification of the Fentanyl in Canada between 2012 and 2022 with data from the Drug Analysis Service.

www.canada.ca

National Report: Apparent Opioid-related Deaths in Canada

View the latest national report on opioid-related deaths in Canada by the Public Health Agency of Canada on the Public Health Infobase platform.

health-infobase.canada.ca

In 2017, I saw a guy, possibly dead, lying in the alley east of Yonge Street, between Shuter and Dundas Square. I tapped on the window of a police car parked in front of the Hard Rock Cafe, and told the cop who rolled the window down an inch about it. He rolled the window up, and went back to working on his Sudoku puzzle.

Junky deaths aren't newsworthy, on an individual basis. A coyote snatching a little dog is more interesting to the affluent viewers who rarely leave their homes after sunset.

That's like saying Canada has a huge problem with crime because we have instances of crime.
Canada is still one of the safest countries in the world.
Drugs and drug related issues are unavoidable. Every country has them.
But is it such a problem that justifies tariffs?
The answer is a no.
When we say fentanyl is not an issue we don't mean there are zero cases of fentanyl overdose or smuggling across the border.
We mean that the hype isn't commensurate with the magnitude of the issue.

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

There have been times when even Americans have questioned the size of our military. It certainly needs a a major rationalization. However, we have seen in recent years why American military might is necessary. Where are most of the Ukraine's most advanced weapons sourced? Who is protecting global shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea? Who is trying to keep the Iranians in check?

We can go on about how Europe was and is defended to this day against Russian aggression. How Eastern Europe was wrested from Soviet control. The South Koreans and the Japanese might also have something to say.

You can question some of the U.S.' military decisions but you can't support broad statements that the U.S. chose to create a military that was bigger than they need for their national defense. The truth is more complicated and you just dream some natural global peace and security would have manifested itself in a world without the U.S military.

Right.
So in short, the United States made a conscious choice, to play world police.
Whether Americans question that is not important and whether that has benefitted the world is highly debatable.
The reality is that the US made that choice to vastly expand their army, and reap the benefits of having the ability to project such power.
Hence you have to pay for both your army (fixed and operational costs) and the clout that it affords you because that further generates trillions in GDP.
Trump wants isolationism, while wanting to project power.
You cannot have your cake and eat it too.
None of this is storytelling or revisionist.
What I have said above is accurate and true.
You may want to lay off the mental gymnastics and just be realistic if you want to talk about credibility on TERB.
PS:
I have repeatedly said I am not a reincarnation of anyone.
Any trolling on that front will be reported to the moderator.
A few members did and they were reported and they were banned. FYI.

 

[40micmic]

Yet you can't even ALLEGE what they are there for. Taiwan is part of China, a large segment of the Taiwanese population accepts this. If Taiwan were to truly seek independence, I think China would accept it, but to become a US client state, not likely.

Allege what who is there for? 70% of the population dont even consider themselves chinese. Over 90% voted for status quo or independence.

Xi has said time and time again that china will use force to bring Taiwan into the fold. Its in their constitution which he revised a few ywars ago.

You understand veey little about China.

 

[40micmic]

FIXED

Dude, you have no idea. Pretty moronic


I thought nottyboi thinking chinese secret police stations were only here to help ppl with drivers licenses was the most idiotic thing i read, but comparing the us to north korea is up there for sure

 

[40micmic]

That's like saying Canada has a huge problem with crime because we have instances of crime.
Canada is still one of the safest countries in the world.
Drugs and drug related issues are unavoidable. Every country has them.
But is it such a problem that justifies tariffs?
The answer is a no.
When we say fentanyl is not an issue we don't mean there are zero cases of fentanyl overdose or smuggling across the border.
We mean that the hype isn't commensurate with the magnitude of the issue.

Do you think mass scale money laundering is a problem? Or circumventing our laws to finance illicit drug production and exportation?

 

[40micmic]

China should be obliged to pay reparations for the COVID-19 virus, whether or not the release was accidental. 'So solly ' is not enough.

100%. They knowlingly released into the world. Just follow the sequence of events:
1) close down domestic travel, and inbound flights to china
2) silence chinese doctors trying to warm public about disease
3) start hoarding medical supplies from everywhere in the world
4. Have the WHO make statements that it was not human to human transmissable
5) open up outbound flights from china to the world

This is the government that people want to do business with??????

 

[40micmic]

I see a future scenario where with advanced global warming, Canada cedes a large portion of the Northwest Territories/ Nunuvut to China after large portions of that country have become uninhabitable because of climate change and pollution. This leads to Canadian prosperity for about five years, until the Chinese become the largest ethnic group in Canada. Then things get a whole lot worse

90% of the water is unsafe for human consumption in China already.

 

[40micmic]

China is in panic mode. If it gets into butting heads with US, it needs consumers for its goods... keep an eye on baba stocks

PDD as well

 

[WyattEarp]

That's like saying Canada has a huge problem with crime because we have instances of crime.
Canada is still one of the safest countries in the world.
Drugs and drug related issues are unavoidable. Every country has them.

I believe you specifically said that there was no fentanyl crisis in Canada. Onama posted a Canadian govt. chart showing the surging fentanyl seizures. Deaths related to fentanyl and fentanyl analogues have surged as well.

About two years ago or so, another well-known member argued with me fentanyl wasn't a problem in the U.S. and most certainly not in Canada. It was obvious that was what is argument called for at that time.

I'm not sure what causes people to make preposterous arguments on social media and ignore unambiguous data. I think it's because it's easy and to some degree satisfying.

 

[mandrill]

China is basically north korea with more money and a more refined censorship/security apparatus. The economic carrots that China has been wielding are diminishing due to a variety of factors and they will be using the military sticks they have been building for the last 2.5 decades.

And presumably Chine has more "competition" to determine who the dictator is from time to time.

But the orld military videos on You Tube that I look at suggest that the PLA is so inept and corrupt that it could not take Taiwan if it tried due to incompetence. Any comments?

You appear well informed.

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

I believe you specifically said that there was no fentanyl crisis in Canada.

Yes.
I didn't say there was no fentanyl related deaths or crime in Canada.
I said there was no fentanyl crisis at the border, especially one that justifies tariffs.
You talked about data.
Data shows 43Kgs intercepted at Canada border vs 25K at Mexican border.
I think that speaks for itself.

 

[richaceg]

That's like saying Canada has a huge problem with crime because we have instances of crime.
Canada is still one of the safest countries in the world.
Drugs and drug related issues are unavoidable. Every country has them.
But is it such a problem that justifies tariffs?
The answer is a no.
When we say fentanyl is not an issue we don't mean there are zero cases of fentanyl overdose or smuggling across the border.
We mean that the hype isn't commensurate with the magnitude of the issue.

There is no denying Canada cities s till safe compared to most US cities...but the buck stops there...
It's starting to get worse because of the Trudeau policies and the liberal policies - remember "defund police"?
The liberal Idea that crimes can be solved through social worker and not arrests still makes me laugh to this day...
You are not completely out of the loop but if you pull your head out of your ass more often...you might have a different view...

 

[mandrill]

I believe you specifically said that there was no fentanyl crisis in Canada. Onama posted a Canadian govt. chart showing the surging fentanyl seizures. Deaths related to fentanyl and fentanyl analogues have surged as well.

About two years ago or so, another well-known member argued with me fentanyl wasn't a problem in the U.S. and most certainly not in Canada. It was obvious that was what is argument called for at that time.

I'm not sure what causes people to make preposterous arguments on social media and ignore unambiguous data. I think it's because it's easy and to some degree satisfying.

There is no fentanyl crisis. There are people who use fentanyl, just like there are people who are addicted to any other substance. There is no "cannabis crisis", no "alcohol crisis", etc.

A "crisis" - in the terms the Orange Dotard suggests - entails that Canada is a fentanyl narcocracy, in the same way some Latin American countries are. That is nonsensical.

 

[richaceg]

Yes.
I didn't say there was no fentanyl related deaths or crime in Canada.
I said there was no fentanyl crisis at the border, especially one that justifies tariffs.
You talked about data.
Data shows 43Kgs intercepted at Canada border vs 25K at Mexican border.
I think that speaks for itself.

Nice edit..
.

There is no fentany crisis in Canada.
That is a lie.

 

[40micmic]

And presumably Chine has more "competition" to determine who the dictator is from time to time.

But the orld military videos on You Tube that I look at suggest that the PLA is so inept and corrupt that it could not take Taiwan if it tried due to incompetence. Any comments?

You appear well informed.

Because information is so limited coming out of China it is hard to know. But high profile generals have not be seen recently. One of them being the commander in charge of the eastern theatre (taiwan invasion). This is especially out of character given they just concluded the "two sessions" which is the CCPs top political meeting. A lot of these top military officials that may have been purged were Xi loyalists.

Also read reports of the jiang xemin faction being extremely unhappy with the economic state of China and they were behind the military purges

 

[WyattEarp]

So in short, the United States made a conscious choice, to play world police.

As I said, tell that to post-war Western Europe, post-war Japan, South Korea and post-Soviet Eastern Europe. (Oh, but you will tell them.) As we have seen from earlier posts on this thread, some Canadians take their security for granted. If you now believe in a benign China, that is clearly an opinion. Again, why are the Japanese, South Koreans and of course the Taiwanese increasing their military spending? I believe the Philippines has been welcoming the U.S. military more and more. China's neighbors fear it. You sitting comfortably 6,000 miles away probably within 100 miles of the United States border can offer beneficent thoughts of China. (That presumes you are in Canada.)

I'm detecting some latent views. I sense you begrudge U.S. interdiction against Soviet expansion in the post-war period. No one is stupid enough to support the Soviet history, but perhaps you have sympathy for anti-Western causes.

Whether Americans question that is not important and whether that has benefited the world is highly debatable.

Some things are debatable. And other things are not. And most certainly not much on this topic is "highly" debatable as splashed on your broad canvas.

The reality is that the US made that choice to vastly expand their army, and reap the benefits of having the ability to project such power.

The benefits are greatly exaggerated and are used to cudgel the idea of a post-war altruistic America. By the way, it was the Brits and to a lesser extent the French that had the big empires. I believe those are two countries that Canada has some history with.

Hence you have to pay for both your army (fixed and operational costs) and the clout that it affords you because that further generates trillions in GDP.
Trump wants isolationism, while wanting to project power.
You cannot have your cake and eat it too.
None of this is storytelling or revisionist.
What I have said above is accurate and true.

Truth is a very narrow lane and you have a hard time staying in one lane. Truth also doesn't rely on presumptions or artistic interpretation.

You may want to lay off the mental gymnastics and just be realistic if you want to talk about credibility on TERB.

You can look at my posts and challenge anything in specificity. I laid out some very specific contradictions to your Jackson Pollock world view.

 

[nottyboi]

Allege what who is there for? 70% of the population dont even consider themselves chinese. Over 90% voted for status quo or independence.

Xi has said time and time again that china will use force to bring Taiwan into the fold. Its in their constitution which he revised a few ywars ago.

You understand veey little about China.

Status quo is the right choice. Xi is only worried about Taiwan being a Western proxy. While reunification is a policy, there is no timeframe nor to force it UNLESS. What do you allege the Chinese police stations are for in Canada?

 

[richaceg]

As I said, tell that to post-war Western Europe, post-war Japan, South Korea and post-Soviet Eastern Europe. (Oh, but you will tell them.) As we have seen from earlier posts on this thread, some Canadians take their security for granted. If you now believe in a benign China, that is clearly an opinion. Again, why are the Japanese, South Koreans and of course the Taiwanese increasing their military spending? I believe the Philippines has been welcoming the U.S. military more and more. China's neighbors fear it. You sitting comfortably 6,000 miles away probably within 100 miles of the United States border can offer beneficent thoughts of China. (That presumes you are in Canada.)

All above mentioned have history with China. IMO the PHiilppines is quite a unique situation...it's in close proximity, but is the best ally of the US in asia...not long ago they have 2 or 3 ACs in the philippines...it was their strategic base since WW2. Gen McArthur wanted to return to the Phil and drove the Japanese because it was such a strategic location...basically their window to Asia....