Trump Presidency

[matthewfarmery]

LOL RFK is bloodly clueless

RFK Jr. Suggests Everyone Should Get Measles

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared to suggest getting measles is the best defense against the disease, as a Texas outbreak spreads across the U.S., the Daily Beast reports.

Said Kennedy: “It used to be, when I were a kid, that everybody got measles. And the measles gave you lifetime protection against measles infection. The vaccine doesn’t do that. The vaccine is effective for some people for life, but for many people it wanes.”

wrong, chicken pox can give you immunity, but measles can kill. This guy is a total disaster. and spreading misinformation.

[Chips]

wrong, chicken pox can give you immunity, but measles can kill. This guy is a total disaster. and spreading misinformation.

Erm, if you get measles and survive, you've got lifetime immunity. That's just a fact.

of course, under no circumstances should you go "I CHOOSE INFECTION!!", the risk (as you point out) of death, or passing it on to anyone in the community so it spreads and therefore will eventually kill many, is ridiculous and insane.

Population immunisation prevents the spread of these issues. It's not necessarily about saving *you* per se, it *is* about saving the people of the nation. It shouldn't really (imo) be voluntary, or if it is, it should be at a cost. I.e. it's free to get immunisation, its $10000 per person if you choose not to.

Hearing what's coming out of the US government is... watching from afar, just... i mean. It's laughably mental.

[matthewfarmery]

Guess I'm in error, but being vaccinated as well can protect against it. And it's still a killer. I'm still think what RFK is saying is pretty dangerous. especailly if children haven't been vaccinated to start with. So I am in error. but still doesn't make what RFK said any better.

[Chips]

Oh, I should have clarified. RFK is an absolute moron in my opinion - don't worry, I'm entirely in agreement. Just on a point of accuracy, if you are infected (and live, which may be a good chance for many, but no-one accepts a 250 chamber gun with a live bullet and plays Russian roulette for giggles - mortality rate is v low, but in population size samples, the very low %age chance translates to tens of thousands of deaths), you will have lifelong immunity.

[burger1]

Next federal election should be soon since Carney wasn't elected by the people just the liberal party.

It amaze me that people don't understand how prime minister/chancellor works - they are never elected directly, only proposed as potential candidates during parlimentary elections for MPs.
It's parliment who elect them and it's perfectly normal to switch candidate at ANY moment as long as you have parlimentary majority to put him in the office.

I think Canada has a different system/naming scheme than some other countries. Or you might have a different position in mind. Some countries have Presidents and Prime Ministers. Prime Ministers in Canada are elected directly by public voting they aren't appointed. They are the equivalent to the President of the US or the Prime Minister of the UK. Poland looks like it might have the Prime Minister and President system where Canada doesn't.


Canada added more tariffs which unfortunately includes computers. Not sure if that applies to computer parts.

[matthewfarmery]

Some what of a win, but still, a bit too late, as a lot of damage has been done.

Judge Orders Elon Musk to Turn Over Documents

“A federal judge has ordered that Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency turn over a wide array of records and answer questions about plans it crafted to downsize federal agencies, fire employees and suspend federal contracts,” Politico reports.

“U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan’s order Wednesday is a win for a group of 14 Democratic state attorneys general who are suing President Donald Trump, Musk and DOGE, arguing that Musk has unconstitutionally wielded immense power in ways that are damaging their states. Any information the states glean as a result of Chutkan’s decision will help her determine whether to block Musk and DOGE’s government activities altogether.”

The question then is, will Musk comply? and what happens if he doesn't?

[chew-ie]

USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) reversed the firing of employees done by DOGE. The employees also get their money since the date of termination.

Press release (March 11, 2025):
https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/pr ... -employees

[Chips]

The question then is, will Musk comply? and what happens if he doesn't?

Hasn't the precedent been set to pardon, or pre-emptively pardon, individuals? Does anyone around the Govt have any reason to pay attention to any laws?

[chew-ie]

Interesting watch with very good questions and statements from John Larson about Social Security service cuts.

Where is the independence of the commitee?
Where is the legislation?

Outrage and exposure halts Trump's plans for Social Security service cuts (msnbc.com)

[fiksal]

Next federal election should be soon since Carney wasn't elected by the people just the liberal party.

It amaze me that people don't understand how prime minister/chancellor works - they are never elected directly, only proposed as potential candidates during parlimentary elections for MPs.
It's parliment who elect them and it's perfectly normal to switch candidate at ANY moment as long as you have parlimentary majority to put him in the office.

I think Canada has a different system/naming scheme than some other countries. Or you might have a different position in mind. Some countries have Presidents and Prime Ministers. Prime Ministers in Canada are elected directly by public voting they aren't appointed. They are the equivalent to the President of the US or the Prime Minister of the UK. Poland looks like it might have the Prime Minister and President system where Canada doesn't.

Canada does have different system, and it is closer to UK. Canada doesnt have a president.

Voters vote for their MPs (representatives / members of parliament). The political party with the most votes then forms the government, and is the one that elects their Prime Minister. Which is usually the leader of the party, it appears.
https://electionsanddemocracy.ca/canada ... -step-step

So in this case, the Liberal party holds the most votes, and they just voted for the new Prime Minister. Next Canada's election that I mentioned is October, but it can happen sooner if the government calls for it, or if they cant agree on a budget. I think in the later case the government stops existing and thus elections are triggered.

Anywho, no matter what happens, it's only the party(s) that form the government who elect the Prime Minister. Then the Governor General and the King has to agree to that appointment, or something like that.

I dont know Canadian politics well, but it appears the nationalist sentiment that is growing for obvious reasons, is held in Liberal party hands. Should probably mention that Liberals and equivalent of Conservatives in Canada have little in common with counterparts in US.

And there are several more, not just two...
Liberal Party of Canada 1866-12-31 Carney, Mark 153
Conservative Party of Canada 2003-12-06 Poilievre, Pierre 120
Bloc Québécois 1991-06-14 Blanchet, Yves-François 33
New Democratic Party 1961-08-02 Singh, Jagmeet 24
Green Party of Canada 1984-08-07 May, Elizabeth 2

Also to mention that federal parties and provincial parties are not the same either. Unlike in US.

I probably butchered my analysis, a Canadian can correct me

[matthewfarmery]

Looks like Trump wants a war

Trump Asks for Military Options for the Panama Canal

“The White House has directed the U.S. military to draw up options for increasing the American troop presence in Panama to achieve President Trump’s goal of ‘reclaiming’ the Panama Canal,” NBC News reports.

“U.S. Southern Command is developing potential plans that vary from partnering more closely with the Panamanian military to the less likely option of U.S. troops seizing the Panama Canal by force, the officials said. Whether military force is used, the officials added, depends on how much the Panamanian military agrees to partner with the U.S.”

This is only the start. The fact it even getting this far should be a warning from history. But if there is military action, then things will go south REAL QUICK!!!

[matthewfarmery]

So Trump has zero authority fro mass firings

Judge Says Trump Had No Authority for Mass Firings

“A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to offer jobs back to all probationary employees who were fired last month from the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury and Veterans Affairs under directions by the Office of Personnel Management, a ruling that could reinstate thousands of employees who were ousted as part of the president’s push to slash the federal workforce,” the Washington Post reports.

However, the individual agencies “could follow the steps laid out in a federal law called the Reduction in Force Act to pare back their staffs.”

We know that Trump will disregard this, but its a step in the right direction. So Musk doesn't have the power to fire people either.

[Observe]

However, the individual agencies “could follow the steps laid out in a federal law called the Reduction in Force Act to pare back their staffs.”

Good. Let the administration give requests to individual agencies. That is how it should be done. Not this heavy-handed firing and lying about reasons for firing.

I'm all for reducing waste, fraud, and inefficiencies, but this should be done in an orderly manner, with empathy and consideration for those let go.

Musk may have some good ideas (for government), but his usual slash and burn methods that he applies in his private companies, cannot be allowed to stand in the public sector. Also, we shouldn't be hearing from Musk about any of this. He needs to keep his mouth shut and let others do the talking.

[Chips]

But if there is military action, then things will go south REAL QUICK!!!

Will it though, really? Who's going to do a damned thing about it?

I doubt it'll happen, but then I also thought the exact same thing about the crud show that is the tariff outcome so far! But, seriously, and who will do what... exactly. The American people themselves have so far proved to be no more than a bunch of hand wringers, so it'll be up to everyone else instead. So, who is that going to be?

[clakclak]

Looks like Trump wants a war

Trump Asks for Military Options for the Panama Canal

“The White House has directed the U.S. military to draw up options for increasing the American troop presence in Panama to achieve President Trump’s goal of ‘reclaiming’ the Panama Canal,” NBC News reports.

“U.S. Southern Command is developing potential plans that vary from partnering more closely with the Panamanian military to the less likely option of U.S. troops seizing the Panama Canal by force, the officials said. Whether military force is used, the officials added, depends on how much the Panamanian military agrees to partner with the U.S.”

This is only the start. The fact it even getting this far should be a warning from history. But if there is military action, then things will go south REAL QUICK!!!

The only thing that will go south quick is the American military (geographically speaking) and the life of Panama's population. Nobody will intervene if America attacks Panama. Not the EU, not China, not Brazil and if the reactions so far are any indication, certainly not the American public. Here, have a taste of the way things are going to run now. We are entering a new age of Imperialism. Russia got us of to a running start, but America is also joining the game and I can't see China stay set for to long. Hey, maybe the EU also gets in on it. After all imperialism and colonialism are a old european tradition.

[fiksal]

I guess it depends who fights back.

Russia's war was supposed to be 3 days. And after Russia slaughtered civilians, there was no stopping it. Cant hold a territory of people who still remember who you killed.

Here, have a taste of the way things are going to run now.

...weak and mediocre

[burger1]

Undocumented mom of U.S. citizen girl with brain cancer who was removed to Mexico pleads for family's return - deported US citizen that is sick

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/und ... rcna196339

The mother of four U.S. citizen children, including a 10-year-old girl recovering from brain cancer, is pleading for her family’s return to the United States.

Canadian woman being held in U.S. detention centre after attempting to apply for a work visa - will be released?

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/ ... mpting-to/

Trump teams being jerks with Ireland. Seems to be their normal mode of operation based on Canada, UK, Ukraine and France.

https://www.politico.eu/article/donald- ... ental-law/

US citizens mad about potential social security cuts get government to back off

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/wat ... 4284101934

More protests etc... Bernie Sanders crowds increase. Vance getting booed some more and more vance memes.

The alternative to the Panama Canal in Mexico is the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT). The Mexican government has committed to investing $2.85 billion in this project, which aims to rival the Panama Canal crossing. It is expected that the CIIT will see a significant number of cargo containers transiting every year by rail. Status: Main railway line open, two more lines planned for March and July 2024. Salina Cruz port still under construction

In a war game the US navy was sunk if I recall correctly. Appears to be constraints though. Can do same thing with drones and maybe some missiles. Might have been a different exercise? China has drone swarms currently. Could arm Panama and make invasion costly. Rig the canal to blow up seems the best solution. Might be a way to destroy it meaning pipes, gates, pumps, water, etc.... Water is an issue due to climate change might be a hard issue to fix. Panama canal has a water crisis and they had to use drinking water to keep the canal open.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_Challenge_2002

Red used a fleet of small boats to determine the position of Blue's fleet by the second day of the exercise. In a preemptive strike, Red launched a massive salvo of cruise missiles that overwhelmed the Blue forces' electronic sensors and destroyed sixteen warships: one aircraft carrier, ten cruisers and five of Blue's six amphibious ships.

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/24/g-s1-494 ... ortage-dam

[Chips]

The alternative to the Panama Canal in Mexico is the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT). The Mexican government has committed to investing $2.85 billion in this project, which aims to rival the Panama Canal crossing. It is expected that the CIIT will see a significant number of cargo containers transiting every year by rail. Status: Main railway line open, two more lines planned for March and July 2024. Salina Cruz port still under construction

In a war game the US navy was sunk if I recall correctly. Appears to be constraints though. Can do same thing with drones and maybe some missiles. Might have been a different exercise? China has drone swarms currently. Could arm Panama and make invasion costly. Rig the canal to blow up seems the best solution. Might be a way to destroy it meaning pipes, gates, pumps, water, etc.... Water is an issue due to climate change might be a hard issue to fix. Panama canal has a water crisis and they had to use drinking water to keep the canal open.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_Challenge_2002

The problem with waxing lyrical and fantasising about a situation is it often bonkers situations are put forward; that's semi fine, but is it worthwhile effort really?

E.g. the wargame was set in the middle east, not the US backdoor. The link you provided does outline the constraints, assumptions and scenario(s). Therefore the entire postulation is odd. The "drone swarm China supply" would also have to get there; they don't magically teleport in and get instantly used. The nation would also be surrounded by the worlds most powerful navies (yes, that's the Pacific and Atlantic fleet of the USA) and the world's fourth most powerful air force... (that's the US Navy); so blockades would likely be highly effective as there's no stretched supply lines; it's literal back door territory. But again, why bother dreaming. It'd be like lining up US vs Canada, or US vs NATO. Armchair general fantasies aside, the point? There'll be plenty of warning if stuff is going south in order to start hypothesising.

Trump is full of hot air, as we all know, and while he likes to talk as to what happens - he has evidential track record of not actually doing what he says. I am surprised and yet not that the tariffs are starting and he's doubling down; personally caught napping on that one. But tariffs trying to force better "deals" and/or create/generate more US centric supply and trade is a bonus if your supply lines do depend upon other nations that you may later be sanctioning or even at war with.

I'm wondering how this tariff import works when Aluminium production in the US relies heavily on imported raw materials. Guess no trade war with Australia or Guinea for now?
https://www.statista.com/statistics/264 ... nt%20years.

[burger1]

It seems like Panama has to choose between having the canal and being a country. Only greed would keep the canal. Better to drain, destroy the equipment and fill it in or let nature fill it in via gravity? Panama doesn't actually need the canal and it's now a burden.

[Chips]

It represents 7.7% of Panama's GDP.

I'm sure Panama will decide what it does, and doesn't need.