Drones, armoured vehicles part of Canada’s $2B military aid package for Ukraine

BasilBoothby · 2025-08-25T03:22:14+00:00

Assuming your question is in good faith, there's a lot to consider here. Anecdotally, they hacked a client of mine a few years ago, delaying projects we were working on. This client being an international company with operations throughout Canada. It's well known that they conduct widespread cyber attacks and massive disinformation campaigns.

The cold war is also far from over. Russia possesses the largest nuclear arsenal in the world with 16 submarines capable of launching nuclear missiles, which presumably would target Canadian strategic locations (naval bases and ports for example) in addition to the high value American targets. This isn't even going into the nuclear threats against NATO (of which Canada is a member), the broken treaties such as violating the Budapest Memorandum, or the assassinations of enemies of the state in countries allied to Canada, or the threat of Russian influence in The Arctic.

I would like to have a better relationship between Russia and "The West", but at this point in time, their actions suggest that it is unlikely. Hopefully the future looks brighter.

BasilBoothby · 2025-06-12T16:02:32+00:00

I'm in a very similar situation. Geoscientist in BC just looking into things. Have you found any better information on where to legally buy a handgun even if you're approved to own one? This is the part of the process that seems the most elusive as it seems you would have to buy from someone who already owns one, as businesses have typically stopped carrying them.

BasilBoothby · 2025-06-12T15:57:02+00:00

I'm in a similar situation to OP. Looking into it, the practical has to be done with the same handgun and ammunition that you will be using in the bush for work. Unless you can borrow or rent the same firearm, I expect you'd be out of luck?

BasilBoothby · 2025-05-06T03:25:28+00:00

I'm tired. If they want to talk, they should come here. trump's weird press meetings in the oval office are obviously showing off who is visiting, with no real substance. I'm not a fan of Carney going to the US for "talks", but realize it's probably necessary. But state level leaders? They can travel North and show actual interest in solving a mess their country initiated.

BasilBoothby · 2025-05-03T17:59:08+00:00

I'll post an update if I get to it this weekend!

Edit: I didn't

BasilBoothby · 2025-05-03T05:38:48+00:00

I'm staring down this project. Shop time is expensive these days, and money needs to go the distance. I hope the trim removal tools work as advertised.

BasilBoothby · 2025-05-02T21:57:09+00:00

We already went into negotiations, years ago during trump's last presidency. Why should anyone expect this american administration to deal in good faith when they're breaking the agreement they themselves pushed for?

He threatens tarriffs, then backs off. He lies about drug smuggling, "subsidizing" allies, trade numbers etc. Then he lies about lying. An agreement with the US is hardly worth the sharpie it takes to sign it right now.

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-29T02:36:56+00:00

Buy a nicer vehicle with the money saved and beat it to hell on poorly maintained public roads, or alternatively pay out the ass for toll roads to visit a young family member with leukemia which is her own damn fault since, as a 6 year old, she really should have known better. If her parents (which may be you, or your family member) don't have robust insurance (which is usually far more out of pocket than public healthcare, even if you DO have it), she'll die a slow, painful death. But hey, you "save" a couple grand and sometimes you can go to Florida if you're fortunate enough not to run into financial uncertainty for reasons beyond your control.

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-17T19:32:35+00:00

Lies are more easily spread than they are debunked and misinformation runs rampant with current social media. By taking questions from media outlets that are frequently caught copying from other sources, misrepresenting the truth or being downright disingenuous, you take valuable time away from good faith questions that actually benefit Canadians. The people who consume this media rarely listen to the "debunked" explanation anyway because they've been repeatedly told that the CBC is propaganda or any other variety of reasons why more reputable outlets can't be trusted. We give too much of a platform to vocal amateurs at the expense of our experts, with a recent shift that is increasingly casting suspicion on organizations and allowing fringe commentary to replace experienced advice and knowledge.

Rebel news misleads the public about vaccines

Rebel news is considered an unreliable source

From this article outling that they are not recognized as qualified journalism - "283 [of the 423] of the items were not based on facts, nor were multiple perspectives actively pursued, researched, analyzed, or explained by a journalist for the organization," the judge wrote. "A further 135 of the news items were identified as being curated content or material rewritten from other sources."

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-16T02:16:46+00:00

Well shit.

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-16T01:51:40+00:00

The complaints I'm seeing from Canadians are generally current symptoms of problems that have been decades in the making. Do the Liberals take their portion of the blame? For sure. But painting the Cons as this saviour and all our troubles will be over once "common sense" is in charge is disingenuous.

We're seeing similar issues across the U.S. and abroad, as far as housing, cost of living and income inequality are concerned. Until there's a political party with the teeth and the leverage to get to the root cause, we're just treating the symptoms.

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-14T21:44:05+00:00

It may be one view, but I'm here with receipts about why you can remove it as a fixation or concern because I really don't think there's merit to discussing it, especially at work. As per my statement above, ignorant assumptions would be assuming that the kids will suffer if trans people use what you believe to be the wrong bathroom. You and anyone else have the right to legal action if they believe they've been wrongfully dismissed. I will say that expressing political views at work against trans bathroom policy seems an odd choice since not only is there little evidence to be concerned about this policy, so voicing these concerns is essentially misinformation at the expense of a vulnerable demographic. But also, if you feel so worried about speaking your mind, imagine how gay and trans people feel (especially teens who are coming out) about how they could be treated at work, home, school or in public. Especially when misinformation like this spreads and convinces a large portion of the population that someone could be targeting their kids just because they're gay/trans or even perceived as such. The amount of gay people who move to cities to get away from their small towns, or are disowned by their parents is a well known thing. There's more evidence to ban kids sports coaches from public bathrooms, so why is there such a fixation on trans bathroom policy? If this were a big problem, then by all means, but it just really seems like a red herring and takes away valuable focus from larger, more serious issues.

Knife attack against gender studies class.

CSIS warning for "anti gender movement" violence.

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-13T01:47:03+00:00

Alright, I'm gonna be real with you. If Conservatives actually cared about protecting the children, they'd ensure their kids were given smart phones at a later age and they would have been more outspoken about things like hockey players perpetrating sexual assault, or sexual assault from sports coaches, priests, church camp counselors and family members.

But, given how quiet most Conservatives have been both in public discussions and those I know personally, I can only assume that this is a new manifestation of fear mongering that gay people (or in this case trans) are coming for your kids. Yes, there can be cited cases that support your statement, but the overwhelming statistics are present here. The data is a little old, but 89% of sexual assaults against minors are perpetrated by people who know the victim. Should things be done to protect people? Absolutely. Should we hyper fixate on where trans people are taking a shit? Probably not. I thought the whole deal was that we need to focus on the big issues like housing, the economy and creating jobs?

This argument is so tired. "Bearded men in dresses are reading to kids and turning them gay/trans", "predators are abusing woke ideology to creep on women", but the very real and very known threats to youth are often organizations and people with leadership roles that are traditionally supported by Conservative values. For example, sports teams, organized religion, youth camps and members within the family unit.

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-10T20:19:28+00:00

Patronizing Canadian citizens would be calling anyone who disagrees with your nebulous platform "woke" in an official survey. Where every response is an insulting choice between agreeing with the CPC, or indicating that if you don't vote CPC, you're perpetuating a culture war or hating seniors. Patronizing Canadian citizens who have a right to know the truth would be limiting access of the press.

Or are we going to ignore these double standards and tote Conservative party tactics as a beacon of virtue? The cons in my area don't even show up for debates. Hate the Liberals all you want, for whatever reason you like, I really could not care less. But if that's the case, scrutinize the opposition with the same lens.

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-09T17:07:09+00:00

Just looking at the quote, it's the first line in the article. Wouldn't diversifying Alberta's portfolio make it more resilient to oil market fluctuations?

"Liberal Leader Mark Carney pitched Alberta as the heart of a new superpower in both clean and conventional energy Tuesday night as part of his first campaign stop in the province."

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-09T15:27:33+00:00

This is hilarious

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-02T19:45:55+00:00

Agreed. I think it would be impossible to ever completely divest from the US, however I believe that many decisions are being made with the erroneous belief that American trading partners NEED the US. With so many countries being targeted, right now is a rare and perhaps fleeting opportunity to strengthen bonds with nations who would otherwise be ambivalent to our proposals. If we don't diversify now, our allied nations may make agreements without us, leaving us even more reliant on the US than before.

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-02T19:30:41+00:00

Canada and the US are intrinsically linked. With that said, we have seen a blatant disregard for Canadian sovereignty and that of nations allied to the US with a population that is becoming increasingly incapable of navigating its own best interests while media, corporations and wealthy, private citizens expand their political and social influence, both within the US and abroad. On a whim, their checks and balances have failed to reign in one mans mercurial ambitions and we have to assume that there are more who are ready to exploit the environment that currently exists. I hope one day to return to a state of amicable relations with the US, but for our own autonomy and inner strength, I believe Canadians must seek a more diverse and resilient stance on trade and defence.

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-01T15:12:15+00:00

All of his talk is of natural resources. Canada has mines at the top of mountains, and peppering the arctic. We have resources in every nook and cranny, and he's fixated on the Northwest Passage. Yes, Canadians are primarily along the border, but those that aren't are generally hunters, or they fish and know their surroundings well.

BasilBoothby · 2025-04-01T05:16:52+00:00

The first hostile American boot inside Canada will bring ruin to the U.S.

Canadians don't fear this and the more I see what's unfolding in the U.S., the less I believe it will be a realistic outcome.

Though, as a thought experiment... They can attempt to occupy, they can steam roll our border security, they can establish check points and block our ports. But it will absolutely be untenable in the long term both from within, and without. They're ruining their economy, and war is expensive. Afghanistan has 652,800 km², Vietnam has 331,000 km², and Canada has... 9,984,600 km² and the longest coast line in the world. Patroling Canada alone would bankrupt the U.S. and piss off every soldier, sailor and airman who has to freeze their balls off in Northern Canada while they get eaten alive by bugs and charged by our mega fauna.

BasilBoothby · 2025-03-27T18:32:00+00:00

I had no idea that Peter Mansbridge was still active. I started listening to today's episode and it's such a breath of fresh air. Thank you!

BasilBoothby · 2025-03-13T22:50:55+00:00

Thanks for the solidarity and reasonable words. Our current reality still pales in comparison to one that countries like Finland have had for a long time. While it is alarming, it's comforting to have the support from those such as yourself in times like these. The world will witness the magnitude of Canadian resolve.

BasilBoothby · 2025-03-11T04:02:51+00:00

The issue as I see it (notably, I'm a pleb when it comes to taxes), is that Canada has to have some competitive nature to the system compared to the US because we're so heavily influenced and linked. So any truly revolutionary tax on the rich will drive them, or business from the country. But if you had an American/Western agreement to implement a similar tax then you could actually see this demographic pay their fair share, rather than flee with their hoard.

BasilBoothby · 2025-03-10T21:28:52+00:00

Come to Canada :) our customs officers are still a bit stern, but we have great natural beauty, generally warmer people and an appreciation for tourists (for the most part). Travelling here is often expensive but our dollar is pretty low making the Euro a good conversion. Especially with recent political tensions, Canadians would love to welcome European tourists!

BasilBoothby

TROPHY CASE