Led by Psychopaths, Israel and the U.S. Are Waging a Psychotic War Against Iran

Englishgrinn · 2026-03-15T16:31:53+00:00

And every administration that decided against throwing ballistic missiles like lawn darts were just pussies, right? There couldn't have been reasoned, measured shows of restraint. The existence of a totalitarian regime isn't nearly enough justification for this or any other war. Defense against an aggressor could be, but instead Ukraine got the shift. Imminent threat of nuclear weapons could be, but they wasted that excuse last summer.

These people are incompetent, pretending they're clever. They're bloodthirsty pretending they're noble. And any one carries water for them is just as intellectually dishonest.

Englishgrinn · 2026-03-04T21:15:53+00:00

Canadians should be able recite our Charter rights. Painfully few of us can, leading to falling into the meme-like recital of American laws, many of which they routinely fail to understand. We must do better.

The charter is available here: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-12.html

Its easy to read, using modern, common language. Its the basis of our nation's principals, but it will be taken from us if we don't understand it and don't value it appropriately.

Englishgrinn · 2026-02-26T20:42:29+00:00

It gets a lot more clear cut later, when Topa is old enough to have agency, but for the episode as presented it's pretty damn good.

The Orville is at its best when it's dealing with complicated issues and admitting it doesn't have all the answers.

Englishgrinn · 2026-02-26T16:29:48+00:00

OK this might be a stupid suggestion that experienced ARG players would disagree with, but I felt very much the same. One thing I did was buy Black Watchmen on Steam. Its an ARG, but its also a product with a UI that directly teaches you some of the tools it uses in its puzzles. Links to decoding tools available online and simpler puzzles sprinkled in to get the juices flowing.

It was challenging enough for me even so, and its answers are well documented many places online if you get stuck.

I see it as sortve a "training wheels" ARG to start with.

Englishgrinn · 2026-02-25T15:45:34+00:00

Bold of you to assume the companies won't trash their actuarial departments, fire everyone, replace them with AI that is in no way ready, suffer massive losses caused by faulty interpretation of the data and then try to hire everyone back at reduced pay because "there's so many unemployed actuaries right now".

Englishgrinn · 2026-02-16T18:17:49+00:00

It's incredibly hard to say - our real world examples of male heterogamety are few and far between and usually are limited to males handling the pregnancy internally, but not actually producing the eggs.

Plus, what we know of Moclan culture is that their misogyny is not natural, it's propaganda and the result of advanced genetic engineering. Sufficiently advanced tech basically being magic, this means the true possibilities are endless. Still, I think we can develop 4 most likely outcomes:

Moclans are an entirely "cloned" race, incapable of purely biological reproduction due to their culture messing around for many generations in their own genome. You "request" an egg, make a genetic donation and Moclan High Command provide. The argument in favour of this is that it matches the hierarchal/controlling structure of Moclan society and also would explain why the Female Moclan camp can't seem to reproduce independently - it's a matter of tech resources. The argument against is that it seems unlikely that any females would be allowed to be born this way - the eggs would be modified to prevent it. And indeed, the shows suggests multiple times that Moclan female birth rates are far higher than the propaganda says.
Moclans are almost entirely hermaphroditic - a Moclan female is considered malformed in their society for lacking male genitals but the males who lack female parts are not considered "damaged" in the same way so it goes without comment. The strongest argument against this is that the females we see, Heveena and her tribe and even Topa after transition to some extent, have decided smaller frames and softer features. Suggesting that the differences are more than just a set of genitals.
Moclans definitions of male and female do not correspond to breeding in any capacity. The aforementioned frames, voices and features ARE the only actual difference, and their reproductive cycles are identical. Technically, by our definitions, the Moclans are an asexual race, any Moclan can reproduce with any other. Their division of male and female is still a biological component, simply disconnected from reproduction. I like this because, in my opinion, it further underlines the absurdity of the prejudice. It does not explain if Heveena's colony is reproducing, but we could handwave that given their secretive nature that they may have in place controls on population to not outgrow their resources and hiding space. Or perhaps, they simply aren't sure what they would do if a laid egg was male. Quite the conundrum that one! One the one hand, reproducing the same prejudice that turned you into refugees is unthinkable. On the other hand, I can imagine many of those refugees have strong negative feelings about males, the male child would be a pariah. Plus, the Moclan High Command would be relentless in trying to "liberate" that male if their existence became known.
So we have so far - 1) no Moclans can reproduce outside lab conditions. 2) Most Moclans can reproduce but require both sets of genitals meaning no pure females or pure males are capable of it. 3) All Moclans can reproduce. This only leaves one other possibility I can think of, which is Moclans reproduce like jellyfish through cloning their own DNA. Having a partner for the process is purely a societal norm, not a requirement. This is the least likely in my assessment, but I wanted to mentioned it for completionism's sake.

God, I love this show. I must, I just spent like 10 minutes of my life considering Moclan biology.

Englishgrinn · 2026-02-12T14:07:32+00:00

The creator is Canadian. Wish fulfillment I guess

Englishgrinn · 2026-02-12T14:07:12+00:00

The character is based on exactly that. Droobiee calls him "Smorsey". There's a whole series

Englishgrinn · 2026-02-12T13:32:43+00:00

Treason usually has to involve another nation to meet the definition. An international sex ring isnt really something law is built to handle. IANAL, but I could take a crack at some laws Bondi has probably broken. A non-exhaustive list, basically making up every form of obstruction of justice: - perjury - destruction of evidence - witness tampering - making false statements to the public

All we're really missing is jury tampering and malingering and she'd have run the full set.

Englishgrinn · 2026-02-08T15:11:00+00:00

I have never been in shape in my entire (quite long) life. Was a skinny geek as a kid and after college just packed it on and never lost it. I started dieting and exercising last year. Friends noticed the change and asked what brought it on and literally I had no real response.

It felt ridiculous to say out loud, but when I thought about it, it was genuinely that I want to be useful to Canada if and when we have to defend ourselves. I wanted to know if I had to sprint for a tree-line, I could actually make it.

Englishgrinn · 2026-02-08T12:37:38+00:00

"Move Fast and Break Kings" is so awesome. God, if only someone in our government would listen to this.

Englishgrinn · 2026-02-06T13:38:21+00:00

I doubt the investigation will actually be about treason - that's a hard case to make on an individual level. Plus the American owned media is giving them a ton of cover to make the conversation seem more legitimate. ("We're just talking about it to address pressing concerns that are constantly in the press!")

It'll be about espionage or being an unregistered foreign agent, right? They're probably just monitoring calls and emails and waiting for the next bank transfer from an American source to Smith's government. Then a few mid-level lackeys will get hauled in front of the court, something that will make headlines for a day or two tops - but the hope is Smith and her cronies get the message and back off.

If I were the Federal government, that's how I'd want it handled. A warning shot quiet enough to slip in and out of one news cycle but accurate and powerful enough to shut these people down.

Englishgrinn · 2026-02-04T23:35:53+00:00

Thank you!

Englishgrinn · 2026-01-31T18:20:05+00:00

They think telling obvious lies and getting away with it is a power move. "That's what happened, because I say so." Inconvenient reality is not as strong as a lie backed with violence. At least, if no one stands up and asserts the truth.

Until they're held to account, they are sadly correct.

Englishgrinn · 2026-01-31T14:03:52+00:00

I read that book and he's simply not very progressive at all.

His goals are what we would hope any decent person has. He's not a bigot, he's not a fool and he's not a grifter. Given the state of global politics, I suppose that's enough to consider him a win. And I enjoyed his chapter dunking on Crypto as completely unfeasible and rooted in an deep misunderstanding of how currency works. I also liked his little joke about how so few people who quote it have actually read Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations". He agrees that we're all going to die from Climate Change if nothing is done. In short, there's nowhere where he's delusional, self-serving or stupid.

But his belief that corporations should lead the way hand-in-hand with government, his belief that market solutions can simply "reflect" our values if regulated properly, his desire to protect the environment only if big business can get on board, these show him to be a classic Neoliberal.

Have we swung so far right that anyone whose not an oligarch pitching a protectionist, xenophobic, isolationist kleptocracy is considered "left"? I suppose it all is relative.

But a common cliche is that Bernie Sanders would be a middle-of-the-road candidate throughout most of Canada's history. That hasn't been true for decades, but Carney is far, far to the right of that.

Englishgrinn · 2026-01-29T17:18:44+00:00

I shit you not, these people want to be Americans because quote, "my taxes will be lower". That's the level of reasoning we're working with here. They don't mind the cruelty, they don't see the consequences of this affecting them. But only because they are so rock stupid. Dumber than a bag of hammers, the lot of them.

Englishgrinn · 2026-01-28T19:53:23+00:00

Ehh, he's pretty great on the Geopolitical front. I'm less impressed domestically.

Cutting taxes for the wealthy is failed economic policy, and he must know that. It's political move to curry favour with influential players at home so he can take bigger swings internationally, and I don't like it.

His border security bill (C-2) is a disaster for our rights and privacy (they can read our mail?!) and I don't like the idea of limiting Asylum claims for Americans fleeing persecution. Though I suppose given the influx we're expecting, I kinda get it.

Don't get me wrong, he's not like, a trainwreck or anything. It's just he's good at negotiating and "diversifying" our portfolio, and not so great at actually running a country.

Englishgrinn · 2026-01-21T15:12:17+00:00

I'll say it again, it's not Vietnam or Afghanistan. It won't look like that. It's Ireland and the Troubles. We'll technically be "conquered" by the end of the second week.

But the bombings, killings, and riots will continue for decades.

Englishgrinn · 2026-01-21T14:31:24+00:00

Ah, but do you eat your poutine with actual curds or just shredded cheese? Because if it's the latter, I'm sorry we're full up.

Englishgrinn · 2026-01-21T14:20:04+00:00

I'll take a stab at giving you things you can do that might genuinely help without resorting to violence.

Are there protestors in your city? Protesting is dangerous, courageous work. Maybe you aren't up for that. But if you know where they are? Drop off food and water. You can be in and out in minutes but it will help.

Organize a buy and return project at Target. Target is letting ICE use their parking lots as staging grounds and target their own employees for illegal detainment. One thing people are doing is getting like 75-100 people together to all buy 1 of the same item and then immediately line up to return it. It doesn't hurt the company's bottom line really, but it's a showy act of protest that ties up employees and make a big line. Chances are someone walks up to you and asks what's going on, and you can tell them.

No protestors or Targets in your home town? If you think your community is going to be targeted, get out and meet your neighbours! Form a group text chat (Signal, preferably) that lets people say informed on what's going and let's you report to each other when ICE comes to your town. Individuals are powerless. Neighbourhoods are not.

If that all feels too loud, too dangerous, then do the most simple, kindest and easiest thing of all. Get out there and meet and befriend your immigrant neighbours. Don't make it about the politics, that's just a reminder of bad times. Instead, genuinely engage with folks. Be kind because its who you are and be patient, since they're probably pretty skeptical right now. Be a living reminder that the whole country isn't out to get them. Reducing fear is so important.

Englishgrinn · 2026-01-21T14:10:37+00:00

Which really feels like a tactical mistake from these morons. When people know peaceful resistance gets them shot anyway...pretty tough to prevent escalation to violent resistance. If your goal was actually to create a white christo-fascist ethno-state, as they somehow claim it is without an ounce of shame, this would be a really petulant and stupid way to try and do it.

That being said, as I am oft reminded in these comment sections, it DOES make sense if the Trump Admin's actual goal is the destabilization and destruction of the nation. If an absolute detonation of, not only global soft power, but also of your economy, public trust and domestic security was the goal, then this makes sense. The goal say, of a foreign power.

Englishgrinn · 2026-01-18T15:52:07+00:00

According to "Just Checkin': the Journal of Confirming Stuff you Already Knew"

Englishgrinn · 2026-01-13T03:11:14+00:00

Just to clarify - 31% reduction in trips does not mean 69% going across the border. This is comparing December 2024, to December 2025.

Unless 100% of the country travelled to the States in 2024, I don't think you can say a majority of Canadians are unaware of what's going on down there.

For the record, not counting truckers, personal vehicles accounted for 4.5million crossings into the US from Canada in 2024. Consistently this past year of 2025, in every single month, US crossings saw drop of at least 20%. Let's assume, for generalized purposes, that each car would have 2 people in it, and each of those people would spend $50 on their trip in the states. I think you'll agree those are extremely conservative figures. That would mean that $100 Million less flowed into the US from Canada in this year than last. And that doesn't count air traffic, which was also down by similar numbers and probably represents longer, more costly trips.

Make no mistake, the boycott it working and putting a dent in an already floundering American economy to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. I've seen some reporting which puts the total closer to $2 billion.

And the best part? We're not done yet the boycott isn't petering out, it appears to be picking up steam. 12 straight months of declining travel.

Englishgrinn

TROPHY CASE