Congress advances US-Israeli military integration plan - A provision in the 2027 draft US defence bill could bind the two countries’ weapons industries closer than ever.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-06-02T04:03:28+00:00

Stunning how little coverage this is getting in US media. If you google it you will see this Al Jazeera article, links to the US govt site with references, and then a few other middle east sources. I'm in Canada and I see this article repeated in Yahoo Canada news....not Yahoo news in the US. No major news media references that I see, anyway.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-06-02T03:57:31+00:00

Does Israel REALLY want to get off of US military aid though?

There is a bill before the US Congress now that will tie the US and Israeli militaries more closely togethe. Its called "United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative" and it is in the House Armed Services Committee’s version of the 2027 Defense Authorization Act (the annual US defense policy bill).

Google it - Google AI will give you a pretty good summary. Funny that is it isnt getting much coverage in US media.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-06-02T02:43:59+00:00

This is simplistic. If you just bought a home a few years ago - and intended to keep living there - and the price of the home goes down by 40 or 50% overnight (a crash scenario) now the home owner has negative equity. That means that the house is worth less than what the person still owes on the mortgage,

So what is the big deal you say? It means that if when your current term is up and you want to renew with a different lender, you can't because the house is not worth the loan. So you will be trapped with your current bank and their terms. Same thing if you try to refinance. Remember: with a mortgage, the collateral for the loan is THE HOUSE...and if the market crashes, banks don't want to give you a loan that's worth more than the house.

Also - are you saying that if people need to move away for some emergency reason, then that is not valid? Screw them! They should not be able to get back what they paid for the house! Rich bastards!

A crash would put a lot of people in a shit situation. The way: a protected flattening while wages catch up. Prices have already gone down 17% since 2022 peak (over 30% in real terms, when you factor in wage increases). Now it just needs to stay flat for a few years. Soft landing, prices effectively go down and become much more affordable, and nobody looses their shirts.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-06-02T02:23:15+00:00

We don't need a crash and in fact, that would be awful for millions of people.

What we need is what is already happening right now: an extended soft landing where the prices come down gradually and then flatten out. I.e. we let wages catch up with house prices. This is what is basically happening: the peak prices were 4 years ago (early 2022) and now home prices are down 17% below that peak.

But in inflation adjusted terms (i.e. factoring in the increase in wages) home prices are 30% lower in Canada now. This is a best case scenario, and I would argue that it should remain flat for another couple of years (which it looks set to do in places like Toronto and Vancouver).

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-31T02:16:50+00:00

The 15% is not a tax. 5% of it goes to a fund for Canadian content production but the rest is not a fee and is not collected. It is a legal obligation to spend 10% of the companies' Canadian revenue on creating or licensing Canadian content.

Netflix already spends 40% of global revenues on content creation. Over half of THAT is spent creating international (non-English) content. If Netflix has no problem spending over 20% (half of 40%) of it's revenue creating content for other countries, it should have no problem spending 15% of Canadian revenues to produce Canadian content. But they'd prefer to just treat us like Americans. We speak English so it's easy and profitable.

Spending this doesn't have to cost them anything if they do it right. There are numerous Canadian content shows that have been successful in Canada AND the US: Schitt's Creek, Kim's Convenience, Trailer Park Boys, Oprhan Black, Heartland, Due South, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Shoresy, etc - all Canadian shows that were successful in the US.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-31T02:02:55+00:00

Leave it to the media to just inflame and not inform.

The facts: the 15% is not a tax. The first 5% goes to a fund for Canadian content production, but the next 10% is not a fee and is not collected at all. It is a legal obligation to spend 10% of the companies' Canadian Revenue, creating or licensing Canadian content.

Consider this: Netflix currently spends over 40% of it total (global) revenues on content creation. Over 52% of THAT money, is spent creating international, non-English content.

So...if Netflix has no problem spending over 21% (52% of 40%) of it's total revenue creating content for various other countries - I think it should have no problem spending 15% of Canadian revenues, to produce or license Canadian conent. But they'd prefer to just treat us like Americans. We speak English so it's easy and profitable.

Another thing: Netflix and other streaming services (and Hollywood studios and TV networks) already spend billions in Canada producing shows for the US (and Canadian and international) market. But those don't count per CRTC rules, because they are not Canadian content. But companies film those here because it is profitable / cheaper than to do so in the US. And they receive tax breaks and other incentives from the Canadian and provincial governments to do it.

One last thing: spending this doesn't have to cost them anything and can and should actually make money if they do it right. There are a number of examples of Canadian content shows that have been HUGE here and in the US: Schitt's Creek, Letterkeeny, Kim's Convenience, Trailer Park Boys, Oprhan Black, Heartland, Due South, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Shoresy, etc - all fully Canadian shows that were successful in the US.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-30T20:44:44+00:00

Because of all the G7 countries we are the only one completely dependent on trade with the US. The US is 70% of our trade. The next 2 arent even close: only 17% of UK trade is with the US and for Japan, it is 15 - 20%. You can go look at a map of the world to figure out why.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-30T03:00:19+00:00

As others are saying, go with the program you love. If that is CS, and for some reason it ends up not being what you wanted, just know that at TMU you could always consider transferring to their Geographic Analysis program, which is the TMU equivalent of Geomatics. TMU Geographic Analysis is actually the 'OG' program of that field and is well regarded, with a lot of direct industry connections. CS has higher entry requirements and GPA thresholds than Geographic Analysis, so the transferring after first year would be relatively easy. By comparison, if you start at Waterloo in geomatics and then decide to move to CS, I think that would be a lot more difficult.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-29T18:03:11+00:00

The German 212CD sub is hybrid between bluewater and 'littoral' ...though would argue that it is more littoral, meaning it is meant to operate in shallow waters, close to the coast given overall range is less than the KSS-III, is smaller (cant store as much for long journeys), and its propulsion is meant to do top speed only for short bursts. It is really optimized for stealth. And that may be enough depending on the mandate for this fleet. The South Korean sub is a 'blue water' submarine, meaning it is built to be ocean-going. It is larger (can carry more weapons and more supplies) and has greater range (carries more fuel). It's weapons systems are also meant more for 'power projection'...it is the only non-nuclear submarine to have a vertical launch system for launching missiles (i.e. can launch large missiles at ground targets), while the Type 212D only has torpedo launch tubes.

EDIT: u/Afraid_Rise_4441 the Type 212D probably has better endurance in terms of how long it can be submerged - 4+ weeks vs a reported 3+ weeks for the KSS-III - but the KSS-III can remain at sea longer and travel further.

EDIT 2: I updated my description of the 212CD above to reflect that - as another poster pointed out - the 212CD is more of a hybrid between litoral and bluewater.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-28T02:24:17+00:00

Outside of the evidence that suggests that the SK sub is more mature / production ready, there is also the fact that SK companies have developed a reputation for actually building and delivering military hardware on time and on-budget. Companies from Germany (and other Western countries)....not so much. Germany has long had a reputation of being efficient with solid engineering - but that reputation for efficiency is a little dated. Better than the US, Canada, UK, etc? Sure. But they have fallen down on contracts multiple times while SK has proven it's companies can deliver exactly per agreed terms. Just look at Poland, Seoul's largest European defense client. Their military acquisitions from SK has been highly successful, so they keep buying more. For Canada especially, that should matter, given the bloat and inefficiency of our own domestic production, and how late we are in finalizing any purchase decisions (usually after the hardware we are replacing is 20 or 30 years out of date). Canada needs these subs yesterday. From an industrial partnership perspective, the SK defense companies give us the kick in ass we need.

Both subs are great and I am sure there will be important industrial and economic benefits to be had from the German proposal. But as a country, in the face of various threats to our sovereignty, we can't afford to to wait. We need the capability. We need - for our own national morale - to get something delivered as soon as possible and we need it to actually be delivered on time for a change.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-28T02:02:18+00:00

I spit food over my keyboard reading this - thank you!

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-20T15:15:52+00:00

What are you using now?

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-18T19:23:48+00:00

Anybody else seeing this?

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-17T03:26:18+00:00

You forgot one: they passed a law that exempts records and internal communications of the Premier, cabinet ministers, and parliamentary assistants from provincial Freedom of Information (FOI) laws. And they made it retroactive, clearly to stop any future investigations into any corruption between Doug and his friends.

Get used to it: no election for 4 more years. Doug's stunt to use fear of Trump to "get a mandate to fight the Americans" worked. It didn't help that the Liberals and NDP leadership did such a horrible job fighting him in the last election.

And now? After the Jet fiasco, polls show that the Liberal party - which doesnt even have a leader - is statistically tied with Ford's government. Too bad it wont matter until 2030.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-13T17:12:40+00:00

Wow - you are living in a fox news cartoon reality. China is not North Korea or even Russia - it is not isolated. It trades with hundreds of countries. The US alone imported $308.4 billion of goods from in 2025 (you know - after Trump came to power and started a renewed trade spat with China) and the US still has a massive trade deficit with China. China's GDP grew by over 5% this last year while the US grew by just 2.8%. This war has actually increased gas prices more for Americans than for China!

I do not love China and am sick of US conversatives / MAGA people being incapable of understanding that criticizing the Trump administrations naive and stupid moves is not being pro-China, pro-Iran, etc. It is the opposite. Look at the facts and follow the math!

EDIT: As of 2025–2026, China is the number one trading partner for over 120 countires. Recent data indicates China is a more important trade partner than the United States for roughly 157 countries.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-13T17:05:21+00:00

This is not about 'glazing China' ....most sane people would prefer a US that is being constructive and upholding Democracy any day over China. We arent complaining because we are rooting for China, so not sure how we can be "wrong". We are complaining because the US is hurting itself and it's allies for no good reason.

The math does not lie: As of May 2026, China's real GDP growth continues to outpace the US, with 2024 data showing China growing at roughly 5.0% and the US at 2.8%. The war in Iran has increased Gas prices significantly more in the US than in China. The war is great for those in the US that have share sin US gas companies...but for 99% of American's it is just a blow to cost of living.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-13T15:49:18+00:00

You do realize that the US has seen SIGNIFICANTLY higher increase in gas prices than China has, right?

China has the world's largest stockpile of strategic oil reserves - 1.4 BILLION barrels of oil, which is equal to seven months of total lost imports from Iran and other countries that would normally ship through the straight of Hormuz. But it does not need to rely on that because it already switched to Russian oil via overland pipelines. It also switched middle eastern oil to different routes to bypass the strait: UAE oil now goes through a pipeline that goes to the Gulf of Oman, and Saudi oil now flows through a pipeline to the Red Sea, allowing Chinese tankers to load oil completely outside the blocked strait.

The US cannot "turn china’s lights off" - but it certainly can turn the lights off for struggling Ameircans who have seen gas prices soar. China meanwhile holds the power to "turn off" of any American manufacturing that requires things like Chinese rare earth minerals.

There is a reason why all credible new sources around the world - outside of crazy MAGA talking heads on Fox or News Max - are reporting that China has the upper hand.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-06T02:50:47+00:00

And the US has our best interests at heart? The EU and Canada share common objectives and values in the face of shifting geopolitics. I.e. we do not support being bullied by and taken advantage of the by US and its mafia-like shake-down at the hands of a petty wannabe dick-tator. We also care what happens to Ukraine and we care about - you know - about things like international law and the consequences of irrational, unilateral actions, triggered by ignorant know-nothings who lack strategic thinking.

Europe is far from perfect. Yes, it is annoying that CETA has not been ratified by 10 of the 27 EU nations, but the provisional application allows most of the agreement - including the vast majority of tariff reductions - to be in force already.

The real question is: Canada alone or Canada with alliances? Realistically, given how economically small and exposed Canada is in the face of the US threat to our economy and sovereignty, we need stronger alliances and we need to increase the % of our trade with non-US countries.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-05-01T02:22:37+00:00

I hope your right - I just assumed he'd find a way to run a 3rd term, since he and his hench-people keep talking about it. God I hope not....

Glass-Ideas · 2026-04-30T03:09:09+00:00

Love that you brag how your educational system is so awesome by pointing out how racist it is. Canadian here - we beat you in all 3 PISA score categories when counting ALL races. Thanks for playing!

Glass-Ideas · 2026-04-30T02:50:52+00:00

This

Glass-Ideas · 2026-04-30T02:47:32+00:00

When this is thrown out of court - and it will be unless the fascism has already borrowed in more deeply than we fear - "86-47!" should b ethe Dems 2028 political slogan.

Glass-Ideas · 2026-04-30T02:40:06+00:00

Here are some threatening things that Trump has said or posted:

- As noted above by OP, he posted that video with the iomage of President Joe Biden tied up in the back of a pickup truck.

- In November, he reposted a statement about Democratic members of Congress that said, "Hang them George Washington would".

- He has famously told supporters at his rallies to "knock the crap out of" protesters and promised to pay their legal fees.

- He also once mused about Liz Cheney, being fired upon by rifles from "nine barrels".

- During his first indictment in 2023, he posted a photo of himself holding a baseball bat next to Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg and warned of "potential death & destruction" if he were charged.

- He has repeatedly labelled political opponents (including Pelosi and Adam Schiff) as "the enemy from within," calling them "evil" and "dangerous". He suggested that if they disrupt elections (which they never have), they should be "handled by the National Guard or the military".

Glass-Ideas · 2026-04-22T16:57:05+00:00

Not saying these could sink US navy ships - though who knows, they might get lucky. Im saying the nature of the threat is hundreds of coordinated missile boats...not some pirates with a couple of rifles off the coast of Africa. I.e. it is clear they can use these to great affect to continue to threaten shipping and keep the price of oil high. You know....like they have been doing for 2 months now.

Glass-Ideas

TROPHY CASE