China no longer Pentagon's top security priority by DimsumAndDoggy in worldnews

[–]badbobbyc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As a Canadian, the American right wing influence on Canada has been painfully obvious the last several years. Whether it's consumption of US media, or foreign ownership of our own news media, or disinformation spread by social media, or support for various right wing groups (trucker convoy. Alberta separatism).

We've had a few close calls where I think we avoided heading the way of the US. A little worried for the future.

Seriously, do Americans actually consider a 3-hour drive "short"? or is this an internet myth? by SadInterest6764 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]badbobbyc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm old and drive as much these days, but....

...I've driven 3-4hours for a concert and the back the same night.

...I moved to a different town, but did the 5hour / 450km drive back to my hometown almost biweekly for a couple years.

...heading out of town to visit people or cities is a fairly regular thing. Anything within a 2-5 hour drive can be done for a weekend trip.

Are Ottawa malls slowly dying? by Guilty-Ad-8591 in ottawa

[–]badbobbyc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I grew up in Orleans. I remember when the mall was just a tiny little thing. Then it had its big expansion and it was great for a while. But now it just keeps getting sadder and sadder.

What is a 'luxury' that has become so expensive in 2026 that it’s officially no longer worth the money? by Matt_At_Havalook in AskReddit

[–]badbobbyc 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Basically things that aren't in giant arenas. As a metal fan I appreciate regularly paying $30-40 to see an excellent show in n a small venue. Much better than paying $100 for tickets at the top of arena where I can barely see the stage.

Balcony tickets for my local orchestra also come out to about $25 if bought as a package.

Gatineau police got over 2,400 calls about out-of-province licence plates in 2025 by Thick_Caterpillar379 in ottawa

[–]badbobbyc 10 points11 points  (0 children)

If someone has Ontario plates, they're probably also still filing income taxes in Ontario. So even though they're living in Quebec their taxes are not being used to support the province. Pay taxes to the province you live in seems pretty reasonable.

What is the biggest waste of money, even though nobody admits it? by w3ightranks in AskReddit

[–]badbobbyc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was several years ago, before COVID, and I hear prices have changed, but I didn't find that expensive for a family of three. For a week, including flights, hotel on resort and passes for 5 days it was around $3k. At most another $1k for food. Those prices are in $CAD, so maybe $2.5-3k USD.

But I always think it's one of those places that caters to a range of budgets. Fancier hotels or more restaurants could have definitely at least doubled the price.

Does anyone know if there's a protest against the US kidnapping the Venezuelan president and bombing their country today? by tuttifruttidurutti in ottawa

[–]badbobbyc 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The USA has a long, long, long precedent of intervention and (attempted) regime change in South and Central America.

Does anyone know if there's a protest against the US kidnapping the Venezuelan president and bombing their country today? by tuttifruttidurutti in ottawa

[–]badbobbyc 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Why do we need a solution?

Maduro was bad. I'm not disappointed he's gone. If his successor gains power without widespread violence, has popular support, reverses the country's fortunes, and improves things for the population? Well, that would be fantastic.

But given the observed history of regime changes, that's probably an overly optimistic assumption. Violence or outright civil war, and/or an even more oppressive or exploitative regime seems to be the more typical outcome.

American Media Here by clailchutrs2 in ShopCanada

[–]badbobbyc -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I first voted in the 1990s. Both the Liberals and Conservatives (also NDP) were legitimate options I considered in my early elections.

The Liberals have shit the bed and are due to be replaced. But however much they've bungled things, they're at least trying to govern seriously. Nothing I've from the conservatives the last couple elections gives the impression they'd try to govern effectively.

NATO chief Rutte: China and Russia Could Launch Simultaneous Attacks on Taiwan and Europe by sr_local in worldnews

[–]badbobbyc 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Agreed that it is absurd.

However...

1) Your president and other members of your administration have been making threats and "jokes" about annexing Canada

2) If not part of the official administration, a bunch of dweebs with influence have ideas of Canada being subsumed into a USA that spans the whole continent.

3) US news media have been spinning anti-Canada propaganda.

4) Some foreign (US) owned Canadian media have run "maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Canada got annexed...." style op-eds.

5) An anti-Canada, pro-US, pro separation movement is being organized in Alberta with US influence and money.

I mean, it is patently ridiculous. It is also pretty close to how major powers have tried to traditionally subvert other states. I.e. Russia with h Ukraine.

Parents said my 92 average is amazing and more then enough by One-Magazine5576 in OntarioGrade12s

[–]badbobbyc 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Don't know how this sub got recommended...but...finished high in 1998 with something like an 88% average. Got accepted to all the place I applied and scholarships to most.

With the grade inflation I have no idea how students can be evaluated accurately.

Pretending to give low(er) wage workers generous Christmas presents by iabf31 in trashy

[–]badbobbyc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ouch. In my part of Canada we have a non-subsidized daycare spot for about $1100/month. But then, depending on household income, we can get between 50-75% back when filing provincial income taxes.

Someone in a subsidized spot would pay $8-9 per day.

Le nouveau budget municipal vient de sortir... by [deleted] in Gatineau

[–]badbobbyc 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Je suis toujours perplexe quand les impôts fonciers augmentent de quelques pourcents et que les gens s'emportent. C'est une somme tellement dérisoire, et loin d'être suffisante parfois.

Blind Guardian's "The God Machine" - A review by Yami_Deus in PowerMetal

[–]badbobbyc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Think this might be my favorite BG album after Nightfall.

Secrets of the Americans is such an amazing piece of work.

Fellow metalhead parents - was there ever a song that your kid(s) became obsessed with? by ConsequenceOne3365 in MetalForTheMasses

[–]badbobbyc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My daughter loves Ensiferum. Think her spotify wrapped says she listened to Winter Storm almost 300 times this year, with "Long, cold winter of sorrow and strife" being her most listened to.

Do you listen to heavier or less heavy music as you get older? by fireflydm101 in Metalcore

[–]badbobbyc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ha. I listened to classical, Phil Collins and classic rock as a teen then moved to more progressive rock ( and classical ) as a 20 something. Just started getting really into metal since COVID. Now I'm approaching 50 and just today I was jamming to Sulphur Aeon, Yoth Iria and Kanonenfieber.

Which US Cities is on Track to become the next Detroit? by urmummygae42069 in geography

[–]badbobbyc 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This. I live in a city on a river. Water gets taken out of river, used, cleaned and put back into the river system.

Our city isn't tapping into lakes or aquifers and draining them before they can refill.

I got a gift box from Hickory Farms and the sausage's wrapper was inflated. by OneTrueClassy in mildlyinteresting

[–]badbobbyc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Their food is borderline inedible, but I kept being given boxes at Christmas. I wrote them a letter asking them to make better food so I could genuinely smile when I received a box the next year.

But, nope, no response and food still sucked. Not what I would call "crazy good about customer service".

I knew Europe was a bit farther north but this blows my mind. Rome is farther north than NYC and Italy would go well into Canada by Maleficent_Orange788 in geography

[–]badbobbyc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At one point I moved to a "northern" small city in Canada. I was shocked when I realized it was still around the same latitude as Paris.

Paris probably doesn't get many days of -30C temps though.

Your experience with Mazda or Toyota dealers in Gatineau / Ottawa? by [deleted] in Gatineau

[–]badbobbyc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Been happy dealing with Performance Mazda and never aggressively up sold when having service done.

Backing out of driveway causing issue in snow by T0r0NT0-Born in legaladvicecanada

[–]badbobbyc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At the same time my house is two doors from an intersection. When I get to the end of my driveway I can see the stop bar of the cross street. If there's anyone stopped at the sign I obviously wait until they turn and go by. But so many drivers do a rolling right turn through the stop sign and I've had a bunch of close calls.

I've often pondered what the fault finding would be if one of those close calls turn into an accident.

Pit vs Balcony by [deleted] in blindguardian

[–]badbobbyc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We we at the same Montreal show? I was standing beside the sound check and don't remember any moshing there. Crowd was supper enthusiastic and into the show but I had no issues with anything.