Debt Rattle May 3 2026

 

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  • #239828

    Rembrandt van Rijn The standard bearer 1636 • Trump: ‘We Cannot Let Lunatics Have a Nuclear Weapon’ (Robert Spencer) • Sen. John Kennedy Sums Up the I
    [See the full post at: Debt Rattle May 3 2026]

    #239829
    those darned kids
    Participant

    • Trump: ‘We Cannot Let Lunatics Have a Nuclear Weapon’ (Robert Spencer)
    •• Kettle: ‘The Sootiness of Certain Individuals is Beyond The Pale

    • Sen. John Kennedy Sums Up the Iranian Regime’s Current Predicament (Lower)
    •• Lunatics Have a Nuclear Weapon’

    • Hope for America (Ron Paul)
    •• ¿¡and the rest of us!?

    • Trump Jokes US Will Be ‘Taking Over’ Cuba After Iran Conflict (JTN)
    •• so, ¿never?

    • The Greatest Salesman: Zelensky Promotes His Favorite Weapons Company (RT)
    •• i didn’t know raytheon was ukranian

    • Georgia, South Carolina Won’t Postpone Voting to Review Redistricting (CTH)
    •• what a scam. the world really wishes they could just laugh at america.

    • Republicans to Best Democrats in Mid-Decade Redistricting War (Josh Hammer)
    •• so? you don’t think president kamala wasn’t going to war!?

    • Pressure Campaign to Get Scott Jennings Booted From CNN (Matt Margolis)
    •• pressure campaign to get matt margolis a soul

    • Watch the Look on Gavin Newsom’s Face As Bill Maher Torches His Insanity (Doug P.)
    •• oh boy! a jerk torches a superjerk. fun.

    • Trump Says Medicare Will Soon Cover Weight-Loss Drugs (ET)
    •• yay! make america dead again!

    • Trump Targets Merz in Geopolitical Maneuver (CTH)
    •• this is what happens when you let the worst people run the world

    • Pope Leo XIV Names Former Illegal Immigrant As New Bishop (JTN)
    •• so? don’t forget the pilgrims were illegal immigrants.

    #239830
    those darned kids
    Participant

    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!
    The chicken is still more advanced!

    take note folks, take note..

    #239831
    D Benton Smith
    Participant

    So every chicken (and most other birds) can do what the the most advanced combination of AI, robotics and engineering CANNOT do. Do you suppose that such a skill accidentally “evolved” in a random Universe? If so, then what are the odds? (and introduce me to your bookie, please)

    What does that tell us if we take take @ThoseDarnedKids advice and take note of that fact?

    Well, for one thing, it tells us that hidden within the gob-smacking mystery of how the chicken even does such a thing there exists an even greater mystery, and perhaps one of the biggest mysteries of all.

    If you can solve it then you are well on your way (and maybe have even arrived) to solving the question of Life, The Universe, and Everything. It is a rabbit hole of the deepest depth.

    The mystery surrounds of the very concept of what we call “Frame Of Reference”, which rests of the incontrovertible fact that nothing can be described or explained EXCEPT by “framing” the description or explanation in reference to something else, to which the same “frame of reference” rule applies.

    If you solve it be sure to let Einstein know because the implicit problem of infinite ‘self-referentialness’ seems to have no bottom or finality to it no matter how far up or down that spiral you go.

    Trying to solve the first part of that problem resulted in Einstein’s discovery of Relativity vis a vis the speed of light, but the second part of the problem (i.e. relative to what, specifically?) stumped him completely til the day he died.

    One wag even said of it that when you take the first step on that road you are on your way to God.

    I’m not smart enough to disagree, so maybe that joker was right.

    I couldn’t help but notice that several of the other newsy bullet-points at the top of today’s TAE were examples of the same puzzling conundrum. The hovering drone in the car at 50 mph, in particular is an excellent illustration of “frame of reference” problem, and don’t forget that the car is on a spinning planet which orbits the sun moving through a revolving galaxy, etc. So, the problem seems to have put a bee under RIM’s bonnet, too.

    Be sure to drop me a note if any of you old codgers solve it.

    #239832
    zerosum
    Participant

    As a senior observer, I observed that copilot can find and produce information, quickly, that influencers and the deciders try to keep secret from the general population.
    ————

    fundamental misunderstanding – Power Dream

    Observer
    |
    Influencer
    |
    Controller
    —————————————————————-
    Reflect – Dhuuuu!

    “We cannot let lunatics have a nuclear weapon,” – Trump
    ————
    I got copilot to get the info on the 14 point peace plan

    Iran’s new 14‑point peace plan is a comprehensive proposal aimed at ending the war permanently within 30 days, lifting sanctions, removing the naval blockade, withdrawing U.S. forces from around Iran, and establishing a new security framework for the Strait of Hormuz.

    Below is a structured, detailed breakdown synthesizing all verified points from the latest reporting.

    🇮🇷 Iran’s 14‑Point Peace Proposal — Full Breakdown
    Iran submitted the plan through Pakistan as a response to a U.S.-backed nine‑point framework. The core theme is permanent war termination, not a temporary ceasefire.

    1. End the war on all fronts
    Iran demands a complete end to hostilities, including U.S. and Israeli military actions and regional fighting (explicitly including Lebanon).

    2. Resolve all issues within 30 days
    Iran rejects the U.S. proposal for a two‑month ceasefire and insists on a 30‑day timeline for a final settlement.

    3. Lift the U.S. naval blockade
    Iran wants the U.S. to end the naval blockade of Iranian ports and waters.

    4. Withdraw U.S. forces from around Iran
    The plan requires the removal of U.S. military forces from Iran’s surrounding region.

    5. Establish a new governing mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz
    Iran proposes a new security and governance framework for the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for ~20% of global oil and LNG.

    6. Lift all U.S. and international sanctions
    Iran demands full sanctions removal, not phased relief.

    7. Release frozen Iranian assets
    Billions in Iranian funds held abroad must be unfrozen and returned.

    8. Provide financial compensation
    Iran seeks compensation for damages caused by sanctions and military actions.

    9. Guarantee against future attacks
    Iran wants binding guarantees that the U.S. and Israel will not attack again.

    10. End U.S. military operations region‑wide
    This includes halting U.S. actions in Lebanon and other regional theaters.

    11. End Israeli strikes
    Iran includes Israeli military activity in its demand for a full regional cessation of hostilities.

    12. Maintain Iran’s right to uranium enrichment
    Iran insists on recognition of its NPT‑protected right to enrich uranium, rejecting U.S. demands to dismantle facilities.

    13. Create a revised regional security framework
    Iran calls for a new regional arrangement replacing current U.S.-led structures.

    14. Permanent end to the “imposed war”
    Iran frames the plan as a final settlement, not a temporary truce.
    —————–

    I got copilot, my resident AI, to get more info and verification on

    https://web.archive.org/web/20260502085321/https://www.rt.com/trends/state-of-corruption/
    • The Greatest Salesman: Zelensky Promotes His Favorite Weapons Company (RT)

    Fire Point is a real Ukrainian weapons manufacturer, but all publicly available information about its ownership, structure, and alleged corruption links comes almost entirely from Ukrainian media leaks and RT reporting.
    No Western government, sanctions authority, or independent investigative body has designated Fire Point or its founders as sanctioned entities.

    Below is a clean, evidence‑based breakdown using only verifiable information from the search results.

    🔍 What We Can Verify About the Company “Fire Point”
    Fire Point is described as a Ukrainian drone and missile manufacturer that rapidly expanded between 2024–2026, securing nearly $1 billion in Ukrainian government contracts.

    Founders & Ownership (as reported)
    RT and Ukrainian media sources describe the ownership structure as follows:

    Denis Shtilerman — founder, chief designer, and 97.5% owner of Fire Point.

    Yegor Skalyga — co‑founder with a 2.5% share, previously involved in film production.

    Irina Terekh — technical director and co‑owner (minor stake).

    Mike Pompeo — joined the company’s advisory board in November 2025.

    These details come from RT’s reporting, which itself cites Ukrainian media leaks and interviews.

    🧩 Alleged Hidden Owner: Timur Mindich (“Zelensky’s wallet”)
    Multiple RT articles claim that leaked Ukrainian anti‑corruption surveillance tapes show:

    Timur Mindich acting as the de facto owner of Fire Point

    Mindich discussing contracts, funding, and lobbying with then‑Defense Minister Rustem Umerov

    Mindich fleeing Ukraine and being sanctioned domestically

    These claims originate from Ukrainian media leaks (e.g., Ukrainskaya Pravda) and are reported by RT, but they are not independently verified by Western outlets in the search results.

    🛑 Sanctions Status: Is Fire Point or Its Founders Sanctioned?
    I checked:

    OFAC (U.S. Treasury) sanctions lists

    OFAC Sanctions List Search tool

    OpenSanctions global database

    Canada’s Consolidated Autonomous Sanctions List (relevant because you’re in Canada)

    None of these databases list:

    Fire Point

    Denis Shtilerman

    Yegor Skalyga

    Irina Terekh

    Timur Mindich

    This means Fire Point is not sanctioned by the U.S., Canada, EU, or UK based on the available data.

    Mindich is reportedly sanctioned inside Ukraine, but this is based on RT’s reporting and Ukrainian media leaks, not international sanctions lists.

    🧭 What Is Verified vs. What Is Alleged
    ✅ Verified (based on available sources)
    Fire Point exists and produces drones and missiles.

    It received ~$1 billion in Ukrainian defense contracts.

    Shtilerman is the majority owner.

    Pompeo joined the advisory board in 2025.

    ⚠️ Alleged (not independently confirmed by Western sources)
    Mindich is the hidden owner.

    Zelensky promoted Fire Point for personal gain.

    Fire Point falsified records or misled beneficiaries.

    Corruption schemes involving Umerov and Mindich.

    These claims come from Ukrainian leaks and RT’s interpretation of them.

    📌 Bottom Line
    Fire Point is a real Ukrainian weapons manufacturer with rapid growth and major government contracts.
    Its founders and ownership structure are documented, but the corruption allegations and claims of hidden ownership by Timur Mindich come from Ukrainian media leaks and RT reporting — not from independent Western verification.

    No sanctions authority lists Fire Point or its founders.
    ———–

    #239833
    D Benton Smith
    Participant

    • Sen. John Kennedy Sums Up the Iranian Regime’s Current Predicament

    I find it terrifying that Senator Kennedy ( and Ilargi, too, apparently) seem to sincerely believe that Iran isn’t selling any oil, and is therefore not making any money and is therefore going to go broke and be forced to shut down (and destroy) their oil fields, and is therefore totally trapped in America’s death grip, and is therefore going to capitulate any minute now because their only other option is no choice at all.

    Give me an F-ing break. Please let me wake from this living nightmare of being led by so-called “elites” who cannot do grade school ‘rithmetic.

    And on TOP of the inability to do addition, subtraction, multiplication and long division is the equally scary fact that the “framing” of the math problem is itself a ginormous LIE. Iran is still pumping, storing, shipping and selling oil. To believe otherwise is pretty stupid because the fact that they are doing so being fully displayed on every public and private information channel in the world outside of the beltway.

    Washington, DC City Limits has become the walls around the lunatic asylum. So, by Trump’s rules, that we should take away their nukes because, hey, we can’t let lunatics have nuclear weapons, right?

    #239834
    Dr. D
    Participant

    “Dem Rep Suggests Hegseth Could Be Executed For War Crimes Like Nazi Sub-Captains
    Moulton invokes WWII executions to attack Trump’s Defense Secretary over Caribbean narco-terrorist strikes…

    ZH is implying this is hyperbolic, but it’s entirely accurate. All military actions should be examined before, during, and after for this. That is the legally correct position. One thing accusers always forget though: in war people die, and that is legal in the law of war as well. They just don’t like when THEIR people die, that is Iranians, Muslims, anyone who will attack and kill the U.S. They are very sad when the U.S. does NOT fail and all our people – workers – die. So thanks, noted.

    Like this: “Syrian Gets Just Six Months In Jail For Raping 13-Year-Old Girl After Court Cites His Low IQ”

    You get a “Free Rape” pass anytime you visit a foreign country. I am leaving for a rape safari in France and Denmark today. Does anyone actually think a White Norwegian would get no charges? Well, we can go check the stats! A: No. Let’s ignore both sides of that question: What is he doing here at all? Why did you import a rapist, retarded or not? Did Norway have a critical deficit of them and need to fund an H1B? So you give all rapists free houses? I am SO THERE!

    Trump flouts lower court rulings in unprecedented display of executive power” AP

    The AP may be unaware of this, because: Journalists. Are. Illiterate. When they are not sniffing glue. But that’s called an “Appeal”. They don’t teach that at Columbia U. https://apnews.com/article/trump-courts-contempt-defiance-7b94b24901d42961afe323d02e352733?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

    The story laments that Trump is not obeying separation of powers while judges are running the military, being doctors, being TSA and Immigration, and inventing the laws of Congress. Now if you want to say they all do that, fine, but then there’s no separation of powers, Trump is doing what everyone else is doing, all other parties, all other branches, and what all Presidents have done. Yes? How many hundred examples do you want me to find?

    “The White House’s aggressive policy moves have prompted a barrage of lawsuits — more than 700 and counting. “

    They sued him 700 times when he was NOT in power and he had no policy positions at all. Explain?

    “The administration has gotten a boost from higher courts
    The AP’s review also found that higher courts, including the Supreme Court, overruled the district courts and sided with the White House in nearly half of the 31 cases. Critics say those decisions are emboldening the administration to ignore judges’ orders.”

    If the Journalists hadn’t heard, the Supreme Court is not “Emboldening” and “Ignoring”. The USSC takes up ALMOST NO CASES. Ever. They refuse hundreds at a pop. So when they take them up and rule against said “Judges” who are sadly “Ignored” those judges are getting the Judicial equivalent of being f’d up the a– without lube in a dressing down of historic proportions if they’re reversed on. This is the lowest day any judge can have, being publicly made totally, epically, historically, stupid and wrong.

    So the USSC made a SHERMAN’S MARCH TO THE SEA against all these lower courts. Reversing everything they rule, some of them many times.

    Guess what? That means the lower courts are WRONG and should be investigated to be Impeached and removed. Perhaps disbarred for their embarrassing ignorance of law.

    Journalists don’t know that, I guess, they think we just pick whatever court we prefer, like at Neiman Marcus. Then we ignore whatever court we don’t feel like, like the Supreme Court. Thus name: Supreme.

    “Abuse of Executive Power” = “Following the Supreme Court” and “Constitution.” Thanks AP. So like Reuters you take millions from MI6 as well?

    “Ukraine Flexes With Much Deeper Drone Reach Targeting Russia’s Refineries 
    U.S. interrupting oil: bad, kills everyone. Ukraine doing it: Good, Freedom Fighters. More please.

    “Trump On Hormuz Blockade: “We’re Like Pirates – And It’s Very Profitable”

    No one can understand his motive. Just crazy I guess. Has dementia. Americans have never heard of, nor pursue this “Money” thingie. “[There is no money] He just loves killing children, I guess,” — Jeff Sachs. Anyone tired of this and ready for honest discussion of real motives yet? Ours AND theirs?

    “DOJ Releases Report Alleging Anti-Christian Bias Under Biden

    Interesting, since Biden himself issued that report on the front pages, openly declaring it a national goal. Catholics especially were arrested. This was NOT an attack on the Pope, but “saying words” is.

    “• Trump: ‘We Cannot Let Lunatics Have a Nuclear Weapon’ (Robert Spencer)

    Speak for yourself, Don. More constructively, I don’t want us to have one either, sure, but here we are. The only worse case now is for everyone to have one and for us not to.

    ““They’re getting decimated. They have no Navy. They have no air force, they have no anti-aircraft equipment. They have no radar. They have no leaders. Their leaders are all gone.”

    This is how you know Iran is winning. On TV. The U.S. has clearly lost when the opposing nation has no opposition left. That’s how War works, right? Super-secret plan. Iran is playing 39D chess.

    “the blockage effort had drained a jaw-dropping “$6 billion-plus” from Iran’s coffers.”

    Where are their allies? A single Muslim nation has acted? No, it’s the Muslim nations like Saudi Arabia, that all joined forces and attacked them. Discuss? Nope: Ignore. The crime here is “Noticing things.”

    “first with the President’s support for tyrannical central bank digital currency and then with his refusal to release the Epstein files.”

    The Fed Head said there would be no CBDC. Others have as well. The Epstein Files are constantly released. What is she talking about? Thankfully she ran away so she wouldn’t have to DO anything about this. Like Bongino, when there’s work to be done, I’ll be at home on the couch. That’s the American Way, and what “MAGA Generals” do.

    Apparently everyone believed in working to promote these two actions except her. Everyone else is working to restore America while she complains we’re doing it wrong.

    “the war was not justified and that it was being fought for Israeli rather than American interests.”

    Sadly Joe is against Israel being bombed into the stone age for the first time in their existence.

    “• Trump Jokes US Will Be ‘Taking Over’ Cuba After Iran Conflict (JTN)

    I don’t appreciate the jokes or posture but we have cut off a dozen money flows that were probably keeping them as a Dr. No base of evil for 60 years. The problem is, he can’t say that because the media would go nuts again, but if he does NOT say that then there is no cause for the behavior and war. …Same with Iran. It’s not for me to have to make your case for you. That’s YOUR job. You failed.

    However, I still have to figure out what’s going on and it’s not “Everyone is stupid” and “China suddenly became stupid”. And “Never trust or listen to Brown people, we on Fox know what is best for you.”

    “• The Greatest Salesman: Zelensky Promotes His Favorite Weapons Company (RT)

    Want to explain how they’re building weapons and Russia hasn’t bombed the factory and everything associated with it? Quid pro Quo? Cause I would bet all of those are off as (UK) keeps bombing refineries. Is Ukraine war just a puppet show too?

    “And other states, such as Indiana, famously defied Trump and refused to voluntarily redraw their maps.”

    Yes, this was a hearty har-har to “Show Trump” by insuring all Republicans lose. The Republicans themselves made sure they lost…sooooo…what does this have to do with Trump again? And was Trump the cause for them to do this every year since the 1990s? Nothing’s changed. So when you have a party that exists to take actions that insure their loss, exactly what sort of party and motivation is that?

    At least we’ve finally made it obvious. I thought we’d never get here. The GOP are the SLOW Socialists. The DNC are the FAST Socialists. Both are the same party of universal state power against the people.

    “So let’s be honest about what’s happening here. The left’s “outrage” over Jennings’ f-bomb isn’t about standards or decency”

    Long article. So you mean the Left who is supporting a top candidate for major state who has a Nazi Tattoo? That Party? That movement? Those principles? The ones who said women were too stupid, lazy and illiterate to vote?

    “• Trump Says Medicare Will Soon Cover Weight-Loss Drugs (ET)

    Maybe there are a handful of people who need them. (There are.) However it’s only been like a year and we’ve seen ten-thousand cases of critical, deadly side effects pile up…like instant and permanent blindness. So I could not support this without some review because no matter how little it costs the side effects will cause 10,000x more money to be lost in Medicaid. I am not in favor of supporting sudden blindness.

    “Keep in mind the background issue of Germany supplying Ukraine with weapons and material to keep fighting Russia,”

    That can’t be right, I’m assured by the Alexes, Berletic, and everyone on Fox News that it’s the United States, super-secretly demanding the war, by cutting off all funding day one, holding down every leader over the White House punch bowl, and kicking them in the pants repeatedly to stop. But that Trump guy. So unclear. No one can figure out what he’s up to.

    “Only 355,000 babies were born in 2025,” OMG what. And are any of them Italian?

    #239835
    zerosum
    Participant

    I must be bankrupt.
    Just like non US citizens, I don’t need or spend US$.

    #239836
    Dr. D
    Participant

    I got copilot to get the info on the 14 point peace plan”

    WHY would the U.S. say yes to anything in there? What’s our motivation?

    DBS: So your position is Iran is selling as much oil as ever, and their financial situation is unchanged?

    Is it also that every weapons ship buying with that uninterrupted oil money is sailing through the Persian Gulf and being unloaded without incident in Iranian ports?

    If not, would you like to support HOW MUCH oil or weapons are or are not being shut off? Because just saying “We still got out 10 pickup trucks of oil through the Pakistani desert” is not the same as “We load 20 multi-million barrel ships daily and receive uninterrupted checks from London.”

    The difference between One pickup truck vs Entire nation of oil matters. And exactly what the dollar amount is matters too.

    No one on, say, Kennedy’s side of the argument is claiming Iran can’t smuggle out one tanker of oil, or smuggle in a box of Stingers. But a war that does not make. Nor any important difference.

    #239837
    those darned kids
    Participant

    nicely put, dbs.

    unfortunately, my expertise seems to be in bumpersticker sized prose.

    ∑´®∑´®∑´®∑´®∑´®∑´®∑´®∑´®∑´®

    hahaha, the pilgrims were military-aged men with no documents on rickety boats.

    #239838
    those darned kids
    Participant

    “Where are their allies? A single Muslim nation has acted? No, it’s the Muslim nations like Saudi Arabia, that all joined forces and attacked them.”

    everyday with the same nonsense.

    STOP.

    no government ever represents its people. “mine” certainly doesn’t.

    just stop.

    you think mbs gives one thought to the people he squishes with his limo.

    give me a break.

    in fact, of all the participants in this madness, it is only the IRANIAN government officials who feel safe amongst their own people.

    so,

    please STOP.

    #239839
    zerosum
    Participant

    I got copilot to get the info on the 14 point peace plan”

    WHY would the U.S. say yes to anything in there? What’s our motivation?

    One word -negotiation

    #239840
    those darned kids
    Participant

    ““Free Rape” pass”

    oh, boy..

    ok, let’s be patient.

    check, check.

    ha! norway and the u.s.a. have the exact same rate of rapes per capita.

    i guess stable jeniuses like you don’t need stats.

    you’re own morality knows everything, obviously.

    #239841
    charles
    Participant

    I dont believe the US when they say all oil stopped and I dont believe Iran? when they say oil gets through. For $1000 a month you can see satellite radar compared to AIS in a report for any area by individual ship. From, at, to. So all the elites on all sides know exactly to the ship exactly how much oil Iran is shipping. They are just not going to tell us.

    https://tankertrackers.com/

    #239842
    thomasjkenney
    Participant

    @TDK:

    Intentional misdirection:

    ha! norway and the u.s.a. have the exact same rate of rapes per capita.

    How about you quote us some numbers for arrests, convictions, jailings, ‘black’ and ‘grey’ justice?

    Publicly available ‘AI’ junk seems to be evolving into Ayn Randian work-to-book flameout. The recent goblins foofaraw required counter instruction. Result could be that when a user asks about goblins the machine will be evasive and give at best a low-quality answer…until users complain again, and the instruction is added to only spill the beans if the user explicitly asks about goblins. Now you’re micro-managing and you end up with a hobbled ‘intelligence’ as pasty and useless as Grey Davis. How many Yes Men can you buy for US$900,000,000.00? How many can you buy for life at those numbers?

    #239843
    those darned kids
    Participant

    uh, i just looked up the stats.

    https://data.unodc.org/

    #239844
    D Benton Smith
    Participant

    DBS: So your position is Iran is selling as much oil as ever, and their financial situation is unchanged?

    Nope.

    My position is that the America should leave Iran alone, and stop behaving like an agent of Satan himself gleefully destroying both nations at once by the same actions, while serving no purpose other than greed, malice and death.

    I won’t be dragged into an ostensibly rational discussion of what is the most logically expeditious way of administering psychopathy. It would be like discussing the best way of hanging a child for failure to pay sheep tax.

    #239845
    those darned kids
    Participant

    exactly, dbs, yep.

    ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

    i was away for about 2 weeks.

    i went to the supermarket today.

    the produce is 20,30,40, or even 50% higher in price.

    produce is the first food to reflect inflationary pressures.

    all the processed foods are, of course, made with produce (to some extent or other), so it won’t be long before..

    act accordioningly folks….

    #239846
    zerosum
    Participant

    We are not at war

    Canada’s $2.3 billion for Ukraine refers to a loan package announced at the June 2025 G7 summit, intended for reconstruction and public‑infrastructure support. This amount is separate from Canada’s $2 billion in military aid announced at the same time.

    (Loan repayment is expected to come from interest on frozen Russian assets, not Canadian taxpayers directly. (Hummm)

    The loan supports infrastructure, public services, and reconstruction, not weapons.

    It is part of Canada’s strategy to meet NATO defence‑spending targets while supporting Ukraine. (Hummm. Ukraine is not part NATO)

    By August 2025, Canada had committed nearly $22 billion in total assistance to Ukraine since 2022, including:

    $12.4 billion in direct financial support

    $2 billion in new military aid (2025)

    $2.3 billion in reconstruction loans (2025) (How can Ukraine pay off ALL their loans?)

    #239847
    zerosum
    Participant

    Will empty ships be told to go home?

    #239848
    Doc Robinson
    Participant

    Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz
    March 1 to April 29

    As reported by Lloyd’s List Intelligence and graphed by the nonprofit USNI News.

    This graph shows civilian traffic through the strait (the total number of ships for each day, with breakdown for each type of ship.)

    For example, starting at the high end of the daily count –

    27 ships on 18 April
    27 ships on 01 March
    22 ships on 12 April
    16 ships on 07 April
    15 ships on 02 April
    15 ships on 14 April
    14 ships on 04 April
    etc…

    Transits are also majorly members of the “shadow fleet” – internationally sanctioned ships that use deceptive measures to avoid detection, Meade said. While they accounted for about 10-15 percent of transits before the war, “shadow fleet” ships now constitute about 80 percent.

    https://news.usni.org/2026/05/01/strait-of-hormuz-commercial-transits-at-lowest-level-since-operation-epic-fury-start-shipping-data-shows

    #239849
    Doc Robinson
    Participant

    For comparison of front page news/propaganda

    Tehran Times –

    New York Times and others –
    https://www.frontpages.com/the-new-york-times/
    Scroll down to see others, including UK newspapers.

    #239850
    Doc Robinson
    Participant

    Map with regularly updated ship locations in the Strait of Hormuz.

    “VesselFinder is a FREE AIS vessel tracking web site. VesselFinder displays real time ship positions and marine traffic detected by global AIS network.”

    A bunch of ships of “Unknown Type” (US Navy?) are beyond the imaginary line connecting the Iran/Pakistan border with the shoulder of Oman.

    https://www.vesselfinder.com/

    #239851
    those darned kids
    Participant

    nice work, doc robinson.

    #239852
    chooch
    Participant

    The “Machine Gun Messiah”

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