Thinking…I am…..
So, there is always a sense that January 1 is a ‘new day’ a ‘new year’ and a fresh beginning. It never is. Not really. Come January, we have the same job, the same mortgage, the same spouse, the same car and so on and so on. If anything, January 1 is the ultimate ‘same ol’, same ol’ statement writ large and sometimes with a hangover to boot.
Or is it….this time?
If any one year (in my lifetime) ever deserved to be retired and forgotten, it is 2020. A close contender for that would be the last four years in aggregate but, as bad as Trump was since 2016, he was even worse in 2020. Everything was worse in 2020! Pandemic, recession, loss of international cooperation, division, violence, extra racism and mismanagement in all things. Honestly? If every decision made by the White House swamp-creatures was simply made by flipping a coin, the results would have been twice as good. They have demonstrated incompetence in it’s purest form. And we have Trudeau!
Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo threw a Xmas party and invited 900 people. 70 Rsvp’d and less than that showed up. Even Pompeo did not show! Those dorks can’t even throw a party.
But, all that notwithstanding, where does it all now stand? Where is the world headed post Trump? In what direction are we headed? Put metaphorically, usually the ship of state is moving in one direction and then a new captain is piped aboard and the ship might alter course or even make a sharp turn but, no matter, the ship keeps moving. NOT SO MUCH this time. This time the Allied ships are all aground.
The US (and Canada and many others) are currently frozen or, at least, seem moribund in the mud. No one is looking ahead with growth, progress or optimism in mind. They are still fighting the last years battles and making new problems just doing that. The US (et al) has staggering debt. The dead keep piling up (the US is gonna hit 750K – maybe 1M) and their e-infrastructure has just been Royally hacked – just to mention more than just a few lost battles on other fronts. In the meantime, their nation is riven with discontent, anger, racism and the American Dream has been washed from everyone’s view but the stinking rich. America is not a happy or functional place. Worse, it does not seem like a safe place to either live or visit.
And, even though we are a smidge better off, our time will come. We have the same basic problems. In fact, ours might be greater. Why? Because we are a country that depends too much on the dysfunctional nation to the immediate south of us and those guys are simply not doing at all well. We will feel that. Soon. Now, maybe.
I say this as if it is all in the future and, weirdly, it still does seem that way to me. Real estate prices in BC have never been higher. Record real estate goings on…….retail sales (on line) at a record pace….. inflation seems to be making a comeback…..but….
….we are facing material shortages already. Just about every place is reporting “….hard to get that stuff lately. It all comes from the US and they also seem to be on long back-orders.” Food prices are going up. Canadians on pace to set a record in personal savings (not spending) at the same time as bankruptcies and unemployment surges (can’t spend). It is all a very mixed message.
My immediate guess is that some things will do better, most things will do worse. Major changes in ‘normal life’ will come and most will be adjusted to rather better than my usual instincts suggest (i.e. Save-ON is doing boffo these days due to their new shop-and-delivery service for instance). Restaurants will fall like dominoes…and so it goes.
Some changes will be due to Covid, others due to our too-close relationship with the US. Some changes will come from the ‘recovery’ efforts and some will come from the ‘failures’. Some will also come from the increasing effects of climate change and some will come from even more new technology. Plus the baby boomers are rapidly exiting the scene due to aging and the inevitable result of too much of that. 2021 may herald a new dawn but that novelty does not necessarily bring silver linings.
So, the question for you, dear reader: please pick any BIG topic, project the future of it and the projected timeline. I would very much appreciate even a short prognostication. Long is OK, too. My synopsis? 2021 will be better but not good in most things, really great in a few areas and way too many small and medium catastrophes all around. I figure that to be the case til the end of 2022….. for the US. Til the end of 2024 for Canada.
Our Off the Grid Home 
Interesting challenge! There is a difference I think between being a fortune teller and being known for forthrightness. Better to be prophetic – if that is rooted in some generally recognized truth regarding reality.
If you believe in an ordered universe and I do…. much of what needs to be the same will be in 2021. The political space will be filled again with many words. There will be little of substance- only a policy decision or two of great consequence for you and I/ or the planet. Decision making houses talk a great deal and thankfully these days do little.
Our collective indebtedness, lack of change in behaviors that impact the environment pose a great threat to our well being- and even those consequences won’t be entirely felt in 2021. And I don’t see us stop taking on debt or taking many steps to address climate change. Selfishness and anti science will continue to rule if past behavior is a reliable predictor of what the future might look like.
Yes, death and taxes will carry forward to in 2021. And we might be one of the statistics given COVID and age. And that may be an expected and unavoidable outcome. It has been so more or less as long as we each have lived.
And if you are religious you likely have some constants -beliefs about 2021 – in relation to oneself that will be true for you again in 2021.
Things seem to change slowly. There is a lot of talks about how the pandemic changed the world. Not sure about that. Only have recent history by which to compare outcomes of COVID 19. A number of pandemics have come and gone and life pretty much returned to normal. If past events are a predictor of the future- that may be our truth in 2021 on most fronts- for both good and bad. An economy that fills the space of social interaction and mobility. And a reawakening of conspicuous consumption.
And yes science will continue to surprise us as Pfizer and Modernna did with the vaccine. And that world in 2021 and beyond might be quite exciting and advantageous for all of us mere mortals.
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I notice that you say, “No one is looking ahead.” Once more the absolute use of the word no! I’m looking ahead, I’m the exception to your use of the term ‘no one.’ How about fewer people are looking ahead. Some people are looking ahead. But…but… !
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Well, you are right, semantically, but I think that short blog/comments can be cut a bit of slack ……..of course there are people looking ahead but I was referring to nation-states and the lack of forward thinking at the best of times. And these are not the best of times. I see a whole contingent of Bubbas looking to the past and the rest of us looking not much further than the next paycheque. That is my point.
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Yes many are watching the rearview mirror literally watching Archie Bunker re-runs.
Can you hum the Bunker theme song, “Those Were the Days.”
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Well, since you’re asking for predictions.
The historical amount of emergency govt spending world wide has pushed most countries debt into unknown territory.
I predict a deep, prolonged recession/depression.
Unemployment and the lack of govt funds will reach a crisis in the west.
China with see this as an opportunity to retake Taiwan…..within the next 3-5 years
Western democracies will dither and threaten sanctions….not much more
Unless they use China as a scapegoat to get the population’s attention off the misery they are living day to day.
Either way.
In order for China to “save face”.
This will embolden China to push further out side of the South China Sea (which it now claims as “sovereign” territory)
I expect the US govt and US military will be obligated through treaties and alliances to confront China…… in3 to 5 years…tops
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Geez…war? War with China in five years? I am, by nature, one who sees the glass half empty but war is an empty glass shattered. I really hope not and further, I do not think it will be that bad. But I asked and I appreciate the input.
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The cyber war has already started.
The US Treasury Dept was hacked a week ago by “unknown agents” and two days later 2 million Chinese communist party members names, occupations , etc were released on the internet.
Some of these people had been embedded for year unbeknownst to fellow comrades….
Stay tuned as China flexes its newly found military muscles.
They surpassed the US navy in tonnage this year for the first time.
The Chinese Coast Guard has just surpassed the US Coast guard in tonnage.
Ya cant build that many ships, planes, drones, missiles, etc and not itch to use them…….
The Thucydides trap
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http://harveyoberfeld.ca/blog/send-a-christmas-message-to-china-and-our-hostages-they-are-holding/
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My suggestion for 2021 is that in the next year compassion will grow. The shame and blame will gradually cease as the realization grows that there is but one Earth and only a concerted collective effort will save her. Steady gains will continue to bring about a carbon neutral economy. Our democracy will continue to mature as we all realize that we must be part of the solution and not play the finger pointing games. In this enlightened state of seeing our chances for a better world future remain guarded but hopeful.
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Dont forget we’ll all put our heads together and sing ” I’d like to buy the world a Coke……”
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That’s okay! Have a rest and put your feet up your cynical world view needs to go on a vacation. Deep breaths Canada will look after you. Did you apply for your COVID-19 Survival Benefit yet?
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Nah, I dont need free handouts from the Liberal’s trying to buy my vote with taxpayer dollars.
The spendthrift sheeple can line up for their pittance.
Election in the spring before the bills (tax increases) come due?
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Just a thought on paranoid politics as General Flynn floats the idea of Trump declaring martial law in the key states he lost and hold new elections to give him a second term as president. Nuts right but democracies are fragile.
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Trump lost, whether his inflated ego can handle that is another matter.
I cant wait for the lawsuits to ratchet back up Jan 21st when he no longer has Presidential immunity.
He and his grifter family will slither back to New York or whatever swamp in Florida they call home.
Unfortunately, I’m sure where ever the Orange haired toad lands, he wont be quiet,
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The neighbours at Mar a Lago won’t let him live there. His ‘mansion’ there is limited to three weeks at a time only – no full-time residency. Javanka just paid tens of millions for a one hectare property on a private, high security island just off the Florida coast. New York apparently doesn’t want them either. Melania has been looking in some prestige neighbourhoods…..it seems a lot of advisors are suggesting that Moscow is lovely this time of year……but I suspect that the prosecutors at the SDNY office might have an opinion on all that, too.
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Dec 19 news from Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/china-usa-taiwan/china-says-tailed-u-s-warship-in-taiwan-strait-idUSKBN28T0GX
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I’m a pessimist too. Despite the large number of wonderful, kind people in the world, If the major competing political forces don’t start to make some conciliatory moves, then we are in for a very difficult time.
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It seems in the UK, there is an even more contageous and deadly mutant of the virus. So I had to adjust my prediction as of this morning….Vaccines will not be that effective, so no recovery and “back to normal” by the end of 2021. Virus will have effect on us (and economy) untill at least end of 2022. Governments are no longer able to keep up the massive support for business, so there is a huge wave of bankrupcies worldwide, creating the biggest financial worldwide crisis since the 1930’s. Because of this, people will have to become more self-sustaining, so you guys OTG have a huge advantage over us. Only fear is that because of this worldwide crisis, we will have WWIII on our hands (Chinese???). Although most of the time my glass is half full, I’m not so sure right now
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The perfect storm in Britain.
A new strain of a more virulent, contagious covid stopping the economy…again.
Brexit trade negotiations grinding to a halt stopping the economy…in 2 weeks.
Scotland threatening another separatist referendumb…in 2021.
Boorish Boris at the helm.
Could an exodus to Europe of jobs and money be far behind?
Most business leaders and economists are not optimistic of the world wide economy heading into the 2020’s.
Historically low interest rates,…with only one way to go……up.
Historical govt spending and debt….with dwindling tax revenue.
Historical small business bankruptcies…..the backbone of the economy.
No room for banks or govts to lower interest rates to stimulate economies….unless they go into negative territory….ask Japan how thats worked out since 1990
Food prices expected to climb.
Happy new year.
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If you want it darker some will oblige. Doom, gloom and misery as the Four Horsemen of the apocalypse appear in the cloudy turbulent skies.
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Nice to hear from you! Your glass is more full than you might think. Over ten years ago the SARS virus was threatening a pandemic that never happened to the extent predicted by the doomsayers. At that time scientists started to study SARS a strain of the COVID virus. Science has know about COVID viruses for many, many years. COVID viruses mutate thus we are currently at COVID-19 and likely we will see viruses numbered COVID 20, 21 and so on. To be clear SARS is a COVID virus. In developing a SARS vaccine an area of investigation was to look at its RNA. The same technique used to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. The current COVID-19 vaccine stimulates our body to form antibodies reacting to the RNA of the COVID-19 virus. Some think that we are seeing a nine month miracle as this current vaccine is rolled out. Not so the genesis of this current vaccine goes back to RNA studies about SARS and beyond.
In our current ethos many deeply flawed opinions are being mooted about and some doomsayers are deeply invested in clinging to their beliefs. For such persons their opinions are their reality. Ineffective opinion becomes reality for them. To be clear for them facts do not alter their thinking very much.
Here is some advice. Do not invest in the storm of negativity. Some people seem to love doom, gloom and misery. We are not at doomsday. Do you recall Jim Jones inciting his followers to drink the cool-ade. In Dave’s blog you will have read many opinions some that resonate and some that seem to be for some as very dark. As you say you are usually a mostly positive person so keep mostly positive. Cheers!
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I remember SARS (and MERS) quite well. I did NOT panic but it seemed like that to my family. I kept saying, “This SARS is a potential game-changer. Plan for it!” But nothing came of it and I was left a smidge red-faced. When C-19 came along, my initial reaction was not to associate the two – I didn’t know about Corona-type viruses. I do now. Still, I am a bit less freaked over C-19 probably because Sal and I think we had it back in March. Someday, I suppose, we’ll get tested and find out (by way of antibodies). But I still see C-19 as a game changer. I think a lot of systems and routines and normal practices will change quite a bit. I think the economy will, too. But change is NOT always bad. Some of it is good. I suspect that this change – over the next few years – will be mostly bad but with some good. I am guessing 70/30 bad to good.
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Don’t worry, and thanks for your feedback! I have always been a positive person and a fighter, so I’ll manage and find a way out everything they throw at me 🙂
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‘’But nothing came of it…” sorry my friend not nothing but a huge scientific investigation into RNA based vaccines. What is opening up is possible RNA based vaccines against any pathogen including cancer or…? This is potentially game changing. ‘’Dark clouds are going to clear up put on a happy face.” Now the folks who revile in doom, gloom and sh*t shows are really going to be f**ked up.
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My my, what a potty mouth.
I was commenting on the British and world economy going into long term recession with the Covid flu as the catalyst.
When you toss in the uncertainties of Brexit, Scottish separation, etc. Britain will be on its knees.
As for the “Rest of the World”.
Long term…….. Covid is irrelevant to the majority..
One of many nasty bugs a planet with almost 8 billion coughing, sneezing petrie dishes will learn to live with.
Short term……
Lets just see how we are doing (economically speaking) in about 12 months time. 24 months. etc. with our economies on Govt Debt lifeline and China flexing it’s new found muscles after 100+ years of perceived “western subjugation” still smarting their ‘face saving ” wounded pride.
Aiiiii yaaaaa.
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A potty mouth! How about a potty dystopian mind that adds together non sequiturs and produces a narrative for the end of the world? Noted before some people thrive on this ‘death future’ claptrap. The grim dire prophecy of an apocalypse. Well happy dreams as you conjure with the iterations that do not happen as your prediction of world collapse fails to unfold.
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Now now.
No need to get “personal”.
Will you apologize profusely in 12 to 24 months time?
Or in 6 months time when Britain’s economy circles the toilet???????
🙂
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Gosh calling someone “potty mouth” seems a bit personal. People who live in glass houses and all that. Waking up to the apocalypse is there any expletive that might pass your lips? Would it be PC or would you call it what it is a #&^(++ disaster. Predictions of an apocalypse are far more obscene in my lexicon than a reference to excretion shows. Now on the matter of me issuing you an apology as I kiss my butt good bye. Do you need such affirmations? Do the negative need praise? Isn’t it enough to look at the world ending just as you predicted it. Isn’t the apocalypse enough? Look on my predictions you weaklings, weep and grovel!
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Sooooo.
No apology?
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As usual you fail to answer any questions WHY do want an apology for predicting the end of the world. That is some dark, dark misanthropic over reach.
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I love you guys…..y’all are goofier than even me! Hohoho…..have a merry, merry…..
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ahahaha.
Well Dave.
You did comment a few weeks back that the comment section was bereft of participation.
I figure tossing a (non politically correct comment ..or two) lit match on a gas soaked topic……
Seems to do the trick!
🙂
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Master, master did I please you? I lighted the match for you? Master I remain your sycophant.
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I want an apocalypse for Christmas, only an apocalypse will do. No happy Christmas thoughts, no smiling people too all I want is to give the deficit a big boo hoo. Canada’s economy in tatters all our future’s going down the drain. Only austerity matters so here’s my repeating refrain I want an apocalypse for Christmas ‘cause Canada will never be the same.
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The bright side of an economic apocalypse is….. the people that HAVE money (Me) …… will be able to swoop in like a gore coated, carrion picking, hideous vulture and scoop up awesome deals!
One mans’ misery is another mans profit ( Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #48)
However I think you’re a tad premature…..I dont think THIS Christmas will see the desperation sales that next Christmas will probably bring.
Vultures must have patience……..
🙂
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We remain in your thrall. You seem to be walking back your apocalypse vision? Are thinking of predatory acquisitions of bankrupt properties instead?
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Actually someone is buying up a ton of distressed restaurants and bars in Vancouver as we speak.
I have heard they are going to close a bunch( reduce competition) and sell the liquor licenses when the economy picks up ( 2-3 years?) to pay for all the purchases……so…..apparently the vultures are already circling over the Covid carrion.
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As far as UK is concerned, I am afraid you are right. The voters were “tricked” into voting in favor of the Brexit…but how many voters truly understood what they were voting for? And now they will have to face all the economic disisaters of Brexit combined with a third wave of COVID. Belgium(wher I live) will also economically be affected by Brexit, as UK is our largest area of export. I am not sure apocalypse will come, but there are some tough times ahead! And someone always will profit from the hardship of others! Unfortunately, real estate prices are going up like crazy, especially in the rural area’s, which reduces my chances of going OTG
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another day another bit of sabre rattling in the Taiwan Strait
This time it’s China’s turn…..
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/21/alarm-in-taiwan-as-china-aircraft-carriers-sail-through-strait
Perhaps 3 to 5 years was a bit far out there……..
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Brexit will not be an economic disaster in the UK. There will changes but not disastrous ones. Propaganda screeds are being issued by both sides of this debate. Have a look at the issues the big one is fisheries in UK waters by EU fishers. Will the remaining issues be sorted out time will tell. The UK is currently lining up new trade partners in North America and elsewhere. Canada has vast areas of uninhabited wilderness most of it inhospitable. Most of the population of Canada hugs the American border. There is no shortage of unserviced properties within two hours of Vancouver with no requirement that the properties have sewer, water, electricity or be near amenities. The biggest challenge is ‘aging out.’, I assume that where you live the necessities of life are available in the community where you live.
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The Brexodus has started………
https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-eu-spain-portugal/britons-scramble-for-residency-in-spain-and-portugal-ahead-of-brexit-idUSKBN28V11U
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Dec 21, 2020 China sailed an aircraft carrier and a support fleet through the Taiwan Strait one day after a US frigate sailed past…….
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Hmmmm Japan has announced they are spending $52 BILLION on advanced weaponry to “counter balance the Chinese Military Buildup”……
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You must know that ‘gunboat diplomacy’ is so Nineteenth Century.’ propaganda. How many American carriers are in the area? The People’s Republic of China has how many carriers? So your premise is the People’s Republic is Sabre rattling. In the face of America’s Pacific Fleet no less!
Japan is spending 52 billion on defence because of treaty obligations imposed upon her when she surrendered in World War Two. Japan can not rebuild its military per treaty limitations. So what inference are you making about how Japan spends its money? Spell it out.
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Noncom have you read Chomsky’s book “Manufacturing Consent” ? It is a deep dive into American propaganda apparatus fronting it foreign policy.
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Dave.
Two days and over 90 comments…..yer on a roll.
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So Noncon are you going to answer questions put to you?
Is that a no? A nooo? My wit fails but Aldo loves such witty repartee. Is that a no?
Ha, ha! So you do not know?
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So no apologies for not answering questions. That would be a no! A nooo! No appologies!
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100!
Sorry Nony-mouse
Or should I call you Potty-mouse?
I was working most of the day, sending out invoices and quotes.
Best year in 15 years….but I digress.
I have supped and drank…. time for a rebuttal.
“Gunboat diplomacy is so nineteenth century”
Good to know
Perhaps you should inform the Chinese, the US , the Japanese, the Russians, the Canadians, the Brits, etc etc etc. before they spend another trillion dollars next year……
“Brexit will not be an economic disaster in the UK”
I assume you know more than the British and EU negotiators who have been fruitlessly hammering away at a deal for almost 5 years now?
Perhaps you should offer your help? Get things done?
Brexit will be a major economic disruption. The fisheries is a stumbling block but a minor one when compared to money involved in the trade of agricultural good, security information exchange, workers rights, taxes, customs barriers(seen the line ups out of Dover and Calais for Covid lockdown….nothing compared to whats coming),
British Law has been the backstop for the London stock exchange . Highly respected for its impartiality. The FTSE has been quietly moving staff and equipment to the EU…..billions of pounds trade daily and if it can all be done in Paris……..oh my…..tax revenue for the Queen just got a whole lot smaller.
Take a pill “nony”.
Deep down ….I know in my heart you love me.
Sit back and watch the gong show that will be Britain over the next few months as politicians on both sides of the channel try and blame each other for the mess that British populist politicians started……
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Abso-bloody-lutely!!! If I ever come down to the big-smoke again, you two are my guests for dinner! OMG! I can hardly wait…..
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NONY urban slang for ‘’ no one no’s y” How Platonic of you, Plato often claimed that he knew nothing. Soooo you and Plato are standing shoulder to shoulder knowing nothing? Well you think you know stuff. But Plato accepted his deficiencies in knowledge and knew enough that his vast knowledge was limited. He realized how circumscribed or limited his knowledge was so he asserted that he knew nothing. I know nothing but I recognize it. How about you? A man’s reach must exceed his grasp or what’s a Heaven for…”! Reach for the stars but grab a handful dust.
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Quoting Plato and Chomsky…… I walk with giants…….
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Reading Chomsky and Plato and not resorting to invective or making up stuff. You must know that invective is the last refuge of a spent argument. You can sequence all the non sequiturs into a jumble but a jumble is not a logical sequence. Most feeble of all is the claim..”That if you know so much why ain’t you…an adviser” I’ve explained that I know nothing. I’m not a pundit and make no claim to be. But I do have one brain cell conjuring with this: “Informed Self-interest.” Doomsday soothsayers mouthing a paranoid screed will not overturn informed self-interest. Global War is not in the cards most nations are working to rebuild their economic futures without getting into a war. Informed self interest, please write it down and put it under your pillow. No war not now, not in the future. You will have it in writing under your pillow.
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I hope you both like Indian Food…..?
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You stand on the shoulders of Institutionalists like Trudeau!
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Dave , yer a shite disturber…..but isnt it much easier to sit back and watch the show?
If Pottymouse owns guns, I’m takin a rain cheque………
I may also be working.
Worked 7day/week for almost 6 months this year…..the tax man loves me.
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Potty mouth shite is spelled poo!
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My my…..I hath unleashed….. a hell spawn demon….named Hippocratic Potty-Mouse
“From Hell’s heart I stab at Thee!”
Khan in Star Trek’s ‘Revenge of Khan”.
Waaaaay better than Shakespeare.
But those comment numbers just keep a climbing…. 🙂
Back to normal conversation……
Yup I love Indian food….Hell I’ll eat road kill if there’s no flies on it.
Is Sal cooking or is it take out?
Perhaps “neutral territory” aka a restaurant where there will be waitresses/ witnesses?
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Soooo the labels continue, the invective, but still no clarity or substance. I heard an apocalypse was coming the CIA propagandists leaked this news. I saw some photoshopped images on FOX and that sealed the prophecy. The punditry of doom. Doom, doom doom. Prescience foreshadowing ‘’full of sound and furry signifying nothing.” You cling to this phanantasmagoria of ragnarok or the end of the world by fire. It’s just a myth so walk it back if you can.
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Nonconfidence is right about UK though. Fishery is only a very small part of the discussion, main issues are import taxes, work regulations,….Thousads of people in UK already lost their jobs, because factories are closing in UK and moving to Europe (mainland). But the populists forgot to mention this potential fall-out of Brexit to their voters! A lot of people in UK still think they are the same world power as 100 years ago, not so anymore! I also agree that global war is NOT on most country’s agenda, but tell that to the Chinese. The Chinese also will feel the impact of COVID on their export, as people slowly tend to buy again more local. So now their are turning their economy back to local consumption. But what if that does not give the growth they are looking for and need? Will they just sit back and swallow the problems? or do they look for expansion? Who knows…I sure hope there will be no global war or disruption!
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So no Ragnarok? Someone is going to be very sad. The UK is in a pandemic and people are unemployed? Unemployment is very high in many places in the world some think it is due to the pandemic recession but the ‘naysayer’ says Brexit.
Let me assure you that Noncom likes a good Donnybrook. Close quarters and he uses sarcasm. He likes irony and litotes.But most devastating of all is he uses metonymy as he renames things. So I’m sure he appreciates your help but he is well armed with figurative language.
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I would have liked to get into the fray, but having to look up the definition of ‘litotes’ I realized I wasn’t prepared for the battle. I’m underwhelmed but happy to add to Dave’s ‘count’.
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Great xmas present guys….thanks….dont spill too much blood on the floor
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I am sure he can stand his own ground :-), I was only giving my humble opinion. And I am not blessed with his and your eloquence (and English is not my native language)
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You do very well. I understand clearly what you were trying to do and your contributions are appreciated. You add sanity to discussions that are sometimes “off the rails” and going nowhere. Predictions made about dire events to come are premature. Give Brexit five years and the shape of things to come might be clearer. So far it is too early to predict much. Keep writing!
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Hmmmm more dire economic news from Ontario.
The economic engine of Canada:
Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB,) said surveys show one-third of Ontario business owners do not believe they can survive another lockdown.
“Regardless of whether one thinks the government’s gone too far or not far enough, I would hope we could all agree that the decision today will essentially kill thousands and thousands of businesses,” Kelly said Monday.
“We certainly know it will mean that tens of thousands of Ontarians will be losing their jobs, thousands of entrepreneurs will be losing their life’s work, their business, and many, many are going to be losing their home as a result because the house is often mortgaged in order to get the business going.”
“All Trudeau’s CERB and all Trudeaus’ men ….couldnt put the Humpty Dumpty Economy back again”.
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Doug Ford was very offended by the claims of some Ontario businessmen and offered a counter balance to illustrated all the programmes of support and relief being given to Ontario businesses which are fulsome. After Christmas Ontario will go into a “circuit breaker” in order to reduce the rising death rate in Ontario that is currently trending towards 300 per day. In line with the orthodoxy of your blog views of reality your favourite scapegoat is blamed for the dire circumstances in Ontario. Doug Ford said, “ I’m a businessman if not now when.” in response to opposition to an after Christmas circuit breaker. Some people just do not understand. The Nursery rhyme of Humpty Dumpty revised by you does not further the discussion. Your reasoning is more like “here we go around the mulberry bush. Repeating your recurrent themes does not make them right. The little pundit who claimed to be right, “I know I’m right, I’m am correct puff, puff, puff. Trudeau, Trudeau, Trudeau, bad, bad …! You seem capable of fair minded and thoughtful reasoning but you remain mired in a conservative orthodoxy that has become seemingly inescapable. You are obviously very successful, hardworking and accomplished. Time to up the verity of your political observations and be fair minded.
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I am not so sure any opinion is worth much debate (tho I love the numbers!). Hmmmm…was just a request for ‘best guess’….conjecture. NonCon sees it one way, Sid another. We’ll all know more when 2021 is half to 3/4 over. Still, I have advice, ignorant as it might be: the only true currency we have is time. And we are all running out of that. So, dont hesitate/wait to live well and love more. Those opportunities are diminishing whoever is right about the future.
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Like your advice to live well and prosper. But David you are perhaps misinformed to characterize the discussion as a battle of polar opposites i.e. one side sees things one way and one side takes the other. Not so! The issue is that opinions and prognostications are not evidence. ‘’How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” How many presumptions are embedded in this question? Opinions are not helpful in an angels dancing on a head of a pin analysis. It is a question requiring an analysis supported with facts, numbers not a surmises. Exactly how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? The analysis might show no angels, no pin dancing but a conundrum without a resolution. How many decimal points in a number seeming stretching to infinity? Only certainty will offer evidence to solve this query. Opinions and percentages only get so far. Is the World going to Hell in a handcart? Here is the analysis free of glib platitudes.
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Apologies for not posting yesterday. I worked a 16 hour shift.
Gotta get those performance bonus numbers into the stratosphere before year end… 🙂
Today Dec 23.
Truck drivers protesting by the thousands at the British border.
Catch 22:
They can enter France if they can prove they have had a clear Covid test in the past 48 hours.
The problem is no one is offering or doing tests.
The truckers have been issued tea and crisps and not much else.
Some political wags are suggesting that France and the EU are doing this to put pressure on England to show what will happen if Brexit isnt resolved next week.
Stay tuned.
It could be a “Scary Christmas” in jolly old Blighty if the incompetent bureaucrats on both sides of the Channel continue to dither, delay and dawdle……
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you work too hard 🙂
And indeed, I just saw the footage on the truckers charging the police in Dover
More then 4000 trucks are stationed on old airfields, waiting for a “solution”
In Belgium, old airfields are also being converted as we speak to parkinglots for trucks stranded on the continent
Not a nice thing if you are a trucker stranded just before Christmas eve!
An it is largely a political game that is plyed
The so called new strand of the virus has already been detected weeks ago in other parts of Europe, so COVID is used here as a poltical weapon to show UK what will happen if they go for a hard Brexit
It shows again that politics (and partly media) is playing 1 big game…
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‘’Manufacturing Consent” by Chomsky makes your point. The exercise of power by those in positions of authority requires consent. Otherwise coercive measures are the next step. Last night a group of teenagers got $250. fines for not following regulations.
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fines in Belgium have gone up from 250€ to 750€ and 4000€ for the “organiser”. We are only allowed 1 contact outside of our family living under the same roof, so no Christmas dinners with all the children and grandchildren this year. Will read Chomsky next year!
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Propaganda is creating histrionics promoted by the media. Case in point “Russian Bear long range bombers tracked off the coast of Greenland”! Timorous folks tremble. Chomsky looks at the media as part of the propaganda apparatus of all countries. Some folks need to be more critical in their thinking. Less inclined to accept uncritically what the opinion makers claim.
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Well, while I totally agree that propaganda is alive and well funded in our Media.
I’d like to think that I can reasonably filter through most of the slanted drivel.
That being said.
Who can say for sure that the historic cash hand outs ($400 Billion) the Liberal party has shoveled out in the past 10 months wont have long term, devastating effects to our country for generations to come.
We also have to look at Trudeau’s politically correct, gender neutral, environmental slant (agenda?)
God forbid I suggest he may have the next election in mind while he forks out billions in OUR money to possibly buy “good will”(insert votes here)?
We also have to look at China’s military build up and ask why they suddenly “need” the largest Navy in the world.
Are we at war?
Are they?
Are they planning something?
The rise of China’s jingoistic nationalism is definitely cause for concern.
Their “humiliation” at the hands of “modern” Western Society for the past 150 years has been a sore spot……. that they now…..finally….. do something about.
Does China’s Communist Party and political system give me a warm fuzzy feeling every time I see them ramp up the rhetoric towards Taiwan?
The military incursions? Almost on a daily basis?
A very dangerous game of brinkmanship that will only take one mistake by either side and then …..all bets are off.
Neither side willing to back down.
I dont think my concerns are merely parroting propaganda .
However I think that propaganda will definitely lead us to a devastating war neither side really wants or expects.
A war in a nuclear age where neither side will be willing to be the “loser”.
As one American general said when asked how the US could possibly win a nuclear war,
” If the last person left alive on earth is an American…..we won.”
As Napoleon once said, “China is a sleeping giant. And when it wakes. The world will take notice.”
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But who needs war when we have…….
The latest food fad in China is McDonalds burgers……..but not just any burgers my friends.
Two thick slices of Spam, covered in crushed Oreo cookie crumbs and topped with McD’s “special sauce”…….
Yummy.
https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/mcdonald-s-sells-spam-burger-stuffed-with-mayo-and-oreo-cookie-crumbs-in-china-1751929-2020-12-22
If out westerner diet doesnt wipe out millions of them ….our western cigarettes will………….
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Histrionics on full display. Full stop! Stop it!
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Ahahahaha.
Hovering over my every comment?
I’m flattered.
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You are embarrassing your self. China has two aircraft carriers with 1980s technology whereas the USA has twenty carriers. Four of the American carriers are in dry dock being upgraded. You are currently repeating an inchoate and delusional claim about the People’s Republic of China building the largest navy in the world. This is a Trump claim. Have you been indoctrinated by Trump propaganda? So Dave’s blog continues to be your platform for histrionics. Accurate facts, figures, treaties are at your fingertips.
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Geez Dave.
I didnt realize Histrionic Chinese hackers had taken over your sight.
I’m flattered I have the attention of cyber station #12 in the Peoples Republic of China.
On another note.
Trudeau announced today another purchase of Covid vaccines.
I think that brings Canada’s population of 38 million people about 10 vaccines for every man woman and child…….
What the hell.
Its only taxpayers money.
Gee.
I wonder if the drug companies are contributing to the Liberal re-election fund?
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This is so sad. All you have is mockery. Factual note the vaccines require two doses. The extra vaccines surplus to Canada’s needs will be donated to a World wide vaccination programme. I know you are upset that parents can not take personal responsibility and provide the vaccines. Oh well what the world needs is more suffering.
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Poor little nony-mouse.
Your histrionic huffing and puffing.
Fact
Canada has purchased 40 million Moderna vaccines.
Canada has purchased 76 million Pfizer vaccines
Canada has purchased 154 million vaccines from Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Novovax and Sonofa
I think we have enough vaccines ordered for 38 million people…..unless of course, the Liberals need more campaign money in their re-election campaign.
China’s naval Tonnage is now the largest in the world..
China’s army is the largest in the world.
Chinas military spending is the largest in the world.
I could go on and on and on with easily accessible facts….
But you dont want facts my histrionic, apoplectic , lurking internet stalker.
You just want to argue.
Which I’m sure is becoming as boorish to the other people that are forced to read your pseudo intellectual plagiarizing of Plato, Chomsky, etc etc etc. as it is to me
So.
I’m done.
Aint playing your ridiculous , endless, whining “debate”.
I get it. “Black is white” in your world and everyone else is wrong.
I have a life.
Unlike you.
Bye bye
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As everyone knows, I love a good give-and-take. As a young man, I boxed. I liked it. Boxing is the basic primal give and take (but with a referee) and you guys don’t have the benefit of a referee so there is, perhaps, a bit too much clutching, grabbing here and there and, maybe, the odd sneaky, kidney punch. But THAT is boxing. Still, no blood was spilled. So, I am happy.
No one wants a flailing, amateur donnybrook.
HOWEVER, for the record: “I have a life” is, perhaps, the most pertinent observation made in the last few entries. Dave’s blog is just NOT that important (well, OK. It is to me). Nor are the opinions expressed all that germane to the actual topic raised. Those comments are only supposed to be illuminating of the variety of opinions/egos/mind/views out there. Nothing more.
If you have a life, live it fully (which means, at best, two minutes for Dave’s blog). And count amongst your living-of-life the latest episode of two beautiful egos conflicting. I know you both. And you are both intellects, actually, (but we strayed from that topic, didn’t we?). A referee might have disqualified you. NOT ME, THO. As I said, I love it when two bull moose square their antlers. It’s a beautiful thing. WE were meant for this. We are MEN! Spell us M-E-N. But no moose should get hurt in the production of this blog and so ‘going off to have a life’ is 100% the right move now…..in my opinion. Trust me…I will put another topic on the table soon enough. Nony-mouse and Non Con should, in the meantime, retreat to your respective neutral corners. Come out swingin’ at the next bell (topic).
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More obviating. Ah me.
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with 78 comments this is a nice post though….but now I will also get back to my life 🙂
Enjoy Christmas Eve, where ever you are!
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Wimdegendt no need to stop replying. Your views are much appreciate. What do you think about the Brexit deal? Some see it as a win/win with disaster averted.
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Thanks for your comment, realy appreciate it! I think the Brexit deal is good for everyone, both for people in UK AND Europe! Nobody benefits from import taxes, it’s bad for business in general, because in the end, it’s the consumer who is paying these extra taxes. I still find it a pity though that they left the european union. I think we need a strong union to counterbalance the US and China an an economical and political scale. And the fact that UK now left, has weakened our position. So yes, this deal at least is a win/win situation for now. We will have to see the coming years how it turns out in practice. Maybe the Brits will come to their senses and want to join again in a few years, who knows
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It took four years for a deal and during that time the UK signed trade deals with fifty world wide countries including Canada.
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Europe is the biggest trade partner, there were also a lot of important things at stake that only are valid between Uk and Europe, like work permits for workers that want to work in UK or Europe. So it’s normal it took longer for us to reach an agreement
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Yes you are correct Brexit was a very complex deal to negotiate. Part of the complexity was conditioning the voters to accept the deal once it was negotiated.
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