NYC Journal

[DownUnder]

Most of the world now sees you as no longer a democracy, but a dictatorship.

America seems to be controlled by a handful of people.

Australians have a popular saying - "you get what you voted for". Unfortunately, many who may be damaged or harmed by the coming consequences, are those who did not vote for what you now have.

We fear it may all end badly.

A most welcome update. Since I wrote this, Canada has been (more or less) off the hook on tariffs, and Mexico looks to be making headway in negotiations with The Orange Peril.

I can now happily say I can eat my previous posted words, to a certain extent. Your PITA-POTUS has been upgraded in my estimation, from despot to bully. But he still has a long way to go to reclaim his humanity card.

 

[ellisson]

So let’s go crazy and insane. Both the U.S. and Canada are original NATO allies.

Highly doubtful that Canada would invade the U.S., but the U.S. invading Canada Hmmm very insane, but not out of the realm of possibilities.

Remember the U.S. kinda dismantled the WTO. This is a president where the U.S. does things unilaterally.

BTW this dismantling was perform by Trump, and then was enforced and endorsed by Biden by not acknowledging the WTO ruling. Subsequently there are 7 vacant seats that incapacitate the WTO. Lack of U.S. endorsement.

Pretty much a break in the rule of law…

The Orange House could unwind NATO, but would NATO allies come to Canada’s aid if the U.S. was the aggressor?

Now we are talking crazy…

The Atlantic Ocean is a pretty big moat for European NATO Allies to cross to aid Canada. Realize that NATO was created to really defend Europe, but there is Article 5 to consider.

Would other NATO allies come to aid Canada under Article 5?

Cal

This would really by an insane development. The military would oppose, and I believe that those in his own party would prevent that kind of move, assuming there is a line not even they would cross for their own personal safety and political futures. Even the prospect of a Gaza presence by the U.S. has met opposition by the world and members of the Republican Party. With no threat of any kind from Canada, I can't see U.S. military going along with this type of nonsense for so many reasons, including maintaining readiness and resources for real threats.

One thing about Trumps words and threats: most are usually without evidence of benefit of any kind. When confronted for facts about a situation such as Gaza, he has no real plan, nor has he even contacted others to devise a plan. He is a fountain of delusions. So if he ordered an invasion of Canada or any kind of military maneuver, he would be confronted with "what's the threat to security?", "how do you know this?" "Why would you war with an ally and member of NATO?" "We cannot attack another NATO member" et al. Without good answers military does not take baseless orders.

 

[Prest_400]

I have not been so up to date on the geopolitics and read up a bit yesterday, specially Musk's intervention and the Project 2025 agenda. Dystopian and very discouraging that this is happening and just overall a bleak year.
Aside of Canada, the new administration is also threating Europe. Basically demolishing the historical postwar foreign policy and alliances of the west. Greenland, Panama.

If the administration just had a "new states", there is Puerto Rico.

 

[Calzone]

I agree with Ellison’s post, this is really crazy.

Another point he made is how all the turmoil and chaos being created actually is a way to cause an overwhelming that allows control of the masses by fatigue. The idea is to distract the public.

Phil’s point though is also valid. We have a group of madmen concentrating power, changing policy in a bad way, and destabilizing not only the world, but also damaging our economy.

In WWII Japan invaded China for its resources. Trump’s bluster is for empire building.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Yesterday after some errands I held a full bladder and peed like a race horse when I got home. This is a big jump in bladder control.

Yesterday was three weeks post surgery. Pretty much so far a remarkable recovery.

A 1 inch dusting of snow. We have a new caged bird feeder that is suppose to be squirrel proof.

Perhaps a good day to wire up the Tele Thinline and Strat bodies to move forward.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Another headline about Canada selling LNG to Japan to diversify exports.

Certainly a bleeding wound to the U.S. economy. This will be another open wound.

Not only is there a geographic advantage of a smaller shipping distance, but the U.S. is politically unstable.

So two good reasons to buy from Canada: one is economic; the other political.

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

If the administration just had a "new states", there is Puerto Rico.

The orange dictator has made it clear that he doesn't want anything to do with Puerto Rico. He's a racist, plain and simple.
Phil

 

[Calzone]

The hemo-pathology is in. I am indicating a B-cell Lymphoma. No news here as my CAD is a form of a low level B-Cell Lymphoma.

Been clinically diagnosed with CAD since age 49 and now I’m 67. Could of developed CAD as a result of a childhood disease, so pretty much I might have had this disease my entire adult life.

I am an interesting patient, and have been called a medical mystery. The high levels of IgM antibodies I have normally would suggest a very ill patient.

A new watch and wait with a old geezer hematologist began last year. Prior to this I was monitored quarterly at a Cancer center for over a decade to establish that I was stable.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Sent a message to my hematologist. Should get a response in a day or two.

Pretty much no surprise, just want to know if this is a concern.

I know if my CAD makes the jump to a full blown Lymphoma, that pretty much my time would not be long. To me that is not a bad way to go. Takes less courage to die quickly.

You have to know that my life has been framed this way for over 18 years. There is about a 5% chance statistically of the risk of the jump to Lymphoma that pretty much could happen at any time. Because of CAD as an underlying condition the Lymphoma would advance quickly.

Oh-well…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

My hematologist got back to me, and said he is having Columbia Pathology do further testing to identify the Lymphoma.

Another “Oh-well” moment…

As spoken we don’t know if this is my CAD or a real Lymphoma.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Investing in the U.S., now considered an unstable country, pretty much involves risk and a gamble.

A headline suggests that European stocks are fairing better than the U.S. markets. Hmmm…

Other headlines are that some people fear retribution and are applying for citizenship abroad. There is also a flight of capitol from these wealthy people that fear retribution and confiscation of wealth.

Pretty much the flight of capitol and investment has happened in China, now in the U.S.

Not good…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

More modern research states in fact that it is a B-cell Lymphoma that creates CAD not the other way around.

In fact now they say Lymphoma treatment can cure CAD. Prior to this CAD was considered an incurable disease…

The two treatments are either Chemo or Immunotherapy, which is basically gene therapy.

CAD is considered a immune deficiency disorder. In the hema-pathology they use the word clonal and gene-mutation a lot.

So there is a possibility here of a cure for my CAD today, and it could or might get cured with gene therapy and avoid Chemo.

Also the new research indicates the compromised immune system caused by CAD that allows bacteria to easily become serious life threatening infections.

So over the past 18 years there has been lots of developments and understanding of a rare disease called CAD.

Something very positive and life changing could happen from all this…

More Pathology…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Looks like the rest of the world will likely lower interest rates to add stimulas, but here in the U.S. lowering interest rates seems less likely due to inflationary pressures.

Understand that lower rates would fuel higher rates of inflation. The FED is kinda trapped…

Strong U.S. Dollar because of inflation is being promoted. Lots of talk about $3K gold, although gold is fluxing somewhat sideways in a range.

Cal

 

[ellisson]

More modern research states in fact that it is a B-cell Lymphoma that creates CAD not the other way around.

In fact now they say Lymphoma treatment can cure CAD. Prior to this CAD was considered an incurable disease…

The two treatments are either Chemo or Immunotherapy, which is basically gene therapy.

CAD is considered a immune deficiency disorder. In the hema-pathology they use the word clonal and gene-mutation a lot.

So there is a possibility here of a cure for my CAD today, and it could or might get cured with gene therapy and avoid Chemo.

Also the new research indicates the compromised immune system caused by CAD that allows bacteria to easily become serious life threatening infections.

So over the past 18 years there has been lots of developments and understanding of a rare disease called CAD.

Something very positive and life changing could happen from all this…

More Pathology…

Cal

Has there been any mention to you of Waldensrtrom's Macroglobulinemia? It's a B cell malignancy that features high levels of IgM, and the IgM in some cases causes cold agglutinin disease. The malignant B cells are found in lymph nodes and can cause enlargement. The modern treatment is with BTK inhibitors - oral drugs that have minimal side effects. Maybe you've already had this considered, but just mentioning in case not.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

So let’s go crazy and insane. Both the U.S. and Canada are original NATO allies.

Highly doubtful that Canada would invade the U.S., but the U.S. invading Canada Hmmm very insane, but not out of the realm of possibilities.

Remember the U.S. kinda dismantled the WTO. This is a president where the U.S. does things unilaterally.

BTW this dismantling was perform by Trump, and then was enforced and endorsed by Biden by not acknowledging the WTO ruling. Subsequently there are 7 vacant seats that incapacitate the WTO. Lack of U.S. endorsement.

Pretty much a break in the rule of law…

The Orange House could unwind NATO, but would NATO allies come to Canada’s aid if the U.S. was the aggressor?

Now we are talking crazy…

The Atlantic Ocean is a pretty big moat for European NATO Allies to cross to aid Canada. Realize that NATO was created to really defend Europe, but there is Article 5 to consider.

Would other NATO allies come to aid Canada under Article 5?

Cal

Same question applies to Greenland. And perhaps it's more pressing.

 

[Calzone]

Ellison,

I’m not aware at all of the possibility you mention.

Over the past 4 years though I had three bouts of serious Cellulitus where out of 3 ER visits two required getting admitted.

Thanks for the response. Research and modern medicine certainly has advanced.

My lymph nodes certainly are enlarged.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

A recent outcome is now Canada is angry enough to place a levy on energy exports to the U.S.

In the past this was divisive, but now the Canadian population is mucho angry, and now favors levies.

This trade war is not over. We angered the Polar Bear, and pretty much the Canadians are in full blown “Hockey-Mode.”

Another economic wound, this time maybe judged as not self inflicted, but then again the Orange House asked for this.

Remember 4 out of 5 recessions are caused by energy prices. Surely this development is inflationary and disruptive.

Know that the refinery infrastructure along our northern border is highly specialized to process Canadian “sour” crude oil. Pretty useless without a supply of Canadian heavy crude. This effects a broad area along our northern border and extends as Far East as Ohio and Pennsylvania.

This could cost jobs… Also big disruption… Oil and energy will be weaponized… This will ignite inflation or at least add fuel to inflation.

Unfortunate that this will effect a good friend in Ohio and others I know in Pennsylvania. Selfishly not in New York, at least not so directly.

I think because Hockey-Mode is like street fighting the Canadians will fight to win and kick our ass again. They know and understand my 6 rules of street fighting.

In a way the Canadian people are doing more than the American people to fight this tyranny.

BTW it takes a lot of balls and courage to fight a bigger stronger opponent. Go Canada…

As usual a bully is not expecting a response, or especially a strong response.

Interesting how my upbringing is reflected in Canada’s thinking and response. Again go Canada…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Ellison,

Update, I have heard of WM. Not so sure it was ruled out, but not so sure it was fully investigated.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Funny thoughts come to mind wiring guitars. A relaxing process, especially when listening to music, and being alone and unbothered because “Maggie” is occupied writing.

My daydreams and thoughts are somewhat centered of the world of finance, commodities, and these trade wars.

The Canadians are doing smart things.

I will mention that Hitler made a big mistake by trying to fight a war on two fronts. The U.S. just made the same tactical error along a north and south border. Both are massive and expansive.

Mucho dumb…

Trump is not only a bully, but I think he is underestimating a woman President. I expect a surprise. Trump will get caught again with his pants down…

Cal

 

[DownUnder]

The term "dementia" may be a better definition of the main reason for the problems the USA now faces.