Have you guys seen Trevor Noah's work at Trump rallies? Hilarious and sad at the same time.

Have you guys seen Trevor Noah's work at Trump rallies? Hilarious and sad at the same time.
- golfingsince

When it’s all said and done, he will go down as one of the worst Presidents in the history of the United States of America.

When it’s all said and done, he will go down as one of the worst Presidents in the history of the United States of America.
- LeftCoaster

I think many (sheep) knew that when he was elected. His nature is to divide and attack, pretty much the opposite of what a person in his position should be.

When it’s all said and done, he will go down as one of the worst Presidents in the history of the United States of America.
- LeftCoaster

obviously his lies are plentiful but one thing he's never lied about is his business strategy.

he's stated many times that he believes the key to success is leverage. he's advocated leveraging as much as you possibly can.

basically, it boils down to: borrow as much money as you can i.e. use as little of your own money as possible to start and run a business. if the business is successful, you'll have money to pay everything back. if not, declare corporate bankruptcy and move on to the next project. it's the lenders who will take the loss.

now apply that strategy to governance. that's why he doesn't care that his tax cuts have never increased governmental revenues like they were supposed to. the deficit has increased immensely. the debt has increased immensely. but it doesn't matter because when it's all said and done, he'll be gone. he won't have to face the repercussions.

that's why he advocates (and goes after the fed and its chairman) the fed rate to go down as much as possible. he wants businesses to be able to borrow as much money as possible for as little as possible.

that's also why he doesn't care how big (in terms of dollars) that the stimulus package is. he knows that the ramifications will not be laid on him. he'll be long gone.

the fact that he's portrayed as a businessman and the republicans are the party of business is laughable.

I think many (sheep) knew that when he was elected. His nature is to divide and attack, pretty much the opposite of what a person in his position should be.
- golfingsince

If you read about what he’s accomplished in his three years, I don’t know whether you have or haven’t, you’ll see he’s had some wins in certain areas, but for the most part, other than unemployment being at an all-time low, he’s been a disaster.

If you read about what he’s accomplished in his three years, I don’t know whether you have or haven’t, you’ll see he’s had some wins in certain areas, but for the most part, other than unemployment being at an all-time low, he’s been a disaster.
- LeftCoaster

You just have to look at the trends for unemployment and the other financial indexes. Since the 2007/8 financial meltdown, most of the trends have been positive. And it's not due to one president or the other. One thing I'll add though is that it's funny that the Republicans claimed that the jobs numbers and unemployment rates were fake or overblown but that tune changed in 2017. 😉
Politicians are all full of poop. It's all just my team is better bullsh!t.

If you read about what he’s accomplished in his three years, I don’t know whether you have or haven’t, you’ll see he’s had some wins in certain areas, but for the most part, other than unemployment being at an all-time low, he’s been a disaster.
- LeftCoaster

See above.

In positive news Italy seems to have flattened the curve.

You just have to look at the trends for unemployment and the other financial indexes. Since the 2007/8 financial meltdown, most of the trends have been positive. And it's not due to one president or the other. One thing I'll add though is that it's funny that the Republicans claimed that the jobs numbers and unemployment rates were fake or overblown but that tune changed in 2017. 😉
Politicians are all full of poop. It's all just my team is better bullsh!t.

- RealityChecker

I was just going to go and find the charts, as I know the economy was well on the way before he came in.

Even the Dow jumped 3000 points in the year prior to his inauguration.

I was just going to go and find the charts, as I know the economy was well on the way before he came in.

Even the Dow jumped 3000 points in the year prior to his inauguration.
- golfingsince

All the financials have trended in the same manner (positive) since 2010. And I'm not claiming it's Obama's policies though the Dems certainly will.
I remember watching an economist on tv during the 2012 election campaign. He said that he was predicting record high economic growth (especially jobs) for the next 8-10 years. He added it won't matter who's president.

All the financials have trended in the same manner (positive) since 2010. And I'm not claiming it's Obama's policies though the Dems certainly will.
I remember watching an economist on tv during the 2012 election campaign. He said that he was predicting record high economic growth (especially jobs) for the next 8-10 years. He added it won't matter who's president.
- RealityChecker

In Canada however, Harper did ride the coattails of Chretien/Martin's remarkable turnaround.

After this is over though, I fear we will see the worst financial times of our lifetime.

In Canada however, Harper did ride the coattails of Chretien/Martin's remarkable turnaround.

After this is over though, I fear we will see the worst financial times of our lifetime.
- golfingsince

Yup. This is going to take years for recovery and who knows if it'll be a complete recovery.

Yup. This is going to take years for recovery and who knows if it'll be a complete recovery.
- RealityChecker

It could be quite strange if the virus truly ravages the world, which in some areas it could be quite devastating.

A couple of weeks ago I predicted to a co-worker that I'd be shocked if global deaths were less than 1M, and very surprised if they were less than 10M.

Now, I fear it will be much, much higher than that. Aside from an initial food shortage I think this might create, there will be surplus's of nearly everything we use globally and the economy will shrink substantially.

It could be quite strange if the virus truly ravages the world, which in some areas it could be quite devastating.

A couple of weeks ago I predicted to a co-worker that I'd be shocked if global deaths were less than 1M, and very surprised if they were less than 10M.

Now, I fear it will be much, much higher than that. Aside from an initial food shortage I think this might create, there will be surplus's of nearly everything we use globally and the economy will shrink substantially.
- golfingsince

i think (fear) you may be right.

i'd add that what remains to be seen is how consumption i.e. consumer demand will change. if this situation changes consumer confidence or the ability to consume permanently, we're in for a very different world.

"may you live in interesting times." it's a damn curse!

i think (fear) you may be right.

i'd add that what remains to be seen is how consumption i.e. consumer demand will change. if this situation changes consumer confidence or the ability to consume permanently, we're in for a very different world.

"may you live in interesting times." it's a damn curse!
- RealityChecker

Ontario is in a bad situation, as is Quebec. However on a global scale the population density in those areas are relatively small. The issue there is things are still running normally, with the exception of scale. Ontario just implemented groups of 5 strategy, down from groups of 50. People are still heading out to get what they want, just less of them.

They should be delivering everything for a few weeks. Just stay home.

Ontario is in a bad situation, as is Quebec. However on a global scale the population density in those areas are relatively small. The issue there is things are still running normally, with the exception of scale. Ontario just implemented groups of 5 strategy, down from groups of 50. People are still heading out to get what they want, just less of them.

They should be delivering everything for a few weeks. Just stay home.
- golfingsince

i was just reading that pence said that the US is most comparable to Italy in terms of how this will play out. scary!!! if you're a doctor or a nurse on the frontlines in say nyc or another hotspot, how long until you say, "yeah, i'm sorry but i'm outta here. i need to protect my family by getting away from this sh!t." so many different angles on this story.

was also reading how china could have reduced the infection rate by 95% had they acted 3 weeks earlier. fcuk them.

...and also how their medical diplomacy i.e. propaganda is working to further establish their foothold (gains) in europe while helping to fracture the EU (with help from russia of course).

jesus fcuking christ this world is a mess from bad actors and incompetent leadership.

i was just reading that pence said that the US is most comparable to Italy in terms of how this will play out. scary!!! if you're a doctor or a nurse on the frontlines in say nyc or another hotspot, how long until you say, "yeah, i'm sorry but i'm outta here. i need to protect my family by getting away from this sh!t." so many different angles on this story.

was also reading how china could have reduced the infection rate by 95% had they acted 3 weeks earlier. fcuk them.

...and also how their medical diplomacy i.e. propaganda is working to further establish their foothold (gains) in europe while helping to fracture the EU (with help from russia of course).

jesus fcuking christ this world is a mess from bad actors and incompetent leadership.
- RealityChecker

I agree, (frank) China. Then again, (frank) the US.

You are supposed to be the leader of the free world yet you dismantle your team responsible for staying on top of situations like this? What was the cost of that team? What does the defense budget cost?

Then again, the incompetents in the white house probably would have never listened to them despite warnings for years now that a pandemic posed a much larger risk to America than any act of war or terrorism.

I've been reading from all sources, forming opinions. I read something from Bloomberg today that was interesting, really depends on if the numbers are accurate. It rates to be about as credible as Fox but certainly interesting.

https://www.bloomberg.com...nderestimating-death-toll

I agree, (frank) China. Then again, (frank) the US.

You are supposed to be the leader of the free world yet you dismantle your team responsible for staying on top of situations like this? What was the cost of that team? What does the defense budget cost?

Then again, the incompetents in the white house probably would have never listened to them despite warnings for years now that a pandemic posed a much larger risk to America than any act of war or terrorism.

I've been reading from all sources, forming opinions. I read something from Bloomberg today that was interesting, really depends on if the numbers are accurate. It rates to be about as credible as Fox but certainly interesting.

https://www.bloomberg.com...nderestimating-death-toll
- golfingsince

i read the other day that as much as 25% of infected people could have no symptoms, therefore, they won't know that they have it. so i definitely believe that the numbers of infected people are lower than the actual numbers.

and unless you do a test post mortem, you won't know if the cause of death is from the virus. just remember that putin/russia kept saying that they didn't have the virus in their country... it was just an increase in pneumonia cases.

...but then again this is just an overblown media hoax. a media hoax that has either tricked doctors into believing it or fooled governments from around the world into acting on it. i mean, stupidity kills millions of people every year. why isn't the media talking about that?

i read the other day that as much as 25% of infected people could have no symptoms, therefore, they won't know that they have it. so i definitely believe that the numbers of infected people are lower than the actual numbers.

and unless you do a test post mortem, you won't know if the cause of death is from the virus. just remember that putin/russia kept saying that they didn't have the virus in their country... it was just an increase in pneumonia cases.

...but then again this is just an overblown media hoax. a media hoax that has either tricked doctors into believing it or fooled governments from around the world into acting on it. i mean, stupidity kills millions of people every year. why isn't the media talking about that?
- RealityChecker

I think they're saving that stuff for election time sadly.

I also believe many more people are infected than the numbers suggest. I posted a math model a mid-march.

https://medium.com/@tomas...YeanMbtUmwX9q84tvboUwNNqw


Is it possible that nearly 70% of us are already infected? I doubt so in Canada but I do believe as much as 20% of us or more could be.

I think many, many people seek sanctuary in places where they can escape the grim reality of daily life. During these times most are into Netflix, Movies, video games, chat forums trying to escape what is really going on or at least get a break from it.

Personally I find myself better prepared to deal with what's going on by saying informed and acting accordingly. If it's over the top I'll try to isolate myself on here, or at least keep it away from the main forum.

I think many, many people seek sanctuary in places where they can escape the grim reality of daily life. During these times most are into Netflix, Movies, video games, chat forums trying to escape what is really going on or at least get a break from it.

Personally I find myself better prepared to deal with what's going on by saying informed and acting accordingly. If it's over the top I'll try to isolate myself on here, or at least keep it away from the main forum.
- golfingsince

a doctor on tv put it best: we won't ever know if we overreacted to this virus but we will certainly know very quickly if we didn't take it seriously enough.

a doctor on tv put it best: we won't ever know if we overreacted to this virus but we will certainly know very quickly if we didn't take it seriously enough.
- RealityChecker

I might use this in an e-mail I plan on sending off tomorrow. I'm going to CC an NDP MP that is a cousin of mine, his father who was an MP for over 25 years, my local MLA conservative, local MP Liberal. I plan on writing it to the Prime Minister, Premier of NB Minister of Health, Minister of Labour and making sure it gets delivered using the family connections.


I'll make sure the PM understands my late aunt was his father's personal secretary for awhile and that he often went to her at all hours of the day for advice or with a task.

My email will be largely based on the railroad being a critical infrastructure of the nation and that all measures must be taken to protect the highly specialized employees and from them spreading it across the country. However, i'll hint at a few other means to slow if not stop the spread.

I might use this in an e-mail I plan on sending off tomorrow. I'm going to CC an NDP MP that is a cousin of mine, his father who was an MP for over 25 years, my local MLA conservative, local MP Liberal. I plan on writing it to the Prime Minister, Premier of NB Minister of Health, Minister of Labour and making sure it gets delivered using the family connections.


I'll make sure the PM understands my late aunt was his father's personal secretary for awhile and that he often went to her at all hours of the day for advice or with a task.

My email will be largely based on the railroad being a critical infrastructure of the nation and that all measures must be taken to protect the highly specialized employees and from them spreading it across the country. However, i'll hint at a few other means to slow if not stop the spread.
- golfingsince

The tightrope that governments have to walk between commerce and public safety is not an enviable position to be in. Any misstep right now can set the economy even further back. However, let's be honest, business can't stop or society collapses.

It's at a point where (for us) we need a national way forward in coordination with a cohesive plan continent-wide. The Mish mash of different standards is going to prolong this. However, it's difficult to get people and local/province/state/national leaders on board when some places think that they're fine. It's even more difficult when people treat this as an affront to their personal rights. Personal vs society. Business vs health. The reality is that there isn't a division in those ideals. It's all interconnected now.

The tightrope that governments have to walk between commerce and public safety is not an enviable position to be in. Any misstep right now can set the economy even further back. However, let's be honest, business can't stop or society collapses.

It's at a point where (for us) we need a national way forward in coordination with a cohesive plan continent-wide. The Mish mash of different standards is going to prolong this. However, it's difficult to get people and local/province/state/national leaders on board when some places think that they're fine. It's even more difficult when people treat this as an affront to their personal rights. Personal vs society. Business vs health. The reality is that there isn't a division in those ideals. It's all interconnected now.
- RealityChecker

It's pretty simple, everyone needs food/household essentials and/or medical supplies or assistance. Those are your checkpoints. Everyone else is to stay the (frank) home and await delivery or pickup. Once the virus concern has passed we can slowly re-open more traditional avenues of business.

Business won't collapse, it's on pause. That's what the emergency benefits are for. If measures are in place for 2 years that's what will bankrupt the country. Aside from that, we can't really afford to keep implementing measures a week or two behind schedule.

Let's get it right and stay ahead of the virus instead of continually chasing it. Lock it down, send out food and necessities. Stop the spread, end the virus and open borders once it is contained.

It's pretty simple, everyone needs food/household essentials and/or medical supplies or assistance. Those are your checkpoints. Everyone else is to stay the (frank) home and await delivery or pickup. Once the virus concern has passed we can slowly re-open more traditional avenues of business.

Business won't collapse, it's on pause. That's what the emergency benefits are for. If measures are in place for 2 years that's what will bankrupt the country. Aside from that, we can't really afford to keep implementing measures a week or two behind schedule.

Let's get it right and stay ahead of the virus instead of continually chasing it. Lock it down, send out food and necessities. Stop the spread, end the virus and open borders once it is contained.
- golfingsince

Well said.

It's pretty simple, everyone needs food/household essentials and/or medical supplies or assistance. Those are your checkpoints. Everyone else is to stay the (frank) home and await delivery or pickup. Once the virus concern has passed we can slowly re-open more traditional avenues of business.

Business won't collapse, it's on pause. That's what the emergency benefits are for. If measures are in place for 2 years that's what will bankrupt the country. Aside from that, we can't really afford to keep implementing measures a week or two behind schedule.

Let's get it right and stay ahead of the virus instead of continually chasing it. Lock it down, send out food and necessities. Stop the spread, end the virus and open borders once it is contained.
- golfingsince

I agree but to get everyone on board is where the struggle is. It's the areas that won't be strict that will allow the second wave to take hold. As noted earlier a significant percentage of inflicted will be asymptomatic. Unless all jurisdictions on both sides of the border shut things down, I fear we will only get a temporary reprieve.
I only emphasize the US but really all countries need to be vigilant because once we have it under control the borders will be slowly opened.

As Bill Gates just wrote in the Washington Post: Shutdown anywhere means shutdown everywhere.