World News Random, Random

[mmmm8]

I keep hearing of some fellow Canadians intentionally visiting the states and seriously question if they think that's the best idea. Especially a few who aren't Canadian by birth as well.

I get it, but generally people have no issues. Literally just got of a call with a Canadian colleague that just returned from a Florida vacation, have had a few other colleagues visit on a work trip last week, and have a couple others whose parents just visited from Montreal. 3 of those people weren't Canadian by birth.

There are also people who cross from Mexico, for example, for work on the daily at the Southern border. As horrible as the bad stuff is, there's so much cross-border movement still happening as normal.

[ponchi101]

Serious question. What has Tiny been doing that is destroying Cuba? I am not aware of these actions.
Again, serious question.

Oil blockade - they are having significant issues maintaining essential services as a result.

Thanks
Just for info. All Venezuelans approve of that measure, because that is oil stolen from Venezuela. Cuba has not paid for any oil sent from Venezuela since the inception of that trade.

[ti-amie]

Serious question. What has Tiny been doing that is destroying Cuba? I am not aware of these actions.
Again, serious question.

Oil blockade - they are having significant issues maintaining essential services as a result.

Thanks
Just for info. All Venezuelans approve of that measure, because that is oil stolen from Venezuela. Cuba has not paid for any oil sent from Venezuela since the inception of that trade.

There is so much nuance around issues that people want to make black and white. I reminds me of an old saying "believe half of what you see and none of what you hear".

[ponchi101]

Plus. Always remember my hatred towards all things related to the Vennie government. My opinion always comes with an asterisk.
But, Cuba has been the bringer of so much sorrow to the entire continent. So, my opinion about the island's policies is also marred.

[ashkor87]

Pakistan and Afghanistan are at war .. though the underlying causes are obvious, they are also obscure.. but Pakistan would do well to remember that nobody has ever won a war against Afghanistan - not the Brits, not the Persians, not the Mughal emperors of India..

[Suliso]

Pakistan and Afghanistan are at war .. though the underlying causes are obvious, they are also obscure.. but Pakistan would do well to remember that nobody has ever won a war against Afghanistan - not the Brits, not the Persians, not the Mughal emperors of India..

That's not really true - in a more distant past many powers have. Islam was introduced there by force and of course Alexander conquered the place too. Pakistan is much better positioned for a long term success than US ever was.

On a related note US/Israel vs Iran war has started as well.

[ashkor87]

Islam came there by a more roundabout route..and yes, you are right about Alexander

[Suliso]

One might wonder why Pakistan has a better shot than US if they are interested in a full conquest. You don't really need the technological sophistication of USA to beat Taliban on the ground. What you need is a lot of soldiers, easy logistics and no neighbors willing and able to support the other side. It's also helpful that there would be no real religious angle plus Taliban are likely now being far less popular locally after a few years of harsh and backwardly rule.

[ponchi101]

Very much at odds with the attacks on Iran.
On the one hand, there is no way the Iranian people can get rid of that dictatorship without foreign help. Just like Vennieland.
On the other, the Iranian people brought this onto themselves. Just like Vennieland.
On the other hand, this is starting a recognizable pattern that the USA will "police" the world once more. Which may feel fine against obvious dictatorships, but will not when a democracy where problems for the USA abound is the one attacked. (Colombia?)

I know I am in the Pinker camp that the world has never been better. But sometimes, I wonder.

BTW. I have worked with Iranian companies. If their military is like those, this will last a couple of weeks, at most.

[Suliso]

I know a few Iranians locally. Most would shoot their ayatollah themselves if they could.