ValueSubtracted

joined 2 years ago
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I don’t think you needed [sic]

Just wanted to make sure - I stumbled over that sentence when reading it!

[–] ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 21 points 7 months ago (1 children)

It's pretty hard to make the case that we "need" any work of fiction.

[–] ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 10 points 7 months ago (5 children)

At SDCC CBS sent us a synopsis, essentially a workplace comedy on a vacation planet – not Risa, not in the Federation. So are those fundamentals are still the same?

Those fundamentals are the same. But what I can tell you is what we’re really working on exploring, are the sort of overlooked sections of what happens when a world and a culture that is not that was not [sic] in the Federation. What happens when they decide to be?… So Federation outsiders and what’s kind of the nitty gritty involved with joining the Federation and involved with… yeah, I’m really struggling [to avoid spoilers]

That's an interesting adjustment...

[–] ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 10 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Well you see, she doesn't support sovereignty, and has to stop them from starting their own party, so obviously she has to give them what they want, stoke the flames, and make it easier to hold a referendum.

It's so simple!

At this point, "one crank neurologist" seems to be the most likely explanation by far.

[–] ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 10 points 7 months ago (1 children)

This was an independent study, not the government investigation.

[–] ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I'm by no means suggesting that the FDA cuts are good (they are, to be very clear, dumb and bad), but in theory, food is still being tested at the state level.

I can only hope that the Government of Canada is aware of the state programs, and whether they are suitably robust.

Another thing to consider is that many people simply aren't that engaged, and the news ecosystem on both sides of the border has deteriorated to the point where it's very easy to go through life with bad information, or no information at all.

It's probably not that hard for a low-information voter to be swayed by big talk, even if they're not a cultist.

[–] ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 4 points 7 months ago (2 children)

I think it's a nuanced question - I've heard that the Cuban community in Florida is very Republican because they're seen as stronger against the Cuban regime.

In other cases, I think people are very willing to vote for people who promise to help them with their most immediate problems (regardless of how credible those promises are), and overlook the rest.

And we should never underestimate the willingness of people to close a door behind them once they've gotten through it.

[–] ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 11 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (4 children)

One thing he doesn't touch on (much) is that a significant number of NDP supporters - probably "working class" supporters - seemed to flip to the Conservatives, and not the Liberals.

The party is going to have to reckon with that, too.

 

Government of Canada representatives from the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force will provide a technical briefing to media, to update on the general election 45.

 

For starters, Trump appears aware that he’s become a factor in the Canadian election, and that he may have contributed to the Liberal Party’s extraordinary rebound. He, and people close to him, have made statements showing some awareness of those dynamics.

Another reason? Carney is not Trudeau. Trump spoke with unique disdain for the former PM, something his former aide John Bolton said Trump also did in private.

Carney also surprised some Americans with his comments yesterday about the rupture in Canada-U.S. relations, getting lots of attention in Washington.

Washington-based Canada-U.S. trade consultant Eric Miller said it has begun to dawn on people here that there could be long-term damage to a close relationship, one that benefits the U.S.

“They [realize the] need to moderate their rhetoric and keep the relationship going in a historically positive direction,” Miller said.

And finally, Americans don’t want a fight with Canada. Poll after poll shows that tariffs on Canada are unpopular, as is the 51st-state talk.

Consumer sentiment is plunging and inflation fears are at a decades-long high, so Trump has some incentives to patch things up.

“Of course, it’s one statement, one call,” Miller added. “[Trump] changes just like the weather.”

 

In the Westminster parliamentary system used in Canada, the legitimacy of an elected government hinges on its ability to command the confidence of the House of Commons. During an election period, the House is shut and so the prime minister cannot seek approval from the elected chamber.

Because of that, the prime minister and cabinet are directed by the convention to act with restraint, which means they shouldn't introduce big, new things or make changes that would be onerous for the next government to roll back.

This does not mean that the government is prevented from making decisions. Prime Minister Mark Carney still has the responsibility of ensuring the routine operation of the government continues and must also be able to respond to emergencies such as natural disasters, wars or economic crises.

[Former Clerk of the Privy Council Michael Wernick] says that deciding what must be done — and what should not be done — comes down to the judgment of the prime minister guided by tradition, such as ensuring government actions demonstrate respect for the democratic will of Canadians.

"There's no rule book to go to that would tell you exactly where that threshold is," Wernick said.

When it comes to responding to tariffs being imposed on Canada by the Trump administration, the prime minister and his cabinet have the power and authority they need to respond with retaliatory tariffs or help for workers.

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