More from Sacks: https://youtube.com/watch?v=KeGAa-AJQyg

Economic power together is enhanced We’ve been doing this already, as two separate sovereign nations. Assholes turned it against us. You know, you read the news.

Current red states are parasitic to US as a whole. Military budget and insurance industries too. Canada’s economy is controlled as a junior partner that gives US veto over resource project funding from China or other US geopolitical foes, and embarrassing copying of tariffs on China without even consulting China. Trump BS was happening on a slower basis anyway, and a bigger Canada means better resistance to US coercion.

Canadians would be taxed like crazy to help pay that off.

The US is on a clear path to collapse, just from this debt. That is bad for Canada too, but in a way the collapse just means defaulting on debt, and banks/insurance going bankrupt. The oligarchy in US means as the country collapses, the ones who are saved are banksters, weapon makers, and tech. Secession of states, and joining Canada, can make both existing Canada and those states stronger

what would Europe need from russia?

Resources is big one, including infrastructure already in place for energy. Most of the world sides with Russia through this conflict. Even some US colonies have done well playing both sides. Russia is also an export market. World needs Russia to limit global warming. Futile attempts to destroy it, won’t work.

Russia put troops into Crimea before the referendum, and the referendum was run by the occupying army. Do you normally trust occupying armies to run referendums about whether or not they should get to keep the land they’re occupying?

97% in favour of Crimea joining Russia. Western polling was a solid 70%+. The new 2014 regime was legitimately divisive to the point that the majority ethnic Russian populations in Ukraine did not want to submit to them.

Russophobia has been the big disease, really created by US/USAID/NED/CIA. Europe seems to need a moment to let go, but if US isn’t forcing them into it, the rest of the world has already been open to Russia and China. Trump is literally forcing the world to liberate itself from US. The US is still a nice market, but China is much larger to sell into, and tariff wars are not likely to bring investments into the US.

A multipolar world makes as much obvious sense as democracy. But it is pretty remarkable that US is pushing for it now.

Current likelihood is that there’s only a mineral deal if US pays Zelensky/Ukraine to fight more. Security guarantees don’t actually cost anything until you have to do something, and its pretty likely that any weapons would be used to provoke aggression during ceasefire instead of protecting Ukraine’s neutrality.

It’s Europe that wants war more than US, and so it’s far more likely they get the mineral deal to keep going to the last Ukrainian.

then make a coalition with the AfD (Nazis).

It only adds up to 48%. The other parties would band together to make 52%.

Any chance that NATO skepticism is a big issue in East Germany, and the actual appeal of AfD?

There’s a bill to leave the UN too. Take their minerals could work if it funds more war.

Most Canadians would love the idea of states joining us. They wouldn’t even refuse solidly red states, I think. It would make Canada stronger, and a better life for the states. Economic power together is enhanced. Canada even as 10 states instead of 1, doesn’t work because US debt is too high, and US simply has too harsh of a society meant for oligarchy. Healthcare would be a major issue.

Went to Cuba last week. Absolutely magical, 3-5x the value, and the country needs the support. 95%+ Canadians, and no Americans.

I understand the “Quebec community” support/appeal, but its supporting the US too. A firm no for me.

It’s confusing times. If there was ever a movement in support of US territorial subservience, a Quebec referendum is probably more likely, and one where secession before annexation has clearer legal path. I understand their current support for Canada.

I did not see quote live. I did see original reports as just peace, and then western reports as peace OR NATO. Now you/BBC, is just NATO headline.

I took it as simply admitting that he has lost the confidence of US and Russia.

just pointing out that NATO is not going to happen. Stepping down offer is mainly for peace by someone else.

world peace finally.

NATO (Stoltenberg) proudly rejected Putin’s offer to avoid the war by refusing to ever admit Ukraine. Was evil war from the start, and was never intended to end well for Ukraine.

The more important part of his statement is “for peace”.

Very useful of him. Ukraine needs leadership that can make peace with Russia, and still keep Kherson, Odessa, or leave up to referendums where they go. Zelensky wouldn’t win election anyway. War was obviously big mistake, and looking to US/west for “protection” or terrorism support is just too high of a price to pay.

Zelensky can’t be part of future of Ukraine, but it is very helpful for him to step down. Focus should be on trade instead of war.

AfD (Conservatives Trump was looking for) doubled their vote, but won’t be part of government. Party with the most votes went from 23% to 28%.

is 68% a normal dropoff for 2nd week?