The Serious Discussion Thread.

[Richie]

We should do another story Terry.

 

[Grier]

We should do another story Terry.

That came out of the blue Craig.

I certainly do enjoy writing a good story with you.

Any thoughts about what type of story?
I'm blank atm but will think about it.

 

[Grier]

Hearing all about the overbearing ICE goons in Minneapolis arresting innocents, killing and shooting people the Trump reaction was to double down sending in many more thugs with Federal impunity to quell the growing unrest that "he started"! Also to terrorise the people making them fear to go out, even to work. That is affecting the city's economy.
Typical of Trump attacking US Blue states, yet supporting the Iranian protestors, but then hanging them out to dry. Flipflopper ! Also pardoning the Capitol Hill thugs.
"Words are Cheap", especially Trump's. He can't even trust himself in staying with some recent ramble he made a week ago.
I think he's forgotten the US constitution he swore to protect without touching the traditionally offered bible. Burn Baby, Burn .
It was the Devil who saved him from the Assassin's bullet imho, and I believe he has a dark soul attuned to devilish mischief, on a global level but most especially detrimental to the US people themselves.
The notion of the US as a failed state is seemingly more and more likely.
China and Russia are no doubt quietly applauding the damage Trump and his goons are doing to the US.
I heard some suggesting ICE goons were like the Nazis pre WWII. They remind me of the thug cops in "A Clockwork Orange".

 

[Grier]

This is a really good U Tube clip about the US and its Fascist leaning governance. It's about 25 minutes long.

 

[Grier]

Just heard about this yesterday about Trump's grand design to make Canada a vassal state, like Greenland and Venezuela:

In January 2026, President Donald Trump’s long-standing rhetoric about annexing
Canada
as the "51st state" remains a significant point of tension, although his most recent public focus has shifted toward partnering with Canada to defend the Arctic rather than an outright takeover.

Recent Developments (January 2026)

• Arctic Security Shift: As of January 18 (yesterday), 2026, Trump has reportedly shifted from annexation threats to expressing concern about Canada’s "vulnerability" to Chinese and Russian encroachment in the Arctic. U.S. officials are now exploring ways to partner with Canada to bolster northern defenses, including ship patrols and early-warning systems.
• Continued "51st State" Rhetoric: Despite the shift in official talks, Trump continues to use the "51st state" label in public speeches. In late September 2025, he told military leaders that if Canada wants to be part of his multi-billion-dollar "Golden Dome" missile defense plan, they should "just join our country... become the 51st state" to get it for free.
• Tariff Threats as "Economic Force": Trump has reiterated his use of "economic force" to merge Canada with the U.S., describing the border as an "artificially drawn line". On January 18, 2026, he threatened "far larger" tariffs if Canada and the European Union unite to cause "economic harm" to the U.S..
• The "Donroe Doctrine": Analysts describe Trump’s current strategy as part of a "Donroe Doctrine"—a plan to expand U.S. influence across the Western Hemisphere through dominance and economic pressure rather than military force.

Canadian Response

• Mark Carney’s Leadership: Prime Minister Mark Carney, elected in April 2025, has consistently rejected Trump’s territorial ambitions. In response to the ongoing trade war, Carney recently visited Beijing to diversify trade and reduce Canada’s economic vulnerability to the U.S..
• Defense Spending: Under pressure from the Trump administration, Canada has committed to reaching NATO’s defense spending target of 2% of GDP by the end of the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
• Legislative Resistance: In the U.S., a bipartisan group of senators introduced the NATO Unity Protection Act on January 14, 2026, which would bar federal funding from being used to annex the territory of any NATO member, specifically citing Trump’s interest in Greenland and Canada.

History of the Claim

• December 2024: Trump first publicly suggested Canada become the 51st state during a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, famously referring to Justin Trudeau as "Governor".
• Early 2025: Trump continued these claims on social media, arguing that Canadians would benefit from lower taxes and better military protection if they were absorbed.
• February 2025: Then-Prime Minister Trudeau stated there was "not a snowball’s chance in hell" of annexation, later telling colleagues that Trump's interest was likely driven by Canada's vast critical mineral resources.

These analyses cover the evolving U.S. stance on Canada under President Trump, from annexation talk to defense cooperation, alongside historical claims and Canadian responses.

Megalomaniac!

Greenland isn’t very green!