Campaigning is done. Time for the bad news.

[lrrps21]

The United States with far larger and superior resources has been unable to slow the flow of fentanyl into the US. So Trump thinks a much poorer Mexico will be able to do so with a far more corrupt government? It's nice Mexico will sort of try to avoid becoming poorer. Demand remains. It will be satisfied. That will be true until we solve that part of the puzzle. Not saying every bit doesn't help I just don't see much benefit in bullying allies for marginal if any gains. I'm still have no idea what is expected of Canada or why.

Close to 90% of those on the terrorist list we have found came through Canada to get here illegally.

And Canada will close the border we can't?

I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly…

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 3, 2025

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[dunefan]

The United States with far larger and superior resources has been unable to slow the flow of fentanyl into the US. So Trump thinks a much poorer Mexico will be able to do so with a far more corrupt government? It's nice Mexico will sort of try to avoid becoming poorer. Demand remains. It will be satisfied. That will be true until we solve that part of the puzzle. Not saying every bit doesn't help I just don't see much benefit in bullying allies for marginal if any gains. I'm still have no idea what is expected of Canada or why.

Close to 90% of those on the terrorist list we have found came through Canada to get here illegally.

And Canada will close the border we can't?

I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly…

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 3, 2025

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I guess Trump should stop playing with tariffs.  They never work and inflation will go through the roof.  He's so dumb.

[ScarletHayes]

[Smoothmflikethat]

Biden got Mexico to send the same # of troops without the threats and posturing.

As it turns out, you can work WITH people and not be an a$$hole about everything.

https://apnews.com/article/guatemala-hon...07d34c8cc#

What did he give them?

I'm sure these hard left leaders were going to just volunteer their assistance.

[wydileie]

So far, wins over:

Denmark
Panama
Mexico
Canada
Hamas

Soon the EU then Ukraine/Russia. What a refreshing feeling it is to have authentic leadership with the US and the World's best interest in hand.

It is great to have "wins" over allies friendly to us. Hope it works out in the long run. And I don't think the Hamas thing was a win. Israel wasn't done effing them up.
In case anyone is getting the wrong impression I'm supportive of most of what's going on. Some is too ham fisted and some is insane.
Deportations and remain in Mexico? Applying for asylum outside the US? Closure of USAID? All for them. Reducing bureaucracy and regulation? Go.  Stopping the leftist culture appropriations and mandates? Fun stuff.
But why not see if our allies will cooperate without beating them into line because we're the biggest kid on the block? Especially given what we're trying to force them to do will likely fail to have a meaningful effect.
Cabinet positions for departments we do need should be staffed with competent people who will be able to improve the functioning of those aspects of government. Not bomb throwers and people not qualified except they kissed the ring. The Democrats nominated are insane choices.

First I would guess this is as close you would ever get to giving Trump a compliment.

Second you use the term friends allies?  Let's see friends who allow anyone to cross over their border to come to the US?  Friends who allow illicit drugs to flow through the border killing about 100 k US citizens per year.  Friends who would have trade deficits in the billions equivalent to someone saying to you I will trade you this shiny new Josh Naylor card for the Babe Ruth rookie card.

I would imagine the missiles he lobbed into Somalia yesterday morning was a message sent to our non allies letting them know what  awaits them.  Last time our actions against Iran by killing Gen Solomani and tanking the price of oil had them broke.  So he does have a recordagainst our adversaries.

As far as our ability to enforce the border I remember just a few months back the federal govt sued Texas for trying to enforce it's border lol.  FOrusto control our border with physical resources it would be quite more costly.

Just so you’re aware, trade deficits don’t mean anything. 

I think being demanding is a valid strategy in some cases, but I don’t understand why Trump would impose tariffs on Canada, saying there was nothing they could do to stop them, just to negotiate with them two days after the fact. Why not give them the demands to front and let them respond before making allies angry for no reason.

[dunefan]

So far, wins over:

Denmark
Panama
Mexico
Canada
Hamas

Soon the EU then Ukraine/Russia. What a refreshing feeling it is to have authentic leadership with the US and the World's best interest in hand.

It is great to have "wins" over allies friendly to us. Hope it works out in the long run. And I don't think the Hamas thing was a win. Israel wasn't done effing them up.
In case anyone is getting the wrong impression I'm supportive of most of what's going on. Some is too ham fisted and some is insane.
Deportations and remain in Mexico? Applying for asylum outside the US? Closure of USAID? All for them. Reducing bureaucracy and regulation? Go.  Stopping the leftist culture appropriations and mandates? Fun stuff.
But why not see if our allies will cooperate without beating them into line because we're the biggest kid on the block? Especially given what we're trying to force them to do will likely fail to have a meaningful effect.
Cabinet positions for departments we do need should be staffed with competent people who will be able to improve the functioning of those aspects of government. Not bomb throwers and people not qualified except they kissed the ring. The Democrats nominated are insane choices.

First I would guess this is as close you would ever get to giving Trump a compliment.

Second you use the term friends allies?  Let's see friends who allow anyone to cross over their border to come to the US?  Friends who allow illicit drugs to flow through the border killing about 100 k US citizens per year.  Friends who would have trade deficits in the billions equivalent to someone saying to you I will trade you this shiny new Josh Naylor card for the Babe Ruth rookie card.

I would imagine the missiles he lobbed into Somalia yesterday morning was a message sent to our non allies letting them know what  awaits them.  Last time our actions against Iran by killing Gen Solomani and tanking the price of oil had them broke.  So he does have a recordagainst our adversaries.

As far as our ability to enforce the border I remember just a few months back the federal govt sued Texas for trying to enforce it's border lol.  FOrusto control our border with physical resources it would be quite more costly.

Just so you’re aware, trade deficits don’t mean anything. 

I think being demanding is a valid strategy in some cases, but I don’t understand why Trump would impose tariffs on Canada, saying there was nothing they could do to stop them, just to negotiate with them two days after the fact. Why not give them the demands to front and let them respond before making allies angry for no reason.

The "neighbors" are not known for their generosity toward the US.  They do give us their illegals and drugs so there's that, I guess.  So, Trump uses the threat of a big stick and then speaks softly.  It's just a different way to handle a literal life and death situation.  These "friends" need to understand that there's a new sheriff in town and they need to stop the boarder schitt.  Now.  They've laughed at the US for the last four years.  They're not laughing now.  I like it.  Can't wait to see what's next.

[P1tchB7ack]

So far, wins over:

Denmark
Panama
Mexico
Canada
Hamas

Soon the EU then Ukraine/Russia. What a refreshing feeling it is to have authentic leadership with the US and the World's best interest in hand.

Phew.  That was close. Good thing we pissed off an ally to save zero lives!

Just 0.2% of US border fentanyl seizures are at the Canadian border

Trump has lumped together the Canadian border and the Mexican border when talking about illegal fentanyl imports. The day after his inauguration in January, for example, he said, “The fentanyl coming through Canada is massive. The fentanyl coming through Mexico is massive.”

But there is a massive difference between the extent of the problem at the two borders.

Federal statistics show US border authorities seized 21,889 pounds of fentanyl in the 2024 fiscal year. Of that amount, 43 pounds were seized at the Canadian border — about 0.2% — compared with 21,148 pounds at the Mexican border, about 96.6%.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/03/politics/...index.html

[P1tchB7ack]

The United States with far larger and superior resources has been unable to slow the flow of fentanyl into the US. So Trump thinks a much poorer Mexico will be able to do so with a far more corrupt government? It's nice Mexico will sort of try to avoid becoming poorer. Demand remains. It will be satisfied. That will be true until we solve that part of the puzzle. Not saying every bit doesn't help I just don't see much benefit in bullying allies for marginal if any gains. I'm still have no idea what is expected of Canada or why.

Close to 90% of those on the terrorist list we have found came through Canada to get here illegally.

And Canada will close the border we can't?

I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly…

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 3, 2025

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I guess Trump should stop playing with tariffs.  They never work and inflation will go through the roof.  He's so dumb.

This plan was announced in December.  All Trump has done is prove, once again, he is a d-bag.

Canada announces new border rules following Trump tariff threat
17 December 2024

Canada has promised to implement a set of sweeping new security measures along the country's US border, including strengthened surveillance and a joint "strike force" to target transnational organised crime.

The pledge follows a threat from President-elect Donald Trump to impose, when he takes office in January, a 25% tariff on Canadian goods if the country does not secure its shared border to the flow of irregular migrants and illegal drugs.

Economists say such tariffs could strike a blow to Canada's economy.

Announcing details of the plan, Canada's minister of finance and intergovernmental affairs said the federal government would devote C$1.3bn ($900m; £700m) to the plan.

The measures "will secure our border against the flow of illegal drugs and irregular migration while ensuring the free flow of people and goods that are at the core of North America's prosperity", Minister Dominic LeBlanc said on Tuesday.

The five pillars of the plan cover the disruption of the fentanyl trade, new tools for law enforcement, enhanced coordination with US law enforcement, increased information sharing and limiting traffic at the border.

They include a proposed aerial surveillance task force, including helicopters, drones and mobile surveillance towers between ports of entry.

The government is also giving the Canada Border Service Agency funds to train new dog teams to find illegal drugs, and new detection tools for high-risk ports of entry.

And LeBlanc provided further detail on the so-called "joint strike force" for Canadian and US authorities, saying it would include "support in operational surges, dedicated synthetic drug units, expanded combined forces, special enforcement units, binational integrated enforcement teams, and new operational capacity and infrastructure".

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czx5p41696po

[dkeener67]

The United States with far larger and superior resources has been unable to slow the flow of fentanyl into the US. So Trump thinks a much poorer Mexico will be able to do so with a far more corrupt government? It's nice Mexico will sort of try to avoid becoming poorer. Demand remains. It will be satisfied. That will be true until we solve that part of the puzzle. Not saying every bit doesn't help I just don't see much benefit in bullying allies for marginal if any gains. I'm still have no idea what is expected of Canada or why.

Close to 90% of those on the terrorist list we have found came through Canada to get here illegally.

And Canada will close the border we can't?

I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly…

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 3, 2025

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I guess Trump should stop playing with tariffs.  They never work and inflation will go through the roof.  He's so dumb.

Poker baby, Trump style.  Hey this is what he's good at - threaten tariffs to get what he really wants, which ain't tariffs at all.  
lol at the panic he created.

[3rdgensooner]

Apparently Canada was all set to do all that prior and had briefed Homan weeks before. So all that and Trump got basically nothing extra. We'll get some higher oil prices and maybe less in our portfolios. Mexico sent as many troops to the border when Biden just asked. Not that any of it will have the slightest impact on fentanyl availability. What a deal maker.

[ScarletHayes]

Sending troops as window dressing and troops that actually perform a function are two different things.  We had a sieve for a border and an administrative state replacing Americans with “citizens of the world.”  The Dem party needs blown up and reset.  It’s becoming an anti American/globalist organization.  

I can’t wait for the day when our biggest disagreement is tax policy as opposed to stopping national suicide.  All these Sociology majors need purged.

[zigbee]

Sending troops as window dressing and troops that actually perform a function are two different things.  We had a sieve for a border and an administrative state replacing Americans with “citizens of the world.”  The Dem party needs blown up and reset.  It’s becoming an anti American/globalist organization.  

I can’t wait for the day when our biggest disagreement is tax policy as opposed to stopping national suicide.  All these Sociology majors need purged.

Dem party has collapsed…. It will survive in liberal states, but for how long can the ave person there accept it?  The rich thrive in lib world.

[3rdgensooner]

Sending troops as window dressing and troops that actually perform a function are two different things.  We had a sieve for a border and an administrative state replacing Americans with “citizens of the world.”  The Dem party needs blown up and reset.  It’s becoming an anti American/globalist organization.  

I can’t wait for the day when our biggest disagreement is tax policy as opposed to stopping national suicide.  All these Sociology majors need purged.

Trump blinked and lost. Overplayed his hand. He got what they would give him with just diplomacy.

[Alabuckeye]

Sending troops as window dressing and troops that actually perform a function are two different things.  We had a sieve for a border and an administrative state replacing Americans with “citizens of the world.”  The Dem party needs blown up and reset.  It’s becoming an anti American/globalist organization.  

I can’t wait for the day when our biggest disagreement is tax policy as opposed to stopping national suicide.  All these Sociology majors need purged.

Trump blinked and lost. Overplayed his hand. He got what they would give him with just diplomacy.

I think there’s a seminal point to be made here. 

Biden and prior presidents(not all but many) had no punch to them at all. They just rolled over and gave in. Trump isn’t that. His first, second, and in many cases, only instinct is to choose adversarial relationships in all cases. So….it looks like “he’s fighting for us”, which in some respects he is, but a fight is not the only tool to use. And fighting alienates, just as giving in or pure diplomacy endangers. There’s a time for both. And rather than finding it, we just swing on this pendulum. 

“When the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer, the world looks like a nail”.

[3rdgensooner]

Sending troops as window dressing and troops that actually perform a function are two different things.  We had a sieve for a border and an administrative state replacing Americans with “citizens of the world.”  The Dem party needs blown up and reset.  It’s becoming an anti American/globalist organization.  

I can’t wait for the day when our biggest disagreement is tax policy as opposed to stopping national suicide.  All these Sociology majors need purged.

Trump blinked and lost. Overplayed his hand. He got what they would give him with just diplomacy.

I think there’s a seminal point to be made here. 

Biden and prior presidents(not all but many) had no punch to them at all. They just rolled over and gave in. Trump isn’t that. His first, second, and in many cases, only instinct is to choose adversarial relationships in all cases. So….it looks like “he’s fighting for us”, which in some respects he is, but a fight is not the only tool to use. And fighting alienates, just as giving in or pure diplomacy endangers. There’s a time for both. And rather than finding it, we just swing on this pendulum. 

“When the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer, the world looks like a nail”.

There are a lot of reasons I wouldn't vote for either of them. Neither is remotely suitable for the job. Well past the point of choosing between the lesser of two evils. Just unacceptable.