Tradicat

 + JMJ  It has been quite the tumultuous month and as you will see below spawned long lists of articles that I spotted on a variety of topics. Things that I can conclude from the ones I've read and the little bit of fact-checking that I've done. Pope Francis may have improved from this particular bout and would not have survived if not for the intense level of prayers and care that he received.  Keep praying, like all of us he will have much to atone for and perhaps the suffering of ... my guess ... continually drowning in mucus will work towards lessening his suffering in the afterlife. The Crisis of the Church  continues down a dark alley, staggering from wall to wall like a drunkard.  Eventually, the Church will reach the end of the alley and emerge back into the light. Whether with this, the next or some future Pontifex is not for us to know.  Ours is to pray and fulfill our duty of state. Like the Church, the World Order is now in crisis as President...

 + JMJ What is interesting about President's Trump dissing Canada and Canadians has scratched the veneer of civility that Canadian's normally present to the world. Nice to see some patriotism amongst Canadians! P^3 The Original: I AM CANADIAN (2000) The Present: WE ARE CANADIAN (2025) I was the 'I Am Canadian' guy. That commercial changed me (2025) Reference (Links to other commercials and Canadian Videos - Caution - they are beer commercials) Molson I AM CANADIAN Molson Commercial - I Am Canadian - YouTube Molson Canadian - I Am Canadian - Beaver Attack! -Commercial - YouTube Molson Canadian, Anthem 90 - YouTube I Am Canadian Commercial - YouTube Classic Molson Canadian Ad - 500 Miles - YouTube Molson Canadian I AM - EVIL BEAVER (1997) 🍺🦦🍺 - YouTube Molson Canadian - Made From Canada - YouTube Jim Carrey - Canada - YouTube Canadian Commercial - I Am Canadian - 1994 - YouTube Molson Canadian - I Am Canadian - Tree (2003) - YouTube Molson Canadian commerc...

 + JMJ I have to admit that President Trump's actions over the past few days have been more than annoying.  Trump as a Soviet Negotiator As I've mentioned, Trump appears to Negotiate like the Russian or Soviets like Herb Cohen described in his book "You can negotiate anything".   All "Soviets" whether for Moscow or from Memphis [Tradicat: ... or New York], use the same six steps in their negotiation dance: Extreme initial positions: They always start with tough demands or ridiculous offers that affect the other side's expectation level. Limited authority. The negotiators themselves have little or no authority to make any concessions. Emotional tactics: They get red faced, raise their voices and act exasperated - horrified that they are being take advantage of. Occasionally they will stalk out of a meeting in a huff. Adversary concessions viewed as weakness. Should you give in and concede them something, they are unlikely to reciprocate. Stingy in their c...

 + JMJ There are five numbers to consider amongst the Canada / US  and World / US trade war. US Revenue: $4.9 Trillion US Deficit: $840 Billion US Debt: $36.22 Trillion US Debt Payment: $392 Billion (16% of US Gov spending) US Debt vs US GDP: 123% So ... what does this mean? Here's a quote from a 2023 paper posted by the Penn Wharton University of Pennsylvania: Summary: PWBM estimates that---even under myopic expectations---financial markets cannot sustain more than the next 20 years of accumulated deficits projected under current U.S. fiscal policy. Forward-looking financial markets are, therefore, effectively betting that future fiscal policy will provide substantial corrective measures ahead of time. If financial markets started to believe otherwise, debt dynamics would “unravel” and become unsustainable much sooner. Key Points The U.S. “public debt outstanding” of $33.2 trillion often cited by media is largely misleading, as it includes $6.8 trillion that the federal gover...

 + JMJ In the Pontiff's continuing health crisis, this one caught my eye - especially the part about 'non-invasive ventilation.' Which means he needs assistance breathing even though he hasn't been intubated.  Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is the use of breathing support administered through a face mask, nasal mask, or a helmet. Air, usually with added oxygen, is given through the mask under positive pressure; generally the amount of pressure is alternated depending on whether someone is breathing in or out. It is termed "non-invasive" because it is delivered with a mask that is tightly fitted to the face or around the head, but without a need for tracheal intubation (a tube through the mouth into the windpipe). Non-invasive ventilation - Wikipedia However, the bad news is that he had a "bronchospasm", which caused the Pope to vomit and he then aspirated (breathed in) the vomit. This is what kills people. Breaking it down ... because I can guess wh...