News

Sanctions: Who they really hurt

Published

2 years ago

June 24, 2022

Sanctions have been a weapon for the West these many decades. Promote global trade, see pretty well anything to other nations and their economies until these trading partners piss you off.

Example: The Ukrainian-Russian War. For centuries these two combatants were partners, working within a Royal and then Soviet Empire. Ukraine develops nationalistic ambitions and achieves nationhood. Russian Oligarchs attempt to control Ukraine’s economy with little luck. Ukraine has its own Oligarchs, former government officials have gone rouge, gaining control of the Ukrainian Economy. This is a war of attrition between Oligarchs, except Western Nations also have their attention on Ukrainian Natural Resources, and attempt to isolate Russia Economically and Socio-politically. The West freezes personal and political national accounts and boots Russia out of most international events and sports. The West invites Ukraine into NATO while filling this country with massive amounts of weapons. Without declaring a war on Russia, America, NATO, The EU and others attempt to damage Russian Industry and its economic structures. The Russian Leadership is attacked by using international banks to freeze and deny the use of their accounts.

Who suffers? So the Rich are perhaps deny denied products, the ability to travel freely, and also may have to be happy with Russian Champagne instead of French Wines. BoHo 🙁 These leaders of Russian Industry, Government and the higher class do not suffer like the average Russian, the workers, teachers, farmers, techs and shop workers.

There is a void found within the grocers and auto shops of Russia. True scarcity of essential products these Russians need to survive. Why would the West impose these sanctions? Who are they really hurting?

Why the little guy and girl, the worker. The West wants to hurt them greatly, so much so that once their economy begins to fail, and their kids go without food, electricity or any essential “The downtrodden People” will put pressure upon their government to change their ways. It may even be hoped that a “democratic” revolution may happen. Would not President Biden, Prime Minister Trudeau or The Leaders of the EU not like this to happen. Get rid of President Putin and “The Oligarch Soup” that rules Russia. All wars have casualties, Except it will not be those who started the war, but the little guy, their family and neighbour are who will suffer and possibly die.

How weak can the West be to use such weapons against families just like yours, whose only crime it is to be Russian, North Korean, Iranian and so on? America, with its allies, has used this weapon many times before, just not so gleefully. The West has the chance to crush one of its main political and economic competitors. Today Russia, perhaps tomorrow China. If the West goes all out, they have found a way to manipulate and forcefully transform a society. It is maybe effective in the long run. Much depends on how long Ukraine can survive. Once all this war-mongering ends, they will all be back to regular business again. Did the West simply provide Putin with an accident ending his regime? America has invaded many nations and assassinated many unwanted leaders in the past. They look upon the Afghan Genocide of mass death caused by the International isolationism of The Taliban. The ends will often justify the means, and America has as much blood on its hands as do the Russians. They do not have money to feed the poor and starving globally but find billions of dollars to kick Russia’s Financial-Political Ass.

They all talk about the importance of diplomacy while they ship more weapons to Ukraine, all the while Ukrainians and Russians die, killing each other.

“It is very queer that the unhappiness of the World is so often brought on by small men”(Erich Remarque-All Quiet on the Western Front). Only the little amongst us suffer, a brother, sister, mother or father, a child or cousin. We are all the same. We allow “our leaders” to dictate their will to us.

Remember a word of command made these silent figures our enemies, and yet a word of command might transform them into our friends.

Steven Kaszab

Bradford, Ontario

skaszab@yahoo.ca

News

Fall storm could bring ‘hurricane force’ winds to B.C.

Published

28 minutes ago

November 18, 2024

Anne Joseph

VANCOUVER – Environment Canada is warning about an intensifying storm that is expected to bring powerful winds to Vancouver Island and the British Columbia coast this week.

Matt MacDonald, the lead forecaster for the BC Wildfire Service, says models predict “explosive cyclogenesis,” which is also known as a bomb cyclone, materializing Tuesday night.

Such storms are caused by a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure at the centre of a storm system that results in heavy rain and high winds.

MacDonald says in a social media post that B.C. coastal inlets could see “hurricane force” winds of more than 118 km/h and create waves up to nine metres off Washington and Oregon.

Environment Canada posted a special weather statement saying the storm will develop off the coast of Vancouver Island on Tuesday, bringing high winds and heavy rain to some areas starting in the afternoon.

It says the weather system may cause downed trees, travel delays and power outages, adding that peak winds are expected for most areas Tuesday night, though the severe weather is likely to continue into Wednesday.

B.C. has been hit by a series of powerful fall storms, including an atmospheric river that caused flash flooding in Metro Vancouver in mid-October.

A lightning storm overnight and early Monday covered parts of Metro Vancouver in hail.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2024.

Source link

News

CBP Announces New Hours for Border Crossing Locations

Published

49 minutes ago

November 18, 2024

Press Release

CHAMPLAIN, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), will adjust hours of operation for 38 ports of entry (POEs) along the U.S. northern border, beginning at midnight, Jan. 6, 2025.

This will allow CBP to enhance border security while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade and travel. CBP officers will be deployed to busier ports of entry, enabling the agency to use its resources most effectively for its critical national security and border security missions.

These adjustments formalize current operating hours that have been in effect for more than four years at 13 ports of entry across the northern border, with eight ports of entry expanding hours. A small number of ports will see reduced hours in an effort to continually align resources to operational realities. Travelers who use these affected crossing locations will have other options within a reasonable driving distance.

Importantly, these adjustments have been made in close coordination with CBSA, to ensure aligned operational hours that further enhance the security of both countries.

CBP continually monitors operations, traffic patterns and volume, and analyzes the best use of resources to better serve the traveling public. CBP will remain engaged with local and regional stakeholders, as well as communities to ensure consistent communication and to address concerns.

The vast majority of the 118 northern border ports of entry will continue to operate at existing hours, including many with 24/7 operations. Locate ports of entry and access border wait times here.

The following are the new permanent POE hours of operation for select New York POEs:

Chateauguay, NY new hours of operation – 6 am to 6 pm
Trout River, NY new hours of operation – 6 am to 6 pm
Rouses Point, NY new hours of operation – 8 am to 8 pm
Overton Corners, NY new hours of operation – 6 am to 10 pm

Again, these changes will go into effect beginning at midnight, January 6, 2025.

Below is a listing of each location with the closest border crossing that will remain open 24/7 for appropriate commercial and passenger traffic:

Chateauguay, NY – closest 24/7 port: Fort Covington – 27 miles
Trout River, NY – closest 24/7 port: Fort Covington – 11 miles
Rouses Point, NY – closest 24/7 port: Champlain – 8 miles
Overton Corners, NY – closest 24/7 port: Champlain – 5 miles

For additional information or to contact a port of entry, please visit CBP.gov.

For more on Customs and Border Protection’s mission at our nation’s ports of entry with CBP officers and along U.S. borders with Border Patrol agents, please visit the Border Security section of the CBP website.

News

Man police linked to neo-Nazi group pleads not guilty to terrorism charges

Published

49 minutes ago

November 18, 2024

Anne Joseph

OTTAWA – An Ottawa man is pleading not guilty to charges of terrorism and hate-speech related to the promotion of a far-right group.

RCMP charged Patrick Gordon Macdonald in July 2023, alleging he took part in activities of a listed terrorist organization.

It’s the first case in Canada where the government laid charges for both terrorism and hate propaganda against someone for promoting a violent, far-right ideology.

As the trial opened Monday in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice, Crown prosecutors alleged Macdonald helped produce propaganda for the Atomwaffen Division, an international neo-Nazi organization Canada listed as a terror group in 2021.

Prosecutors alleged he aided in the production of three propaganda videos designed to recruit new members and incite hatred against Jews.

The allegations have not yet been proven in court.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2024.

Source link