(12-22-2025, 10:45 AM)bravado Wrote: I think that if we want nice, reliable public services, they have to be financially sustainable. You should have to pay ~something~ to use a nice and reliable service, or else it won't be that way for very long.

There might be some value in means-testing these sorts of programs, but we really need to get used to the idea of "nice things cost money". Without any means-testing, it's pretty clear: seniors are the wealthiest cohort in Canada (by quite a lot) and getting wealthier faster than all the others. This is a strange proposal to subsidize the wealthy under the guise of accessibility.

As for time of use... even an empty bus needs to be paid for by somebody.

(12-29-2025, 02:45 PM)creative Wrote: Every time Canada announces $2.5 billion in loan guarantees for Ukraine, the same crowd loses their minds, loudly, confidently, and completely wrong.

So let’s clear this up slowly, because clearly it needs it.

👉 Loan guarantees are NOT a cheque.
Canada is not wiring Ukraine $2.5 billion in cash. A loan guarantee means Canada backs loans so Ukraine can borrow at lower interest. The money is paid back. This is finance 101.

👉 This costs Canada very little upfront and often nothing at all if the loans are repaid, which is the entire point.

👉 It’s leverage, not charity.
We help stabilize an ally, strengthen our influence, and protect global food, energy, and security systems that Canada depends on.

Now let’s talk about the alternative, the one the loud geniuses never mention.

If Ukraine falls:
• Russia is emboldened
• NATO becomes weaker
• Global instability explodes
• Canada faces higher defence costs, not lower
• And eventually, yes, boots on the ground become far more likely

Supporting Ukraine now is how we avoid fighting later.

What’s truly embarrassing isn’t helping Ukraine.
It’s watching people scream about “giving money away” while having no idea how loan guarantees work, no grasp of geopolitics, and zero interest in consequences beyond the next meme.

Why are the loudest voices always the least informed?
Because understanding takes effort, outrage doesn’t.

This isn’t charity.
It’s strategy.
It’s prevention.
It’s Canada protecting its own future.

And the fact this still needs explaining says a lot about the comment section, not the policy.

(12-29-2025, 05:23 PM)Rainrider22 Wrote: Its nice that you take time to explain your position or understanding of the case ( sincerely mean this) however, why do you feel the need to insult someone or demean the person because someone has a difference of opinion? Your message is totally lost when you do this. "lets clear this up slowly" is unwarranted.  Also, would you be so brave with your words if speaking to someone in person,  just curious....  This site has become so toxic.  If someone has a difference of opinion the same few always feel the need to belittle.  I think its time to pull my donation to this site...

(12-29-2025, 06:09 PM)ijmorlan Wrote:

(12-29-2025, 05:23 PM)Rainrider22 Wrote: Its nice that you take time to explain your position or understanding of the case ( sincerely mean this) however, why do you feel the need to insult someone or demean the person because someone has a difference of opinion? Your message is totally lost when you do this. "lets clear this up slowly" is unwarranted.  Also, would you be so brave with your words if speaking to someone in person,  just curious....  This site has become so toxic.  If someone has a difference of opinion the same few always feel the need to belittle.  I think its time to pull my donation to this site...

It’s not creative’s fault that Kodra24 made an off-topic throwaway comment that should not, in the present environment, be left unrefuted. It’s not creative’s fault that “A lie gets halfway around the world before truth puts on its boots”. What’s toxic is people making ignorant (at best) asides while discussing something else, not people who do us all the public service of responding to falsehoods when they come up.

In the particular case of Russia vs. Ukraine, this is even more so, because the success of Ukraine (the indisputable innocent victim) against Russia (the indisputable evil aggressor) depends in part on public support around the world, so falsehoods about the situation may have an effect on the outcome more directly than other falsehoods might.

Anyway creative was correcting facts, not opinions. So if creative made a mistake in their correction, let’s hear the correction to the correction. Otherwise, let’s hear thanks from everybody, including the one who was corrected.

(12-29-2025, 06:17 PM)Rainrider22 Wrote:

(12-29-2025, 06:09 PM)ijmorlan Wrote: It’s not creative’s fault that Kodra24 made an off-topic throwaway comment that should not, in the present environment, be left unrefuted. It’s not creative’s fault that “A lie gets halfway around the world before truth puts on its boots”. What’s toxic is people making ignorant (at best) asides while discussing something else, not people who do us all the public service of responding to falsehoods when they come up.

In the particular case of Russia vs. Ukraine, this is even more so, because the success of Ukraine (the indisputable innocent victim) against Russia (the indisputable evil aggressor) depends in part on public support around the world, so falsehoods about the situation may have an effect on the outcome more directly than other falsehoods might.

Anyway creative was correcting facts, not opinions. So if creative made a mistake in their correction, let’s hear the correction to the correction. Otherwise, let’s hear thanks from everybody, including the one who was corrected.

You didn't even read what I said...   I wasnt refuting what he stated, I said I appreciate his words. What I dont like is the his tone and insults.  Like I said, the message gets lost with many of us when people on this site are always talking down... It has become way to toxic.  Do you not wonder why so many people don't respond or comments on here any more...

(12-30-2025, 04:08 PM)danbrotherston Wrote:

(12-29-2025, 06:17 PM)Rainrider22 Wrote: You didn't even read what I said...   I wasnt refuting what he stated, I said I appreciate his words. What I dont like is the his tone and insults.  Like I said, the message gets lost with many of us when people on this site are always talking down... It has become way to toxic.  Do you not wonder why so many people don't respond or comments on here any more...

If you think the site is "way too toxic" because we're frustrated with someone spreading Kremlin propaganda and aren't civil enough in response (while still providing a detailed explanation), then bluntly...your priorities are wrong.

Calls for civility are often used by bad actors to distract from the facts.

I don't think that's what you're doing in this comment, but you should think carefully when it's pointed out that bad actors would be saying exactly the same things as you are.

(01-04-2026, 10:39 AM)Rainrider22 Wrote:

(12-30-2025, 04:08 PM)danbrotherston Wrote: If you think the site is "way too toxic" because we're frustrated with someone spreading Kremlin propaganda and aren't civil enough in response (while still providing a detailed explanation), then bluntly...your priorities are wrong.

Calls for civility are often used by bad actors to distract from the facts.

I don't think that's what you're doing in this comment, but you should think carefully when it's pointed out that bad actors would be saying exactly the same things as you are.

No  I was very specific that I appreciated the time that was put into the response.  I stand by the fact that there is no need to name call and demean people (like you constantly do)

(01-22-2026, 06:40 PM)ac3r Wrote: Not supporting Ukraine because of reason XYZ should result in someone having their right to vote stripped away because it shows they're not very smart. That war is horrible (I know, I was there many times and have seen it first hand) but they need to win for the sake of everyone. Those who disagree simply do not understand the gravity of the situation or the history of Russia. But since this forum isn't really about that, there's no point in elaborating.