Colin Parkinson
Army.ca Relic
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Mold isn't that bad in a new car is it?
Trump administration 2024-2028
- Thread starter dimsum
- Start date
Brad Sallows
Army.ca Legend
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Sure, but that's unlikely to be all of the content.
Depends on how coldly objective they are. The smart move is to seek lowest possible costs. The observation is simply that their costs are going to rise if they emphasize buy-at-home and if they seek to increase defence preparation. I suppose most countries there are dealing with unfavourable net in-out finances as we are here, similar to how many families were pressed before this all began.
What happens if everyone cranks up protectionism on all sides and none of them back down? From some Americans' point of view, we are dumping wood fibre. From our point of view, the Chinese are dumping EVs. For a few countries, foreign suppliers of inputs low on the value chain such as steel look like they might be effectively dumping products.
Generally we ought to take advantage of any opportunities to consume foreign goods while allowing other governments to short their own people. How much we need to protect our own industries is a common enough objection, but we've obviously allowed some of our strategic capabilities (eg. shipbuilding, aircraft manufacture, much of what amounts to arms and ammunition) to wither and our world hasn't ended.
Czech_pivo
Army.ca Veteran
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Wow -
Anyone have this little beauty on their Bingo Card for 2025?
www.independent.co.uk
Nearly 250 years after America declared independence from Great Britain, President Donald Trump suggested he was open to taking a small step back towards the warm embrace of the British monarchy after a media outlet reported that King Charles III intends to extend an offer for the United States to join the Commonwealth of Nations.
The King is reportedly preparing to extend the offer of “associate membership” in the voluntary association of 56 nations, most of which have history as former British colonies. Trump, it seems, is open to the idea.
Anyone have this little beauty on their Bingo Card for 2025?
Trump weighs in on report King Charles will offer U.S. commonwealth membership
Trump indicates willingness to have America become 57th Commonwealth member
www.independent.co.uk
Trump weighs in on report King Charles will offer U.S. membership to British Commonwealth: ‘Sounds good!’
Nearly 250 years after America declared independence from Great Britain, President Donald Trump suggested he was open to taking a small step back towards the warm embrace of the British monarchy after a media outlet reported that King Charles III intends to extend an offer for the United States to join the Commonwealth of Nations.
The King is reportedly preparing to extend the offer of “associate membership” in the voluntary association of 56 nations, most of which have history as former British colonies. Trump, it seems, is open to the idea.
- Reaction score
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Elon Musk appointed as Governor General of the United States of America.
daftandbarmy
Army.ca Fossil
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Wow -
Anyone have this little beauty on their Bingo Card for 2025?
Trump weighs in on report King Charles will offer U.S. commonwealth membership
Trump indicates willingness to have America become 57th Commonwealth member
Trump weighs in on report King Charles will offer U.S. membership to British Commonwealth: ‘Sounds good!’
Nearly 250 years after America declared independence from Great Britain, President Donald Trump suggested he was open to taking a small step back towards the warm embrace of the British monarchy after a media outlet reported that King Charles III intends to extend an offer for the United States to join the Commonwealth of Nations.
The King is reportedly preparing to extend the offer of “associate membership” in the voluntary association of 56 nations, most of which have history as former British colonies. Trump, it seems, is open to the idea.
Blackadder1916
Army.ca Fixture
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Wow -
Anyone have this little beauty on their Bingo Card for 2025?
Trump weighs in on report King Charles will offer U.S. commonwealth membership
Trump indicates willingness to have America become 57th Commonwealth member
Trump weighs in on report King Charles will offer U.S. membership to British Commonwealth: ‘Sounds good!’
Nearly 250 years after America declared independence from Great Britain, President Donald Trump suggested he was open to taking a small step back towards the warm embrace of the British monarchy after a media outlet reported that King Charles III intends to extend an offer for the United States to join the Commonwealth of Nations.
The King is reportedly preparing to extend the offer of “associate membership” in the voluntary association of 56 nations, most of which have history as former British colonies. Trump, it seems, is open to the idea.
Process for joining the Commonwealth
For eligible countries, there is a membership process which has to be followed once the formal expression of interest to join is triggered. This entails the following:- An informal assessment undertaken by the Secretary-General following an expression of interest by an aspirant country
- Consultation by the Secretary-General with member states
- An invitation to the interested country to make a formal application
- A formal application presenting evidence of the functioning of democratic processes and popular support in that country for joining the Commonwealth.
Didn't see anything in there about the Head of the Commonwealth (currently CR II) being part of the process nor did I find anything on the site about any previous consultation or application (such as in previous cases of recent joiners) about membership for the USA.
While the USA is still a functioning democracy and would probably meet most of the eligibilty criteria for membership (noting that the requirements are "should"), the public statement of accepting some of those requirements would likely stick in the craw of many Americans.
Eligibility criteria for membership
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda in November 2007, Heads of Government reviewed the recommendations of the Committee on Commonwealth Membership and agreed on the following core criteria for Membership:- an applicant country should, as a general rule, have had a historic constitutional association with an existing Commonwealth member, save in exceptional circumstances
- in exceptional circumstances, applications should be considered on a case-by-case basis
- an applicant country should accept and comply with Commonwealth fundamental values, principles, and priorities as set out in the 1971 Declaration of Commonwealth Principles and contained in other subsequent Declarations
- an applicant country must demonstrate commitment to: democracy and democratic processes, including free and fair elections and representative legislatures; the rule of law and independence of the judiciary; good governance, including a well-trained public service and transparent public accounts; and protection of human rights, freedom of expression, and equality of opportunity
- an applicant country should accept Commonwealth norms and conventions, such as the use of the English language as the medium of inter-Commonwealth relations, and acknowledge His Majesty King Charles III as the Head of the Commonwealth
- new members should be encouraged to join the Commonwealth Foundation, and to promote vigorous civil society and business organisations within their countries, and to foster participatory democracy through regular civil society consultations.
Heads endorsed the other recommendations of the Committee, including a four-step process for considering applications for membership; new members being required to augment the existing budget of the Secretariat; and countries in accumulated arrears being renamed ‘Members in Arrears’. They also agreed with the Committee’s recommendations on Overseas Territories, Special Guests and strategic partnerships.
If the King does make such an offer, perhaps it's about time to start looking for a new Head of State. Maybe the King of Denmark has a spare relative; it worked out for Norway. We could get the other half of Han Island as a sort of dowry.
medicineman
Army.ca Legend
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Process for joining the Commonwealth
For eligible countries, there is a membership process which has to be followed once the formal expression of interest to join is triggered. This entails the following:
The procedure also sets out that the application would thereafter be considered by Heads of Government at the next CHOGM and, if they reach consensus on accepting it, that country would then join the Commonwealth and be invited to attend subsequent meetings.
- An informal assessment undertaken by the Secretary-General following an expression of interest by an aspirant country
- Consultation by the Secretary-General with member states
- An invitation to the interested country to make a formal application
- A formal application presenting evidence of the functioning of democratic processes and popular support in that country for joining the Commonwealth.
Didn't see anything in there about the Head of the Commonwealth (currently CR II) being part of the process nor did I find anything on the site about any previous consultation or application (such as in previous cases of recent joiners) about membership for the USA.
While the USA is still a functioning democracy and would probably meet most of the eligibilty criteria for membership (noting that the requirements are "should"), the public statement of accepting some of those requirements would likely stick in the craw of many Americans.
Eligibility criteria for membership
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda in November 2007, Heads of Government reviewed the recommendations of the Committee on Commonwealth Membership and agreed on the following core criteria for Membership:
Heads of Government also agreed that, where an existing member changes its formal constitutional status, it should not have to reapply for Commonwealth membership provided that it continues to meet all the criteria for membership.
- an applicant country should, as a general rule, have had a historic constitutional association with an existing Commonwealth member, save in exceptional circumstances
- in exceptional circumstances, applications should be considered on a case-by-case basis
- an applicant country should accept and comply with Commonwealth fundamental values, principles, and priorities as set out in the 1971 Declaration of Commonwealth Principles and contained in other subsequent Declarations
- an applicant country must demonstrate commitment to: democracy and democratic processes, including free and fair elections and representative legislatures; the rule of law and independence of the judiciary; good governance, including a well-trained public service and transparent public accounts; and protection of human rights, freedom of expression, and equality of opportunity
- an applicant country should accept Commonwealth norms and conventions, such as the use of the English language as the medium of inter-Commonwealth relations, and acknowledge His Majesty King Charles III as the Head of the Commonwealth
- new members should be encouraged to join the Commonwealth Foundation, and to promote vigorous civil society and business organisations within their countries, and to foster participatory democracy through regular civil society consultations.
Heads endorsed the other recommendations of the Committee, including a four-step process for considering applications for membership; new members being required to augment the existing budget of the Secretariat; and countries in accumulated arrears being renamed ‘Members in Arrears’. They also agreed with the Committee’s recommendations on Overseas Territories, Special Guests and strategic partnerships.
If the King does make such an offer, perhaps it's about time to start looking for a new Head of State. Maybe the King of Denmark has a spare relative; it worked out for Norway. We could get the other half of Han Island as a sort of dowry.
- Reaction score
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- 1,260
Aaaaaand who else weighs in?Wow -
Anyone have this little beauty on their Bingo Card for 2025?
Trump weighs in on report King Charles will offer U.S. commonwealth membership
Trump indicates willingness to have America become 57th Commonwealth member
Trump weighs in on report King Charles will offer U.S. membership to British Commonwealth: ‘Sounds good!’ ...
KEVIN O'LEARY: Why I back a Trump deal with King Charles
'We are in fascinating times,' remarked O'Leary, Shark Tank star and new Daily Mail columnist, after the president enthusiastically embraced the idea of an historic new US-UK global partnership.
I w
I wonder if their entry as an associate member would cause some countries to leave the Commonwealth.Process for joining the Commonwealth
For eligible countries, there is a membership process which has to be followed once the formal expression of interest to join is triggered. This entails the following:
The procedure also sets out that the application would thereafter be considered by Heads of Government at the next CHOGM and, if they reach consensus on accepting it, that country would then join the Commonwealth and be invited to attend subsequent meetings.
- An informal assessment undertaken by the Secretary-General following an expression of interest by an aspirant country
- Consultation by the Secretary-General with member states
- An invitation to the interested country to make a formal application
- A formal application presenting evidence of the functioning of democratic processes and popular support in that country for joining the Commonwealth.
Didn't see anything in there about the Head of the Commonwealth (currently CR II) being part of the process nor did I find anything on the site about any previous consultation or application (such as in previous cases of recent joiners) about membership for the USA.
While the USA is still a functioning democracy and would probably meet most of the eligibilty criteria for membership (noting that the requirements are "should"), the public statement of accepting some of those requirements would likely stick in the craw of many Americans.
Eligibility criteria for membership
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda in November 2007, Heads of Government reviewed the recommendations of the Committee on Commonwealth Membership and agreed on the following core criteria for Membership:
Heads of Government also agreed that, where an existing member changes its formal constitutional status, it should not have to reapply for Commonwealth membership provided that it continues to meet all the criteria for membership.
- an applicant country should, as a general rule, have had a historic constitutional association with an existing Commonwealth member, save in exceptional circumstances
- in exceptional circumstances, applications should be considered on a case-by-case basis
- an applicant country should accept and comply with Commonwealth fundamental values, principles, and priorities as set out in the 1971 Declaration of Commonwealth Principles and contained in other subsequent Declarations
- an applicant country must demonstrate commitment to: democracy and democratic processes, including free and fair elections and representative legislatures; the rule of law and independence of the judiciary; good governance, including a well-trained public service and transparent public accounts; and protection of human rights, freedom of expression, and equality of opportunity
- an applicant country should accept Commonwealth norms and conventions, such as the use of the English language as the medium of inter-Commonwealth relations, and acknowledge His Majesty King Charles III as the Head of the Commonwealth
- new members should be encouraged to join the Commonwealth Foundation, and to promote vigorous civil society and business organisations within their countries, and to foster participatory democracy through regular civil society consultations.
Heads endorsed the other recommendations of the Committee, including a four-step process for considering applications for membership; new members being required to augment the existing budget of the Secretariat; and countries in accumulated arrears being renamed ‘Members in Arrears’. They also agreed with the Committee’s recommendations on Overseas Territories, Special Guests and strategic partnerships.
If the King does make such an offer, perhaps it's about time to start looking for a new Head of State. Maybe the King of Denmark has a spare relative; it worked out for Norway. We could get the other half of Han Island as a sort of dowry.
- Reaction score
- 25,169
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- 1,360
Aaaaaand who else weighs in?
KEVIN O'LEARY: Why I back a Trump deal with King Charles
'We are in fascinating times,' remarked O'Leary, Shark Tank star and new Daily Mail columnist, after the president enthusiastically embraced the idea of an historic new US-UK global partnership.www.dailymail.co.uk
I don’t buy it.
This is the weakest explanation of what Trimpmis achieving…
I’m not sure anyone is seeing such a signal other than O’Leary and maybe Musk.
While he cozies up to Putin.
Yeah, whatever…
Well, that’s either true, and King Charles is a modern day sell out to a well-established current member of the Commonwealth…
or
…it’s plain BS.
We shall see, I suppose.
O’Leary is almost as full of crap as Trump.
PrairieFella
Army.ca Veteran
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His addiction addled his brain, I also miss his old stuff from like 10 years ago.
daftandbarmy
Army.ca Fossil
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Deleted... the editing was so bad it was painful to watch
Last edited:
RangerRay
Army.ca Veteran
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Interesting stuff in there. Although it still doesn’t explain why former Portuguese colonies Angola and Mozambique were accepted into the Commonwealth…Process for joining the Commonwealth
For eligible countries, there is a membership process which has to be followed once the formal expression of interest to join is triggered. This entails the following:
The procedure also sets out that the application would thereafter be considered by Heads of Government at the next CHOGM and, if they reach consensus on accepting it, that country would then join the Commonwealth and be invited to attend subsequent meetings.
- An informal assessment undertaken by the Secretary-General following an expression of interest by an aspirant country
- Consultation by the Secretary-General with member states
- An invitation to the interested country to make a formal application
- A formal application presenting evidence of the functioning of democratic processes and popular support in that country for joining the Commonwealth.
Didn't see anything in there about the Head of the Commonwealth (currently CR II) being part of the process nor did I find anything on the site about any previous consultation or application (such as in previous cases of recent joiners) about membership for the USA.
While the USA is still a functioning democracy and would probably meet most of the eligibilty criteria for membership (noting that the requirements are "should"), the public statement of accepting some of those requirements would likely stick in the craw of many Americans.
Eligibility criteria for membership
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda in November 2007, Heads of Government reviewed the recommendations of the Committee on Commonwealth Membership and agreed on the following core criteria for Membership:
Heads of Government also agreed that, where an existing member changes its formal constitutional status, it should not have to reapply for Commonwealth membership provided that it continues to meet all the criteria for membership.
- an applicant country should, as a general rule, have had a historic constitutional association with an existing Commonwealth member, save in exceptional circumstances
- in exceptional circumstances, applications should be considered on a case-by-case basis
- an applicant country should accept and comply with Commonwealth fundamental values, principles, and priorities as set out in the 1971 Declaration of Commonwealth Principles and contained in other subsequent Declarations
- an applicant country must demonstrate commitment to: democracy and democratic processes, including free and fair elections and representative legislatures; the rule of law and independence of the judiciary; good governance, including a well-trained public service and transparent public accounts; and protection of human rights, freedom of expression, and equality of opportunity
- an applicant country should accept Commonwealth norms and conventions, such as the use of the English language as the medium of inter-Commonwealth relations, and acknowledge His Majesty King Charles III as the Head of the Commonwealth
- new members should be encouraged to join the Commonwealth Foundation, and to promote vigorous civil society and business organisations within their countries, and to foster participatory democracy through regular civil society consultations.
Heads endorsed the other recommendations of the Committee, including a four-step process for considering applications for membership; new members being required to augment the existing budget of the Secretariat; and countries in accumulated arrears being renamed ‘Members in Arrears’. They also agreed with the Committee’s recommendations on Overseas Territories, Special Guests and strategic partnerships.
If the King does make such an offer, perhaps it's about time to start looking for a new Head of State. Maybe the King of Denmark has a spare relative; it worked out for Norway. We could get the other half of Han Island as a sort of dowry.
I think the USA joining the Commonwealth would be its death knell.
I might be a fan of the US joining, if it were becoming an actual Commonwealth Realm, that is accepting King Charles as their Head of State and hopefully converting to the Westminster System. However, I don't think that that is going to happen.
GR66
Army.ca Veteran
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I didn't know whether I should post this here or in the Lawyers Allegedly Behaving Badly thread...
www.bbc.com
So, Trump pulls the security clearances from a law firm because he doesn't like the DEI cases it's taken so the law firm agrees to abandon any DEI policies it has and agrees to provide $40 million in pro bono legal services to the White House in return for Trump dropping the executive order. Yeah, that sounds totally ethical to me.
Trump cancels executive order against law firm after $40m promise
Paul, Weiss promised $40 million of free legal work to the White House and to change its diversity policies.
www.bbc.com
So, Trump pulls the security clearances from a law firm because he doesn't like the DEI cases it's taken so the law firm agrees to abandon any DEI policies it has and agrees to provide $40 million in pro bono legal services to the White House in return for Trump dropping the executive order. Yeah, that sounds totally ethical to me.
That’s absolutely cowardly.I didn't know whether I should post this here or in the Lawyers Allegedly Behaving Badly thread...
Trump cancels executive order against law firm after $40m promise
Paul, Weiss promised $40 million of free legal work to the White House and to change its diversity policies.
So, Trump pulls the security clearances from a law firm because he doesn't like the DEI cases it's taken so the law firm agrees to abandon any DEI policies it has and agrees to provide $40 million in pro bono legal services to the White House in return for Trump dropping the executive order. Yeah, that sounds totally ethical to me.
- Reaction score
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It's further erosion of the rule of law.
FJAG
Army.ca Legend
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I guess we won't know for sure if it's post-democratic unless a fair democratic election does not happen in 2028. 2026 will be its bell weather.
I think its a tad early to call it "post-democratic" when you consider that 77 million Americans voted for a man who is actually implementing the draconian initiatives that so many wanted to see implemented. It's not like he was keeping this a secret although for many of us its far worse than what we ever expected. Its not like his lying wasn't patently obvious.
If democracy is state power vested in the state's people through their duly elected representatives and the people wanted this representative as their head of state then this is still democracy in action. If Americans didn't get the message after his first ineffectual term then they really shouldn't have expected anything less than a doubling down.
