You have to really understand the NATO relationship with Turkey, Recep Erdogan and, well, essentially the Muslim Brotherhood, to understand the dynamics at play.

Turkish President Recep Erdogan is a perfectly Turkish man of notoriously intemperate disposition.

Erdogan wears many masks; however, unlike many leaders he does so publicly.  He will say whatever is needed to make the ‘West’ think they have upper hand, while doing exactly the opposite.

Erdogan will decry terrorism, take in Syrian refugees and simultaneously kill Kurds, and provide safe harbor for the worst elements of The Muslim Brotherhood (political Islam).  No one sleeps in Erdogan’s camp without one eye open and a weapon under their pillow.

The ‘West’ hates his duplicity and leverage.  The Russians don’t trust him an inch. The Arabs think he’s sketchy, and the Persians tolerate him.  However, Erdogan is centered in the Gateway between the Middle East and Europe; even Turkey’s geography is critical.

There is only one guy in global politics who interacts with Recep Erdogan in a way that generates mutual respect; that guy is Donald Trump.  The skillset that Trump carries is his lack of pretending, his brutal honesty in every interaction.   Trump could be standing next to Erdogan at a presser, answer a question and say, “He’s a strong man, he’s probably lying, but that’s ok, I like him, it’s strong politics, you can’t be weak we will figure it out.”…. To wit Erdogan won’t flinch an inch but smile inside.

In a weird way, 99% of the viewing public will not understand the dynamic of this relationship, but it’s funny.  If there was one global leader who would be disliked by NATO more than Erdogan, it’s probably Trump.  The two non-pretending leaders -absolutely critical for everything- have a great deal of mutual respect for each other. There’s a reason why the notoriously insufferable NATO manipulator met President Trump at the airport, with an official greeting. WATCH:

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There’s a reason why President Erdogan arranged a state arrival ceremony and honor guard review for President Trump in Ankara.  Video Below:

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In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

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Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

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You can’t watch the lumbering nemesis of promoted cultural marxism succeed in sportball and not laugh. I watch this video with a smile; in part because I have watched hundreds of videos of European regulars saying they cannot believe how wonderful their experience in America has been.

The larger sense, the biggest picture, is how each of these voices are declaring themselves free from the proximity of EU propaganda, and when that moment is reached these realities can never be unseen.

At the same time, I think of the EU bureaucrats standing jaw-agape wondering if things will ever be the same again….. a 6-foot-5 Viking warrior who has absolutely no time for anything fancy

My friends, the need for control is a reaction to fear. The control mechanisms have weakened with every Viking cheer and drumbeat. It is a good day for freedom.

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I suspect we are only a few days away from watching the professional leftists claim that support for Norway is akin to a global rise of white nationalism; aka, cheering for the Norsemen is racism.

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FACT: It has been over 60-years since Canada purchased a submarine.  FACT: Canada has never built one.  FACT: Currently the Canadian military have ONE operable submarine out of a fleet of four used ones previously purchased. FACT: Canada recently proclaimed themselves as the North American defender of the Arctic.

Now, put all those facts in the overlay of the December 2024 meeting in Mar-a-Lago between President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.  President Trump was demanding that Trudeau increase their NATO spending and develop a working Canadian military.

Someone recently asked in the comments section why I have an issue with Canada, specifically why a new level of distain for our Northern neighbors.  Quite simply, there is a level of lying that exceeds my tongue bite capacity; that level of deceit comes when fabricating lies is accompanied by pretending. The Canadian government is the worst type of political abuser.  They willfully pretend and simultaneously lie to the Canadian people. That’s the answer.

Today, the government of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announce that German industrial shipbuilder TKMS will be awarded a contract for “up to 12 submarines” valued between $20 and $30 billion {source link}.  Now, let’s not pretend.

First, the submarine contract is intended to get Canada back into reasonable position on their NATO obligations.

In reality, it is quite remarkable to think about the Canadian nation with only one currently functional submarine. “Canada hasn’t purchased unused submarines since the 1960s, during the Cold War, and has never ordered anywhere near 12 at once. Canada currently owns four subs, all of which were purchased second-hand, and only one of which is typically operational.” {citation} Now, think about that Mar-a-Lago conversation again.

Second, Canada can’t build their own submarines?

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Hours before the news broke, Maine Senate Democrat candidate Graham Platner cancelled all his campaign events.

A woman has just come forward to Politico with a direct accusation that Platner raped her.

(Via Politico) – A woman who dated Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner says he forced her to have sex with him nearly five years ago despite her repeated objections, an allegation Platner denies.

The woman, a 41-year-old Maine resident named Jenny Racicot, detailed the alleged incident to POLITICO in three interviews over the past two weeks. POLITICO also spoke with a man Racicot dated and confided in the years after the alleged incident, and reviewed documents, including emails between Racicot and her therapist and messages between Racicot and an acquaintance whom she warned against getting involved with Platner years before he ran for office.

[…] he entered her rural Maine home uninvited one night in late 2021, deeply intoxicated, and forced himself on her while she repeatedly told him to stop. She said she cut off contact with him after telling him the encounter was not consensual.

“I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me,” she said. “I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice.’”

[…] Racicot said she was torn over coming forward in part because she agrees with Platner politically. (read more)

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In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

(more…)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

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It’s an unfortunate state of affairs when you cannot review the U.S. media take on the phone call due to the propaganda script that underpins the Western narrative they promote.  Instead, a more direct and reliable review of the important discussion comes from the Russian Federation side.

RUSSIA – […] Of course, today’s conversation between the two heads of state began with President Putin congratulating Donald Trump and the American people on their landmark holiday and recalling Russia’s contribution to the development of American statehood. In this context, the presidents noted the importance of treasuring the historical heritage which our nations share. It was pointed out that our nations will never forget their alliance during World War II.

The United States is widely celebrating Independence Day today. This is being done in style and on a grand scale, as Donald Trump knows how to do it, and our President has mentioned this.

Their conversation, the fourth one this year, was not only formal but also business-like and constructive. The leaders candidly discussed current issues on the bilateral and international agenda. Incidentally, that conversation lasted nearly an hour and a half, or more precisely, 85 minutes.

Naturally, the presidents also talked about a Ukrainian settlement, including in light of Donald Trump’s participation in the upcoming NATO summit in Turkiye on July 7–8.

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The media and Canadian government discussions around the U.S-Canada trade and economic relationship, specifically as they pertain to the USMCA (CUSMA) continue to be fascinating.

As we noted over a year ago, the expressed perception from the Canadian side was remarkably disconnected from the most likely scenario.

The level of entrenched disbelief that the U.S. could completely separate from a trilateral trade deal in favor of a bilateral replacement has been remarkable to watch.

However, for the first time today Canadian media began admitting to themselves the USMCA can technically be terminated within six months; albeit buried at the end of the article.

GLOBAL NEWS – […] “I’m not in a position to guarantee anything. These decisions are made at the White House. They are made by the president,” Hoekstra said.

His comments come just days after the Trump administration declined to extend the trilateral pact with Canada and Mexico for a new 16-year term, citing what the U.S. calls “shortcomings” and “trade deficits.” Mexico and Canada both publicly pushed for a renewal.

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested last month that the U.S. is “better without” CUSMA, and that he’d even prefer to see it “terminated.”

When asked by Global News, Hoekstra would not say if the administration is considering ripping up the deal, which can be done by any party with six months’ formal notice. 

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