The World According to Glissando

Tag: news

  • Courts

    Some new scientific polling results have been published as it relates to Donald Trump and the Courts. The poll was conducted by Reuters/IPSOS. There were some very interesting results.

    82% of American adults say the president should obey court orders.

    68% of Republicans say the president should obey court orders.

    97% of Democrats say the president should obey court orders.

    Here are the specific poll results as it relates to immigration.

    40% of American adults say the president should continue to deport people even after a court order to stop.

    76% of Republicans say the president should continue to deport people even after a court order to stop.

    8% of Democrats say the president should continue to deport people even after a court order to stop.

    When I look at these results, what immediately comes to mind is the effect on the rule of law. You cannot pick and choose which court rulings to obey. True justice in a democracy should and must be blind, not arbitrary. There is a better and more equitable way to address perceived bias in law. Change the law through the democratic legislative process.

    Take immigration, for example. If Congress and the Presidency, both Republicans and Democrats, did their job in the first place a long time ago, the current immigration issues would not even exist. I agree that borders must be secure and that you cannot have large numbers of undocumented immigrants blowing in the wind. This is common sense (if there is such a thing), no matter what country you are talking about. But it’s not the courts that created the chaos. That culpability lies with the Democrats and the Republicans.

    If you allow the erosion of the rule of law by selectively choosing which court rulings you like and which ones you don’t, it will come back to bite you and everyone (excluding the few in the most upper echelon) will lose freedoms.   

  • Warranties

    Warranties, a brilliant marketing concept, and, at one time, a truly valuable commodity for buyers. Now, for the most part, they’re not worth the paper they are printed on. Today, EVERYONE offers a warranty. Most are limited warranties. Unfortunately, they are no longer usually a valued asset for the purchaser.

    For example, a $12 fashion watch I recently purchased came with a supposed 2 YEAR warranty. Do you really expect anyone will be looking for or receiving warranty service or replacement on a $12 watch six months from now? Sure sounds impressive though. The best warranty in this case is the goodwill of the retailer who sold it to you. It is, of course, absurd.

    Even on big ticket items, the warranty is sometimes made so difficult to redeem, you have to go to illogical, often impossible lengths to get service or to replace an item. As well, some come with legal fine print equal to that on a property insurance application.

    Yes, there are legitimate warranties offered by good, trustworthy companies that have value, but, nowadays, many are useless. It’s become a widespread practice in the business world, you know, the business world we can blindly trust and, therefore, there is no need for increased vigilance on them. Quite the contrary, we need to remove supposed roadblocks from all of these fine companies that are doing business. Buyer beware is a massive understatement in today’s world of commerce.   

  • NATO

    The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military defensive coalition of European countries, Canada and the United States created in 1949. (Note: although mostly located in Asia, Turkey does have a small land mass in Europe and has been a member of NATO since 1952.)

    Maybe the most important Article in the Treaty is Article 5 which basically states that an attack against one NATO member country is considered an attack against all of the countries in NATO, therefore resulting in potential joint military support and action by NATO counties against the invading country or entity.

    Lately, there has been a significant amount of tension between two long time neighbours, allies and good friends, the United States and Canada. American President Donald Trump has been rattling Canada`s cage with tariffs, tariff threats, and the desire to have Canada become the fifty-first state in the US. Canada’s valued and immense resource assets are the target.  

    This poses a bit of a potential conundrum for NATO. Although one might think it is a stretch, history tells us, repeatedly, that that the unimaginable is quite possible. You only have to look back to Nazi Germany to realize this. The question is, what would NATO do if the US invaded Canada? Well, there is Article 5, but would Europe really come and help Canada against a US incursion?

    I just don’t think so for a number of reasons. Canada is just one country, and it’s isolated on the wrong side of “The Pond” (the Atlantic Ocean for those unfamiliar with the term). Add to this the obvious military might of America and the advantages that affords, is any country or group of countries really going to take on the US in defense of Canada? Sadly, the answer is no. I’m sure NATO would want to help defend Canada, but, it is just not feasible. The internal uproars in the NATO countries would be deafening.

    Like anything on paper, a treaty is only as effective as a situation allows. If the United States invades Canada, the situation will not allow NATO to act. Remember, as well, the United States is by far the biggest benefactor of NATO. Sorry, Canada.     

  • Revisionism

    History is a chronicle of human activity since the beginning of the written word. There was history prior to this, but, it was verbal or communicated via symbols. History is written by people, usually particularly intelligent people of the dominating cultures of their time. The pictures created by historians are usually reasonably accurate because of their intelligence and sense of a world much bigger than themselves.

    Revisionist history, which is taking place in Russia, China, and to some degree already, the United States; occurs when powerful authoritarian or authoritarian-minded regimes decide to rewrite history to accomplish two things: exalt and elevate their regime, and create a blinding nationalistic perspective within a country. A key part of creating revisionist history within a country is by creating a school curriculum that teaches this “new” history from a very young age. An example of this might be to say that African Americans in the United States were never suppressed.     

    Not all revisionist history is inaccurate. There are times when existing history is adjusted because of new discoveries of information such as archaeological findings; or, in a case where occasionally the historian turns out to be quite biased.

    Humans learn from accurate history, although they are often unwilling to “learn” from historical insight, usually to the detriment of humankind. Revisionist history is often a dangerous harbinger of things to come in a country with a powerful authoritarian regime, or a group seeking to become an authoritarian regime.        

  • CIA

    Under the cover of US President Donald Trump’s Administration’s size reduction of the federal government strategy of “offering” (demanding) widespread buyouts or face being fired, this “offer” has just been extended to the CIA. What does this really mean as it relates to everyday Americans?

    First of all, there are going to be a significant number of former CIA employees with classified information and an axe to grind against the United States. Not a good situation for the country.

    Secondly, and more importantly, this will allow Trump and his Administration to replace the fired CIA employees with people who are true blue Trump loyalists. They will potentially be spying on EVERY American as Trump continues to march to his coronation as “King of America.” If you’re in his way, you will be dealt with and you won’t like it.

    The erosion of EVERY American’s freedom is at stake. Time to wake up and realize what Trump and his minions, under the cover of cost reduction, are trying to accomplish. Once America loses its freedoms, it’s highly likely you will never get them back in your life time. The CIA will be part of Trump’s “Secret Police.” Only 32% of Americans voted for Trump. If you’re part of the 68% who did not vote for him, are you ready to give up your American freedoms? I’m sure that some of the 32% who voted for him don’t support this either.    

  • Nazis

    If you are a Canadian or Mexican, here is one way to look at the United States versus Canada and Mexico. I ran the numbers. In the 2024 US election, there were 242,300,000 total number of people who could vote. In the election, Kamala Harris got 75,000,000 votes or 31% of total eligible voters. Donald Trump got 77,300,000 votes or 32% of total eligible voters (hardly a landslide victory). Of all eligible voters, 90,000,000 people did not vote which is 37% of total eligible voters.

    One of the first courses of action taken by Canada and Mexico should to be to immediately and aggressively in every way possible tell the American people that they are heading toward Nazism because of less than one third of the population. Canada and Mexico should hammer this point home now in all forms of media, be it social media, television, newspapers etc. around the world, but, in particular to Americans. I believe that clearly delivering this message would be a great start to defending Canada and Mexico. I think a large majority of Americans do not agree with being Nazis, and America being America, would not want to have their freedoms violated in a Nazi controlled country. This is an actual strategy for you, Canada and Mexico, as opposed to just worrying, complaining or screaming in a panic.

  • Lending

    Banks and the Bible. What  does the Bible say about lending money? Banks propagate an image of “being there for you” and “they care about you.” Banks are there for you, but, only if you have money. Banks don’t care about you, they care about money…your money, and how much can they make off your back.

    So, what does the Bible have to say about this subject? There are numerous passages that make it clear if you lend someone money, do not charge interest. There are even passages that say you should lend money without an expectation of getting paid back. Furthermore, for a long time, European Christians were allowed to make loans, but, they could not charge interest. Even the Koran forbids this: you cannot lend money with the expectation of benefitting in some way. Wealth must be accrued through legitimate work, trade and investments.

    Our banks obviously do not abide by these passages. Not only do they charge exorbitant interest rates (check out the interest rate on your credit cards, or, realize when buying a home with a mortgage that you will actually pay 2.5 times the actual value of the home); they pay out ridiculously low interest rates on savings accounts and other investment offerings.

    You should also note that if everyone wanted to withdraw their money out of a banking institution at the same time, banks do not have anywhere near enough funds to pay out everyone, even though it’s your money. Comforting, right?

    I’ve said this before and I will say it again: banks, at best, are immoral and unethical. Can you trust banks? Look at what Wells Fargo fraudulently did in creating bogus accounts at the expense of customers, or, that TD Bank in the United States pled guilty to money laundering and paid a penalty of US1.8 billion dollars to settle the case. Yet, we are brainwashed from birth that banks are our friend. They are not. They want to make money, lots and lots of money, far beyond reasonable amounts. Some things are truly and knowingly rigged. Our banking system is one of those entities.

  • O

    O my. O Canada. Canada’s sovereignty is under threat from the United States, whose North American expansionism desires are coming to the forefront under the Trump administration. Trump has repeatedly, and seriously, stated that he wants to make Canada the fifty-first state. He and his cabal are also eyeing Mexico, as well as Greenland and non-North American country Panama. Control the Panama Canal and you control a major component of shipping.

    Canada and the United States have had a long, very friendly and mutually respectful relationship. Unfortunately for Canada, a change in this relationship was not totally unforeseeable, given past world history and the nature of humankind. Coveting something another person or country possesses has provoked invasiveness since the beginning of time, and Canada has much to covet.

    In light of these developments, I have written brand new lyrics, with a sympathetic leaning toward Canada, for their national anthem, O Canada. The lyrics are written in conjunction with the melody of the anthem. Indeed, O Canada.

    O Canada

    Now the fifty-first state

    This cannot be right

    It must be a mistake

    With saddened hearts we see thee fall

    The true north no longer free 

    From far and wide O Canada

    Subjugated from sea to sea

    God why did you let us become Yankees

    O Canada we’ve been unlawfully seized

    O Canada we’ve been unlawfully seized

    Copyright Glenn Hansen 2025

  • Canada

    O Canada. “The true north strong and free!” is one of the lines in their national anthem. It is no secret that Donald Trump, and indeed, a number of influential (rich) Americans would like to see Canada as the fifty-first state. Canadians have strongly rejected these overtures, but, here are some unsettling considerations for Canadians.

    Canada is coveted for its abundant supply of fresh water. Some suggest the figure is around twenty percent of the world’s surface fresh water. Remember, fresh water is imperative to the continued existence of humanity and many other forms of life on earth. Next, there’s Canada’s broad spectrum wealth of vital natural resources including oil, gas, and minerals, some of which are considered rare. Land suitable for sustainable agriculture and renewable hydro electricity abounds

    With this in mind, you have to remember that many a war was started by one group wanting what another group possesses. Such is the human condition. Canada has much to offer a potential invading country. But, could an invasion really happen? I believe it could, especially given humanity’s track record. For Canada, their problem is really obvious…it has a huge land mass with a small population relative to size, served by an inadequate armed forces. This is not a knock on the good, world-class people in the military, but rather, it acknowledges the lack of a large armed forces that are often ill-equipped.

    Number one on the potential list of invaders is the United States. They need what Canada has and they are Canada’s next door neighbour. Initially, the “invasion” may come via political channels, but, if push comes to shove, I think there could be a literal invasion. In light of America’s massive military might, Canada should surrender before the opening salvo is fired and Canadian lives are unnecessarily lost. Other potential invading countries include China and Russia. Too far away? Remember, access can be via the North Pole.

    I do hope this does not come to pass. Canada is a sovereign, democratically principled nation, with the right to exist freely. However, world affairs continue to careen everywhere. History is filled with countries that support another country and then reverse that support. Iran and the United States is one example. Russia and the World War II Allies is another. This has happened again and again through all of history. I would suggest Canadians consider that invasion by another country is plausible and make their plans accordingly in the hopes of preserving their great country. And, if it were to happen, there might be strong condemnation from around the world, but, don’t count on receiving help from any nation.     

  • News

    Some people are saying to abandon the “Legacy Media,” which is the term used for the traditional news media. The supporters of this concept say Legacy Media is not truthful. They are biased and constantly lie. So, who is saying this? The answer: people who don’t like the truth or want to control what the truth is via social media platforms.

    Why are they saying this? Of course, money, power and control are some of their objectives. Remember, online truth is actually difficult to find. You have to be discerning and know your sources well enough to trust what they are reporting as news. And that’s the problem with rejecting the traditional news media.

    Look at it this way: if you eliminate traditional media, you have less sources of potential news, not more. Sure, if you want to put your faith exclusively in online platforms, that’s your right, but, eliminating traditional media gives you less options to discern the truth. You are actually losing an element of free speech and freedoms.

    Those who seek cultural control, control of the masses, money, or power are always empowered by restricting or controlling the sources of information, be it online, traditional or other media. These people want to control the news. However, unlimited, freely accessed news is imperative for your rights and freedoms, and for democracy. Think about any authoritarian country and they have one thing in common: they control all news media.

    So, I say, don’t abandon traditional media. It invites news media control. They are a source of information, which you may or may not like, but, they should have the right to present information the same as any online platform. When you eliminate a source of information, you are losing some of your rights.