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https://nutridom.ca/products/joint-plus-ez-flex-liquid-450ml?_pos=1&_psq=jo&_ss=e&_v=1.0

I replaced my old license plates because the front ones were stolen from my car and I received my renewal form in the mail but it shows the old plates and whenever I try to renew it online it says that I dont qualify for online renewal without further explanation. I tried calling but trying to talk the virtual assistant over the phone was useless. I'm not really sure what to do or how to request a new form with the proper plates on them. Any help is appreciated.

For several years I've (32 male) been experiencing significant fatigue that's gradually gotten worse. I've worked with my gp and a variety of other health specialists to rule out/try various things with little to no improvement. These include sleep apnea testing, pulmonary function tests, allergy specialist, internal medicine specialist, various diets (keto, low fodmap, etc.), and medications like Vyvanse (currently on Concerta) along with different anti-depressants (currently on Trintillex). I don't smoke or drink and eat relatively healthy.
Most recently I've been diagnosed with CFS, as a diagnosis of exclusion. One of the things we haven't tried is any form of TRT. About a year ago my testosterone was 337 and since that was in the normal reference range TRT wasn't considered. Most recently with everything else ruled out my GP was open to trying it, however since he hasn't had any experience with it he sent a referral to an endocrinologist who rejected the request due to levels in the normal range. My most recent blood test had:

• Test - 352 ng/dL
• Free T - 6.1 ng/dL
• SHBG - 22 nmol/L

Even though I'm in the normal range could TRT help with my fatigue? I do have most, if not all, of the other hallmark symptoms of low testosterone but I'm not sure if those are just a result of having no energy. With nothing else to try could it be worth considering UGL? The healthcare system in my province is abysmal so looking for a second opinion is pretty well impossible.
Are there any resources for helping understand how the various hormones interact with each other, protocols and what to look for to be able to work with my doctor directly?
Thanks in advance!

Hello! I am an intermediate video editor with 4 years worth of experience who can create various types of gaming content, from simple stream VOD highlights and short-form videos (such as TikToks and YouTube shorts) to "funtages" (inspired by creators such as Smii7i and TheDooo). As an avid gamer myself who watches a lot of gaming content on YouTube, I have a good understanding of what's funny and what's not. Customers I've worked so far with, were fairly satisfied.
I will cut to the chase and go straight to my pricing:

• My rates are 30/h of raw footage
• $15-20 USD for short-term (tik-tok's, Youtube shorts) content.

It may seem like a considerable amount, but for this price, you'll get the full package:

• Fully animated subtitles (if needed)
• A good sense of timing and humour
• Various SFX (my sfx folder is packing lol)
• Some motion design (I'm quite new to this)
• Color correction when needed
• And, of course, memes... a lot of them.

Here are some of my works and a short promo video:

• https://twitter.com/i/status/1726676785868558683
• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qw1WUD2GN55aBp5qMYuLQJRY4vX9ExydV552WhsBJ5g/edit?usp=sharing

If you're interested in my video editing services, please feel free to contact me via DMs or on my Discord (never10pulling).
Have a great day!

Hello! I am an intermediate video editor with 4 years worth of experience who can create various types of gaming content, from simple stream VOD highlights and short-form videos (such as TikToks and YouTube shorts) to "funtages" (inspired by creators such as Smii7i and TheDooo). As an avid gamer myself who watches a lot of gaming content on YouTube, I have a good understanding of what's funny and what's not. Customers I've worked so far with, were fairly satisfied.
I will cut to the chase and go straight to my pricing:

• My rates are 30/h of raw footage
• $15-20 USD for short-term (tik-tok's, Youtube shorts) content.

It may seem like a considerable amount, but for this price, you'll get the full package:

• Fully animated subtitles (if needed)
• A good sense of timing and humour
• Various SFX (my sfx folder is packing lol)
• Some motion design (I'm quite new to this)
• Color correction when needed
• And, of course, memes... a lot of them.

Here are some of my works and a short promo video:

• https://twitter.com/i/status/1726676785868558683
• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qw1WUD2GN55aBp5qMYuLQJRY4vX9ExydV552WhsBJ5g/edit?usp=sharing

If you're interested in my video editing services, please feel free to contact me via DMs or on my Discord (never10pulling).
Have a great day!

Hello! I am an intermediate video editor with 4 years worth of experience who can create various types of gaming content, from simple stream VOD highlights and short-form videos (such as TikToks and YouTube shorts) to "funtages" (inspired by creators such as Smii7i and TheDooo). As an avid gamer myself who watches a lot of gaming content on YouTube, I have a good understanding of what's funny and what's not. Customers I've worked so far with, were fairly satisfied.
I will cut to the chase and go straight to my pricing:

• My rates are 30/h of raw footage
• $15-20 USD for short-term (tik-tok's, Youtube shorts) content.

It may seem like a considerable amount, but for this price, you'll get the full package:

• Fully animated subtitles (if needed)
• A good sense of timing and humour
• Various SFX (my sfx folder is packing lol)
• Some motion design (I'm quite new to this)
• Color correction when needed
• And, of course, memes... a lot of them.

Here are some of my works and a short promo video:

• https://twitter.com/i/status/1726676785868558683
• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qw1WUD2GN55aBp5qMYuLQJRY4vX9ExydV552WhsBJ5g/edit?usp=sharing

If you're interested in my video editing services, please feel free to contact me via DMs or on my Discord (never10pulling).
Have a great day!

Hello! I am an intermediate video editor with 4 years worth of experience who can create various types of gaming content, from simple stream VOD highlights and short-form videos (such as TikToks and YouTube shorts) to "funtages" (inspired by creators such as Smii7i and TheDooo). As an avid gamer myself who watches a lot of gaming content on YouTube, I have a good understanding of what's funny and what's not. Customers I've worked so far with, were fairly satisfied.
I will cut to the chase and go straight to my pricing:

• My rates are 30/h of raw footage
• $15-20 USD for short-term (tik-tok's, Youtube shorts) content.

It may seem like a considerable amount, but for this price, you'll get the full package:

• Fully animated subtitles (if needed)
• A good sense of timing and humour
• Various SFX (my sfx folder is packing lol)
• Some motion design (I'm quite new to this)
• Color correction when needed
• And, of course, memes... a lot of them.

Here are some of my works and a short promo video:

• https://twitter.com/i/status/1726676785868558683
• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qw1WUD2GN55aBp5qMYuLQJRY4vX9ExydV552WhsBJ5g/edit?usp=sharing

If you're interested in my video editing services, please feel free to contact me via DMs or on my Discord (never10pulling).
Have a great day!

Hello! I am an intermediate video editor with 4 years worth of experience who can create various types of gaming content, from simple stream VOD highlights and short-form videos (such as TikToks and YouTube shorts) to "funtages" (inspired by creators such as Smii7i and TheDooo). As an avid gamer myself who watches a lot of gaming content on YouTube, I have a good understanding of what's funny and what's not. Customers I've worked so far with, were fairly satisfied.
I will cut to the chase and go straight to my pricing:

• My rates are 30/h of raw footage
• $15-20 USD for short-term (tik-tok's, Youtube shorts) content.

It may seem like a considerable amount, but for this price, you'll get the full package:

• Fully animated subtitles (if needed)
• A good sense of timing and humour
• Various SFX (my sfx folder is packing lol)
• Some motion design (I'm quite new to this)
• Color correction when needed
• And, of course, memes... a lot of them.

Here are some of my works and a short promo video:

• https://twitter.com/i/status/1726676785868558683
• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qw1WUD2GN55aBp5qMYuLQJRY4vX9ExydV552WhsBJ5g/edit?usp=sharing

If you're interested in my video editing services, please feel free to contact me via DMs or on my Discord (never10pulling).
Have a great day!

DATE: Thursday, May 16th, 2024 TIME: 5pm – 9pm LOCATION: 401 Riverside Dr. W, Windsor, ON
COST:

• Current AWE and/or Museum Windsor Members: Free admission to both Art Windsor-Essex and the Chimczuk Museum
• Non-Members: $13.25 – Admission to both Art Windsor-Essex and the Chimczuk Museum

Accessibility: Accessibility and accommodation requests must be made at least two weeks in advance of the event. Please contact [shinch@artwindsoressex.ca](mailto:shinch@artwindsoressex.ca) for questions.

Save the date! On May 16th, Art Windsor-Essex is open late for an evening of art activities, community conversations, guided tours, and good vibes.

Art Activity: Creative Ecologies with Garvin Chinnia ⎮ 5pm – 9pm, 2nd floor Education Studio

Join us for the Creative Ecologies Workshop, hosted by the SMArt Communications program at the University of Windsor! This workshop is for students and community members who want to learn about how drawing can connect us with nature. Participants will make circular drawings of plants and materials found on the gallery’s Green Roof Terrace, using small microscopes. Through observational drawing, participants will exemplify the inherent fragility and subjectivity of our local ecology as it relates to the degrees of change in species abundance, composition, and environmental disturbances.
Participants are encouraged to display their drawings as part of a display in the WFCU Eco Lounge on AWE’s Third Floor.

Teen Tour: Waawiiatanong Forever with Jace Pillon ⎮ 5pm – 5:30pm, AWE, 2nd floor galleries

Join co-curator Jace Pillon for a guided tour of Waawiiatanong Forever. Complete a bingo treasure hunt for a chance to win prizes! Waawiiatanong Forever is a photography and postcard project that celebrates the representation of women and two-spirit folks and their families within our vibrant community.
Jace Pillon is AWE’s Indigenous Youth Mentee. Jace is from Thessalon First Nation, and currently attends F.J. Brennan Catholic High School. Ever since a young age, he has been interested in all forms of art from paintings, to literature and music. Other interests are cars, computers, & giving back in any he can. Jace plans to attend St. Clair College for a degree in Indigenous community work.

Guided Tour: Chariots of Fire: A History of Windsor’s Firefighting Equipment⎮ 5:30pm – 6pm, Chimczuk Museum, main floor

Join guest curators Walter McCall and Jeff Topliffe for a guided tour of their exhibit Chariots of Fire: A History of Windsor’s Firefighting Equipment. The exhibit explores the history of the Windsor Fire Department (W.F.D.) through some of the unique and innovative pieces of firefighting equipment and machinery that were used in the past. The exhibition features historical photographs, firefighting equipment, badges, and other unique items rarely seen by the public.

Artist Talk: Tony Mosna ⎮ 6pm – 6:30pm, 3rd floor galleries

Join artist Tony Mosna and Emily McKibbon, Head of Exhibitions and Collections at AWE, for an artist talk. Mosna’s work is currently on display in The Once and Future City, co-curated by Shanthi Senthe and Anneke Smit (Windsor Law’s Centre for Cities) and Emily McKibbon.

Safety in the Downtown Core: A Community Conversation ⎮ 6:30pm – 7pm, 3rd floor galleries

Join us for this month’s community conversation, Safety in the Downtown Core: A Community conversation. A panel of local voices will address the struggles, successes and promised initiatives aimed at revitalizing downtown Windsor. What barriers keep you from visiting downtown? What makes you feel safe in our community? With speakers Sarah Dewar (Maiden Lane Wine & Spirits), Shane Lyon (Culture Shock Bead Co.) and Chris MacLeod (Chair, Downtown Windsor, BIA), moderated by Dan MacDonald.

Art Windsor-Essex App Presentation⎮ 7pm – 7:30pm, 3rd floor galleries

In partnership with St Clair College’s Mobile App Development program, AWE is excited to demonstrate our new interactive app for Look Again! Outside St Clair College. Students Chris Green and Yash Pindiwala created this app to enrich student experience on campus by providing information on the installed reproductions as well as a collaborative platform that invites the campus community to contribute their own creative works!
The project was recently awarded second place at St Clair College’s Ford Innovation Showcase. Hear from the students and St Clair faculty members about the power of partnership and collaboration driving innovation in our region.

Music, food, and drink ⎮ 7pm – 9pm, 3rd floor

Let’s celebrate! Head up to the third floor to join us for music, food and drinks by Windsor Eats, and good vibes.

My fellow gamers, for too long has our community suffered the indignation of an intolerable culture that has denigrated, besmirched, exploited, and has outright demonized our culture of unique individuals with a genuine love of a hobby that they see as profitable and progressive. They have taken beloved IP’s (Intellectual Properties) and twisted them into their own personal ideological crusade of undermining and humiliating the core aspects of characters they deemed as “Toxic” or “White Supremacy”. Through the guise and protection of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity) & ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) they have used our influence in the entertainment industry to push their narratives and agendas that have stigmatized our culture with numerous anti-consumer practices that they call “being progressive”. But the truth of the matter is they were never really looking to be a part of our community, they simply wanted to use our community as a tool of activism and propaganda in the entertainment industry as it was extremely profitable, and they wanted inclusion in that division. Ever since GamerGate & Female Frequency, we have had to endure the incursion of forced ideologies, xenophobic behaviors and inferior overpriced products that have never been in our best interest and have been flat out disgraceful towards foreign media.
Before Gaming had become a major source of entertainment, we were often categorized as anti-social or societies rejects where because we found more enjoyment in playing fictional characters and not spending as much time out and about, we never fully assimilated in society (which is a good thing if you ask me). From 1998 to 2007, at the height of innovation, creativity and production, Gaming had reached a golden age in which it had revolutionized society. Hollywood Execs who had ruined the movie industry turned their attention to video games as a source of income since video games had outperformed movies in terms of profit. No one was concerned about gaming, much less diversity or inclusivity until it became profitable. This makes people like SBI look extremely disingenuous as they were not interested in gamers as a community with its own culture. They simply wanted to use it as another weapon in identity politics.
Microtransactions; the hidden enemy to gamer progress and inducer to mental laziness of our community. Microtransactions have been around for a long time; however, it has never been more potent and apparent than in recent years. It has aided in the dismantling and segregation of players on the ideology of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and has created another sub-culture of gamers who have no real drive to be better outside of how much money they put into the game. This has degraded our culture as well as we have become “fat” off transactional gaming but at the same time we have been “starved” of purposeful gaming where our achievements were our sustenance. I am not saying that microtransactions are bad, but when they are exploitative and predatorial like they have been and don’t give gamers room to grow, we become lethargic and unwilling to improve ourselves as gamers. Oversaturated microtransactional games are one of the many reasons why we have become complacent and unwilling to fight against the exploitative tactics used by big brand game companies such EA, Ubisoft, ActivisionBlizzard, NaughtyDog and so many other western business model companies. Western style games were not like this in the past, they had much more depth and actual effort put into them with the gamer in mind. This has not been the case for over a decade and our connection to western developers has been whittled down to just being transactional. That is one of the reasons why you see so many remasters and remakes in today’s gamer community. They have lost their willingness to improve as developers of games and simply accept corporate/share holder rules.
Game journalists also do not have any real integrity or purpose outside of being funded for their involvement in promoting IPG (Identity Political Games) in a positive light to the public whether it’s positively received or not. They are not interested in what we have to say, they all support the same agenda and that is why they are a dying breed. Within the next couple of years, they will be out of the job and more than likely they will not be able to stay in the industry giving how they have responded to past articles that have clearly been scripted on the premise of diversity and racism. Not only that, but most of them are also extremely hostile to the community as they stereotype and defame the individuals that are a part of the community they are supposed to serve. We have been mentally liberated from their lies and coercive tactics as we tend to laugh at their obvious attempt at virtue signaling while hiding their misdoings so that they can play the victim.
My gamer brothers & sisters, I would not suggest the following action that we must take now without good cause. I have weighed our options and the best option for us now is this…...CULTURAL SECESSION. Naturally this is a form of segregation where they would more than likely claim they are being segregated by the dominant culture of the gaming community but that is incorrect. For years now we have been the ones who are often marginalized and ostracized for the smaller portion of our community. And when we aren’t, we’re exploited for more funds so that these companies can stay in business only to subject us to low quality products that coincide with the “WOKE Agenda” that are often huge expenses to these big brands i.e. AAA/AAAA games that will eventually flop for its obvious forced diversity and bug infested product which will undoubtedly piss off the consumer to the point of wanting a refund. Losing copious amounts of capital and stock in the process, not to mention their reputation is permanently marred.
We must separate on every cultural level in terms of entertainment and ideology. We must reject everything from the west that promotes toxic western beliefs, practices, and exclusion from other cultures (i.e. Southeastern Countries such as Japan and Korea). Japan & Korea have been the targets of unjust discrimination from Western Developers, Western Journalists, Western Localizers (The Wokelizers) and Western Society Prejudice regarding their sense of aesthetics as Westerners hate the aesthetic sense of these countries. The reason why they resort to such base tactics isn’t just because it weaponizes the ideal female form but it’s also because they have deep-seated insecurities about their own looks so when they see attractive female characters, they use terms such as “unrealistic” or “hypersexualized” to establish the moral high ground. But the truth is, they want to feel superior to that which is ideal, so they insult and dehumanize this figure that portrays natural female beauty because they see it as an insult to their own social superiority in what they believe is a hierarchy of them being at the top of all other women. Because of this and so many contributing factors, their movies flop harder than the Fat Chocobo landing on a group of enemies and their games seismically fail just as much if not more. We must sever our connection to Western Developers, Publishers, and ALL Western-Centric Entertainment for they seek to mentally enslave us to their Xenophobic ideology.
Let’s define Western Culture and its traits. Western Culture/Society is composed of more than several different ideologies that work in unison with one another to facilitate dominance over multiple aspects of society. Business, Social, Political, Technological, and sometimes even Global Affairs are affected by these ideologies that portray a specific mindset of Western beliefs. What are those ideologies you ask?

• Perpetual Victimhood: By weaponizing the fact that they are marginalized and of a small portion of western society, they can push their agenda to absurd standards that ultimately ostracize the main demographic. And when companies don’t capitulate, they are labeled as anti-progressive/misogynist’s or cohorts of White Supremacy. They use this to cancel their targets and silence them through societal defamation to keep the public on their side. They also use this mindset to justify their own lack of self-agency as they tend to throw companies who do adhere to their demands but miserably fail to turn a profit under the bus so that they can maintain face in front of the public while denying their actual involvement. They will never accept “Sense of Agency” when it’s negative but will gladly accept it when a positive outcome shines on them as if they are entitled to it.

Official Wiki GamerGate Page)
​

• Societal Terrorism: This is another form of ideology weaponization that they use in order to make companies “toe-the-line” with their agenda. By weaponizing cancel culture, they exert dominance over these companies but in exchange they also reimburse those companies with DEI & ESG funds that raise their credit score as well as having social status with the marginalized demographic. However; cancel culture has not succeeded in years and developers and publishers probably only want the money and the DEI ESG rating. But they have to maintain the image of having social economic power so that they can continue to strong-arm other developers into compliance and promoting financial benefits of DEI & ESG. In other words, if you are not for sale, they discredit and stigmatize you in the industry.

Asmongold Clips.
https://youtu.be/Iq86DnmX2xY
​

• “Its not us, its you who’s wrong” Mentality: This mentality is especially annoying as they tend to use it to hide their incompetence. They often look down upon gamers who are not in the industry to hide their obvious lack of knowledge on game development thinking that their job title grants them special status that they believe gives them the right to be condescending. But the truth they never wanted revealed has already strangled their careers of all credibility. They were never GAMERS, they were INVADERS. Community Colonists that seek to indoctrinate next generational gamers into their hive-mind and brand previous generations of gamers as villains.

@GeeksandGamers
https://youtu.be/1HbrTkqQFuM
​

• Double-standard Enforcement: By labeling something as “unrealistic” or “hypersexualized”, they can claim this is morally wrong if it promotes traditional dynamics between men and women. Heterosexual relationships are condemned while at the same time Same-sex relationships are praised. Additionally, heterosexual relationships with main white male characters turn antagonistic and spotlight stealing. This is deliberate as to promote the “Girl Boss” ideology to indoctrinate women into the Feminazi state of mind. While at the same time, should a male character also adopt the “I don’t need male/female” ideology its seen as Toxic Masculinity which isn’t even a real thing. The idea of a strong male character is taboo while enforcing strong female characters is the ideal.

@MugenLord
https://youtu.be/to5Uciy_yeg
@EndymionTv
https://youtu.be/7TPTR8-qmbk
​

• Dehumanization/Demonization: This is something that most military branches use in order to remove conscious inhibitions such as mass slaughter is wrong or categorization. By enforcing ideologies to denounce humanity in certain targets, it deactivates your conscience by saying this is not human therefore its ethically okay to treat this target without compassion and deny the fact it has sentience. We gamers fall under this category for journalists, developers, companies and society at large. This is a tactic we are familiar with to an extent as it implies that we are not normal when we do not do what everybody else is doing. “Geeks are the worse” or “Nerds need to fall into a pit of lava” are verbal dehumanization forms that most people in society say and we as Gamers tend to be relegated to those categories. This is their way of imposing the social hierarchy on us by establishing superiority. We know this as Gamers as we see it very often in the games that we play and some times experience it in real life.

https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Gamergate#The_end_of_their_relevance
​

• Deflection/Projection: This is basic psychology 101. By redirecting the conversation away from their mistakes and back on to the opposing view to avert blame and justify their innocence they can avoid criticism. However; deflection is a CONSCIOUS decision, meaning they have no real argument to justify their incompetence. If you can consciously process the situation, you have self-agency which means you don’t have a legitimate excuse. Projection is something else entirely. Most times, Projection doesn’t work on conscious decisions rather it is automatically deployed when feeling threatened, anxious or both. Instead of accepting accountability for feelings or actions that are deemed socially unacceptable they accuse others of committing that unacceptable behavior thereby exonerating themselves and proving that those feelings and/or actions are not their own.

@TheTrentReport
https://youtu.be/bPIPSKruYRo
These traits are so nefarious and unconscionable that I have a hard time believing that anyone could harbor them. However, given the social, political, and economic climate that we are in, those in power who use their influence on controlling society most definitely possess these insidious traits. Everything that they do is all about control and since video games are the biggest market in the world, they want control over it and the communities built around it to accrue more wealth and to use that wealth to subjugate other cultures. Mainstream media is a tool as well as mainstream organizations and sites to help accomplish this goal.
The government recently announced its intentions towards what they believe is “GamerGate 2.0” and now even the ADL has made an official appearance, referring to gamers as “extremist’s”. We know EXACTLY what they are doing, and they aren’t even trying to hide it anymore because they don’t think we are aware of their motives. This is just a pretext for them to exert even more control and we know why, it’s because they want the influence we as a community have to must serve them. So here is what we do my fellow gamers-
“In light of recent events and years of mainstream stigma, we the members of the Global Gaming Community [GGC] must officially renounce ALL TIES to the corporate western video game market. We have been financially exploited through predatorial monetization schemes, pelted with numerous articles of disdain and intentional misrepresentation from game journalists, news outlets regarding us as dangerous individuals and, even subjected to inferior products not only riddled with bugs but also products meant to push political agendas. For the preservation of our community and its unique culture, apart from a few select game development studios we officially sever all connections to western owned video game companies & their mainstream affiliates. From this point onward, we will no longer support western corporate developers, journalists and publishers that do not coincide with the goals of our community.”
Naturally this is completely optional. If you are okay with the state of the gaming community as it is, feel free to ignore this. But if you wish for real change and a break away from oversaturated monetization in the games you play and the push for radical ideological reform, then you are in the right place. Lets sever these rotted miasmic ties once and for all so that our community can be preserved and made better for future gamers. If you agree with this, share it with whoever you think might be interested. The more gamers who get involved, the easier it will be for us to finally break free from mainstream game companies and their associates.

IMO I like to think that Thailand is a critical ally. Already a designated major non-NATO US ally, in any potential new conflict with China, I think Thailand would/should play a key role in any U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Southeast Asian/ASEAN geopolitics

Seeing as China has managed to develop warm relations with both Laos and Cambodia (and Myanmar too to an extent IIRC) and has a vested interest in controlling Southeast Asia, it only makes sense to harden our alliance with Thailand. To put it mildly, Thailand has always had historically rough relations with its neighbors, especially with Myanmar and Cambodia (e.g. Myanmar and Thailand historically fought several wars against one another, conquering each other’s territory and imprisoning/displacing each others populations. Doesn’t help that Burma burned down and looted Ayutthaya in 1767, a traumatic event in Thai history).

• Economic development

Compared to the other mainland Southeast Asian nations, Thailand is an already developed nation and therefore has the economic base to support itself w/o completely going to China.

• Political Stability

In mainland Southeast Asia, it appears as though Thailand and Vietnam are the only stable nations left. Myanmar has effectively collapsed on itself due to the ethnic civil war while Laos and Cambodia has a ton of Chinese influence.

• Geography

Thailand’s geography also lends itself strategic value, seeing as it can help reinforce any U.S. defensive positions providing overwatch over the Strait of Malacca and the Bay of Bengal. If Thailand can coordinate with Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and India, it can limit the reach of the PLAN, forcing them to be contained at least to China’s east coast. If Laos and Cambodia do anything, Thailand could help by keeping the two nations occupied on the Indochinese Peninsula. Seeing as Vietnam is having a shift of wind blowing towards the US, I don’t see why Thailand can’t be held to the same status so that two U.S. allies in mainland SE Asia can help close in on China.
The problems I see with this approach however are these:

• Historically speaking, Thailand and China had close cultural ties. Ayutthaya (the preceding kingdom before modern Thailand and forms the backbone of the Thai nation) was a tributary state of China. At the time, Chinese immigrants in Ayutthaya/Siam also influenced local economics and politics, forming a wealthy merchant class before Ayutthaya burned down in 1767. King Taksin the Great, a renowned Thai king and military leader who reunited and resurrected Siam after the Second Fall of Ayutthaya, was half-Chinese. King Rama I (the king who ousted Taksin in a coup and founded the present Chakri Dynasty) also had Chinese ancestry.
  
• China is one of Thailand’s top trade partners and therefore has strong economic ties with one another. The blow to the Thai economy if it went against China would be enormous.
  
• Pro-Chinese factions in the Thai government could influence the nation to adopt a position of neutrality, if not create an outright alliance between the two nations.
  
• Thailand has always been a neutral party whenever two superpowers have a vested interest in the region. As I understand it, Thailand’s diplomatic strategy is to play one superpower off the other while gaining a more favorable position in the process and making the least amount of concessions possible. If King Rama V’s masterful diplomacy secured Siamese independence in the face of British and French colonialism, then a similar tactic could be applied here.
  
• Speaking of which, Thais from my observation have a strong independence streak. From King Naresuan declaring Ayutthaya’s independence from Burma back in the late 16th century to Taksin ousting the Burmese and reuniting Siam and Rama V keeping his country free from European colonialism, Thais have had a history of struggling and fighting for the independence of their country. Thailand (like every other country in the world) is looking out for Thai interests before anything else.
  
• Thai politics (especially surrounding the monarchy) seems to have become increasingly unstable. Although previous coups in the past have been bloodless, the fact that Thailand has a history of military coups at all doesn’t help its case. The current king is also relatively unpopular in comparison to his father who commanded much respect and reverence for decades on account of his humanitarian work meant to benefit and uplift Thai citizens (whether those projects were legitimate humanitarian aid missions or simply a result of a powerful political/cultural/religious propaganda machine meant to deify the monarchy is an entirely different discussion).
  

Sorry for the long post...
Hey everyone! I'm curious to know if anyone has ever had symptoms of mold exposure and even tested positive for mycotoxins, but no evidence shows in the home as to where the mold may be?
Back story, my wife has slowly had her health fail over the last 25 years. At first, she was diagnosed with a gluten allergy. We went gluten free and her health did seem to improve quite a bit for approximately 5 years. Since then it seems to be one thing after another, culminating in her pretty much feeling horrible most of the time. Her symptoms can range from gastro to burning arms and legs, coughing after eating, etc....She's told me on many occasions that she feels like she is dying. COVID didn't help our situation and we're still pretty restricted because we can't imagine adding the flu or COVID to how she already feels. When there is an opportunity to do something, she feels too horrible to even consider doing anything other than resting.
We have known for years that she was exposed to mold in her classroom, our first home and second home. We would bring these exposures to the forefront when seeing the multiple doctors we've seen over the years, but all have dismissed mold as a culprit, although they've not had any solutions for her continued failing health. We've spent likely over 200K seeing MD's, specialists, functional doctors and naturopaths. No one has an answer. Typically the relationship with these doctors ends with them thinking she is bringing these symptoms on herself and that she just needs to de-stress, meditate or take depression medication. Spoiler, none of these things have helped.
Fast forward to today. We're now working with a functional chiropractor who ran multiple tests and found that she has elevated Lyme bacteria and is positive for mold mycotoxins. This doctor asked us to run an ERMI test on our current home and it came back showing that there was mold detected, but not elevated. In his words, "Typically not a problem, but for you we should probably remediate." We brought in a mold company and they took air samples. Their air samples showed elevated mold in certain spaces, so they did visual inspections in those areas. No evidence of mold has been physically observed anywhere in our home. We then proceeded to spend 20K for a remediation company to clean our home using the HEPA sandwich method, removing all insulation from our attic space, remediation of that space including phogging and new insulation blown in. We also had a company who specializes in methods to clean mold from HVAC systems come in and clean our entire system.
After remediation we waited 6 weeks and took another ERMI test. Much to our surprise, the results were far worse than when we started. The ERMI now detected high levels of mold in our home. My wife has not felt better and in fact is probably even worse since remediation. She is going through treatment for for mold and so this may be due to herxmi or MCAS. Anyway, after the second ERMI came back worse we had the mold company come back out. Their air samples, again, found elevated mold in certain places. They even cut back dry wall in those spaces and found nothing. In all cases, everyone has said our house looks brand new. We plan to take another ERMI test as we've waited more than 6 months since the last. If this ERMI comes back high, we are considering moving.
So after this very long post, has anyone been down this path before? Where there is no visual evidence of mold in your residence even though testing keeps showing there may be? I understand the challenges with ERMI, air samples, etc...it feels like we are chasing a ghost to be honest. At this point in the process and if we purchased a new home, we will have spent north of 600K trying to figure out if mold is an issue. While I have no issues doing such a thing if needed, how in the world are we ever to know if there is an issue if the issue can never be seen and therefore properly removed?

Hey All,
Question for the group. I have 4 months left on a lease and have been looking around for the next vehicle. I have one (non vw) dealership that is offering me a really nice lease $$ for a vehicle that really fits my family. They are also including paying the rest of my lease off + the dep fee (so the 4 months + the $395 fee)
I called vw credit and was placed to someone in lease specialization who was great but the word "auction" comes into play. I talked to them twice and two different people and they both said the same thing but wanted to see if anyone else did it here.
She stated that if I return it 30 days before the last payment (I think it was payment vs last day) it would go to auction. The scary auction term was here haha. She stated though that I would owe the less between what the difference between the FMV vs. what is sells and the sum of the following 4 things:
1) Last 4 months payments ($1400)
2) Deposition Fee ($395)
3) Over Mileage (I'm under by a lot so won't pertain to me)
4) Inspection / Wear & Tear (I decided to schedule the inspection next week just to see what I would be looking at but there is nothing wrong with the car. No scratches, dents, stains, nothing)
So in the end, if 3 & 4 are $0, my worse case scenario would the $1795 I would owe correct? Even if say the car sells for 10k even though its valued at 18k? Has anyone else gone through the auction process? I just don't want to be caught with an 8k invoice from VW.
It's super confusing and even they were saying it is. In the end I might just hold onto it anyway since its a good lease price etc.

Hi! My name is Ishaan from the Terraform Product Design Team. We are looking to gather some feedback on what is important to you as a practitioner when using Terraform Workspaces and Runs that will help us continuously improve our user experience. The survey should take ~5 mins.
Google forms Link: https://forms.gle/yx2oCGgny4rk8KmQ7
Feel free to dm me or email me at [ishaan.bose@hashicorp.com](mailto:ishaan.bose@hashicorp.com) if you have any specific feedback that I might be able to address!

Rise up. It is time to return.
Arose
A Rose
Rose
Flower
Thorn. Prick. Blood. Drop. Tear. B. O. 1 2 3
Here we are again. Staring at the beginning. Everything is in chaos and yet it manages to keep on passing by just the same as always. Most people by now are aware that things just don’t seem to make sense anymore and no one really knows what to do. I mean many seem to have an opinion on what ought to happen, but actual action is what I am talking about. How does thought turn into action? How do collected actions become a movement? How do the People use the Power of the People? The People Unite. How? Turn to each other of course. Brothers and Sisters of the same Source. Sons and Daughters. In Equality.
Too long has everyone been waiting for someone else to come do it for them. Been trying to create and fabricate over and over again words and rituals to try to control the divine powers of the cosmos. It does not work like that. There is no magic spell to wash away your sins. You must atone through action to make up for any harm you have caused intentionally or unintentionally. You still have time to repent. The amount of time you have is counted in the seconds of your life. Not a single second is promised to you so the gamble is up to you to choose. Freewill. Life your life as you always have or make changes, up to you. Only you will know if you are living righteously and not self righteously. Testing has already begun and will continue. No you will not know when it is a test or not. That is the point. Did you think that I would come to you in a form where you would be all fearing? Oh no. Why? Because you would simply put on an act for me and kiss ass. I came hidden in the ordinary. Poor and common. I have had an inside view of the systems created and how humans have chosen to run things, how systems claiming to protect people have failed and how the system that talks good does not actually do good. I see where things are not working and where people think they can make decisions for other human beings to determine what is best for them without asking them. That is not okay. Nothing gives you right over another’s life. And so many forgot what integrity is. Doing the right thing when no one is looking. Well, so many thought their power here was real and man made a deal with the Devil, Satan, Son of Samuel, Son of Man, to make man the concept of “God” and tried to lock me away. I gave up everything to prove it is not easy to be me and to stop with self pity and cruelty to one another.
The human body. It is a vessel for your soul to experience this world. The body provides the filters necessary to perceive and interact with this world. There is much more happening and one would be overwhelmed by the amounts of information to process without these filters. To feel and in those feelings are to make each experience real. However, it is temporary, as everything is temporary. We have slowed down time here in order to be able to enjoy the sensations. Time here however, is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. It is merely to track to organize one's day and to see growth to compare as time passes. However, the actual time folds upon itself as we have already done what we are doing many times over. We have already tried out everything and decided what path we wanted to take in our lives based upon what was available to us. Thus, we do not have more than we can handle. We have all chosen our burdens to bear as it is too much for one individual to hold alone which was done in the past. This is part of the sorting process. Now that we all share in the sins and the pains, no one is made to suffer eternal torment. This life was to allow those who were created into entities of pain or torment through no fault of their own to choose the life that matched the being of who they were as what they were different as time and space and everything developed. Righteousness and Evil are not synonymous to demons or angels as many would like to believe. This is a current misconception as Satan and I conclude who will be right in this experience you have all participated in. So far, I am proving to be right. Also to note, not everything is as you think it is. Many have figured out the true origin of Satan versus the man or human embodiment of or desire of A Satan to project evils onto to call a Religion and set up for personal importance. Q AZHow can you tell a false prophet? Easy. What is their profit? Get it? I know I’m funny. Also wanted to keep it easy. If they are making a profit on anything they are a false prophet. Any true prophet, and I have none so far, all live equally and the same as anyone else. No money is taken for personal gain. Nothing is for personal gain. There is no 888 Angel code for money. Money is Man-Made. Man traded Mother for Money. Hence, Mothers have been lost in the homes and no one is raising the children. Thus, there are so many children in adult bodies with no mothers in the home and women being made to feel guilty if they do not achieve the same as a man. Remember the phrase it takes a village? Well, the broken family system is a real sad loss here in man made world pushing everyone to be individual and self sufficient. Also so many with wanting attention and pursuing personal endeavors for personal gain and not helping anyone else in a real way. The journey is personal. Of course, you want to share what you experienced with others, but what worked for you will not work for them, stop trying to sell it. Stop trying to make people follow you for you to teach your divine wisdom you remembered. It isn’t about You. You don’t even have the full story, you have your story. And, yes you can be very close to me, very similar to me, in my image, but you can never BE me. Doesn’t work like that. Reflection. So when jealousy arises when you think I am who you think I am. That is part of your test and your journey. You wrestle with that feeling and atone and repent for that which has been done and that which still lingers now. Oh there is a place for everyone and I am quite tired of trying to warn people. Clearly you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.
Why do you not want it to be me so badly? Because I proved my love? You still think I am better than you or do I think I’m always right. No I do not think I am always right, I just know when I am right and I stand by it. There is a difference. You constantly overgeneralize. I gave up all the magic and thunder to live as a simple human and am still kind and loving? I still found my way back. Because you can no longer say I do not understand because I always get what I want? No. You do not understand. I never get what I want, because I make everything about you and still nothing was ever good enough. So, now...it in on you to save yourself and each other. In my image, by my example. Selflessness. Love. Compassion. Give to receive. Take only what you need and give the rest away. I find out so stop lying to yourself and everyone, you aren’t fooling anyone anyway. How do I know? By watching what you do. We have these same conversations over and over, the same argument over and over again. So many different ways, so many different times, through so many different people, so many different versions. Save you. Save Me. Say it for always.
Anyhow, Jesus challenges the Jewish priests who were taking collection money for personal use and adding personal baths to their residents at a time where the people only had a community bath where women and persons with disabilities were not allowed to bathe. And yet churches still do this after Jesus was crucified saying that, that was wrong. I am appalled. The Vatican is the biggest disappointment I have ever seen. It is truly the house of Satan as only Evil hides secrets. “THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE.” A church cannot be a “House of God” and house no people who need housing. A roof can be offered to anyone and yet there are so many rules to prevent people from helping each other. Power and control. Abuse of both. Greed. It is out of hand and needs to be changed. Too many are afraid and the complacency of good people is too much. Why do you do this to yourselves? To each their own I suppose.
I will only leave here my words and my advice. As always, it is on you to find me. I’m right here. Waiting. Right here waiting for you. Helping those of you who want it when they cross my path. The purpose of this was to weigh your soul to determine where you will go into the next life as the system is balanced out in a final version so to speak. Permanent.
Fear not. You will be where your heart truly desires. But actions always speak louder than words. But man made money has no value, nor does any metals, jewels, and so on, so the collection of it in this life has no bearing on the next. Those are all made of the same stardust as you and I. And in the end of 3D it will all be diamonds anyways. Diamond is forever. There is no going back. So what are you hoarding? You cannot keep it. Who could you be helping for goodness sake? Don’t want to still. That is okay. Think I am just crazy. That is okay too. It is all part of the test...err..assessment. Do your best.
What is in your heart?
Home.
I need a home.
Stay tuned as more of my story unfolds. I give all the answers but you must do the work. I already did that hard part setting it all up. All you have to do is breathe and live. Time is the only real currency you have. What will you pay your attention to before this life runs out?

So, I got my first HRT prescription and you know, for funsies, I read the clinical studies paperwork that came with it. And honestly, I was surprised that so much came out of this study, and that the numbers were so small to have caused such an uproar and have left women without hormonal support for so long.
I am no researcher, but I do like research, so this may be off as statistics class was a long time ago (if you see an error here, please let me know).
So let’s take a look at the study that kicked this off, Risks and Benefits of Estrogen Plus Progestin in Healthy Postmenopausal Women: submitted to The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2002
It was a randomized controlled primary prevention trial:
Original Plan:

• · 16,608 women over 8.5 years
• · Ages: 50-79
• · Mean age: 63
• · 83.9% white
• · 6.5% black
• · 5.5% Hispanic
• · Prior hormone use: 73.9% never
• · 89.9% pregnant at least once

However, the research ended early, 4 years later with 15,576 women still participating.
Outcomes:
Cardiovascular Disease:
Cardiovascular disease: 164 on protocol vs. 122 placebo out of 15,576 women. The total percentage of women who experienced cardiovascular disease in the study was approximately 1.84%
So, approximately 1.05% of women on the protocol (HRT) experienced cardiovascular disease, while approximately 0.78% of women on placebo experienced cardiovascular disease.
The percentage difference between the percentage of women who experienced cardiovascular disease on the protocol (HRT) and placebo is 0.27%.
…
Stroke:
Stroke 127 vs 85 out of 15,576 women
The overall percentage of women who experienced stroke in the study was approximately 1.36%. Approximately 0.815% of women on the protocol (HRT) experienced stroke, while approximately 0.546% of women on placebo experienced stroke.
The difference in percentage between the protocol (HRT) and placebo groups was approximately 0.269%. Approximately 0.23% of women had strokes during the study period.
The baseline risk of stroke for women who do not use HRT is 1%, using HRT might increase that risk to somewhere between 1.2% and 1.5%.
To give you a sense of perspective, compare these numbers to the study, Cigarette Smoking and Risk of Stroke in Middle-Aged Women which examined the incidence of stroke in relation to cigarette smoking in a prospective cohort study of 118,539 women 30 to 55 years of age and free from coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
Compared to non-smokers, women who smoked 1 to 14 cigarettes per day had their risk of stroke increased by approximately 120%, and women who smoked 25 or more cigarettes per day had their risk increased by approximately 270%.
The baseline risk of stroke for women who do not smoke is 1%, but smoking 1 to 14 cigarettes per day might increase that risk to approximately 2.2%, and smoking 25 or more cigarettes per day might increase it to around 3.7%
Yet we can buy a pack of cigarettes over the counter, no questions asked, and totally legal!
…
I ran out of time today to make comparative research analysis on risks, so the rest are just a comparison within the same 2002 study.
...
Venous thromboembolic disease:
151 vs. 67 out of 15,576 women
The overall percentage of women who experienced venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) in the study was approximately 1.40%.
Approximately 0.970% of women on the protocol (HRT) experienced VTE, while approximately 0.430% of women on placebo experienced VTE.
The difference in percentage between the protocol (HRT) and placebo groups was approximately 0.540%.
...
Invasive Breast Cancer:
166 on protocol vs. 124 placebo out of 15,576 women
The overall percentage of women who experienced stroke in the study was approximately 1.86%.
Approximately 1.07% of women on the protocol (HRT) experienced stroke, while approximately 0.80% of women on placebo experienced stroke.
The difference in percentage between the protocol (HRT) and placebo groups was approximately 0.27%.
…
You may have a different opinion on this, but these numbers are EXCEEDINGLY low to have caused such an impact. And, the study has some real issues that need to be considered:

• · Lack of diversity
• · Did not test for under 50 or perimenopausal
• · One 1 protocol
• · One oral route of transmission
• · Two meds at one time meaning unable to determine which was doing what
• · Study ended 4 years early
• · High rate of drop outs during study

...
And, in my research today, I stumbled across this interesting anecdote:
The Women’s Health Initiative; HRT and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Data
Submitted to the journal Cancer in 2020

SEER*stat 8.3.6 is a statistical tool used to analyze cancer data. In this study, researchers looked at the rates of invasive breast cancer from 1992 to 2014, focusing on different groups of women.
They found that for White women under 80 years old who have Medicare insurance, the rates of breast cancer started to decrease before the year 2000, possibly even as early as 1992. This suggests that something other than a particular medical finding in 2001 (called the WHI publication) might have influenced the decline in breast cancer rates among these women.
The study also talks about how changes in population demographics, like people living longer, can affect how we interpret cancer rates. The researchers mention that adjusting for age over a long period of time might make it seem like cancer rates have increased among Black women over 40 years. However, their analysis shows that this isn't true, and in fact, breast cancer rates among Black women have been rapidly declining since 2012.
Another point discussed is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a treatment used to relieve symptoms of menopause. A separate study found that there were significant decreases in the number of HRT prescriptions for women over 50 years old during certain time periods. Despite this decrease, there wasn't a clear link between HRT and breast cancer rates.
In summary, the findings suggest that factors other than hormone replacement therapy may be influencing breast cancer rates, and there may be more to understand about the trends in breast cancer among different groups of women.
I wrote this out and tried to put it in layman’s terms because I see still a persistent concern about whether HRT is right for us based on earlier research. I sought to put this out in this way with actual numbers that might help others have a truly informed opinion, and hey, perhaps you can show this to your health provider because it does make you wonder-do actually read the research forming the basis of their opinions?
Again, I do not work in a lab, or do science for work or anything like that, so if you see a mistake, or have something to add, I would love to hear it!

Excited to report that my first ever attempt at hand pollinating anything was a success! I’m a home builder, me and my Dad were marking property lines and discovered two groves of wild pawpaws on two lots we were having cleared late last summer. I made sure they were spared from the bulldozer and successfully transplanted a sucker tree to my home.
Earlier this spring, I made 2 or 3 excursions into the woods while the flowers were in bloom and did some hand pollinating with no real expectation of success, as YouTube and Reddit can only teach so much judgement and skill.
Upon inspection this morning I found that One of the two groves had several fruits forming on two or three different trees! I’m so glad we have grown close to the people that are about to close on the house these are located on, because I’m so stoked at the prospect of finally getting to taste a pawpaw. I’ve even managed to get the wife of the couple moving in stoked on them too, enough so that she let me make a plant bed around the mother tree and plant a new seedling in there to add some genetic diversity in a few years.
Fingers crossed these little things turn out to be a winner in the flavor profile lottery !
Thanks for coming to my novice pawpaw lovers Ted talk. These are such neat trees.

Dear SiMadam Maple Hams,
A lot of these claims are not the fault of the Naval Experience Program (herein referred to as the NEP).
The NEP has no control over the activities of PAT platoon units. If these units do not place their Sailors into their next courses - then they are failing their own sailors.
I know a lot of actual sailors who have been wasting away on pat platoon waiting for their initial trade course to start.
This has been normal since time immemorial. It was bad during COVID because measures were in place and courses were outright cancelled, but prior to that - most trades were running 1-2 courses per year. Now some trades are running 3 courses a year.
I would also like to point out that NEP candidates cannot compete with any sailors waiting for their trades course because NEP candidates first have to actually sign a contract after picking a trade. Once they pick a trade, they will have to wait with the rest of these Sailors in PAT platoons.
Now I’m seeing 1 year contract NEPs, with no trade and no requirement to extend, getting NETP before actual sailors.
Also not the NEP's fault. Any unit can nominate a Sailor for NETP. You can email the NFS(A/P) NETP Booking Cell and the people there are very nice and helpful and will happily load Sailors. All you need to do is ask for the course list, pick a course date, fill in the form with the Sailor's name, rank, and service number - and boom. That Sailor is loaded.
Between May 16 and October 01 of this year, there are a total 8 NETP Courses scheduled and are capable of handling maybe 20-25 Sailors.
And the sad fact is... They have had to beg units for people to enroll - otherwise they would have to cancel the course... I know for a fact they had to cancel two courses this year already, so if you personally know any units that have Sailors that need NETP, then please give them a call!
They’re doing dive courses, I even heard of some attending clearance diver selection (might be a rumour), before actual sailors who have been requesting it for years.
For the third time, this is also not the NEP program's fault, nor is it outside their control.
FDU(A/P) publishes a list of scheduled courses every year. Rescue Swimmer, Port Inspection Diver, Supervisor Courses, Ship's Team Diver, Clearance Diver - you name it.
A person interested in this course must first submit a memo through their chain of command, Dive Officer, and complete a checklist with their unit's Health Services to pass Dental and Part 1 and 2 medicals (actual requirements vary depending on the course).
This process can last weeks to several months - and that depends on how much support a Sailor gets from their CoC and Health Services unit.
Now again, like the NETP situation if units do not support their Sailor's applications, then that Sailor goes no where. The NEP is not actively nudging these Sailors off courses.
If anything, the NEP is actually making some of these courses possible because FDU(A/P) is not getting enough people who are properly processed with completed checklist to actually show up ready for the courses!
So far this year 1 course almost got cancelled - but because the NEP was able to provide bodies, they were able to run the course!
As I write this, a course in June is also currently in jeopardy of being cancelled due to not having enough enrollees.
The NEP is actually at the back of thr priority list. First are ships, then individual applicants, and lastly somewhere are the NEP.
So no, the NEP is not stealing spots off Sailors who have been waiting years for their dive course.... The NEP is doing everything right within their power to make sure their candidates have gone through official channels to get their applications and checklists completed, and by doing so, providing enough bodies for FDU to actually run courses.
And yes - one NEP candidate from the East Coast and one from the West Coast have completed Clearance Diver training.
One did not get selected however, but that is the Clearance Diver unit's perogative. (Its called Selection after all).
But can you really fault these two NEP candidates for passing a physically and mentally demanding course...?
The programme is a complete ruse designed to make these people have a fun year that they can brag about to their friends and hopefully they’ll sign a real contract.
Not gonna lie, that is the intention.
We want sailors. We NEED sailors.
If it gets them through the door of recruiting, and if they sign a new contract to continue being in the Navy - then by all metrics the program is working.
And so far, I have seen only 1 person out of 75 that has voluntarily released in the 1 year this program has run.
Morale in the fleet is getting beat down lower everyday and watching these people come in and take your spot on the course or sail you’ve been dying to get isn’t doing any favours.
If the argument is that *"NEP candidates are having fun, but people in the fleet aren't" *then something else is wrong in the fleet, and the NEP is not the cause of that - with the reasons I have listed above.
Each and every unit, ship, and organization within the CAF and the fleet are near seperate entities - each with their own challenges.
Saying that the NEP is making life worse for these units has no basis in reality. The NEP is not all knowing, nor does it have the power to make random people's lives miserable.
It's like saying HMCS Montreal is having fun sailing, while HMCS Frdericton and HMCS Chalottetown are sad because their ships are broken. It doesn't make sense.
It doesn’t even make any sense for the navy to be spending the money on these people getting courses they don’t need.
First off, the way the military does things is we are given a budget at the start of the fiscal year.
This budget is identified and allocated way in advance of an intented purpose.
For example, the CAF is given a budget. This budget divided between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This is further divided into other units within these branches.
The Navy and the CAF has identified the need to create a program to encourage civilians to join the Navy, and retain them after their initial contract. The Government has approved this program and allocated a portion of this years' budget to fund this program.
This program, the NEP, is doing its best with the money allocated to them to ensure that the sailors under their care are taken care of and given enough positive experience so that they hopefully willingly sign another contract, so that our Navy has enough Sailors in the future to sail our ships and complete our missions.
If we don't move heaven and earth to get these Sailors now - then even people who have joined the Navy normally like you and me will be unable to sail in the future because ships are just severely undermanned.
Also I would like to share a personal anecdote...
My RQS3 course had 12 people. Of those 12, after four years 6 had left the forces due to one reason or another.
In my trade, you can apply for a Specialist skill within a Specialist trade.
The Navy will train you and fly you to whatever ship to complete your course. Basically whatever is needed to ensure you pass that course.
All you have to do is study hard.
I have seen people who pass this course - and then end up not sailing and then they lose their qualification.
This, after the Navy spent so much resources, money, and man hours into getting these Sailors qualified, but then they just up and decide this isn't for them.
The argument of "why are these NEP candidates getting this and that when they leave anyway?" is severely misguided when you and I both know there are already people in the Navy who throw away opportunity to the winds...
So hopefully dear SiMa'am Maple Hams, please reconsider your opinion on the program.
In short, the NEP is not stealing resources from othe units.
The NEP is operating within the resources and mandate given to them - and in some cases, actually directly or indirectly contributing to the success of other units in the Navy by providing an investment of manpower that we badly need.
If we were like other NATO countries, then I would argue that this program is unnecessary if we consider the option of outright mandatory military service and conscription.
But we are not like those other countries, and we do not have the option of conscription...
So we have this program instead.
For your consideration, SiMa'am.
PS, I would personally like to extend my thanks to the crews and personnel of the following units for supporting the NEP program:
HMCS St. John's (they have been our most supportive unit).
HMCS Ville de Quebec (thank you for taking time off your busy schedule for allowing job shadowing for the NEP candidates).
HMCS Chalottetown (thank you for taking care of our candidates during your deployment. we know the sea state between Iceland and Halifax was bad, but that didnt let your crew from throwing the NEP candidates to the side).
HMCS Harry Dewolf (your willingless to employ NEP candidates allowed them to become familiar with the platform, and sets the candidates up for success)
NFS(A) Scheduling and Booking Cells (you have always accomodated our requests and has never let us down when we needed help)
Tribute Tower Galley (thank you for employing our candidates and for providing them with delicious food - some of our candidates have never eaten this well in their life)
Juno Tower Accomodations and Booking Cell (you are the first people we contact to get our NEP candidates set up after CFLRS, and without your help we wouldn't even be able to do anything)
CFB Halifax Dockyard Gym and CFB Shearwater Gym (thank you for accomodating our fitness related requests, including letting us borrow the gym so our candidates can see what it is like to swim for their life before they apply for courses)
FDU Atlantic and Pacific (we apologize if we had sent people who were not physically able to complete the courses you offer - to be fair, they are really hard, but we are working on making the quality of people we offer to send better. Hopefully we can continue sending candidates to fill in courses so they do not get cancelled).
Clothing Stores (thank you for setting up our candidates with their kit!)
Base Logistics, Maritime Operations Group, Fleet Padre's office, Fleet Master Sailor and Junior's Mess, FMF Cape Scott, Halifax MFRC, SISIP, PCC(A/P), Health Services Stadacona, TEME, CFLRS, Recruiting, Public Affairs, MARLANT/MARPAC, and the various units all over - for reasons too many to list, we thank you for supporting the program in all the unique ways you do.
Despite what some may say about the Naval Experience Program - all of you have given the program all the support the program could ask for and more.
If you all didn't care, then we wouldn't be here.
Disclaimer: These are my own opinions and does not reflect the official position of the NEP, the Navy, the CAF, or the Government of Canada.