Our post activity is falling faster than a turd from a tall moose (probably Canadian), so I guess it's time to be controversial.
Spending $7000 for a lathe, a fortune for special chisels and exotic wood blanks and numerous trips to the emergency room for a pen you hope to sell for ten bucks--if you're lucky--is a poor business model. The only possible use for them is for Trump to use them to sign Executive Orders to tariff Canada until it becomes our 51st state, and where they will be given away as free mementos to billionaires.
Let the angry vitriol begin. CHANGE MY MIND.
Added later 01 min 08 s:
I guess I suck at being controversial like Maurice.
That's not a joking matter, especially for our Canadian members. Loss of sovereignty no joke to them or me. It is shameful and un-American. They sheltered our diplomats in Iran at great risk and put up our citizens in their homes when we were stranded by no-fly orders following 9/11. It'll take years to rebuild their trust.
It should not take years to rebuild their trust, as there was never any threat to their sovereignty in the first place.
A country expressing a desire for another to join it isn’t inherently a threat, an insult, or a compliment—it’s context-dependent. Trump’s offhand comment about Canada as the 51st state, likely tossed out with his usual mix of bravado and jest, doesn’t carry the weight of a formal annexation threat. It’s more like a loud “what if” than a gun to the head. Historically, nations have floated similar ideas—think Britain and Ireland, or Russia with Ukraine in its more imperial moods—but the tone and intent shift the meaning. If it’s framed as “you’d be better off with us,” it’s closer to a backhanded compliment, implying Canada’s got something worth wanting (resources, stability, proximity). If it’s “join or else,” it’s a threat, but there’s no evidence Trump meant it that way—his style leans more toward provocation than ultimatum.
The internet and media flipping out isn’t surprising; they thrive on amplifying ambiguity into outrage. Canada’s got a strong national identity, and any hint of absorption by the U.S. prickles sovereignty nerves—especially with the power imbalance. But calling it a threat or insult overstates it; it’s not like he rolled tanks to the border. On the flip side, it’s not exactly a compliment either—more like a casual “you’d fit in my club,” ignoring whether Canada even wants the invite. Contextually, it’s Trump being Trump: big ideas, loose delivery, zero follow-through. The reaction says more about hypersensitive news cycles than the statement itself.
I framed this with how making pens with a lathe makes no sense, an equally nonsensical assertion as there being an actual plan to invade and overthrow Canada. Perhaps there are other reasons than making money, such as the pure enjoyment of creating things. Just as there may be other reasons for suggesting Canada might be better off as part of the United States than it being reported by the media as a declaration of war.
Well, I guess there are two issues mixed in here. First, a quality pen lathe can be had for a few hundred dollars. The reason for it ranging from a personal pleasurable pass time, to charity, to income. I think ( I could be wrong ) the Freedom Pen project had nothing to do with profit. As for Canada, I think Trump's comments had most to do about Trudeau's attitude towards the US and Trump. We are their country's primary defense and protection, they weren't apparently doing much to help protect our common border either. As I understand they have prohibitive tariffs on products such as dairy and forest products from the US as well as other products. One point Trump made as a state, there wouldn't be tariffs going either way which is trumps long objective. If you actually pay attention to Trump, he makes a lot more sense than the previous administration. I'd guess his strongest critics haven't listened to 10 minutes of what he actually says. And above all else we provide Canada with many millions in foreign aid. On another front, unfortunately I think critical mass has been lost for WoodCentral. I did buy a couple hats from Ellis for the memories.
I listened to trump for 7 minutes and my IQ fell 150 points. I did have my lie meter set up for charging my cordless batteries and they are all 12 fully charged now
DS: "As for Canada, I think Trump's comments had most to do about Trudeau's attitude towards the US and Trump." So, for their "attitude", Trump threatens to wreck their economy? Besides,Trudeau is no longer their leader, but the new guy isn't kissing ass, either.
DS: "We are their country's primary defense and protection, they weren't apparently doing much to help protect our common border either." What are the apparent facts on border enforcement short-comings? The numbers are tiny in terms of immigrants and illicit drugs, Trump's accusations allege nothing else. As for being Canada's primary defense and protection, they are in far more risk of danger due to being a neighbor and ally to the US than anything else they might do. Don't forget where NORAD's radars are located. Canada is in more danger of attack from a foreign power with NORAD than without.
DS:"As I understand they have prohibitive tariffs on products such as dairy and forest products from the US as well as other products." Well, who do you think created the current trade agreement? No one but DJT, who bragged about it then but now finds it to be "terrible". Does he claim they have violated the agreement? If they have abided by the agreement, what is the basis for the on/off tariffs he's going to impose? Extortion?
DS: "One point Trump made as a state, there wouldn't be tariffs going either way which is trumps long objective." Canada has a population of 40M. As a State, It would be the largest and most influential. Hey, maybe we'd finally have universal health care and reasonable gun control.
I try to check in to WoodCentral almost every day - mostly to the "Turning" forum ... why, because I'm a woodturner! Lately there are very few posts related to wood turning. I don't come here to read any stupid political BS ... this is NOT the place! If I wanted that I would go elsewhere - which I don't !!!
My post wasn't meant to be political but just playing the fool by making some silly statement about turning pens on a lathe being a stupid idea because it won't make money. Why? Because Hand Tools and Turning forums have had almost no posts in months.
I've made no secret that I'm not a woodworker, and I have--what do they call it--a self-deprecating sense of humor?
If readers want to make it political because they felt it was inappropriate, who am I to tell them they are wrong and cannot express themselves? If things get out of hand, our new software has lots of ways of dealing with it w/o deleting, censoring, and banning. For example, we can move topics to a different forum, and even split replies into a new topic and relocate them somewhere else if needed.
Meanwhile, it could be worse. I could start posting about Taylor Swift again.
Peter, I thought you were trolling for hits on the site so I responded. I 100% agree with Tom G. in that I don't come here for political BS discussions and I didn't rebut those who quoted me. Unfortunately over a long period of time the acrimony that has occasionally been generated on this site over personal disagreements that should never have happened has probably helped the decline. Interestingly, Dereck has been posting another of his fantastic projects over in general woodworking, and there doesn't seem to be any followers.
