SpankyMcFarland

It would be different. Imagine being in a national crisis where your country’s head of state is forbidden to say anything by a foreign government. That’s the humiliating predicament we find ourselves in. In many countries a ceremonial head of state is supposed to be above politics, speaking for the entire nation and not just one party or constituency. It turns out we don’t have that. Somewhat underwhelmed does not describe my feelings of betrayal when I listen to Starmer’s flattery of Trump. We have been abandoned by Britain. Could you explain that a little further.

You mean America.

What modern US president has publicly spoken of Canada as Trump has? Other people in Rubio’s position didn’t have to stand behind such outlandish statements.

By whom is it known as that? Say what you like about PPE but it’s the course the British political elite tend to take to, well, an almost comical degree: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/feb/23/ppe-oxford-university-degree-that-rules-britain?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Not exactly. The problem is what Trump is saying about Canada. Who was the last president to question our sovereignty like that again and again? It’s not a normal conversation between allies.

The charges looked fairly straightforward to me. He does appear to have benefited from gifts from the Turkish government.

Rubio has to parrot the offensive nonsense of his master. That’s how things are now with them.

I think this particular election requires a different message from Poilievre. As usual there are opponents but there is also a foreign enemy looming far larger. The big question this time: who is the best leader to combat Trumpism?

Just saw the ‘bring it home’ ad for Poilievre. That’s the first positive Tory ad I can recall seeing - no mention of the Liberals. He’ll need an awful lot more of that.

Here’s a decent summary of of the Trump team’s ‘thinking’ on tariffs: It is even suggested they were surprised by Canada’s response! https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-donald-trump-is-hijacking-the-tariff-strategy-his-party-wrote-and/#comments

Basic message: avoid America. Don’t dream of going there unless you absolutely have to. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/german-tourists-detained-otay-mesa-detention-center/3770608/

It’s not hard to find Democratic politicians who have also been targeted in this despicable way: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swatting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Lieu

A relative lent me this to read which I eventually got round to with great reluctance. I was surprised to find out how well-written and interesting it was and how graphically it described the awful events at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. O’Reilly did have a co-author. Some who contributed to this Wiki review were less impressed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_the_Rising_Sun

For PM I would prefer career politicians or at least people with a long time in politics. Coupled with my ageism, that would mean 40-something candidates for the top job with at least ten years in parliament which doesn’t give much time for a career outside politics. On those criteria, at least, PP would be preferable. Needless to say I’ve left some wiggle room. Trump upends all other considerations. The only question that matters this year: who is best placed to manage this mortal threat to our country?

Abolishing taxes on tips is a very complex matter in the US. It’s also complicated by the bizarre well-below minimum wage tipped workers earn down there in some states. If you want to put a big kick me sign on PP, by all means make him sound mega-MAGA. However, in the current political climate in Canada I would not advise it.

We see this conflict across the world between the Somewheres and the Anywheres: those rooted to one place, usually poorer and less educated who are more deeply attached to traditions; and the educated, mobile minority who prioritise openness, autonomy and cognitive ability while supporting immigration and higher education. Brexit was an example of the two tribes voting on an issue and Trump was another. Anywheres regard society as a shop and Somewheres see it as a home. I think the same division is occurring in the developing world too, eg Iran. Politicians will have to learn how to bridge this divide if they want to attract majority support. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/mar/22/the-road-to-somewhere-david-goodhart-populist-revolt-future-politics

That list is all very well but we’re in an existential crisis now that makes it obsolete. Trump isn’t joking about the 51st state stuff. He keeps on assuring us of that. So Poilievre has to radically change his message to prove to Canadians he’s going to stand up to Trump and any MAGA fellow travellers in his own ranks. That’s where most of his fire should be going, not at Carney. He also needs to let his team speak up more. You need a tough but positive message.

Carney’s cabinet is leaner, 24 versus 39, and arguably meaner or at least more right-wing. As Stephen Maher put it: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/this-is-the-signal-mark-carney-is-sending-with-his-cabinet-picks/article_952ed974-00f6-11f0-aff4-7f7c7a59cb7b.html

The Telegraph has become a joke, basically the Daily Mail with less gossip. They were one of the ringleaders of Brexit and have yet to apologise for that disaster, called without irony by Lynn ‘a minor blip in trading relations’.

Trump doesn’t seem so worried about illegal guns from the US pouring into Canada.

He’s denouncing his own deal and he isn’t questioned on it. I’m often reminded these days of lines from Nothing But Flowers by Talking Heads: And as things fell apart Nobody paid much attention

Let us be clear. Trump means to destroy this country. He and his supporters are now our enemy.

It’s embarrassing for everybody involved except Trump.

This is the mentality we are up against, a press secretary who apparently believes that tariffs are a tax cut for Americans:

But you see the problem, right? If we had our own exclusive monarch or head of state we would a) see an awful lot more of them and b) avoid having them welcome a current enemy of our state who wants to destroy Canada.