Zeitgeist

Your solution would be a Jacksonian, Manifest Destiny full-on invasion of FN territory, no doubt. Privatize indigenous territory, forced attendance at English speaking only schools, throw the resisters in prison. Oh wait, that's the story of inner city black America, where more black men are in jail than university.

So when do you think the US will come apart? Lol. Canada is thriving. So is the US. There are problems for sure. What are you going to do, come in with your ICBM's and enslave Canadians on their way to the dentist? Ridiculous. Canada does need to invest more in hard power, but we have handled other aspects of our NATO role very well, such as resettlement of refugees, diplomacy, peacekeeping, rebuilding, training, and so forth. These decisions about where allies could best offer support were made in concert with our partners. Sure, Canada could go all out on arms, and no doubt we'd do it well, but that isn't what is being asked or what is called for. Contributions to NATO are increasing among NATO partners, but again, whose messes are we cleaning up? Have the non-military expenditures been recognized? What are the impacts of countries' foreign interventions?

Uh....no. The GG doesn't answer to the Queen, nor does the PM.

We organize ourselves into societies to avoid the horrors of Social Darwinism, which in its rawest form means, if I can find a way to get rid of you and take your stuff, all good. I agree that hard power is still being used to produce this end of taking stuff from those who don't have the hard power. It should be used to protect rights and freedoms. We thought we had moved on to bigger and better things, alliances such as NATO, or ideally, the UN. As the last couple of years have demonstrated, not so much. It's all about retreating behind walls of fear, arming to the teeth, distrusting the "Globalists", who it turns out are mostly just educated people.

Yeah I like human rights everywhere. I'm not into America First, MAGA, Canada First, or any of that subtle fascist bullshit.

My problem with the Trump administration on Iran is that it presents double standards which look like partisan political retaliation: Obama showed some support for improving relations with Iran, so Trump slammed Iran and fawned over the Saudi prince. Obama spoke out against Putin with regard to the Ukraine; Trump seems to make light of Putin's expansionism. Trump even spoke glowingly about President Xi becoming ruler for life. Iran is currently holding an American and Iran is a problem, but it's not the only problem. If he wants credibility for standing up for human rights, it has to be everywhere, not just in selected countries.

This just sounds like grandstanding, "Bow before me the all powerful Oz." Power can be used for good or ill. It's not an end in itself. Worshiping people or countries because of their destructive power, using fear to extort favours, criticizing or undermining attempts at addressing injustice, blaming minorities, mocking smaller powers. Yup, it's been the emerging narrative these past few years and smacks of fascism.

No, we're trying to protect minority rights and vulnerable people. This is important everywhere.

You're dismissiveness of attempts to address injustice sounds like fascism.

You clearly don't know about the work happening on Reconciliation. A lot of painstaking work is underway to fix problems in remote communities and on reserves. These are complex problems. At least we're trying to tackle them. We didn't say to people, "Too bad, if you don't like it you can get off the reserve and be a Walmart greeter." I have confidence that the work underway is making a difference and Canada is well placed for such work.

I don’t criticize American power as a force for good. With power comes responsibility. Anyone with power can abuse people for selfish gain. History is full of stories of misused power. The challenge is to show restraint when necessary and exert power for the right reasons. It’s basically the same function as being an authoritative parent.

Please don't be naïve in this. The US isn't immune and Americans have been detained and executed in many countries. Either we stand together and denounce it, as the US allies took action after 911 against the Taliban and Al Qaeda or expect more such human rights abuses. Also, if the US government chooses to only stand up for Americans and not seek to stand up for the mistreatment of all citizens, it will be harder for America to find the support of allies. Imagine if Britain hadn't bothered declaring war against Germany after the invasion of Poland. We don't say, "Well we don't care because they're Poles." Canada has spoken out against Russian interference and military campaigns in the Ukraine. Trump is very laissez-faire about such matters and so more countries are trying on oppressive behavior. http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiY59SEtfDfAhUJ54MKHUX-B28QFjAAegQICxAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kurdistan24.net%2Fen%2Fnews%2F65063dfb-50a8-4aaa-9ddf-8f54199fbf8b%2Firan-hanged-an-iranian-american-for-a-crime-committed-in-california&usg=AOvVaw3HIkaC_E7Vs1fZctZA3CnW

Yes, and I think there's value in separating the head of state from the PM in terms of leaving the ceremonial business to the GG and the policy business to the PM (and the rest of parliament). The GG makes sure the PM is doing the PM job and the PM gets the GG to sign off on his/her work. The GG is always a well known and respected public figure by all parties, so it makes the ceremonial business (GG awards, military medals and inspections, etc.) really positive. It's rare to have a controversial GG. Not rare to have a controversial PM!

We all agree that smuggling a dangerous drug like that into China was a dumbass move and buyer beware when it comes to Chinese law enforcement, except that the original legal decision was rescinded, so that he could be retried and sentenced to death. It happened in the wake of Weng’s extradition hearing, which makes this appear as arbitrary political interference, which I’m sure it is. The Canadian government has a duty to protect its citizens from arbitrary and extreme punishment. America would do the same thing.

Again, Crown land is owned exclusively by the provinces and federal government. Absolute clarity on that. The GG cannot appoint any Ministers, judges etc. except under the advice of the PM. The GG must ensure there is a PM but does not select the PM, which is determined by party vote. Also, since the Statute of Westminster of 1931, the GG acts as the monarch of the country and the Commander in Chief of the militia. The Royal Prerogative in Canada IS this system of the GG signing in a largely ceremonial way and only under the advice of the PM, unless in some extremely rare instance the parliament turned on the people. The Royal Prerogative, which is this system, can only be changed with the unanimous permission of the provinces and the parliament. Nothing to do with the Queen/King. The GG is effectively the monarch of Canada. The Queen is retained as a symbol of Canada’s close connection to Britain’s cultural and political institutions. Interestingly, Quebec has a National Assembly modeled on France’s institutions. It functions as a provincial government within Confederation quite well.

Nobody knew. They still don’t know. You keep trying to tell them though.

Police state? Gulag? Prison? Social contract is an old term from Rousseau and I believe J.S. Mill. It relates to how how government is formed and predates Marxism.

No, when I say treasonous I’m using your own military and state definitions, if you are Canadian, which I doubt. Your duty in the military is to defend the country, including the integrity of its laws, borders, foreign policy, etc. You don’t get to modify it, soldier.

The more I read your Red Menace, might is right unipolar world view, especially with regard to Canada’s complex history, the more assured I am about the health and value of Canadian society. Hardly a nanny state, Canada has struck an effective balance between American and European policy approaches. We have problems like every country, including America, but they’re our problems.

Nationalism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. More important are people and human development. That’s not a left vs right thing. The important work is done by people from different political stripes and countries working together to improve society. Think of medical technology, the improvement of crop yields, advances in building technology, work conditions, so many things that are helping everyone. Countries are social contracts set up by people to serve their common interests/values. That’s why we shouldn’t worry about other governments except in the case of clear oppression. Even then we have to be careful. That’s why we’re all stick handling around countries like China, but China’s actions are being closely watched everywhere. Businesses and countries are reconsidering whether China can be trusted. China better clean up her act. Other countries can provide cheap imports.

accepting tens of thousands of displaced Syrian refugees. Canada has made a big contribution here.

I’m all for the war of ideas, as long as data about the results of policies is carefully and scientifically analyzed. We need truthful reporting and responsible studies. We’ve seen how even factual data can be chosen selectively and interpreted to support particular political perspectives. That’s why I think there’s a certain inevitability to turning to algorithms. We have to sort out important common human values and ensure that technology serves humanity, not the reverse.

I felt a temporary sense of affection for Trump when he responded to the gas attack. That was good. Under Obama the rebels were quietly supported. Trump made a mistake claiming victory over ISIS for reasons I shouldn’t have to explain. The withdrawal should be gradual and quiet.

You do realize this is the 21st century? If the state wants to take down its citizens and throw the people into FEMA camps, it will do so spectacularly, Waco style. The notion of a militia opposing a resurgent anti-republican royal army is quaint. The US government’s international power over life and death will be challenged by no militia. The 2nd Amendment now is used by people to protect themselves from other citizens.

Yes but they’re mostly in the countryside and mostly for hunting. Handguns do exist and I think all levels of government need to tighten up the rules. On that I’m more liberal than conservative.