18 Comments
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Lee's avatar
Feb 19Edited

Good essay Deirdre.

These are interesting times. A couplet from Wouk's "The Caine Mutiny" comes to mind ...

"When uncertain, When in doubt

Run in circles, Scream and shout!".

I'm bracing for Smith's address to the Province tonight at 5:30 pm MST. I am certain her utterances will be so gormlessly stupid I will be instantly blinded by apoplectic rage.

So, to head that off, I am left considering will I be three double rye and cokes in, or keying off on a 10mg gummy?

Lee's avatar

Oops…..guess it’s a runaway.

Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean's avatar

I saw 6:45 MST— don’t start too early haha

Hazel Love McLaughlin's avatar

I have many concerns about where Harper is coming from. He is talking about Nationalism but he is the chair of the right leaning International Democracy Union (IDU) with his buddy Pierre Poilievre ( Trump supporter) who is the chair of the IDU for Canada. Harper also runs AIMCO the money pit for Alberta does he not ? I just do not trust him and wonder what he is plotting.

Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean's avatar

Oh, there are many reasons not to trust them. I support their messaging on Canadian unity with audience they can reach. Since separatist support in the west comes largely from conservatives and Trump support is about as popular with the same people, their voices go further than anyone else’s.

Pietro Wislon's avatar

Harper is a war criminal, along with Jason Kenney and Laurie Hawn: while they were in office the Canadian military, under Grl Charles Bouchard, led the illegal NATO mission that destroyed the most prosperous country in Africa, Libya, in a state of civil war to this day with rival factions being supported by different NATO countries yet!!

Harper's Canada was the only country to hold a "victory" flypast. For Shame.

I shudder when I hear the Carney prposal to increase military spending to 5% of GDP.... that increase from the less than 2% now will mean less for infrastructure, hospitals, schools, education etc....Why do we need submarines, permanent military bases in Doha, Kuwait, Latvia etc.

Canada just spent $22billion on support for the bloodbath in Ukraine...

Liberal or Conservative, the military cowboys, linked to the US, really run the show.

Not to mention the Canadian made explosives and weaponry sent under a "Defence" agreement loophole with the US to be used by the IDF in the destruction and genocide in Gaza.

Oh Canada, please lets not get smug about Carney who is increasing military spending and will want your grandkids to serve, and possibly die or be maimed in unnecessary future wars protecting "Canadian Values" or the now obviously defunct, by Carney's own admission, "Rules Based Order".

Lets stop militarism and military adventures overseas, build a domestic defence force, harden and expand our electrical grid, curb corporate and diaspora influence and lobbying.

Canada should have a foreign policy that reflects its multicultural population, some of whose members should not use Canada as a base to forment trouble and strife in their original home countries.

Hazel Love McLaughlin's avatar

You have given me something to research and think about.

Kyle Alan Lencucha 🇨🇦's avatar

I’ve found myself asking the question: What the Fuck has happened to the opposition?

And the only answer I’ve come to is that much like here in Alberta with the Wildrose taking full control of the UCP, I think Reform is fully in control of The CPC at this point

That’s the only way any of this makes sense

Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean's avatar

Exactly this. Harper was from that pool but he ended up in government far earlier than what Poilievre and his cohort are looking at. They’re about as prepared as Danielle Smith to do anything worthwhile but I see them breaking everything to align with how they think it should work.

Bobsuruncle's avatar

Both opposition parties are making my blood boil with their ABSOLUTE ineffective whatever tf they’re doing. I see f* all.

Bobsuruncle's avatar

I FULLY agree that elected members must live in the province, if not the riding. Bullshit Conservative woman living in Oklahoma should NEVER have been eligible period FFS. AND, if ya LOSE, you’re freaking GONE!! She’s freaking DRAGGING this out to destroy everything we know as democracy in Alberta people, WE need her out. Can we not sue for dereliction of duties??

KayDee's avatar

Tiny quibble - I think you meant to speak about Harper's successor(s) not predecessor in the front end?

And on that note only the middle of the CPC's three Harper successors is worthy of carrying Stephen's bags. Unfortunately bad advice from staff and PPs long sharpened knife killed off the best hope the CPC had for forming government again anytime soon.

Thanks.

Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean's avatar

I stumbled on that at least twice and it didn’t click why it was wrong. Thank you!!

Kim B's avatar

Great essay! Thanks

Kim B's avatar

I always do. Happy to upgrade to paid to support your work. Always thought provoking.

Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean's avatar

Truly appreciated 🙏

Henry Porter's avatar

Harper was a failing and failed PM.