The rot is baked in

If you think it's just me, tune into Kevin Klein's YouTube podcasts to find out more about what the Indigenous chiefs are up to.  Turns out councilors and chiefs in Norway House Cree Nation, for example, have just voted themselves another $100,000 each in expense money -- on top of the $100,000+ they have awarded themselves in salaries.

Yep, you read that right.  With a population 8,839 souls, the chiefs have pumped themselves up quite handsomely, thank you, and now rake in more than $200,000 each while the poor souls who live there continue to struggle in squalour.

Remember Charmaine Stick of the Onion Lake Band?  She's been trying to get an accounting of where the chiefs spend the money and they have refused to comply.  No need for an audit, we know into whose bank accounts it has been deposited.  Klein wanted to know why no Indigenous are demanding an accounting.  I'd like to know too!  So far, Charmaine is on her own.  

As I say, it's rot at the top in many files.  Just look at Arielle Karagaba, the deputy house government leader, who claimed....sit down...hydrate.....breathe.....$173,000 in personal expenses in just nine days!^%#$@!!%^%!  And there's no accountability because the Accountability Act Harper introduced was immediately repealed by Trudeau.  Guess he didn't want the same act to apply to him. 

Arielle with her buddy Carney.

$173,000!!!!!!!!  What could she have possibly squandered it on?  We'll apparently never know because it's been approved and pocketed.  And she spent all this while Parliament was not sitting and she was not doing any official business!

But give Arielle a break.  Afterall, she was born in Burundi, so may not have yet figured out that Canada is a democracy, unlike her homeland which is rife with widespread corruption, poverty, instability, authoritarianism and illiteracy.  The norm in most African countries, which is why personally we never give a cent to any country on that continent.

Remember poor old Bev Oda?  She was sacked for expensing a $16 glass of orange juice.  

Listened to interim Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques the other day and he has found $140 billion in new spending not revealed by Carney tucked away in the budget just released.  Jacques gave the boldest appearance before a Parliamentary committee I have ever witnessed, but it will cost him his job because the PMO is advertising for a new officer who displays, "tact and discretion".  No more facts for the public, oh no, no, no!  Sounds like Burundi.  Banana Republic anyone?

The mandate of the PBO is, "To provide economic financial analysis to Parliament to promote greater transparency and accountability" for members of Parliament and the taxpayer.  But not, of course, if any truth dribbles out.

According to Jacques, the government campaigned on maintaining a balanced fiscal anchor with a diminishing debt to GDP ratio.  But they've ditched that anchor and now it will be flat.  This is the anchor that has been in place for the past 30 years, but "The government has secretly ditched it with no consultation whatsoever."

And then there's the Palestinian flag debacle.  Toronto mayor Olivia Chow and Manitoba premier Wab Kinew are both raising it on government property.  Newly-elected Calgary mayor Jeromy Farkas has passed a motion saying the only flags that can be flown on city property are the Calgary, Alberta or Canadian banners.  At least there's one patriot in the bunch.

Coupled with the politicization and banishment of the Poppy, it's unconscionable.  Let's face it, Canada is no more.  It makes me weep.  

 

Did anyone notice?

I did.  Mark Carney's much-hyped announcements of all the "mega" projects he's going to build in "times never seen before", four were in B.C.  Why?  Because he knows he's not going to get ANYTHING past the natives on the west coast.  Nothing. 

This will be the fate of all Carney's mega projects.  I have been saying this for years.

That's quite the cute trick.  Announce energy projects so it looks like you're making Canada an "energy superpower", all while knowing they'll never get completed.  Remember, his main condition is that each project gets Indigenous buy-in.  That guarantees nothing will happen.  (Trust me, I was in the PR business and also worked for several ministers.  I can smell bullsh-t a mile off 'cause I had to conjure up a lot of it.)

Of course, none was announced for Alberta because Carney knows Danielle Smith will get a pipeline built -- the last thing Carney wants!  I can't wait to see Smith's reaction.  Maybe she'll pull a "Lougheed" and shut off the pipes to the East just in time for Christmas.  That would be epic and well-deserved -- especially since he called pipelines "boring".  Can you imagine!? What he means is that he's bored being asked so often why he won't approve any.

The other cute trick was that most were already underway, or announced years before.  Nothing to see here, folks.  Canada's vast riches are once again being left in the ideological ground, making us all poorer for no good reason.  

Folks, that's what you get when you elect a green lunatic prime minister, with an equally green lunatic wife egging him on with relentless pillow talk.  Remember, her entire prosperous career has been in the net zero hoax.  In my mind, the only real "net zero" is Carney's brain.  Wake up!

The Climate King of Canada.

  

 

Musings on Remembrance Day

Spent a good part of the day watching coverage of this solemn day and it got me thinking about the various members of my own family's experiences.  

Many soldiers returned with PTSD, but they didn't go into treatment.  They went to the Legion.  That's where they shared their experiences and healed each other.  The PTSD recovery industry has been very handsomely built by capitalizing on the trauma so many vets experience.  

Frankly, how can a 30-something psychiatrist possibly relate to the arbitrary horrors soldiers who faced death saw all around them?  They can't, but their comrades at The Legion can and that's how they supported and understood each other.

I call BS on that industry, just as I do on expensive treatment centres for alcoholics.  The only thing that works for alcoholics is AA.  That's where they share and care -- not in a sterile facility staffed by "experts".

I also thought about my time as a volunteer on the 'Friends of the Canadian War Museum' board of directors.  There again, members supported each other and I was privileged to have been invited to join.  I learned humility and respect for the fine gentlemen -- yes, I was the only woman -- with whom I worked, including the late historian and author Tim Cook.  He was such a great guy and took the time to take me around the various displays and paintings when I joined, explaining everything housed there.  Taken far too young, may he Rest in Peace.

I am currently watching a documentary series about the U.S. Marines.  As you know, my birth father, William Doyle, was a Marine and fought in the bloodiest battle of WW II, Okinawa.  Eight thousand US Marines died in only 36 days.  What an unbelievable tragedy.  Billy Doyle returned a changed man, so my sisters have told me.

Billy Doyle, a proud US Marine.

I never met him and only learned I was his daughter two years ago, thanks to DNA.  What a shock!  But I have so much respect for him.  In terms of genetics, I think I could have been a Marine and probably would have enjoyed it.

So, another Remembrance Day closes.  May all who served sleep soundly, not knowing the damage politicians have done to this wonderful country.  Paging Justin Trudeau and Mark Carney!

Five generations

That's how we gathered yesterday for High Tea at The Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary.  There were only three present -- me, daughter and granddaughter -- but another two were there in spirit:  My mother and Grandmother.  My mother because I wore one of her jackets and my grandmother because I carried her shillelagh walking stick -- in fact, that stick may have actually been her mother's, so that would be six generations!

In any case, we were five generations there yesterday.

It was delightful, but expensive.  (I won't tell you how much because you'd die!)  Nevertheless, well worth it.

Just a delightful time and rare that we are together, given the hectic schedules of daughter and granddaughter.  I am so grateful.

  

This makes no sense to me?

Here's a doozy.  Parliament just passed a lunatic bill, C-3, that will now allow a Canadian parent, "born abroad but with a substantial connection to Canada, to pass on citizenship to any child born abroad beyond the first generation."

This means that a parent not born in Canada, but who has lived here for just three years, can travel back to their homeland and give birth to a child who would automatically have Canadian citizenship -- even though neither their parents nor they were been born here.

That's nuts!  This allows Canada to continue to be a birth tourist nation to get citizenship.  The worst offenders are the Lebanese, who regularly arrive here, get citizenship and then immediately go back to Lebanon to have kids, live with their family and friends for generations and even run businesses.  But whenever conflict erupts, they demand to be flown to Canada at taxpayer expense.  And for some reason, they are!?

Why is this permitted?  I think it's all for votes because all these "citizens" vote Liberal.  I mean, what other reason could there be?

____________________  

A word about the Mega Projects Office Carney has established.  Firstly, why did we need this?  There are multiple government departments already tasked with these projects.  Must be because he wants to control what goes on without the annoying interference of meddling bureaucrats.

Looking at the five major ones he wants to get going, I see each will have to pass through Indigenous territory.  Guess what?  They'll never get buy-in from natives because the latter's funding does not depend on projects.  It is baked into the Canadian economy, so they can protest all they want, they'll still get their billions.  Naturally, they have taken the usual "no" position:

They believe "consultation" means "veto", so good luck getting anything past them.

We're doomed.   

Trigger warning

If you're squeamish, don't read this post.  Yesterday, I thought I had something stuck in my eye, so I kept rubbing it and trying to get it out.  Nothing worked, so I went to my doctor who assumed it was conjunctivitis and prescribed drops.

No sooner had I put a couple in, my eye lit up with excruciating pain.  Felt like it was filled with sandpaper!  So, off I went to the Urgent Care facility here in Cochrane.  But it wasn't pink eye, it was an ulcer on my cornea!  Talk about pain! 

Lots going on in the average eye and apparently, the cornea is one of the most excruciating pains you will ever experience because it has 16 nerves in it. 

I was immediately referred to a specialist at the eye clinic in Calgary, so off I went (with daughter driving me because I couldn't see) to  spend a lovely morning getting assessed and prescribed more gunk.  It turns out the worst thing you can do with a ulcerated cornea is put antibiotics into it!

So, finally on the mend, but no swimming for a while.  As an old friend said, "Geezer Alert!!"  Don't get old! 

 

The arrogance

It was breathtaking!  Watching Vassy Kapelos interview Tim Hodgson, minister of energy and natural resources, I was shocked -- but not surprised -- by his arrogance and rudeness!  He talked to her as if she were a child who needed scolding, saying at one point, "Let me educate you, Vassy."

He then launched into an obviously-rehearsed speech about how much Canada was diversifying its trade and investments outside the U.S.  After his fudged non-answer, Vassy said, "Thank you for the education, but you didn't answer my question."

He then went on to deny that Carney had said Canada's traditional relationship with the U.S. was over -- which Carney did say and which she quoted verbatim back to him.  He shrugged awkwardly and repeated his rehearsed drivel for the fifth time.

It almost looked as if he had been trained by my former colleague, Barry McLoughlin, who runs a very successful consulting business teaching politicians how to avoid answering questions.  Lesson learned, Mr. Hodgson.  Barry does his job brilliantly because Hodgson didn't answer a thing she asked him.

As I said, it was breathtaking, but Vassy got him.  It was stunning.

Captain Arrogance Tim Hodgson.

Words of wisdom

 

Useless expressions

Here's a list of pointless expressions:

• At the end of the day.........
• That being said.............
• All things considered.........
• All things being equal.........
• On the one hand..........
• On the other hand........
• When you really think about it.......
• Not to put too fine a point on it.........
• Conversely..........
• Without a doubt.........

They are really meaningless fillers and my late editor, Mrs. Portugal, would tolerate none.  They actually give the user the option of not committing to any position.  One of the worst master offenders of the device is Andrew Coyne, who uses them all with gay abandon, filling the inside front page of the 'Opinion' section of 'The Globe' every Saturday with columns and columns of drivel.

Right up there with Coyne is Allan Gregg, a Canadian pollster and self-described "pundit" who used to opine regularly on CBC.  His favourite expression was, "That being said.....", after which he would launch into the complete opposite of what he had just fervently espoused.  Cute trick because he never commits to any position on anything, but makes a ton of money doing it.  (Allegedly, reportedly, just my opinion, as the great Maureen Callahan always says adds after she excoriates a victim.)

The elusive Mr. Gregg.

So, next time you hear anyone using any of the above, take note: They're not saying anything.

    

Two expressions come to mind...

 "Waiting for Godot" and "The Emperor's New Clothes."  Both sum up what Mark Carney epitomizes.  

Canadians are waiting for something to happen and nothing has.  But too many are still giving him the benefit of dressing in fancy, new clothes, with action just around the corner.

Speaking of action and speed, yes he's doing things at breakneck speed -- if you count how fast the jet flies that he takes all over the world to get nothing done.  Ya, that's speed; his deals aren't.

Frankly, I think he allowed Doug Ford to run that ad so he could blame his own inaction on Trump's reaction.  "See, Trump was just about to sign on the dotted line, but Doug Ford kiboshed the whole deal.  It's all Ford's fault."  That's a cute trick. 

Carney is, so far, a disaster.  Instead of the savior and "Trump whisperer" he assured the electors he would be, he is the "nothing burger".  As I have said, he has gone to Europe eight times since being elected, but has yet to venture to Upper Rubber Boot, Saskatchewan, so to speak.  He also eschews Parliament, for good reason.  He doesn't respect our system of government and cannot face Pierre Poilievre's relentless scrutiny.  

I am very disappointed, but not surprised, that this globalist snob has let us down.  We're all still waiting for Godot.

Here we are, still waiting.

    

Next year??!!

Carney says he will finalize deals with ASEAN countries by next year.  Whaaaaat??!! Next year!!!??  January?  July?  November?  He's over there now doing, uh....doing, er.....what?  Photo ops for sure, but we don't know what'll happen next year and neither does he.  Nevertheless, next year for sure, something will be signed.  Or not.  And he will still be the prime minister.  Or not.

As the late British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan, when asked what was the most troubling problem of his job, said, "Events, my dear boy, events."   

And therein lies the rub.  Someone should tell our PM that the way it works is that officials do the ground work with their counterparts months, or even years, in advance on trade deals.  Then, the big boys go in and sign them off.  The big boys don't go in first and then promise a deal later or next year or in the next five.

I know, I worked on the original Canada U.S. Free Trade deal in 1987.  We toiled all year and then Brian Mulroney stepped in and signed it on January 2, 1988.  That Christmas, by the way, I got no holiday because we worked feverishly day and night to get it finalized.

Me and Free Trade.

So, Mr. Carney has it ass-backwards, just as he has a lot of things.  So far, he has done nothing except fly around, dragging that wife with him, making vague announcement after vague announcement -- all the while saying he's accomplishing generational deals that will make Canada a "super power".  In what, we don't know?

As I have said, he's pulled off the greatest bait-and-switch con in recent memory and sadly, people are still drinking the Koolaid.

Say what you like about Mulroney, but he got the Free Trade and GST deals accomplished in spite of huge opposition.  He was hated for it and punished at the polls, but he persevered.  And lucky me, I was a part of both task forces.  

INSANITY

FORD AIRS AN ATTACK AD ON TRUMP IN THE U.S. AND TRUMP TERMINATES ALL TARIFF AND TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JUST AS IT HAPPENS, CARNEY JUMPS ON A PLANE FOR A WEEK-LONG TRIP TO ASIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're doomed!  And yes, those caps are intentional because I'm yelling here!

Incomprehensible

So, Mark Carney addressed Ottawa U students yesterday with a stunt speech to "explain" what his budget will contain.  This is some of what he said: 

"I will introduce a budget that will contain a climate competitiveness strategy, which will focus on results over objectives."

What does that even mean???  What's a "climate competitiveness strategy"?  Naturally, he didn't say.  Then he went on to say it will focus on "results over objectives".  What does that mean?  No objectives?  What results?  As measured by what?  By whom?  It's all so ludicrous.  His hubris is breathtaking!

He concluded by saying he will, "Double exports to non-U.S. markets over the next decade."  Since four percent of our exports go to Europe, doubling it will up it to a whopping eight percent.  Wow!  That'll make up for the 86 percent we currently do with the U.S.  Not.

Carney can't predict will happen in the next 10 minutes, let alone in another 10 years!  Then he justified the coming huge deficit by saying it will grow the economy, "Like it has never seen before."  Really?  What have you done so far?  Nothing.

He said all this standing at a lectern that made me despair.  It said, "Building Canada Strong".  Does that mean "Building Canada Strongly", or "Building a Strong Canada."???  Either way, it's incorrect and very annoying.  He needs to dump his communications staff.

Just another meaningless slogan.

So, if you're still enamored with Mr. Carney, give your head a shake and wake up!  

This is a mistake

After years of pressure, the Vatican will be returning Indigenous artifacts back to Canada, to be entrusted into the care of the Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), with some to be sent to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau.

That's a mistake.

Having them showcased at the Vatican meant they were exposed to millions of people worldwide.  They were given the respect they deserved, but what will the CCCB do with them?  I have no clue, but I bet they won't be there for long because the families from whence they came say they want them back.

After complex negotiations, 100,000 such artifacts are finally set to return home, but their fate is at stake because what will the families whose ancestors donated them do with them?  Will they end up in someone's shack on a reserve?  Will internal family scabbling and law suits erupt over which descendents should have them?  Should they go to the maternal side, or the paternal?  All this could very well happen because Indigenous leaders will not stand for them to be housed in a federal museum in Ottawa, or a church basement.  They just won't.

So, history is being re-written, as these treasures will be scattered hither and yon and who knows what will befall them?

Magnificent Indigenous gloves currently in the Vatican museum.

As I said, it's a mistake.  They should remain in the Vatican as embodiments of the history of Canada, its Indigenous culture and controversial relationship with the Catholic Church. 

I agree with Derek Burney

Now 85 years old, Burney's marbles are neither scrambled, nor lost.  The former Canadian ambassador to the U.S. and chief of staff to PM Brian Mulroney still regularly appears on political shows and offers a sharp, insightful look at the political lay of the land.

A voice of sanity, Derek Burney.

Today he said that Mark Carney needs to get his act together.  I agree.  Carney has been to Europe eight times, but never to our real threat China, where actual danger lies.  He seems to go where he feels most comfortable -- which is certainly not to various lowly Canadian hinterlands, where the great unwashed dwell in their piteous ignorance.  

Carney needs to try harder not to suck.  So far, I'm giving him an F as prime minister.  And as for his cabinet, half of them seem off their meds!  Take Patty Hajdu, minister of jobs and families, for example.  She needs to put down her juice box and crayons and start tackling the problem.  Canada's economy is in freefall!  Where are the jobs?  What are Canadian families supposed to do to get food on their plates?  Why are food banks overrun?  Ya, those problems, Patty.

Now Trump is targeting the auto sector, the one upon which the entire economy relies.  Whither the car, whither the economy and on that file, we're f-cked if Trump pushes ahead with shutting the industry here -- which he is doing.  What's Carney's response?  Zilch.  Nada.  Crickets. 

So far, the general public -- yes, the great unwashed -- are giving Carney a pass.  But his numbers are slipping.  I hear he's planning to call an election while there may be some hope left for him.  Gawd, I hope not.  Please wait until more Canadians emerge from their torpor so we can give Pierre a shot.

As I said, I live in hope, faint though it is.    

A direct and truthful look at reality

I am re-posting this by the women below, found on Facebook in "Canada wants Pierre Poilievre."  She nails Carney:

_____________________________ 

Melanie in Saskatchewan, Unfiltered Opinions: Political Edition

Mark Carney: The Spineless Sellout Who Fearmongered His Way to Power and Belly-Flopped Into Trump's Lap

"Mark Carney here we are again, you pathetic, elbow-less invertebrate of a prime minister – how dare you slither into office on a tidal wave of manufactured terror about Donald Trump, only to roll over like a gutless lapdog the moment you sniffed power? Your bait-and-switch tactics aren't just political sleight-of-hand; they're a grotesque betrayal, a stinging indictment of your utter lack of spine, principles, or basic human decency.

Trump, with Carney on the right.

"You scared Canadians shitless to steal votes, painting Trump as the big bad wolf ready to devour our sovereignty, economy, and souls. Then, in your last two groveling encounters with the man, you turned into a simpering fanboy, as--kissing with such fervor it was like you were auditioning for a spot in Trump's inner circle. Shame on you, – your about-face isn't diplomacy; it's disgusting capitulation from a man whose "elbows" are apparently made of wet noodles, making it all too easy to fold, flop, and fondle your way through surrender.

"Let's discuss this revolting charade, shall we? During that shameless snap election in April 2025, you, Carney, weaponized Trump like a cheap horror flick villain. You thundered from podiums that his tariffs were an "existential crisis," that he'd "break us so America can own us," turning the vote into a referendum on your supposed toughness. Desperate Canadians – overtaxed, overstressed — bought your bullsh-t because you promised to "fight when we must," to retaliate, diversify trade, and stand tall against the bully.

"You demonized Trump to distract from your Liberal party's decade of decay, raking in votes from terrified voters who saw you as the banker-savior with the guts to stare down the orange menace. It was pure fearmongering filth, a calculated con that exploited our anxieties over jobs, borders, and bills. And for what? A narrow mandate you're not sticking to, built on lies?

"Fast-forward to your pathetic pilgrimages to Trump, and the mask rips off like cheap velcro. First, that October 7 White House visit: You show up in a red tie — Trump's colors, you bootlicking wannabe — grinning like a starstruck schoolboy as you laugh off annexation threats and call him a "transformative president" who's "strengthened the economy, secured borders, and combated opioids." What in the world were you thinking, Mark? No pushback on the 25% tariffs crippling our exports, no forceful demands for relief — just endless ass-kissing, praising his NATO spending while your own country bleeds jobs.

"You emerged with zilch, claiming a "meeting of minds," but it was clear: You rolled over, belly up, giving Trump that metaphorical raspberry right on his ego, complete with a reach-around full of concessions like scrapping our Digital Services Tax to appease him, and dropping every counter tariff behind the scenes where Canadians cant question ir scrutinize. Easy to do when you have no elbows, no fight, no moral backbone to throw a punch or even stand straight.

"And then, not even a week later, the October 14 Summit for Peace in Egypt – your bro-fest sequel. There you are again, chuckling at Trump's "president" gaffe like it's the funniest thing since your own election lies, exchanging pleasantries in a relaxed huddle while global eyes watch. No tough talk, no leverage on trade wars — just more chummy vibes, steering clear of confrontation as if your campaign rhetoric was a bad dream you woke up from mid-makeout session.

"Critics nailed it: This wasn't negotiation; it was a bromance bloom, with you cooing over shared "strengths" instead of the forceful defense you swore to voters. You gave Trump everything but a happy ending, pledging Canadian investments southward while our economy crumbles under your watch. Rolled over again, eh, Mark? Must be effortless with those phantom elbows – limp, useless appendages that let you twist into whatever pretzel shape suits your survival, not Canada's.

"This isn't mere flip-flopping; it's a critically savage rebuke to your shyster character. You promised voters a lion against Trump, and delivered a lamb that licks boots and blows kisses. Your about-face exposes you as a spineless opportunist, easy to intimidate, easier to buy off with flattery and failure. No elbows means no resistance, just endless capitulation: Belly raspberries and reach-arounds for a deal that shafts Canadians, all while deficits explode and families like mine pay the price.

"You're not a leader; you're a laughingstock, a traitor to your own words, condemned to history's hall of shame for peddling fear to win, then fraternizing with the foe. Resign in disgrace, you elbow-less embarrassment — Canada deserves better than your belly-crawling betrayal."

Melanie in Saskatchewan

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Grade nine hair

Watching Mélanie Joly being skewered by the brilliant Vassy Kapelos, I thought, am I watching someone auditioning for a Bunny position at the Playboy Mansion?  What is she doing with that hair?!

Grade nine hair.

She's a minister in Carney's government and too old to be walking around professionally with grade nine hair.  Time to lose it.  In my opinion, professional women in the public eye of a certain age should get a professional hairdo -- or at least tie it back when you're leading a group or on TV.  I don't care what you do in your private life, but in the public thoroughfare, you need to look the part.

As I always say, we are our hair.  

There are, however, three women who get a pass:  Maureen Callahan, Megyn Kelly and Vassy.  Why?  Because their brains give them licence to do what they want with their hair.  No one else gets one.

Speaking of Vassy, she is relentless and so well-briefed.  When she says, "With respect, minister........" watch out!  If you want to be informed on Canadian politics, you need to catch her daily program, 'Power and Politics'.  

You also need to read 'The Globe and Mail'.  When someone tries to talk politics with me, I say, "Do you read 'The Globe and Mail?"  If they don't, I take a page out of Helen Mirren's philosophy, who said, "There's no point wasting energy and brain power engaging with someone ill-informed and ignorant."  

Hear, hear!

So, that's my take on things today.  

Off again

Carney is off on yet another flight of fancy to take credit where none is due.  He did nothing to bring about this peace deal.  It was all Trump.  In fact, he, Starmer and Macron did much to aggravate and set the process back by formally recognizing a Palestinian state while the parties were actively working on an agreement. 

How dumb can you be?  Just to be more irresponsible, he chartered a huge jet to take him to Egypt for one day because the regular plane wasn't available.  What did that cost!!???  There is a great video of Trump thanking every country who assisted (even though none did), with all the leaders standing behind him.  He left Carney out entirely! In fact, Carney was relegated to the kids' table in the audience -- not even on the stage!  I told you Trump can't stand him.  

Have a listen to what Conrad Black thinks of Carney, to which I wholeheartedly agree.  Also give a listen to John Mearsheimer, who says the so-called "peace" won't last because Israel's objective of annihilating all of Hamas has yet to be accomplished.  

 In the meantime, this is from AP and CP:

________________________________

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney was set to leave Sunday afternoon for Egypt, to take part in a hastily organized summit surrounding the truce U.S. President Donald Trump helped arrange between Israel and Hamas.

Here he goes again.  Bye bye Canada!

Carney will join leaders from more than 20 countries in the Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh, where Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi says he will co-chair a “peace summit.”

Heads of government and state will be represented from across the Middle East as well as France, Germany and the U.K.

Media were not notified of Carney’s trip before it had been confirmed through an update to his Sunday itinerary, roughly three hours before his plane was set to depart.

Sunday marked three days of a truce in which aid agencies are preparing to rush in food and medicine for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, just as Israel gradually draws back its soldiers.

Hamas is expected to release roughly 20 living hostages as early as Monday morning, in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Hamas would then release the bodies of about 28 dead Israeli hostages.

Trump brokered the truce, but questions remain over a longer-term ceasefire or whether a detailed peace deal will be reached.

He has said that the Sunday meeting will take a wider look at the Middle East, such as whether rich Arab nations could help finance the reconstruction of Gaza and how to end decades of strife between Israelis and Palestinians and possibly normalizing Israel’s relations with many Arab countries.

— With files from The Associated Press.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 12, 2025.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press

Thumbed his nose...

...at the residence of the Canadian Ambassador and stayed instead at cushy Blair House, the place where heads of state stay when visiting Trump.  That's where Carney opted to stay when he fled to Washington the other day to take another beat down from Trump.

The Blair House

That's outrageous!  Instead of staying in the Canadian Embassy residence, Carney stayed in a visitor's hotel, reserved for guests of the US president and vice-president.  What message does that send?  It says, "I'm at your beck-and-call, Mr. President, and I will eschew my own country's residence to be able to rush over to the White House to take a knee."

Canadian Embassy in Washington, apparently not prestigious enough for Carney.

Am I the only one who picked up on this?  As usual, yes.  Apart from the fact that he came back with nothing to show for his eighth trip abroad at enormous financial and environmental cost, Carney continues to claim he's negotiating at top speed and that deals are nearing completion.

Oh really?  The day before his sojourn to the Oval, Trump imposed a huge tariff on trucks made in Canada.  What a slap in the face for our brilliant negotiator-in-chief PM.  I mean, it couldn't have been worse!  There he was, sitting with flunkies Leblanc, Joly and Anand beside him as he kowtowed away.    

I suppose that's all that's left to him in the face of Trump's tariff wrath.  What gets me is that only Congress can impose tariffs, but the meek occupants of that chamber are so scared of him they daren't do anything.  The whole mess is currently being challenged in court, but even if the court decides the tariffs are illegal, Trump won't abide by the ruling.  He'll just ignore it and carry on.

Where this all leads is anyone's guess?  But you do have to hand it to Trump for securing a ceasefire in Gaza, which might lead to a peace plan -- although I highly doubt it.  The Arab world's hatred of Israel is so entrenched and its determination wipe it off the face of the world is matched only by Israel's resolve to eliminate every vestige of Hamas and Hezbollah everywhere.

As I said, where this all leads is anyone's guess, but it won't be pretty. 

p.s.  Instead of giving the Nobel Peace Prize to the unknown and ineffectual Venezuelan Leader of the Opposition (currently in hiding), it should have been awarded to Trump for achieving something no one else has ever done in that godforsaken region.     

        

Why??!!

So, Mark Carney is fleeing to Washington again to indulge in a little when-you-wish-upon-a-star talk.  Does he actually think he will get a deal with Trump?  Won't happen.  I think he's off to Washington simply to get away from doing his job in Ottawa and trying to dance to the dangerous music he has wrought.  He also can't face Pierre Poilievre in the House, as was on dismal display the couple of times he actually showed up last week, where he was pummeled.

Here's the question:  What have Dominic Leblanc, Mélanie Joly and Anita Anand been doing in Washington for months?  They practically live there, but so far, have accomplished nothing,.  Neither will Carney.

He isn't governing as a prime minister.  He's governing as chairman and CEO of some board, with his ministers and flunkies acting as impotent, feckless, empty suits.  It's appalling.  Parliament?  What's that?  "Just an annoying impediment to my personal agenda."

He governs with a velvet fist, but he is a dictator nonetheless.

And make no mistake, his mother -- masquerading as his wife, but still looking like his mother -- is clearly right in there setting the agenda.  What was she doing addressing the UN and speaking for Canada??!!??  He himself doesn't speak for Canada because more Canadians voted for other candidates, so his ludicrous wife is even more out-of-line.

Carney's simply filling out his resumé to include a stint as PM so he can move into his next job, which I predict will be as head of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank or the World Economic Forum.  That's where he really belongs -- not stumping across pathetic, little Canada helping Canadians and strengthening the country.

G-d knows we have multiple messes right here at home, which is where he should be spending his time.  But not wandering around clutching podiums, making announcements, setting up new offices and agencies and appointing more people to more useless positions, which is what he has been doing.  He needs to actually DO something!

There was a very scary article in 'The Globe and Mail' yesterday about how Trump's threats to annex Canada as the 51st state are no longer a joke.  It could really happen and all we have defending the Arctic are a couple of rangers with a few rifles.  Read it and weep.

In my view, here's who has to go:  Trump, Putin, Zelensky and Xi.  Carney is a bit player, but he also has to go for the sake of Canada.  The big four are the ones threatening the world on all sides.  

G-d help our children and grandchildren.  

   

Back with Dick and Jane

Last year, I tutored grade two kids with reading in English (See "Ten!", February 17, 2025).  This year I'm back, but tutoring two classes, one French, the other English at the local elementary school here in Cochrane.  As usual, it's delightful!

I am using old-fashioned phonetics, but since that is a taboo word in the world of the brilliant PhD minds who develop curricula, they now call breaking down a word into sounds and syllables "de-coding".  Remember when educators decided to chuck out phonetics to teach "whole word" reading?  Ya, didn't go so well.  So it's back to phonetics, er de-coding, because that's the only thing that works.

Me tutoring phonetics.

It's so funny to see the kids sound out each part of the word, then string it together and exclaim, "Oh!", when they finally get the word.

Other tools available include games and pictures to figure out a word, but I prefer just getting them to read and figure out the words as they go along.  With games, they figure them out pretty quickly and avoid actually reading.

A new phenomenon -- at least new for me -- is afoot in this school, and I presume others.  Children with anti-social behaviours now have personal, fulltime minders to teach them outside the regular classroom.  Sitting at my station in the hall, I heard a loud meowing noise, then a lot of screaming.  Startled, I jumped up.  "Oh, that's just Johnny, he thinks he's a cat," said my charge.  Whaaaat??!!!  "Can he not stop?" I asked.  "Yes, but he doesn't want to."

WTH!!??  Yep, apparently kids can do and be anything in school these days.  I asked if there was kitty-litter in the washroom.  No, not yet, but who knows?!  As I said, kids like this are given personal, highly-paid minders who accompany them all day long.  In my view, that's insane, but I can see the hand of many "expert" child psychologists in the school board at work here.  In my day, a kid like this would be sent to the principal's office, made to sit in the hall, or worse yet, given the strap.  

But not today.  Are schools doing these aberrant kids any favours?  When they grow up, will they ever get a job?  If so, will acting like a cat in the office be tolerated?  Rhetorical.  But, as I said, lots of child psychologists are making big money off it, so it will continue. 

So, tutoring is my contribution to early education.  Unfortunately, the teachers go on strike on Monday, so I will have to wait until that's over.  By the way, teachers will not receive strike pay while out, which I find ludicrous.  They pay big dues, but can't collect when they need it?

(Personally, I don't think the teachers should strike, but that's another blog for another day.)  

My question is, where do the dues go?  A quick check of the union org chart tells me there is a president, two vice-presidents, a past-president, an executive secretary and 15 members.  So, that's where the money is going -- to keep that afloat and finance their fancy headquarters and offices.

So, I'll only have to get up early three days a week to hit the pool, instead of another two to get to class.  

May she Rest in Peace

Jane and one of her buddies.

The death of chimpanzee-expert and icon Jane Goodall has been mourned by millions all over the world.  But as I pondered her contributions to humanity, you know what I came up with?  Nothing.  I know this will be greeted as a sacrilege to her work and memory, but honestly, how did her study of chimps contribute to a better understanding of humans?

As I said, it didn't.

Humans didn't evolve from apes or chimps because were that true, why are there still apes and chimps around?  They'd have disappeared and morphed into humans, but they remain a separate species unto themselves, just as we remain human.  Frankly, the average pig is closer genetically to humans.  (I agree because I often act like a pig around certain foods, get my drift?)

So, may Jane Rest in Peace, but I give her no credit for improving humanity via the study of chimps.  Chimps are still chimps and we are still humans.  Farewell, Jane, and may those carrying on the study of chimps enjoy themselves.  

Bait and Switch

To get elected, Mark Carney pulled off one of the greatest 'Bait and Switch' cons in recent memory.  And it worked -- at least for the gullible Canadians who didn't do their homework on what this guy was actually all about:  A green, net zero zealot in banker economist's clothing.

Carney's phony stump slogan.

Yep folks, we were had and now we're starting to see just how devastating the economic destruction he is wreaking is.  He's still conning people into thinking that losing the US trade relationship is no big deal because, "Look how much trade we're doing with Europe!"  

Actually, no.  Our biggest trading partners are China and India, but even that doesn't amount to a hill of economic peanut beans, in comparison with what we have lost with the US.  And as for Europe, we do about four percent of our trade with them.  So, Canada is basically going down the tubes.  Fast.

James Moore had an interesting analysis on what $65 billion -- the projected deficit -- looks like in layman's terms.  Apparently, it would buy all of Canada's sports teams, as well as Air Canada and a number of other multi-billion dollar companies.  It was shocking!    

So, "Elbows up" has become "Knees down", as Trump continues to punish Canada because, frankly, he doesn't like the cut of Carney's jib.  Simple as that.  Just to drive Carney's agenda home, he has stock in 567 companies.  Know how many are Canadian?  Three!!!!  That tells you everything about where his confidence is:  Not in Canada!

______________________________

A lot of Koolaid was drunk and orange shirts worn yesterday on 'National Day of Truth and Reconciliation'.  You'd think Indigenous women were being killed by evil Caucasian men all-day-every-day, but in reality, a quick check of the RCMP stats (readily available online) shows they are actually being killed by their own kith and kin.  It's not hard to figure out what "reconciliation" means.  

Money.  

Carney's speech was pitiable.  I thought he was going to burst out Trudeau-crying, as he apologized for giving natives an education, while they were being tortured daily in boarding schools.  Remember, folks, every single Indigenous leader went to one -- often at the request of their parents to save them from starvation and disease on the reserves.  And also remember the majority of assault was perpetrated by older students on younger, not by teachers and priests.  Those are facts.  (Google Judge Brian Geisbrecht for the truth on this file.)

So, another con has been baked into the Canadian identity.  People need to do a little research and wake up because billions are at stake.      

What??!!

"The problem isn't the UN, it's the member states," said soon-to-be ex Canadian Ambassador Bob Rae on 'Question Period' this morning.

What the h-ll, Bob!?  The UN is its member states.  So, ergo, if the problem is the member states, the problem is the UN itself because without the member states, there is no UN.  So duh, yes Bob, the UN is the problem.  It's moribund, ineffectual and incapable of doing anything to solve any conflict anywhere.  And if it can't solve anything because of its own charter and members, why does it even exist??!!  I'm with Trump on that one.

Bob has always been the master of "word salads", hence his successful transition from an NDP Ontario premier who destroyed the province's economy to a guy who landed a cushy $250,000 job in New York.  Not a bad gig, Bob.

Bob's brain at work.

(Just had to jot this down, but now back to the brilliant David Starkey on YouTube.)