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 do bet they won't be there for long because the families from whence they came 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?  Could very well happen because Indigenous leaders will not stand for them in a federal museum, 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:

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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:

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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!

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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.