This morning, I keep thinking about Winston Churchill, and the powerful allegory he used to warn that the appeaser is the man who feeds others to the crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.
With all due respect Charlie, PM Carney did not support trumps actions. I’ve listened very carefully and repeatedly to both comments. It was carefully curated, but it was far from a full throated endorsement or approval. What he did say was also not a “suck-up” to trump. I vote NDP both provincially and federally - my MP is Heather McPherson. But I have a lot of respect for Carney and am not sitting by waiting to pounce, as it seems some news outlets are. FrancesK has posted two commentaries. She heard what I heard. I’d be very happy if you’d listen to her take on this. With my thanks and keep up the good work.
Charlie, I have to agree that I am mystified as to why Mr Carney has not condemned this attack. It has nothing to do about whether Iran's government were cruel, but it is about whether a country has the right to attack another country without just cause and consultation with the UN. Trump did not speak to anyone else except Netanyahu. All over the world there is shock but very little "awe".
Mr. Carney needs to be the strong leader he was at Davos.
He is - which is why he didn’t launch into a negative rebuttal. FrancesK has posted responses on each of the two comments at issue. I suggested, with all due respect, that perhaps Charlie (love that man) might listen to her comments. She heard pretty much what I’d heard. I listened very carefully, and did so twice.
Thank you for this Charlie. Yes, Canada Feeds The Crocodile. Canada also places a sign in Carney’s shop window which suggests that: the Islamic Republic of Iran is:
• “threatening international peace and security”,
• is attempting to “obtain” nuclear weapons and
• is about to “develop nuclear weapons”.
• Carney’s sign also implies that the United States is attacking Iran to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
He does not believe it. No one believes it. Everybody knows Trump has admitted to the goal of regime change.
But Carney places the sign anyway – to avoid trouble, to signal compliance, to get along.
It was clearly a statement made with thoughtful caution. He understands what is happening within his own nation and how he handles these potential firestorms is most important in our current world climate. However, it was possible to not only stand with two ideas: 1-support Iranians who were under a dangerous leader 2-stand against such a government having nuclear weapons BUT to also stand strong and firm on 1-that leaders of democratic nations must follow the law of the land and consult their people prior to going to war (due to cost to them and their children) AND 2-the international law that has been critical to world peace---respecting another nation's sovereignty---not attacking without first being attacked.
I wrote the PM the moment I read the poorly written news release:
I am appalled and disappointed that you issued a statement this morning supporting the US strikes on Iran.
War is never the answer, and in the case, it’s pretty clear that Trump is simply looking to shore up his flagging approval numbers, as a show of power/aggression to feed his right wing base and to distract from the Epstein files.
And adding in that ‘Israel has the right to defend themselves’ - Israel is the aggressor in both this situation and in Gaza.
Canada used to be seen as negotiator and as a peace keeper and I urge you as our PM to reclaim that position.
You also said it was time to ‘take the sign out of the window’, and condoning this war does the opposite.
I wrote to the PM yesterday morning, and urged my friends to do likewise. It's one thing to say you agree that a change of government in Iran might be a good thing, but quite another to support this immoral war.
Mark Carney’s stance on the US and Israel strike on Iran, I think he’s playing it exactly how a Canadian PM has to play it, cautious, measured, and intentionally non inflammatory, because Canada is economically and militarily tied to the United States whether people like it or not, so while some see his comments as full support and others see them as responsible diplomacy, what I see is a leader trying to avoid escalation while protecting alliances and domestic stability, which may not satisfy activists on either side but is probably the pragmatic move in a moment where one reckless sentence can carry real geopolitical consequences.
Mark Carney’s stance on the US and Israel strike on Iran, I think he’s playing it exactly how a Canadian PM has to play it, cautious, measured, and intentionally non inflammatory, because Canada is economically and militarily tied to the United States whether people like it or not, so while some see his comments as full support and others see them as responsible diplomacy, what I see is a leader trying to avoid escalation while protecting alliances and domestic stability, which may not satisfy activists on either side but is probably the pragmatic move in a moment where one reckless sentence can carry real geopolitical consequences.
Charlie, I am normally in agreement with everything you put forward, but in this case, I must respectfully disagree. First, let’s agree Trump is, or has, a seriously broken clock. From there, we can admit that even a broken clock can be right twice a day. Second, we cannot put these issues into silos to be commented on and evaluated discretely. Iran has exported terror for years. It allies itself with many of our enemies. It supplies tens of thousands of Shaheed drones and other munitions to Russia for it to use against civilian targets in Ukraine, maiming thousands of all ages, inflicting suffering and death on an apocalyptic scale. In the world or real politik, (remember Willy Brandt?), taking out the Iranian supply line to Russia will be of immeasurable benefit to Ukraine. Take the win, Charlie. Lebanon, Palestine and Gaza have been made a living hell for people who have never deserved to be pawns in the Russia/Syria/Iran/israel/USA grand game. Taking away Iran’s ability to be master to all the proxy’s like Hamas will be one step closer to Palestine being able to stand for itself. Take that win, Charlie. Israel has led the USA into year another Mideast Misadventure. It is what it is because of the original misadventure toppling Mossadegh’s parliamentary democracy to install the Shah Reza Pahlavi who was propped up by the CIA and Mossad. This is like putting three vipers in a nest. While they’re focused on each other, neither we nor Greenland or any of our Latin American neighbours are being invaded. Take that win as well. It’s all very harsh calculus. It’s human lives. This is the reality of Trump’s new world order; not of our making. Karma will visit. Israel and USA have attacked a country that praises martyrdom to Paradise above all. The fatwas will be issued. It took from 1989 to 2022 for the Khomeini fatwa on Salman Rushdie for him to be maimed and nearly killed, along with printers and translators around the world. That one was for… a book. NEITHER TRUMP nor Netanyahu will avoid their reckoning with this illegal war.
Charlie, you remind me of Mordecai in the book of Esther, when he urged Queen Esther to advocate on behalf of her people (the Jews) “for such a time as this.” With incredible courage, she was able to save her people from genocide! You’ve identified the risk that Trump poses to democracy, our values, etc., etc. and challenged us to confront this threat. Lincoln and Churchill both realized they were called by God to act in their respective (and very dark) periods of human history.
As it has been said by Elizabeth May, Trump tore up the agreement that kept eyes on and prevented Irans nuclear armament. So why are we now supporting his attack of Iran? Tariffs? Not t worth it!
You spelled "BORED of Peace" wrong 😉
With all due respect Charlie, PM Carney did not support trumps actions. I’ve listened very carefully and repeatedly to both comments. It was carefully curated, but it was far from a full throated endorsement or approval. What he did say was also not a “suck-up” to trump. I vote NDP both provincially and federally - my MP is Heather McPherson. But I have a lot of respect for Carney and am not sitting by waiting to pounce, as it seems some news outlets are. FrancesK has posted two commentaries. She heard what I heard. I’d be very happy if you’d listen to her take on this. With my thanks and keep up the good work.
Charlie, I have to agree that I am mystified as to why Mr Carney has not condemned this attack. It has nothing to do about whether Iran's government were cruel, but it is about whether a country has the right to attack another country without just cause and consultation with the UN. Trump did not speak to anyone else except Netanyahu. All over the world there is shock but very little "awe".
Mr. Carney needs to be the strong leader he was at Davos.
He is - which is why he didn’t launch into a negative rebuttal. FrancesK has posted responses on each of the two comments at issue. I suggested, with all due respect, that perhaps Charlie (love that man) might listen to her comments. She heard pretty much what I’d heard. I listened very carefully, and did so twice.
Thank you for this Charlie. Yes, Canada Feeds The Crocodile. Canada also places a sign in Carney’s shop window which suggests that: the Islamic Republic of Iran is:
• “threatening international peace and security”,
• is attempting to “obtain” nuclear weapons and
• is about to “develop nuclear weapons”.
• Carney’s sign also implies that the United States is attacking Iran to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
He does not believe it. No one believes it. Everybody knows Trump has admitted to the goal of regime change.
But Carney places the sign anyway – to avoid trouble, to signal compliance, to get along.
https://www.readthemaple.com/documenting-25-years-of-media-fearmongering-on-iranian-nukes/?ref=maple-digest-news-newsletter
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/economist-jeffrey-sachs-interview-us-israel-strikes-iran-world-war-threar-middle-east-crisis-2877184-2026-03-03
😥
It was clearly a statement made with thoughtful caution. He understands what is happening within his own nation and how he handles these potential firestorms is most important in our current world climate. However, it was possible to not only stand with two ideas: 1-support Iranians who were under a dangerous leader 2-stand against such a government having nuclear weapons BUT to also stand strong and firm on 1-that leaders of democratic nations must follow the law of the land and consult their people prior to going to war (due to cost to them and their children) AND 2-the international law that has been critical to world peace---respecting another nation's sovereignty---not attacking without first being attacked.
Apparently much of the protests have been concerning this fact.
Walking a thin line that has just gotten smaller.
Iran is in a water crisis.
Their ‘Mountain water tunnels are collapsing’. The Qanats feed the capital. This has resulted in plans to
“move the city” to a coastal region! What’s the population of Tehran again? Around 14 million?
I wrote the PM the moment I read the poorly written news release:
I am appalled and disappointed that you issued a statement this morning supporting the US strikes on Iran.
War is never the answer, and in the case, it’s pretty clear that Trump is simply looking to shore up his flagging approval numbers, as a show of power/aggression to feed his right wing base and to distract from the Epstein files.
And adding in that ‘Israel has the right to defend themselves’ - Israel is the aggressor in both this situation and in Gaza.
Canada used to be seen as negotiator and as a peace keeper and I urge you as our PM to reclaim that position.
You also said it was time to ‘take the sign out of the window’, and condoning this war does the opposite.
Charlie: I could not agree with you more. I am very disappointed with Prime Minister Carney on this issue.
I wrote to the PM yesterday morning, and urged my friends to do likewise. It's one thing to say you agree that a change of government in Iran might be a good thing, but quite another to support this immoral war.
Mark Carney’s stance on the US and Israel strike on Iran, I think he’s playing it exactly how a Canadian PM has to play it, cautious, measured, and intentionally non inflammatory, because Canada is economically and militarily tied to the United States whether people like it or not, so while some see his comments as full support and others see them as responsible diplomacy, what I see is a leader trying to avoid escalation while protecting alliances and domestic stability, which may not satisfy activists on either side but is probably the pragmatic move in a moment where one reckless sentence can carry real geopolitical consequences.
Adrian Marshall
Mark Carney’s stance on the US and Israel strike on Iran, I think he’s playing it exactly how a Canadian PM has to play it, cautious, measured, and intentionally non inflammatory, because Canada is economically and militarily tied to the United States whether people like it or not, so while some see his comments as full support and others see them as responsible diplomacy, what I see is a leader trying to avoid escalation while protecting alliances and domestic stability, which may not satisfy activists on either side but is probably the pragmatic move in a moment where one reckless sentence can carry real geopolitical consequences.
Charlie, I am normally in agreement with everything you put forward, but in this case, I must respectfully disagree. First, let’s agree Trump is, or has, a seriously broken clock. From there, we can admit that even a broken clock can be right twice a day. Second, we cannot put these issues into silos to be commented on and evaluated discretely. Iran has exported terror for years. It allies itself with many of our enemies. It supplies tens of thousands of Shaheed drones and other munitions to Russia for it to use against civilian targets in Ukraine, maiming thousands of all ages, inflicting suffering and death on an apocalyptic scale. In the world or real politik, (remember Willy Brandt?), taking out the Iranian supply line to Russia will be of immeasurable benefit to Ukraine. Take the win, Charlie. Lebanon, Palestine and Gaza have been made a living hell for people who have never deserved to be pawns in the Russia/Syria/Iran/israel/USA grand game. Taking away Iran’s ability to be master to all the proxy’s like Hamas will be one step closer to Palestine being able to stand for itself. Take that win, Charlie. Israel has led the USA into year another Mideast Misadventure. It is what it is because of the original misadventure toppling Mossadegh’s parliamentary democracy to install the Shah Reza Pahlavi who was propped up by the CIA and Mossad. This is like putting three vipers in a nest. While they’re focused on each other, neither we nor Greenland or any of our Latin American neighbours are being invaded. Take that win as well. It’s all very harsh calculus. It’s human lives. This is the reality of Trump’s new world order; not of our making. Karma will visit. Israel and USA have attacked a country that praises martyrdom to Paradise above all. The fatwas will be issued. It took from 1989 to 2022 for the Khomeini fatwa on Salman Rushdie for him to be maimed and nearly killed, along with printers and translators around the world. That one was for… a book. NEITHER TRUMP nor Netanyahu will avoid their reckoning with this illegal war.
Charlie, you remind me of Mordecai in the book of Esther, when he urged Queen Esther to advocate on behalf of her people (the Jews) “for such a time as this.” With incredible courage, she was able to save her people from genocide! You’ve identified the risk that Trump poses to democracy, our values, etc., etc. and challenged us to confront this threat. Lincoln and Churchill both realized they were called by God to act in their respective (and very dark) periods of human history.
As it has been said by Elizabeth May, Trump tore up the agreement that kept eyes on and prevented Irans nuclear armament. So why are we now supporting his attack of Iran? Tariffs? Not t worth it!