Mr Angus, while I respect what you are saying re Ukraine/Europe and
The lunatic trump, and I agree wholeheartedly, you and your incompetent NDP teammates and the wholly dishonest Trudeau Liberals are the ones who have helped put Canada in its current position - basically what I’d call an ‘own goal’…
Negligent management of the economy, wasteful woke spending, outright green fund fraud, no-more -pipelines bills, Trudeaus ethical breaches as bad as some of Trumps, appalling liberalization of drug policies and many more. Your party’s
Incompetence and support for the Liberals made Canada an easy target for the orange madman and we are now reaping what you helped sew . So spare me the moralising respecting Canada . You helped put us where we are today!
ummm ... well, that's one narrow view of Canada. Add a bit of facts and critical thinking to your view to understand context and especially where the globe is in terms of economics - and it is economics that runs the world. Neoclassical economic theory was embraced by Thatcher/Regan/Mulrony which then set the stage for corporate greed. Did subsequent CDN PM's make any significant changes? Few. But please remember, as powerful as folks seem to think JT is, the state of the world's economy was NOT set by JT or the liberals. Every Prime Minister and their party made economic choices that affected the CDN economy as did the global economy have effect. Many CDN companies were sold off to foreign interests; no government invested in the military; GST was supported by all parties in power; there has been no government policy to limit/contain monopolies.
The 'orange menace' is ALL about GREED, and dominance and his assault on Canada has zero to do with Canada's politics. Indeed, he's ignorant of the CDN governance system.
If you truly have an interest in the real story, read the book: 'The Big Fix, How Companies Capture Markets and harm Canadians' by Denise Hearn & Vass Bednar. It's a short read, 101 pages that provide considerable info on decisions various CDN governments made concerning the CDN economy; and there is a considerable bibliography.
It's freeing to have opinion - but influential when opinion is actually anchored in facts.
Excellent foresight. It will be up to Canada and Mexico to save the west and have closer ties to Europe. Once we rid ourselves of the GOP MAGA regime, we can rejoin the world community as an equal participant for the good of all humanity.
I wish Canada had more Charlie Angus parliamentarians, fearlessly bold when the times call for clear thinkers, respectfully silent while others brag and speak bullshit. Integrity is hugely lacking as we wait for a nonsitting parliament, listen to empty promises from a retiring Prime Minster, watch his chief opponent readjust his speeches to suit the ridiculous demands of Trumpf. I am grieving the abrupt lies, savagery, loss of common sense, listening in lieu of blood-letting.
Ben, I like it and support your idea. " real networks of *people* who can exchange information directly (in person, written, non-electronically etc" How do we start?
I have never organized people so not really sure. Also, I am still trying to imagine how an American annexation would unfold once boots are on the ground. Probably an increasing campaign of misinformation, propaganda and fragmentation, maybe even dividing parts of the country from one another. The ability to organize online would cease almost immediately (in fact likely before incursion). Ideally our government would organize a civil preparedness infrastructure beforehand, but it is hard to imagine how it could survive the taking over of communications systems. Electronic contact lists, forums (like this one), online social networks and social media would not be effective. One would have to leverage existing real world social networks, I believe (for example, book clubs, social clubs, political parties, trade unions, business associations, religious organizations etc). To have an effective response nationally would require the ability to coordinate resistance actions through existing real world social networks. Some sort of organizing committee formed in advance that could initiate messages through the network is needed. Practically this would mean, for example, if a large protest was called for, this message could be communicated to various real world groups and people mobilized, all through word of mouth or written messages. Seems daunting when you think about it, but I think it is doable. If even a few hundred people across the country organized in advance and had thought through a response (ie how to disseminate messages), it could be done (the mathematics of social networks would ensure it!). Maybe we need to call for such an effort online. It should be apolitical and more like being called to jury duty, for example. Call it citizens defense or something. I am thinking about starting by just talking to my immediate friends and growing it from there (most people will dismiss the concern as paranoid probably, but like I say, only a few hundred is needed). Anyway, interested to hear your thoughts (also, my email is bromanin@telus.net if it becomes difficult through this venue).
As a US Citizen, I stand with Canada. We are under assault by a corrupt and vile Government Enterprise headed up by Mr. Trump. Please do not buy any US products until further notice. Your pain is our pain and we stand with you.
If things really go badly, Canada will absolutely need the support of Americans like you Daniel, so thank you. In respect to what is going on in your politics, let me just highlight what I think the tipping points on the road to authoritarianism are in your country. Certainly there is a lot of rhetoric and hyperbole, and it can be distracting, but this is what Americans have to be laser focused on: the President has promised his voters he will dismantle the Executive Branch agencies and departments. However, he has no Constitutional authority to do any such thing. He is required to seek authorization from Congress, but he also knows that if he works with a majority Republican Congress to achieve those objectives, there is no guarantee his proposals would pass given the razor thin margin the Republicans hold. Instead, his team has likely formulated a strategy of "structural deregulation", a means of dismantling the Executive Branch departments and agencies without Congressional approval or oversight (see www.lawfaremedia.org/article/president-trump-s-campaign-of--structural-deregulation). Whether this is constitutional or not will have to be decided by the Supreme Court. Hopefully the court clarifies and reasserts constitutional guardrails and separation of powers (and I am inclined to think they will but be on guard). If not, then America is on a perilous (legal) slide to authoritarianism, and the American experiment in constitutional democracy would be over. Remember, a written constitution is only ever as good as are the people who consent to organize their government around it. Without goodwill, in any sphere of human relations, there is nothing. We in Canada will stand with Americans who want to preserve their constitutional republic!
In addition to the need to lock arms with allies, Canada must decide whether we will elect our version and Chamberlain and *rump, or a modern-day Churchill and Roosevelt.
BOYCOTT ALL OF THE OLIGARCHS' COMPANIES and encourage our Allies to impose economic sanctions against the BOARD MEMBERS and EXECUTIVE Leadership of them, Trump’s Cabinet; MAGAts in Congress and in Governorships, ALL the oligarchs (especially Bezos, Zuckerberg, and Thiel), the Heritage Foundation, FOX Network, Netanyahu, Orban, and Bolsonaro.
We need our ALLIES to help us STOP THIS COUP before we must resort to violence to restore US Constitutional order. Violence in America will be unavoidable to stop this criminal assault on our democratic republic, but it could be much less violent if our Allies will IMMEDIATELY hit the SUPPORTERS of Putin’s puppets in the pocketbooks, which is all they care about truly.
Price gouging, and disinformation campaigns about Democrats, the economy, climate change, immigrants, LGBTQ people, reproductive rights, education, inflation, COVID, and more have created a public stage for white nationalists, so called “christian” nationalists, bigots of every ilk, NAZIS, domestic terrorist groups, sexual assault, and rampant misogyny to be normalized by Trump’s CULT. The CULT is slowly shaking off the mass psychosis because a growing number of them, their family and friends are being harmed already by this TSUNAMI of illegal and un-Constitutional actions within the Federal Government and Red States.
In the blink of an eye, Musk could DRAIN the US Treasury to attack ALL Americans. He has access to ALL of our private financial data INCLUDING OUR PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNTS. Musk could use this data to target dissenters and vocal members of the Resistance, or to attempt to enslave all Americans. That will trigger a full out war on American soil, so PLEASE make it clear to Trump, Musk and Putin, WE THE PEOPLE of Democracies are not afraid and will fight for our freedom, rights, and dignity, Please make it clear to the WORLD that our ALLIES and NATO have our backs and see the criminal actions of the Trump Administration and its supporters, and will hold them accountable.
America is now a Russian puppet state and for that reason should not be allowed to be a member of NATO until democracy is restored and the COUP leaders have been held accountable according to international and American laws. America is now the WEAKEST NATION in NATO despite our gigantic military because of the incompetence of our Federal Government’s actions! Right now, we still have a majority of senior military in place to prevent ILLEGAL ORDERS from being followed, but talking head, Hegseth plans to fire many of them soon. This truly appears to be the intentional destruction of America’s social, economic, health, education, and emergency management resources. Musk is making stupid and unjustifiable decisions about the Federal government and now is claiming he is neither an employee, or an appointee, just a South African billionaire wrecking ball protecting his self-serving interests at the expense of America and our allies.
Musk has focused his baseless assaults on Federal programs, bureaus, and agencies that were either investigating him and his business ventures, or WHO REGULATED his businesses. This is both criminal and un-Constitutional violations of the sovereignty of the United States of America. Everything Trump says is either a lie or a confession when he attacks others, and all he wants to do is let Musk carry out his self-serving oligarch takeover of the United States so he can play golf and stay out of prison. Now that Trump divided and conquered us Musk’s attacks are easily supported by the Republicans who place their political power with MAGA ahead of Americans and our US Constitution.
If our allies do not impose these stringent economic sanctions and take immediate actions to FREEZE THE ASSETS of this COUP’S leadership, it is possible that Putin will absorb the MAGA forces inside of our US Military, and weapons of mass destruction, jets, ships, drones, and more. If our Allies allow that to happen, it will be a preventable travesty that the FREE WORLD will not survive. As everyone knows, he US military is the largest in the world and much more lethal than it was in World War 2, Korea, Viet Nam, and Iraq.
In his first term, Trump’s face lit up as if he was seeing a favorite lover when Putin entered the room, and he told the world, he “fell in love” with North Korea’s dictator. Trump has consistently supported the authoritarian strong men and their disinformation campaigns around the globe. His next move to cement his destruction of our Democracy and avoid prison, seems likely to join BRICS at the expense of NATO. NATO currently has the edge in military power because of the US, with advanced technology, strong alliances, and quick deployment capabilities Russia finds threatening. At this time, NATO holds great influence economically, but BRICS is catching up with its growing GDP and large population. PLEASE PREVENT THE TIPPING of that balance.
I would like to point out that there is a simple, legal, quick way to stop the coup. Your Republican members of Congress could rise as a body to impeach and remove Trump. Given that he has now sold your country to Putin, how many more treasonous acts by Trump will they let go by on their watch?
Thank YOU Charlie!!! I am 63 but fired up to fight and I will protect my country! Elbows up! I may be delusional, but I trust that the good people will stand up and protect themselves and their country as well. This goes for Americans too. As you learned by your actions, it only takes ONE person to stand up and others will join. I hope that if the US does dare to cross our line with malintent that the good ones will then turn around and help us fight.
I wish we had a Chalie Angus as president. And I hope that Canadians can acknowledge that the majority of us had the sense to NOT vote for a pathological lying convicted felon and that we are also scared.
We are doing all we can here in the U.S. to stop this Felon. We would help you economically by buying from you, but tariffs have made that impossible. Please know that the majority of Americans still love you and value you as an ally!
There are presently NO tariffs in place. Boycott USA companies and support products from your international trading partners. And protest what Trump is doing, selling you out to Russia.
Coyne is quite right (Globe & Mail, 14FEB25), in my estimation. The Trump regime (a budding kleptocracy) has clearly aligned itself with the Putin's kleptocracy. The US cannot align itself with Putin and remain a member of NATO (at least it should be suspended until 2029). Either NATO realigns in some way - and I trust it's membership was discussing that this week - or it ceases to exist. Big troubles on the horizon.
Without NATO in the way, Putin can accomplish his dream of recreating the USSR. How far will his ambitions extend into the West? Can he 'improve' on Stalin's Eastern Bloc? Trump, having last year already encouraged Putin to 'do whatever the hell they want' to Europe, ('nice continent you got there, too bad if someone set fire to it), has already told Putin, 'go for it, I'm outta here with these woke losers in Europe'.
The Baltic States know perfectly well they are the next targets (certainly a motivating factor in their joining NATO). Will Putin test NATO's resolve with the occupation of those States now that the US has put NATO in such a vulnerable position? The answer seems obvious.
When you’re free to speak your mind like you are Charlie?
It’s great.
And it’s critical to get News that hasn’t been doctored: increasingly difficult.
Important to read newspapers have access to the “ Guardian “, “ Economist”, public broadcasting.
Mr Angus, while I respect what you are saying re Ukraine/Europe and
The lunatic trump, and I agree wholeheartedly, you and your incompetent NDP teammates and the wholly dishonest Trudeau Liberals are the ones who have helped put Canada in its current position - basically what I’d call an ‘own goal’…
Negligent management of the economy, wasteful woke spending, outright green fund fraud, no-more -pipelines bills, Trudeaus ethical breaches as bad as some of Trumps, appalling liberalization of drug policies and many more. Your party’s
Incompetence and support for the Liberals made Canada an easy target for the orange madman and we are now reaping what you helped sew . So spare me the moralising respecting Canada . You helped put us where we are today!
ummm ... well, that's one narrow view of Canada. Add a bit of facts and critical thinking to your view to understand context and especially where the globe is in terms of economics - and it is economics that runs the world. Neoclassical economic theory was embraced by Thatcher/Regan/Mulrony which then set the stage for corporate greed. Did subsequent CDN PM's make any significant changes? Few. But please remember, as powerful as folks seem to think JT is, the state of the world's economy was NOT set by JT or the liberals. Every Prime Minister and their party made economic choices that affected the CDN economy as did the global economy have effect. Many CDN companies were sold off to foreign interests; no government invested in the military; GST was supported by all parties in power; there has been no government policy to limit/contain monopolies.
The 'orange menace' is ALL about GREED, and dominance and his assault on Canada has zero to do with Canada's politics. Indeed, he's ignorant of the CDN governance system.
If you truly have an interest in the real story, read the book: 'The Big Fix, How Companies Capture Markets and harm Canadians' by Denise Hearn & Vass Bednar. It's a short read, 101 pages that provide considerable info on decisions various CDN governments made concerning the CDN economy; and there is a considerable bibliography.
It's freeing to have opinion - but influential when opinion is actually anchored in facts.
Excellent foresight. It will be up to Canada and Mexico to save the west and have closer ties to Europe. Once we rid ourselves of the GOP MAGA regime, we can rejoin the world community as an equal participant for the good of all humanity.
I wish Canada had more Charlie Angus parliamentarians, fearlessly bold when the times call for clear thinkers, respectfully silent while others brag and speak bullshit. Integrity is hugely lacking as we wait for a nonsitting parliament, listen to empty promises from a retiring Prime Minster, watch his chief opponent readjust his speeches to suit the ridiculous demands of Trumpf. I am grieving the abrupt lies, savagery, loss of common sense, listening in lieu of blood-letting.
Ben, I like it and support your idea. " real networks of *people* who can exchange information directly (in person, written, non-electronically etc" How do we start?
I have never organized people so not really sure. Also, I am still trying to imagine how an American annexation would unfold once boots are on the ground. Probably an increasing campaign of misinformation, propaganda and fragmentation, maybe even dividing parts of the country from one another. The ability to organize online would cease almost immediately (in fact likely before incursion). Ideally our government would organize a civil preparedness infrastructure beforehand, but it is hard to imagine how it could survive the taking over of communications systems. Electronic contact lists, forums (like this one), online social networks and social media would not be effective. One would have to leverage existing real world social networks, I believe (for example, book clubs, social clubs, political parties, trade unions, business associations, religious organizations etc). To have an effective response nationally would require the ability to coordinate resistance actions through existing real world social networks. Some sort of organizing committee formed in advance that could initiate messages through the network is needed. Practically this would mean, for example, if a large protest was called for, this message could be communicated to various real world groups and people mobilized, all through word of mouth or written messages. Seems daunting when you think about it, but I think it is doable. If even a few hundred people across the country organized in advance and had thought through a response (ie how to disseminate messages), it could be done (the mathematics of social networks would ensure it!). Maybe we need to call for such an effort online. It should be apolitical and more like being called to jury duty, for example. Call it citizens defense or something. I am thinking about starting by just talking to my immediate friends and growing it from there (most people will dismiss the concern as paranoid probably, but like I say, only a few hundred is needed). Anyway, interested to hear your thoughts (also, my email is bromanin@telus.net if it becomes difficult through this venue).
As a US Citizen, I stand with Canada. We are under assault by a corrupt and vile Government Enterprise headed up by Mr. Trump. Please do not buy any US products until further notice. Your pain is our pain and we stand with you.
If things really go badly, Canada will absolutely need the support of Americans like you Daniel, so thank you. In respect to what is going on in your politics, let me just highlight what I think the tipping points on the road to authoritarianism are in your country. Certainly there is a lot of rhetoric and hyperbole, and it can be distracting, but this is what Americans have to be laser focused on: the President has promised his voters he will dismantle the Executive Branch agencies and departments. However, he has no Constitutional authority to do any such thing. He is required to seek authorization from Congress, but he also knows that if he works with a majority Republican Congress to achieve those objectives, there is no guarantee his proposals would pass given the razor thin margin the Republicans hold. Instead, his team has likely formulated a strategy of "structural deregulation", a means of dismantling the Executive Branch departments and agencies without Congressional approval or oversight (see www.lawfaremedia.org/article/president-trump-s-campaign-of--structural-deregulation). Whether this is constitutional or not will have to be decided by the Supreme Court. Hopefully the court clarifies and reasserts constitutional guardrails and separation of powers (and I am inclined to think they will but be on guard). If not, then America is on a perilous (legal) slide to authoritarianism, and the American experiment in constitutional democracy would be over. Remember, a written constitution is only ever as good as are the people who consent to organize their government around it. Without goodwill, in any sphere of human relations, there is nothing. We in Canada will stand with Americans who want to preserve their constitutional republic!
In addition to the need to lock arms with allies, Canada must decide whether we will elect our version and Chamberlain and *rump, or a modern-day Churchill and Roosevelt.
BOYCOTT ALL OF THE OLIGARCHS' COMPANIES and encourage our Allies to impose economic sanctions against the BOARD MEMBERS and EXECUTIVE Leadership of them, Trump’s Cabinet; MAGAts in Congress and in Governorships, ALL the oligarchs (especially Bezos, Zuckerberg, and Thiel), the Heritage Foundation, FOX Network, Netanyahu, Orban, and Bolsonaro.
We need our ALLIES to help us STOP THIS COUP before we must resort to violence to restore US Constitutional order. Violence in America will be unavoidable to stop this criminal assault on our democratic republic, but it could be much less violent if our Allies will IMMEDIATELY hit the SUPPORTERS of Putin’s puppets in the pocketbooks, which is all they care about truly.
Price gouging, and disinformation campaigns about Democrats, the economy, climate change, immigrants, LGBTQ people, reproductive rights, education, inflation, COVID, and more have created a public stage for white nationalists, so called “christian” nationalists, bigots of every ilk, NAZIS, domestic terrorist groups, sexual assault, and rampant misogyny to be normalized by Trump’s CULT. The CULT is slowly shaking off the mass psychosis because a growing number of them, their family and friends are being harmed already by this TSUNAMI of illegal and un-Constitutional actions within the Federal Government and Red States.
In the blink of an eye, Musk could DRAIN the US Treasury to attack ALL Americans. He has access to ALL of our private financial data INCLUDING OUR PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNTS. Musk could use this data to target dissenters and vocal members of the Resistance, or to attempt to enslave all Americans. That will trigger a full out war on American soil, so PLEASE make it clear to Trump, Musk and Putin, WE THE PEOPLE of Democracies are not afraid and will fight for our freedom, rights, and dignity, Please make it clear to the WORLD that our ALLIES and NATO have our backs and see the criminal actions of the Trump Administration and its supporters, and will hold them accountable.
America is now a Russian puppet state and for that reason should not be allowed to be a member of NATO until democracy is restored and the COUP leaders have been held accountable according to international and American laws. America is now the WEAKEST NATION in NATO despite our gigantic military because of the incompetence of our Federal Government’s actions! Right now, we still have a majority of senior military in place to prevent ILLEGAL ORDERS from being followed, but talking head, Hegseth plans to fire many of them soon. This truly appears to be the intentional destruction of America’s social, economic, health, education, and emergency management resources. Musk is making stupid and unjustifiable decisions about the Federal government and now is claiming he is neither an employee, or an appointee, just a South African billionaire wrecking ball protecting his self-serving interests at the expense of America and our allies.
Musk has focused his baseless assaults on Federal programs, bureaus, and agencies that were either investigating him and his business ventures, or WHO REGULATED his businesses. This is both criminal and un-Constitutional violations of the sovereignty of the United States of America. Everything Trump says is either a lie or a confession when he attacks others, and all he wants to do is let Musk carry out his self-serving oligarch takeover of the United States so he can play golf and stay out of prison. Now that Trump divided and conquered us Musk’s attacks are easily supported by the Republicans who place their political power with MAGA ahead of Americans and our US Constitution.
If our allies do not impose these stringent economic sanctions and take immediate actions to FREEZE THE ASSETS of this COUP’S leadership, it is possible that Putin will absorb the MAGA forces inside of our US Military, and weapons of mass destruction, jets, ships, drones, and more. If our Allies allow that to happen, it will be a preventable travesty that the FREE WORLD will not survive. As everyone knows, he US military is the largest in the world and much more lethal than it was in World War 2, Korea, Viet Nam, and Iraq.
In his first term, Trump’s face lit up as if he was seeing a favorite lover when Putin entered the room, and he told the world, he “fell in love” with North Korea’s dictator. Trump has consistently supported the authoritarian strong men and their disinformation campaigns around the globe. His next move to cement his destruction of our Democracy and avoid prison, seems likely to join BRICS at the expense of NATO. NATO currently has the edge in military power because of the US, with advanced technology, strong alliances, and quick deployment capabilities Russia finds threatening. At this time, NATO holds great influence economically, but BRICS is catching up with its growing GDP and large population. PLEASE PREVENT THE TIPPING of that balance.
I would like to point out that there is a simple, legal, quick way to stop the coup. Your Republican members of Congress could rise as a body to impeach and remove Trump. Given that he has now sold your country to Putin, how many more treasonous acts by Trump will they let go by on their watch?
Thank YOU Charlie!!! I am 63 but fired up to fight and I will protect my country! Elbows up! I may be delusional, but I trust that the good people will stand up and protect themselves and their country as well. This goes for Americans too. As you learned by your actions, it only takes ONE person to stand up and others will join. I hope that if the US does dare to cross our line with malintent that the good ones will then turn around and help us fight.
I wish we had a Chalie Angus as president. And I hope that Canadians can acknowledge that the majority of us had the sense to NOT vote for a pathological lying convicted felon and that we are also scared.
The traitor plan is to torn NATO, I hope that opposite will happen, a strong NATO without America until Trump is convicted.
We are doing all we can here in the U.S. to stop this Felon. We would help you economically by buying from you, but tariffs have made that impossible. Please know that the majority of Americans still love you and value you as an ally!
There are presently NO tariffs in place. Boycott USA companies and support products from your international trading partners. And protest what Trump is doing, selling you out to Russia.
We need Charlie Angus clones STAT. Everywhere.
Some of you may have seen this. It's the great Billy Connolly. Just watch it and you'll get the point. :) Cheers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClGsGEX9CXQ
I’m feeling that👍
So proud of our Canadian leaders. Thank you, Charlie Angus.
Coyne is quite right (Globe & Mail, 14FEB25), in my estimation. The Trump regime (a budding kleptocracy) has clearly aligned itself with the Putin's kleptocracy. The US cannot align itself with Putin and remain a member of NATO (at least it should be suspended until 2029). Either NATO realigns in some way - and I trust it's membership was discussing that this week - or it ceases to exist. Big troubles on the horizon.
Without NATO in the way, Putin can accomplish his dream of recreating the USSR. How far will his ambitions extend into the West? Can he 'improve' on Stalin's Eastern Bloc? Trump, having last year already encouraged Putin to 'do whatever the hell they want' to Europe, ('nice continent you got there, too bad if someone set fire to it), has already told Putin, 'go for it, I'm outta here with these woke losers in Europe'.
The Baltic States know perfectly well they are the next targets (certainly a motivating factor in their joining NATO). Will Putin test NATO's resolve with the occupation of those States now that the US has put NATO in such a vulnerable position? The answer seems obvious.