I heard the news about Charlie Kirk's assassination as I was deeply engrossed in Timothy Snyder's book The Road to Unfreedom. At the time, I was pondering Snyder's statement that "blood is the ink of political fiction."
Trump term One the world learns the definition of the label "Malignant Narcissistic Personality Disorder" Trump term two the world learns the term "Domestic Fascist Terrorism" in service of Voldemort Darth Putin 5 'D' Craps Game of Diversion Division Distopian Disconbobulation Distruction of Western Democracies ☮️🇨🇦
You’ve knocked the nail on the head Charlie, the time for action in the States is now - no more hoping and praying that the mid terms will deliver a Democratic majority. Trump et al will ensure that the era of free and fair elections is over - it’s already started with the increased gerrymandering, the threat to limit who can vote by mail etc. And then there’s the possibility of inciting some kind of armed rebellion (civil war), at which point Trump could cancel elections completely. Just my pessimistic view of the state of American politics. Canadians (us) must do all in our power to make sure America’s situation never migrates across our border.
I wish to express my deep dismay that our members of Parliament would rise in standing ovation to honour a self-avowed racist, bigot, and misogynist.
MP Rachel Thomas' speech was deeply regrettable. Charlie Kirk’s violent death was also deeply regrettable. But he was an extremist whose ambition was to sow the seeds of hatred and violence against his fellow citizens.
Extremists always claim they have a right to free speech. But what are the words in their speeches?! To strip others of the right to free speech; and of every other right as well.
Charlie Kirk represented those who are an existential threat to our democratic ideals and to our nation.
I write these words in honour of my father and my uncles who were willing to give up their lives to fight against fascism and to protect democratic freedoms for all Canadians.
Parliament's behaviour honouring an American hate speech provocateur was so weird. He wasn't an elected official, where as two elected officials in Minneapolis were shot and one killed along with her spouse and the children shot at & killed while in a church ... yet Parliament had no reaction. Canada is NOT the USA. We have our own heroes and assholes (hate provocateurs) without the need to play to a chosen noise in the US. We also have more than enough activity to occupy our Parliamentary attention without this type of pandering.
Donald Trump has great responsibility for the violent turn in US politics. Unfortunately this is becoming the only tool for making change. Someone will shoot him before his term is up. Poilievre shouldn’t assume it wouldn’t ever happen in Canada.
There will be elections in the US in2026! Elections are carried out by the States, not the Federal Gov. If states choose not to have elections than their electoral points don't count and people can be elected (including the President ) without them. All members of Congress terms expire on Nov 3 of their respective election years, and for the House of Representatives that's 2026. So any state that doesn't hold elections has NO Reps for the next 2 years. That won't happen. Now whether other things will be tried, probably. But elections will be held.
Thank you for that information. I am not American, so I don't completely understand your electoral system. I was hearing rumors that trump would create some kind of a crisis to delay or prevent elections from occurring next year.
He's discussed declaring martial law but that's a State function as well and President's can't declare martial law and any other "emergency" he can come up with (declaring war, etc) wouldn't work either. The best he can do is try and steal the election after the fact but that's going to be tough after the last attempt. We just need the whole world to pray that we can take back both seats of Congress!
Just a little point by way of correction here, might not what was done to Louis Riel not count as so-called "political violence"? So we would have a history of three rather than of two?
In the US, and some places here in Canada there has always been an underlying hatred of anything different, the wrong colour, the wrong religion. What has happened in the states and is starting to happen here is it’s not only becoming acceptable but encouraged to be bigoted, misogynistic, anti everything that ‘those’ people like. This is not the Canada I want to hand my grandchildren. It starts with all of us to say no, I will not accept this attitude. We need Pee Pee and his attitude flushed where it belongs lest we become what he wants us to be.
Canadians one and all need to continue to behave in a civilized manner of conversation that states ideas and attitudes with factual examples that can be processed by both sides of any controversy. Violent hateful speech breaks down trust and progress in all societies. Good Luck Charlie.
I wish to express my deep dismay that our members of Parliament would rise in standing ovation to honour a self-avowed racist, bigot, and misogynist.
MP Rachel Thomas' speech was deeply regrettable. Charlie Kirk’s violent death was also deeply regrettable. But he was an extremist whose ambition was to sow the seeds of hatred and violence against his fellow citizens.
Extremists always claim they have a right to free speech. But what are the words in their speeches?! To strip others of the right to free speech; and of every other right as well.
Charlie Kirk represented those who are an existential threat to our democratic ideals and to our nation.
I write these words in honour of my father and my uncles who were willing to give up their lives to fight against fascism and to protect democratic freedoms for all Canadians.
The Liberals stood up and applauded along side the Conservatives, but at least one of them (the Liberals) has come forward and said they were standing against political violence, not for what Kirk stood for. Unfortunately, the Conservative MP's statement contained both a measured message about people deserving the freedom to say what makes us uncomfortable and a more supportive message for Kirk, saying he stood for faith, family, and freedom. She also added RIP, Charlie, to the end of her statement. So, it's disturbing that the Liberals rose and applauded, but we're not seeing the Liberals turning into Conservatives on us.
It is disturbing, but imagine if most of the MPs decided not to stand up and clap. I certainly do not believe that those who did are all on board with Kirk's gimmicky, snappy slogans and gotcha questions, not even all the Cons.
Remember the attacks on the Libs when Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old Canadian-Ukrainian, was celebrated in the House as a Ukrainian hero who fought against the Soviets in WWII. Everyone stood and clapped, including President Zelenskyy and his wife (also PP and the Cons).
A day or so later, as details from 80+ years ago were revealed (as if it were all a secret, it wasn’t), the accusations, recriminations and threats caused the Hunka family to go into hiding. The University of Alberta returned a large donation from the family towards Ukrainian studies. The Speaker of the House resigned. It was a mess. I don’t know of specific violence towards Mr Haunka, but I don’t doubt it happened. But the cries of deportation and war crimes, and all the Libs, but especially Trudeau, should quit... don’t they know how to vet someone? Fire them!
Sometimes a bit of civility can go a long way. I don’t know if the professor who “outed” Mr Hunka (he was about to publish 2 books on WWII, I wish I had made note of his name), understood what he set in motion. I know other people “researched” too, as none of it was a secret. It was a disgusting blast of self-righteous hate and ignorance, loaded with stupid demands and many threats that went on for weeks, months.
I don’t know Mr Hunka or his family. I do know that they did not come to the HOC expecting cheers and adulation. They came to hear President Zelenskyy speak, that was all. They were thrown under the bus of revisionist history, for thumbs up and likes. As a Jew I was shocked at the response of many influential people and institutions. Have we learned nothing?
Charlie Kirk was a very unpleasant man with unpleasent ideas. Big understatement. And he was making himself rich while he was at it. I’m positive he was on the road to a life in federal politics once he was too old for the college crowd. I could wish he was not the victim of a disturbed young man. But as we watch the American right go crazy about the radical left, trans imaginings, immigrants, and fascist demands we do not have to do so in Canada. Most of America deplores Kirk’s death. Does America actually know how many violent deaths happen daily in the US? I don’t think so. But I do know we can do better, much better.
Let decent people hold fast to each other, put petty differences aside, be courageous and clear-eyed and ready to do the right things as the US unravels before our eyes.
What continues to baffle me is what is the endgame of MAGA, Republicans, people like Steve Miller and Steve Bannon, etc. when they have finished destroying every semblance of democracy in the USA. Can’t begin to imagine what that will look like.
Yes, it continues to bewilder me what they think they will have won, once the rest of us are dead because of them. Makes no sense at all. I know someone will insist it's power, money, fame, glory, retribution, blah blah. That is just the bullshit they fling at us. As long as "they" outlive "us," they consider that a win. The goons who die with the most toys win.
Trump term One the world learns the definition of the label "Malignant Narcissistic Personality Disorder" Trump term two the world learns the term "Domestic Fascist Terrorism" in service of Voldemort Darth Putin 5 'D' Craps Game of Diversion Division Distopian Disconbobulation Distruction of Western Democracies ☮️🇨🇦
What's so funny about peace love and understanding, welcome to this 🇨🇦☮️Land of WOKE & DREAMS
This is how the investment community co-opts "Antonio Gramsci's statement for personal gain, "The old world is dying and a new world is struggling to be born. This is the time of monsters.” See the 55 second ad by Wellington-Altus , a prestigious Canadian wealth management firm. https://advisor.wellington-altus.ca/lakeview-wealth-management/2024/04/23/april-market-insights-with-dr-james-thorne-the-time-of-monsters/
Their advice is to embrace the monsters.
Charlie Kirk is MAGA's Horst Wessel.
You’ve knocked the nail on the head Charlie, the time for action in the States is now - no more hoping and praying that the mid terms will deliver a Democratic majority. Trump et al will ensure that the era of free and fair elections is over - it’s already started with the increased gerrymandering, the threat to limit who can vote by mail etc. And then there’s the possibility of inciting some kind of armed rebellion (civil war), at which point Trump could cancel elections completely. Just my pessimistic view of the state of American politics. Canadians (us) must do all in our power to make sure America’s situation never migrates across our border.
I wish to express my deep dismay that our members of Parliament would rise in standing ovation to honour a self-avowed racist, bigot, and misogynist.
MP Rachel Thomas' speech was deeply regrettable. Charlie Kirk’s violent death was also deeply regrettable. But he was an extremist whose ambition was to sow the seeds of hatred and violence against his fellow citizens.
Extremists always claim they have a right to free speech. But what are the words in their speeches?! To strip others of the right to free speech; and of every other right as well.
Charlie Kirk represented those who are an existential threat to our democratic ideals and to our nation.
I write these words in honour of my father and my uncles who were willing to give up their lives to fight against fascism and to protect democratic freedoms for all Canadians.
Parliament's behaviour honouring an American hate speech provocateur was so weird. He wasn't an elected official, where as two elected officials in Minneapolis were shot and one killed along with her spouse and the children shot at & killed while in a church ... yet Parliament had no reaction. Canada is NOT the USA. We have our own heroes and assholes (hate provocateurs) without the need to play to a chosen noise in the US. We also have more than enough activity to occupy our Parliamentary attention without this type of pandering.
Donald Trump has great responsibility for the violent turn in US politics. Unfortunately this is becoming the only tool for making change. Someone will shoot him before his term is up. Poilievre shouldn’t assume it wouldn’t ever happen in Canada.
There will be elections in the US in2026! Elections are carried out by the States, not the Federal Gov. If states choose not to have elections than their electoral points don't count and people can be elected (including the President ) without them. All members of Congress terms expire on Nov 3 of their respective election years, and for the House of Representatives that's 2026. So any state that doesn't hold elections has NO Reps for the next 2 years. That won't happen. Now whether other things will be tried, probably. But elections will be held.
Thank you for that information. I am not American, so I don't completely understand your electoral system. I was hearing rumors that trump would create some kind of a crisis to delay or prevent elections from occurring next year.
He's discussed declaring martial law but that's a State function as well and President's can't declare martial law and any other "emergency" he can come up with (declaring war, etc) wouldn't work either. The best he can do is try and steal the election after the fact but that's going to be tough after the last attempt. We just need the whole world to pray that we can take back both seats of Congress!
Brilliant as always. Thank you.
Just a little point by way of correction here, might not what was done to Louis Riel not count as so-called "political violence"? So we would have a history of three rather than of two?
In the US, and some places here in Canada there has always been an underlying hatred of anything different, the wrong colour, the wrong religion. What has happened in the states and is starting to happen here is it’s not only becoming acceptable but encouraged to be bigoted, misogynistic, anti everything that ‘those’ people like. This is not the Canada I want to hand my grandchildren. It starts with all of us to say no, I will not accept this attitude. We need Pee Pee and his attitude flushed where it belongs lest we become what he wants us to be.
Canadians one and all need to continue to behave in a civilized manner of conversation that states ideas and attitudes with factual examples that can be processed by both sides of any controversy. Violent hateful speech breaks down trust and progress in all societies. Good Luck Charlie.
I understand Charlie Kirk got a standing ovation in Parliament yesterday as an advocate for “faith, family, and freedom”
I'm really disturbed by that. I can understand the maple maga conservatives but apparently the other party members glorified him as well.
It's one thing to advocate against political violence and quite another to glorify someone so hateful.
It's shocking to me to see what my country is turning into.
I wish to express my deep dismay that our members of Parliament would rise in standing ovation to honour a self-avowed racist, bigot, and misogynist.
MP Rachel Thomas' speech was deeply regrettable. Charlie Kirk’s violent death was also deeply regrettable. But he was an extremist whose ambition was to sow the seeds of hatred and violence against his fellow citizens.
Extremists always claim they have a right to free speech. But what are the words in their speeches?! To strip others of the right to free speech; and of every other right as well.
Charlie Kirk represented those who are an existential threat to our democratic ideals and to our nation.
I write these words in honour of my father and my uncles who were willing to give up their lives to fight against fascism and to protect democratic freedoms for all Canadians.
I agree 100%
The Liberals stood up and applauded along side the Conservatives, but at least one of them (the Liberals) has come forward and said they were standing against political violence, not for what Kirk stood for. Unfortunately, the Conservative MP's statement contained both a measured message about people deserving the freedom to say what makes us uncomfortable and a more supportive message for Kirk, saying he stood for faith, family, and freedom. She also added RIP, Charlie, to the end of her statement. So, it's disturbing that the Liberals rose and applauded, but we're not seeing the Liberals turning into Conservatives on us.
It is disturbing, but imagine if most of the MPs decided not to stand up and clap. I certainly do not believe that those who did are all on board with Kirk's gimmicky, snappy slogans and gotcha questions, not even all the Cons.
Remember the attacks on the Libs when Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old Canadian-Ukrainian, was celebrated in the House as a Ukrainian hero who fought against the Soviets in WWII. Everyone stood and clapped, including President Zelenskyy and his wife (also PP and the Cons).
A day or so later, as details from 80+ years ago were revealed (as if it were all a secret, it wasn’t), the accusations, recriminations and threats caused the Hunka family to go into hiding. The University of Alberta returned a large donation from the family towards Ukrainian studies. The Speaker of the House resigned. It was a mess. I don’t know of specific violence towards Mr Haunka, but I don’t doubt it happened. But the cries of deportation and war crimes, and all the Libs, but especially Trudeau, should quit... don’t they know how to vet someone? Fire them!
Sometimes a bit of civility can go a long way. I don’t know if the professor who “outed” Mr Hunka (he was about to publish 2 books on WWII, I wish I had made note of his name), understood what he set in motion. I know other people “researched” too, as none of it was a secret. It was a disgusting blast of self-righteous hate and ignorance, loaded with stupid demands and many threats that went on for weeks, months.
I don’t know Mr Hunka or his family. I do know that they did not come to the HOC expecting cheers and adulation. They came to hear President Zelenskyy speak, that was all. They were thrown under the bus of revisionist history, for thumbs up and likes. As a Jew I was shocked at the response of many influential people and institutions. Have we learned nothing?
Charlie Kirk was a very unpleasant man with unpleasent ideas. Big understatement. And he was making himself rich while he was at it. I’m positive he was on the road to a life in federal politics once he was too old for the college crowd. I could wish he was not the victim of a disturbed young man. But as we watch the American right go crazy about the radical left, trans imaginings, immigrants, and fascist demands we do not have to do so in Canada. Most of America deplores Kirk’s death. Does America actually know how many violent deaths happen daily in the US? I don’t think so. But I do know we can do better, much better.
I hope you're right.
💙🇨🇦💙🦅💙
Let decent people hold fast to each other, put petty differences aside, be courageous and clear-eyed and ready to do the right things as the US unravels before our eyes.
What continues to baffle me is what is the endgame of MAGA, Republicans, people like Steve Miller and Steve Bannon, etc. when they have finished destroying every semblance of democracy in the USA. Can’t begin to imagine what that will look like.
Yes, it continues to bewilder me what they think they will have won, once the rest of us are dead because of them. Makes no sense at all. I know someone will insist it's power, money, fame, glory, retribution, blah blah. That is just the bullshit they fling at us. As long as "they" outlive "us," they consider that a win. The goons who die with the most toys win.