O Canada, Vote Wisely!

Ten years ago, Americans and Canadians stood proudly together as a band of brothers - as they always should:

 

As I've mentioned several times over the years, I've long admired Canada for several reasons and have kept a friendly eye on our neighbor to the north.  Today Canadians go to the polls in what is surely the most important election in living memory. After Justin Trudeau's ten-year gig as Prime Minister, the leader of the party that gets the most votes in this election will get the job, and that will be either Liberal leader Mark Carney or Conservative leader Pierre Poillievre.

The stakes are extremely high, so I encourage all my Canadian truckbuddies to get out and vote today for a strong, united Canada.  If Canada's leadership is weak or incompetent, it may well end in disaster - at worst, an Anschluss into a Greater America regime, and at best, economic slavery on the end of a short leash.

I don't pretend to know all the ins and outs of Canadian politics, but glancing over Poilievre's career, he seems to be a typical, home-grown, ambitious politician, not outstanding, not a statesman, and not at all ready for the world stage. 

On the other hand, Carney has the education and experience, and I think the moxie, to stand up for Canada at this perilous moment and lead the way.  He has vast top-level experience in economic matters as well as international relations, and has already met many of the world's movers and shakers.  He well knows how the world machine works, and what all the levers, gears, and buttons do.

The choice between the two is a no-brainer, in my view:  the wise, experienced bank president or the nice neighbor on your bowling team -- which one will you trust to protect your life, your family, your job, and your money from the cunning crooks who want to rob you blind and even tear down your home?  That's no joke - they're doing it right now here in America.  

Of course, you can never tell exactly what any politician will do until he's actually on the job.  But all we ever have to go on in human life are probabilities.  You pays your money and you takes your chances.

Think carefully, Canadian friends - go with the best-qualified man and give him a solid majority in Parliament.  Your future and ours - and maybe the whole world's - depends on your vote today.  If Canada crumbles or caves to the American tyrant, it will boost his ego tremendously and stoke his appetite for more takeovers,  more countries to devour.  

The world is watching you, Canada.  Be strong, stick together.  Elbows up!

Latest poll results from the CBC - click to enlarge:

As in most parliamentary countries, Canadians do not vote directly for their head of government.  But here is yesterday's Globe & Mail/ CTV poll of their preferences for Prime Minister, which shows a 20-point lead for Carney:

According to the Associated Press, "A record 7.3 million Canadians cast ballots before election day."  The turnout in the last federal election, held in 2021, was 17 million (62 percent of registered voters).

Update, 4/29/25, 5 p.m., Texas Time:

The votes are in, and the Liberals won.  Carney will stay on as Canada's prime minister.  The Liberals failed to win a majority, but with support from the NDP and Greens they can easily form a government.  The Conservatives made a strong showing and will be the official opposition, but Pierre Pollievre lost his seat, ending his 20-year career in Parliament. 

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From Canada with Hurt and Anger

Jim runs a vintage radio repair shop in a small town north of Toronto. He rightly feels utterly betrayed by America right now. 

[America] has become a predator and we have become prey. . . The trust between me and Americans is gone, and it will never come back. I won't live long enough to ever trust them again. We've been played for fools by the Americans.

 

This American is deeply ashamed and totally disgusted, Jim, by what the American Tyrant is doing to your country and all our friends around the world. There is no excuse, no good reason for it, just one evil man's greed and lust for supreme power over the whole North American continent. I know saying "I'm sorry" isnt good enough. 

But please remember, all of you out there, that half of us VOTED AGAINST THE TYRANT.  We foresaw clearly what he would do if elected.  And we are all outraged at the way he is destroying our own government day by day. We share your hurt, your anger, and your dismay. We just don't know how to stop him yet.  We are sheep without a shepherd at the moment.

Notice the difference in the popular vote - only 1.5 percent.
So never forget there are many millions of Americans who oppose the tyranny.
From Wikipedia.

But you have to stand up to the bully.  The only thing any bully respects is strength, and a punch in the nose.  We know you have to protect yourselves, so do what you have to do.  Don't go down without a fight.  We'll understand, and keep praying for a speedy return to "sunny ways" between our nations.

P. S. -- I must not omit to say Thank You, Canada for all your many acts of kindness and brotherhood over the years.  I well recall that your people in Tehran sheltered some of our people during the hostage crisis back in the 70s.  And how you sheltered hundreds of our stranded citizens during the no-fly period after 9/11.  And how I watched and wept with joy when your Parliament legalized gay marriage long before it was possible down here.  This Southerner couldn't live in your fierce winter climate - but I've kept a friendly eye on Canada for many years now.  You're my secret valentine.  God bless and protect you all.

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"A Tiger in a Petting Zoo": What's the Endgame?

The naked truth is plain to see.

I can't keep up with all the news, and you fellas don't expect me to.  So here's just a few items worth noting.  But first, the legit weather report from the Washington Post, off my Google newsfeed:

Senators Schumer and Warren sound the alarm about that overgrown juvenile delinquent and his geek squad who now have their grubby fingers in all your government records and on your bank account:

 

And because they know all about you, they could tailor your Social Security check as they please - or withhold it for "undersirable" behavior. Does your retired Aunt Sadie, so upset about the price of eggs, know about this? What about disabled, gun-loving Cousin Clem in his red cap? Whenever the news finally trickles down to them and their pocketbooks, I hope they choke on it. 

Senator Adam Schiff tells it plainly: "this is a corrupt scheme to turn this country into one-man rule, and enrich Donald Trump and his wealthy friends like Elon Musk."

And now, not content with scooping up Canada, Greenland, and Panama - a costly invasion is not necessary; economic terror is enough to bring them all into submission - the Very Stable Genius wants to take over Gaza and rebuild it as "the Riviera of the Middle East" - after expelling the 2 million people who live there:

 

And here's a headline from Canada, which just got played like a hockey puck over tariffs, where all those nice, polite, friendly folks are trying to figure out the game plan:

 

Now you can watch the video if you like; suave Andy Chang has some very good charts and facts to show the big picture, but he misses the really big picture.  So your Head Trucker is going to cut to the chase here.

iT'S NOT ABOUT DRUGS.  IT'S NOT ABOUT TRADE BALANCES.  IT'S ALL ABOUT TOTAL DOMINATION BY GLORIOUS LEADER:  EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALWAYS.

Why am I the only one who sees this?

Canada, stop trying to find a logical reason for the tariffs; there is none. If it's not one issue, the Orange One will make up another.  Any hammer will do to beat you into submission while he takes all your valuables.

People, it's all right out of Hitler's playbook:  Border problems.  Fake outrage about neighboring countries.  Scare tactics.  A police state.  Removal of civil servants and political opponents.  Demonizing one section or another of the citizenry.  A constant barrage of lies from state mouthpieces.  Scrubbing away facts from books and schools.  Keeping other states in perpetual fear of what might happen next.  Lebensraum - i. e., fake justification for seizing foreign territory.  Redrawing the map, renaming things.  Deportations.  Concentration camps.  And there is more yet to come!  It's only just begun . . . 

And fellas, cut the crap about "Oh my, we still have 1400+ days to go before his term ends."  HIS TERM WILL NEVER FUCKING END.  If good ol' Joe Biden had to be prised out of the Oval Office with a crowbar, do you really think Tyrant Trump will just quietly walk away from the power and glory?

Seriously, people??  HE'LL NEVER LEAVE.  HE WANTS TO BE KING OF THE WHOLE WORLD.

There now, I've said it.  You have been warned.  What to do about it, I don't know.  You'll have to figure that out for yourself.

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Sunday Drive: Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

Dear Canadian friends - chers amis canadiens - queridos amigos mexicanos:

I apologize with a heavy heart for what is being done to you by America's self-proclaimed dictator.  Not in my name!  

As I type these lines, I weep - actually, I am sobbing - to see what is happening to my country, and soon to happen, I expect, to many other nations.  My father fought against the Nazi tyranny in World War II, when America and the Allied nations fought a titanic struggle to rid the world of that evil.  The democracies in that day were the sane middle way between communism and fascism; but where is the via media today?

In my old-fashioned mind, America is still, despite all its flaws and sometimes egregious mistakes, the torchbearer for liberty, justice, democracy, and human decency.  Why else do all the world's refugees want to come here, or to Canada or one of the other Western democracies?  Nobody's breaking down the gates to get into Putin's Russia or the other dictatorships, are they?

Say what you will about our politics and politicians, the fact is undeniable that America in many ways, many times, and many places has led, fed, and healed the world:  a magnificent record of good deeds to counterbalance the bad. But now it seems the long golden afternoon of postwar peace and America's benign dominance of the free world has come to an end.  It may be that a long dark night will follow.  I hope not.

There is no need for me to repeat the news reports out of Washington, but I will say this:  You do not deserve to be mistreated, bullied, or perhaps bludgeoned into submission to the tyrant's whims.  Nor do most of us American people.  Please remember that half of us voted against the dictator.  But now all of us must live with the terrible consequences.

Click to enlarge.  From Wikipedia.

Of course, you all must do what you have to do to protect yourselves.  But there is no good reason for our peoples to hate one other after many long years of peace and friendship, north and south.  One day, the sun will rise again, the clouds will part, and the upward path of civilization will begin anew - sooner rather than later, I pray.  Whether this old man will live to see it, who knows.

But do not be deceived;  the only thing a bully respects is strength, and a punch in the nose.  Appeasement only feeds the appetite for conquest.  And no doubt there will be quislings in your own countries, ready and willing to sell you into slavery.  Do not submit without a fight for your freedom and dignity, though the price be steep. God bless you, friends and neighbors, and God help us all.

This song fits my mood today - more the vibe than the vague lyrics - perhaps it will speak to you, too.

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Queer Hutterite (2016)

The coming-out story of a young man who grew up in a Hutterite colony in Canada.  Which is essentially the same story all of us had to go through:  the conflict between the truths you were taught, and the truth you know within.

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Today's Chuckle

M.P. found this, and I just have to share it with y'all:

Canada 150

Official logo of the Canadian sesquicentennial.

Happy Canada Day - Bonne fête du Canada - to all my Canadian truckbuddies on the 150th anniversary of Confederation.  You all have made great progress in that time, from a sprawling wilderness to a civilized democracy, a beacon of hope for all the world.  I wish my country could say the same.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeted his fellow Canadians in this video message:





To mark the occasions, HM The Queen of Canada issued a new official photograph, taken by a Toronto photographer, in which she is wearing a diamond maple leaf brooch first worn by her mother during the 1939 Royal Tour:

There's something to be said for having a dignified, non-political Head of State at the top of the ladder, and also the historical continuity of family ties.  Representing the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were on hand in Ottawa today to celebrate with Canadians.

A monarchy wouldn't work here, of course; but sometimes it's nice to think of, from a distance.

Today's Toon

While Trump is ramping up his deportation force . . .

By Andy Marlette, Pensacola News-Journal, pnj.com

. . . this is happening in Canada:

From Canada with Love

A refreshing note from abroad, for a change:

Trudeau Marches in Toronto Pride Parade

Earlier today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marched in Toronto's Gay Pride Parade, waving a rainbow flag and exchanging waves and cheers with onlookers.  This is the first time that a sitting PM has marched in the parade.




Earlier in the week, Trudeau recorded this message to his fellow Canadians for Canada Day, July 1:

Love Feast in Ottawa

Embed from Getty Images

Yesterday President Obama joined Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada and President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico for the Three Amigos Summit in Ottawa. After the departure of President Peña Nieto, bromancers Trudeau and Obama proceeded to Parliament Hill, where the latter delivered a speech to an adoring House of Commons, and a good time was had by all.

The speech was one of Obama's finest, elegant, eloquent, and highly pertinent to the times we live in; it is well worth your time to listen to. Excerpt:

We meet at a pivotal moment for our nations and for the globe. From this vibrant capital, we can look upon a world that has benefited enormously from the international order that we helped to build together’ but we can see that same order increasingly strained by the accelerating forces of change. The world is by most every measure less violent than ever before; but it remains riven by old divisions and fresh hatreds. The world is more connected than ever before; but even as it spreads knowledge and the possibility of greater understanding between peoples, it also empowers terrorists who spread hatred and death -- most recently in Orlando and Istanbul.

The world is more prosperous than ever before, but alongside globalization and technological wonders we also see a rise in inequality and wage stagnation across the advanced economies, leaving too many workers and communities fearful of diminishing prospects, not just for themselves, but more importantly, for their children.

And in the face of such rising uncertainty, it is not enough to look at aggregate growth rates, or stock prices, or the pace of digital innovation. If the benefits of globalization accrue only to those at the very top, if our democracies seem incapable of assuring broad-based growth and opportunity for everyone, then people will push back, out of anger or out of fear. And politicians -- some sincere, and some entirely cynical -- will tap that anger and fear, harkening back to bygone days of order and predictability and national glory, arguing that we must rebuild walls and disengage from a chaotic world, or rid ourselves of the supposed ills brought on by immigrants -- all in order to regain control of our lives.

We saw some of these currents at work this past week in the United Kingdom’s referendum to leave the European Union. Despite some of the initial reactions, I am confident that the process can be managed in a prudent, orderly way. I expect that our friends on both sides of the Channel will develop a workable plan for how to move forward. And I’m equally confident that the Transatlantic values that we all share as liberal, market-based democracies are deeper and stronger than any single event.

But while the circumstances of Brexit may be unique to the United Kingdom, the frustrations people felt are not. The short-term fallout of Brexit can be sensibly managed, but the long-term trends of inequality and dislocation and the resulting social division -- those can't be ignored. How we respond to the forces of globalization and technological change will determine the durability of an international order that ensures security and prosperity for future generations.

And fortunately, the partnership between the United States and Canada shows the path we need to travel. For our history and our work together speak to a common set of values to build on --proven values, values that your Prime Minister spoke of in his introduction -- values of pluralism and tolerance, rule of law, openness; global engagement and commerce and cooperation, coupled with equal opportunity and an investment in our people at home. As Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau once said, “A country, after all, is not something you build as the pharaohs build the pyramids, and then leave standing there to defy eternity. A country is something that is built every day out of certain basic shared values.”

Full text here.

Love the Stranger

A Syrian refugee fleeing Isis fighters in Tal Abyad holds onto his daughter as he waits to cross into Turkey at Akcakale border gate, on June 15, 2015.  (International Business Times, July 10, 2015)

Well, what to do about it?  Before you answer, consider two families, two stories:

1.  Welcome to Canada

2.  Welcome to Texas

Today's text, Deuteronomy 10:16-19:

¹⁶ Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
¹⁷ For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
¹⁸ He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
¹⁹ Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.


Cf. Matthew 25:31-46.

"Sunny Ways": Trudeau Takes the Helm in Canada

After nearly ten years as Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper was given the boot last night as voters gave the Liberal Party and its leader Justin Trudeau an overwhelming victory, with 154 seats to the Conservatives' 99; the NDP came in third with 44 seats.  Justin's father, Pierre, who died in 2000, was Prime Minister of Canada from 1968 to 1984.

Click to enlarge.

Bonne fête du Canada - Happy Canada Day!

Good wishes to all my Canadian truckbuddies. Check the live feed of festivities across the country on CBC, starting at 7 p.m. Eastern Time here.

Canoe medallist Mark Oldershaw, named today as Canada's flagbearer for the Pan-American Games, to be held in Toronto beginning July 10.

The DEW Line Story (1958)

A film about the construction of the Distant Early Warning Line, a phenomenal achievement in the high Arctic that is still amazing to contemplate today.

Attack on Canadian Parliament

Map of Ottawa shootings from the Globe and Mail.

Shortly before 10 a.m. Eastern time this morning in Ottawa, a gunman with a rifle shot a soldier standing guard at the National War Memorial, then raced the short distance to the Center Block of the Canadian Parliament, where he gained entry and a gun battle ensued within the halls of Parliament, as seen in the video above. Security forces from the police and RCMP are blocking streets and responding to various points in the vicinity.

Reports are that more than one shooter is active, and government offices as well as downtown Ottawa buildings are on lockdown. Prime Minister Stephen Harper as well as opposition leaders are reported to be safe and out of danger. Police are also investigating reported shootings at the Rideau Centre shopping mall near Parliament Hill.

On Monday, a radicalized Canadian convert to Islam ran down two Canadian soldiers in St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu, 30 miles southeast of Montreal, killing one of them.

The CBC has live coverage of events on Parliament Hill here.

The Globe and Mail has ongoing coverage here.

CTV also has live coverage here.


Update, 4:20 p.m.: Canadian news organizations are now reporting that the soldier killed in this morning's cowardly attack at the War Memorial was 24-year-old Cpl. Nathan Cirillo from Hamilton, Ontario, who when off duty worked with an animal rescue outfit.

R. I. P.

The Cheerios Effect

From General Mills Canada, a sweet ad that airs next week up in the True North:



And en français:

Canada Day 2014

Friendly good wishes to all my Canadian truckbuddies today - Bonne fête du Canada!

And just for the eye candy, here's a clip of studly Toronto high-school teacher Joe Killoran confronting douchebag mayor Rob Ford this afternoon during a parade:



More info about Killoran at Joe.My.God.

Les Beaux Frères: Serviette

Les Beaux Frères studied at circus schools in Quebec and Montreal, and have performed with Cirque du Soleil and other such companies.  They did this wonderful towel dance on stage in Paris last month.

Bonne fête du Canada! - Happy Canada Day!

Your Head Trucker will always have a warm place in his heart for Canada, whose adoption of marriage equality nationwide on July 20, 2005, was a rare note of joy in the year after my husband's death. I did daydream several times of moving there during the dark days of the Bush regime in this country - if only it weren't so damn c-o-l-d! This Southern boy just doesn't think he could survive one of those brutal winters.

But still I say, Hooray for Canada! Vive le Canada! And bless their little frostbitten hearts. Today is their national day, and you can watch live coverage of various events from all over here at CBC or on CTV throughout the day and evening.

And Canada has a really lovely national anthem, did you know? Here's a bilingual version, with some awesome pictures of that beautiful country. Use the full screen on this, guys.