The Harper Conservatives learned the hard way that overt racism is a great way to lose elections. The Scheer-per Conservative Party has spent a lot of money building a narrative built on (not so) crypto-racism, (not so) crypto-libertarianism and (not so) crypto-social conservatism. The Conservative "hidden in plain sight" alliance with Rebel Media is evidence enough that the Conservatives are as alt-right as the GOP in the US.
Now that Bernier has flown over the metaphorical cuckoo's nest and started a party that will campaign on a sterner version of the Conservative platform without the "(not so) crytpo-" part, what can their messaging possibly be? To date they have been able to draw close to the Liberals during the dog days of the Liberals mandate using dog whistle messaging. This is during a period when their message has not been given too much critical analysis. How can they differentiate themselves enough from both the Liberals and "Bernier's Beauties". If they go left, they lose core support. If the go right they alienate all but the craziest of their support and can't build enough to pass the Liberals.
Usually it is the centrist party that is fighting on two fronts. It will be interesting to see how the Canadian alt-right will handle a similar battle.Recommend this Post
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
A Possible Path Forward Sir John A's And Other Statues
This doesn't have to be an either we take the statues down or we don't situation.
Whether the statues are of Sir John A. MacDonald, Hector-Louis Langevin or other "Men of their time", there is an issue to come to grips with. There is ample evidence that Sir John A. undoubtedly harboured prejudices against First Nations. The most recent compendium of this stain on his legacy I have read is here. If that doesn't do it for you, there are innumerable articles to drive the point home.
Yes, there are some good markers in his record. But that is not the point. We need to address the racism of his record. That response is an attempt to negate the evidence of his misdeeds. In a way, removing the statue gives us a pass when it comes to dealing with his failings. Canada needs to find a path to reconciliation with the First Nations without losing the good. As a parallel point, Winston Churchill was undoubtedly a racist and imperialist. But would we want to remove evidence of his contribution to defeating Hitler?
It is, at this point, worthwhile to draw a distinction between Canada's statues and the Confederate statue debate in the USA. The dark side of SJAM has only recently entered the public discourse. This may be overdue but such is the case. Most of the statues being removed from the Southern States are not Civil War relics. Most were erected during the Jim Crow in a response to the Civil Rights struggles of the 1950's and earlier. I have not read any evidence that the statues in Canada were erected as a way to consciously underline the oppression of the First Nations under SJAM and others.
I propose that in a good faith effort at reconciliation, we remove the statues into storage when requested by the AFN or other legitimate entities. Then have accepted authorities on the subject thrash out the bad (don't forget the Pacific Scandal) and good of his record and put it on the Heritage Canada website. Replace the statue with a new plaque that reads something like this:
Whether the statues are of Sir John A. MacDonald, Hector-Louis Langevin or other "Men of their time", there is an issue to come to grips with. There is ample evidence that Sir John A. undoubtedly harboured prejudices against First Nations. The most recent compendium of this stain on his legacy I have read is here. If that doesn't do it for you, there are innumerable articles to drive the point home.
Yes, there are some good markers in his record. But that is not the point. We need to address the racism of his record. That response is an attempt to negate the evidence of his misdeeds. In a way, removing the statue gives us a pass when it comes to dealing with his failings. Canada needs to find a path to reconciliation with the First Nations without losing the good. As a parallel point, Winston Churchill was undoubtedly a racist and imperialist. But would we want to remove evidence of his contribution to defeating Hitler?
It is, at this point, worthwhile to draw a distinction between Canada's statues and the Confederate statue debate in the USA. The dark side of SJAM has only recently entered the public discourse. This may be overdue but such is the case. Most of the statues being removed from the Southern States are not Civil War relics. Most were erected during the Jim Crow in a response to the Civil Rights struggles of the 1950's and earlier. I have not read any evidence that the statues in Canada were erected as a way to consciously underline the oppression of the First Nations under SJAM and others.
I propose that in a good faith effort at reconciliation, we remove the statues into storage when requested by the AFN or other legitimate entities. Then have accepted authorities on the subject thrash out the bad (don't forget the Pacific Scandal) and good of his record and put it on the Heritage Canada website. Replace the statue with a new plaque that reads something like this:
Sir John A. MacDonald was the founding Prime Minister of Canada. He was, like all historical figures, a complex person. Details of his legace may be found by scanning this QR Code.Recommend this Post
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Something to encourage American patriots
This post is dedicated to American family, friends and any other Americans who happen to read this missive.
As I witness the events unfolding south of the border, it brings to mind a face off Canada had against the Soviet Union. They spent decades preparing for an attack at the heart and soul of our self-image. The people they deployed to mount the attack were among the very best in the world at their craft.
When they thought they were ready and that Canada was weak, they made their move. The approach was directed and followed by the highest levels of the Kremlin. Brezhnev himself was a fanatical fan. That is right a fan. Of hockey. They were determined to beat us at our own game at the height of the Cold War. A proxy battle on ice
And things looked grim. We were down 3-1 in an 8 game series as the team headed towards Moscow. A lot of Canadians started taking the side of the Soviets and said they were better than us.
In Moscow, Team Canada had to face bad food, bugged rooms and crooked referees. It was no holds barred.
Going into the final game, the Soviets announced they were going to declare victory unless Canada won outright. What happened? Why don't we let Foster Hewitt spell it out for us?
As I witness the events unfolding south of the border, it brings to mind a face off Canada had against the Soviet Union. They spent decades preparing for an attack at the heart and soul of our self-image. The people they deployed to mount the attack were among the very best in the world at their craft.
When they thought they were ready and that Canada was weak, they made their move. The approach was directed and followed by the highest levels of the Kremlin. Brezhnev himself was a fanatical fan. That is right a fan. Of hockey. They were determined to beat us at our own game at the height of the Cold War. A proxy battle on ice
And things looked grim. We were down 3-1 in an 8 game series as the team headed towards Moscow. A lot of Canadians started taking the side of the Soviets and said they were better than us.
In Moscow, Team Canada had to face bad food, bugged rooms and crooked referees. It was no holds barred.
Going into the final game, the Soviets announced they were going to declare victory unless Canada won outright. What happened? Why don't we let Foster Hewitt spell it out for us?
Perhaps there is an allegory here. Can a totalitarian system reap the rewards of decades of preparation and defeat a free people? Not if the don't let them.
Recommend this Post
Saturday, August 11, 2018
My take on the Saudi's Hissy Fit
Two things.
First, bravo to Canada for standing up for human rights. Perhaps, due to the encroaching tide of nativist hate from starboard, we will have to stand alone. But I am for standing.
On the other hand, Chrystia Freeland did this by tweet? I have a significant amount of respect for Minister Freeland and expect more from here than handling manners in this way. The world is suffering from one person in a position of authority who tweets about important business. That is one too many.
Release a statement to the press. Hold a press conference. There are many better ways to let the KSA know of our disapproval. Don't give them the ammunition by using Twitter. Use established diplomatic protocols for publizing our views. We look the better for it. And the Saudi's still would not be able to mount a response that passes the blsuh test.
In the final analysis, props to Canada for calling the KSA out, brickbats to the craven "leaders" in the USA, UK and elsewhere. Who cares about the Saudi's? The KSA is beneath contempt.Recommend this Post
First, bravo to Canada for standing up for human rights. Perhaps, due to the encroaching tide of nativist hate from starboard, we will have to stand alone. But I am for standing.
On the other hand, Chrystia Freeland did this by tweet? I have a significant amount of respect for Minister Freeland and expect more from here than handling manners in this way. The world is suffering from one person in a position of authority who tweets about important business. That is one too many.
Release a statement to the press. Hold a press conference. There are many better ways to let the KSA know of our disapproval. Don't give them the ammunition by using Twitter. Use established diplomatic protocols for publizing our views. We look the better for it. And the Saudi's still would not be able to mount a response that passes the blsuh test.
In the final analysis, props to Canada for calling the KSA out, brickbats to the craven "leaders" in the USA, UK and elsewhere. Who cares about the Saudi's? The KSA is beneath contempt.Recommend this Post
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