I think Carney, at the start of the war, was wrongfooted by Poilievre's speech about dealing with the Americans. That would have been exactly the wrong time to bite the ankles of the Americans about an issue that has nothing to do with Canada, and draws attention to our military weakness. It would have risked validating Poilievre's criticism.
Unfortunately for Carney, the Liberal coalition is composed of people who think that our national strength consists of ankle biting Trump.
You nailed Carney's situation to a "T". Honesty, straight up, would be the best way for him to stay way ahead in the polls.
There is no plan for Iran in the US...same as Iraq, same as Afghanistan. Blow a bunch of people up, pretend the whole world wants to be American, and then find a way to get a whole bunch of your kids killed. That said, Danielle Smith loves this like no event in her political life. It could salvage her budget. If Jason hadn't killed Rachel's tank car deal, Alberta could make far, far more.....
Pete is an asshole and a bully. I find him devoid of redeeming qualities.
WRT Hoekstra's temper tantrum, well, you may find that he is growing on you. I've not met many amongst my friends and neighbours who espouse such a view.
And lest you think I'm a secret admirer of the old Grope and Flail, think again. I have not subscribed for decades.
- - -
WRT the Carney government's messy management of foreign policy, you were right about the main issue: what he (and they) need to do is "just [tell] the truth to Canadians."
It is difficult, though, when you're working with people (in the PMO and at Foreign Affairs) who seem to believe that they can get away with untrue statements and ignoring intelligence that runs counter to their preferences.
It's mother's milk with this lot.
Mind you, it could be that the Prime Minister himself grew up on the same milk (he was, after all, a senior bureaucrat with the Department of Finance and also served as Governor of the Bank of Canada).
- - -
WRT the war in the Middle East, I agree with those who have suggested that this might be the straw that breaks the back of the Trump administration.
What the United States (and Israel) are doing cannot work in the absence of coherent and well-laid plans to replace the mess they make (the heinous regime they are trying to destroy) with something better.
Simply eviscerating Iran's economy and its built infrastructure to kill the regime in Tehran will not improve the lives of ordinary people, much less bring about positive change.
A sustained post-war effort to support and rebuild is essential. And oh, so unlikely.
One question not asked might include "does there even need to be an endgame?"
Remove the Ayatollahs. Facilitate a regime change. Facilitate a democratic system of government with a constitutional monarchy. Weed out the Guard. Foster goodwill with Israel. Degrade Iran's military capability. Decouple Iran & Venezuela from China and Russia.
The sole purpose of the US attack on Iran is not regime change although that would be a bonus. The main reason is China’s growing hegemony as a geopolitical challenge to the US control of Western democracies. China up to the beginning of 2026 bought 17% of its oil from Iran and Venezuela and 20% from Russia. China’s economy needs that energy to continue growing its GDP which has stalled in the last year and had contributed to its excess manufacturing capacity and idle factories although its war machine continues at breakneck speed. US oil sanctions have contributed to that situation and even Russia’s “ ghost” fleet of unflagged tankers had been stalled in the Straits of Hormuz. The US has even seized a few leaving Venezuela. China has stayed very quiet about Iran so as not to offend Trump who is scheduled to visit Beijing at the end of March. The whole game revolves around geopolitical leverage.
Kelly is a weenie! What does he have against hockey and their players? Someone,once stuffed him in his locker? Anyway,I played,and still love the game. Because,that’s what it is. I told my son when he played that ‘Hockey teaches you how to lose.’ As long as you gave it your all,you don’t need to sit and cry on the bench. There will be more games. Bad winners are harder to take. Tkuchuks
I think Carney, at the start of the war, was wrongfooted by Poilievre's speech about dealing with the Americans. That would have been exactly the wrong time to bite the ankles of the Americans about an issue that has nothing to do with Canada, and draws attention to our military weakness. It would have risked validating Poilievre's criticism.
Unfortunately for Carney, the Liberal coalition is composed of people who think that our national strength consists of ankle biting Trump.
You nailed Carney's situation to a "T". Honesty, straight up, would be the best way for him to stay way ahead in the polls.
There is no plan for Iran in the US...same as Iraq, same as Afghanistan. Blow a bunch of people up, pretend the whole world wants to be American, and then find a way to get a whole bunch of your kids killed. That said, Danielle Smith loves this like no event in her political life. It could salvage her budget. If Jason hadn't killed Rachel's tank car deal, Alberta could make far, far more.....
Pete is an asshole and a bully. I find him devoid of redeeming qualities.
Hm.
WRT Hoekstra's temper tantrum, well, you may find that he is growing on you. I've not met many amongst my friends and neighbours who espouse such a view.
And lest you think I'm a secret admirer of the old Grope and Flail, think again. I have not subscribed for decades.
- - -
WRT the Carney government's messy management of foreign policy, you were right about the main issue: what he (and they) need to do is "just [tell] the truth to Canadians."
It is difficult, though, when you're working with people (in the PMO and at Foreign Affairs) who seem to believe that they can get away with untrue statements and ignoring intelligence that runs counter to their preferences.
It's mother's milk with this lot.
Mind you, it could be that the Prime Minister himself grew up on the same milk (he was, after all, a senior bureaucrat with the Department of Finance and also served as Governor of the Bank of Canada).
- - -
WRT the war in the Middle East, I agree with those who have suggested that this might be the straw that breaks the back of the Trump administration.
What the United States (and Israel) are doing cannot work in the absence of coherent and well-laid plans to replace the mess they make (the heinous regime they are trying to destroy) with something better.
Simply eviscerating Iran's economy and its built infrastructure to kill the regime in Tehran will not improve the lives of ordinary people, much less bring about positive change.
A sustained post-war effort to support and rebuild is essential. And oh, so unlikely.
Those final Hoekstra comments are very funny. I really enjoyed your glee discussing the Globe column silliness.
LOVED the section about Hoekstra
One question not asked might include "does there even need to be an endgame?"
Remove the Ayatollahs. Facilitate a regime change. Facilitate a democratic system of government with a constitutional monarchy. Weed out the Guard. Foster goodwill with Israel. Degrade Iran's military capability. Decouple Iran & Venezuela from China and Russia.
On to Cuba.
The sole purpose of the US attack on Iran is not regime change although that would be a bonus. The main reason is China’s growing hegemony as a geopolitical challenge to the US control of Western democracies. China up to the beginning of 2026 bought 17% of its oil from Iran and Venezuela and 20% from Russia. China’s economy needs that energy to continue growing its GDP which has stalled in the last year and had contributed to its excess manufacturing capacity and idle factories although its war machine continues at breakneck speed. US oil sanctions have contributed to that situation and even Russia’s “ ghost” fleet of unflagged tankers had been stalled in the Straits of Hormuz. The US has even seized a few leaving Venezuela. China has stayed very quiet about Iran so as not to offend Trump who is scheduled to visit Beijing at the end of March. The whole game revolves around geopolitical leverage.
Kelly is a weenie! What does he have against hockey and their players? Someone,once stuffed him in his locker? Anyway,I played,and still love the game. Because,that’s what it is. I told my son when he played that ‘Hockey teaches you how to lose.’ As long as you gave it your all,you don’t need to sit and cry on the bench. There will be more games. Bad winners are harder to take. Tkuchuks
"But we still don’t see a coherent plan for what comes after the bombing."
They go home. The US doesn't need a regime change.