The last diatribe against Quebec and bilingualism is worrying. I would expect more than let's kick them out and punish the French in the rest of the country. There are reasons to believe the nervousness with place in society is wide spread and its not all in Quebec. It's worth exploring in a detail way.
You call the last portion of the commentary a "diatribe against Quebec and bilingualism" Actually, what do you call the actions by Quebec against English speakers - reasonable?
No, I absolutely don't agree with you. Quebec has over a period of decades found ways to download almost all federal powers and it takes massive amounts of federal (well, Alberta) money, all in order to deny that it is really Canadian.
You also say that "(t)here are reasons to believe the nervousness in society is wide spread and its not all in Quebec." I absolutely agree with you. I would point out that we here in Alberta have a great nervousness with our place in society given the federal attacks on Alberta and our largest industry but them the requirement that our industry continue paying for the government of Canada and Quebec to attack our industry.
So, you think the commentary about Quebec is misleading. Tough.
Quebec has been working tirelessly to move away from Canada. As an Albertan, I recall vividly the phrase "Quebec is part of my Canada." In fact, in the last referendum, a Calgary taxi company put a bumper sticker on all it's cabs with that slogan, with the result that the PQ government took that company to court to prosecute them for violating the referendum spending laws - even though the taxis were all in Calgary.
One of the PQ members of the time, M. Legault, is now premier of Quebec. So, tell me, if Alberta would hold a referendum would there be bumper stickers on Montreal taxis that said, "Alberta is part of my Canada" or would they say, "Alberta money is part of my Canada?"
If you want to talk about diatribes, why are you not criticizing the current Bill 96 in Quebec?
Alberta and Quebec have been allies in every battle over the constitution against the Federal government. I lived in Quebec during the referendums and saw the dirty tricks and attempts of revenge by the PQ. Bill 96 is affecting my kids and grandkids. So stop the virtue signaling.
My point is things are happening in Canada that are similar to reactions in Quebec. Attacking French people in other parts of the country is counter productive. And thanks for paying y our Federal taxes to support this country as I do.
Pat, I really do believe that you are speaking historically.
To the extent that the current federal government is intruding on constitutionally allocated provincial jurisdiction Quebec has been silent as they agree with the direction even though it has dire affect on Alberta.
As for saying that "The Line" podcast was attacking French people in other parts of the country I don't at all think that is what they were doing. What they were saying was that if Quebec insists on French only [which is the practical effect of Bill 96] then the logical next step is for the rest of the country to say English only. That was not a recommendation but a prediction of the consequence of Bill 96 unless it is "de-lawed." [How is that for a word?]
As for virtue signaling I truly am not certain to what you refer. If you mean that I was doing that, I don't know in what way and I vociferously deny it. I simply note that Alberta has been foolishly attacked by the federal and Quebec governments.
As for paying my federal taxes, why should any Albertan be interested in paying to the feds when all they do is attack us?
Quite frankly, there are many Albertans who are now separatists. Not at all a majority but, very interestingly, a growing number.
I do not like the podcast as I don't have 40 min to spare each day.. I like to read the line and pick out the kernels that are important to me Sorry but I am thinking I will have to stop wasting my donation each month
No one gives a shite about voting as there is no political person that actually cares about doing anything to care or listen to what the people want - it is corruption and greed that is ruling and personally am done supporting all of them
Pat, for absolutely the first time in my life (I am now 71), I refused to vote in the last election. My reasons for that refusal were twofold: first, most of the politicians were aligned (and in many cases had issued very clear promises) against Alberta and our largest industry; and, second, that no matter the result the leaders would say, "the people have spoken," and then proceed to ignore the people.
So far, I have only refused to vote federally as I continue to (delusionally?) believe that I can - to a minor extent - make a case to my provincial / municipal representatives; I often do not get the provincial / municipal result that I wish but that is the way of democracy. I do, however, continue to (delusionally?) believe that I can actually make my case to those representatives.
But federally? Nope, the system is so far beyond broken that the "found-ins" [a phrase from another time with another - but very appropriate - meaning; Google it!] simply don't know that it is broken.
Couldn't agree more about the airports. They have no staff, and they can't solve that quickly, so anything they can do to have to admit that is the natural move. The airlines and ATC also have no staff to deal with an increase in traffic, but the gov't has the ability to do more to hide it. ATC will hide behind Toronto runway closure for the summer.
If you want me to renew my subscription next year, keep it short and pithy. Quality beats quantity. Time is precious. Your podcasts might be brilliant but they are not for me. Perhaps you could summarize the contents for a quick read. I grew up in a generation that believed that less is more. It is a skill to deliver a précis of coherent thoughts. Keep trying. At least you are free thinkers.
For myself, I have no issues with the length. Love podcasts, I can listen to them anywhere when I have time. Although, sometime people I meet when I'm walking the dog might wonder about the look on my face. I do, miss seeing what's up at Star Trek HQ though (Secretly hoping to see, Tau or Necrons landing :-) )
Humphry, I write this considerably after your comment; apologies but I just didn't get to listening [it is hard as I have a hearing problem - Matt!!!!! where is the video?] until a short while ago.
Short and pithy is great for a precis but for real understanding it is important to have not only comment but reasoning behind those comments, i.e. facts, contrasts, contradictions, etc. Accordingly, I must agree with Matt.
Now, having said that, in my [entirely self-appointed] role of salesman for The Line, I hope you stay as a subscriber as it is important for someone - you, in this case - to tell the editors how to improve, especially when they have contrary ideas. Even if they don't follow your recommendations!
The last diatribe against Quebec and bilingualism is worrying. I would expect more than let's kick them out and punish the French in the rest of the country. There are reasons to believe the nervousness with place in society is wide spread and its not all in Quebec. It's worth exploring in a detail way.
Pat: Nope.
Let me be very, very clear: nope.
You call the last portion of the commentary a "diatribe against Quebec and bilingualism" Actually, what do you call the actions by Quebec against English speakers - reasonable?
No, I absolutely don't agree with you. Quebec has over a period of decades found ways to download almost all federal powers and it takes massive amounts of federal (well, Alberta) money, all in order to deny that it is really Canadian.
You also say that "(t)here are reasons to believe the nervousness in society is wide spread and its not all in Quebec." I absolutely agree with you. I would point out that we here in Alberta have a great nervousness with our place in society given the federal attacks on Alberta and our largest industry but them the requirement that our industry continue paying for the government of Canada and Quebec to attack our industry.
So, you think the commentary about Quebec is misleading. Tough.
Quebec has been working tirelessly to move away from Canada. As an Albertan, I recall vividly the phrase "Quebec is part of my Canada." In fact, in the last referendum, a Calgary taxi company put a bumper sticker on all it's cabs with that slogan, with the result that the PQ government took that company to court to prosecute them for violating the referendum spending laws - even though the taxis were all in Calgary.
One of the PQ members of the time, M. Legault, is now premier of Quebec. So, tell me, if Alberta would hold a referendum would there be bumper stickers on Montreal taxis that said, "Alberta is part of my Canada" or would they say, "Alberta money is part of my Canada?"
If you want to talk about diatribes, why are you not criticizing the current Bill 96 in Quebec?
Alberta and Quebec have been allies in every battle over the constitution against the Federal government. I lived in Quebec during the referendums and saw the dirty tricks and attempts of revenge by the PQ. Bill 96 is affecting my kids and grandkids. So stop the virtue signaling.
My point is things are happening in Canada that are similar to reactions in Quebec. Attacking French people in other parts of the country is counter productive. And thanks for paying y our Federal taxes to support this country as I do.
Pat, I really do believe that you are speaking historically.
To the extent that the current federal government is intruding on constitutionally allocated provincial jurisdiction Quebec has been silent as they agree with the direction even though it has dire affect on Alberta.
As for saying that "The Line" podcast was attacking French people in other parts of the country I don't at all think that is what they were doing. What they were saying was that if Quebec insists on French only [which is the practical effect of Bill 96] then the logical next step is for the rest of the country to say English only. That was not a recommendation but a prediction of the consequence of Bill 96 unless it is "de-lawed." [How is that for a word?]
As for virtue signaling I truly am not certain to what you refer. If you mean that I was doing that, I don't know in what way and I vociferously deny it. I simply note that Alberta has been foolishly attacked by the federal and Quebec governments.
As for paying my federal taxes, why should any Albertan be interested in paying to the feds when all they do is attack us?
Quite frankly, there are many Albertans who are now separatists. Not at all a majority but, very interestingly, a growing number.
Ok will look for it.
I do not like the podcast as I don't have 40 min to spare each day.. I like to read the line and pick out the kernels that are important to me Sorry but I am thinking I will have to stop wasting my donation each month
It’s your money. But there is literally a written version of this that goes out every weekend too.
No one gives a shite about voting as there is no political person that actually cares about doing anything to care or listen to what the people want - it is corruption and greed that is ruling and personally am done supporting all of them
Pat, for absolutely the first time in my life (I am now 71), I refused to vote in the last election. My reasons for that refusal were twofold: first, most of the politicians were aligned (and in many cases had issued very clear promises) against Alberta and our largest industry; and, second, that no matter the result the leaders would say, "the people have spoken," and then proceed to ignore the people.
So far, I have only refused to vote federally as I continue to (delusionally?) believe that I can - to a minor extent - make a case to my provincial / municipal representatives; I often do not get the provincial / municipal result that I wish but that is the way of democracy. I do, however, continue to (delusionally?) believe that I can actually make my case to those representatives.
But federally? Nope, the system is so far beyond broken that the "found-ins" [a phrase from another time with another - but very appropriate - meaning; Google it!] simply don't know that it is broken.
Couldn't agree more about the airports. They have no staff, and they can't solve that quickly, so anything they can do to have to admit that is the natural move. The airlines and ATC also have no staff to deal with an increase in traffic, but the gov't has the ability to do more to hide it. ATC will hide behind Toronto runway closure for the summer.
If you want me to renew my subscription next year, keep it short and pithy. Quality beats quantity. Time is precious. Your podcasts might be brilliant but they are not for me. Perhaps you could summarize the contents for a quick read. I grew up in a generation that believed that less is more. It is a skill to deliver a précis of coherent thoughts. Keep trying. At least you are free thinkers.
Counterproposal: we will keep doing what we are doing and you can leave if unsatisfied with no hard feelings on our end.
Thanks for the prompt reply. It gave my wife a good laugh. Keep up the good work.
For myself, I have no issues with the length. Love podcasts, I can listen to them anywhere when I have time. Although, sometime people I meet when I'm walking the dog might wonder about the look on my face. I do, miss seeing what's up at Star Trek HQ though (Secretly hoping to see, Tau or Necrons landing :-) )
Humphry, I write this considerably after your comment; apologies but I just didn't get to listening [it is hard as I have a hearing problem - Matt!!!!! where is the video?] until a short while ago.
Short and pithy is great for a precis but for real understanding it is important to have not only comment but reasoning behind those comments, i.e. facts, contrasts, contradictions, etc. Accordingly, I must agree with Matt.
Now, having said that, in my [entirely self-appointed] role of salesman for The Line, I hope you stay as a subscriber as it is important for someone - you, in this case - to tell the editors how to improve, especially when they have contrary ideas. Even if they don't follow your recommendations!
There is no generation that believes less is more.