I think we’ve reached the end of a real bilateral relationship with the United States. Friendship is over. Even a transactional alliance is pretty damn close to the brink.
You should have run this one past a different proofreader. You wrote: "an influencer"... "because this is what Conservatism in Canada is now". The next paragraph (and sentence) begins with "The Conservative party is".
Yes, an influencer took an extreme and tasteless position. But that influencer is NOT representative of the Conservative Party nor the entire conservative movement. Nor is there any valid link between that deplorable influencer and the Conservative Party. But your writing implied that they are one and the same.
Canada is in the mess it is because of the airtime given to the lunatic fringes at both ends of the spectrum stealing the oxygen from more reasonable discussions. It is now almost impossible to get anything done because of the constant pandering to and/or avoidance of these very vocal groups.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but did the CPC not only invite them to their convention, but give them prominent spots at it? That would seem to me to be a very valid link.
Well, as with anything though, those influencers exist on a spectrum too. On both the left and the right, we've gotten far too comfortable in hearing a position and using that position to paint the entire opposing camp.
I don't disagree, but if you're the Conservatives vying for any kind of relevancy right now you simply cannot afford to shoot yourself in the foot like that. The only logical conclusions to take away it is that they've either made a fairly large error in judgement, or a decent subsection of the party is sympathetic to those positions.
We have overwhelming evidence of americucks who love fat orange baby in the CPC... not many for sure, but enough to confuse the party into an unintelligible strategy.
If your lead criticism is proofreading, maybe you've missed the point.
As an aside, what does it say about the Conservative Party that its leader is too afraid of Jamil Jivani to kick him out of caucus for promoting JD Vance's talking points? That's a powerful tell about the party's base.
Let us pray that “moving on” does not mean jumping into alliances with the CCP which appears to be the direction we’re moving as evidenced by the recent appointment of Dominic Barton.
I have to admit, I've not exactly been elbows up. I do think we have mishandled our end of the trade dispute. Mark Carney was elected promising to fix this mess, and that he was the only candidate that could. I haven't always felt that negotiating and finalizing a deal with the US to shore up the economy has been a priority.
So I don't like how we got here.
But now that we're here, I think Carney has the right approach. We can't go back to the table while they're flooding the zone with memes of eagles strangling geese, or renaming lakes or making fun of our cadets.
Agree Ian, the only other thing id like is to put a muzzle on Ford. Im furious at what Trump is doing but I have too many American friends to blame the country. And Im still waiting for Carney to show his hand.
Mark Carney is in the most enviable position of any politician in the world. He has absolutely no metrics for success or failure in his dealings with the US, short of not signing an annexation treaty.
Come to some kind of deal? He's the shrewd negotiator and Trump Whisperer he was voted in as. No deal? Wartime insanity and rally around the flag, and nobody could make a deal with this insane US government anyway, right?
I think so little of both sides in this dispute that it wouldn't surprise me at all if they both cooked up the whole thing at the last minute so that Trump could distract from Iran and Carney could rile us all into the overblown anti-American froth that Jen Gerson seems to have worked herself into here.
That is Carney's entire approach to dealing with Trump on trade.
Carney is only waiting for impeachment or imprisonment. He knows that Canada cannot bear more retalitation from Trump, and that is now more likely than not.
But again Carney and the leftists that support him have ruined Canada over my lifetime, and especially over the last 11 years.
An unserious country that cannot achieve productivity by properly respecting and valuing private property and capital. Instead we indulge in endless virute singalling and perpetuationg an utterly dysfunctional federalism.
Carney may know all of this , but he is too gutless to acutally attempt genuine transformation within this dyfunction known as Canada.
If you can't concede this grim reality then you are simply delusional.
Albertans will have a chance to express themsleves very soon if they feel that they have more ot fear from Canadian federalism or creating a better alternative via closer integration with the US.
As for the Cadet pic, it was peurile and inflammatory. But it struck a chord and made a point.
Repost this to everyone in your contacts. It’s over time a lot of Canadians woke up to our new reality. Jen’s thesis about Democrats and the mid-terms not being our salvation is smack on. I we as Canadians need to get serious about forging our future and that includes Albertans. If we don’t stop the cheap shots and destructive tactics, we’re done.
As a starting point let’s ensure all those foreign investors, that are coming at our Prime Ministers invitation this month, see a Canada that is united behind the vision he is projecting.
You are right, Jen - but I'm 2 months short of 22 years contributing to help build and promote CANZUK. Even in the midst of this tempest, getting people to even give 30 seconds of attention to an idea that fits Carney's “middle power coalition” thesis to a T is like pulling teeth.
If we're actually serious, then we're proactively pursuing alternatives. But if people yell about wanting alternatives but turn their noses up at one being offered with balloons & a big bow, then I have to question how serious the concern is.
Maybe we just like the attention that comes from the drama…
For Canadians placing their hopes on the midterms, there are two things to consider. First, the President constitutionally have the most power for unilateral action over foreign policy. If Congress starts to restrain him, things could get worse for a while on trade, because he can ignore Congress. Given Trump's psychological profile, it seems likely that he will act out where he can.
And second, any sensible observer of American politics has to realize that what came before Trump is gone forever, including Canada's relationship with the US. The only question is who will build what to replace it. Democrats are still mostly fighting a rearguard action in defense of what was. Some seem to have clear ideas about where to go next, but darn few among elected officials. The first step to things getting better is to start working towards what comes next, instead of fighting a futile battle to defend the past.
I spend too much time watching Canadians’ reaction to what’s happening; the Americucks and the Elbows Up, and the Business Certainty types, and the Hopeful Midterm Wwatchers. I see denial, and anger, and bargaining, depression and fear. All of these emotions are manifestations of grief.
END QUOTE
I certainly agree with your assessment that many Canadians do not fully understand the changes we've seen play out in the United States, and the long-lasting implications of those changes for our country.
It is no longer possible to believe wholeheartedly that future US governments will be more than transactional with us, whether in terms of military interactions, intelligence arrangements or economic relations.
True strategic partnership is over between us, until such time as the United States consistently and sincerely demonstrates that it is willing to treat with us respectfully, as a partner willing to engage in mutually beneficial exchanges.
While this seems unlikely to occur at the moment, and is difficult to foresee anytime before the complete and utter failure of Trumpism is apparent to American citizens. However, it may not be "forever impossible".
Believe it or not, I still hold out hope that the majority of Americans may yet come to their senses at some point. I just do not expect this to be soon.
As such, I agree with your assessment that Canada must "move on" in respect of the relationship we have long had with the United States.
I've been reading Erik Larson's book about the leadup to the Civil War ("War of Northern Aggression" from the Lost Cause perspective).
Maybe an exploration behind "Honor Culture" and it's deep seated paranoid responses to perceived threats throughout history might provide some insights.
Jen, thank you for your uncharacteristic and resolute calm! (I imagine it would sound different if you were speaking it.) So, it's over, it's real - now what do we do? We can continue to modify our spending habits with many thanks to the people and groups out there making it easier for us - Tod Maffin and Main Street Canada. We'll support the leadership that really stands up for Canadians. Chin up!
What can I say but, thanks Jen, for your righteous anger.
You should have run this one past a different proofreader. You wrote: "an influencer"... "because this is what Conservatism in Canada is now". The next paragraph (and sentence) begins with "The Conservative party is".
Yes, an influencer took an extreme and tasteless position. But that influencer is NOT representative of the Conservative Party nor the entire conservative movement. Nor is there any valid link between that deplorable influencer and the Conservative Party. But your writing implied that they are one and the same.
Canada is in the mess it is because of the airtime given to the lunatic fringes at both ends of the spectrum stealing the oxygen from more reasonable discussions. It is now almost impossible to get anything done because of the constant pandering to and/or avoidance of these very vocal groups.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but did the CPC not only invite them to their convention, but give them prominent spots at it? That would seem to me to be a very valid link.
Well, as with anything though, those influencers exist on a spectrum too. On both the left and the right, we've gotten far too comfortable in hearing a position and using that position to paint the entire opposing camp.
We can and should be judged for our friends, lol.
Both the abject failure americucks and the marxists who can't think critically are stains on their parties. The results speak for themselves.
I don't disagree, but if you're the Conservatives vying for any kind of relevancy right now you simply cannot afford to shoot yourself in the foot like that. The only logical conclusions to take away it is that they've either made a fairly large error in judgement, or a decent subsection of the party is sympathetic to those positions.
Neither of those options are good.
I don't think this is fair.
We have overwhelming evidence of americucks who love fat orange baby in the CPC... not many for sure, but enough to confuse the party into an unintelligible strategy.
If your lead criticism is proofreading, maybe you've missed the point.
As an aside, what does it say about the Conservative Party that its leader is too afraid of Jamil Jivani to kick him out of caucus for promoting JD Vance's talking points? That's a powerful tell about the party's base.
no shit, lol. speaks volumes
Let us pray that “moving on” does not mean jumping into alliances with the CCP which appears to be the direction we’re moving as evidenced by the recent appointment of Dominic Barton.
Well written Jen - scary though - the reality of it all.
Another Banger from Jen Gerson!
I have to admit, I've not exactly been elbows up. I do think we have mishandled our end of the trade dispute. Mark Carney was elected promising to fix this mess, and that he was the only candidate that could. I haven't always felt that negotiating and finalizing a deal with the US to shore up the economy has been a priority.
So I don't like how we got here.
But now that we're here, I think Carney has the right approach. We can't go back to the table while they're flooding the zone with memes of eagles strangling geese, or renaming lakes or making fun of our cadets.
Agree Ian, the only other thing id like is to put a muzzle on Ford. Im furious at what Trump is doing but I have too many American friends to blame the country. And Im still waiting for Carney to show his hand.
Yeah, Ford should take the same approach as Carney - "we'll talk when you can be respectful"
Mark Carney is in the most enviable position of any politician in the world. He has absolutely no metrics for success or failure in his dealings with the US, short of not signing an annexation treaty.
Come to some kind of deal? He's the shrewd negotiator and Trump Whisperer he was voted in as. No deal? Wartime insanity and rally around the flag, and nobody could make a deal with this insane US government anyway, right?
I think so little of both sides in this dispute that it wouldn't surprise me at all if they both cooked up the whole thing at the last minute so that Trump could distract from Iran and Carney could rile us all into the overblown anti-American froth that Jen Gerson seems to have worked herself into here.
Aimless theater.
That is Carney's entire approach to dealing with Trump on trade.
Carney is only waiting for impeachment or imprisonment. He knows that Canada cannot bear more retalitation from Trump, and that is now more likely than not.
But again Carney and the leftists that support him have ruined Canada over my lifetime, and especially over the last 11 years.
An unserious country that cannot achieve productivity by properly respecting and valuing private property and capital. Instead we indulge in endless virute singalling and perpetuationg an utterly dysfunctional federalism.
Carney may know all of this , but he is too gutless to acutally attempt genuine transformation within this dyfunction known as Canada.
If you can't concede this grim reality then you are simply delusional.
Albertans will have a chance to express themsleves very soon if they feel that they have more ot fear from Canadian federalism or creating a better alternative via closer integration with the US.
As for the Cadet pic, it was peurile and inflammatory. But it struck a chord and made a point.
We all know why.
lol... US bonds are now a full point below Canadian bonds. Any idea why?
Not because Canada has its fiscal house in order.
Far from it.
Both countries, as does the EU, deconstruct entitlements fundamentally.
But rest assured that is not going to come for the left.
Repost this to everyone in your contacts. It’s over time a lot of Canadians woke up to our new reality. Jen’s thesis about Democrats and the mid-terms not being our salvation is smack on. I we as Canadians need to get serious about forging our future and that includes Albertans. If we don’t stop the cheap shots and destructive tactics, we’re done.
As a starting point let’s ensure all those foreign investors, that are coming at our Prime Ministers invitation this month, see a Canada that is united behind the vision he is projecting.
You are right, Jen - but I'm 2 months short of 22 years contributing to help build and promote CANZUK. Even in the midst of this tempest, getting people to even give 30 seconds of attention to an idea that fits Carney's “middle power coalition” thesis to a T is like pulling teeth.
If we're actually serious, then we're proactively pursuing alternatives. But if people yell about wanting alternatives but turn their noses up at one being offered with balloons & a big bow, then I have to question how serious the concern is.
Maybe we just like the attention that comes from the drama…
For Canadians placing their hopes on the midterms, there are two things to consider. First, the President constitutionally have the most power for unilateral action over foreign policy. If Congress starts to restrain him, things could get worse for a while on trade, because he can ignore Congress. Given Trump's psychological profile, it seems likely that he will act out where he can.
And second, any sensible observer of American politics has to realize that what came before Trump is gone forever, including Canada's relationship with the US. The only question is who will build what to replace it. Democrats are still mostly fighting a rearguard action in defense of what was. Some seem to have clear ideas about where to go next, but darn few among elected officials. The first step to things getting better is to start working towards what comes next, instead of fighting a futile battle to defend the past.
Not a great situation.
QUOTE
I spend too much time watching Canadians’ reaction to what’s happening; the Americucks and the Elbows Up, and the Business Certainty types, and the Hopeful Midterm Wwatchers. I see denial, and anger, and bargaining, depression and fear. All of these emotions are manifestations of grief.
END QUOTE
I certainly agree with your assessment that many Canadians do not fully understand the changes we've seen play out in the United States, and the long-lasting implications of those changes for our country.
It is no longer possible to believe wholeheartedly that future US governments will be more than transactional with us, whether in terms of military interactions, intelligence arrangements or economic relations.
True strategic partnership is over between us, until such time as the United States consistently and sincerely demonstrates that it is willing to treat with us respectfully, as a partner willing to engage in mutually beneficial exchanges.
While this seems unlikely to occur at the moment, and is difficult to foresee anytime before the complete and utter failure of Trumpism is apparent to American citizens. However, it may not be "forever impossible".
Believe it or not, I still hold out hope that the majority of Americans may yet come to their senses at some point. I just do not expect this to be soon.
As such, I agree with your assessment that Canada must "move on" in respect of the relationship we have long had with the United States.
Well said Jen! Spot on.
I've been reading Erik Larson's book about the leadup to the Civil War ("War of Northern Aggression" from the Lost Cause perspective).
Maybe an exploration behind "Honor Culture" and it's deep seated paranoid responses to perceived threats throughout history might provide some insights.
Exactly.
You say it best. It’s time to move on. Time to stop wasting the anger.
Jen, thank you for your uncharacteristic and resolute calm! (I imagine it would sound different if you were speaking it.) So, it's over, it's real - now what do we do? We can continue to modify our spending habits with many thanks to the people and groups out there making it easier for us - Tod Maffin and Main Street Canada. We'll support the leadership that really stands up for Canadians. Chin up!