FreeDumb Convoy Greatest Hits

Now that the Public Order Emergency Commission hearings are getting underway, Canada is being reminded of just how awful the convoy crisis was, not only in Ottawa but also across the rest of the country. 

It was exciting at first, of course -- hundreds of people exorcised their January blahs by lining the highways waving flags and cheering as they watched the big trucks thundering past. There was lots of "freedom!" shouting, and a warm sense of solidarity and joining together for a common cause and other fun stuff.

So the convoy seemed to think a majority of Canadians actually supported them. 

But their Ottawa occupation and border blockades soon deteriorated into a noisy, chaotic, messy, dirty, disrespectful, horn-honking debacle. 

They didn't have the sense or the leadership to just declare victory and leave.

We get 5 more weeks exposing the #FreeDumbConvoy for the complete losers they are with the #EmergenciesActInquiry lol..

Pure joy, losers.

— kris meloche (@krismeloche) October 16, 2022

We are now seeing a determined effort by Conservatives to minimize and trivialize what actually happened during the convoy crisis. I hope they don't get away with it:

The Govt of Canada - aka the city’s biggest employer - was shut down by the blockades. Most of the downtown office towers and hotels were closed. What do you think it would take to say the entire city (and country) was being harmed? https://t.co/iKEcTaa7NN

— Rick Anderson 🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@RickAnderson) October 16, 2022

There’s a lot of gaslighting going on about what the convoy did in Ottawa and other places. It’s outrageous that people are suggesting it wasn’t a crisis. It was. https://t.co/e6QbXLwD26

— Shannon Sampert (@paulysigh) October 15, 2022

So tonight I was checking tweets and also scrolling back through my posts in early February. Hey, remember what actually was happening? And remember the brave people who fought back?

These wonderful people plus the #RamRanchResistance

— Heather 🇨🇦 🎼🌈 (@hbardell1) February 23, 2022

As requested, more heroes of the resistance. The neighbourhood “grannies,” who gave a thumbs down and a “you shall not pass” to a dump truck-lead convoy on their street. Also, blue jacket guy, a bundle of pulsating furiosity who unloaded on some horn honking truckers. 1/ pic.twitter.com/KHv9V1zW4I

— Chris Chuckry 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 (@chrischuckry) February 24, 2022

pic.twitter.com/kvz3LKT2hs

— simon chamberfield (@SChamberfield) February 19, 2022

Can Ram Ranch become a Canadian Heritage Moment now?

Only in Canada could you shut down an insurrection with a gay cowboy song!#RamRanchResisitance #KluTruxKlanGoHome pic.twitter.com/Sm9ZTLP8th

— TFMJonny 🐺 GG 🌈 VTRainbow (@tfmjonny) February 15, 2022

Any final parting words from #Ottawa to the convoy?

I think that sums it up nicely! #GoHomeFluTruxclan #RamRanchResistance pic.twitter.com/vhRq8MC3w8

— Kimberly (she/her) (@kimbo1942) February 20, 2022

BREAKING: #BalconyGuy revealed as fan choice to testify Monday at #EmergenciesActInquiry

**WARNING - NSFW - BUT HILARIOUS AND WORTH THE WATCH!**#FreeDumbConvoy#OttawaOccupation pic.twitter.com/MCmnHm0tiP

— Ryan 🇨🇦 (@ryanpszabo) October 16, 2022

Imagine that... They don't appreciate the noise distracting them. The #FluTruxKlan #FreeDumbConvoy #TimbitTaliban are fucking babies in adult clothing. https://t.co/HuJgr0nGxx

— GeeJay (@LeftCoastG604) October 16, 2022

From the Bookmarks

Here’s what prompted it - a scalding observation by The Economist. pic.twitter.com/lf6Rg1PzVv

— Paul R Bear (@PaulRBear4) October 14, 2022

Here's the Daily Mail live feed on YouTube  

Kwasi Kwarteng served Truss as finance minister for 38 days -- reminiscent of how Tony

Scaramucci served as White House communications director for 10 days in 2017. 

So we now have a new reference for measuring time in politics:

The imperial Scaramucci has been replaced by the metric Kwarteng. 1 Kwarteng = 3.5 Scaramuccis

— Cathy Glover (@Cathy_Glover_) October 14, 2022

Today's "Christ, what an asshole!" is Elon Musk:

Elon Musk wants to turn off internet in Ukraine because someone was mean on Twitter. Seriously.

For context: Musk posted terrible peace terms for Ukraine and a Ukrainian minister told him to "F*** Off." Now Musk threatens to shut off Starlink in spite. https://t.co/tz42jGykOM

— Renew Democracy Initiative (@Renew_Democracy) October 14, 2022

Hey @elonmusk you told an invaded sovereign country to give their land to a dictator. Their cities leveled, women, children tortured and raped. You, some dude with a car company, Aspergers, who plays with rockets, thinks he can handle global politics?
You really should fuck off. https://t.co/QWXlY9LC78

— Titus (@TitusNation) October 14, 2022

From today’s @FT “Musk’s technology raises questions about the extent to which a capricious billionaire should be involved in defence” Ya think ???

— Bob Rae (@BobRae48) October 14, 2022

Today's "fuck around and find out" is the FluTruxKlan:

NEW: The Public Order Emergency Commission has confirmed to me that it revoked the accreditation of this convoy blogger earlier today.

In a statement, @POECommission cited its “policy prohibiting aggression or harassment by any member of the media.”#cdnpoli #cdnmedia https://t.co/ZsN7aBMjg0 pic.twitter.com/GZB4otw8nI

— Luke LeBrun (@_llebrun) October 15, 2022

Today's News: "I'm going to punch him out"

I don't have a lot of stuff to talk about tonight, but I did see some good tweets about the two hearings today - including Nancy Pelosi's "punch him out" line.

Jan 6 Committee hearing: 

Trump knew he lost but he didn't want to admit it.

damnnnn https://t.co/NvXC1eJxwf

— Nicky Woolf (@NickyWoolf) October 14, 2022

Take 7 minutes to watch House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and others respond to the Capitol insurrection in previously unseen footage. pic.twitter.com/qFDdLSuMmM

— The Recount (@therecount) October 13, 2022

While watching this hearing - does anyone doubt for a single solitary second that donald trump would sell our national security secrets to the highest bidder?

— Jo 🌻 (@JoJoFromJerz) October 13, 2022

Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator #January6thCommitteeHearings pic.twitter.com/iceI65a57u

— Editorial & Political Cartoons (@EandPCartoons) October 14, 2022

Even the most corrupt Supreme Court in history gave Trump a 9-0 denial.

— Hoodlum 🇺🇸 (@NotHoodlum) October 13, 2022

Christ, what an asshole!

Back in 2006, blogger Charles Lavoie did a post to assert that all New Yorker cartoons would still be just as funny with the caption "Christ, what an asshole" and everyone was surprised about how well that works. It works with most cartoons and it became a meme. 

So I was reminded of this again today when I saw these posts on Twitter -- they could all just be summed up with the phrase "Christ, what an asshole!" 

 First up -- Putin, of course!

.@McFaul | "Putin attacked Ukrainian civilians. He used incredibly sophisticated weapons to bomb playgrounds. There are no security objectives for Russia here. It's all about his personal ambitions." https://t.co/9Fgp1ouH90

— FSI Stanford (@FSIStanford) October 11, 2022

Alberta premier Danielle Smith:

She's a fascist, genocide denying liar. Were there special schools that unvaxxinated kids were sent to in far away places where they were abused by the Church?#abpoli

— Saskboy from Saskatchewan (@saskboy) October 11, 2022

Elect a fucking clown, expect a fucking circus🙄🙄🙄 https://t.co/7TbEwztGvx

— Janet Wagner (@janetwagner21) October 12, 2022

And Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe:

Um, I have questions. So many questions. What's with chamber lunches in North Battleford? Why are govt announcements done at a chamber lunch, anyway? And why is CAPP involved - 30 of their 48 member corps are fully or partially foreign owned.

Why do I live here? https://t.co/RAK31YBiJc

— Ada Shelby's secret sister (@schraefelhockey) October 11, 2022

Read the full document by visiting: https://t.co/rNXSBCywxL

[3/3]

— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) October 11, 2022

It’s bad analysis. For context, this is saying federal climate policies will shrink the SK economy by nearly 10%! Not credible. Lots of issues with the assumptions used, such as presuming the carbon tax revenues are lit on fire rather than rebated (that’s 25b right there).

— Trevor Tombe (@trevortombe) October 12, 2022

I just hope Danielle Smith and Scott Moe can agree to talk on alternate days. The country can only absorb so much stupidity daily. Let’s pace ourselves Canada. #cdnpoli #abpoli #skpoli

— Steve V 🍁 IAMCANADIAN 🍁 (@FarAndWide) October 11, 2022

The Saudis:

I was an IR major in college and one of my professors, with A LOT of actual foreign service experience, said that at some point someone will eventually push their luck all the way to FTG status.

FTG stood for Fuck Those Guys.

I think that’s where we are now.

— Erik Antener (@Antener) October 12, 2022

Elon Musk:

Calculus for Musk, businessman apparently without a soul, is simple:
1. Secure cheap Lithium from Donbass. As Putin already "annexed" the region, Musk is betting on Putin rather than Ukraine.
2. Bend his knee to China so his Shanghai Tesla factory doesn't get shut down.
3. Profit

— Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) October 12, 2022

.@elonmusk denies @ianbremmer’s reporting that Musk told Bremmer he talked to Putin before he tweeted out Russian-like bullet points on Ukraine. Bremmer is sticking to his story. One of them is lying. pic.twitter.com/zdBXTuz4Fm

— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) October 11, 2022

I know which one my money is on! 

2/ to lend? Yes it sounds conspiratorial but does anyone realize how weird it is that he’s suddenly tweeting about Taiwan needing to become a SAR under 1c2s? What? Did he know before a week ago when Russia conquered Crimea?

— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 12, 2022

Nova Scotia RCMP are in the news again:

Photo: This seems bad.
RCMP: Actually, the explanation is kinda worse! https://t.co/hrgWQuUpcL

— Josh Visser (@joshvisser) October 11, 2022

This guy thought he could just run a bank out of his house -- what could go wrong?

pic.twitter.com/SU77nJGNzx

— Quantian (@quantian1) October 10, 2022

And Toast the Cat:

The greatest academic acknowledgement I've seen in a while pic.twitter.com/BpxQGKCIbT

— Jonathan Robins (@robinshistory) October 11, 2022

Five questions for the Public Order Emergency Commission

Over the past several months, I have been collecting comments and tweets related to the FluTruxKlan, anticipating the upcoming Emergencies Act inquiry and the likely shit-show we will be seeing in the media .

I expect we will see a lot of hysterical tut-tutting about how the Emergencies Act was all just SUCH an OVER-REACTION by the Trudeau Liberals because all our provincial governments - Conservative (Ford, Kenny, Stephanson) and NDP (Horgan) - were doing lots of great stuff pretty soon right away so everything would have been JUST FINE because any day now they would have got a grip and the Convoy would have faded away and ...blah, blah, blah. 

The Commission into the use of the Emergencies Act to end the protests is supposed to start this week and continue through November. (It had been scheduled for September but was delayed for Commissioner Paul Rouleau's surgery).   

The inquiry witness list was dropped this morning.

The Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC) website is here and they are looking for comments:

Canadians have until October 31 to share their views with the Commission examining the basis for the Government’s decision to declare a public order emergency. For details on options to do so, visit our website https://t.co/tK2DkgyuEP pic.twitter.com/Mu8hIUUFnk

— Public Order Emergency Commission (@POECommission) October 6, 2022

As the months have gone by, we have found out more about what was happening in Canada last January and February, in Ottawa and across the country:

Convoy blockades cost Canadian economy billions in reduced GDP, documents show - The Globe and Mail https://t.co/N9Km4u70F8

— Andrew Coyne 🇺🇦 (@acoyne) August 13, 2022

Intelligence report flagged possible ‘violent revenge’ after Ottawa protest shutdown https://t.co/MdGd3cJbNw

— Andrew Coyne 🇺🇦 (@acoyne) August 18, 2022

Ottawa Convoy Helped ‘Violent Extremist’ Groups Grow, Canadian Counterterrorism Report Warned https://t.co/TuRJ5w7WmJ

— Andrew Coyne 🇺🇦 (@acoyne) August 21, 2022

NEW: Four federal cabinet ministers were targets of “violent extremist threats” ahead of the Ottawa convoy occupation.

An internal counterterrorism report warned “women in positions of power” were at higher risk of being targeted by extremists.https://t.co/5XIbP3BGmD #cdnpoli

— PressProgress (@pressprogress) September 1, 2022

RCMP undercover operation paved the way for arrest of “freedom convoy” protesters who were plotting to bring guns to the Coutts border blockade. These guys weren’t “freedom fighters”: they were extremist thugs who actually wanted to murder people. https://t.co/6wZyxkBQAi

— Gil McGowan (@gilmcgowan) September 7, 2022

Coutts border blockaders were “arming themselves for a standoff against police,” according to RCMP documents unsealed this morning. https://t.co/57RnNZbCb7

— Stewart Bell (@StewGlobal) September 7, 2022

When I review the tweets I flagged over the last few months, I have five questions that I hope the Public Commission will answer: 

1. Whose side were the police really on?

2. Whose side are the media really on?

3. Whose side is the public really on?

4. Conservatives, WTF?

5. Are the hearings going to be a clown show?

Today's News: Congratulations to Brandi Morin!

Congratulations to Brandi Morin, in New York City tonight to receive her Edward R. Murrow Award for her article: A "lingering evil": From residential schools to murdered women.

Edward R. Murrow Award winning article:
A ‘lingering evil’: From residential schools to murdered women https://t.co/B9WfTQ3aWM via @AJEnglish

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) October 11, 2022

For this small town girl who once thought she was nothing. Moved through foster homes, rape, single motherhood to being in NYC right now prepping to accept the top award for journalism in the world here on Monday Edward R Murrow. Unleashing my Voice of Fire! So many laughs/joy pic.twitter.com/4D3yJNCjhQ

— Brandi Morin (@Songstress28) October 8, 2022

I stood strong & proud. EDWARD R MURROW award NYC for our Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls for @AJEnglish with @photobracken
A most phenomenal moment for a journalist to win this top award in the world. Especially for an Indigenous journalist. Our voice of Fire rising pic.twitter.com/nx9A5Qpzdm

— Brandi Morin (@Songstress28) October 11, 2022

Met ⁦@mitchellreports⁩ @ Edward R Murrow awards this evening. This lady is an incredible powerhouse in the media world. She is gracious, beautiful & congratulated me at this Oscars of the journalism awards event @ Gotham Hall NYC. Hiy hiy Andrea ❤️ pic.twitter.com/x4FbLl3WGh

— Brandi Morin (@Songstress28) October 11, 2022

Below are riveting articles by Cree-Iroquois journalist Brandi Moran (@songstress28) on missing and murdered Indigenous women. For this exposé, Brandi will accept the Edward R. Murrow journalism award tonight.

Now let's fix the damn problem.⬇️https://t.co/FI4gzPLAfO pic.twitter.com/LH06EHzsBH

— Steven Donziger (@SDonziger) October 10, 2022

In the United States, today used to be known as Columbus Day but is now becoming known as Indigenous People's Day:

Hello World,

today is #IndigenousPeoplesDay . . .

I don't know if I'm more happy that this day exists
or if I'm sad that there has to be a day like this...

🪶 pic.twitter.com/IJ7dq8NTLD

— Marko Silberhand (@MarkoSilberhand) October 10, 2022

Happy #IndigenousPeoplesDay! pic.twitter.com/D4CXXYlE3E

— Dr. Rebecca Brückmann (@historleans) October 10, 2022

More Great Stuff

Remember Friendly, Jerome and Rusty?

   

Here is an hilarious thread:

DYING at the Canadians in the Zoom talking about The Friendly Giant and the Americans being like "WTF there was a chicken in a bag nailed to the wall?!"

YES AND THIS MADE US WHAT WE ARE. WHY ALL CANADIAN HOMES HAVE A BAG CHICKEN ON THE WALL.

— ChriSCREAMaaaaahhhhh 💀 (@Pepperoni_Salad) October 8, 2022

Heard an interview with a Canadian doc who'd moved to US. She told child to "look up, way up" and the child looked at her like she was out of her mind, instead of immediately answering "and I'll call Rusty."

— Susan De (@SusanFDe) October 8, 2022

That and the "Canada Vignettes" especially the "Log Driver's Waltz". https://t.co/g484CNkCPk

— Brenda Scott 🇨🇦 (@BrendaScottBC) October 8, 2022

And remember The Littlest Hobo? https://t.co/9tdCpTrgx5 via @YouTube

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) October 9, 2022

Here are some other memories of an earlier time:

My mom and dad were perfect parents back in the 80s: they smoked, let me roam the neighborhood starting at age 7, and never once helped me with my homework

— mean Engs I say to myself (@meantomyself) October 4, 2022

Hey, Happy Thanksgiving this weekend, everyone:

Canadian thanksgiving is a tier one holiday. No gifting stress, no pressure to have fun like NYE, excellent food, feels "alt" vs the bloated American version, no religious stuff or pilgrims just a vague "harvest" theme, stuffing, 10/10

— Nick Hune-Brown (@nickhunebrown) October 6, 2022

Today's News: Starting the nuclear conversation

Back in the spring when there was a bunch of chatter about how the US and NATO should save Ukraine by declaring a no-fly zone, Biden categorically refused to consider it, saying that Americans had not elected him to start a nuclear war.

But now that Ukraine is winning the war, I think Putin is going crazy and trying to take everyone else with him. He's been talking about using nuclear weapons to win, which means the world is facing a nuclear war anyway, regardless of what the US or NATO does.

So Biden now must prepare Americans for this possibility -- tonight, he started his conversation with the US public:

“I’m trying to figure out what is Putin’s off ramp? Where does he find a way out? Where does he find himself in a position that he does not not only lose face but lose significant power within Russia?”

2/4

— Ali Velshi (@AliVelshi) October 7, 2022

“I don't think there's any such thing as the ability to easily (use) a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon. I didn’t realize how much serious damage the previous administration did to our foreign policy. ”

4/4

— Ali Velshi (@AliVelshi) October 7, 2022

Biden's words have been reported around the world -- except for his comment about how much damage Trump did to American foreign policy. But we already knew that, didn't we.

Anyway, here is analysis tonight from  CNN White House reporter Stephen Collinson:

...Biden appeared to be making an argument, which Putin will now be sure to hear about, that the idea that the use of a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine could be contained and not lead to a wider conflagration is wrong.

The entire strategic logic between maintaining nuclear weapons for self-defense is that they are too terrible to be used, and any nation that did would be writing their own death warrant.

The President has now sent a clear signal to the Russian leader that crossing the nuclear threshold in any way could cause an escalation that would lead to a disastrous full-on nuclear war.

“I don’t think there’s any such thing as the ability to easily (use) a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon,” Biden said at the fundraiser.

His comments underscore the most important mission of his presidency – shepherding the world through the most dangerous nuclear brinkmanship in 60 years.

People are also figuring out what might happen if nukes were used in Ukraine:

If Putin were to use nukes in Ukraine, it is very likely that radioactive fallout would fall over Russian troops in the illegally annexed regions in eastern Ukraine he falsely claims to protect. 🤔

Interesting simulations by @ivnstepanov #StandWithUkraine #NuclearWeapons https://t.co/jEWSjU5xV5 pic.twitter.com/9QIBnm4PBY

— Hans Kristensen (@nukestrat) October 6, 2022

And this is a brutal truth, isn't it:

This brutal video does highlight one of the real often overlooked weaknesses of dictatorships and hidden resiliency of democracies. Dictatorships like to project power: but their people often have shallow loyalties. If 700k Russians have fled the country in the weeks…. https://t.co/s2yuNoZJuK

— Phillips P. OBrien (@PhillipsPOBrien) October 6, 2022

Two Russians who said they fled the country to avoid military service have requested asylum in the U.S. after landing in a small boat on a remote Alaska island in the Bering Sea, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski's office said Thursday. https://t.co/drOty9ONs5

— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) October 7, 2022

World to Russia: Get the fuck out of Ukraine. It’s not your country.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 6, 2022

From the Bookmarks

Just a random selection of stuff tonight.

First, I just cannot understand why anyone in Florida would still vote Republican. 

Here is what the Hurricane Ian storm surge looked like, and the governor and country officials didn't tell people to evacuate until it was way way too late. 

It was impossible to survive something like this:

DeSantis supports decision to not evacuate this area. pic.twitter.com/lIDDsLNPET

— Daniel Uhlfelder (@DWUhlfelderLaw) October 2, 2022

I appreciate what James Carville is saying here. Florida needs to rebuild and DeSantis just isn't capable of leading such an effort:

Carville: Listen to me Ron DeKatrina.. push the fried chicken and the mashed potatoes and the gravy back.. You can suspend your toilet patrols who’s using which bathroom because none of the toilets are working in southwest Florida.. pic.twitter.com/EStWTezAnC

— Acyn (@Acyn) October 5, 2022

With a reasonable chance to win the Senate Republicans nominated an alleged domestic abuser with secret children who pays for abortions by check and a TV doctor who kills puppies.

All because those were the men who seemed most like their cult leader, Donald Trump.

— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) October 4, 2022

Comparing Al Franken to Herschel Walker is absurd. It's apples and oranges. Actually it's more like Albert Einstein and a potato.

— Randi Mayem Singer (@rmayemsinger) October 4, 2022

In a unique twist of irony, women are going to make the GOP wish they were never born in November.

— Kate 🪬🤍🇺🇸 (@ImSpeaking13) September 27, 2022

I don't think the GOP has any idea what Dobbs did to the US electorate. https://t.co/k7UHBn8f44

— Tim Hogan 浩勤 (@TimInHonolulu) September 30, 2022

Today's News: Playing nuclear chicken?

Well, this is terrifying, isn't it? It sounds like Russia is getting set to try to play a game of Nuclear Chicken with Ukraine and the west:

It comes as sources told The Times that Nato had sent an intelligence report to its members and allies alerting them to the fact that Russia is expected to test its nuclear-capable torpedo drone Poseidon, possibly in the Black Sea, which it controlshttps://t.co/NfTI1gMQZ0 pic.twitter.com/hNhxyW7mTj

— Telegraph World News (@TelegraphWorld) October 3, 2022

Oh, I really hope the Telegraph is wrong and these guys are right:

Could not agree more. The footage we've seen shows nothing more than engineering equipment. Most likely scenario? Russia is commandeering niche vehicles for use on the battlefield. https://t.co/eDZL8ZoSU7

— The Intel Crab (@IntelCrab) October 3, 2022

Given how poorly they have done everything else in this war, if Russia does try to play nuclear chicken with the West then it likely won't work out very well for Russia. But as Ukraine wins back more and more of its territory, Putin will be increasingly desperate:

Russia no longer has full control of any of four ‘annexed’ Ukrainian provinces. https://t.co/q9fOtp2RGB

— Diane Marie 🇺🇦 (@DianeMariePosts) October 4, 2022

Canada's decision to support NATO membership for Ukraine surprised me, because in the past it seemed that NATO had always backed away from provoking Putin too much. 

But maybe now the West is realizing that mollifying Putin is no longer an option so so we might as well take it to him:

Canada supports Ukraine's bid to join @NATO, said Foreign Affairs Minister @melaniejoly, and that Canada must, "redouble efforts for the Ukrainian people."

Read more here: https://t.co/EePV6u1zW5
#NATOPA #NATO #DavenportTO @NATOCanada @natopapress

— Julie Dzerowicz (@JulieDzerowicz) October 3, 2022

Fukuyama is making a prediction:

Fukuyama makes observation and prediction. People mock Fukuyama on basis of misunderstanding stemming from the title of one of his long-ago books. Fukuyama's observation and prediction turn out to be pretty well-founded. Repeat.

The cycle of history in the post-history age. https://t.co/Myscml0C6p

— Dan Gardner (@dgardner) October 3, 2022

This was true yesterday, but may no longer be true now:

Yes. But surely you agree that if Moscow goes nuclear, that means that from that moment on, any conventional counteraction will be met with another Russian nuclear reaction? Like with knife gangs: one day, one gang starts using guns. Do you think it will go back to using knives?

— Otto von Bismarck (@ultimiratio) October 3, 2022

.@Angry_Staffer is spot on. A reminder: 2 days ago, Putin announced an annexation of Ukraine’s sovereign territory, then shot missiles at civilians. Why would anyone recommend an off-ramp for Putin? https://t.co/dUHLE5cFTQ

— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) October 2, 2022

Today's News: Winter is Coming

First tonight, what the heck is going on in Britain? 

The  new Truss government seems determined to destroy the British economy in the name of some looney libertarian conservative craziness, while the British people are facing horrific heating bills and mortgage bills this winter.

Liz Truss is in Birmingham for the Conservative Party Conference. I think it’s probably for the best if I change the locks.

— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) October 1, 2022

Martin Wolf: Truss’s growth plan is nothing but a magic potion https://t.co/yHAGru0BtX

— Martin Wolf (@martinwolf_) October 2, 2022

When @michaelgove is fronting @UKLabour broadcasts I suggest that Truss will be toast sooner rather than later … the whole lot of them need to go … https://t.co/boaIMfozLw

— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) October 2, 2022

Right wing politics is the art of explaining why £10,000 a month isn't really that much, while £100 a month is more than enough.

— Charlotte Benton (@C_J_Benton) September 25, 2022

A beloved uncle once said to me that the phrase "the status quo is no longer an option" was "the leper's bell of the modern managerial idiot" https://t.co/PNipBtsNZI

— Dan Davies (@dsquareddigest) October 1, 2022

Some MPs regard Truss’s performance as so poor & budget so disastrous they want her removed as leader. One former minister thought she could be forced out even before Kwarteng makes his next fiscal statement “I think she is gone & they just don’t realise”https://t.co/NqTJI9yYsB

— Professor Danny Blanchflower economist & fisherman (@D_Blanchflower) October 1, 2022

BREAKING: Up to 70 Tory MPs are understood to be planning to topple Liz Truss as prime minister. They only need 40. Have a lovely evening x

— Laura Kuenssberg Translator (@BBCFLauraKT) October 1, 2022

A senior member of the Truss gov’t in Britain just said they are going to “make sure no business under 500 employees gets subject to business regulation.” This is what the “freedom” rhetoric from Conservatives is really about: no rules for capitalists. https://t.co/q9o0YA3wKx

— Gil McGowan (@gilmcgowan) October 2, 2022

This is the same kind of so-called BS "freedom" that Poilievre talks about - yeah, the freedom to underpay people, to cheat customers, to discriminate, to fire staff without cause, etc. 

I thought these tweets made some good points, too:

The problem with this country is people who make $700 per hour have convinced people who make $25 per hour that people who make $7.25 per hour are the problem.

— Mohamad Safa (@mhdksafa) October 2, 2022

The same people who expect perfection from Liberals don’t even ask for decency from Conservatives.@CPC_HQ @PierrePoilievre

— Bernard Roulinski (@roulinski) September 28, 2022

Today's News: The Indomitable Spirit of the Maritimes and Newfoundland

The news has moved on so much in the last week that we haven't been seeing as much recently about the Hurricane Fiona recovery on the east coast. 

But it has been terrible for them this last week, and it continues to be difficult - this recovery will take a long time and the feeling of abandonment is growing. 

Here are some tweets and writings I found tonight, and I am truly in awe with the indomitable spirit shown by these Canadians during such an awful time:

Prince Edward Island is still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Fiona, tens of thousands are still without power. That’s creating a great need for food and other essentials, which community groups are working to fill.https://t.co/Qb88tYNhai

— CTV Atlantic (@CTVAtlantic) October 1, 2022

I’ve seen screenshots circulating of people suggesting things in P.E.I. are “not as bad as they are on TV” or that the photos from #Fiona are from a previous storm.

This is highly concerning. This is NOT fake news. Islanders are truly dealing with devastation. #cdnpoli

— Teresa Wright (@ReporterTeresa) October 1, 2022

This has been a tough week. Spent yesterday at Stanhope and Dalvay. On a positive note the Covehead lighthouse is still standing proud. I grew up going to these beaches. This was a tough shoot, #PEIFiona I don't like you! pic.twitter.com/3HwxCbgBjV

— Shane Hennessey (@CBCshaner) September 29, 2022

The Blog is coming out of hiatus for a story of a Hurricane: Flora's Island.

Aplogies for posting this on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, were this not such a time sensitive issue I would refrain until another day. https://t.co/MGjLqQvTwu

— Ian (@CanadianCentury) September 30, 2022

Ian writes: 

 As I write this, seven days after the Hurricane, nearly half the Island has no power, many have no water, and reports indicate that no Red Cross money has been distributed. 

The promises from the Federal Government to “match donations to the Red Cross” ring like a bad joke in the ears of those needing services. People were in a position before the Hurricane in which they weren’t sure they could afford rent. The latest rent hike on the Island came just this past week, and in spite of basic utilites having collapsed, people are already receiving notices of climbing rent. 

....The anger in Prince Edward Island right now is very real. While Canada is going on with its life, as it should, PEI feels abandoned.

And why, seven days after the hurricane, has no money from the Red Cross been distributed yet?

What is obvious now, Islanders are not suffering in silence. The anger out there is something I've never witnessed in PEI. Anger towards the government and the Premier in charge of it. #Fiona has been devastating, for us, and marks the end of the PC Government. #cdnpoli #peipoli

— PEI POLITICAL DISCUSSION Resistance is NOT futile. (@PEIPolNews) October 1, 2022

PEIslanders have an indominable spirit!

#pei #peiStorm #PEIFiona #Charlottetown https://t.co/vYaXM39YwJ

— skittles (@skittlesandbits) October 2, 2022

From musician Tara MacLean's facebook page, here is a beautiful article about what the Dunes meant to PEI:

   

On Sunday, Tara and others are organizing a sing-along in downtown Charlottetown:

After more than a week of destruction and chaos, my heart and soul need recharging.
I will definitely be going to this. ❤️#PEI #fiona https://t.co/va6nBnAfo8

— Teresa Wright (@ReporterTeresa) October 1, 2022

Moving on to Nova Scotia:

Power of generosity: Cape Breton man giving free gas to people in need | SaltWire https://t.co/jo3tyFx5N0

— 🐋🍁Cheryl 🍁🐢🍁CANADA🦦🦫🐬 (@mini_bubbly) October 1, 2022

Still no power in many places from Dartmouth to shubenacadie. Grocery stores gas stations businesses houses streets etc and many people I know without power in other areas. #Fionahurricane #novascotia

— #TrudeauMustGo #WeTheFringe 🖤🏴‍☠️ (@TheActaFist777) October 2, 2022

Nova Scotia Power dealing with complex restoration after hurricane force Fiona | SaltWire https://t.co/WsIWXY0Ask

— SALTHALIFAX (@salthalifax) October 2, 2022

Thank you to this crew from NJ. Power may be restored on my street by tomorrow. #Fiona #NovaScotia #Truro pic.twitter.com/PSYsLlLCfw

— Troy Claridge🇨🇦🇺🇦🌈 (@troy_Kenobi) September 30, 2022

And to Newfoundland:

“There’s nothing there. It’s all just rocks. You can’t even tell there were homes there at all.” Online lost and found brings hope in #Newfoundland town after #Fiona https://t.co/OuuXI3srtg

— Greg Mercer (@GregMercerGlobe) September 30, 2022

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tours some of the worst-hit areas in Port aux Basques, #Newfoundland after #fiona tore through. A two-storey apartment building used to stand where he is right now pic.twitter.com/nRwqxonyT4

— Greg Mercer (@GregMercerGlobe) September 29, 2022

The Cons just can't resist trying to score political points out of people's agony, can they? And this guy calls himself a journalist:

I know this woman. She’s a friend of mine dealing with the loss of her home and displacement of her family. Shes very clearly distraught. Would you please consider taking this post down? It would be appreciated.

— Andrew Parsons (@Andrew_Parsons1) October 1, 2022

But it is true that we will be getting more of these storms because of climate change:

Hurricane #Fiona hit Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland in Canada last week. We are not accustomed or prepared for these storms up here. Many still cold and without electricity. Warmer oceans mean easy rides for hurricanes up the Atlantic coast.

— RJ (@Reyjey) October 1, 2022

Today's News: Honouring Truth and Reconciliation Day

"Reconciliation is not the responsibility of Indigenous Peoples. It is the responsibility of all Canadians. It is our responsibility to continue to listen and to learn," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation https://t.co/3TqNqUj3NB

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 1, 2022

At the end of the book The Christmas Carol, Dickins wrote a line about about honouring Christmas every day of the year. When I was thinking today about Truth and Reconciliation Day, I think this is what we need to remember and commit to doing: 

I will honour Truth and Reconciliation in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. 

This painting is hard but necessary to look at if you’re Canadian. https://t.co/S7rQ8Qbfdr

— Gerald Butts (@gmbutts) September 30, 2022

But also, this:

#USask is lighting buildings and pathways in orange throughout the week to recognize the #NationalDayforTruthandReconciliation and to reflect on what truth and reconciliation means for our campus community. pic.twitter.com/8qaxrZxEWn

— U of Saskatchewan (@usask) September 30, 2022

Shirley Isbister had trouble believing her eyes Friday as she stood at the bottom of Victoria Park in Saskatoon watching more than 1,000 people dressed in orange shirts pour in from the street above for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. https://t.co/WDN02I9FWH

— CTV Saskatoon (@ctvsaskatoon) September 30, 2022

From last night's football game -

Canadian Football League (CFL) Official doing announcements in Ojibway!! First First Nation Métis member to reach CFL! Saskatchewan at Winnipeg! #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation

— Robert Gutwein (@GutweinRobert) October 1, 2022

"If we were talking in Cree, we would be laughing from the very first syllable. It’s a laughing language, it’s a joyful language — and my favourite activity in the world is to laugh," says #TomsonHighway.#NationalDayforTruthandReconciliationhttps://t.co/pjThy9pfVx

— Broadview Magazine (@BroadviewMag) October 1, 2022

Today's News: Orange Shirt Day

Sept 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also called Orange Shirt Day - for settlers, it is a day for thoughtfulness, remembrance, acknowledgement of wrongdoing, apology, and promise to do better.

Here are some tweets and stories to share. 

At first I thought, is this tweet for real? But yes, it is, and really, its great:

Not a fan of the commercialization of Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it can be cringy if done wrong. But man did they ever get this right. Incredibly powerful and legitimate in my opinion. Give it a watch, decide for yourself. https://t.co/kJclNK2IKi

— Conrad Desjarlais (@DesConrad) September 29, 2022

Here is the background to the Orange Shirt:

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake in the spring of 2013. 

 It grew out of Phyllis’s account of losing her shiny new orange shirt on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.

Phyllis (Jack) Webstab's Story: 

I went to the Mission for one school year in 1973/1974. 

I had just turned 6 years old. I lived with my grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve. We never had very much money, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission school. 

I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced up in front, and was so bright and exciting – just like I felt to be going to school! 

When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt! I never wore it again. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! 

The color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. 

All of us little children were crying and no one cared. 

 I was 13 years old and in grade 8 when my son Jeremy was born. Because my grandmother and mother both attended residential school for 10 years each, I never knew what a parent was supposed to be like.

With the help of my aunt, Agness Jack, I was able to raise my son and have him know me as his mother.

I went to a treatment centre for healing when I was 27 and have been on this healing journey since then.

I finally get it, that the feeling of worthlessness and insignificance, ingrained in me from my first day at the mission, affected the way I lived my life for many years. 

Even now, when I know nothing could be further than the truth, I still sometimes feel that I don’t matter. Even with all the work I’ve done! 

I am honored to be able to tell my story so that others may benefit and understand, and maybe other survivors will feel comfortable enough to share their stories. 

 Today... Phyllis Webstad is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). She comes from mixed Secwepemc and Irish/French heritage, was born in Dog Creek, and lives in Williams Lake, BC. 

Today, Phyllis is married, has one son, a stepson and five grandchildren. She is the Founder and Ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society, and tours the country telling her story and raising awareness about the impacts of the residential school system.

As the day approaches where everyone talks of these places of horror, some of us sit in our memories like it was yesterday. It lives inside of us, the pain associated with the residential schools, the 60's Scoop, the deaths, poverty and addiction that was the gift brought to us💔 https://t.co/fTKGPCnjNu

— Debbie ᑳᑫᓯᒧᑐᑕᐁ (@ironbow) September 28, 2022

This is a tough week every year; maybe one year it won't feel so heavy; but in the meantime, keep being YOU, and keep shining as you were meant to shine 🧡 #trc2022 #ResidentialSchoolSurvivor #youmatter2022 #YouAreLoved pic.twitter.com/cZk3LJI7CJ

— Lou-ann Neel (@LouannNeel1) September 29, 2022

Thousands of people are expected to gather in Ottawa on Friday for the first-ever commemorative event marking the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. pic.twitter.com/zUSJohQVSB

— APTN News (@APTNNews) September 30, 2022

There are many events taking place in all corners of the province tomorrow for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day. We encourage you to part - listen, learn, show up, and share. A full listing at https://t.co/Gp8Wa5Y8VJ #ReconciliationSK pic.twitter.com/PlMRTwVunA

— Treaty Commissioner (@TreatyOfficeSK) September 29, 2022

Great stuff

Today, here's some of the interesting stuff I bookmarked recently:

This is fascinating - its a visual representation of the world population and the webpage also has much more detail about specific continents.

This is epic 🚀 https://t.co/7zn3MZL9Z3

— Alexandra Churchill ✌🏼⭐️⭐️ (@churchill_alex) September 27, 2022

A M A Z I N G!!!! https://t.co/TFz7xN0Qij

— Ron Henry (@RonHenry0) May 24, 2022

In 1953 EC comics published a story called 'Judgement Day' with a black astronaut. Prejudice had been eliminated in that future.
America lost its damn mind.
[Except Ray Bradbury, who wrote in to congratulate EC comics AND said the story should be required reading for everybody] pic.twitter.com/GgkIWR2xzw

— Tade Thompson (@TadeThompson) September 24, 2022

This is neat. I love the look of shock on the guy’s face. https://t.co/fBmxbUMK68

— John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳️‍🌈 (@aravosis) September 26, 2022

such a clever dog pic.twitter.com/oHnIEGhXrm

— theworldofdog (@theworldofdog) September 25, 2022

This is the best sound in the world pic.twitter.com/ODzKwHQYvE

— Kelly Canuck🍁 (@KellyCanuckTO) September 27, 2022