PONDERABLES
I wonder who convinced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that growing a beard was a much more acceptable image than using blackface make-up?
And speaking of image, why does Donald Trump think that looking like an unpeeled orange is attractive?
How come we drive on parkways and park in driveways?
Why do play-by-play announcers and analysts insist on using the awkward sentence structure, “the leg of Connor McDavid” rather than “Connor McDavid’s leg?”
THINGS I FIRMLY BELIEVE
Sharing anything or taking part in quizzes on Facebook reveals far too much personal information.
A lot of what is characterized as bad luck is actually the result of bad judgement.
JOURNALISTS NEED TO SHOW SOME BACKBONE
The frustration caused by politicians persistently relying on talking points written by others, and on bromides from wherever, can be rightly laid at the feet of the current crop of journalists who, for some craven reason, continually let politicians get away with obfuscation and bafflegab. It's high time for journalists in all media to show some backbone, and actually do their jobs, by insisting that politicians answer the questions they were asked.
AND THEN THERE ARE HOCKEY PLAYER INTERVIEWS
Although there is the occasional rare exception, taken as a whole, rinkside interviews with hockey players are a complete waste of time for all concerned: the interviewer, the player, and those of us helplessly watching these beyond-insipid and completely useless segments.
KEEPING MEGAN AND HARRY SAFE
The implications and complications of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex living part-time in Canada have provided an overwhelming abundance of fodder for all media, both traditional and social.
Although they are a very likeable couple, I have to confess that I don’t like them enough to see millions of our tax dollars being eaten up by security costs while they’re here. Technical, legal, and traditional considerations aside, their security costs, wherever incurred and for whatever reason, should remain the responsibility of the enormously wealthy royal family. After all, it’s because they are unquestionably bona fide members thereof, Harry by birth and Meghan by choice, that the undoubted many-faceted inherent risks they will always face are so high.
The Invictus Games, created by Prince Harry in 2014, were held in Toronto in the fall of 2017 and he was naturally front and centre throughout. Two of my friends were involved in mounting the games and they both came away immensely impressed by Harry’s attitude, personality, and administrative skills.
CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP RACE
I mused earlier that I didn’t have much confidence that the Conservatives wouldn’t find some way to screw up their current leadership race. When it officially got underway with one candidate, Bryan Bulotte, declaring and then almost immediately withdrawing, and another, little-known current MP Marilyn Gladu, emerging from relative obscurity, it looked like I might be right. But that changed this week.
Peter MacKay says he is in and, although not universally loved he’s a serious contender. Erin O’Toole, who has an outside chance, is almost certain to enter, as is the Conservatives’ resident pit bull, Pierre Poillievre. The entrance of John Charest or Rona Ambrose, or both, would render the race absolutely compelling. Then there’s the resignation of Stephen Harper from the Conservative Fund board, which allows him to back a candidate should he choose to do so. I don’t know who that would be, but I’m pretty sure it would not be Jean Charest.
It’s been widely reported that O’Toole is gathering a strong team with a history of success in political races to support his probable candidacy. As entertaining as he would be, I don’t think Poillievre has much of a chance, and Marilyn Gladu has none. But then, this is the party that previously elected Joe Clark, Kim Campbell, and Andrew Scheer as leaders. Ambrose is probably a shoo-in should she decide to run. It’s hard to assess Charest’s chances right now. Many conservatives think that he’s yesterday’s man, has too much baggage, and as I alluded to earlier, is not likely to get any support from Harper. On the other hand, Charest would probably have the best chance of defeating Trudeau in a general election. Any western ambivalence would be more than offset by the number of Quebec seats he could deliver.
Anyway, I’ve changed my mind. I think it’s going to be a fascinating campaign.