PONDEABLES
Why do interviewers lead with the phrase “a quick question” when what they really mean is “a quick answer, please?”
THINGS I FIRMLY BELIEVE
Banning handguns in Toronto will be about as effective as having a no-peeing section in a swimming pool.
Houston Astros should not have an asterisk beside their 2017 World Series win, they should be stripped of it.
TWO OBSERVATIONS ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARINGS
Being a windbag is obviously a requirement to be a U.S.senator, and the partisanship is exceeded only by the hypocrisy.
A PATHETIC EVASION
When pressed as to why he was doing everything in his power (and probably some things that aren’t) to avoid answering questions and producing unredacted documents concerning the WE scandal, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pretentiously said “We are entirely (emphasis mine) focussed on the second wave of COVID-19. We will continue to stay focussed on what we need to do to support Canadians facing a very difficult time right now.” What a pathetic evasion! Governments constantly have to focus on a profusion of issues at the same time, that’s why there are so many government ministries. Trudeau’s stonewalling and evasions strongly suggest that there is still hidden culpability. It’s already been determined that Justin Trudeau is unethical, what hasn’t been determined is just how unethical.
A DUBIOUS STATEMENT
Former Canadian Chief Justice, Beverley McLachlin, said that in contrast to the U.S., in Canada, Supreme Court Justices are not appointed because “they represent a certain point point of view.” Given that Canadian Supreme Court appointments are made by the Governor General-in-Council, which is to say the Prime Minister, that’s a very dubious statement. In Canada, recommendations, vetting, questioning, and decision-making all take place behind closed doors. So, the principal difference between the two countries is really that the U.S. process is completely transparent, whereas here it’s completely secret.
DR. TAM STRIKES AGAIN
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, has a checkered record at best when it comes to communications. Last week I mused about a convoluted and largely incomprehensible Tweet she posted. Earlier this week she suggested that on Halloween householders should pass out their treats on the end of a hockey stick. Egad!
I REST MY CASE
Some followers have challenged my earlier musing that the current Trudeau cabinet may be the weakest in Canadian parliamentary history. It’s likely that there are writers working on books about its inadequacies right now, so I’ll mention just three examples: 1) Trudeau had to appoint a journalist as minister of finance; 2) The demonstrably incompetent and hypocritical Patty Hadju remains minister of health during the worst pandemic in over a century; and, 3) Seamus O’Regan has been an MP for only five years, but has already failed miserably in three ministerial posts.
BUT IT WON’T ALL BE BAD
There’s no point pretending we will ever get back to what we had become accustomed to as normal; that it isn’t going to happen is something we just have to accept. However, it’s also important to recognize that some of the changes are already having positive effects and will continue to do so. For example, that many thousands of people are working from home contributes to a more efficient economy, simplifies their lives, and significantly reduces traffic and pollution. Another welcome change is the number of people who have become much more sensitive to the importance of family and friends.
AN OBSERVATION ON PROTESTS
It would be interesting to know how many people participating in public protests (I don’t mean the thugs involved in the destruction and looting, just the so-called “peaceful” participants) have actually thought through exactly what they’re protesting about and what changes they want to see made. I raise this because it was revealed that some protestors in a march down Yonge St.in Toronto last weekend were each paid $100 to participate.
GET RID OF THIS ANNOYANCE
Given the plethora of COVID-19 press conferences being held by politicians of all stripes and at every level of government, and usually including staff members such as public health officers, two very simple changes would save a great deal of time. The politicians and their staff should stop thanking the journalists for asking their questions, and the journalists should stop thanking the politicians for taking the questions. Asking and answering questions is the whole point of the exercise. (I know I’ve mused about this before, but it’s a completely unnecessary annoyance that’s getting worse.)