A SAD DAY INDEED
I spent an hour or so writing a 283-word piece about the truckers’ protest. (To put that in perspective, the O’Toole piece which follows contains 215 words.) It took me that long to write the protest piece because I was careful to be as balanced as possible; but being balanced meant it included criticisms. This protest has become so widespread and pervasive in ways that no one could ever have predicted that, quite frankly, I’m afraid to publish it for fear of reprisals. The truckers are right about one thing: our freedom has been seriously compromised. Not by government action, but by government inaction
THE ERIN O’TOOLE DEBACLE
Erin O’Toole’s short tenure as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada was marked by an inability to articulate principles, causing many to wonder whether he had any. His flip-flops proved again that the certain result of trying to please everybody is ending up pleasing almost nobody. Although it’s possible for the Conservatives to be led by either a so-called Red or Blue Tory, it is not possible for it to be led by one whose label is determined by which faction he or she is trying to please at a particular time. O’Toole’s ouster was inevitable. Except for the first two weeks of the last election campaign, he has rarely demonstrated any leadership qualities.
This is probably the most fractured a federal Conservative party has been since Kim Campbell became prime minister for 132 days in 1993 and the party was nearly wiped out in the ensuing election, losing an astonishing 154 seats. A lot of Liberals are celebrating what a great time it is to be one. They better enjoy it because it will end if Pierre Poilievre becomes the new Conservative leader in a few months.Those who think Poilievre is just an “attack dog” are conveniently overlooking that he is a talented, tough, experienced politician with superb communication skills
JEOPARDY! FOLLOW-UP
After last week’s musing about Jeopardy!, a family member asked if I’d researched how the contestants who dethroned the four top winners fared. I hadn’t, so I did. Here’s how.
Rhone Talsma, who defeated Amy Schneider, won only one more game. The same was true for Nancy Zerg, who conquered Ken Jennings. But Emma Boetcher, who beat James Holzhauer, won 3, and Jonathan Fisher, who unseated Matt Amodio, had an impressive streak of his own at 11 in a row.
A PLEA TO NEWS CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS
I’ve complained about this before, but the situation has gotten so bad I’m now pleading. To the person holding the press conference: stop thanking questioners “for asking that question.” To the questioners: stop thanking the host for “taking my question.” The sole purpose of a press conference is for questions to be asked and answered. This pseudo politeness is a complete waste of time which would be much better used to provide content.
AND THE SAME TO BROADCASTERS
Radio and TV hosts and guests similarly waste our time, the former by obsequiously gushing about how good it is to “have you on the show,” and the guests bubbling about how happy they are to be on. A simple “thank you” and “you’re welcome” at the end of the interview would suffice. Anyone who wants to see how a news show should be hosted should watch Erin Burnett at 7:00 pm Eastern Time on CNN.
FIVE HEARTS-PLAYING STRATEGIES
1. Never pass the ace of clubs. Keeping it allows you to win the first trick and lead whatever you want to at trick two.
2. But depending on the make-up of your hand, it’s usually best to pass the two of clubs. It’s better to be able to toss an unwanted card on another’s lead rather than have to make the first lead.
3. Always break control the first chance you get.
4. Unless going for control, whenever possible avoid leading late in the hand.
5. If you have what appears to be a perfectly safe hand, there’s a good chance someone else will be going for control.