PONDERABLES
Is the level of hatred and intolerance in the world at an all-time high, or is it just that with better communication, especially social media, we’re more aware of it?
Doesn’t Conservative leader wannabe Pierre Poilievre realize the overwhelming majority of Canadians don’t even know what cryptocurrency, blockchain, and bitcoin are, let alone care about them?
THINGS I FIRMLY BELIEVE
Being at it again this week when he visited the Fort William First Nation Reserve near Thunder Bay, Ontario, Justin Trudeau added to his world record for apologizing on behalf of dead politicians.
BUT THEN THERE’S POPE FRANCIS
On the other hand, Pope Francis’ apology to the delegation of Canadian indigenous people during their audience with him at the Vatican came across as heartfelt and appropriate. He avoided the ineffective and mealy-mouthed “if anyone was offended,” instead making it abundantly clear exactly what he was apologizing for by using words such as “remorse” “guilt” and “shame.” And his promise to come here and repeat it on Canadian soil was icing on the cake.
TRUDEAU’S DUBIOUS DOUBLE
During the 2015 federal election campaign, Justin Trudeau emphatically stated that should the Liberals be elected, “We will not buy the F-35 fighter jet.” He went on to charge that the Conservatives “were particularly, and some might say unreasonably or unhealthily, attached to the F-35 aircraft.” He also promised that the Liberals would launch “an open and transparent competition” for a cheaper model better suited to Canada’s needs.
This week, defence minister Anita Anand announced a deal for the acquisition of eighty-eight F-35 fighter jets, with no reference whatsoever to any competition, open or otherwise. Just another in the long list of Trudeau’s broken election promises. About the only thing this man can be trusted to do is to break his word, this time doing it twice in one fell swoop.
A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE
Retired general and ex-defence chief, Jonathan Vance, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in connection with an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct.
The charge resulted from his counselling his long-time lover (and former subordinate) to lie to the investigators. Ontario Court Justice Robert Wadden decided a conditional release was in order, and Vance’s sentence was a few hours of community service, which doesn’t even qualify as a slap on the wrist. Wadden, obviously starstruck by the presence of Vance, unbelievably described him as “a man of good character.”
Obstruction of justice is a serious criminal offence which should result in a serious sentence. Justice Wadden should be ashamed of himself.
THE SLAP SEEN AND HEARD AROUND THE WORLD
This was a perfect example of something getting away to a bad start and tapering off. Chris Rock’s joke about Jada Smith’s hair loss (due to a medical condition) was in the worst of taste; and her husband, Will Smith, unnecessarily exacerbated the matter by storming the stage and slapping Rock on the face. If Rock hadn’t cracked the joke (which most likely originated with one of his writers) the situation would never have occurred. And had Smith waited and confronted Rock in his dressing room after the event, that would probably have been the end of the affair.
Although they’re both disgustingly culpable, I’m slightly on Smith’s side because Rock was the instigator. Although Smith clearly didn’t handle it well, I understand his compulsive reaction to an unnecessary, insensitive and hurtful provocation.
And then, being the wrong way to do it, Smith’s public apology the next day just poured fuel on the fire. What Smith should have done was apologize privately to Rock and simply announce publicly he had done so, leaving it up to Rock whether to reveal the actual content of the apology.
About the only positive outcome of this fiasco is the birth of the meme “Don’t make me slap you.” Which in most quarters is more acceptable than “You’re full of _____”
MORE WOKE LUNACY
On Wednesday, Ontario’s Peel District School Board voted to change the name of Brampton’s Sir John A. MacDonald Public School to Nibi Emosaawdang Public School. The new name apparently means “water walker.” Something which recorded history indicates has only ever been achieved by one person.
As wrong-headed as MacDonald’s attitude toward indigenous people was, our country’s first prime minister deserves to be honoured. It’s time for the increasingly tiresome wokers to realize the past can’t be erased, and trying to do so is the wrong way to face the future.