Category Leadership
The Problem with War
I wrote this piece more than four years ago, when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine was in its infancy. I put it aside for editing and then forgot about it. Today I finished it. While Justin Trudeau is no longer Prime Minister, the rest remain true. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has framed Canada’s […]
The Power of Money
If Americans want to fix their democracy, they might begin with looking at election financing, When a candidate can receive millions from an individual donor or an organization, you have to wider if there is some influence being purchased. I know the arguments and the court cases that have allowed the system to devolve to […]
Privacy Matters
We’ve all seen it before. And are likely to see it many times again. The media contacts an official, government or otherwise, looking for comment. the official declines to provide any insight. The reason? Privacy. Ordinarily, I think everyone would applaud governmental or non-governmental agencies showing that they take the data they have been entrusted […]
The Candidate
Graham Platner was the Democratic Party’s white knight in the Maine Senate race. Until he wasn’t. Platner has stepped down, “suspended” his campaign – not that anyone expects it to ever be unsuspended) – after allegations of rape (which he denies). As shocking as the allegations were, it isn’t as if questions hadn’t already been […]
No Sense of History
At least she spelled it right. A member of the US House of Representatives has introduced the CANADA Act. She is upset that sales of American alcohol have plummeted in Canada. She wants US federal government action. The Combating Attacks on our National Alcoholic Drinks by Allies Act calls for Canada to be punished because […]
Happy Birthday America
America celebrates a milestone birthday today. 250 years old. Yet somehow the celebrations seem muted. I remember the USA bicentennial events, 50 years ago. The whole country was united, and the celebrations ran throughout the year. 2026 doesn’t feel like 1976. Maybe it is the internal divisions. Americans (looking at the country from up north) […]
Friday’s Question
Being an ambassador is challenging. given the current state of Canada-U.S. relations, being the Canadian Ambassador to Washington is well beynd challenging. Which may be why Prime Minister Mark Carney reached out toa business friend for the position rather than a career diplomat. With trade the major irritant between the two nations, it made sense […]
Majority Rules
It took almost a year, but Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney now has a majority in the House of Commons. The opposition Conservatives are crying foul. Carney’s Liberals achieved their majority not through electoral prowess, but through convinincing MPs from other parties to switch allegiance. Supposedly this is undemocratic. I’m not convinced of that. And […]
American Cowards
US President Donald Trump has characterized America’s allies as “cowards” because they won’t help him with his war against Iran. You could make a stronger case that it is Americans who are the cowards. “Cowards. We will remember,” he said on social media. Too bad his memory is so short. After all, the USA has […]
The Final Word
They are trying again, desperately hoping that this time the results will be different. I think they call that magical thinking. After losing in Federal Court and at the Federal Court of Appeals, Canada’s Liberal government ha appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking justification for its imposition of the Emergencies Act to end the Freedom […]
random thoughts from lorne 
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