Category Leadership
Yesterday’s Man? Maybe Not
Sometimes perceptions don’t match reality. I saw that in action this past week. The race is on to find a leader for the Conservative Party of Canada, to replace Erin O’Toole who was ousted by the party caucus earlier this year. I’m following the race closely, given that the new leader may very well be […]
No April Fool’s Joke
The price of gas went up at the pumps today. I’m not sure by how much, because I haven’t been out yet. News reports earlier suggested the hike would be 11 cents a litre (44 cents an American gallon). Certainly the war in Ukraine has been the cause of some of the recent hikes in […]
I’m Not A Doctor…
Back in the 1980s there was a television ad, for cough syrup, I think, featuring an actor who said “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on television.” It was as if TV conveyed authority and expertise. We know it doesn’t. If it did, reality television star Donald Trump would have done a much […]
It’s Not The Bad Guys…
… who worry me, but the good guys. People who are obviously evil don’t last long. Dictators like Hitler or Stalin may have a short run, but in the end they are removed from power. What I fear more are the self-righteous, those sure their cause is just, and apparently unable to understand why anyone […]
Pictures of Leadership
There’s a lot I could say about Russia’s cowardly attack on Ukraine. I’ll save that for another day. I saw this graphic last night and was struck by what it says about leadership. There might be fewer wars if those in charge had to go into battle themelves.
Timelines of History
You’ve heard it said: those who don’t learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it. Did you have that feeling yesterday? Here’s a timeline from the past: On March 7, 1936, the German military, at the command of Chancellor Adolf Hitler, moved into the demilitarized Rhineland. Britain and France scolded. On March 12, […]
They’re Gone!
Wellington Street in downtown Ottawa, Wednesday afternoon. Not a truck in sight. Not many cars either – access is being strictly controlled. To celebrate the empty street, the Prime Minister revoked his previous invocation of the Emergencies Act. Apparently the “emergency” has ended, though nothing has changed since Monday when the motion passed in the […]
Bridging The Gap
The Emergencies Act remains in place after last night’s vote in the House of Commons. Those who value civil liberties are saddened, perhaps scared. Today though, some reflective words from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In a press conference Monday I was surprised to hear him go beyond his (what I feel are weak) justifications for […]
Debating Democracy
Canadian Members of Parliament were supposed to be home today, meeting with their constituents. Instead, the House of Commons is sitting (though some MPs will be attending on Zoom). We are in a national “crisis” after all. MPs spent the weekend debating whether the Liberal government was right to invoke the Emergencies Act last Monday […]
Not With A Bang
By the time you read this, the truckers’ protest in Ottawa may be over. But many questions remain. Police on Friday and Saturday pushed demonstrators away from Parliament Hill. I watched a lot of it as it was happening, as many of the demonstrators were streaming the actions live. It seemed like a typically Candian […]
random thoughts from lorne 
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