Category World Affairs

Trumpocracy

If you want to read a thoughtful analysis of the first year of Donald Trump’s presidency, then this is the book to choose, not Michael Wolff’s Fire and Fury. There’s no gossip here, no anonymous musings such as Wolff gave us. David Frum, who has a set of solid Republican credentials, answers the question Hillary […]

Did You Know It’s Voting Day?

They go to the polls in northern Iraq today, the area residents call Kurdistan. By the time you read this the results may be known. No matter the outcome it is a political problem, not only for the central government in Baghdad but for the rest of the world. I have been to Iraq a […]

The Rip-Off

How do you react when someone lies to your face? What do you do when you have no recourse? No, I’m not talking about Donald Trump. When Hurricane Harvey was heading for the Texas coast, more than a week ago now, there was speculation as to what effect, if any, the storm would have on […]

Passchendaele at 100 – III

When I opened up my newspaper Tuesday morning, the first thing that I saw was coverage of Prince William’s trip to Belgium to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. I’d been concentrating on other things in my life and had forgotten that date was fast approaching. Canadians fought at Passchendaele, and while […]

Passchendaele at 100 – II

When I opened up my newspaper Tuesday morning, the first thing that I saw was coverage of Prince William’s trip to Belgium to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. I’d been concentrating on other things in my life and had forgotten that date was fast approaching. Canadians fought at Passchendaele, and while […]

Passchendaele at 100 – I

When I opened up my newspaper Tuesday morning, the first thing that I saw was coverage of Prince William’s trip to Belgium to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. I’d been concentrating on other things in my life and had forgotten that date was fast approaching. Canadians fought at Passchendaele, and while […]

President Trump! I’m Available!

I gather there is a vacancy at the White House. If not immediately, then perhaps in five or ten minutes, once the next person quits or is fired. I have resisted writing about the chaos that is American politics these days. International trade and security are begging for comment, but I am holding off. The […]

Uncomfortable Remembrance

Somehow it doesn’t seem right to be a tourist in a place of unspeakable evil. But remembrance is important, so I visited the Dachau ‎concentration camp, the place where the Nazis refined their “final solution” for the Jewish people. These days it is in a Munich suburb. I would think it was more isolated 75 […]

More Reflections on Omar

There has been continued discussion in Canada of the $10.5 million payment made by the federal government to former child soldier Omar Khadr. According to polling, 71% of Canadians are opposed to the deal. Of those who support the governing Liberals, 61% are opposed. Most of the reaction I’ve seen has been emotional, no matter […]

A Matter of Justice?

I had a post planned for today. I was just checking the spelling when the rumour became reality: The Government of Canada has apologized to Omar Khadr and is handing him a cheque for $10,500,000 for his suffering. I think it is fair to describe this as a cowardly act on the part of the […]