Just a short note to let you know my posting may be less frequent for the next while. The world is too much with me, so I am planning on reducing my consumption of the news of that world; the dance of death grows wearying, so I think it's time for a break from it
Therefore, I'll probably write only when I feel strongly about something in particular, or challenged by it.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched a new tip line to encourage the public to report illegal immigration and criminal activity related to undocumented individuals. The hotline, operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), can be reached at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423). This initiative aims to assist law enforcement in locating and apprehending illegal aliens. The DHS has issued public statements urging citizens to use the tip line to help restore law and order.If you're a real American, Uncle Sam wants you to do your patriotic duty. Be vigilant and report all those you suspect are foreign invaders. (The English teacher in me will not carp on the obvious redundancy here, but I have never heard of domestic invaders). One also notes that the deportation criteria have expanded to include all undocumented immigrants as criminals, something that has no basis in law.
Here is an example of the authorities' zeal for 'purifying' Amerika.
Can loyalty oaths be far behind?
While it has limited value and smacks of political theatre, it is, as they say, a good start.
Canada, alongside four other countries, is formally sanctioning two Israeli ministers for comments they say are “incitements of violence against Palestinian communities.”
The sanctions were announced by the foreign ministers of Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Norway on Tuesday in a joint statement.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will both see their assets frozen and face travel bans.
Both men face sanctions for being “responsible for, engaging in, inciting, promoting and/or supporting activity which amounts to a serious abuse of the right of individuals not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, in particular acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals in the West Bank.”
“These two individuals promoted extremist settler violence and it has to stop,” said Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand on Tuesday afternoon.
While the sanctions have limited value in and of themselves, they at least mark a departure from the former Trudeau government's slavish adherence to America's stance on Israel. And, delightfully, that new stance has inflamed the U.S.
The United States has condemned Canada and four other countries for imposing sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement the United States urges the countries to reverse the sanctions.
Rubio says the sanctions do not advance the United States' efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the region, bring home hostages and end the war.
Since the Yanks always stand "shoulder to shoulder with Israel," as they like to say, Rubio's response is predictably reflexive and senseless, as is much of America's contemporary foreign policy. The real problem, in my view, is the limited nature of the sanctions. Why restrict them to two cabinet ministers?
NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson said Canada should be sanctioning all senior members of Netanyahu's government.
"Canada should respect international law and sanction Netanyahu and his cabinet immediately for their role in the genocide of Gaza. All Israeli officials who incite or are responsible for genocide should be sanctioned," McPherson said in a media statement.
In what is becoming a rudderless world, that, apparently, would be a bridge too far for the West, However, one can live in hope that spines will grow as the senseless slaughter of Palestinians continues apace.
Travel, as they say, broadens one's perspective, and even though I am getting long in the tooth, I am still open to learning things. One impression I take from our sojourn in Montreal is that its citizens have a different approach to getting around their city. In addition to an extensive subway system is their quite impressive network of bike lanes, which we seemed to encounter everywhere we went. As well, their Bixi Bike share program is thriving; by all observations it is very, very well-used.
While I know little about the city's politics, I was struck by the fact that cars really don't seem to be granted the status of near-godhood they enjoy in places like Toronto. While Ontario's Premier Ford is intent upon ripping up bike lanes there, Montreal enjoys a bikeways network of over 3400 kilometres, and the lanes seem to be everywhere you can imagine.
Another notable observation is the wealth of EV cars, partly attributable, I suppose, to the fact that Quebec retains a subsidy for the vehicles. As well, there seemed to be pedestrians everywhere. Walking is clearly encouraged, as many streets are currently pedestrian only, with restaurants (outdoor patios abound) and hawkers taking advantage of the space.
The streetlife is reminiscent of what one finds in Europe, which is no surprise given Quebec's distinctive status. And the strangest thing is that congestion did not seem to be especially bad, at least when I was driving. A shame we can't import that sensibility to other parts of the country, especially Ontario, where people grow apoplectic at the mere mention of taking out a lane or closing down a street for a weekend.
That's it for now. I leave you with a picture of Shwartz's famous smoked meat sandwich. Regular programming will resume shortly.
As part of our 'new' relationship with the United States, Canadians are being encourage
d to vacation in our own country rather than spend our dollars in a hostile nation. For me, that is not a problem, since I have not been there since 2016 and have no intention of ever travelling there again.
And more and more Canadians are making that decision, with significant impact:
There appears to be no turning back on the journey away from the United States. Its animosity, its many dangers, are roadsigns all of us should heed.
Special Note: We will be doing our part in supporting our country by taking a little road trip to Montreal, starting today. See you when we get back.
There are times when one almost envies the simple person who can accept things at face value. For them, there is nothing to see here:
