On August 9th 2021, Canada opened its border to all fully vaccinated Americans allowing tourists from the United States to visit the country once again. The US border remains closed to Canadians, however, and American authorities recently extended the border closure until September 21st citing COVID-19 transmission rates south of the border as well as […]

I don’t think there is anything more terrifying than a wildfire. If Canadians are now beginning to grasp the magnitude and imminent danger of climate change, then it is this terrible Canadian fire season that has done it. Today’s Canadian fir…

Most Canadians are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Consequently, Canadians are starting to think about international travel again, and are beginning to research possible vacation destinations. This leads to the question, which countries can a fully vaccinated Canadian visit? As of July 2021, Canadian citizens who have received two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna, or […]

In spite of being late in July, there will be lots of news this week, particularly with the cabinet shuffle coming up. But I have also been learning some new stuff this week by reading some good columns – here’s a selection:First, even though Can…

Starting here:How to lure me to my death pic.twitter.com/X0sVRGJOWK— Hermeshuns 🤍 (@hermeshuns) August 13, 2023I saw these on Bluesky:

Moving on to US politics, its clear that Republicans just can’t quit him, can they?frog ponders wha…

One of the things that Twitter used to do — though sometimes neither thoroughly nor well — was to let everyone keep up with things in a general way. For example, we used to be able to scan relevant news and views about relevant issues, without n…

RW and LW politicians both complain and moan and groan about spending on things that “no one will need anyway.”
The RW wants spending cuts and tax cuts. The LW wants us to redirect spending to non-emergency regular program spending 2/8#cdnpoli #kelownafires #Yellowknife #covid19

— Aurelia Cotta (@AureliaCotta) August 20, 2023

And all govts around the world bought fewer waterbomber planes, fire trucks, and stopped hiring firefighters, and stopped zoning buildings right—because putting homes in forests and on flood plains is AOK, right? 4/8 #KelownaWildfires #Yellowknifewildfire #covid19 #cdnpoli

— Aurelia Cotta (@AureliaCotta) August 20, 2023

And the RW delighted in tax cuts and the LW spent the money on current programs.

Public Health spoke up and we ignored them.

Rural areas and low income countries asked what the plan to help them was…and we ignored them. 6/8#yellowknife #cdnpoli #covid19 #kelownafires

— Aurelia Cotta (@AureliaCotta) August 20, 2023

I know we all want to find one single person to blame. One single cause.

But it’s not a conspiracy…it’s not organized. That would be a simple fix.

No, we all have screwed up our world together.

Now we have to fix it. 8/8#covid19 #cdnpoli #Yellowknife #kelownafires

Fin

— Aurelia Cotta (@AureliaCotta) August 20, 2023

Next, Hamilton Nolan writes People Don’t Know Anything About the Government and he wants the media to stop pretending voters have actual opinions about all of these agencies: 

After being closed for nearly 19 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on November 8th 2021 the United States land border officially opened to all fully vaccinated Canadians. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced they will be staffing their border at pre-pandemic levels, but warns that wait times may be longer than in […]

Starting in the evening of July 30, until dawn July 31, may be the best chance to catch a glimpse of the Southern Delta Aquariids meteor shower, as long as the moon doesn’t get in the way. This Smithsonian photo shows the Aquariids over Mount St. Helen…

Like Arthur Clark said way back when on possibility of extraterrestrial life in the universe: “We’re either alone, or we’re not. And either way you look at it, it’s staggering.”— Dame Kerrin ☮ – Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦 (@Barking52731887) August 25, 2023

…

As of April 1st 2022, the Canadian border will no longer require a pre-arrival negative COVID-19 test from fully vaccinated travellers entering or returning to the country. Previously, a rapid antigen test or a PCR test indicating a person does not have COVID was required by border authorities. This rule change should encourage Canadians to […]

Yesterday I read another media demand for the Trudeau government to undertake another “public inquiry” and I’m afraid this is getting to be too much. First, the drumbeat to investigate foreign interference – especially by China — in Canadian elec…

Threads is finally available on a desktop and it has an “embed this post” button!So I am trying it out with this post — I really really hope I can use it in addition to “X, formerly known as Twitter” for my posts. X seems to be a dying platform t…

On October 1st 2022, the Government of Canada removed all COVID-19 border measures such as required proof of vaccination, random testing, and mandatory isolation for high-risk travelers. For the first time since early 2020, the Canadian border is operating under “normal” conditions. For example: Americans interested in visiting Canada no longer need to download the […]

My keyboard driver died. Who knew such a thing could happen? 

Enjoy these:

This morning in Ottawa, I got to send off an incredible group of people. They came from Korea and spent the last few weeks battling wildfires in Quebec. On behalf of all Canadians — I thanked them for their heroic work. pic.twitter.com/nYZEhRXO43

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 1, 2023

I did not know you are a ‘New Canadian’. You will like this quote pic.twitter.com/C4RbzE6MBm

— Old Man with a Beard (@Brianebutler1) August 2, 2023

Late in life, Groucho Marx suffered from severe insomnia. When he couldn’t sleep, Groucho would call his Beverly Hills neighbor, Alice Cooper.

Alice would bring over a six-pack of beer and Groucho and he would drink beer and watch old movies on TV until Groucho nodded off. pic.twitter.com/mDb1HxShNX

— Spiro’s Ghost (@AntiToxicPeople) July 16, 2023

I don’t know what’s better the drink this f*ckin beer or the if you gotta problem with that… https://t.co/vrBy9DWFoj

— Tweeterer (@GoCanGoose) July 14, 2023

Dancing and singing stuff:

When I am asked who are the two most talented musical artists you ever met, the answer couldn’t be any easier. Tom Jones & Sammy Davis Jr. They owned the audience – doing things on stage nobody ever dreamed of. https://t.co/yM7YIELWk1

— Charles Adler (@charlesadler) July 29, 2023

SAMMY DAVIS JR. in 1962

The sheer talent timing & rhythmicity. Quite incredible.

pic.twitter.com/mhedrqx7rp

— Michael Warburton (@MichaelWarbur17) July 29, 2023

A friend of mine’s just sent me this. Can’t find it on Twitter so thought I’d post it. It’s fabulous. The account, marvin_uganda, is well worth a look if you’re on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/pTuhU2shpN

— James Hogg 🖋 (@JamesAHogg2) July 21, 2023

An old and fascinating video:

Video showing how globes are made from 1955.pic.twitter.com/6061DHddRF

— Fascinating (@fasc1nate) July 12, 2023

Newer but still fascinating:

Making basketballs… pic.twitter.com/sYEGMWoYug

— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) July 7, 2023

Here’s some animal crackers:

Never ending story.. 😅 pic.twitter.com/LTfCNHchnA

— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) August 2, 2023

You’ve got a friend in me…🐾😍 pic.twitter.com/MpIbk7LM8o

— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) July 30, 2023

The jump.. 😂 pic.twitter.com/I4srg9Nelg

— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) July 30, 2023

Worth a repeat. Cuz 😄❤️❤️ https://t.co/XnlXPZbl2t

— Jimmy🐠Swimmy 🌊 (@ArtsyFish007) July 24, 2023

And keep these to look at when you’re having one of those days:

butterfly playing with a puppy to brighten your day
(jukin media) pic.twitter.com/yJKY69Jmin

— theworldofdog (@theworldofdog) July 7, 2023

Hey everyone, stop what you’re doing and look at this picture: pic.twitter.com/XjTc7UkScT

— Leah Howie (@Leah_M_Howie) July 11, 2023

I found both of these posts so shocking. The first one is a reminder about AIDS and how only within the last 20 years has our society learned to respect gender identity and gender expression.  Post by @beingliberal View on Threads

The …

First, I haven’t seen one of these funny twisted Threads for a long time — its when someone asks a “question” on twitter and everyone replies with the wrong answers:

Folks, listen, this has been bothering me all day. I’m trying to remember a sketch and I can’t figure out who did it.

Here’s the set-up: a guy walks into an office and asks for an argument, which he pays the pretty lady for, then he argues with a guy. Funny!

Anyone seen this?

— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) July 3, 2023

A bunch of people took her seriously at first — of course, she’s talking about the Argument Clinic in Monty Python – but then everyone caught on and started posting this kind of stuff:

That wasn’t a “sketch.” It was an episode of the Twilight Zone. The argument ended up being over a cookbook or something.

— Michael G. @deepwatermike@mastodon.social Bazemore (@deepwatermike) July 3, 2023

It was at a poker game, with guys arguing over the lyrics to Blinded By the Light. It was performed by The Bert Fershners on their show, The State, with Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello. It aired on HBO.

— John Dortmunder (@prolly_knott) July 3, 2023

Pretty sure it’s the opening sketch for ‘The West Wing’

— PersephoneC 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 (@PersephoneC) July 3, 2023

Can’t finish without posting the real sketch:
 

 Seems like its been one of those crazy weeks, so I found some interesting comments to share.First,Trump just cannot seem to shut up, and everyone is down for it: Everyone is entitled to my own opinion – Holy shit Donald Trump’s reckless mout…

Sorry, I have to pause on posting for a little while. I’ll be back. 

Overseas the weather is no better. This video falls into the Holy Shit! category:

🔴 INFO – #Espagne : #Inondations massives après de fortes #pluies à #Saragosse hier. #flood #flooding pic.twitter.com/JXxZQ3g3sM

— FranceNews24 (@FranceNews24) July 7, 2023

Absolutely brilliant. Person approaches flood in little Red car, sees identical little red car floating, driver continues believing this will not affect them. Sums up people’s views on climate change perfectly. https://t.co/flmhAIPQZm

— Jon (@Jontafkasi) July 9, 2023

So, dime store cowboy realizes the new makeup has rubbed off on his fancy white shirt collar, sends flunky to Walmart to get what he thought would pass for down home denim, wears it right out of the package.
Yee haw!
🍁🤷🏼🤭😂😂😂🤫🤷🏼🍁@PierrePoilievre #cdnpoli @CPC_HQ pic.twitter.com/TjTCRnsdpG

— David Hamer 🇨🇦🇺🇦🇨🇦 (@DavidHamer_1951) July 9, 2023

On a more serious note, though:

Setting aside the fact that Poilievre isn’t actually ‘jacked,’ the fetishization of working out and/or conflating physical fitness or a given physique with inherent superiority is, in fact, a sign of weakness, not strength. https://t.co/4hH2TEfQE5 pic.twitter.com/7ap4VtMBeU

— Alheli Picazo (@a_picazo) July 9, 2023

And Poilievre thinks Canadians will elect him to be prime minister? Once again, he admits he didn’t know what he was doing:

Poilievre going with the “I didn’t know he was wearing a homophobic straight pride shirt”. Yeah right, there’s only so many times you can plead ignorance as a defense Pee Pee. pic.twitter.com/69jMZKwRgr

— ChrisOx (@chrisoxley10) July 11, 2023

And no matter what they do to Poilievre, he will never be able to compete with the Blue Jean Baby:

Justin Trudeau Brushes His Hair Out Of His Eyes at todays #Covid19Canada Update

It will be videos likes these that drive Conservatives

UP THE WALL!!!! #cdnpoli #COVID19 #Covid_19 pic.twitter.com/8dlYi6L5Z9

— G.T. Lem 林 家 聰 (@gtlem) April 18, 2020

Moving on, here’s an idea:

Larry Hagman famously adopted Silent Sundays, when he did not speak for the day. https://t.co/VcUt3FPtM0

— John Ales AF (@IAmJohnAles) July 11, 2023

Finally,  a contender for Tweet Of The Year:

The fact i was reading this exact mad magazine earlier pic.twitter.com/IIYeCpltUo

— Woody (@beastlyfigurine) July 11, 2023

Here is Trudeau’s follow-up to the Barbie post that drove Canada’s right wing crazy (and Piers Morgan)

Balancing things out: Oppenheimer with Ella. pic.twitter.com/MdcZlhDwaG— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 9, 2023 Ha ha!
Study: Being hated by…

As Samwise says, Well, I’m back! Lately I have been trying to figure out why everything in American politics has become such a shit-show — the Trump disaster, abortion rights, LBGTQ rights, Jan 6 prosecutions, watching Republicans try to destroy …

 Sad news this week – both the LA Times and the New York Times are making radical changes to reduce their sports coverage.

Between this and the LA Times eliminating agate and box scores etc. what’s the point anymore? Those are two places we alway…

Here’s someone every Canadian should be following — Canadian historian Craig Baird’s X (twitter) feed (and the dogs in parliament AI photo above is from Craig’s post here)Today in 1928, Ethel Catherwood won Gold at the 1928 Olympics in the High J…

Apparently Musk is going to try to start charging for his platform.  He simply doesn’t understand Twitter at all – he never did. Its like a pulp and paper company thinking it can collect a nickel from everyone who reads advertising handout fl…

A lot of people don’t know as well that the young man makes a pair with Trudeau on them. With Justin’s permission. Liberals need to start talking about these things. If Justin won’t brag, we should.— Lonney Butler (@ButlerLonney) July 16, 2023 Trudeau…

I was going to do a post about Poilievre and his stumbles tonight, but then I saw posts about rescues of animals in Hawaii — and they are so much more important right now. 

“I’m thankful for the people who made it out alive,” said Ms. Wong, who is also the chef and owner of the Koko Head Cafe in Honolulu, “but an entire town has burned down.” 

The Pioneer Inn was known for a parrot, Alex, who regaled guests. He made it out alive, Ms. Wong said, “but again, there are thousands of pets who didn’t.” 

Ms. Wong is now working out of the University of Hawaii’s Maui campus with World Central Kitchen, the global nonprofit organization founded by the chef José Andrés, as well as local business owners to prepare meals for evacuees.

🎥 The WCK convoy earlier today heading to western Maui with thousands of meals for first responders & families impacted by the fires. Communities in this area are the hardest-hit on the island, so we’ll continue supporting the best way we know how. #ChefsForHawaii pic.twitter.com/patyPLsHYi

— World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) August 13, 2023

Mahalo to everyone — human and canine — helping us with our recovery. #MauiFires #MauiStrong https://t.co/cSDz5qMYTn

— HawaiiDelilah™ 🟦 #MauiStrong (@HawaiiDelilah) August 13, 2023

The Maui Bird Conservation Center, a sanctuary for endangered bird spieces, was defended by a staffer and a neighbour until firefighters could get there. 

In the last 48 hours:Rome beat its all time temperature record by a whole two degrees Celsius.China beat its all time temperature record by almost two degrees Celsius.Death Valley narrowly missed the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth.And the…

Well, the news has been so crazy lately there is only one way to make sense of it — with political cartoons. Here’s some:

My @TinyviewComics cartoon published 7/13/23. #ClimateCrisis #ClimateChange #weather #heat #storms #floods #wildfires #pollu…

In a post about Poilieve’s Shack of Seclusion, Evan Scrimshaw writes about why some people seem to absolutely HATE! Trudeau:…It’s a movement of people who have been radicalized for various reasons – the importation of American culture wars, the gener…