The one-dimensional model of politics long since had its day, in my opinion, but either way, left and right in Canada hardly correspond to their USian versions. The terms don’t really translate. There are a lot of superficial similarities — and of course I’d never deny that surfaces are important — but these can also…

I didn’t know political slash fiction was a thing... but being an old (hell, I remember when there were no IntraToobZ), I’d be willing to bet Justin Trudeau is the first Canadian politician to figure in same.

But in what sense is he a Francophone, full stop? His mother and three of his four grandparents were Anglophones, and he was born and raised in Ottawa, a fully bilingual city: raised in English and French, I believe. In short, if he’s a Francophone, then he’s an Anglophone too. Like many Canadians, he fits neatly…

Thanks. Agreed about the teacher part. When he dismissed the Cons’ criticism of his resume by saying “I was a teacher; that’s a real job,” it was the perfect put-down of Harper.

Yeah, Pierre Trudeau had the towering analytical intellect and all, but insofar as he succeeded in politics — less and less toward the end, the new Constituton always excepted — it was despite, rather than because of said intellect. Whatever a natural politician is, exactly, Justin is closer to that than was the old…

Or, could it be that Trump was lured to the center in the first place by the promise of getting to do freaky orb stuff? The US President is moaning loudly, rhythmically, and everyone around him is pretending not to notice.

Be alert. The world needs more lerts.

Now I’m thinking about that great Arthur C. Clarke story, “Who’s There?”.

If you can’t solve a problem with duct tape, you may as well just quit and go drink beer.

OK, given that Trump and his assorted lackeys and droids are more or less mixed up with various Russians, who used to be Soviets*; and given that some of said Russians may (for all I know) not in fact be Russians, but Armenians; but given, either way, that some of Trump’s lackdroids will soon be singing like canaries…

... consound it, I have to stop playing these old-fashioned supper clubs. My contract rider distinctly said no veal, or shark’s-fin soup, to be served.

Well, I mean to say... I like to think I’m in my prime. Fifty three is, after all, a prime number.

And speaking of gestures — and this is, I grant, wonderfully irrelevant, but I’m more than usually confused — what’s with Clarke’s gesture in that photo?

Normally, a statesman is simply a dead politician. (If I say we need more statesmen, in all countries, will the Secret Service or RCMP put me under surveillance?)

He had to.

True, but on the other hand, sugar thieves in Canada have been known to think bigger than a measly 20 grand. Consider those guys in Quebec a couple of years ago who stole maple syrup worth $15 million or so (insert Canadian-dollar joke here). Go big, or go home, eh?

Ever see that video of some young kids, maybe 7 or so, trying to figure out a rotary-dial phone? Cute.

Also: wot, no Florida jokes yet?

Rule 34: if you can think of it, there’s porn of it.

Sure, but similarly, soil is pretty much all earthworm poop.