— Feature, Musings —12.21.2023 11:27 AM
My latest: Trudeau and Hamas exchange love notes
Where were you, Mom and Dad, on the day that Hamas thanked the Trudeau government?
Agreed: the day that the world’s most notorious terror group offered up video thanks to the Justin Trudeau regime probably doesn’t rank up there with 9/11 or Pearl Harbor. But it’s in the same category, isn’t it?
Like 9/11, it is an Islamic death squad trying to humiliate us. And, like Pearl Harbor, it was a bit of a shock.
And, if we are being honest with ourselves, we all know what Hamas was trying to do. It was engaging in a bit of old-fashioned Soviet style agitprop, designed to cause controversy and embarrassment here in Canada. And it certainly did that.
Social media was overflowing with more outrage than usual about the video statement by some Hamas apparatchik who deserves a bullet, not a microphone.
And, if a snippet of the video ends up in a Conservative Party campaign attack video at the time of the next election, no one will be very surprised.
After the video landed like one of the hundreds of missiles Hamas has fired at Israel in the past 24 hours, Trudeau’s clueless and feckless Foreign Affairs minister, Melanie Joly, swiftly issued a tweet saying mean things about Hamas. But, like everything else that Joly does, it isn’t even worth quoting here.
Because even Joly would know, deep in the recesses of her cranium, that her tweet wouldn’t have been necessary – and the Hamas video would never have been issued – if Canada had not cravenly, stupidly, voted for a cease-fire.
When asked by assorted anti-Semites at the UN to go along with the cease-fire vote, Trudeau’s chosen representative, Bob Rae, could have and should have said: “There already was a cease-fire. Hamas was the one who broke it on October 7.” According to some sources, that is precisely what Rae wanted to say.
But that’s not how the Trudeau government conducts foreign affairs, is it? Consistency and coherence are not its core strength. What it does best is saying lots and doing little. Over promising, and under-delivering. Being useless, in other words.
Observing that the Trudeau government has been a disaster on the Israel-Gaza war since October 7 isn’t even worth saying out loud. It is so obvious, so true, everyone knows it.
The consequences are equally obvious. If there is a single Canadian Jew who is prepared to vote for Trudeau’s Liberals in the next election, it should be made into a Canadian Heritage Minute commercial. It would be a miracle.
And, if the Americans or the Brits or the French are prepared to even listen to us for two minutes at the water cooler at the next international summit, it would also be a miracle. With them, with all of our allies, our credibility has been utterly shredded by the performative, puerile antics of Trudeau and Joly.
And, most seriously of all, we have hurt our ally, Israel. We have said to our Canadian Jewish brothers and sisters that, in the big scheme of things, they don’t matter as much. Sure, 1200 of your friends and family were slaughtered on October 7, but we think you should suck it up and move on.
Well, that’s what the Trudeau government thinks, at least. And that’s why Hamas issued its little thank you note.
It was a bit of a joke, yes.
But so is the Trudeau government.
What’s next? A lecture from Trudeau on Hamasophobia?
They will set up funding for an NGO to help erase Hamasophobia.
Hamas experienced Israel differently.
Warren,
I would argue that our allies consider us as a joke primarily based on national security and defence issues.
As for the Gazan ceasefire call, we have plenty of company in the misguided and naive department: the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and so many others…
Meanwhile, don’t hold your breath waiting for Rae’s principled resignation. Just another Trudeau Liberal.
I note that Fareed Zakaria in a recent Foreign Affairs podcast simply referred to the US as having “two weak neighbours.” A weakness we have earned.
Principled + Liberal = Oxymoron
Principles? Does Team Trudeau have any?
And Trudeau’s anti-racism consultant, Laith Marouf says hi.
Principles? Of course they do! And if you don’t like them, well, they have others!
(With apologies to Groucho Marx)
Just another nail in the coffin of the gov’t of the Dauphin. Time for that walk, Justin.
He’s not going anywhere … until 2025.
Agreed. Wishful thinking on my part.
Trudeau should condemn Hamas, condemn the presenter in this video, and tell them to surrender. The only way forward is for Hamas to surrender, and to disband – Trudeau should condemn them for hiding weapons in ambulances, for hiding behind civilian’s. All the death and suffering in Gaza is because of Hamas and their cowardly tactics.
With CBC reporter John Paul Tasker saying “Israel started the Hamas war.” I don’t think Trudeau will call on Hamas to surrender.
Personally I think Tasker should be fired. But since Catherine Tait’s CBC believes Hamas are militants, that isn’t going to happen.
Peter,
That guy is an incredibly stupid FUCK. Period.
Have you looked at the CBC website recently? All the articles are blatantly anti-Israel, pro-Palestine, pro-Hamas. As a Canadian taxpayer, I am really upset to see my tax dollars being used to promote a blatantly biased agenda.
Montréalaise,
You will no doubt agree that we’re part of a distinct minority. We believe in balanced coverage of a conflict by our news media and accountability for all the parties to a conflict. That aside, we know who started this war and why Israel has responded accordingly.
Hamas clearly was deluded if it thought it could attack Israel and not expect an immediate robust response.
But back to CBC: clearly this government has no intention of interfering with Tait’s so-called management of The Mother Corp. Tait is supposed to uphold disinterested journalistic standards that do not reflect any particular political agenda. Evidently, she is not doing so. In my mind, the next government should immediately demand Tait’s resignation upon coming into office. I also favour a broad overhaul of the TV Division with the across-the-board replacement of all regional New Division Directors. That is long overdue in my view.
I DON’T favour defunding the CBC. Vital reform is where it’s at. I trust that Pierre has an ongoing file and will take appropriate action when the CPC comes to power.
They have been doing that for about 10 years so welcome to the party. It is only when YOUR ox is getting gored that you noticed.
Martin,
Some of us are political junkies on top of even the minutiae of politics. Most people keep up as best they can. I certainly won’t fault anyone for that. I think people here have more interest than most and that is to be commended. They care about what happens in this country.
Ronald-that comment was directed at Montrealaise in case that wasn’t clear.
If they want to protest they should protest Hamas and Iran, and all the dictatorships they lived under before immigrating to Canada – protest the villains not the victims.
Question 1. Given the amount of tax payer money Trudeau has sent to Gaza (i.e.Hamas), does any of it make its way back to Canada as political donations?
Given the amount of foreign aid, bank contributions, etc. that Trudeau sends to a ‘developing country’ (i.e. China) how much of it makes its way back to Canada as political donations?
Perhaps Mr Singh could find out?
Or, please don’t laugh, Justice Hogue?
During this government’s tenure, there have been some pretty egregious moments. This has to be a new low however. Is chasing a few more votes really that important Mr Trudeau? What happened to principles, or is that just too stupid of a question to ask?
Even I could write that attack ad.
Peace in our time!!!!!
There is a serious argument that on Foreign Affairs this is the worst government Canada has ever produced. I’d challenge anyone to suggest a government that has done worse on that file in particular. I don’t understand why dignitaries even both with the meetings. They should just start meeting with Poilievre’s transition team so they can get some serious answers about where Canada will stand at the end of 2025. That would be more productive.
Love you, Warren, but you’re so one-sided on this. It’s not black and white and I’ve hedged for so long in espousing any sentiment that Israel could be going too far, but they are! And I don’t like Justin either, he needs to go, but holy crap, Israel should not be imitating the tact of their Oct. 7 villains. It’s not for lack of reason that essentially the whole world is calling for a ceasefire and the US is holding on by a thread. None of us support Hamas, but we support human life. We need to build support in Palestinian communities through rebuilding projects that educate, not so dissimilar to WW2.
Agreed. This entire conflict is a never-ending mission to spin a narrative. Of course that can be said about every global conflict, but it seems particularly egregious in this region. We’re told one day to be (rightfully) horrified at 1200 civulian deaths, the next to ignore 20,000 civilian deaths as a “consequence of justice.” We tell one side that it’s long past time to get over the events of 1947-48 and accept their lot, but tell the other it’s long past time to get over the events of 1932-44 and let me know how that goes for you. Hamas is a onstrous organization, and they deserve destruction. But we’ve thrown out any vestige of humanity or basic decency in order to pretend what the IDF is doing is “just.”
And because it simply is NOT just, more and more radicalization will occur, and the rest of us will end up paying for it in the not-so-long run. Mark my words.
Jason,
No army is a force of angels. There are always bound to be isolated war crimes. Personally, I’ve never cut the IDF a blank cheque. The death of hostages carrying a white flag is way beyond troubling. Ditto IF it had been Hamas terrorists genuinely trying to surrender.
Gaza is the new Dresden and that type of devastation is hard to justify, no matter which side happens to have your support.
Well said
Right or wrong, Trudeau’s call to support the cease fire is not going to impact his electoral outlook. A supermajority (64%, according to Ipsos, November 24/2023) of Canadians either want our government to either serve as a mediator, or to stay out of the conflict entirely. Israel fares a bit better than Palestine amongst the rest, sure. But people here by and large aren’t going to get behind the killing of civilians, regardless of whether they were targeted or collateral
damage. In that, I can still be at least a little proud of this country.
I have always thought that JT was too immature, unprincipled and unsophisticated to be PM. The 2015 Conservative ads that he was “just not ready” were incorrect. He is incapable. If, after 8 years in the position, he is still not ready, he never will be.
He and his Cabinet have done so much damage to our economy and our country, both internally and on the world stage. This just the latest, infuriating and embarrassing example.
The joint statement of Canada, NZ and Australia at least had a bit of nuance (Canada should still not have signed it). The UN vote was beyond the pale. I would be angry, but am not surprised and am, instead, resigned and despondent.
Canada needs to support our friends and allies, including the one liberal democratic state in the Middle East. This is more than a matter of words, but words matter. Israel is increasingly isolated in its efforts to keep the forces of evil at bay.
On this file, Trudeau should put down his ideological glasses, stop worrying about short-term wedge issues, and listen carefully to Harper’s speech to the Israeli Knesset in January of 2014. It was a tour de force and one of Harper’s best international performances. It reflects the position that Canada should unapologetically maintain.
One of the things Harper said in that speech was: “It is, thus, a Canadian tradition to stand for what is principled and just, regardless of whether it is convenient or popular.” If Harper was right about that, JT has done everything he can to jettison that Canadian trait.
Please, Justin, no more support for a terrorist group that is motivated by blood lust and hatred. Please, Justin, at least try to be a serious person.
In spite of having use of a tax payer supplied vacation home (with over $11 million in renovations), Mr Climate Change (aka Justin Trudeau, aka Sir Flys A Lot), is heading off to warm and sunny Jamaica for a winter holiday.
As he was planning his trip, Justin took time to remind Canadians to limit their hydrocarbon usage, so as to fight climate change.
So as you are turning down your thermostat, to try and save money so you can afford some trimmings for your Christmas turkey, please think of our illustrious Dear Leader drinking pina coladas on the beach. You’re paying for his trip.
Peter,
I hope he takes along the new Ms. Those two positively deserve each other. No finer example of two peas in a pod. Just imagine if they decide never to come back. Talk about holiday bliss for most Canadians!
Someone told me his ex is going along for the ride and I read someplace he is not “dating”.
Martin,
As Warren and Star Trek fans everywhere can appreciate, you don’t necessarily have to date to implement The Prim(al)e Directive.
Listened to a really good interview on the BBC (Hard Talk) about de-Nazification. They compared Gaza to Nazi Germany and posited that it is only brute force, like in Nazi Germany, that will dissuade Hamas – followed by intense de-Nazification. No two state solution, they thought it would be better to have a third party Arab country manage Gaza while the inhabitants are de-Nazified.
Hope this is the same interview, I listened to it on the cbc:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=togLIOLYxT0
Curious,
I’m reminded of Likud in the old days when they used to refer to Jordan as the Palestinian state. Couple that with long-ago peace plans that would have had Amman overseeing the holy sites in East Jerusalem, etc.
That certainly didn’t fly then and won’t now IMHO. The elephant in the room is that almost all Arab states in the region don’t want to have anything to do with administering the Palestinians. They’re great rhetorically speaking and send money but none of them want to be part of an actual on-the-ground settlement, should that ever happen.
As for the Palestinians themselves, some despise Fatah because of its legendary corruption. Others hate Hamas for obvious reasons and some want nothing to do with either of those groups. In short, a real mess that is not conducive to an eventual peace process.
You’re a wealth of knowledge Ronald and I enjoy your posts.
Thank you, Curious. It’s more being well past my prime than knowledge-based. When you reach my age, so much water has crossed under the bridge that your brain becomes an excess reservoir of This ‘N That, to quote Bette Davis.