Commentary, Photography

It’s Canada Day …

64 Comments

… and it’s been an interesting year. Our sovereignty is constantly being challenged by Mad King Donnie …

… who is punishing us with tariffs and anything else he can dream up to try to force us to capitulate to him, while also lying, exaggerating and manipulating any and all information to communicate that we’re basically a hulking Godzilla of a nation just waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting and innocent little U.S.

So while the king to the south of us continues to consolidate his power by stomping on civil rights, threatening and taking revenge on opponents, universities, courts and newspapers and rewarding his wealthy oligarch friends while seemingly bent on devolving his country into a chunk of geography without law, order or structure apart from whatever reflects his own weird image, we’re becoming more and more angry.

Once our federal election was over at the end of April, things had sort of cooled off for a bit. Trump came along to Canada for the G7 meeting with the other leaders last month and although he had to talk incessantly and inanely before the cameras, things seemed to go well enough.

Then our Prime Minister went to the NATO meeting in Europe, was interviewed by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, had the effrontery to state that he thought Trump’s annexation talk might be over, and boom, there it was again. No one’s going to tell Mad King Donnie what he thinks, including him.

So, this Canada Day, we should focus on what we know is good about us. And I’m not talking about crap like beavers, poutine, hockey, maple syrup, snow, fleurs-de-lys, and excessive politeness. Those are stereotypes.

Nope, I’m talking about those things that make us who we are: an understanding of the world that allows us to comprehend ourselves and our place within in it, directly and without artifice. An ability to hear people as they are, even if they’re talking complete nonsense through their butts – and yes, sometimes those butts belong to our own people.

A capacity to face our insecurities – and we definitely have them – by realistically confronting them and dealing with them, sometimes through self-deprecation and sometimes through sincere humility, even if we haven’t solved them. An awareness of how important it is not to take ourselves too seriously combined with an attitude of live and let live and helping out when we can. I think most of us love that about us. We’ll tolerate a lot … right up to where whatever it is starts stepping on our toes, and then we get pissed.

A Canadian 9/11 story narrated by Tom Brokaw – a story that most Americans don’t know.

We are not the best, the biggest, the brightest, the toughest, the strongest or really, any other est. For that matter, neither is any other country, including our neighbour to the south. We’re all just varying degrees of whatever we are. But for the most part we Canadians have a good grip on what it means to just live a decent life, to give or share what we have when it’s needed, to try to understand the new and to accept it even if we don’t.

Are we perfect? Absolutely not. For starters, we can be lazy. We can be fractious, discontented and prone to squabbling and finger-pointing. And in the past, we treated our First Nations as completely and utterly worthless. We can be messy and sometimes chaotic but we always seem to find a path that works for us.

And that brings me right back to Donald Trump. In the struggle to preserve identity, people become seasoned, scarred, damaged, and in the process, changed and toughened. And that’s happening to us now.

While we try to ignore his name-calling, his bullying, his desire to stick a knife in us and twist it, and his pronouncements about how weak we are – or how difficult we are – depending on what lies he’s telling, we will not roll over into becoming the 51 state or more likely, a rights-less territory. And if he keeps pushing, there will come a time when what we’re learning will come into play.

So this Canada Day, it’s not about beavers and maple syrup or various actors, singers and sports figures who wear Order of Canada pins but haven’t lived in this country for years. It never was. At some point or other, we all face a personal Rubicon. As a nation, here’s ours. And we’re here, we’re us, we see ourselves, we know ourselves, and we don’t need to be – or want to be – anything else. 🇨🇦

64 thoughts on “It’s Canada Day …”

  1. This is us, on a deeply personal level. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the wonderful. Our wide open spaces and big hearts. The icing on the cake isn’t the routine or the maple syrup but the fact that we stop to help our neighboUr. Thank you for the wonderful pictures of those fireworks and the lake, but I will leave the videos alone and just go with the glow of your words.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. You’re very welcome, Bernie. The videos are there more for anyone who wants to confirm some of the things I’ve written here, so no worries.

      I agree completely we have wide open spaces and wide open hearts. If I could pick someone as a symbol of us, it would be Terry Fox. He wasn’t perfect either, but he embodied a lot of selflessness.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Proud to be Canadian, Lynette, and so you should be! We meet many Canadians over here, escaping your winter. They’re not the best and not the worst of our visitors- they’re just people, trying to live their lives. If we all do that, with a little sensitivity and thought for others, it’ll not be such a bad world. Happy Canada Day!

    I did think that your maples would be perfect squared for Becky xx

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you very much, Jo. 😊 Yes, the maples would work well for that.

      I agree completely, Jo. Most people are just people, trying to live life the best way they can, no matter how much crap comes out of the mouths of their leaders. And yes, a little sensitivity and kindness can go an incredibly long way. Cheers.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you very much, Thomas, including for your good wishes. I think that Trump has a personality disorder – narcissism – as well as co-existing symptoms of psychopathy. If he’s viewed through the lens of those issues, his behaviour becomes – to some extent – more understandable.

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  5. Perfectly written with real pride and patriotism. It used to be said that an Englishman’s word is his bond. For many of us of a certain age I think that is still true. And then I read a fitting parody the other day…”Trump’s word is not his bond, it’s just what he said yesterday”.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you. Much appreciated, Phil. My mother was English and fully believed in that credo, too, so I understand its importance. I love the comment about Trump’s word and certainly we have very much become accustomed to his narcissistic and psychopathic pronouncements and behaviour. Except for the fact that we’re mad as hell about the real damage he can possibly do (and is doing), his utter sh*t would almost be boring.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Great post, Lynette. Your patriotism shines as bright as those fireworks. I hate it here in the USA right now and can’t believe we have 3.5 more years of this chaos and corruption.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you very much, Sheila. 😊 When I consider the damage Trump has perpetrated within the last six months, 3.5 years might as well be a century. And that begs the question, will he leave when his time is up? Ugh.

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  7. I didn’t vote for nor support The Donald in anything that he does. I do know that when he says something like “how weak we are – or how difficult we are” he’s talking about himself. Granted he’ll say it’s about Canada, but it’s projection pure and simple.

    Sadly the chaos his ranting rhetoric causes isn’t so simple to undo. Like Sheila said, I can’t believe we have 3.5 more years of this idiocy.

    Happy Canada Day! You live in a great country.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I was once married for a short time to a man who had narcissistic personality disorder (in my unprofessional opinion of course but boy it was some experience). I find Trump’s weird behaviour actually rather predictable because of that experience and at times his anger, petulance and capacity for vengeance leads me to intensely re-experience emotions I encountered when interacting with my ex.

      So yes, I understand that he’s mostly projecting. He knows that he has serious problems but in true narcissistic fashion, he will never admit that or try to rectify it. As I see it from here, the danger is the years left in his mandate and whether you will actually be able to get rid of him in 2028. By then, he may have changed the legal landscape to the point where getting him out may be extremely difficult.

      That said, thank you very much for your good wishes. Much appreciated. 🇨🇦

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Wonderfully said Lynette, we are a country that takes care of each other, when times are good and when times are tough. That is a large part of what makes us unique as well..Happy Canada Day, Maggie

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you very much, Maggie. I agree that we do take care of each other, even when one part of the country pisses off another. I love that we have the capacity to look past the things that irritate us. It’s a pretty great quality. Happy Canada Day to you, too. 🇨🇦

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you; much appreciated. 😊 I really am tired of hearing the same old nonsense about beavers, Mounties and hockey. We’re so much more than a bunch of stereotypes imposed on us by others. Happy Canada Day to you, too. 🇨🇦

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  11. Simply superb Lynette. Canada is so much more than the stereotype American comedians make fun of and American politicians blame to deflect from the real issues. We are not the Greatest country in the world (no country is), we are not the strongest country in the world (being strong without as heart is a weakness), and we are not the richest country in the world (except in spirit). It is time to stop the crap and get on with giving a crap. Happy Canada Day. Allan

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Allan, very much appreciated. I agree. I’ve become so tired of hearing us defined by a collection of stereotypes that always were completely off the mark and yes, mostly invented by American comedians going for laughs at our expense. And then to hear some of our fellow Canadians actually taking that nonsense on board. Yikes. I love your last line: time to stop the crap and get on with giving a crap. Well said. We’re us, we’re here, and we like ourselves. We don’t need or want to be something else. Happy Canada Day, Allan. 🇨🇦

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Trump says Canada has nothing America wants. So, lets give him nothing. And don’t get me started on his Press Secretary. She is as full of herself as the orange goblin is.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I couldn’t agree more, Allan. And I’m worried about these “negotiations” that Carney is doing. What might he be giving away??? As you say, let’s just slam the door and see how they do. And yes,that so-called press secretary. What a rotten peach. 😡

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          1. I got the feeling that the DST was always going to be a throw away to gain something. Lets see if what we gained was an auto sector. Carney is not going to negotiate in the press, so we just have to wait. When you see headlines like this, you just know Trump picked her for her skills – Karoline Leavitt Stuns With Endless Legs In Ultra-Chic, Forever 21-Inspired Work Outfit. An influencer looking for a job on Fox News.

            Liked by 1 person

          2. I had that feeling too, Allan. Yes, I hope it’s the auto sector and apparently there are meetings about it today. Agreed; he understandably holds his cards close to his chest and says that he’s going to govern as if he has a majority. But if he gives up autos or something else, especially supply management, he will be in trouble, I think. Karoline Leavitt, yes, definitely picked for her skills. I’m just not sure what they are!

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  12. Well said. One of the best things to come from Mad King Donnie is that it’s forced us to wake up and fight for Canada and to not take our rights and freedom for granted. We’ve never been a loud or proud nation, but I think that’s changing. And it’s wonderful to see. Happy Canada day!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you very much, Linda. I agree that we have been coasting, not appreciating what we have and kind of taking all our advantages for granted. Yes, Mad King Donnie has placed us under threat and we have suddenly awakened to the fear of what we might lose. It’s good that we’re now defining ourselves for ourselves and not through some stereotype invented by an American comedian. Happy Canada Day to you, too. 🇨🇦

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Well said, Lynette. I am embarrassed by Trump and the things he has said. Such a jerk! Not all Americans like what he’s doing regardless of having voted for him. Should the Democrat party won, things would be much worse in my opinion. I’m sorry, Canada, I love you and your people. 🇨🇦❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you very much, Belinda. I agree, especially where our intelligence and backbone are concerned. I think we’re finding one (a backbone) that we forgot we had. Happy Canada Day to you, too. 🇨🇦

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  16. Well said, Lynette. As a US citizen I am horrified by his actions, words and bullying. It’s a terrible chapter in our country’s history. I hope you have a wonderful Canada Day. Our Independence Day is this Friday, and Terry and I plan to attend a No Kings rally here in Portland, along with millions of other US citizens across the country. We will protest his cruel, inhumane, threatening and illegal policies. RESIST!! ✊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much, Tricia and for your good wishes, too. 😊 From our point of view Trump comes across as a narcissistic psychopath who shouldn’t be running a popsicle stand, let alone a country. He’s attacking us (and Europe, too) but the damage he’s doing internally seems horrific to us. And the big question is whether he will leave when his time is up or if he will have changed everything enough by then (or cooked up some sort of “emergency”) to justify staying in power. Good luck with your rally. Yes, resist!

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  17. Dear Lynette
    We agree with you.
    We lived and worked in Montreal for about 7 years and loved it there. We hope that Canada will keep its sovereignty for ever.
    Happy Canada Day
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much, Fab Four. Montréal is a great city. I love it. Some Canadians are beginning to worry about invasion and I’ve actually heard about a nascent sort of underground! I think these people are over-reacting, but sometimes, for just a moment, not. Definitely a curious sensation. I hope we maintain our sovereignty, too. Cheers.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦
    Like Jo said, those maples squared up would be fab for Becky. I have had a couple of trips to Canada and loved every bit of them. It’s a great country, even the Mounties 🤭

    Liked by 1 person

  19. This is a wonderful description of Canada and what it means to be Canadian. We are not American. That is absolute. We (I think a lot of us) are proud of our identity and our shared values of decency, respect and acceptance.. HAPPPY CANADA DAY!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Carol, much appreciated. 😊 I agree that we are who we are without the need to refer to any other other nation (France, U.K. U.S) for their take on the matter. Really, I don’t care what definitions they come up with because we know who we are; we don’t need to be told or jammed into a bunch of silly stereotypes. Happy Canada Day to you, too. 🇨🇦

      Liked by 2 people

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