The Hideous Year 2016 and the Last Cheerful Nation.

Well the cursed year 2016 is almost over, and like the rest of you I'm rushing off to the year 2017, to try escape the dying old man's murderous scythe.

And this will be my last post for a while, because I'm leaving for Montreal in a couple of hours, and I fear I might not be in shape, or sober enough, to write anything for the next few days.

But before I go, I want to try to cheer up progressives for the last time this year.

By pointing out that even in this grim 2016, there were some things to celebrate.

The Moral of the Ugly Christmas Tree

It's a classic Canadian story, or to be more precise, a story that could only happen in Canada eh?

A group of Montrealers set out to get a Christmas tree bigger than the one at New York City's Rockefeller Centre. The one in the picture above.

Only to end up with one considerable shorter, and...um...not quite as beautiful.

The New Canada and the Return of the Cool Moose

As I'm sure you know, I'm really enjoying living in Justin Trudeau's Canada, and of course the land of the noble moose. 

And I'm constantly battling with Cons and other grumpy old Trudeau haters who would try to tear it down, or make it something ugly, or all about pipelines and trade deals.

Or poison us with their pessimism, and try to make Canada again a place where hope goes to die. 

So I'm happy to explain the progress of this country in three magazine covers and two moose. 

How Canadians Are Helping To Defeat Donald Trump

Judging by this sign, and what I've seen and heard in Montreal and Toronto, if Donald Trump ran for office in Canada, he'd get even less votes than the Cons, and just a few more than the Bloc Québécois.

Most Canadians I've met are disgusted by that loathsome demagogue, and hate him almost as much as most Americans.

And I'm sure even more of them are going to feel that way after they read what that grubby sexual predator did to a Canadian woman.

Celebrating a Great Day in the Life of the New Canada

I suppose I could have asked for one more thing to make yesterday an even more perfect day.

I could have asked the Great Polar Bear God of the Great White North to make it stop raining, and make spring feel like spring not winter.

But that would have been greedy, because for me at least, yesterday was a great day to be living in the New Canada.

Celebrating Spring and the Light After the Darkness of the Cons

At first glance it might seem like a strange  way to celebrate the arrival of Spring in the Great White North, and the end of the Great Darkness.

By turning out the lights.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined Canadian organizers of Earth Hour in asking Canadians to turn their lights off Saturday night along with millions around the world.



But it was in fact a sign that the light is back.

For Stephen Harper never celebrated Earth Hour, and you can be sure that Rona Ambrose doesn't either.

Rick Mercer and the Small-Time Election Campaign

It's been the longest and ugliest election campaign I have ever seen. A monstrous bigot game that has made us look cheap and ugly, and shamed us in the eyes of the world.

And as if that wasn't bad enough, then there is this deeply disturbing question: 

How can such a big young country have such small dreams?

The Sad Saga of Mother Canada and Jesus Harper

As you may know a Toronto businessman wants to build a massive statue called Mother Canada in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

And although it is a private initiative, the foundation he created is now looking for public money.

Even though polls show most Canadians hate the idea.

And most of the reviews have been brutal.

The Arrival of Spring and the Con Climate Change Deniers

Well I have to admit that there were times during this brutal winter when I thought the blessed day would never arrive. But Spring is here at last.

The island ferry is running again after being grounded for days due to the thick ice.

And although my beautiful swans are still having trouble feeding themselves...



It seems the worst is over, except in Atlantic Canada.

Stephen Harper and the Big Chill

It's brutally cold out there, again. With the wind chill it could feel like minus 40 tonight. The Great Lakes are almost completely frozen.

I'm worried about the homeless and these young trumpeter swans in the harbour...



Who like all the other lake birds now have almost no open water in which to find food.

And as if that Big Chill isn't bad enough;

Then there's the chill you get when you check out Environment Canada's weather page, and come face to face with the icy horror of Harperland.

Stephen Harper's Canada: Where Cons and Idiots Roam

Oh boy. It's lucky that where I live it's impossible to not know that I live in the Great White North.

Because if it wasn't, I might wonder whether I'm still living in Canada, or whether Stephen Harper has already changed it beyond recognition.

For it really is hard to believe that if you type "Stephen Harper was" into the Google search machine.

This is what comes up? 

The Harperland Winter and Pete Seeger's Message to Progressives

Well I have to admit it was a pretty grim week in Harperland. It was really cold and dark in the place where I live, and even the lights on the ferry dock couldn't brighten the gloom.

Not when Lord Harper is back from his bloated junket to remind me how much I despise him and his foul Con regime.

Not when Julian Fantino is going around beating up on veterans, and making me want to put a fist through a wall, I hate bullies that much.

And not when the great Pete Seeger died. Which made me so sad.

So you can imagine how I felt when I read this story. 

Dieppe and the Lost Myth

It was good to see that some of the soldiers who took part in the Dieppe Raid were able to make it back to that bloody beach today.

And that so many people in the town turned out to greet them like heroes.

I'm also glad that we may finally know the main reason for the raid.

My New Version of the Brawl on the Hill

Gawd. I'm in the doghouse again. Some of my friends have been beating up on me for my post about the Thrilla on the Hilla.

For they were shocked and appalled that I should "glorify" such a brutal spectacle, and then crudely bait the Cons. And by so doing lower myself to their level.

I tried to explain to them that they don't call me Raging Simon, or the Beast from Montreal, for nothing eh? And the only reason got carried away in the heat of the moment  was after listening to Ezra Levant's grotesque commentary.

I told them they should fast forward this video to the two minute mark and ask themselves whether THEIR heads wouldn't explode to hear such nerdy nonsense ...

The NDP and the Arrival of Spring

(click pic to enlarge)

What with the fog hanging over the island, and the usual run of depressing stories, it hasn't been too easy to write about politics in Harperland this week. Or even celebrate the arrival of Spring.

But isn't it great to see the Con fluffer John Ibbitson begin his day with this story? 

There is a reason the Conservative Party launched an attack ad against Bob Rae on the same week as the NDP leadership convention.

The Conservatives are convinced Mr. Rae will lead the Liberal Party into the next election–an increasingly safe assumption. And they fear him more than they fear whomever the New Democrats choose on Saturday.

Trying his best to make Harper's grotesque attack ad against  Rae sound rational, and the NDP appear doomed.

Only to end his day having to write this one? 

In Praise of the National Film Board: Part Two

A few weeks ago I brought you the short movie Wild Life, the sad story of an Englishman who wanted to be a cowboy in Alberta, courtesy of the National Film Board.

Since then I've learned that the movie, by Calgary filmmakers Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby, has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Short.

Along with another in the same category, Dimanche / Sunday by Patrick Doyon.

It tells the story of a family in a Quebec town where the only factory has closed.

As seen through the eyes of a child...

Stephen Harper's Latest Attack Ad

It's like a recurring nightmare. The ugly images, the leering voice. Stephane Dion is NOT a leader. Michael Ignatieff didn't come back for you. Jack Layton did it once he'll do it again.

And now comes the latest attack ad from the diseased brain of Stephen Harper: Thomas Mulcair is NOT a Canadian.

Thomas Mulcair, the Quebec MP and NDP leadership contender, carries two passports. One is Canadian, the other is French.

Unlike Great Strong Economist Patriotic Leader. 

In Praise of the National Film Board

When I was a young boy living in a Scottish village that didn't have a movie theatre, one of my teachers used to thrill me and the other kids, by hauling out an ancient projector and playing an educational movie.

And many of those movies were made by the National Film Board of Canada. I can't remember what they were about, except that it was always a magical moment. So I've been a fan of the NFB ever since.

In the mid-nineties I was horrified when the Liberals slashed its budget by about thirty percent. Every year its budget gets smaller and smaller. And I shudder to think what the Cons might do to it now that they have a majority.

Because it's a Canadian treasure.

As more evidence of that I offer up one of its latest little gems. It's called Wild Life. It tells the story of a young Englishman who sets out for Alberta in 1909, hoping to become a successful rancher.

Only to find out it was harder than he thought....



Yup. Please don't let the Cons destroy the NFB, like they are planning to destroy the CBC.

Because it's still making magic for me.

And it really is a Canadian treasure...

h/t Cartoon Brew

My First Thoughts on the Ontario Election

I'm sure I'll have more to say about the Ontario election.

Maybe. Zzzzzzzzzzz.

But tonight all I have the energy to say is that the bigot Tim Hudak is now officially a LOSER. The scummy little bottom feeder.

My riding, Trinity Spadina, helped scuttle Liberal hopes for a majority, and will force them to work with the NDP. Which is a good thing.

Ontario, like Canada, is basically a progressive place. No matter what the Cons say.

And of course, one down and two to go...

But wait...did I mention that Tim Hudak is a LOSER?

I did? Oh well. It bears repeating.

Muahahahaha...

The General and the Flying Torpedo

Well I see that General Walter Natynczyk is still defiant over his use of a government jet to join his family on a Caribbean vacation.

And is apparently determined that if he doesn't pay for it SOMEBODY will...

If revelations of his travel costs are sabotage by someone out to undermine his authority, so be it, he said.

“I’ve been shot at in Sarajevo. I’ve been shot at in Baghdad,” he said, adding that his exploits in battle have given him a “pretty tough skin.”

Which is just as well eh? Because that Caribbean sun can be BRUTAL.

But how does he explain this one?

Figures released by the Defence Department indicate it cost $23,231.30 to fly the general to Toronto from Ottawa in January, 2009, to attend a Canadian Forces appreciation night at a Maple Leafs game.

Because I realize that attending a Leafs game is more punishment than pleasure, but for about $200 he could get a first class round trip on Via Rail, a Wi-Fi connection, a tasty meal, AND all the wine he could drink. Burp.

Besides if Bev Oda can curb her insatiable desire for a limo.

And replace it with a cheaper form of transportation...

Why can't the General?

And if the problem is it's not military enough, maybe he could give one of our new stealth snowmobiles a whirl.

Or how about this flying torpedo...

But of course what I really want to know is why are the limousine jet-set Cons defending the general so vigorously, when they claim we need to cut the deficit so aggressively?

Is it because Stephen Harper is also a frequent flyer?

Of course it is. But that's our corrupt Cons eh?

One rule for them and their buddies. And another for all the others.

Golly. You don't think Stephen Harper could ride that torpedo do you? Nah. I didn't think so. What a pity.

Too bad....