In the early 1930s, Adolf Hitler began a campaign of coercive trade practices, bullying nations like Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Sweden, and Turkey into making separate economic deals that disproportionately benefited Nazi Germany.
I agree with your analysis. Although the thought of an actual invasion—boots on the ground— after the economic war and the propaganda war seems unthinkable, the fact is that he has sent the marines into California. So why not Canada? And ICE is looking more and more like his own secret police force. I believe more and more Canadians are aware of this unthinkable reality. Thanks for being part of creating that awareness.
I’d like to pull everybody back from the brink here…
Disclaimer: I have been sounding alarms about Trump’s expansionist rhetoric and restacking posts on this topic since February, so I am not disputing that there is enormous danger to Canada in what is happening in the United States.
But:
We need to be clear-headed about how to deal with the chaos and uncertainty of a neighbour that is no longer reliable, potentially dangerous and altogether objectionable.
Like dealing with a roommate with a psychotic breakdown: who the hell is this person and will they recover?
For one, the American story is still being written, for better or worse. I am, perhaps more than many here, tuned into the résistance to Trump’s authoritarian rampage. It is slow to organize and the onslaught is horrific, but there is momentum. Whatever we can do to encourage it, let’s do that.
But mostly we have to get our own house in order and be realistic about what can and cannot be done.
We can battle against right-wing populism at home wherever we encounter it. We can speak up against the steps that are taken towards dehumanizing entire groups or silencing the press, scientists, historians (remember Harper?)
We can be confident in the values we will defend. Generations of young and old Canadians before us have been asked to do more than they thought possible. We will be the same if necessary.
We can figure out what, realistically, Canada’s strong points are in this economic relationship ( I refuse to use the term “holding cards” I despise Trumpisms). We as a nation have minerals, fresh water, are the fifth largest foreign holder of American debt).
What we cannot do is, overnight, move our trade relationships to Asia snd Europe.
We can look after our neglected national defence and work more closely with Europe. We cannot simply leave NORAD or hope that NATO without the US would still be North Atlantic in scope.
We can work on multilateral mechanisms for taxing global (often but not always American) companies while not forgetting that Canadian companies work globally, too.
When Alberta’s own police force was announced this week, after the immigrant health care question, the first thing that came to mind was her own version of iCe.
Sadly, at this point a lot of Canadians are in denial.
One point that I think is extremely important is that, unlike the general Population of the USA, people in Canada are well aware of what is going on in the USA. We need to stay focused and not be taken in by the brainwashing that is taking place south of the border.
Thanks Cole for the very important history lesson. It seems Canadians have been lax in remembering how dangerous the world was and how brutal the Hitler years were.
Fascism was difficult to destroy back then. Canadians fought, sacrificed, and died to preserve the choice for democracy. We also swore "never again".
Now, the enemy is closer to home. Once again we need to prepare by arming ourselves in every aspect of our lives to protect our freedom and our values. Above all, we must not ever underestimate the threat that is right before our eyes. ❤️🇨🇦
I expect that all hell will break loose in the U.S. when the millions of people lose access to medical care, when hospitals close, when ICE becomes the Gestapo by targeting ALL immigrants - legal or illegal - and any U.S. citizen who criticizes the Trump fascism becomes a target. Free speech is about to disappear. The only solution will be literally fighting back. So many US citizens are still In the dark over what is going on. They are oblivious to what is happening and will be that way until it affects them. The proverbial shit is soon to hit the fan.
Im scared and I live in Alberta Danielle Smith is following Trump's playbook attacking the disabled getting her own police force so she won't be held accountable for her actions, she said there will be no more help for immigrants she is doing what trump is doing but in the shades what's next her own concentration camp she needs to be stopped or resign US is in a really horrible state and you still have people walking around wearing "Make America great again" hats with the bill he just passed America will never be great again people will suffer Thank you Cole for keeping us informed we appreciate you 🩵🫶🇨🇦👏
It's scary, I didn't think that the people in the States would let it go this far. Day by day, he is gaining more control. They talk about an election, I predict that there won't be any more elections, or if there are, they will be Russian style. The question is, what will Canada do in the future to defend itself?
Chilling and very appropriate warning for us all to stand up for democracy, and inclusion, and against all the fascist intentions displayed by trump and his supplicants here in Canada, Smith and PP.
I agree with your analysis. Although the thought of an actual invasion—boots on the ground— after the economic war and the propaganda war seems unthinkable, the fact is that he has sent the marines into California. So why not Canada? And ICE is looking more and more like his own secret police force. I believe more and more Canadians are aware of this unthinkable reality. Thanks for being part of creating that awareness.
Excellent fact-based analysis, frightening though it is. Well done and thanks, Cole.
I’d like to pull everybody back from the brink here…
Disclaimer: I have been sounding alarms about Trump’s expansionist rhetoric and restacking posts on this topic since February, so I am not disputing that there is enormous danger to Canada in what is happening in the United States.
But:
We need to be clear-headed about how to deal with the chaos and uncertainty of a neighbour that is no longer reliable, potentially dangerous and altogether objectionable.
Like dealing with a roommate with a psychotic breakdown: who the hell is this person and will they recover?
For one, the American story is still being written, for better or worse. I am, perhaps more than many here, tuned into the résistance to Trump’s authoritarian rampage. It is slow to organize and the onslaught is horrific, but there is momentum. Whatever we can do to encourage it, let’s do that.
But mostly we have to get our own house in order and be realistic about what can and cannot be done.
We can battle against right-wing populism at home wherever we encounter it. We can speak up against the steps that are taken towards dehumanizing entire groups or silencing the press, scientists, historians (remember Harper?)
We can be confident in the values we will defend. Generations of young and old Canadians before us have been asked to do more than they thought possible. We will be the same if necessary.
We can figure out what, realistically, Canada’s strong points are in this economic relationship ( I refuse to use the term “holding cards” I despise Trumpisms). We as a nation have minerals, fresh water, are the fifth largest foreign holder of American debt).
What we cannot do is, overnight, move our trade relationships to Asia snd Europe.
We can look after our neglected national defence and work more closely with Europe. We cannot simply leave NORAD or hope that NATO without the US would still be North Atlantic in scope.
We can work on multilateral mechanisms for taxing global (often but not always American) companies while not forgetting that Canadian companies work globally, too.
Sorry, I am going to stop here.
Yes.
When Alberta’s own police force was announced this week, after the immigrant health care question, the first thing that came to mind was her own version of iCe.
Sadly, at this point a lot of Canadians are in denial.
One point that I think is extremely important is that, unlike the general Population of the USA, people in Canada are well aware of what is going on in the USA. We need to stay focused and not be taken in by the brainwashing that is taking place south of the border.
Thanks Cole for the very important history lesson. It seems Canadians have been lax in remembering how dangerous the world was and how brutal the Hitler years were.
Fascism was difficult to destroy back then. Canadians fought, sacrificed, and died to preserve the choice for democracy. We also swore "never again".
Now, the enemy is closer to home. Once again we need to prepare by arming ourselves in every aspect of our lives to protect our freedom and our values. Above all, we must not ever underestimate the threat that is right before our eyes. ❤️🇨🇦
I expect that all hell will break loose in the U.S. when the millions of people lose access to medical care, when hospitals close, when ICE becomes the Gestapo by targeting ALL immigrants - legal or illegal - and any U.S. citizen who criticizes the Trump fascism becomes a target. Free speech is about to disappear. The only solution will be literally fighting back. So many US citizens are still In the dark over what is going on. They are oblivious to what is happening and will be that way until it affects them. The proverbial shit is soon to hit the fan.
Im scared and I live in Alberta Danielle Smith is following Trump's playbook attacking the disabled getting her own police force so she won't be held accountable for her actions, she said there will be no more help for immigrants she is doing what trump is doing but in the shades what's next her own concentration camp she needs to be stopped or resign US is in a really horrible state and you still have people walking around wearing "Make America great again" hats with the bill he just passed America will never be great again people will suffer Thank you Cole for keeping us informed we appreciate you 🩵🫶🇨🇦👏
Yes. Yes. And Yes. Interesting how we can easily see the rise of Hitler and Nazi Germany on a historical level, yet are myopic in the present day.
It's scary, I didn't think that the people in the States would let it go this far. Day by day, he is gaining more control. They talk about an election, I predict that there won't be any more elections, or if there are, they will be Russian style. The question is, what will Canada do in the future to defend itself?
Chilling and very appropriate warning for us all to stand up for democracy, and inclusion, and against all the fascist intentions displayed by trump and his supplicants here in Canada, Smith and PP.
Thanks for keeping us on our toes Cole.