Like Trump, Marine Le Pen Thinks She is Above The Law

Marine Le Pen is shocked, shocked, to learn that not only was she found guilty by a French court for embezzlement but, as a consequence of her actions, is sentenced to four years in prison (two suspended and two under house arrest) and cannot run for office for five years.

This means, barring an expedited appeal, that Le Pen will not be representing the National Rally (formerly the National Front) in the 2027 French presidential elections. 

Not surprisingly, Le Pen has a friend in President Trump. Well, it takes a convicted criminal to know a convicted criminal.

Like Trump, Le Pen believes she is the above the law. Sure, she and other French politicians voted for tougher anti-corruption laws. Le Pen just doesn't believe the laws and their consequences apply to her. 

Of course, it is quite possible France could rally around Le Pen just like Americans rallied around Trump. But unlike Trump, Le Pen has a young successor waiting in the wings in the form of National Rally President Jordan Bardella, who is not yet 30-years-old. While Bardella condemned the sentence against Le Pen, a few months back he made a point of stating last year that "not having a criminal record is, for me, rule number one when you want to be an MP." 

Aside from not having a criminal record, Bardella does not have the baggage the Le Pen name carries despite her best efforts to distance herself from her father's deep-rooted anti-Semitism. The reality is that Le Pen does not want French Jews wearing yarmulkes nor does she accept that Vichy France aided and abetted the Holocaust.

Of course, it remains to be seen if Bardella can overcome the National Front/National Rally legacy of anti-Semitism which has never receded from the party. Although Bardella attended an anti-Semitism conference in Jerusalem last week, his presence caused many invitees to withdraw their participation.

With that said, I'm not counting out Marine Le Pen nor am I counting out the possibility that French voters will elect her President in 2027 - court verdict or no court verdict.

A Few Thoughts on the Anti-Hamas Protests in Gaza

A few thoughts on the anti-Hamas protests in Gaza.

Not surprisingly, at this point, there is silence concerning the protests among those who have disrupted life on American campuses. This cannot be particularly surprising given that pro-Hamas sentiment has been a part of these disruptions.

I also think of the pro-Hamas sentiments which came out when Oakland City Council was debating a ceasefire resolution in November 2023. These sentiments were strong enough to prevent the body from voting against an amendment which would have condemned Hamas. 

Mind you, there is some question as to how truly anti-Hamas the demonstrations in Gaza actually are. 

Well, Hamas seems to think these demonstrations are anti-Hamas as they have seen fit to execute some of the protesters.

While it is well worth noting the silence of campus activists in this country concerning the anti-Hamas protests in Gaza, it is equally worth noting the silence of the Trump Administration in this regard. For all of their crackdowns against individuals who have participated in anti-Israel campus disruptions, the Trump Administration has made statements minimizing Hamas' conduct along with suggestions they will remain in power in Gaza. 

It could be argued that both the Trump Administration and the anti-Israel campus agitators think the anti-Hamas protests will peter out as have earlier protests and/or will be swiftly crushed. Whatever their thoughts, I think both camps would like nothing better than for the anti-Hamas protests to cease.

But let us suppose the anti-Hamas protests escalate to the point where they result in Hamas being ousted from power much like Bashar Assad was ousted from power in Syria late last year. It could very well be the new rulers of Gaza will be every bit as eager to annihilate Israel from the face of the Earth as Hamas is. 

After Carney Says Old Canada-U.S. Relationship is "Over", Trump Calls Him "Prime Minister"

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney isn't playing around as the kids like to say these days.

On Thursday, Carney declared that the old relationship between Canada and the United States is "over":

The old relationship we had with the United States based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation is over.

It’s clear the US is no longer a reliable partner. It is possible that with comprehensive negotiations, we could reestablish an element of confidence but there will be no going backwards.

Carney's statement got President Trump's attention because Trump requested a phone call with Carney which took place the following morning. Take a close look at Trump's comments concerning his conversation with Carney.

Trump refers to Carney by his proper title. At no point, does Trump attempt to call Carney "Governor" let alone refer to Canada as the 51st state.

Trump isn't dealing with Justin Trudeau anymore. Carney will shed no tears.

Now, I'm under no illusions that Canada-U.S. relations have been fixed in a single phone call. When Trump is due to implement a new set of tariffs on April 2nd, he might very well resume using the 51st state rhetoric or try to belittle Carney. 

But I have no doubt Carney is well aware that Trump will likely be less respectful towards Canada in a few short days. The important thing is that Canada is not without options and tools at its disposal. It is up to Canadians to choose a leader who knows how to exercise those options and tools.

For the moment, Carney is setting the terms with Trump because he knows money works in a way even Trump doesn't and probably never will.

Poor Nestor Cortes, Jr.

 

I feel sorry for Nestor Cortes, Jr.

Last October, his tenure in a New York Yankees uniform came to an inglorious end when he surrendered a walk-off grand slam HR to Freddie Freeman in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Yankees then traded Cortes to the Milwaukee Brewers for closer Devin Williams who has already made history with the Bronx Bombers due to the team changing its policy regarding beards last month.

This afternoon, Cortes made his return to Yankee Stadium in a Brewers uniform.

This also represented his debut with the Brewers.

It did not go well.

His first three pitches to Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge all ended up in the seats.

Then again, the trio has won a combined four MVPs between them.

This was the first time in MLB history such a thing has ever happened.

It would get worse.

Later in the first inning, Cortes gave up yet another to Yankees catcher Austin Wells. 

Things did not improve for Cortes in the second inning as he gave up a 3-run HR to Anthony Volpe. 

After Cortes surrendered a RBI single to Bellinger in the 3rd, Brewers manager Pat Murphy gave him the hook.

In two innings plus, Cortes gave up 8 runs on 6 hits (including 5 HR) while issuing 5 walks against 2 strikeouts.

Mind you, the Brewers bullpen didn't do much better. Judge hit two more HRs including a grand slam. Jazz Chisholm, Jr. and Oswald Peraza also added dingers of their own. In all, the Yankees hit a game record 9 HR in a 20-9 shellacking of the Brew Crew.

Perhaps Cortes will fare better next week at Miller Park facing the Cincinnati Reds.

Or perhaps today was a preview of worse things to come for Cortes.

Why I'm Glad Trump Withdrew Stefanik's Nomination as UN Ambassador

I have to confess that President Trump's decision to withdraw Elise Stefanik as his UN Ambassador gave me a bit of a smile.

Stefanik is among the few Republicans who were willing to echo Trump's claims the J6ers were "hostages". Even Marjorie Taylor-Greene wasn't willing to go there. 

The J6ers are not now and never have been hostages. They received due process and were never in any danger of being raped or murdered unlike those who are still being held in captivity by Hamas. 

Yet no doubt this incendiary language caught Trump's attention, and he rewarded Stefanik with an ambassadorship, or so she thought.

With Republicans possibly losing seats previously held by Matt Gaetz and the Signal-gate instigator Mike Waltz, Trump decided he needed her in Congress after all with the slimmest of Republican majorities in the House of Representatives.

Evidently, the thought of being stuck in Congress was enough for Stefanik to beg and plead with Trump to reconsider to no avail. Stefanik has now learned the hard lesson that loyalty to Trump is a one-way street and she just got run over. As Charles Pierce quipped in Esquire, "I wish I could say that Stefanik didn't deserve to be treated like a doormat but, damn, did she deserve to be treated like a doormat."

It isn't to say that Stefanik couldn't be part of Trump's orbit again soon. Perhaps there will soon be an opening at the National Security Advisor post or in DoD. 

With that said, it will be interesting to see who Trump nominates to be his new UN Ambassador. Since it won't be a Republican member of Congress then perhaps it will be a Democrat like Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman who has been downright chummy with Trump these days and who Democrats might not be so enthusiastic about renominating in 2026. Yet Fetterman has managed to show his concern about hostages being held by Hamas while not calling J6ers the same.

Then again, Fetterman might not want to get too close with Trump like Stefanik did. 

My Thoughts on Rumeysa Ozturk Being Detained by ICE on the Streets of Somerville

I would be remiss if I didn't offer my thoughts on ICE's detention of Turkish born Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk on the streets of Somerville on Tuesday night, no more than a couple of miles away.

As with Mahmoud Khalil at Columbia University, I don't have much sympathy for Ozturk's views where it concerns Israel. I don't accept the claims Ozturk made in an editorial she co-wrote a year ago in the Tufts Daily accusing Israel of committing genocide. Ozturk is probably both pro-Hamas and anti-Semitic and someone whom I would stay as far away as possible.

However, like many people, I saw surveillance footage of her arrest and was utterly appalled. The ICE officers looked more like bank robbers than law enforcement. The first ICE officer physically assaults Ozturk. 

I know the Trump Administration wants to make an example of foreign students who they believe support Hamas by revoking their student visas or their green cards. But in so doing they end up turning them into sympathetic figures.

It is also difficult to take the Trump Administration regarding this campaign when their envoys keep saying nice things about Hamas. They can't have it both ways though Secretary of State Marco Rubio is trying:

If you apply for a visa to enter the United States and be a student, and you tell us the reason you are coming to the United States is not just because you want to write op-eds, but because you want to participate in movements that are involved in doing things like vandalizing universities, harassing students, taking over buildings, creating a ruckus -- we're not going to give you a visa.

Yet, at this point, neither Rubio nor anyone else in the Trump DoJ has specifically accused her of committing vandalism, harassing Jewish students or being involved in taking over campus buildings much less having direct involvement with Hamas. 

If they have evidence and facts that Ozturk has done these things or worse (i.e. provide financial support to Hamas) then I will reconsider my opinion. But if they had this information then they would have already charged her with these offenses.

As it stands, U.S. District CIourt Judge Denise Casper has ordered Ozturk's deportation halted pending a hearing which is what ought to have happened in the first place if there were legitimate concerns about her student visa. But the Trump Administration doesn't have legitimate concerns about anything other than their own glory. 

Again, I do not share Rumeysa Ozturk's views on Israel. But those aren't grounds to deny her due process and her day in court. If the Trump Administration has more evidence regarding Ozturk's activities, then let's see it. If not, then they ought to leave her alone no matter how repugnant her views on Israel and Jews might be. I nor anyone else is obligated to associate oneself with her or her views. 

Lament of a Dual Canadian-U.S. Citizen After 25 Years in America

Today, I marked my 25th anniversary in the United States.

For those who might be unfamiliar with the details, I was born and raised in Canada to a Canadian mother and an American father. Thus, I had a claim to U.S. citizenship which I have exercised.

Although I chose to celebrate this milestone with a quiet dinner at a Jewish restaurant in Somerville, I am filled with mixed emotions.

I am content with my day-to-day living. I feel at home in Cambridge, Massachusetts in a way I never did when I grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario or when I attended university in Ottawa, Ontario. I also strongly prefer Boston and Cambridge to New York and Atlanta. This is where I wish to spend the rest of my days for better or for worse.

Unfortunately, things have become considerably worse. I abhor what President Trump is doing to this country with regard to the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law, the hollowing out of the federal government while abandoning any pretense of competence, attacks on our independent institutions within civil society, our abandonment of Ukraine and our NATO allies in favor of Russia and other dictatorships. Like millions of Americans, I fear for the very existence of our democracy. When it comes our allies, I am naturally appalled at Trump and members of his administrations contemptuous and disdainful behavior towards my home and native land.

Since returning to the White House just over two months ago, Trump has imposed harsh tariffs against Canada and repeatedly referred to his northern neighbor as the 51st state. So too has DHS Secretary Kristi Noem who, during a January visit to the Haskell Free Library and Opera House which is situated on the Quebec-Vermont border, repeatedly leapt back and forth between Canada and the U.S. As she did so, Noem would utter "U.S.A. Number #1," while on the American side and then uttered "51st state".  

To add insult to injury, effective this week, Canadians will no longer have access to the main entrance of the Haskell Free Library which is situated on the U.S. side forcing them to make "costly and unnecessary infrastructure overhauls."  The U.S. Custom and Border Protection Service issued a statement claiming the changes were necessary to protect Americans from "drug traffickers and smugglers." When people think of the Haskell Free Library, I can assure you that drug traffickers and smugglers do not come to mind.

Of course, this move has nothing to do with drug traffickers and smugglers. The Haskell Library was built as a symbol of friendship between Canada and the United States, and the Trump Administration has made it clear they no longer want Canada's friendship. The Trump Administration seeks from Canada only its land and its servitude.

When President Trump told Laura Ingraham last week that "Canada is meant to be our 51st state", I had to wonder what he meant.

Is Trump relitigating the Treaty of Ghent which ended the War of 1812 between the U.S. and Britain? Of course, at this time, Canada was part of the British Empire. This is quite plausible because according to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a phone conversation between them in January 2025 Trump told him that he "did not believe that the treaty that demarcates the border between the two countries was valid and that he wants to revise the boundary.”

If this is the case, there were only 18 states when the war concluded in 1814. By the time Canada gained its independence from Britain in 1867, that total had more than doubled to 37. 

And how exactly could Canada be a single state? In 1867, Canada had four provinces - Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Today, Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories. In the unlikely event, Canada ever became part of the U.S., it would add between 10 to 13 new states. That is, unless, Trump intends to give Canada the same status as Guam.

In all honesty, I'm probably overthinking all of it. Trump also told Ingraham, "Canada was meant to be the 51st state because we subsidize Canada by $200 billion a year." The U.S. does no such thing. As often happens with Trump, he pulled that figure out of his enormous rectal cavity.

Pierre Trudeau (Justin's father) who served as Canada's Prime Minister for 15 years said of the United States in 1969 while visiting President Nixon in Washington, "Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt."

Needless to say, the elephant currently occupying the White House is neither friendly nor even-tempered. 

To be sure, there have been occasions when Canadians feel ignored or overlooked by the United States such as when former President George W. Bush neglected to thank Canada during his special joint address to Congress in September 2001 following the 9/11 attacks. More than 250 commercial flights were diverted to Canada, including 38 flights to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador. 

At the time, the office of then Prime Minister Jean Chretien issued a statement denying Bush had snubbed Canada. However, years later, former Bush speechwriter David Frum (himself a Canadian) disclosed that Bush as well as fellow speechwriter Michael Gerson had simply forgot Canada.

These days, I'm sure there are a lot of Canadians who just wish Trump would forget about Canada the way Bush did.

Alas, the reality is that Canada is very much on Trump's mind. In this respect, I am glad new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made a point of visiting Gander in one of his first campaign stops to remind everyone what a friend Canada has been to the United States.

Since Trump has now seen fit to add a 25% tariff on all cars coming into the U.S., voters might very well reward new Carney with a Liberal majority government come April 28th. This would be much to the consternation of the Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party which has seen a 20-point lead in the polls evaporate due to Trump's tariff actions and annexation rhetoric. 

For his part, Poilievre has tried to seize on remarks in Trump's interview in which he claimed he'd prefer a Liberal government to a Tory government claiming that he would be tougher on Trump than Carney. But given how Poilievre has modeled himself after Trump and ascended to party leadership during the infamous 2022 Canadian trucker convoy this might prove to be a hard sell. In a recent poll, when Canadians were asked which leader would "roll over and accept whatever Trump demands" they chose Poilievre over Carney by more than a 2-to-1 margin. This is one poll which Poilievre can ill-afford to lead. 

Whatever the results, here is what I worry about on a personal level. In the event relations between Canada and the United States deteriorate even further, I can foresee the possibility of President Trump seeing fit to strip dual citizens like me of our American citizenship and deport us regardless of its constitutionality. If ICE is prepared to detain American citizens, Canadian citizens and people with valid student visas then why wouldn't they go after dual American-Canadian citizens at Trump's insistence?

Then there is a possibility that Trump could see fit to escalate a trade war into an actual war and drop bombs on Ottawa or perhaps the Haskell Free Library and Opera House while he is at it. I still have family in Canada and am concerned for their well-being. 

Or Trump, who has the temperament of a petulant child, might get bored with Canada, forget us and move onto something else.

While the latter would be the most desirable option, the damage Trump has done to U.S. relations with Canada would still be done and not easily repaired.

As things stand now, I will continue to live my life in America for better or for worse with knowledge that things are very likely to become much, much worse.

Speaker Johnson Wants to Eliminate District Courts Which Rule Against Trump

(Credit: Associated Press)

With the fallout over much of the Trump cabinet discussing war plans on Signal Chat at the center of attention, it is easy to overlook other absurdities.

Enter House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Unhappy that District Courts are ruling against President Trump, Speaker Johnson put forward a proposal to abolish these courts.

It violates separation of powers when a judge thinks that they can enjoin something that a president is doing, that the American people voted for.

Well, I suspect a lot of American voters supported expanded overtime pay. But I didn't see Johnson complain when a Texas judge blocked former President Biden's plan to expand overtime pay for millions of American workers. 

Johnson's position has nothing to do with what the American people voted for, but it has everything to do with paying fealty to President Trump. 

The Speaker wants to keep his job and pledging to abolish courts whose judges have the temerity to rule against President Trump will keep Johnson on Trump's good side.

Although such a vote could pass in the House, it would likely die in the Senate. But this probably won't be the last time that Johnson makes such a call especially in light of the fact that Judge James Boasberg, who halted Trump's deportation flights, will preside over the Signal chat lawsuit against Trump officials for the destruction of federal records.

Speaker Johnson is a quisling. He has abdicated Congress' role of keeping checks on Executive power to Elon Musk while subordinating himself to the feet of President Trump. Mike Johnson is a man without self-dignity. And without self-dignity, how can a man without self-dignity serve the interests of the public?

I suppose we can still appeal to a higher court so long as Speaker Johnson hasn't yet abolished them.

Why Do Trump's Envoys Keep Saying Nice Things About Hamas?

President Trump told us earlier this month that there will be hell to pay if Hamas doesn't release all of the hostages.

Well, Hamas still has hostages. So, where is the hell to be paid?

Trump's talk is just that - talk.

Speaking of talk, why do Trump's envoys keep saying nice things about Hamas?

Adam Boehler had twice referred to Hamas as "nice guys" before being removed from his post a couple of weeks ago.

Now there's Steve Witkoff telling Tucker Carlson (yes, Tucker Carlson - the anti-Semite) is "not as ideologically extreme as portrayed" and open to them being "politically involved" in post-war Gaza. 

Less than a month ago, Witkoff told the American Jewish Committee that Hamas cannot govern Gaza again and that is "a red line" for the Trump Administration. 

Until it wasn't.

Of course, it doesn't exactly inspire confidence that Witkoff admits to being "duped" by Hamas into thinking they actually wanted a peace agreement with Israel.

If President Biden's people had talked this way about Hamas, Trump World would never let him hear the end of it.

In any case, one can only hope that Witkoff follows Boehler out the door. But even if he does who can say he won't be replaced who is even more gullible when it comes to Hamas?

Will Any Heads Roll in Trump Admin After War Plans Were Sent to Journalist?

I cannot say that I am surprised that Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic would receive war plans in Yemen from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after being included on a Signal chat initiated by National Security Advisor Michael Waltz. Also included in the Signal chat were Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

After all, the Trump Administration is careless and stupid and careless people do stupid things like sending war plans to a journalist. The question is whether there will be any consequences for this carelessness and stupidity.

There is speculation that Waltz might be the one to fall on his sword. It is interesting how White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned Waltz by name when she said, "President Trump continues to have the utmost confidence in his national security team, including National Security Advisor Mike Waltz." Mike Waltz might want to start a job search.

While Waltz certainly opened the door, it was Hegseth who saw fit to share war plans while much of Trump's cabinet and White House staff as well as the Vice-President also saw fit to discuss them on Signal. Hegseth should also certainly resign, but I suspect he truly has Trump's backing for his so-called anti-wokeness posture.

I would not be surprised if the Trump White House turns their sights on Goldberg. After all, Trump views the media as an enemy of the people, and I could see the White House demand why Goldberg didn't report this information as soon as he learned he was on the chat and threaten him with prosecution.

On the other hand, if Trump goes after Goldberg, then this is guaranteed to become a story for weeks and months. If Waltz resigns (and possibly Hegseth) then the story runs its cycle. But again the Trump Administration is careless and stupid. So, I wouldn't be surprised if Trump made Goldberg the villain in this story. 

It is also entirely possible that Trump could say or do a million other outlandish things and by April Fools' Day no one will have remembered this story.

The Erasure of Robert Mueller & The Mueller Investigation

A couple of days ago, I lamented how the law firm Paul Weiss bent the knee to President Trump after he had issued a executive order prohibiting the firm from working with the federal government.

But even before Trump was returned to office in November, Paul Weiss took the step of scrubbing references to the Mueller Investigation from its attorney profiles in anticipation of a Trump victory. This didn't stop Trump from issuing his executive order.

Even more astonishing, WilmerHale where Mueller worked as a partner for many years removed all references to his history with the firm. It's as if he didn't exist.

To quote George Orwell in 1984, "The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became the truth."

The question now is how long it will be before Robert Mueller and the Mueller Investigation are forgotten.

Only 10 Days in Office, Carney Calls Canadian Election for April 28th

(GB News - US)

As widely expected, new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked Govenor General Mary Simon to dissolve parliament and call an election for April 28th - 5 weeks from tomorrow.

Three months ago, the last thing Liberals wanted was an early election as Chrystia Freeland abruptly resigned from cabinet as Justin Trudeau had lost the confidence of Canadians. Trudeau announced his resignation in January.

Then Donald Trump returned to the White House and began referring to Canada as the 51st state while imposing harsh tariffs on Canadian goods.

This lit a fire under Canadians who began boycotting American goods and cancelling travel plans south of the border. It also reignited support for the previously demoralized and moribund Liberals.

For their part, Liberals wisely chose former Bank of Canada and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, who had never held elected office, to succeed Trudeau on March 9th. Carney was officially sworn in as Prime Minister on March 14th. 

Now only 10 days on the job, Carney has called an election with momentum on his side.

The Tories led by Pierre Poilievre are trying to get their mojo back. But Mike Myers has already endorsed Carney. Still, one cannot count out the Tories and Poilievre who is an experienced campaigner and debate while Carney is a political novice. Should Poilievre regain his footing, Carney would be the shortest tenured Prime Minister in Canadian history, a distinction held by Sir Charles Tupper, a Tory who served in office for 69 days in 1896, before Liberal Wilfrid Laurier would dominate Canadian politics for the next 15 years.

Yet it will be an uphill battle for Poilievre so long as Canadians perceive him to be MAGA aligned politician. While Trump has not been complimentary of Poilievre, Elon Musk has given Poilievre the same praise he gave to Germany's far-right AfD.

If Poilievre cannot convince Canadians he is independent of Trump and Musk, then the Liberals will be rewarded with a majority government. A Liberal majority would come at the expense of the NDP which has been hemorrhaging support. This would likely mean the resignation of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh who has been at the job since 2017 with no obvious successor. Popular Northern Ontario NDP MP Charlie Angus is retiring from electoral politics. 

The independent variables in all of this are President Trump and Elon Musk. The more he talks, the more this will benefit the Liberals. That is unless, Trump starts to focus his criticism on Poilievre rather than Carney. Will this give Canadians second thoughts about Carney? On the other hand, this could be neutralized if Musk continues to lavish praise upon Poilievre.

What will set this Canadian election apart from all Canadian elections before it is that America and the whole world will be watching.

How My Dinner with André Made Me Lose My Appetite

Like most people, I like to get out of the house on a Saturday night. 

For this particular Saturday evening, I had been planning on going to the Boston Center for the Arts to see a stage production of the 1981 film My Dinner with André which starred and was co-written by André Gregory and Wallace Shawn.

I remember when My Dinner with André came out and remember how Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert raved about the film. I didn't see the film when it was released but have seen it on TV perhaps two or three times and enjoyed both the unique concept of the film and the substance of their conversation. Therefore, it stood to reason that I would enjoy a stage production of My Dinner with André.

But there was one thing nagging at me - Wallace Shawn.

Now most people probably don't recognize Wallace Shawn's name, but most would surely recognize his face if they watched movies like The Princess Bride or Clueless or TV shows such as Gossip Girl and Young Sheldon. 

Now one might say the idea that Wallace Shawn nags at me is inconceivable. After all, Shawn comes off as affable and amiable. However, when it comes to Israel, Shawn is far removed from affable and amiable.

In a radio interview Shawn conducted with Katie Halper in January, he not only likened Israel to Nazi Germany he claimed Israel was worse than Nazi Germany:

You can’t be more evil (sic) than what they’re doing. They are doing evil that is just as great as what the Nazis did and in some ways, it’s worse because they kind of boast about it. Hitler had the decency to try to keep it secret... the Israelis are almost proud of it, and it’s demonically evil. You can’t be more evil (sic). And anybody who doesn’t recognize that it’s evil, I can’t properly communicate with that person.

Says the man who claims Hitler had decency.

Now you might understand why My Dinner with André made me lose my appetite.

There's no comparison between Israel trying to defend itself from Hamas and the Nazis nearly successful effort to eliminate Jews from the face of the Earth. 

None.

Given that Shawn doesn't recognize the difference between Israel and Nazi Germany, it would be difficult to engage in proper communication with him. Indeed, claiming Israel is worse than Nazi Germany is a form of Holocaust denial. 

In view of these facts, I could not justify spending money which would (however small) end up in Wallace Shawn's pocket. 

Day by day, anti-Semitism is growing more acceptable in polite society and, by claiming Israel is worse than Nazi Germany, Shawn is contributing to this ugliness and, in the process, promoting hatred against his fellow Jews.

Trump Admin Blocks Canadian Access to Library Because of "Drug Traffickers and Smugglers"

The Trump Administration continues its vindictive behavior towards Canada. Yesterday, it was announced that Canadians would be prohibited access to the front-entrance of the Haskell Free Library and Opera House starting Monday. 

From Monday through October 1st, Canadian with library cards will still be permitted front door access. But then come October 1st, no Canadian shall pass the front door.

That front entrance is situated in Derby Line, Vermont while much of the building's interior is situated in Stanstead, Quebec. Instead, Canadians now need to cross the official Canada-U.S. border point down the road from the library. U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued the reasoning behind the change:

Drug traffickers and smugglers were exploiting the fact that Canadians could use the US entrance without going through customs. We are ending such exploitation by criminals and protecting Americans.

I don't think I'm going out on a limb here, but somehow, I highly doubt the Haskell Free Library is a haven for human smuggling and drug cartels.  

This is about one thing - President Trump's contempt for Canada.

After all, in late January, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem visited the Haskell Library and repeatedly jumped back and forth over the borderline in the library. When on the U.S. side she chanted, "U.S.A. Number One," but once she leaped onto the Canadian side she chanted, "51st state."

There was no problem at the Haskell Free Library and Opera House until the Trump Administration decided to make one.

Trump Has No Business Telling Law Firms Who They Can Represent

In the two months since Donald Trump has returned to the White House, his administration has seen fit to act against its enemies - real and imagined - in all areas of public life especially where it concerns the law.

When one goes after the rule of law, one is bound to target law firms.

Before I go further, as some of you may know, I work in a law firm although my direct employer is one of its vendors. 

I find it profoundly disturbing that President Trump has seen fit to target law firms because he doesn't like some of their clients.

Most notably, the Trump Administration saw fit to go after Covington & Burling for representing former Special Prosecutor Jack Smith by stripping some of their attorneys of security clearances. He went further with Perkins Coie for representing Hillary Clinton which barred the firm from working on federal cases, representing federal contractors or even accessing federal buildings. 

Perkins Coie fought back, and D.C. District Court judge Beryl Howell blocked much of the order. Not surprisingly, the Trump DoJ wants her off the case because she won't rule their way.

Trump also went after Paul Hastings. However, unlike Perkins Coie, Paul Hastings didn't challenge the executive order in court. They bent the knee are now providing the Trump Administration pro bono legal services to the tune of $40 million while abolishing any DEI initiatives at the firm. 

This surrender on the part of Paul Hastings will embolden Trump to go after more law firms in the hope of more shakedowns. 

Quite frankly, Paul Hastings should have told Trump, "See you in court!!!"

President Trump has no business telling law firms who they can represent. 

My hope is that law firms targeted by Trump combine their resources and fight back the way they know best - in court. 

These firms must set aside any proprietary matters because the very independence of American jurisprudence is at stake. 

George Foreman Goes to the Great Ring in the Sky

George Foreman, a two-time heavyweight champion of the world, passed away on Friday at the age of 76. No cause of death has been released. 

Foreman won the heavyweight championship two decades apart. I was in my infancy when Foreman obliterated Joe Frazier in the ring to win his first title and in early toddlerhood when Foreman succumbed to Muhammad Ali in Zaire. 

When I think of Foreman, I think of his comeback which he launched in 1987, a decade after his last fight. I remember my parents being horrified. Foreman was out of shape and possibly destined to sustain the kind of damage which would impair Ali's speech. Others just mocked Foreman.

But Foreman persevered and proved everyone wrong. He truly reinvented himself. Known for his sullen aloofness in his younger years, his religious awakening brought out a sweeter disposition. But behind that sweeter disposition remained a steely resolve. 

This steely resolve served him well in his 1991 fight with Evander Holyfield. Although Holyfield won the fight decisively, Foreman stood his ground and held his own for 12 rounds. Respect had replaced ridicule.

Still, few could have imagined more than three years later, Foreman would knock out Michael Moorer (a man nearly 20 years younger) to once again become heavyweight champion of the world at the age of 45. 

Foreman's life was a movie and would eventually be made into one in 2023 with Khris Davis impressively capturing Foreman in the early and later stages of his life.

He also sold a lot of grills.

George Foreman lived a wonderful life which will be duly rewarded in the great ring in the sky. R.I.P.

Will Canada's Tories Benefit From Trump's "Endorsement" of The Liberals?

(Credit: Jess Frampton)

When Canada's Liberals chose Mark Carney to succeed Justin Trudeau as leader and as Prime Minister earlier this month, I gave the following assessment of the fortunes of Conservative Party and its leader Pierre Poilievre:

While it might be harder for Conservatives to tie Carney to Trudeau, Carney remains a political novice who might be vulnerable to Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, a career politician who masquerades as a populist. Nevertheless, Poilievre is a formidable campaigner, and the Tories could easily label Carney as an elitist globalist. Then again, Carney could simply counter that former Tory Prime Minister Stephen Harper wanted him to be his Minister of Finance while he was serving as Governor of the Bank of Canada in 2012. 

While the Conservatives still lead the Liberals in the polls their lead has been shrinking in recent weeks amid both Trudeau's impending departure but President Trump's aforementioned tariffs and overt desire to annex Canada repeatedly referring to it as the 51st state has made voters give the Liberals another look. With Carney soon to move into 24 Sussex Drive, these polls could change in the Liberals favor especially as Trump dismisses Poilievre every bit as much as he dismisses Trudeau. While Poilievre has toughened his tone against Trump, it is not nearly as vigorous as that of fellow Tory Ontario Premier Doug Ford. 

For their part, the Tories think they may have got a gift from President Trump. During his interview with Laura Ingraham of Fox News when Trump said, "I'd rather deal with a Liberal than a Conservative."

With that, Poilievre took to X to do a happy dance:

Last night, President Donald Trump endorsed Mark Carney. Why? Because, as Trump said, he’s “easier” to deal with, and knows that I will be a tough negotiator and always put Canada First. Carney is weak and would cave to Trump’s demands, just like he did when he moved his company headquarters from Canada to New York City. Canadians don’t want a weak and conflicted leader. They want a strong Prime Minister who will put Canada First.

Well, I wouldn't call it an endorsement. Yet it might give Poilievre an opening, but it remains to be seen if Canadians are going to buy it.

After all, Poilievre twice used the term "Canada First". I suspect that when many Canadians here Poilievre say, "Canada First," they think he means "America First." And if they think that they are going to tie Poilievre with Trump and that will be the kiss of death for the Tories.

At the moment, when it comes to dealing with Trump and tariffs, Canadians favor Carney over Poilievre by a margin of 48% to 31%. When these same voters are asked who will "roll over and accept whatever Trump demands" Poilievre leads Carney by nearly a 2 to 1 margin (43% to 22%). This is the one poll that Poilievre does not want to lead.

It isn't to say this couldn't change. Carney is expected to ask Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament over the weekend and set an election for April 28th. Poilievre certainly has a change to regain his footing.

However, I suspect that while Poilievre will say he will be tougher with Trump, he will spend most of his time attacking Carney rather than Trump. It is worth noting that Trump's popularity with Canadian conservatives was on the rise in the days before the 2024 election. Although it is unclear how many of these conservatives' care for Trump's 51st state talk, Poilievre might be circumspect in criticizing Trump so as to not to alienate this segment of his base. If this is the case, then some voters will undoubtedly note Ontario Premier Doug Ford's unabashed criticism of Trump as when after winning a third consecutive majority government he vowed to "stare down the threat of Trump's tariffs."

Still, I don't underestimate Poilievre. He is a formidable campaigner, and this is one area where Carney is inexperienced and at a disadvantage.

So, let's say for argument's sake that Trump would prefer to deal with a Liberal government than a Conservative government and Canadians decide to elect the Tories. If Poilievre becomes Prime Minister, does anyone honestly think it will soften Trump's 51st state rhetoric? How long would it be before Trump called him Governor Poilievre?

When I visited Canada nearly a year ago, the Trudeau Liberals were in the process of implementing the carbon tax. At that point, I made the case the next Canadian election was Poilievre's to lose. 

But that was before Americans decided to give reward a convicted felon with the presidency. With Trump's contemptuous attitude towards Canada loud and clear and with Trudeau gone, the election is now Mark Carney's to lose. 

What was once a 20 point plus lead for Poilievre and the Tories is now a 7-point lead for Carney and the Liberals and possibly climbing. The Liberals, who have governed in back-to-back minority governments under Trudeau and were headed for electoral disaster, now have a chance to win a majority government mostly at the expense of the NDP.

Trump has hit a raw nerve with Canadians with his ceaseless attacks. Barring a disastrous debate performance from Mark Carney or some other serious indiscretion, he and the Liberals are more trusted than Pierre Poilievre and the Tories to take on Trump, tariffs and, most importantly, stand up for Canada.