I know you’re referring to the folks referenced in the topic, but it’s best not to put that as a general statement. I’m not going to comment on political inclusivity, but there are still ways to be more inclusive and broaden perspectives. For example, a lot of women feel unwelcome here, and probably a lot of people from the disabled community, among others.

The UN has expressed concerns about Canada designating the US a safe country and asked our government to stop this. I’d be surprised though, if either major party listens to them about it. :/

There are grassroots support movements and even legal assistance. You just won’t likely hear about them in establishment media (probably because they don’t expect their intended audience to be in a financial position where they might need it). Even with smaller news sources that focus on talking primarily to activists and/or the actual people affected by the issues (like Status Coup News), folks only briefly touch on it. This is where local news has an opportunity to shine (even if it usually doesn’t).

Wasn’t Dachau mostly political prisoners? Guantanamo Bay might qualify better for that comparison.

I don’t remember seeing the Japanese flag with China on that one. Wow, that must have been received well by certain populations at the time. (Not something I’d joke about at least, even if relations have improved.)

Yes it is, but it’s worth acknowledging there is also a fantastic culture that grew out of these places even if they were initially created out of necessity. I remember visiting explicitly mixed bars that had that freer feeling to them, but straight bars never did, and there are probably still plenty of folks around who want to keep the more limited dynamics straight bars have. If there are only straight bars left, that’s a huge cultural loss in addition to the loss of a safe space.

At least there are apparently the “Lavi Seks” events and/or gatherings at rock, punk, and techno live shows, but this still really sucks. Cheerful drag shows, a relaxed atmosphere, the confidence to just go ahead and approach new people while being open about who you are? All of that vibrancy gets diminished.

It’s up to us, since it seems more and more every day that Carney really can’t be trusted. Either outright avoid US online services or do NO financial transactions and block all ads.

*edit - Also, I wonder how long it will take Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” to properly bankrupt the US? I hope the US people can do something about him for their own sake, and ours.

What are some things you (either individually for yourself, or that you find true among many little people if you want) find you’re particularly good at, but that average height people tend to overlook?

I’d go with either “nasty” or “torturous,” depending if you mean the one that’s hated or the one doing the hating. But heck, I suppose it could it be both. 😅

Unfortunately, he would probably do well for them at this point, so I wouldn’t even cheer for him to be federal party leader.

What ad hominem argument? I directly responded to the substance of your comment (specifically the premise that we start with immigration even though your comment contained an acknowledgement that was not the cause of Canada’s economic troubles). I said nothing about you directly or your motivations. If you’re going to ignore relevant criticism, there’s no point continuing this conversation.

So you realize the problem didn’t start with immigration, yet that’s where you put your focus? The outcry should be against policies that promote exploitation of workers, regardless of where they are from. That by itself would stop any excess immigration equitably, without dehumanizing anyone by going back on our word and treating them like garbage.

Cool. I just hope your leaders take the hint. Maybe now that they’re getting directly threatened they’ll show their true colours. Either they stand up for themselves as they see their colleagues start to get attacked (at events or in their own homes), or they cower and come to heel. (Sadly, I have little faith most politicians in most countries these days will do much if it’s not their own hides at risk.)

Incidentally, something weird is going on with that list. I’m not sure how the ordering works but much more important, it says only “500,000” for the protests over George Floyd even though one of the references says 15-26 million over the entire course of that movement.

This country is literally made up of immigrants, along with the indigenous peoples of the land. That is reality.

I’m Canadian and I had a Malbec phase in the past. :')

It’s definitely speculation on my part (and I almost made a joke about that conspiracy theories in my comment), but it didn’t occur to me anyone might try to invite hostilities. I was especially surprised they couldn’t even get a response when contacting Canadian officials. It would be easy for them to just communicate some kind of simple response.

“The [Canadians] have been contacting the Canadian embassy in Cairo with no answer whatsoever. Our government is completely ignoring us.”

Passports confiscated, protesters told to board buses

Canadian demonstrators at the checkpoint were told by authorities to board buses in order to retrieve their passports, without any other details, according to Harker.

What difference is it to the Egyptian government if 80-odd Canadians are there? Can’t help suspecting this is a favour to our government (or elements within it).

I think in this case it’s more likely because most are profiting from being landlords (or their spouses are).

The day I learned about this, I threw away some (rarely used) old plates myself. And I ate off the same ones OP posted myself, as a kid. Between these and the leaded gas fumes at gas stations, many of us had some lovely pollution to endure throughout our younger years (and beyond, in many cases).

Stepping past what’s on the plate, that plate design is one of the Corelle ones that is known to leak high levels of lead. Please don’t eat off it-- try to get something safer. 🙏🏾