I don't disagree with Mr. Ryerson's observation., nor downplay the corrosive potential of these social trends. I merely observe that I would have preferred that the writer apply his analytical eye, at the situation here is Canada, which is not the same as that in the US; and I am a paid subscriber, precisely because I value Mr. Ling's vi…
I don't disagree with Mr. Ryerson's observation., nor downplay the corrosive potential of these social trends. I merely observe that I would have preferred that the writer apply his analytical eye, at the situation here is Canada, which is not the same as that in the US; and I am a paid subscriber, precisely because I value Mr. Ling's views, as an independent journalist. Just as I do "Paul Wells" or the folks at "The Line" . In other words, I encourage and welcome his analysis of polarization, HERE, where citizens can do something about it, rather than in the US, where Canadian influence is minimal.
The problem is that the situation in America is vastly more entertaining (horror movies entertain, too) than Canada. Michael Adam's book on Trump frankly *proves* "it can't happen here", so they rarely mention that book, and do harp on how American poison tends to seep North, which is, alas, true.
Well, I can neither agree, nor disagree, without more delineation of what the "it" that "can't happen here" concretely refers to; for we are certainly seeing lots of American ideas permeate our social, political and (my own bailiwick) legal space and culture. No doubt fueled, in part, by the power of the internet. My recollection is that you are in Vancouver now, but (??) were in Alberta at one time (although perhaps I am wrong about that); and in any event, we can certainly see in western populism, and its political manifestations, strains of the American version. Although to be fair, the west has always spawned such politcal currents, be it the lore of social credit or the agrarian socialism of saskatchewan. Thanks for the book tip though.
Finally, as perhaps a counterfactual: I would never have predicted that in our stoutly British system of parliamentary government, anyone would be able to "sell" the kind of Americanized political transformation, wrought by the Charter, transferring such political power to an unelected judicial elite, whose handiwork routinely eclipses that of elected legislatures.
I don't disagree with Mr. Ryerson's observation., nor downplay the corrosive potential of these social trends. I merely observe that I would have preferred that the writer apply his analytical eye, at the situation here is Canada, which is not the same as that in the US; and I am a paid subscriber, precisely because I value Mr. Ling's views, as an independent journalist. Just as I do "Paul Wells" or the folks at "The Line" . In other words, I encourage and welcome his analysis of polarization, HERE, where citizens can do something about it, rather than in the US, where Canadian influence is minimal.
The problem is that the situation in America is vastly more entertaining (horror movies entertain, too) than Canada. Michael Adam's book on Trump frankly *proves* "it can't happen here", so they rarely mention that book, and do harp on how American poison tends to seep North, which is, alas, true.
Well, I can neither agree, nor disagree, without more delineation of what the "it" that "can't happen here" concretely refers to; for we are certainly seeing lots of American ideas permeate our social, political and (my own bailiwick) legal space and culture. No doubt fueled, in part, by the power of the internet. My recollection is that you are in Vancouver now, but (??) were in Alberta at one time (although perhaps I am wrong about that); and in any event, we can certainly see in western populism, and its political manifestations, strains of the American version. Although to be fair, the west has always spawned such politcal currents, be it the lore of social credit or the agrarian socialism of saskatchewan. Thanks for the book tip though.
Finally, as perhaps a counterfactual: I would never have predicted that in our stoutly British system of parliamentary government, anyone would be able to "sell" the kind of Americanized political transformation, wrought by the Charter, transferring such political power to an unelected judicial elite, whose handiwork routinely eclipses that of elected legislatures.