The most erudite opinion article appeared in the September 22, 2019 New York Times. Would not you know, it was written by a Canadian, Melissa J. Gismondi who is described as “a journalist working on a book about the difference between Canadian and American culture and identity.” The article is nothing short of brilliant – well written, concise and fact filled. Do let us, first of all, define erudite. It is an adjective with the following definition: having or showing great knowledge or learning, Used in sentences: Ken could turn any conversation into an erudite discussion. Also, She was very erudite.
It synonyms are rich: learned, scholarly, well educated, knowledgeable, well read, widely read, well versed, well informed, lettered, cultured, cultivated, civilized, intellectual; intelligent, clever, academic, literary, bookish, highbrow, studious, sage, wise, sagacious, discerning, donnish, cerebral, enlightened, illuminated, sophisticated, pedantic; esoteric, obscure, recondite; informal brainy, genius; rare sapient. ANTONYMS ignorant; ill-educated.
Gismondi is all of those things – well except ignorant or ill-educated. She and I are similar (in this aspect) – we are both Canadians who live in the United States. Her similarly situated friend had texted her: “He is getting so embarrassing.” Melissa summarized the situation adroitly: “For Americans, Mr. Trudeau’s downfall from liberal media darling —remember Rolling Stone’s 2017 cover. “Why can’t he be our president?” —to disgraced politician has been swift. For Canadians it has been a long time coming.”
She then speaks of his zenith, before that moment his “self-described feminism and his openness to refugees” was rather cute but not riveting. But then along came President Trump and Trudeau became the perfect juxtaposition. She correctly used that word as it is a comparison, contrast; nearness, proximity, closeness. So Trump made Trudeau great, thanks a lot Trump!
“It was this spirit that talk of “Canadian exceptionalism “ made the rounds —the idea that Canada was a beacon of hope in a world gone mad” Gismoni gives great examples including Gopnick and Marche.
She continues, putting us in suspense: “On the world stage things were bright. But back home the love affair with Mr. Trudeau was short-lived.” In 2017 he announced that there would be no pursuit of election reform. Then the guy bought the Trans Mountain Pipeline, making him most unpopular with Indigenous people and environmentalists. Then along came SNC-Lavailin. Next, of course came the black and brown painted faces.
Gismondi so eloquently ends the piece this way. “ Sorry Americans. Canadians living in the United States tried to tell you. That dude you thought was your dreamy boyfriend? He is not all that he is cracked up to be. And like you we are wondering as Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party and the first person of colour to lead a major party, put it: “Who is the real Mr. Trudeau?”
She covered the complex issue so well! An amazing writer. What can you do? Well if you are in Canada and can do it – vote for Dustin Innes. The man mentioned in prior blogs is running on the NDP platform in Richmond. I am not sure what the rest of us are going to do. Gismondi does not seem to have the statistics helpfully provided on this blog. Canadians now do not seem to care. I guess the only ones of us who do care are the ones that live in the USA,
Enough of serious stuff. David is back at it again and will cheer you up. This one is entitled: The Historical Acceptable Use of the F Word.
There are only ten times in history where the “F” word has been considered acceptable for use. They are as follows.
1, What the @#$% was that? Mayor of Hiroshima, 1945
2. Where did all those @#$%ing Indians come from” Custer, 1877
3. Any @#$% idiot could understand that” Einstein 1938
4. It does so @#$%ing look like her!” Picasso, 1926
5. How did the @#$% did you work that out? Pythagoras, 126 BC
6. You want WHAT on the @#%$%ing ceiling? Michelangelo, 1556
7. Where the @#$% are we?” Amelia Earhart, 1937
8. What the @#$% do you mean we are sinking? Captain E.J. Smith of the Titanic 1912
9. Scattered showers, my @#$% ass. Noah 4314 BC
10. Aw c’mon! Who the @#$% is going to find out? Bill Clinton 1998.
So that is about it for today. The photograph is of me (of all people). It was posted on Instagram with this.
Me: My first night out, walked with walker to my very favourite Italian restaurant and had the gnocchi. It was heaven. “We missed you” they said. My last time there was August 18, 2019, a day that will live in infamy. Many “I love you”s were exchanged.” Along with: “I love you more.”
He: (In response sent lots of emojis)
Me: It was huge to do it. Huge and wonderful!
Another He: Guess it was quite interesting.
Me: And the food so good.
I shall even include a photo of the wonderful gnocchi – the best I have ever eaten! Life is getting better with each passing day it seems.
