‘Have you noticed that our language is changing almost daily and that new terms and words replace the ones we were used to for most of our lives. Take the term ‘illegal migrant’ for example. They used to be called immigrants or refugees, meaning that they were escaping violence, persecution, famine, disasters and wars. Nowadays they are called illegal migrants,’ Camp said.
‘Which makes them quasi criminals, since they are illegal,’ I said. ‘Not deserving of refuge or compassion or dignity. It’s a mean new world.’
‘This narrative is driving most of the right-wing movements and parties from Hungary to the US, from Austria, Germany to England. It’s called nationalism and it’s rearing its ugly head, its philosophy of exclusiveness, righteousness and hatred all over the world.’
‘And the MAGA crowd is about to wreck America and much of the world order as we’ve known it since the last world war. Enemies are suddenly friends and friends have become the enemy. Based on faulty info, Canadians are being punished for being Canadian and the real estate hustler is suddenly the smartest person in the room, surrounded by sycophants and acolytes.
‘Yes, it’s a bizarre time. Many see it already as the beginning of the end, the apocalypse, if not the end itself.’
‘Remember George Carlin? He was the master of words and his monologue on euphemisms from twenty years ago is still relevant.
We don’t call it what it is. A gangster is now president, conservatives are conspirators and biology and gender is now a binary condition ordained by the new Christian right. We are living in a mirror world where reality has become the nightmare and lies are the truth.’
‘And the self-proclaimed deal-maker becomes the biggest deal-breaker in a spectacular loss of face and dignity during Zelensky’s visit to the White House. ‘
‘I’m sure this was a set up. Good cop Vance, then bad cop Trump who completely lost his shit, lashing out at his guest like he was an apprentice on his reality TV show.’
‘It’s now clear to everybody who watched this sordid display of bullying that Putin has a hold on Trump somehow. What it is, is anybody’s guess. A lurid porn video? A child with a Russian prostitute? The only other explanation is that the smartest guy in the Oval Office is the stupidest guy in that job and he thinks that Putin, Xi and himself are the world’s triumvirate and destined to rule according to their script, which does not include the people,’ Camp said.
‘Without the Americans, the Ukraine cannot hold off Russia. Europe cannot replace the US arms supply to Ukraine in short order. No US involvement, Putin rolls over Kiev.’
‘I’m afraid you’re right. Nobody wants to say it. World policy is now decided by an erratic, petulant autocrat who decides the fates of thousands if not millions of people based on personal likes and dislikes, flattery or perceived insults. Ukraine is not the loser, just the un-winner with a defense deficit. Zelensky should have been better briefed on Trump’s God complex and not have taken the bait from Vance.’
‘How are we going to get through the next four years and where are the seventy million who did not vote for this administration?’ I said.
‘They have no leader and no direction. They are either still in shock or have no idea what to do about it or are in denial. Or all of the above.’
‘At least here at home Trudeau has come out swinging in his last days. ‘It’s not about the fentanyl or the border. It’s about destroying the Canadian economy so Trump can annex us,’ he said. No sugar coating there.
‘All these tariffs and talk about the 51st state have helped unite Canadians and Europeans but liberal democracies are in for a fight. Here is another euphemism: These are challenging times as in: it’s a fucked-up world.’
‘I’d like to drink to that but we should maybe adopt a more positive reason to toast.
‘Are you two talking about the daffodils and returning birds?’ Vicky asked while bringing us two fresh brews.
‘Yes, and let’s toast to a lovely new spring and the return of the robins.’
Bruno's point of view 