Category Archives: Thirsty Thursdays

Wake up America!

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‘Did you watch some of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week?’ I asked Camp as soon as he got comfortable in his chair by the window. 

‘Muriel and I watched some of the speeches on Monday night. They were fiery and inspired, especially Hillary Clinton’s and also Kamala’s unscripted appearance on stage. The crowd went wild, like somebody popped the cork on the Democrats bottled up pressure from just over a month ago.’ ‘Yes, it sure felt like that. Suddenly there is optimism and a positive, forward-looking atmosphere, a complete counter to the GOP’s rahrah and demagoguery.’

‘There were plenty of bumper sticker messages held aloft by the capacity crowd throughout the large indoor arena, home to the Bulls and the Blackhawks. Dump Trump was a popular hat; If we fight we Win, another slogan on many T-shirts, also plenty of love for Joe and Kamala.’ 

‘It was definitely a love fest,’ I said.

‘Yes, so much different from just over a month ago, when doubt and despair infected the ranks of confused democrats. The party is definitely back in the Democratic Party.’

‘The euphoric first night inside the arena at the DNC was accompanied by large pro-Palestinian demonstrations on the streets outside. They evoked memories of anti- Vietnam war protests around the 1968 party convention in Chicago. At that time more than 25’000 Americans had been killed in Vietnam,’ Camp had to point this out, just to take the shine off.

‘But this time the police were not nearly as brutal as back then. The current Mayor Richard Brandon is no Richard Daly. Also, in 1968 just a month before the convention, Dr. King was assassinated just across the city and the city was on fire,’ I said.

David Axelrod, one of the panelists covering the convention, reminded us that democracy is an ongoing battle between cynicism and hope and the cynics want to divide us and appeal to our worst instincts while the goal of the optimists is to inspire us to hope. Michelle Obama also referred to the contagious power of hope that is clearly in the air at this gathering, which is a clear counterpoint to the relentless negative, grinding and divisive quality of Trump and his campaign. As Axelrod pointed out, Trump’s reaction to the Kamala Harris challenge has become even more grindingly negative and petty,’ I said. 

‘I agree. Both Obamas, who are probably the best political orators since Cicero, highlighted the basic value of their constituencies like decency, respect and tolerance, virtues which can only flourish and be nurtured in a free society. Both Michelle and Barack emphasised the need for our basic freedoms like the freedom of choice, for our bodies and who we believe in and even who we vote for; freedoms that can only be guaranteed by a democracy. It’s the generational values of goodness and decency and respect that we need to teach our children. Not hate and fear, prejudice and bigotry,’ Camp said.

‘We both loved Oprah’s appeal for decency and freedom; to do the right thing and vote with your heart and common sense. ‘Do you feel the joy!’ she exclaimed to a roaring response from the crowd.

‘People are newly energized. Now, they have somebody to look up to, somebody who cares about them, somebody who looks out for them. Kamala for the people is how the new candidate opened up her trials as a prosecutor. She still uses those five words when she talks about her ambition to be president.’

‘Yes, it’s a good sign,’ Camp said. ‘Her acceptance speech was as good as any I have ever heard. From her own story growing up in a multi racial, middle-class home to her stellar resume as prosecutor, senator and vice president. It was a serious speech hitting on all the key talking points like abortion, border security, a path to citizenship, even the war in Gaza and Ukraine and last but not least she emphatically underlined the fundamental dangers to democracy of another Trump presidency.’

‘America and the world need leaders that are smart and compassionate, courageous and inclusive; leaders who listen and work for the people, not just the corporations and billionaires and their own self-aggrandisement.’

‘We can agree on all of that but is there a down side to this new found optimism, joy and hope?’

‘If Kamala wins – and it’s still a big if – Trump and his maga-minions as well as judges and legislators beholden to him, will try every dirty trick in the book to deny her the presidency, including chosing alternate electors to sway the vote in Trump’s favour. As he vowed at a recent rally in Vandalia, Ohio: ‘There will be a bloodbath if I’m not elected in November.’

‘It’s blatantly obvious that Kamala Harris is that one candidate, who is qualified, experienced and has the ability, intellect and personality to be president. She will look out for the people, not just herself and her cronies.’

‘Just 73 days to go Camp. Let’s hope Americans wake up and do the right thing. The land and indeed the world cannot afford another Trump presidency,’ I said.

‘At the upcoming debate it might be advantageous for Harris to point out that the only house Trump is fit for is the Jail House not the White House,’ he said.

When I looked around for our server, Rosie was hanging out at the bar and Vicky was nowhere to be seen. ‘Looks like we’re back to self-serve,’ I said.

‘There goes her tip,’ Camp grumbled but just at that moment Rosie picked up two pints from the bartender and brought them over.

‘Looks like two are having a thirsty discussion. I hope it’s not about politics.’

‘No, it’s about the future of democracy,’ Camp said.

‘Well, there is no such thing as democracy in a restaurant or a kitchen. Those are strict dictatorships,’ she said laughing. 

A 2 Beer Conversation

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‘You know what seems obvious to me about the ongoing war in Ukraine is that Russia is in this fight not for territorial gains but in order to make Ukraine into a failed, corrupt and dysfunctional state. Putin uses this war as a black hole where thousands of lives and billions worth of western technology and weapons disappear into,’ Camp said.

            ‘The ground war we can actually document and see, analyze and to some extent predict. What we don’t see are the Kremlin’s efforts to destabilize the whole western world and its concepts of freedoms, like freedom of speech, free elections, free media and free citizens who enjoy free movement and choices.’

            ‘What do you think these peace and re-construction conferences in Berlin and Switzerland accomplished?’

            ‘Millions in expenses, a mountain of paper and not one bullet saved. An exercise in futility really. How can they talk rebuilding Ukraine when bullets and missiles are flying uninterrupted. They were basically fancy cocktail parties with lots of words and no consequences.’

            ‘Yes, and through it all Putin and his fellow dictators in North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Nicaragua and even in Cuba despise the disbursement of wealth and the fact that ordinary people in the west enjoy a measure of wealth and independence unheard of in any of those dictatorships.’

 ‘And they ignore their people and election outcomes.’

            ‘These despots and their cronies want an all-powerful oligarchy and kleptocracy that controls all the money and state institutions, the media and even the schools and certainly any elections. They want to keep the people supressed and only as a workforce for their war machines and factories while they themselves live in their castles, yachts and luxury compounds. Keep the masses uninformed and misinformed.’

            ‘There was a rise in the middle class in Russia after the fall of the wall and the nouveau-rich Russians were prominent and loud in the playgrounds of Europe, from Prague to Paris, London and Berlin. Not so much anymore. Let them go on holiday to North Korea or Iran,’ I said.

            ‘The scary part is that they are succeeding in destabilising the west and its democracies with state sponsored cyber-attacks, social media propaganda and shoring hate and discord by pitching neighbours against each other. The rise of the extreme right in Europe and North America is exactly what Putin and his cabal of dictators want.’

            ‘And then there is Trump and half of the American people who want this gangster as president despite his felonies, lies and hateful personal vindictiveness. Trump’s latest public meltdowns and fits of petulance and insults against his new opponent, Kamala Harris, are not just indicative of his obsessive narcissism but also of senility, not to mention utter ignorance.’

            ‘Her optimism and intelligence has him ranting and raving like a lunatic.’

            ‘And yet, the deaf, dumb and blind will follow him over the cliff.’

            ‘What about the young people, the women and immigrants? Why would anyone vote for a clearly unhinged and incohesive old white man with such a self-serving agenda?’

            Camp just shook his head and we both concentrated on our drinks.

            ‘Do the gen-Z’ers and millennials really believe in a simple world where algorithms solve all the problems while populist leaders promising bumper-sticker solutions for immigration, crime, drug dependencies and homelessness. Who is upholding and fighting for hard fought progresses like equality of sexes and races, better income distribution and fundamental freedoms to vote, associate and travel? Instead, they rather follow their sports teams and tabloid celebrities.’

            ‘Once again, you’re painting a cynical future my friend but I do agree with you. The climate deniers, immigrant haters, conspiracists and religious fundamentalists are gaining ground. At least that’s what the media and social platforms have us believe. This is the year of elections all over the world and by the end of the year we’ll be lucky to still live in a free, educated and tolerant society.’ 

            ‘This is a two-beer conversation,’ Camp said and just like magic Vicky appeared with two suds. ‘Aren’t you two interested in sports? We have soccer tournaments, the Stanley Cup, the Tour de France, the Olympics and every kind of ball game on the telly.’

            ‘We like the sport of politics. Just as many dramas, cheaters, winners and losers except with consequences for the rest of us,’ Camp said.

            ‘Politics don’t fill the pub, sports do.’

Good and Bad News

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‘It’s been an interesting week Camp. I’m talking about the Olympics in Paris. It started out with a great rain-soaked spectacle at the opening ceremony. The whole city of Paris was the stage while hundreds of boats brought in the athletes. Did you see it?

            ‘As you know, I don’t have a TV and no, I didn’t see it. I was kind of busy trying to make a living. Summer is still the best time for a book store. People need books for the holidays.’

            ‘You need to watch Celine Dion’s closing song ‘L’Hyme d’Amour, performed from the 1st level of the Eiffel tower. Considering what she’s been through with her health it was a stunning performance with the whole world as her audience.’ 

            ‘I’ve heard about it and will get Muriel to dial it up on U-tube.’

            ‘I love watching the live drama that only the Olympics can provide. Like the soccer spying scandal making Canadians look like cheaters and the players on the women’s team like heroes.’ 

‘It all started with Ben Johnson who won the Olympic gold in 1988 and then was stripped of it, three days later when he tested positive.’

‘Are you suggesting that everybody is spying on the other teams with drones?’

            ‘I’m saying that others undoubtedly spy on their opponents but they haven’t been busted like the Canadians.’  

‘Reminds me of the doping scandal in bicycling. First it was only Lance Armstrong who was caught cheating and then confessed to Oprah but he still had to ride and win the Tour de France seven times. Then it turns out that everybody was doing it. Did that level the playing field? Of course not. Only when everybody is drugfree is it a fair measure of strength and endurance.’

             ‘I love the true winners though, like the gravity defying Simone Biles or Summer McIntosh who already won 2 gold medals in the pool and at 17 is a true inspiration.’

            ‘Yes, unbelievable. The power of youth is evident at these games.’

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Change of the Guard

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‘Biden is out, Trump is still in,’ Camp said. ‘And the only way out of a disastrous second Trump administration is apparently Kamala Harris. I cannot believe that people actually think Trump is smart and coherent. He clearly is not. I’ve heard part of his rambling speech and actually felt embarrassed by it all. Is that the best the Republicans have? If it is, it’s a sad day at the office.’

            ‘A Washington Post newsletter described the GOP convention as energized and focused. Considering that the gathering featured a sex worker, Hulk Hogan and a spaced-out Trump, that’s really lowering the bar.’ 

            ‘And then there is the MAGA crowd. As I see it that acronym stands for Make America Go Away. I mean they want to undo the America two generations fought so hard for. Civil rights, equality, inclusiveness, reproductive rights, emancipation. They want all that to go away and send the country back to a time before all those achievements,’ I said.

            ‘Now, the people have the chance to focus on the future once again instead of the past that the republicans glorify and never really existed. I’m also convinced that everybody is better off with Biden concentrating on being president until his term is up, rather than waste his remaining energy on a re-election campaign that he could not win because he wasn’t just fighting Trump but also himself.’

            ‘Harris now has the chance to bring those millions of disaffected voters, who were disgusted with the choice between two old men, back into the voting booth. She has a chance to inspire and take it all back but she will have to fight against an angry, aggressive headwind of lies, defamation and obfuscation.’

            ‘Will Trump actually debate her live on TV?’ I asked Camp.

            ‘I doubt it. She can certainly outsmart and outdebate Trump but she needs to paint him into a corner and make him loose his cool which should not be hard. A cornered Trump will lash out with fury and hatred for all to see. According to his own words he wants to be president for vengeance, retribution and punishment of those who oppose him and to get rid of all those pesky lawsuits against him. Also, he has a poor understanding of geopolitical issues, has a limited vocabulary and is not interested in facts and truths which makes him a poor debater against anybody with an education.’

‘Harris is also a former prosecutor and as she already pointed out she has met plenty of people like Trump in her previous jobs. ‘I took on perpetrators of all kinds; predators who abused women, fraudsters and cheaters who were only interested in their own gain. Her own record against Trump’s should be a no-contest.’

‘It will be an interesting few months until November but there is a sense of optimism in the air that a second Trump term is not a forgone conclusion as it was only last week after Biden’s disastrous public display of incoherence.’

‘We will watch from our easy chairs and bar stools and hope that common sense will prevail and that the young people come out and vote for the future, not for some mystical past that never existed.’

‘How are we doing today?’ Vicki asked setting down a couple of refills.

‘We’re happy that Biden made the right choice and now there is a chance Trump will lose. Let’s face it. Would you buy a used car from Trump?’

‘Nobody would,’ Vicky said. ‘I wouldn’t even let him drive.’

King of the USA

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‘Now that the Supreme Court declared the President immune to criminal prosecution for acts committed while in office; they elevated the person holding the office of the highest civil service in the country to King and above the law,’ Camp said, shaking his head of grey curls in disgust and disappointment.

‘It’s a war,’ Steve Bannon said, before heading off to serve his 3 months jail term. ‘He meant that him, his acolytes and Trump followers, have declared war on the liberal and tolerant people who uphold democratic and moral principles. He and his kind want to nazify the state and re-install their disposed king. They want vengeance and are fueled by hate and rule by fear and punishment. They want to cut all aid to Ukraine instantly, mass deportations on the southern border and a deconstruction of the administrative state. And Bannon thinks that Trump is a kind hearted person.’

‘I guess this would officially spell the end of the Peace, Love and Happiness era, the end of tolerance and inclusiveness, the end of kindness and the end of respect for each other, no matter our personal origins, beliefs and opinions.’

‘It’s either you’re with us or you’re against us. There is no such thing as agreeing to disagree any longer. Bannon says that we’re never going to be reasonable until we get what we want. Might is right and they also claim to have God on their side.’

 ‘I think the meek are weak and turning the other cheek just means getting slapped around til you fall down,’ I said, downing my first pint.

‘We know they fight dirty. We know they lie, cheat and deny any wrong doing and yet many still think they can convince this basket of deplorables with arguments about the truth and facts, with appeals to their common sense, with a childlike belief that we can make them see the error of their ways. It’s long past that and we are truly at war,’ Camp said, ‘not yet with guns and bullets but with poisonous words and deeds.’

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Time Warp

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‘How was your trip into the Kootenay’s last weekend?’ Camp wanted to know.

‘I love that drive through all these different climate zones, into the heart of the Purcell mountains along Kootenay lake. Nelson today is a bustling, affluent town with scores of restaurants and sports stores. Not the depressed and struggling town of the 80’ies when every second house was for sale for below $ 100’000 and there were no jobs,’ I said.

‘That’s when the pot industry brought in some hard cash to the floundering economy,’ Camp said.

‘You’re right. There was an exhibit in 2022, in the midst of the pandemic, put on by the Nelson Museum, Archives and Gallery called ‘Grow Show’ about exactly that. Now there is a book out documenting the activism and the underground economy of the early growers in and around Nelson. Quite fascinating how the cops often looked the other way, the local businesses pretended that the rolls of poly and the fertilizers were for tomatoes and carrots, paid for in cash.’

‘And it all ended with legalization, didn’t it?’

‘It sure changed the business model. Not everybody joined the government growers with all their fees, requirements and safeguards which made growing the stuff not lucrative. Many chose to remain off the grid and are still producing much better products than the government grow-ops.’ 

‘You used to live there, didn’t you?’

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New and Old Cults

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‘Less and less people subscribe to traditional religious organisation like Catholicism or the reformist Protestant doctrine. The churches are empty and so are the pulpits.,’ I said to Camp who I know is interested in that sort of thing. 

‘Not a lot of young men want to be priests or clergy, unlike a couple of generations ago when every family aspired to have at least one member in the church.’

‘Where did all the believers go Camp? ‘

‘Some became atheists like you and me but many others joined Christian cults which adhere to a much more radical and militant doctrine than the traditional religions. Sects like the JW’s, Scientology, the Mormons, Seven Day Adventists and such. These days it’s the Reformed Baptist and Methodist; others are the Pentecostal’s, Churches of Christ, Plymouth Brethren and other of their ilk. These non-denominational organizations are all relatively new evangelical movements.’

‘You’re talking about cults,’ I said.

‘Yes, you could call them that. Like the Assemblies of God or the Calvary Chapels which draw anywhere from 10’000 to 30’000 devotees for their weekly services.

‘I would say these are exclusive, fascist congregations who will most likely decide the election in November. Their flocks are all republicans and want a world full of rules and restrictions. And they all have God on their side.’

            ‘Yes, also many people do not like this new woke world where every word has to be weighed for its implications, historical relevance and perceived prejudice. The gender confusion and the binary world of AI as well as the complicated messages coming from the mostly corrupt and self-serving body politic do not help. Therefore, many flock to organizations and follow leaders that promise order and simple solutions to complex problems.’

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Genocide and Protests

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‘South Africa has alleged that Israel’s war on Gaza constituted genocide. Israel contends it has a right to defend itself after the October attacks by Hamas.’

‘While both sides want the other one eradicated from the face of the earth this latest attack by Israel on the population of Gaza bears no comparison to the genocide in Rwanda, which started exactly 30 years ago or the Armenian genocide which was the systematic destruction of about 1 million of the Armenian people during World War I or the holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. The systemic mass execution of 6 million Jews, Roma Gypsies, disabled and homosexual people on an industrial scale is unprecedented in human history. The incinerators, gas lines and train stations servicing half a dozen termination or death camps as well as hundreds of concentration camps were designed and engineered with one object in mind: Efficient killing of as many people in as short a time as possible. Nothing in today’s many wars comes even close to that.’ Camp stated unequivocally. I agreed totally. There was nothing to add.

‘Have you seen Jonathan Glazer’s movie The Zone of Interest loosely based on Martin Amis’ novel?  It’s about the so-called normal life of the Höss family, living next to Auschwitz Concentration Camp, which was under Höss’ command.’

‘Can’t say I have nor do I have any interest in seeing it. You know me and movies. I don’t watch them. I’d rather read a book.’

‘Clare and I watched it the other night. Not much of a film or a story really. Just the life of the family sharing a wall of their backyard with the Auschwitz camp next door. I think the most unnerving and disturbing aspect of the film was the constant industrial sound track, punctuated by the odd cry and some rifle shots but it was always there, twenty-four hours a day. The mechanized noise of murder and death.’

‘Thanks for that. Now I’m definitely never going to watch it. I saw the Holocaust exhibition at Izzy Asper’s Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg. Seeing the blue prints of the death factory layout and the staff photo under the famous gate ‘Arbeit macht Frei’ was quite enough for my sensibilities. Secretaries and workmen all smiling and waving as if this was a holiday resort and they’re just welcoming new guests. I cannot and will never understand the depravity that humans are capable off. Nothing explains it and you can analyze it to death but it doesn’t make it any more accessible or palatable.’ 

‘What do you think of the pro-Palestine student demonstrations all over America and now Europe and Canada?’ I asked Camp who I knew had a definite opinion about it.

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No End in Sight

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‘Despite the new U.S. aid package for Ukraine, peace or the end of the war is still far from being in sight,’ I said to Camp who was looking out at the lovely view from our pub on the harbour. ‘The US finally approved a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine. This means that Ukraine at least has another chance to defend itself against the overpowering opponent from the east.’  

‘It’s hopefully not too late. But there is no reason for euphoria. Russia’s economy seems to be resilient despite sanctions; thanks to Chinese and Indian electronics for their war machine and third-party importers for everything else, all paid for with oil shipped out with their dark and rusty ghost fleet. Then there are the casualties on both sides of the war. About 100,000 soldiers are said to have died so far, two-thirds of them on the Russian side. In addition, more than 10,000 civilians were also killed. Second, there are no signs at all that the war, which has been going on for two years now, will end in the foreseeable future.’

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Middle Class Blues

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‘I had a long chat with one of my regular customers the other day,’ Camp said after he got comfortable in his usual chair by the window. ‘We talked about how we are all struggling to keep up with inflated prices, home ownership, rentals and affordability.’

            ‘The working poor? The pensioners using the foodbanks?’ I asked.

            ‘No, this woman, I call her Jane, laid out her financial situation to me without any qualms about privacy or shame. Jane has a 14year old daughter and is divorced. She and her husband owned a mortgaged home together but since neither one could afford to buy the other one out, they agreed to rent it out for the time being.’

‘Sounds like she is ok, maybe upper middle class?’

‘Jane has a master’s degree in health management and makes over $ 100’000 a year. After taxes around $ 72’000. Take away pension contribution and health plan and you end up with about $ 65’000 in your bank account or about $ 5’400 per month.’

            ‘Wow, that pares it down significantly,’ I said.

‘Yes. This is what she said: The rent on the house we still own together pays the mortgage and taxes on the property. If we sell it, neither one of us will be able to afford to buy back into the market today. My daughter and I live in a small house I rented for $ 3000.- per month, Hydro, natural gas, TV, internet, insurances etc. about $ 1’000 per month. Which leaves us around $ 1’400 for food, clothes, petrol and various other small expenses. Forget about travel, forget about savings, forget about emergency funds like if I need a new car or my daughter wants to go on a holiday with her friends.  Forget about extra curricula activities. Period.’ I just stood there, following the numbers game to zero with Jane.’

‘Wow, less than $ 1’500 a month for two people to live on? What kind of middleclass standards are those? Mind you, nobody is going to feel sorry for Jane.’

‘Exactly. I’d be happy to make a hundred grand a year from the book store. I pay myself a minimum wage and expenses. If it wouldn’t be for Muriel’s teaching job, I’d be moving in with you and Clare,’ Camp said, taking a healthy swallow from his pint.

‘Which leaves the question how most people manage. Not everybody makes a hundred grand a year.’

‘I checked it out,’ Camp said. ‘Consider that the median (not average) income of Canadians is around $ 55’000 per year while a 2bdr condo rents for around $ 2’600 per month. A house would be more. It takes more than one income per household to afford a house, either mortgaged or rented. The rule of thumb is that you should not pay more than 30% of your income for rent. If you make $ 60’000 a year, then you cannot afford to rent even a one-bedroom condo in today’s market.’

‘There goes the illusion of middle class if you earn $ 100’000.’

‘Where does that leave the pensioners?’

‘90% of seniors get Old Age Security (OAS) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) while around 30% receive Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). On average, these pensions provide an annual income of around $ 23’000 per recipient. Not exactly living in the clover. Without savings these old folks live on the edge of bankruptcy and more and more are dependent on food banks. And living in trailer parks.’

‘Some sobering numbers,’ I said.

When Vicky came around to swap our empties I had to ask. ‘How much rent do you pay if you don’t mind me asking?’

‘I live with my mom, who is also my primary baby sitter and I help out with the food and bills.  Then there is my tuition for which I took out a student loan. Let’s just say, I couldn’t afford to move out with my 5year old if it wasn’t for my mom. Life in the fast lane boys.’

We left her a royal tip. 

Elephants and Swiss Senior Women

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            ‘Well, what’s new my friend?’ Camp asked me when he sat down at our usual corner table at our favorite watering hole.

            ‘Two items have caught my attention this week. One is about elephants and the other about Swiss senior women,’ I said.

            ‘Oh, please tell. I haven’t followed the news this week; busy with the store and the new spring releases in the ever-fickle publishing market. It’s a guessing game I play every year as in: who will buy what to read this summer?’

            ‘Berlin’s Green environment minister, Steffi Lemke, proposed a new law restricting the import of elephant hunting trophies. When Botswana’s president Masisi heard about this, he threatened to send 20’000 elephants to Germany. Botswana is home to 130’000 elephants, about a third of the world pachyderm population while Germany is one of the biggest importers of such trophies in the EU. Masisi said elephant numbers had exploded as a result of conservation efforts, and hunting helped keep them in check.’

            ‘I suppose the spectre of neo-colonialism hasn’t occurred to Ms Lemke, Camp said, shaking his head of white curls. ‘What about the Swiss seniors?’

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Follow the Money Again

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‘You know Camp, it’s almost been six months since Hamas attacked and murdered 1140 Israelis and took 240 hostages. Until now Hamas still holds over 130 Israeli hostages and none of the senior leaders of Hamas have been captured or killed.’

 ‘Also, none of its 2billion dollar annual budget has been curtailed. Hamas’ leaders, like Khaled Mashaal, whose cumulative net worth is estimated at 11billion dollars, live a life of luxury, staying at 5-star hotels in Qatar and Turkey and fly around in private jets, as their brothers and sisters starve and fight over aid in Rafah on the Egyptian border.’

‘Meanwhile tens of thousands of civilians have died in Gaza and the whole population of Gaza, now over 2.3 million, is at risk of a catastrophic famine.’

‘Where does Hamas get its millions and billions from?’ I asked, knowing Camp had an answer.

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The Art and the Artist

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Our pub has become something of a hide out, only accessible by a set of steep stairs up from the boardwalk or down a never-ending staircase from the street level above. The town, in its infinite wisdom, pushed by an insurance company I’m sure, has removed the connecting ramp between the wharf and the building along with the pub’s front entrance, even though the ramp could hold a herd of elephants and more than the single vehicle traffic into the underground garage. It was built of steel beams and solid timbers. Now the garage is an empty inaccessible space and the patrons like Camp and I have to clamber down or up a steep flight of stairs. ‘Not exactly wheelchair accessible,’ Camp pointed out. 

‘We went to see ‘One Love’ last week, the Bob Marley movie about the last few years of his roller coaster life that was cut short at only 36 years by a rare form of skin cancer. The mediocre film was produced by Brad Pitt, Rita and Ziggy Marley,’ I said, once I got comfortable in my old corner chair.

‘Oh yeah, how was that? I love the music but the man? One Love could have been named Many Loves,’ Camp said. ‘Didn’t he have a soccer team full of kids from many different women?’

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Movies and Memories

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‘Did you watch the Academy Awards?’ I asked Camp, knowing full well I’m going to get an ear full.  

‘You’re talking to somebody that doesn’t even own a TV and I’m certainly not interested in the glamour and self-congratulating gizillinaires parading their gowns that cost more than some people earn in a year.’

‘There were some great movies made this year Camp and as one of the winners pointed out: Movies make memories and memories make history.’

‘And then the victors revise the history and make more movies about a fictional past. What about AI? Soon they’ll need no actors or locations. It will all be generated by a computer. It will be a perfect world. What memories? What history?’

‘I have to take you to a movie some day Camp. It’s not all fantasy and make believe. Some documentaries visually highlight the subject matter. It could be nature, music, even war. The Ukrainians docudrama Mariupol, about 20 days of the brutal Russian siege of that town, won an Oscar for best documentary. A first for Ukraine. The director said that he would much rather not have made the movie. Or The Zone of Interest, a disturbing film which is inspired by the real life of the commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Also, the film industry is a good employer and over 5000 people work in movies and TV here in Hollynorth. These are good paying jobs Camp.’

‘You should know. Isn’t it what you did? I thought you always portrayed it as just an army of pushers, shovers, pullers, riggers, draggers of equipment and builders of temporary sets destined for the garbage heap. You called yourself a carnie. Setting up and tearing down rides.’

‘Well, that is one aspect. True, my job was just that, a job but the film industry offers a myriad of employment opportunities for people of all ages and genders and their trades: Carpenters, lighting techs, special effects, hair stylists, makeup and set decorators, greens and landscapers, costume and camera crews, caterers and drivers and then a whole army of post filming specialists from editors to musicians and visual and computer-generated effects people. Not to mention the actors and stunt people, stand-ins and extras, the production and locations teams, all of them making decent money.’

‘I guess it’s a more fun industry than an ammunitions or a fertilizer plant. All for our entertainment and leisure. I guess I’m in the wrong business. Mind you, I remember when there were video games and movie rental stores. I even sold tapes and Cd’s in the early days. Now it’s all streaming and uploading. It’s a never-ending world of zeros and ones determining everything from what we watch on our gadgets to what’s in our bank accounts to our personal info. Zero’s and One’s.  We couldn’t exist without our plastic cards or digital identities. It’s a binary, plastic world.’ 

We both concentrated on our beers for a beat.

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The Fight is On

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’Time to drink up. I’m going home and listen to Biden’s State of the Nation speech to the US Congress’, Camp said., downing his pint.

‘I promised to cook dinner tonight. I’m planning an eggplant casserole with left over spaghetti sauce. It’s always a winner,’ I said.

‘You can cook and listen, can’t you?’ 

‘Like multi-tasking? I prefer to cook with music, maybe some Steel Pulse reggae or the latest Stones album.’

Camp gave me an exasperated look. ‘This is going to be an important speech, a make-or-break moment for Biden.’

I took his comments to heart and instead of music turned on the telly and listened and watched the speech. Even Clare paid attention. It was worth our time. I consider it one of Biden’s best speeches ever. He’s a man of integrity and honour, having served his country for over 4 decades as a senator, vice-president and president. He could easily fold his tents and head out to pasture but his rival and adversary compels him to stick around and hopefully thwart Trump, his boot lickers in congress and cultish followers. Can he convince the American people to turn away from hate, racism and extremism? After listening to Biden’s passionate address, I have some hope and optimism.  If not, we are all in trouble, walking down a dark road towards fascism and the demise of democracy as we know it. 

We’ve seen it before, the flag waving and simplistic symbolism, the bigger than life lawn signs and the arm bands, buttons and silly hats, the stadium rallies and frenzied mass chants. It doesn’t bode well for a peaceful and democratic election and I’m afraid it will be a civil war no matter which side wins. But as Camp said many times before: ‘The world needs Trump to lose in November.’

I’m tired of seeing Trump’s mug on the front page every day and his primitive and vitriolic outbursts. People are becoming used to hear and read about his latest lies and baseless accusations, his pompous claims to greatness and his chest thumping, self-congratulatory outbursts. There is a general fatigue and resignation taking hold of many people about some inevitable trainwreck in the near future. Unavoidable and disastrous. Nobody wants to talk about it, read about it and Trump’s possible taking the presidency back has the characteristic of a bad joke that nobody wants to repeat. It makes me mad and even invades my sleep. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about the future a Trump presidency would entail. Yes, it’s only four years and we’ll get over it. The world will still rotate on its axle and the sun will still rise in the east. And yet I can’t shake the feeling that there will be more unnecessary tragedy on the southern US border, in Ukraine and Gaza unless some smart, educated and committed people take charge and address these humanitarian crises with a sober and intelligent approach. Not Trump and his cronies. Not the Republicans. 

As a Swiss-Canadian I feel I have some objective distance to what’s playing out in America right now. I like to think that I can watch this political drama from afar but I also know that it’s outcome in November will affect the whole world and suddenly my distance shrinks to where we’re all caught up in the fight for the survival of a fair democracy that upholds equality, liberty and respect. Even here in Canada, the forces of righteousness and restrictive social behavior are gaining traction. I don’t really understand this movement to the right, this drifting towards limitations of freedoms our generation fought so hard for.: Woman’s choices over their own bodies, our open-doors immigration policies, our tolerance of other’s, our acceptance of majority votes, our ability to agree to disagree, our opposition to bullies and dictators, our willingness to include, not exclude minorities. All of these virtues are threatened and the future of our world and the welfare of our children are in peril. But after last night’s speech I am a little bit more hopeful that in the end, common sense, dignity and respect will win the day. 

Boomers Time is Up

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‘Farewell to the Boomers is the title of the new book by the German sociologist Heinz Bude. He’s a boomer himself and explores the present state and the legacy of the boomer generation. ‘Okay Boomer’ a New Zealand MP accused an older colleague in 2019, dismissing him as somebody past his due date and taking up space,’ Camp said.

‘We’re both boomers aren’t we,’ I pointed out and looked around the pub. ‘And we’re not alone.’

            Camp gave me an exasperated look and kept on going. ‘Okay Boomer became a generational battle cry meaning: your time is up, move on over, make room, head out to pasture and all of that.’

            ‘Who are the Boomers? I know it’s short for baby boomer. Most of us are now in the process of retiring or are already out of the workforce.’

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Brother Wars

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‘As the world seems to arm itself to the teeth and wars are being fought in many places it strikes me that these conflicts more often than not involve members of the same tribe, the same ethnicity and the same geography. I’m referring to the Bosnians vs the Serbs, the Chinese against Taiwanese, the Irish against the Irish, Somalis against Somalis, North Koreans against their southern brothers and sisters, Ethiopia vs Tigray, Russians vs their cousins, the Ukrainians, even the Palestinians against the Jews, members of the same gene pool, way back when they were all Canaanites. What’s with all that? Why do we fight our neighbours and brothers and sisters?’

‘Most the world’s conflicts are all based on cultural belief systems. Religions against each other. Like in Sri Lanka, where the Sinhalese Buddhists hate their cousins, the Tamil Tigers,’ Camp said. ‘Or the eternal schism between the Sunni’s and the Shia’s, hatred even within the same religion.’ 

‘Small tribes, small wars; big tribes, big wars,’ I said, quoting a well-worn cliché, and let’s not forget it’s always men against men while the women and children bear the brunt of the misery these wars create.’

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Retirement

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‘Two weeks ago, we had the coldest week with persistent sub-zero temps, ever recorded in these latitudes. Minus 50 degrees in parts of Alberta. It almost broke their power grid. All e-cars were parked.’

‘Frozen Tesla’s everywhere,’ Camp said.

‘And now, this past week, atmospheric rivers lasting over a week with accumulated rainfall of almost 2ft, 220mm with the warm springlike weather melting the snow and raining on the mountains. What kind of winter is this?’

‘Do you really want me to answer that? No. I didn’t think so. Extreme weather patterns are the new normal. Get used to it.’

            ‘You’re right, no point complaining. Nobody is listening.’

‘’You’re retired so why are you hanging around this year?’ Camp wanted to know.

            ‘Something went wrong in the planning department,’ I admitted. ‘We did a road trip  to California but next year, we will not be around for the deep freeze and biblical rains if I have a say in it. How about you Camp? When do you plan to retire?’

            ‘What is retirement? Just quitting the job and staying home? I happen to like my job and don’t see it as a burden. Also, the book store is not exactly a valuable corporation and the occasional paycheck comes in handy. I could not live off the government pensions and since I’m self-employed I get no pension from the bookstore.’

            ‘I guess you have to define retirement,’ I said. ‘Like you said, it’s doing what you like to do but without having to worry about money. In other words, it’s an affordability question. Many people would like to retire but can’t afford it. Not if they still carry a mortgage or have expenses that cannot be met with the meagre government pensions.’

            ‘Exactly. I’m lucky to love what I do and many who continue working into their dotage are happier for it. Look at Henry Kissinger, who worked until his death at 100, or Clint Eastwood or Joe Biden for that matter. Grand-grandpas all of them.’

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 Rich vs Poor

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‘The super-rich know that their wealth is unfair,’ says Mr. Marlene Engelhorn, a Viennese heiress who is giving away 25 million Euros to the general public by way of a committee of 50 selected citizens, without personal input in how it is distributed. She was spotted in Davos protesting at the World Economic Forum (WEF), with a sign that said: Tax the Rich,’ Camp said as I sat down. He was already halfway through his first pint. I guess this is a slow time of year at the book store.

            ‘It’s admirable and she certainly has a point but it’s quite unusual for the rich to demonstrate against themselves. What is her message?’

            ‘The WEF is basically an exclusive club of the super-rich and some government reps promising to make the world a better place. The reality of course is nothing like it. It’s mostly hobnobbing at seminars and dinner parties albeit without the Russians this year who were notorious for their lavish, bacchanalian parties.’

‘Nobody advocates for debt-relief for the poor countries nor does anybody offer a fairer tax system or a better wealth distribution,’ I said.

‘Giving away money is not a new idea but only 2 percent of the money spent on charitable purposes by foundations around the world goes to climate protection – that alone shows that there is little to be made of traditional patronage.’

‘And the rich get richer and the poor stay poor,’ I said.

‘The five wealthiest people in the world, all men by the way, have more than doubled their wealth since 2020 while at the same time, nearly five billion people, the poorest 60 percent became even poorer. That’s from a study by Oxfam, just published before the current WEF.’

‘Go figure. A better wealth distribution by way of taxation would be a welcome thing, bring the poor up while the wealthy remain just as rich. Maybe an inheritance tax over one million dollars would be a start.’

‘I agree with you but the argument against that is the inherited money has already been taxed as income.’

‘Bullshit. As Ms Engelhorn points out: It’s normal for money to be taxed several times. Income tax on your salary, purchase tax when you buy something, Goods and Service Tax everywhere, alcohol tax when you drink or buy alcohol. Why not inheritance Tax?’

We both emptied our pints and looked out at the monochromatic scenery behind a curtain of rain. Typical weather for this time of year on the Pacific West coast.

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CARBON TAX

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‘What do you think of the carbon tax Camp and why is it such a bone of contention? ‘

 ‘Like any government tax it is always opposed especially if people don’t understand it. The carbon tax is a price levied on emissions from fossil fuel sources, be it from coal, oil, natural gas or gasoline. The levy varies based on how much carbon dioxide a fuel releases when burned. Coal, for example, releases more carbon pollution than natural gas to produce the same amount of energy, so the tax is higher on coal than natural gas,’ Camp explained.

‘As I understand it, the Liberals under Trudeau, introduced the tax in 2019 and it is designed as a financial incentive for people and businesses to change their behaviour to burn less fossil fuels and transition to greener forms of energy, thus helping Canada lower its emissions.’

‘That’s about right and typically people oppose the costs of the carbon tax but forget the associated rebates, which are worth roughly $70 to $140 per month for a family of four, depending on where they live. That’s a nice chunk of change.’

‘Axing the carbon tax would also axe the rebates. How much money are we talking about here?’ I said, knowing that Camp had looked into this issue, unlike most of us who just hear the buzzwords, the bumper sticker and the complaints.’

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