Resistance to the Trump/Musk horror show is growing. In the US, social media now includes a variety of mea culpa statements by Trump voters. Many are hard to verify and may be fakes. That said, I am reminded of that stupid woman who admitted on the BBC a day following the “leave” victory that she... Continue Reading →
Now in the last days of his role as Liberal leader and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks intelligently, respectfully, and with gravitas. In future years Canadian historians may describe this time as his golden hour. I provide here the full text of the Prime Minister’s address [Global News] to Canadians and Americans, and directly to... Continue Reading →
UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND A VIDEO "Trump and Vance have revealed to Americans and to America’s allies their alignment with Russia, and their animosity toward Ukraine in general and its president in particular. The truth is ugly, but it’s necessary to face it." -- David Frum, The Atlantic, Friday, February 28, 2025 And one... Continue Reading →
In facing an imperialist neighbour, Ukraine offers a cautionary tale for Canada — Lloyd Axworthy, in the Globe and Mail, February 19, 2025 Lloyd Axworthy is a former foreign minister and current chair of the World Refugee and Migration Council. He recently authored his memoir: Lloyd Axworthy: My Life in Politics. Canadians now face a... Continue Reading →
I am pleased to share a prayer from Irwin Keller, Rabbi, Teacher, writer, hope-monger. Rabbi Keller knows well how the news is a double-edged sword; it informs us about what is happening locally, nationally, and globally; likewise it often upsets us often to the point of despair. Whether we learn of events in the Middle... Continue Reading →
The library of the Yale law school. Maybe Vance is sitting there somewhere. [Ken Gray] The notes below are reprinted from a post by Fr. Cyril Hovorun shared by Edmonton-based theologian Stephen Martin. I have edited the English translation for accuracy and length, and have added a few links. Before sharing Fr. Cyril’s notes I... Continue Reading →
Defending democracy on Capital Hill, Feb 5, 2025 “The democratic world will have to get along without America. It may even have to defend itself from it.” ~ Andrew Coyne, The Globe and Mail, February 14, 2025 [Andrew Coyne, originally published in the Globe and Mail] I wonder if we have underestimated the gravity of... Continue Reading →
Brandi Morin, Ricochet Media Indigenous leaders across Canada are responding sternly to President Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion that Canada should become “our cherished 51st state,” emphasizing that any such discussion must recognize Indigenous sovereignty and treaty rights. Dr. Wilton Littlechild, a prominent Cree lawyer from Maskwacis, Alberta who helped draft the UN Declaration on the... Continue Reading →
[KJG] Five-year-old Labradoodle Juno is a nationally recognized dog-blogger who lives with her Mawpaw and Pawpaw in Summerland in the BC Okanagan. Her numerous blogs on many topics remain a popular feature of takenote.ca. Today, she digs into US politics. Enjoy. [Juno] Jon Stewart, you nailed it. You have mended my broken heart, an organ... Continue Reading →
Every activist needs a poet. Very few are poets; certainly I’m not; I don’t sit still long enough; my powers of observation are limited. Like chess, I find poetry overly demanding of my short social media-distracted attention span. To engage poetry I must concentrate: Read the text out loud, several times if necessary; savour the... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 