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arrogance

Tuesday January 23, 2024

January 23, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Trudeau's extended tenure reveals a dismissive leader out of touch with Canadians' real concerns and resistant to addressing pressing issues. This is a parody of a well known editorial cartoon drawn of Former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker by Duncan Macpherson.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday January 23, 2024

Trudeau’s Let-Them-Eat-Cake Moment

Justin Trudeau's recent luxurious vacation in Jamaica, gifted by a family friend, raises ethical concerns and highlights the Prime Minister's disconnect with the economic struggles of ordinary Canadians during a cost-of-living crisis.

January 9, 2023

Oh, how heartwarming to see Justin Trudeau, the self-proclaimed master of understanding the masses, grace us with his presence in an interview with Susan Delacourt. In a stunning display of Trudeau’s exceptional grasp of reality, he assured us that he comprehends the deep-seated grumpiness of Canadians – as if he’s the empathetic therapist of the nation.

Susan Delacourt: Mad at Justin Trudeau? Tuning him out? The prime minister says he hears you — and he gets it

In this riveting exchange, Trudeau skillfully evaded any discussion about the plummeting poll numbers and the rising star of Pierre Poilievre. Why bother addressing the elephant in the room when you can just pat yourself on the back for running a country “in a really, really complex time”? Bravo, Mr. Trudeau, for your unparalleled ability to state the obvious.

Septemebr 30, 2023

Septemebr 30, 2023

Trudeau’s response to tough times? “Define ‘tough times’ because that sounds like Monday to me.” Ah, yes, just another Monday in the glamorous life of our dear prime minister, juggling scandals, protests, and a general sense of public resentment. How relatable.

Delacourt seems content to let Trudeau ramble on about the intricacies of immigration and the challenges of governance without bothering to challenge him on the real issue – his staying power. It’s almost like watching a magician perform, distracting the audience with sleight of hand while the real trick is happening behind the scenes.

Trudeau’s musings on the challenges faced by a “centre-left party” are truly enlightening. Apparently, being in the middle is tough because you can’t fire up the fringes. Newsflash, Trudeau: maybe it’s not about being in the middle; perhaps it’s about the lack of innovative leadership and fresh ideas.

January 20, 2023

Oh, but let’s not forget Trudeau’s profound analysis of opinion-as-identity politics. Yes, because the real problem is that people have opinions, and these opinions form their identities. It’s almost as if that’s how democracy works. But fear not, for Trudeau, the defender of institutions, expertise, and authority, will guide us through these tumultuous times with his unparalleled wisdom.

And, of course, Trudeau casually dismisses his unpopularity with a wave of the hand, attributing it to the collective grumpiness of the nation. How magnanimous of him to take responsibility for everything, even if it’s just to say, “It’s gotta be the prime minister’s fault.” Bravo, Trudeau, for your unwavering commitment to self-awareness.

In the grand tradition of Marie Antoinette, Trudeau seems blissfully unaware of the growing resentment and disillusionment among Canadians. But hey, who needs a leader with a fresh perspective when you can have a prime minister who’s mastered the art of brushing aside criticism and deflecting blame? The Trudeau magic show continues, and we’re all invited to marvel at the spectacle of a leader who’s impervious to the woes of his own making.

Duncan Macpherson, a Toronto Star editorial cartoonist, gained notoriety for his sharp and pointed cartoons in the post-Second World War era, particularly taking aim at Canadian political figures. One of his most celebrated cartoons featured former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker during the 1959 Avro Arrow crisis. In this cartoon, Macpherson depicted Diefenbaker as a toothy and bejeweled Marie Antoinette, famously exclaiming, “Let ’em eat cake.”

The cartoon satirized Diefenbaker’s decision to cancel the Avro Arrow project, resulting in the loss of 14,000 jobs. Macpherson’s illustration was a commentary on the perceived callousness of the prime minister towards the economic consequences of his actions. The cartoon is often credited with marking the beginning of the country’s disillusionment with the Diefenbaker government, as it highlighted the impact of political decisions on the livelihoods of ordinary Canadians.

Pierre Berton, a historian, noted that Macpherson’s portrayal of Diefenbaker as Marie Antoinette played a significant role in diminishing the prime minister’s revered status up to that point. The cartoon, by bringing attention to the Avro Arrow crisis and its consequences, is considered by some as a factor contributing to Diefenbaker’s decline in political popularity.


Armchair Editorial Cartoonists

After sharing the Macpherson editorial cartoon on Facebook, it was disheartening to see that many people either didn’t know or were pretending not to know about what is arguably Canada’s most celebrated editorial cartoon. Whether it was a genuine lack of familiarity or a deliberate choice to ignore any criticism of their admired Prime Minister, the outcome was disappointing.

As a side note to this frustration, there were plenty of hyper-critical comments from individuals with clear partisan biases, which isn’t a new thing for us editorial cartoonists. However, when they take it upon themselves to snipe and lecture an editorial cartoonist with their wrongheaded notions of what satire actually is, questioning with snarky quips like “where’s the joke,” “not funny,” and insisting that editorial cartoons are supposed to be funny. While the often nauseating right-wing quip, “the left can’t meme,” didn’t appear under this particular cartoon, it likely would’ve had it been Poilievre or Trump portrayed as Marie Antoinette. Surprisingly, there were no, “now draw Poilievre”, or “now draw Trump”, or, “now draw ______,” banalities by partisan trolls chirping under commentary they don’t approve of. It is all a never-ending cycle of tediousness on social media, which leaves one to wonder why even bother posting when it’ll just be fodder for mindless banter.

Kate Beaton’s cartoon, here, accurately reflects much of thought that goes into a the progress of any editorial cartoon. The irony of this being many out there likely ignorant of the cartoon being parodied! I tried this parody out in 2008 only to face the same sort of rejection from my own editor.

Moving on, while some might recognize renowned cartoonists like Honore Daumier, Thomas Nast, or Ralph Steadman from other countries, there seems to be a lack of awareness about Duncan Macpherson, who could be considered Canada’s greatest editorial cartoonist. It’s a sad reflection on Canadian culture that satire doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Even with numerous Orders of Canada awarded to editorial cartoonists in the past 50 years, the majority of people can only name two—Aislin and Donato* (oddly, Donato does not have an OC). Sadly, even that knowledge is fading, with only a few remembering cartoonists like Len Norris in Vancouver, Yardley Jones in Edmonton, Blaine in Hamilton, or Bob Chambers in Halifax.

The great editorial cartoonists of Canada are left to be remembered by a small group of enthusiasts and present-day cartoonists. The fact that Duncan Macpherson is slipping from collective memory is disheartening. Figures like John Wilson Bengough, Arch Dale, and Albéric Bourgeois, and their contributions to Canadian democracy, are now just footnotes in history textbooks. It’s a failure of Canadian education and culture, as if the only way to gain attention and respect in Canadian society was to play hockey on the rink rather than sketch with pens and ink. (Graeme MacKay)

 

Posted in: Canada, Cartooning Tagged: "John Diefenbaker", 2024-02, arrogance, Canada, commentary, Duncan Macpherson, Editorial Cartoon, Justin Trudeau, leadership, parody, tear sheet, Toronto Star

Tuesday April 2, 2019

April 4, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday April 2, 2019

Trudeau apologizes to Grassy Narrows protester thanked for ‘donation,’ kicked out of Liberal Party fundraiser

February 15, 2019

Two former women cabinet minister from Justin Trudeau’s government, Jody Wilson-Raybould (Canada’s first indigenous Attorney General and Justice Minister) and Jane Philpott (Treasury Board President), were unceremoniously booted from party caucus today.

This follows an embarrassing moment for the Prime Minister from a few days earlier:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologized for how he responded to a protester Wednesday evening who was advocating on behalf of a northern Ontario First Nation struggling with health effects linked to historical industrial dumping upstream from the community.

Grassy Narrows First Nation held a protest and demonstration in Toronto on Wednesday evening during a Liberal Party fundraiser to press the Trudeau government on its promise to fund a specialized mercury treatment facility in the northwestern Ontario community that’s about 100 kilometres northeast of Kenora.

During the event, the protester appeared to be escorted out of the room while Trudeau thanked her for her “donation.”

“From time to time, I’m in situations where people are expressing concerns or protesting a particular thing, and I always try to be respectful and always try to engage with them in a positive way,” Trudeau told reporters in Halifax on Thursday morning.

“I didn’t do that last night — last night I lacked respect towards them and I apologize.”

Grassy Narrows also is pushing for federal help for remediation of the polluted English-Wabigoon River system and better compensation for people affected by the toxic element.

Animated!

In a video posted to the Council of Canadians’ verified Facebook page Wednesday evening, a woman is shown standing in front of the stage where Trudeau is standing; she appears to unfurl a banner that references the prime minister and compensation for the “mercury crisis.” She is heard saying “people in Grassy Narrows are suffering from mercury poisoning, you committed to addressing this crisis,” while appearing to be removed from the room.

Trudeau, still on the stage, is heard saying, while facing the direction in which the woman was taken out of the room, “Thank you for being here, thank you very much for your donation tonight, I really appreciate it,” which draws cheers and applause from the crowd.

The Grassy Narrows protest in Toronto was at the Omni King Edward Hotel, where Trudeau was scheduled to appear at a Laurier Club donor “appreciation event.”

Former Indigenous services minister Jane Philpott pledged in late 2017 that Ottawa would fund the development and construction of a treatment facility for people exposed to mercury-related illnesses in Grassy Narrows. A number of studies have linked  the comparatively poor health of people in the community to the dumping of mercury-contaminated effluent by Reed Paper, former owners of the mill in Dryden, into the river where members of the First Nation have traditionally fished.

The dumping also affected Wabaseemoong, another First Nation, about 100 kilometres northwest of Kenora. (Source: CBC News) 

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2019-12, arrogance, cabinet, Canada, caucus, Grassy Narrows, Jody Wilson-Raybould, Justin Trudeau, Liberal, resignation, smug

Saturday March 31, 2001

March 31, 2001 by Graeme MacKay
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday March 31, 2001 Fry feels new opposition heat Prime Minister ChrŽtien had to withstand attacks upon his alleged arrogance, his government's methods in distributing federal funds to certain regions, and his representation of a building firm located in his riding in its efforts to gain a bank loan. Added to that were dubious events in 2001 involving cabinet ministers Hedy Fry, Don Boudria, Brian Tobin, and Sheila Copps, which added to the impression of rampant arrogance and pomposity in the Chretien cabinet. The Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, told the Commons he would look into allegations that his secretary of state for multiculturalism had called the RCMP in British Columbia seeking information to back her claim of Ku Klux Klan cross burnings in Prince George. Chretien, in response to Nova Scotia New Democrat Peter Stoffer, initially said he saw nothing wrong with Fry checking for something on the public record, then demurred, saying it was the first time he heard of the charge and would "check that." At another point, as Fry looked imploringly at her boss for help during Question Period, Chretien had his back turned on her, speaking to his House leader Don Boudria. (Source: The Toronto Star, March 27, 2001) http://www.fact.on.ca/news/news0103/ts01032l.htm Canada, royalty, Jean Chretien, Hedy Fry, Brian Tobin, Don Boudria, Sheila Copps, Stockwell Day, Joe Clark, arrogance, marie antoinette

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 31, 2001

Fry feels new opposition heat

chretien-gallery95Prime Minister Chrétien had to withstand attacks upon his alleged arrogance, his government’s methods in distributing federal funds to certain regions, and his representation of a building firm located in his riding in its efforts to gain a bank loan. Added to that were dubious events in 2001 involving cabinet ministers Hedy Fry, Don Boudria, Brian Tobin, and Sheila Copps, which added to the impression of rampant arrogance and pomposity in the Chretien cabinet.

The Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, told the Commons he would look into allegations that his secretary of state for multiculturalism had called the RCMP in British Columbia seeking information to back her claim of Ku Klux Klan cross burnings in Prince George.

Jean Chretien

Jean Chretien

Chretien, in response to Nova Scotia New Democrat Peter Stoffer, initially said he saw nothing wrong with Fry checking for something on the public record, then demurred, saying it was the first time he heard of the charge and would “check that.”

At another point, as Fry looked imploringly at her boss for help during Question Period, Chretien had his back turned on her, speaking to his House leader Don Boudria. (Source: The Toronto Star, March 27, 2001)


Reflections on this Editorial Cartoon 25 years later – By Graeme MacKay

Power, Scandals, and the Weight of Legacy: Reflections on Chrétien’s Fall and Trudeau’s Dilemma

There’s an old editorial cartoon from 2001 that I’ve been thinking about lately, especially as Justin Trudeau’s leadership crisis deepens. It was drawn during the final, rocky stretch of Jean Chrétien’s tenure as Prime Minister, a time when his grip on power was slipping. The cartoon shows an aloof Chrétien, dressed in 1787 garb, stubbornly holding his high position surrounded by loyal courtiers, Hedy Fry, Brian Tobin, Don Boudria, and my own long suffering local Baroness, Sheila Copps, poised to prop him up. Meanwhile, his enemies—both within the party and in the opposition Stockwell Day and Joe Clark—stand just outside, waiting for the inevitable fall.

Back then, Chrétien was embroiled in scandal after scandal, most notably the “Shawinigate” affair and the brewing sponsorship scandal. His government was accused of funnelling federal money into Quebec ad agencies to promote Canadian unity, but much of the cash disappeared in murky transactions that later sparked outrage. The scandal eventually led to the Gomery Inquiry, which uncovered staggering corruption, badly damaging the Liberal brand. Chrétien’s insistence on staying in power, even as these scandals mounted and his popularity tanked, created fractures in the party that never fully healed.

That cartoon captured the essence of Chrétien’s dilemma: an aging monarch too stubborn to leave, even when it was obvious his time was up. And yet, unlike Justin Trudeau today, Chrétien at least had a clear successor waiting in the wings—Paul Martin Jr., the popular finance minister who was chomping at the bit to take over. Everyone knew Martin was ready to step in and possibly save the party, but Chrétien refused to go quietly, igniting a civil war within the Liberals.

Justin Trudeau, facing mounting internal dissent and dwindling public support, risks holding on to power too long, much like past leaders who failed to step aside in time, with impatient Liberal MPs preparing to force him out before electoral disaster strikes.

October 19, 2024

Now, approaching 25 years later, we see Trudeau facing a similar moment of reckoning—but without a saviour waiting in the shadows. The Liberals are mired in their own controversies, from foreign interference scandals to sagging polls, and the party faithful are starting to revolt. Just this week, Eddie Goldenberg, Chrétien’s long-time chief of staff, urged Trudeau to step down, warning that if he doesn’t act soon, he risks dragging the entire party down with him.

Goldenberg made the case that an “undefeated” Trudeau could still play a critical role in protecting Canadian unity if a Quebec referendum re-emerges. But if Trudeau fights the next election and loses, his legacy could be one of electoral failure, not national leadership.

In many ways, the Trudeau situation feels like déjà vu. Just as Chrétien weathered scandal after scandal, Trudeau has spent the last few years fighting off controversy. His government has been battered by accusations of Chinese and Indian interference in Canadian politics, and some of his cabinet ministers—such as Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott—left in protest, accusing him of unethical behaviour. Public support is dwindling, and members of his own party are starting to question whether Trudeau is more of a liability than an asset.

The difference, though, is stark: Chrétien had Paul Martin waiting in the wings, a finance minister widely regarded as the brains behind Canada’s fiscal turnaround in the 1990s. Martin was the obvious successor, and many believed he could lead the Liberals to victory if only Chrétien would get out of the way. In Trudeau’s case, no such heir apparent exists – not even Mark Carney, the surrogate banking brain of the present day who’s been seconded… err, neutered, by the Trudeau to work on some economic nerd-out study that appears to be more of a tactic to allay any leadership ambitions. The Liberal Party today is adrift, with no clear leader ready to step in and no time to organize a proper leadership convention before the next election.

Hamilton Spectator, March 31, 2001

Goldenberg’s suggestion—that Trudeau could jump and allow the caucus to appoint an interim leader—echoes the kind of rushed transitions we’ve seen before in Canadian politics. When Brian Mulroney stepped down in 1993, he handed the reins to Kim Campbell just months before an election, but the party was decimated at the polls, whittled down to just 2 seats serving as a textbook case of how horrible things can go in Parliamentary democracy. Trudeau may believe he can still defeat Pierre Poilievre, but if he waits too long, the Liberals may be stuck with him, marching toward what looks increasingly like an electoral disaster.

The characters in the 2001 cartoon reflect the political drama of that era. Hedy Fry, a loyal Chrétien ally, had recently embarrassed herself with false claims about Klan cross burnings in British Columbia, a moment that became symbolic of how disconnected Chrétien’s government had become – Fry still lingers around the corridors of Parliament as a sitting member of Trudeau’s Liberals! Sheila Copps, another Chrétien loyalist, is depicted struggling to hold the throne steady—a nod to the internal fractures as Copps and other ministers tried to balance loyalty to Chrétien with their own political ambitions. She leads a quiet life far away from the mean streets of Hamilton. Brian Tobin, at the time of the 2001 drawing, was a rising political star who even had a brief Newfoundland Premiership under his belt was seen as a Chretien’s hand picked successor. In under a year he will have bolted from politics altogether for the greener pastures of executive boardrooms. Don Boudria would eventually gracefully exit into private life.

What makes the cartoon especially poignant is that it captures how insulated Chrétien had become from reality. Despite mounting scandals and growing rebellion within his caucus, he refused to see that his time was up. Sound familiar? Today, Trudeau’s inner circle, especially his chief of staff Katie Telford, has been accused of insulating him from dissenting voices, much like Chrétien’s advisers did. The frustration within the Liberal caucus is no longer a whisper but a roar. Some MPs, such as Wayne Long and Alexandra Mendès, are publicly calling for Trudeau’s resignation, and others are rumoured to be drafting a letter demanding he step down.

The irony here is that both Chrétien and Trudeau—leaders once hailed as political visionaries—are now at risk of becoming obstacles to their own parties. Chrétien’s failure to bow out gracefully eventually weakened the Liberals, leading to a decade of Conservative rule under Stephen Harper. Trudeau’s reluctance to leave could do the same, handing Poilievre a victory by default.

The stakes are even higher for Trudeau. Goldenberg warns that with the Parti Québécois likely to form the next Quebec government, Canada could face yet another referendum on independence. His argument is that Trudeau, if he retires undefeated, would be uniquely positioned to defend Canadian unity. But here’s the catch: Trudeau’s approval in Quebec has plummeted, and the Liberal Party may no longer hold the same credibility it once did as the champion of federalism. One can’t help but wonder—would Quebecers even listen to Trudeau in 2025? Or are we witnessing the final days of a political dynasty that no longer resonates with the public?

Goldenberg’s argument also rests on the assumption that Trudeau can step down quickly, leaving time for a new leader to stabilize the party and prepare for the next election. But the clock is ticking. A leadership transition of this magnitude takes time, and some within the party are concerned that Trudeau’s delay will leave them stranded without a viable plan. As one reader astutely pointed out, if Trudeau doesn’t announce his resignation by the end of October, the party may have no choice but to go into the next election with him at the helm, risking total collapse.

In both 2001 and 2024, the editorial cartoons tell the same cautionary tale: power, once clutched too tightly, becomes a burden. Chrétien stayed too long, and it cost the Liberals dearly. Trudeau now faces the same choice: step aside gracefully and secure his legacy, or cling to power and risk taking the entire party down with him.

The lesson from history is clear—leaders who fail to recognize when their time is up are seldom remembered kindly. Chrétien had Paul Martin waiting in the wings, but Trudeau has no such heir. If he waits too long, his legacy may not be one of progressive change or national unity but of stubbornness and defeat.

The throne is crumbling again, and Trudeau must decide whether to step off or be pushed. The question is, will he recognize the warning signs in time—or, like a Roman general, insist on going out on his shield?

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: "Silver Reflection", arrogance, Brian Tobin, Canada, Don Boudria, Hedy Fry, Jean Chretien, Joe Clark, marie antoinette, royalty, Sheila Copps, Stockwell Day

Wednesday February 12, 1999

February 12, 1999 by Graeme MacKay

Reflecting on the ever-changing currents of politics, I am reminded of the editorial cartoon I drew 25 years ago. It accompanied an article urging calm during a time of political turbulence. Looking back, it feels like peering through a foggy window into the past, as time has a curious way of reshaping our perspectives.

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday February 12, 1999

Skipped funeral uproar: Too little time to fly to Jordan: PMO

If Jean Chretien had 90 minutes more warning he could have made the state funeral of King Hussein of Jordan, officials said yesterday. Chretien received 221/2 hours notice of the funeral, not the 24 hours required to get from Whistler, B.C., to Amman, Jordan, said a spokeswoman in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Rather than be late for the service, which was attended by a who’s who of global power politicians, Chretien continued his ski vacation and returned to Ottawa late yesterday.

“The prime minister had every intention of going to the funeral, ” said spokeswoman Jennifer Lang. “Logistically, it became impossible to get him there on time.”

Elias Haddad, 33, was one of many Jordanian-Canadians who were offended and deeply hurt. The Hamilton resident plans to send an angry letter to Chretien denouncing his move.

There are about 150 Jordanian families in the Hamilton area.

“He should have gone for us as Canadians, ” said Haddad, who owns a Dundas retirement home. “I think it’s very bad. I’ve been very upset about it. If he doesn’t respect other people, he shouldn’t be prime minister.”

Haddad noted that even Russian President Boris Yeltsin made it to the funeral, climbing out of his sickbed and ignoring the advice of his doctors.

“All over the world, they show their respect, ” added Haddad, whose home on Veevers Drive was adorned with Jordanian and black flags to note the passing of the beloved monarch.

Opposition critics and foreign affairs observers slammed Chretien for missing the most significant state funeral since that of Israel’s peacemaking prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin, in 1995. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

*  *  *  *  * 

Shifting Sands: Navigating the Evolving Political Landscape

Reflecting on the ever-changing currents of politics, I am reminded of the editorial cartoon I drew 25 years ago. It accompanied an editorial urging calm during a time of political turbulence. Looking back, it feels like peering through a foggy window into the past, as time has a curious way of reshaping our perspectives.

March 23, 2005

The cartoon, a satirical take on then-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien’s choice to go skiing instead of attending King Abdullah’s funeral, now seems almost quaint. In 1999, I might have detected a hint of arrogance in Chrétien, but Canadians hadn’t, and he went on to secure another majority in 2000. The storm of Shawinigate and the Sponsorship Scandal had yet to hit, and Chrétien’s political career still had four years left before he retired in 2003. Today in 2024 , he’s still alive and kicking at the ripe old age of 90.

At the time, the editorial criticized Chrétien’s absence as a diplomatic blunder rather than a deliberate snub. The cartoon depicted Chrétien with skis strapped to the roof of his limo, heading towards Parliament Hill. A bumper sticker humorously declared, “I’d Rather Be Skiing.” The subtle wordplay on the skis and the ski tow leading up to the Centre Block added layers of commentary.

Little did we know that more political dramas would unfold, with different leaders facing unique challenges. Boris Yeltsin, briefly mentioned in the editorial, continued to be in power until 2007. In January 1999, Yeltsin was increasingly viewed as a drunken buffoon, and a few months later, he passed the reins to Vladimir Putin, a name now notorious for global crisis.

November 22, 2016

Fast forward to 2016, and an Op-Ed by Thomas Walkom critiqued Justin Trudeau for skipping Fidel Castro’s funeral.  The piece lamented Trudeau’s decision, highlighting the evolution of political landscapes and the complexities of international relations. It invoked the historical context of Canada’s relationship with Cuba and emphasized the importance of recognizing the complexities of the Cuban Revolution.

What strikes me most is how political landscapes change over time. The editorial recalled Pierre Trudeau’s visit to revolutionary Cuba in 1976 and the path to reconciliation with realism and respect. It contrasted this with Justin Trudeau’s decision and the criticism he faced for not explicitly mentioning Castro’s dictatorship in his eulogy.

The 2016 piece also touched upon the dynamics of international relations, noting that other leaders, like François Hollande and Theresa May, chose not to attend Castro’s funeral, possibly due to the shifting stance of the incoming U.S. president, Donald Trump.

November 16, 2022

There have been broader discussions on political snubs, referencing instances like Yasser Arafat’s funeral, Prince Charles’s civil ceremony, and Boris Yeltsin’s notable no-show on the tarmac. These discussions contemplate whether these actions are genuine snubs or mere political posturing, acknowledging the fine line between bluster and substance in diplomatic relations.

Regarding the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the subject of the snub, it has endured as one of the most stable states in the troubled Middle East over the past quarter-century. Despite some worries during the Arab Spring, King Abdullah II has reigned without the calamities faced by neighbouring Iraq, the civil war in Syria, or the war-ravaged Israel/Palestine conflict.

Looking back on that cartoon and its accompanying editorial, I see it not just as a snapshot of a moment in time but as a lens through which to view the ever-changing currents of politics. The perceived arrogance of one leader in 1999 became a mere ripple in the ocean of subsequent political waves. It serves as a reminder that, in the grand scheme of things, even the most pointed critiques and satirical cartoons are just fragments of a much larger narrative. (Graeme MacKay January 15, 2024)

 

Posted in: Canada, Silver Reflection Tagged: "Silver Reflection", arrogance, Canada, entitlement, Jean Chretien, limo, Parliament, skiing, snow, Winter

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This website contains satirical commentaries of current events going back several decades. Some readers may not share this sense of humour nor the opinions expressed by the artist. To understand editorial cartoons it is important to understand their effectiveness as a counterweight to power. It is presumed readers approach satire with a broad minded foundation and healthy knowledge of objective facts of the subjects depicted.

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