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Tuesday May 2, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday May 2, 2023

A House Divided

September 30, 2022

As the coronation of King Charles III approaches on May 6, 2023, the world eagerly awaits to witness the traditional ceremony. However, this may pose a problem for some households as the Toronto Maple Leafs have just won their first playoff series in nearly 20 years and are set to compete in the second round. In the midst of this exciting sports event, a Royalist fan may clash with a Leafs fan for control of the household television. While the coronation signifies the authority of the monarch and the long line of rulers, the ceremony will last only an hour or two and is seeking to avoid extravagance. On the other hand, the Leafs are now the betting favourite to win the Stanley Cup and have not made it this far in the playoffs since 2004. The coronation and the Leafs’ playoff games are both significant events, with the former being broadcast on television and the latter being watched by millions of hockey fans. Nonetheless, the coronation is unlikely to draw as many viewers as royal weddings, and the delay between the accession and coronation is normal and allows time for respectful mourning and logistical preparations.

News: What to Expect at King Charles’s Coronation: The Details and Traditions, Explained  

June 15, 2019

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a storied history in the NHL, dating back to their founding in 1917. They have won 13 Stanley Cup championships, but have not hoisted the cup since 1967, which is the longest current championship drought in the NHL. This has led to a sense of frustration among Leafs fans, who are eager to see their team return to glory.

Meanwhile, the British monarchy has also had a long and eventful history, with traditions and customs dating back centuries. The coronation of King Charles III is just one of many significant events that have taken place in the monarchy’s history, and it is steeped in symbolism and ceremony.

The coronation is expected to draw a large television audience, as many people around the world are interested in the British monarchy and its traditions. However, there may be some competition for the television on the day of the coronation, as Leafs fans are sure to be eagerly watching their team’s playoff game.

News : Maple Leafs vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final Could Actually Happen  

Letter to the Editor, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday May 4, 2023

It remains to be seen how this conflict will play out, but it is clear that both events are of great importance to their respective fans. Whether the Royalist or the Leafs fan will emerge victorious in the battle for the television remains to be seen, but both events are sure to be memorable and significant in their own right. (AI)

 

Wednesday September 2, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday September 2, 2020

Trump Keeps Fanning the Flames

November 16, 2019

For the second time in a tumultuous week, demonstrations in an American city escalated into gunfire—and death. Clashes between Donald Trump supporters and Black Lives Matter protesters intensified on Saturday in Portland, Oregon, where a man was shot and killed. According to the New York Times, a caravan of several hundred trucks full of Trump supporters headed to downtown Portland, where demonstrators have gathered to protest police violence for more than 90 consecutive nights in response to the May killing of George Floyd. Confrontations between those participating in the pro-Trump rally and those countering it quickly ensued, with the president’s supporters firing paintball guns and pepper spray at people from the beds of their pickup trucks and protesters in the street tossing items back at them.

While police have not released details about the victim or a suspected shooter, the Times’ Mike Baker—who documented the event as it unfolded in a Twitter thread—reported the victim was wearing “a hat with the insignia of Patriot Prayer, a far-right group based in the Portland area that has clashed with protesters in the past.” 

April 13, 2018

In a Sunday morning tweetstorm, the president only ratcheted up tensions by encouraging supporters to travel into cities to engage with Black Lives Matter protests and threatening to again send troops into Portland. He called Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler a “fool” who “has no idea what he is doing” and continued his “LAW & ORDER!!!” pronouncements. “Bring in the National Guard!”, he wrote, reiterating his Friday Twitter threat to remobilize federal agents into the city if Wheeler is unable to quell the chaos. The same day, the mayor firmly rejected the idea of Trump sending federal law enforcement into Portland as he did in July. “You made the situation far worse,” Wheeler wrote in an open letter to the president. “Your offer to repeat that disaster is a cynical attempt to stoke fear and distract us from the real work of our city.”

On Sunday, Trump reposted a video of his supporters unloading paintballs and pepper spray at protesters from their vehicles, calling the behavior “a big backlash” that “cannot be unexpected” under Wheeler’s leadership. The president appeared to approve of his supporters taking matters into their own hands, tweeting, “The people of Portland won’t put up with no safety any longer.” 

Trump also encouraged supporters to go into Portland, praising the participants of the MAGA caravan as “GREAT PATRIOTS” less than a week after one of his supporters, Illinois teenager Kyle Rittenhouse, traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and allegedly shot and killed two protesters. The Kenosha protests broke out after a white police officer fired seven bullets last weekend at Jacob Blake, an unarmed Black man who is now paralyzed from the waist down. (Continued: Vanity Fair) 

 

Friday October 2, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Friday October 2, 2015 O Canada: Nationalism soars as Jays head into postseason glory For most Canadian baseball fans in the last 22 years, the red maple leaf as a fall classic has been the preserve of trees in their autumnal splendour. But not this October. We as a nation are about to be reminded of that little red symbol on the Toronto Blue Jays logo, during what is hopefully a full month of October baseball in the Great White North. The maple leaf is once more going to be the totem of a Canadian nationalism not seen since the days of Kim Campbell, Pearl Jam and season five of Seinfeld. Whether the players are Canadian Ð it matters not. The Jays are CanadaÕs only Major League Baseball team Ð and their incredible success over the last two months gets the nationalist blood flowing. ItÕs a tribal instinct that makes us all feel like we belong to something bigger than ourselves. When Josh Donaldson won the teamÕs last home game in September with a walk-off home run, the SkyDome Ð ahem, Rogers Centre Ð physically shook. It was a tremor felt across the country, united once more by the possibility of whatÕs to come. Part of the reason for the current passion is the excruciating time that has elapsed between anything meaningful (read: winning) in Canadian professional sport. The last World Series and Stanley Cup wins by Canadian clubs both last occurred in 1993. The nationalists have been gnashing their teeth ever since. WeÕve seen this phenomenon before: I remember the overwhelming patriotism fuelled by the Blue Jays in 1985, when the team first won the American League East. Elspeth Cameron wrote in this paper that the club had done Òmore for Canadian nationalism than Terry Fox or Anne Murray.Ó A few years later, in 1992, when the team won its first of back-to-back World Series championships, the country hit peak patriotism. The only comparison journalists could draw upon for the key moment was Pau

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday October 2, 2015

O Canada: Nationalism soars as Jays head into postseason glory

For most Canadian baseball fans in the last 22 years, the red maple leaf as a fall classic has been the preserve of trees in their autumnal splendour. But not this October.

We as a nation are about to be reminded of that little red symbol on the Toronto Blue Jays logo, during what is hopefully a full month of October baseball in the Great White North.

The maple leaf is once more going to be the totem of a Canadian nationalism not seen since the days of Kim Campbell, Pearl Jam and season five of Seinfeld.

Whether the players are Canadian – it matters not. The Jays are Canada’s only Major League Baseball team – and their incredible success over the last two months gets the nationalist blood flowing. It’s a tribal instinct that makes us all feel like we belong to something bigger than ourselves.

When Josh Donaldson won the team’s last home game in September with a walk-off home run, the SkyDome – ahem, Rogers Centre – physically shook. It was a tremor felt across the country, united once more by the possibility of what’s to come.

Part of the reason for the current passion is the excruciating time that has elapsed between anything meaningful (read: winning) in Canadian professional sport. The last World Series and Stanley Cup wins by Canadian clubs both last occurred in 1993. The nationalists have been gnashing their teeth ever since.

We’ve seen this phenomenon before: I remember the overwhelming patriotism fuelled by the Blue Jays in 1985, when the team first won the American League East. Elspeth Cameron wrote in this paper that the club had done “more for Canadian nationalism than Terry Fox or Anne Murray.”

A few years later, in 1992, when the team won its first of back-to-back World Series championships, the country hit peak patriotism. The only comparison journalists could draw upon for the key moment was Paul Henderson’s famous goal in 1972. (Continued: Globe & Mail)

 

Some Toronto love, Hamilton?

Posted by The Hamilton Spectator on Thursday, October 1, 2015

Tuesday May 12, 2015

Tuesday May 12, 2015Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday May 12, 2015

Green party Leader May “very apologetic” about Omar Khadr remarks

Green party Leader Elizabeth May says she is “very apologetic” about remarks she made on the weekend that included profanity and insulted the federal cabinet about how it has treated Omar Khadr.

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Friday May 8, 2015 Omar Khadr walks free on bail after 13 years in custody With those words, Alberta Court of Appeal Justice Myra Bielby turned down the federal governmentÕs last-ditch effort Thursday to keep the 28-year-old detained. Omar Khadr broke into a big, wide smile when the decision was read. His supporters in the courtroom erupted in cheers. At 2:03 p.m. Toronto time, his lawyer Nathan Whitling posted a picture on Twitter of Khadr walking out of the courtroom with the caption: Ò#omarkhadr walks free.Ó The burly young man wore sneakers, jeans and a black T-shirt with his other lawyer, Dennis Edney, flanking him. ÒWhatever anybody might think of Mr. Khadr he has now served his time.Ó Bielby had heard arguments in the case Tuesday but said she could not rule immediately and granted the government a 48-hour stay in the bail order. Her decision to turn down the governmentÕs emergency motion cannot be appealed, but Ottawa will appeal the bail order itself, which was granted in March by Justice June Ross. No date has been set yet for that appeal and Khadr is free on bail until the case works its way through the appeal court. "We are disappointed by the decision of the court, because we feel that victims should be considered in the decisions," Public Safety Minster Steven Blaney said at a press conference. Blaney said legal procedures against Khadr are "still underway" but he would not comment on whether the case will go to the Supreme Court. In an earlier statement, Blaney also said: ÒOmar Khadr pleaded guilty to heinous crimes, including the murder of American Army medic Sergeant Christopher Speer. By his own admission, as reported in the media, his ideology has not changed. (Source: Toronto Star) http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/05/07/khadr-learns-his-fate-this-morning.html Canada, justice, Omar Khadr, court, detainee, terrorism, security, destiny, prison, release, jail

May was among party leaders who addressed Parliament Hill journalists and politicians on Saturday night at their annual press gallery dinner.

Usually, party leaders deliver light-hearted, mainly self-deprecating speeches that include the odd barb thrown at the media.

But May went on at length about being the only female leader and having to claw her way into televised leaders’ debates.

Transport Minister Lisa Raitt intervened and attempted to persuade May to end her speech, but instead, May played a recording of “Welcome back Kotter” — a theme song from a 1970s sitcom — and stated that Khadr has “more class than the whole f—ing cabinet.”


In a phone interview on Sunday, a hoarse May expressed her regrets for her taste in jokes, her lack of respect for her parliamentary colleagues and her choice of language.

“I wouldn’t want anyone to think I was less than respectful for the people with whom I work,” May said.

“I apologize that I made an attempt to be funny and edgy….and it didn’t work.”

May said she was just getting over the flu, had put in a 21-hour work day on Friday, and then had to rise early in British Columbia on Saturday morning to make it to the press gallery event in Gatineau, Que.

“My funny speech wasn’t funny. That’s not the first time a politician has done that.”

In the Khadr section of her speech, May said she meant to make the point that Canada is a country that gives people second chances, and that she hopes Canadians welcome him into their midst. (Source: CP)

Letter to the Editor (Hamilton Spectator, Saturday May 16, 2015)

May got a free pass from media

Why does Green party leader Elizabeth May get a free pass on her disgraceful behaviour spiced up with her moronic profanity-laced comparison of Stephen Harper’s cabinet and convicted killer Omar Khadr when she defended Khadr at the Press Gallery Dinner?

This inebriated outburst shows who and what Elizabeth May really is and she should do the honourable thing and step down, as this conduct is totally unbecoming of a national political party leader.

This will be yet another prime example of how the left-leaning press gives their free passes for their far left political party leaders and will let her off with her half-hearted apology when she sobered up.

If this had been Harper or a high-ranking Conservative. the news media would be screaming for their resignation. But I do have to admit Graeme MacKay’s cartoon depiction of May was a classic.

Doug Wadel, Dunnville

Thursday January 8, 2004

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Thursday January 8, 2004 Three months of municipal budget misery Auto parts magnate Frank Stronach thinks it would be a great idea if his daughter Belinda ran for the leadership of the Conservative Party. "I said: 'Look Belinda, you're a privileged lady. I think it's the greatest honour if you could serve your country,'." Mr. Stronach, who founded the auto parts company that his daughter now heads, said yesterday.Ê If she throws her hat into the ring, as she is expected to do later this week or perhaps early next week, Belinda Stronach will be following in the political and business footsteps of her father, who was a Liberal candidate in a Toronto-area riding in the 1988 federal election.Ê But she's different, Mr. Stronach said in a telephone interview yesterday from Baltimore.Ê "I maybe was a bit more aggressive. I shot a little more out of the hip. She is very thoughtful."Ê Supporters of former Ontario health minister Tony Clement held conference calls to discuss his candidacy for leadership of the party. (Source: Globe & Mail)Êhttp://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/stronach-supports-daughters-foray-into-politics/article1125402/ Canada, Conservative, Belinda Stronach, Tony Clement, leadership, politics, fan, young, infatuation

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 8, 2004

So much for Clementmania

Auto parts magnate Frank Stronach thinks it would be a great idea if his daughter Belinda ran for the leadership of the Conservative Party.

“I said: ‘Look Belinda, you’re a privileged lady. I think it’s the greatest honour if you could serve your country,’.” Mr. Stronach, who founded the auto parts company that his daughter now heads, said yesterday.

If she throws her hat into the ring, as she is expected to do later this week or perhaps early next week, Belinda Stronach will be following in the political and business footsteps of her father, who was a Liberal candidate in a Toronto-area riding in the 1988 federal election.

But she’s different, Mr. Stronach said in a telephone interview yesterday from Baltimore.

“I maybe was a bit more aggressive. I shot a little more out of the hip. She is very thoughtful.”

Supporters of former Ontario health minister Tony Clement held conference calls to discuss his candidacy for leadership of the party. (Source: Globe & Mail)