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Thursday January 25, 2024

January 25, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 25, 2024

Trump’s Unrelenting Grip: An Inevitable Ascent in the GOP Landscape

January 17, 2024

In a seemingly predictable turn of events, Donald Trump has maintained a consistent lead in the polls since the early days of the Republican primary, overshadowing a once-crowded field of contenders that included notable figures like his vice president, Mike Pence, Chris Christie, and Ron DeSantis. The emergence of Nikki Haley as his sole remaining rival is more a testament to political pragmatism than a genuine threat, as she lingers, perhaps awaiting unforeseen shifts in Trump’s circumstances.

From the outset, Trump’s dominance in the polls has been unwavering, showcasing a tight grip on the Republican party that extends beyond mere popularity. His commanding presence has reduced a field of over 20 candidates to a lone competitor, Haley, who appears resigned to an inevitable defeat. Her persistence may be rooted in the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s legal challenges or health concerns, rather than a genuine belief in victory.

The Republican landscape, once teeming with diverse voices, now echoes with the singular resonance of Trumpism. Former allies and potential contenders, including Pence, Christie, and DeSantis, have either withdrawn or been eclipsed by the enduring appeal of the ex-president. This consolidation of power is emblematic of a party transformed, where Trump’s influence extends far beyond conventional political norms.

Opinion: Donald Trump’s New Hampshire victory gets him closer to dangerous fantasy of a golden age

December 9, 2023

Nikki Haley’s continued participation in the race, despite the near-certain outcome, underscores the unique dynamics at play. Her lingering presence hints at a party cautiously hedging its bets, anticipating potential disruptions to Trump’s candidacy, be it through legal challenges or unforeseen health issues.

While the inevitability of Trump’s triumph may dampen the spectacle of the primary, it raises critical questions about the state of the GOP and the enduring sway of its former leader. The polls, consistently favouring Trump, reinforce the narrative of a party firmly in the grip of a singular figure, shaping the trajectory of the upcoming election.

As the Republican primary unfolds with a sense of predictability, the true implications lie not in the absence of competition, but in the enduring dominance of a figure whose influence refuses to wane. The story of Trump’s unrelenting grip on the party may lack the element of surprise, but its consequences for the future of American politics remain deeply significant. (AI)

Thursday March 3, 2022

March 3, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 3, 2022

Conservative leadership contender Poilievre calls Europe’s response to Putin’s aggression ‘weak’

January 12, 2022

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre — the only declared candidate for the party’s leadership — is slamming Europe’s response to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, saying in a social media post that the continent’s leaders have been “weak” in the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

Poilievre, who announced his candidacy only days after former leader Erin O’Toole was ousted by his caucus colleagues, said Europe has “cowered” to a “thug” like Putin because its countries are concerned about the flow of crucial energy supplies like oil and gas. He added that Europe’s response in the lead-up to this “tyrant’s invasion” of a sovereign country has been “shocking.”

“While some countries have stepped up to the plate, major European players are sitting on the sidelines asking Russia nicely to stop the war,” Poilievre said in a video posted late Monday.

“The countries that have been weakest on Russia’s aggression are the ones that rely on Russian energy to heat their homes, drive their cars and power their economies.”

Poilievre said unnamed European powers could have done more to prevent a Russian invasion of Ukraine by imposing the sanctions that are now in place well before Putin’s troops charged for the border.

Thursday July 27, 2017

July 26, 2017 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 27, 2017

No guarantee Hamilton’s waterfront trail will open this summer

Uncertainty over the extent of flood damage to Hamilton’s waterfront trail means there is no guarantee the popular path will reopen this summer.

February 27, 2009

The mystery timeline has upset users of one of the city’s most popular trails and forced the relocation of cycling and running scheduled as far ahead as September.

Record spring water levels flooded large swaths of the trail in April, prompting the city to fence off the paved path between Princess Point and Bayfront Park.

Water levels have since receded — spurring pointed questions from residents as well as trespassing — but not enough for the city to assess damage to the trail caused by flooding and pounding waves.

“We know people are impatient, we are getting all those questions. We hope to have the answers soon,” said parks manager Kara Bunn, who is waiting on a final assessment and recommendations from consultant Shoreplan Engineering. “But we know for sure some sections are unsafe.”

The Spectator paddled alongside and, at one point, over top the trail Tuesday to eyeball the damage.

The only remaining drowned section of paved trail includes several metres curving around Cootes Paradise and across from Princess Point.

But asphalt is clearly crumbling into Hamilton Harbour at several locations between the mouth of the Desjardins Canal and the temporary gate near Bayfront Park. In a few spots, the water has clearly undermined the path, despite temporary canvas barriers and sandbags visible along the shoreline. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

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Monday March 28, 2016

March 28, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Monday March 28, 2016

Bayfront is not just a beach, but a symbol

Don’t swim in Hamilton Harbour. That’s hardly new advice, nor has it been particularly shocking for the better part of a century.

Hamilton has been as hard on its precious waterfront as any major metropolis in the developed world, perhaps more so.

But recent news that the City of Hamilton has closed the small beach this year at Bayfront Park is still a cause for concern.

A consultant will deliver a report on water quality there by the end of the summer, at which time council will decide what the long-term future holds for the ill-fated beach, and whether the closure should become permanent.

The challenge is that poor water quality already forces the city and health officials to close the beach more days than not each summer. Turns out it’s closed 78 per cent of days during summer. The water can make people sick.

Farm run-off is often a problem for water quality at beaches across Ontario, as is municipal waste following big storms.

Bayfront’s beach is additionally burdened by its human-made geography, which traps water in the tiny bay that protects the beach, as well as by excrement from geese and gulls. High E. coli counts and toxic algae have plagued the area in recent years.

The consultants will look at ways to improve water quality, but the report may well recommend “another feature that is sustainable” for the site.

In other words: no beach, no swimming.

Council should weigh the latter option carefully. Whatever the challenges, it is far too early to give up on this gem in downtown Hamilton.

It’s not merely a nostalgic notion. To be sure, swimming is hardly a big part of this unique leisure and recreation area, but it is symbolic of a healthy environment and a city that cares about itself.

A clean beach is a tourist attraction and landmark for which we can all be proud. A polluted beach is a reminder of the mistakes we have made in the past and our inability to deal with it in the present. The fact is we must do better when it comes to the environment if we are to continue to enjoy it, profit from it, and remain healthy because of it. Closing the beach is an admission of defeat.

Meanwhile, Bayfront Park is well used by Hamiltonians and visitors, but it is destined to see much greater use in the future as the area grows in population and popularity. We don’t know how this downtown jewel will be used in the future, but we should remember that the possibilities are endless, and that swimming, and fun on the beach, should remain one of them if at all possible. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Wednesday February 18, 2015

February 17, 2015 by Graeme MacKay

Wednesday February 18, 2015

Canada’s Iraq mission has cost $122 million, military says

Canada’s air and ground mission battling Islamic State extremists in Iraq has cost $122 million so far, new figures show.

Defence Minister Jason Kenney on Monday overturned weeks of silence by the Defence Department on the issue and revealed the price tag of the mission to date.

“We think these costs are entirely reasonable given the importance of this mission,” Kenney said in a statement.

Kenney, who took over as defence minister a week ago, said the final cost will be higher but the final tally depends on when the mission, now due to end in April, wraps up.

“Costs will ultimately be higher than that, but how much higher will depend on whether we wrap up the operation at the end of March, or extend it, so total final costs are still difficult to calculate,” he said.

He said Canadian special operations forces soldiers — working as advisers on the ground — and Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft are having a “meaningful impact against this genocidal terrorist organization.”

Kenney cited the latest atrocities — the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya by an Islamic State-affiliated group and the burning alive of a Jordanian pilot — as further justification of the Conservatives’ decision to launch the military mission over the objections of Liberals and New Democrats.

“This is a vicious death cult that is a threat to regional and international security, they have declared war on Canada and our allies, and that’s why Canada has a responsibility to be there,” Kenney said. (Source: Toronto Star)