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My partner and her friends are rarely without (spiked) coffee hence this Wayne Gretzky Maple Cream in our kitchen. But let's be clear: it was a gift.
Since the US Orange Toddler King called Canadian hockey legend Gretzky a "good friend...who wants to make [Trump] happy," CBC news has reported his popularity among Canadians has decreased about fifty percent to 35% favourability. Around that time, thousands in Edmonton, Alberta signed petitions to rename Wayne Gretzky Drive, the road next to the old coliseum where he led the Edmonton Oilers team to win four Stanley Cups in the 1980s. What's that saying? FA¯\_(ツ)_/¯FO
Canadians paid careful attention to how Gretzky responded to the Liar-in-Chief 's 51st state blathering. If you can call it a response, Gretzky said, "I'm just a hockey player."
Hmm. Sure, Jan. In fact, Mr. Gretzky, you are also a corporation that sells liquor and clothing and hockey sticks, all vibrant things that were once meaningfully connected to pride and identity for most Canadians. Isn't it curious how many leaders seem to have suddenly lost their voices? It makes one wonder if they were ever leaders at all?
Following is one of my favourite quotes, an idea I truly affirm: "you are the average of the five people you spend most of your time with." In my life, choosing my circle carefully, has made all the difference. We Canadians continue to make choices about the many circles that integrate us with the US. We know that someday, US citizens will replace Kim Don Un and the majority of us will dance in the streets with them, but until then, we will do those necessary little things because they continue to all add up to bigger things.
So many little choices, so difficult to avoid those who support that man and his evil ilk. I try, but I fail. I mean, I’m still on Facebook, and I know that Z is a big fan. I mostly (though not entirely) boycott Amazon/Whole Foods, because Bezos is a big fan. We choose our friends carefully, and right now choosing the US is difficult, because what is going on here is serious BS, and it’s contagious.
ReplyDeleteAll these little choices add up...I have no doubt it's difficult for you too.
DeleteOn this side of the pond, we sympathise with you. We have our problems, but they pale into insignificance with yours.
ReplyDeleteMany Canadians feel a kinship with the UK...loyalism is built into our history.
DeletePeople do keep travelling to the States and I can't help but wonder why. Do they not give a shit about what's happened and is happening there? I haven't been a traveller for decades but if I were, the States is the last place I'd go as long as the current bullshit keeps happening. -Kate
ReplyDeleteI last went to the US in 2014 and had a great time, but I will definitely be boycotting this travel option until it's no longer necessary.
DeleteThe label horrified me at first, but you clarified well. We carry on.
ReplyDeleteYes, we do and we will, carry on.
DeleteWayne Gretzky was an amazing hockey player and deserved his title of "The Great One." But I've never been a fan of him as a person. His retrograde right-wing tendencies have been apparent for a long, long time, right back to the NHL Players' Strike of 1992 when Gretzky was nowhere to be seen in support of it. And in my opinion, for reasons I won't go into here, right back to the 1980s and his days with the Oilers. Gretzky the Trump Supporter deserves every criticism and insult coming his way because of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a hockey guy so this is news to me but it all adds up.
Delete...I look forward to the day when our two countries can be friends again.
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteI concur 100% with this post! Talent or accomplishment in one area doesn't override the need for humanity, and I was deeply disappointed by Gretzy's lack of the latter. I also like that quote about being the average of the five people we spend the most time with. I have a very small circle of those people, for that reason, and it does make life heavy when I lose yet another of them, but that is the price one pays.
ReplyDeleteSmall circles mean so much, so I'm sorry to hear this.
DeleteI hadn't heard that quote before, but it definitely makes sense.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one.
DeleteMy guy was rather rattled to see that he had a bottle of Gretsky wine - we think it got left at a daughter's house and she is not a wine drinker so passed it on. But my guy's Scots ancestors would not allow him to pour it out.
ReplyDeleteHaha. I think he deserves a pass.
DeleteJA... umgib dich mit Menschen, die dir gut tun... und achte auf die kleinen Dinge im Leben.
ReplyDeleteAll meine Liebe für dich und deine.
Schönen Sonntag und herzliche Grüße aus Übersee.
Oops, I'm anonymous.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the sentiment and kind words and for visiting from overseas.
DeleteMy heart read this post with a tinge of sadness as it breaks my heart to see what has happened to US-Canadian relations since the felon has taken office. As someone who grew up a few miles from the Canadian border, I love all things Canadian. When that orange Cheeto started talking about making Canada the 51st state, it made me furious. I cannot wait until the day he is no longer president. Part of me wants to pursue my quest for Canadian citizenship as two of my great-great grandfathers were born in Ontario. But I know it takes a lot of paperwork and patience and money. And I am no spring chicken either!
ReplyDeleteCanadians know that he doesn't represent most Americans. I don't think he gives a shit about Americans. Your story speaks to how closely our circles are intertwined. Many of my Scottish ancestors settled in Kansas then came north around 1900 for cheap land.
DeleteI don't think there are 5 people I spend time with
ReplyDeleteInsert introvert fist bump here. All good.
DeleteI guess that makes Jaxson Dart America's Wayne Gretzky.
ReplyDelete