Business, Society

Can Russia’s Leaders Become Even More Crazy? Yes.

Russian leaders are becoming increasingly unhinged.

Medvedev has threatened “nuclear retaliation” on Europe and the West if Russia returns to its 1991 borders.

In other words, he is saying that if the Russian dictatorship is forced to live within its borders, and stop invading other countries, it’s going to unleash the nukes.

It’s fascinating, but scary, at how afraid Russia’s oligarchy is of freedom and democracy.

At how Russia’s oligarchy can think of nothing but empire.

At how Russia’s oligarchy is still flogging the “Nazis in Ukraine” line, when it was the oligarchy’s fave leader Stalin who signed a pact with Hitler and Nazi Germany.

Do not fall for Russian propaganda. They are experts at it. Have been for centuries.

The oligarchs want to keep their mansions and billions. It’s not politics, it’s lust.

As I’ve said before, look at where people are moving to. I see lots of Russian immigrants, and other former Soviet bloc immigrants in Canada. How many Canadians are clamouring to move to Russia?
Business, Society, Technology

Canada Must Wake Up When it Comes to War

I cannot believe the Federal Liberals in Canada are still waffling over ever reaching our NATO committment to 2% of our national budget going to Defence.

Since WWII we’ve steadily deteriorated from leaders to laggards.

In WWI and WWII Canada was respected. Canadian troops were feared by the Axis. Canada punched way above its weight.

We had farmers, trappers, hunters, and First Nations who grew up with rifles, with hunting, with living off the land, and who were deadly in war.

We are now for the most part urban softies who have no clue about the likely impact of wars “far away” that will impact us sooner or later.

Our “leaders” appear to have their collective heads in the sand.

You never win with bullies with appeasement.

We are witnessing bullies on a massive scale with Putin and Xi Jinping.

Good luck. . . or, wake up, eh?
Society

Superb National Ballet of Ukraine Performance in Vancouver

Wow! Damn they were good! We saw the National Ballet of Ukraine tonight in Vancouver, BC.

They are nearing the end of a humanitarian fundraising tour across Canada to support Ukraine as the nation and its people continue to suffer from Russian aggression and terror.

You can donate to support relief efforts in Ukraine, and receive a charitable tax receipt via their website:

https://nationalballetukraine.com/

Paul with National Ballet of Ukraine program

Nature, Photography

Hawk, Eagles, Waterfowl at Fraser Foreshore Park in Burnaby, BC

In addition to the several Great Blue Herons that I photographed at Fraser Foreshore Park in Burnaby, BC, this morning (see previous post), here are a few other species.

Hawk at Fraser Foreshore Park in Burnaby, BC
Hawk at extreme range. I still have trouble distinguishing between Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned, but it was quite small.

male and female ring-necked ducks at fraser foreshore park in Burnaby, BC
Male and female Ring-necked ducks.

Bufflehead diving in Byrne Creek in Burnaby, BC
Bufflehead diving in lower Byrne Creek near the confluence with the Fraser.

bald eagles on log boom at Fraser Foreshore Park in Burnaby, BC
Bald Eagles on a log boom. The one on the right was eating something that looked like a small mammal.

Writing

Hands Across Time

Hands.

Hands are on my mind.

As I sit here and look at my aging hands, I see. . .

My late father’s hands.

And I see my late maternal grandfather’s hands.

It’s hard to explain what I see, from both sides of the family, but it’s there.

I love my aging, wrinkly, spotty hands so full of love and memories.

Streamkeeping, sustainability, community, business, photography, books, and animals, with occasional forays into social commentary. Text and Photos © Paul Cipywnyk