Inauguration Day Is Here, and With It Comes the Storm
Both figuratively and literally, it seems
I awoke this morning to find my world blanketed in white; my home is buried under the results of a heavy snowstorm that has shut my city down.
It’s cold outside, most schools and offices are closed, and the plows are making constant rounds through my neighbourhood in a vain attempt to keep the roads clear for anyone attempting to brave the weather.
I will not be doing so; I’m quite safe and toasty in my home office today.
Normally I’d be celebrating a storm like this. There’s nothing more cozy and comforting than a soft blanket and thick socks on a cold winter day, and I love watching the snowflakes tumble down through the branches of my beloved apple trees outside.
But it’s hard to feel that comfort today. Today is the day that my country could be slammed with hardships that will utterly decimate our economy.
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day…and also Donald Trump’s inauguration.
How’s that for sick irony?
True to form, Trump is already running a grift on his most devout followers. Hundreds of proud MAGA Republicans have shelled out thousands of dollars apiece to purchase tickets to watch him get sworn into office, booked hotels and flown into Washington D.C., only to find out that he has moved the event indoors.
They won’t be able to watch him be sworn in. They paid for a product he is not going to deliver.
Apparently, it’s a little chilly for him. But is it really about the cold? Or is it perhaps that he’s afraid of getting shot at again? Or is it just that his indomitable ego can’t take the idea that his inauguration crowd might be smaller than President Biden’s was?
Whatever the true reason for it, he’s quite literally leaving his supporters out in the cold. I doubt they’ll be able to get refunds for anything they’ve bought.
That also means that the Premier of Alberta, Mrs. Danielle Smith, will not be attending the event in person after all. As a Canadian who feels quite betrayed by her attempts to cozy up with the guy who’s trying to extort our country into surrendering our independence, I’m taking some satisfaction in that.
I wish her a terrible day and an even worse year. She earned it by brown-nosing to the orange fuckwit instead of standing with her fellow Premiers and defending the people she was elected to serve.
But this event showcases the reality of Donald Trump’s administration. The average people are screwed out of their money while his billionaire friends get to sit next to him in a nice, heated room, and witness history being made.
The first former President to become a convicted felon, the first President to be impeached twice, sworn in for a second term in office at the Resolute Desk.
After everything he’s done to the American people and the world, it’s astonishing to see this happening. After January 6, after the blatant corruption, after the attempts he made to interfere with a free and fair election and overturn the results— he gets to stand there and place his hand on the Bible yet again!
I take some small solace in knowing that if he ever wants to travel to Canada, he’ll at least need to get special permission as a felon. And no, his being the President won’t get him special treatment.
We made President George W. Bush apply for a waiver because of a 30-year-old DUI, you bet your ass Trump will need to as well. He‘ll have to get an immigration lawyer and everything!
Our middle finger isn’t long, but we sure do love to use it when we get the chance.
At any rate, I’m contending with an odd blend of emotions today. It’s beautiful outside, I’m working on plans for my wedding, and life, by all accounts, should be good.
But thanks to the Divided States of America, it won’t be. Not for a while.
As I sit here puttering away at my work, I’m reminded of an old joke we used to tell up here in the North.
America has something that Canada doesn’t.
A good neighbour.
Solidarity wins.
"Listen, Mr. President; supposing we were to make Alberta one of the States. Would you stop mocking us then?"
I am watching more and more commentators, both in and outside of the U.S., who are outing the once secret plans of the U.S. oligarchy and they aren't good for the rest of the world. I am rooting for Canada, Greenland, Panama and all of the other countries around the world (including Europe, to figure out how to stand up to the U.S. finally and put an end to all of this unipolar dominance. Some of them are but more need to get onboard before it's too late for them. There might be a ray of hope soon. We'll see. As for Alberta, someone needs to clue her in that dealing with the U.S. on their terms never ends well for anyone. Maybe a strong PM in Ottawa will reign her in a bit. If you can find one.