Wednesday Night #2257

We were honoured to be included in the beautiful, moving private funeral held for the Honourable Marc Garneau on Wednesday morning. Readings, tributes, music were all exceptional and, to our delight, the service concluded with the “Lord of the Dance”.
A true Canadian hero, he is sorely missed.

June 14 was an epic date.
Conveniently, the 250th anniversary of the official founding of the US Continental Army was celebrated on Trump’s birthday -so he got the parade he has been clamoring for. BUT not only was the event overshadowed by the frightening assassinations in Minnesota, and the threatening clouds of Iran-Israel war, but by all accounts, the weather was not favourable -yes, it rained on his parade- and huge crowds gathered in cities and towns across the US to demonstrate against Trump’s authoritarian regime.
‘No Kings’ Rallies Draw Massive Crowds of Anti-Trump Protesters
Protesters gathered in hundreds of cities across the US to oppose President Donald Trump’s administration, coinciding with a military parade in Washington on his 79th birthday.
Demonstrations took place in major cities including Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles, with organizers planning around 2,000 events nationwide under the banner of “No Kings”.

On a local note: Quebec Liberals choose Pablo Rodriguez as new leader of party
And, we should add, that Montreal overcame last year’s disastrous events, and managed a successful Grand Prix weekend resulting in Canadian Grand Prix signs Formula One contract extension through 2035

2025 G7 Kananaskis Summit
The G7 Summit, held at Kananaskis, Alberta from Sunday to Tuesday, managed -despite Trump’s abrupt departure- to avoid the disasters of the Charlevoix Summit. Some snarking from the National Post’s Terry Glavin, but generally public satisfaction. Note the signature of the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter
See more in Long reads below.

Iran-Israel
Looming over all other news and events is the threat of war and Trump’s unhelpful interventions following his abrupt departure from the G7 early as conflict between Israel and Iran shows signs of intensifying
Israel-Iran conflict live
Trump undecided on joining war on Iran as Khamenei warns him not to attack
‘I may do it, I may not do it,’ US president says as Tehran reportedly prepares to strike US bases in response

Iran-Israel
From Sauvé Scholar alumnus Tomer Avital:
“Dear friends around the world,
Know this: millions of Israelis can’t stand the Netanyahu government.
Nearly 70% want it out.
They’re clinging to power because the public is against them!
For two years, countless citizens have been flooding the streets, again and again, demanding change.
We’re leading one of the largest, most relentless and peaceful protest movements in modern history and we will not stop till this nightmare is over.
This government is not us.
Most Israelis reject it, loudly and clearly. Including nearly every former head of Israel’s security and defense institutions.
Please spread the word. The world needs to hear it”

Horrific news of the 13 June crash of Air India Flight 171 with devastating loss of passengers’ lives and those of dozens killed on the ground when the plane rammed into the facilities of a medical college. Investigations, naming and blaming will continue for some time, and Boeing suffers yet another blow to its reputation.

Varia
Will we never hear the end of this tiresome individual?
Jordan Peterson: At long last, my re-education ‘coach’ has been chosen
But I will not submit until if the proceedings are to be behind closed doors

Long reads
Mission accomplished-ish

G7 leaders agree to ‘charter’ on wildfires, pledging global co-operation“>G7 leaders agree to ‘charter’ on wildfires, pledging global co-operation
Leaders of the G7 have agreed to co-operate on efforts to manage the impacts of devastating wildfires, which are surging for another summer across Canada.
The leaders are calling it the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter and it’s believed to be a groundbreaking commitment for G7 leaders.

Friends say Minnesota shooting suspect was deeply religious and conservative
Friends and former colleagues described Boelter as a devout Christian who attended an evangelical church and went to campaign rallies for President Donald Trump. Records show Boelter registered to vote as a Republican while living in Oklahoma in 2004 before moving to Minnesota.