Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, his last remaining ally in Europe, the only European head of state who attended his inauguration, is no longer picking up the phone.
There are countless casualties of Trump and his presidency, but the one regarding the alienation of true friends (like Canada, Great Britain, Germany, France, etc) will be the one that may take the longest to be repaired, and be the most consequential.
The world has moved on without the U.S. and what amazes me is some don’t understand the repercussions that are occurring now as what will happen over time. “To Every Action There Is Always an Equal Reaction” – Issac Newton’s Law That Explains More Than Physics
This quote has taken on a life beyond the realm of physics. In everyday conversations, people often use it to express a deeper truth: that all actions have consequences. This can mean moral consequences (what you do to others may return to you), emotional consequences (if you hurt someone, expect emotional resistance), or social consequences (systems of oppression often provoke resistance or rebellion). In this broader sense, the quote reminds us that the world—whether physical or human—is not passive. It reacts.
This dual meaning is what makes the quote powerful. Scientifically, it explains motion. Philosophically and socially, it suggests that no force goes unanswered. Whether you’re building a machine, engaging in a debate, or making a personal decision, the principle is the same: action creates reaction.
Would disagree Danielle that hope is gone. Whether it be the action of a small pebble in the water that creates the reaction of the ripple of that water there is still “action that creates reaction” it may be small in its effect but more small pebbles join and create more of a ripple. Agree that NK is a sign of protests on the larger scale but there are many protests going on daily that don’t make the news. There are some that are engaging and teaching young adults how to register to vote so they can make their voices heard. That there are people in communities fighting back that detention centers are not going to be opened. Know personally a few lawyers coming out of retirement using their skills to assist the ACLU in court cases. Acts of people to create those small ripples that hope is not gone which in turn protects ourselves, our children and future generations. Come from a family who served in various branches of the military one of the oldest and often has been quoted phrases is, “This We’ll Defend” loosing hope is not an option. Stay safe and healthy.. we all do what we can.
I remember at the G7 last summer in Canada Meloni and Macron couldn't hide their ridicule of trump. Every time he spoke, Meloni rolled her eyes. They both acted offended at his odor. I never thought she would be his ally.
I think very highly of your work Heather. I rarely miss an episode. I find your work and analysis clean, clear and very human. So I wanted to make that clear at the outset. And with all due respect, I do have an opinion. I refer to your comments about American exceptionalism. Your explanation does make sense. I would posit though that underlying that perspective is an arrogance, that for many Americans it means they’re better than everyone. That has been there for as long as I’ve been cognisant - almost 8 decades. So it’s not a new thing. In my humble opinion the arrogance has always been there - underlying. And it took someone like trump to bring it surging forward. Please understand that I have had positives views and interactions with individual Americans. But the arrogance has always been there. Witness in the ‘70’s & ‘80’s it was a well known reality that American travelled in Europe with Canadian flags on their person and backpacks. When I was in UK some years ago, a woman mistook me for an American. When I responded that, no, I was Canadian. Her response was, “OH, I’m SO sorry.” It’s just my experience and thus my opinion. I have often believed that what you’ve described as how you see exceptionalism, would have humility attached. I do not see it and often thought USA has been so world dominating that they’ve lost the notion of humility. Even the best of Americans could do with learning what being humble looks like and absorbing its benefits. Just my opinion.
I cannot imagine a scenario where our Royal Canadian Navy would summarily execute suspected smugglers on the high seas but it seems that ‘American exceptionalism’ gave the US Navy such authority. An awful example of what we are discussing.
Thank you Heather. I am so embarrassed by this president. I will be 80 on May 1 - six weeks older than Trump. Everyday I wake up with this feeling of dread. It like a cloud of doom that follows me throughout the day. We don’t have an “exit ramp” in our government when the 3 branches of government are controlled by a corrupt megalomaniac. What makes this an extremely difficult situation is the size of
There are countless casualties of Trump and his presidency, but the one regarding the alienation of true friends (like Canada, Great Britain, Germany, France, etc) will be the one that may take the longest to be repaired, and be the most consequential.
The world has moved on without the U.S. and what amazes me is some don’t understand the repercussions that are occurring now as what will happen over time. “To Every Action There Is Always an Equal Reaction” – Issac Newton’s Law That Explains More Than Physics
This quote has taken on a life beyond the realm of physics. In everyday conversations, people often use it to express a deeper truth: that all actions have consequences. This can mean moral consequences (what you do to others may return to you), emotional consequences (if you hurt someone, expect emotional resistance), or social consequences (systems of oppression often provoke resistance or rebellion). In this broader sense, the quote reminds us that the world—whether physical or human—is not passive. It reacts.
This dual meaning is what makes the quote powerful. Scientifically, it explains motion. Philosophically and socially, it suggests that no force goes unanswered. Whether you’re building a machine, engaging in a debate, or making a personal decision, the principle is the same: action creates reaction.
Would disagree Danielle that hope is gone. Whether it be the action of a small pebble in the water that creates the reaction of the ripple of that water there is still “action that creates reaction” it may be small in its effect but more small pebbles join and create more of a ripple. Agree that NK is a sign of protests on the larger scale but there are many protests going on daily that don’t make the news. There are some that are engaging and teaching young adults how to register to vote so they can make their voices heard. That there are people in communities fighting back that detention centers are not going to be opened. Know personally a few lawyers coming out of retirement using their skills to assist the ACLU in court cases. Acts of people to create those small ripples that hope is not gone which in turn protects ourselves, our children and future generations. Come from a family who served in various branches of the military one of the oldest and often has been quoted phrases is, “This We’ll Defend” loosing hope is not an option. Stay safe and healthy.. we all do what we can.
Bravo! Forza Canada. Down with fascist America. Get rid of von trump
I remember at the G7 last summer in Canada Meloni and Macron couldn't hide their ridicule of trump. Every time he spoke, Meloni rolled her eyes. They both acted offended at his odor. I never thought she would be his ally.
LOL at news reports of Day 2 of President Dr. Jesus’s blockade of the blockade of the Straits of Hormuz.
Totally reminds me of Bart Simpson’s science project notes about growing a potato in a cup of water:
“Day 2, still just a potato.”
I think very highly of your work Heather. I rarely miss an episode. I find your work and analysis clean, clear and very human. So I wanted to make that clear at the outset. And with all due respect, I do have an opinion. I refer to your comments about American exceptionalism. Your explanation does make sense. I would posit though that underlying that perspective is an arrogance, that for many Americans it means they’re better than everyone. That has been there for as long as I’ve been cognisant - almost 8 decades. So it’s not a new thing. In my humble opinion the arrogance has always been there - underlying. And it took someone like trump to bring it surging forward. Please understand that I have had positives views and interactions with individual Americans. But the arrogance has always been there. Witness in the ‘70’s & ‘80’s it was a well known reality that American travelled in Europe with Canadian flags on their person and backpacks. When I was in UK some years ago, a woman mistook me for an American. When I responded that, no, I was Canadian. Her response was, “OH, I’m SO sorry.” It’s just my experience and thus my opinion. I have often believed that what you’ve described as how you see exceptionalism, would have humility attached. I do not see it and often thought USA has been so world dominating that they’ve lost the notion of humility. Even the best of Americans could do with learning what being humble looks like and absorbing its benefits. Just my opinion.
I cannot imagine a scenario where our Royal Canadian Navy would summarily execute suspected smugglers on the high seas but it seems that ‘American exceptionalism’ gave the US Navy such authority. An awful example of what we are discussing.
Yes! A VERY good point. And certainly the arrogance in that instance was quite literally screaming.
Thank you Heather. I am so embarrassed by this president. I will be 80 on May 1 - six weeks older than Trump. Everyday I wake up with this feeling of dread. It like a cloud of doom that follows me throughout the day. We don’t have an “exit ramp” in our government when the 3 branches of government are controlled by a corrupt megalomaniac. What makes this an extremely difficult situation is the size of