Canada is not “the most European of non-European countries”. I lived in the European Union for 15 years and traveled to all but three of its nation states, most of them multiple times. I’ll never forget my first visit in 2003. I loved the cafe culture and history. Everyone I met had an opinion about literature and film, even the guy wiping the tables, and everyone seemed so well travelled...
A friend asked me this week, “What do you think of the ‘deep state’? The short answer is, “I try not to.” Mostly because it has no meaningful impact on my life. ‘Deep state’ is the idea that some sort of shadow government made up of rich, powerful actors wields power, either within or behind the legitimately elected government. The Bilderberg Group, the Illuminati, the Freemasons, the CIA and the...
In a previous blog, I promised to share my thoughts on the post-pandemic future of Europe, in particular for North American readers who may not be following developments on this side of the Atlantic. Travel’s off limits for the next several months, so we might as well talk about something. Here’s what it looks like to me as an outsider, and a long term resident and traveler. The Maastricht...