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steven lightfoot's avatar

I was once quite a fan of Coyne's writing, but in the past ten years (and especially the last five), his commentary and just general thinking has become increasingly irrational and emotional. I fear there is something wrong with his mental and/or physical health.

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Peter Stockland's avatar

This is an astute observation, particularly the identification of the time frame. Plus or minus five years ago, I wrote a piece publicly praising Andrew's work but afterward began to notice exactly the descriptors you use. There is a (not officially medically recognized) syndrome called "columnitis." Its symptoms manifest in long time column writers as a belief that anything they say deserves to be said and read simply because they, as long time columnists, have said it. A strong indicator of the syndrome taking hold is that it becomes most evident just as the columnist passes the point of having things worth saying. Yet there is still the pressure to produce, paradoxically because of the belief in their own inherent value as purveyors of opinion.

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G M's avatar

Coyne has to be very careful what he writes otherwise those who control what is 'acceptable opinion' will get him fired.

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steven lightfoot's avatar

There MAY be some truth to that but I expect he is financially secure and can probably write what he wants, and does. To our detriment.

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Jan's avatar

He seems demented on X with his TDS. It’s quite sad.

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steven lightfoot's avatar

Demented is the only way to describe it, its beyond irrational, I genuinely think he some mental health issue. It is perfectly acceptable to dislike Donald Trump and it is maybe even reasonable to do so, depending on one's point of view and position in the world, but you are never obliged to take leave of your ability to reason when his name is mentioned. WAY too many people do so, especially in Canada.

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Jan's avatar

I used to be a fan of Andrew. Maybe TDS will be classified a a mental condition. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s as if Trump has taken over his mind.

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steven lightfoot's avatar

I feel exactly the same way.

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Syd (is not my real name)'s avatar

Yeah, there is - he’s a Liberal.

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Kevan Hudson's avatar

Often arrogance and pride hide the decline and poor society one inhabits.

One only has to visit places in East Asia, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe to see how far Canada is falling in terms of public manners, public transportation and just getting things done.

When Canada mattered we were humble and listened. Justin Trudeau just mirrored a country that thinks it is the hottest chick/dude on the block, but in reality needs to hit the gym and stop taking the meds.

Love my country but after living in South Korea for 15 years and currently in Taiwan for a trip I see where my homeland is failing.

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Jan's avatar

I’ve lived in S Asia too and the only time we hit the news was when Rob Ford smoked dope. It was an eye opener.

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Hussein Hopper's avatar

Tranny fan boy needed to sort out his mummy thing first it seems

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Richard Webber's avatar

One decent column from Coyne does not absolve him of the numerous columns of liberal platitudes, nor his appearance on CBC with Rosie and the other two carrying buckets of liberal life-saving water.

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Peter Stockland's avatar

Full absolution would require buckets 'o Holy Water, which I believe is forbidden on the CBC premises. I could be wrong.

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JGP's avatar

There's this giant Russian comedian floating around on Youtube. He did a short bit on Canadians being disgusted with Trudeau and the Liberals and then voting for them once again. His punchline (in loud, gruff Russian bass tones) was "That's like sh$tting your pants and changing your shirt". If he takes to writing columns, I'll read them.

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Peter Stockland's avatar

Well, I did squeeze in the King passing gas. Not strong enough for you?

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JGP's avatar

Certainly stronger than I can tolerate under normal circumstances!

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Ruth B.'s avatar

If only we had more of these observations in media. (Not holding my breath.) When I see fawning over the G7 ilk, the utter pointlessness of royalty - hard pass, drop & delete. The days of bowing & curtsies are in the distant past. Faux, performative leadership is what we’re watching.

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Peter Stockland's avatar

But...but...but it's all so cleverly choreographed, what's not to like? Every face plant a planned face plant. Okay, maybe not *every* one but....

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Andrew Gorman's avatar

> The idea we’ll ever again defend our own borders with full reliance on our American neighbours is beyond magical thinking.

Now you’re catastrophizing. That things are terrible does not mean you can’t make things great. Many a great nation has been at horrendously low points.

There’s no guarantee that Canada will fix its problems, but neither is there a guarantee that we can’t.

It’s a choice.

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Peter Stockland's avatar

But there are also choosers. And we seem to chose to refuse to change them for the choices they make, or at least not as often as we should.

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Pat Robinson's avatar

We are infested with magical thinking. The Libersl party and NDP needs to be burned to the ground, short of all of them reaching between their legs, gripping with both hands and then firmly popping their heads out of their netherlands.

We have no future until that happens.

First step is to put Guillbeault onto a shrinking iceberg and push him out to sea.

We will never advance until the climate/insane are removed.

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John Dowell's avatar

What a refreshing comment on Canada’s irrelevance on the world stage and how the media likes to pretend we matter. The ultimate conceit was the phrase: “the world needs more Canada.” I guess someone forgot to tell the world.

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Peter Stockland's avatar

A short text message would have sufficed, wouldn’t it?

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Terrilyn🇨🇦's avatar

Geo politics is evolving. It's quite alright to put the G meetings behind us. Frankly, for the luxurious expense, they could Zoom for all I care. The point of many leaders face to face is to reconfirm trust. Leaders change but rarely do the country's global perspective. Checking in from time to time is very important. Have our allies changed? Did we lose someone? Is there a national concern that others need to be aware of?

Like Christmas, family needs to reunite. The G7 filled that purpose. Replacing it will be fine. Ending the gatherings will not be fine.

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Peter Stockland's avatar

I hadn’t thought of it that way but the distinction you draw deserves consideration.

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Hans Gruber Central Banker's avatar

So Prince Andrew Coyne -- whose slavish support for The Century Initiative has turned Canada into a long string of Amazon Prime delivery trucks jostling with Uber Eats trucks to deliver stuff to the RCMP goons before they curb stomp the frozen wallets of anyone honking their horn in downtown Ottawa -- thinks the G7 confab was a big bore. I wonder whatever could have caused that?

I'm sure another 800,000 new Canadians next quarter will help us get to the bottom of it.

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Peter Stockland's avatar

Or the bottom of something. Who knows what?

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Pat Robinson's avatar

Peter, there was a great British political movie from 2007 called In The Loop, there is a blink and you’ll miss it cutting reference to canada that we are just happy to be noticed. Says it all.

Carney simply continued the lies of the liberals, he lied about everything to get here.

And while I’m waiting to see him do anything actually useful I will grant that this is the best canada day in a decade because the worst prime minister in canadian history is no longer involved.

I’ll take that blessing.

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Dawn Ewonus's avatar

I’m out. I’m done. I can no longer watch or read “mainstream Canadian media”. Just because Coyne had a moment of clarity doesn’t mean things have changed. Liberal cheerleaders like David Akin (among others) are so blatantly voices of “the Central Propaganda machine” they have more in common with “reporters” in communist countries, spewing excitement over every non-action. What has changed? We are still under idiotic policies developed during the lost decade of Trudeau. And the only thing Carney has contributed to is his frequent flyer points. I support Alberta cutting itself loose from this sinking ship called Canada. Let those who elected the Liberals for all these years go down with their heroes and down with the ship. There’s nothing more that can be done. Free Alberta!

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Peter Summers's avatar

Andrew Coyne? Hasn’t he retired to greener pastures yet? Who the hell cares what he thinks.

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Jan's avatar

He’s on CBC regularly. We pay for this

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kRockit's avatar

meh

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StellaMaris's avatar

No LIE-berals allowed…..

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Colin Goodfellow's avatar

Coynes has been an empty shell for decades. Now he is a pet typist for the billionaire set. Like nothing better than giving the MAGA maple a reach around for a couple bucks in the parking lot. He is still a cheerleader for Preston Manning and all of yesterday's men.

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Unfiltered's avatar

The G7 and NATO, WEF are as useless as tits on a bull, they have no useful purpose for humanity, they are a creation of the BIS to destroy humanity.

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