Hugh Mackenzie

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up! Is the war against Iran worth it? | Commentary

"Prime Minister Mark Carney seems to think so," writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.
https://t.co/nVtFpW4VyJ

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up! Do we give a damn about public debt and public spending?  | Commentary

"... to be clear, my concern is not about the importance of soccer to many Canadians. I fully understand and support that. Rather, the concern is whether or not Canada can afford to host World Cup games at a time when the future of Canada’s economy is seriously challenged.

Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer has reported that the World Cup games will cost taxpayers in this country about $1 billion. Noel Jarvis, Ontario Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Association, says, “It’s a bad idea to shell out a billion dollars for a few World Cup games when our governments are in deep debt and every day taxpayers are struggling with rising prices,” writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! this week.
https://t.co/ITXteKH8pw

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up! Muskoka reflections | Commentary
"And so, at this point in time, what appear to be the primary issues that will enter into election discussions?

The first, I think, will be municipal taxes, which have cumulatively increased by at least 25% in Huntsville over the last four years, in addition to significant tax increases at the District Municipality of Muskoka. Especially in light of current economic realities, is the time coming when people simply say, ‘too much’?

Related to that, I saw a question on a recent survey from the District of Muskoka that read, “If you had to choose, what should receive greater emphasis in budget decisions, keeping taxes affordable or maintaining reliable services?

To me, that ranks up there with that old query, “Are you still beating your spouse?”  It is impossible to answer. The real question in my view should be, “What municipal services are necessary to provide for the needs of our community, and how can these be delivered in an affordable manner?" writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.

https://t.co/CkGnywx8iu

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up! Canada must be ready for backlash from Donald Trump | Commentary

“I think this is the moment when the country needs to pull together as a whole. There is no shortage of people who want to take it away from us. We have to fight for this country every day and so that message to the Prime Minister is look, British Columbia is all in on Canada.” — David Eby, Premier of British Columbia.

"Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every province and every territory and every First Nation, not only stood for that but actually did something about it?" writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.
https://t.co/V4QHo6C0WU

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

"Canada’s population is about 41 million. The population of the United States is about 342 million, more than eight times that of Canada. Any idiot can conclude that the United States requires far more goods and services than does Canada, which obviously results in a trade deficit," writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.
https://t.co/hv11V2ql2u

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

"In my view, Canada’s sovereignty is threatened less by foreign rhetoric than by domestic division, constitutional drift, weak national purposes and governments that too often place regional or partisan interests ahead of Canada itself," writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.
https://t.co/HJGBweGhW7

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up! God save the King | Commentary

"I am a fan of King Charles III for a number of reasons and am happy that he is Canada’s Sovereign. So, there you go. May I suggest you read the entire commentary before you start pounding the keys? 😊" writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.
https://t.co/U4f3DfT0WK

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up! In defence of Doug Ford | Commentary

"The government of Quebec has three jets at their disposal. Surely Ontario, with twice the economy, should at least have one... There is an argument to be made that in these challenging times, the money spent on a jet could be much better spent elsewhere. I would suggest another side to that.

"Ontario is caught in the middle of a potentially crippling tariff war. The only way to protect Ontario’s economy is for Premier Ford and his leadership team to “sell” Ontario as a place to trade and to seek new partners who are willing to do that. This is at a time when almost every jurisdiction in the Western world, other than the United States, is doing the same thing," writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.
https://t.co/vfFfzufkO9

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

Although we don’t yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it’s incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy. It’s also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that U.S. Secret Service Agents show every day. I’m grateful to them – and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be okay.

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Alcock won’t completely discard running again for mayor, but says it’s “highly unlikely”
https://t.co/6b62O5Ksia

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up! Just plain wrong | Commentary

"As readers will know, I am generally supportive of the Ford government in Ontario. Not just out of partisanship but because Doug Ford is an activist premier, actually getting things done, not always doing the popular thing, and not always doing the right thing, but always fighting for Ontario and Canada. Unlike some political leaders who simply pontificate and posture, Ford is out there doing things, many of which need to be addressed.

"However, legislation that the Ford government introduced on Thursday, which, among other things, will allow the government to appoint the Chair of the District Municipality of Muskoka, is just plain wrong. In my view, at its worst, it challenges democratic principles and carries a slight odour of Trumpism," writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.
https://t.co/Ub2RE7Qsqb

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up! Trump never loses | Commentary

"More likely, Trump will declare victory in a war that never met its objectives; perhaps with some concessions, but with no real regime change and indeed, leaving behind a wounded animal with the capacity to recover and seek increased revenge upon all of its opponents, especially those in the Middle East," writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.
https://t.co/h3FKp8Ymsk

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up! Vive la différence | Commentary

"In this country, political parties can work together and support each other when the chips are down. We can pursue our goals in a respectful but firm, non-threatening manner, and we can do this without violence or intimidation.

There is little tolerance for that in the United States. In fact, when differences occur under current circumstances, anarchy raises its ugly head, revenge politics kick in, the rule of law is virtually ignored, international peace is at risk, and allies, even NATO itself, are threatened and bullied for not toeing the line in supporting unauthorized wars," writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.
https://t.co/UiIaLg2Bx7

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up! The elephant in the room | Commentary

"Most people do not want to talk about it, and some will call it racism. But it is not that. Racism is the belief that people of one race are inherently superior or inferior to those of another and that those differences justify discrimination or exclusion.

I accept that definition. I strongly believe in the equality of humankind, black, white, brown, or whatever. I am also an advocate of equal opportunity, something that is lacking in our society today.

With the exception of First Nations people, Canada is the product of immigration, and we should never be prejudiced against people because of where they were born.

But we can, in my view, expect people who want to come to Canada to live to do so because they respect Canadian values, and not because they see this country as a platform for activism to remake Canada according to the political or cultural norms from whence they came," writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up!  It’s the endgame that counts | Commentary

"As odious as the Iranian regime is, the principle at stake is much larger than Iran itself. When a president launches a war without compelling, provable, and verified evidence of an imminent threat and without the authorization of Congress, the precedent is clear: war becomes an executive choice rather than a national decision. If that standard for exercising control over other nations is accepted today, it can be invoked tomorrow, against any country at any time, whenever a president, however mentally well, believes it is convenient," writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.
https://t.co/RiRx3Girua

[James West @James_West_PhD]

Gorsuch is a G*d-d*mned genius:

"For those who think it important for the Nation to impose more tariffs, I understand that today’s decision will be disappointing. All I can offer them is that most major decisions affecting the rights and responsibilities of the American people (including the duty to pay taxes and tariffs) are funneled through the legislative process for a reason.

Yes, legislating can be hard and take time. And, yes, it can be tempting to bypass Congress when some pressing problem arises. But the deliberative nature of the legislative process was the whole point of its design. Through that process, the Nation can tap the combined wisdom of the people’s elected representatives, not just that of one faction or man.

There, deliberation tempers impulse, and compromise hammers disagreements into workable solutions. And because laws must earn such broad support to survive the legislative process, they tend to endure, allowing ordinary people to plan their lives in ways they cannot when the rules shift from day to day. In all, the legislative process helps ensure each of us has a stake in the laws that govern us and in the Nation’s future.

For some today, the weight of those virtues is apparent. For others, it may not seem so obvious. But if history is any guide, the tables will turn and the day will come when those disappointed by today’s result will appreciate the legislative process for the bulwark of liberty it is."

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up! Should Canadians be called to the polls in 2026? | Commentary

"First, if Canada is going to survive in its present form, it needs tough leadership right now, and that leadership needs to get its own house in order if it has any hope of dealing effectively with the Trump Administration in the United States.

It means a carrot and stick approach to any provinces, organizations, or individuals who promote dissension, separatism, or divisiveness that provides fodder to those who disrespect and undermine Canada’s sovereignty. If that means new and tougher laws, so be it.

Canada needs to demonstrate that it has built a house of stone that cannot be blown down by the big bad wolf, and it needs to do it now. If that doesn’t sound very Canadian, too bad. The wolf is at the door," writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.
https://t.co/q3nUkUL94E

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up!  Damned If You Do and Damned If You Don’t | Commentary

"It is the United States that is forcing Canada to seek new allies and trading partners. It is also about time.

"Under all of these circumstances, Canada is doing the right thing in stabilizing our relationship with China. Is it risky? Yes, but it is also necessary," writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today,
https://t.co/AT1lOdCq4K

[Huntsville Doppler @Hville_Doppler]

Listen Up! Is Canada’s sovereignty at risk? | Commentary

"Next on the agenda appears to be Greenland. Although the Americans already have a military base there, President Trump believes they have to “own” the island in order to protect America’s security in relation to Russia and China.” No doubt, Putin and Xi are laughing in their teacups over that one.

"Trump argues that Denmark has no legitimate claim to Greenland and, in recent days, has said that America will take control of Greenland, 'the easy way or the hard way.'

"The question Canadians must ask themselves is, who will be next? President Trump has made no secret about wanting Canada to become America’s 51st State. We really have to ask ourselves, if he wants to occupy Canada, who is going to stop him?" writes Hugh Mackenzie on Listen Up! today.
https://t.co/VGYzBBNUBP

[Hugh Mackenzie @mackenziehugh]

@Hville_Doppler