Thread

Canada fast-tracks Pacific oil pipeline to reduce US dependence

83 points · 96 comments · geox

simojo · 1790873133 · focus · HN ↗
So many people come and give doomer statements on the reality of the US and Canada becoming increasingly at odds.
As a US citizen, I just want to add that I hope some day we can reestablish a healthy relationship with our neighbors. These articles are saddening.
1. i80and · 1790873861 · focus · HN ↗
  Disclaimer: I'm American
  I don't see how Canada can trust us again without a major cultural and legal shift in the US. The fact is that any president can, apparently, unilaterally shred international friendships, and 30%-40% of Americans will cheer it on.
  I would love a return to normalcy, but Americans need to make sure, really sure this can't happen again.
  1. bawolff · 1790874110 · focus · HN ↗
    The real problem is not just that, but that america chose to re-elect him. One time can be dismissed as a fluke or temporary situation. The reelection showed that this will be the status quo moving forward.
    redanddead · 1790874869 · focus · HN ↗
    The real problem is not just that, but that these changes were going to happen regardless, he’s an accelerant
    pstuart · 1790877010 · focus · HN ↗
    > these changes were going to happen regardless
    I'd agree in the context that this wasn't necessarily a case of driven by natural forces of the universe rather than some key events that could have been better addressed to hold them off. And the best way to do that is lots of sunshine and awareness.
    Those key elements being:
    The Powell Memo -- <a href="https://www.inequalitymedia.org/explainers/v/the-powell-memo" rel="nofollow">https://www.inequalitymedia.org/explainers/v/the-powell-memo
    Reagan's embracement of evangelicals (ignoring Barry Goldwater's warning)
    Rush Limbaugh's unfettered demonization industrial complex
    Bill Clinton's sellout of labor to the corporate class -- <a href="https://www.theglobalist.com/bill-clinton-hillary-pivoted-america-politics/" rel="nofollow">https://www.theglobalist.com/bill-clinton-hillary-pivoted-am...
    IMHO politics is two distinct things: control of law and the circus of those who vie to take that power. Everybody focuses on the circus because that's where the media points to and is the most engaging.
    But it's the former that actually matters, and it's boring, slow, and opaque, but literally a matter of life and death to every citizen of the union.
    One final thought: the creation of literal Red vs Blue was a masterclass in division and distraction. It's crazy-making to watch it play out from the sidelines.
    fragmede · 1790894732 · focus · HN ↗
    How is anybody on the sidelines with this? Every single person in the world is affected by it in some way, thanks to globalization. An Iran war wasn't inevitable. (Other than the uncontacted tribes, which are still affected by the effects of global warming.)
    tzs · 1790904511 · focus · HN ↗
    Things were still pretty normal for a long time after all that and pretty stable. No matter what side you were on, when your side lost at least the winner, at least for major offices, was competent.
    Conservative commentator P.J. O'Rourke summed it up nicely in 2016 when as a panelist on NPR's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!" announced
    > I am endorsing Hillary, and all her lies and all her empty promises. It's the second-worst thing that can happen to this country, but she's way behind in second place. She's wrong about absolutely everything, but she's wrong within normal parameters.
    That's how it was up to 2016, long after those things you cite had been in effect. Even if you thought some candidate with a chance at winning national office was wrong on everything they were at least wrong within normal parameters.
    Something happened between 2008 and 2016 that enabled the current situation.
    pstuart · 1790915838 · focus · HN ↗
    Oh sure, I was less than happy to have her be my candidate. That said, she actually was one of the most qualified candidates considering her previous experience in the Whitehouse, Senate, and State Department. Add to that her training as a lawyer and the fact that she was likely the smarter one in the marriage.
    For all of that, she did lack Bill's charisma.
    Sure she was a finger in the air politician but there really was no contest as far as fitness for office. But then again, the typical American voter only cares about what's ostensibly immediately in it for them.
    2016 was a populist referendum, and I still think Bernie could have won it (not that he's perfect either).
    bryanlarsen · 1790955868 · focus · HN ↗
    It's not just the president. Trump is at least the 3rd senile president we've had, (there were probably more). The difference is that Biden and Reagan generally appointed competent heads and advisors.

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