Wednesday Night #2238

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of our dear friend and founding member of the Order of Wednesday Night, McGill Professor emeritus of metallurgy John Jonas.
Our joyful memories of John, his beloved late wife Holly, their children and grandchildren span many years and range from festive occasions to quiet weekends in their beautiful Georgeville home, Oxford Cambridge events, as well as many contributions to the collective knowledge of Wednesday Night.
While no obituary has yet been published, we understand that a celebration of his life will be held at the McGill Faculty Club on Wednesday 12 January from 5-7.

“The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones.”

Judging by the first two weeks of Trump 2.0, there won’t be much to inter with his bones or those of Elon Musk

U.S. Government & governance
Philip Bump asks the question we all ask- Who can police a president unwilling to abide by the law?
A president who wants to brazenly challenge both Congress and the courts will be hard to constrain
It is hard to know where to begin. Elon Musk’s trampling of all traditional democratic procedures and practices are without precedent and at this stage, no-one seems capable of mounting an opposition with any power, although Slate sheds a glimmer of hope Federal Workers Are Starting to Fight Musk’s Lawless Power Grab., but asks Is It Too Late?, while the NYT describes Thousands Protest Trump Policies Across the U.S. – In a grass-roots effort to kick off a national movement, organizers encouraged those opposed to President Trump’s actions on immigration, transgender rights and more to gather at state capitals and city halls. Note that these actions do not appear to be generated by politicians – certainly not at the critical federal level.
ONE MORE THING –
Why Washington is getting nervous about a shutdown
Washington is growing increasingly worried about the potential for a government shutdown — and what devastation it could bring.
Politico notes that Washington is in a tizzy over Donald Trump and his allies’ ongoing romp through the federal bureaucracy. But now lawmakers have yet another thing to worry about: the looming threat of a government shutdown. …current government funding expires in less than six weeks — and members of Congress are getting antsy that the mounting chaos in D.C. could distract from hammering out a new deal in time.

Canada-U.S. and Trump Tariffs
So there is a brief respite – purportedly until 4 March (NB exactly 5 days before the Liberal Leadership vote is announced and a new PM takes office)
The Canada-U.S. Economic Summit
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called a last-minute summit in Toronto on Friday to respond to the threat of American tariffs and protectionism, one that will seek ways to diversify Canada’s international trade beyond the United States and tap new sources of economic growth and investment.
He wants to talk about reducing this country’s internal trade barriers between provinces and territories, too.
Trudeau’s finest hour?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses nation as U.S. President Donald Trump imposes 25 per cent tariffs on Canada. (video with transcript of Trudeau’s response to U.S. tariffs on Canada)
Trump to pause promised tariffs for 30 days after speaking with Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Donald Trump had two phone calls on Monday ahead of a forthcoming trade war between Canada and the U.S. Following the call, Trudeau said Trump would hold off on levying tariffs on Canada for at least 30 days.
So we have a pause. Let us hope that our governments at all levels and individuals do not stick their heads back in the sand, especially on matters of interprovincial trade barriers…
Peter Frise adds another little factoid:
“Canada provides 90% (yes – nearly ALL) of the aluminium used in the US automotive and aerospace industry. This is a result of Quebec’s enormous electrical generation capacity (well….with a huge reach-around assist from the good people of Newfoundland…).
To replace that aluminium production capacity, the US would need to build around six (6) large nuclear power plants which would likely take from 20 to 30 years and cost – gawd only knows how much.
Best wishes to Boeing in their effort to compete with Airbus and Chinese aircraft manufacturers while building aircraft out of – what? US-made concrete, steel, lumber (you know – from trees)?”
Time to revisit -or invite the participants in Trudeau’s Canada-U.S. Economic Summit to read and absorb last September’s excellent series Trade in an era of global insecurity from Policy Options.

14 from figure skating community killed in plane crash, six of them from Boston club
Last Wednesday’s horrific plane crash resonated particularly because I spent my high school years in Boston, and one of my classmates was a member of the Skating Club of Boston when Dick Button was everyone’s idol and Tenley Albright was a rising star. We attended all the public shows the Skating Club put on and cheered on our classmate. The Club was an integral part of the Boston community and remains so to this day.
Disabled pilot reacts to Trump’s comments on deadly crash and hiring of people with disabilities
Trump’s vile remarks following the tragedy included disparagement of workers with disabilities – part of his war on DEI. By coincidence, Miles O’Brien, PBS/NPR science reporter, has been frequently cited as an example of the self-discipline and capabilities of a handicapped pilot. Miles is the son of my high school roommate, another classmate and follower of the Boston Skating Club.

Trump tramples international relations
We cautiously applauded developments in the Panama Canal negotiations Rubio welcomes Panama’s move to exit Chinese infrastructure plan as ‘great step forward’
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has welcomed Panama’s decision to let its participation in China’s global infrastructure plan expire… Any move by Panama to distance itself from Chinese President Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) represents a win for Washington, which has argued that Beijing uses the scheme for “debt trap diplomacy” to cement its global influence. See Long reads below – China’s Growing Influence in Latin America
At the same time we deplored The Death of USAID –A pillar of US foreign policy comes crashing down
U.S. – Israel
Then the bombshell exploded on Tuesday afternoon as Trump unveiled his surprise plan for the US to take over Gaza …at a joint press conference with visiting Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Briefly, he vowed that the US would “take over” war ravaged Gaza and “own it”, effectively endorsing the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, in an announcement shocking even by the standards of his norm-shattering presidency. Despite glowing reports from the usual suspects, reaction from around the world is rejection by allies and adversaries alike. By Wednesday morning, there were reports that Trump Officials were attempting to Walk Back Gaza Takeover Plan

Meanwhile what is the future of U.S.-China relations?
For China, Trump’s Moves Bring Pain, but Also Potential Gains
By David Pierson, Keith Bradsher and Sui-Lee Wee
President Trump’s tariffs hurt China, but his other actions have alienated U.S. allies, giving Beijing an opening to strengthen its global standing.

Trump wants Ukraine to supply rare earth minerals to U.S. in exchange for future aid
U.S. president claims he wants ‘equalization’ over aid payments

CIA reportedly offers buyouts to entire workforce in latest Trump-era purge
The Central Intelligence Agency offered buyouts on Tuesday, citing aim to bring agency in line with Trump priorities, US media report

Kyle Matthews writes in Policy
Autocracy Without Borders: Hogue Report Highlights Need for Action on Transnational Repression
“Canada has long been celebrated as a beacon of democracy and human rights. However, our reputation and the safety of our diaspora communities and human rights leaders are increasingly under threat from authoritarian governments that export their repression to our shores. The time has come for Canada to take a leadership role in combating transnational repression and leverage its 2025 presidency of the G7 to mobilize a unified global strategy“.
The last sentence reminds us that in these tumultuous times Canada will host G7 Canada 2025.
Scheduled for 15-17 June in Kananaskis, Alberta, the Summit will confront numerous problematic issues, not the least of which is what to do about President Trump – to invite or not? What are the consequences?
Policy Q&A: Former G7 Sherpa Sen. Peter Boehm reflects on Trump, Charlevoix and Bracing for Kananaskis
As Canada prepares for Kananaskis, our seventh summit and the 51st in the series, there are a number of “known unknowns”.

Donald Trump wants our water. Can Canada protect it?
U.S. President Donald Trump wants to tap into Canada’s water, saying there’s a “very large faucet” that can be turned on to drain water from north to south and help with American shortages. We look at the question of water sovereignty — and whether Canada is ready to protect its resources.
2.2B gallons of water flowed out of California reservoirs because of Trump’s order to open dams

The Aga Khan, philanthropist and spiritual leader, dies aged 88
Considered a direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad, the Aga Khan spent billions on homes, hospitals and schools in developing countries
Trudeau, other officials pay respects to spiritual leader Aga Khan
Mr. Trudeau said he had lost a very good friend – “a friend of my father’s, and a friend of mine.”
Rahim al-Hussaini named as 50th Aga Khan after death of father
Prince becomes spiritual leader of the world’s millions of Ismaili Muslims after death of Karim Al-Hussaini aged 88
Aga Khan dies with mystery of Shergar kidnapping still unsolved …his kidnapping from the Aga’s Ballymany Stud in County Kildare by an armed gang in February 1983, a mystery that remains unresolved more than 40 years later

Varia
A powerful documentary provides important context to Trump’s musings on Gaza
It will be hard to watch this documentary without thinking of Mr. Trump’s absurd Gaza proposal – without picturing what it would wreak on the ground, for actual people. It’s hard to watch, period.
No Other Land is a stark reminder that the Palestinians displaced by the Israel-Hamas war and now under threat of permanent displacement by Mr. Trump’s ambitions are in fact people. They are not pawns or faceless figures in a geopolitical dust-up. They are people who want to live their lives in peace, and to live those lives at home. And home is Gaza.
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal recreate iconic scene from When Harry Met Sally in Super Bowl ad
Actors revisit the famous Katz’s Deli scene…in the new Hellmann’s spot
And don’t miss Budweiser Super Bowl LIX ‘First Delivery’
Wiarton Willie predicts early spring, but Fred, Sam and Lucy the Lobster disagree on Groundhog Day
Punxsutawney Phil also saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter

Sign the Pledge for Canada
This petition is intended as an invitation to Canadians to reflect on the current challenges Canada faces and what we can all do to respond to the risks and to contribute to building a more resilient Canada. Please consider signing on to the Pledge for Canada if you agree that the principles set out represent a useful starting point for encouraging the solidarity we need and for urging our leaders to work together to develop a whole of Canada approach.

Long reads
With Gaza Plan, an Unbound Trump Pushes an Improbable Idea
Once a critic of nation building, the president now envisions taking over a Middle East enclave, driving out its Palestinian population and transforming it into “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
The Logic of Destruction And how to resist it
Timothy Snyder, American historian of Europe and a public intellectual on both continents
China’s Growing Influence in Latin America
For more than two decades, China has developed close economic and security ties with many Latin American countries, including Brazil and Venezuela.
The Price America Will Pay for Trump’s Tariffs
Alienating allies and partners that the U.S. desperately needs means that “America First” will be “America Alone.”
By David Frum