Wednesday Night #2220

To all our Jewish friends celebrating Rosh Hashanah, shana tova/Happy New Year!

Thank you to Andrew Caddell, who devoted this week’s Hill Times column to an elegant tribute to A remarkable Montreal ‘salon’ has endured five decades – In these times of fractious political debate, a tribune of knowledgeable voices is of enormous value. [Available on Andrew’s and my Fb pages]
Coincidentally, The Conversation published Networking doesn’t have to be a chore. As we consider the Wednesday Night network to be sans pareil, we are amused that anyone might consider networking a chore.

These subjects dominate the news.

Israel-Iran
Not an auspicious start to October: Iran launches salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel
It is disconcerting that after so many months of excoriating Netanyahu for Israel’s remorseless pursuit of Hamas in Gaza without concern for civilian lives (death toll currently at 41,689), since Israel has undertaken to confront Iran and “decapitate” Hezbollah, Bibi has become almost a hero to many.
As noted by one Wednesday Nighter: “After killing Nasroallah, Bibi is now the most popular politician among Iranians opposing the regime. There are thousands of « thank you » messages on Twitter!”
Particularly praised is the video message he addressed to the Persian people (“The people of Iran should know – Israel stands with you”). A similar one was apparently also beamed at the Lebanese, but attracted less attention.
Now the debate has moved to Israel’s response to the barrage of Iranian missiles. All that is clear at the moment is that President Biden has said that the US would not support an Israeli strike on Iran nuclear sites
C Uday Bhaskar gives a sweeping overview of the impact of Israel’s latest actions on the geopolitical scene
Nasrallah killing worsens West Asia crisis
Both West Asia and eastern Europe are moving into a more intense spiral of violence. Alas, the global political leadership is doing an ostrich act, its head mired in domestic politics, even as the clouds of war darken.
… A similar pattern is discernible in the strife-torn region of eastern Europe. The war that jolted the world when Russia embarked upon its ‘special operations’ and invaded Ukraine in February 2022 is back in focus, with Russian President Vladimir Putin issuing an explicit nuclear warning to his adversaries. He announced changes in the Russian nuclear doctrine.
Russia’s 2010 nuclear doctrine, which stated that the use of nuclear weapons would be allowed as a response to conventional aggression that threatens the very existence of the state, has now been revised and made more elastic.

The situation in Ukraine deteriorates as Russia captures key town of Vuhledar in eastern Ukraine. The mining town located on strategic high ground links eastern and southern fronts, acts as supply hub for both sides.
The fall of Vuhledar is a microcosm of Ukraine’s wartime predicament  in this chapter of the nearly three-year war. It reflects the U.S.’s refusal to grant Ukraine permission to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, preventing Kyiv from degrading Moscow’s capabilities. Meanwhile, Russia’s dominance of the skies allows it to develop and advance devastating aerial glide bombs for which Ukraine has no effective response, while a controversial mobilization drive has failed to produce a new class of Ukrainian fighters capable of holding the line.
Meanwhile,  Russia is suspected of deliberately leaking chemical waste into a river, with deadly consequences for wildlife    ‘Everything is dead’: Ukraine rushes to stem ecocide after river poisoning

Each day -hour- we become more aware of the horrific devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia on Wednesday to see first hand the devastation wrought in the U.S. Southeast by Hurricane Helene, which has killed at least 160 people. Biden, Harris view Helene devastation, 1,000 troops deployed
For our 25th anniversary, David and I spent a month driving to Florida and back. We went South along the Coast, but returned on an inland route that took us to Carl Sandburg’s home in Flat Rock, North Carolina, on to Asheville and the Biltmore estate. Such beautiful country.
Western North Carolina is isolated as roads are closed due to flooding, fallen trees, mudslides and rockslides. We cannot find any news about the Sandburg home, but Asheville was isolated after Helene wrecked roads and knocked out power and cell service, and Biltmore is closed (Biltmore Estate: What we know in the aftermath of Helene devastation in Asheville).
Andrew Caddell’s cousin, Rep. Jeff Jackson sent this message on Monday Helene relief update – Water, food, electricity, roads, cell service
Note President Biden’s sensible approach to visiting the devastated area Biden says he hopes to visit Helene-impacted areas this week if it doesn’t impact emergency response
In September 29, 2024 Heather Cox Richardson takes on a harsher than usual tone …the Republicans’ attempt to create a fake world to motivate their base with fear and anger while leaving Democrats to come up with real world solutions. And since those solutions are popular, Republicans are claiming credit for them. In the past two days, Republican lawmakers who just days ago voted against funding the federal government and who have railed against government spending have been out front claiming credit for getting federal disaster relief.

Not exactly welcome news
Quick note that Austria‘s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) won 28.9% of the vote according to official tallies – almost three points ahead of the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) on 26.3%, but far short of a majority.
Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Herbert Kickl told supporters it has opened the door to a new era. Kickl’s victory is only the latest in a string of far-right election successes in Europe and he praised voters for their “optimism, courage and trust” in delivering a “piece of history”.
The FPÖ has been in coalition before, but the second-placed ÖVP has refused to take part in a government led by Kickl.
Though the Freedom party has won the biggest share of the vote, other parties can and should form alliances to sideline it As the far right celebrates election success in Austria, this much is clear. It must be denied power

The vice presidential debate
Not precisely historic. Despite the forecasts of a noisy, angry, shouted confrontation, Vance and Walz were extremely civil, sometimes cordial. Their demeanor was a welcome change from Trump’s appearances, but Walz was a huge disappointment. He was nervous and, as someone said, often looked as though he were trying desperately to recall what the briefing notes said. Not that most Americans care, but he fumbled most of the questions on international affairs.
If only Pete Buttigieg had been in Walz’s place. Why? See The behind-the-scenes feud animating tonight’s debate
As to Vance, Ruth Marcus of the WaPo says it best:  JD Vance is a dangerous, disciplined shape-shifter
The Republican vice-presidential candidate is Trump with a brain and a strategy.
Vance’s Oscar-worthy debate performance ought to be alarming, not reassuring. He is Trump with a brain, a strategy and the discipline to execute it. Trump has only one move — to counterpunch. Vance’s repertoire is more expansive. He can be silken smooth and at least superficially appealing, while Trump has a single note, bombastic.
Maybe, given Vance’s historic unpopularity, his re-reinvention comes too late to matter. My fear is, instead, that it is unnervingly early — designed not so much as a game-changer in 2024 as an audition tape for 2028 and beyond.

Close to home
Tom Mulcair muses Is Trudeau set to pull the trigger on prorogation?
The option is back on the table — and could be a game-changer if the prime minister follows up by stepping down as Liberal leader. Will he/won’t he?
23 bilingual Quebec municipalities challenge province’s new language law in court
Municipalities ask court to suspend parts of Bill 96 while they contest it
Twenty-three municipalities from across Quebec were in Superior Court in Montreal on Monday asking a judge to suspend parts of Quebec’s new language law, Bill 96, while they proceed with a legal challenge against it.
The legal challenge will likely take years to work its way through the courts.
Julius Grey, the lawyer for the municipalities, argued before Superior Court Justice Silvana Conte that requiring municipalities to continue enforcing certain parts of the law while the legal challenge continues would cause irreparable harm.
Build-up to the release of his book?
Former Trudeau cabinet minister criticizes PMO over access to prime minister
Marc Garneau said in an interview he felt the PMO “acted as a bit of a filter,” and that certain ministers had closer access to Trudeau, like childhood friends.
Garneau also expressed concern over Canada’s international reputation and its foreign affairs strategies, saying that “we don’t always know who we are dealing with.”
“This applies primarily to the Indo-Pacific, where the centre of gravity of the world has shifted and will be there most of this century,” Garneau said. “We do not know the countries there as well as we need to know them.”
The second shortcoming for Canada, Garneau said, is that “we want to be a voice that’s heard in the world, and yet we don’t have the credibility to match those words.” OUCH!
Don’t forget 𝐀𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐮.
16 October, 7-9pm
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐮, discusses and signs his new book 𝑨 𝑴𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝑬𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑹𝒊𝒅𝒆: 𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆, 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒖𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝑪𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 (title available October 8th, 2024) live and in person at 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 (4626 Sherbrooke Street West) with special host CFCF’s 𝐌𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐢 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢.
Admission is Free.  𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬: https://wpl-marc-garneau.eventbrite.ca

For those who are not fully familiar with the concept of 1880, Marc Nicholson‘s Singapore-and-expanding Private members’ club 1880 [dare we say partly inspired by WN], a great interview with 1880 boss Jean Low [aka Marc’s spouse] on how the establishment is anything but strict and stuffy. But then, for those who know Marc, ‘strict and stuffy’ don’t enter into the picture.

Events
Wednesday, 9 October
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
2nd Annual Bill Graham Lecture on International Affairs
Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien and former President of Mexico Ernesto Zedillo, will engage in a thought-provoking conversation. Moderated by the esteemed journalist Lisa LaFlamme
Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street, Toronto,

14–16 October
Bloomberg CityLab 2024
Mexico City, Mexico
The eleventh Bloomberg CityLab, the preeminent global cities summit organized by Bloomberg Philanthropies in partnership with the Aspen Institute, will convene more than 500 mayors and leading policymakers, innovators, and creatives

Thursday, 24 October
4:30 – 7 pm
Canada-India Relations and Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific: Reflections on the Road Ahead
The Canadian International Council’s Montreal branch and the Centre for Peace and International Security Studies hosting panel discussion with guest speaker Dr. C. Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), National University of Singapore, previously Director of ISAS, international affairs analyst, professor and columnist with the Indian Express.
Room 232, Leacock Building, McGill University
845 Sherbrooke Street West
Google Calendar ICS

English school board election is now underway in Montreal
Julien Feldman is running for re-election with Team Joe Ortona in the central Montreal district, which includes Westmount Southwest and Ville-Marie boroughs. He writes “At the EMSB’s elected council of commissioners, we’re using every trick in the book to shut down the premier’s war on the English community. Our strategy is systematically winning lawsuits against government lawyers.
But we need to win this election to keep up the fight! ” and to do so, the candidates need donations. If you can help out, contact Julien.

Varia
Jimmy Carter turns 100
He is the first American president to reach the century mark. Locals are excited to celebrate the man they know as “Mr. Jimmy.”
A 7,000-Year-Old City Emerges as a Haven from Dubai’s Sky-High Rents
“The Heart of Sharjah project is one of the most fascinating projects in the world right now,” said Sarah Moser, a professor at McGill University and director of the New Cities Lab. “It’s this sort of attempt at reclaiming a past that was abandoned or neglected when oil was found and the modernization process started.”
Joshua the goat hopped into a Newfoundland marathon — and won a medal
As marathon runners made their way through winding forest pathways and residential roads on Newfoundland’s east coast on Sunday, they were joined by a four-legged competitor who has since become a sensation
We have seen reports of grazing lawnmowers before, but not in the context of land buffers affecting spread of wild fires.
Cities are using sheep to graze in urban landscapes and people love it
Using sheep for prescribed grazing is not a new landscaping method, but more urban communities are opting for it to handle land management concerns such as invasive species, wildfire risks, protection of native vegetation and animal habitats and maintaining historic sites.
… Santa Barbara, California, has been using grazing sheep for about seven years as one way to manage land buffers that can slow or halt the spread of wildfires.
The grazed areas can change how fire moves, said Mark vonTillow, the wildland specialist for the Santa Barbara City Fire Department.
“So if a fire is coming down the hill and it’s going through a full brush field, and then all of a sudden it hits grazed area that’s sort of broken up vegetation, the fire behavior reacts drastically and drops to the ground,” vonTillow said. “That gives firefighters a chance to attack the fire.”

Long reads
With thanks to Cornelia Molson
A Purrrrfect Political Storm
Crazy cat ladies have come to dominate this election season. It’s hardly the first time.
What will Nasrallah’s death mean for the Middle East?
Israel’s killing of Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon on September 27, 2024 will have ripple effects across the Middle East. Brookings experts reflect on the implications of the Hezbollah leader’s death.
What Lies Beneath a “Cordial” Debate
J. D. Vance put a sheen on Trumpism, and Tim Walz’s niceness unwittingly helped him succeed.
…Walz asked Vance whether he believed that Trump lost the 2020 election. Vance dodged, and reverted to spinning some strange yarn about Facebook and censorship. “That is a damning nonanswer,” Walz said. “Mike Pence made that decision to certify that election. That’s why Mike Pence isn’t on this stage.”
It was a sharp, if understated, Walz retort. In this moment, and in many other moments throughout the debate, Walz did not expose the depths of MAGA extremism. He could have more forcefully laid bare the truth about his rival, but he mostly stuck to highlighting policy differences.
The world is knocking on the door
There are two camps about this moment in US geopolitical history. One side draws a trend line from Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and over-reliance on tariffs and sanctions to the Biden administration’s “small yard and high fence” as the start of the US retrenchment from global leadership.Another side says the US remains the most important actor in every room it enters and will continue to set the global agenda.
We may only know in hindsight if this decade turned out to be a turning point. For now, it seems clear that the world is still knocking on the door of the White House, asking for a glimpse of the blueprint ahead.
What Did ‘The West Wing’ Do to Us?
As Aaron Sorkin’s political fantasy turns 25, its romance has aged better than its politics.
Knowing what came after “The West Wing” makes its pilot seem even older than its 25 years. But it also makes rewatching it, even for a doubter like me, a moving experience. I know how this story ends. But it still makes me laugh and mist up, even as I wonder whether the America it celebrated ever really existed.
For better or worse, that’s what a good romance — and good political speech writing — does to you