Fantastic evening last night with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir + a night for Greenland!
15.02.2026 21:02
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Fantastic evening last night with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir + a night for Greenland!
Re Mr. Trump’s comments on the Gordie Howe bridge, he really does have a mental problem.
Intellectual laziness? Can’t be bothered to check facts before he types? Terrifying in a Caesar. Is his mind actually in fast decline? Unable to understand his own words? Who knows.
There is nothing ‘mere’ about the new Canadian Consulate in Greenland. It is a major foreign policy statement:
Canada's Mary Simon from Norway to Denmark to Greenland - A clear northern strategy:
open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...
There is a graphic novel I love. The story? A young English female footballer (Soccer) with real talent. The deep dive into Florrie’s football life is fascinating. And there is a moving love story involving one of her teammates. Beautiful illustrations:
www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/798662...
You may not have seen these foolish remarks by Mr Trump. I thought a few corrections and explanations might be helpful. They follow:
substack.com/@johnralston...
There is life away from political musings
open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...
Canada - Mexico... another part of the pivot away from Washington!
open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...
You can't blame America's drug crisis on foreign adversaries. Do you want the truth? The epidemic mainly reflects consumer despair, normalized corruption and a ruthless capitalist market. Drugs spread only to the extent that desire makes room for them!
open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...
Authoritarian leaders spend a lot of time denigrating their opponents and their societies and civilizations. These were central tactics of the anti-democratic ideologues of the 20th century.
I guess you are wondering just how this applies to Greenland?
open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...
It would be wonderful if the Govt of Alberta concentrated on the well- being of Albertans instead of attempting to distract citizens from reality with cheap moralizing tricks.
Here is a brief personal reflection on encountering Brigette Bardot. Her overwhelming presence, the distance between her public image and private reality, and how a fleeting moment cut through myth. What endures after image fades?
substack.com/@johnralston...
For Canada, the F-35 offers complexity without strategic benefit, while Sweden’s Gripen E provides practical capability, independence, and true partnership. Appropriate tools win wars, and Canada needs an Arctic-ready aircraft, not a southern showpiece: open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...
Here are two powerful artworks. Mantegna's Lamentations of the Dead Christ and Canova's idealized Napoleon. One reveals human fragility. The other, manufactured grandeur. I try to explore how such artwork exposes the truth behind power. Have a read: open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...
I reflect on Siena's frescoes of Good and Bad Government, seeing their warnings about justice, leadership and civic wellbeing echoed in today's politics, Covid responses, and my responsibility to judge governments wisely. Have a read: substack.com/@johnralston...
One comment on the Canadian budget.
Yes, the international student question is complicated. True, many of these students won’t leave after their studies. This may not have been the intent of the program, but Canada is nevertheless the winner. Have a look: open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...
Mamdani walking across the Brooklyn bridge with voters. 2025. Source: The Nation
So Zohran Mamdani is a Socialist? He’s a Social Democrat - the same kind often found leading governments across NATO countries like Britain, Germany, and Norway. If that makes him a Socialist then so is all of NATO. Have a look at my Substack post: substack.com/@johnralston...
See my comments on the new Spirit Garden at the Heart of Toronto.
substack.com/@johnralston...
