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Remembering Jim Today

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Remembering Jim is to recall warmth, kindness, and a gentle spirit that made every interaction special. He had a unique ability to transform simple moments into lasting memories, effortlessly turning everyday gatherings into joyful events. Family get-togethers haven't been the same since we lost him. Jim had an extraordinary combination of kindness, sensitivity, and strength—a true 'man's man' during our outings, yet never unkind or unfair. He had a wickedly sharp sense of humor, reserved for those close to him, shared over drinks at his favorite pub or during relaxed evenings. He could turn a simple hangout into unforgettable memories, whether enduring the famously uncomfortable seats at Massey Hall enjoying an amazing concert together or savoring the unforgettable experience of seeing B.B. King at George's Spaghetti House. Jim had a gift for understanding and engaging people, effortlessly recalling obscure songs—like that time he quickly found "Invitation to ...

Robotics Mobilization Plan

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DRAFT Introduction: A Robotics Mobilization Plan for Canada Canada stands at a pivotal moment in history. Just as the country mobilized during World War II to become a global leader in aircraft production, we now face a new challenge that demands a similar level of urgency, coordination, and ambition. The emerging era of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics is reshaping industries, economies, and global power structures. Nations that lead in AI-driven manufacturing and robotics will secure not only their economic prosperity but also their sovereignty and security. Canada cannot afford to be left behind. During WWII, Canada transformed its small, underdeveloped air force into a powerhouse of production and innovation, training over 130,000 pilots and producing more than 16,000 aircraft in just a few years. This remarkable success was driven by clear political leadership, industrial mobilization, and public support. Today, we face an equally urgent challenge: the need to rapidly sca...

International Women's Day

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DRAFT This is complete, but it still needs some revision and polishing...  I'm trying not to make this too much of a downer, but our prevailing cultures, even in the best cases, are incredibly hostile toward women. Everywhere, they are an underclass. The extent to which this harms women varies, but it harms women everywhere.  I went to  confirm the date for International Women’s Day  on my calendar and  discovered it had been erased. Google Calendar scrubbed it. It appears to be a consequence of the Project 2025 inspired dismantling of DEI. That was the rabbit hole moment. Because  when a culture starts erasing its recognition of women altogether, you know the situation isn’t just bad—it’s accelerating into something worse. Let’s take stock. Women in the U.S.  no longer have full control over their own bodies . Legislation is  actively moving toward removing women’s right to vote. The baseline for how women are treated isn’t just  alrea...

Lech Walesa Letter

  Former President of Poland Lech Walesa wrote the following letter to Trump. Your Excellency, Mr. President, We watched the report of your conversation with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, with fear and distaste. We find it insulting that you expect Ukraine to show respect and gratitude for the material assistance provided by the United States in its fight against Russia. Gratitude is owed to the heroic Ukrainian soldiers who shed their blood in defense of the values of the free world. They have been dying on the front lines for more than 11 years in the name of these values and the independence of their homeland, which was attacked by Putin’s Russia. We do not understand how the leader of a country that symbolizes the free world cannot recognize this. Our alarm was also heightened by the atmosphere in the Oval Office during this conversation, which reminded us of the interrogations we endured at the hands of the Security Services and the debates in Communist courts....