One can feel a little sympathy with Danielle Smith for wanting to be at Donald Trump’s second inauguration on Jan. 20, especially since the trip is likely to be on her fellow Albertans’ dime.
While it’s unlikely Alberta’s premier will be part of the largest presidential inauguration crowd ever – that would be the 1.8 million people who gathered on the National Mall in Washington to see Barack Obama take the oath of office in 2009 – it will be a historic occasion just the same.
After all, it may be the last presidential inauguration in American history and, even if it isn’t, the next one might not be until the establishment of the Second American Republic, whenever that is.
Meanwhile, Ms. Smith’s unquenchable penchant for sucking up to prominent figures of the MAGA right is well known, and widely understood.
But what the heck, it’ll probably be a lot less expensive to indulge her than some of the things she might get up to if she has to stay at home and watch it on TV.
Alert readers will recall where Alberta’s political leader was on January 24 this year, the day after a frightening shooting at Edmonton City Hall. That’s right, she was just a short untaken flight away in Calgary, where she was doing something far more important than offering sympathy to frightened citizens or showing her government was in control during a crisis.
To wit, she was excitedly awaiting lunch with Tucker Carlson, the odious U.S. broadcaster best known as the leading voice of white grievance politics.
Then she was off to Edmonton for more of the same, an evening at Rogers Place with Mr. Carlson, National Post founder, professional bloviator and ex House of Lords member Tubby Black, and Doctor Jordan Peterson, meat eater and inspiration to a generation of Canadian incels.
There’s never been any suggestion Ms. Smith ever called Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi to say she was sorry that someone shot up City Hall. Well, fortunately there were no casualties, notwithstanding the fact a group of school kids were on a field trip to the building when the bullets started flying.
But, you know … we’ve all got priorities.
Nowadays, of course, the likes of Mr. Carlson, Lord Black, and Dr. Peterson don’t hold a candle to the biggliest right-wing celebrity of them all, the Very Stable Genius himself, Donald J. Trump.
The trip to Washington, of course, will be an utter waste of time. Ms. Smith isn’t going to get anywhere near The Man, obviously.
Still, Alberta media can be counted on to do their best to make the junket look important.
“Smith heading to Trump’s inauguration, but ‘not worried’ about U.S. tariffs on Canadian energy,” The Calgary Herald whooped in a headline yesterday.
Turns out that was nothing more than clickbait, though, since the story essentially contained no information about the trip, devoting only 60 words to the topic, generously calculated.
Still, that was good enough for the UCP’s communications brain trust to cobble together a social media meme saying the same thing and implying by omission that their boss was going to meet the fellow.
So, is she going to mingle with the crowd on the National Mall? That’s probably her best chance of getting close to a Republican official that day. Will she visit the Canadian Embassy nearby? Who the hell knows? Probably not the ambassador, or even the premier, at this point.
Will she and her entourage even be able to find a hotel room? Well, maybe they can bed down at the Embassy or spend the night in the subway.
The only tidbit of information in the Herald about the trip was this quote, attributed to the premier: “We’re prepared to spend a few days there, just building those relationships with the new administration.”
Cool! Take your time!
The Herald’s big scoop seems to have been shoehorned into a story that Ms. Smith has signed on with a group of like-minded Republican state governors who are looking forward to Mr. Trump’s expected command to Drill! Baby! Drill! Ms. Smith will presumably now be the Canadian auxiliary to the Governors’ Coalition for Energy Security.
That story, in turn, was based on a couple of press releases, one from the Alberta Government and the other from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, which was linked to the Alberta.ca page.
Ms. Smith will also be attending a meeting of Western state governors in Las Vegas – always a sure sign that serious and important business is about to be done.
No date was given for that meeting, but the Herald’s reporter appears to have somehow managed to get ahold of a quote by Ms. Smith about how she doesn’t think Alberta oil will be included in Mr. Trump’s planned tariff on everything made by the United States’ trading partners.
As for the well-established tendency of an ample supply to cause a drop in the price of a commodity – often covered in economics textbooks under the heading, The Law of Supply and Demand – this appears to be a foreign concept to Alberta Conservatives.
But you can rest easy, fellow Albertans! Whatever the environmental or economic impact of all that new drilling south of the Medicine Line turns out to be, Ms. Smith isn’t worried about it.
Pee-Pee, Harper, Manning, Smith et al., just a bunch of Yank loving putzes with zero loyalty to their own country and would love nothing more than to see Old Glory hoisted proudly in Alberta (to begin with, at least). There is a word that fits the actions of these despicable cretins that no one wants to say out loud but I will: treason. Makes one pine for the days when such a high crime was dealt with swiftly and harshly.
Alberta’s TBA premier working to collapse oil prices, just in time to prop up the failing TBA owned oil related companies with other people’s pension money. Ain’t nothing anyone can do about that….. Suckers!
As a guess, a meeting will take place between representatives of Gina Rinehart and the UCP Alberta entourage during the inauguration festivites.
An informative article was published yesterday by The Tyee regarding the Grassy Lakes mine Gina Rinehart wants to commence. Please read it.
Also, do a little research on Gina Rinehart. She’s worth billions and has become very close with the Trump family-on a purely transactional money level, I assume.
She was/is suing some of her children over trust funds left to them by their grandfather. Reputable Australian news outlets have reported on this. She probably won’t be getting a mother’s day card.
If she would shaft her own children, what do the residents of Alberta think she would do to Alberta?
Rinehart’s “donation” of $75,000.00 to a local school lunch program in Crowsnest Pass? Come on, out of the goodness of her heart, no strings attached?
This reminds me of a story my american cousins told me about that happened long ago. The small city they grew up in was selected as a location for a large chain store. Initially the town council rejected the deal. Eventually, the chain store’s professional and sophisticated negotiators sweetened the offer by committing to renovating the baseball diamond and buying equipment and uniforms for the local team. Town council somehow sold the residents on this plan.
The eventual result: numerous tax abatements and permanently reduced property taxes payable by the chain store. This caused many small business closures and a large municipal tax deficit due to the costs the city assumed for building out the necessary road structure which the town council either didn’t understand or maybe “overlooked”. The town council also hired a local attorney that was no match for the barrage of sophisticated corporate attorneys used by the chain store. The town council was fleeced and the residents got stuck with bill.
When I was much younger, 60 Minutes did a segment on just that issue. It even showed the downtown of the small town. Not a shop was open and therefore no support for local organizations or a tax base for the town. The large store built in the middle of nowhere, lower taxes.
Smith and smartless are going to take the people of Alberta back to the good old days, you know when there wasn’t any oil money and before Lougheed.
Smith is no match for those Republicans or any of the corporate executives.
Recall Mom, used to refer to Albertans as the province where a bull couldn’t do damage to the inside of their homes, but every one had a big car or truck in the drive way. Looks like nothing has changed. Alberta Socreds were even dumber than B.C. Socreds.
Wasting money on these junkets is par for the course with the UCP. Meanwhile, at home, there are so many issues that haven’t been resolved. Public healthcare, utilities, public education, utility affordability, the disadvantaged, and much, much more besides. Shameful.
I maybe mistaken but I don’t think a Canadian Prime Minister has ever attended an Inauguration. But Premier Smith is going. Interesting.
I do believe you are correct. At the old age of 75 can’t remember any P.M. attending either. Those swearing in ceremonies are all about “buying” a seat or table and the money going to the Republican party.
I’m sure the Republicans will show Smith and the boys a good time. if the Americans do start pumping oil out of Alberta you can bet they won’t be paying much in the way of fees or royalties or have to comply with enviornmental standards. Expect them to bring in their own workers also, sort of like China did at one point.
My bet is the Republicans will want to sweeten her up and make her feel important so she may influence PP. What the Republicans may not understand is our political systems differ greatly and there is no guarantee the Conservatives will win the next election. Interest in pp as Prime Minister may disappear once voters get a good look at Smith and Ford and the Republicans. There are enough people who have not joined this century or the last in Canada. We do remember the Ottawa conflab and the closure of ports of entry.
Those Gov. may also be shilling for their friends in the profitable end of health care. Perhaps purchasing a few hospitals if Alberta decides to sell or lease them to private interests.
I certainly hope the Inauguration is a complete shite show. Trump wants a generalissimo’s uniform with 10 lbs of medals and a big hat with feathers. He wants thousands of soldiers parade past, with hundreds of tanks and artillery. And he wants hundreds of planes in the sky. Nuremberg 2.0.
I suspect the day will be one of rage and endless chaos. Trump will order ‘shoot to kill’ and we’ll see who’s loyal.
With the US nation so imperilled, one wonders why there hasn’t been masterful acts of ‘extreme prejudice’ committed against Trump’s fellow travellers. Surely, Elon is a sitting duck in his private jet? Peter Thiel hiding on his own version of Epstein island, he’s an easy target. And Tulsi Gabbard, a Kremlin asset if there ever was one, how many people want her finished off? As for Matt Gaetz, just send him a Chuckie Cheeze voucher and the rest will take care of itself. Where are the masterminds of US intelligence, who overthrew governments and knocked down buildings?
His last inauguration was big. So big, the biggest protest ever on the streets of DC. Do it again!!
Give them time. The shit show hasn’t reached a level which Americans will buy into the exit strategy. The wife of the Brazilian Pres. has had a few choice words to say about Musk.
Smith seems desperate to get as close as possible to the action, but I agree it is likely she will be less successful than fanboy Musk, who is also eager to bask in the reflected glory after Trumps great triumph, at least for now.
First of all, I doubt Trump knows or cares who Smith is and other than the PM or a couple of Federal cabinet ministers, I doubt he or his close advisors know of or care about any Canadian politicians. Of course this will not keep Smith from pressing her nose against the window, just so she can give the appearance of doing something to her more gullible supporters.
However, Smith should be careful in glibly cheer leading the US oil industry on to produce more as there is a conflict here for Alberta – the more they produce, the less of an American market remains for us. Of course, deep though was never Smith’s strength.
I suppose in her defence, the trip to Washington makes some sense. It gets her away from critics here, it doesn’t cost her anything if Alberta taxpayers are paying for it and it turns what will probably actually be a nice vacation stay in some Washington hotel into the appearance of trying to do something. So win, win, win for her and appearance over substance is what Smith is all about, for anyone who hasn’t figured that out yet.
Dave– from the office of Jeff Landry ( Gov of Louisiana)
“Province of Alberta joins renamed Governors coalition for energy security , Gov Landry announces.”
……launched in Sept …..the joining of the province of Alberta ,highlights the shared interests of all members in ensuring affordable, reliable and cleaner energy for their people.
From True North >>Alberta has become the first non US state to join a US energy pact featuring 12 states that had signed onto the coalition.
So make of it that what you will.
“The trip to Washington will, of course, be an utter waste of time. Ms. Smith isn’t going to get anywhere near The Man, obviously.” Not so fast, Mr. Blogger. Do not underestimate the ingenuity of our elected officials. Your premier and Trump fanboy Mr. Peepers could attend the Inaugural Ball after the daytime swearing in. To show their admiration and loyalty to His Highness, they slip into maid and butler garb to serve smoked salmon canapés and other finger delicacies to the poobahs and big wigs. Conservative Canadians and fellow Albertans will stand proud.
Well, Tom, I suppose it’s not impossible. Newspaper industry legend had it that in 1964 a Montreal reporter of my acquaintance, now long passed, alas, slipped a bellhop at the Ritz-Carleton $50 for his uniform and the room service champers and delivered the bubbly to Liz and Dick, congratulating them on their marriage downstairs and, when they thanked him warmly, going back to the office and writing up the scoop. Could’ve been true, I suppose. And who cares if it wasn’t? He too was universally admired. DJC
I agree, not impossible at all. Many years ago my uncle was studying acting at LAMDA in London when he heard there was a major event about to take place. He rented a suit (that by all accounts wouldn’t be out of place at Ascot) and proceeded to wade in with the crowd at St Paul’s Cathedral. That event was, of course, the wedding of Charles and Diana.
Not this Albertan. Wish I could br there! To line the streets with the other protesters! Dump the Trump!
Viva Las Vegas! Don’t worry, be happy. Plot the course for the Republic of Alberta, end elections, rule forever. Just another day in the life of a dictator wannabe. Deal with it, serfs.
Falling oil prices! Why worry? Smith and Harper will have our CPP dollars to gift to the oil companies.
Remember these scoundrels and lackeys who jumped with joy at the dismantling of a once great nation. When they claim that no one ever supported Trump and no one saw coming what he plainly said he would do, remember that they were enthusiastic and gleeful. Remember – lest we forget.
Soon I’ll have to start watching those tear jerkin’ British Xmas ads from the big department stores or I’ll just hide under the covers until spring. Anymore bad news and I’m outta here.
While you’re under the covers you can always acquaint yourself with some 70’s British humour:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEjdJszBbY8&list=PL79EFF3DFB9A35B50&index=9
(The “Arsenal” cough relates to a previous sketch.)
I am sure Ms. Smith will be mistaken for one of the local tourist sorts. But if there is a riot she has 50/50 chance of winding up in the local crowbar hotel. Perhaps she will be mistaken for kitchen staff.
Smith is going to Washington. Who is paying for her stylist, new wardrobe, etc. If she goes as is, she will be mistaken for, well some one who doesn’t belong there. Wonder if Ms. smith is going to take Mr. smith along for the vacation?
e.a.f.: You mean like she did in Dubai? I understand he has a special interest in railroads. They have lots of those in the States, so why not? DJC
DJC— but doesn’t that mean she should be taking him to meet with the ‘present’ train loving president ??
—————–
And as far as mixing with the inner circle , it’s not from lack of trying making inroads with his supporters, ie:
Tucker Carlson
Conrad Black
Sen. Paul Rand (X- Feb 7th)
Sen. Joe Manchin (F- Feb 9th)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy (Alaska)
(F- Mar 1st) *2nd meeting, first was I believe in Jan.
Council General Emily Fleckner ( office in Calgary)(X-Oct 25th)
Sen Mike Waltz— (PP fan)
And she also has the support of Harper with his buddies M.Pompeo , Newt Gingrich etc. from the IDU.
Along with climbing on board the Ford train for ousting Mexico out of NAFTA, there’s the triple tie in with Jamal Jivani & JD ; and that’s just some of the ones we are aware of. The pics from Dubai didn’t have names to go with the faces,,(TC Energy). So as I said, she’s been a busy girl in the last year + ignoring her job in Alberta, but making friends in ‘high places’, that just purely, coincidentally, are of a certain party.
What would be interesting is her trying to explain PP’S comments about the proposed tariffs, after posting a congratulatory post”…..The US is Canada’s best friend and I will work with the President to benefit both countries…”
and then on Friday on the Jas Johal show…PP is vowing to “fight fire with fire” and address president-elect D.Trumps economic protectionism with policies aimed at attracting investment and higher wages in Canada. ”
I’m not sure if I should laugh or be even more embarrassed: political rhetoric???
Sidebar— and WTH is with the Reformers crawling out from under their rocks, I thought they were afraid of the light— Stockwell Day interfering in BC election/ third party advertising….
>>oh hey! Is that who Kluge is??hmmm??<<
Does anyone recall the furor ($) over Allison Redford’s junket to Nelson
Mandela’s funeral?
Who was it had the expensive orange juice in London?
‘Hey! Where’s Danielle, the two-for-three rightwing-dragon slayer?’
‘Haven’t you heard? She’s just been appointed stenographer for Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, in president-elect Donald F tRump’s cabinet.’
‘Wow! I guess it really is true!’
‘What’s true?’
‘What happens in DC stays in DC.’
‘Jeez! Is that even constitutional?’
‘…you’re joking, right?’
Not to belabour the horse race, but at best our Dani is an “also ran”.
POGO— so it can’t be Mr Ed , so Ms Dani ?? It would explain the Ivermectin, I guess.