I’m a bit of a buff when it comes to the War of 1812. In my bookshelves sit eight historical volumes, three American, the rest Canadian. I also have an authentic American newspaper recounting the Battle of Beaver Dams in 1813 when a marauding American force under Boerstler was tricked
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Alberta Politics: The Day We Burned Ole D.C. Down … I blame Stephen Harper for Canada’s latest trade troubles!
I blame Stephen Harper. Face it, Canada’s latest trade troubles wouldn’t have happened without him! If Mr. Harper hadn’t spent $30 million or so of our tax money “commemorating” the War of 1812, who would’ve known our side burned down the White House and sundry other buildings in Washington, D.C.,
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Harper’s ‘Dog Whistle’ Messaging to ‘Old Stock Canadians’ — Was Heard And Understood
Don Maroc’s post on Harper’s thinly veiled ‘Old Stock Canadians’ was welcomed by many Cowichan Conversation Readers. He was certainly not the only one to hear the ‘Dog Whistle’ messaging from Steve Harper. Bill Tieleman’s Read more…
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Tecumseh Saved Canada From The US Invasion In The War Of 1812
Tecumseh fought with the British defending Canada from the US invasion Allan Gregg is a name recognized by most of us as a pollster and media personality. He is also an historian and tells us in this video that he studied and learned very little of the significant role that Tecumseh
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Cons and the Porky Propaganda War
Golly. Sometimes it's the small things that tell you so much about the slow collapse of the Con Regime.Like the sad fate of Stephen Harper's 1812 extravaganza.Great Royal Jelly Leader was hoping he could whip Canadians into a patriotic frenzy, by bombarding us with more ads than we could duck.While
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Harper Tories cry havoc and let slip the wars of dogs!
Meow! Prime Minister Stephen and Patron of the War Animals Laureen Harper with their Military Intelligence advisor “Trinity.” Below: the GRU and CSIS lapel pins. Note the similarity of design. Coincidence? I think not! A Royal Canadian animal hat: Here be Dragoons. And below that: Modern elephant-mounted light artillery …
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: What If We’d Had Nothing Better Than Harper and Hillier in 1812?
For years I’ve been something of student of the history of the War of 1812. On the wall behind me are buttons from the great battles of that war including Queenston Heights, Lundy’s Lane and Crysler’s Farm. Buttons from the 8th (Kings), the 41st Foot, Brock’s own 49th Regiment of
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Thanksgiving and the Madness of King Harper
It's Thanksgiving Day in Canada. The day when you realize that summer isn't coming back.And a day when I feel particularly close to our U.S. neighbours. For although they don't celebrate Thanksgiving until November, we both share the Pilgrim turkey, on this most North American of holidays.As well as the happy
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Harper’s Weird War Fetish
Salaberry Leads Voltigeurs at Chateauguay What is with Steve Harper’s bizarre obsession with the War of 1812? Canada, at that point, was British territory, more than a half century away from independence. The war was fought by American forces on one side and predominantly British forces on the other. Yes,
Continue readingThe Sir Robert Bond Papers: A distinction that makes a difference #nlpoli
As part of the commemoration events for the War of 1812, the part of the Department of National Defence responsible for ceremony has decided to give seven Canadian Army units including the Royal Newfoundland Regiment the right to carry the battle honour DETROIT. A battle honour marks a significant event
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the War Olympics
Well the Olympic Games are finally over, and I must say I enjoyed the show, from the stunning beginning to the wild and wonderful end. I thought the Brits did an amazing job, I was proud of all our athletes, whether they won a medal or not. And the only
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Yes Minister MacKay! Perfesser Dave explains the French role in the War of 1812
One of our heroic French allies, armed with a bassoon, holds off a Russian soldier near Niagara on the Lake some time during the War of 1812 with the Russians and the Taliban. Below: Perfesser Dave; Defence Minister and amateur historian Peter MacKay. Was he overtired? Elmer MacKay, at right,
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: James Moore should give Peter MacKay history lessons
Late last year, as the federal government launched plans to celebrate the bicentennial of the War of 1812, Heritage Minister James Moore was heard to lament the fact that Canada’s high schools are doing a very poor job of teaching students about history. Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore, who announced Tuesday that
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: 200 Year Old Triumphalism a Bit Stale
Stephen Harper obviously likes wars. His type, the kind who are never actually around for the killing and the dying, often do. Perhaps because he so royally screwed up his own war, the one he made his own, Canada’s war in Afghanistan, Steve is so desperate for some, any measure
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: The Obert Report: Harper and Obama Argue About The War of 1812 (VIDEO)
Co-hosts Obert and Anita dramatize a recent secret conversation between Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and US President Barack Obama. Harper and his Conservative majority government are militarizing Canadian society. They’re re-writing the country’s history to fit their fledgling right-wing worldview. Canada‘s Independence Day is around the corner and Harper
Continue readingThe War of 1812—a non-Canadian event
That Mr. Harper and his colleagues are all gung-ho about the War of 1812, and spending millions on commemorating it, is hardly surprising. Reactionaries seem to have a thing about war. Perhaps it appeals to their need for simplicity, for seeing issues in black and white, us and them, and
Continue readingDavid Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: Celebrating a royal birthday in our nation’s capital as the greenest threat since the Fenians looms
Your blogger with the King, in livelier times. Below, Prime Minister Stephen Harper (“Old Dickery”), at left, meets with his majesty. Kings and prime ministers may not be exactly as illustrated. OTTAWA With our Canadian government’s new emphasis on all things royal, I’m deeply regretful to have to report that
Continue readingPample the Moose: Canada Day and the War of 1812
In a story in today’s Toronto Star and CBC from Canadian Press, the federal government has hired a consultant to inject a War of 1812 theme into the noonday and evening Canada Day shows on Parliament Hill. The article implies that this might represent a major shift in crafting politicized
Continue readingBigCityLib Strikes Back: How the Canadian Identity Was REALLY Forged: The Pig War Of San Juan Island
The Harper Government’s sudden glorification of the War of 1812 is propagandist bunk, though for the most part harmless, I suppose. The problem with turning 1812 into an integral part of the Canadian brand is that, by all measures…
Continue readingPolitics and Entertainment: Propagandistic Opportunism: The War of 1812
Great column from Jeffrey Simpson this morning on the propagandistic opportunism of the Harper Regime: Let’s Not Exalt the Folly of 1812. PBS is also broadcasting a documentary on October 10 on the so-called wa…
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