George Baker
@bakergeorget.bsky.social
Hi. I currently work for CBC Radio in Vancouver. I was born in the Blandlands. Re-posts are not endorsements. It means I think it's noteworthy. Or newsy.
Bills, Canucks, Lions, Blue Jays, Caps.
Bills, Canucks, Lions, Blue Jays, Caps.
Reposted by George Baker
Corrupt leader of corrupt organization that has nothing to do with peace makes up fake prize to suck up to corrupt narcissist and fascist after he unsuccessfully and ridiculously tried to coerce the real peace prize people to give him the real prize he could never, ever win.
Pathetic all around.
Pathetic all around.
December 5, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Corrupt leader of corrupt organization that has nothing to do with peace makes up fake prize to suck up to corrupt narcissist and fascist after he unsuccessfully and ridiculously tried to coerce the real peace prize people to give him the real prize he could never, ever win.
Pathetic all around.
Pathetic all around.
Reposted by George Baker
The freelance market is such that without a major revenue generator like this newsletter, full-time writing is all but impossible. When combined with a recession, it's even worse. I am once again asking people to take seriously and appreciate views that conflict with their own.
December 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The freelance market is such that without a major revenue generator like this newsletter, full-time writing is all but impossible. When combined with a recession, it's even worse. I am once again asking people to take seriously and appreciate views that conflict with their own.
Reposted by George Baker
Watching Andrea Bocelli sing Nessun dorma at the FIFA World Cup draw as Trump and Infantino watch really brings home how much of a disaster of sportswashing this World Cup could be
December 5, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Watching Andrea Bocelli sing Nessun dorma at the FIFA World Cup draw as Trump and Infantino watch really brings home how much of a disaster of sportswashing this World Cup could be
Reposted by George Baker
Hell of a day to be posting this one, guys.
Opinion: When Canadians and Americans build together, we build stronger
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
When Canadians and Americans build together, we build stronger
For a century, our partnership has kept North America safe. It has built the world’s most capable defence industrial base, and ensured our Forces can move, fight, and win together.
www.hilltimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Hell of a day to be posting this one, guys.
Reposted by George Baker
The Jays have found the fountain of youth in their rotation. Well, relative to last season at least. PLUS: The Berríos question, and a visit from Kyle Tucker!
Yes, I’ve finally got some Cody Ponce thoughts to share. 👇
Yes, I’ve finally got some Cody Ponce thoughts to share. 👇
Ponce In a Lifetime!
The Jays have found the fountain of youth in their rotation. Well, relative to last season at least. PLUS: The Berríos question, and a visit from Kyle Tucker!
stoeten.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:15 AM
The Jays have found the fountain of youth in their rotation. Well, relative to last season at least. PLUS: The Berríos question, and a visit from Kyle Tucker!
Yes, I’ve finally got some Cody Ponce thoughts to share. 👇
Yes, I’ve finally got some Cody Ponce thoughts to share. 👇
Reposted by George Baker
Overheard two elderly women at the coffee shop yesterday:
"So I asked ChatGPT ..."
"You asked who??"
"ChatGPT, the computer thing."
"That's not a person."
"So I asked ChatGPT ..."
"You asked who??"
"ChatGPT, the computer thing."
"That's not a person."
December 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Overheard two elderly women at the coffee shop yesterday:
"So I asked ChatGPT ..."
"You asked who??"
"ChatGPT, the computer thing."
"That's not a person."
"So I asked ChatGPT ..."
"You asked who??"
"ChatGPT, the computer thing."
"That's not a person."
There is a lot here in this analysis. I am paying close attention to the removal of "deemed consent" from the Mental Health Act.
NEW analysis in The Mainlander:
The politics of the Mental Health Act amendments in Bill 32 reflect a trend of the BC NDP circumventing court rulings under Premier Eby’s leadership.
themainlander.com/2025/12/05/b...
The politics of the Mental Health Act amendments in Bill 32 reflect a trend of the BC NDP circumventing court rulings under Premier Eby’s leadership.
themainlander.com/2025/12/05/b...
BC NDP Aims to side-step another legal challenge to broaden the criminalization of mental health, substance use
The politics of the Mental Health Act amendments in Bill 32 reflect a trend of the BC NDP circumventing court rulings under Premier Eby’s leadership.
themainlander.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:15 PM
There is a lot here in this analysis. I am paying close attention to the removal of "deemed consent" from the Mental Health Act.
Reposted by George Baker
A thread
Tomorrow the premier of B.C. will announce that his government has failed the youth of this province and to address that, young people in trouble will be subject to indefinite medical detention.
Tomorrow the premier of B.C. will announce that his government has failed the youth of this province and to address that, young people in trouble will be subject to indefinite medical detention.
massive investment in accessible social housing to guarantee homes for all is the solution to mass homelessness
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
Why involuntary medical admission and treatment won’t solve homelessness
The arguments made by advocates for involuntary medical admissions and treatment aren’t supported by science.
theconversation.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
A thread
Tomorrow the premier of B.C. will announce that his government has failed the youth of this province and to address that, young people in trouble will be subject to indefinite medical detention.
Tomorrow the premier of B.C. will announce that his government has failed the youth of this province and to address that, young people in trouble will be subject to indefinite medical detention.
Literally a racist administration
The Trump administration said Friday that Europe is facing the “stark prospect of civilizational erasure” and pledged that the U.S. will support like-minded “patriotic” parties across the continent to prevent a future in which “certain NATO members will become majority non-European.”
Trump Administration Says Europe Faces ‘Civilizational Erasure’
America’s goal should be “to help Europe correct its current trajectory,” the administration said in its new National Security Strategy.
nyti.ms
December 5, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Literally a racist administration
Reposted by George Baker
📊Kinew and Holt top latest premier rankings, While Ford and Legault once again sit at the bottom of the Angus Reid Institute’s quarterly report card.
www.338canada.ca/p/kinew-and-...
www.338canada.ca/p/kinew-and-...
Kinew and Holt Top Latest Premier Rankings
While Ford and Legault once again sit at the bottom of the Angus Reid Institute’s quarterly report card.
www.338canada.ca
December 5, 2025 at 1:40 PM
📊Kinew and Holt top latest premier rankings, While Ford and Legault once again sit at the bottom of the Angus Reid Institute’s quarterly report card.
www.338canada.ca/p/kinew-and-...
www.338canada.ca/p/kinew-and-...
She wants them to investigate antifa.
Bondi orders US law enforcement to investigate 'extremist groups' reut.rs/3KhPjt0
Bondi orders US law enforcement to investigate 'extremist groups'
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday ordered federal law enforcement to step up investigations into the anti-fascist antifa movement and similar "extremist groups," and asked the FBI to compile a list of entities possibly engaged in domestic terrorism, according to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters.
reut.rs
December 5, 2025 at 4:58 AM
She wants them to investigate antifa.
It's snowing on Mount Seymour!
Stoke-O-Meter Snowcam | Mt Seymour Ski Area, Vancouver, BC
YouTube video by Mt Seymour
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:00 AM
It's snowing on Mount Seymour!
Ever wonder why real journalists aren't famous?
@timmiller.bsky.social: "He's being nominated to HHS Secretary…You had information that you could have shared…and you didn't share anything about him. Why? Did you still love him?"
Olivia Nuzzi: "I don't know how to responsibly handle this on camera." lnk.thebulwark.com/4ozkaz8?utm_...
Olivia Nuzzi: "I don't know how to responsibly handle this on camera." lnk.thebulwark.com/4ozkaz8?utm_...
December 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Ever wonder why real journalists aren't famous?
Reposted by George Baker
yeah, Vanity Fair made her an editor after all this was known, and has been promoting her book excerpts, but really she's just the most recent example in an endless line of dull, shitty writers who seem to have lifetime tenure somewhere within the msm
December 4, 2025 at 6:49 PM
yeah, Vanity Fair made her an editor after all this was known, and has been promoting her book excerpts, but really she's just the most recent example in an endless line of dull, shitty writers who seem to have lifetime tenure somewhere within the msm
In other bad news, former Canuck is accused of a sex crime
Case against Ryan Kesler, ex-NHL center charged with criminal sexual conduct, headed to trial
The criminal case against Kesler, charged with two misdemeanor counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree, is headed to trial.
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:50 AM
In other bad news, former Canuck is accused of a sex crime
Reposted by George Baker
On Nov 17, North Cowichan displaced ~75 unhoused residents from Lewis Street encampments to a marsh without the promised Ramada shelter open or toilets available.
NEW substack collab by me & @pearlysalts.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/jessicap...
NEW substack collab by me & @pearlysalts.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/jessicap...
Swept off Lewis Street and Into North Cowichan’s Wetlands
A street sweep on November 17 during a disease outbreak forced unhoused residents into Cowichan’s wetlands. 80 overdoses followed in the next 24 hours.
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:50 AM
On Nov 17, North Cowichan displaced ~75 unhoused residents from Lewis Street encampments to a marsh without the promised Ramada shelter open or toilets available.
NEW substack collab by me & @pearlysalts.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/jessicap...
NEW substack collab by me & @pearlysalts.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/jessicap...
Krog's point is that if we stop at OPS then it's not enough. That seems to be very true. However, OPS does save those lives. And then those lives could ostensibly get the help they need. It's one step
"It does save lives, but saving those lives for what purpose?" asked Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog during a city council debate about overdose prevention sites and the province's approach to harm reduction in the toxic drug crisis on Monday night.
Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter – The Discourse.
At the Dec. 1 Nanaimo City Council meeting, a motion to send a letter to the province asking it to reexamine its approach to "the ongoing addiction crisis" was voted down.
thediscourse.ca
December 5, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Krog's point is that if we stop at OPS then it's not enough. That seems to be very true. However, OPS does save those lives. And then those lives could ostensibly get the help they need. It's one step
Reposted by George Baker
Here is a paper that gets at parental disappointment with outcomes of forced drug treatment on their children.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#bcpoli
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#bcpoli
“Grasping at straws,” experiences of Canadian parents using involuntary stabilization for a youth's substance use
In Canada, involuntary stabilization programs are used to apprehend and confine youth who use drugs for the purpose of stabilization, assessment, and …
www.sciencedirect.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Here is a paper that gets at parental disappointment with outcomes of forced drug treatment on their children.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#bcpoli
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#bcpoli
Reposted by George Baker
BREAKING: Abreu Departs Net-Zero Advisory Body as Carney Government Hemhorrages Climate Expertise www.theenergymix.com/breaking-abr...
BREAKING: Abreu Departs Net-Zero Advisory Body as Carney Government Hemhorrages Climate Expertise
Another member of Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body (NZAB) resigned today, bringing to three the number of world-class climate policy advisors the Carney government has lost in the space of a week.
www.theenergymix.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:13 AM
BREAKING: Abreu Departs Net-Zero Advisory Body as Carney Government Hemhorrages Climate Expertise www.theenergymix.com/breaking-abr...
Reposted by George Baker
Here’s why COPE and OneCity moved forward on separate mayoral campaigns for next year’s Vancouver election, even though they both say they’re open to working with one another and the Greens on a united progressive choice
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
December 5, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Here’s why COPE and OneCity moved forward on separate mayoral campaigns for next year’s Vancouver election, even though they both say they’re open to working with one another and the Greens on a united progressive choice
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
It's not access if it is involuntary. Those are contradictory terms
Now, if they increase access to voluntary treatment?
Or if they say they are going to enforce involuntary treatment?
But the double speak is PR spin for the burbs.
Now, if they increase access to voluntary treatment?
Or if they say they are going to enforce involuntary treatment?
But the double speak is PR spin for the burbs.
Premier Eby will have announcement tmrw about "strengthening access to involuntary care for young people."
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
Involuntary Care Already Exists in BC, But Is It Working? - CMHA British Columbia
VANCOUVER, BC – (September 18, 2024): On September 15, 2024, Premier Eby announced that his government is expanding involuntary care for people with brain injury, mental illness, and severe addiction....
bc.cmha.ca
December 5, 2025 at 12:09 AM
It's not access if it is involuntary. Those are contradictory terms
Now, if they increase access to voluntary treatment?
Or if they say they are going to enforce involuntary treatment?
But the double speak is PR spin for the burbs.
Now, if they increase access to voluntary treatment?
Or if they say they are going to enforce involuntary treatment?
But the double speak is PR spin for the burbs.
Reposted by George Baker
Premier Eby will have announcement tmrw about "strengthening access to involuntary care for young people."
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
Involuntary Care Already Exists in BC, But Is It Working? - CMHA British Columbia
VANCOUVER, BC – (September 18, 2024): On September 15, 2024, Premier Eby announced that his government is expanding involuntary care for people with brain injury, mental illness, and severe addiction....
bc.cmha.ca
December 4, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Premier Eby will have announcement tmrw about "strengthening access to involuntary care for young people."
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
CMHA: "lack of evidence to support effectiveness of involuntary treatment for substance use disorder... evidence suggests it leads to an increased risk of death..."
bc.cmha.ca/news/involun...
Reposted by George Baker
NEW: The City of Vancouver has notified 30 non-unionized staff members that their roles will be ending, according to an email from the city manager.
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
City of Vancouver lays off 30 staff following property tax freeze
The City of Vancouver has notified 30 non-unionized staff members that their roles will be ending, according to an email from the city manager.
www.ctvnews.ca
December 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
NEW: The City of Vancouver has notified 30 non-unionized staff members that their roles will be ending, according to an email from the city manager.
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Reposted by George Baker
Think about how the RCMP comes down like a ton of bricks on old-growth forest defenders vs the kid gloves the government uses when logging companies illegally cut down ancient trees.
Laws are meaningless when they aren't enforced, and these loggers know that.
Laws are meaningless when they aren't enforced, and these loggers know that.
Why was 'incredible' giant cedar cut down, despite B.C.'s big-tree protection law?
Why was 'incredible' giant cedar cut down, despite B.C.'s big-tree protection law?
"I think the issue isn't why are trees like this being cut down, it's why are places like this being destroyed? That's the bigger question."
dlvr.it
December 4, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Think about how the RCMP comes down like a ton of bricks on old-growth forest defenders vs the kid gloves the government uses when logging companies illegally cut down ancient trees.
Laws are meaningless when they aren't enforced, and these loggers know that.
Laws are meaningless when they aren't enforced, and these loggers know that.
Reposted by George Baker
New York Times sues U.S. Department of Defense over new press policy that could brand journalists as security risks and have their press badges revoked if they ask department employees to disclose certain types of information
Note to NYT employees from the publisher. "We will not be intimidated or deterred in this important work." Proud to be one of the worker bees here.
December 4, 2025 at 3:18 PM
New York Times sues U.S. Department of Defense over new press policy that could brand journalists as security risks and have their press badges revoked if they ask department employees to disclose certain types of information