Mark Hamilton
@gmarkham.bsky.social
Retired from years of journalism and teaching and living in Vancouver. Words to live by: “When we play music, immediately everything is nice.” — Evgenios Voulgaris. Current project is a blog featuring a rebetiko song of the day and more: www.tamark.ca/wp
The world may be going to hell, but I have discovered I can still play the violin, with at least as much mediocrity as when I stopped playing a couple of years ago.
February 3, 2026 at 9:24 PM
The world may be going to hell, but I have discovered I can still play the violin, with at least as much mediocrity as when I stopped playing a couple of years ago.
"Difference? It serves by some paradox only to emphasize a greater oneness, speaking to its vitality and richness." — Ryszard Kapuscinski in Travels with Herodotus. This captures beautifully how I feel when I move through my city, hear the music of different languages and see a range of cultures.
January 29, 2026 at 8:16 PM
"Difference? It serves by some paradox only to emphasize a greater oneness, speaking to its vitality and richness." — Ryszard Kapuscinski in Travels with Herodotus. This captures beautifully how I feel when I move through my city, hear the music of different languages and see a range of cultures.
I have just finished reading Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World, Irene Vallejo's huge, sweeping, sprawling paean to books and reading over the millennia. It is without a doubt the best book I have read in the last couple of years.
January 29, 2026 at 12:07 AM
I have just finished reading Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World, Irene Vallejo's huge, sweeping, sprawling paean to books and reading over the millennia. It is without a doubt the best book I have read in the last couple of years.
"They are foolish, those who believe that they can, with their temporary power, extinguish the memory of events in those who come after them. On the contrary, talents that are punished only grow more revered, and those who act severely achieve only their own dishonour...." — Tacitus.
January 28, 2026 at 6:54 PM
"They are foolish, those who believe that they can, with their temporary power, extinguish the memory of events in those who come after them. On the contrary, talents that are punished only grow more revered, and those who act severely achieve only their own dishonour...." — Tacitus.
Thank you, Trumpite death cult.
Moderna CEO says Trump’s policies have so curtailed vaccine market they won’t be investing in new research. So that’s awesome. Good luck when the next pandemic hits. www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8fWErMy/
Bloomberg Business on TikTok
Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said the company doesn’t plan to invest in new late-stage vaccine trials because of growing opposition to immunizations from US officials. #health #business #medicine #US #government
www.tiktok.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Thank you, Trumpite death cult.
"Despite the impact of blogs, criticism, and publicity campaigns, we almost always owe the most beautiful things we have read to someone we love – or to a bookseller who has become a friend. Books continue to tie us together, bonding us in mysterious ways." – Irene Vallejo, Papyrus.
January 27, 2026 at 7:08 PM
"Despite the impact of blogs, criticism, and publicity campaigns, we almost always owe the most beautiful things we have read to someone we love – or to a bookseller who has become a friend. Books continue to tie us together, bonding us in mysterious ways." – Irene Vallejo, Papyrus.
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
Big moment for Europe: in December, fully electric cars outsold petrol-only cars in the EU for the first time.
This shows that clear, consistent policy works. Which is exactly why backtracking now would be a mistake. Rolling back targets or creating uncertainty would slow investment and innovation.
This shows that clear, consistent policy works. Which is exactly why backtracking now would be a mistake. Rolling back targets or creating uncertainty would slow investment and innovation.
January 27, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Big moment for Europe: in December, fully electric cars outsold petrol-only cars in the EU for the first time.
This shows that clear, consistent policy works. Which is exactly why backtracking now would be a mistake. Rolling back targets or creating uncertainty would slow investment and innovation.
This shows that clear, consistent policy works. Which is exactly why backtracking now would be a mistake. Rolling back targets or creating uncertainty would slow investment and innovation.
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
Alberta's economy-first government strikes again.
January 27, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Alberta's economy-first government strikes again.
C’mon Seattle. I have no interest in a Rams-Patriot Super Bowl.
January 26, 2026 at 12:51 AM
C’mon Seattle. I have no interest in a Rams-Patriot Super Bowl.
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
“Danish citizens are organising a huge boycott that includes cancelling planned holidays in the US, cancelling subscriptions to on-demand services based in the US & more generally, recommending the use of EU services instead of those provided by American platforms.”
So, same as Canadians.
So, same as Canadians.
January 23, 2026 at 5:52 AM
“Danish citizens are organising a huge boycott that includes cancelling planned holidays in the US, cancelling subscriptions to on-demand services based in the US & more generally, recommending the use of EU services instead of those provided by American platforms.”
So, same as Canadians.
So, same as Canadians.
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
McArdle writes:
"You can point to Trump’s efforts to co-opt the justice system, muzzle unfriendly media outlets and undermine the integrity of our election system, while trying to convince some Americans that these things are one short step from going Full Franco."
This makes me insane...
"You can point to Trump’s efforts to co-opt the justice system, muzzle unfriendly media outlets and undermine the integrity of our election system, while trying to convince some Americans that these things are one short step from going Full Franco."
This makes me insane...
Don’t worry tho it’s still the Post we‘ve come to expect
January 25, 2026 at 4:19 PM
McArdle writes:
"You can point to Trump’s efforts to co-opt the justice system, muzzle unfriendly media outlets and undermine the integrity of our election system, while trying to convince some Americans that these things are one short step from going Full Franco."
This makes me insane...
"You can point to Trump’s efforts to co-opt the justice system, muzzle unfriendly media outlets and undermine the integrity of our election system, while trying to convince some Americans that these things are one short step from going Full Franco."
This makes me insane...
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
Just last night I said I wouldn't get angry over the news.
but come on, we live next door to absolute madness.
but come on, we live next door to absolute madness.
January 24, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Just last night I said I wouldn't get angry over the news.
but come on, we live next door to absolute madness.
but come on, we live next door to absolute madness.
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
The Prime Minister of Canada made passing reference to me destroying the world order using words I didn’t understand so to prove how big and strong I am, I’ll threaten a 100% tariff on my largest trading partner, further weakening my own economy. Oh and call him names. That’ll show him.
Trump threatens 100% tariff on Canada if it makes deal with China
Ottawa and Beijing struck a ‘strategic partnership’ on trade this month, with agreements on electric vehicles and canola
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM
The Prime Minister of Canada made passing reference to me destroying the world order using words I didn’t understand so to prove how big and strong I am, I’ll threaten a 100% tariff on my largest trading partner, further weakening my own economy. Oh and call him names. That’ll show him.
Today's reading: "...the line between civilization and barbarism is never a geographical border between countries, but a moral border within every people, and beyond that, within each individual." Jaques Lacarriére. I have little doubt about on which side of that moral border the Trump-ites reside.
January 23, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Today's reading: "...the line between civilization and barbarism is never a geographical border between countries, but a moral border within every people, and beyond that, within each individual." Jaques Lacarriére. I have little doubt about on which side of that moral border the Trump-ites reside.
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
Make no mistake, America is coming for Alberta. This requires a response at the federal, provincial, and community level. Federally, the government must summon the ambassador for an explanation and, absent a complete retraction and apology, expel him.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Bessent pans Carney, cheers on Albertan separatism amid growing US-Canada rift
“People are talking,” Bessent said. “People want sovereignty. They want what the U.S. has got.”
www.politico.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Make no mistake, America is coming for Alberta. This requires a response at the federal, provincial, and community level. Federally, the government must summon the ambassador for an explanation and, absent a complete retraction and apology, expel him.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
Sir, you can’t break up with someone who already blocked your number
January 23, 2026 at 2:58 AM
Sir, you can’t break up with someone who already blocked your number
So Trump says only the U. S. can protect Greenland, which is probably true seeing as the only current threat to Greenland is from the U. S.
January 23, 2026 at 2:31 AM
So Trump says only the U. S. can protect Greenland, which is probably true seeing as the only current threat to Greenland is from the U. S.
There is great satisfaction, when reading a thickish book, in watching the bookmark slowly march from the first page to the last.
January 22, 2026 at 7:50 PM
There is great satisfaction, when reading a thickish book, in watching the bookmark slowly march from the first page to the last.
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
ICYMI, my Loonie Politics column: Why are we letting Carney squander our soft power? #cdnpoli
Why are we letting Carney squander our soft power? - Loonie Politics
We just wind up cynically convincing ourselves that being “pragmatic” and “realistic” means giving up on trying to improve things.
looniepolitics.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:17 PM
ICYMI, my Loonie Politics column: Why are we letting Carney squander our soft power? #cdnpoli
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
Trump demands Carney give him his standing ovation from Davos
Trump demands Carney give him his standing ovation from Davos
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND - Following his poorly-received and rambling address at the World Economic Forum, U.S. President Donald Trump angrily demanded that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney personally gi...
www.thebeaverton.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Trump demands Carney give him his standing ovation from Davos
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
Eby gambled billions of taxpayer dollars on foreign-built and corporate-owned LNG. The result? A failing market, mechanical issues and a rogue flare driving asthma rates.
We must invest in a worker-first economy with public, sustainable industry that creates thousands of good union jobs #bcpoli
We must invest in a worker-first economy with public, sustainable industry that creates thousands of good union jobs #bcpoli
January 21, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Eby gambled billions of taxpayer dollars on foreign-built and corporate-owned LNG. The result? A failing market, mechanical issues and a rogue flare driving asthma rates.
We must invest in a worker-first economy with public, sustainable industry that creates thousands of good union jobs #bcpoli
We must invest in a worker-first economy with public, sustainable industry that creates thousands of good union jobs #bcpoli
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
Today in “neither our media nor our political system is designed to deal with a far right authoritarian party”
“Yet even with all this bluster and rancor, it was the rage at a small African nation and the unabashed racism that was truly extraordinary.
After speaking for over an hour, Trump took questions from the White House press corps. None of them pressed him on the comments about Somalia or its people”
After speaking for over an hour, Trump took questions from the White House press corps. None of them pressed him on the comments about Somalia or its people”
Trump's anniversary press conference was an extraordinary display of eugenics and rage inside the White House.
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-m...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-m...
January 21, 2026 at 6:12 AM
Today in “neither our media nor our political system is designed to deal with a far right authoritarian party”
Article is no doubt paywalled, but the message is interesting. The biggest hammer Europe (and Canada and others) holds an economic one: hit the stocks, hit the bonds, hit the purchasing.
Breaking News: The S&P 500 dropped over 2% as investors reacted to President Trump’s standoff with Europe over Greenland. It's a sign that investors were embracing a “sell America” trade and moving away from U.S. assets altogether.
Stocks Post Biggest Drop in Months as Tensions Over Greenland Mount
The S&P 500 dropped over 2 percent on Tuesday, its biggest decline since October.
nyti.ms
January 20, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Article is no doubt paywalled, but the message is interesting. The biggest hammer Europe (and Canada and others) holds an economic one: hit the stocks, hit the bonds, hit the purchasing.
Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World is a magnificent book: sprawling, ambitious, rambunctious. Irene Vallejo is a wonderful writer who tracks her story down a multitude of paths overlapping in time and idea. I can't recommend it enough.
January 20, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World is a magnificent book: sprawling, ambitious, rambunctious. Irene Vallejo is a wonderful writer who tracks her story down a multitude of paths overlapping in time and idea. I can't recommend it enough.
Reposted by Mark Hamilton
Hootsuite has been pursuing business with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the United States, more than five years after employee backlash forced the Vancouver tech company to cancel a contract to provide social-media management services to the agency.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Vancouver company Hootsuite seeks business with ICE amid financial pressures
Company has secured a project with ICE that involves ‘social listening’ after cancelling a contract in 2020 over employee backlash
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Hootsuite has been pursuing business with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the United States, more than five years after employee backlash forced the Vancouver tech company to cancel a contract to provide social-media management services to the agency.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...