Susan Johnston
@itsunderstood.bsky.social
Mostly retired trainer-speaker-writer-type. Staying sane on PEI. Ex-reporter dismayed at what has happened to journalism.
What a good piece. Lots to digest here. TLDR: Canada must diversify its trade - but read the article for the reasons. Interview with Michael Kovrig, Canadian diplomat who was held hostage by Chinese government.
China’s Trade Ultimatum to Canada: Comply or Suffer. #cdnpoli thewalrus.ca/chinas-trade...
China’s Trade Ultimatum to Canada: Comply or Suffer | The Walrus
Former diplomat Michael Kovrig explains the deeper logic behind Beijing’s economic coercion
thewalrus.ca
December 21, 2025 at 1:53 PM
What a good piece. Lots to digest here. TLDR: Canada must diversify its trade - but read the article for the reasons. Interview with Michael Kovrig, Canadian diplomat who was held hostage by Chinese government.
Reposted by Susan Johnston
Never forget they were all in for the future America is now in. #Republicanadians
December 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Never forget they were all in for the future America is now in. #Republicanadians
"Canada also maintains policies that unfairly restrict market access for U.S. dairy products.” And we should keep it that way. US food inspection has been reduced by Trump. US allows chemicals and hormones we do not. Why should they dump their surplus on us? Don't encourage farmers to overproduce.
The U.S. wants Canada to expand dairy market access for American products and lift provincial bans on U.S. alcohol as part of the upcoming review of CUSMA.
globalnews.ca/news/1158268...
globalnews.ca/news/1158268...
What does U.S. want from Canada to renew CUSMA? Trump’s trade rep has list - National | Globalnews.ca
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told members of Congress this week that next year's joint review 'will depend on the successful resolution' of several issues.
globalnews.ca
December 18, 2025 at 2:52 PM
"Canada also maintains policies that unfairly restrict market access for U.S. dairy products.” And we should keep it that way. US food inspection has been reduced by Trump. US allows chemicals and hormones we do not. Why should they dump their surplus on us? Don't encourage farmers to overproduce.
Reposted by Susan Johnston
It's impressive that Big Tech was like: We aren't douchy enough. What if we made asshole intelligence and burned up some of the earth's power and water faster?
December 8, 2025 at 4:25 PM
It's impressive that Big Tech was like: We aren't douchy enough. What if we made asshole intelligence and burned up some of the earth's power and water faster?
On now in my home - "Furioso." It's absolutely the stupidest movie I have ever seen. It has no point. Ultraviolence for the sake of ultraviolence. And noise for the sake of noise.
December 8, 2025 at 1:34 AM
On now in my home - "Furioso." It's absolutely the stupidest movie I have ever seen. It has no point. Ultraviolence for the sake of ultraviolence. And noise for the sake of noise.
Gitte, I think you're correct.
With all the things breaking the internet this year, I have been wondering if it is time to return to local server rooms and tube post?
Maybe even paper letters?
Maybe even paper letters?
December 5, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Gitte, I think you're correct.
Yikes! 40 years since Larry Gowan recorded 'Strange Animal.' Ominous spiritus. He's aging nicely, though I don't think I would recognize him if we met in the street.
Gowan célèbre ce soir au MTELUS, les 40 ans de Strange Animal, l’album grâce auquel il s’est installé à demeure sur les ondes de CHOM et dans le cœur des Québécois. Il raconte trois moments charnières de sa carrière, survenus à Montréal.🍾🍾🍾
www.lapresse.ca/arts/musique...
www.lapresse.ca/arts/musique...
40 ans de Strange Animal | La promesse tenue de Gowan à Jean Béliveau
Gowan célèbre ces jours-ci partout au Québec, et ce soir au MTELUS, les 40 ans de Strange Animal, l’album grâce auquel il s’est installé à demeure sur les ondes de CHOM et dans le cœur des Québécois. ...
www.lapresse.ca
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Yikes! 40 years since Larry Gowan recorded 'Strange Animal.' Ominous spiritus. He's aging nicely, though I don't think I would recognize him if we met in the street.
Note to publishers and designers: if you are producing a cookbook, please DO NOT USE SMALL TYPE IN RECIPES. Also, avoid decorative fonts where numbers are involved. Some people actually cook from cookbooks. Also on the wish list - a good index and page numbers we can 1) locate and 2) read.
November 23, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Note to publishers and designers: if you are producing a cookbook, please DO NOT USE SMALL TYPE IN RECIPES. Also, avoid decorative fonts where numbers are involved. Some people actually cook from cookbooks. Also on the wish list - a good index and page numbers we can 1) locate and 2) read.
Reposted by Susan Johnston
I’m no political strategist, but I think one of member of the Ontario NDP (and even the Liberals) should make a point every day of being ejected from the legislature for calling the Ford government corrupt.
November 19, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Yes, it's The Beaverton, but it's believable. Kevin is so worthy of being ignored that he's probably proud of being lampooned.
Kevin O'Leary petitions Trump to have name added to Epstein Files
Kevin O'Leary petitions Trump to have name added to Epstein Files
TORONTO - With newly released files from notorious sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein implicating President Trump in a world of elite, amoral power players, Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary has formally...
www.thebeaverton.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Yes, it's The Beaverton, but it's believable. Kevin is so worthy of being ignored that he's probably proud of being lampooned.
Journalists, now that we've escaped the risk of a Christmas election, please give us all a break from daily polling, ceaseless speculation, PP's tiresome "news" conferences, HOC QP smart-assery, and other shallow political nonsense.
Give us useful information about what's going on in the country.
Give us useful information about what's going on in the country.
November 18, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Journalists, now that we've escaped the risk of a Christmas election, please give us all a break from daily polling, ceaseless speculation, PP's tiresome "news" conferences, HOC QP smart-assery, and other shallow political nonsense.
Give us useful information about what's going on in the country.
Give us useful information about what's going on in the country.
Reposted by Susan Johnston
I am an airplane person who thinks that nearly all commuter flight routes should be replaced with high-speed trains
October 12, 2025 at 6:43 PM
I am an airplane person who thinks that nearly all commuter flight routes should be replaced with high-speed trains
Reposted by Susan Johnston
Give a man a fish and someone with a thousand fishes is going to bitch about people getting free handouts. Teach a man to fish? Yeah, that person with a thousand fishes is going to bitch about that too.
November 14, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Give a man a fish and someone with a thousand fishes is going to bitch about people getting free handouts. Teach a man to fish? Yeah, that person with a thousand fishes is going to bitch about that too.
Reposted by Susan Johnston
There are legit things to complain about right now, so this is super unimportant in the greater scheme of things, but I have to ask why software companies can't just leave a good thing alone.
Looking at you Microsoft, though I know you are not alone.
Looking at you Microsoft, though I know you are not alone.
November 10, 2025 at 10:44 PM
There are legit things to complain about right now, so this is super unimportant in the greater scheme of things, but I have to ask why software companies can't just leave a good thing alone.
Looking at you Microsoft, though I know you are not alone.
Looking at you Microsoft, though I know you are not alone.
Reposted by Susan Johnston
We're so tired of this, Pierre. Get clearance or get out.
Considering everything that is going on in the world, especially the US, every single one of Canada's party leaders needs to have their security clearance. #CdnPoli
November 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
We're so tired of this, Pierre. Get clearance or get out.
I'm listening to the Canadian federal budget and keep yelling, "Tax the rich!" Pretty sure Champagne can't hear me.
November 4, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I'm listening to the Canadian federal budget and keep yelling, "Tax the rich!" Pretty sure Champagne can't hear me.
Yikes! Champagne promises to do the "unfinished work of Confederation."
Removing more interprovincial trade barriers?
Removing more interprovincial trade barriers?
November 4, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Yikes! Champagne promises to do the "unfinished work of Confederation."
Removing more interprovincial trade barriers?
Removing more interprovincial trade barriers?
I see they're rebranding things (schools, etc.) named after former prince Andrew.
Lots of people around here are grateful Prince Edward has been so well behaved.
Lots of people around here are grateful Prince Edward has been so well behaved.
November 4, 2025 at 8:41 PM
I see they're rebranding things (schools, etc.) named after former prince Andrew.
Lots of people around here are grateful Prince Edward has been so well behaved.
Lots of people around here are grateful Prince Edward has been so well behaved.
Blue sky is less fun now that the conservative nutters have discovered it.
November 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Blue sky is less fun now that the conservative nutters have discovered it.
This is true - and tragic.
November 3, 2025 at 8:59 PM
This is true - and tragic.
Good thread. When you repeat the outrageous nonsense Trump and the MAGA crowd spew, you spread their message wider. Even if your intention is to mock them or raise awareness of their stupidity, it elevates their message.
Same goes for Poilievre. Do not help him.
Same goes for Poilievre. Do not help him.
My perhaps controversial assessment is that when you share the propaganda of your enemies to call it out or to mock it… you’re still spreading their propaganda and maybe doing exactly what they hope you’ll do.
November 1, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Good thread. When you repeat the outrageous nonsense Trump and the MAGA crowd spew, you spread their message wider. Even if your intention is to mock them or raise awareness of their stupidity, it elevates their message.
Same goes for Poilievre. Do not help him.
Same goes for Poilievre. Do not help him.
Reposted by Susan Johnston
The United States is the cruelest place on earth. It has the wealth to care for millions upon millions in need and it chooses not to.
October 26, 2025 at 11:58 PM
The United States is the cruelest place on earth. It has the wealth to care for millions upon millions in need and it chooses not to.
Reposted by Susan Johnston
