Sunday Morning is spent watching CBS Sunday Morning at our house. both Maaria and I have been watching this program from the Days of Charles Kuralt through, as I called him, Chuck The Second and now with Jane Pauley.
Lately, I've been recording Chuck Todd's Meet the Press. This last Sunday, one of his interviews was with Justin Trudeau, Canada's Prime Minister. Trudeau was skillfully and forcefully telling Todd why Canadians were taking Trump's Trade Tariff's so indignantly. Trump's reason for the tariffs was that importing steel was a security threat to the United States. Trump's reasoning is that raising tariffs on steel and aluminum would foster a better competitive situation and promote US Steel production. This production would make US steek available in the event of a threat to the United States.
After pointing out the long-standing record of mutual trade benefits the relationship between the US and Canada, Trudeau vigorously defended Canada's history of standing shoulder to shoulder with the US in conflicts all over the world. He took offense to Trumps implication that Canada has not and will not come to the common defense of North America. It was at that moment, I recalled a trip I took to Montreal in 2008.
My daughter, Mary Jo is married to a French Canadian, Ricard LaVallie. At this point, I had not met Richard. On the occasion of my visit, a brunch was arranged where I and his family would have the opportunity to get to know each other. During this meal, Richard's father asked me how I felt about our recent election of Barak Obama to the Presidency. I told him that I was excited and hopeful. I explained that had actually worked for his election in my neighborhood in Milwaukee. He then, with great emotion, explained that he was pleased the US had replaced George Bush, who he had nothing good to say about, with Obama. He went on at some length praising Obama. At one point I addressed my daughter and referring to her father-in-law, I said, "He knows that Obama is our president, right?" We all laughed.
If that scene were recreated today, I imagine I would be the source of humor, because as I watched Trudeau defending his country, and provide inspiring leadership for Candian's, I wished he were our President. The real embarrassment in this whole episode is not how Trump has demonstrated his lack of understanding, his pandering to a misguided, adoring base and his loutish behavior. No, it's his demonstration to all of the world leaders that being his enemy is a bad thing, but being his friend is worse.
Lately, I've been recording Chuck Todd's Meet the Press. This last Sunday, one of his interviews was with Justin Trudeau, Canada's Prime Minister. Trudeau was skillfully and forcefully telling Todd why Canadians were taking Trump's Trade Tariff's so indignantly. Trump's reason for the tariffs was that importing steel was a security threat to the United States. Trump's reasoning is that raising tariffs on steel and aluminum would foster a better competitive situation and promote US Steel production. This production would make US steek available in the event of a threat to the United States.
After pointing out the long-standing record of mutual trade benefits the relationship between the US and Canada, Trudeau vigorously defended Canada's history of standing shoulder to shoulder with the US in conflicts all over the world. He took offense to Trumps implication that Canada has not and will not come to the common defense of North America. It was at that moment, I recalled a trip I took to Montreal in 2008.
My daughter, Mary Jo is married to a French Canadian, Ricard LaVallie. At this point, I had not met Richard. On the occasion of my visit, a brunch was arranged where I and his family would have the opportunity to get to know each other. During this meal, Richard's father asked me how I felt about our recent election of Barak Obama to the Presidency. I told him that I was excited and hopeful. I explained that had actually worked for his election in my neighborhood in Milwaukee. He then, with great emotion, explained that he was pleased the US had replaced George Bush, who he had nothing good to say about, with Obama. He went on at some length praising Obama. At one point I addressed my daughter and referring to her father-in-law, I said, "He knows that Obama is our president, right?" We all laughed.
If that scene were recreated today, I imagine I would be the source of humor, because as I watched Trudeau defending his country, and provide inspiring leadership for Candian's, I wished he were our President. The real embarrassment in this whole episode is not how Trump has demonstrated his lack of understanding, his pandering to a misguided, adoring base and his loutish behavior. No, it's his demonstration to all of the world leaders that being his enemy is a bad thing, but being his friend is worse.
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