My balcony in Kentville.

Spring!

I'll be speaking in Halifax on Tuesday to Robert S. Wright's criminology class at Saint Mary's University, about how 2SLGBTQIA+ people – like African Canadians and Indigenous people – are constructed as criminal identities by systems of law enforcement.

NEW!! After centuries of genocide and slavery, did you think we couldn't up our game? Try our latest product launch. It's to die for. See link in first comment, to remarks by Dr Cornel West.

I'll be part of a panel on local Queer history Tuesday night, 8 July at 6:30 on Zoom. Here is the link to register: smu-ca.zoom.us/.../register...

I don't know enough to vouch for this Trans Lifeline, but if it is reputable, I'm sure it serves a critical purpose. The US number is (877) 565-8860. The Canada number is (877) 330-6366. Monday–Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM Pacific, 1 PM to 9 PM Eastern, 2 pm to 10 pm Atlantic. Comment if you know more.

Cat Brooks@realcatbrooks.bsky.social · last yr.

🎙️ A Life Line for the Trans community!? In conversation with kai alviar horton, Executive Director of Trans Lifeline The first Transgender crisis hotline in the US or Canada and the only suicide hotline with 100% Trans operators, trained to assist *without* police open.spotify.com/episode/5WV1...

Living here in America right now feels like that time. Stuck riding shotgun in a car with a drunk driver. – Chuck Wendig

Chuck Wendig@chuckwendig.bsky.social · last yr.

Wrote a thing. Maybe it's a thing you wanna read, I dunno. We'll see. *lays it gently at your feet*

Halifax Regional Municipality's Council has approved a staff recommendation to leave X and to migrate its public account to Bluesky. www.halifaxexaminer.ca/government/c...

Halifax staff recommend three-phase approach to deactivate X account by July 15 - Halifax Examiner

The report and results of a social media survey to go to Halifax regional council on Tuesday.

halifaxexaminer.ca

Their ambulance came under Israeli fire on the way to collect injured people from an earlier airstrike. 13 of the dead were in a convoy dispatched to retrieve the bodies of their colleagues. One was a UN employee. A Red Crescent paramedic is still missing. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Palestinian paramedics shot by Israeli forces had hands tied, eyewitnesses say

Senior doctor who saw bodies says men appeared to have been ‘executed’, adding to evidence of potential war crime

theguardian.com

I like the sound of this bottle in the US section of a Newfoundland liquor store.

DCapTO@dcapto.bsky.social · 2y ago

Alt text for quote post: a long and empty top shelf and aisle in a Newfoundland liquor store where American product used to be, with only one bottle of red wine in the foreground labeled ‘Kiss Me Arse’. 💪🇨🇦

Wondering whether to travel to the US? You may end up in a prison-like detention centre being treated like an animal. It happens to white Canadians with a passport. People of colour & those from less privileged countries face far worse. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

I’m the Canadian who was detained by Ice for two weeks. It felt like I had been kidnapped

I was stuck in a freezing cell without explanation despite eventually having lawyers and media attention. Yet, compared with others, I was lucky

theguardian.com

Trans women in men's prisons face dire and life-threatening circumstances. The US govt is murdering Trans people. Some Canadian conservatives support such policies. People I love would suffer and die under a Poilievre govt. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Trans women transferred to men’s prisons despite rulings against Trump’s order

Incarcerated trans women report being groped by male guards and suicidal thoughts: ‘I’m punished for existing’

theguardian.com

Mayflowers with buds ready to bloom when the weather warms.

Elbows up, Canada.

Charlie Angus@charlieangus104.bsky.social · 2y ago

A reflection on Canada and the dark times we are living in. We are no longer just playing shinny. The stakes are dangerously high. When Mike Myers gave the "elbows up" sign, we know what to do. Read my latest Substack here on why Canada won't break. charlieangus.substack.com/p/elbows-up?...

We've got a new anthem! And you can dance to this one. With thanks to Gloria Gaynor. Lyrics Gord Moran; vocals Sonya Zaback; produced by Wayne McFaul www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pei...

We Will Survive

YouTube video by Jesse McFaul

youtube.com

party time!!

A clear warning from three distinguished analysts at McGill. Time for a new defence alliance among the remaining democracies. www.policymagazine.ca/trumps-attac...

Trump’s Attack on Zelensky Sends a Clear Message to Canada and the World - Policy Magazine

In a stunning scene at the White House on Friday, US President Donald J. Trump and Vice-President J. D. Vance verbally attacked Ukrainian president Volodymyr

policymagazine.ca

Trump's thugs escorted Zelenskyy out after a public shouting match. This is not good news, but better than signing over Ukraine's mineral resources to the US. Time for NATO-minUS to rally behind Ukraine, as Denmark's Mette Frederiksen has called for. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Ukraine ‘gambling with world war three’, Trump tells Zelenskyy in fiery meeting

Meeting between US president and Ukrainian leader degenerated into shouting match before being cut short

theguardian.com

Artist Kelly Mark died on 21 February. Each of her works – economical, playful and challenging – was a Zen koan manifested in an object or performance. Her company was as witty and stimulating as her art. She will be sorely missed. The art will endure. Photo: Exist, 2009. Ph: Steve Farmer.

This is very bad news.

Krassensteins@krassenstein.bsky.social · 2y ago

Earth First. Just met with people from 5 continents to monitor the ecosystems in which we live. Proud citizen of the most beautiful, miraculous planet in the known universe. Grateful to share it with my fellow humans and all other life forms. We have a lot to do. Now let's get to work. Photo ESA.

Twelve Basic Observations I am reposting this as a single thread. I am still learning the interface (I did very little on Twitter), and posted it here first as 12 separate posts.

Some mobilising energy to encourage our American friends. AOC was a waitress when she beat a major Democratic machine candidate with a $3 million kitty. You can see why when you hear her talk.

BIG D GRANDROYAL@bigdgrandroyal.bsky.social · 2y ago

youtu.be/Bi64F1T4K5o?...

Baby needs a safety seat.

I've kept fuchsias for years – outside during summer, indoors during winter. They seem happy enough to bloom through all seasons. This past year, they've produced a lot of berries – which are edible, and quite delicious. I plan to eat this one after I've posted its picture.

Charlie Angus (@charlieangus104.bsky.social) has long been a fearless champion for justice. Since the Trump/Musk takeover, he has emerged as one of Canada's most eloquent spokespeople. charlieangus.substack.com/p/on-yeats-t...

ON YEATS, TRUMP & PUTIN

Dispatch from NATO, Brussels – Day 1

charlieangus.substack.com

The revolution may not be televised, but the collapse of civilisation will be posted on social media.

Jèf Uphoff@juphoff.bsky.social · 2y ago

Our ship of state.

12 There is no neutrality. Non-commitment is a betrayal of the responsibility we owe our fellow humans and the living world. Study history. Form discussion groups. Organise. Slava Ukraini! Black Lives Matter. Women, Life, Freedom! Free Palestine! Vive le Canada !

Two More 11 Keep your eyes on the prize; but prepare to get your hands and your principles dirty. We won't like all our coalition partners; may choose expediencies we had once ruled out. The task is to survive, enough of our principles intact to have a hope of rebuilding, better, a shattered world.