Why does Trump gets along well with Putin's Russia, but not Canada?

Vladimir Putin served in the KGB for 15 years as a foreign intelligence and security officer.  He is a murderous dictator and a war criminal.  His invasion of Ukraine has caused much death and destruction.  In sum, he is not a nice man. He is cruel and ruthless, exactly the qualities expected in a former KGB man.  Yet, Donald Trump gets along better with this war criminal than with Canadian leaders.  Trump makes no secret of his contempt for benign, democratic Canada.  He and his cronies constantly belittle and bully America's northern neighbour.  He tries to punish Canada economically with tariffs that are a tax on consumers in the United States.  He continually attempts to undermine Canada's sovereignty.  

Trump treats Putin much differently.  He rarely criticizes the Russian leader and treats him like a good friend.  He wants his pal Vladdy to attend the 2026 G20 leaders' summit scheduled to take place December 14-15 in Doral Florida, at the Trump National Doral Miami resort.  Where else?  Of course, Trump has said he'd like Putin to attend. this gathering of heads of states and governments.  Russia is still a member of the G20.  However, Putin has not been welcomed at a G-20 leaders' summit since his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022  

On August 31, 2026, Russia representatives participated in a G20 summit in North Carolina.  Russia's finance minister, Anton Siluanov, as well as representatives of the Russian Central Bank, attended at the invitation of Donald Trump.  According to The New York Times, Siluanov's invitation and attendance were not announced prior to the meeting. German vice-chancellor and finance minister Lars Klingbeil demanded that Russia end the war in Ukraine. "I find the signal sent by receiving the Russian finance minister here quite troubling,  In a statement to reporters, Klingbeil said, "I would have wanted greater clarity from the American side that he should not be received here as a normal guest."

Donald Trump defends Putin at every opportunity.  The two men are cut from the same cloth.  They are both heartless and they both consider themselves to be alpha males.  Furthermore, Trump admires dictators such as Putin and Kim Jong Il of North Korea.  It is also highly probable that Russia is holding something over Trump's head, that Putin is aware of some deep, dark secret that the American commander-in-sleaze is desperate to keep hidden.  In addition, the Putin-influenced Deutcshe Bank lent Trump an enormous amount of money after his casinos went bankrupt.  

Back in January of 2017, Buzz Feed News, revealed the existence of the Steele dossier, also known ad the Trump-Russia dossier, which alleges a connection between Trump cohorts and Russia.  Trump lied, of course, and denied that he had any financial connections to Russia.

It is not surprising that Trump has said the Putin is "not looking to attack NATO territory," even though there was a drone strike attempt at an airport for which allies, such as the UK, claimed Russian responsibility.  He is indebted to Russia.

I am delighted that Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he is prepared to tell Vladimir Putin "to get our of Ukraine" if Putin decides to accept Trump's invitation to the Florida G20 summit.  "He only understands strength and directness, Carney stated when asked about Putin at a press conference in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  I really hope that the PM follows through with that.  It is reminiscent of when Ronald Reagan told Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall.  I would be greatly pleased to read a headline that read "Canadian prime minister tells Putin to get out of Ukraine."

- Joanne

A toast to Louis Varland

Louis Varland is having a stellar season.  Lights Out Louis recorded his 32nd save of 2026 yesterday as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Cleveland Guardians by a score of 6-3.  The Blue Jays' closer has a sparkling ERA of 1.16, the lowest among all Major League relievers this year.  He could arguably become the team's best closer since Tom "The Terminator" Henke.  This is only Louis' first season as a closer, so in order to rank up there with Henke, he will have to prove himself in the years to come.  He will have to continue his dominance and show that this season is not an aberration, that he is the real deal.  

Louis Dennis Varland was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota on December 9, 1997, and was named after his uncle.  He played college baseball at the Concordia University, Sant Paul, and was selected by his hometown Minnesota Twins in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.  On July 31, 2025, the Twins sent Varland and Ty France to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Alan Roden  and Kendry Rojas.  Many Minnesota fans were unhappy about the trade because Louis was a popular and affordable hometown player.

Louis was used as a reliever by the Blue Jays in 2025 because Jeff Hoffman was considered the team's closer.  During the 2025 playoffs, Louis appeared in 15 games in relief, setting a new MLB postseason record by a pitcher.  In the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Jays were defeated in the 11th inning of the seventh game by a score of 5-4.  Unfortunately for the Bluebirds, Hoffman had allowed a game-tying home run by Miguel Rohas in the nineth inning.  

It's a moot point and it's hypothetical, but I still can't help but wonder what would have happened if Louis had pitched that 9th inning instead of Jeff Hoffman.  The Jays likely would have won the World Series.  But it was not to be.  They lost to L.A. in a heartbreaking fashion.  Louis did not begin closing games until April of 2026, due to Hoffman's inconsistency.  

Louis married his wife Madeline "Mattie" Varland in the 2024 offseason.  Maddie is a dentist.  According Louis' official MLB biography,. Maddie's father played for the Montreal Canadiens.  I found that interesting.  However, I couldn't find any further details online.  I don't know his name and I don't know whether he played in the National Hockey League or for an affiliate in the Canadiens' system.  

Lous' brother, Gus Varland. is also a pitcher in the major leagues.  Gus plays for the Washington Nationals.

- Joanne

Photos at the Canadian National Exhibition 2026

I've been attending the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), known by locals as "the EX," all my life.  It's changed during the years.  It used to be the place which introduced new technology, the latest in appliances etc.  There used to be all kinds of free samples.  Those days are over.  However, I still enjoy going.  It's a tradition.  It always ends on Labour Day.  As a child, it always meant one more summer pleasure before the new school year.

Here are some pictures of  flower art during my visit to the Ex on August 27, 2026.  They were taken in the Enercare Centre.

Below is a photo of Slovenian dancers at the Spotlight Stage in the Enercare Centre.

- Joanne

The Blue Jays and their woes

What a disappointing season for the Toronto Blue Jays!  Back in April, I was looking forward to the Blue Jays making another run at a World Series victory, or at least giving a good account of themselves in the playoffs. It's almost September now and my World Series dreams have vanished completely.  My wildcard playoff hopes are also fading rapidly.  With every loss, Toronto is digging itself  deeper and deeper into a hole.

Last night, the Blue Jays were crushed 13-2 by the Kanas City Royals.  The home crowd booed their team.  Even manager John Schneider admitted that the crowd  had the right to boo, and he acknowledged his team's poor performance.  The Jays have been drawing about 42,000 for every home game.  They have received a great deal of loyalty and support. The fans have every reason to boo.  You can be sure that attendance will go way down if this continues, especially if there is an MLB lockout in 2027.  

Blue Jay fans just want to see their team compete.  They don't always have to win, but their performance should not be so lacklustre.  All season, the Jays have teased us.  Just as they near the .500 mark, they start slumping again.  After the trade deadline, the injection of new players such aa Brett Bateman and Charles McAdoo seemed to add new life and spirit to the team.  Alas, it doesn't seem to have lasted.

Yes, the Jays have had a lot of injuries, especially to starting pitchers.  However, I never expected the magical 2025 season to turn into a forgettable 2026 season.  I never expected them to be in last place in the American East Division on August 28th with 65 wins and 70 losses.  I never expected Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to only have 7 home runs (none at home in the dome).  This is the most frustrating Blue Jay team in years, and Vladdy is at the core of the frustration.  This whole season has been one gigantic struggle for him.  Vladdy should have gotten out of his slump by now.  Something needs to change.  Why hasn't he been moved down in the batting order?  By the way, isn't it about time he stopped dousing his fellow Jays with Gatorade  It's getting tiresome.

I have seen enough of bullpen days.  Th Blue Jays may end up winning bullpen games that way, but the cost is far too high.  They wear out an already exhausted bullpen, especially when the starters seldom last past 5 innings. The situation was so bad last night that a position player, Myles Straw, had to take the mound to get out of the 8th inning.  

I am also sick and tired of the Jays leaving runners on the bases.  They rarely hit well in the clutch.  It's so frustrating to see a fair amount of hits and nothing to show for them.  Where is hitting coach David Popkins?  Shouldn't he bear some responsibility for the lack of clutch hitting and power hitting.

So, yes, I am in agreement with John Schneider.  The Blue Jays deserved to be booed lustily last night.

- Joanne