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Feb 13 2023

Yet More Balloons. Few fighters. Gazette savers.

Feb 13, 2022
David Akin's Roundup
Clippings of #cdnpoli, #media, and #tech content aimed at those with an interest in Canadian politics. Still in beta ... 
Canada
How to shoot down a balloon: "Yeah, it's not that easy"
Must-see interview from Sunday's edition of The West Block. My colleague Mercedes Stephenson talks to Tom Lawson about these balloons, the strength of NORAD, and what it all might mean. Lawson started his military career as a fighter pilot, eventually became Canada's top generals -- but he also served as the top Canadian general at NORAD in Colorado Springs. He's got some great insights. Click or tap on the picture above to watch.

Like the rest of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Air Force is struggling to recruit and retain enough people to fill its ranks.

In December, a total of 4,689 migrants entered the country through Quebec's Roxham Road — more than all would-be refugees who arrived in Canada in 2021.
Elsewhere
U.S. military shoots down unidentified object over Lake Huron
After the briefing, a defense official added that there was “no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns.”  (Riiight. What else would you expect him to say? :) - DA)

China said on Monday that U.S. high altitude balloons had flown over its airspace without permission more than 10 times since the beginning of 2022, widening a diplomatic row after the U.S. military shot down what it says was a Chinese spy balloon.

Britain has announced a security review after several unidentified objects were shot down in the skies over North America. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said “the U.K. and her allies will review what these airspace intrusions mean for our security."

Investment fund overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman backs ventures that benefit former president and his senior adviser, raising questions of conflict.
Media
Coverage of Ron DeSantis shows the media has learned nothing from Trump
Dan Froomkin: He is counting on mainstream journalists, once again, being so desperate to cast themselves as “impartial” that they will normalize what is effectively 21st-century American fascism.

A group calling itself the Friends of the Montreal Gazette, has launched a campaign they hope will stop any planned staff cuts at the newspaper.
Cory Doctorow: "(...) Departing Twitter for the #Fediverse comes with high switching costs: locating and reconnecting with friends; saying goodbye to friends, family and customers who aren’t ready to move; and mastering a new technology, with its own mechanics and norms. What does it mean to use a “protocol” rather than a “platform?” (...)"

One of Cambodia’s last free media outlets, Voice of Democracy radio, ceased operations on Monday after Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered its closure for allegedly slandering his son in a story.

Issued this day ...
... in 1986: Sc 1077. 1988 Olympic Winter Games. Design: Pierre-Yves Pelletier.
1986
A rather innovative design approach from Pelletier who shows, on this stamp, a map of Calgary, Banff and, I believe, Canmore and the sites — the red squares — of the competitions for the 1988 Winter Olympics.

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