Cooler weather means it’s time for toastier beers

Iran is a state run by a radical government victimizing its citizens and its neighbours. How do we change that? Any regime change that repeats the mistakes of the past is not a solution.

What went wrong in the past which led to the current regime? One answer is the U.K. and American aided coup which led to the ouster in 1953 of a democratically elected government headed at the time by Mohammad Mossadegh and its replacement with an American friendly autocrat, the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

The Shah imposed his rule through the Iranian National Intelligence and Security Organization — SAVAK, the acronym of its Persian name. SAVAK systematically inflicted torture, arbitrary killings and extra-judicial killings on perceived opponents of the regime. It was only a matter of time before repression of a regime directed to serving foreign interests would be overthrown.

What replaced the regime of the Shah, in 1979, the current regime of the mullahs, is a regime as intolerant and violent as the regime of the Shah and then some. That was not inevitable. But neither was it surprising. The vicious nature of the current regime, following the example set by the Shah, and its hatred for the United States, reacting to the U.S. aided imposition of the Shah, both echoes and reacts to the past. In 1979, the U.S. reaped what it sowed in 1953.

I write as a proud Canadian-Australian who is experiencing something I never imagined possible — watching Canada’s sovereignty, economic security and national identity being repeatedly challenged by the country it has long regarded as its closest neighbour and ally.

This is not an abstract diplomatic disagreement to me. Canada is my beloved country. To witness its name, dignity and independence treated as though they may be diminished, negotiated away or simply disregarded is profoundly painful.

Any one of the events that has occurred might be dismissed as another dispute between governments. Taken together, however, three developments provide unmistakable evidence that a red line has been crossed.

First came the tariffs affecting Canadian steel, aluminum, automobiles and softwood lumber. These measures were introduced despite the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement — CUSMA — intended to provide stability, predictability and largely tariff-free trade across North America.

MARANELLO, Italy (AP) — Mick Schumacher is leaving Ferrari for another of the teams his father raced for.

Mercedes announced on Thursday that Schumacher will be its reserve driver for 2023 behind Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

He had been racing in Formula One with Ferrari-powered Haas.

“I take this as a new start, and I am just excited and grateful to Toto (Wolff, Mercedes team principal) and everybody involved for putting their trust in me,” Schumacher said. “F1 is such a fascinating world, and you never stop learning, so I look forward to absorbing more knowledge and putting in all my efforts for the benefit of the Mercedes team.”

Manitoba has a climate plan. Where is the pathway for protecting nature?

The Manitoba government has released its long awaited Path to Net Zero Plan, outlining ways to tackle emissions and build a more climate resilient future.

But something essential is missing.

In 2023, the Manitoba government committed to developing an action plan to protect 30 per cent of Manitoba’s lands and waters by 2030. The Path to Net Zero Plan recognizes the importance of nature in addressing climate change, calling for measures that restore, conserve, and enhance natural ecosystems. That recognition is welcome.

Treat the disease

I understand there are valid concerns regarding specific short term rentals (STR) in Winnipeg. However, the article raised other alarms for me.

Winston Yee, the city’s manager of licensing and bylaw enforcement, stated the purpose of the new requirement (reporting 911 calls for STR) is “so we can become aware of issues.” So he isn’t aware of “the issues” yet? Are there not systems in place to obtain this information? Doesn’t the city know which addresses have high calls for emergency service? I sure hope the city’s systems aren’t so antiquated that it can’t cross-reference emergency calls with the STR registry.

I think the focus needs to be on the behavior, rather than the ownership structure. Part of the proposed solution to “parties, noise, violence, vandalism and other criminal activity” is to require owners of STR to advise the city when an emergency responder attends the property.