Doug Baer
@douglasbaer.bsky.social
PhD Sociologist + BES env. studies, urbanist, cyclist, statistics expertise, retired but teaches @ stats pgms Calgary-CCRAM & @ICPSRSummer (& previously GSERM(Switz)).
Question: Was Mark Carney aware of the fact that Trump was asking each "member" on his Board of Peace for Gaza to ante up and pay him or the US $1 billion when he agreed?
January 20, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Question: Was Mark Carney aware of the fact that Trump was asking each "member" on his Board of Peace for Gaza to ante up and pay him or the US $1 billion when he agreed?
Our house became a "f**k the gas company" project in '09. Two master heat pump units, 72k BTU in total, one lasting 14 yrs. (paid for itself in 8), now a cold-weather hp system the other still running, cover all rooms in the house (resistance heat only for washrooms + halls). Induction stove.
Annual Electrification update: In '22 we swapped a worn out gas range for induction. In '23 we replaced a 30-yr old AC with banned refrigerant for a 3-season HP & in '24 a gas water heater for a HP water heater when the gas one failed. How are things going? 🧪🔌💡☀️💨💧🔋 a 🧵
January 19, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Our house became a "f**k the gas company" project in '09. Two master heat pump units, 72k BTU in total, one lasting 14 yrs. (paid for itself in 8), now a cold-weather hp system the other still running, cover all rooms in the house (resistance heat only for washrooms + halls). Induction stove.
What date will historians agree applies to: 1) U.S.A. becomes "failed state" 2) effective end of NATO or its regeneration to exclude the USA 3) end of the dominant position of US currency (the US dollar) 4) USA no longer most powerful world nation 5) end of democracy in USA 6) USA=fascist state?
January 19, 2026 at 8:16 PM
What date will historians agree applies to: 1) U.S.A. becomes "failed state" 2) effective end of NATO or its regeneration to exclude the USA 3) end of the dominant position of US currency (the US dollar) 4) USA no longer most powerful world nation 5) end of democracy in USA 6) USA=fascist state?
Nate Silver reports 57% of Americans feel killing of Renee Good was unjustified whereas 40% felt it was justified. 40%: roughly the same proportion as the apogee of Nazi support in pre WW2 Germany. But still: really, only question should be: "criminal negligence causing death or just murder"?
January 16, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Nate Silver reports 57% of Americans feel killing of Renee Good was unjustified whereas 40% felt it was justified. 40%: roughly the same proportion as the apogee of Nazi support in pre WW2 Germany. But still: really, only question should be: "criminal negligence causing death or just murder"?
WSJ has a YouTube video showing a small parts manufacturer in MI not happy about tariffs BUT a MI UAW local head from Stellantis praising Trump saying they've opened a new shift at his plant. All Canadians should probably take Stellantis off their "car companies I will buy from" list.
January 14, 2026 at 6:15 AM
WSJ has a YouTube video showing a small parts manufacturer in MI not happy about tariffs BUT a MI UAW local head from Stellantis praising Trump saying they've opened a new shift at his plant. All Canadians should probably take Stellantis off their "car companies I will buy from" list.
Your Regressive Conservative Party in action! Never thought I'd yearn for the Brian Mulroney years when "Conservative" was conservative without that right-wing anti-evidence, Trump affinity, don't allow your candidates to show up for all candidates' meetings element.
Pathetic. By what right would they remove people from a public town hall for expressing their Charter rights?
RCMP should not be following those orders, which are illegitimate.
RCMP should not be following those orders, which are illegitimate.
3 North Cowichan residents were removed from the Town Hall in North Cowichan hosted by newly elected Conservative MP Jeff Kibble this past weekend. This public town hall event also had Pierre Poilievre speaking. Kibble/PP had the RCMP remove the ladies because of their t-shirts & nothing else.
January 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Your Regressive Conservative Party in action! Never thought I'd yearn for the Brian Mulroney years when "Conservative" was conservative without that right-wing anti-evidence, Trump affinity, don't allow your candidates to show up for all candidates' meetings element.
Westjet new 28" seat pitch: disgustingly bad. Will be avoiding WJ if at all possible. Air Canada Rouge 29" seat pitch: not a lot better. I am OK with "no recline" on domestic flights though.
January 13, 2026 at 6:23 AM
Westjet new 28" seat pitch: disgustingly bad. Will be avoiding WJ if at all possible. Air Canada Rouge 29" seat pitch: not a lot better. I am OK with "no recline" on domestic flights though.
Renee Good shooting reminds me of the old Monty Python sketch where a Brit army sergeant teaches his squad how to defend themselves with attacks by people armed with different types of fresh fruit (in each case, the attacker is shot dead). Only the Python sketch was funny and this isn't.
January 13, 2026 at 2:53 AM
Renee Good shooting reminds me of the old Monty Python sketch where a Brit army sergeant teaches his squad how to defend themselves with attacks by people armed with different types of fresh fruit (in each case, the attacker is shot dead). Only the Python sketch was funny and this isn't.
This works if your house is heated by fossil fuels. It doesn't work so well (at least in winter) if you use a heat pump or heat pumps.
Switching to BC Hydro‘s time of use rate saved us about $250 last year
January 10, 2026 at 7:04 AM
This works if your house is heated by fossil fuels. It doesn't work so well (at least in winter) if you use a heat pump or heat pumps.
HP pioneered a system whereby it's printers will not accept 3rd party ink cartridges. Given high inkjet ink consumption just for maintenance, I've sidelined my HP printer and imposed a lifetime ban on all HP products
My mom's HP printer has a cap on the number of pages she can print a month, on her own printer. The amount of ink isn't the limiting factor — the subscription is. Enshittification should be a capital offense.
December 28, 2025 at 3:28 AM
HP pioneered a system whereby it's printers will not accept 3rd party ink cartridges. Given high inkjet ink consumption just for maintenance, I've sidelined my HP printer and imposed a lifetime ban on all HP products
Yep, time for a stupid truck mega-tax surcharge, based on inches or cm. above the ground, preferably using a quadratic (e.g., 20cm = x400, 30cm = x900 etc.).
SERIOUSLY, WATCH THIS: If you really want to understand how huge SUVs and pick-up trucks have ended up being MOST of the vehicles out there in our cities, and the absolutely INSANE consequences of that, watch this easy-to-watch video by #NotJustBikes. Then please share it as much as you can.
These Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us
YouTube video by Not Just Bikes
youtube.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Yep, time for a stupid truck mega-tax surcharge, based on inches or cm. above the ground, preferably using a quadratic (e.g., 20cm = x400, 30cm = x900 etc.).
Dud Ford's motto: never let the facts or the numbers get in the way of a good story (editorial comment: what is "good" in Dud's eyes is generally bad for the rest of the world).
WATCH: Seriously, if you’re following ANY bike-lane debate, you HAVE TO WATCH this news story. You actually can’t make this up. Ford claims without evidence that bike-lanes are bad for small business, and THE ACTUAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION obliterates him with data.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
Annex businesses tell Ford to back off Bloor bike lanes
Stores in the Annex say the Bloor bike lanes have been a big boost to business. As Michelle Mackey reports, the neighborhood's BIA wants the province to back off its new bill that could see the lanes ...
toronto.citynews.ca
December 24, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Dud Ford's motto: never let the facts or the numbers get in the way of a good story (editorial comment: what is "good" in Dud's eyes is generally bad for the rest of the world).
So just when I thought my home municipality of Saanich was developing the worst groups in the Victoria CRD with the anti-bike-lane anti-density-of-any-type exc. maybe townhomes [don't get me wrong I approve twnhouse development], newly progressive Lanford now has the "Our Langford" group. Ugh.
December 19, 2025 at 8:01 PM
So just when I thought my home municipality of Saanich was developing the worst groups in the Victoria CRD with the anti-bike-lane anti-density-of-any-type exc. maybe townhomes [don't get me wrong I approve twnhouse development], newly progressive Lanford now has the "Our Langford" group. Ugh.
If Democrats come to power in '28, they should rename centre again & remove all "Trump" names on buildings+landmarks. I would, however, allow them to put the Trump name on washrooms & toilets ("Trump memorial washroom"/"Trump memorial toilet"/"Trump memorial sh*t place"), maybe just male toilets.
That’s quite a peppy headline for yet another outrageous dictator move.
December 19, 2025 at 3:58 AM
If Democrats come to power in '28, they should rename centre again & remove all "Trump" names on buildings+landmarks. I would, however, allow them to put the Trump name on washrooms & toilets ("Trump memorial washroom"/"Trump memorial toilet"/"Trump memorial sh*t place"), maybe just male toilets.
Remember those "Trump will fix it" baseball caps? How about replacing the verb with another verb that starts with the same letter?
December 18, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Remember those "Trump will fix it" baseball caps? How about replacing the verb with another verb that starts with the same letter?
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025... Sure, Alberta, become your own country. NO pipelines through BC (well, maybe we'll let you keep Trans Mountain but we're gonna tax the *** out of it). Foreign ownership tax on Albertans buying BC retirement properties. The list goes on. (Maybe a ban on cowboy hats too
The UCP Separatist Wing Is Winning. Here’s What Comes Next | The Tyee
Be ready for a Brexit-style disinformation campaign, weak opposition and turmoil.
thetyee.ca
December 18, 2025 at 4:31 AM
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025... Sure, Alberta, become your own country. NO pipelines through BC (well, maybe we'll let you keep Trans Mountain but we're gonna tax the *** out of it). Foreign ownership tax on Albertans buying BC retirement properties. The list goes on. (Maybe a ban on cowboy hats too
Brilliant, BC Transit! Now, poor bus service from my nbrhood to west shore for people working there (#39 bus) is replaced by connection-required service with 15-20+ min. waits @ connection point. This for a service that's only hourly. Ugh! They seem to want to tell us "buy a car!"
December 17, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Brilliant, BC Transit! Now, poor bus service from my nbrhood to west shore for people working there (#39 bus) is replaced by connection-required service with 15-20+ min. waits @ connection point. This for a service that's only hourly. Ugh! They seem to want to tell us "buy a car!"
Canada Post is going to replace home delivery with stupidboxes for those 30% of the population lucky enough to still have home delivery, arguing home delivery costs 75% more. Why don't they save all the capital $costs of building stupidboxes & just cut home delivery from daily to every 2nd day?
December 14, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Canada Post is going to replace home delivery with stupidboxes for those 30% of the population lucky enough to still have home delivery, arguing home delivery costs 75% more. Why don't they save all the capital $costs of building stupidboxes & just cut home delivery from daily to every 2nd day?
... and to all of the bozos demanding that bikes be regulated, licensed and taxed, if we taxed on the basis of road wear/damage & danger to human lives, small cars $100, big cars $200-400 SUVs $300-800 pickup trucks $10,000, larger pickup trucks $60,000, bicycles $.10.
“For half a century, a litany of federal policies has favored large SUVs & trucks, pushing automakers & buyers toward larger models. Instead of counteracting #CarBloat thru regulation, policymakers have subtly encouraged it. That has been a boon for car companies but a disaster for everyone else.”
The reckless policies that helped fill our streets with ridiculously large cars
Dangerous, polluting SUVs and pickup trucks took over America. Lawmakers are partly to blame.
www.vox.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:47 PM
... and to all of the bozos demanding that bikes be regulated, licensed and taxed, if we taxed on the basis of road wear/damage & danger to human lives, small cars $100, big cars $200-400 SUVs $300-800 pickup trucks $10,000, larger pickup trucks $60,000, bicycles $.10.
Now if only the BC government could give some thought to rail transit here, especially on the island. It's called the E&N corridor. A few challenges, yes (e.g., 1st Nations concerns), but do-able (can create valuable commuter transit to Langford and past the Malahat). Sadly, NDP doesn't care.
👏 👏 👏 It feels like we’ve turned a corner on rail in this country. 80 years late, but better late than never.
apple.news/Af6Ylb_NVRTW...
apple.news/Af6Ylb_NVRTW...
Ottawa-Montreal chosen as first leg of high-speed rail project — Ottawa Citizen
Construction of the high-speed rail line is expected to start in 2029
apple.news
December 12, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Now if only the BC government could give some thought to rail transit here, especially on the island. It's called the E&N corridor. A few challenges, yes (e.g., 1st Nations concerns), but do-able (can create valuable commuter transit to Langford and past the Malahat). Sadly, NDP doesn't care.
I got a response to my community association's submission to the request for comments on the Saanich Bikeway business.... it's now the case that Saanich is going to push back the next update of the Active Transportation Plan from 2028 to 2029. Not good.
December 11, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I got a response to my community association's submission to the request for comments on the Saanich Bikeway business.... it's now the case that Saanich is going to push back the next update of the Active Transportation Plan from 2028 to 2029. Not good.
Meanwhile, on Vancouver Island, nada. NDP government: a) does not seem to care about transit on the island b) seems opposed to any form of rail transit, especially on the island c) doesn't care if the E&N corridor disappears. My question to myself: "why did I vote for these people?"
Before (2016) / After (2025) the extension of the tramway Boulevard de L'Amiral Buix in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. Work was done between 2021 and 2024.
December 11, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Meanwhile, on Vancouver Island, nada. NDP government: a) does not seem to care about transit on the island b) seems opposed to any form of rail transit, especially on the island c) doesn't care if the E&N corridor disappears. My question to myself: "why did I vote for these people?"
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Just when you think Danielle Smith's Alberta can't get much worse.......
Just when you think Danielle Smith's Alberta can't get much worse.......
Jordan Peterson’s School Isn’t Accredited. Smith Offered Alberta’s Help | The Tyee
The premier met with the controversial psychologist and tried to help his business, finds a Tyee investigation.
thetyee.ca
December 10, 2025 at 5:42 PM
thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Just when you think Danielle Smith's Alberta can't get much worse.......
Just when you think Danielle Smith's Alberta can't get much worse.......
Yep, you won't see me in the USA for the next 4 years or perhaps forever. Would love to show my wife Chicago, New York, the Colorado scenic RRs but it's just not going to happen. I usually *work* in the US for a week each year: from here on in, it will be online only or nothing.
Why would anyone still want to travel to the United States? Trump seems hell bent on destroying travel to the U.S. like every other aspect of the U.S. economy.
December 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Yep, you won't see me in the USA for the next 4 years or perhaps forever. Would love to show my wife Chicago, New York, the Colorado scenic RRs but it's just not going to happen. I usually *work* in the US for a week each year: from here on in, it will be online only or nothing.
The Donald aka the Orange Monster aka Mr. Piggy has called Europe "weak and decaying". This is also an apt description of a) what The Donald has between his ears b) the future state of the USA on the world stage as a function of MAWA [W=weak] actions.
December 10, 2025 at 3:20 AM
The Donald aka the Orange Monster aka Mr. Piggy has called Europe "weak and decaying". This is also an apt description of a) what The Donald has between his ears b) the future state of the USA on the world stage as a function of MAWA [W=weak] actions.