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margaretdumont.bsky.social
Margaret Dumont 🇨🇦
@margaretdumont.bsky.social
1.8K followers 5.4K following 2.6K posts
🇨🇦 🇺🇦 🌻 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ | ELBOWS UP | Floridalberta, Canada | Team Canada

Enjoys a little vicious compliance.

"We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice." MLK Jr.
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margaretdumont.bsky.social
And yet he doesn't look well *with* it, between the unnatural color and mask-like application. Not to mention the desire to appear in public looking like that.

Actual unretouched photo of Trump, from Reuters, from here,

www.thetimes.com/life-style/c...
And yet he doesn't look well *with* it, between the unnatural color and mask-like application. Actual unretouched photo of Trump, from Reuters, from the wattle up, showing his makeup, in an unnatural shade of orange, applied like a mask, with panda eyes and a clown mouth.
November 26, 2025 at 2:52 AM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
That quote/excerpt from today's Politico Playbook column doesn't make clear who the senior official is or which side they're on, but the original reference is to "A senior White House official".
Screenshot from 11/19/25 Politico Playbook: "The mood inside the White House is bullish, and it seems the plan will be presented to Zelenskyy as a fait accompli. 'What we are going to present [to Ukraine] is reasonable,' the senior White House official tells Dasha. The Trump administration thinks Zelenskyy, under pressure both on the battlefield and on the home front (due to a burgeoning corruption scandal), will have to accept what’s on offer. "And as for the rest of Europe? 'We don’t really care about the Europeans,' the official tells Dasha. 'It’s about Ukraine accepting.' Here’s how Dasha puts it on this morning’s Playbook Podcast, following conversations with White House staff: 'They feel that Ukraine is in the position right now, given the corruption scandals that have been plaguing Zelenskyy, given where the battle lines are at this moment, that Ukraine is in a position where … they feel they can get them to accept this deal. They say it’s reasonable; it’s something that is, they believe, going to be palatable to Ukraine'."
November 19, 2025 at 7:44 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
From CBC last month:

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

(Also, the two other issues in the strike are classroom sizes and help with student complexities, but it was late and I didn't have enough characters.)
"Statistics Canada has published data on how teacher pay compares across Canada. However, the most recent comparisons available are from 2022-23. "Data from that year shows Alberta primary and secondary teacher salaries are slightly above national averages. "However, since then, teachers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have signed new contracts awarding wage increases."
October 24, 2025 at 2:28 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
Screenshot of the final scene of the Ontario government ad, featuring very prominently the words "ONTARIO CANADA ontario.ca/partner"
October 24, 2025 at 5:51 AM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
Trump might not be able to tell the difference between the province of Ontario and country of Canada, but NPR should be able to, right?
Screenshot of the final scene of the Ontario government ad, featuring very prominently the words "ONTARIO CANADA ontario.ca/partner"
October 24, 2025 at 5:49 AM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
3/
From the National Archives, Harry S Truman Library & Museum / "Copyright and Use of Archival Materials in the Presidential Libraries: Materials in the Presidential libraries that were created and produced by United States Federal agencies, or by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person's official duties (including the President), are considered works of the United States Government. These works are not eligible for copyright protection, in the United States, and are treated as though they are in the public domain."
October 24, 2025 at 5:32 AM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
Or as @colbertlateshow.bsky.social put it last night, "If You Give a Mouse a Kimmel".
Parody cover of "If You Give a Mouse a Kimmel" based on the original children's book, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie", with the mouse in the title holding Jimmy Kimmel instead of a cookie.
September 20, 2025 at 2:18 AM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau tapping dancing as fast as he can.
Two tweets from Christopher Landau, US Deputy Secretary of State: 1) "This is a very important message directly from @POTUS @realDonaldTrump that I reaffirmed on my recent trip to South Korea 🇰🇷: the United States welcomes and encourages foreign investment in our country and therefore logically welcomes and encourages the personnel necessary to get those investments up and running. These are the kind of visitors we want, who are CREATING American jobs and prosperity right here at home. Korean companies are poised to make MASSIVE new investments in our country (in shipbuilding among other industries), and—as I emphasized to our Korean friends—we in the @StateDept will ensure that they have the necessary and proper visas to comply with our laws. 🇺🇸🤝🇰🇷" 2) "I couldn’t visit the Republic of Korea without acknowledging the Korean War, which forever bound together our countries with blood and sacrifice. I was honored to pay my respects at the impressive War Memorial of Korea on the 75th anniversary of the Incheon Landing, which is one of history’s greatest military operations. 🇺🇸🤝🇰🇷"
September 14, 2025 at 8:10 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
"Sorry for the late notice, but there is no more time for delay, discussion, or dithering — we must act decisively to ensure that the next mayor of New York is Andrew Cuomo," read the note from Jeff Blau, the developer of Hudson Yards, and his wife, Lisa Blau, an investor. “The only viable candidate with the experience, support and gravitas to defeat Zohran Mamdani is Governor Andrew Cuomo.” The email, acquired by The New York Times on Monday evening, urged recipients to gather on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., less than 14 hours later, at the Pool Room, an exclusive event space in the Seagram Building in Midtown, to meet Mr. Cuomo and help plot his path to victory. “We cannot afford hesitation,” the email read. “Every one of us must get involved immediately.” In addition to the Blaus, the invitation was signed by, among others, a co-owner of the Seagram Building, Aby Rosen; the billionaire philanthropist Laurie M. Tisch; and the hedge fund billionaire Gregg Hymowitz.
September 9, 2025 at 4:55 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
From today's WSJ article: "The book was put together by a New York City bookbinder, Herbert Weitz, according to people who were involved in the process. Weitz, who died in 2020, listed Epstein as a client on his website in 2003. "It isn’t clear how the letter with Trump’s signature was prepared. Inside the outline of the naked woman was a typewritten note styled as an imaginary conversation between Trump and Epstein, written in the third person. "'Voice Over: There must be more to life than having everything,' the note began. "Donald: Yes, there is, but I won’t tell you what it is. "Jeffrey: Nor will I, since I also know what it is. "Donald: We have certain things in common, Jeffrey. "Jeffrey: Yes, we do, come to think of it. "Donald: Enigmas never age, have you noticed that? "Jeffrey: As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you. "Trump: A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret."
July 17, 2025 at 11:37 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
Yura had "over 32 years experience, spending more than half of his career at the NWS Austin/San Antonio office. In the process, he gained tremendous experience understanding local weather patterns while ensuring timely warnings get disseminated to the public in a multitude of ways."
From KXAN, April 21, 2025: "Paul Yura, the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office, has announced he has taken the early retirement offer as part of NOAA’s recent cuts to personnel and budget. "Yura has over 32 years experience, spending more than half of his career at the NWS Austin/San Antonio office. In the process, he gained tremendous experience understanding local weather patterns while ensuring timely warnings get disseminated to the public in a multitude of ways. "The warning coordination meteorologist (WCM) is a senior role at a local NWS office. According to NOAA, “The WCM coordinates the warning function of the office with the outside world. This would include heading the Skywarn Program, conducting spotter training and being a voice to the local media for the office.” "Only the ‘meteorologist in charge’ (MIC) has a higher position within a local office. "Yura’s retirement is part of an early retirement package offered to National Weather Service employees as the Trump Administration works to slash the budget at NWS and the larger NOAA organization."
July 6, 2025 at 5:46 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
Smith's comments make me ill, and I'm a layperson. I can't imagine what responsible healthcare professionals and scientists think when they read or hear this.
From the CBC article, "Alberta government faces mounting pushback to new COVID-19 vaccine policy", 6/17/25: "On [Smith's weekend radio] show she said the province threw away over a million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine 'because people just don't want to get the vaccine [at] the same rate as others.' "Smith was asked why that is. "'I think it's because it doesn't work particularly well, if you want the truth. I mean ... a vaccine is one where you get an injection once or twice, and then you never develop the underlying condition. And so you have to judge vaccines on that basis,' she said. "Talbot rejects the claim that the COVID-19 vaccine doesn't work very well. "'She is absolutely wrong about how effective the vaccine is. And her own Ministry of Health has the data to prove it,' said Talbot, who is also an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta. "Jenne is also pushing back. "'This is a bit frustrating because this continues to lead to confusion and perhaps a little mistrust in the vaccines,' he said."
June 19, 2025 at 3:20 AM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
From a Threads post yesterday: "During the civil rights movement, my grandmother used to quietly go down to the Baltimore jail and bail out Black protesters, just in case anyone with disposable income was wondering what they could do with it rn"
June 8, 2025 at 6:10 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
In 2023, President Joe Biden awarded Bruce Springsteen the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor given to artists by the US government.
Bruce Springsteen with President Joe Biden in 2023 after receiving the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor given to artists by the US government.
May 16, 2025 at 3:48 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
In 2016, Bruce Springsteen received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the US, from President Barack Obama.
Bruce Springsteen receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the US, from President Barack Obama in 2016.
May 16, 2025 at 3:45 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
Just going to drop this here -- Bruce Springsteen at the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors, with fellow honorees (from left) Grace Bumbry and Mel Brooks (not shown, Dave Brubeck and Robert DeNiro), and First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama.
Photo of Bruce Springsteen at the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors, with fellow honorees (from left) Grace Bumbry and Mel Brooks (not shown, Dave Brubeck and Robert DeNiro), and First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama.
May 16, 2025 at 3:42 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
Meanwhile, Bessent, his husband and two kids got to live in a real life $18+ million dollar pink Barbie 9,407 square foot dreamhouse -- actually the 1848 historic John Ravenel mansion -- until they sold it in March to move to a $12.5 million mansion in Georgetown.
Photo of the pink historic John Ravenel 9,407 sq foot mansion in Charleston, South Carolina, built in 1848, bought by Scott Bessent in 2016 for $6.5 million, and which he sold in March for $18.25 million, plus another $3 million for furnishings and fixtures. The sale broke real estate records in Charleston.
May 7, 2025 at 12:21 AM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
New earrings just arrived from @loxy.bsky.social who I learned about from Bluesky -- thank you! Can show only 2 pairs for me because the 3rd is a present. 1st to wear as an ally in AB and 2nd as a slightly more subtle "eat the rich" but with pretty purple flowers

#BuyCanadian

loxythemaker.com
Two pairs of earrings from @loxy.bsky.social who makes jewelry in the Yukon -- wooden studs in the shape of Alberta, with rainbows; and dangle earrings with pastel purple flowers from which hang tiny guillotines.
May 3, 2025 at 6:37 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
"Onda was likely flagged because of the 2019 catch-and-release fishing violation from a church outing... 'He didn’t catch a fish — but because he was the organizer of the activity, he was cited for harvesting more than their license permitted'"

www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-a...
NBC News article, "Visa is reinstated for BYU student from Japan who had a fishing citation and speeding tickets", April 21, 2025 : "Onda, who’s been in the U.S. for roughly six years, had been given 15 days to return to Japan or face deportation. With little social media presence and no history of political activism, Onda was likely flagged, [Onda's attorney Adam] Crayk told the Deseret News, because of the 2019 catch-and-release fishing violation from a church outing. It was eventually dismissed. "'He didn’t catch a fish — but because he was the organizer or the face of the activity, [Onda] was cited for harvesting more than their license permitted,' Crayk told the News."
April 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
As a reminder, here are the 50 US Senators, all Republicans, who voted to confirm Hegseth:
The 50 Senators, all Republicans, who voted to confirm Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense: Banks (R-IN) Barrasso (R-WY) Blackburn (R-TN) Boozman (R-AR) Britt (R-AL) Budd (R-NC) Capito (R-WV) Cassidy (R-LA) Cornyn (R-TX) Cotton (R-AR) Cramer (R-ND) Crapo (R-ID) Cruz (R-TX) Curtis (R-UT) Daines (R-MT) Ernst (R-IA) Fischer (R-NE) Graham (R-SC) Grassley (R-IA) Hagerty (R-TN) Hawley (R-MO) Hoeven (R-ND) Husted (R-OH) Hyde-Smith (R-MS) Johnson (R-WI) Justice (R-WV) Kennedy (R-LA) Lankford (R-OK) Lee (R-UT) Lummis (R-WY) Marshall (R-KS) McCormick (R-PA) Moody (R-FL) Moran (R-KS) Moreno (R-OH) Mullin (R-OK) Paul (R-KY) Ricketts (R-NE) Risch (R-ID) Rounds (R-SD) Schmitt (R-MO) Scott (R-FL) Scott (R-SC) Sheehy (R-MT) Sullivan (R-AK) Thune (R-SD) Tillis (R-NC) Tuberville (R-AL) Wicker (R-MS) Young (R-IN)
April 21, 2025 at 12:51 AM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
From Chris Jamroz's board director bio at @romtoronto.bsky.social: "Chris has led the *transformative* investment in GlobalX, a full-service passenger and cargo airline".

Jamroz seems to like the word "transformative":

From ROM's June 2017 news release:

www.rom.on.ca/people/chris...
From the ROM June 8, 2017 news release: "The Royal Ontario Museum (‘ROM’) is pleased to announce that Christopher and Kasia Jamroz have made a $1 million gift to help the ROM achieve its goal to engage the public in *transformative* experiences of art, culture and nature. "Underscoring Chris Jamroz' long-term commitment and engagement with the ROM, this important donation will provide ongoing support in a range of areas for exhibition, research and public programs. Mr. Jamroz was an active member of the Museum’s Board of Trustees for six years, and recently joined the ROM Board of Governors."
April 16, 2025 at 2:39 AM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
fyi for @romtoronto.bsky.social, from Wikipedia:
First 3 paragraphs of the Wikipedia entry for Global Crossing Airlines (aka GlobalX): Global Crossing Airlines, Inc. (operating as GlobalX Airlines) is an American Part 121 domestic, flag, and supplemental charter airline headquartered in Miami, Florida. GlobalX operates the majority of deportation flights on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This includes contracts by the Donald Trump administration in deporting immigrants to an El Salvador prison. The airline was founded in 2018 by Ed Wegel, who previously co-founded the reincarnated Eastern Air Lines. The airline provides ad-hoc and scheduled passenger charter and cargo airlift to destinations throughout the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America. History In 2020, GlobalX completed a merger & spin-out with Canada Jetlines, an ultra low-cost airline headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario. In late 2020, GlobalX formed CubaX, a tour operator that provides weekly non-stop flights from Miami to Havana, Cuba. In 2021, CubaX began operating daily charter flights using GlobalX aircraft on behalf of Havana Air. —— From the Wikipedia entry sidebar: Founded September 5, 2018 Commenced operations August 7, 2021 AOC # GCXA466Q[3] Operating bases: Alexandria, Harlingen, Mesa, Miami Fleet size 19 Traded as NEO: JET ISIN US37960G4010 Headquarters Miami, Florida, United States Key people Chris Jamroz (Executive Chairman) Ryan Goepel (President & CFO) Website globalairlinesgroup.com
April 16, 2025 at 2:18 AM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
"In a Breitbart interview last month, she said that Mr. Poilievre was 'in sync' with Mr. Trump and that she had asked the White House to 'put things on pause' — a reference to the hostile climate between the two countries — until the election."
NYT article on Alberta conservative premier Danielle Smith, published today, two weeks before Canada's federal election: "In a Breitbart interview last month, she said that Mr. Poilievre was 'in sync' with Mr. Trump and that she had asked the White House to “put things on pause” — a reference to the hostile climate between the two countries — until the election. "Critics said her remarks were an invitation to Washington to interfere with Canada’s elections in favor of Mr. Poilievre, whose combative style bears similarities to Mr. Trump's."
April 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
repost with a favourite book from childhood:

(also a favourite Scholastic book purchase) -- "No Flying in the House" by Betty Brock (1970) about Annabel who has no parents but does have a very tiny white talking dog named Gloria, and who also learns that she can kiss her elbow.
Cover of "No Flying in the House" by Betty Brock, illustrated by Wallace Tripp, showing Annabel Tippins, a young blonde girl, sitting in a red armchair, looking up at her little white dog Gloria, who's sitting on top of the chair.
April 9, 2025 at 3:32 AM
margaretdumont.bsky.social
With Alt Text:
An excerpt from "Originalism, the Administrative State, and the Clash of Political Theories" by J. Joel Alicea, written March 20, 2025: "Over the last three months, we have seen President Trump directly challenge the delegation of power by Congress to administrative agencies and the insulation of power from presidential supervision. The President’s insistence that questions of public policy like student debt transfers ought to be resolved by Congress rather than through agency action, and that the entire executive branch is ultimately accountable to the President — who is elected by the American people and who is vested with the whole of the executive power — are attempts to bring the administrative state in line with the original meaning of the Constitution. Contrary to the press’s depiction of such actions, they are hopeful developments for the rule of law."
March 27, 2025 at 7:57 PM