Bryan Rogers

Dad would have been 94 yesterday. Here he is on his 92nd in 2020, building the fire. Within 10 months, both he and my sister were gone. Coincidence of the pandemic. These years have been hell for everyone, for many different reasons.

The cynicism & hyper partisanship on this site can be exhausting. I see criticism of Conservatives like @erinotoole & @lraitt for agreeing to serve on the Prime Minister’s Canada-US relations advisory panel. Some say it represents “patronage.” To be clear, membership on advisory panels like this are not paid positions. Sometimes they will offer modest per diems for longer meetings requiring travel. But there is no material reward for participating in work like this. If anything it represents an opportunity cost for busy people who give up paid work or billable time in order to participate. In other words, it’s not patronage. Cynics, brace yourself: perhaps what motivates people to set aside partisanship and do voluntary work like this is an authentic sense of duty, of public service that puts country ahead of party. To the partisans who think it’s disloyal to accept a role like this: please remember that severely normal Canadians do not see the world through your hyper partisan lens. They expect Canadians to work together across party lines to help defend the country from external threats, like Donald Trump’s aggression. (Remember Stephen Harper appointing John Manley to lead the advisory panel on the Afghan military deployment; or appointing Gary Doer Ambassador to the US.) Finally, to Conservatives: one of the most unattractive feature of the contemporary left is its tendency to politicize absolutely everything. Don’t repeat their error. Conservatism is not a rigid ideological doctrine requiring loyalty tests and the demonization of our political adversaries.

Night Bird Flying" was the first track that Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Kramer worked on from scratch at Electric Lady Studios. Eddie explores the various parts of the song, explaining, "[Jimi's] mind was just on so many different levels – it's amazing." #jimihendrix #eddiekramer #ajimihendrixvision #nightbirdflying #hendrix

@davidakin @irbrodie Fortier? He wasn’t a floor crosser. And Emerson retired before the 2008 election, ~3 years before the Harper majority.

A majority built on floor crossings. And we wonder why populism and anti-elite sentiment is high.

@garry_keller @elie_mcn Alas... ualberta.ca/en/university-…

@elie_mcn Leave the Butterdome alone!

This has got to be the UGLIEST building I’ve ever seen. In Edmonton, Canada.

@davidclowery @nikutaberuru Best snare drum I had (and still have) is a Japan-made Yamaha brass piccolo (the SD-493). Recently I discovered that it is considered a Holy Grail of snares. Beautiful drum!

@nikutaberuru In recent decades the Japanese made Fenders have become desirable. Yamaha keyboards of course. Some of us are Ibanez fans. My main guitar for many years was the Ibanez Jet King 1. I own 6.

親愛なるアメリカ兄貴たち 日本ではアメリカ製の楽器が 熱狂的に愛されています。 アメリカには日本製の楽器を 愛している人達はいるでしょうか？

I got to be the only guy that opened for The Grateful Dead and the Dead Kennedys.

@mike_wintrs Clearly it’s time for you to come home.

Saturday night, live.

@McFranchisee @McDonalds I’d rather see the McDLT make a comeback…!

Well, I guess @McDonalds is releasing the new Big Arch Burger really soon. We are one of the last countries to get it. It’s a big sandwich & I will be having it weekly. Are you? Here’s how we are making it 👇

We say goodbye to Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker Robert Duvall. With a career spanning over seven decades, Duvall's storytelling transcended mediums and generations of audiences – as he delivered a range of unforgettable performances. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.

@BacovcinAkiva @Francis_Urq @elie_mcn I started in a constituency office. Most constituents don’t care what’s going on in Parliament, they just want help with whatever issue they need help with. That in itself is a full time job for an MP…at least it is for the good ones.

@Francis_Urq @elie_mcn Why do we have MPs act as liaisons to the civil service? That does seem to detract from their role as legislators?

We should explore paying MPs on a performance basis, tied to individual attendance. Miss a sitting or a committee meeting = no pay for that day. If the gov keeps Parliament out of session for an extended period of time = no pay for anyone. Productivity would return quickly!

I sincerely hope that mine is just one of many portraits of Prime Ministers from both parties that will continue to be hung in the Parliament of Canada for decades and centuries to come […] but that will require that in these perilous times both parties whatever their differences, come together to preserve the independence and unity of this blessed land.

Who won the bloody war anyway?! #classicbritishcomedy #classiccomedy #britishcomedy #classicbasil

RIP Catherine O’Hara. I’d like to think this is happening in heaven right now.

How is this not a Ponzi scheme? "Here's deficit financed cash to buy food until our amazing and totally realistic plan to make everyone rich succeeds."

Not good enough, Senator @LindseyGrahamSC. He insulted the honour of “NATO allies,” not just the UK. Canadians didn’t “hang a little back from the front lines.” They took one of the toughest missions: in Kandahar. Virtually every NATO country suffered combat deaths, and many were in the thick of the action. Denmark suffered the second highest level of combat deaths, per capita. We all know that you cling to his endorsement like a drowning man to a raft, but please stop pretending that your craven attachment to him is based on principle or honour. It’s unseemly. Your late friend John McCain must be rolling over in his grave.

@realDonaldTrump says, "You know, they'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan...And they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines." @usembassycanada @petehoekstra we did send some troops to Afghanistan. But they sure as hell didn't "stay a little back". 159 of them paid the ultimate sacrifice. "Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes True Patriot Love, There was never more" Here are their names. 🇨🇦🎗️#LestWeForget #cdnpoli Cpl R.A. DYER, 3PPCLI, ISAF, 17 APRIL 2002 Pte R.A. GREEN, 3PPCLI, ISAF, 17 APRIL 2002 Sgt M.D. LEGER, 3PPCLI, ISAF, 17 APRIL 2002 Pte N.L. SMITH, 3PPCLI, ISARF, 17 APRL 2002 Cpl R.C. BEERENFENGER, 3 RCR, ISAF, 02 OCT 2003 Sgt R.A. SHORT, 3 RCR BTL GP, ISAF, 02 OCTOBER 2003 Cpl J.B. MURPHY, 3 RCR, ISAF, 27 JANUARY 2004 Pte B.S. WOODFIELD, 2 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 24 NOV 2005 Cpl P.J. DAVIS, 2 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 02 MARCH 2006 MCpl T.J. WILSON, 2 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 04 MARCH 2006 Pte R.H. COSTALL, 1 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 29 MARCH 2006 Cpl M.D.J. DINNING, 2 MP PL, NATO Kandahar, 22 APRIL 2006 Lt W.M. TURNER, LFWA, NATO Kandahar, 22 APRIL 2006 Cpl R.J. PAYNE, CMTC, NATO Kandahar, 22 APRIL 2006 Bdr W.S.J. MANSELL, 5 FD Regt, NATO Kandahar, 22 APRIL 2006 Capt N.K..S. GODDARD, 1 RCHA NATO Kandahar, 17 MAY 2006 Cpl A.J. BONECA, LSSR, NATO Kandahar, 9 July 2006 Cpl F. GOMEZ, 1 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 22 July 2006 Cpl J.P. WARREN, Black Watch, NATO Kandahar, 22 July 2006 Pte K. DALLAIRE, 1 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 3 August, 2006 Sgt, V. INGRAM, 1 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 3 August, 2006 Cpl B.J. KELLER, 1 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 3 August, 2006 Cpl C.J.REID, 1 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 3 August 2006 MCpl. R. ARNDT, LER, NATO Kandahar, 5 August 2006 MCpl J.S. WALSH, 2 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 9 August 2006 Cpl. A.J. Eykelenboom, 1 Fd Amb, NATO Kandahar, 14 August 2006 Cpl D. Braun, 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 22 August 06 WO R.D. Nolan, 1 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 02 September 06 WO F.R. Mellish, 1 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 02 September 06 Sgt. S. Stachnik, 2 CER att to 1 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 02 September 06 Pte. W.J.J. Cushley, 1 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 02 SEptember 06 Pte, M.A. Graham, 1 RCR, NATO kandahar, 04 September 06 Cpl G.H. Arnold, 2 Fd. Amb, NATO Kandahar, 18 Sept 2006 Cpl S. Keating, 2 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 18 Sept 2006 Cpl K. Morley, 2PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 18 Sept 2006 Pte D.R.J. Byers, 2 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 18 Sept 2006 Pte J. Klukie, 1 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 29 Sept 2006 Sgt C.P. Gillam, RCD, NATO Kandahar, 03 Oct 2006 Cpl R.T.J. Mitchell, RCD, NATO Kandahar, 03 Oct 2006 Tpr M.A. Wilson, RCED, NATO kandahar, 07 Oct 2006 Sgt D.S. TEDFORD, 1 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 14 October 2006 Pte B.N. Williamson, 1 RCR, NATO Kandahar,14 Oct 2006 CWO (RMS) R. Girouard, 1 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 27 Nov 2006 Cpl A. Storm, 1 RCR NATO Kandahar, 27 Nov 2006 Cpl R.K. Megeney, NSH, NATO Kandahar, 06 Mar 2007 Sgt D. Lucas, 2 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 08 April 2007 Cpl C.P. Stannix, PIF, att to 2 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 08 April 2007 Cpl A.E. Williams, 2 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 08 April 2007 Pte D.R. Greenslade, 2 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 08 April 2007 Pte K.V. Kennedy, 2 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 08 April 2007 Cpl B.D. Poland, 2 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 08 April 2007 MCpl A Stewart, RCD, NATO Kandahar, 11 April 2007 Tpr P.J. Pentland, RCD, NATO Kandahar, 11 April 2007 MCpl A. Klumpenhouwer, SOF, NATO Kandahar, 18 April 2007 Cpl M.J. McCully, 2 CMBG HQ & Sig Sqn NATO Kandahar, 25 May 2007 MCpl D.J. Priede, ISAF HQ, NATO Kandahar, 30 May 2007 Tpr D. Caswell, RCD, NATO Kandahar, 11 June 2007 Cpl S.F. Bouzane, 3 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 20 June 2007 Pte J.V. Wiebe, 3 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 20 June 2007 Sgt C. Karigiannis, 3 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 20 June 2007 Capt M.J. Dawe, 3 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 04 July 2007 MCpl C.S.F. Bason, RWR att to 3 PPCLI NATO Kandahar, 04 July 2007 Cpl C.D. Bartsch, 3 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 04 July 2007 Pte L.W.T. Watkins, 3 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 04 July 2007 Cpl J. Anderson, 3 PPCLI, NATO Kandaahr, 04 July 2007 Capt J. Francis, 1 RCHA, NATO Kandahar, 04 July 2007 Sdt S.M.S. Longtin, 3 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 19 August 2007 Cpl C.J.T.A. Duchesne, 5 Fd Amb att R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 22 August 2007 Adjum M.J.C.M. Mercier, 2 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 22 August 2007 Major M. R. Ruckpaul, RCD, ISAF, NATO, Kabul, 29 August 2007 Cpl N. Hornburg, KOCR, NATO, Kandahar, 24 September 2007 Cpl N.R. Beauchamp, 5 Fd Amb, NATO, Kandahar, 17 November 2007 Pte M. Levesque, 3 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 17 November 2007 Gunner J. Dion, 5 RALC, NATO,Kandahar, 30 December 2007 Warrant Officer H. Massouh, 2 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 06 January 2008 Corporal E. Labbe, 2 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 06 January 2008 Trooper R. Renaud, 12 RBC, NATO, Kandahar, 15 January 2008 Corporal E. Gonthier, 5 RGC, NATO, Kandahar, 24 January 2008 Trooper M.Y. Hayakaze, LdSH (RC), NATO, Kandahar, 02 March 2008 Bombardier J. Ouellet, 1 RCHA, NATO, Kandahar, 11 March 2008 Sergeant J. Boyes, 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 16 March 2008 Private T. Street, 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 04 April 2008 Corporal M.G. Starker, 15 Fd Amb att 1 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 06 May 2008 Captain R. Leary, 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 03 June 2008 Captain J. Snyder, 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 07 June 2008 MCpl J.B. Roberts, 2 PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 09 August 2008 Pte C.W. Wilmot, 1 Fd Amb att 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 06 July 2008 Cpl J.H. Arnal, 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 18 July 2008 MCpl E.M. Doyle, 3 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 11 August 2008 Sgt S. A. Eades, 1 CER att 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 20 August 2008 Cpl D.R.J. Wasden, 1 CER att 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 20 August 2008 Spr S.S.J. Stock, 1 CER att 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 20 August 2008 Cpl A. P. Grenon, 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 03 September 2008 Cpl M. J.A. Seggie, 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 03 September 2008 Pte C. J. Horn, 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 03 September 2008 Sgt P. Shipway, 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 07 September 2008 Cpl M.R. McLaren, 1 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 05 December 2008 Pte D. Diplaros, 1 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 05 December 2008 WO R.J. Wilson, 1 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 05 December 2008 Cpl T.J. Hamilton, 2 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 13 December 2008 Pte J.M.R. Curwin, 2 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 13 December 2008 Pte J.P. Jones, 2 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 13 December 2008 Pte M.B. Freeman, 3 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 26 December 2008 WO G. Roberge, 2 R22eR, NATO Kandahar, 27 December 2008 Sgt G.J. Kruse, 2 CER, NATO, Kandahar, 27 December 2008 Tpr B.R. Good, RCD att 3 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 07 January 2009 Spr S. D. Greenfeld, 2 CER, NATO, Kandahar, 31 January 2009 WO D.R. Brown, LWR, NATO, Kandahar, 03 March 2009 Cpl D.O. Fortin, 425 Tac Fighter Sqn, NATO, Kandahar, 03 March 2009 Cpl K.C. O’Quinn 2 CMBG HQ & Sig Sqn, NATO, Kandahar, 03 March 2009 Tpr M. Diab, RCD, att 3 RCR, NATO Kandahar, 08 March 2009 MC S. Vernelli, 3 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 20 March 2009 Cpl T. Crooks, 3 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 20 March 2009 Tpr J. Bouthillier, RCD att 3 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 20 March 2009 Tpr C.J. Hayes, RCD att 3 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 20 March 2009 Cpl K.M.N. Blais, 12 RBC att 2 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 13 April 2009 Maj M. Mendes, CDI NDHQ, NATO, Kandahar, 23 April 2009 Pte A.J. Peloquin, 3 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 08 June 2009 Cpl J.R.M. Dube, 5 RGC, NATO, Kandahar, 14 June 2009 Cpl N.A. Bulger, 3 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 03 July 2009 MC C-P. Michaud, 2 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 04 July 2009 MCpl P.Y. Audet, 430 Tac Hel Sqn, NATO, Kandahar, 06 July 2009 Cpl M.M. Joannette, 3 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 06 July 2009 Pte S.J.B.O. Courcy, 2 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 16 July 2009 Cpl C. Bobbitt, 5 RGC att 2 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 01 Aug 2009 Spr J.P.A.M. Allard, 5 RGC att 2 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 01 August 2009 Maj Y.J.F.S. Pepin, 5 RGC att 2 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 06 September 2009 Cpl J-F, J.D. Drouin, 5 RGC att 2 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 06 September 2009 Pte P.J. Lormand, 2 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 13 September 2009 Cpl J.J.S. Couturier, 2 R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 18 September 2009 Lt J.G. Boyes, 3 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 28 October 2009 Spr S. H. Marshall, 1 CER att 1 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 30 October 2009 Lt A. R. Nuttall, 1 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 23 December 2009 Sgt G.R. Miok, 41 CER, NATO, Kandahar, 30 December 2009 Cpl Z.W. McCormack, LER, NATO, Kandahar, 30 December 2009 Private G. W. Chidley, 2 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 30 December 2009 Sgt K. G. Taylor, 84 Ind Fd Bty RCA, NATO, Kandahar, 30 December 2009 Sgt J.W. Faught, 1 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 16 January 2010 Cpl J.C. Baker, LER, NATO, Kandahar, 12 February 2010 Cpl D.J. Fitzpatrick, 3 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 20 March 2010 Pte T.W. Todd, 1 PPCLI, NATO, Kandahar, 11 April 2010 PO 2 D.C. Blake, FDU (Atl) Att. TF1-10, NATO, Kandahar, 3 May 2010 Pte K.T. McKay, 1PPCLI, NATO Kandahar, 13 May 2010 Col G.S. Parker, ISAF, NATO, Kabul, 18 May 2010 Tpr L.J. Rudd, RCD Att 1 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 24 May 2010 Sgt M.R. Goudreault, 1 CER att 1 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 06 June 2010 Sgt J.P. MacNeil, 2CER att 1 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 21 June 2010 Pte A.C.A. Miller, 2 FD Amb, Att TF Kan, Health SU, NATO, Kandahar, 26 June 2010 MCpl K.L. Geisbrecht, 1 Cdn Fd Hosp. Att TF Kan, Health SU, NATO, Kandahar, 26 June 2010 Spr. B. J. Collier, 1CER Att 1RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 20 July 2010 Cpl. B.N.C.R. Pinksen, 2R NFLD R Att 1RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 30 August 2010 Capt F.C. Paul, 28 Fd Amb Att TF Kan. Health SU, NATO, Kandahar, 10 February 2010 Cpl. S.J.L. Martin, 3R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 18 December 2010 Cpl. Y.M.A. Scherrer, 1R22eR, NATO, Kandahar, 27 March 2011 Bdr. K. Manning, 5RALC att 1R22eR, NATO, Kandahar,27 May 2011 MCpl. F. Roy, CSOR Att CSOTF, NATO, Kandahar, 25 June 2011 MCpl. B.G. Greff, 3PPCLI Att CCTM-A, NATO, Kabul, 29 October 2011 Pte. T. E.J. WELCH, 3RCR, NATO KANDAHAR, 08 MAY 2004 Cpl T.J. Stirling, 1 RCR, NATO, Kandahar, 18 August 2009 MCpl. T.L. Halmrast, 20th Independent Field Bty RCA, NATO Kandahar, 25 Nov 2013

George Costanza wants you to eat a McDLT. The hot side stays hot and the cool side stays cool, motherfucker!

Hey guys. This is going to be the most personal update I’ve ever shared publicly. I live in public view — my work does, anyway. I’ve never been shy about sharing my ideas or passions. But I’ve always worked very hard to keep my family out of view. That’s partly for their safety. But also because, despite appearances, I am an intensely private person. The public part of my job is exhausting and often a little frightening. I’m now facing something far more frightening. And I may need your help. Last fall, my wife became very ill. A series of medical tests ruled out the non-scary explanations. Just before Christmas, we were told it was metastatic cancer. She has since undergone urgent surgeries, including successful removal of the primary tumour. She is young, strong, and otherwise healthy, and her recovery so far has been remarkable. Now we are entering a long, grinding phase of this fight — chemotherapy and we hope other treatments — with the goal of getting ahead of this nightmare. We have cause for optimism. The metastasis is real and terrifying, but limited and small. We didn’t catch this “early,” but we may have caught it early by the standards of such things. We have a real shot, and we are determined to fight as hard as we possibly can. Many of you noticed I went completely to ground. This is why. If you are the praying type, we would appreciate your prayers. For those who may be able to offer medical help and options, please reach out — I’m easy to find. I’m assembling an army for her. This is the most important thing I’ve ever done, and I can’t imagine a better use of my energy or my skills. As we settle into a new rhythm, I’m beginning a gradual return to work. Don’t be surprised if you see more thoughts from me about the health-care system. I’ve been amazed and humbled by some of the care we’ve received. I’ve also been shocked and frightened by other parts of the experience. I’ll have more to say about that later. But now I want to talk about my wife. We met when we were 17. We had math class together. I changed my seat so I could look at her. She was stunning. I can still see her in my mind’s eye exactly as she was then. To me, she is as beautiful today as she was at 17. I did, and still do, feel like I’ve been winded when I just look at her. We weren’t high-school sweethearts. Our journey was longer. We didn’t become an official couple until late in university, after a long period of circling each other — trying to understand what to do with a deep friendship that was evolving into something much scarier and more consequential. We made the jump. Not without false starts. Not without fear. But we made it. And my life has been amazing since. Because of her. She is all I have ever wanted. She isn’t perfect. She isn’t easy. Neither am I. We’ve had good times and bad. But she is the absolute foundation of my world. My entire sense of self is wrapped up in her. I don’t know where I end and she begins. Nearly 20 years after we stood in a park and agreed to be together, I am as hopelessly in love with her as I was then. It is a crippling love — more than I contain. I can barely think about it. It just feels like too much when I try. She and our two children are my everything. And I am going to fight for her and for this family with absolutely everything I have. I will never surrender. I can’t. There is no me without her. So that’s the story. Please be patient with me. Please be kind. Pray for us if you can. And help us if you have the power.

If you are suddenly concerned that the United States might take over Greenland, just wait until you learn what Canada's latest, greatest "strategic partner" China has been up to for the last ten years. #cdnpoli