14 Comments

<> Canada needs their own January 8 committee. Trudeau should call the Mounties to take names, photos and interviews... and ask Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and look for Putin's money and operatives. <> BLM protesters also blocked traffic in the name of civil disobedience, so I understand why they are not just arresting these protesting truckers. <> But when even the Teamsters Union is disavowing the protest...hmmm....and Canada is an oil exporting country in competition with Russia...hmmm.

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The international far-right is gaining visibility and momentum at an alarming rate as it captures more internet and media space. Tucker Carlson is broadcasting from Hungary and using his Fox platform to incite an antigovernment mob in Canada. When was this ever a thing? For-profit democracy destruction--Fox, Facebook, GoFundMe, Trump pere et fils. How do we fight back?

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That’s what I want to know!

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I wonder what Margaret Atwood is thinking.

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And I’m wondering what David Quammen is thinking…..

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Excellent, disturbing column, but the trucker convoy makes more sense to me now. Thank you.

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France now dealing with trucker Covid protests “inspired by Canada.”

Thank you Professor for pointing out the reality of the protests and demands- sounds exactly like Putin’s demands regarding Ukraine and NATO.

https://youtu.be/s6fst9c8KKo

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Sorry for all the comments, but this is really putting things in perspective… these protests not only weaken Putin’s opponents with distraction and disunity, they also show the frailty and danger of democracy- of the right to protest. Thank you Professor Snyder for showing us how to think like free people.

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These protests are happening right as Putin begins “military drills” in Belarus 🥺🥺🥺 https://youtu.be/Y53R-B7Nx-w

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Feb 10, 2022·edited Feb 10, 2022

These people being interviewed sound exactly like how Professor Snyder describes people who are regurgitating the internet. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that foreign leaders are being distracted while Putin moves on Ukraine 🥺💔🙏🇺🇦

And I can’t imagine how much Putin enjoys Germany and Russia deciding Ukraine’s fate 💔, as Germany falters on naming Nord2 as a cost of further Russian invasion of Ukraine.

https://youtu.be/SfzxqO7xpIU

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Thank you for pointing out the parallels in the insurrections and the model behind them. Until there are painful consequences, this type of organized chaos will continue to spread, even in Canada's civil society. That said, it's almost laughable that the protest that paralyzed downtown Ottawa was targeted against rules imposed by the U.S. Or perhaps devious is more accurate, given that chaos and disruption was the goal.

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Professor Snyder do you think this could be related to the Teamsters strike in WA, USA, or just a coincidence? Thank you for this insight!

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I am tempted to call them pioneers or sappers.The two events are both public probes into the reality and limits of government authority. (With an eye to public opinion as the live-stream plays out.)

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Ruth Ben Ghiat has suggested that by destablizing a society in this way, it clears the path for a strong, authoritarian 'savior' who can restore order. I wonder if the people who plan these things have this purpose consciously in mind.

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