disheveled…

In an attempt to garner aesthetic kudos on the political image front it has been noted that a number of Great Dominion politicians are going for the disheveled Boris look to match their behaviour…it has been termed the biggest British Invasion since the mid 1960s.(Google it)

Out of respect for the individuals depicted,their identities have been omitted since overall most political actor’s behaviour can best be described as bagged out beat up blowzy frowzy grubby messed-up mussed-up mussy scuzzy slipshod sloppy slovenly uncombed unfastidious and untidy.

Fashion criminal…

Blue helmet blues…

When the 1948 Arab-Israeli War ended in a cease-fire agreement, the international community recognized that an independent monitoring mechanism offered the best chance of maintaining the fragile peace process. 75 years ago, the U.N. peacekeepers were deployed for the first time. Their mission in that conflict would become the template for U.N. peacekeeping operations for decades to come: Bringing stability to tenuous and uncertain post-conflict environments.

Source: United States Institute of Peace

Source: Canadaland Podcast April 8/24

Click link for broadcast

‘Canadians have long thought of themselves as peacekeepers. But can we still make that claim today? Amid all of the the outrage towards our government over its relationship with Israel, are any protesters calling on Trudeau to send peacekeeping troops over there to intervene? When the guns finally fall silent there will likely be a call for some sort of peacekeeping force. But will Canada still be ready, or even willing, to resume our traditional role?

There’s really just one statistic worth sharing here to illustrate that Canadians have lost nearly all capacity for peacekeeping. In the mid 1990s, there were over 3000 Canadian troops deployed as UN peacekeepers around the world. Today there are 60. That means we’re now at 2% of our former capability. What the hell happened? ‘

canadaland podcast 978

At April 2023, Bangladesh was contributing 6,500 soldiers to United Nations peacekeeping missions, the highest number of any country. Nepal followed with 5,800 troops, while India contributed just above 5,500 troops. Except for Italy, all the top 20 contributors were countries in the Global South.

source -Statista.com

Selection of art works produced as video and drawings in 1993 based on AHMacKay’s war artist assignment as part of Canada’s partcipation in United Nations Operation in Somalia UNOSOM. Collection of the Canadian War Museum.

Drawings (4)

Video stills (9)

third-party pothole adjudicator…

Court Painter indicates his willingness to fill the job as a third-party pothole adjudicator

Former Nova Scotia Liberal premier Stephen McNeil suggested that the province have a third-party pothole adjudicator, an idea that was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a session at the legislature last Thursday, present Conservative Premier Tim Houston was asked about the possibility of implementing a third-party pothole adjudicator. He responded by stating, “it’s not something that has been on my radar.”

This situation exemplifies the ideological divide between Nova Scotia Liberals and Conservatives, reportedly one of the most severe, despite the potential for drivers of all affiliations to encounter damage during the season of potholes.

This issue has provided Court Painter the opportunity to take up the painterly subject of potholes and though on his bucket list,it was always dismissed until now!

eclipsed expectations…

Court Painter recently had the opportunity to do major portrait commissions from the Mar A Lago Club with rabid guest Lady Roseanne and owner The Donald in celebration of and in advance of the upcoming solar eclipse .

The portait of the Donald captures the teachings of the former president in the moment of how to look directly into the solar eclipse without 3D glasses or binoculars. Everyone is anticipating a repeat performance on April 8/24.

Lady Roseanne’s portaits unfortunately don’t capture the fiesty, rabid and frothy demeanor of the former TV star however do convey a sense of royal charm. She graciously posed before a past due date portait of preppy Donald and the new historically relevant replacement by Court Painter.

Court Painter decided that a simple frontal portait of Lady Roseanne holding a huge glass of wine with #45 would also be a wonderful momento for these divisive times.

So Court Painter whipped off a painting that takes into account the informal and slovenly friendship of Lady Roseanne and the former president.

Busy busy busy…

Headline rhymin’ time April 3/24…

Court Painter calls upon the studio poet in residence Chatterley Gonad Peterheater Thundercloud ( Chat GPT), to rhyme today’s domestic and international headlines. AHM provided some editorial adjustments.

Court Painter images are randomly selected from the vast studio archive.

In the budget’s embrace, more loans will be lent,
For apartments to rise, the government’s intent.

Federal funds tied to fourplexes, Ford cries no,
Liberals plan moves ahead, despite this blow.

Ford stands firm, no mandate for four units in sight,
Doubling down on this pledge with all his might.

In Gaza’s harsh sands, a Canadian’s life was undone,
A veteran with a son, his aid work now done.

O’Toole points fingers, loss of seats he does blame,
On foreign hands meddling, in the political game.

Premier Ford seeks to limit, in universities’ halls,
Only Ontario students, he stridently calls.

No water, no oil, the parched west’s plight,
Could hinder the oilpatch, in its economic might.

Tech industry voices, barriers impede,
Canadian firms’ access, to government’s need.

Ontario stands firm, drinking age won’t bail,
Nor will corner stores halt, alcohol’s sale.

In the political dance, Israel’s Gantz calls for change,
While Biden stays steady, policy remains the same.

The White House stands opposed, to NATO’s arm,
For Ukraine’s defense, while sounding the alarm.

The Pope holds a rosary, a soldier’s tale of woe,
Denouncing war’s madness, as tears freely flow.

In Russia’s sphere, blame is shared in the fray,
A concert hall attacked, by militants’ way.

NATO warns of alliances, in Russia’s Asian domain,
Consequences in security, they cannot feign.

In Finland, a deal, Ukraine’s security to shore,
As Zelenskiy warns of Russia’s troops, at his door.

Manhattan’s DA opposes, Trump’s trial’s delay,
In the glare of media, justice seeks its say.

Prosecutors rebuke, a judge’s flawed command,
In Trump’s classified case, truth they demand.

Trump himself sues, his social platform’s kin,
Alleging mismanagement, is the media’s spin.

Two brothers plead guilty, in schemes they wove,
Linked to Trump’s business, the courts must prove.

In Taiwan’s tremors, buildings collapse,
Nine souls are lost, for sure not perhaps.

South Africa’s parliament speaker resigns, in probe’s strife,
Over corruption’s shadow, in the nation’s life.

A federal judge speaks, of January 6 day,
We cannot normalize, the events of dismay.

characteristics…

How Fascism Typically Takes Over a Nation by Rhetoric… 

Words. Speeches. News conferences. Rallies. Media. Money. And they all point in one direction: violence in service of the fascist leader.

THOM HARTMANN MAR 29

Analysts of fascism from Umberto Eco to Hannah Arendt to Timothy Snyder and Ruth Ben-Ghiat generally agree on a core set of characteristics of a fascist movement. It includes:

— A romantic idealization of a fictional past (“Make America Great Again”)


— Clear definition of an enemy within that is not quite human but an “other” (“vermin,” “rats,” “animals,” all phrases Trump has used just in past weeks to describe immigrants and employees of our criminal justice system)


— Vilification of the media (“fake news” or lugenpresse)


— Repeated attacks on minorities and immigrants as a rallying point for followers (shared hatred often binds people together)


— Disparagement of elections and the rule of law (because neither favors the fascist movement)


— Glorification of political violence and martyrdom (the January 6th “patriots” and Ashley Babbitt)


— Hostility to academia and science leading to the elevation of Joe Sixpack’s ability to “do his own research” (simple answers to complex questions or issues)


— Embrace of fundamentalist religion and the moral codes associated with it


— Rejection of the rights of women and members of the queer community as part of the celebration of toxic masculinity


— Constant lies, even about seemingly inconsequential matters (Hannah Arendt noted in 1978: “If everybody always lies to you, the consequence is not that you believe the lies, but rather that nobody believes anything any longer.”)


— Performative patriotism that replaces the true obligations of citizenship (like voting and staying informed) with jingoistic slogans, logos, and mass events: faux populism


— Collaboration with oligarchs while claiming to celebrate the average person

Donald Trump and his MAGA movement check every single box.

Remember Trump received about 74 million votes in the 2020 presidential election, according to the Federal Election Commission. That’s almost 47% of the popular vote. He won 232 electoral votes – 270 are needed to win.

making sense attempt…

Court Painter with portrait of ‘A Common Man Contemplating Common Sense”

(Note: The list has grown since this image was created)

 Conservatives won’t be taking advice from “so-called experts” when it comes to carbon pricing, the party said in a statement Wednesday after more than 200 economists signed an open letter challenging leader Pierre Poilievre’s stance.

Instead, the party is pledging to listen to the “common sense of the common people.” 

“Common sense Conservatives will listen the common sense of the common people, not Justin Trudeau’s so-called ‘experts,’” Sebastian Skamski, a spokesperson for Poilievre, said in a statement Wednesday. 

A Common Sense Explainer:
There are common sense known knowns, things we know common sensically that we know ; and there are common sense known unknowns, things that we common sensically know we don’t know .But there are also, using common sense, unknown unknowns, things we do not know we don’t know .If you have any common sense!

“There are known knowns, things we know that we know; and there are known unknowns, things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns, things we do not know we don’t know.”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Known and Unknown

Jagmeet Singh and PM Trudeau continue on with the wild ride.

And for a rousing finish:

Talking Heads – Life During Wartime (Stop Making Sense)

https://youtu.be/wIw-nCzF56Y?si=rf1wCbNo-MQx97Cf

In time rhymes March 27/24…

Court Painter once again calls upon resident poet Chatterley Gorgeous Preposterous Thunderbuns (ChatGPT) to rhyme out the headlines for March 27/24.

Please note: Court Painter does not rely on the advances of AI for images. All CP images are Zero & One crafted from the painter’s hand in the studios of the past and signed on the back of each canvas in cursive script.The random selection of CP images from the archive are meant to tilitate,arouse and stimulate the inner eye and outer shell.

In Commons halls, concerns about labs doth ring, Witnesses summoned, security they bring.

From Haiti’s shores, Canadians seek to flee, Weather’s delay doth cause misery.

United States doth urge, in whispers unseen, Canada, support UNWRA’s dream.

Bridges sturdy in Canada’s land, Unlike the one that fell ‘neath ship’s command.

In Niagara’s hotels, seekers find reprieve, Yet cost so high, doth many grieve.

Rakhi Pancholi, her bid doth cease, Backs Nenshi now, in political peace.

Doctors lament, unfair pay’s decree, From family medicine, they long to flee.

Bank of Canada cries, an emergency dire, Weak productivity doth spark its ire.

For foreign investments, Canada shall tighten, In AI and sectors, report doth heighten.

CERB claims deceitful, CRA doth find, 232 employees, dismissed unkind.

At Marineland, belugas mourned once more, 17 whales lost since the year before.

In Ontario’s budget, health care’s grand scheme, Pledges billions, like a hopeful dream.

Supreme Court asked to reconsider plea, For detained Canadians in Syria’s decree.

‘Axe the tax’, a fervent cry, To Poilievre’s supporters, it doth imply.

Carbon price defended, economists declare, As political rhetoric fills the air.

On Sask. farm, grim discovery made, Family’s fate, in shadows laid.

In Gaza, tensions rise with fervent might, Israel and Hamas in relentless fight.

Trump, gag order, hush money’s tale, Legal saga of Assange, hopes set to sail.

Doha’s truce, a ‘dead end’ they claim, Ukraine’s weapons, in defense, they aim.

Pentagon chief mourns civilian toll, In Gaza’s strife, taking its toll.

Netanyahu’s handling, under scrutiny’s gleam, ‘Madness’ cries out, in UN’s regime.

In Black Sea’s depths, ships meet their fate, Ukraine’s navy, battles, does await.

Detained in Russia, Gershkovich’s plight, Three months more, in shadows of night.

In Haiti’s capital, gang violence reigns, Hunger deepens, amidst endless pains.

Twitter’s usage, in US, doth fall, Since Musk’s takeover, a downward sprawl.

UK court’s ruling, Assange’s reprieve, Death penalty, they must relieve.

RFK Jr.’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan named, In 2024, their hopes are aimed.

Hostage’s tale, of torture and dread, From Gaza’s grasp, she hath fled.

Across borders, fire and strife, Israel and Hezbollah clash in life.

Defense officials meet, plans in hand, Israel’s invasion of Rafah’s sand.

Facial recognition, in Gaza’s maze, Israel’s surveillance, a relentless craze.

Drowned in Mediterranean’s depths, aid to retrieve, Tragic loss, in efforts to achieve.

Francis Scott Key Bridge, in Baltimore’s sight, Lost power, collapsed in the dead of night.

Workers halt cars, heroes in their deed, Rescue efforts, in time of need.

Coast Guard searches, for bodies they seek, From bridge’s collapse, tragedy so bleak.

Biden vows to rebuild, bridge’s loss so dire, Automakers reroute, shipments from the mire.