Over the last few days, Donald J Trump has been declared responsible for the largest measles outbreak in decades, has cast aside remarks that the DOJ is severely understaffed, requiring them to adopt the policy of “Ready, Fire, Aim.” He has put in motion a new law to suppress voter registration by requiring voters to produce either a passport or a birth certificate, although many citizens don’t have either. He has doubled the number of farmers’ bankruptcies, withheld 16 billion dollars in tunnel construction until an airport and train station are named after him, depicted President Obama and his wife Michelle as monkeys on his social media feed, and enlarged his ICE concentration camps. Last night he tried to steal our new Canadian bridge in Windsor.

Meanwhile, in a Civilized part of the world,… the 2026 Winter Olympics opened!

In Milano/ Cortina the country came alive in the opening ceremonies. The opening number featured the artistic talents of Italy, known for centuries as the epicentre of art and music. The scenes symbolized the theme of “armonia” – the unity or harmony of mountains, city, humanity, and nature. Ballet performers installed themselves in and around picture frames as a tribute to Beauty. Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli raised their voices in an acknowledgement to the masters of Italian opera. In another piece, three tubes of primary colours: red, yellow and blue, blended into a gorgeous and harmonious display of dancing.

During the Athletes’ Parade, competitors from 93 countries around the world assembled in 5 locations in Italy to show off their National attire and pride. From Livigno we saw freestyle skiers and bobsled athletes emerge through the golden ring. In Cortina, snowboarders, luge and skeleton participants walked proudly through the ring. Milan hosted speed skaters, figure skaters and ice hockey players. Predazzo hosted ski jumpers, and Tesero sent cross country skiers through the ring. Each of these entrances were perfectly timed, so that one followed another like clockwork.

The athletes gathered together at their various sites to watch two opening ceremonies, one in Milan and one in Cortina, as Italian flags, and then Olympic flags were raised, Italy’s national anthem was played, and the cauldrons were lit. Both of these ceremonies were held simultaneously as people across the globe cheered.

This impressive feat of exact timing was about modern technology. But it was also about “armonia.” Togetherness. More than 2,900 athletes, 12,000 performers, 6,000 security personnel and 2.1 Billion TV viewers joined in this event. Despite our differences, we celebrated our admiration for physical accomplishments, gathering together joyously to support one another in a world of peace and harmony.

How about that, Donald?

Sue