The connection between separation threats and the American state of affairs

By Lethbridge Herald on February 6, 2026.

Editor,

Dear Alberta and America, 

Another sleepless night, one more lonely adventure in contemplation. Searching for clarity through deep fog and challenging times.

A couple of weeks ago Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a speech at Davos’ World Economic Forum. The speech has been heralded around the world as a chapter break in humanities anthology. At the centre, an acknowledgement of the shift in the world order and the need for like minded countries to recommit to one another. A call to do what’s right in an ocean of exceedingly desperate choices.

Do we continue goose stepping along as fascism sprouts all around? Can we just ignore the signs in blissful ignorance and hope the other guy deals with it?

It should come as a surprise to no one that America, the once beacon of light for so many around the world, has devolved into a spiraling quagmire of anger and hate. This didn’t just happen, it has been happening for decades. I am of the opinion that America finally has a President who best exemplifies how the rest of the world views them, the pigs and bullies of the world.

Trump isn’t the problem, he’s just another symptom of a cancer born from an absolute disregard for accountability. You can’t expect to start wars, sending thousands of young people to die for made up reasons, and that choice won’t eventually come back to bite you. Courage isn’t fighting, true courage is having every reason to fight and choosing to stand your ground without confrontation. The punch Ali never gave Foreman.

For too long Canada has existed in the shadow of American ugliness, but no more. Canada must either stand in defiance of tyranny or be swallowed whole. Alberta is at the Canadian epicenter of American style discourse. Homeless rage, unexplainable hatred being fueled and farmed by big tech so billionaires may own an entire country, a continent.

Although I hate Trump , he isn’t the problem. The real problem, the people who, in spite of the fact that they knew who he was, supported him because he provided an address to place their vitriol. A nation of immigrants targeting immigrants. A snake eating its own tail, all the while abandoning decades long arrangements for no other rationale than spite.

I remind Agent Orange tribalists that Ukraine was once the single largest holder of nuclear weapons on the planet. Ukraine agreed to surrender those weapons in exchange for security assurances from Russia, the U.S., and the U.K. to respect its sovereignty and independence. The U.K. are the only ones attempting to uphold that agreement, while the U.S. encourages Russian invasion.

The world sees you, America and ignorance isn’t a wall you can hide behind. Abdicating your responsibility to a formerly friendly country will have long lasting consequences.

There is an unignorable population of Alberta and America intent on picking a fight with the most vulnerable because they are too slow witted to see they are pawns for terrible humans. Joe Rogan made millions promoting false facts and these same people follow him as though he’s Moses. Rogan is an entertaining fool, he should have no more influence on society than an empty can we kick on the street until eventually picking it up and tossing it into recycling where it belongs.

I blame myself, isn’t that an original thought? I blame myself because I am old enough to have contributed to the direction and content of our education system which has so clearly failed so many. I blame myself because the same hate and vitriol I complain about from others, if I’m honest, I hold for them. I am unwilling to debate with fools. I am steadfast in my resolve that blind Trump enthusiasts must be made to pay a high price for their ignorance, however, the reality is, we are all paying that price.

Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good. That’s too high a price. 

If you support Trump, you bear much responsibility for their murders.

I am sick over the most recent, needless vengeful act carried out by US Capitol storming insurrectionists now holding a badge and a gun. Alex Pretti represented all that’s good about humanity. No disrespect to Renee Good, as she deserved none of what they did to her as well, but the thought that government sponsored thugs executed a VA ICU nurse is as reprehensible as it is shocking. 

It is utterly discouraging to think Albertans are lining up like hogs on the kill floor at Cargill to sign up to separate. While I may agree with some of the dissatisfaction held for Ottawa and the Federal government, I refuse to tuck tail and run, which is exactly what threatening separation is, an act of cowardice.

And yes, there is a connection between the current state of affairs in the unUnited States and separatists in Alberta. Simple people looking for quick gratification amidst vengeful, hateful thoughts towards people with darker skin tones. Science denying Google warriors searching and finding other like minded “thinkers” online who help justify their oversimplified views of government and their fellow citizens. 

Life is not simple. Life is complicated, life is hard. Solutions aren’t found in slogans, but in curiosity, in travel, in breaking bread with others outside your comfort cube.

I’ve learned much more about people and issues with my ears than with my mouth.

Yes, threatening separation will get you attention, just like electing Trump. But is that really the kind of attention you believe our circumstances deserve?

Blaine Moen,

Pincher Creek