BEESLEY -- Don’t be a hoser Eh! Be a President

Dear President Trump,

This past Saturday (02/08/25) I attended the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in Vancouver, British Columbia; games honouring the sacrifices made by men and women in uniform injured during war defending their countries.

You are likely not familiar with these games. There are no, “I faked a bad foot, but I can’t remember which one to avoid the draft” games.

Perhaps you should start one. No doubt they will be the “biggest” and the “best”.

When the American Team of Veterans entered the stadium, the crowd applauded, just as they did when the Canadian Team entered. The Canadian and Ukrainian Teams receiving a standing ovation.

When our Premier, David Eby spoke, he reminded us of the generations of friendship between our nations. How Canadians and Americans fought and died alongside each other in WWI, WWII, Korea, and Afghanistan.

As he spoke the crowd cheered and many in the American Team held their hands up with the heart sign. Many had tears in their eyes. I did.

These are veterans, including special forces, that served alongside Canadian special forces in Afghanistan after the 9-11 attack on the United States.

On 9-11 planes were immediately diverted to Gander Newfoundland, and other cities across Canada. American passengers were taken in and hosted - like family - while we all wondered if another attack was coming.

Perhaps you should host some of those American families at Mara Largo to understand the relationship between our nations.

Perhaps you should host US veterans that served alongside Canadian soldiers fighting for our shared values and ask them if Canada was “taking advantage” of the United States of America.

All NATO countries participated alongside US forces as a result of the invocation of Article 5 of the NATO Treaty. You may recall that NATO is a military alliance that you sought to dismantle in your first term before adults in the room talked you out of it.

During the Los Angles fires Canadian water bombers immediately answered the call.

Now, you seek to impose further tariffs on the Canadian lumber needed to help rebuild American family homes in LA.

Seriously?

You are threatening Canada’s sovereignty with talk of using tariffs in an attempt to “annex Canada” and make us the 51st state.

To quote an American Brigadier General who when vastly outnumbered, and asked to surrender his troops during the Battle of the Bulge, replied: “Nuts”.

You are also threatening to “take Greenland”, a territory of Denmark, a NATO ally “by force if necessary”. Do you really think you can make American soldiers shoot their Danish brothers in arms?

Do you really think the American people will support you trying to “annex Canada”?

In four years, your Presidency will end. And no doubt you will seek to emulate the autocrats that you so admire, and strive for a third term in breach of the American Constitution, and ultimately, you will fail.

The American Constitution, and the American people, will prevail.

And when you are no longer President, American workers harmed by your misguided trade war policies, and attempts to divide rather than unite a nation, will be left to pick up the pieces from the wreckage of your broken promises.

Our friendship and loyalty to each other as people, will prevail over your petty attempts to create division amongst friends and allies. Both of our democracies, while tested, will emerge stronger.

Savour the moment while surrounded by your supplicant and silenced tech bros. Things will improve notwithstanding you Mr. President

I appreciate that you are upset that Canada is bigger than you, and on top of you, but our geography is a small detail next to our shared values and history of cooperation.

Think about that.

In your first term in office, you signed off on a new USMCA Trade deal. “The best deal ever!”  That would be the same deal you now threaten to break with your tariffs because “Canada is taking advantage of the United States”.

Your word is worth as much to us as to the over 4,000 family businesses and small contractors that had to sue your companies to get paid.

You sure look out for the little guy.

Your own economic advisors are saying that tariffs will harm both Canadian and American workers. Why would you do that to the hard-working American people?

I was proud when Prime Minister Trudeau stood up to your threats while outlining tough countervailing duties that he well appreciated would harm both Canadian and American workers.

Do you appreciate that, President Trump?

As the Wall Street Journal wrote: “The Dumbest Trade War Ever”.

Canadians are a polite and friendly people Mr. President. I would strongly advise against giving us a reason to change that.

Don’t be a hoser Eh! Be a President.

Sincerely,
Alan Beesley



ALAN BEESLEY says he’s just an average Canadian, who formerly practiced law, tries to keep apprised of current events and is skeptical of autocrats.