RENÉ LÉVESQUE AND HIS DREAM

RENÉ LÉVESQUE AND HIS DREAM... 
By Bernard Bujold - 
One might think that if René Lévesque were alive in 2025, he would be a happy man in the face of Donald Trump's statement this Sunday on his social site repeating his invitation: “... Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!” 
Lévesque had considered the option of Quebec becoming a state with the United States, but at the time, during a speech in New York, American business people reacted very badly to the idea, and Lévesque turned to France. But the United States was his first choice...

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES -

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES -  
By Bernard Bujold - 
When I was a young teenager on the Gaspé Peninsula, I loved to treat myself to Cherry Blossom chocolate... This weekend, for the last time, I bought this delicacy, which will soon be a thing of the past, except in museums or the Asterix village... 
Cherry Blossom chocolate is no longer on the market. Hershey Canada has quietly announced the end of production for this iconic Canadian confection... Cherry Blossom has been around since the 1890s, when it was first produced by the Walter M. Lowney Company in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Hershey Canada acquired the company in 1989 but announced the official end of Cherry Blossom production last January (2025). This chocolate was characterized by its combination of maraschino cherries, peanuts, and chocolate in a yellow box. 
Production was halted due to falling demand, particularly among younger consumers who no longer considered the product a must-have treat. Some Canadians are reacting by stocking up on the remaining boxes in stores, and some are even selling them at exorbitant prices on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace.

FIRST WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 2025 -

FIRST WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 2025 - 
Winter 2025 enters February this Saturday. The sun will be out, but the cold will also be with us... 
Have a nice weekend! 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=bernard.bujold&set=a.10170544508835541

THE DESTINY

THE TRAGEDY OF DESTINY... 

The young figure skating athletes were the happiest in the world earlier this week as they participated in elite training. Wednesday night, January 29, at 9 pm, it was the end of their road! Their American Airlines return home flight of 64 passengers crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with a U.S. Army helicopter while approaching Reagan National Airport. 

Destiny can become a tragedy… 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/us/plane-crash-dc-helicopter-reagan-airport.html?smid=url-share

GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA

 

GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA - 

By Bernard Bujold - 

 I've just received a magnificent black and gold cap with Donald's signature... A collector's item for the year 2025! And as in Frank Sinatra's song: "The best is yet to come… " https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10169791109105541&type=3

DONALD TRUMP NEW PRESS SECRETARY

DONALD TRUMP NEW PRESS SECRETARY - 

Karoline Leavitt held her first official press briefing in front of the Washington Press Gallery (JANUARY 28, 2025). Leavitt was born on August 24, 1997, and at 27, she is the youngest White House press secretary in history. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karoline_Leavitt

DREAM BIG...

THINK BIG / 

"No dream is too big, No challenge too great, Nothing we want for our future is beyond our reach." –President Donald J. Trump 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/

AMERICAN CITIZEN

AMERICAN CITIZEN - 

By Bernard Bujold -

Many people are wondering about the origin of Donald Trump's idea to include Canada with the United States! 

In fact, the project is not new in Canadian history, and the last inspiration, before Donald's, dates back to the days of René Lévesque... 

I grew up in Gaspésie, near New Carlisle, where René Lévesque was born. I know him well, having worked directly with him at the Quebec National Assembly after his election in 1976 when I was just starting my career as a journalist. 

Lévesque was profoundly American at heart, from his own beginnings in journalism with the U.S. Army (1944-45), and throughout his life, he was influenced by the American style and spirit. 

Lévesque was a rebel and a great communicator like Trump, but his life path was less fortunate than Donald's, as René had no financial wealth, a more insecure personality than Trump when it came to power, and ultimately a different political destiny. 

If Quebec's separation had come about, it would have brought the territory closer to several American states and further away from several Canadian provinces. 

Personally, I had long dreamed of moving to the United States, but at every opportunity, the momentum of my career in Canada and Quebec held me back. So, I had to content myself with observing from a distance the eras of John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and other presidencies. 

Now an old man, my American dream will probably never be realized. That's why I'm living by a sort of proxy through Donald Trump's adventures, to compensate a little for my youthful dreams!

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND

HAPPY WINTER WEEKEND 2025...

UNITED STATES AND CANADA

UNITED STATES AND CANADA-
By Bernard Bujold - U.S. President Donald Trump has mispositioned the debate on the tariffs and borders he wants to impose on various countries, including Canada. The U.S. wants to devalue its dollar and increase its exports to other countries. An economic analysis demonstrates the logic of this dollar parity objective. But Donald likes to keep things simple, and sometimes he doesn't explain his economic arguments in detail... He likes to address his speeches to the people rather than the elite! 
SEE LA PRESSE ANALYSIS (français)
https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/chroniques/2025-01-24/tarifs-et-economie/dans-la-tete-de-donald-trump.php

THE SNOW IN FLORIDA

THE SNOW IN FLORIDA… 

In certain parts of Florida, they have more snow than in Quebec… (Thursday, January 23, 2025) It is the case in Pensacola, located in the extreme northwestern of Florida, near the Gulf of Mexico, with 5 to 8 inches of snow… One could say that it is a bit cold for the beach!

DONALD J. TRUMP WITH SEAN HANNITY

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP  - 

Donald J. Trump gave his first official interview since his nomination as United States President on FOX NEWS with Sean Hannity. 

Part 1 was diffused on Wednesday, January 22,  

and Part 2 will be on Thursday, January 23, at 9 pm, 2025.