Merlin Blackwell of Clearwater🇨🇦
@blackwellmerlin.bsky.social
Mayor/ Politician with great concern for our civil society and the future of our planet.
Bizarrely also a Japanese automotive historian, who will move that work to another Bluesky account.
Bizarrely also a Japanese automotive historian, who will move that work to another Bluesky account.
Pinned
I need to pin this!
This.
As a political scientist, I think the effects on unity are some of the biggest problems with the agreement. It legitimates "Alberta" as an aggrieved party, distinct from other provinces, while treating BC and its peoples to be as issues to be managed, rather than partners in the federation.
November 29, 2025 at 5:44 PM
This.
Introduce yourself with five animals you’ve seen in the wild.
Pack of wolf pups-howled with them
Sharks-swam with them
Lynx-herded them
Cougar -stepped on one
Merlin Falcon- rescued one
Pack of wolf pups-howled with them
Sharks-swam with them
Lynx-herded them
Cougar -stepped on one
Merlin Falcon- rescued one
Introduce yourself with five animals you have seen in the wild
Goliath bird eating spider
Galapagos giant tortoise
Moose
Three-toed sloth
Canadian lynx
Goliath bird eating spider
Galapagos giant tortoise
Moose
Three-toed sloth
Canadian lynx
Introduce yourself with five animals you have seen in the wild
Guanaco
Brown tarantula
Eastern newt
Caribou
Western blue jay
Guanaco
Brown tarantula
Eastern newt
Caribou
Western blue jay
November 29, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Introduce yourself with five animals you’ve seen in the wild.
Pack of wolf pups-howled with them
Sharks-swam with them
Lynx-herded them
Cougar -stepped on one
Merlin Falcon- rescued one
Pack of wolf pups-howled with them
Sharks-swam with them
Lynx-herded them
Cougar -stepped on one
Merlin Falcon- rescued one
Pipeline analyses. 2 things they don’t factor in. 1. Carney uses TM to build it ? as a 3rd line on the current route -no tanker ban issue. 2. Economic viability makes no sense - unless you factor in the income that the feds will make on extra oil royalties in conjunction with TM income.
November 28, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Pipeline analyses. 2 things they don’t factor in. 1. Carney uses TM to build it ? as a 3rd line on the current route -no tanker ban issue. 2. Economic viability makes no sense - unless you factor in the income that the feds will make on extra oil royalties in conjunction with TM income.
I had a really good meeting today with new @bcgreencaucus.bsky.social BC Green Leader @emilylowan.bsky.social discussing local and regional issues.
We had a bit of a chat that mirrors this article.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
We had a bit of a chat that mirrors this article.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Activate climate’s ‘silent majority’ to supercharge action, experts say
Making concerned people aware their views are far from alone could unlock the change so urgently needed
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:48 AM
I had a really good meeting today with new @bcgreencaucus.bsky.social BC Green Leader @emilylowan.bsky.social discussing local and regional issues.
We had a bit of a chat that mirrors this article.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
We had a bit of a chat that mirrors this article.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Merlin Blackwell of Clearwater🇨🇦
When your ambassador is SO deranged that Time Magazine says, "Yeah, that quote sounds real".
November 27, 2025 at 9:12 PM
When your ambassador is SO deranged that Time Magazine says, "Yeah, that quote sounds real".
Big thread.
Sarcasm in the lede.
Sarcasm in the lede.
Slow news day.
To catch you up, here's our universe of stories published and still to come on today's political tsunami.
To catch you up, here's our universe of stories published and still to come on today's political tsunami.
November 28, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Big thread.
Sarcasm in the lede.
Sarcasm in the lede.
I have a hard time with many of the choices I make when I push hard for my citizens and for what I think is right.
What lets me sleep most nights is that my actions, at their roots, have almost always been initiated from a position of defence.
Someone else has pushed first. I defend.
What lets me sleep most nights is that my actions, at their roots, have almost always been initiated from a position of defence.
Someone else has pushed first. I defend.
November 28, 2025 at 12:57 AM
I have a hard time with many of the choices I make when I push hard for my citizens and for what I think is right.
What lets me sleep most nights is that my actions, at their roots, have almost always been initiated from a position of defence.
Someone else has pushed first. I defend.
What lets me sleep most nights is that my actions, at their roots, have almost always been initiated from a position of defence.
Someone else has pushed first. I defend.
Reposted by Merlin Blackwell of Clearwater🇨🇦
#Breaking: Former environment minister Steven Guilbeault resigns from cabinet following Carney government's energy deal with Alberta
Steven Guilbeault resigns from Mark Carney’s cabinet
Before entering elected politics, Guilbeault was a famed environmentalist.
www.thestar.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:25 PM
#Breaking: Former environment minister Steven Guilbeault resigns from cabinet following Carney government's energy deal with Alberta
My attempt to do something positive for Christmas.. it's hard for me.
Is there a 12 step(12 days of?) program for this?
www.linkedin.com/posts/merlin...
Is there a 12 step(12 days of?) program for this?
www.linkedin.com/posts/merlin...
I Appreciate You... Shifting the "Narrative of Negative" one act at a time. | Merlin Blackwell
Shift the Nasty to the Nice this Christmas.
www.linkedin.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:45 PM
My attempt to do something positive for Christmas.. it's hard for me.
Is there a 12 step(12 days of?) program for this?
www.linkedin.com/posts/merlin...
Is there a 12 step(12 days of?) program for this?
www.linkedin.com/posts/merlin...
Reposted by Merlin Blackwell of Clearwater🇨🇦
British Columbia’s finance minister may be set to delay a proposal that would slash the assessed value of pipelines, giving pipeline companies a massive tax break at the expense of rural property owners.
@tyolsen.bsky.social reports. #bcpoli
@tyolsen.bsky.social reports. #bcpoli
Pressure Mounts on BC to Halt Pipeline Property Tax Break | The Tyee
The changes, which could force major tax hikes for some rural businesses and homeowners, may be delayed.
thetyee.ca
November 27, 2025 at 2:32 PM
British Columbia’s finance minister may be set to delay a proposal that would slash the assessed value of pipelines, giving pipeline companies a massive tax break at the expense of rural property owners.
@tyolsen.bsky.social reports. #bcpoli
@tyolsen.bsky.social reports. #bcpoli
I'll just leave this here... apparently I was feeling a little too punchy yesterday.
BC towns fight pipeline tax break that would gut municipal budgets www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/n...
BC towns fight pipeline tax break that would gut municipal budgets www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/n...
BC towns fight pipeline tax break that would gut municipal budgets
After years of lobbying the provincial government, major pipeline companies, including Enbridge, Trans Mountain and FortisBC, convinced BC Assessment to change how it determines the value of pipelines...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
I'll just leave this here... apparently I was feeling a little too punchy yesterday.
BC towns fight pipeline tax break that would gut municipal budgets www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/n...
BC towns fight pipeline tax break that would gut municipal budgets www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/n...
Started out the day in Victoria with one meeting, ended up having great chats on Clearwater & area issues with Parl Sec Brittny Anderson, Minister Adrian Dix, & Minister Mike Farnworth.
Then did a long podcast chat with Fran Yanor of Northern Beat.
Very productive, but tired of talking.
Then did a long podcast chat with Fran Yanor of Northern Beat.
Very productive, but tired of talking.
November 25, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Started out the day in Victoria with one meeting, ended up having great chats on Clearwater & area issues with Parl Sec Brittny Anderson, Minister Adrian Dix, & Minister Mike Farnworth.
Then did a long podcast chat with Fran Yanor of Northern Beat.
Very productive, but tired of talking.
Then did a long podcast chat with Fran Yanor of Northern Beat.
Very productive, but tired of talking.
Great meeting with @brittnyanderson.bsky.social and her staff to discuss housing needs and other local issues in Clearwater and our section of the NT Valley.
I always forget to get the picture.
I always forget to get the picture.
November 24, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Great meeting with @brittnyanderson.bsky.social and her staff to discuss housing needs and other local issues in Clearwater and our section of the NT Valley.
I always forget to get the picture.
I always forget to get the picture.
Bad faith actors trying to tear down civil society in North America are too cheap to pay Americans and Canadians to do it.
They outsource rage and hate to other countries. Oh the irony.
They outsource rage and hate to other countries. Oh the irony.
I wrote about the fake account blowup on X this weekend. A genuine post-truth nightmare and proof that these companies have polluted their platforms so thoroughly and traded reality for profit that they've undermined the very idea of what the internet is supposed to be.
That MAGA Account Might Be a Troll From Pakistan
How X blew up its own platform with a new location feature
www.theatlantic.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Bad faith actors trying to tear down civil society in North America are too cheap to pay Americans and Canadians to do it.
They outsource rage and hate to other countries. Oh the irony.
They outsource rage and hate to other countries. Oh the irony.
It is kinda pretty when it isn’t raining.
November 24, 2025 at 4:48 PM
It is kinda pretty when it isn’t raining.
In Victoria for political business. Great view of the BMW dealership.
November 24, 2025 at 4:41 AM
In Victoria for political business. Great view of the BMW dealership.
Reposted by Merlin Blackwell of Clearwater🇨🇦
Top judge warns 'sovereign citizen' movement is overwhelming Australian courts: archive.ph/oG7JZ#select...
Maybe do what some Canadian courts have done, and implement a Master Order to prevent these types of cases from being filed in the first place
Maybe do what some Canadian courts have done, and implement a Master Order to prevent these types of cases from being filed in the first place
www.theaustralian.com.au
November 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Top judge warns 'sovereign citizen' movement is overwhelming Australian courts: archive.ph/oG7JZ#select...
Maybe do what some Canadian courts have done, and implement a Master Order to prevent these types of cases from being filed in the first place
Maybe do what some Canadian courts have done, and implement a Master Order to prevent these types of cases from being filed in the first place
Reposted by Merlin Blackwell of Clearwater🇨🇦
Boston’s mayor is hardcore.
November 23, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Boston’s mayor is hardcore.
I’m not at all in love with pipeline companies right now because of the B.C. Assessment Tax discussion.
There’s no way I would support an oil pipeline to the northwest coast.
My fear is the “big compromise” will be the “proponent” becoming the federal government via a TransMountain 3rd line.
There’s no way I would support an oil pipeline to the northwest coast.
My fear is the “big compromise” will be the “proponent” becoming the federal government via a TransMountain 3rd line.
November 20, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I’m not at all in love with pipeline companies right now because of the B.C. Assessment Tax discussion.
There’s no way I would support an oil pipeline to the northwest coast.
My fear is the “big compromise” will be the “proponent” becoming the federal government via a TransMountain 3rd line.
There’s no way I would support an oil pipeline to the northwest coast.
My fear is the “big compromise” will be the “proponent” becoming the federal government via a TransMountain 3rd line.
Reposted by Merlin Blackwell of Clearwater🇨🇦
Given the Brodie stuff, just going to pin this.
NEW (10 years ago): The two history volumes of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report are readable, chilling, and irrefutable. You can't read it all in one sitting. But they answer all the questions you may have.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/09...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/09...
The Definitive History of Canada’s Residential School Shame | The Tyee
Ten years ago, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its landmark report. Everyone should read it.
thetyee.ca
November 20, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Given the Brodie stuff, just going to pin this.
Reposted by Merlin Blackwell of Clearwater🇨🇦
EPSTEIN BOMBSHELL: my staff is releasing a new report showing JPMorgan Chase executives – all the way to the top – enabled Epstein's sex trafficking operation. You're going to want to read this.
Wyden Presses for Investigation Into JPMorgan Chase and Epstein
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
EPSTEIN BOMBSHELL: my staff is releasing a new report showing JPMorgan Chase executives – all the way to the top – enabled Epstein's sex trafficking operation. You're going to want to read this.
November 20, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Another glorious day in Clearwater.
Need nurses and Highway Patrol officers.
Need nurses and Highway Patrol officers.
November 20, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Another glorious day in Clearwater.
Need nurses and Highway Patrol officers.
Need nurses and Highway Patrol officers.
Reposted by Merlin Blackwell of Clearwater🇨🇦
Five corporations control 90% of the US media market.
Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today.
Four giants control 80% of meat processing.
A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry.
The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.
Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today.
Four giants control 80% of meat processing.
A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry.
The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.
November 19, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Five corporations control 90% of the US media market.
Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today.
Four giants control 80% of meat processing.
A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry.
The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.
Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today.
Four giants control 80% of meat processing.
A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry.
The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.