Author | Lightnews

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

Re Mr. Trump’s comments on the Gordie Howe bridge, he really does have a mental problem.
Intellectual laziness? Can’t be bothered to check facts before he types? Terrifying in a Caesar. Is his mind actually in fast decline? Unable to understand his own words? Who knows.

February 10, 2026 at 4:20 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

There is nothing ‘mere’ about the new Canadian Consulate in Greenland. It is a major foreign policy statement:

Not a 'Mere' Consulate

Episode 7

open.substack.com

February 10, 2026 at 4:04 AM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

Canada's Mary Simon from Norway to Denmark to Greenland - A clear northern strategy:

open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

February 4, 2026 at 10:45 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

There is a graphic novel I love. The story? A young English female footballer (Soccer) with real talent. The deep dive into Florrie’s football life is fascinating. And there is a moving love story involving one of her teammates. Beautiful illustrations:

www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/798662...

February 4, 2026 at 4:39 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

You may not have seen these foolish remarks by Mr Trump. I thought a few corrections and explanations might be helpful. They follow:
substack.com/@johnralston...

Ignorance? Ill-Will? Certainly Incompetent Analysis

Click here to see video of Trump's message to Canada

substack.com

January 30, 2026 at 6:03 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

There is life away from political musings
open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

Snowstorms & Culture

True, the gigantic snowstorm beginning will be difficult for some people.

open.substack.com

January 25, 2026 at 10:55 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

Canada - Mexico... another part of the pivot away from Washington!
open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

January 21, 2026 at 6:26 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

You can't blame America's drug crisis on foreign adversaries. Do you want the truth? The epidemic mainly reflects consumer despair, normalized corruption and a ruthless capitalist market. Drugs spread only to the extent that desire makes room for them!
open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

The Politics of Blame

A central part of Mr.

open.substack.com

January 15, 2026 at 9:17 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

Authoritarian leaders spend a lot of time denigrating their opponents and their societies and civilizations. These were central tactics of the anti-democratic ideologues of the 20th century.

I guess you are wondering just how this applies to Greenland?

open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

January 8, 2026 at 8:42 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

It would be wonderful if the Govt of Alberta concentrated on the well- being of Albertans instead of attempting to distract citizens from reality with cheap moralizing tricks.

PEN Canada @pencanada.bsky.social · Jan 6

Today, Alberta's two biggest school divisions say dozens of books have been taken off shelves as the province's ban took effect this week.

34 titles were removed by the Edmonton Public School Division, and 44 were removed by the Calgary Board of Education:

www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...

Dozens of library books are removed from Alberta schools as new laws take effect

New policy requires schools to remove books containing explicit images or illustrations of sexual content

www.theglobeandmail.com

January 7, 2026 at 2:52 AM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

Here is a brief personal reflection on encountering Brigette Bardot. Her overwhelming presence, the distance between her public image and private reality, and how a fleeting moment cut through myth. What endures after image fades?
substack.com/@johnralston...

January 3, 2026 at 8:02 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

For Canada, the F-35 offers complexity without strategic benefit, while Sweden’s Gripen E provides practical capability, independence, and true partnership. Appropriate tools win wars, and Canada needs an Arctic-ready aircraft, not a southern showpiece: open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

Shopping For A Fighter

We should just get on with it.

open.substack.com

December 5, 2025 at 7:34 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

Here are two powerful artworks. Mantegna's Lamentations of the Dead Christ and Canova's idealized Napoleon. One reveals human fragility. The other, manufactured grandeur. I try to explore how such artwork exposes the truth behind power. Have a read: open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

Two Dead Naked Men – The Divine vs Vainglorious Power

Milan.

open.substack.com

November 27, 2025 at 3:16 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

I reflect on Siena's frescoes of Good and Bad Government, seeing their warnings about justice, leadership and civic wellbeing echoed in today's politics, Covid responses, and my responsibility to judge governments wisely. Have a read: substack.com/@johnralston...

Good & Bad Governments

The greatest images of governance – Images, not words, not descriptions – are in Siena.

substack.com

November 24, 2025 at 8:49 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

One comment on the Canadian budget.

Yes, the international student question is complicated. True, many of these students won’t leave after their studies. This may not have been the intent of the program, but Canada is nevertheless the winner. Have a look: open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

We Need International Students. Lots of Them

One comment on the Canadian budget.

open.substack.com

November 6, 2025 at 5:14 PM

John Ralston Saul

@johnralstonsaul.bsky.social

So Zohran Mamdani is a Socialist? He’s a Social Democrat - the same kind often found leading governments across NATO countries like Britain, Germany, and Norway. If that makes him a Socialist then so is all of NATO. Have a look at my Substack post: substack.com/@johnralston...