Roland Cooper
@swordcoop.bsky.social
Barbering; historical fencing, sport fencing, & stick fighting; roller derby; politics we can do something about.💈⚔️🛼
Reposted by Roland Cooper
Mifflin Gibbs came to Canada for a better life.
In that new life he prospered, becoming an activist, elected official and even played a role in getting British Columbia to join Canada.
This is the story of one of BC's most important early residents.
🧵1/10
In that new life he prospered, becoming an activist, elected official and even played a role in getting British Columbia to join Canada.
This is the story of one of BC's most important early residents.
🧵1/10
February 14, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Mifflin Gibbs came to Canada for a better life.
In that new life he prospered, becoming an activist, elected official and even played a role in getting British Columbia to join Canada.
This is the story of one of BC's most important early residents.
🧵1/10
In that new life he prospered, becoming an activist, elected official and even played a role in getting British Columbia to join Canada.
This is the story of one of BC's most important early residents.
🧵1/10
Reposted by Roland Cooper
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
December 27, 2025 at 5:27 PM
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
So @evocarshare.bsky.social has a promotion for 50% off the day rate (ie $52.50 + tax, less 10% for BCAA members) but because the day rate kicks in at SIX hours it turns out that a FIVE hour booking still ends up costing $90 somehow, or a four hour booking is $72, etc. I'm miffed, y'all.
December 3, 2025 at 2:04 AM
So @evocarshare.bsky.social has a promotion for 50% off the day rate (ie $52.50 + tax, less 10% for BCAA members) but because the day rate kicks in at SIX hours it turns out that a FIVE hour booking still ends up costing $90 somehow, or a four hour booking is $72, etc. I'm miffed, y'all.
This whole thread is very much worth reading.
A certain segment of social media mis very focused on a letter sent out by the city of Richmond this weekend and what a recent court ruling means for the future of land ownership in B.C. Helpful to read measured and informed takes from people who specialize in that area of law (see next post)
October 20, 2025 at 3:33 AM
This whole thread is very much worth reading.
Reposted by Roland Cooper
Table For One Please.
August 20, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Table For One Please.
Reposted by Roland Cooper
"A call for power is not He-Man standing in front of Castle Grayskull," David Eby told reporters regarding BC Hydro's new call for 5,000 GW more power.
July 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM
"A call for power is not He-Man standing in front of Castle Grayskull," David Eby told reporters regarding BC Hydro's new call for 5,000 GW more power.
I don't know about questions two and three, but Hard Core Logo and Last Night are both so good. I also really liked Universal Language.
Hey fellow #FilmSky, today is my birthday and here are a couple of questions I'd love to hear your answers to:
- What are your favourite Canadian films?
- Which do you feel are the most essential Canadian films?
- What's a film that you feel like no one knows is Canadian?
- What are your favourite Canadian films?
- Which do you feel are the most essential Canadian films?
- What's a film that you feel like no one knows is Canadian?
a man holding a can of beans with the words that was a cool movie above him
ALT: a man holding a can of beans with the words that was a cool movie above him
media.tenor.com
June 22, 2025 at 9:56 PM
I don't know about questions two and three, but Hard Core Logo and Last Night are both so good. I also really liked Universal Language.
Reposted by Roland Cooper
100% - I know of no First Nation here that recognized - at any time - a local Metis people.
The closest thing to the Metis experience in BC are the Hawaiians - who briefly created a distinct fusion culture, that was fully absorbed back into Native nations here by the mid 20th Century. 1
The closest thing to the Metis experience in BC are the Hawaiians - who briefly created a distinct fusion culture, that was fully absorbed back into Native nations here by the mid 20th Century. 1
I'm just a Métis person living on Vancouver Island begging Métis folks (and those pretending to be us) to end the psy-op assertion that Métis have 'ties' (trojan horse for claims) to these lands.
we do not. Our homelands are the Red River. That's where other nations recognize us as a Nation.
we do not. Our homelands are the Red River. That's where other nations recognize us as a Nation.
June 15, 2025 at 5:10 PM
100% - I know of no First Nation here that recognized - at any time - a local Metis people.
The closest thing to the Metis experience in BC are the Hawaiians - who briefly created a distinct fusion culture, that was fully absorbed back into Native nations here by the mid 20th Century. 1
The closest thing to the Metis experience in BC are the Hawaiians - who briefly created a distinct fusion culture, that was fully absorbed back into Native nations here by the mid 20th Century. 1
This is just a bananas amount of counterfactual hyperventilation fixated on a draft version of a plan that ended up drastically different than what they're freaking out about. "They were going to sell drugs in the streets!" No, they considered market space at Dowler Place and changed their minds.
After a CHEK exclusive story showed the initial plan for Dowler Place in the North Park neighbourhood, Mayor Marianne Alto has issued an apology.
Victoria Mayor responds to CHEK story on draft plan for Dowler Place
After a CHEK exclusive story showed the initial plan for Dowler Place in the North Park neighbourhood, Mayor Marianne Alto has issued an apology.
cheknews.ca
June 13, 2025 at 3:57 AM
This is just a bananas amount of counterfactual hyperventilation fixated on a draft version of a plan that ended up drastically different than what they're freaking out about. "They were going to sell drugs in the streets!" No, they considered market space at Dowler Place and changed their minds.
Reposted by Roland Cooper
The Vancouver School Board creating a graphic showing how it's going to take 23 years to build a single school for a centrally planned neighbourhood in the heart of B.C.'s biggest city serves as a hilarious indictment of how planning happens here
(credit to @city-duo.bsky.social for flagging)
(credit to @city-duo.bsky.social for flagging)
May 28, 2025 at 10:07 PM
The Vancouver School Board creating a graphic showing how it's going to take 23 years to build a single school for a centrally planned neighbourhood in the heart of B.C.'s biggest city serves as a hilarious indictment of how planning happens here
(credit to @city-duo.bsky.social for flagging)
(credit to @city-duo.bsky.social for flagging)
Reposted by Roland Cooper
over on X, MLA Dallas Brodie — a lawyer, allegedly! — is claiming federal and provincial recognitions of Indigenous rights & sovereignty are indulgent charades ("entertaining assertions"!), rather than the result of decades of legal cases won by Indigenous nations
April 25, 2025 at 12:36 AM
over on X, MLA Dallas Brodie — a lawyer, allegedly! — is claiming federal and provincial recognitions of Indigenous rights & sovereignty are indulgent charades ("entertaining assertions"!), rather than the result of decades of legal cases won by Indigenous nations
Reposted by Roland Cooper
THIS IS GREAT: "Cities are meant to change. It's in their nature. Trying to lock a neighbourhood in amber doesn't preserve its character, it leads to stagnation. Vibrant, livable n'hoods are ones that grow and adapt to the people that live in them, not stay single family homes."
April 16, 2025 at 5:38 AM
THIS IS GREAT: "Cities are meant to change. It's in their nature. Trying to lock a neighbourhood in amber doesn't preserve its character, it leads to stagnation. Vibrant, livable n'hoods are ones that grow and adapt to the people that live in them, not stay single family homes."
Reposted by Roland Cooper
Sudan | A groundbreaking Sudanese documentary capturing everyday life amid crisis garners global acclaim from Sundance to Berlinale. Its success highlights East Africa’s cultural resilience and storytelling power in the face of political and humanitarian upheaval.
From Sundance to the Berlinale, a genre-bending documentary on Sudanese life is winning plaudits and prizes. The Continent speaks to Khartoum’s directors.
Khartoum: More than just another sad story
From Sundance to the Berlinale, a genre-bending documentary on Sudanese life is winning plaudits and prizes. The Continent speaks to Khartoum’s directors.
continent.substack.com
March 28, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Sudan | A groundbreaking Sudanese documentary capturing everyday life amid crisis garners global acclaim from Sundance to Berlinale. Its success highlights East Africa’s cultural resilience and storytelling power in the face of political and humanitarian upheaval.
Reposted by Roland Cooper
Being real for a second: I have never trusted paper or citizenship to protect me from a sufficiently fascist state. If they really want to, they can say “hey let me see your birth certificate” and then rip it up when you give it to them, say “I guess you don’t have one,” and arrest you.
March 19, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Being real for a second: I have never trusted paper or citizenship to protect me from a sufficiently fascist state. If they really want to, they can say “hey let me see your birth certificate” and then rip it up when you give it to them, say “I guess you don’t have one,” and arrest you.
Reposted by Roland Cooper
I’m the Canadian who was detained by Ice for two weeks. It felt like I had been kidnapped
I’m the Canadian who was detained by Ice for two weeks. It felt like I had been kidnapped
I was stuck in a freezing cell without explanation despite eventually having lawyers and media attention. Yet, compared with others, I was lucky
www.theguardian.com
March 19, 2025 at 10:16 AM
I’m the Canadian who was detained by Ice for two weeks. It felt like I had been kidnapped
Reposted by Roland Cooper
*also because ppl keep getting detained by ICE
** and cuz our LGBTQ pals/teammates don't feel safe crossing the border
** and cuz our LGBTQ pals/teammates don't feel safe crossing the border
Call it anecdotal, but my Canadian friends who are cancelling their US travel are not doing it because of tariff worries at all; they’re doing it because the US government is currently actively threatening Canada’s sovereignty and economy and they’re all justifiably furious
This is exactly why Canadians are fed up with US media.
A segment on Canadians cancelling Vermont vacations. Mentions tariffs but not (1) who started the trade war or (2) that the US is constantly threatening to ANNEX our country!
This isn’t MAGA. It’s not FOX. It’s a random NBC affiliate.
A segment on Canadians cancelling Vermont vacations. Mentions tariffs but not (1) who started the trade war or (2) that the US is constantly threatening to ANNEX our country!
This isn’t MAGA. It’s not FOX. It’s a random NBC affiliate.
March 16, 2025 at 4:09 AM
*also because ppl keep getting detained by ICE
** and cuz our LGBTQ pals/teammates don't feel safe crossing the border
** and cuz our LGBTQ pals/teammates don't feel safe crossing the border
Reposted by Roland Cooper
Trans people have long warned that most of the victims of anti-trans laws and policies would be cis women and girls who don't have the "right look."
Walmart called the police on a cis-woman using the women's bathroom.
Even after proving she's a woman, "one deputy continued to question her appearance, insisting she 'looked like a man.'"
😡 😡 😡
Even after proving she's a woman, "one deputy continued to question her appearance, insisting she 'looked like a man.'"
😡 😡 😡
Cis woman confronted by police officers in Arizona Walmart restroom for looking too masculine speaks out (exclusive)
“The only men in the women’s restroom were the cops,” Kalaya Morton said.
www.advocate.com
March 8, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Trans people have long warned that most of the victims of anti-trans laws and policies would be cis women and girls who don't have the "right look."
Reposted by Roland Cooper
In 1890, the Tariff Act came into place in the United States. It placed tariffs on imports of up to 50%.
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.
🧵1/10
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.
🧵1/10
March 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM
In 1890, the Tariff Act came into place in the United States. It placed tariffs on imports of up to 50%.
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.
🧵1/10
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.
🧵1/10
Are there buildings that aren't historic?
Huh, feeling pedantic this morning.
Huh, feeling pedantic this morning.
March 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Are there buildings that aren't historic?
Huh, feeling pedantic this morning.
Huh, feeling pedantic this morning.
Isn't there an argument against using Chinese tech because then the Chinese government could use it as a weapon? It's so great that that isn't the case for American tech.
"During the meeting, Ukraine was told it faced imminent shutoff of the Starlink service if it did not reach a deal on critical minerals, said the source, who requested anonymity to discuss closed negotiations."
Astonishing betrayal of an ally.
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
Astonishing betrayal of an ally.
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
Exclusive: US could cut Ukraine's access to Starlink internet services over minerals, say sources
U.S. negotiators pressing Kyiv for access to Ukraine's critical minerals have raised the possibility of cutting the country's access to Elon Musk's vital Starlink satellite internet system, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
www.reuters.com
February 22, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Isn't there an argument against using Chinese tech because then the Chinese government could use it as a weapon? It's so great that that isn't the case for American tech.
Reposted by Roland Cooper
Hah, so the VPD are patting themselves on the back for the success they've had with their police initiative to lower crime in the DTES. A couple of problems though...
1. Violent crimes like assault started falling in JULY of that year, before "Project Brighthaven" began.
vpd.ca/news/2025/02...
1. Violent crimes like assault started falling in JULY of that year, before "Project Brighthaven" began.
vpd.ca/news/2025/02...
VPD initiative reduces street crime in Gastown, Hastings Crossing - Vancouver Police Department
Vancouver – A Vancouver Police initiative to improve safety in [...]
vpd.ca
February 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Hah, so the VPD are patting themselves on the back for the success they've had with their police initiative to lower crime in the DTES. A couple of problems though...
1. Violent crimes like assault started falling in JULY of that year, before "Project Brighthaven" began.
vpd.ca/news/2025/02...
1. Violent crimes like assault started falling in JULY of that year, before "Project Brighthaven" began.
vpd.ca/news/2025/02...
Reposted by Roland Cooper
Vancouver Island's @docs4saferdrugs.bsky.social will be back outside Royal Jubilee Hospital today and tomorrow with pop-up overdose prevention sites.
They will be joined by former BC Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe, and have support letters from multiple groups eg BC Family Doctors and BC Nurses Union.
They will be joined by former BC Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe, and have support letters from multiple groups eg BC Family Doctors and BC Nurses Union.
February 18, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Vancouver Island's @docs4saferdrugs.bsky.social will be back outside Royal Jubilee Hospital today and tomorrow with pop-up overdose prevention sites.
They will be joined by former BC Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe, and have support letters from multiple groups eg BC Family Doctors and BC Nurses Union.
They will be joined by former BC Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe, and have support letters from multiple groups eg BC Family Doctors and BC Nurses Union.
Very fun series. The first two were great, and I'm so happy we're finally getting a third.
Honestly that’s what the Drifting Lands is. Pretty much everyone who’s read it has loved it, it’s very highly reviewed, but it was left to die on the vine by Angry Robot and got basically zero marketing support.
Fortunately it has a new home at Falstaff books!
(You can get the first two here!)
Fortunately it has a new home at Falstaff books!
(You can get the first two here!)
February 17, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Very fun series. The first two were great, and I'm so happy we're finally getting a third.
If you want to feel the interconnectedness of things while also laughing and crying this might be the thing for you: youtu.be/y-373fptEXI?...
Universal Language - Official U.S. Trailer - Oscilloscope Laboratories HD
YouTube video by Oscilloscope Laboratories
youtu.be
February 17, 2025 at 5:37 AM
If you want to feel the interconnectedness of things while also laughing and crying this might be the thing for you: youtu.be/y-373fptEXI?...
Reposted by Roland Cooper
America, your MAGA leaders are blatantly lying to you about us in Canada, like they pretty much lie about everything, because they’re trying to condition you to be ok with isolating your country and attacking your allies while supporting fascists & dictators.
Even X’s own community notes knows it.
Even X’s own community notes knows it.
February 15, 2025 at 11:44 PM
America, your MAGA leaders are blatantly lying to you about us in Canada, like they pretty much lie about everything, because they’re trying to condition you to be ok with isolating your country and attacking your allies while supporting fascists & dictators.
Even X’s own community notes knows it.
Even X’s own community notes knows it.