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The material below is an outline of an open letter to Premier Danielle Smith.  The outline denotes, in detail, many of the questions that are being asked to gather the facts necessary to present a clear and convincing case, as to why, Premier Danielle Smith, should resign from office, after sharing a stage, in Calgary and Edmonton, with the likes of Tucker Carlson, with all the racist, sexist, and ethnic nationalist baggage that is inherent in his public existence.

This will allow the reader to witness firsthand the analysis of events, persons and ideas, current and historical that are necessary to appreciate fully the extent of the affront to the dignity of Albertans that emanated from the appearance of Premier Danielle Smith, the highest office holder in the province of Alberta, on a stage with the illiberal Tucker Carlson, both in Calgary and, in the provincial capital, Edmonton. 


~  Coming soon  ~
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Moscow Danielle Smith

is a clear and present danger to Canada
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 ~  behavior unbecoming of a premier of Alberta  ~

... Premier Danielle Smith, foolishly sought power by riding the back of 
a white nationalist tiger, only to wound up inside the tiger's lair

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Picture

​Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and American right-wing political commentator Tucker Carlson 
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 It is a matter of concern, urgent concern, that Premier Danielle Smith chose to engage in a very public spectacle with Tucker Carlson.  Carlson, an illiberal US media figure that is well-known for airing racist and sexist views commercially, for the far-right-of-center cable news media outlet, Fox News.  That is, before the relationship that of employer and employee between Fox News and Tucker Carlson, was severed, unceremoniously. 

​Carlson is also known for his support for Trump’s baseless claims concerning the election Trump lost to President Biden in 2020, although emails from Carlson discovered through the successful Dominion defamation lawsuit against Fox News, show that despite Carlson's vehement support on air for Trump's election lies, in fact, Carlson did not actually believe them.  Carlson told the lies for ratings and money, and became the most watched, and highest paid personality on Fox News.

The information about Tucker Carlson, presented above, is necessary to illustrate, who it was that Premier Danielle Smith shared a stage with in Calgary and in the Provincial Capital of Alberta, Edmonton.

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- in process -

Presented below, is a narrative outline of the issues that are important to make a rock-solid case for the call for the resignation of the premier of Alberta, for cause. 

You will note that, although, not exhaustive, the narrative identifies pertinent local, provincial, regional, national, as well as, international implications of, and reactions to, the actual occurrence and the public image of Premier Danielle Smith sharing a stage with Tucker Carlson in both Calgary and Edmonton. 

These events did not occur in isolation from internal as well as external circumstances that impinge upon the well-being of the citizens of Alberta, Canada, and of our allies, including, those governmental and non-governmental entities with which we cooperate, and those with whom relations are not cooperative, or friendly.

We trust you will find this look behind the development of the letter and case for the resignation of the premier of Alberta, elucidating.


Factors to consider in developing an open letter to Premier Danielle Smith:

​Carlson is an advocate for the, so-called, Freedom Convoy.  By associating with him, Premier Smith is aligning herself with extreme right-wing ideologies that are, beyond a reasonable doubt, incompatible with her duties as the chief executive officer of the Government of Alberta.

While freedom of speech is essential, so is the necessity for discernment between truth and misinformation.  Individuals like Carlson, who propagate dangerous narratives, do so, because they are not constrained by facts, or the truth.  Their influence can lead to chaos, by design, and undermine the welcoming and diverse nature of Alberta.  As citizens, we find it prudent to prioritize informed discourse over sensationalism.

In parallel, the issue of homelessness in Alberta remains critical.  The recent deaths of two homeless individuals highlight the urgency of addressing this crisis.  Homelessness is not a choice; it often results from job loss and eviction.  Unfortunately, the response by social services in Alberta too often fall short, exacerbating the cycle of homelessness.  Emergency funding and support are essential for those without permanent residences, as living on the streets adversely affects both physical and mental health.

As citizens, we must always hold our leaders accountable for their actions and associations.  Thus, ensuring that our leaders uphold values that reflect the best interests of all the communities of this province.
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Premier Smith's actions are of concern.  The decision by Premier Danielle Smith to share a stage with Tucker Carlson in Calgary and Edmonton, despite his controversial views, has significant implications:
  1. Symbolism:
    • As the highest constitutional office holder in Alberta, Premier Smith represents the province and its values.  Her actions are symbolic and carry substantial weight.
    • By appearing alongside Carlson, she implicitly associates herself with his views, whether intentionally or not.  This can shape public perception and impact trust in her leadership.
  2. Edmonton’s Perspective:
    • Edmonton, as the provincial capital, is a diverse and politically engaged city.  Its residents hold a wide range of opinions.
    • Some Edmontonians may view Smith’s decision as problematic, especially given Carlson’s controversial statements.  They might question why the premier chose to engage with someone who espouses divisive views.
  3. Dialogue and Condemnation:
    • Whereas, Premier Smith likely weighed the benefits of dialogue against the risks of negative association, understanding that more often than not honestly engaging with diverse perspectives can foster understanding, but not in this case.  In this case it shows a degree of extreme indifference, a characteristic in Smith, that should be explained to the public in detail.  Examples of past instances of the same behavior by Smith, ought to be brought to light.
    • And, it ought be that certain views should be unequivocally condemned, and Smith had a responsibility to do so at the time of her appearance on stage with Carlson, which she failed to do.  Carlson’s history of promoting white nationalist, racist, and sexist ideas, fall into the category of views, which ought to be unequivocally condemned.
  4. Political Calculations:
    • Politicians, by the nature of their vocation or occupation make strategic decisions based on their political calculus.  Appearing with Carlson might have been an attempt to appeal to specific segments of the population, which in of itself is appalling.
    • The challenge lies in balancing pragmatism with principles.  Smith may have believed erroneously that the potential gains outweighed the drawbacks.  The path to destruction is often paved with good intentions based on very bad choices, and so it is with Premier Danielle Smith.
  5. Public Backlash and Accountability:
    • The controversy, blowback actually, surrounding the Smith-Carlson events, highlight the importance of accountability.  Premier Smith rightfully, faces scrutiny from constituents, other political parties, and the media (wishful thinking), as well as, from quarters well beyond these, such as, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, 10 Downing Street, etc.
    • Her response to criticism will determine not only how her decision is remembered, but also the continued viability of her administration.

Premier Danielle Smith’s decision making and choice, reflect, when seen rationally a delicate balance between dialogue, political strategy, and the symbolism of leadership.  However, the consequences of her appearances on stage with a white nationalist, extends beyond Calgary and Edmonton, well beyond.

  1. Smith’s Intentions:
    • In relation to Premier Danielle Smith’s intentions, we can consider a number of possibilities, some are rational possible alternatives, while others present incongruity:
      • Repositioning: With the loss of all MLA seats, Smith may attempt to re-evaluate her party’s positions on certain issues and attempt to appeal to a broader range of voters.
      • If, broadening  her party's appeal by engaging with Carlson, was intended for her party to cast its net beyond traditional conservative strongholds, the attempt was misguided, since those to her right politically, already align themselves with her in a lesser of two evils, sort of way.
      • Messaging: the interviews with Carlson did allowed Smith several opportunities to convey her own distinct messages and agenda, but any attempt on her part was rather astutely was over-shadowed, by Carlson's far-far-right agenda, and Smith lacked the wherewithal to express that she might not agree with everything Carlson uttered, leaving the impression globally, that she did agree, and Danielle Smith, does agree with his views.  That impression is now her persona going forward, and is seen as a clear path from her past to the present, and will follow Danielle Smith, for the rest of her rather short tenure as premier.  Remembering Smith was described as 'far-right' by The New York Times in 2023, which is exactly why she drew the attention of the deposed Tucker Carlson, as he campaigns to unite quirky far-right ideologues, who can offer him a stage, or two.

​In summary, Premier Danielle Smith’s interactions with Tucker Carlson in both Calgary and Edmonton have sparked discussions and raised questions. Whether she aims to make Edmonton more conservative remains speculative, but her recent electoral defeat may prompt strategic shifts in her party’s approach to governance and messaging, if it is to survive.
 
  1. Tucker Carlson Interviews Putin:
  1. Implications for Smith:
    • Smith’s association with Carlson and his controversial views could be seen as a calculated move to broaden her party’s appeal beyond the traditional conservatives, but that notion ignores the fact that she already enjoys the Carlson, Trump, Harper, Poilievre crowd support, albeit reluctantly by some of those positioned farthest to the right of the political spectrum.
    • However, the subsequent interview with Putin adds dangerous complexity:
      • Arctic Waters Dispute: Canada and Russia are both vying for control of the Arctic waters, which hold strategic as well as economic significance.
      • WEXIT Movement: The WEXIT movement, advocating for the breakup of a united Canada, particularly resonates in the prairie provinces, and Smith should have known that Putin, Russia, would exploit chaos on the united Canada front.
      • By engaging with Carlson, who shortly after went on to share a stage with Putin, Smith’s actions are interpreted in various ways:
        • Balancing Act: She could imagine that she is balancing domestic political considerations with international relations, but there is no basis for that assumption.
        • Messaging: The stage with Carlson, who for better or worse is on the world stage, could allow Smith to convey her perspective and potentially address issues related to Arctic sovereignty and regional separatism. 
        • Strategic Diplomacy: Engaging with both Carlson and Putin, which Smith has, albeit unwittingly, could, if she possessed the wherewithal to carry out such a strategy, signal a nuanced approach to global affairs.  However, there is not one scintilla of evidence to support the notion that Smith had thought her dance with Carlson through to any significant extent, or purpose.  Smith has earned the tag, Moscow Danielle Smith, which Washington, and most European governments, including the Ukraine, now refer to her as.
  1. Cautionary Note:
    • While associating with controversial figures can provide platforms for messaging, it also carries risks.
    •  Smith’s actions will also face scrutiny, especially given the geopolitical context and Canada’s interests in the Arctic (at the time of the Smith-Carlson debacle, Canada's military equipment supply, and US funding for the Ukraine, were highly controversial in conservative quarters, and Smith added to the Carlson led rally for a succession of aide to the Ukraine.  And, although the succession campaign did not succeed ultimately, the delay caused considerable untoward battlefield consequences, mitigated by an influx of financial and other resources from the Europeans, who understandably tagged the Alberta premier, Moscow Danielle Smith.)
 
  1. Hate Crimes in Alberta: the 'Karen' factor
  2. Premier Smith’s Association with Carlson:
    • Premier Danielle Smith’s appearance alongside Tucker Carlson sent clear messages and signals to different segments of the Alberta public.
    • On the one hand, some individuals and groups interpreted the very public association as a form of endorsement or validation of Carlson’s views.  While at the same time, communities targeted by the individuals and groups, who carry out acts of harassment and intimidation are left with the impression that government and the police jointly and severely condone the acts of harassment and intimidation by the individuals and groups that Premier Danielle Smith sought to court favour, by staging the very public events with the known white nationalist and race baiting Tucker Carlson.  These mirror aspects of the Smith-Carlson tête-à-tête are irrefutable, and are now, and will remain, inextricably intertwined, inexorably interwoven, and constantly conjoined to the Smith administration.
    • When leaders engage with controversial figures, it can not only impact public discourse and attitudes, but is also associated with actual acts of violence, harassment and intimidation.
    • And this is the crux of the matter vis-à-vis the Smith stage sharing with Carlson.  All other considerations taken into account, it is the perception by some individuals, communities and groups that Smith was sending to them an equivocal signal that she was at least sympathetic to the rising tide of the ethnic nationalists, and the rise in harassment and intimidation that has occurred since her stage sharing, that is incompatible with her continued hold on the Premiership of Alberta.  And that Danielle Smith entered the arena with Tucker Carson, knowing fully well the potential for an increase in harassment and intimidation of racialized communities.  Danielle Smith chose to enter the arena.
  3. Victim Reluctance to Report Hate Incidents:
    • The establishment of a hate crime unit within the Edmonton Police Force acknowledges an awareness and the seriousness of the problem.
    • However, reluctance to report hate incidents remains a substantial challenge.
    • Fear, mistrust, past police-community relations and other factors, prevent some victims and witnesses from coming forward.  In Edmonton, Mcfee held on to the disgraced marijuana squad, an instant way to drive arrest records up, far too long to cast an aura of wanting to amend the cycle of mistrust with large segments of the community.   But a Tucker Carlson coming to town, suits the chief just fine.
  4. Community Awareness and the Extent of Police Expertise:
    • Naturally, general awareness of harassment and intimidation issues within a community and the relationship between community members and the police play a role not only in whether or not hate crimes are ever reported, but how, or if, they are handled by the police and persecutors.
    • Police expertise and sensitivity are crucial in encouraging victims to report incidents, however, many of the hate incidents occur in commercial  spaces, therefore it would be important that companies and their managers and employees are trained in the law and how to handle perceived incidences of harassment and intimidation that take place on their premises.  This is an area of concern, since few businesses have human resources certified training for handling harassment and intimidation incidences. 
    • And, as the peer-reviewed scientific and professional literature on his subject attests to, unfortunately most victims that have complained to managers, find that all too often these managers share the same prejudices as the perpetrators. 
    • In addition, to this day, most police forces still contribute most, as in the vast majority, of hate, harassment, and intimidation incidences to men and boys, and yet 'the Karen factor', female harassment and intimidation of racialized community residents of downtown Ottawa during the convoy takeover of the streets in the center of the city, females accounted for 49% of all instances.  The same figure recorded by the Edmonton police and in Alberta generally.  Given that the majority of police and managers are ethnically the same as the 'Karen factor' perpetrators, there is a n understandable reluctance, albeit legally indefensible, for the police or managers to equate their mothers or sisters as capable of such crimes.  An awareness of the events in America on the 6th of January 2021, and the convoy mob in Ottawa in 2022, ought to dispel such prejudicial notions, and it should be remembered, 21 women were sent to the gallows by The International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg.
    • Investigations by academic researchers, investigative journalists, as swell as, data collected by governmental and legislative bodies, and by victim advocacy groups, are instrumental to complement police-reported data, thus providing further insight into experiences of discrimination and hate-motivated crimes.
    • Overall Trends in Canada:

Addressing hate incidents requires collective efforts, including community engagement, awareness campaigns, and responsible leadership, in the community, within our police forces, and in the halls of political power and the courts.  Premier Smith’s actions and associations contribute to the broader climate of division and a lack of trust in the fair administration of provincial governance, particularly within racialized communities, further emphasizing the need for thoughtful decision-making and accountability.  Whether the police chiefs of Calgary and Edmonton are positive or negative factors in the overall anti-harassment and intimidation equation, is yet to be determined.  There are actual victims from the acts of harassment and intimidation that is part and parcel of the kinds of messaging that divisive hate movements respond to that emanate from  plethora host of Tucker Carlson characters that spew their hatred from the stages provided to them by elected officials like Danielle Smith.


Premier Danielle Smith’s interactions with Tucker Carlson and his subsequent interview with Putin, reflect an attempt to walk a tightrope, a delicate balancing act as it were, between domestic politics, international relations, and strategic messaging.  The implications for Smith are precarious to say the least, multifaceted and warrant continued observation of the fallout that is surely to come.

In essence, the premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, misjudged the significance of her rise to power, and wanted desperately a place on the world stage.  In pursuit of a place on the world stage, Smith foolishly sought power by riding the back of a white nationalist tiger, only to wound up inside the tiger's lair.

Smith's misguided ambition results from inherent flaws inherent to her character and public persona and will stand as the fatal flaw to her premiership, from which she will resign, albeit reluctantly, but inevitably, nonetheless. 

Notwithstanding the sum of the evidence presented heretofore, it is the fact that Premier Danielle Smith knew that the public appearance with Carlson could be interpreted by those who align with the illiberal views and pronouncements he espouses, and that they would interpret the vivid imagery of the premier of Alberta on stage with the race-baiting commentator, as a signal that they could, during a Smith administration, carry out their campaigns of harassment and intimidation with the blessings, as it were, of the Premier, herself.  And that is the reason why, Premier Danielle Smith, must resign.


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