Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (pm.gc.ca)
(pm.gc.ca)

Some free advice for Justin… | Commentary

 

By Sally Barnes

My dear Prime Minister:

This unworthy servant has a suggestion for how you can quickly and easily bolster your public opinion ratings and strengthen Canadians’ resolve to battle the pandemic:

SHAVE OFF THAT BEARD AND GET A HAIR CUT! And while you’re at it, ditch that funeral director’s woeful coat and show us your kinky socks!

As a successful politician and former drama teacher, you understand the importance of a good performance and making a favourable impression. (Well, let’s admit you overdid it on the India trip but that’s another story.)

At a time when depression and other mental health issues are skyrocketing in Canada, surely you understand that it doesn’t help when our leader and highest ranking elected official in the land looks as bad as the rest of us.

Many of us have nightmares about the big door opening at Rideau Cottage and this unshaven and rapidly greying fellow with unruly hair and dour duds walks to the microphone to announce how many more of our fellow citizens have died overnight. Vaccine? What vaccine?

All that’s missing is the sound track from the movie Jaws.

Prime Minister, you were once our international rock star. Today, you make the UK’s Boris Johnson look like a shoo-in for the cover of Esquire magazine.

And whose brainchild was it for you to stand outside in all kinds of weather for your televised pandemic meet and greets with the masses?

It was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the U.S. (1933-45) who pioneered his regular “fireside chats” to address the fears and concerns of Americans at a time of great wartime struggle. Granted, FDR had only radio at his disposal, but he was smart enough to have people picture him neat and tidy and statesman-like instead of scruffy and shivering in snow up to his tush.

Let’s face it: none of us will escape this pandemic without some scars. But you look like you’ve just spent a year in the bush searching for the Lost Ark.

My friends and I have concluded that if we think we’re going a little crazy from the pandemic, we’re probably right.

According to mental health experts, all forms of mental health issues are on the rise as the pandemic drags on and agoraphobia, the fear of open spaces and leaving the house, is becoming increasingly common (with various levels of severity).

We have acquaintances who have become so scared by the virus and health care warnings that they have become hermits and family members fear they may never recover and come out of their homes.

Usually well-adjusted people tell of venturing out to the LCBO and grocery store and scurrying back home to be safe from abuse for going up a down aisle or letting their mask slip when they reach for a bag of carrots.

The pandemic’s effects on me are many. I have become such a lousy housekeeper that I will probably never return to the days when I cared about things like paw prints and a stack of unwashed dishes. I have a “to do” list that never shortens and countless projects everywhere that were started and abandoned. This could be a good thing. As me dear olde mither used to say, no one on their death bed ever said, “oh, I just wish I had washed the kitchen floor.”

It has been so long since we had a full table for dinner that I wonder if we will ever be able to cope in the preparation and serving of a fancy meal with all the trimmings. Time will tell, I guess, when the opportunity finally arises.

The well-stocked wardrobe? Pshaw! I was shamed into getting a bit tidied up for a Zoom call this week and I was reminded of the discomfort of it all and how probably no one even noticed. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing that we are learning to live with less fuss and that we really don’t need many of what we once considered necessities.

I do notice, however, that a lot of us have aged this past year. This confinement, isolation, worry, and lack of physical contact have taken their toll. We are social creatures who need to hug and kiss those we love. Phone calls and emails and Zoom contacts just don’t cut it when trying to show and feel affection.

I’ve always enjoyed a good, firm handshake and bumping elbows is just plain silly. Unable to see and touch young grandkids is the cruelest cut of all.

It breaks my heart that we have been robbed of so many great opportunities this past year—occasions that are important for maintaining and celebrating relationships and building memories that we need to sustain us in the so-called golden years.

Family photo albums are starkly bare in recording these last 12 months of our lives. Time just disappeared somehow. Weddings, funerals, graduations, reunions, and other celebrations… all postponed or cancelled, along with the joy, comfort, and cherished memories they would have produced.

There is one theory that seniors are especially resentful of the time lost because we recognize that our time may be short and we have little time to lose. Some prognosticators suggest those in this age group may decide to make up for lost time by indulging themselves and spending instead of saving money to pass on to kids, grandkids, and others.

It would certainly be a way for some oldsters to avenge all those grandkids who never call, are no-shows at family gatherings, and consider thank-you notes for holiday and birthday gifts just a silly, old fashioned custom unworthy of their time and effort.

Only time will tell whether the old folks who are lucky enough to have some money and good health at the end of this may just shout a big “wahoo”, rewrite their wills, and go on one helluva spending spree.

Such spending would certainly help repair our wrecked economy and remind younger generations that they should never mess with old folks. Age can make you mean.

Think about it: while the kids are left to pay off our staggering pandemic debts, the old geezers will be in some idyllic resort drinking martinis, playing pickleball, and remembering the good old days.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister, if we must all be in this together, please give some thought to giving your barber a call.

 

Sally Barnes has enjoyed a distinguished career as a writer, journalist and author. Her work has been recognized in a number of ways, including receiving a Southam Fellowship in Journalism at Massey College at the University of Toronto. A self-confessed political junkie, she has worked in the back-rooms for several Ontario premiers. In addition to a number of other community contributions, Sally Barnes served a term as president of the Ontario Council on the Status of Women. She is a former business colleague of Doppler’s Hugh Mackenzie and lives in Kingston, Ontario. You can find her online at sallybarnesauthor.com

 

 

 

 

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21 Comments

  1. Phil Beacock says:

    Basically it boils down to RESPECT! There have been 100’s of deaths because of this government {federal} to procure a vaccine! FACT! He put most, if not all of his trust in China! Excuse me a communist country that we have stirred up by locking up and assisting the US on getting her to the States to answer to criminal charges! Thats the law in a democratic country! I have no problem with that! But China, communist country and the law is what ever they wanna make today! So why all the trust in China? Cause his track record shows he supports communist protocol! He has even said it. Really, dress the part of a leader, because thats what i expect of my leader and thats my opinion and i am entitled to that! Democratic country we are! Also, i have been following this JT/PM and a poor one at that he is, in my opinion, so i will also say i have a little wisdom and read this book and i will say, the cover is a good representation of the book! Disrespectful dress code for our lost love ones, his inability to work with his allies to develop a vaccine. Safe day to all those out there making it work, truck drivers to doctors, thank you! As Anna-Lise said above this is a big country and there will be issues and snags along the way! Point taken!

  2. Anna-Lise Kear says:

    Two follow-up comments only:
    1] Hear, hear, Mr. Rockwell! Great points.
    2] When you get to comparisons with other countries re: vaccine roll out, be sure to factor in Geography and country size to your equations. And be sure to understand the federal and provincial pieces in this puzzle. Just a thought.

  3. Linda Hollin says:

    When will the people of this country realize that the failure, so far, of Ontario’s vaccine roll out is NOT Trudeau’s fault? It is a provincial responsibility. The feds got the vaccine and, yes, there were unexpected delays. But it is now up to the provinces to roll it out!
    I certainly haven’t been thrilled by all he has done, but he can’t and shouldn’t be blamed for this one!

  4. Evert McIlwain says:

    I would be interested to know the age demographic of many of these comments, specifically on the current look of our Prime Minister. One obvious one is the writer of this article. What happened to comments like “art is in the eye of the beholder” or you can’t judge a book by it’s cover?”. I’d be interested in comments from a younger generation. Many of us may wish we had a full head of curly hair. Beards are in whether you like it or not. I agree with some of the readers comments that these comments by the writer and other readers would be different is the PM was a woman or a minority culture….responses would be different as well. I’m not saying that the PM has done everything well but come on Canadians we can dig a little deeper that the looks of our PM.

  5. Frank C Edgley says:

    In the last election, I really wanted Trudeau to win, considering the Conservative alternative. But the Trudeau I have been seeing on television, this last year, has had the air of a beaten man. Where is the Trudeau of the past… the young and vigorous leader? Could it be that he has realised that, under his leadership, Canada has had the most pathetic vaccine rollout of any developed country, that he has failed us, and Canadians are dying needlessly?

  6. Madeline Humphreys says:

    Kathy Barnes, you made me laugh! I agree whole heartily that JT looks a mess!

    The vaccine calamity does beg the question; would Stephen Harper have handed over billions of dollars without a written contract?

  7. James Rockwell says:

    Judging by the vast majority of comments following this childish gotcha click bait column, I totally see why the Muskoka region has been reelecting the same tired and useless provincial MP for 15+ years. There are actually really important events happening locally and around the world, and we’re worried about a hair cut and beard? Have you looked at yourself lately, perhaps it’s time for you to head to the groomer’s as well. My goodness!

  8. Douglas Graves says:

    Thanks for the laugh. But Justin is just a puppet and there are are others running the show. He was t the airports. never ready to be PM, and is just marking time until the job he really wanted ( The UN ) comes calling. Until then we will suffer with lack of vaccine’s , closed borders and forced stays for air travelers at airport hotels, at your expense. Time for Mr. Novelty Socks to go.

  9. Jan Macdonald says:

    The person I agree with is Mr. Vandermeer. I could not care less if Justin Trudeau grows his hair to his waist. Every minute of his day should be spent on getting vaccines for Canadians. I am shocked at the ineptitude of this Government during the pandemic. Checking people at the airports – now- is 9 months too late. Let’s concentrate on what really matters. This is probably not Kathy Barnes finest article but an example of how frustrated she is feeling about the entire pandemic situation. Stay safe everyone.

  10. Diana Bates says:

    Very compelling reading as a result of its varied encompassing facets of Mr Dressups’ failed leadership. At the outset.of the article my brow was furrowed at was seemingly a shallow judgement of Trudeau re his current appearance. Reading further I became amused and aware of the relevance of his appearance. Trudeau stated that Canada does not have a core identity. The same can be said that he himself does not have a core identity. Hence the label Mr Dressup. He unlike Boris Johnson was not elected with his current rumpled presentation. His lack of a core identity has given rise to his failure to prioritize the safety and well being of Canadian Citizens by failing to negotiate deals with the countries and companies that honour and deliver on agreements that serve to promote Canadian communities!!

  11. Great article! However, we all must realize that everything our great leader does is choreographed and all part of his master plan to position himself for his next job (coming soon I hope). Hollywood is calling.

  12. Margaret Bosnyak says:

    I enjoyed this article and totally agree.

    I would like to see a copy sent to the PM ? and hopefully get he will get the message that at least he needs a hair cut but it would be nice to see the facial hair gone too.

  13. Michael b vandermeer says:

    Justin is a man of many looks .
    From blackface to bollywood attire .
    Rather than focusing on his appearance, I’m more concerned about his performance .
    Why are we 50 countries down the list for vaccine rollout?
    And why are we taking vaccines from an organization that distributes vaccines to poor and developing countries?

  14. Anna Bertelsen says:

    Well written, very humorous, true and right to the point. Had a good chuckle. Thanks for publishing it.

  15. Phil Beacock says:

    I am in no way criticizing anyone that is handling this pandemic in their own way! There are a lot of people out there struggling, businesses you name it! People are free to do what they want in this country! What i don’t agree with is this person at the pulpit giving me a bunch of vote buying news!!! The man at the pulpit could show a lot of respect, one for the people that have died, lost their lively hood, business and a whole lot of other things, over what some people could say was his inept ability to lead and procure a vaccine! By just shaving, get rid of the coat and clean the beard up!!!!!! As my 92 year young father said the other day SHOW A LITTLE RESPECT. Lol. Thats all! Safe day to all first responders and those out there making it work!! THANK YOU. Enough said!

  16. Paul Whillans says:

    I don’t believe in censorship. And I am not sure I completely understand “political correctness”

    And I get it that this article was done solely for the big laugh.

    But I wonder, as the President of the Ontario Council on the Status of Women in the early 80s how you would have view this much attention given to the superficial appearance of a woman presumably in a substantive job.

    I am not suggesting that Trudeau needs protection from shallow commentary (which this most certainly is). And certainly he is not beyond reproach….But really…..his hair cut??????

    I am thinking that you weren’t paying attention to your years of watching serious people doing serious jobs smeared by the trivial.

  17. Anna-Lise Kear says:

    Ms. Barnes; My word, Mr. Mulcaire must have driven you crazy, J.S. Woodsworth too!
    My 40 year old son, for his own mental health, grew a huge beard (now much shaven) and wore it to work. He did so to cope with the times he is experiencing. People express their coping in different ways, sometimes with physical changes. Perhaps you are hoping for a PM haircut because it is symbolic of a more previous normal time period?
    Have you noticed DF’s suit coats are getting tighter too? He also looks paler, if possible.
    Certainly what comes out of his mouth could bear scrutiny; his behaviour is reminiscent of Toronto City Council days when he, literally, ran interference for then Mayor RF bashing into a female council woman and knocking her over (I think “the play” was to deal with a heckler in the public seats).

  18. Dianne Adams says:

    What a wonderful start to another snowy day, and the smile on my face will last for hours – thank you Sally Barnes and Phil Beacock!
    What our Prime Minister (aka “Captain Crayon” by some wags out there) looks like has been a joke from day one. From the first official picture, the inappropriate brown, scruffy shoes paired with the distinguished dark suit, stuck out like a sore thumb and were not prevalent on any other member of the esteemed group of leaders. If getting noticed by your appearance is an initial goal, consider it done, and a pathetic example of what you are able to accomplish time and time again in future photos. It was a distraction at first, now it is old news and a continual reminder of what you can’t seem to understand or blend into your life as far as protocols go. Your job is a difficult one to start with, and your personal issues which have reared their upsetting heads have made it more so, but many others had lived through an emotional upset and survived and so will you if you pulled up your ugly (immature attempt at humour) socks and did your job. Come to think of it, I am still not even sure you know what that job is, or are aware of the fact that living under the same roof as a parent who definitely DID know what the job entailed, whether you liked him or not, does not count as a qualification for the position. Some voters created a monster in good faith, and some voters will clean up the mess, in the hope that intelligence, common sense, and the right amount of structured empathy will once again provide all Canadians with the national pride you can never take from us with your lack of skills and experience.

  19. Kathy Kay says:

    I get the appearances issue because people judge others’ value visually first. Right? And what’s the standard for your family to welcome someone? Skin colour? Male/female? Education? Money? We all have our little stereotype biases.

    Reflecting on this pandemic and the cost to our lives and souls helps us deal with all the loss. And yet the pandemic has helped many slow down and refocus. Not always a bad thing.

    May we leave the petty judgement of our prime minister’s appearance and focus on what matters? If our PM was a woman, would you feel free to judge her hairstyle etc as indicative of her value? And you assume others disapprove of beards and curls and tailored coats and therefore devalue the PM?

    Sally, your reflection on life and the pandemic was well written and helpful. The comments about JT’s appearance weren’t.

  20. Allen Markle says:

    Good stuff Sally.
    It’s a little scary when an elected official is surrounded by other elected officials who are too cowed or uncaring to look over and say “Jeepers! Can’t you spiff it up a bit?”
    Maybe it’s intended to appear suave and in control. I don’t see that it’s working. I think that when you look around, there a are lots of paw prints and unwashed dishes.
    And though there may be those who can see the problem, they are as lost as the rest of us as to what to do.
    And it’s unsettling when you feel it’s out of control.

  21. Phil Beacock says:

    Well said Sally! I have come to a time in my life that when he is on the TV or social media I will immediately change channel! Am i in this judgement stage of the pandemic, maybe i am, his looks and his constant, “ Look what i have done “ has just got old news! Hair cut, get rid of the coat and the beard, yes! The best will be when he is gone from this pulpit for good!!!!! Safe day to all first responders and those out there making it work! THANK YOU!