2/21/2022: Trudeau Tries Tyranny

PLUS: Final Olympics medal counts; Kanye has a wild weekend; and Kamala does Europe

Today is Monday, February 21, 2022

It is the 52nd day of the year.

313 days remain.

TRENDING

Saturday was National Red Sock Day. 

Sunday was National Love Your Pet Day. (Why is this not everyday?)

#Daytona500 was trending Sunday as NASCAR drivers revved their engines for the start of racing season. Head to Sports to see who crossed the finish line first. 

Nirvana fans remembered Kurt Cobain Sunday, on what would have been his 55th birthday. 

Peppa Pig landed in Twitter’s Top 10 Trends after Kanye West named the cartoon character on his list of people he has beefs with. Other names (and things) on the list include: Taylor Swift, Black History Month, Obama, TikTok, Harriet Tubman, MTV, Kris Jenner, and the whole cast of “SNL.”

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HIT LIST

The convoy parked in front of Canadian Parliament in Ottawa has been cleared, after three weeks of demonstrations over ongoing covid mitigation efforts. As a result of the demonstrations, several provinces announced plans to end their passport programs and mask mandates, but many vaccine mandates remain that affect thousands of truckers.

The Premier of Alberta – basically a province’s version of an American governor – has announced plans to sue aspiring tyrant Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for unlawfully declaring emergency powers. He says it is “unnecessary, disproportionate, violates natural justice, intrudes into provincial jurisdiction, and creates a dangerous precedent.”

MEANWHILE: Police slowly surrounded and squeezed the demonstrators out over the weekend, eventually deploying officers on horseback. In one incident, a woman was trampled by a horse – miraculously she’s only suffering from a dislocated shoulder.

IT GETS WORSE: The official Twitter account for the Ottawa Police has morphed into a series of bizarre alternate universe propaganda dispatches.

In one tweet following the horseback round-up, they write, “Please note: No one has been seriously injured or passed away in any of today's police actions. Safety is our priority.”

BUT WAIT: Dozens of videos show officers throwing demonstrators to the ground. One journalist appeared to have a tear gas canister fired directly into her leg by an officer at point-blank range. She said she was also clubbed three times.

IT’S NOT OVER: Another announcement from the Ottawa Stasi declares: “If you are involved in this protest, we will actively look to identify you and follow up with financial sanctions and criminal charges.”

WORTH NOTING: They’re premising investigations on an individual’s mere presence at the demonstrations, regardless of any explicit criminal activity. This is what not having a First Amendment looks like. It makes the plotline of “The Handmaid’s Tale” where Canada is the refuge for freedom all the more hilarious.

ALSO WORTH NOTING: There remains an exclusion zone that is illegal to enter, where people can be arrested on the spot. If the justification for police action was that businesses in that area were suffering as a result of the demonstrations, how does this measure help those businesses — especially when police are taking action against the owners of businesses that remained open for the truckers? 

IT GETS MORE STUPID: One Ottawa resident reports on Twitter, “I live in the center of Ottawa: Police blockades everywhere are 100x more disruptive than the Freedom Convoy ever was. We had to argue with police and show ID to simply go home after walking our dog with my wife.”

He’s not wrong. Per Ottawa’s own police Twitter account, “There are approximately 100 police checkpoints surrounding the secured area downtown. Police will simply ask for your reason for traveling within the area.”

IN OTHER WORDS: We’re just asking for your papers, peasants.

FULL COMMUNISM: The mayor of Ottawa told the CBC on Sunday that the city is looking to sell the trucks that were towed away. In other words, confiscation of private property without due process to create revenue for the state. 

THE CHERRY ON TOP: In 2014, the Huffington Post of all places published an editorial ominously titled, “Why Canada Will Become a Dictatorship Under Trudeau.”

MEANWHILE, IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: Another convoy has reportedly mobilized to the border crossing in Western Canada.

MEANWHILE, IN AMERICA: An American convoy has mobilized, with plans to cross the country over the next few days, with a destination of Washington, DC planned for March 1. One organizer announced on Twitter that right-wing rockstar Ted Nugent plans to drive his truck in the convoy.

MEANWHILE, IN CALIFORNIA: Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a plan that will take his state into an endemic phase of covid. He said California will be the first state to do so. Someone tell Ron DeSantis.

MEANWHILE, IN ENGLAND: England is scrapping its self-isolation requirements for people who test positive for covid. All covid mitigation protocols are expected to end in the coming days there.

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Six people were shot at a park in Portland Saturday night – during an anti-police violence demonstration organized by Antifa. One of the victims has died. Two suspects are in police custody according to local media.

Portland is experiencing a wave of gun violence after ceding control of streets to Antifa thugs in the wake of ongoing riots during the summer of 2021. The Guardian reports that there were six shootings overnight Thursday into Friday, with at least one fatality so far reported.

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Two separate but pretty major recalls issued last week:

• Abbott has recalled a series of baby formula after several infants fell ill. (Details >)

• Family Dollar has issued a whole slew of recalls after a rodent infestation was discovered at one of its manufacturing facilities in Arkansas. (Details >)

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A man boating off the coast of Santa Barbara fell into the frigid water last month, wearing only a t-shirt and shorts. 

When all hope was lost, the man, identified as Scott Thompson, said a harbor seal showed up and swam alongside him.

Thompson swam, with sporadic nudges from the seal, for five hours when he reached an oil platform. Crew members provided first aid before the Coast Guard got him to a hospital where he was treated for hypothermia.

He told a local news station that he credits his survival to the aquatic creature. 

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CHARTS

Weekend Box Office

10. The Cursed: $1.7 million (new)

9. Blacklight: $1.8 million (down from 5)

8. Scream: $1.9 million (down from 7)

7. Sing 2: $2.8 million (down from 6)

6. Marry Me: $3.6 million (down from 3)

5. Jackass Forever: $5.2 million (down from 2)

4. Death on the Nile: $6.2 million (down from 1)

3. Spider-Man: No Way Home: $7.6 million (up from 4)

2. Dog: $15.1 million (new)

1. Uncharted: $44.1 million (new)

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OLYMPIC MEDAL COUNT

The final medal count for the 2022 Winter Olympics: 

Norway: 16 Gold, 8 Silver, 13 Bronze (37 total)

Russia: 6 Gold, 12 Silver, 14 Bronze (32 total)

Germany: 12 Gold, 10 Silver, 5 Bronze (27 total)

Canada: 4 Gold, 8 Silver, 14 Bronze (26 total)

US: 8 Gold, 10 Silver, 7 Bronze (25 total)

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DEATHS

JEAN-LUC BRUNEL has died. 

The French model agent, who was charged with trafficking girls for pedophile JEFFREY EPSTEIN, was found dead Saturday in his Paris prison cell. 

Prosecutors told CNN that Brunel hanged himself by his bedsheets. 

He was 74. 

WORTH NOTING: The death is eerily similar to Epstein’s prison death, not only with the matter of death being the same, but also the lack of camera footage from their cells. 

WHAT’S MORE: GHISLAINE MAXWELL’s brother called Brunel’s death “really shocking,” telling The Post that his family now fears for his sister’s safety at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

ALSO: He added that it’s “ironic” that his sister is under suicide watch, while Brunel and Epstein were not at the time of their deaths.

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SONDRA and MARVIN WEINER, the sister and brother-in-law of BERNIE MADOFF, have died. 

The couple was found dead in what authorities are calling a murder-suicide.

Sondra was 87 and Marvin was 90. 

As many will remember, Madoff orchestrated a massive Ponzi scheme. His sister and her husband were two of his victims.

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DALE CRITCHLOW has died. 

He passed away Friday at the MorningStar Senior Living facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho. 

Many will remember Critchlow as the character Farmer Lyle from the film “Napoleon Dynamite.” 

He was 92. 

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DALLAS GOOD has died. 

The singer and guitarist for Canadian rock band The Sadies passed away early last week, according to the band’s Facebook page. The post stated that he died while under a doctor’s care for a coronary illness that was recently discovered. 

He was 48. 

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DAVID BRENNER has died. 

The film editor, who worked on hit movies including “Avatar” and “Born on the Fourth of July,” passed away Thursday. A cause of death was not shared. 

He was 59.

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Rep. JIM HAGEDORN has died.

The Minnesota Republican was battling kidney cancer and tested positive for covid last month. 

He was 59.

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LINDSEY PEARLMAN has died. 

The actress and animal rights activist was found dead inside a vehicle that was parked near the entrance to Runyon Canyon Park in the Hollywood Hills. She had been reported missing days earlier. 

An investigation into her death has been started. 

She was 43.

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BABY NEWS

MORGAN STEWART, 33, and her husband JORDAN MCGRAW, 35, welcomed their second child together, a baby boy named Grey Oliver, on February 17. 

The E! host shared the news on Instagram, posting a photo of her holding the newborn. 

McGraw, the son of TV’s Dr. Phil, also celebrated the news on his own social media accounts. 

The couple are already parents to daughter Row Renggli, 2.

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ENGAGEMENTS

Director JAMES GUNN and actress JENNIFER HOLLAND are engaged. He’s 55, she’s 35.

Gunn posted a photo of Holland sipping from a mug and sporting a huge rock, with some ambiguous emojis. Entertainment Weekly later confirmed they couple is engaged. They’ve been dating for 7 years.

Gunn was previously married to JENNA FISCHER of “The Office” fame.

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BREAKUPS

Singer OLIVIA RODRIGO, 18, and producer ADAM FAZE, 24, are done. 

According to Page Six, the pair split after less than a year of dating. 

Rumors of a break up sparked in January after Rodrigo unfollowed Faze on Instagram. 

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SICK BAY

QUEEN ELIZABETH has tested positive for COVID-19. 

At 95-years-old Her Majesty is considered high risk, but Buckingham Palace reports that so far her symptoms have been mild. 

A Palace spokesperson said that she will perform “light duties” at Windsor Castle this week. 

It is believed that the Queen is fully vaccinated.

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JUSTIN BIEBER has covid.

His rep told TMZ that he received the news on Saturday, and immediately canceled his tour stop in Vegas for Sunday night. 

It is unknown if JB is experiencing any symptoms. 

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THE SWAMP

Former PRESIDENT TRUMP’s new social media app is now available.

It’s called Truth Social, and it looks exactly like Twitter. Instead of Tweets, users write Truths. 

Former Rep. DEVIN NUNES left Congress to run the platform.

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The White House announced late Sunday night that President JOE BIDEN has agreed to meet with Russian President VLADIMIR PUTIN — on the contingency that Putin doesn’t give the go-ahead to invade Ukraine. No word yet on when it might happen, but wouldn’t be before a meeting between Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN and his Russian counterpart SERGEY LAVROV. A meeting between Biden and Putin was reportedly brokered by French President EMMANUEL MACRON, who spoke with both men separately over the weekend.

Vice President KAMALA HARRIS has been in Europe as the standoff between Russia and Ukraine continues.

She publicly said the administration is holding on to its strategy of threatening economic sanctions against Russia should it invade Ukraine; Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY has asked for immediate sanctions to deter Russia.

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During a Senate Democrat press briefing last week, Michigan Senator DEBBIE STABENOW took Republicans to task over inflation: “Republicans have done nothing to lower costs, they have proposed nothing to lower costs.”

WORTH NOTING: Democrats control the White House and Congress – which have passed legislation directly responsible for massively increasing the country’s money supply. They could’ve lowered costs by not spending trillions unnecessarily. Sometimes inaction is the answer.

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LOTTERY

No winner for Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Tuesday night’s drawing will be for a $75 million jackpot or a $50.1 million cash payout. 

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No winner for Saturday night’s Powerball drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $37 million jackpot or a $24.8 million cash payout. 

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SHOWBIZ NEWS

PAUL MCCARTNEY is hitting the road. 

The 79-year-old announced his first tour since 2019, titled “Got Back.” 

It will kick off in April in Washington and run through June. 

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NBA all-star DRAYMOND GREEN’s home was burglarized during the Super Bowl weekend and over $1 million worth of his stuff was stolen. 

Law enforcement sources told TMZ that following the big game, Green returned home to see his house had been ransacked and he was missing several watches, jewelry and other personal property. 

No arrests have been made. 

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KELLY CLARKSON filed court documents to change her name to Kelly Brianne because she says it is more fitting of who she is now. Brianne is her middle name

Sources told TMZ that the move is a fresh start for the singer following her divorce from BRANDON BLACKSTOCK. 

Also, Kelly has had a tumultuous relationship with her father, STEPHEN MICHAEL CLARKSON, so that may also be a factor in the name drop. 

No word on whether the name change will also apply to her talk show, which is titled, “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” 

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DAVE CHAPPELLE is teaming up with Netflix on a new standup comedy series. 

The streamer announced that the new series called “Chappelle’s Home Team” will focus on comics handpicked by the comedian himself. 

The first four episodes are set to drop on February 28. 

The special comes on the heels of controversy over comments Chappelle made that upset members of the LGBTQ+ community. Netflix backed the comedian, saying the company supports comedians’ rights to express themselves.

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GEORGE R.R. MARTIN announced in a blog post that filming for the upcoming “Game of Thrones” prequel, “House of the Dragon,” has officially wrapped. 

The 73-year-old author, whose book “A Song of Ice and Fire” inspired the HBO series, also shared his approval of the series after watching several episodes from the upcoming first season. 

A release date was not shared.

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ED SHEERAN wants to build a private burial chamber on his property and his neighbors are not on board with it. 

Part of the eco-friendly renovation on his $5 million, 16-acre UK estate includes plans to construct a two-story private chapel complete with a crypt. 

The neighbors who have voiced their opposition feel that the singer building a place of worship and final resting place that is separate from the general population shows “something is wrong with modern culture.” 

Legally, Sheeran is doing nothing wrong.

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CASTING CALL

OLIVIA MUNN, DANNY RAMIEREZ, EMBETH DAVIDTZ and GAGE MUNROE have been tapped to star in the “Tales of the Walking Dead,” a new spinoff series from “The Walking Dead” universe. 

Each of the six one-hour standalone episodes will focus on both new and established characters set in the world of the original series, according to executive producer Scott M. Gimple. 

The new series will air on AMC. 

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“Fuller House” is heading to cable TV. 

The show’s 75 episodes will begin airing on GAC Family on February 28, joining its predecessor “Full House,” which launched on the channel earlier this month. 

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KELSEY GRAMMER has joined the cast of “Jesus Revolution.” 

The film tells the story of the national spiritual awakening in the early 1970s and its origins within a community of teenage hippies in Southern California, according to Variety. 

Grammer will play Pastor Chuck Smith. 

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Rapper 50 CENT is developing a new live-action film based on Christopher Priest’s comic “Xero.” 

The film will follow a Black government assassin who disguises himself as a white man to blend into the exotic Casino Royale haunts of the international elite, according to the official description.

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“House of Cards” alum SAKINA JAFFREY has joined the cast of Showtime’s “Billions.” 

She will appear opposite PAUL GIAMATTI, COREY STOLL and MAGGIE SIFF. 

Jaffrey will play an attorney who goes up against NYAG Chuck Rhodes.

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COURT CASES

Former Minnesota police officer KIM POTTER has been sentenced to two years for the killing of DAUNTE WRIGHT. 

She will serve 16 months behind bars and the remaining time will be on supervised release. She will also pay a $1,000 fine. 

The sentence is significantly less than the seven years prosecutors argued for. 

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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS

KANYE WEST filed a response to KIM KARDASHIAN’s request to be declared legally single last week. The filing states that he wants his assets safeguarded as he is concerned she could remarry before their divorce is finalized. 

According to documents obtained by Page Six, Ye asked that the exes establish a “right of reimbursement” in which either party would be reimbursed monetary dues in case one of them dies. Kim’s attorney called the condition “unnecessary” given their premarital agreement. 

Ye also wants Kim to waive marital privilege until a final custody agreement for their four children is reached. Without marital privilege, all communications between the two would be part of the court record. 

A hearing on Kim’s legal marital status is set for next month. 

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KANYE WEST has found someone new to harass. 

Ye posted a rant about KRIS JENNER’s boyfriend COREY GAMBLE on Friday, claiming the pair broke up because “Corey needed to never be here anyway.”

He also blamed Corey for pushing KIM KARDASHIAN to the left, saying Corey got her “linked with the liberals in a deep way.” 

It is unclear exactly what caused the diatribe. 

It is also unknown whether Corey and Kris actually split. 

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KANYE WEST could face charges for allegedly assaulting a fan outside a Los Angeles club. 

The investigation into the incident is almost complete, and law enforcement sources told TMZ that between paparazzi videos and witness statements a case could be made against Ye. 

Three options are on the table, according to the sources: charges get filed, the case gets dropped or the DA calls in Ye and the alleged victim to negotiate a settlement.

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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS

PRINCE HARRY’s lawyers told London’s High Court last week that he “does not feel safe” visiting the UK without security. 

The new statement come ahead of a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice over a petition Harry filed in January about the issue. 

Harry’s attorney said Friday that while he would love to bring MEGHAN MARKLE and their two kids to visit, they are “unable to do so because it is too dangerous.” 

London’s Home Office — the government department for immigration, passports, drugs policy, crime, fire, counterterrorism and police in the UK — argued that personal security for the prince would be considered on a “case-by-case basis” due to his “exceptional status.” The department also noted his failure to “appreciate the role of the Home Office” in the past. 

A judge is expected to make a ruling at a later time.

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SPORTS

Rookie driver AUSTIN CINDRIC won the 2022 Daytona 500. 

Cindric drives for Team Penske. 

During the race, Tampa-native DENNY HAMLIN was involved in an eight-car wreck. It was the first time that Hamlin ever crashed out of the Great American Race, per the Tampa Bay Times. 

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CHRIS PAUL is the inaugural recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award. 

The Phoenix Suns’ 12-time All-Star was honored with the award for his “significant contributions to the advancement of girls’ and women’s basketball and advocacy for the WNBA.” 

VANESSA BRYANT presented Paul with the award at Sunday’s NBA All-Star game.

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DAY OF THE YEAR

National Grain-Free Day

National Sticky Bun Day

National Card Reading Day

Presidents Day

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ON THIS DATE

1848 – Karl Marx publishes “The Communist Manifesto.”

The document proclaimed to represent all workers of the world, united in an ongoing fight against The Man.

The philosophies and ideas of a universal workers’ movement percolated around the world for the next 100 years. By 1950, half the world would live under communism. It is estimated more than 100 million people have died as a cause of communist policies since its inception.

The document itself has since inspired dictators, despots, and Canadian Prime Ministers — but what’s the difference?

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1885 – The Washington Monument is dedicated.

At 555 feet, the obelisk was first proposed before Washington took office, by Pierre L'Enfant. The plans for the monument did not move forward until well after Washington died, in 1832. 

Construction began in 1848, and was stalled completely during the Civil War. Money wasn't allocated again to complete the project until 1876. That’s why the shade of the bricks on the exterior changes about a third of the way up

Though it was dedicated in 1885, it wouldn't open to the public for another three years. 

It was the tallest man-made structure in the world when it was completed, surpassed by the Eiffel Tower in 1889.

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1948 – NASCAR is founded. 

The National Association for Stock Car Racing was officially incorporated, thanks to the efforts of Bill France Sr. He was a mechanic in Daytona, Florida, who appreciated racing but hated the inconsistent and disjointed rules from race to race.

He got together racers and sponsors in the small community to help create a unified set of rules and governance for racing.

The first NASCAR-sanctioned race was held June 19 the following year in North Carolina. The winner took home a $2,000 prize.

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1965 – Malcolm X is assassinated.

The radical preacher was preparing to make a speech in Manhattan when a man in the audience pulled out a sawed-off double-barrel shotgun and rushed the stage.

He managed to put one round in Malcolm's chest. Meanwhile, two accomplices approached with handguns, successfully getting off several rounds.

Malcolm was pronounced dead before making it to the hospital, ultimately suffering 21 gunshot wounds. The shooters were all convicted of the murder.

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1972 – Marking a shift in foreign policy, President Nixon arrives in China.

It was a major step in thawing relations between the Communist East and the U.S.

Since Mao's takeover in 1949, the State Department did not recognize the People's Republic as a legitimate state.

Nixon had been a vocal anti-communist before his presidency, but with the outcome of the Vietnam War uncertain and fear that the communists could further consolidate their power in the region, the Nixon Administration took action.

The meetings were also a tool to create tension between the Chinese and Soviets. 

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2013 – The New York Times announces plans to sell The Boston Globe, and a handful of other regional papers.

The Grey Lady’s parent company had tried to sell off the Globe in 2009, but couldn’t attract buyers with such an unprofitable business model. In the ensuing years, employees agreed to wage cuts and other cost-cutting measures were taken to right the ship.

It was eventually purchased by John Henry, owner of the Boston Red Sox.

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2021 - Jasmine Harrison, 21, becomes the youngest woman to row across an ocean as part of the Atlantic Challenge. 

It took her 70 days, 3 hours and 48 minutes to row from Spain to Antigua (about 3,000 miles).

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BIRTHDAYS

Sophie Turner - actress, “Game of Thrones” - 26

Joe Alwyn - actor, “The Sense of an Ending” - 31

Corbin Bleu - actor, “High School Musical” - 33

Ashley Greene - actress, “Twilight” films - 35

Elliot Page - actor, “Juno” & “The Umbrella Academy” - 35

Charlotte Church - opera singer - 36

Jennifer Love Hewitt - actress, “Party of Five” & “Heartbreakers” - 43

Jordan Peele - comedian - 43

Michael McIntyre - comedian - 46

Mark & Scott Kelly - astronauts - 58

Kelsey Grammer - actor, “Frasier” - 67

Born On This Date

Alan Rickman - actor, “Harry Potter” films - 1946 (d. 2016)

John Lewis - politician - 1940 (d. 2020)

Nina Simone - jazz singer - 1933 (d. 2003)

Chespirito (Roberto Gomez Bolaños) - Mexican screenwriter - 1929 (d. 2014)

Hubert de Givenchy - French fashion designer - 1927 (d. 2018)

Jeanne Calment - super-centenarian - 1875 (d. 1997)

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