WPS News: A Comedic Look at the Canadian Boycott of American Goods

By Cliff Potts, WPS News, Editor-In-Chief

9–14 minutes

In the great north, the air is thick with snow—and perhaps a little bit of spite—as Canadians embark on what can only be described as a masterclass in passive-aggressive commerce: the boycott of American goods. Yes, folks, while the President of the United States has about as much concern for your maple syrup-loving hearts as a moose does for a car’s hood ornament, it’s the good citizens of Canada who might just find themselves feeling the squeeze.

“Who does this really hurt?” you might ask, as you sip a Tim Hortons coffee while skimming through the latest updates on your favorite 90s nostalgia page. Well, let’s be honest: while Trump may ignore the collective “Eh?” coming from the great white north, it’s the everyday Canadian, standing valiantly in a grocery store aisle, staring glumly at the empty shelf where the American snack foods once resided, who feels the pain the most. Never fear, dear citizens, for this is our chance to realize that we can live without those mass-produced Twinkies, even if they once brought joy to our late-night Netflix binges!

The Canadian boycott seems like an echo of a simpler time, back when we chatted on IRC like we were the first pioneers of the internet frontier, making friends (and maybe a few questionable connections) while discussing the weather and bemoaning our common economic struggles. Remember Cherry Tap? No? Well, neither does anyone else, but at least it was a platform to connect without the baggage of international boycotts! Those glory days are perhaps best memorialized in Facebook memory posts, where photos of friends holding “We Are the World” signs or attending Occupy Movement protests remind us that we once discussed our shared humanity—each person, regardless of passport color, valuable in their own right.

Yet here we are in the sticky aftermath of borrowed grievances and outraged tweets, standing together in the shopping aisles wondering how our inability to agree on trade policies could morph into a personal vendetta against our neighbor’s choice of ketchup. Now, that’s peak absurdity, folks!

Meanwhile, up in the Great White North, there’s a blossoming realization that—as much as we mock the callousness of the current U.S. administration—this is merely a temporary state of affairs, akin to passing a kidney stone: painful, uncomfortable, but ultimately, it shall pass. Just like the fluorescent orange-hued figure we reluctantly associate with “the man with the hair.” In the grand scheme of life, be it in the beautiful landscapes of Canada, New Zealand, the comforting beaches of Australia, or even the vibrant cities of the Philippines, real love can bloom away from the madness.

As I sit here in the Philippines, having escaped the MAGA frenzy faster than you can say “double-double,” I find solace in genuine connections that know no borders—a little bit of proof that perhaps we took ourselves too seriously while contemplating the great Canadian versus American goods showdown. So remember, my friends: Don’t boycott the people; instead, let’s laugh together about our absurdities and remember the good times—and maybe, just maybe, we can find a way to put the “O” back in “global connection,” one smile at a time.

In conclusion, as we navigate this brave new world without American cheese puffs and kale chips (because, let’s face it, those were never taking off), let’s remember the simplicity of camaraderie that once bridged our nations. And who knows? This boycott may just inspire us to engage with our neighbors around the globe more kindly—even when it comes to discussing that good old fashioned love-hate relationship around trade policies. After all, it’s time we nurture our international friendships “for the win,” not just our shopping carts!

Let’s not forget that even humor can unite us through tough times. So keep smiling, Canada and friends! The best is yet to come!


Disclaimer: Writer is not responsible for any sudden cravings for unavailable American snack foods. Consume at your own risk!


Boycotting Me: An Ineffective Tactic Against Trump
You know, trying to boycott Trump is like throwing a snowball at a volcano—pretty entertaining, but ultimately, it’s just going to melt before it ever makes an impact! It’s like telling a cat not to be a cat: good luck with that! Instead of being fazed, our favorite tweeter just fires up the next rally, probably with more red hats than a baseball game. So let’s face it, boycotting him might just translate to more people showing up at his events, popcorn in hand, waiting for the next episode of the real-life sitcom that is his presidency.

In 2006, I decided to sound the alarm about some serious trouble brewing on the horizon, broadcasting my thoughts like an enthusiastic weather reporter predicting a freak snowstorm in July. Everyone offered me a skeptical eyebrow raise, but I was undeterred, cranking up the volume in 2007 and trying to convince a wider audience that ignoring potential doom might not be the best strategy—after all, why not add a dash of urgency and a sprinkle of responsibility to their lives?

In 2007, a bunch of well-meaning folks decided it was time to spread the good word on business ethics, like confetti at a sustainability party! This initiative didn’t just point out that being ethical is like having a golden ticket to societal change; it also crafted a roadmap for future generations, complete with pop-up shops and smoothie bars! Fast forward to today, and I’ve dusted off these concepts and added a sprinkle of pizzazz, proving that ethical principles are like the last slice of pizza – always relevant and essential for building a responsible business buffet!

Come on, folks, cut me some slack here! Buy the books, they’ll unravel all this delightful madness—and trust me, it’s like a rollercoaster ride in a library!


WPS News: A Spicy Roast on Ageism and Cultural Bigotry

Here in the land of “back in my day,” ageism has become a new sport, with folks competing to see who can pit the wisdom of wrinkles against the vibrance of youth. It’s as if society has grabbed a giant spatula and decided to fry up stereotypes like they’re the hottest new dish! Meanwhile, cultural bigotry is the unruly sidekick, popping up to remind us that making fun of everyone from your neighbor’s great-aunt’s cooking to the way people pronounce “scone” is always in style. So, grab your popcorn—this roast promises to be as spicy as grandma’s secret chili recipe!

Ladies and gentlemen, gather ‘round as we take a jab at the rampant ageism and cultural bigotry that seem to be spreading faster than a bad rumor in a high school cafeteria—because, really, what’s more comedic than lobbing insults across the globe? Let’s get spicy, shall we?

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—no, not the one we could ride through the streets of Johannesburg wearing our favorite “I Love My Country” shirts, but the “America versus Everyone Else” saga. While Canadians drink their maple syrup lattes and cling to their snowshoes out of jealousy, we have to wonder: Did you choose to be born in Canada, the UK, or Australia? Heck, no! Just like I didn’t wake up one morning and think, “You know what I need? To exist in a nation that gets blamed for everything from world events to your inability to find a decent taco.”

Ageism? Don’t even get me started! It’s like saying, “Anything over 40 is ancient and unusable.” News flash: News anchors can still rock it at any age, just like your grandma who still hits the dance floor at weddings and makes you regret not joining her. Let’s stop pretending that the age of a person defines their capability, and realize we’re all doing our best—and yes, that includes the Americans who are still figuring out how to pronounce “quinoa” while trying to download TikTok.

Then there’s cultural bigotry! This is becoming a favorite pastime, isn’t it? As if being born in the USA means we automatically grow up with golden spoons, plot twists straight out of a Taylor Swift album, and an innate talent for producing Hollywood blockbusters. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t! While you’re over there munching on Vegemite and looking down upon those who don’t, remember that some of us are over here trying not to trip on the potholes while dodging the fast-food chains that inexplicably claim to represent our culture. Can we all agree this is a human problem, not a national one? We didn’t sign up for this international side-eye!

Cultural boundaries? They’re just silly lines drawn on maps to keep us from remembering we’re all just hairless apes trying to figure out this whole life thing together. Meanwhile, envy runs rampant like a feral cat at a BBQ, with countries bickering over petty squabbles while forgetting our shared humanity. Let’s all take a deep breath and realize we’re more alike than we think.

So, to those who spew their venomous tones about the USA’s flaws, let’s flip the narrative. Rather than throw barbs about another country’s shortcomings—as if pointing fingers will somehow lead to self-discovery—why don’t we band together? Instead of attacking each other, let’s roast the ageist notions and the cultural misconceptions into something more palatable. Like a perfectly grilled cheese sandwich that we all secretly love, no matter where we hail from!

Let’s throw some pepper on our collective sarcasm, sprinkle it with a little more spice, and laugh together at the absurdity of it all. It’s time to break the chains of nationalistic attitudes and embrace laughter, acceptance, and a sprinkle of good ol’ fashioned humor.

So, here’s to a human experience that rises above borders—may we all unite in our imperfections, laugh at our quirks, and promise to keep the ageist bickering on the back burner, where it belongs.

Now go grab a taco, raise your voice, and celebrate the glorious mess we’re all part of. Because in the end, we’re all just trying to figure out how to navigate this wild ride together—age, nationality, or culture be darned!


Disclaimer: No national snacks were harmed in the writing of this article. May cause uncontrollable laughter and existential thoughts.


A Satirical Look at Filipino Tribalism

In a land where every mango is metaphorically a giant football, Filipino tribalism is like a hilarious telenovela where everyone’s vying for the lead role. Picture this: folks passionately defending their barrios like knights in colorful armor, while the rest of us sip our lattes, trying to figure out what’s more dramatic—the latest barangay election or the newest flavor of halo-halo. It’s a quirky competition where loyalty runs deep and rivalries are as spicy as adobo, proving that in the great Filipino saga, even the fiercest of battles can be settled with a plate of lumpia and a hearty laugh!

Welcome to the circus that is humanity! Step right up as we take a darkly comedic look at Filipino tribalism. It’s like the North and South in the 1860s, except instead of battles, we’ve got fierce debates over whose lechon reigns supreme and which island throws the wildest fiestas. Spoiler alert: it’s all of them!

What’s really stirring up the pot? Ah yes, the War on Drugs and those oh-so-fancy sounding extrajudicial killings. Feels like a sequel to a horror movie, right? While the government insists it’s cleaning up the streets, many are left wondering if “cleaning up” actually means destroying communities—like leaving the bodies of unarmed children in their wake—as if some clueless magician stumbled through a kid’s birthday party. Instead of pulling rabbits out of hats, they’re pulling lives from neighborhoods, much to everyone’s horror.

It’s a grim throwback to the days of Dictator Marcos. Now, his son is in office, using the ICC to eliminate a political rival. Don’t get me wrong—there are some legitimate charges that need addressing, but the whole situation is as messy as a one-year-old’s birthday cake.

And this isn’t just a Filipino problem; it’s an international talent show for misuse of power! Need an example? Just look at that LA cop who treated his badge like a tool for chaos. We’re all award-winning performers in this tragicomic play.

Wouldn’t it be great if the ICC, the UN, and NATO could finally play nice? Instead, they seem to fight over the last cookie in a kindergarten classroom. Maybe they should swap their business suits for Hawaiian shirts, gather at a beach bonfire, and negotiate global issues over s’mores. Who wouldn’t love that?

At the end of the day, we’re all navigating this crazy rollercoaster called life together. Sure, some issues make us cry, but isn’t it better to laugh at the absurdity? We all make mistakes, we all love, and we all wonder if we left the oven on.

So let’s embrace our flaws and poke fun at our messiness. Laugh together, because we’re just a bunch of humans trying to figure this beautifully chaotic life out. Here’s to finding joy amid the chaos and loving each other through it all!



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