Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has responded to the Trump shooting by asking progressives to “dial down” the way they characterize conservative politicians, blaming them for the toxic culture in the U.S. “I think we have to be very mindful that we can have a disagreement in politics, but we have to stick to the issues,” she advised.

This is the same lady who told the far-right American journalist Tucker Carlson that our federal environment minister is a zealot and suggested Carlson put him in his crosshairs. The same lady that debates federal environment policies by accusing Justin Trudeau of wanting to destroy Alberta’s oil industry.

She is, however, far from as offensive as her federal counterpart, Mr. Poilievre. When the members of the “Trucker Convoy” were flaunting their huge “Fuck Trudeau” signs, Pierre was out encouraging them, playing coffee boy. More recently he was booted out of the House of Commons for calling the prime minister a “whacko.” Indeed, he seems unable to discuss Trudeau without wallowing in insults. Perhaps Premier Smith could have a chat with him about sticking to issues.

But enough about our conservatives. Let’s get to Trump. To be frank, when I heard someone had tried to blow his brains out and only missed by an inch, I didn’t share the shock so many have expressed. Indeed, I was hardly even surprised. First, there is so much gunplay in the U.S., one becomes inured to the latest outrage. And second, Trump’s politics are immersed in grievance and hate, it’s really what they are all about, so there can be no surprise if they produce violence.

This is a politician who fomented an insurrection. He condoned the lynching of his own vice president. He foully insults immigrants and has accused them of ‘poisoning the blood” of his country. He has referred to political opponents as “vermin.” He has praised violence against reporters. He even attacks members of his own party when they are not sufficiently deferential. He mocked John McCain, a war hero and elder of the Republican Party.

It goes on and on. This is Trump. It’s hard to work up any sympathy for a man for getting his ear nicked when he has spread so much malevolence against so many. He has created a culture of violence around himself and last Saturday it reached out and bit him. Sympathy might be better reserved for the innocent parties who were killed and wounded.

Sadly we have seen elements of Trumpian behaviour seep into our own country, specifically with the insult politics practiced by the federal leader of the opposition. I very much agree with the premier of our province that politicians should focus on issues, not personalities, and I look forward to her correcting her behaviour accordingly. Her federal counterpart, on the other hand, has expressed no contrition and has made it very clear he is changing nothing.