As I watched Rachel lay it out tonight, my blood ran cold.

[The_jackalope]

For 15 years now I've been speculating about the collapse of civilization. I think this will be due to biophysical factors like overpopulation, overconsumption, deforestation, desertification, the loss of fresh water resources, and above all the knock-on effects of climate change, especially the disruption of food supplies brought on by extreme weather events caused by disruptions in the jet stream. I am fully convinced that we are already over the edge and into the avalanche.

One of the consequences that I expected to see as the multi-factorial stresses on societies increased, is the spread of authoritarian governments and the resulting destruction of democracies around the world. My expectations have not been disappointed.

But I never expected to be living just across the border from such a society, watching the process of social collapse unfold in front of my eyes, in real time, on my TV, in the terrified comfort of my living room in Ottawa.

I hope (and if I were religious I would pray) that you will pour out into the streets en masse.

If not you, then who? If not now, then when?