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Robin MacNab

@robinmacnab.bsky.social
502 followers 270 following 1.2K posts

Canadian Foreign Service Officer 1971 - 2015. RTs of news on international affairs, technology and other subjects.

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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 6h
The end of the US military mission in Iraq leaves the Kurdistan region facing a severe security vacuum. As Erbil grapples with deep internal divisions, Tehran is well positioned to make strategic gains. www.dw.com/en/iran-pois...
dw.com
Iran poised to exploit security vacuum as US forces leave Iraq after more than two decades of war
The end of the US military mission in Iraq leaves the Kurdistan region facing a severe security vacuum. As Erbil grapples with deep internal divisions, Tehran is well positioned to make strategic gain...
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
The final straw! America has gone to hell! wapo.st/4i4WaD1
wapo.st
Opinion | The dog versus cat rivalry is age-old. But something is shifting.
New trends in pet ownership reflect the state of the U.S. economy.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
For years, Pakistan supported the Taliban in Afghanistan. But now Pakistan is bombing its neighbor. How the former allies became adversaries and why negotiations keep failing. www.dw.com/en/pakistan-...
dw.com
Pakistan and Afghanistan used to be allies but they're edging towards all-out war
For years, Pakistan supported the Taliban in Afghanistan. But now Pakistan is bombing its neighbor. How the former allies became adversaries and why negotiations keep failing.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Kingston Whig Standard’s @GeoffyPJohnston.bsky.social - Russia is waging a war of genocide on Ukraine. www.thewhig.com/opinion/john...
thewhig.com
JOHNSTON: Russia is committing genocide in Ukraine
It is past time for the community of nations to clearly state the hard truth
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Thomas Friedman (gift article): President Trump is such an awful human being that just writing about him feels degrading. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Trump Is Going Viral in the Worst Ways (Gift Article)
On the technological, diplomatic and biological fronts, Trump is creating a disaster.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The U.S. auto industry relies heavily on Canada, which is the largest export market for American automakers—larger than the next 10 markets combined fortune.com/2026/09/25/c...
fortune.com
‘U.S. trade policy is damaging the U.S. auto industry’: Canada’s purchase of American cars hits new low as Trump’s tariffs backfire on U.S. automakers | Fortune
In one year, the U.S. share of new vehicles in Canada shrunk from 35.4% to 28.4%, new data shows.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
In a region that has fully embraced the harvest, no place has become more synonymous with the crimson berry than Bala, a small town that proudly titles itself The Cranberry Capital of Ontario. www.toronto.com/things-to-do...
toronto.com
This Ontario town is obsessed with cranberries – and you'll see why when you visit
Timed with the peak of harvest, the Bala Cranberry Festival has earned a spot among Festival & Events Ontario’s Top 100.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
In a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times on Wednesday, Carney laid out his vision for how the global community should regulate A.I. development (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/w...
nytimes.com
Carney Says Risk of an A.I. Catastrophe Is ‘Above Zero’ (Gift Article)
In contrast to President Trump’s calls for an unfettered A.I. industry, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada called for international coordination on regulations.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Trump’s New Favorite Neighbor: Mexico (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/w...
nytimes.com
Trump’s New Favorite Neighbor: Mexico (Gift Article)
President Trump built his political brand in part on bashing Mexico. Now his second presidency depends on deepening partnerships with the country.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Mark Carney’s Balancing Act - In a wide-ranging interview with the NYT (gift article), the Canadian leader laid out a detailed vision for breaking his country’s dependency on the United States www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/w...
nytimes.com
Mark Carney Interview: Canada’s Leader Lays Out Vision for Breaking Reliance on U.S. (Gift Article)
In a wide-ranging interview, the Canadian leader laid out a detailed vision for breaking his country’s dependency on the United States.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Germany's far-right AfD and the socialist Left Party gained ground in recent state elections, while the centrist parties lost support. The biggest loser is Chancellor Friedrich Merz. www.dw.com/en/how-will-...
dw.com
Germany: Chancellor Merz faces difficult days ahead after far-right AfD and Left Party election wins
Germany's far-right AfD and the socialist Left Party gained ground in recent state elections, while the centrist parties lost support. The biggest loser is Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Germany: Is it possible to replace the chancellor? www.dw.com/en/germany-i...
dw.com
Germany: Is it possible to replace the chancellor?
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's record-low approval ratings have emboldened his opponents. There are three ways to remove a chancellor from office in Germany.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Donald Trump’s fortune grew from his grandfather’s nest egg, earned through a restaurant, bar and brothel in Whitehorse in Canada nunatsiaq.com/stories/arti...
nunatsiaq.com
The Canadian roots of Donald Trump’s wealth
Canadians are well aware that America’s boorish and vulgar president is wealthy.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
F.B.I. Temporarily Halted Cooperation With Canada Over References to 9/11 The abrupt move by Kash Patel, the bureau’s director, came as President Trump was ramping up his attacks on the country. (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/u...
nytimes.com
F.B.I. Temporarily Halted Cooperation With Canada Over References to 9/11 (Gift Article)
The abrupt move by Kash Patel, the bureau’s director, came as President Trump was ramping up his attacks on the country.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
David French (gift article): Trump’s Republican Party is plagued with, well, let’s call them periodic bigot eruptions. It seems that every few months exposes more members of MAGA as racists, antisemites and Islamophobes. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Watching Bigots Erupt (Gift Article)
This is what I see when I look at the picture Bo French hates.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Canadian whisky outsold bourbon in the United States for decades. It wasn’t until 2010 that bourbon caught up. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: Trump’s booze war is an attack on a national icon
Alcohol has played a role in many conflicts throughout history. This time it’s largely symbolic trolling
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
From @JohnIbbitson: Mark Carney succeeded Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister. But it feels more spiritually accurate to say that he succeeded C.D. Howe, who transformed Canada’s industry and infrastructure before, during and after the Second World War www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: Mark Carney has become the heir to C.D. Howe
The former Liberal ‘minister of everything’ who launched an industrial and infrastructure revolution would surely approve of the Prime Minister’s sovereignty efforts
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Washington Post editorial (gift article): Canada’s Great European Misadventure wapo.st/4d8y4FN
wapo.st
Opinion | Canada’s great European misadventure
Donald Trump is for now. A Brussels bureaucrat is forever.
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Reposted by Robin MacNab
Awaken-Educate-Activate @equality-for-all.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
from Anne Applebaum www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
theatlantic.com
MAGA Is Making the World Safe for Corruption
Far-right ideologues have transformed American foreign policy into a tool of private gain and antidemocratic reaction.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Trump’s tariffs on Canada could cost him several red states (gift article) wapo.st/4ipoCBb
wapo.st
Trump’s tariffs on Canada could cost him several red states
President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian imports and Canada’s retaliatory measures could affect upcoming midterm elections.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Even some Republicans are losing faith in Trump’s economy, a New York Times/Siena poll found, and Democrats were favored on the top issues as the sprint to the midterms gets underway. (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/u...
nytimes.com
Democrats Gain Midterms Edge as Trump Drags Down Republicans, Per Times/Siena Poll (Gift Article)
Even some Republicans are losing faith in Trump’s economy, a New York Times/Siena poll found, and Democrats were favored on the top issues as the sprint to the midterms gets underway.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
David French (gift article) MAGA attempts to fix elections. It uses the complexity of the law (and public ignorance of the law) to obscure the utter brazenness of its defiance. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Fix Was Almost In (Gift Article)
The midterms dodge their first MAGA bullet. It won’t be the last.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Kingston Whig Standard’s @GeoffyPJohnston.bsky.social When it comes to Great Powers attempting to use trade to subjugate neighbouring countries, Donald Trump’s America and Vladmir Putin’s Russia have much in common. www.thewhig.com/opinion/john...
thewhig.com
JOHNSTON: Carney-Zelenskyy summit reinforces national sovereignty
Prime Minister Mark Carney, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defiantly standing up against powerful imperialist neighbours
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
While moving gold to a location such as London has an attraction of its own for European entities, it is clear that doubts over US reliability in the Trump era and over the US financial system as a whole is driving decision-making www.dw.com/en/why-are-e...
dw.com
Why are European banks moving gold out of United States?
The Netherlands and France have moved their gold out of US vaults. Part of the reason is fears about the reliability of the US, but equally important is the need to keep gold closer to home in the eve...
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
This is an extremely important piece and Democrats will have to listen to this and act on it. Nobody has listened more to voters and understands them than Sarah Longwell - her new book is out today “How to Eat an Elephant, One Voter at a Time”.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Bombardier employs 12,000 in Canada and has 4,500 to 5,000 direct employees across more than 20 states, including Kansas (Wichita, with 1,000+ employees), Texas (Red Oak), California (Los Angeles), Arizona, Florida, Connecticut, Illinois, Delaware, and New Jersey.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
This 150-year-old Ontario church in Stratford is home to a new fine dining restaurant already generating 5-star Google reviews www.insidehalton.com/news/bijou-a...
insidehalton.com
This 150-year-old Ontario church has been transformed into a 'locally inspired' fine dining restaurant
The historic hospitality hotspot features a menu that sources local ingredients from Perth Country and southwestern Ontario.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
David French (gift article): From the top down, Trump is replacing the highly imperfect meritocracy of American public service with an idiocracy. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/06/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Pete Hegseth Is a Wrecking Ball (Gift Article)
We are already paying a high price for the defense secretary’s purges and whims.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Excellent commentary from Maureen Dowd ( gift article): Trump is an outlaw. And our system was not built for an outlaw in the Oval. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/05/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Not So Supreme, Mr. Roberts (Gift Article)
Courting authoritarianism with a rapacious Trump.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Definitely worth the watch - a comparison of Canada’s and Mexico’s negotiating positions with the U.S. p.dw.com/p/5LfHO
p.dw.com
What is Mexico's US trade strategy?
Canada chose to stand up to Donald Trump. Will Mexico do the same?
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
David Ignatius (gift article): America’s absence is inviting the war Europe fears most Renewed U.S. leadership in the pushback against Russia is crucial to avoiding catastrophe. wapo.st/4ha5y8O
wapo.st
Opinion | America’s absence is inviting the war Europe fears most
Renewed U.S. leadership in the pushback against Russia is crucial to avoiding catastrophe.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Brilliant piece (gift article) from famed historian Margaret MacMillan www.nytimes.com/2026/09/01/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | A New World Order Is Coming. We Aren’t Ready. (Gift Article)
We must be honest about the seriousness of the situation we’re in.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Ramesh Ponnuru (gift article) - The multifaceted stupidity of Trump’s Canadian trade war It might not be the dumbest in history, but the president’s escalation gets close. wapo.st/4gMtein
wapo.st
Opinion | The multifaceted stupidity of Trump’s Canadian trade war
It might not be the dumbest in history, but the president’s escalation gets close.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Three big flocks of geese heading south. Our goose is cooked.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
From @GeoffyPJohnston.bsky.social The fierce reaction of Canadians to the American attack on our sovereignty and the outpouring of love for The Tragically Hip demonstrate how deeply we love our culture and way of life. We are forever Hip. We are forever Canadian. www.thewhig.com/opinion/john...
thewhig.com
JOHNSTON: Forever Hip, forever Canadian, never 51
Bullying, ignorant bluster, and unjustified tariffs are tactics employed by the U.S. in service of an imperialist scheme to destroy Canada.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
NYT editorial (gift article): The Ludicrous Argument Behind Trump’s Tariffs www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Ludicrous Argument Behind Trump’s Tariffs (Gift Article)
Mr. Trump is breaking the law. Congress and the judiciary need to respond.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Very good piece (gift article) - U.S.-Canada breakdown shows limits of Trump’s aggressive trade strategy wapo.st/3S6Za8Z
wapo.st
U.S.-Canada breakdown shows limits of Trump’s aggressive trade strategy
“It’s a big setback,” one analyst said, noting that other countries unhappy with the president’s trade deals are probably watching closely.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
From NYT (gift article): Carney Stands Up to Trump in Trade War Despite the Risks www.nytimes.com/2026/08/22/w...
nytimes.com
Carney Stands Up to Trump in U.S.-Canada Trade War (Gift Article)
Canada’s prime minister walked away from what he thought was a bad trade deal with the United States. Many Canadians are behind him, but it will be costly.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Trump’s broken promises in eleven charts www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Trump’s Economic Record Doesn’t Come Close to His Campaign Promises (Gift Article)
The president likes to boast about the “greatest economy we’ve ever had.” His record falls far short.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Brilliant: Andrew MacDougall: Maybe we should just bribe Trump It might be dirty and degrading, but you have to admit it would work. www.readtheline.ca/p/andrew-mac...
readtheline.ca
Andrew MacDougall: Maybe we should just bribe Trump
It might be dirty and degrading, but you have to admit it would work.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Well wort the read: How AI could bring Mayo-quality health care to everyone www.axios.com/2026/08/16/a...
axios.com
How AI could bring Mayo-quality health care to everyone
We could spare millions of Americans from health care hell.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
The Kingston Whig Standard’s @GeoffyPJohnston.bsky.social continues his series on the impact of war on children and examines relevant Canadian policy. www.thewhig.com/opinion/stop...
thewhig.com
Stop the war on children
In an increasingly anarchic and violent international system in which children are victimized, maimed and even killed, a leading children’s rights organization is urging Canada to do even more to prot...
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
A very good piece from Axios - does college still matter ? www.axios.com/2026/08/15/c...
axios.com
College loses its monopoly on the American Dream
The bachelor's degree is getting a hard reappraisal.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
NYT readers pick the top 100 thrillers of the century (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/b....
nytimes.com
Readers Choose the Best Thrillers and Mysteries of the Century (Gift Article)
The backbone of the list: nine novels by Tana French, and five novels each from John le Carré, Kate Atkinson and Mick Herron.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Very long but very important (gift article) A.I. Hype Is Running Into Reality And what a hedge fund’s $35 billion loss reveals about the state of the industry. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/12/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | A.I. Hype Is Running Into Reality (Gift Article)
And what a hedge fund’s $35 billion loss reveals about the state of the industry.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
First in a series from Kingston Whig Standard’s @GeoffyPJohnston.bsky.social - how wars harm millions of children. www.thewhig.com/opinion/john...
thewhig.com
JOHNSTON: War in the Middle East harms millions of children
The regional war in the Middle East is harming millions of children globally.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Good list from the NYT - top 50 thriller books of 21st century (gift article) www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
The 50 Best Thrillers of the 21st Century (Gift Article)
Hundreds of novelists, librarians, editors and other book lovers voted. See how their ballots stack up.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
This is the most balanced and sensible commentary I have seen on the Fauci testimony www.nytimes.com/2026/08/05/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Fauci Hearing Shows How Little We’ve Learned About Covid (Gift Article)
We can’t learn critical lessons from the pandemic if we’re obsessed with blame.
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Robin MacNab @robinmacnab.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
A somber assessment from David French (gift article): The world is walking a path toward a world war, and no one — including the president of the United States — seems to be in command of events. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/02/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The War That Could Swallow the World (Gift Article)
Whatever is happening in Iran, it isn’t working.
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Reposted by Robin MacNab
Peggy Boooooo!!!!! Blair @peggyjblair.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
FABULOUS NEWS!!! Chris Forrest and I have had our opening paragraphs to two of our stories selected for #CrimeBits peggyblair.wordpress.com/2026/07/31/f...
peggyblair.wordpress.com
FABULOUS NEWS!!! #CrimeBits#
Huge congrats to Chris Forrest!!! The opening paragraph of his short story, “If We Make it Through December” (to be published later this year by ReBound Press as part of the CRIME FOR C…
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