Of frogs, roses, kings and a Great Lake
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, as the saying goes. Basically, if you change something’s name, you don’t actually change the nature of the thing. That […]
In an unexpected turn of events, a recent executive order by an American president aimed to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America." The move, which was met with skepticism and criticism, raised questions about the president's mental clarity and the true intentions behind the renaming. Despite the apparent absurdity of the proposal, the media dutifully covered the story, with many interpreting it as a mere attempt to assert control over the Great Lake.
The executive order, which was reportedly issued by writing on a map with a red pen and issuing a proclamation, suggested that the United States claimed most of the lake's volume due to its deepest parts lying within American territory. This assertion drew comparisons to China's efforts to exert control over territories through renaming. Some observers even suggested that the president's actions were driven by a desire to be at the center of significant events, regardless of their merit.
The renaming of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" is seen as erasing the lake's rich history, which dates back long before the establishment of the United States and Canada. Named "Ontari'io" in the Wendat language, meaning "beautiful lake," the body of water holds cultural significance for Indigenous peoples. The president's decision to rename the lake, despite the lack of support from his staff, has been met with ridicule and skepticism.
Critics argue that the move lacks substance and purpose, especially when faced with more pressing issues such as high gas prices, food inflation, and military spending.
The media's coverage of the renaming has been criticized for its lack of skepticism and for failing to question the president's mental fitness. The author argues that the event is reminiscent of the fable of the boiling frog, where a frog remains in boiling water until it is too late. The author suggests that the renaming should be seen as a symbol of the emperor's lack of clothes, representing a disregard for history and cultural significance in favor of personal vanity.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
