So I stop at this tiny gas station in Alberta. Place is basically empty. Just me, the cashier, and one other guy… and the two of them are going off like it’s open mic night for bad political takes.

Loud. Like, aggressively loud. Whole store has to hear it.

Alberta separation. Worst prime minister ever. Sold us to China. The usual greatest hits.

So yeah… I stepped in. I couldn't help it.

I go, “You know you’re talking about the best prime minister we’ve had in years, right?”

Buddy fires back, “Yeah, and he trained the other idiot.”

I know he's referring to Trudeau.

I just looked at him and went, “What are you talking about? He didn’t train Pierre Poilievre… if anything he’s the reason we’re not stuck with him.”

And that’s where it fell apart.

Dead silence for a second… then straight to, “Wow, you’re fucking wrong.”

No argument. No facts. Just toddler-level name-calling.

So I said, “If that’s all you’ve got, maybe don’t broadcast your opinions to the entire gas station like you’re onto something.”

Paid, walked out, shaking my head.

Then - because of course - one of them follows me outside and starts bitching that I’m taking too long at the pump.

I wasn’t. I was filling my tank.

At that point I’m just thinking… yeah, this was never about politics. You don’t want a conversation. You just want to be loud, angry, and feel smart for five minutes.

And the second someone pushes back, it all falls apart.

Sigh... This is not the Alberta I grew up in. Or, maybe it is and I'm finally seeing it for what it is.