This was initially meant to be a lengthy Facebook post for those who look to me for information on complex matters (which I do happily, by request). However, it received such appreciation and requests to make it open to all (which I eventually did) that I thought I’d post it here, too, but
Continue readingAuthor: Alheli Picazo
A. Picazo: Move Along, #Harperman – We’ll Take It From Here
What began as a discussion* (and mocking) of the sideshow of the day song of a generation turned into a great exchange about political/protest tunes. I’ve collected some of the best recommendations, and in addition to my own suggestions, have linked to the better ones found throughout the night. Feel free to post the songs
Continue readingA. Picazo: The Assault On Planned Parenthood: A Long Campaign Against Reproductive Rights
In 2011, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to strip Planned Parenthood of federal funding, a move deemed necessary to ensure no taxpayer dollars were used on abortion despite existing federal legislation which prohibits funds granted under Title X from paying for such services. This vote, a “culmination of a
Continue readingA. Picazo: The Assault On Planned Parenthood: A Long Campaign Against Reproductive Rights
In 2011, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to strip Planned Parenthood of federal funding, a move deemed necessary to ensure no taxpayer dollars were used on abortion despite existing federal legislation which prohibits funds granted under Title X from paying for such services. This vote, a “culmination of a
Continue readingA. Picazo: A Word To My Critics:
To those accusing me of seeking to defend Blatchford, as intent to undermine undermine Guthrie/Reilly, or as somehow actively championing an odious twitter persona I’m on the record as having no sympathy for: My intention in writing this piece was to promote an honest discussion about the case itself, because
Continue readingA. Picazo: Meriting A Quota
In seeking to redress the underrepresentation of women in key positions of political leadership, Liberal Party of Canada leader Justin Trudeau has pledged gender parity within government at decision-making levels, vowing as Prime Minister to appoint an “equal number of women and men” to cabinet. Unveiled in June as part
Continue readingA. Picazo: As Some Fight To “Take Alberta Back,” Others Work To Move It Forward
In 1954, when the U.S. Senate voted to censure Wisconsin Republican Joseph R. McCarthy, a man whose motivations were deemed “evil and unmatched in malice,” it closed the book on a particularly shameful chapter of American politics; One marked by relentless character assassinations, vicious demagoguery, and incessant partisan witch hunts.
Continue readingA. Picazo: Rebel Without A Spine
Facts often prove a nuisance to those with an agenda to push or a narrative to sell. Just as those who peddle snake-oil rely on manufactured illness to hawk miracle cures, those who ply their trade in fear rely on ignorance to further an ideology. I’ve long used social media
Continue readingA. Picazo: Address This Code
This op-ed appeared in The Ottawa Citizen on May 25, 2015. In 2013, Kimberly Hall, Director of Women’s Ministry at All Saints Presbyterian Church, wrote an open letter to teen girls who, in her view, were tempting her sons into “impure thoughts” through social media. “If you are friends with a Hall boy on Facebook or
Continue readingA. Picazo: Freedom Of Religion vs. License To Discriminate
This op-ed appeared in The Ottawa Citizen on April 8, 2015. There’s a fundamental misunderstanding, or perhaps, a deliberate mischaracterization, of what constitutes religious freedom in a pluralistic society; of the role governments should play in protecting religious liberties, the extent to which citizens are obligated to facilitate the customs of another, and what
Continue readingA. Picazo: Inoculating Against Science-Denialism
This op-ed appeared in The Ottawa Citizen on February 10, 2015. There’s an illness sweeping its way across North America, one which has long-troubled the scientific community and baffled even the most seasoned medical expert. This problem isn’t new, but was once considered primarily a threat to underdeveloped nations which have yet to
Continue readingA. Picazo: Of Torture And Tortured Logic
This op-ed appeared in The Ottawa Citizen on December 18, 2014 The executive summary of a nearly 7,000 page report into the C.I.A.’s Detention and Interrogation program under the Bush administration confirmed not only what has long been public knowledge – that America did, in fact, engage in torture – but also revealed that, despite
Continue readingA. Picazo: In The Fight Against Sex Crimes, We’re All In This Together
This op-ed appeared in The Ottawa Citizen on November 12, 2014 Late last week, amid the growing scandal surrounding Jian Ghomeshi, buried under the reprehensible politicking and partisan bickering over the handling of sexual misconduct allegations on Parliament Hill, was a remarkable moment of bravery and candour from well-known political commentator and former Parliament
Continue readingA. Picazo: A Circus On The Levant
“Being a Jew isn’t like being Black or being gay or being a woman, or even Israeli where many Jews come from. Being a Jew is a choice, like being a Blood or Crip. Jews are the medieval prototype of the Occupy Wall Street movement; a shiftless group of hobo’s
Continue readingA. Picazo: Want To ‘Send A Message’? Vote.
This op-ed appeared in The Ottawa Citizen on June 12, 2014 In October 2013, British comedian and actor Russell Brand, acting as a guest-editor for a revolution-themed edition of New Statesman, penned a bizarre, 4,500-word call to revolution. “I have never voted,” Brand declared. “Like most people I am utterly disenchanted
Continue readingA. Picazo: Ending The Stigma
This op-ed appeared in the Ottawa Citizen on January 28, 2014. On Dec. 29, Christopher Peloso, the 40-year-old husband of former Ontario deputy premier George Smitherman, was reported missing. “Freedom from depression has been elusive for Christopher,” Smitherman tweeted on the eve of the 29th. “We fear for his safety.” A followup tweet
Continue readingA. Picazo: Poppy Wars
This op-ed appeared in the Ottawa Citizen on November 11, 2013 “Ottawa Students Don’t Care If ‘White Poppy’ Offends Veterans!” screamed the Sun News headline. In what has become the annual stopgap war between the War On Halloween and War On Christmas, the Poppy War was again trotted out as
Continue readingA. Picazo: Yes – Let’s Talk
Though dismissed by some as a cynical marketing ploy, Bell’s Let’s Talk campaign not only succeeded in raising $4.8 million for mental health initiatives, but also provided a forum for canadians to share their stories, reach out for help, and address the stigma associated with mental illness. That conversation, seeing
Continue readingA. Picazo: On The Media, Journalism, And The Willingness To Support it
It has been a tough month for journalism. Reports of mass layoffs and (select) publication suspensions at Postmedia engulfed the twitterverse late Monday afternoon, the second such round of job cuts for Postmedia, who earlier this month opted to close their wire service, returning to the content produced by the
Continue readingA. Picazo: Link Byfield – Another Thorn On The Wildrose
Though it took longer than I anticipated, it seems Wildrose leader Danielle Smith, gag order and all, has failed to contain the radical views held by some in her party from seeping out into the public sphere. These views would have been discovered eventually, mind you, as Smith cannot muzzle
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