Starting with the election of Joe Biden in November 2020, U.S. election results have been looking rather good. The midterms in 2022 were predicted to produce the usual midterm result—a rout of the incumbent president’s party. To the delight of the Democrats and progressives everywhere, it didn’t happen. The Republicans
Continue readingAuthor: Bill Longstaff
Views from the Beltline: More good news from down south
Starting with the election of Joe Biden in November 2020, U.S. election results have been looking rather good. The midterms in 2022 were predicted to produce the usual midterm result—a rout of the incumbent president’s party. To the delight of the Democrats and progressives everywhere, it didn’t happen. The Republicans
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: A healthy competition
Our federal government brought down its 2023 budget last week and it was very green. Dealing with climate change was front and centre. There were other good things, such as a big boost for dental care, and a few items missing, like pharmacare, but I would give it an A
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: A healthy competition
Our federal government brought down its 2023 budget last week and it was very green. Dealing with climate change was front and centre. There were other good things, such as a big boost for dental care, and a few items missing, like pharmacare, but I would give it an A
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: America may be broken, Canada not so much
Americans long had a reputation for being the world’s greatest flag wavers. According to a recent cross-border study by the Angus Reid Institute, that may no longer be the case. At least not relative to Canadians. Judging by a number of criteria, Canadians are a lot happier with their country
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: America may be broken, Canada not so much
Americans long had a reputation for being the world’s greatest flag wavers. According to a recent cross-border study by the Angus Reid Institute, that may no longer be the case. At least not relative to Canadians. Judging by a number of criteria, Canadians are a lot happier with their country
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Some encouraging support for net zero
Below is an open letter that appeared as an ad in the National Post and The Hill Times. The letter recognizes that our “major trading partners have already moved aggressively and swiftly” toward a sustainable economy and strongly recommends we do the same. I was so impressed that these signatories—leading
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Some encouraging support for net zero
Below is an open letter that appeared as an ad in the National Post and The Hill Times. The letter recognizes that our “major trading partners have already moved aggressively and swiftly” toward a sustainable economy and strongly recommends we do the same. I was so impressed that these signatories—leading
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Africa’s anti-gay madness—the Christian connection
Uganda recently passed an anti-gay law described by United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk as “probably among the worst of its kind in the world.” Anyone engaging in gay sex can be imprisoned for life. Even attempting to have gay sex can earn seven years behind bars. Homosexual acts
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Africa’s anti-gay madness—the Christian connection
Uganda recently passed an anti-gay law described by United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk as “probably among the worst of its kind in the world.” Anyone engaging in gay sex can be imprisoned for life. Even attempting to have gay sex can earn seven years behind bars. Homosexual acts
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: The IPCC and the Alberta perspective
On March 20 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the final instalment of its Sixth Assessment Report. The report resulted from the work of 234 scientists on the physical science, 270 scientists on impacts, adaptation and vulnerabilities, and 278 scientists on mitigation. This is the bible on climate change. It isn’t
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: The IPCC and the Alberta perspective
On March 20 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the final instalment of its Sixth Assessment Report. The report resulted from the work of 234 scientists on the physical science, 270 scientists on impacts, adaptation and vulnerabilities, and 278 scientists on mitigation. This is the bible on climate change. It isn’t
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: A warrant for the world’s “most brazen mobster”
If there has been a knock on the International Criminal Court (ICC) it’s that it has focussed excessively on developing countries. Of the over 50 individuals the court has indicted, the majority are from Africa. The court has now issued a warrant for a European and they couldn’t have made
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: A warrant for the world’s “most brazen mobster”
If there has been a knock on the International Criminal Court (ICC) it’s that it has focussed excessively on developing countries. Of the over 50 individuals the court has indicted, the majority are from Africa. The court has now issued a warrant for a European and they couldn’t have made
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: About eating meat
The Colorado River and those who depend on it are in trouble. A once-in-a-millennium drought now entering its third decade is shrinking water levels to disturbing numbers. The seven states and Mexico that rely on the Colorado are worried. As we should be. Two of the states, California and Arizona,
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: About eating meat
The Colorado River and those who depend on it are in trouble. A once-in-a-millennium drought now entering its third decade is shrinking water levels to disturbing numbers. The seven states and Mexico that rely on the Colorado are worried. As we should be. Two of the states, California and Arizona,
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Iran and Saudi Arabia make nice
The Middle East has been an ugly place for some time. It has become humanity’s favourite region for killing each other although Vladimir Putin is attempting to return that honour to Europe. It was good news therefore to hear that two of the region’s major belligerents have decided to kiss
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Iran and Saudi Arabia make nice
The Middle East has been an ugly place for some time. It has become humanity’s favourite region for killing each other although Vladimir Putin is attempting to return that honour to Europe. It was good news therefore to hear that two of the region’s major belligerents have decided to kiss
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Joltin’ Judge Brown lasts one round
There was a mystery haunting our Supreme Court throughout February. Justice Russell Brown wasn’t showing up for work. Last week the mystery was solved. The judge has been suspended with pay for getting into a fracas in Scottsdale, Arizona. The judge was in Scottsdale to speak at a ceremony honouring
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: BIG step toward saving the oceans
Along with our other environmental sins, we are fishing the oceans dry. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, over a third of global fisheries have been fished beyond sustainable limits and almost two-thirds are being fished to their limits. Sharks and rays have declined by over 70 percent.
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