February, I suppose, is a bit late for a “Best of the Year” list. Getting through every single must-see movie in a timely fashion is no small task. Indeed, there are some I may never get around to (I’m looking at you, Maverick). But with the 95th Academy Awards ceremony
Continue readingAuthor: David Taub Bancroft
Song of the Watermelon: 2022 Vancouver Municipal Election Endorsements
I suppose I’ve been putting this off long enough. If you would like to know how I plan to vote in tomorrow’s Vancouver municipal elections, read on … Mayor: 51. Kennedy Stewart (Forward Together) City Council: 101. Breen Ouellette(COPE) 105. Tesicca Truong 張慈櫻 Trương Từ Anh (Forward Together) 107. Nancy
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: National Post Letter
Electoral reform opponents are once again pulling out the old Israel canard. I’ve responded with a letter attempting to set the record straight in today’s National Post: Electoral reform Re: Think you want electoral reform? Kelly McParland, July 9 According to Kelly McParland, “Israel has a proportional representation system of
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: National Post Letter
The old poli sci major in me could not allow John Ivison’s column to stand. Please see the letters section in today’s National Post for my response to the argument that it is somehow “illiberal” for governments to impel individuals to get vaccinated. Re: Trudeau shows liberal principles have left
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: National Post Letter
The old poli sci major in me could not allow John Ivison’s column to stand. Please see the letters section in today’s National Post for my response to the argument that it is somehow “illiberal” for governments to impel individuals to get vaccinated. Re: Trudeau shows liberal principles have left
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Requiem for a Fascist Clown
In a fitting end to four years of chaos, bigotry, and wilful aversion to the truth, Donald Trump is refusing to accept the results of the election that he lost, surprising no one. His campaign has filed lawsuits in multiple states, seeking to overturn, or at least forestall, Joe Biden’s
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Requiem for a Fascist Clown
In a fitting end to four years of chaos, bigotry, and wilful aversion to the truth, Donald Trump is refusing to accept the results of the election that he lost, surprising no one. His campaign has filed lawsuits in multiple states, seeking to overturn, or at least forestall, Joe Biden’s
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Globe and Mail Letter
Clifford Orwin argues in a Globe and Mail op-ed that both Republicans and Democrats are behaving hypocritically in their fight over filling the Supreme Court vacancy before the election. In today’s Letters section, I concisely defend the Democrats’ approach: It does not seem like hypocrisy for U.S. Senate Democrats to
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Globe and Mail Letter
Clifford Orwin argues in a Globe and Mail op-ed that both Republicans and Democrats are behaving hypocritically in their fight over filling the Supreme Court vacancy before the election. In today’s Letters section, I concisely defend the Democrats’ approach: It does not seem like hypocrisy for U.S. Senate Democrats to
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Kidney March 2020
Hello out there in Blog Land! I realize I haven’t posted in a while, but for a change of pace I thought I’d let you know that I am participating in this year’s Kidney March, a 100 km walk to raise funds for The Kidney Foundation of Canada. The money
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Kidney March 2020
Hello out there in Blog Land! I realize I haven’t posted in a while, but for a change of pace I thought I’d let you know that I am participating in this year’s Kidney March, a 100 km walk to raise funds for The Kidney Foundation of Canada. The money
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Globe and Mail Letter
Today’s Globe and Mail contains a letter to the editor from yours truly (second from the bottom) in response to an op-ed criticizing those who take offence at J.K. Rowling’s misguided views on trans people. I discuss one of my pet peeves in the current “free speech” wars — namely,
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Globe and Mail Letter
Today’s Globe and Mail contains a letter to the editor from yours truly (second from the bottom) in response to an op-ed criticizing those who take offence at J.K. Rowling’s misguided views on trans people. I discuss one of my pet peeves in the current “free speech” wars — namely,
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Top 10 Films of the 2010s
I don’t really write about movies in this blog (lately I haven’t written much of anything), but with the decade coming to a close, I figure why not take a look back at a few cinematic standouts? There may be omissions (Marvel and Star Wars fans need read no further).
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Top 10 Films of the 2010s
I don’t really write about movies on this blog (lately I haven’t written much of anything), but with the decade coming to a close, I figure why not take a look back at a few cinematic standouts? There may be omissions (Marvel and Star Wars fans need read no further).
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Globe and Mail Letter
The Letters section in today’s Globe and Mail is filled with readers’ thoughts on climate change. One such reader is me. Please see the fifth letter from the top for my response to the “What about China?” excuse for Canadian climate inaction.
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Globe and Mail Letter
The Letters section in today’s Globe and Mail is filled with readers’ thoughts on climate change. One such reader is me. Please see the fifth letter from the top for my response to the “What about China?” excuse for Canadian climate inaction.
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Pro Rep: Infinity War; or, In Defence of Endless Referendums
Winston Churchill (apocryphally, as it turns out) is believed to have said, “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” In light of British Columbia’s referendum on electoral reform this past fall, one is tempted to agree. But let’s not let the media, politicians, and
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Pro Rep: Infinity War; or, In Defence of Endless Referendums
Winston Churchill (apocryphally, as it turns out) is believed to have said, “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” In light of British Columbia’s referendum on electoral reform this past fall, one is tempted to agree. But let’s not let the media, politicians, and
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Vancouver Sun Letter
I have a letter in today’s Vancouver Sun, not so much supporting proportional representation (although I do support proportional representation) as addressing what I consider to be baseless objections to the current electoral reform referendum. My letter is second from the top, under the (perhaps regrettable) heading “Complexity isn’t a
Continue reading